Acclimation tempered. Exuberance curbed.

Wide-eyed wonder tossed into eye-gouging bewilderment while searching for something greater, just as a nomadic journeyman grasps at elusive dreams.

No settlements, no tenements, only desire and belief pressing him onward ashe clasps the hand of the one he loves.

Well, this happens to me a lot. My old email address continues to receive messages that have nothing to do with me, and at times are quite humorous. At some point, I’ll attempt to post some of these emails (with sensitive information blocked out, of course), on my site.

Here are some things that I’ve learned from these emails that accidentally get sent to me. Enjoy!

• I was once mistaken for the shoe designer Courtney Crawford. A couple of years ago, I received an email from a lady who was inviting guests to a large fashion gathering in Rome. The email she sent me had a type-written document attached inviting me to a 2 or 3 day event and gala dinner as an honored guest.
• Apparently I also own a Honda from Fairfax Honda. I used to regularly receive email reminders that I should come to have my car worked on.
• I once received an email from the press office of the Irish Ministry of the Environment with details of the various Irish delegation who would be attending an upcoming climate change conference in Bali, Indonesia
• I also used to regularly receive updates from a realtor in the London, England area showing me homes for sale
• I continue to receive cheery & corny e-Cards from some lady named Pam (clearly she thinks I’m someone else)
• Received an email from Germany from the Head of Application Development of IDG Germany
  

Who are you?

Days spent in the scorching sun, quickly come to a close as your mother brushes
her hand over your face, calmly answering your questions about your daddy
and his whereabouts

Tourists come and go just as the seasons

Your family remains your stronghold every day; even your younger brother
in his orneriest days is your little man, your hero

Life for you is about survival, and others haven’t a clue about where you’ve been
or what you’ve seen as you move from place to place hoping that your mother’s meager
earnings will yield a satisfying meal for the family

Just as the sun arises over the rocky mountain tops and you greet a new day in the
desert,

A man thousands of miles away remembers your face,typing away wishing he remembered your name

He dares to describe one brief moment of life in your shoes

Standing, looking at an evening sky broad and vast,
Clouds covering the canvas
Like freshly cooked scrambled eggs

The moon was almost full of life
Shining as bright as
It possibly could as it
Peered through the clouds
Waiting for its chance at fame

She was close to me, and as
Always, in my thoughts

My mind raced as I stood there
Trying to comprehend it all
Taking another drag

Quickly, I figured it out
And the magic answer is:
I really don’t have a clue

I’m going to enjoy it and savor it
While it lasts

Gratefully, I stretch my arm to the heavens

That description is the tip of the iceberg for this film. I’ve seen numerous films about India, and all of them were awe-inspiring in their own right. Salaam, Bombay! a 1988 film by Mira Nair, is one of the earlier films that depicted everyday life for millions of children in the Mumbai slums. It provided a brutal and honest look at the children who live day in and day out, eking out a living at the behest of controlling adults.

That movie depicted the painful life of addictions such as heroin. Salaam, Bombay highlighted the collective nature of Indian society. The children in the film were rejects, Dalits, untouchables. But they banded together to draw on their communal strength in order to survive. Much of the same can be said for Slumdog Millionaire.

I’ll admit, at first I was a bit skeptical about this film. I figured, okay, here’s a Westerner, albeit a very accomplished filmmaker, Danny Boyle, coming to India to shoot a film. To my surprise, he was remarkably on target and respected the genre of Indian film, successfully capturing the sporadic and spontaneous moments of everyday Indian life.

My prescient fiancee mentioned to me that perhaps an outsider, such as Boyle, is the perfect person to shoot such a film because he can correctly call things as he sees them, free of the constraints of Indian society.

Danny Boyle’s filmmaking has really evolved over the years. As a director, he is probably most well-known for his film Trainspotting, a 1996 film which explored the depths and tragedy of drug use. Then in 2004 he directed the hit called Millions a film about two British boys who find a very large sum of money and spend the rest of the film figuring out what to do with it.

