”The Saga Begins”

(Weird Al Yankovic)

A long, long time ago
In a galaxy far away
Naboo was under an attack
And I thought me and Qui-Gon Jinn
Could talk the federation into
Maybe cutting them a little slack
But their response, it didn’t thrill us
They locked the doors and tried to kill us
We escaped from that gas
Then met Jar Jar and Boss Nass
We took a bongo from the scene
And we went to Theed to see the Queen
We all wound up on Tatooine
That’s where we found this boy…

Oh my my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”
“Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

Did you know this junkyard slave
Isn’t even old enough to shave
But he can use the Force, they say
Ah, do you see him hitting on the queen
Though he’s just nine and she’s fourteen
Yeah, he’s probably gonna marry her someday
Well, I know he built C-3PO
And I’ve heard how fast his pod can go
And we were broke, it’s true
So we made a wager or two
He was a prepubescent flyin’ ace
And the minute Jabba started off that race
Well, I knew who would win first place
Oh yes, it was our boy

We started singin’ …
My my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”
“Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

Now we finally got to Coruscant
The Jedi Council we knew would want
To see how good the boy could be
So we took him there and we told the tale
How his midi-chlorians were off the scale
And he might fulfill that prophecy
Oh, the Council was impressed, of course
Could he bring balance to the Force?
They interviewed the kid
Oh, training they forbid
Because Yoda sensed in him much fear
And Qui-Gon said “Now listen here”
“Just stick it in your pointy ear”
“I still will teach this boy”

He was singin’ …
My my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”
“Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

We caught a ride back to Naboo
‘Cause Queen Amidala wanted to
I frankly would’ve liked to stay
We all fought in that epic war
And it wasn’t long at all before
Little Hotshot flew his plane and saved the day
And in the end some Gunguns died
Some ships blew up and some pilots fried
A lot of folks were croakin’
The battle droids were broken
And the Jedi I admire most
Met up with Darth Maul and now he’s toast
Well, I’m still here and he’s a ghost
I guess I’ll train this boy

And I was singin’ …
My my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”
“Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

We were singin’ …
My my this here Anakin guy
May be Vader someday later – now he’s just a small fry
And he left his home and kissed his mommy goodbye
Sayin’ “Soon I’m gonna be a Jedi”

Time for some motivation:

Enjoy and comments welcome…..

Today, is the Olympics ladies long program which gives me a heartache as I am a huge Michelle Kwan fan.  When she earned the bronze medal in 2002, I felt so much disappointment as did much of the world. 

I write from Southern California and she is a local girl.  A friend of mine ate her family’s restaurant and reported it is American styled Chinese food.  Additionally, her training rink is about ten minutes from my home.   There  are huge pictures of her on the outside electronic billboard and many, many pictures and memorbilla inside the rink.  It is a great addition to the area as there are no close by ice skating rinks.  She also mentors young skaters here.

There are many skating routines that I like, but Fields of Gold is one of my favorites as Michelle skated the exhibition performance beautifully after winning the bronze medal where she was the favorite to win the 2002 Olympic gold.  Although she earned at bronze and silver Olympic medals, the Gold was elusive.  However, during this performance, she carried on with grace, dignity, emotion and a good example of being a “good sport.”  The following is her Olympic Fields of Gold exhibition performance:

Michelle is the most decorated figure skater in U.S. history, Michelle Kwan has won an unprecedented 42 championships, including five World Championships (1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003), eight consecutive and eight overall U.S. Championship titles, (1996, 1998-2005) and two Olympic medals (silver-1998, bronze-2002) .

In the nearly 100-year history of ladies figure skating, Michelle’s five World titles and nine overall world medals (five gold, three silver, 1 bronze) in nine consecutive years (1996-2004) are all marks that have been bettered only by the immortal Sonja Henie of Norway (10 titles/11 medals/11 consecutive years) … She is the only woman in figure skating history to reclaim the World title three times (1998, 2000, 2003) … Kwan’s eight consecutive U.S. Championship titles (1998-2005) and 12 consecutive U.S. Championship medals (1994-2005) are both U.S. records .

Her nine career U.S. titles tie the legendary Maribel Vinson, who won nine titles in the 1920s-30s; and her mark of 12 U.S. medals (9 gold, 3 silver) are the most in U.S. skating history … In her career she has received 57 perfect 6.0 marks in major competitions, the most of any U.S. skater in history, and any singles skater ever … She has been awarded at least one 6.0 in each of her last five U.S. Championships, a U.S. record … Her winning long and short performances at the 1998 U.S. Championships, where she received 15 perfect 6.0 marks (out of a possible 18) for artistry over the course of the event, is the most by any skater in the history of U.S. Figure Skating.

