Windy Sydney

I ran across these photos of a cat named Orazi. He and his family live in Italy, and these photos are not photoshopped. Click on either of the photos for more information.

And I thought Buddha Belly was overweight...

I ran across these photos a little while ago and found them interesting. They all claim to have faces within the fire of the photo. Personally, I think the human brain tries to find pattern and create things when they are not there... also, some of these are definitely doctored photos. It's fun nonetheless. Ghoststudy.com was the source. Enjoy!

I have posted about Improv Everywhere before, and I wanted to share a stunt they pulled off at a little league game in California.

Click on any of the photos for a direct link to more detail as well as video from the event. It's awesome.

A group of ten-year-old little leaguers were in for the game of a lifetime when tons of secret agents from the Improv group started showing up. Person after person slowly entered the bleachers with handmade signs cheering on their favorite little boy, some even went as far as to use body paint to cheer on their favorite team.


The longer the game went on, the more surprises the kids had. Soon secret agents were selling programs for the game, as well as refreshments.


At the top of the third inning a jumbo tron was raised from a truck behind the field. Every kid was shown on the television screen before they went up to bat, and the agents even set it up to look like the game was being covered by NBC sports.


After that, mascots showed up to pump up the people in the stands...

The biggest surprise was yet to come. The goodyear blimp floated over the amazed crowd displaying both teams names.


As the game came to a close, people in the stands went to the dugouts and begged the kids to autograph their baseballs and programs.


Then the teams gave a press conference...

By MELODY McDONALD

Star-Telegram staff writer

FORT WORTH -- On Friday afternoon, a Tarrant County jury sentenced an Azle woman to five years in prison and assessed a $10,000 fine for stealing a mentally impaired man's life savings.

But they didn't stop there.

Jurors decided after the trial that they wanted to donate money to 58-year-old Johnny Bryant to help him recoup some of his loss. Most were going to start with the $166 they received for their jury service.

"I've never seen anything like this in my 44 years of law practice," said prosecutor Joe Shannon, who fired off a personal check for $250 for the fund. "They know that the guy has been wronged and they wanted to right it a little bit."

Crystal Jones, 22, the jury forewoman, said a couple of jurors had relatives or friends who are mentally disabled and really felt for Bryant.

"If that was our brother or friend, we would hope someone would do it for us," Jones said, adding that she has an autistic brother. "It was emotional for many of us."

The jury of eight women and four men deliberated about two hours on Friday before sentencing Cynthia Sue Hardee, 46, to five years in prison for one count of theft of property and one count of misapplication of fiduciary property. On Thursday, the jury found Hardee guilty of helping herself to at least $75,000 of Bryant's retirement money after the pair opened a checking account together.

The background

According to court testimony, Bryant, who can't read or do math, had $151,000 in a profit-sharing account after working for more than three decades stocking shelves at various grocery stores.

In the summer of 2002, Bryant had to make a decision about what to do with his retirement money after Brookshire's purchased the Winn Dixie where he was working. Bryant cashed $111,000 after taxes and penalties, and Hardee helped him open a checking account so they could start a "business" together. Although they had lots of ideas, a business never developed.

On Friday, Hardee's defense attorney, Danny Burns, urged the jury to sentence Hardee to probation, characterizing her as a good, churchgoing woman who made a terrible mistake but deserved a second chance.

"She took on a task that she couldn't handle and did some really dumb stuff," Burns said.

Burns reminded the jury about the friends and fellow church members who testified that Hardee was a kind, loving person who was always willing to help people.

"We have someone who is a good person overall but made a tragic error in judgment," Burns said. "We need to help that person, to save them. I submit we can do that with Cynthia Hardee. ... Show some mercy. Do what is right."

In his final summation, prosecutor Shannon, who handled the case with Tonya Harlan, asked jurors to give Hardee something closer to the maximum of 10 years in prison. "Part of the reason for assessing punishment is to deter the conduct of other people," Shannon said. "... We are not going to tolerate taking the life savings of a man who got dealt a bad set of cards when he was born."

The deliberations

Jones, the jury forewoman, said deciding Hardee's punishment was difficult. They took into consideration that it was her first offense and that she had no clue how to run a business. But they also looked at the crime and considered the victim.

Later, after Hardee was sentenced, Jones said she commented to the others that she wanted to start a fund for Bryant. The other jurors agreed.

The case "touched every one of our hearts," she said.

When the jurors told Shannon of their intentions, he decided to write a check for $250. His investigator then gathered the jurors' information and told them he would contact them after a fund was officially set up. That happened Friday afternoon.

Jenny Bosley, Johnny's sister, said she started crying after Shannon called her and told her of the jurors' gesture.

"Oh my gosh," Bosley said. "I couldn't believe it."

She said the IRS keeps sending him letters, claiming that Bryant owes $40,000 -- more taxes and penalties for cashing out his retirement plan early.

How to help

To contribute to the fund for Johnny Bryant, send a donation to:

Wells Fargo

5322 Blue Mound Road

Fort Worth, TX 76106

Attention: Daisy or Amy

Acct: 4077

Bank officials request that checks or money orders be in the name of Johnny's sister, Jenny Bosley, who opened the account in care of Bryant.