Slumdog Millionaire is a groundbreaking film that takes Boyle’s filmmaking to new heights. Boyle certainly seems to understand the nature of the Indian filmmaking industry, affectionately known as Bollywood. According to Wikipedia, Bollywood movie sales topped 1.3 billion USD in 2002. Like Hollywood to the U.S., Bollywood is equally as important to the national psyche of India.

Slumdog Millionaire is true to form as a film about India. However, Boyle’s film seems to have one distinct advantage over many Indian films–incredible cinematography. Slumdog is very stylized, and could be described as a “Hollywood” version of an Indian film. The camera shots are slick, fast, and riveting. Additionally, the incredible soundtrack features M.I.A.’s song Paper Planes, a 2008 Song of the Year Grammy Nominee. Paper Planes was also recently featured in the movie Pineapple Express.

One of the things I appreciate most about Slumdog is Boyle’s unwavering commitment to reality. Reality dictates that there are millions of poor children that live in Mumbai slums, scraping by and trying to survive. Boyle exposes the dark underbelly of this sort of lifestyle and some of its root causes. Many of these “slumdogs” are forced to beg every single day and take their earnings directly to their masters. These kids are barely given enough to live on and are essentially being abused by their overseers. Some of these children turn around and commit injustices against others, thus perpetuating the terrible cycle.

This film follows a boy named Jamal and his two childhood friends, Latika and Salim. The film shows their painful childhood and follows them to their young adult years. From birth, these children are born into a disadvantaged population. They are poor Muslims in a land of predominantly Hindu people.

These children are orphans, destitute and lost without relatives or caretakers. These Three Musketeers form a bond of friendship, and it is the only thing that keeps them going. Despite the abuse and pain, they have each other.

Our man Jamal works a job as a chaiwala (one who serves chai (tea)), to call center employees. It’s a low status position, but he soon gains respect from those around him. Jamal is like a sponge, soaking in his surroundings and learning all he can about life.

He ends up landing a spot on the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. This captures a nation. India, the land of contrasts–the haves and the have-nots: Muslim, Christian, Jew, Jain, Hindu and many others. All of them watch proudly each night as their hero, Jamal presses forward answering a series of questions in order to earn an unprecedented 20 million Rupees (roughly $500,000 USD).

The kicker is, each question is somehow tied to Jamal’s life. What transpires from this point forward is mesmerizing. We’re allowed an insider’s view of the pain, sorrow and triumph of Jamal’s life. His destiny calls him forward, as his true love Latika remains at the center of his life.

P.S. As you can see from the picture above, I’ve had the privilege to meet one of these kids, one of the millions like her and like the children from this movie. This little girl’s name is Mona. I met her at a train station in Shiliguri, West Bengal, India earlier this year. I wrote about my experiences here.

DC Prep is a school that effectively educates young people. I’m a firm believer in the individualized approach to teaching that happens at charter schools. Charter schools, oftentimes are potent alternatives to traditional public schools.

I want to be able to contribute to the success of DC Prep. As someone who is taking a serious look at making teaching my career, having the opportunity to substitute teach at DC Prep would provide me with a strong glimpse of the education field. My five plus years of professional experience, including several months of substitute teaching in Oklahoma, have prepared me to meet this challenge.

By Cameron D. Crawford, American Red Cross

Friday, November 07, 2008 — On October 2, the first round of winners for the Red Cross Racing program were chosen. Four committed blood donors were selected at random and will join the Red Cross as VIPs at the Phoenix International Raceway on November 9.

The need for blood is ongoing and the Red Cross relies on dedicated individuals across the U.S. to help ensure a safe and plentiful blood supply. This year the Red Cross also provides individuals an opportunity to be rewarded for their participation in Red Cross Racing.

Red Cross Racing officially launched in April, with a donor rewards program that encourages eligible people to donate blood regularly. As part of Red Cross Racing, the Red Cross launched a new Web site, redcrossracing.com, where race fans can sign up and then accrue points by participating in blood donation-related activities. Registrants can exchange their points for Red Cross Racing gear. This donor rewards program also has a team element that encourages people to recruit teams of donors to participate in a “race” to win both team and individual prizes.

