Screw Adriana & Picturehouse

For further information on this subject that meant a lot to me, please visit this link, Big Stone Gap on October 9, 2015.

The film, Big Stone Gap, was released on October 9, 2015 with no English subtitles at any local Regal Cinemas. Yeah, it was disappointing thing to see. Before *and* after the release, I contacted Adriana Trigiani via her website (www.adrianatrigiani.com) and Picturehouse Entertainment (www.picturehouse.com) as well as tweeting them directly asking about the English subtitles for Deaf people. None of them acknowledged nor responded at all.

There are plenty of Deaf people living in Big Stone Gap, Norton, Wise, Pound, Appalachia, Coeburn and St. Paul. Why do you think there is still a club based in Norton called "Southwest Virginia Club of the Deaf" serving Wise County and its surrounding counties not only in Virginia but in Kentucky, West Virginia & Tennessee? Why do you think that Virginia chose Norton to be the statewide text relay center which ran for more than 30 years before closing last August for good? With less than 45,000 residents in the county & Norton, there is no way in Hell that Adriana would not know that there are Deaf people in that damned location!

In fact, the only person who responded was Randy Smith, Jr of Knoxville, Tenn. Randy is the Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer & Counsel of Regal Entertainment Group. I contacted him after failing to hear anything from anyone associated with Big Stone Gap including Adriana. Randy was great as he attempted to locate and find the location that may provide the subtitles for me who was trying to take my Mom to see the film on her birthday weekend. Randy was quick with his email response with bad news, he explained that it was the company, Picturehouse Entertainment that chose not to make English subtitles on this particular film for distributions like Regal Cinemas to pick up.

I tried to contact Picturehouse Entertainment on its website through its so-called "Contact Us" section. As expected, I never heard from them. Not even from Adriana Trigiani herself. It is now October 18, 2015. I felt that I was a sucker for buying Adriana's novels. Mom and I do not watch any film in a major motion theater without subtitles or captions. Needless to say, we won't go and watch Adriana's worthless film on a big screen. Hell, I'll not buy her worthless DVD as well. I'll just watch it on the internet for free. Because they failed Deaf people like my late father and Mom who has the
connections to Big Stone Gap, they absolutely do not deserve a cent from me on this to support her worthless novels & film from now on.

Cheers,

R-

Advocating the Deaf elderly woman in Waverly, Virginia

Folks, I posted this on my Facebook wall few days ago and it has brought so much positive out of people in my community. Here is the post below.

Cheers,

R-

* * *

Last week (Monday, June 16), Mom told me that she was worried about her close friend who was hospitalized for some illness, and was moved to health & rehabilitation center to recuperate her health from some illness/injury. Not only that, the facility wants to evaluate her to see if she can go home on her own or has to move to the assisted living facility or a nursing home. Mom's friend grew up in the area between Waverly, Virginia and Surry, Virginia. That particular rural area is right across the James River from Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

Thankfully, Mom's friend, Mildred has a good memory - she was able to remember Mom's address and wrote several letters to Mom to tell her that she's stuck at a local health & rehabilitation center in Waverly. A facility that is about 730 feet away from her apartment across the field. See the picture below.

Mom said the letters by Mildred said that she had a hard time asking for VP to be installed in her bedroom. Mildred also complained that other hearing patients has their own iPads, laptops & cellphones. When Mildred asked the social worker to go to her apartment and get her videophone box and install it in her bedroom, they said no. 

I heard, saw and read enough to know what's going on. I told Mom to give me the name of the facility. I made a VP call to the facility. I got ahold of Mildred's social worker who cited the HIPAA laws not to discuss her case.

She was right, she can't discuss about Mildred unless I have Mildred's permission first. I told her that I understand the dilemma because I used to work in an agency similar to her when I lived in New York. 

I also told her that if she does not do something about this within 2 weeks, I'll file a compliant immediately with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division and file a lawsuit against her and her workplace. I mentioned that in the last two cases, I forced two entities to make settlements with me and my family. I told her that I can easily win this case if she does not get her VP to her bedroom at that facility.

Enough said, she was rattled and the VP interpreter said that her voice was shaky as she called the female supervisor to take over the call. I explained about Mildred's discriminatory incident.

The supervisor said that she has been encouraging Mildred to come to her office to use her laptop and set up the Skype account under her supervision. I told her that no, it is not acceptable: 

1) Because Mildred does not use her computer therefore she does not know what the internet or Skype is all about. She only knew how to do the videophone through nTouch box which was installed by Sorenson Installer in her apartment.

2) Because the hearing patients are able to use their laptops, cellphones and iPads anytime without any supervision, why must Mildred be under her supervision whenever she wants to call her friends? 

Her Supervisor's proposal is obviously unfair & it falls on discrimination under Section 504 Rehab of 1973 & Americans with Disabilities Act. I told her that I knew where Mildred's apartment and where she is staying for the time being. The apartment is right across the soybean field I told her to get her VP box and installed it in her bedroom within two weeks from the call on or I'll file a complaint and a lawsuit against her and the facility at once. 

