Bring it down to their level

Daddy, how was I born?

A little boy goes to his father and asks 'Daddy, how was I born?'

The father answers, 'Well, son, I guess one day you will need to find out anyway!

Your Mom and I first got together in a chat room on Yahoo. Then I set up a date via e-mail with your Mom and we met at a cyber-cafe. We sneaked into a secluded room, and googled each other. There your mother agreed to a download from my hard drive. As soon as I was ready to upload, we discovered that neither one of us had used a firewall, and since it was too late to hit the delete button, nine months later a little Pop-Up appeared that said:

You've got mail!

Video Commentary

Sorry about the quality, my web cam isn't the best.

Interstate driving=time to think

While driving back from Fremont today I was thinking of a column to write. I don't want to do anything about the news because I feel like it's all the same right now. Then it came to me to tell a personal story. I know I already did one but this one is very different. I am going to write about my ER visit and hospital stay three summers ago. They way it all happened was strange and I think it will make a good column. The part I think will catch people's attention is the part about where the nurse asks me questions when being admitted. If you have been admitted to the hospital you may know what I am talking about. There were two questions that caught me off guard and it made me freaked out to even be in the hospital. I am trying to think of a good starting point of the story because the incident occurred two days before I went to the ER. I have an idea of a good place, I just need to get going on this.

I can't believe we only have two weeks of school left. This year went by extremely fast! I can't wait for the summer to start but at the same time I wish it was next fall already. Hopefully I can get everything done on time. Hopefully I can figure out this web cam thing as well. Shouldn't be too hard...I hope.

Don't Judge

After class today I was thinking about what to do my video commentary on. I am not a fan of watching myself on camera, let alone hearing myself. So I am trying to think of a way where you don't have to look at just me. I want to tell a story, maybe a personal story, but nothing has come to me yet. I don't think I would be good at giving a review because I would just want to tell you the plot. So I threw that idea out. I think I would be more excited about this if we didn't have to watch them in class. That makes me sound like a big baby and I know its only three minutes of my life. How hard can it be to sit in front of my computer and say my column....not that hard. I will do get it done, its just the fact of doing it.

I am thinking about telling a personal story and interjecting a picture here and there. Bring the column to life a little more. I feel like I am always talking about the same thing so I will have to look deeper into my life to find something good. This is different for me because I am used to writing. As a Language Arts major we write papers all the time. I am so used to expressing myself in writing and not speaking my thoughts. That's why I like this blog, I can just sit down and blab about whatever. I am really enjoying this blog and I think I will keep up with it after the semester is over. But before that can happen I have to get that video commentary done. All I ask is no judging....actually when its my turn.....pretend not to be listening.

Motivation

Why is it at the end of the semester I lose all motivation? The one time I need motivation, it just walks out of the door. I have all these projects to do and for some reason I think they will magically get done. Tonight I worked on a project and got most of it done. If I could just do this every night, I would achieve a lot more. So for the rest of the semester I made a goal to kick it into gear no matter what. Tonight I went to the Y and swam a 500 and that felt great. I even swam it in a good time! I can't walk long distances due to this large blister on my heel, so swimming was my last option. I found great motivation do that and now I hope I can do that with my school work. I wish professors had us do these huge projects in the beginning of the semester. But we all know that is not reality and will never happen. Dead week has it's name for a reason. Bring it on end of the semester...

The Break In

Mark slept on the couch the night he wrestled a kid breaking in to his truck. Not feeling well at 3 a.m. he got out of bed and headed for the couch. As he was settling in, car lights hit the curtains. Thinking nothing of it, he tried to sleep.

Five minutes later the lights were back, this time moving much slower. He found this strange due to the fact that it was three in the morning and a week day. Glancing out the window he noticed his truck door wide open. The truck was parked on the street in front of the house and it was unlocked. There were several cars on the street that night but Mark's truck ended up being the target.

He saw someone going through his glove box with their back to the house. Without thinking of calling the cops or waking his wife he bolted out the door. Without the slightest chance for the kid to escape, Mark grabbed the kid by the neck. Man handling the kid while walking to the house, Mark was yelling for his wife.

"Ann call the cops!"

Ann who was startled by the yelling immediately made the phone call. While getting twenty questions from the cops the kid managed to wrestle away from Mark. The kid didn't get far because before he knew it, Mark had thrown him to the ground and was on top of him.