Since the launch, more than 28,000 people have joined Red Cross Racing, resulting in nearly 22,500 blood donations. Registrants have the chance to accrue points and exchange them for NASCAR-themed prizes such as caps, tee shirts and limited edition die-cast cars.Fans can join the program one of two ways, either at the track, or by visiting redcrossracing.com. Once registered, individuals are automatically entered for a chance to win an all-expense-paid trip for two to an upcoming race. The prize package includes airfare, hotel, two race tickets and pit and garage tours.

The next round of grand prize winners will be drawn on January 16, 2009.

The four lucky grand prize winners of the first round of prizes are:

• General Sweepstakes: Robby Ouellette, Manchester, NH 
  “I was on the phone with my daughter when I received the email that I had won,”said Robby. “I told her ‘it can’t be that… it must be another prize I’ve won.” I was shocked, but I’m so excited! All of a sudden, everyone became my buddy.” Ouellette appears on local television for the high school football games in his hometown and mentions Red Cross Racing to his audience whenever he has the chance. “I bring it up all the time. People do win these prizes. I’m living proof. I’m going to a race this week!
• Blood Donor Drawing: Shonda Worthington, Nashville, TN 
  “I got an email that said I had won. I was thinking ‘what did I win?” said Shonda.” I traced it back to the day I had donated at Kroger. It was statistically almost impossible. I just saw that guy flipping the sign asking for blood donors and I had some extra time, so I went in and donated.”

• Team Owner Drawing: Bob Redmond, Flippin, AR
  He will bring his brother-in-law with him to the race.” He knows a lot more about NASCAR than I do and he’s a bigger fan,” Bob said. “But I’m going to become one. This is a good way to get my feet wet!”

• Platelet Donor Drawing: Walter Paulson, Draper, VA
  “I’ve been a NASCAR fan for years but have never been able to go to a race. My wife and I are looking forward to this. In fact, we sit down on Sunday afternoons with my father-in-law and watch the races each week.” Martin is thrilled that he’ll have the opportunity to meet Greg Biffle, driver of Roush Fenway Racing’s No. 16 Ford Fusion. 

Learn more at http://www.redcrossracing.com/

About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation’s blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The American Red Cross is a charity, not a government agency, and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.

I am the eldest son, brother, nephew, cousin, and uncle to my family back home. I owe them my all as those I cherish the most on this earth. Although they can all vote, I have a responsibility to vote for them as well as myself.

I am an American citizen. I was born here. My parents were born here. My grandparents were born here and their parents as well. I bleed red, white, and blue. This nation has given me so much even in the worst of times. I owe it to my fellow Americans as brothers and sisters to vote not only for me, but for them.

As dramatic as that sounds, that is why I vote and in that order. No smoke or fancy words.

My considerations:

No matter what anyone says, everyone has issues that were/are more important to them than others. That’s an undeniable fact. That’s part of being unique individuals. Our passions are going to be different and the political process is one arena that will always bear that out. Because of that, I can no more expect people to vote one way or another than I do. That has to be understood up front and I think people forget.

• I believe that my vote is bigger than one issue
• I believe that my vote is bigger than the race of the candidates
• I believe my vote should transcend political parties
• Voting for a particular candidate is not a blanket endorsement of everything they say or believe, no more than having a friend say things you know they ought not to is a blanket endorsement of what they say merely by association.
• I believe my allegiance ultimately is to the Office of the President of the United States, not the person in the chair. And that person in the chair is as flawed as I am.

My God is Sovereign, and He is Sovereign absolutely. (Colossians 1:16-17 is one place that reminds me of this) Everyone purporting “doom and gloom” because of Obama or “the same old REP crap with no end” for McCain do a disservice to the fact that God is always and has always been in control. He has us in His hands and His will shall be done. (I think Romans 8:28 also applies here)

Specific to this election:

I know as a matter of fact that both dominant candidates did not completely embody my views on every issue that is important to me, be it my faith, conscience, or common sense issues. I firmly believe that our nation can both gain something and lose something regardless of who took office.

I was not supremely impressed with either candidate’s campaigns and thought that both did not do a good enough job of laying out detailed steps that were concrete and could not be misinterpreted as to how to solve the major issues they were addressing.

