Earth Hour

I just wanted to quickly post some pictures of us during Earth Hour. Fatima, Yvonne, and myself went to the awesome Flat Top Grill over next to Harpo Studios (Oprah's production facility). It was alot of fun. They turned out the lights and we ate by candle light. Anyway, here are the pictures.

My Poor Window....

Ok, so I didn't get a good picture of my car's broken window so I took these pictures instead. Hope you enjoy!

Crimes Against Drew's Car?

So I was picking up Fatima from work tonight. I pulled up to Walgreens on the corner of State and Roosevelt at about 8:55pm and parked on the street. I parked about half a block from the store, which was the closest spot there was, walked to the store to get Fatima. On my way to the store and a few steps from my car I was asked by a financially challenged individual, "Can you spare some change" to which I responded nicely, "I'm sorry, I don't have any change to spare" and proceeded to Walgreens. In most cases I do have some spare change but it just so happened that this time I really only had a 5 spot on me and didn't feel like parting with it and giving it to this person. He, the financially challenged individual, did a lip suck and eye roll signifying his dis-belief in my lack of spare change. So, I walked on content in the current state of my universe and thought about how many times today I had been approached by persons in similar situations as this fellow and asked for spare change. Anyways, I kept walking and entered Walgreens to get Fatima. ----- 7 minutes later----- Fatima and I emerged from Walgreens talking about the great deal she got on clearance easter candy and how we were only going to eat one piece a month (I have had 2 while writing this post) when we happened upon my car and what do we find but a vehicle with 6 places for windows but only 5 windows. That Financially challenged person, perturbed with the prospect of another cold night without someone else's spare change to jingle in his pocket, must have thought that the possibility that passed him by to receive my spare change was worth reclaiming by removing my window. I guess when he was following his thought process he must have realized that the tools he had with him were not suitable for removing windows from locked cars. So, I guess he felt compelled to take out his frustration on the very thing that was trying to procure. What this means for me is the prospect of replacing the now broken window that apparently to this fellow was only worth the dollar or less of spare change that I might have given him if I had it on me at the time. To make a long story less long I am now faced with a $210 window replacement bill for not giving some one spare change that I didn't have, I think I have learned my lesson!

Clinton or Obama?

I found a very interesting blog today about Hillary and Barack's senate records. What bills they introduced, co-sponsers, and successes. I think that you will find that Obama's "lack of experience" doesn't take into account the quality of his work in the Senate. Here is a quick list, you can see the whole blog at Daily Kos:

Clinton's Successes:
S.694 : A bill to direct the Secretary of Transportation to issue regulations to reduce the incidence of child injury and death occurring inside or outside of light motor vehicles, and for other purposes. (This is currently in conference committee to reconcile difference with the House bill)
Passed in the Senate:
S.CON.RES.27 : A concurrent resolution supporting the goals and ideals of "National Purple Heart Recognition Day".
S.RES.21 : A resolution recognizing the uncommon valor of Wesley Autrey of New York, New York
S.RES.92 : A resolution calling for the immediate and unconditional release of soldiers of Israel held captive by Hamas and Hezbollah.
S.RES.141 : A resolution urging all member countries of the International Commission of the International Tracing Service who have yet to ratify the May 2006 amendments to the 1955 Bonn Accords to expedite the ratification process to allow for open access to the Holocaust archives located at Bad Arolsen, Germany.
S.RES.222 : A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month.
S.AMDT.666 to H.R.1591 To link award fees under Department of Homeland Security contracts to successful acquisition outcomes under such contracts.
S.AMDT.2047 to H.R.1585 To specify additional individuals eligible to transportation for survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces to attend their burial ceremonies.
S.AMDT.2108 to H.R.1585 To require a report on the planning and implementation of the policy of the United States toward Darfur.
S.AMDT.2390 to H.R.2638 To require that all contracts of the Department of Homeland Security that provide award fees link such fees to successful acquisition outcomes.
S.AMDT.2474 to H.R.2638 To ensure that the Federal Protective Service has adequate personnel.
S.AMDT.2823 to H.R.3074 To require a report on plans to alleviate congestion and flight delays in the New York/New Jersey/Philadelphia Airspace.
S.AMDT.2917 to H.R.1585 To extend and enhance the authority for temporary lodging expenses for members of the Armed Forces in areas subject to a major disaster declaration or for installations experiencing a sudden increase in personnel levels.

