* General information on US - Columbia Free Trade
* C-Span aired Cato discussion on the US - Columbia Free Trade Agreement, April 11, 2008.
* ARI - on Free Markets (my favorite quote from this page is taken from The Virtue of Selfishness by Ayn Rand, on “Man’s Rights”. There can’t be too much emphasis on the idea of mutual consent and cooperation in trade.)
* Free Trade in the Americas - FTAA
* for information on the American “super highway”
* What effect does this “super highway” have on Property Rights in the United States?
Finally a new update! 
This is going to include a variety of notes of interest.
A little late, but it’s time to check links to be sure all are current. For anyone else who is slightly behind “the times” like me, please check out this link from Prodos regarding server changes.
I like this new video Christopher posted on his YouTube testing a new camera. Bravo!
Greg (Zigory) posted a review about the film, Atonement. Recently I was finally able to rent the DVD as well. I thought it was beautifully done visually. I’m trying to decide how much of a sense of life the author intended and think likely I can only gain that perspective by reading the book by Ian McEwan. The way the screenplay was written gave a surprise ending. It’s a romantic tragedy and the title of the film is appropriate. I actually enjoyed it very much!
So life keeps me busy. Meet a recent visitor to my backyard here in Florida.
Yesterday was a perfect day for the Scottish Highland Games in Central Florida. We started out the day with heavy fog, chilly temperatures, and some mist. There were lots of games, dancing, BEER, and vendors galore! The food was good although I am very picky. Of course I did not try haggis… don’t bother to ask.
It was fun to watch some of the historic re-enactments. Below is an example of blacksmithing. (the fire extinquisher is modern and likely mandatory for insurance purposes.)
There were lessons on border collie training and sheepherding. The dogs were full of energy and adorable!
Sheaf tossing is another traditional game event at Highland Games. Someone set a new record, but I have yet to find the details.
The pipe bands were amazing to listen to, as always!
And of course the sun decided to pop out in time to sit on the grass in a mini-amphitheater. The below photo is of Rathkeltair. Click here, then go to Audio to hear some of their music. Impressive! I think my 2 favorites are King For A Day and Pretty Too was great live as well! 
Happy New Year! I have no resolutions for 2008. When I am resolved to do something, I usually just do it. I find it’s generally best when I think things through first though.
Yesterday I was working on a landscape painting which almost ended up in the trash - I was so frustrated. However, I painted over what I was unhappy with and will begin fresh later. Landscapes are not easy for me because I still have to work on perspective. So I have been doodling with tips from an old pencil book. And of course when I am in such a mood I tend to think of what I would rather be working on and that is faces. It’s fun to capture a face and imagine the story behind it.
landscape sketch - practicing perspective
sketch for a future painting - a face that is interesting
a portion of a painting from a couple of years ago - lesson from this… not to rush
I have been trying to come up with a favorite movie list for the Holidays and am falling extremely short. Below are the three that I could come up with for now. On the other hand, Greg (Zigory) has come with with a very good list, so I will link back to him!
1. The Holiday starring Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet. I liked the character Iris the most and absolutely love the line, “You’re supposed to be the leading lady of your own life, for God’s sake!” Of course we all know that, but the drama in which the realization smacks her in the face is brilliant! It’s a fun, light film - good for the home library or weekend rental.
2. Elf - and who does not love Buddy?!
3. A Christmas Story - the leg lamp is hilarious!
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Holidays!
First off, I want to wish the best of luck to my friend Martin on his quest to come back to the US! He truly is a Jeffersonian type American in Spirit!
Recently I had the pleasure of meeting fellow family historian and 4th cousin Barbara from New York. She is from a side of our family who anglicized the spelling of the last name one generation down from our common immigrant ancestors. My side, Mary/Maria, moved from New York to San Francisco with her infant son after the death of her husband Frances who served with the 55th NY Infantry Regiment (French Regiment) during the Civil War.
Barbara and I are combining our efforts to continue to research and track our common history, and with a little luck and a lot more work we will hopefully have a positive outcome. It was fascinating to meet each other (finally) in person and comparing common family traits, such as the taller women in the family have small hands and feet. Also Barbara’s eyes are almost identical to my Grandmother! Our personalities are similar and we hit it off as if we’ve always been around each other.
If anyone in the family is interested in more information pertaining to family history please call or send me an e-mail.
In other news today (said with all seriousness after clearing the throat and pretending to be a news anchor woman)…
I’ve been working on more digital scrapbooks/videos and had some technical issues to sort out. Also, my brother had a question about converting MPEG to record to DVD. I hope his issues were resolved as well.
Here are a couple of links that I have found useful -
* from Lifehacker - Top 10 converter list
* Windows Media - converting formats
Quote: “Every human being is the artificer of his own fate… Events, circumstances, etc., have their own origin in ourselves. They spring from seeds which we have sown.” -Henry David Thoreau
An interesting debate aired on C-Span between Dinesh D’Souza, Christopher Hitchens. It will air again on 11/23 or currently you can view it online here.
Hitchens presents a well thought out and consistent view about religion and mysticism. While I agree with much of what he says, I am still not clear whether his approach to atheism is from a materialist perspective.
Podcast Recommendation: Judge Andrew Napolitano (my FAVORITE Judge ever!) lectures at the Mises Institute about Civil Liberties during Wartime. I also recommend his book, “Constitutional Chaos - What Happens When the Government Breaks Its Own Laws“.
edit 12/20/2007
Useful links in regard to the writ of habeas corpus and Due Process:
*Judge Napolitano cites Ex parte Milligan - case decided during the Civil War
*refer to The Federalist Papers - see The Federalist #84 Hamilton
“The establishment of the writ of habeas corpus, the prohibition of ex post fact laws, and of Titles of Nobility, to which we have no corresponding provision in our Constitution, are perhaps greater securities to liberty and republicanism than any it contains.”
*U.S. Constitution Article 1, Section 9
“The Privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it.” - this right can only be suspended by an act of Congress.
*A good one - habeas corpus Review
Once again, I haven’t “gone” anywhere. We’ve had some family issues to deal with, including the death of Miss Nana kitty. 
She was only 6 years old, an indoor calico cat and somehow developed renal failure. As far as I know it had nothing to do with her cat food (pet food recall) as the food I buy is not on the lists. The vet did not have an explanation either. And we had another death in the family, so it’s not been an easy time.
Currently I am working on another painting. Hooray!!! …And may post a picture when I’m done.
Currently reading Fury by Salman Rushdie.
If you are interested in Constitutional law, Cato University Home Studies is offering an interesting course - here. Thanks Tony! ——- (I do not advocate the Libertarian Party)——-
(editing in) My friend Rick has recommended Kelly Osbourne’s video/song - “One Word“. I really like it! Thanks Chardo!
And last but certainly NOT least, Prodos has posted a link to an article about why the development of the film Atlas Shrugged has been postponed. I’m still not sold on casting Angelina Jolie as Dagny Taggart, but that’s just me.
I wanted to post something briefly here, as I haven’t gone anywhere… just been pretty busy. Below are pictures of the new annuals I planted last weekend. The summer is going so quickly I can’t even believe it! Hope it’s going well for everyone!
