I know that it is a wonderful life.
It's snowing outside on Christmas Eve.
I hope my sons can make it up here in the morning in spite of the road conditions.
I am missing the SMU bowl game.
I like the series "West Wing" in spite of the liberal politics of President Bartlet and his staff. The show is very entertaining, and if you know nothing about me know this: I like to be entertained.
I have quite a job in front of me getting this place ready for the carpet layers on Tuesday.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Danny Kaye and Bing Crosby tap dancing their way through Texas
Anyone remember a white Christmas in North Texas?
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Where is my Writers' Group?
I miss you all.
(edit: PS-Ann, I published your comment and replied to it in the same comment chain. I gave a short answer, but it was probably not enough to be clear.)
(edit: PS-Ann, I published your comment and replied to it in the same comment chain. I gave a short answer, but it was probably not enough to be clear.)
Monday, December 7, 2009
Racism in the Denton DA Office makes TV news
I just finished watching CSI Miami and I am considering turning off the TV when I see the news teaser about a North Texas District Attorney's Office. The victim appeared genuinely wounded and upset. Listening to the story, it appeared that First Assistant Jamie Beck was trying to insinuate that it didn't really happem although, according to the newspaper, they have admitted that it happened and they sent Piel to Sensitivity (Diversity) Training.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
And the Annual December fade begins...
The Cowboys did everything they could to try to lose to the Giants, today, and they were successful in giving away the game to the score of 31 to 17. They will never get any better with this head coach. Also the offense leaves too much to be desired. I have little faith in Jason Garrett as any kind of a head coach in the future. I may boycott them the rest of the season.
Trouble in Denton County?
Denton County Lawsuit over racial discrimination/harrassment in the DA's Office
A lawyer in the Denton County District Attorney’s Office has filed a racial discrimination suit against the county, the district attorney’s office and three lawyers in the office, alleging that their actions created a hostile work environment.
Denton attorney Bill Trantham, who represents lawyer Nadiya Williams-Boldware, filed the suit Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Sherman.
The suit alleges that lawyer Cary Piel made racially insulting remarks in Williams-Boldware’s presence; that his wife, Susan Piel, Williams-Boldware’s supervisor in the misdemeanor crimes section of the office, did not protect Williams-Boldware; and that Ryan Calvert, Susan Piel’s brother, later made remarks that harassed Williams-Boldware and contributed to a hostile work environment.
According to the lawsuit, Piel made the remarks April 2 while discussing a case he was prosecuting involving a black woman who was accused of drunkenly driving her car through a cemetery, destroying numerous gravestones. Police video showed that she fought with arresting officers and made racially insulting remarks to them.
According to the suit, Piel said he was enraged by what he saw on the tape. He said it made him “understand why people hung people from trees,” and that it made him “want to go home and put on his white, pointy hat.”
[First Assistant District Attorney Jamie] Beck said Cary Piel was disciplined for the remarks and that was documented in his personnel file. She said he was ordered to attend sensitivity classes, which he did.
“This needed to be addressed, and we did,” she said. “He needed to be disciplined, and he was. It was inappropriate, and we weren’t going to let it go. Had he bowed up in any way about the discipline or the class, he would have been terminated.” (Edit by KH: If you read the entire article, you see that the DA admits that the remarks were made and that the situation exists; however, they are saying that this is all about the reelection bid by DA Johnson. The effort to downplay this behavior is amazing to me.)
Trantham said Williams-Boldware has not received a proper apology.
“He didn’t mean it,” he said of the apology that Cary Piel gave. “He is a virulent racist.”
The suit alleges that after Piel took the course she overheard him make a reference to a “boombox” and state that if he was not careful he would have to take another sensitivity class.
The suit alleges that Williams-Boldware delivered a memo to Johnson, the district attorney, stating her allegations against Piel and that Johnson asked her to not give the memo to the county human resources department. She did go to the human resources department, according to the suit, but felt that she was not treated correctly there.
Beck denied that Johnson asked Williams-Boldware to not take the memo to the human resources office. Beck said that in deciding how to discipline Piel, the district attorney worked closely with the human resources department, asking for advice so it would be handled correctly.
The county took no further action against Piel. But Williams-Boldware was notified that Rentz also would be required to attend a sensitivity course.
