Guitar Hero on a bike?

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

Ok, I'll admit it; I'm amused, but some people need to find jobs.

IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME.....

by Sandra Hammon


Well, it finally happened. Actually, it didn't take long at all. Since the stop signs have been removed for the sake of GOING GREEN, motorists have been creeping through these intersections.

However, there are those who still aren't aware of these stop signs being removed. There is no indication they've been taken up. No flashing caution lights so people will know to be careful when crossing.

So, today the inevitable happened. A truck, stopped as it was supposed to at the intersection of 45th Street and 29th Ave, was hit by another car as it pulled out of what was once a four way stop. Assuming the stop signs were still there, he went on through. Imagine his surprise when none other than a MPD patrol car came barreling through without stopping. I'm not sure if the patrol car was on a call or not, but the driver of the truck unknowingly pulled out in front of him. There was an impact and both vehicles went flying. So much so, that the patrol car ended up crashing through a homeowners backyard fence.

To my knowledge, no one was hurt, but what about next time? The mayor wants us to GO GREEN with minimal efforts such as pulling up stop signs around town. Can't the city work crew be instructed to put a flashing caution light at these intersections? I have to ask Mayor Smith, is receiving an award for GOING GREEN worth someone's life?

My Heart Goes Out

By Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant, The Meridian Star


My heart goes out to the families of the two teenagers who were killed the last two days in Lauderdale County. I too have lost a child and can understand some of their pain. My daughter was killed in a car wreck in 1991. My heart is so saddened for the families and especially the parents of the two teens lost. I understand the painful and long road that they are just beginning to go down as I have been on that road for a while now. As we grow older, we see our parents grow older and we think that in the "natural" state of things, we will bury our parents, but we never expect to bury a child. That is the most painful thing that a parent will ever go through. Please friends and families, rally around not only now for these parents, but rally months and years down the road. Please don't think you are being rude or "upsetting" them by talking about these young people. We want to know that they are not forgotten or that they will not be forgotten. You will not "upset" them anymore than what they already are. Let them grieve in the way they want and need, just be there for them...be the "safe" person if you can, and let them be and express the raw deep grief relief that they need. I am praying for them and do understand some of their grief and I am truly so sorry to the bottom of my core being.

Proud and Thankful

I had to drive to Jackson Saturday morning early. It was a little around 8 a.m. when I stopped at red light and was surrounded by bucket trucks loaded down with things and men from Mississippi Power. It brought tears to my eyes to realize that these men were already on the move to Texas or Louisiana. We all got on I -20 and headed west. I thought back to three short years ago when after almost two weeks of no power and how I felt when the men in bucket trucks from North Carolina looked like the Calvary when they rode into my neighborhood. I just wanted the men and their families from Mississippi Power to know that they were prayed over Saturday. They were prayed over for safety, clearness and focus of the jobs at hand and for their families' safety while they are away. I prayed for good rest when they get it and I prayed for the people wherever they were going to feel as I did when the North Carolina "Calvary" pulled in. To be thankful for them and express that. I passed many bucket trucks going and coming from Jackson this weekend and it just did my heart good to see them. We in Meridian and in Mississippi were on the receiving end of so much three years ago. It made me so proud to know "we" were giving back. Hurricane Ike could not have even passed the coastline of Texas very far Saturday morning when I saw Mississippi Power trucks on the road. I hope those people see those trucks and men and see the Mississippi Power logo and Meridian MS on the doors and are as thankful as we were three years ago. We truly are a giving people here, why? Because we have been given so much....Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant, The Meridian Star.

A sigh of relief...

Just like many of you, I went and stocked up on batteries, water and canned goods. Fortunately, Gustav was not anything like Katrina and that is a huge relief. We can handle the rain, just not in large amounts. Some of surrounding counties are still dealing with tornado warnings, hopefully those will end soon.

However, we are not out of the woods yet. There are at least two more storms out there and more expected to be named. So the items that you and I bought to be prepared for Gustav... keep them handy. You never know what path those storms are going to take. We all wish for the best with the upcoming storms and are very thankful for Gustav sparing this area. Don't let your guard down. It's better to be prepared for the worst than to not be prepared at all.

Joy Henson
393 Editor

A LESSON LEARNED

By Sandra Hammon
communityallianceforaction@gmail.com

It's not something you can see. At least not yet. But it's here. It's a feeling anyone who lived in this area three years ago knows very well. It's called 'forebode'. That inward feeling which tells us something ominous is about to happen. A heaviness in the air that is all too familiar.

I don't recall having this foreshadowed feeling before Katrina. Maybe it's because we'd not had such a catostrophic event on the Mississippi Coast since Camille in 1969. Camille was horrendous, but it pretty much stayed in the bounderies of the coastal area. Katrina, on the other hand, was a far more adventurous storm. She seemed to have no boundries or mercy once she made landfall.

The good thing about this inward forebode, is what it causes one to do. The preparedness level steps up and we are far more ready than we were with Katrina. Some of us overprepare, but isn't that better than shrugging it off? Maybe.
Or maybe we are being overcautious before we need to be. As for me, I'd rather err on the side of caution. We need to have everything prepared, so as to help others. If we don't have this mindset, we cause ourselves to be a burden. This is unnecessary and can be prevented.

So, listen to your gut feeling of forebodeness. When you stock up, grab a few extra cans in case your neighbor runs out. Err on the side of caution. We learned a lesson with Katrina. If we heed that lesson, we can all do this together.

Hurricane Season

Ben Shults
bfshults8@gmail.com

With Tropical Storm Fay just now leaving us, I was looking at the National Hurricane Center's web site and was not surprised to see another tropical system looming in the distance. Hurricane Gustav is currently centered just south of Haiti and the projected track at this time is to skirt just south of Cuba and head into the Gulf of Mexico. Of course it is way too early to tell exactly where this hurricane will go, but nevertheless, it is always good to be prepared in case a hurricane does hit our area.

While I was looking at the National Hurricane Center's web site, I found a family disaster plan, and items needed for a disaster supply kit. It has been right at three years since we have had a major hurricane to affect us, and we sometimes forget some of the things that we need in the event of another disaster.

Family Disaster Plan:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/family_plan.shtml

Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family. Know your home's vulnerability to Storm Surge, Flooding and Wind.

Locate a safe room or the safest areas in your home for each hurricane hazard. In certain circumstances the safest areas may not be your home but within your community.

Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. These should be measured in tens of miles rather than hundreds of miles.

Have an out-of-state friend as a family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact.

Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.

Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.

Check your insurance coverage - flood damage is not usually covered by homeowners insurance.

Stock non-perishable emergency supplies and a Disaster Supply Kit.

Use a NOAA weather radio. Remember to replace its battery every 6 months, as you do with your smoke detectors.

Take First Aid, CPR and disaster preparedness classes.

Disaster Supply Kit:
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/prepare/supply_kit.shtml

Water - at least 1 gallon daily per person for 3 to 7 days

Food - at least enough for 3 to 7 days
— non-perishable packaged or canned food / juices
— foods for infants or the elderly
— snack foods
— non-electric can opener
— cooking tools / fuel
— paper plates / plastic utensils

Blankets / Pillows, etc.

Clothing - seasonal / rain gear/ sturdy shoes

First Aid Kit / Medicines / Prescription Drugs

Special Items - for babies and the elderly

Toiletries / Hygiene items / Moisture wipes

Flashlight / Batteries

Radio - Battery operated and NOAA weather radio

Telephones - Fully charged cell phone with extra battery and a traditional (not cordless) telephone set

Cash (with some small bills) and Credit Cards - Banks and ATMs may not be available for extended periods

Keys

Toys, Books and Games

Important documents - in a waterproof container or watertight resealable plastic bag
— insurance, medical records, bank account numbers, Social Security card, etc.

Tools - keep a set with you during the storm

Vehicle fuel tanks filled

Pet care items
— proper identification / immunization records / medications
— ample supply of food and water
— a carrier or cage
— muzzle and leash

China Olympics

Lindsey Key
lkey@themeridianstar.com


Ok....lets see....
I just came into work and was designing a world page and came across a story on the China Olympics. The headline read...'China's Olympic ceremony features sacrifices' on the AP wire. (if anyone is intrested in looking it up). Now when it comes to politics and world topics i try to stay out of the conflict but the more i watch the olympics and hear about the crap China has done i cant help but wonder what the heck is going through their minds.

(most quotes came from article, AP)

The article was mainly about the director of the opening ceremonies, Zhang Yimou and the stress he put these 1500 cast and crew members through. Some news reports have raised questions about the length to which Bejing went in trying to create the perfect performance for the beginning of the games. They were accused of fakery for using computer-generated images to enhance the fireworks for the tv viewers, criticized about their decision to have a 9-year-old sing the opening song because the real girl wasn't cute enough, not to mention the age scandle of China's women gymnasts. I think to myself... these guys are a piece of work huh. They are trying there hardest to take over the world, to be the best at everything. Of course working hard to be your best is perfectly alright, but com' on.

As the article continues I read that the performers endured rain drenched rehearsal and sweltering hot weather and still had to practice 16 hours a day with no breaks. Most suffered from fainting and heatstrokes. One girl even fell during practice when it was raining and is now paralyzed! The director said he deeply regrets what happened to her but strongly defends and continued his strenuous rehearsals.

