Monday, December 12, 2011
The Death of Bin Laden
According to the New York Times, there has been a possible turning point to the war in Afghanistan. After a whole decade of fighting in the war throughout the Middle-East, and Afghanistan, U.S troops have finally found Usama Bin Laden hidden in a city in Pakistan meant for hiding people. During an era of terrorism (which includes all the attacks before, and including 9/11 in New York and Washington), Bin Laden was one of the most wanted men in the history of the world as he was the leader of both Al Queda, and basically all of the terrorist attacks within the last two decades. According to Barach Obama, “justice has been done” (New York Times). He also stated that Bin Laden has been “Al Quada’s leader and symbol” (New York Times). This was a time of serious triumph in the U.S as many people throughout D.C. and New York City have waved the American flag, and sang the Star Spangled Banner many times. However, the impact that Bin Laden’s death has on Al Quada is currently unknown. For that reason, a senior Pentagon official decided to warn American citizens of any travel outside the U.S. At the same time, it was very important that Obama had plenty of troops in the Pakistan area to ensure safety from any possible attack. One thing that I really hope is for no more tragedies caused by terrorists to occur especially because Bin Laden is deceased.This was very exciting news and I hope that it stays this way
Fatal Worcester Fire
http://www.boston.com/Boston/metrodesk/2011/12/worcester-firefighter-killed-apartment-building-collapse-second-recovering/odg25gQJjWhhaT1Sap4FRI/index.html?camp=obinsite
On December 8, a firefighter named Jon D. Davies, was killed in Worcester when he was going into a burning house to try and find someone who was trapped inside. The building collapsed before he was able to make it out. But the part of this story that upset me most was that he went into this fire to save a life and not only lost his own, but there was no one else found inside the house. It's hard to see someone die for there job but its even harder to see someone die on false pretenses. Another aspect of the story that's even more troubling to me is that the owner of this house had, "refused to fix code violations, including structural defects in the building’s foundation and the repeated failure to permanently solve a rodent problem." Also, Davies was also scheduled to get married on New Years Eve and has three sons, two of which currently serve in the military. My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Davies who died at 43 years old. I had no connection to this particular family, but I couldn't help but sympathize with their tragic loss and think their must have been someway to have avoided this from happening? It's terrible to think that this man may have lost his life for no reason. I hope that Jon D. Davies is remembered for his bravery and courage.
Casey D'Eon
On December 8, a firefighter named Jon D. Davies, was killed in Worcester when he was going into a burning house to try and find someone who was trapped inside. The building collapsed before he was able to make it out. But the part of this story that upset me most was that he went into this fire to save a life and not only lost his own, but there was no one else found inside the house. It's hard to see someone die for there job but its even harder to see someone die on false pretenses. Another aspect of the story that's even more troubling to me is that the owner of this house had, "refused to fix code violations, including structural defects in the building’s foundation and the repeated failure to permanently solve a rodent problem." Also, Davies was also scheduled to get married on New Years Eve and has three sons, two of which currently serve in the military. My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Davies who died at 43 years old. I had no connection to this particular family, but I couldn't help but sympathize with their tragic loss and think their must have been someway to have avoided this from happening? It's terrible to think that this man may have lost his life for no reason. I hope that Jon D. Davies is remembered for his bravery and courage.
Casey D'Eon
Developing artificial intelligence systems that can interpret images
This article was a very interesting read. The article profiles Antonio Torralba and his work into the field of artificial intelligence. Recently, Mr. Torralba developed systems that allowed artificial intelligence to recognize individual objects within a scene based on the context of those objects. For example, this new technology would allow artificial intelligence to recognize things like magazines on top of a coffee table or a toaster on a countertop. I believe this new technology will benefit us both in the short term and in the long term. In the short term, this technology could allow for more searchability of images on the Internet or other databases. The technology would recognize individual objects in the scene and then proceed to tag the image according to the bigger picture of the scene. For instance if you needed to find a picture of a cat juggling in front of a house with white shutters, you could simply type into a search engine using this technology “cat juggling house white shutters” and the results are far more likely to be accurate than without this technology.
On the other hand, another benefit of this new technology could be in robotic applications. Being able to recognize objects in the room could allow for robots to have more situational awareness. The robot would be able to use this technology to recognize where in a house it is or to locate a specific object in a room and use it to complete a task.
Whatever the purpose, this new technology is sure to impact us as any other new technology does; slowly and behind the scenes. It’s these emerging behind the scenes technology however that drives the digital revolution that we find ourselves in the middle of.
