Forever Young

this week is Banned Book Week! It's always interesting to see the list of books that people have challenged for offending them in one way or another. There are some pretty good books on that list! Many classics. It's a good thing that most libraries take freedom of speech and press pretty seriously, so although people challenge the books, they don't get banned.

On a side note, I just noticed that the book mentioned in the name game on the last post, Captain Underpants, was one of the most frequently challenged books of 2004. Now, I've not read any of the series, but now I'm curious to see just how offensive they are. Looks like they're all about boogers and poo. Kids love boogers and poo, but is it offensive?

Sorry if I was a little overly dramatic on the last post. I was a tad upset from watching and reading the news. How about something fun to perk this blog up? I'm sure some of you have seen this e-mail circulating. It's just a fun little thing where you build a goofy name according to the instructions. As the title of this posts suggests, I'm Crusty Bubblebrain. Play Along and comment with your new name! Come on, it'll be a blast! Take it from Ol' Crusty.

The following in an excerpt from a children's book, "Captain Underpants And
the Perilous Plot of Professor Poopypants" by Dave Pilkey. The evil
Professor forces everyone to assume new names......
Use the third letter of your first name to determine your new first
name:

a = poopsie b = lumpy c = buttercup
d = gadget e = crusty f = greasy
g = fluffy h = cheeseball i = chim-chim
j = stinky k = flunky l = bootie
m = pinky n = zippy o = goober
p = doofus q = slimy r = loopy
s = snotty t = tootie u = dorkey
v = squeezit w = oprah x = skipper
y = dinky z = zsa-zsa

Use the second letter of your last name to determine the first half of
your new last name:
a = apple b = toilet c = giggle
d = burger e = girdle f = barf
g = lizard h = waffle i = cootie
j = monkey k = potty l = liver
m = banana n = rhino o = bubble
p = hamster q = toad r = gizzard
s = pizza t = gerbil u = chicken
v = pickle w = chuckle x = tofu
y = gorilla z = stinker

Use the fourth letter of your last name to determine the second half of
your new last name:

a = head b = mouth c = face
d = nose e = tush f = breath
g = pants h = shorts i = lips
j = honker k = butt l = brain
m = tushie n = biscuits o = hiney
p = chunks q = toes r = buns
s = fanny t = sniffer u = sprinkles
v = kisser w = squirt x = humperdink
y = brains z = juice

You've all seen the pictures, heard the stories, read the reports. I don't have to explain the extremely horrific situation our gulf coast is struggling with. People who had so little before, left with absolutely nothing. Not to mention the loss of life and the health hazards.

First of all, if you have the means, there is a good list of organizations taking donations here. And yeah, the gas prices have gotten ridiculous. But, however much headache and sacrificing of luxury items that hike causes you, it is tiny compared to the loss so many thousands have suffered in New Orleans & Mississippi.

The Oxygen network has set up a website where you can help out with minimal sacrafice. All you have to do is register, and Oxygen will donate $1 to hurricane relief. It's not much, but pass it on to everyone you know. You can choose not to get the e-mail updates, and even make up an e-mail address if it's that big a deal. Go here to register, then spread the word. Sometimes marketing gimmicks are a good thing.

A couple more links. Here are some of the most powerful photos I've seen of the disaster. And I thought this was a good article on the whole thing...what we're losing, who's effected, and questions about what wasn't done.

I love you all!

steph