After stating that North Korea was number 1 in the world in uniformity he went on to say that performers in the West need frequent breaks and cannot withstand criticism. He worked on an Opera in New York in '06 and wined that we could only work 4 hours and half days, that coffee breaks were a must, and a little discomfort was not allowed because of human rights. While their practices consisted of 51-hour rehearsals with little food and rest and no shelter from the drastic weather there. He also made some of the performers wear adult diapers because they couldn't use the bathroom. Seriously?

I must be a lazy American but i am proud of it. I am glad we work as a single unit instead of a whole. I do have my own opinions and I think it makes us stronger as a whole. But I'll be danged if i'm going to wear a diaper just for that. Now i know the olympics are "Hard Core" but is all that necessary. We Americans have had it easy i guess and are nothing but dirt. I guess I wont complain to much it is the Chinese by the way. All i'm saying is why cant they appreciate the hard work and ethics we have over here. We were all raised a little differently. (Although it would be cool to be a ninja) China has gone beyond the call to cheat and criticize the U.S. but who is leading in medals? WE ARE SUCKERS!

Although the purpose of this blog is pointless, I just wanted to get some feedback on the article.

Medicaid talk continues

BY Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com

For those of you following the Medicaid issue, you may have noticed a story about Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant discussing the possibility of an October(ish) special session ... and how a possible vote on a tobacco tax increase may be included in that call.
The lieutenant governor's office said Bryant is not proposing an increase on the tobacco tax as a cure-all for Medicaid. But Bryant believes an increase in the tobacco tax is likely. The governor's tax study commission is expected to release its report by the end of the month. That report is expected to include a proposal to raise the tax on tobacco products. Gov. Haley Barbour has said he, too, expects the commission to propose such an increase ... and he said he wouldn't oppose it.
The revenue the tax generates, however, will be a hot topic in Jackson this fall. Word on the street is that a proposal may soon surface that would include at least a portion of that new revenue to be used to fund Medicaid.
I'm sure other lawmakers have other plans on how to use it. All that should make for an interesting fall. Oh yeah, and there are some elections going on, too.
While the governor's plan to solve Medicaid by bypassing the Legislature seemed to do the trick, the buzz around the state capitol is that the issue is far from dead. Some hospitals are already complaining that the governor's proposal will hurt them too much.
We'll see how that shakes out.

NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS

Sandra Hammon
communityallianceforaction@gmail.com


The Olympics aren't just in China this year. They are in every neighborhood in America. Kids living their dreams of one day being a Michael Phelps or Natalie Coughlin. People who were once 'neighborhood kids'
with Olympic dreams that took them to heights only their imagination could see are still there.

To obtain anything close to these athletic abilities, it has to start in childhood and be nurtured not only by parents and coaches, but by the child's own ambition. The child's self confidence and belief in themselves has to be there, or no amount of 'you can do it' will matter.

I have to wonder how many future Olympians we have right here in Meridian. How many neighborhood kids wonder if they could possibly someday be the one to swim the fastest or jump the highest. We probably won't know until these children achieve something which merits worth mentioning. The sad thing is, there are many who will never hear, "good job!". Their environment simply doesn't allow it. It's these neighborhood kids who need to be encouraged in order to build their self-esteem.

So, when you see a neighborhood kid riding a bike or shooting hoops on the curbside, give them a thumbs up. Encourage them by acknowledging the effort. It only takes a moment, but the child remembers it all day. Maybe even for a lifetime. Who knows, you just might be looking at a one day Olympic super star.

A Sewer Situation

I have a friend who is having a serious sewage problem with the city of Meridian.This problem has been happening for many years,ten at least.This friend of mine owns the Best Western Motel on the south frontage road in Meridian.For years he has had backups from the sewer,especially after a good rain.He's made many requests,sent many letters,to the city,to the MSDEQ,requesting the problem be solved.He has photos,videos,of the sewer lines boiling out from under the manhole covers on Sowashee Street,directly behind his motel.This is after the rains so it's very easy to realize that there is storm water flooding the sewer lines.Remember this has been happening for years,no relief yet from the city of Meridian.
His family has paid all taxes pertaining to the Hotel/Motel business...plus the restaurant taxes involved there also. For just the last five years,03-07,his taxes amounted to $557,781.00 for the motel,$205,462.00,for the restaurant.This does not include property taxes.
This same family has been paying all required taxes for this property for close to a hundred years,forty years on the Motel alone. Now...I've said all this to let folks know that it's time for the city of Meridian to live up to their part and fix the sewer problems there...and reimburse the family for the many refunds they have had to make because of the cities refusal to repair the problem.

As a side note,the new Drury Inn under construction with new infrastructure has no taxes to pay for seven years. Somehow this sets kinda sideways with folks that do have to pay 'em,don't you think?
Life gets teejus round here.....

Raymond Huffmaster

Meridian at the Olympics

By Steve Gillespie
sgillespie@themeridianstar.com

At the Summer Olympic Games Peavey audio products manufactured in Meridian and Decatur are providing sound at many of the venues, including the new Beijing National Stadium where opening ceremonies will be held tonight.

More than 600 amplifiers from Crest Audio, a division of Peavey Electronics, will power the Olympic opening ceremonies and other Olympic venues.

Read more about it in Saturday's issue of The Meridian Star.

Rodeo Time

Ben Shults
bfshults8@gmail.com


The Ralph Morgan Rodeo will be held this Friday and Saturday, August 8-9, at the Ralph Morgan Arena. The arena is located just off of Hwy 45 North in Lauderdale, MS, and the show starts at 7:30pm both nights. Admission is $10 for adults and $6 for children under 12.

NOISE ORDINANCE ENFORCED

Sandra Hammon
communityallianceforaction@gmail.com



This past weekend we were in McComb, MS., and noticed what a nice, quiet little town it is. Quiet in a way that makes it peaceful for those who like to walk outside their door and not be met by the 'noises of the street' or the overbearing music of a neighbor. We all need to feel that our home is our sanctuary away from the things which we have to face when going out into the world.

As we toured the downtown area, I noticed a sign. Asking my son to back up so I could see it, I read it again to make sure. 'NOISE ORDINANCE ENFORCED'
There it was. Something many Meridianites have been asking about for quite some time.

For those who consistently break this noise ordinance it is a simple reminder that there are consequences for the lack of respect in our every day lives. It seemed to make a difference in McComb. There was an air of respect in the community which I feel we could use here in Meridian.

Having a "green city" and being awarded an "artist-crafted tree figurine" is nice, but having a respectful community where we all care about one another is also important. It's not much. Just unimpressive signs. But for being a reminder about a noise ordinance, they speak very loudly.

The Neshoba County Fair after hours

Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

2008 was my first year to visit the Neshoba County Fair, and I have to admit that during the daytime it was not my cup of tea. My main gripe - it was just too hot and humid. I tried to visit cabins and enjoy company and food, and there were plenty of both, but the blazing sunlight was so oppressive I just didn't enjoy either. My brain and my body were both in going in slow motion, and just the idea of consuming hot food in the already killer heat was completely out of the question. I met some interesting people, but I couldn't help thinking that I'd rather have met them somewhere cooler, less dirty, somewhere that didn't smell like livestock.

The Neshoba County Fair at night was a much nicer experience. With the sun absent and the temperature down I was able to focus on the company and unique fair culture rather than how uncomfortable I was. The fair at night is like an entire small town with 600 different parties going on, side by side, at once.

I spent Wednesday evening at the cabin of Neshoba County musician Daniel Sharp and his family. Meridianites may have heard Daniel and David Lauderdale play at the Echo Lounge as "All Around Hounds". But no one was playing guitar or singing at Daniel's cabin that night - they were too busy playing cacho.

Cacho is a Bolivian dice game brought to Neshoba County by two former Peace Corps workers. I'm not sure exactly how the game works, but I'm told that Yahtzee is loosely based on it, and I know that cacho players take it very seriously. During the tournament at Daniel's cabin Wednesday, the players were virtually unaware of everything that was happening around them - their minds were on winning the tournament. The party at their cabin was far from alcohol-free, but the cacho players seemed not to notice the people hollering and falling down around them. If they weren't rolling dice, they may as well have not been there.

The people who had already lost the tournament were a bit more interesting to non-cacho players like myself. At least as hospitable as the people I met during the daytime, no one at Daniel's cabin treated anyone else like a stranger, and everyone went out of their way to make sure everyone else was comfortable and content.

I found the fair at night to be much more relaxed than during the day. The heat was beaten, the huge meals eaten, and everyone was ready to relax and have fun.

Barbour, McCoy talk Medicaid at the Fair

Thursday, July 31, 2008, 12:20 p.m.:

Barbour, McCoy talk Medicaid at the Fair

By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridainstar.com


The governor delivered a few barbs aimed at presidential hopeful Barack Obama and briefly spoke about Medicaid during his speech, the final one today at the Neshoba County Fair at Founders Square.
Gov. Barbour said of the proposed $375 million in Medicaid cuts: "We believe we have found a way to make them in a far less harmful manner."
But, he said, "make no mistake: the law requires the cuts."
"I expect an announcement of a revised proposal by the time the Legislature returns (for special session) on Monday."
Minutes after his speech, House Speaker Billy McCoy emerged from a cabin and responded to Barbour's Medicaid comments.
"We believe (the reduction in cuts) validates, vindicates and any other v's our position in the House," McCoy said.
The speaker said the Senate remains to act as the "left arm of the governor" and said he reminded reporters that the House's position is that the solution to Medicaid should be solved, at least in part, by an increase in the tax on tobacco.
"We've compromised," McCoy said.