The kid was pleading and begging for Mark to let him go. Thinking about giving into the plea Mark let up on his hold. But deciding not to let him go Mark began to wrestle with the kid.

The kid broke free and ran up the street like this wasn't the first time he had done this. Mark chased after him because he was not about to let this punk get away. When the kid got out of Mark's head lock, his hat flew off into the yard. Not realizing he lost the hat, he ran up the street, running past his getaway car.

"Start the car, start the car." He was yelling to his getaway. The car started and plowed up the street. After running a couple blocks, Mark didn't catch the kid. But he did catch the license plate number.

Out of breath, not feeling well, and no kid in hand, Mark was determined to get the cops the license plate number. Picking up the hat on the way into the house he noticed the kid’s full name was written on the inside. Having both the license plate number and full name gave this kid no chance of actually getting away.

The cops caught the two kids on their way to Mark's house. Satisfied with this kid not being on the streets anymore, Mark thought that was the end of it. He had landed a story in the Journal Star and was the talk of the neighborhood. A couple weeks later he received a letter from Cedars group home. Not knowing anyone in a group home he was very interested in what the letter was about. The letter was concerning the kid who attempted the break in. It was asking permission for an apology to be mailed to Mark. The apology letter never made it to Mark's house but he decided this kid will never be seen in his neighborhood again.

Not feeling well and sleeping on the couch started this crime stoppers event. Mark locks his truck now and all of the neighbors do as well. Mark didn't intend on being on neighborhood watch that night but instead it was the right time, right place.

Contact Mark Moss at 402-464-3728

Telling someone else's story

While working on my column I am trying to remember one thing...just tell the story. On my last column I was struggling on finding a focus point. I think I have that down for this one, I just need to tell the story. It helped me to do a rough draft on here last time so I am going to do the same. I talked to my dad and my mom about this story last night and it was interesting to hear both sides of the story. I am telling it from my dad's point of view because well....it happened to him. I am just going to tell it and see what happens. Here is goes,

Mark slept on the couch the night he wrestled a kid breaking in to his truck. Not feeling well at 3 a.m. he got out of bed and headed for the couch. As he was settling in, car lights hit the curtains. Thinking nothing of it, he tried to sleep. Five minutes later the lights were back, this time moving much slower. He found this strange due to the fact that it was three in the morning. Glancing out the window he noticed his truck door wide open. The truck was parked on the street in front of the house and it was unlocked. There were several cars on the street that night but Mark's truck ended up being the target.

He saw someone going through his glove box with their back to the house. Without even thinking of calling the cops or waking his wife, he bolted out the door. Without the slightest chance for the kid to escape, Mark grabbed the kid by the neck. Man handling the kid while walking to the house, Mark was yelling for his wife.

"Ann call the cops."

Ann immediately made the phone call. While getting twenty questions from the cops the kid managed to wrestle away from Mark. But he didn't get far because before he knew it, Mark had thrown him to the ground and was on top of him.

The kid was pleading and begging for Mark to let him go. Thinking about giving into the plea Mark let up on his hold. Deciding not to let him go Mark began to wrestle with the suspect.

The kid broke free and ran up the street like this wasn't the first time he had done this. Mark chased after him because he was not about to let this punk get away. When the kid got out of Mark's head lock, his hat flew off into the yard. Not realizing he lost the hat, he ran up the street, running past his getaway car.

"Start the car, start the car." He was yelling to his getaway. The car started and plowed up the street. After running a couple blocks, Mark didn't catch the kid. But he did catch the license plate number.

Out of breath, not feeling well, and no kid in hand, Mark was determined to get the cops the license plate number. Picking up the hat on the way into the house he noticed the kid’s full name was written on the inside. Having both the license plate number and full name gave this kid no chance of actually getting away.

The cops caught the two kids on their way to Mark's house. After being satisfied with this kid not being on the streets anymore, Mark thought that was the end of it. He had landed a story in the Journal Star and became the talk of the neighborhood. A couple weeks later he received a letter from Cedars group home. Not knowing anyone in a group home he was very interested in what the letter was about. The letter was concerning the kid who attempted the break in. It was asking permission for an apology to be mailed to Mark. The apology letter never made it to Mark's house but he decided this kid will never be seen in his neighborhood again.

