All About DeafNation

Here is the vlog on All About DeafNation.

Here are the documents:

• Asset Purchase Agreement

• Memorandum of Understanding

• Employment Agreement

• Trademark Certificate

• United States Patent & Trademark Office Sided With Language People, Inc

As seen with these documents, it is time for the Barish brothers to cease their deceptions on Deaf Community as whole.

Cheers,

R-

Is The Presence (aka God) Ultimate Asshole?

Everyone knew that I am not ashamed of reading comic books for many years. I really don't care if you sneered at that, you can really go fuck yourself for all I care. I enjoyed reading them because many of them has great stories & character development that you would rarely find on TV shows & films.

However, there is a particular scene that continues to make me ponder for many years. In fact, it is been 17 years since this particular scene jolted my views on God and his so-called Heavens. It made me to realize that if there is God, he is absolutely asshole to a point that I would support Lucifer Morningstar to rebel against God if he existed, that is. Lucifer was right and God was wrong on this matter, in my opinion. If this is the way it works up there in Heavens, then I do not want to be part of this shitola, actually.

Why?

Raven's father, Trigon

Because of Raven. You can get the background on the origins of Raven on this link, Raven on Wikipedia. Raven is half-human & half-demon as her father was a powerful demon in another dimension named Trigon. Trigon raped the female human, Arella and gave birth to Raven. Unlike many others, Raven has to control her emotions to prevent her "soul-self" from changing her into a demon as Trigon wanted her to. Sometimes Raven succumbed but she always found a way to overcome her emotions and forced herself to control her soul and soul-self. By doing that, Raven repeatedly stopped her demonic father's attempts to rule, enter, destroy, enslave or terrorize many universes, dimensions and timelines.

In order to understand why Day of Judgment took place in DC Universe, you need to understand and/or read the conflicts between 1994 to 1999.

In 1994's Emerald Twilight, Green Lantern Hal Jordan went nuts and murdered many Green Lanterns & Guardians. After that, Hal became Parallax, the Entity of Fear. This enraged the Hal Jordan fans.

DC Comics also used Hal as Parallax in his attempts to bring his hometown, Coast City back by altering the timeline in Zero Hour which also enraged Hal fans as well. Coast City was destroyed and flattened in a huge battle by Mongul and Hank Henshaw in Superman series.

In 1996, during the FINAL NIGHT storyline, Hal Jordan as Parallax killed Hank Henshaw and went into the Sol in order to re-ignite the Sol to save Earth which was frozen and left Superman powerless as the sun was being drained by Suneater, an artificial living nebula that drained the stars in many systems and when the stars got exhausted, Suneater caused the supernova to destroy the planets & systems. When a supernova took place, Suneater used its explosion force to jump from one star system to the next star system.

Hal Jordan's Sacrifice in FINAL NIGHT

Hal sacrificed himself by using the powers of Parallax to re-ignite the Sol and drained the Suneater by pulling its nebula energies into his body, effectively killed him. Of course, the fans were livid about it. The Green Lantern series declined as many fans rejected it outright.

In 1997, there was a story about God, Angels, Demons, Heavens, Hell and Earth with Justice League of America being caught in the massive conflicts. The 3-part series was called "JLA Paradise Lost" written by Mark Millar, I think.

DC Comics cannot use the word, "God" because it was already copyrighted in comic book industry by whom? Savage Dragon's writer, Erik Larsen. Instead of using "God", DC Comics used "The Presence". Instead of "Heavens",  DC Comics called it the Pax-Dei. In the Pax-Dei, it has 4 Angel-Kings who commanded their own armies to defend & protect The Presence, the Pax-Dei and our multiverses. Each Angel-King represented their groups. They are Bull Host, Eagle Host, Human Host & Lion Host.

Asmodel & Neron Assault on Heavens

Zauriel, a former Angel under the Eagle Host, fell in love with this mortal woman in San Francisco and asked the Angel-Kings to allow him to leave the Pax-Dei for Earth to be with this woman. Zauriel lost his immortality and was casted out. Zauriel was also dumb because when he tried to pursue that woman he fell in love with, that woman did not want Zauriel, she loved her insecure, chubby boyfriend named Jerry who works as a nurse for some hospital or clinic.

Bull Host of Angel-King Asmodel

During the JLA Paradise Lost, right before he was casted out, Zauriel accidentally stumbled upon the information that Asmodel, the Angel-King of Bull Host conspired with Hell's Demon-King, Neron to plan in staging an assault on The Presence and seize the Pax-Dei for himself to rule.  So that's where JLA got involved. Asmodel realized that it is impossible for anyone else, including the angels, to rule the Pax-Dei by conquering The Presence because The Presence is everywhere - sky, angels, humans, worlds, universes and all that shit. Right after The Presence stripped Asmodel of his full powers &privileges, Neron immediately turned his back on Asmodel and told him that he'll see him shortly in Hell and vanished with his minions. The Presence threw Asmodel into Hell where he was seized, chained and tortured by Neron, his former ally for eternity.

Jim Corrigan Goes Home

In 1998, the successful run of The Spectre (1-62) which ultimately closed the chapter on the body and soul of Jim Corrigan, whose the Spectre has used with for about 50 years. Jim decided it was time for him to separate his soul from the Spectre and let The Presence make a pick on a new human body & soul to bond with the Spectre to continue His mission as the God's Wrath of Vengeance. Right after Jim released the Spectre, Jim Corrigan's soul was pulled into the Pax-Dei as his last word was, "Amy ..." Amy is Jim Corrigan's love and she was waiting for him to come home. The Phantom Stranger gave a firm warning that the Spectre is immensely powerful and he hopes that the next human host would be as good as Jim Corrigan to control Spectre or this universe will suffer.

