HRTownSquare.com - Blogs http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php This is a discussion forum about the Hampton Roads, Virginia area, powered by vBulletin. To find out about vBulletin, go to http://www.vbulletin.com/ . en Sat, 22 Nov 2008 06:51:30 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.dailypress2.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg HRTownSquare.com - Blogs http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php Want to know a secret? http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=177 Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:13:50 GMT Blogsecret is a project of Nilsa at SoMi (http://newsomi.blogspot.com/). Almost 80 bloggers wrote their secrets and emailed them to her. She then... Blogsecret is a project of Nilsa at SoMi. Almost 80 bloggers wrote their secrets and emailed them to her. She then distributed them back at random, and those bloggers posted a stranger's secret to their own site.

I was going to participate, but got a little busy. Still, you can go here, BlogSecret Participants and read the secrets on each blog.

I'm running through them pretty quick, and it's giving me an opportunity to expose myself to a ton of new writers, too.

Next Blogsecret, I'll post and report back, promise.

If you like this project, also check out PostSecret or CheckMySecret






I am a participant in National Blog Posting Month, a challenge to post a blog every day during the month of November. ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=177 Author David A. Green of Hampton, VA showcases “Three Book Blowout” of 2008 novels http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=176 Wed, 12 Nov 2008 02:37:54 GMT Dear Youth and Young Adults, It is my pleasure and my privilege to announce a *“three book blowout”* of trilogy novels in time for the holidays.... Dear Youth and Young Adults,

It is my pleasure and my privilege to announce a “three book blowout” of trilogy novels in time for the holidays. Quite a few of my readers have responded positively to these works and I am quite pleased to release them to the public. These are stories that relate to the struggles that youth and young adults encounter in everyday living, and how total surrender to God changes their destructive courses.

The first novel, “Out of the Yoke of Bondage”, is the story of sixteen year old Donald King who is trying to escape the gang life, and how his decision to do so has altered his life forever. The second book, “The Young and The Foolish”, takes place at a local high school where a suicide pact is uncovered and Principal Darcel P. McIntyre risks her position to prevent the sinister plot from occurring. In “Vengeance!” David Lance discovers how revenge backfires, and the effect that it has on everyone connected to him when he finds himself facing a murder charge.

Features that make the books so spectacular include the fact that the backdrop of each novel takes place in the Hampton Roads area (particularly Hampton, Newport News and Norfolk). Another added attraction is that more than forty readers have provided endorsements on how much they have enjoyed the books. If you have computer access, each book can also be downloaded for only $3.50. Finally, the first ten pages of each work can be previewed online before purchase.

To this date, God has blessed me to publish seven books within a twelve year span. My first novel, “The Beginning of Sorrows“, was published in 1996 and was enjoyed by a wide audience of readers. My other works include “Tonya Baldwin” and “Predetermined Legacy”, both published in 2005. After serving as assistant pastor and radio evangelist for the Gospel Spreading Church of God for several years, I reside in Hampton, Virginia where I continue to write for pleasure and encouragement.

“Out of the Yoke of Bondage” (ISBN: 978-0-557-01310-4, 134 pages, $9.50), “The Young and The Foolish” (ISBN: 978-0-557-01454-5, 130 pages, $9.50) and “Vengeance!” (ISBN: 978-0-557-01689-1, 104 pages, $8.50), are currently available online at www.lulu.com. Within the next four weeks other online bookstores such as Barnes and Noble, Borders Books and Music, and Amazon.com will carry the books which will allow them to be ordered through major bookstore chains. Not yet available in stores.

If you are searching for quality reading then these are the books to add to your collection. I am certain that you will enjoy them. Tell all of your friends about it, and feel free to contact me via email with any questions. Spread the word. Thank you and God Bless You.

Yours in Christ,






David A.Green
elderdavidagreen@yahoo.com ]]> Localauthor http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=176 Short and Sweet http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=175 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 02:25:27 GMT Today, I came across One Sentence: True stories told in one sentence.

It's freakin' AWESOME.

After that crazy list yesterday, I think I'm just going to leave you with the above.

Oh, and possibly this:


more animals

I am a participant in National Blog Posting Month 2008, a challenge to write 30 blog posts in thirty days. Read more at NaBloPoMo, or read about it's affiliated inspiration, National Novel Writing Month, at NaNoWriMo . ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=175 25 things http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=174 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:13:32 GMT Posted to my MySpace yesterday:... Posted to my MySpace yesterday:

10:57 PM - 25 things you should know
Current mood: animated


Here are 25 things you should know. These are either things I'm thinking about, reading about, have recently discovered, or think I'll be writing about it the near future. There are a few personal tidbits/anecdoes about me sprinkled throughout.