Not feeling well and sleeping on the couch started this crime stoppers event. Mark locks his truck now and all of the neighbors do as well. Mark didn't intend on being on neighborhood watch that night but instead it was just being there at the right time.

Glee

Yes I am indeed a Glee fan! I don't watch a lot of t.v since I do not have cable but Glee is on my list of shows to watch. I download their songs when they come out and I am even of fan of them on facebook. It's hard not to love Glee. Maybe if you don't want your life to be a musical I would understand not liking this show. But lets face it, deep down inside we all want our lives to be a musical. I think I love this show because I can't sing to save my life and I am secretly jealous. Who knows but I am hooked on Glee. I was bummed when I heard it was going to be on Tuesday nights instead of Wednesday because I have night class. But at least you can watch it online. If I couldn't watch it online, I would be skipping class. haha. Just kidding. I am so hooked on Glee and I tried to buy tickets for the concert in Chicago. My friend Caryn and I were super excited when we heard they were going on tour. But when we tried to get tickets online the first day....SOLD OUT. It was upset but hey at least it's back on tv. The new episode was a great start to the season and I can't wait to see what happens. Call me obsessed but I just can't help it.

Update Time!

After walking 5 miles with my wonderful mom this morning I realized that this walk is for real. We are actually going to walk 39 miles in two days....no joke. Our team is doing great, minus two bum feet and one bad back. The training is starting to get intense but it's worth it. It may not feel like it at the time, but it is. We have raised $1,520 so far as a team. It feels great to break the $1,000 mark and know that we are on our way. This coming weekend we are having a candle/purse party at my house in Lincoln for a fundraiser. I can't wait to see how much we make this time. Also in May we are having a garage sale to raise money as well. I am starting to feel great about this and I am understanding what its truly about. It has been hard to me to train, raise money, go to school, and work all at the same time but I am having fun doing so. Asking people for money is something I am not good at but in this case I have found people are willing. Some big business are not so willing but they always send an encouraging no in their e-mail. Last weekend we were in the Neighborhood extra in Lincoln and I hope people read that and are willing to donate. I can't wait until we step off the plane in San Fransisco. I can only image what it is going to be like!

Charles Schultz Philosophy

I received this in an e-mail and just had to share with everyone. Makes you think about your life and what is going on around you a little more.

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz , the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through, and you'll get the point.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world .2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America Contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school...

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

The people who make a difference in your life are NOT the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones who care.

This is so true about the news today. Most of us try to write something life changing, well not all of us. Some of our writing does change lives but it's those around us who truly impact us. Think about the second quiz a little harder and be thankful for who and what you have.

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia..."
-Charles Schultz

Embrace Life...Always Wear you Seat Belt.

Not your typical seat belt commercial...that's for sure. This is a PSA made by Daniel Cox. Cox is a film maker in London and came up with this idea after reading about too many car accidents that could have been prevented by wearing your seat belt. Cox said,"It ditches every road safety campaign cliche and instead, simply shows the joy of living. In doing so it delivers a positive emotional response, rather than a tried old shock." This commercial says more than I ever could. It is so powerful and the music adds to the suspense! Most PSA's are cliche and not memorable. This PSA is the opposite. I have no words for this because it really says it all for me! Let me know what you guys think about this.

The New Stove and Lawn Furniture.

The New Stove and Lawn Furniture
By: Katie Moss

The first time my mom told me she had breast cancer was the night we got a new stove. I was in high school at the time. I was at my boyfriend’s on a Friday evening. I got a phone call from my mom telling me to come home. Not wanting to come home, I asked why? She just told me to get home. I was mad because it was a Friday and way before my curfew. Knowing not to argue I went home anyways. When I walked in the house four of my neighbors were helping my dad put in the new stove. They were all laughing and carrying on about how the stove didn't fit right. Life seemed okay in my house at that time, but I was wrong. My mom began to cry and told me to sit down. That's when she said the words no one wants to hear, "I have breast cancer." I stopped thinking at this point because I didn't know what was going to happen to my mom. I didn’t understand why cancer and why now. We immediately hugged and exchanged no words. This bad news turned awkward when the men in the kitchen would burst into laughter. It was hard to cope with the fact my mom could be dying, while the men were laughing and carrying on with life. The stove took priority in every one’s life for a second. Life seemed okay.