God and politics mix well at NCF

Thursday, July 31, 2008, 10:20 a.m.:

By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com

The podium at Founders Square might as well have been a pulpit when congressional candidates Gregg Harper and Joel Gill spoke at the Neshoba County Fair.
The issue of God was heard loud and clear.
Gill got religious first, saying that he "knew Jesus Christ." He later encouraged others to get to "know him" as well.
"I stand here covered in His blood and I'm not ashamed to profess His name," Gill said, drawing a few cheers from about a handful of his supporters in the crowd. Harper's supporters who covered the outside of the pavilion, however, never shouted or jeered during Gill's speech, some even applauded Gill's discussion on faith.
Harper got a rousing applause when he was introduced to the crowd. He also talked about his Faith on multiple occasions, even mentioning his friendship with Carl White of Meridian, pastor of Highland Baptist Church.
He also talked about conservatives getting back to their roots in Washington.
Republicans didn't fall from power in Washington because they weren't liberal enough, "they fell out of power because they quit being conservative," Harper said, drawing a bolt of applause.
"It's time we get back to that," he said.
Both candidates also talked about gas prices.
While it's no secret Harper likely will demolish Gill in November, it was nice, for once, to hear cordial speeches in which neither candidate bashed the other (or their respective supporters for that matter).
House Speaker Billy McCoy, as mentioned in my blog last night, has arrived and his making his rounds along with other state Democrat leaders. They're scheduled to rebut the governor's speech in about 30 minutes. The governor is up in a few minutes.


This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

Fair speeches continue

Fair speeches continue

By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com

A parade of about 200 Gregg Harper supporters, led by the Republican candidate for Congress himself, have filed into Founder's Square and surrounded the pavilion in advance of his speech at the Neshoba County Fair this morning. They've crowded the outskirts of the pavilion as Chief Justice Jim Smith speaks.
On the Medicaid front, rumors continue to fly about the governor's announcement. A few top Democrats also have been seen combing the aisles under the pavilion.
The House Democrats are expected to hold an impromptu news conference after Gov. Haley Barbour's speech later this morning. We'll keep you posted.
The clouds and slight breeze have kept things slightly cool this morning ... we'll see how long that lasts.

Medicaid talk to heat up the Fair

By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com

Gov. Haley Barbour is expected to announce Thursday that he's suspending his proposed $375 million in Medicaid cuts.
There are several rumors flying around here as to what the announcement will be and how a deal (possibly with House Democrats) was struck.But I have been told he will announce it tomorrow. The ClarionLedger is reporting the Medicaid cuts — which were proposed by the governor as a necessary move to fund the $90 million shortfall since the Legislature failed to pass a plan to fund the gap — will not happen. They have a letter from State Attorney General Jim Hood's office to Hinds County Chancery Judge Patricia Wise that says the Division of Medicaid is withdrawing the proposal and canceling the administrative hearing that was required for the cuts.
A representative from the governor's office said he couldn't comment, but that the governor would be discussing it on Thursday at the Fair.
We'll let you know what he says as soon as we hear.

Fair mishaps

By Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

It seems like every time I cover an outdoor event where it's really hot and sunny, I have some kind of dumb mishap.

At the NAS-Meridian air show earlier this year, I had a mishap with a sunburn. Now, at the Neshoba County Fair, I have another mishap - locking my keys in the car.
I've always been pretty bad about locking my keys in the car, getting flat tires, and ending up in ditches, which is why I always keep my AAA card handy.

But this time, instead of AAA, it was Meridian Star photographer Paula Merritt, three construction workers from Philadephia, and a guy with some coat-hangers that came to the rescue.

As anyone who has been to the Neshoba County Fair knows, it is freakin' hot. This was my first year at the fair, and not knowing my way around, I parked about as far away from the fairgrounds as I could. After a hot but somewhat pleasant day of visiting cabins, I proceeded to make my way back to my car and realized I had no clue how to get there. I walked in the very, very hot sun for about half an hour until I found it. I can't describe how happy I was to see my car at that moment. I wanted nothing more than to sit down and turn on the AC, but to my extreme dismay, I found that my keys were not in my purse, but still in the ignition of my locked car.

After a few minutes of believing I was doomed to crawl across the red dirt screaming "Agua!!" until I reached the shelter of a cabin and figured out what to do about my keys, I was rescued by Paula, who picked me up off the side of the highway, found some coathangers at a friends cabin, and drove me back to the car to attempt to unlock it.

Just when it became clear that I was going to be unsuccessful in my quest to unlock my car, three Yates construction employees stopped and, after a great deal of arguing and picking on one another, unlocked my door.

Thank you Paula, Daniel, and Yates construction!!!

This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

Fair family ... and food

By Fredie Carmichael
editor@themeridianstar.com
Sitting inside the DeWeese's cabin at the Neshoba County Fair you quickly get what this place is about: family, neighborly attitudes, friendship and, most of all, FOOD.
After eating my share of peas, corn casserole, turkey and pulled pork sandwich at Sid Salter's cabin, I made my way to hang out at the DeWeese's cabin. There, I found her fair famous pudding. I also fell in love with the caramel cake.
Wow. OK, I'll admit, I probably ate a little more than my share (does four pieces count?)
Bet DeWeese picked up a pack of paper plates, with only a handful left, and said: "there were 175 in there when I first bought this; that's how many people we fed today."
So if you're at the Fair this week, stop by the DeWeese's cabin and meet the nice folks here ... and be sure and check out all the pictures on the wall.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

Meridian Day at the Fair

By Fredie Carmichael

editor@themeridianstar.com

Meridian Day got off to a great start here ... but it also included a slight jab from Lauderdale County Supervisor Ray Boswell to fellow supervisors Craig Hitt and Joe Norwood as Boswell welcomed guests to Meridian Day under the Founder's Square pavilion, according to those standing near the stage.

Boswell introduced Wayman Newell and Hank Florey of districts 2 and 1 respectively, as they stood near the stage. He then mentioned supervisors Craig Hitt and Joe Norwood, two supervisors with whom he's had public disagreements, and said they may be out there "somewhere." To be fair to Boswell, I never saw Hitt or Norwood either, though they could have been there. I also asked other folks and they didn't see them either. It could have been a fair, and very light-hearted, jab. And if you weren't from our area you probably wouldn't have noticed the jab. But everyone I spoke to noticed it ... it was the first thing they said to me.

Outside the pavilion, Meridian residents, elected officials and business people stood and talked with the crowd, passing out fans, lemonade and other goodies with Meridian-based logos. Nearly 1,000 folks gathered near the pavilion as Meridian had its chance to welcome fairgoers.

Before Meridian Day, the morning political speeches were highlighted by U.S. Sen. candidates Roger Wicker and Ronnie Musgrove.

As Musgrove spoke and a throng of boos came from the crowd, the former Mississippi governor responded: "We'll get to the dirty old political tricks in a minute."

"Washington is broke and needs fixing," Musgrove said. "Roger Wicker is entitled to his opinion, but he's not entitled to his own facts."

Wicker, who was also heckled by groups of Musgrove supported, said, sarcastically: "I enjoyed Ronnie's speech; now I fully understand why he beat Haley Barbour."

"Ronnie Musgrove let us down as governor and we gave him his walking papers," Wicker continued.

This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

Some things are universal

By
Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

This is my first year to go to the Neshoba County Fair. I have to say that I didn't expect it to be what I expected, but after having it described to me by avid fair fans and seeing multitudes of fair photos, it turned out to be exactly as I had pictured it.

Hundreds of tiny cabins, most of which are similarly shaped but still look wildly different, are crammed together along narrow red dirt roads. It's hot, there's dirt everywhere, and you can find all manner of people running around the place.

All the cabins I've visited so far have been inhabited by very different people, but they all gave me the same greeting - "Can I get you something to drink?" When I sat them down to ask them about the fair, they all told me pretty much the same thing; that the fair is more about family and friends than horse races or political speeches, that anyone can get a free meal if they walk up to the right cabin, and that the true fair experience comes from staying at a cabin, not stopping by for a few hours to ride rides on the midway.

All the cabin-dwellers greeted me as if I were no stranger, and most tried to entice me to eat. I finally caved in and took some very delicious Neshoba County watermelon from a gentleman who I was interviewing about a huge party he throws at his cabin every year.

I've only spent one day at the fair so far, but it's been enough to learn that everything I've been told about it, good and bad, is true.

This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

Ahhh, the fair

Ahhhh, the fair.

I actually look forward to it every year.
It's the one place that you know you will, or can, bump into friends you haven't seen in years. Like someone you went to high school with (so long ago) and getting the chance to reminisce about silly pranks you used to play on teachers or ole friends. Rehashing, how at one time, you used to be in a garage band. How your antics helped create such a memory that still, to this day, sparks a laugh out of your chums everytime they see you. Realizing how much older you are and how stupid you used to be, and sometimes still are.

