fun time with Harrison and Z-bo

Hi everyone

I just wrote all of this out and it disappeared somewhere-what do I do when that
happens?

We had a great week with Harrison and Z-bo. Elizabeth and I went to the zoo
and saw a gorilla family sitting down. the only thing separating us from them
was a sheet of glass. Elizabeth pointed out to me that he or she was holding
a tiny baby. the little face was looking at us although it was asleep. I have never
seen anything like it. the kid next to us, said"it looks just like my brother". Of
course, it does.

Chris, Dave wants help getting on the blog. would you mind sending him
directions again. thanks.

Sonya, I heard from the kids that Dave and group are now heading for the lake,
the last week of June, not the 15th.I would check with him.

I need info re plans for Molly's Memory Lines. Doug and I are flying in
-it is over the weekend of the 12th and 13th. Zach's birthday is the 11th and
Z-bo's is the 12th. I am going to start looking for a house to rent so please
let me knkow who is interested.

As far as politics-Rudy guilliani has just announced that if he should win his 3rd
wife would be sitting in at cabinet meetings as an advisor. this is really
reassuring. doug and I like John Edwards but he won't make it-it is all about
who can raise the most money. obscene.

Lo wrote and said they had a great dinner with you last night, cree. Was Jack
ross there?

signing off
Love to all
Debmom

Dogs and Cats

Excerpts from a Dog's Daily Diary:
8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing !
9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing !
9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing !
10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing !
12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!
1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!
3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!
5:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing !
7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!
8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!
11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!



Excerpts from a Cat's Daily Diary:
Day 683 of my captivity:
My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling
objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat while the other inmates and
I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for
the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to
keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In
an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the floor.
Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at
their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it
clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made
condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. The
audacity!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight.
I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event.
However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my
confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what
this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate
one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must
try this again tomorrow - but at the top of the stairs.
I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and
snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released
-
and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded!
The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicating
with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move.
My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell,
so he is safe .... for now.

From HQ --- in culver city

Hello everyone. (This is Harrison - from L.A.)

Just got back from the Sony Film Studios in L.A. and it was awesome. (deb's favorite word.)

Saw all the studios where they made just about every movie that's ever been made. I got to watch as they filmed a tugboat sinking in a massive water tank with rain machines and about 100 people filming and doing lighting etc... Then as we were leaving the studios the main bunch of the tour got separated from us and me and this old guy accidentally walked onto a movie set where they let us watch Sydney Pollack and Robert DeNiro work their magic for about half an hour

All in all - awesome.

Tidbits

I just heard from sonya that joe has enrolled in circus camp in SF at the end of july. He's going to the Circus Center , it's a real circus training camp! His big show is July 27th....I can't wait.

Also just finished an outstanding book called the Law of Dreams by Behrens. It's just out so you should go to the library or put it on your list to read when it comes out in paperback. It's about a young man, Fergus, during the potato famine in Ireland and making his way to Canada. The story has been told so many times....but the writing is fantastic, places where I had to read it aloud the rhythm was so beautiful. And without a lot of psychobabble, it tells the internal emotional story of being the only survivor of a family, of having everything taken away from you, of finding things to hold onto. A really great book right to the last word and image in which Fergus encounters a young boy in Canada that does not even know his name.

I'm going to LA on Tuesday...hanging out with Lily, J&J, Harrison and of course the cousins. I'm visiting 8-9 schools so will probably be an emotional wreck as always after seeing the best and worst of America. So be aware!

Lillian O'lea

Happy Birthday Dave...and other things.

First of all it is brother Dave's b-day. he had a surprise party yesterday....wish we could have all been there..

I just got back from lovely Coronado....Doug wrapped me in the ultimate TLC with great food, starbucks coffee and early morning croissants. Deb and I hung out in bed, watching law and order, and giggling. And well Mo....barked at me.