The supervisor asked about whether if Mildred's VP box can break the firewall? Will people use her VP box to hack and break through their firewall system and steal the facility's records? I told her that the VP is not a computer, it is an equipment that focused only on broadcasting TV between Mildred and her friends. 

Then I told her about the video relay service which I asked that particular VP interpreter (from SorensonVRS) to explain and fill in to the supervisor on what the VRS & VP are all about. Not only that, the SorensonVRS interpreter provided her with the contacts to reach Sorenson Communications for further information on this matter. 

IN ending, I was tough on her and told her that I am not afraid to sue her and her facility for the violations on a Deaf patient who repeatedly begged her social worker to get VP from her home just 700 feet away. 

And I told her that I'm very impatient person and I expected her to get the VP for Mildred within two weeks or I will instigate this with my attorneys on behalf of Mildred. The supervisor asked me to give her some time to follow this up. She has two weeks or else. Yes, I gave her an ultimatum. 

Four days later on June 20, 2015 - After arriving home from shopping, swimming & dining, Mom quickly alerted me to see who was on the "Missed Calls" and "Messages", it reads: 

Mildred Nxxxxxx. 

When i saw the name, I smirked. 

You see, educate the public about Deaf-related rights with a friendly attitude does not work very well. Which is why I refused to educate the public with a smile on my face. Instead of educating them, I simply was tough, hostile and demanding - Do it or I sue you, your call. This way, the public will never forget about it because I intimidated them at all costs. 

And what happened last night is the proof on why I felt being rough towards hearing people is much more effective than educating ignorants with a smile on my face. 

Cheers,

R-

Dawn Is Lying As Usual.

Someone told me that Dawn Schriver posted a rant on her wall acting like a victim more than anything else.  She claimed that I made $400 from January 17, 2013 vlog on my channel.  She was lying.  When she lied, it made my job much easier to prove the facts.  Look at my Google AdSense.  The so-called vlog that Dawn made was on January 17, 2013. Look at the money I produced in the next two weeks. It is not that much. Only less than $120.

The earning reports are on the last column on your right.

Dawn, where did I make $400 out of this?  Here is another statement on AdSense.

December, 2012 - January, 2013

January 2013 - February, 2013

As you can see, I earned $106.00 in January 2013 for my vlogs prior to December 31, 2012.  The second image shows that I earned $156.00 in February, 2013 for my vlogs between January 1, 2013 to January 30, 2013.  Where is $400?  Dawn, where the fuck is $400 that you claimed you saw me making from?

Oh, I did not donate, Dawn? 

Dawn Schriver, probably still butthurting when I chose not to acknowledge her existence last Friday evening at someone's graduation party, claimed that I never made a donation to Sabrina Blount. I had to laugh out loud. In fact, I was one of the first 25 people who donated to Sabrina Blount ... a month ago.  Not only that, I also gave two $5 bills into the jar at Dingo hosted by Baltimore Metropolitan of Silent Oriole Club which totaled $101.28.  Tracey Milo and SOC President Nancy Long Billingslea can vouch that we raised the amount for Sabrina Blount.

Let it be known that I did make contributions to Sabrina Blount as well as helping her out with funds.

It is true that I did not donate a cent to Dawn Schriver back in 2013.  I was going to make a contribution but the goals has been met and the site has been closed. At that time, I defended her. In fact, I defended her for more than two weeks. When I get to read the court cases, dockets et al, I realized that she was not just a victim. She was also the perpetuator. But since she asked me for my help, I jumped in that because I had a faith in her. Boy, I was wrong. I started to see things pop out of her.

I get to see her true colors when she was brought on Deaf Thought Police as Admin (which was done without Jason Lamberton or mine's approval), she was intoxicated with power - when she came in as Admin, she already had the list of people she wanted to ban from DTP.  Needless to say, that did not sit well with me and Jason. When Jason said no about surrendering the group to the Admins fully, Dawn won't take "no" as the final answer.  She bullied & intimidated him enough for him to kick & ban her permanently. I supported his decision completely because it worked - it cuts her voice out just like that.  It also forced her to return to her original roots:  DeafVideo.tv where she has to mingle with that kind of crowd.

I donated two $5 bills in the jar.

It is interesting that Dawn has repeatedly passed herself off as a victim but if you see how she approached people in person, that was not the so-called PTSD antics she made. The way she treated the others are alarming. I am very profane person, I'll admit to that but I don't intimidate or terrorize people like that.  I don't call the Police on my ex. I don't hide my pet from anyone else. There are little things that she did to people she disliked, to people who won't be intimidated by her ... Hell, I can continue this all night long but no, I won't.

For sure, I am glad I did not donate a cent to Dawn's fundraising back in 2013. Do I regret that I helped her by defending her and allowing her vlog to be on my Channel??  No, not really.  I was glad to be part of something that closed one bad thing for her in order for her to live on her own.

How she fared on her own afterwards is something that I do not like nor care to see. We are better off not being friends. Whatever she says, I don't believe anything out of her mouth. I never saw her attend any deaf-related functions in Frederick County outside of MSD. I already showed you the proof that I did not make $400 when her vlog was on my channel back in 2013. And I donated to Sabrina Blount while she claimed I never did do that. And everything she said about me is not even true at all.