Eric Weiss
Kevin Lunsmann, U.S. Teen Kidnapped By Filipino Militants, Free After Five Months
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/10/kevin-lunsmann-free_n_1140685.html
Reports from yesterday, December 11, 2011 tell of a 14 year old boy by the name of Kevin Lunsmann, a resident of the united states, who escaped the jungles of the Philippines and the holding of a Filipino terrorist organization. The boy claims that he had escaped his captors by telling them that he was going to take a bath in a near by stream, and that is when he made a break for it. He states the he survived the harsh conditions of the forest by climbing trees for coconuts and on candy bars he had stolen from his captors. The boy was kidnapped while on vacation to the Philippines with his mother and his cousin. The while group had been captured, and the mother was released after two months and the boy's cousin had escaped last month when Filipino army forces approached the encampment. There have been many accounts however on the teen's escape. The military forces originally had told the media that the boy was released. Then they claimed that the boy was rescued after a gun fight with the terrorists. But finally, people were able to get the story directly from Kevin. The United States ambassador Harry Thomas has said that the boy will be reunited with his family. Thomas also states, "In this holiday season nothing makes me happier than knowing that an innocent victim is returned to his family in time for holiday celebrations. I also want to acknowledge the courage of Kevin himself, and his family, throughout this long ordeal." This whole situation only shows that there is always hope when times are darkest. Kevin is the portrayal of a living hope that one can survive under the harshest elements. He used his quick wit and was able to gain the trust of his captors and used that to his advantage. He is a shining example of the human intelligence, and is a credit to his family and to him self. Now he and his loved ones can live peacefully knowing that they are all safe.
-Jay Souweine
Reports from yesterday, December 11, 2011 tell of a 14 year old boy by the name of Kevin Lunsmann, a resident of the united states, who escaped the jungles of the Philippines and the holding of a Filipino terrorist organization. The boy claims that he had escaped his captors by telling them that he was going to take a bath in a near by stream, and that is when he made a break for it. He states the he survived the harsh conditions of the forest by climbing trees for coconuts and on candy bars he had stolen from his captors. The boy was kidnapped while on vacation to the Philippines with his mother and his cousin. The while group had been captured, and the mother was released after two months and the boy's cousin had escaped last month when Filipino army forces approached the encampment. There have been many accounts however on the teen's escape. The military forces originally had told the media that the boy was released. Then they claimed that the boy was rescued after a gun fight with the terrorists. But finally, people were able to get the story directly from Kevin. The United States ambassador Harry Thomas has said that the boy will be reunited with his family. Thomas also states, "In this holiday season nothing makes me happier than knowing that an innocent victim is returned to his family in time for holiday celebrations. I also want to acknowledge the courage of Kevin himself, and his family, throughout this long ordeal." This whole situation only shows that there is always hope when times are darkest. Kevin is the portrayal of a living hope that one can survive under the harshest elements. He used his quick wit and was able to gain the trust of his captors and used that to his advantage. He is a shining example of the human intelligence, and is a credit to his family and to him self. Now he and his loved ones can live peacefully knowing that they are all safe.
-Jay Souweine
Arizona Immigration Laws to be challenged by Supreme Court
http://www.washingtonpost.com/supreme-court-to-hear-challenge-of-arizonas-restrictive-immigration-law/2011/12/12/gIQA4UYepO_story.html
Today on Monday, December 12th the Supreme Court decided they were going to take the court case regarding the legality of the immigration laws passed by Arizona in the past year. These laws have sparked a lot of other states to try to pass similar laws and it seems as if before any other state does so the Supreme Court needs to decide the legality of the legislation.
For a long time the Obama administration has frowned upon the laws passed by Arizona and had tired to repeal the laws in the state courts. However, the courts disagreed with the administrations review and so no decision was ever met about the case. Since then Arizona's government, as well as several others that support the laws, have passed laws to prevent the Obama administration from committing any other lawsuits against the states government. This lead up to today where the Supreme court finally decides to take up the case.
My opinion of this whole situation is in favor of the Supreme Court. Now where I do believe there should be serious immigration reform, I believe Arizona's Laws are both unjust and unAmerican. Therefore the fact that the Supreme Court is taking up a case gives there a chance of repeal of the laws. However, even though the laws may seem morally wrong and constricting of freedom they are not actually unconstitutional. Therefore, I don't believe they will repeal, however I am not an expert on the matter and therefore cannot say that for certain.