It's like for one week out of the year, you're young again. Now that I am, ahem, 42, I've started noticing that I get grumpy about the teenagers that do some of the very same things I used to do. I gotta tell ya, they irritate the living mess out of me!

"Uh, please don't toss a water balloon into my car. I know I did it when I was your age, but by golly, I'm the victim now!"

I remember being 15 and making cracks about the older folks. "Look at that old guy; is he a real person or part of the cabin?"

Making snide remarks about people you walk past. "Is that a zeppelin or is there actually a person that big?" (I'm probably the youngest person to even know what a Zeppelin is!)

Well, now I am that old fat person getting the comments and nasty remarks, but I take it all in good humor.

There are likes and dislikes about the fair, but whether they are good or bad, they sure do make great memories at any age.

This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

Different cabins, same fun

Different cabins, same fun

By Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

For most of the year, the Long cabin and the Bates cabin couldn't be more different.
The tiny Long cabin was built in 1968, didn't get air conditioning until a decade later, and is still unfinished on the inside. The Bates cabin is brand spanking, is equipped with a large, new kitchen, a flat screen t.v. It's 3 stories high and sleeps 52.
But during the week of the Neshoba County Fair, what happens in and around the two cabins could hardly be more similar. As fair cabins, both are home to enormous meals, family reunions, hospitality, camaraderie, and fun.
Tommy Long lives in Huntsville, Ala., but was born and raised in Neshoba County and has been coming to the fair his entire life. Over the years, he said, only one really noticeable change has taken place at the fair.
"50 years ago," he said, "there were not nearly as many cabins. But the atmosphere, the food, the fun, the family activities (haven't changed)."
Like many families with fair cabins, the Longs make the fair a time for family reunions - bringing in relatives from as far as Portland and as near as 2 miles down the road.
Family, friends, and fair neighbors all love to gather at the Neshoba County Fair. "If they don't come here, they never see each other," Long said of some of his family.
To Long, the real value of the fair comes from the people and the atmosphere of hospitality.
"You could walk into any cabin at any mealtime and get fed," he said. "When you're fixin' for 20 people, fixin' for 30 is not that big a deal."
Still, Long said, he doesn't just hang around his cabin visiting with friends and offering drinks to strangers all week long. He likes to get out and enjoy the events of the fair as well.
The horse races, he said, are exciting, and he loves to watch the night time music programs.
One of Long's favorite memories of fair music, though not his favorite listening experience, is of Molly Hatchet, a 1970's hard rock band.
He had never heard of the band, he said, when he decided to go a check them out. Based on the name, he expected a solo female act.
"The two walls of speakers on the stage should have been a clue," he said, "I sat there about 10 minutes and had to leave. My body couldn't take the soundwaves."
For the Bateses, The Miss Neshoba County pageant is the main event. Hannah Lee, who won the title two years ago, comes by it naturally. Her mother and aunt both placed in the pageant in their day.
The best thing about the fair for the Bateses, though, is the same thing that attracts the Longs.
"To me (the fair has changed) just because I've gotten older," said Hannah's mother, Tammy Bates Lee, "but the family part is still what we really enjoy about the fair... Just getting to be with friends and family is the best part of the fair."
Tammy has been coming to the fair, where her parents, W.J. and Carolyn Bates, own a cabin, since she was a small child. But to her, the cabin itself is the only thing that's really changed.
The new cabin is built where the old one once stood, but has been updated and expanded to sleep 52. The clever use of numerous bunk beds, all extremely colorful and pushed close together, and the efficient placement of the cabin's many bathrooms help the cabin sleep so many. The cabin is large, but looking from outside, one would never guess it could hold so many.
"We have one double bunk bed for each member of the family," she said, "So each one has room for three guests."
At the Neshoba County Fair, whether it's done through feeding as many people as possible or sleeping them, the party is all about the people.
This blog entry brought to you courtesy of the Pearl River Resort. Call and make your reservations today at 1 866 44PEARL or visit them online at www.pearlriverresort.com.

New music from Meridian and elsewhere

I was hoping to post a music video, "A Lot to Ask" by the Bloodsugars, in this blog. Unfortunately, the song contained the "f" word, and so is not Meridian Star material.

Instead, I encourage everyone to check out the Bloodsugars - a very catchy 80's-esque band from New York who once graced the Meridian's music scene with a very memorable performance - by visiting their myspace at www.myspace.com/bloodsugars, or watching the Bloodsugars' new video "Purpose was Again", which contains zero curse words, here:

http://www.spinner.com/2008/06/27/the-bloodsugars-purpose-was-again-video-premiere/


The Bloodsugars' new EP "BQEP", on Engine Room Recordings, is available on iTunes.


On another musical note, Shielded by the Protector put on an excellent CD release show Wednesday night at the Meridian Underground Music Exchange on 22nd Ave. They provided not only some great local original music, but a sword fight as well (don't worry, the swords were made of foam). They also treated the audience to some lovely Yamaha keyboard demo music. Great show Shielded!

Shielded's new EP on S2S Records is available at Meridian Underground. If you like music that is Zeppelin-y and prog-rock-esque, go and check out Shielded by the Protector at www.myspace.com/yeticlothesline.

S2S will again be providing Meridianites with an opportunity to purchase quality original music made here in Lauderdale County when they release the Dark Sundays/Calamity Backpack split LP "Burden of Dreams". This album is in the final stages of production and will be available at Meridian Underground sometime in the very near future.

You might remember Dark Sundays (Logan Comby) and Calamity Backpack (Cory Brown) as recent Meridian 360 featured artists. If you enjoyed their videos on www.meridianstar.com, go check them out at www.myspace.com/darksundays and www.myspace.com/calamitybackpackmusic.

Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

Are we in Florida?

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

There was a time during the summer months when I would go to visit friends in Orlando, FL. It was always a great trip, but one thing I'll always remember is the weather.

It rained everyday it seemed. However, the rain would only last usually around 30 or so minutes, and then it would quit. Then about 15 minutes later it was as if it never rained at all.

Has anyone noticed that it's been like that lately here in Meridian. Rain, sunshine, rain, sunshine. Just curious if I'm the only one who has noticed.

With that, I give you yet a another crazy video find from the internet.


This guy is my hero. (Sarcasm intended.)

Hats off and a Salute

By Stephanie Denham, Editorial Assistant

I do as part of my job, the "cop shop" which is who is arrested for what each day in the paper. I would like to say a hats off and a salute to the law enforcement officers, Meridian Police, Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department and the Mississippi Highway Patrol Troop H, for the "Click it or Ticket" campaign and also for the overall diligence of DUI enforcement over the years. I have said many times to many people over the years all over this country, that I was proud of our DUI enforcement here. I have also told many that I believe that for every DUI person that they arrest, it was a good possibility they saved a life. Just because a drunk driver killed my daughter, I know that I do not have an invisible shield or bubble around my family now and that it could not happen again. I know that it can. I pray daily that it doesn't and I pray daily for our men and women out there on the front lines if you will combating DUI. I dream of the day that we wake up on New Year's Day and the news is....No One Killed by Drunk Drivers Last Year!" The only way that this dream will come true is through education, legislation and diligence by the law enforcement officers. I can not imagine why anyone who is drinking would get behind the wheel of a car and drive. The laws must not only be passed but they must be enforced in courts. But I am thankful that the officers who are diligent and aware of the drunk drivers out there. I wrote the incident reports last weekend, and saw where they arrested five or six suspected drunk drivers on one stretch of highway over like a three night period! Thank you and my hat is off and I will not only salute the officers when I find out who they were, but you can rest assured, I will also hug them when I see them, for the great job that they did, protecting my family and me and countless unknown families out there from the potential heartbreaking and devastating results that drunk drivers cause. Please, to the drinking public out there, please, don't drink and drive! I will beg of you as one mother who has had the greatest loss of all....a child.

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

ok, this goes on my list of things that scare me.

Yes, folks. That's a robot. I'll leave you with that.

Robbery suspect

By Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

This was sent to us today. It had me laughing... then I sighed when I realized it was true.

Amy Grant Concert

By Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant

Ok, I dug down deep and attended the Amy Grant concert on Sunday. As I wrote last week in my blog, the last concert that my daughter, Lorien and I went to was to see Amy Grant. Lorien was killed 17 years ago by a drunk driver here in Meridian. I went to the concert Sunday at the Riley Center. I cried from the moment she walked on stage. But it was a good cry that I needed to have again. The Lord sends people into your paths for different reasons. I met three of the nicest ladies from the Gulf Coast who came in and sat down behind me. We hit it off from the moment we sat down! We ended up eating dinner together at Deli on 5th after the concert and had a delightful time. We found that the four of us had so much in common, there was no way that I feel like it was an "accident" that we met! It was as we all decided, "divine providence." Amy Grant was fantastic! She had a terrible head cold and I truly do not know how she was able to sing and put on such a great show. I enjoyed it so much, she was so warm, gracious and made it seem like you were sitting in her living room and just listening to her. She took requests from the audience and just played her songs. So something that I knew was going to be painful and bittersweet turned into new memories and sweetness from now on. I just wondered later on that night, as I was thinking about it, I wondered if Lorien and God had as much fun planning the details of my concert experience and the meeting of my new friends, as I did in receiving them. I almost heard Lorien giggle and could see her sweet smile when I closed my eyes to go to sleep. As one of my new friends said, in a "gratitude attitude."

