The Musings of Crystal

what is it with people

2008-09-12T19:55:29Z

My assignment for the day was to cover a story at a local school, in the town just over from me, where they give prizes away to students that turn in the 'School Lunch Program' form in time. There were 3 different times that I would have to be there..one time for Elem. another for Middle School & the yet another time for HS - ok first one at 8:20,then next at 11:30 and the last one at noon.
The morning started with making sure that I had my kids to school by 8 and then I headed out to get the story. I arrive just as they are starting the 8:20 MS program - everything was fairly organized and went smoothly. One teacher was writing all the names and on put the students in order for the pic - the only thiing that would have made it better would have been having all the winners stick around for pics.

I then head over to the local library to surf the web on something other than dial up!
I also re-checked out Bob Avey's 2 books (I am going to start working on a Book Review for him!) I also checked out a book on Thomas Jefferson and one about Mysterious Oklahoma.

Sure enough the time comes to head back to the schools to get the last couple of awards covered. I am not sure why but I expected things to be different in school, I mean I have been out for 16 years and I suppose that I did not expect to see a HS girl walking across the cafeteria bawling her eyes out because all her "friends hate her" and I also noticed that the kids are less apt to listen to the teachers. Some students sat by themselves and ate lunch, most did not bother to close their mouths to chew - not just students, but staff as well. There was no problem picking out all the clicks - in school I was never one to just fit into one of those, while I had friends that were from different ones, well they just did not suit me - I am a REBEL at heart!
The longer I was there the more disorganized it became and the last event that was suppose to start at noon, well that did not happen until closer to 12:30 by then most of the students had left and went on about their day. This is the second time that I have gone over to covered something for them and it turn into a hassle!
I also was shocked by all the teachers saying "why would the paper want to cover this?" - I say "Why NOT!!!"
ONW is a very friendly, upbeat Newspaper, we would much rather print something that means something to the people in our community instead of Doom & Gloom all the time - we shall let the Drive-By's do all that - maybe that is what they are wanting to read - who knows!
Lastly - I will say that the prizes they were great they gave away were really NICE..2 tv's (14 inch), a couple of mp3 players, an i-pod, a PSP, tons of kick balls, loaded pencil bags and several GC to Wal-Mart and the local pizza place.

All in all it did not turn out to bad - I was able to leave my website design card with the Superintendent of the Schools, and also picked up a few other leads for upcoming stories.
Now I am off to write up the story for the paper.

Important for all Childern

2008-05-14T15:42:11Z

This goes out to all my friends - I know that if you do not live in the State of Oklahoma it will probably not do you much good to call our speaker, but I would like to see every State get behind this!

Being the parent of an Autistic Child I will let you know that insurance companies DO NOT PAY for ANY procedure, test, or exam if it even hints at being for Autism - it comes out of our pockets - this is on top of the monthly premium we pay to have this insurance that is suppose to cover us. That doesn't that makes a lot of sense - does it?!?!?!?!
This is something that is effecting so many people on so many different levels and it is time that the Insurance Companies stop hiding behind 'Red Tape' and a word! They need to start taking action to get American kids the benefits and coverage that they need.

I am simply asking all Oklahoman's call and let the Speaker know that this is an important issue that needs a YES VOTE TODAY - trust me it is long overdo.
For those of you who live in other States, I ask that you call your Speaker and let them know how important it is for ALL Autistic Children to be covered!
If you would not mind please cross post/link on your own journals - this is something that is to IMPORTANT not to, many thanks in Advance!

Thank you everyone for your time.
Crystal Simmons
(918)809-5340
Publisher's Assistant & Freelance Reporter
Crystal@onweekly.com

************This is a press release from Autism Votes***************

Autism Votes... It's time for lawmakers to listen.

Dear Oklahoma Autism Advocate,
CHECK OUT THE TULSA WORLD NEWSPAPER TODAY!! Autism Speaks has sponsored a full page, full color ad asking citizens to call Speaker of the House Chris Benge to let Nick's Law go to the floor for a vote. Want a sneak peek? http://www.autismvotes.org/atf/cf/%7B2A179B73-96E2-44C3-8816-1B1C0BE5334B%7D/OK%20ad.pdf

We heard that Speaker Benge received hundreds of phone calls in the last couple of days.

Just hundreds...really? You guys can do better than that!

I wouldn't want hundreds of calls in just a few days, but this is your Speaker of the House and he is holding you and your family up from getting what you need for your kids! Hundreds of calls a day are drops in the bucket for his office! Don't get discouraged if you get a busy signal or if the phone rings and rings. You can send emails and faxes while you are dialing!

Florida passed their law at the very last second after generating thousands and thousands of calls!

So let's go! Light up those phones! We need to get this done TODAY!

How Can You Help?

1. CALL Speaker Benge's office! CALL BOTH OF HIS OFFICES! CALL! CALL! CALL! Let the Speaker know how much Nick's Law is needed by families in Oklahoma. Urge the Speaker to bring Nick's Law up for an immediate vote in the House.

Call Speaker Benge at (405) 557-7340 AND at his district office (918) 446-1036!

2. CALL your own member of the Oklahoma House! Find out who represents YOU and their phone number by going to Autism Votes.

3. Follow up your calls by SENDING AN EMAIL to Speaker Benge and YOUR OWN House Representative with the same message: Schedule a House Vote

4. Forward this email to everyone you know!! Tell them to CALL the Speaker and send Emails TODAY!!! Everyone knows at least 100 people. Our challenge to you is to send it to 20 people who you know will ACT on your behalf and FORWARD this message as well!

REMEMBER – the goal is to generate THOUSANDS of calls!

Help get Oklahoma's kids with autism the health care coverage they need and deserve. Sign up now at www.autismvotes.org/oklahoma for breaking news and action alerts in Oklahoma.

Thank you!

Shelley Hendrix
Director of State Advocacy Relations
Autism Speaks

Good Day

2008-05-13T14:32:25Z

*************In case you have stumbled across this LJ page***************

I am really busy right now with other aspects of my life that weill begin to tapper off beginning the end of May.
This LJ page is a project for me to start working on my writing, I went to a great FREE workshop last night that gave me a new perspective on why I should write. It has always been in my blood to do this and now with this oppertunity in front of me I would be stupid to pass it up.

I will probably not really get around to writing until June - I hope that you can wait - all my post will be Public, they will all be tagged for search purposes and I will accept all comments good or bad. We are not all the same and we shall disagree at some point, so be prepared.

Have a great day!