Grant Laird, Jr. Blog

Have you ever play Paper Mario video game?

Few years ago, I borrowed Paper Mario from a friend and it was for Nintendo 64 system. I had a lot of fun playing with it. I did successfully complete the mission. My wife and my children helped each other too. We also looked up some hints from online.

Two Christmas ago, we got Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door for family – this time it is for Nintendo GameCube. For some reason, we did not play it much and forgot about it. Recently, I finally step up and start playing again now. I get tired of looking up online for hints.

I purchased Official Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door Player’s Guide from Amzaon.com and it was worth paid for — plenty of pictures, easy to look it up whenever I need it.

Right now, I am in Chapter 2 – I know I’ve got long way to go but I am looking forward to it.

If you want to look up free hints online: Click here.

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Ever since Hurricane Katrina hit Gulf coast hardest last year, it impacted so many things – you hear about it all the times on TV, news online and other things.

According to Anderson Cooper 360 Blog, Did Katrina evacuees bring more crime to Houston?

Even they are being careful what they said (political reason) on the article but you will see plenty of people’s comments that it do cause criminal up since Katrina evacuee came into picture. I really don’t think it is one side thing – it takes both side to cause all kind of problems.

City of Gretna (Near New Orleans) did smart thing by block the bridge to keep Katrina evacuees coming in. Sure, they got heated up for doing it but did they do right thing? You can read more stories about it here.

It is very much unfortunately. I can feel their pains because I definitely wouldn’t want to see criminal goes up in my area (Dallas) too. Even it’s not that far from New Orleans or Houston. It’s only five hours drive. They believe that it does affect many another cities such as Dallas, Austin, etc but I didn’t see a lot of headline about it lately.

Personally, I met a gentleman who happens to be my interpreter one time while ago. He is one of those Katrina evacuees and he told me about it. He lost his house and everything. He had to start over like getting new car, new clothes, computer etc.

He acknowledged that Dallas is so different than New Orleans. He and his elderly parent live together in apartment complex for time being. He already got part time job fast. He’s lucky that interpreter is high demands in here. (And elsewhere, I am sure)

Amazing. Sigh.

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com

Ralph H. White
1923 - 2006

A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Ralph H. White will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2006 , 2 PM at the Congress Avenue Baptist Church in Austin , Texas . A reception will immediately follow the service in the church Fellowship Hall.

Congress Avenue Baptist Church
1511 South Congress Ave.
Austin, TX 78704
(512) 447-7781 (voice)
(512) 447-7653 (Video Phone)
(512) 447-7788 (Fax)
http://www.congressavenuebc.org

In lieu of flowers, Ralph requested that donations be made to the Deaf Seniors of America (DSA), a non-profit organization that he helped to establish in 1992. The mission of the DSA is to improve the quality of life for senior citizens who are deaf.

Donations may be sent to :
Deaf Seniors of America
Attention: Joseph S. Rose, Treasurer
3013 Fallston Avenue
Silver Spring , MD 20904-1805
(301) 572 4478
http://www.deafseniors.com

A website honoring Ralph is being designed by his son-in-law, John Vystrcil and his grandson, Scott Vystrcil. Please visit http://www.ralphwhite.net around February 27, 2006 and share your memories and condolences with his family. Thank you for your love and your prayers.

From Ralph’s family.

1978
Thirty-fourth national convention held in Rochester, New York. Ralph White elected President. The NAD undertakes effort to have sign language taught in public schools and accepted as a second language requirement in high school and post-secondary institutions. The NAD granted Bernard Bragg $2,000 for a world tour as an advocate for deaf persons’ sign language and the involvement of deaf people in theatre. Branch office opened in Indianapolis. Jackie Roth crowned Miss Deaf America. Federal Communications Commission adopted a rule requiring television licensees to transmit emergency messages in a visual format.

http://www.nad.org/site/pp.asp?c=foINKQMBF&b=1060975 

We lost one of the greatest Deaf Texas leaders. His name is Ralph H. White — I’ve know him for few years before he passed away. I also knew two of his adult daughters. They are wonderful people.

When I first meet him — probably in 1999 when I become board of director for Texas Association of the Deaf. (TAD) On same weekend, we had to clean out TAD office in CSD building in Austin because CSD decide not to fund TAD any more for some reason. (I can’t remember - long time ago)

All elected officers including myself had to put up all stuff (computer, desk, printer, paperworks, photography, etc.) in our vehicles last minutes even I am from Dallas. That was last day Ralph work as executive director (part-time) for TAD.

I had opportunity to know him better and talk to him from time to time over years. Of course, I never really knew his background till I saw his background at GSDAA website — it has his background information. He has done very well in his life.

He also emailed me personally few years ago how much he enjoyed Deaf Network of Texas mailing list.

We will remember him forever.

Grant W Laird Jr.
http://blog.grantlairdjr.com