1. I bought a strawberry LipSmackers yesterday. It might have been one of the best purchases I've made in a while.
2. I've been listening to Frontside constantly. You should look them up. Hit myspace.com/frontside757
3. Have you heard about the Shiba Inu puppies? Their puppy cam can be found here: Shiba Inu Puppycam!
4. I read the "Modern Love" column at the NY Times every week. Here's the archive: Modern Love
5. 50 Things you didn't know about Barack Obama
6. I burnt popcorn today at work and was embarrassed by the smell.
7. Orca whales live in a matrilineal society, and travel in large pods. Many went missing recently, though: 'Killer' Whales
8. I've purchased three versions of the same cardigan from Target. I really like them, for some odd reason. Does anyone else have issues with buying things in multiple colors?
9. I need new shoes, badly, but I don't want to pay for them.
10. In tomorrow's Daily Press, there are two different ways you can get involved to help out your community; you can read Tamara Dietrich's column about a women and children's shelter that needs help, or you can read about the annual Daily Press Holiday Fund. We're also printing some stuff about Obama's puppy, a hurricane in Cuba, war veterans and Mike Smith's (Crabbers Coach) 400th win.
11. I went skydiving a while back. I still haven't been able to bring myself to write about it.
12. I started watching "Skins," a British teen drama akin to "Gossip Girl," but with even more sex and drugs. It is FANTASTIC.
13. PostSecret posts every Sunday. You should read them.
14. If you didn't know how I know so much about celebrity gossip, go here: OhNoTheyDidn't! Now you know everything I do.
15. Next Thursday I'm going to my favorite Greek restaurant, Orapax in Norfolk, and going to see the Norman Rockwell show at the Chrysler. YOU should come.
16. Looking for a great Christmas gift? Make someone a book! Blurb Or buy someone a book from their bookstore.
17. How do you feel about blue eyeliner? I kinda like it, but it smears and then I look a little Smurfy.
18. Did you know that a group of penguins on land is called a "waddle?" Now you do.
19. Have you heard about the fracas surrounding ABC's decision to get rid of the character of Dr. Hahn on "Grey's Anatomy?" Many people think it was more about what ABC thought of the portrayal of a gay relationship (one that's not, a la "Will and Grace," based on some surreal snarky humor often turns into caricature) than anything else.
20. I'm on twitter at twitter.com/amberleighn. I post stuff like this all the time.
21. I'm the worst Christmas shopper ever, because I always wait until the last minute. Like, the day before. Really. I'm very anxious about all that this year.
22. Have you see List of the Day or Cake Wrecks ?
23. I'm about to start watching "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" again. It's a ritual for me. Poor, poor boyfriend of mine. He's so screwed.
24. Speaking of vampires, I read all three of the "Twilight" books, at Mallory's request. And now I must geek out and make a T-shirt and camp out to be the first one in to see the movie. Ok, maybe not, it's going to be remarkably bad, I think, but I AM going to see it.
25. Finally: I'm participating in National Blog Posting Month 2008, a challenge to write 30 blog posts in 30 days during the month of November. You can read more about it at NaBloPoMo Also, check out National Novel Writing Month, the original project, at NaNoWriMo ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=174 Anyone interested in getting their picture drawn? http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=173 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:16:02 GMT
If so, feel free to contact me.

We offer a variety of concepts for a more personalized portrait.

Head & Shoulders
Montage
Generations - His & Hers


Very Affordable Pricing

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed*

Free concept consultation call 757-838-805
]]> PortrayU http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=173 sorry about this http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=172 Sat, 08 Nov 2008 01:39:03 GMT But today's post is private, on my myspace.

So sorry.

Come back and read tomorrow, though. I'll have something for you then.







I'm a participant in NaBloPoMo 2008, a challenge to write 30 blog posts in 30 days. Read more at http://nablopomo.ning.com. ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=172 Happy Hallowe’en http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=171 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:10:55 GMT Pre-trick-or-treating checklist: Dress, halo and wings; black-and-yellow striped sweatshirt, antennae and wings; cape, fangs, face makeup and wig.... Pre-trick-or-treating checklist: Dress, halo and wings; black-and-yellow striped sweatshirt, antennae and wings; cape, fangs, face makeup and wig. Lissy will be an angel, Becca a bee and Alex a vampire.

“What are you going to be?” Lissy asked as we packed our things into the minivan.

“A mom,” I replied flatly.

“That’s scary,” said Alex. He has no idea.

It’s a Hallowe’en tradition to meet my brother’s family at my mom’s house. I first traversed that neighborhood as Casper the Ghost 33 years ago; this year, the address is different. We gathered at Mom and George’s new house for homemade chili hastily eaten while transforming our children into someone they are not.