Remembering a great man

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com
My world feels void of something meaningful ... something I feel is likely commonplace the past few days in our community.
Bill McBride, who passed away over the weekend after a short bout with illness, was someone I will forever hold dear to my heart. I still can't believe he's gone.
It took me a while to work up the courage to write. Part of me didn't want to believe he was gone, so hard to write about him in the past tense. Another part of me felt as though my words couldn't possibly convey anything close to what my heart feels. I want to do this man, my friend, justice with words.
But how do you put into words what he meant to so many ... it's impossible.
Bill McBride was one of a kind and true "believer" of this community. For those who only heard criticisms, you weren't listening to Bill. His heart was for the progress of this community. And he lived it.
If you want to talk about someone who loves their community, don't pony up someone who only talks glaringly about their community and ignores the problems— show me a man like Bill McBride.
Show me a man who spent Saturdays planting flowers at a neglected park.
Show me a man so involved in the restoration of a local cemetery that he volunteered his time to plant bulbs there every spring and fall, and conducted tours for organizations and schools.
Show me a man that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, served as shelter manager for the American Red Cross at his church.
Show me a man that defined volunteerism by doing something most don't ... getting his hands dirty and working.
Show me a true patriot who proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy for 30 years.
Show me a man who would look you directly in the eye and passionately express his opinion ... while also listening and respecting your opinion, even if it opposed his.
Show me a man that constantly lifted others ahead of himself.
Show me a true man of God ... not a phony, self-righteous Christian who had all the right things to say, but a man who was equally comfortable displaying his faults in a profound example of how God works in our lives. A man more concerned about helping his fellow man and showing God's love through his actions than pretending to be perfect.
Show me a man who drew attention to others, never looking for the credit.
After all of that, show me a man courageous enough to look that community in the face and tell it what it needs to be doing to reach its full potential.
Show me a man who cares enough to examine and investigate its problems in an effort to reach a solution.
Show me a man with heart, substance, honor and respect.
Bill McBride was, in short, a man I will constantly aim to be like. He leaves shoes impossible to fill.
I could give you countless stories of why Bill has a special place in my heart, stories of true compassion, caring, brilliance, and humor. Instead, I'll leave you with something I've struggled with the past few days ... something that perfectly illustrates who Bill McBride was to me.
It was my last encounter with Bill on his radio show two weeks ago. I walked in and saw Bill, frail from his treatment, his oxygen tank next to him with tubes in his nose. I went white. I was distraught seeing him in that condition.
Bill sensed my shock and, instead of complaining about his condition, reassured me he was OK.
"I'm fine buddy ... doc told me I could eat all I want and do everything I could until I get tired," he said with smile.
"I wish they'd diagnosed me sooner," he joked.
His main goal was to put me at ease, never wanting to draw attention to his condition. He looked in my eyes and saw my worry; he wanted to ease that.
As I left, I leaned over to tell him I loved him and I was here if he needed anything. He looked at me as he always did — with sincerity in his eyes — and simply said, "thanks." Then he joked off his condition again.
"This won't slow me down," he joked.
I've struggled with that for days because I didn't realize how serious his condition was. I should have done more. I could have done more for him.
But tonight at Bill's visitation, I realized one thing: Bill hasn't gone anywhere.
He's still deep inside everyone of us he touched along the way.
I can smile tonight knowing one thing: Bill hasn't slowed yet, he's just getting started.

Sweet Amy Grant Memories

By, Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant

My oldest daughter, Lorien Lea, loved music from the time she was born. One of her first "favorites" was of Amy Grant. I can so vividly remember driving and looking into the rearview mirror to check on her when she was in her car seat in the back seat. Her head was just moving so sweetly to "El Shadai" and moved faster to "Sing Your Praises to the Lord". As she got a little older, she talked really early and could talk in sentences and sing songs by the time she was a year old. She would sing those songs all the time completely through. Years later when she was probably eight, I took Lorien and we drove to Jackson, to see Amy Grant in concert in the coliseum there. She fell asleep amongst all the noise and opening acts, which absolutely amazed me. I woke her up when Amy Grant came on to play. She evidently had had her a "power nap" because she stood in her chair and sang almost every song to the top of her lungs with Amy. As most people around here know by now, Lorien Lea was killed by a drunk driver here in Meridian. Her crash happened on Palm Sunday in 1991 and she died on Good Friday and we buried her on April 1, the day after Easter Sunday. I have often thought of how awesome it must be to be in heaven on Easter and Christmas. I know that Lorien has enjoyed singing her "Praises to the Lord" for 17 years now. She would have just turned 26 in February. But I can close my eyes and see that baby's head bouncing and swaying in perfect timing to Amy Grant's songs.

live, unplugged, local

Steve Gillespie
sgillespie@themeridianstar.com

There's a great lineup of local talent scheduled to play at the Meridian Underground Music Exchange tonight starting at 8 p.m., 817 22nd Ave., in downtown Meridian. The lineup includes Calamity Backpack, Dark Sundays and Daniel Sharp.

The Cable Blues

I'm not a big TV person. I have rabbit ears on my television now, and they only pick up one channel. Even though I live near the TV station, the picture comes in double, which makes me even less of a TV person, because watching it for too long gives me a headache.

For the most part, I don't miss having cable. Sure, I there a few channels I sometimes wish for - The Weather Channel was always nice to have, and CNN, and I kind of miss all those Family Guy re-runs. But I don't miss any of those nearly as much as I would miss my $40 a month were I to purchase a cable subscription. I've thought about getting that $9 a month subscription; then I would get the three networks, FOX, and PBS - all good - but I would also be paying for the local access or "MCC" channel (does anybody ever watch that?), the Home Shopping Network, the TV Guide Channel (which I'm sure the cable company includes to show its "cheap" customers what they're missing) and so forth. I'd be paying for 11 channels, and watching 5. And I'd only watch those 5 every once in a while anyway.

Seems like a rip-off to me.

What I would like to see is a cable company that lets you choose your own channels. Most people get 100+ channels on their TVs, but probably don't watch more than 30. I know when I had cable I never watched the Golf Channel or the Outdoor Life Network. And I can guarantee my grandmother, who has a full cable package, never watches Cartoon Network, E!, or Comedy Central. Why not let me pick 20 or 30 channels that I'm actually going to watch, and pay according to the number of channels that I have? Then I could at least feel like I'm paying for something that I want, rather than wasting a bunch of money on something that is a big waste of time in the first place.

Jennifer Jacob
Staff Writer

Great Service is Hard to Beat

by Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant
sdenham@themeridianstar.com


Ok, we probably should not use this as a "shout out" to a business, indulge me a bit here please. I have bought three cars over the years from Sunbelt Motors, all Mazdas. I have had my little Miata since I bought it in 1997. The service department can not I don't believe, be beat! My sister who lives in Brandon, just says, "You are sooo spoiled." I take my car in for service, for the oil changes and stuff, and Darrell, has brought me to my job for years now. I get to hear all about his kids and how their sports teams are doing. He is so nice. Then what can I say about James and George? They always take care of my car, not only do the maintenance but they I think go beyond the call of duty. They have even one morning years ago, after I left the parking lights on and run my battery down, they came, picked me up and took me to work, went back and jumped my car off and took it in to fix it. The reason for my writing this today is, I took my car in for its usual oil change and tires checked. Well last week I had an unfortunate incident inside my car with a Sprite. Let's just say, a can of unopened Sprite and heat of a car, don't match very well. The explosion that resulted was impressive to say the least...Well today, when I go to pick up my car, not a word was said, just the usual smiles, talking and paying. I get in my car to come back to work, well...whichever you wonderful sweet men at Sunbelt Motors, who cleaned all of the Sprite out of my car. I love you!!! And as a single middle aged woman...I will take any spoiling I can get! Thank you. I will buy more cars from Sunbelt, simply if for no other reason, but to be "spoiled" by the service department men! Thank you!

Don't bark unless you can bite

By Brian Livingston
blivingston@themeridianstar.com
Monday evening I was assigned to attend the Road Dawgs Tour, the MSU Alumni Association event held at MSU-Meridian. I was there to get a photo of head coach Sylvester Croom as he talked to Bulldog supporters from the area. But a funny thing happened while waiting on Croom.

As anyone who knows me can attest to I'm a born and raised Razorback from Arkansas. I have the belt with the little hogs running around and a cell phone cover with the Hog prominately displayed. I get prodded a lot about it but I don't mind. In fact, as long as the Hogs keep beating MSU and Ole Miss, I'm fairly bulletproof from any shots taken at me and my team.

But Monday evening I had to deflect yet another shot.

The Village Kitchen, which has marvelous home cooking any Southerner can sink their teeth into, was catering the event. Lo and behold they had roasted an entire hog, complete with cute Bulldog coins in the eye sockets. The hog was quite delicious looking all laid out on the middle table and I couldn't help but smile at the irony of my being given this assignment and having a hog splayed out. I thought it was funny. Obviously, someone who is an ardent Bulldog fan noticed my college of choice.