In June 2009, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international studies and a minor in political science.  She then chose to pursue a graduate degree in international relations at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University

On November 9, 2006, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice named Michelle Kwan as a public diplomacy ambassador. In this non-salaried position, Kwan will represent American values especially to young people and sports enthusiasts and is expected to travel widely. Kwan made her first overseas trip in the capacity of public diplomacy ambassador with a visit to China from January 17–January 25, 2007.

Michelle’s  diplomatic position as an Envoy has continued in the Barack Obama administration where she has worked with vice-president Joe Biden and Secretary-of-State Hillary Clinton.

What do you do when you are deeply disappointed? Or, share a time when you were deeply disappointed.

Over 12 million have watched this video on YouTube, enjoy!!

The original:

This Queen classic has been parodied many times. 

Trivia:  Queen played very few gigs at the start, avoided the club circuit and rehearsed for two years while they all remained in college.  They are the most educated band in rock history.  (May began work on a Ph.D. in astronomy; Taylor has a degree in biology; Deacon, a degree in electronics; and Mercury had one in illustration and design.) 

Share your YouTube videos and all comments welcomed!!

Wow!!  I was astonished that this happened live.  I was quite uncomfortable.  Mistakes and miscommunication happens during live broadcast, but I’ve never seen anything like this.  Talk about public humiliation.

I was unable to find out what happened after this “fight” to the anchor and reporter.  Please share if you know.

Have you ever been publically humiliated at work or anywhere else.  Do share!!!

Oh my!!!  All of us have embarrassing moments, but none quite like this…or maybe not.  Share an embarrassing public moment that you have had.

Hands up – I was inspired although recent reports reckon that film goers have left Avatar feeling depressed as they get back to their 3D life here on earth:

Avatar comments welcomed here – blue people optional!

Clinically Clueless here from Southern California taking a look at health insurance.  I promise you that the video will be funny in a sarcastic sort of way.  Please click on Protect Insurance Companies PSA link below.

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

A bit sarcastic, eh.  Well, in the United States, health care is a huge problem.  Lots of people due to finances or pre-exsiting conditions, have to live without health care insurance.  I even had an insurance company tell my doctor which medications to prescibe without them even talking to me!!  Some guy in a suit making lots of money denies coverage that I need because I don’t take the less expensive medication even though I am finally stable!!!  Grrrr.

I am writing this in October and am currently waiting for a very expensive treatment that I need to increase my low antibodies so that I stop becoming short of breath…who knows if they will approve it as it will be at least $10,000 for a one time treatment.  I may require more.

How is your health care insurance in your country or state?  Do people fall through the cracks, do you have to wait a long time for approvals, etc. 

Happy New Year Coffee Smellers!!!!

Complete poem/lyrics for “Auld Lang Syne”

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I’ll be mine!
And we’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae run about the braes,
And pu’d the gowans fine;
But we’ve wandered mony a weary fit
Sin’ auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

We twa hae paidled i’ the burn,
Frae morning sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roared
Sin’ auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere,
And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll tak a right guid-willie waught

For auld lang syne.

For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.

Auld Lang Syne a Christmas & New year poem by Robert Burns

The following information is from the site Christmas Carols:  Although not strictly a Christmas song this section would not be complete without the inclusion of the lyrics of Auld Lang Syne. The song Auld Lang Syne is traditionally sung by most of us on the stroke of midnight each New Years Eve however in Scotland, where Auld Lang Syne originates it is also sung on Burns Night, January 25th, to celebrate the life of the author and famous poet Robert Burns.

The lyrics of Auld Lang Syne actually consist of five verses and this full version of the Poem Auld Lang Syne is featured in the Christmas Poems section, complete with its history and old origins.

The words ‘Auld Lang Syne’ literally translates from old Scottish dialect meaning ‘Old Long Ago’ and is about love and friendship in times past. The lyrics in the song Auld Lang Syne referring to ‘We’ll take a Cup of Kindness yet’ relate to a drink shared by men and women to symbolise friendship. Happy New Year!!!

It is also known as a song to drink by!!

Share your YouTube variations of this song!!