I think she is just upset that I made a little paragraph about her on my previous entry on my blogsite, questioning her "injury". I also think she was upset that the efforts that I put in with Anne Marie Mariam, Sandy Rae Scott, Julie Rems Smario & Swanhilda Lily in the last 7 - 10 days has stolen the spotlight away from her. Not only that, I also publicly announced that I absolutely refused to support the Walk for Kelly sponsored by MSD Booster Club run by whom? Dawn. Why? I already said my piece - I cannot support someone who kept on defending her son that he was innocent when there were too many reports that her son made sexual assaults upon others, especially at Gallaudet. I'm not going to donate a cent to this event this coming Sunday hosted by MSD Booster Club. I wish them well.

Cheers,

R-

Big Stone Gap On October 9, 2015

Billy C. Taylor, Sr of Big Stone Gap

The announcement has caused me to smile and goosebumps all over my body. This is just great. I was waiting for a long time to see Adriana Trigiani's book into a movie.  Big Stone Gap's own Adriana is successful author on Big Stone Gap, Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon and Home to Big Stone Gap.

Yes, I finished reading all Big Stone Gap novels back in 2000-2002.

Adriana's Big Stone Gap was no. 1 on New York Times Best-selling list for 25 weeks, Big Stone Gap was also No. 1 on Publishers Weekly best-selling list for 14 weeks. And last, Big Stone Gap was No. 1 on USA Today's Best-selling list for 26 weeks in 2000 & 2001.  Millions of people fell in love with Big Stone Gap after reading Adriana's novels.

Hrandma Martha Davis Taylor Callahan of Big Stone Gap

Many Critics praised Adriana for her warmth, hopeful & soft stories about Big Stone Gap, Virginia.  Big Stone Gap is a poor town with many people working in coal mines.  It was harsh place to live for many decades. I am sincerely hoping that her novels will prompt the millions of people to come and visit Big Stone Gap just like Anne of Green Gables in order to infuse the tourist funds to transform & help the town to snap out of economic depression and beyond.

My father was born in Big Stone Gap, my father's parents were born in Big Stone Gap, my relatives on my father's side are still there in Big Stone Gap. I appreciated Big Stone Gap because despite the harsh life, the Powell Valley is absolutely stunning place to observe.

Hrandma holding me & Hedy in Big Stone Gap

My father's mother was Martha Callahan, she used to have a small house where her backyard goes up the mountain. at a pretty steep thing to hike climb up the mountains. I still remember that when I visited Big Stone Gap in 1980, my siblings and few kids who live around my Hrandmother's house - Most of us were not even 14 years ago - hell, I was 7 at that time. We climbed all the way to the top of the ridge - my CODA brother & hearing kids heard Hrandma shouting at us up on the ridge from her backyard.

My CODA brother turned to say, "Hrandmother said to get down now because the dinner is ready!" Needless to say, we managed to get down in a hurry - it was such a miracle that no one did get an injury or fatality by racing down the steep mountain. When we got there, Martha was not upset at all. It is as if she knew that her backyard is where the kids played - she's OK with it.

When I first met my Hrandmother Martha (I always referred her as Hrandmother because she was my hearing grandmother and Virginia Pool Duncan was my Deaf grandmother, hence Drandmother) in late 1970s - She demanded me to come forward and hug her. I refused. My Mom said, "Hrandma is yours, she is your father's mother."

Glorious Powell Valley

I protested, "I already have Drandma back home in Richmond, Virginia. She is not my Grandma!!  She's not Deaf!!"

Later on that evening, my father showed me the photo albums to prove that yes, Hrandma is mine, too. When I realized that yes, she is my Hrandma - I went to see her in the kitchen to hug her. Shortly afterwards, I started to follow her around her small house out of curiosity - Hrandma went into the bathroom - she was cleaning her face and teeth. I wailed so hard when I saw Hrandma (she did not realize I was there) pulling her fake teeth out of her mouth. I freaked out and ran to living room crying to my Dad. Hell, I was 6 or whatever. It was my first time to see a fake teeth.

Hrandma has a freaking cool car which was rated as the ugliest car in the world back in late 1970s, it was AMC Pacer!!! I loved it - the car is freaking weird!

My late father, Billy C. Taylor Sr of Big Stone Gap

My Great Uncle, Paul Davis, (brother of Hrandma) was WWII soldier who was wounded at D-Day at Normandy Beach.  He was given the Purple Heart.  My uncle served under Lieutenant General George S. Patton at D-Day and beyond. Paul told me that he truly loved Lt. General Patton. What about General Douglas MacArthur, I asked? Paul stared at me then made a dirty look at me. He said MacArthur was a coward. Okay, what about Supreme Allied Commander Dwight Eisenhower? He gave me a thumb down. Umm? United States Army Chief of Staff George Marshall? Paul laughed out loud, "He is an idiot!"

Paul had 11 children. The first one was Paul Davis, Junior. He used to be a personal hairdresser for Elizabeth "Liz" Taylor in Los Angeles & New York until his death in 1988 in New York City. Paul Sr & Lois never knew that his firstborn son was gay and had AIDS. His parents were overwhelmed that Paul Jr willed his wealth to his parents, effectively made the Davis the richest family in Big Stone Gap for the time being.