"That's what we do to hogs around here!" he said as I looked at the roasted hog.

I immediately, without even turning my gaze from the table, said, "And what was the score of last year's game, and the games before that?"

The Bulldog immediately stopped barking.

For the record, MSU last beat Arkansas in 1998. That was a one point win. Since then the Hogs have completely dominated MSU which includes a 52-6 blowout in 2003, a 44-10 win in 2005 and last year's 45-31 shootout.

Hey, my daughter is a freshman at MSU and I will likely be sending a lot of money to Starkville for the next thousand years while she pursues her Masters Degree so I hold no ill will toward the Bulldogs. In fact, I used to root for the Dawgs and many of the other SEC teams when the Hogs were in the old Southwest Conference. I knew then, as has been proven year after year, the SEC in the dominate football conference, top to bottom, in the country. So it's been quite an adjustment for me since Arkansas joined the SEC, playing against teams I respected and liked.

But make no mistake, I'm not going to call the Hogs in the face of a Gator fan until we've beaten them several times!

And the roast pig? It was great.

Woooo, pig, sooie!

Stop the madness

By Brian Livingston
blivingston@themeridianstar.com

I was watching the Will Smith movie "I am legend" recently when I noticed something in one of the scenes.

As Smith's character is getting gas from a gas station in a deserted New York City, and keep in mind this movie takes place in the year 2013, the price of gas showed $6.65 a gallon. I fear we are well on our way to that becoming a reality instead of a movie prop.

Everytime I go to put gas in my vehicle I curse the politicians who've allowed this to happen. Most people blame Bush but it really is the fault of all politicians who have let the common citizen of this country down. We shouldn't have to endure this attack on our livelihoods. When gas goes up, everything goes up. The price for food, clothes, everything that relies on gas to be transported to stores is higher. And who has to eat this? We do!

There is no oil shortage. I was taught in college economics that supply and demand determines pricing of products. When shortages occur, such as happens periodically with the orange crop whenever there is a spring freeze, the price of orange juice logically goes up. Not so with oil.

Apparently our politicians own oil stocks and seeing they vote themselves hefty pay raises each year, what's a few more cents for a gallon of gas. They can handle it. But when we, the consumers, who've not had a pay raise in years despite mounting inflation, go to the pumps or the grocery store, we must fork out more of our hard-earned money to feed and clothe our families.

The problem with our system of government now is much like an old grandfather clock that is slowly winding down. Our government is grinding to a halt. Politicians are thought to be smart people. I beg to differ. The smart people are those who know better than to put themselves in a difficult situation, such as public office. Our federal government is full of people who have no inclination to change things otherwise we wouldn't be looking at $3.35 per gallon now.

I don't want a communist system or a dictatorship. I just want those responsible for representing me to do just that.....represent me and my views, problems and concerns.

If there is a silver lining to all of this outrageous oil pricing it may be in the form of alternate fuels. For years the technology has been out there but, again, because politicians were holding back the companies wanting to go mainstream with their ideas, the changes have been slow in coming.

My only hope is that something good will come from all of this, if not for me but for my children. But for how much longer do we have to put up with this? And when will the people of America say, "Enough already!"

Yep.

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

Not sure what to say about this; but here it is!

New Meridian 360, and yes, Ida sings again...

Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

I had no clue that Ida losing her voice would be so popular! (Hehe)

Well, Ida returns for our new Meridian 360 preview, and while she did get her voice back, this stuff is still gold!

Click to play

Tuesdays with Morrie

I'm not an Oprah fan, but sometimes she can really hit the nail on the head with her book recommendations.

This weekend I read Tuesdays with Morrie, a memoir about an overly ambitious sports writer, Mitch Albom, who learns how to live life to the fullest when he goes to visit his old college professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is dying of Lou Gehrig's disease. After the fist visit, Mitch starts coming back every Tuesday, and spends the day listening to Morrie's advice on life, death, and all the other stuff.

Normally, I don't go for inspirational type reading - I'm much more likely to be seen toting a copy of something by Kurt Vonnegut or J.D. Salinger - and I would never have picked up Tuesdays with Morrie if I hadn't had to do so for a class I'm taking, but I'm glad I did. Against my will, the more I read this book the more my cynicism melted away to be replaced by cautious optimism about the ability of even the jerkiest person to positively affect someone else.

I think what really made me like this book was the fact that what's in it really happened. A lot of memoirs give representations of actual events that have been changed to replace the inadequacies of the author's memories or to make the story flow well. Usually when you read an autobiographical work, the dialogue isn't made up of verbatim quotations of what was actually said - no one has that good a memory. But Tuesdays with Morrie is based on taped conversations between Morrie and Mitch, so a good bit of Morrie's message in the book is written exactly as Morrie said it.

It's as if Mitch was taking dictation for Morrie in the way Milton's daughters wrote for him after he lost his vision - only Mitch is allowed a voice, and his story adds meaning to Morrie's words.

What makes this book better than the average touchy-feely "inspirational" junk is not just Morrie's message about refusing to let the culture get in the way of your life, but the way that it was captured, all recorded on tape by a writer who was very different from his subject, presented, for the most part, chronologically - almost like a slide show of Morrie's last Tuesdays on earth.

- Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

A weekend of great weather

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com

I must say, I began the weekend thinking I'd get a little work done in the office and, primarily, sit back and watch the Masters. What I ended up doing was much more enjoyable ... and involved a lot more sunshine. I wrote my Sunday column about things to do in East Mississippi. After being out in the gorgeous weather, I can't imagine wasting time in front of a television.
A few highlights I'll share:
• First, I went to the MSU Riley Center Friday to see "A year with Frog and Toad" — a wonderfully performed stage musical. Every time I visit the Riley Center I'm reminded of how fortunate we are to have a place to go to watch shows like that. What a great family event, too. After that, it was off to a party/mixer at Union Station for young professionals. It wasn't sponsored by the Young Professionals of Meridian organization I happen to chair, but another group — Southern Upgrade — I found out about that hosts mixers for essentially the same age group. I found out about it and talked with the organizer, Sheena Davis, weeks before the event. I had a great time and Sheena did a fantastic job decorating the second floor of Union Station (and there was a great dee-jay). Sheena and I plan on putting our heads together this week to see how we can combine our efforts and get even more young people involved in the community; she has a passionate heart for this area. I'm always inspired by people who are so driven they go out on a limb and make a difference. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. I'm pumped about that.
• Saturday, after a little work, I got to get out and enjoy the sunshine at Highland Park. If you haven't been there in a while, I encourage you to go check it out. The grounds seemed very well kept and picture-perfect weather made the old park shine. I realize we now have Bonita and Northeast, but it's hard to beat the carousel and the duck pond. My only regret: I didn't have a blanket. The field near the park looked perfect for a nap ... and the comfortable temperatures would have made it hard to wake up. Later that day, I attended an engagement party for one of my best friends in northeast Lauderdale County. It was a fish fry catered by Village Kitchen (I had forgotten how incredible their food is). The party was, fittingly, held outside. The towering pines made for perfect shadows cast from the orange sunset as I enjoyed joking with old friends about my days of playing on the golf team at Meridian Community College. The funniest story was told by former coach Lou Hart about driving me down 8th Street to the emergency room after I had an allergic reaction to something I ate at a truck stop outside of Hattiesburg after a tournament. True story, my eyes were swollen shut within 5 minutes of arriving back on MCC's campus. The funniest part of the story: Coach Hart, as she raced me down 8th Street in the MCC van, said, "the light's red Fredie, is anything coming?" Not being able to see of course, I said, "I think we're good, coach ... keep driving." OK, well it was a funny story for me.
• Sunday, after work, I decided to head to Bonita with my dog, Oreo. Again, great weather. I watched the ducks (and my dog trying to harass them) and people kayak on the upper lake. We truly have a gem in Bonita. It's a great place to run, walk, hike, picnic, fish, boat, throw a frisbee, simply get away and relax. Oh, and as for the Masters ... Tiger blew his chances any way so I didn't miss much. I would have hated to miss a great afternoon outside to watch that.

Golfer from UofA to play in Masters

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com

I must admit I got chill bumps this morning when I woke up and walked my dog. The reason: it's time for one of the greatest single sporting events of the year — the Masters. I'm not a huge TV watcher, especially when it comes to sporting events; I'd much rather be there to see the action in person.
Now I must admit, however, that HD technology gets you pretty darn close to that. Still, one of the things I watch obsessively each year is the Masters. Coverage begins today at 3 p.m. on ESPN.
There is a semi-local tie to this year's Masters. It's not every day that someone so young gets to play Augusta National, but such is the case for Alabama senior Michael Thompson. Former Clarion Ledger writer Ian R. Rapoport has a great write-up in today's Birmingham News.
Here's hoping he's playing well. It must be nice. I'll have to call up Wade Phillips of WTOK and get him to tell me how great Augusta National is again. Wade, as many of you will recall, moved to Augusta for a few years before returning to Meridian.

