September 24, 2008, McKinney, Texas, 10:33 a.m.~

Dear Journal~

Mark here.  Rat-Nose to most people.  Sorry for not writing, life has been busy for me.  Hope you understand.

Remember when I wrote about my grandpappy, my mom's father?  Well, it turned out he did die; he got worse while in the hospital, had a "Code: Blue"; they couldn't save him.  They tried for over an hour, but to their avail.  He was 78.

Ma and Pa went out to Iowa to be with grandma while I stayed at home.  I guess I did a pretty good job of taking care of things because the house is still intact, still standing! LOL  It was great to be by myself, without the parental units gettin' in my hair, even if only for a few days.  I didn't go because I don't do funerals; just the sight of dead bodies makes me nauseaous, especially if they happen to be people I know.

I've since recovered from my mishap at the Freedom Festival, when the firework shell hit me in the side.  I will just have to remember not to get so close next time!  :P  Only me, Rat-Nose, would have something so bizarre happen to him; call it dumb luck! LOL

School is back in session, but on Friday we're going to the Texas State Fair.  It starts up again; it goes on for something like two/three weeks, with big-name entertainment (Big&Rich, Loretta Lynn, Faith Hill, Usher, Linkin Park, Josh Groban, Alan Jackson, Martina McBride, and Alicia Keys are some of the big name acts scheduled to appear), thrilling midway rides, food out the wazoo, and displays on top of displays.

 We go every year, but this time I'm going with the school; it will be an all day affair (school folks payin' for it; only money we bring is stuff for lunch or spending on games, souvenirs, and s***). I'm really lookin' forward to it.

I have had homework just about every night.  I swear those stupid teachers dream at night at how to torture us kids, pile on homework so we don't get to do anything!  I hate most of my classes; about the only class I like is art.  I also like music, but the choir director is a numnutz; stupid guy is tone deaf, which is the worst thing that can ever happen to a chioir!

How'd they ever hire a dude like Mr. Platz is beyond my comprehension!  Kaitlyn Maher could sing circles around him (and she's only FOUR years old!!  LOLOL)!

Family is doing well, but ma is sad.  She has good reason to be:  she just lost her daddy a little over a month ago; the wounds of grief are still fresh.  It is going to take her a while to get over it, as it really knocked the stuffin' outta her!  I feel bad for her; I have been trying to behave, so as to make things easier for her.

Daddy is still working, gripin' about the price of everything, about the choices for President.  He hates Obama with a purple passion; I'd rather have him in office because John McCain doesn't seem to have any answers as to handle the hot issues while Obama at least has some grip on what's going on!

I don't know why people are so upset about a guy like Obama:  he wants to help turn this nation around; he seems to have some pretty clear cut ideas, and he seems to know his way around the issues at hand.  I see nothing wrong with that!

If I were old enough to vote, I'd vote for Barack Obama.  I still say daddy's stupid for voting Republican, but to him, I'm only a kid, so I should just keep my mouth shut and go about my business.

Typical fatherly reaction.  Makes me butt mad; when can I speak MY mind?? I'm not THAT young; I'm old enough to know what's going on in the world today!!

Well, I am going to get ready to go to my next class, which is Spanish Immersion.  Whee!!  (Still don't understand why we have to learn Spanish when we're living here in AMERICA!!  Teach those bozos ENGLISH instead of having US learn THEIR language!!  Talk about idiotic!!)  Take care and God bless!

~Rat-Nose. :)