At an office birthday party for Williams-Boldware, Calvert made the comment that he’d better leave or he’d be “going to one of those classes,” according to the suit. He was not disciplined.
A lawyer in the Denton County District Attorney’s Office has filed a racial discrimination suit against the county, the district attorney’s office and three lawyers in the office, alleging that their actions created a hostile work environment.
Denton attorney Bill Trantham, who represents lawyer Nadiya Williams-Boldware, filed the suit Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in Sherman.
The suit alleges that lawyer Cary Piel made racially insulting remarks in Williams-Boldware’s presence; that his wife, Susan Piel, Williams-Boldware’s supervisor in the misdemeanor crimes section of the office, did not protect Williams-Boldware; and that Ryan Calvert, Susan Piel’s brother, later made remarks that harassed Williams-Boldware and contributed to a hostile work environment.
According to the lawsuit, Piel made the remarks April 2 while discussing a case he was prosecuting involving a black woman who was accused of drunkenly driving her car through a cemetery, destroying numerous gravestones. Police video showed that she fought with arresting officers and made racially insulting remarks to them.
According to the suit, Piel said he was enraged by what he saw on the tape. He said it made him “understand why people hung people from trees,” and that it made him “want to go home and put on his white, pointy hat.”
[First Assistant District Attorney Jamie] Beck said Cary Piel was disciplined for the remarks and that was documented in his personnel file. She said he was ordered to attend sensitivity classes, which he did.
“This needed to be addressed, and we did,” she said. “He needed to be disciplined, and he was. It was inappropriate, and we weren’t going to let it go. Had he bowed up in any way about the discipline or the class, he would have been terminated.” (Edit by KH: If you read the entire article, you see that the DA admits that the remarks were made and that the situation exists; however, they are saying that this is all about the reelection bid by DA Johnson. The effort to downplay this behavior is amazing to me.)
Trantham said Williams-Boldware has not received a proper apology.
“He didn’t mean it,” he said of the apology that Cary Piel gave. “He is a virulent racist.”
The suit alleges that after Piel took the course she overheard him make a reference to a “boombox” and state that if he was not careful he would have to take another sensitivity class.
The suit alleges that Williams-Boldware delivered a memo to Johnson, the district attorney, stating her allegations against Piel and that Johnson asked her to not give the memo to the county human resources department. She did go to the human resources department, according to the suit, but felt that she was not treated correctly there.
Beck denied that Johnson asked Williams-Boldware to not take the memo to the human resources office. Beck said that in deciding how to discipline Piel, the district attorney worked closely with the human resources department, asking for advice so it would be handled correctly.
The county took no further action against Piel. But Williams-Boldware was notified that Rentz also would be required to attend a sensitivity course.
At an office birthday party for Williams-Boldware, Calvert made the comment that he’d better leave or he’d be “going to one of those classes,” according to the suit. He was not disciplined.
On a gray, cloudy day...
One of the kids thought it was cute to make it look like Santa was taking a "break" in the flower pot on the front porch. Okay, I have to admit, it's kind of funny.I guess I won't be auditioning for a part in "Cyrano" at the Denton Community Theater. I am told that we already have plans in concrete for Valentine's Day weekend which is when that play will be staged. There will be other opportunities. I had fun doing "Mockingbird".
We did have a trial this week. I had to do it without my usual trial partner because she was out sick on Tuesday. We tried a 39 years old female drug abuser. She had two prior felony convictions, both for drug possession. In the past, she had received probation which was revoked within 5 months for violations. She was sentenced to a 7 year sentence but paroled after 1 year and committed a new possession offense while on parole. She then received another prison sentence, and now she was caught in Wise County with almost 5 grams of methamphetamine hidden in a false bottom can. At some point, we simply have to decide that enough is enough. With her record, the range of punishment available to the jury was 25 years to 99 years or life. The jury gave her 35 years.
I was not really pulling for Texas or Nebraska last night. I was really impressed with the defense Nebraska put up. That had to be the most prepared defense I can recall seeing recently. And talk about some clutch field goal kicking on both sides. I am looking forward to the Texas/Alabama game. That should be fun.
We almost have the house decorated for Christmas, as much as we do anyway.