Today someone felt the need to call me out and ask me what I believe. Do I believe in God? Do I believe I am going to be punished or sent to hell because of the things I have said and talked about?

I consider myself agnostic. I don't have a firm belief in anything. I don't pretend to. If God is out there, he is not petty. God would know I lived true to my feelings and thought about things carefully before I acted. God would know that I was a good person, and God would know the reasons behind the decisions I have made.

I have been thinking a lot about what I believe. My whole belief system was taken from me once I realized everything was one giant lie, and I was suddenly left with a feeling that I didn't know who I was without my belief system.

I don't believe for one split second that if there was a God, he/she would ever choose a man like Joseph Smith to be a prophet. If God were to pick a prophet, he would choose a man or woman who lived a good a moral life. Why would God choose someone that others would not believe? It makes no sense.

I don't believe that God would choose a man like Brigham Young to be a prophet. If you read the journal of discourses and see some of the things he said about women and African-Americans, you might understand my lack of respect for the man.

As a matter of fact, I don't believe in prophets at all. Sorry, I just have a hard time thinking that God picks people and speaks to them only. Anyone claiming they have the ability to speak with God and asks you for things should raise a red flag to others. I mean, who is to stop people from saying, "Hello there... I had this little meeting with God last night and he told me you all should give me money and listen to me. Do what I tell you or you will not be saved."

If someone were to come to you today, in modern society, and claim that he spoke with God the Father in a grove you would probably think the person was mentally ill.

I don't believe that God plays favorites. He would never give men a power and leave women in the shadows.

I don't believe God would have only certain people allowed into any of his houses of worship, including temples. If a temple is God's home, I am sure he would be more than happy to have any of his children in that house.

I don't believe weddings are a time for mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and acquaintances to be separated from each other.

I don't believe God would back up any religion that banned African-Americans from receiving the same benefits of other members. Blacks were not allowed to hold the priesthood until 1978.

I don't believe that God would ever tell men to take more than one wife, and women to take more than one husband. Lets not forget that Joseph Smith was sealed to women who were married to living men.

I don't believe that an 8 year old should have to choose whether or not to be baptized into a church. It's a decision that should be made by someone who has done their homework, someone who knows the whole story. Kids (like me) who were baptized into Mormonism didn't really make the decision because they felt it was the right thing to do. They were baptized because it's what was drilled into them since they were infants. What 8 year old tells their Mom and Dad that they don't want to be baptized? It doesn't happen.

I don't believe that a bishop or stake president has any kind of power over anyone else. Bishops and Stake Presidents are supposedly holy men who receive inspiration for callings and help from the spirit about other issues regarding church affairs. A bishop decides if you can go to the temple. That is a lot of power for one man. And again, why can't it be a woman?

I don't believe that any church that asks for a certain amount of money from it's believers is allowed to spend that money however they see fit. Any church asking for money should show exactly where that money is spent, and share it's financial records with those who have donated the money.

I don't believe that money or tithing matters to God. If God is up there, your good works should speak for you. You don't have to give money to your place of worship in order to help your fellow man, you don't have to give money to your place of worship in order to volunteer your time to help people.

I don't believe that you should have a yearly meeting with your bishop to prove you have paid a full tithe in order to keep your temple recommend. God isn't keeping count. C'mon.

I don't believe God would ask you to keep secrets. He wouldn't want super-secret ceremonies in order to get into the highest kingdom of heaven. He wouldn't want secret handshakes. He wouldn't want secret temple names. It's silly. God doesn't need that... it's God!

I don't believe God would ask you to lie. He wouldn't ask you to practice polygamy and keep it secret, especially to your own wife. He wouldn't want you to lie about anything. God is about love and honesty.

What do I believe?

That is a good one. I believe in being a good person, and an honest person. There are people out there who think I am full of hate, but they are wrong. The only thing I am full of is passion to share my experiences and opinions.

I would like to say one thing to a certain few people who continue to leave comments claiming I am a horrible person. In your opinion, this blog is "Anti-Mormon" (a word I have mentioned before that I don't agree with, but that is another post for another day) and you have been asked by the church to stay away from "Anti-Mormon" material.

Why are you here? Why are you reading? Why are you trying so desperately to prove me wrong? What brought you here in the first place?

Sometimes you find truth in the strangest of places.

A few months ago I was shown a couple of these videos at my old job. I laughed my ass off, and wanted to share them on my blog. You can find the entire list of episodes at homestarrunner.com

Recently, in Eldorado, Texas, a raid took place on a polygamist compound that belonged to an FLDS community. The Mormon Church always comes out of the woodwork to claim that they have nothing at all to do with these people or the way they live their lives, but in my humble opinion, the FLDS church practices exactly what Joseph Smith preached during his time.

The FLDS community simply believes that the mainstream Mormon church strayed from the true beliefs and teachings of their prophet.

As much as the Mormon Church claims they have nothing to do with this, they are wrong. If you looked back in time to most of the ancestors of people in the church, you would see exactly what is happening in the FLDS communities.