Lissy, an angel? Quite a stretch. Alex, someone who makes little girls scream? Not such a stretch.

Becca, however, would have nothing to do with dress-up. Proudly wearing an orange T-shirt that said, “Happy Boo to You,” she refused to take it off.

“You’ll be so cuuuu-uuute as a bee, Becca!” we all tried to persuade her. “Look at your wings! Look at your antennae.” As though “antennae,” said with the proper Latin plural pronunciation, meant anything to a 2-year-old. But one word did: “Nooooooo!”

Finally I decided that the experience was more important than how she was dressed and allowed her to follow her siblings and cousins down the road, empty pillowcase in hand. Scary decorations and howling sound effects would not deter her from her mission: Num-nums, her word for candy.

My best friend Samieh accompanied our ragtag crew through the neighborhood. Earlier, she had been teasing Lissy about what she was dressed as. Pretending not to recognize her resemblance to an angel, she tried to guess Lissy’s identity.

“You’re a.....bear?”
Lissy giggled and said, “No!”
“A tiger?”
“Nooooo!”
“A fairy?”
“NOOOO! I’m an angel!”
“An orange?”
“An ANGEL! You’re just teasing me.”
Some kids are too sharp.

Later in the evening a middle-aged man, befuddled by a gaggle of girls at his door, looked at Lissy and said, “What a beautiful princess you are!”

“I’M NOT A PRINCESS! I’M AN ANGEL!!!!” she hollered. After I explained, he laughed and I was grateful for his sense of humor. It's important to keep that intact where kids are concerned.

The next day the children dug into the candy before Mom and Dad could wake up and tell them to eat something more healthful, like cookies. Alex's bag was almost empty, Lissy's had a few more goodies, but Becca's was still filled to the top.

"Mom, can I have some of Becca's candy?" Alex asked.

"Are you kidding me? No!" I said incredulously.

She may not have dressed the part, but Becca's determination and cuteness scored her the biggest bag of num-nums in the family.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Karen, wife to Rob; mom to Andrew, 13, Alex, 8, Melissa, 8, and Rebecca, 2;
stepmom to Scott, 13, and Nick, 12 ]]> karhin http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=171 Quarter-life crisis http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=170 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:02:17 GMT Today is Meghan's birthday. We're doing the usual dinner/drinks.downtown fun this evening.

Happy quarter-life crisis!

I am a participant in NaBloPoMo 2008, a challenge to write 30 posts in 30 days during the month of November. Read more at http://nablopomo.ning.com" ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=170 Not home http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=169 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 07:42:21 GMT I'm at one of many not-homes tonight.

I've talked to someone, recently, about the idea of "not-home," and how that relates to me.

And maybe i'm not completely ready to articulate it, yet, in black-and-white words that any and everyone can read.

But I know this; I'd rather have multiple "not-homes' throughout my life, than never feeling like I belonged anywhere at all.

not-home: the home that is not home. your boyfriend's apartment, in which you sleep more than your own three-bedroom not-home; your grandfather's home, in which you moved in, never unpacked, and later realized always felt like you were intruding; the apartment in which your name was on the lease but you didn't own, couldn't paint, and always felt like a stranger, regardless of if it was with your new roommate you found off craigslist or your boyfriend with whom you moved too fast, against your better judgement; the dorm room/apartment of your freshman year in which you never slept and had to keep your computer desk in the living room so you didn't wake your roommate when you were writing a paper at three a.m.; your mother's home, where you never had enough space or time or compassion or relativity; your first apartment with your fiance, that's always in memory tinged with sadness because it was never where you were going to end up.

Eric seemed surprised by my view of "not-home;" like it was a sad thing that I don't know if I've ever belonged anywhere, truly. Maybe I think I've belonged everywhere. Or maybe I won't ever belong until I'm ready.

I am a participant in NaBloPoMo 2008, a challenge to write 30 posts in 30 days during the month of November. Read more at http://nablopomo.ning.com" ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=169 election night http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=168 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 23:05:47 GMT From last night: Election Night at a newspaper is nerve-wracking.That being said, I feel like I rocked it, and better yet, my coworkers rocked... From last night:

Election Night at a newspaper is nerve-wracking.That being said, I feel like I rocked it, and better yet, my coworkers rocked it.
It’s amazing to watch colleagues and mentors and managers all come together ....We’re the arbiters of history.

Across Hampton Roads this morniing, the Daily Press sold out. We ran an extra 12,000 copies this morning, and those are gone too.