Tomorrow is "Pearl Harbor Day", the day that lives in infamy. We defeated that enemy. Now we have to make Al Quaeda pay for 9/11, and get them finished off.
Really people! Every time the subject of Sarah Palin comes up within my earshot, I hear that she is stupid. Let the left wing mainstream media propoganda go. She is at least as intelligent as the Obamination. How come I never hear them talking about Joe "Bonehead" Biden, your current VP. That guy makes gaff after gaff, but people want to tell me that Sarah is not fit to lead us? Please. Have you read her book yet?
Friday, December 4, 2009
Should I or Should I Not?
Auditions for "Cyrano DeBergerac", will be held December 20, 21 starting at 7 pm at the Campus Theatre, located at 214 W. Hickory Street in downtown Denton. The Denton Community Theatre production is directed by Brad Speck.
This romantic tale, set in the 1600's, tells of the brilliant soldier and poet, Cyrano DeBergerac who, despite his intelligence and skill, believes that he can never be loved because of his exceptionally large nose. He uses his talent with words to help the handsome but tongue-tied fellow soldier, Christian, woo the beautiful Roxanne. Although Cyrano secretly loves her, he only wants to see her happy. This classic work has something for everyone – romance, dramatic sword fights, and a bit of humor as well.
Auditions are open – no appointments. A prepared monologue is recommended but not required. There will also be cold readings from the script. This production is using the Brian Hooker translation of the script. Stage combat/movement ability will also be assessed at the audition. Resumes and headshots are encouraged, but not required. If you are unable to attend either of the audition days, please contact Director, Brad Speck, at 940-566-8661 or email him at bradleyspeck@hotmail.com.
Performances are February 5, 6, 12, 13 at 7:30 pm & February 7, 14 at 2 pm.
This is a large cast with 28 men's roles and 13 women's roles available – late teens and older. Many roles are small “juicy” parts which will require less rehearsal time – often only two to three days per week for the first three weeks. There will be 5 weeks of rehearsal total – first read through is January 2, 2010.
For more information, please call (940) 382-7014 or email thedctteam@campustheatre.com [thedctteam@campustheatre dot com]
I have successfully auditioned before. It is pretty time consuming as far as rehearsal time and several performances. I have not worked with Brad Speck yet. This might be a fun play. I never have prepared a monologue before, but I have been to some stage acting seminars so I know what they mean by a "monologue" for the purposes of an audition.
This romantic tale, set in the 1600's, tells of the brilliant soldier and poet, Cyrano DeBergerac who, despite his intelligence and skill, believes that he can never be loved because of his exceptionally large nose. He uses his talent with words to help the handsome but tongue-tied fellow soldier, Christian, woo the beautiful Roxanne. Although Cyrano secretly loves her, he only wants to see her happy. This classic work has something for everyone – romance, dramatic sword fights, and a bit of humor as well.
Auditions are open – no appointments. A prepared monologue is recommended but not required. There will also be cold readings from the script. This production is using the Brian Hooker translation of the script. Stage combat/movement ability will also be assessed at the audition. Resumes and headshots are encouraged, but not required. If you are unable to attend either of the audition days, please contact Director, Brad Speck, at 940-566-8661 or email him at bradleyspeck@hotmail.com.
Performances are February 5, 6, 12, 13 at 7:30 pm & February 7, 14 at 2 pm.
This is a large cast with 28 men's roles and 13 women's roles available – late teens and older. Many roles are small “juicy” parts which will require less rehearsal time – often only two to three days per week for the first three weeks. There will be 5 weeks of rehearsal total – first read through is January 2, 2010.
For more information, please call (940) 382-7014 or email thedctteam@campustheatre.com [thedctteam@campustheatre dot com]
I have successfully auditioned before. It is pretty time consuming as far as rehearsal time and several performances. I have not worked with Brad Speck yet. This might be a fun play. I never have prepared a monologue before, but I have been to some stage acting seminars so I know what they mean by a "monologue" for the purposes of an audition.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Snow? This does not look like global warming to me.
I get up and I am standing around in my kitchen when my dog comes in from outside with snow all over him. These are the pictures I got when my wife drove off to her job. Apparently, Slidel schools have already closed, but no one else is. I wish it would snow for Christmas. We used to get those snowy Christmas days in Oklahoma City when I was a kid.
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