Bumped into John and Jean Sturges (our cousins) at Starbucks....very fun!

One of our highlights of the weekend was the movie The Lives of Others
Deb couldn't stop talking about it....and it really is one of the best movies ever. Would love to hear your thoughts. bye for now, cree

Hey Joe,

It's me and chris. and Moe and Doug. We think you look pretty cool in the smart
car. come and pick us up.
Love
The California group

Hi Deb!

Hi Deb,

It's me Joe. Look at daddy's new car! We drove around Boulder last night. I love it. I did not get to drive it though. I miss you.

Bye now,
Joe

Small world - Drew Takahashi

Hi -- Dan just wanted you to know that I signed on to be an advisor to a documentary for which Drew is also an advisor. It's on a program in the Texas Youth Commission that uses therapy to help violent kids. If they get through the program successfuly they are released on probation. If they don't, they are transferred to adult jail.

They are going to use animation interspersed in the film to capture the kid's earlier lives. I think it's a pretty interesting idea. And I love the author John Hubner, who wrote the book The Heart of Texas upon which it is based. (A very good read).

bye for now

Falcons!

Hey Joe,

Mom here. I was able to hold a falcon, they are magical birds. And here is daddy next to a camel! Anyway, we will see you soon!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy

Camels!

Good morning Joe,

I went to the camel market this morning. Saw lot's of big camels and even some babies. They are very cool looking creatures. Here they were mostly being sold for their meat. I would never eat a camel!
I looked for the falcons, but could not find them.
We will be home in just a few days. We miss you.
Love to everyone,
Mom and Dad

End This War bumper stickers

Hi all -- if you are interested Move On is releasing bumper stickers that say end this war (you have to see it -- they cross out the second syllable of "endless"). You can get a pack and hand out to friends.

Also, Deb you will like this website opencongress.org

that's all for now....

Good Morning Joe

Hi Joe,
Mom and Dad here. Today is wednesday and we are relaxing. we went for a walk along the waterfront and saw this park for kids all about construction. Everywhere you look there is construction so I guess they thought it would make a good park. Dady is standing nest to one of the balloons. Hope you are having fun. Give Deb a big hug for us. We love you.

Mom and Dad

Good Morning Joe

Hi Joe,

Mommy and Daddy here. We miss you! Today was daddy's speech, so we spent the day at the conference. He did a great job, but we are both so tired. Tomorrow we will sleep in and then go out and play. I wil look for some shells for you on the beach. Are you being good? How is school? How is Pico? How is Deb? We love you very much.

Bye now, Mommy and Daddy

Qatar

Okay - Dan and Sonya are in Qatar. And I didn't even know how to spell the country let alone know where it is. So here are a few places to learn about Qatar.

What I've learned so far is most of the country is Wahhabi; there is a lot of sand; the emir is Sheikh Hamad Khalifa Al-Thani and he has a really beautiful wife (maybe more than 1, I don't know); and only 25% of the population is from Qatar (there are a lot of Pakistanis there). And life expectancy is 71 (but is that only for the Qataris or for the pakistanis and other workforce as well?)

Here are some links of you want to learn more

Wikipedia link

Interesting pics at the Peninsula Online (expat paper)

Qatar's tourist web link

Library of Congress has a lot of information

Arab Net is easy to read

BBC is really short summary, has a good map

Deb - thought you would like these pics!

Hi Joe, this is mommy and daddy

Hi Joe,

We made it to the other side of the earth late last night. We miss you so much already! Are you being good for Deb? I bet you are having a great time. I heard Z'bo had a sleepover, FUN!. We have a hotel room that looks out over the water, it is so nice. And really warm too. I went to the market today and saw this cute little donkey! Tomorrow I am going to see the falcons (like eagles) and then the camels on the weekend. I would love to bring one home! Do you think Dusty would like to have a camel living with him?
Please be a good boy for Deb! Give her a hug for us. We miss you!

Love,
Mommy and Daddy