Today on Monday, December 12th the Supreme Court decided they were going to take the court case regarding the legality of the immigration laws passed by Arizona in the past year. These laws have sparked a lot of other states to try to pass similar laws and it seems as if before any other state does so the Supreme Court needs to decide the legality of the legislation.
For a long time the Obama administration has frowned upon the laws passed by Arizona and had tired to repeal the laws in the state courts. However, the courts disagreed with the administrations review and so no decision was ever met about the case. Since then Arizona's government, as well as several others that support the laws, have passed laws to prevent the Obama administration from committing any other lawsuits against the states government. This lead up to today where the Supreme court finally decides to take up the case.
My opinion of this whole situation is in favor of the Supreme Court. Now where I do believe there should be serious immigration reform, I believe Arizona's Laws are both unjust and unAmerican. Therefore the fact that the Supreme Court is taking up a case gives there a chance of repeal of the laws. However, even though the laws may seem morally wrong and constricting of freedom they are not actually unconstitutional. Therefore, I don't believe they will repeal, however I am not an expert on the matter and therefore cannot say that for certain.
Virginia Tech's 2011 Shooting
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/nationnow/2011/12/virginia-tech-shooting-funeral.html
“It happened again?” Like many other people, that was my first reaction to the news of the shooting at Virginia Tech last thursday. Ross Truett Ashley, a student at the school shot campus police officer, Deriek W. Crouse, for no apparent reason. He then killed himself. This event brought the public’s attention back to the shootings on April 16, 2007 on the same campus. The gunman, Seung-hui Cho single-handedly killed thirty-two people on that day, making it the deadliest rampage made by an individual in history. The students don’t want these shootings to define their school. I have sympathy for them. Innocent people have been killed at the hands of their own peers. That’s wrong on so many levels. The instability of two individuals became the insecurity of hundreds of students and their families. For no reason at all. There are far more than thirty-three victims here. And the terror and grief goes beyond those two days. Now the school has a reputation that it doesn’t deserve and the students have to live in fear at their own school. This is all because of two kids that decided to take away the future that these victims were building for themselves. These kids don’t deserve to be part of the daily news’ body count. It’s just wrong. I don’t know what else to say.
-Daniel Xavier Tierney
“It happened again?” Like many other people, that was my first reaction to the news of the shooting at Virginia Tech last thursday. Ross Truett Ashley, a student at the school shot campus police officer, Deriek W. Crouse, for no apparent reason. He then killed himself. This event brought the public’s attention back to the shootings on April 16, 2007 on the same campus. The gunman, Seung-hui Cho single-handedly killed thirty-two people on that day, making it the deadliest rampage made by an individual in history. The students don’t want these shootings to define their school. I have sympathy for them. Innocent people have been killed at the hands of their own peers. That’s wrong on so many levels. The instability of two individuals became the insecurity of hundreds of students and their families. For no reason at all. There are far more than thirty-three victims here. And the terror and grief goes beyond those two days. Now the school has a reputation that it doesn’t deserve and the students have to live in fear at their own school. This is all because of two kids that decided to take away the future that these victims were building for themselves. These kids don’t deserve to be part of the daily news’ body count. It’s just wrong. I don’t know what else to say.
-Daniel Xavier Tierney
5 Situations That Are Secretly Terrifying For Awkward People
http://www.cracked.com/blog/5-situations-that-are-secretly-terrifying-awkward-people/
Daniel O'Brien never fails to entertain as the senior writer at Cracked.com, a website dedicated to humorous columns and articles. One of my favorite entries of his from 2011 is "5 Situations That Are Secretly Terrifying For Awkward People." In the article, he examines five different scenarios that are uncomfortable for socially inadequate individuals. Not only are his observations very accurate, but he also tells them with a hilarious angle and experience.
I always look forward to Dan's upcoming work for Cracked. His style of writing, while hugely entertaining, also has this sense of superiority to it. Perhaps this is because of his position on the board of columnists on the site. That almost too confident style apparent in his articles allows him freedom in his writing, which opens up new creative doors and usually makes it more enjoyable. He writes this way because he can, and he's well aware of it.