I don't like polygamy. I think it's hurtful. But when it comes down to it, grown adults should be able to live their lives like they want to. It crosses the line, however, when they force this lifestyle on their children. Lets put ourselves in the place of a child living in a polygamous compound for a moment...

If the child is female, she is taught by example that she should follow men and the priesthood without question. If she questions, she is punished. If the child is male, he runs the risk of being kicked out of his polygamous community because there needs to be more women than men. Some teenage boys are kicked out with nowhere to go, and no money in their pockets. These kids are called the Lost Boys.


Teenage girls are being married to men as old as 50 years old, and having babies almost immediately. I am sure they are all terrified and incredibly disgusted when they have to lay down with their new spiritual husband, and that is something no child should ever have to go through.

The law states clearly that having intercourse with a child underage is statutory rape. The people responsible for this should have to face the consequences. It's rape. Plain and simple.


Basically, it's wrong to force children to live like this. If you are a grown adult you get to make the decision on how to live your life. When you bring children into the world, things change. You have the obligation to raise those kids in a safe and supportive environment. Teaching your daughters to marry older men at 16 (even when they protest) and tossing out young men isn't being a good parent.

I know in my heart these people believe they are living according to the gospel. They are living the lives that Joseph Smith told them they should live.

My heart goes out to the 16 year old girl who had the courage to call the police in Texas and ask for help. She was courageous, brave, and smart. The authorities have mentioned over and over again that they have not located this girl. Where is she? Was she murdered for asking for help? Many people are asking that very question.

The whole thing is unfair to these kids. First they are raised in a place that teaches them how to live their life or risk their eternal salvation and personal safety, and then they are taken away by the bus load to a new place. Their homes are all they know. Some of them have never left the compound. They are probably terrified, not only about if they will see their families again, but also for their salvation because they are not living how the priesthood members tell them to live.


When I read about the police going into the FLDS temple, I was honestly surprised. I knew the police were looking for children that were possibly being hidden from those who were looking to protect them, but I didn't realize they would go into the temple. From what I read in the newspaper, the police did everything possible to maintain respect for the groups spiritual sanctuary. The police officer in charge even went as far as to hire a locksmith to try and unlock the doors so they wouldn't harm the property. There was a protest, but it never became violent.

What made me sick as I continued to read the newspaper, was the mention of three beds on the top floor of the temple. Many people are speculating that young girls would have sex with their new husbands in these beds, possibly while being watched. If this is true, my heart is broken for them.

There was also mention of cyanide documents. Would these people commit mass suicide rather than be separated?

Where are we now?

Well, almost 420 children are now in state custody. Most of them in foster homes or other forms of state care. Many of the mothers to these children have come forward recently saying that they fear for their children's safety. They mention that their kids have gotten sick and some have required hospitalization. It's sad that the kids are sick, don't get me wrong... but they could get sick anywhere. I sincerely doubt the state is responsible for that in any way. These children are probably scared out of their minds. The horrible way they were living will now never be the same, but that is all they knew. They are just kids.

What a freakin mess.

Here are a few of the many photos I took during my computer glitch. Hope ya like 'em.

Okay, so here is my first (real) update since the absence...

I started a new job recently, and I really like it. The people are fantastic, and aside from the usual politics and religion conversations that take place in the break room (constantly) I enjoy the people I work with.

The other day I walked into the break room to get into my locker and overheard two guys talking about how homosexuality is wrong, and how they refuse to do business with companies who advertise for the gay community. I am not gay, but I was extremely offended. I couldn't believe these two people were simply bashing a group of people they didn't even know! They don't even know anyone who is gay. It's so sad how closed minded people can be.

I didn't want to cause a total scene, so I bit my tongue (hard) and kept my mouth shut. Those who know me will understand how difficult that was.

Another conversation I overheard was about conservative politics, and how George Bush is simply a human making mistakes. Bill Clinton on the other hand was evil. I am not even stretching the truth there. They said evil.

Hmmm, lets get this straight. George Bush can send us to war in Iraq, and lying to the country and his supporters about why we were there, killing thousands of Americans and innocent people in Iraq, and Bill Clinton simply gets a BJ from his intern. Who is evil?

I don't think either one of them are evil.

People make mistakes. I get that. I just don't like liars.

Hello my Internet friends!

My computer is back to normal, and I have one thing to say... always, always get the extended warranty when you purchase your computer. Thank heavens I did that... I certainly wouldn't have the money to have fixed it on my own!

I really missed the blog, and I have a lot to catch everyone up on! Tons of stuff has been going on in my life, and I can't wait to get it all down in my little Internet diary. It's pretty late right now, so I am not sure if I will have the time today... but I am home early from work tomorrow and I have Monday and Tuesday off. I plan on spending those days super-glued to my computer chair!

Thanks to everyone who has checked up on the blog and sent me emails wishing me to hurry back. It makes me feel good to think there are people out there who like the blog and tell me that it helps them in any way.

Love you all... even those who hate me!

Sydney