Despite the fact that Wise County is relatively poor, Wise was a high school football powerhouse under Group A, District 1, District 2 & District 3,  the total of four teams (Powell Valley, Appalachia, Eastside & J.J. Kelly) won 17 state championships. Powell Valley High led with 9 state championships and the record of 404-106. Just 6 miles west of Big Stone Gap is Appalachia High, Appalachia High won 6 state championships. Today, PVHS & AHS was consolidated to Union High School. PVHS had two brothers who went on to play for Notre Dame & Virginia - Thomas Jones & Julius Jones. Both went on to play in NFL.

My father was on undefeated team not in PVHS but at a deaf school in Staunton, Virginia in 1954. He probably learned the toughness mentality from Big Stone Gap and it was a good thing that at VSDB, there was an outstanding Deaf Coach in T. Carlton Lewellyn who guided my father and his team to have 4 years of winning records including the undefeated season in 1954.

Big Stone Gap is where Elizabeth "Liz" Taylor choked on chicken bone at a local restaurant. Big Stone Gap is where the first Walmart store to arrive in the state of Virginia back in 1984.  I wish Liz Taylor would be alive to see Adriana's film.

The Majestic High Knob at 4,160 feet above Powell Valley

Despite the fact that Big Stone Gap nestled in majestic Powell Valley, 23 tornadoes struck the town in almost 60 years which is bizarre because normally tornadoes does not hit in the mountains.

Right above Big Stone Gap lies a small lake named High Knob Lake which is very cold all year long because the trees partially blocked the sunlight from hitting the waters. It is guaranteed that anyone who swims there for a long time will get light blue lips. It happened to me as well as my siblings, too!

Mom ordered me and my brother to get out of the lake to warm up. Fun times!

Anthony LaPaglia remarked, "Wishing I was back in BSG!"

Anyway, back to Adriana Trigiani, I told my late father that Adriana wrote a book on Big Stone Gap. He was very proud even if Adriana is not a relative to him, he was still proud that someone from Big Stone Gap made it to the top & became successful author. Later I learned that Adriana planned to make a film on Big Stone Gap's novel sometimes in 2005 or 2007, I told Dad about it. He was looking forward to see it but that was not to be, he died in 2008 never seeing a film about his birthplace.

Now, Adriana Trigiani has announced that the nationwide release date of Big Stone Gap film is on October 9, 2015.  Which is very cool because my father from Big Stone Gap married my mother whose her birthday is on October 9!  I am excited to see Big Stone Gap on big screen - the film was produced in Big Stone Gap in 2013 with plenty of famous actors:  Ashley Judd, Patrick Wilson, Whoopi Goldberg, Jane Krakowski, Jasmine Guy, Anthony LaPalgia, Chris Sarandon to name few. I just wish my Dad was here to see Adriana's film.



Cheers,

R-

Let's Pitch In To Help Sabrina Blount

Sabrina Blount & her 18 month son

Folks, I learned of this fundraising website and I am sharing this with you all. Not a long time ago, I mentioned that in North Carolina, two former ENCSD students has raped, robbed & ran over another former ENCSD student and left her for dead. But Sabrina Blount survived. Right now, she is still recuperating at a local hospital in North Carolina. 

The victim & the criminals are all Deaf and they all knew each other from their ENCSD days.

Sabrina will have to recover and rehabilitate not only her physical body, but also her mental & spiritual bodies as well. She has a long way to go. I made a donation to help her out and I hope you people would do the same as well. Any amount will be helpful for people like Sabrina. They told me that the donations will go straight into Sabrina's bank account which her mother will help Sabrina to pay the bills.

Few years ago, many of you helped in raising the funds for a certain person (Dawn Schriver Moore) so she can pay and severe any contacts with her ex. Dawn was never "injured" and many of you donated anyway. 

But this time, Sabrina Blount is severely injured and her family needs our help. Let's jump in to help out somehow. And yes, spread the word for me so that we can help her out. Thanks in advance. 

Cheers,

R-

Here is the link to her fundraising website:
http://www.gofundme.com/tg85nsks

And there is a FB page as well:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sabrina-Blount-the-Victim-of-a-Violent-Crime/671871449612955

Why Do I Hate Connecticut Huskies?

4 No. 1 seeded teams in NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament has advanced to Final Four. It tells you one thing: The sport is stagnant. The parity is not there. Who do I blame it on?  

The answer is obvious: Connecticut Huskies.  

Some people, especially with UConn fans, tried to compare Geno's domination with John Wooden's domination. That is not even true. When I see them do that, I tossed a response similar to what Krona did to Hal Jordan when Hal thought he had the upper hand on him - Krona easily dispatched Hal and said this line:

"Is it ignorance or delusional confidence that allows you to actually believe you have the ability to do such a thing?"

Yes, there are many deaf UConn fans, mostly from New England like the Biskupiaks and so on. But do they really know the nature of the sport behind the basketball politics deeply like Mike Weinstock, Darlene Ewan and I do? Of course they may be the fans of UConn but they do not know the sport well as 3 of us do.

