It's a Boy!

For the second time, I am an auntie. Check out my sweet little nephew, Timothy Beckham:



Born January 16, 2008
1:31 a.m. (Capricorn sun/Taurus moon... earthy!)
19 inches long
6 lbs 01 oz
Healthy.

Existence Justified, Check

It was official before, but it's super-official-official now. My relocation to West Virginia is visible on the horizon! Here's what takes me to the green, green hills of Appalachia (emphasis mine, as it applies to me)...

Business Wire | 11.02.07
LINK

West Virginia Signs Self-Funding Portal Agreement
CHARLESTON, W. Va.--The state of West Virginia finalized an agreement yesterday with eGovernment firm NIC (Nasdaq: EGOV - News) to operate the state's official Web site, WV.gov (http://www.wv.gov), for up to three years.

"A world-class Web site is a competitive advantage for West Virginia," said Gayle Conelly Manchin, chair of the West Virginia Management Steering Committee and first lady of the state. "It will help the state retain and attract companies, help our home-grown businesses to prosper and our residents to get the service from government they expect in the 21st century. NIC was selected as the private partner to help us make that happen."

West Virginia issued its bid for eGovernment services in February 2007 and awarded the contract to NIC from a competitive field. The contract is for one year with two one-year renewal options, the maximum allowed by state law. The state of West Virginia will retain ownership of the content, data and statutory fees.

"NIC will deploy the self-funded model to provide the infrastructure and staff expertise required to develop, maintain and host the eGovernment portal," said NIC President Harry Herington. "We will hire additional employees over time at our Charleston office to support the state's growing eGovernment operations."

NIC expects to launch the first new services in late 2007, and it is currently working with state agencies and the West Virginia Management Steering Committee to identify and prioritize new applications to introduce in the contract's first year. The company also will redesign the state's official Web site and build upon the portal's existing functionality.

"The state of West Virginia has high expectations for its Web site and for the value it can bring to the state's residents and businesses," said Jeff Fraser, NIC's chief executive officer. "We are honored that West Virginia's leaders chose NIC as the best partner to bring their expectations to life."

With the addition of the West Virginia contract, NIC now operates 21 state portals serving more than 69 million residents.

NIC will provide additional context and answer investor questions about market dynamics and financial performance when it reports third-quarter financial performance on November 7.

About NIC

NIC manages more eGovernment services than any provider in the world. The company helps government communicate more effectively with citizens and businesses by putting essential services online. NIC provides eGovernment solutions for 2,600 state and local agencies that serve more than 69 million people in the United States. Additional information is available at http://www.nicusa.com.

Testing the Limits of the Human Heart

Because I am pretty much just like every other unmarried, childless, corporate-whoring, consumer-driven, 30something American humanoid, I can get pretty self-centered. My problems become huge to me because, well, they're mine. I only have to worry about me, so everything becomes about me. I care for and love my family and my friends with all my heart, but nobody depends on me. Nobody needs me to nurture and provide for them. So, my world view can easily become The Empire of Coletteistan if I am not careful.

And then I read something like this article, and my heart breaks into a million pieces, and I cry for someone I've never met. And I feel so much love and empathy for this person, because I know how it feels to lose a parent. And I think of my youngest brother being about the same age as the boy in this article, hearing my mom scream for him to help her as my dad slumped to the floor with a thud in the room next door. Just like it was for my family, it was too late for this boy as well. But when I read this article, I was so amazed by his spirit and his pureness of heart... I recognized it in someone I've never seen in my life, because I've seen it in my own family members in moments of unbelievable grief.

As I read this article, the world became dramatically less about me, and more about all of us. I paused to be thankful for everything I have, and more importantly, thankful for everyone I love. I don't take that pause enough. I've been reminded to take that pause more.

Below is both the full text of and a link to the article that stopped me, so quickly, in my tracks.