I’ve always believed in the importance of serving a higher purpose. In management philosophy, the theory is that the easiest way to lead, or the easiest way to bring people together, is to make sure they believe they’re working together toward a common goal -- that there’s a higher purpose, that they are creating change for the better. Sound familiar?
I am a participant in NaBloPoMo 2008, a challenge to write 30 posts in 30 days during the month of November. You can read more at http://nablopomo.ning.com ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=168 <![CDATA[Parkinson's]]> http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=167 Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:01:51 GMT I HAVE HAD PARKINSON'S FOR OVER 5 YEARS NOW. MY FAMILY AND MY PHOTOGRAPHY ARE KEEPING ME SANE. I REALLY HAVE A HARD TIME NOT DOING ALL THE THINGS I USE TO DO. I REALLY ENJOY THIS WEB SIGHT AND ALL THE GREAT PHOTOS
VA.:eek: ]]> vmparkison http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=167 This is how it goes http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=166 Tue, 04 Nov 2008 02:53:13 GMT I'm nerdishly excited about working on election day.

i'm not excited about working a long shift, or how tired i'm going to be after, or making sure i get community news out on wednesday.

but still.

nerdishly excited.

that is all.

(This is my third post for National Blog Posting Month. Read about it at http:nablopomo.ning.com) ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=166 <![CDATA[Full 'n' Soft]]> http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=165 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 01:45:51 GMT I currently have eight mascaras. My mom, when I told her this, was SHOCKED, mostly because she also has multiple mascaras. we both apparently buy... I currently have eight mascaras.

My mom, when I told her this, was SHOCKED, mostly because she also has multiple mascaras.

we both apparently buy mascaras compulsively because we have yet to find the 'perfect' one.

I'm currently in like with Maybelline's waterproof "Full 'n' Soft."

What do you use?

(blog post #2 for National Blog Posting Month. Read along at http://nablopomo.ning.com/profile/1nhjp224q4t2d) ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=165 Re: National Blog Posting Month http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=164 Sun, 02 Nov 2008 20:52:29 GMT This counts as my first entry, and I promise, I'll do my best to keep it going.

Go here to find out more.

http://noblopomo.ning.com
I'm writing most of my entries at my myspace blog, sorry. but you can follow me here and on the Nablopomo site.

And if you want to read my failed attempts at National Novel Writing Month last year, go to dailypress.com/novel. ]]> DPamberleigh http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=164 Moving...again http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=162 Mon, 27 Oct 2008 21:30:20 GMT ‘Tis not I who is pulling out the packing peanuts this time. After 40 years, my newlywed mother is selling my childhood home and starting a new... ‘Tis not I who is pulling out the packing peanuts this time. After 40 years, my newlywed mother is selling my childhood home and starting a new household with her husband.

Over the weekend I visited, hauling home bags and boxes of childhood objects and memorabilia. Father’s Day cards to my dad, class assignments from grade school, letters written home from college, photos of me getting ready for my first wedding.

A comic strip parody of a commercial I’d drawn made me laugh out loud and marvel at my own sense of humor. The portrait of my dad’s parents brought chilling memories of my grandfather’s alcoholism, and I had to turn the frame upside down. Just as when I moved a few months ago, I felt my feelings surging like ocean waves.

Before I left, Mom apologized for not being more emotional. “I don’t have time to be sentimental,” she said, as though I expected her to be.

“Nothing says you have to be,” I said, secretly wishing I could be as strong. It’s a good thing to be caught up in the present, savoring the here and now. To not be regretting the past or worrying about the future. Must I be a grandmother before I can live that way?

As I walked outside, I looked over my shoulder. There I was at 3, kneeling with my watering can to collect drops from the gutter downspout. There were the neighborhood kids, playing cards through my window that opened onto the porch. There I stood at 8, dressed in the Easter outfit Mom sewed, posing in front of the forsythia. There were the Requa girls and I, turning cartwheels through the sprinkler in our bathing suits. The scene was alive with ghosts from my past, memories that I felt were about to be pulled out from under me.

Then, in my mind, I saw Mom’s glowing face at her wedding. How happy she is to have someone in her life again. I thought of how she’s preserved the legacy of our childhood by giving her grandchildren the same happy home in which to build memories. And I thought of how it’s her time now, no longer to be pulled by everyone else’s needs and expectations, but to enjoy the sunset of her life.

Someone else will buy my childhood home, someone ready to build new memories. I suppose I’ll drive by from time to time, looking for signs - proof that there is still life and happiness there.

----------------------------------------------------------------
Karen, wife to Rob; mom to Andrew, 13, Alex, 8, Melissa, 4, and Rebecca, 2;
stepmom to Scott, 13, and Nick, 12. ]]> karhin http://dailypress2.com/forums/blog.php?b=162