A true fan of the sport would not compare Geno Auriemma or Pat Summitt with John Wooden. One just cannot do that. Only a novice or bandwagon fans would do such a thing like that. Why? It all boils to the numbers!

It boils not down to the W-L records, it boils to the numbers of boys and girls basketball players! The history has proved that since 1960s, the numbers of little boys wanting to play basketball are 10 times bigger than little girls. The parents encouraged boys but discouraged girls from playing basketball. In elementary, middle schools' basketball teams as well as the AAU summer league teams, the boys still outnumber the girls.

So when the kids grew up, the numbers of outstanding high school boys basketball players are plentiful for 300 division I schools to recruit. On other hand, the girls basketball players tend to fight harder in proving their parents that they wanted to play basketball. So many girls simply gave up, the numbers of outstanding high school girls basketball players are not many.

Since 1984, I was introduced to the collegiate women's basketball by a school friend and I instantaneously was hooked to the sport. It was fun watching them play. When Virginia lost to Tennessee in Knoxville, 66-58, Mr. Richard Koch told me that it will not be easy for Virginia to win the national championship - he went on to explain about the recruiting battles and all that small details because he used to coach the girls basketball teams in the past.

In the past, it was not easy to identify the best high school girls basketball player in this country and beyond. For boys, many MBB coaches can rely on hundreds of AAU & high school observers all over the country for the tips to recruit who's who through the local or national press. For girls, many WBB coaches only had three for 30 years: Mel Greenberg, Mike Flynn & Clay Kellam through what? Because for years, the press ignored them - Mel, Mike & Clay had the Mailing List which they personally distributed to the WBB coaches when they asked them to send.

And the list is always small. The high school boys basketball players has a long list (500-800) of 5 stars, 4, stars, 3 stars, 2 stars, 1 star and honorable mentions. For girls? They mostly have only Top 100 per class. The best is always in Top 10. Guess who recruited the best HS girls basketball player year in and out in the last 10 years?

Connecticut.

They would take maybe 4 or 5 players and the rest of the crumbs goes to Tennessee, Notre Dame, South Carolina and so on. When Tennessee got 3 best Top 10 players, what did Geno do? He went crazy and attacked Tennessee. If Notre Dame got 3, what did Geno do? He went crazy and attacked Notre Dame. If South Carolina got 3, what did Geno do? He went crazy and attacked South Carolina!

Because the recruiting pool is small, the battles are very vicious and very personal. Because the sport is not like MBB where there are plenty of players to recruit, the sport is very family-like and very personal. I could visit WBB coaches during the summertime just to say hello when I travel across the country when I was at Gallaudet (Virginia, Old Dominion, George Washington, Maryland, Tennessee, Southern Cal, Arkansas, Duke, North Carolina, Temple, St. Joseph's (PA), Richmond, VCU & Clemson are the schools that I stopped by just to say hello). There is no way you can do that with MBB coaches!

Because Geno has been a bully when it comes to recruiting the limited best hs girls basketball players, the growth of the women's basketball sport has been stagnant for the last 10 years. The attendance figures has indicated that many Division I colleges are losing fans because they are sick of seeing UConn bullying around year in and out. In the last 10 years, the attendance figures at Final Four and the National Championship games has dramatically declined each time UConn got there. But when Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Baylor, Maryland and Purdue won everything, the numbers go up. With Connecticut in it, the numbers go down. 

Unlike the boys basketball players where the numbers of outstanding high school players has continued to grow at an accelerated level, the high school girls basketball players are not growing at an accelerated level, they are growing very slowly. The numbers of girls basketball players participating in summer recreational leagues & high school teams are still smaller than boys had. So the talent pool within the girls is extremely small in comparison with boys'. 

So because of that, you cannot compare Geno with John Wooden at all. John had plenty of players to recruit and so does other schools! On other hand, in WBB, we don't have that luxury like John and other MBB coaches did - so for others to compare Geno with John, you're being stupid, really.

And it is appalling that both hearing and deaf UConn fans does not respect the history, the politics and the growth of the sport. You fans are terrible, to say the least. You UConn fans are the reason on why I despised UConn. You UConn fans are part of the problem on causing the stagnant in the sport and lack of parity within this sport. The truth is that ... the folks associated with UConn are selfish pricks to begin with.

Cheers,

R-

The Victims Is Not Limited To People

I wonder if there is a historical book focusing on the domestic & wild animals that were caught in the middle of many wars all over the world.

I knew that the US Naval Forces do use the dolphins in the open sea. I know that the Armed Forces used many kinds of dogs for different purposes like attacking & biting the enemy as well as sniff for any IEDs (homemade bombs) and so on. I know there are hundreds of domesticated animals like horses, chickens, sheep, goats & cows were either injured, killed or startled to death all over Europe.  I know that in Africa, Europe & Asia, they used the elephants, chickens, camels, pigs, rats, sea lions and yes, pigeons.  Pigeons were used to carry the messages from their base to someone's base. Chickens are used for detecting the poison & chemical gases.