This particular piece hits a little too close to home, unfortunately. As I read "5 Situations That Are Secretly Terrifying For Awkward People," I became increasingly concerned at how well I could relate to every point O'Brien was making. Now, this undeniable truth that I'm an awkward human being wasn't just sprung onto me at this point. There was no sudden clarity. The concerning part is that Dan O'Brien is able to literally recite my inadequacies in the form of a five thousand word comedy article for the internet. I suppose we can all relate to some of the things here, so it's okay. Let's all be awkward. Together.
Cullen Ryan
Daniel O'Brien never fails to entertain as the senior writer at Cracked.com, a website dedicated to humorous columns and articles. One of my favorite entries of his from 2011 is "5 Situations That Are Secretly Terrifying For Awkward People." In the article, he examines five different scenarios that are uncomfortable for socially inadequate individuals. Not only are his observations very accurate, but he also tells them with a hilarious angle and experience.
I always look forward to Dan's upcoming work for Cracked. His style of writing, while hugely entertaining, also has this sense of superiority to it. Perhaps this is because of his position on the board of columnists on the site. That almost too confident style apparent in his articles allows him freedom in his writing, which opens up new creative doors and usually makes it more enjoyable. He writes this way because he can, and he's well aware of it.
This particular piece hits a little too close to home, unfortunately. As I read "5 Situations That Are Secretly Terrifying For Awkward People," I became increasingly concerned at how well I could relate to every point O'Brien was making. Now, this undeniable truth that I'm an awkward human being wasn't just sprung onto me at this point. There was no sudden clarity. The concerning part is that Dan O'Brien is able to literally recite my inadequacies in the form of a five thousand word comedy article for the internet. I suppose we can all relate to some of the things here, so it's okay. Let's all be awkward. Together.
Cullen Ryan
Why Does if Feel Important to Like Rap (As a Jazz Fan)
I recently read the article “Why does it feel Important to Like Rap? (As a Jazz Fan)” On NPR’S A Blog Supreme Written by Patrick Jarenwattananon where he analyzes the influence that hip-hop and R& B have on modern jazz music. Jarenwattananon became interested in this topic after reading a list of the Top 100 Eclectic Albums of the Year. This list did not include one Hip-Hop album. After scanning through the list myself, which include albums from jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman to rock musician Eddie Vedder, I too found myself asking the same question as Jarenwattananon, how can anyone, despite their musical tastes, ignore today’s hip-hop?
Jarenwattananon then decided to focus on hip-hop’s influence on modern jazz—two genres that have always been regarded as almost polar opposites. The writer, however, convincingly points out that there are many similarities between the two styles of music. Both are blues based, and they are both forms of African-American popular music. Additionally, many of today’s hip-hop artists incorporate elements of jazz in their music. I witnessed this first hand when I saw rapper Mos Def play at the Newport Jazz Festival with an entire horn section and several improvised solos interspersed in his songs. One of the main points that Jarenwattananon stresses in the article is that the majority of modern jazz musicians under the age of 40 grew up when hip-hop was everywhere. Therefore, whether these musicians actually appreciate the music and acknowledge its impact, it has influenced them and their own music in some way.
Additionally, Jarenwattananon seems to place the future of on the jazz musician’s ability to embrace hip-hop. He states that if these musicians want to develop a larger audience, they must make their music more accessible. They must provide a bridge from hip-hop to jazz.
I found this article personally informative because I have never thought of the connections between hip-hop and modern jazz. These two genres seem to constantly be at odds, but in reality they are very connected. I think through this article, Jarenwattananon begins to realize the “next phase” of jazz music. Just as the 60’s and 70’s brought about the fusion of jazz and rock, the 90’s to present will bring about a similar fusion between this improvisation based “academic” music and the more popular hip-hop of the time.
-Sean McGurl
I recently read the article “Why does it feel Important to Like Rap? (As a Jazz Fan)” On NPR’S A Blog Supreme Written by Patrick Jarenwattananon where he analyzes the influence that hip-hop and R& B have on modern jazz music. Jarenwattananon became interested in this topic after reading a list of the Top 100 Eclectic Albums of the Year. This list did not include one Hip-Hop album. After scanning through the list myself, which include albums from jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman to rock musician Eddie Vedder, I too found myself asking the same question as Jarenwattananon, how can anyone, despite their musical tastes, ignore today’s hip-hop?