Newsroom Diva

Steve Gillespie
sgillespie@themeridianstar.com

Another Meridian 360º can be found in Thursday's Meridian Star, full of the latest arts and entertainment news. You can view a video promo of it here on The Meridian Star's Web site or at the Meridian 360º myspace, www.myspace.com/meridian360. This week's video features Ida Brown singing during the Intermission. Be sure to give us some feedback about that AND let us know what you'd like to see her sing maybe next week.

Also this Meridian 360º will feature a special tribute to the late Charlton Heston. I tracked down Anthony Herrera this week. I met him many years ago. He's a veteran actor from Mississippi who got his start as Heston's stand-in during the filming of "Number One."

Dancing

I am not a dancer. Let me say that from the beginning. I don't pretend to be and just plain have two left feet when it comes to dancing. However, I can truly appreciate what someone does when they dance. I am a sort of reality show junkie. I don't like all of them, but I have been watching Dancing with the Stars for a couple of years now. I know it is corny but I like the fact that there is something "clean" on TV and find it actually refreshing that there is something that might be viewed as "old fashioned" as ballroom dancing on TV. Anyway, this year I was pulled in by the fact that Marley Matlin and oscar winning actress is on there. She is profoundly deaf. I wanted to see how she did with not being able to truly hear the music. I was as I have written before, about 60 percent deaf as a child. I thankfully had surgery and my hearing was restored. However, I do remember it very well. I have due to this always had a "special place" in my heart for persons who are deaf. I am amazed at how beautiful Marley Martlin dances on the show. She is doing better than some of her "hearing" contestants. She should be a role model if she is not already for her dancing with the hearing impaired people. She is graceful and is spot on with her movements and timing. I am amazed. I encourage anyone who has not watched this show to do so. It is nice to see something that is a throwback to the "good ole days" and the variety shows. I of course am still waiting on the return of the variety show as a "new" show format again. You just can not beat in writing or humor "The Carol Burnett Show." Stephanie Denham, editorial assistant

Star Wars... Well, sorta.

By Ben Lockridge
blockridge@themeridianstar.com

Ok, if you don't think this is amazingly awesome, then there is just something wrong with you.


That was your dose of sugar for today!

A video share ...

By Fredie Carmichael
Editor@themeridianstar.com

Sorry I've been out of commission for a few days but I have a good excuse: I finally sold my house in Daphne, Ala. on the beautiful Eastern Shore (it was on the market for nearly two years) and have been down there. For those who've never been, it's a unique little spot, particularly the artsy town of Fairhope. I documented the final weekend at my house with a few photos and then put those to video. Sorry if the quality is bad; I couldn't get youtube to upload a better file. I'll see if Ben can help me out so you can appreciate some of the photos. Great sunsets there. Hope you enjoy.
A few things to note: I took photos of the things I love — the sunsets, the bluffs, the live oaks, the parks, etc. I also included some shots of my favorite bench and places where I love to grab a cup of coffee and just write.

Air show mishaps

Although I was impressed by the displays at the Wings Over Meridian air show Sunday, I can't say I had an idyllic time. On the contrary, I had a time that made me wonder if maybe I should have taken one co-worker's advice about not walking under ladders.

For starters, I forgot my sunscreen. For most people, that's not too smart. But I have very fair skin, so for me, forgetting sunscreen is one of the most idiotic things I can do. After searching fruitlessly for a vendor who sold sunscreen, I finally decided to just hide in the shade under the wing of C17 for as many of my hours and hours at the air show as I could spare. I thought that would help, but boy I was I wrong. I wound up leaving the show with not only one of the most painful sunburns I've ever had, but easily the most funny looking one. All of my face was hot pink and shiny - except for the area that had been protected by my sunglasses. I had (and still have) a very bad case of raccoon face.

Everywhere I went Monday, total strangers would stop me to comment on my weird looking sunburn. But by Tuesday, people just asked me "Are you okay?" That's because by that time the burn on my forehead had swollen up so that I looked like some kind of weird cave-woman. Halfway through the day, I decided to go to the doctor about it. They wrote me some prescriptions, and on the way back to my car, looking down to keep the rain out of my face, I walked right into a tree. Now I have a two lumps on my forehead.

The sunburn was the worst of my air show weekend mishaps, but far from the only one. While there, I stubbed my toe. After getting home, I got a regular burn to go with my sunburn. Over the weekend, I suffered from intermittent nosebleeds. And Friday, I got air sick.

Right now, looking at my bruised toe, puffy head, and shiny pink face, I feel like I belong on a sitcom. But, at least I got to see some cool air stunts to go along with my mishaps - my air sickness occurred while flying on the most interesting plane I've ever been in, a B-25 Mitchell bomber from WWII, and while I was getting sunburned I was also busy being completely amazed by the Blue Angels and the unbelievable F-22 Raptor. I've also gained a greater appreciation of my ability to laugh at myself. Sometimes, I guess, you have to take the bad with the good...

- Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

Last word on Blue Angels

By Brian Livingston
blivingston@themeridianstar.com
I'm still flying high.
I'm also still a little sore. Since my flight with the Blue Angels #7 and Lt. Frank "Walleye" Weisser, a good number of people have asked me about the video of the flight we had on the Meridian Star website. They wondered, among other things, why I looked like I was in great pain but obviously still enjoying myself. It all has to do with the "hic" technique and flexing of my lower body so I wouldn't pass out during high G turns. Here's how it works.
With the onset of G-forces, pilots are trained to tighten their lower body, butt, thighs and everything else, to constrict blood flow. Because the blood wants to drain from the brain at high Gs, it isn't good for pilots to pass out. The Blue Angels don't wear G-suits developed during the Korean War to help combat high Gs.
At the same time you are constricting your lower body, you also want to tighten your stomach. That is where the "hic" techniqe comes in. Saying "hic" while taking deep breaths helps to keep the blood flow going in the upper portion of your body, mainly to your brain. Now, I'm not used to taking so may Gs so my technique was loud and pretty ugly. Aviators such as Walleye have done this so many times, and are in so much better shape, they can stay awake with minimal effort.
In order to properly constrict my lower body I was told to try and stand up in the 12-point harness I was strapped in. That did the trick. But I was so sore for three days afterward because I wasn't used to the exertion. It was pain I was glad to endure given I had the ride of the my life.
A side note. If you listen later on in the video, I'm actually saying "hut" instead of "hic." Reverting back to my football days, hut just came more naturally and accomplished the same thing. In fact, when I was flying the jet myself, that part isn't in the video, I hardly noticed the Gs even though I was pulling 5.5 to 6.5 on the meter. I just wanted to make sure the plane didn't hit the ground which I'm sure Walleye was watching for as well.
As for the bleeps, I apologize.
I was so pumped that I actually forgot EVERYTHING was being recorded. One person said I was taking the Lord's name in vain. I wasn't. The last time I did that was years ago when I hit my thumb with a hammer. What I was saying was "hot damn!" It was just youthful exhuberence on the part of a 48-year old man. Forgive me.
The Blue Angels put on a great show this weekend as did the rest of the performers. I couldn't help but get misty-eyed while watching the Angels fly wishing I was back up there with them. I know this was my first and last shot and I'm glad I didn't puke in their plane. I was, if you'll forgive me for blowing my own horn, very proud of myself for pulling up to 7.9 sustained Gs. It's a guy thang!
Somebody asked me how I was going to top this.
I had two words for them.
Space shuttle!

Wings Over Meridian ... Best time I've had in a while

I must say, Sunday was one of the best times I've ever had. I don't get out much (usually all I do is work and go home. If I'm lucky, I may get to go to Wal-Mart once a week!) and, like Chris Stewart, I'm not much on crowds — especially 50,000 people. I was nervous all the way out to NAS Meridian just thinking about all the people. We left home early and arrived around 9:10 a.m. — hardly any lines. We had great seats for the show and the food was excellent. My 2 1/2-year-old daughter was excited to see the planes, until the raptor came out. She jumped 10 feet in the air and started screaming! I immediately grabbed her and put my hands over her ears. She didn't want the ear plugs. By mid-afternoon she actually fell asleep in my lap for about 10 minutes with her hands over her ears. All in all everyone in my family enjoyed the show. I didn't even notice all the people as my eyes were glued to the sky. It was amazing!

Helen Reynolds
news editor
hreynolds@themeridianstar.com

Wings Over Meridian...look for me at the next show...I'll be there.

Okay, I've never had any interest in going to an air show, but the Wings Over Meridian show was freakin' amazing. I think it was one of the greatest local events that I've attended.
I was a little leary about going to the show, because of the crowd and decibel level (a brief background on myself, I don't like big crowds and the older I get the less I like loud noises), but everybody that I ran into was as cool as a fan and I bought earplugs on the way. It seemed like everyone that I ran into was having a good time, which amplified my good time.
I also got to try Tommy's Steak & Seafood, and quite frankly I'm sort of mad at myself for not trying their food before, for Christ's sake I've been living in the area all my life. The barbeque pork was perfect...not too salty, but you can taste meat with or without the sauce. I don't eat cole slaw, but I can only assume that Tommy’s is gotta be good. The sausage was "the bomb".
Everyone read or heard about the The Blue Angels experience, but just seeing is reason enough for any homebody to get out. It was amazing, 18 inches apart! The Fat Albert. The Killer Bees. Just go to the next one. You’ll see what I’m talking about.
I'm not gonna go on about the actual show, but I just want to let you know that I'll be there for the next one, and if you want to meet up, we'll collaborate on some good Bar-B-Que joints.