The most devastating attacks by wild animals upon the soldiers took place in Ramree Island, an island in Myanmar (Burma) where the allied soldiers in World War II pushed & circled 900 Japanese soldiers who fell back into the swamp. the Japanese were battling on two fronts against the Allied soldiers ... and saltwater crocodiles.  The exact death tolls cannot be accurate as some said 500 Japanese soldiers successfully escaped the swamps. Only 20 survived.  Saltwater Crocodiles ate the rest of Japanese soldiers.

Not only that, when the Imperial Japanese Naval Submarine destroyed the USS Indianapolis in 1945, 880 US soldiers had to abandon the sinking ship and many of them still used the life preservers but they were also attacked by massive sharks who killed and ate 550 soldiers.

So there should be a historical book focusing on these animals from BC to the current. Is there one?

Cheers,

R-

Help me to make the right decision!!

I wanted to get a tattoo of Mordru on my right calf cuz he is Amethyst's archenemy. Amethyst is on my left calf so it will balance out But the problem is: I'm extremely indecisive on which image I wanted to put on my right calf.

If I had another life spare to use, I would tattoo on my face the same way Esteban Maroto's Mordru in Amethyst Mini-Series. 

If I had another life, I would want Mordru's face tattoo on my face

 I don't know if this image would be good on my right calf or not.  Aye or nah?

* * *

 Mordru's body on Dr. Fate's helmet 

Aye or nah

* * *

Only his body. Aye or nah

* * *

Only Mordru, Dr Fate & Mordru's comments on my right calf?

Aye or nah

* * *

Or this one?  No rainbow for me, of course.

Aye or nah

* * *

No words, just the transformation of Mordru

Aye or nah

* * *

Or this one? The entire comment, magic & Mordru - no background needed

Aye or nah

* * *

Flaw, Mordru & the fonts only.

Aye or nah

* * *

No white circle - remove it and good enough? 

Aye or nah

* * *

Only his comments but not the rest.

Aye or nah

* * *

And this one? Mordru, his magic creatures & his words stay.

Aye or nah

Finally, can you folks help me to decide which one I wanted it on my right calf?

Cheers,

R-

All About Planet Daxam!

I was surfing the 'net when I came across this awesome graphic novel I ever had seen out of DC Comics' futuristic tale within the Legion of the Super-Heroes called "Great Darkness Saga".  This tale took place in 30th Century.

Many descendants at Planet Daxam were originally from Planet Krypton. People on Daxam is Superman's cousins. Therefore, Daxamites do get weak if they were under a red star. If the star is yellow, billions of Daxamites instantaneously became Supermen, to say the least!

However, this incident did not happen only once.  One was in The Great Darkness Saga, the other was the War of Lights.

During the War of Lights, Sodam Yat who was infused with the Entity of Will is from Planet Daxam. His mother fled Daxam to search for Sodam to tell him that Sinestro Corps has now seized Daxam and they are terrorizing billions of Daxamites for practically no reason. Sodam went back home for the first time since he ran away from his family due to their xenophobia nature.

Sodam and his colleague tried so hard to stop the Sinestro Corps but they were too many. And not enough Green Lanterns are responding to the emergency call about. Sodam had to decide immediately or his people will be annihilated by Sinestro Corps - they needed a leveling field to save Daxam and its people. Sodam had no choice but to enter the dying red sun and used the Entity of Will to transform the red star to the yellow star. Suddenly, billions of Daxamites from an infant to senior citizens immediately possessed the same powers that Superman has with the yellow sun in our solar system.

Whoa, is it?  The Mysterious creature who took the Entity of Will out of Sodam Yat's body was none other than Krona!

And yes, the tale of powering the billions of Daxamites using the yellow sun was nothing new for DC Comics. They used it in Legion of Super-Heroes' "The Great Darkness Saga". The premise of this tale occurred in 30th Century which the members of Legion of Super-Heroes were trying to identify the mysterious creature whose his planet & himself suddenly appeared in their universe after a thousand year of slumber. 

That mysterious creature was so powerful that he immediately seized 6 billions of Daxamites' minds and at the same time, he was able to teleport & switch his ancient planet with Planet Daxam so that Daxam can revolve around the yellow sun, not the red sun. With six billions of Daxamites under his control, he chose Daxam to make an announcement that the supervillain is finally identified.

                                      

                                         

Yep, it was Darkseid who seized the minds of Daxamites and used them to destroy and remake the Planet Daxam into his image. Powerful but cunning thing to do, that Darkseid guy.  

Cheers,

R-

NCAA Sucks

NCAA is punishing Syracuse by vacating 108 wins, suspending Coach Boeheim from coaching 9 ACC (Why only ACC?) games and took 12 scholarships away for next 4 years for what they did ... more than 10 years ago.

Why punish the current roster that has nothing to do with the allegations that occurred in 2004-06?  It is like you punishing someone for what his father did. That's not how it should function in 1st place.  The truth is:  NCAA failed miserably. And the late Jerry Tarkanian was right when he said:

"If you're so mad at Kentucky, just give Cleveland State another year or probation."

Cheers,

R-

Virginia Cavaliers No. 2 In East Region

Virginia Cavaliers (29-3) is seeded at #2 in the East Region and will face #15 Belmont (22-10) in Charlotte, North Carolina this coming Friday.  Belmont got in after winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.