Jarenwattananon then decided to focus on hip-hop’s influence on modern jazz—two genres that have always been regarded as almost polar opposites. The writer, however, convincingly points out that there are many similarities between the two styles of music. Both are blues based, and they are both forms of African-American popular music. Additionally, many of today’s hip-hop artists incorporate elements of jazz in their music. I witnessed this first hand when I saw rapper Mos Def play at the Newport Jazz Festival with an entire horn section and several improvised solos interspersed in his songs. One of the main points that Jarenwattananon stresses in the article is that the majority of modern jazz musicians under the age of 40 grew up when hip-hop was everywhere. Therefore, whether these musicians actually appreciate the music and acknowledge its impact, it has influenced them and their own music in some way.
Additionally, Jarenwattananon seems to place the future of on the jazz musician’s ability to embrace hip-hop. He states that if these musicians want to develop a larger audience, they must make their music more accessible. They must provide a bridge from hip-hop to jazz.
I found this article personally informative because I have never thought of the connections between hip-hop and modern jazz. These two genres seem to constantly be at odds, but in reality they are very connected. I think through this article, Jarenwattananon begins to realize the “next phase” of jazz music. Just as the 60’s and 70’s brought about the fusion of jazz and rock, the 90’s to present will bring about a similar fusion between this improvisation based “academic” music and the more popular hip-hop of the time.
-Sean McGurl
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Teen, 14, Escapes After Being Held Hostage for Five Months
I was amazed reading this article by ABC NEWS about a boy who had escaped after being held hostage in The Philippines for five months. He was vacationing with his mother in The Philippines when him, his mother, and another family member were captured. After a couple of weeks his family members were let go but he was kept. One day he convinced the people who had captured him that he was going to take a bath in the stream; instead he ran away and made it to a nearby village. He was saved. Being captured for ransoms is said to happen quite often in this country.
It must have been terrifying to be this boy’s family and friends. Not knowing where he was, if he was okay, or if he was even alive, five months must have seemed like a lifetime. Kevin Lunsmann, 14, is now looked at as a hero, not only for surviving but for wandering through the jungle for two days and finding civilization. I’m sure this was a terrifying task for such a young boy but obviously it paid off. This situation which first started off so tragic has become a victory because not only has this boy reunited with his family; but Warren Richard Rodwell, 53 of Australia was arrested and charged of being a leader of these captors. They are being accused of holding others as well. So this situation has kind of ended bittersweet because thanks to this boy, hopefully others will be found.
-Angeli Hajali
It must have been terrifying to be this boy’s family and friends. Not knowing where he was, if he was okay, or if he was even alive, five months must have seemed like a lifetime. Kevin Lunsmann, 14, is now looked at as a hero, not only for surviving but for wandering through the jungle for two days and finding civilization. I’m sure this was a terrifying task for such a young boy but obviously it paid off. This situation which first started off so tragic has become a victory because not only has this boy reunited with his family; but Warren Richard Rodwell, 53 of Australia was arrested and charged of being a leader of these captors. They are being accused of holding others as well. So this situation has kind of ended bittersweet because thanks to this boy, hopefully others will be found.
-Angeli Hajali
http://www.npr.org/2011/12/10/143502066/dozens-arrested-in-occupy-boston-eviction
While searching the web I came across an article claiming that the last of the Occupy Boston movement had been completely wiped out of the area. At first I couldn't believe what I had read, cause only a few weeks early i had actually been to Boston and spent some time in that very encampment. The people who I had talked to while there had all seemed very adamant about saying there through out the winter creating a permanent campsite. Even though the police came and arrested dozens of protesters, they still kept the same morales and their beliefs and were “very accommodating” to the officers. The entire protest lasted just over ten weeks, and an estimated 100 to 150 protesters lived there permanently This caused public authority such as Mayor Thomas Menino to believe it to be to unsanitary forcing him to send the cops in shutting down the protest. Compared to other occupy protests the occupants were lucky that it ended in the way it did. In city’s like New York and San Francisco the protests ended violently with numerous accounts of violence and public disturbance. Though this protest did not last as long as expected, I still believe it made an impact on a majority of americans causing them to think and become more politically and economically aware.
-Dylan Comeau
While searching the web I came across an article claiming that the last of the Occupy Boston movement had been completely wiped out of the area. At first I couldn't believe what I had read, cause only a few weeks early i had actually been to Boston and spent some time in that very encampment. The people who I had talked to while there had all seemed very adamant about saying there through out the winter creating a permanent campsite. Even though the police came and arrested dozens of protesters, they still kept the same morales and their beliefs and were “very accommodating” to the officers. The entire protest lasted just over ten weeks, and an estimated 100 to 150 protesters lived there permanently This caused public authority such as Mayor Thomas Menino to believe it to be to unsanitary forcing him to send the cops in shutting down the protest. Compared to other occupy protests the occupants were lucky that it ended in the way it did. In city’s like New York and San Francisco the protests ended violently with numerous accounts of violence and public disturbance. Though this protest did not last as long as expected, I still believe it made an impact on a majority of americans causing them to think and become more politically and economically aware.