-Chris Stewart (page layout)
cstewart@themeridianstar.com

The Human Body

As I sit here wondering what to write in this blog (our boss made us do, freddie!) plenty of headlines rush through my head. I could write on the Air Show but unfortunately I wasn't able to go. I could write on the biggest story in the AP wire but I just put it on the page. I'm watching Family Guy but I doubt that would be a smart choice for a blog, plenty of laughs but no substance.

An hour and a half in... Alright.... The History Channel
Well, recently with the new beau I have been indulging myself with shows from the Discovery and History channels. Under Ground Cities, How It's Made, Myth Busters, and my favorite THE HUMAN BODY.

If you have not seen this show you must. I just wanted to comment on the brillance of this show. Besides the massive educational information, which is amazing in itself, the graphic elements of this show are beyond appreciating. They show, for example, a woman hiking in the desert up a huge cliff and falls approximately 20-30 feet to the ground. She has broken her leg in about 4 different places. Her ankle, hip, thigh, and shin, all on one side. There is this thing in your brain that controls pain. Your brain tells the rest of your body that it doesn't hurt. (like when you slam your finger in the door and it doesn't hurt for about 8 sec.) This woman crawled 2 hours just using her arms across the desert until she reached help. As soon as she saw the ambulance the pain was unbearable! Her brain kept the pain down for two hours. wow!

The image in your head right now of this story is the exactly how they show it.

This show is a must see! It is called THE HUMAN BODY. and if you didn't know... this show is based off of The Human Body exhibit in Mobile, AL.

Brilliant!


Lindsey Key
lkey@themeridianstar.com

McCain's visit - the short version

Presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain made a campaign stop in Meridian this week to kick off his biographical "Service to America" tour, in which he will visit places where he has lived in a military-related capacity. Here's a brief overview of his visit:

Yesterday, McCain appeared at the Wings Over Meridian air show just in time for the performance by the Blue Angels. Campaigning on a military base is illegal, so he shook hands but didn't make any speeches. He also attended a reportedly $1,000 per person invitation-only dinner last night.

This morning, McCain gave a speech at the Riley Center, talking about his family's heritage in Mississippi and speaking nostalgically about his parents and grand-parents. He went on to talk about the government's role in parenting, saying that the government "can't just throw money at public education" without accountability, and that "a welfare check can't give a parent a sense of purpose." Though he talked profusely on his family's past role in Mississippi, he did not shed any additional light on the purpose of his visit to Meridian.

Reportedly, McCain was scheduled to visit Hope Village for Children after his Riley Center speech.

Check tomorrow's Meridian Star for more on McCain's speech at the Riley Center

- Jennifer Jacob
jjacob@themeridianstar.com

Flight of fancy

By Brian Livingston
blivingston@themeridianstar.com
It was absolutely the most fun I've ever had with my clothes on!

Flying in, and actually being able to take the stick in a high performance fighter jet such as the F/A 18 Hornet was an adrenaline rush like I've never felt before. It was also the culmination of years of dreaming of what it must feel like to pull massive Gs and live to tell about.

The media flight I took courtesy of the US Navy's Blue Angels Wednesday afternoon was made all the more memorable because of Lt. Frank "Walleye" Weisser. He is a combat vet and air show narrator for the Blue Angels. He was also like a brother in the front seat as we cut up the sky doing most anything the jet is capable of doing. Simply awesome!

Understand, I'm 48 years old and when first told I might have a chance to do this made the weeks prior to Wednesday drag by like a bad movie. I had several fears rolling around in my head namely if I'd even pass a physical. In the back of my mind I knew I wasn't a young guy anymore. I still get aches and pains from playing a round of golf or mowing the yard so I was really questioning myself as to if I could take 2 Gs much less six or seven. I certainly didn't want to throw up in the cockpit.

I not only saw this opportunity as fulfilling a lifelong dream of flying a fighter but I wanted to know if I still "had it" or some semblance of moxie I used to have when I was much younger. Aging makes you wish for the days of youth. I wanted to see if I was man enough to take it.

I've flown in a lot of different aircraft from helicopters, both civilian and military, civilian, commercial and military planes but nothing on the scale of a high performance fighter jet such as the Hornet. I've also had the utmost respect for all pilots who break the bounds of gravity and fly. Even civilian pilots who take off on weekend flights have to be on their toes and not get too complacent. Bad pilots don't fly for very long.

With an elite aviator such as Walleye in the front seat I was surprisingly calm as we taxied out Wednesday at NAS Meridian. All the anxiety had gone once I sat down in the seat and got strapped in. I was ready, I hoped.

You are taught in the briefing, and the lessons are gone over again by Walleye in the air, to try and stand up in the seat whenever high Gs are coming. You are in a 12-point harness system and can hardly breathe much less stand up but try you do and it helped me out a great deal. Trying to stand up tightens all those lower body muscles as we weren't wearing G-suits. This keeps the blood flow to your brain so you don't black out. You also have to take deep breathes while saying the word "Hick." This also helps keep blood flow to your brain and upper body. As I watched the cockpit tape today I noticed I wasn't saying Hick but instead, Hut! I guess that's the old football player in me. Whatever it was it helped.

The flight itself was simply awesome. Very few people get to do what I did so I remain very thankful to the Blue Angels for picking me to fly.

After years of playing combat flight sims on the home PC I often wondered what it felt like to pull serious Gs. I'm here to tell you it is serious work while at the time trying to fly and fight. Kudos to all combat pilots, Navy, Marine and Air Force, who have to endure these effects on their bodies as they fight for their lives.

You also have to be a math wiz, which Walleye is. That is why I didn't go into flying seriously out of high school. I was horrible at math but I was also smart enough to know that. Walleye said from the time he gets into the cockpit to when he leaves he is constantly doing the math in his head. It's intensive.

We went from flying .98 mach at low level to doing loops, rolls and much more at 8,000 feet. The awesome power of the twin engined Hornet at your fingertips was mind blowing. At the flick of a wrist you could go from 200 knots airspeed to afterburner to mach whatever. It took us about 15 seconds to transistion from 120 knots to a hair under the sound barrier. In fact you could feel just a little buffeting as the Hornet flirted with Mach 1. But alas, we weren't cleared for supersonic flight so we reluctantly backed off.

High G turns, such as the one over NAS Meridian as we prepared to land in which I pulled 7.9 Gs without blacking out, is like having an elephant sitting on your chest. Almost eight times my weight of 190 pounds. You do the math, I can't.

I didn't sleep at all Wednesday night. I was replaying the flight over and over in my head. I was wishing I did more when Walleye handed me the stick but I have to admit I was a little tentative and conservative. That was OK because during some of my higher G turns, somewhere in the 5.9 to 6.5 G range, Walleye admitted he had to do some Hick technique so he wouldn't start to gray out. That made me feel good.

Walleye, I just can't say enough about him. I couldn't have picked a better front seater for this dream come true. The man is built like a statue. While we were all sweating and panting when we landed, he popped out the jet and walked around like he was at the Bonita Lakes Mall. I didn't see the guy sweat one time! But he's young, in excellent shape and confident. Bullet proof? Oh yeah.

I have to admit I've been walking around today with a bit of that aviator swagger. It's not arrogance or anything like that. It stems more from the fact I faced one of my lifelong challenges and came out a winner. I was 18 years old again standing in the middle of the football field I played on in southeast Arkansas celebrating a state championship in 1977. When Walleye told me about hitting the 7.9 G mark, he was as ecstatic as I was. He said I was a G-monster and had done better than any media rep who has flown with him. Now, this guy is super nice and he may have been telling me that to make me feel good but I doubt it. I think he was sincere and I appreciate that.

It's not often we get to realize our dreams. Many dreams and goals fall by the wayside as we try to eke out a living and raise our families. We get older and believe we can't do some of the things we wish we could. Well, here's to reaching out and meeting the challenge. I'm not going to pretend I'm a fighter pilot on par with all those serving our nation's military. I'm far from it. But I have tasted the life and I like it. I've felt the power I'm addicted. Thanks Walleye, Blue Angels and everyone who helped me reach my goal.

How's your 2008?

Joy Henson
Jhenson@393mag.com

While sitting in the doctors office yesterday morning, I was asked by a complete stranger..."how is your 2008 going?" Not feeling so well, I replied "good I guess." Thankfully, my name was the next name called to see the doctor. Usually I'm all about visiting with people but, feeling the way I was feeling, I just wanted to be left alone. Thirty minutes later I was getting my diagnosis of strep throat.

After leaving the doctor's office I got to thinking, how is my 2008 going? To be honest, it's flying by. I can't believe April is around the corner. I am, however, looking forward to the pollen disappearing and the wonderful smell of hamburgers grilling on the grill.

My top 5 of 2008 (in no particular order), so far...

1 - Seeing snow for the first time in years...
2 - Hosting family and friends over to my new home...
3 - Meeting new faces...
4 - Spoiling my nieces...
5 - Enjoying every aspect of my job...

So I ask you...How's your 2008?