I believe that the division among believers and in the Church that is magnified via the political process is saddening and hurts my heart. It is distracting from our purpose as believers and is yet another way Satan comes against us. I believe my Pastor says it best when he quotes this phrase: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials, liberty, and in all things charity.”

That being said, I voted for Barack Obama. He has shown me that he has the ability to lead (or govern if you will) this nation; which matters because not everyone in this nation bases their vote on Christ or even on relevant issues. He inspires others to come out of their holes and have a voice. He did a better job of telling us exactly what he is going to do, and has been very consistent as to what he supported and what he did not, which I can respect, even if I disagree. The same goes for McCain and he would have been a great choice too, but as I said, Obama did more so than he. Ultimately, I believe in the might of God the Father to exact His will, the saving grace of Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit to pierce the heart of man. We as believers need to fervently attack the issues that we believe are wrong no matter who is in office and be unanimous in our support of each other and this nation as a whole.

Preston Coleman is a Systems Specialist in the Development & Alumni Relations at The George Washington University. He is also a Graduate Student in Forensic Science.

This election does not present Americans with a straight-up choice between conservatism and liberalism.wwwhave effective majorities in both houses of Congress. Thus the choice we face is, in most respects, between a liberalism that is checked and one that is not.

We have reached this point because of the unpopularity of President Bush, the parlous state of the economy, and the enduring weakness of Republican positions on domestic policy. Senator McCain has done little to overcome these obstacles to his presidential hopes, and as a result he trails in the polls. His opponent, Barack Obama, is a talented young politician who has shown both discipline and savvy in beating Hillary Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Given the initial odds against him, it is not quite right to say that he is untested. Yet his accomplishments, beyond propelling himself to the top of American politics, are few. His views place him on the left edge of liberalism. The press has ruled that discussion of his extensive association with radicals is outside the bounds of polite society, although his history surely demonstrates at the very least that he has followed a policy of having no enemies to the left — and indicates that he probably shared more of their views than he now lets on. The platform on which Obama is running is troubling enough. He advocates higher tax rates than any Democratic presidential candidate of the past 20 years has called for.

He favors a health-care plan that would move millions of Americans from the private plans they prefer to a government system — and, in the long run, would reduce the quality and raise the cost of health care. He is more hostile to trade liberalization than any presidential nominee of either party within the last 70 years. He supports taxpayer funding of abortion. He seeks judges who “empathize” with liberal causes rather than feel themselves bound by the text of the Constitution. And with a stronger liberal base in Congress than any Democratic president has had in at least 40 years, he would have a good chance to get much of this domestic agenda accomplished.

His chief foreign-policy commitments have been to meet with America’s enemies — one could be forgiven for wondering whether he even thinks in terms of America’s having enemies — and to abandon Iraq. If he had prevailed on Iraq over the last three years, we would have lost a war that we now appear to be winning. Luckily for the United States and Iraq, Senator McCain prevailed instead.

He advocated the troop increase and strategic shift now known as the surge, first when other Republicans were denying the need for any change and then when they were rushing to quit the war. When President Bush came around on the need for the surge, McCain overlooked their past differences and became the policy’s most effective advocate. If we win in Iraq, McCain will deserve a good deal of the credit. McCain has a solid record of opposing economically damaging tax increases. He has always opposed abortion.

He has advanced a creative free-market health-care policy, even if he has not done much to defend it against Obama’s dishonest attacks. He is a scourge of wasteful spending and a resolute free trader. He says that he will look for judges who have demonstrated their fidelity to the Constitution as written. We have our differences with McCain, as do most conservatives, on such issues as immigration and stem cells.

On each of these issues, however, Obama is at least as mistaken. We have no doubt that if McCain is president we will find much to criticize. But we will be confident that we have the right commander-in-chief and that liberals do not have a free hand to remake our country. In this election we support Senator McCain and urge all conservatives to do so as well.

National Review Online – http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=N2Q5YjJkNjVmZjc3NmI3MGQ0MzUzNTg1M2RiMzYxOTM=