-Dylan Comeau
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Home Since Forever
(© WENDY MAEDA/GLOBE STAFF, The Boston Globe)
I woke up at noon to no alarm, I hadn’t been setting it anymore because I didn‘t have the best sleeping pattern after my mom died. I hardly got sleep anymore. It was my day off from class, and I thought I’d do some shopping for the house and then head over to my grandmother’s with my brother since I promised I'd see her about 16 hours before. Thirty-two minutes after I woke up, strangely the doorbell rang and I heard my cousin walk up the stairs. My brother let her and my Aunt in, they walked into my room crying and said, “Grammy”.
There was an accidental fire set to my grandmother’s home at around 2am in Methuen, Massachusetts. The home she cherished, the same home my grandfather built, my mother grew up in, and the one that each member of the family lived in at one point was destroyed. It was home to all of us. It was the one part of the family that stayed secure. And the one woman who held the family together, and me for that matter, didn’t get out in time, and she was so close to the front door. Otis, the dog that meant the world to her, lay 20 feet away in the living room gone as well.The article says that the fire most likely started in the kitchen, but it was not definite. All I could picture was that no more than seven hours before, I was standing in that kitchen making her crack up. The kind of laughing that makes your life worth living, where you cross your legs, hold onto whatever’s closest to you and laugh until no sound comes out anymore, as the tears run down your face. I loved when I made her laugh like that. There was honestly nothing better to me, in the world, than seeing my grandmother genuinely happy. She said something about me getting too tall as she always did, and smacked me in the stomach lightly and said, “Stop growing,” as I shrank down to her 5 foot frame and pretended to see the world from her view. I opened cabinets, looked out the window above the sink and looked her straight in the eyes and said, “Man, this is tough.” She laughed so hard, she thought it was one of the greatest things, and said, “Yeah, tell me about it!,” as well as, “Don’t make me pee my pants!” After we laughed for a little more, I told her I had to get going. I said bye to Otis and gave her a huge hug, kissed her on the check and said, “I love you,” and she did the same. She walked out onto the porch with me, I went down the stairs to the driveway and unlocked my car and she laughed at me for locking the car in “this neighborhood”. She closed the porch door, waved through the glass window, laughed and shook her head as she turned back into the house. I pulled out of the driveway and knew I’d be back tomorrow as I promised, which didn’t get to happen.
“Thank God for Julien,” is what my grandmother would always say before she would tell a story about Julien Plourde, her next-door neighbord. Plourde said, “She was a sweetheart. We were all very close. She was a good woman, a good neighbor, a good friend,” and I know he meant that. I’ve known Julien my entire life. He’s always been the next-door neighbor that took care of Grammy. Always there when she needed him, and the only person on the street she would talk to about my mother’s death thirty-seven days prior to the fire. He came to my mom’s funeral, sat next to me during the mercy meal and I cannot thank him enough for being there for my grandmother at all times. I am forever grateful for him. These are the kind of things the article didn’t mention. He wasn’t just a longtime friend, or a next-door neighbord. He had become part of the family.
Thankfully, this article points out how energetic, friendly and generous she was and stays faithful to that. I chose this one out of the others because of that reason, and of course because Julien commented in this one. Other articles list the value of the home and other irrelevant speculations that downgrade the purpose of the story, to honor her and Otis. Some also have other pictures, but they're incredibly hard to look at. Plus, I talked about a memory in the kitchen, and this shows it the best view, the right hand corner. I can vouch that she most definitely was what this article described. She was incredibly important to me and my family. She was the only person I could talk about my mother’s death with. She was always there for me and my family when things got hard, even other people including her neighbor Valerie whom she opened her home to when her house caught fire in November of last year. I will always be proud to call her and spoiled-rotten Otis, who ate better than any of us and got more “cookies" than anyone could imagine, my family. My grandmother was one of a kind. She had a very loud personality and she said what was on her mind, without remorse, and without filter. My family and I were talking the other day about her and we just thought, of course Grammy would make the news and papers when she died. It was just the kind of person she was and I will always love her for being her.
- Kristen Carraher
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