Creel carries on: ACA player's light shines through while dealing with tragedy
By A. Stacy Long
October 23, 2007

The timeline gnaws at Jordan Creel, who missed his mother by about 15 minutes Wednesday night and woke up early Thursday to a screaming fire alarm and looming smoke.

There were only about 15 minutes between when Creel, tired from a day full of school, football practice and church, went to bed about 9 p.m., and when mom Karen came home from a friend's birthday party.

Creel wishes he had woke up when his mom perhaps kissed him on the forehead -- he isn't sure but is confident she did -- because of what he remembers next.

The fire alarm and smoke that hovered seemingly just above his nose rustled him from bed. He ran into the living room to find a wall of flame separating him from his mother's bedroom, the one from which he heard a faint cry of "help" when he called his mom's name.

There was nothing Jordan could do.

Karen Creel, the 43-year-old proud mother of three, died while huddled in the marble bathtub in her bathroom, sheltering her beloved dog in her lap, as Jordan feverishly ran to neighbors and pounded on their doors for help.

Just a few more minutes Wednesday night and Jordan would have that final memory he wishes had been perfect.

"I tried to stay up for her," Jordan said. "I remember moving her ring and bracelet to the table by the couch and waiting on her to come home, but I went to bed.

"I wish I would have woke up, if she kissed me on the head or not, but I don't remember. I just woke up at 3 to the fire alarm."

Jordan, a sophomore at Alabama Christian, was the only child of Karen's still living at home on Halcyon Downs Drive. But Jordan was there when 21-year-old brother Dale learned of his mother's death and listened as grandparents Patricia and Steve Barrow told his sister. Katelyn is a freshman at the University of Alabama.

"One thing we're so thankful for is that she went peaceful," Jordan said. "There were no burns and she died of smoke inhalation with Missy, the dog she was sure was reincarnated from her pet when she was young."

Jordan found his peace quickly.

Family and friends came to the Barrows' Deer Creek home in droves Thursday, some skittish to interrupt the mourning with their presence. Instead, Jordan was trying to stay relaxed, playing games as he thought of his mother and her new home in heaven.

"He really encouraged me," said senior Joseph Gibbons, who arrived at school to find eerily silent classrooms and halls, checked out after a few hours and went to see Jordan.

"Before I saw him, I was so down, but he encouraged me with how strong he was."

Creel was only getting started.

He pondered late Thursday whether he should play in ACA's game Friday at Daleville and told coach Gregg Baker that he wanted to play. At midday Friday, about 30 minutes before the Eagles were scheduled to leave, a lunch group was leaving the Barrow's home when someone asked Jordan what he was going to do that night. He decided to play.

ACA athletic director Denise Ainsworth, the mother of Creel's girlfriend, drove him to school. Halfway there, Creel realized he'd left his jersey in his car and the two turned around to fetch it. Ainsworth called Baker and told him to wait.

"She said, 'Don't let the bus leave,'" said Baker, who hurriedly started packing Creel's equipment while the rest of the team, unsure whether Creel was joining them, took their bus seats.

"They'd been asking me all day, 'Is he coming?'" Baker said. "We had his stuff ready, so they knew something was up."

His teammates greeted him with applause.

"Everybody was clapping and I was like, 'Why are you clapping?'" Creel said. "But it's a family out here. Almost better than the family at home."

In the pregame locker room, Creel cried while listening to Baker's speech and even gave one of his own. When the players started for the field, Baker lingered behind and cornered Creel for a one-on-one conversation.

"I said, 'I don't care how you play. I want you to enjoy the next two hours,'" Baker said. "'But I want you to play well for your mama because she's watching you right now.'"

Said Creel, "He told me, 'I love you like a son and I know you're going to have the best game of your life. What a way to give her a going-away party.'"

Creel ran for a career-high 232 yards and two touchdowns, made nine tackles and forced a fumble, and led Alabama Christian to a 24-21 upset of Daleville. His teammates lifted him on their shoulders after the final play, and the Alabama Sports Writers Association named him the state player of the week Monday.