The second time my mom told me her cancer was back, my dad was throwing lawn furniture into the yard. I had just got home from school and most of my family was at my house. Not thinking anything of it, I walked in to find everyone crying. Mom looked at me and said, "My cancer came back." Being in shock and not understanding I decided I needed to do laundry. I just needed to be doing something and that was the first thing that came to mind. On my way downstairs I looked out the back door and saw my father throwing a lawn chair into the yard. After he threw it he leaned against the deck with his head down. This is when it hit me, this is real. My mom's cancer is real. I ran downstairs with my basket trying to understand once again what was going on. I was crying so hard while putting clothes into the washer, I didn't even separate the colors. After the wash had started I talked myself into going back upstairs. I don’t know how long I was downstairs but it felt like an eternity. Everything after that was a blur because all I could think about is my mother could die.

Six years have passed since my life was momentarily turned upside down on that Friday night. My family and I went about our daily lives dealing with breast cancer every day. The stove was installed, the laundry washed and dried, and we got new lawn furniture. My mom went about her life the best she could. Never missing events in my life made me forget about her cancer, but I knew it was still present. Watching my mom battle this and become a survivor has made me into who I am today. Losing her hair, chemotherapy treatments, and two rounds of radiation is enough to understand what cancer does. Six years have passed, but I will never forget the first time my mom told me she had breast cancer. Cancer should not be installed in our lives, but the stove needed to be.

The new stove and lawn furniture.

The first time my mom told me she had breast cancer was the night we got a new stove. I was in high school at the time and I was at my boyfriends on a Friday evening. I got a phone call from my mom telling me to come home. I asked why I had to come home and she just told me to get home. I was mad because it was a Friday and it was way before my curfew but I went home anyways. When I walked in the house four of my neighbors were helping my dad put in the new stove. They were all laughing and carrying on about how the stove didn't fit right. Life seemed okay in my house at that time, but I was wrong. My mom began to cry and told me to sit down. That's when she said the words no one wants to hear, "I have breast cancer." I stopped thinking at this point because I didn't know what was going to happen to my mom. We immediately hugged and exchanged no words. This bad news turned awkward when the men in the kitchen would bust into laughter. It was hard to cope with the fact my mom could be dying, while the men were laughing and carrying on with life. The stove took priority in every ones life for a second and life seemed okay.

The second time my mom told me her cancer was back, my dad was throwing lawn furniture into the yard. I had just got home from school and most of my family was at my house. I walked in to find everyone crying. My looked at me and said, "my cancer came back." Being in shock and not understanding I decided I needed to do laundry. I just needed to be doing something and that was the first thing that came to mind. On my way downstairs I looked out the back door and saw my father throwing a lawn chair into the yard. After he threw it he leaned against the deck with his head down. This is when it hit me, this is real. my mom's cancer is real.I ran downstairs with my basket trying to understand once again what was going one. I was crying so hard while putting clothes into the washer, I didn't even separate the colors. After the wash was started I talked myself into going back upstairs. Everything after that was a blur because all I could think about is my mother could die.

Being told my mom had breast cancer is something I would never imagine. Being told more than once was the hardest thing I have ever had to deal with. Telling your family bad news is not something you plan for. My mom had some heavy news to tell and when the time came, she told.

Different Views

I am having a hard time deciding how to tell my story. I don't know if I want to tell it from my point of view, my moms point of view, or my families. Trying to figure this out my me think about the doctors. Doctors are the ones who told my mother first. They were the ones to break news that no one wants to hear. How are doctors able to tell horrible news with out becoming personally involved? It must take practice because this is a hard thing to tell someone. Cancer is not something we take lightly so I don't know how they do it. My mom actually changed doctors because the first one she had gave her no hope. I think this doctor dealt with this too many times and just gave up on sympathy. The doctor my mom has now is amazing. She had my mom do any thing and everything to help her. If one thing didn't work, she tried another. She seems to truly care for my mom, but at the same time she is not personally tied. That has to be a hard job and I personally could not do this.

Now I am conflicted on how I want to tell me story. It's interesting to think one event can have different stories. My mom didn't tell my brother the same way she told me and that results in a different story. I think I am going to tell this story from my mom's point of view. I can't imagine telling people you have cancer. It's not the person's fault they have cancer and that makes it even harder.

I can't wait for the walk in July and talk to different women about their experiences. Every women has a story to tell and they are all worth listening to. I just hope my story is as powerful as I want it to be.