Belmont has a player who transferred from Virginia after his freshman season. He did not get to play a lot as a freshman so he bolted to Belmont for more playing time. Name?  Taylor Barnette who is averaging 10.7 points per game including the winning basket for Belmont in the OVC Finals.

Barnette is not the only former Virginia player who transferred to other school in East Region.  Paul Jesperson went to Northern Iowa after playing two years at Virginia. Northern Iowa Panthers is seeded #5 playing #12 Wyoming Cowboys. Jesperson is averaging 5.4 points per game for his team which went 30-3 for the season.

Virginia must not overlook Belmont in the first game - take care of Belmont, then the fans can hope for a revenge as Virginia may get to play Michigan State, the same team that upsets Virginia, 61-59 last year in Sweet Sixteen appearance. Oddly, the way I look at the bracket, the first two games are tough for Virginia Cavaliers but the next two games en route to the Final Four seems to be easy drive. Virginia may have to play Oklahoma Sooners (22-10) if they did not lose to Providence Friars (22-11). If Virginia took care of them, the next opponent could be Villanova (32-2), Northern Iowa (30-3) or Louisville (24-8).

Cheers,

R-

Virginia Cavaliers, 29-3; 16-2

Virginia Cavaliers

I'm still frustrated with the women's basketball program at Virginia who finished the season at 17-13, now waiting for an invitation to WNIT sometimes next week. I don't know if the team will be able to receive an immediate help from 6'3 Mone' Jones, 6'4 Debra Ferguson and 6'4 Shakyna Payne when they come to Charlottesville next year. If at least two out of 3 freshmen can alleviate the pressures on Sarah Imovbioh & Lauren Moses, then the team will be in a good shape and in a right direction. If not, it is going to be a long season for us all.

On other hand, I'm thrilled to see what Head Coach Tony Bennett has done for Virginia Cavaliers Men's Basketball team.  Last year, the team went 30-7, won the ACC Regular Season and ACC Tournament Championships. This year, the team won the ACC Regular Season Championship but was upset by North Carolina Cheaters Tar Heels in ACC Tournament. Well, in two seasons, 3 out of 4 ACC Championships are just great. Last year, they received No. 1 seeding and reached the Sweet Sixteen where they lost to Michigan State by two. This year, I think the team will receive No. 2 seeding.

We lost in ACC Tournament because I think the team was not used to have Justin Anderson back after he missed 8 games due to the injury & appendectomy. Not only that, I'm not sure if Landon Perrantes is 100% healthy after sustaining the broken nose a couple of weeks ago. Not only that, it is always difficult to play in Greensboro Coliseum where in the last 26 ACC Finals in Greensboro, Duke and UNC combined for 19 titles. Next year? Washington, DC's Verizon Center. It is about time that the ACC gets out of that shithole.

But I can say one thing:  Virginia Cavaliers will remain to be very good team next year.

Anthony Gill & Head Coach Tony Bennett

• The next year's edition will lose only one starter in Darion Atkins. 
• They practically return everyone else.  Malcolm Brogdon, Anthony Gill, Justin Anderson, Evan Nolte and Landon Perrantes will return. 
• Not only that, the ACC Sixth Player of the Year Mike Tobey also will return. 
• Oh, yeah, freshmen Isaiah Wilkins, Jack Salt, B.J. Stith & Marial Shayok and redshirt freshman Devon Hall will return with plenty of their playing time under their belts.  
• Wait!  Darius Thompson, who was rated No. 4 as overall combo guard in 2012-13, will begin to play after his transfer from Tennessee Volunteers.
• The newest recruit of Virginia Cavaliers, a huge post player in 240 lbs, 6'9 Jarred Reuter will fill in nicely. Some people compared him to North Carolina's Tyler Hansbrough.
• There is undecided recruit named Thon Maker, a 7'0 post player from Australia. Virginia is one of several schools on his list. Virginia already had an Australian player in Jack Salt. So Thon has another Australian teammate should he sign with Virginia.
• And most important of all:  We have Head Coach Tony Bennett and you do not. 

As you can see, Virginia is going to stay in Top 10 for a long time.  Get used to it, folks.  Go Hoos!

Cheers,

R-

ESPN's I Hate Christian Laettner

First of all, I'm a hard core fan of Virginia Cavaliers.  Always had, has and will be.

But when I was in high school, I admitted that I had a little crush on Christian Laettner.  Back in his high school days in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York - he was recruited by every Division I school. But he narrowed down to 3:  Duke, North Carolina & Virginia.

He chose Duke and led Duke to four Final Four appearances including the National Champions. He is famous for hitting the winning basket at the buzzer to beat Kentucky, 104-103 in overtime.

He will be featured on ESPN's show named 30 for 30, "I Hate Christian Laettner".  I'm not sure if I plan to watch that episode because I will watch The Walking Dead.

However, I stumbled upon this post by a fan of Virginia Cavaliers on a message board whom he talked about his sons & his encounter with  Christian Laettner at a local gas station in Durham, NC.  Read what he has to say about Christian.  Very classy.

Christian, you are an idiot.