On Friday, Creel needed so long to wade through fans and supporters that he joked there was no shampoo left when he reached the locker room. Daleville coach Sam Holland even came over to speak to the Eagles.

"I told him what he did was a tribute to who he was and what high school football is all about," Holland said Monday. "You hear so much negative about sports, but what he did is what it's all about.

"We all knew the situation and I was very touched by his players picking him up. Here I am saying all this and we lost, but it was very emotional on our sideline to see that, too."

Karen Creel was buried Saturday and their church, Landmark Church of Christ, and ACA are accepting donations for a trust fund for Jordan. On Monday, the family started the tedious business of changing the names on bank accounts and bills.

Creel also picked up a new cell phone. He's saving his mom's final message.

It came halfway through church and she told him she'd be home before too late.

"I'm at peace with it," Jordan said. "She's 10 times happier up there than we'll ever be here. She was always a fun-loving, spontaneous person, so I know she's doing something crazy up there. She's shaking her butt or something."

Link to Montgomery Advertiser article

Return from Appalachia

I am back in Alabama. West Virginia was a great time. I will write more later. Today is a wash and I need to take some Excedrin and call it.

Today was easily one of the crappiest days in recent memory. I woke up, had some breakfast at the hotel, showered and packed up my stuff. Right as I was leaving, I began to feel kind of queasy. I dropped off the rental car, and on the ride back to the airport IT really hit me. I don't know what IT was, but I have been dealing with IT all day. I checked in, wobbled through security (behind two people who have clearly not flown in this post-9/11 world) and then ran into the nearest bathroom I could find. Barfed, got all clammy and lightheaded. Cleaned up, found my gate. Sat down. Got sick again. Rinse and repeat. My flight out of Charleston was an hour delayed, which was probably a blessing in disguise. I've never puked on an airplane, and I never want to. Airport bathrooms are bad enough but I'd rather keep it on the ground, kthx.

Usually throwing up helps me feel better. Not this time. I was a sweaty, clammy girl on the airplane which SUCKED. For once, I was grateful to have an aisle seat. Fortunately, I didn't need it... I just kept my eyes closed and breathed deeply and deliberately. We sat at the gate forever because there were weight and balance issues with the airplane. Normally, I would have been slightly nervous about that. Today, I could not have cared less.

Because of the delay, I only had 20 minutes to change planes in Atlanta. Which means Queasy McGhee had to RUN to another terminal, and then RUN to a distant gate only to make it on to the airplane with a couple minutes to spare. Again I had an aisle seat, so that was good (or so I thought). Now, I am not exactly svelte... but I fit into an airplane seat. The person next to me, however, did not. I felt horrible feeling annoyed by this, but I think it's because I was not feeling well and my patience was worn thin. Because my neighbor was spilling over onto me, I was spilling out into the aisle. Because of this, my little overhead fan was not hitting me and I was burning up. So, I spent the flight from Atlanta to Birmingham doubled over with my chin in my hand like The Thinker, praying to make it without barfing or fainting. I was able to nod off a couple times, only to be slammed into by someone walking down the aisle. Oh, and did I mention the turbulence?

Finally, I land in Birmingham only to wait at baggage claim in vain... my bag is lost. I have no idea where it is. I head back to Montgomery. Normally I would be angry as Hell, but I am so resigned right now. My roof could cave in and I would probably start laughing hysterically.

Despite today being Lousyville (not to be mistaken with Louisville), I have a lot of good things to write about. I was VERY impressed with Charleston, and took a lot of photos which I will post in the next few days. There were some things I didn't like about the city, but that's going to be anywhere. Still, I'll be making a list of pluses and minuses when I evaluate the transfer offer. Charleston is a beautiful town with a lot to offer for its small size. So, yes, more on that when I don't feel like a dying slug. Because I want to do justice to all the fabulous things going on in my life right now that have me so very happy and excited for the future.

Almost Heaven

This is Yeager Airport in Charleston, West Virginia.



