MidnightBlue

• Updated Biz Cards [Flickr]
  

  TaniaGail posted a photo:

  

  
  
  
• Blissdom 2012 Prep for Bliss Pre Conference Package [Flickr]
  

  TaniaGail posted a photo:

  

  
  
  
• #Blissbox arrival! [Flickr]
  

  TaniaGail posted a photo:

  

  Buster blends really well with the futon fabric.

  
  
  
• Azalea Garden in Winter [Flickr]
  

  TaniaGail posted a photo:

  

  
  
  
• nikerunmap [Flickr]
  

  TaniaGail posted a photo:

  

  
  
  
• Season of Change
  
  
  Tomorrow, September 23 is my 3rd Blogaversary {yeah!} and to mark this auspicious occasion, I plan to close down this Blogspot blog and move to the sparkling new Wordpress platform.
  
  Sound dishy to my dear readers?
  
  MidnightBlue will continue on a newly designed Wordpress platform with lots of bells and whistles. I'm looking forward to creating many years of blogging goodness on this platform.
  
  From the beginning: September 23, 2006 - Change is Good!
  
  Looking to the future - please change your links or bookmarks to http://www.midnightbluesays.com
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Blog Redesign Update
  The redesigned MB is nearly complete - just some finishing touches to complete. I'm looking to officially open the blog on September 23 - my blogaversary.
  
  In the meantime, if you haven't done so already, please add the new blog to your feed and update your bookmarks or links to http://www.midnightbluesays.com
  
  
  
  
  
• Million American March on DC 9/12
  
  I just spent this lovely Sunday organizing and editing close to 500 photos from yesterday's historic march in DC. I am still inspired by the sheer joy expressed by the million marchers in DC.
  
  
  Can we say this is the Woodstock for conservatives? Absolutely. I'd even say if MLK were alive, he would be out marching to the Capitol with the people and give a rocking speech.
  
  
  Several impressions from the Rally:
  
  
  A million plus attendees is my estimate of the crowd size. Compare the official crowd estimator from the 2009 Inauguration (fig. 1) to the screen cap taken of the crowds (fig. 2) yesterday. I will say there were more patriots yesterday than fans at the January 20th inauguration. Metro police say 1.2 million and they would know a thing or two about crowd counts.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  I traveled to DC via a chartered bus from West Chester - I have to give kudos to Paula Stiles for taking the initiative to organize this bus trip. I must admit that it was good to be on the bus instead of being thrown under the bus. Our group arrived at Union Station and Dee and myself made our way to Freedom Square where we came upon a massive amount of people:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  For a moment or two, I didn't know where to start photographing. I got over that real quick and shot almost 500 photos on Saturday, not including video.
  
  
  Wading through the crowd, we found ourself swept away by the mass movement of people marching to the Capitol:
  
  
  
  
  99.9 percent of the signs were hand made and held proudly:
  
  
  
  The mood of the crowd was that of sheer delight, as many of the participants have never participated in a public rally. Yet here they were, in Washington DC, marching with a million fellow patriots to the front lawn of the Capitol Building. You could sense a carefree joy as the marchers realized they were making history and that they were not alone in their beliefs. Waves of rolling chants from the back of the line to the front energized the crowd and gave me goosebumps.
  
  
  Arriving at the lawn of the Capitol Building the crowd was densely packed yet extremely civil - I never heard so many "pardon me" as I wandered through the crowd snapping photos and videotaping. People were open, friendly and happy to pose for a photo or laugh at your jokes.
  
  
  
  
  I've covered many liberal protests over the years and can only say that the difference in deportment stems from what brings the groups together. Where the 9/12 Teaparty supporters gather around a mutual love of country, the leftists rallied around a common hatred - namely GWB and/or the United States. The difference is everything.
  
  
  Congressman Mike Pence spoke to the amassed crowd and gets the gold star with this comment:
  
  
  "There are some politicians who think of you people as astroturf. Un-American. I've got to be honest with you, after nine years of fighting runaway spending her on this hill, you people look like the cavalry to me."
  
  
  This was a watershed event, a powerful call to action that resonates with a rally held in DC on August 28, 1963. America started on the long road of change on that sultry August day, now 47 years later, America is renewed again.
  
  
  Oh yes, Sarah Palin was on the minds of the marchers:
  
  
  
  
  
  You can review my complete set of photos from the 9/12 March on Flickr.
  
  
  
  
  
• In Memoriam Jose Angel Martinez - 09/11/2001
  
  
  On 9/11/2009 it is my privilege to remember Jose Angel Martinez, 49 years old from Hauppage, NY, whose life was extinguished on 9/11/01 in the World Trade Center.
  
  
  His sister, Doris Martinez, recalled the innate kindness of her brother:
  
  
  Joe was my big brother (he still is). He was a very kind and gentle person. Education was very important to him. He loved music. He and I danced salsa together, and he taught me to play sports. When we were little, and he went to kindergarten, he learned English the hard way. So when it was my turn to go to school, he taught me English so I wouldn't be embarrassed. He did so much for me that we did not realize it till ... anyway, he knows now how much I appreciate everything he's done for me. He was my hero. I am proud to say he IS my big brother and a gift to all of us who knew him.
  
  
  It has been 8 years since that crisp fall day when 2,996 people were lost in a brutal act of violence. While we cannot bring them back, we can make sure their memory lives on in our hearts. The best way do just that is to spend the day living well. Hug your children, laugh with your friends, work productively, spend time on a project that you love, or plan your future, just take day and live your life with joy.
  
  Please take a moment today to remember Jose Angel Martinez - the world lost a gentle soul on that September day.
  
  

  Rest in Peace Jose Angel Martinez
  

  
  
  
  Time is too slow for those who wait,
  too swift for those who fear,
  too long for those who grieve,
  too short for those who rejoice,
  but for those who love, time is eternity.
  ~ H. Van Dyke
  
  More tributes can be found HERE
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Drunk Blogging Obamacare
  Via Vodka Pundit - Drunk blogging Obamacare Special
  
  Alcohol can bring such clarity.
  
  
  
  
  

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