Cheers,

R-

* * *

'Christian' Laettner -- When this turd was playing at Duke, I pulled up to get gas at a station on Roxboro Rd, in Durham NC -- 

I had spent a really nice Saturday afternoon playing BB with both my sons, ages 7, 9 -- at a nice outdoor court on Hamlin Rd near our home.

When I was inside the store, a car pulled up, and the guy behind the counter said "hey that's Laettner"-- His dad said " make sure he pays ..." --

Everyone laughs, including me. BUT I stand around to watch the dude pumps his gas and then floats around the car (Brian Davis was in the passenger seat).

I step outside the store - Now my sons recognize the guy - They are standing in the back of my Blazer with the window down , all excited - The oldest says -"Hey Dad It's Christian Laettner!!!!!" - The youngest is jumping up and down - The oldest says "Can he sign my ball daddy?!!"

I said "ok boys -- ask him and he will I'm sure" --

Standing there - with my two sons all excited to see a 'star' ---- imagine how they felt to see 'Christian' Laettner -- or hear him -- Literally point to my UVA bumper sticker - and get in his dumbassed convertible with his Brian Davis boy - and flip my little boys the bird and yell "Fuck Virginia" as he drove off without paying for the gas.

POS is what he is.

I will never ever respect Duke because of this ass.

No, I don't like the Muslims of Bosnia-Herzegovina

"No, I do not like Muslims of Bosnia-Herzegovina."

That sentence got me suspended on Facebook for 30 days.  I never made a threat or bully anyone else. I simply responded to someone who asked me if I don't like Bosnia-Herzegovina. I basically told her that I do not like the MUSLIMS who resided in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

If you study the conflicts in The Balkan States, you would know that the Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina always pose a threat to any kind of peace for the last 600 years. It was in Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina that the World War I first sprang after the Assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand.  He was killed by 19 years old Bosnian Serb, Gavrilo Princip.

Gavrilo Princip was not a Muslim but his family were Christian peasants cowered before the Muslim Landlords who oppressed against the Christian peasants.  Let's stroll back to the Ottoman Empire, the land in the Balkan States were generally Orthodox Christians (Serb, Eastern, Greek & Russian).  When the Ottoman Empire (100% Muslims) conquered the area, what did they do?  They snatched all young boys from Christian families and sent them to Istanbul as part of Janissary. The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire would provide food, clothing & shelter to these vulnerable Christian boys as he had his staff to brainwash & convert these Christian boys into hard-core Muslims.  When they grew to be adults, they became very loyal to the Sultan so much that they would serve the Sultan in wars. When they completed their service to the Sultan, what did the Sultan do to these Muslims boys? The Sultan sent them back home to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

It should be a happy homecoming for these boys who were kidnapped from the Christian peasants when they returned home, right? But no, the boys rejected their real Christian parents.  During the Ottoman Empire, the Muslims seized the good lands and banished Christians into the mountains. These boys who became the Muslims, thanks to the Sultan, seized towns, properties and land - they became the Muslim Landlords who oppressed against the poor and devastated Christians. These Christians are Croatians, Montenegrins, Bosnian Serbs, Serbians, Macedonians and Kosovars.

The Sultan of the Ottoman Empire has succeeded where others has failed - he used the kidnapped boys to turn against their real families all over the Balkan States even as of today.  For centuries, Muslims has oppressed and terrorized the Christians in the region so much that the Christian generations loathed the Muslims in the region.  The Muslims often murdered the Christians and never got prosecuted. The Christians does not forget what the Muslims did. The Muslims would behead many Bosnian Serbs and used them to decorate the walls in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

So Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand to make a statement - he wanted Bosnia-Herzegovina to be part of Greater Serbia under the Christian rule, not part of Great Austrian-Hungarian Empire or the Ottoman Empire.  So the slaughter between the Bosnian Serbs & Bosnian Muslims escalated for many decades.

In 1990s, the Bosnian Muslims brought the Islamic Extremists to the region where they murdered many Bosnian Serbs. Many were beheaded and the Muslims used these decapitated heads to play soccer.  Of course, you don't see that in the American or European newspapers. But the Bosnian Serbs knew what the Muslims were doing. And yes, the Serbs did do the right thing to retaliate and massacre the Muslims from time to time.

It is quite amazing that the Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina acted like they were innocent & victims. They were not.  And the Americans should not protect the Muslims in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the first place.  By doing that, the Americans literally supported the oppression of other religions in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

This is why I do not like the Muslims of Bosnia-Herzegovina, they were not the victims. They were the oppressors, murderers and criminals. And Facebook decided to suspend me for another 30 days just because I said this sentence, "No, I do not like the Muslims of Bosnia-Herzegovina."

Facebook does not support free speech, most of Facebook moderators are from where?  Outside of the United States in Morocco, India & Mexico.  Morocco & India has millions of Muslims living in their countries so they were trying to silence me when I said I don't like the Muslims of Bosnia-Herzegovina.  Shame on Facebook, really. They allowed the video beheadings by Muslims against the Christians on Facebook but punished me for saying this simple sentence?   By being silent about it, Mark Zuckerberg is advocating the silence of free voices against the unjust oppressors like the Muslims.

Double jeers to Facebook for doing the criminal thing.

Cheers,

R-