Obama's Success:
S.AMDT.1041 to S.1082 To improve the safety and efficacy of genetic tests.
S.AMDT.3073 to H.R.1585 To provide for transparency and accountability in military and security contracting.
S.AMDT.3078 to H.R.1585 Relating to administrative separations of members of the Armed Forces for personality disorder.
S.AMDT.41 to S.1 To require lobbyists to disclose the candidates, leadership PACs, or political parties for whom they collect or arrange contributions, and the aggregate amount of the contributions collected or arranged.
S.AMDT.524 to S.CON.RES.21 To provide $100 million for the Summer Term Education Program supporting summer learning opportunities for low-income students in the early grades to lessen summer learning losses that contribute to the achievement gaps separating low-income students from their middle-class peers.
S.AMDT.599 to S.CON.RES.21 To add $200 million for Function 270 (Energy) for the demonstration and monitoring of carbon capture and sequestration technology by the Department of Energy.
S.AMDT.905 to S.761 To require the Director of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering Education to establish a program to recruit and provide mentors for women and underrepresented minorities who are interested in careers in mathematics, science, and engineering.
S.AMDT.923 to S.761 To expand the pipeline of individuals entering the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics fields to support United States innovation and competitiveness.
S.AMDT.924 to S.761 To establish summer term education programs.
S.AMDT.2519 to H.R.2638 To provide that one of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5 million or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the contract or grant that the contractor or grantee owes no past due Federal tax liability.
S.AMDT.2588 to H.R.976 To provide certain employment protections for family members who are caring for members of the Armed Forces recovering from illnesses and injuries incurred on active duty.
S.AMDT.2658 to H.R.2642 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.
S.AMDT.2692 to H.R.2764 To require a comprehensive nuclear threat reduction and security plan.
S.AMDT.2799 to H.R.3074 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.
S.AMDT.3137 to H.R.3222 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.
S.AMDT.3234 to H.R.3093 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.
S.AMDT.3331 to H.R.3043 To provide that none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or grantee makes certain certifications regarding Federal tax liability.
Senate Resolutions Passed:
S.RES.133 : A resolution celebrating the life of Bishop Gilbert Earl Patterson.
S.RES.268 : A resolution designating July 12, 2007, as "National Summer Learning Day".

Wicked!!!

Tonight has been a great night so far. Me and Fatima went out to eat and now we are waiting for Wicked to start. I got Fatima tickets to see Wicked for christmas and have been excited to see it. I got awesome seats also, row k seats 113 and 114 in orchestra level. Very cool! Anyway, I will let you all know how the show went later!

Parents

It has been a while since I have said anything of substance in my blog so I wanted to say something instead of just listing the most recent happenings in my life. In order to do this I do have to give a little background. This past Christmas I was in Florida visiting my family and friends. I had arranged to go camping and use my parents camper for new years. There had been several changes made to my plans due to the slow response from my parents on whether I could use it or not. So, after getting the ok I made the arrangements and told my friends. Now, is it ok for them at this point to decide not to let me use it? The day before? I don' think so and am interested to hear what other people would say. Also, the reason they gave me was "because we said so" which later on turned to "we don't trust your friends". I think that if anyone is not being trusted, that person is me. After this all transpired I tried my best to think of a reason of my own that would produce such distrust. Got me! First off, I am 29 years old and the reson they gave me is one they gave me when I was 10. Second, I could list a million reasons why I am responsible and trust worthy. Topping that list would be my service in the military and that fact that I own my own home and live in one of the most expensive areas in the US. Anyway, I got to run, bus is at my stop. Please comment on this because I really would like to know that I am reacting to this in a proper way.

A New Blog

Ok, I have switched to this service to do my blogging because it is far easier and hopefully will foster more frequent blogging. But, I am in a hurry so I will have to post more later on.