Do not be fooled that there is a terminal named after a Rockefeller. That would imply that this is a big airport; an airport which commands the naming of terminals. This is not a big airport, although it is larger than Montgomery's "Winn Dixie Regional" airport. In fairness to Montgomery, our airport underwent some remarkable improvements over the past couple years and it no longer feels like flying out of a Winn Dixie.

Back to the original point of my story: After I de-planed, picked my bag off the sole baggage carousel and walked outside, I heard the gentle strains of John Denver's Country Roads playing all Muzak-stylez like a gentle breeze for all to groove to as they waited for ground transportation. No lie.

That's right up there with Louis Armstrong International playing, you guessed it, Louis Armstrong the first time I ever flew to New Orleans.

I wonder if the airport authority in Detroit has chosen Don't Stop Believing as their official welcome music?

Anyway. I'm in Charleston, WV until Sunday. So far, so good. If first impressions count, this is a lovely and charming little city. Beautiful, with a dash of funkiness for good measure. I'd write more, but I am spent, there is one helluva rain/thunderstorm going on outside, and I have HBO and a gas fireplace in my room. More later!

Down With Oppression

And when I say oppression, I mean this insanely oppressive heat wave.



I was over this last week, when it was-- oh, hey!-- totally hot.

Rockin' The Kitchen Like It's My Job

Who's up for some more foodiness tonight? Because I'm still all about Campaign for a Less Fat Coco while attempting to zero in on easy things that I really like as to not be deterred from said campaign. Dig? Dig!

I really did not want to make dinner tonight. The heat has been oppressive and draining this past week. Anything involving a flame or radiant heat does not appeal to me at this juncture. However, I just spent $6.00 on two organic chicken breasts and I'll be damned if those sweet little cluckers die in vain because I'm too lazy to appreciate their sacrifice and make something delicious out of them. So, I changed into the thinnest, shabbiest t-shirt I own, slid on my garden clogs and fired up the grill.

2o minutes later:



I ain't tryin' to brag, but this was one of my best experiments yet. And you can do it, too! Here's how it all came together:

1. Take a boneless, skinless chicken breast. Rinse and pat dry with a paper towel. Rub completely with olive oil. Sprinkle salt and black pepper on both sides, rub in to the chicken breast. After I do this, I go turn on the grill and let the chicken sit out to "sweat" a little.
2. Once the grill is hot 'n' ready, turn the heat down to medium-ish and throw the breast on. Get yourself a portabello mushroom. This is a personal preference, but I never rinse or wash mushrooms under water. They absorb water quickly, and that screws up the texture IMHO. Rather, wet a small piece of paper towel and spot-wash the mushroom, removing all dirt. Drizzle with olive oil, put on the upper grill rack (or the non-heated side for indirect grilling).
3. Hang out a bit, then remove the mushroom. I think I left it on for 5 minutes, tops. Just enough to get it tender and give it a couple grill lines. Then, remove the mushroom (leave the chicken). Go inside, get yourself a small baking pan and put your grilled shroom on it. Sprinkle generously with feta cheese and drizzle with olive oil. A dusting of Hungarian sweet paprika is good if you have any. Place under your oven's broiler until the feta starts to melt together and brown slightly. Remove da shroom; set aside.
   
4. Get a dinner plate, throw a handful of baby spinach leaves on it, squirt some bleu cheese dressing on the spinach leaves (go easy, though, too much will overpower everything else) and sprinkle with some pre-cooked, crumbled bacon on top. Not too much, just enough to give the end result a slight smoky flavor.
5. Yank the chicken off the grill, and cut into strips. If you put it on the spinach leaves while it's still really hot, it'll wilt the leaves which is good for texture. Arrange the chicken, garnish with sundried tomato (I like the julienne-cut tomatoes that come in a pouch).
6. If you're like me, dice the Hell out of everything and mix it all together. Best salad ever. Filling, tangy, smoky and nutritious!

If anyone makes this, let me know what you think!

Now, I order you to cast your gaze upon my handsome boy.