Hal Jordan Returns

Because DC Comics realized that many fans are not buying their comic books primarily because they were livid about what they did do to Hal Jordan so DC Comics hired Geoff Johns to write the big crisis called Day of Judgment in 1999 in order to bring Hal Jordan back once again. Hal Jordan did not come back as Green Lantern, he came back as the new human host of Spectre. The enraged Green Lantern fans howled with displeasure. DC Comics urged the readers & fans to give them a chance but no, the fans & readers refused.

No, I'm not telling you a story about what's going on in Day of Judgment, you can buy the graphic novel at your local Comic Book Shop or Amazon. But I felt that it is necessary to explain what's going on between 1994's Emerald Twilight to 1999's Day of Judgment so you can understand why this particular scene in Day of Judgment really baffled me for 17 years.

Geoff Johns started off with the tale in Hell where Neron tortured Asmodel who was chained to the posts. Right after Neron left the area, another demon, Etrigan sneaked in to free Asmodel and told Asmodel that he has the plans for Asmodel. Then Etrigan summoned the Spectre to appear in Hell where Etrigan successfully fooled and forced Spectre to bond with Asmodel. Asmodel then froze Hell and figured out that with Spectre's powers, he can rule Earth and Hell instead of serving in Heaven. All hell broke loose on Earth.

The Sentinels of Magic

Many super-heroes battled the demons, raw magic & Asmodel-Spectre on Earth. This crisis prompted the Sentinels of Magic to show up. Among the group was Zatanna, Zauriel, Madame Xanadu, Raven, Sebastian Faust, Phantom Stranger, Ragman, Doctor Occult and Alan Scott. Raven is generally a member of New Teen Titans but this time, this crisis forced Raven to join with the Sentinels of Magic.

The locked entrance of Pax-Dei (Heaven)

In Day of Judgment #2, Raven granted her permission for Zauriel to use his holy flaming sword to slice Raven's demonic soul-self open for Zauriel, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Mister Miracle, Alan Scott and Raven to step through the soul-self to reach the Pax-Dei. The purpose of the visit to the Pax-Dei was to find Jim Corrigan and ask him to come back to control the Spectre. When the group arrived at the entrance of Pax-Dei, the entrance has been locked.

After trying to get someone to answer the doors to no avail, Mister Miracle, a member of New Gods from the twin planets of Apolokips & New Genesis, went ahead to manipulate and opened the locked entrance - When the door opened, Mister Miracle, Supergirl, Wonder Woman and Alan Scott immediately felt the familiar force or energy of Pax-Dei which empowered, inspired, calmed and delighted them. Mister Miracle said with a smile, "Feel this? This is the Source! I wish my wife Barda was here!!!"

All except for Raven. She also felt the familiar force or energy of Pax-Dei but it did not empower her as she screamed in agony as Raven's soul-self went haywire. Raven said that the Pax-Dei's forces or energies are tearing her soul-self apart as she tried to control her pains & control her soul-self. Raven started to panic when the force continued to tear her physical body, her soul and her soul-self. The painful attacks were relentless as Raven gave up and immediately teleported herself away from the Pax-Dei, "Forgive me, my friends, I must go!"

After Raven fled the Pax-Dei, Angel Michael comes out and told the others, "Do you truly believe that The Presence would allow the daughter of Trigon to come in? Are you all out of your minds?"

Jim Corrigan said no.

At that moment, I was stunned. The Presence made it clear that Raven is not allowed to be there at all. Just because Raven's soul-self is demon by nature through Trigon who raped Arella, she's not allowed to be there? That's pretty rubbish and harsh thing to do. Is it really Raven's fault for being born as half-demon and half-human? And the Presence still rejected Raven's presence? That's pretty downright cruel. It was not Raven's fault for being like that. Raven had to keep her emotions under control all the time, but she is a human, first and foremost of all. It was not her fault that she was born with it and if God really existed out there doing that shit on innocent peoples, I don't want to be part of that crapola. Do you think Raven deserved to be treated like that?

Cheers,

R-

This Is My Domain

This is very interesting.  I produced and released the 63-minute vlog on YouTube talking about oppression, racism, privileges and community accountability. I released on Twitter. It is still there. I also released it on my Facebook wall as well as posting on Facebook's popular group, Deaf Thought Police.

In my vlog, I explained that these hypocritical oppressive tactics has always came from six Deaf schools, their parents with college education, heterosexual and white families. I posted it, I got roughly more than 50 emails and private messages thanking me for making this vlog. They did not want to leave a comment because they were ... afraid of retaliation.

Not me, but when I posted my vlog on my Facebook wall, it was immediately removed. I posted it on my group (which I run along with other Admins), someone from Facebook took it down. I know the only one that will not be removed - YouTube, this blog and Twitter.

Because of their attempts to silence me, I have decided to wage the purge on individuals involved with six Deaf schools, Kappa Gamma, Phi Kappa Zeta and the ones that you always saw going around as if they are smart than the rest.

Since the others tried to silence me, I'm going to make a transcript so that hearing people outside of Deaf Communities will see what is real inside our communities.

I don't lose easily, by trying to silence me by reporting the lies to fool Facebook or others, I should warn you, there is no way for you to win this battle, I own this battle, not you!

Here is the vlog that many people wanted to silence and remove and I will provide a transcript on this vlog, people.

All About Racism & Privileges

Cheers,

R-

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-