It has been a long time
I have been extremely busy the past three months with other projects, so I have not written in this blog much since about July. I have been writing in my other blog, though, since it was mainly geared towards the election. Now that the election is over, I can either continue to write here or use the other blog as my main blog. It has some features that I like better than Tripod's. I also already have my url troylaplante.com pointed there, as well. If you want to see what I have been thinking and have been up to, check there. I may keep this blog for more personal thoughts. I will interlink the two.

An article and a video about my home town
I grew up in Franklin, New Hampshire. Franklin is trying to improve its image. They have commissioned the creation of a TV ad. Here is the article and the video of the ad. I know some of the firefighters at the end of the ad.

The American Red Cross, in my experience, is one of the most dedicated and reliable charitable organizations in America. They have always been willing to help when disaster strikes, whether it has been a family home fire or a huge hurricane. My experience in the fire service has shown this to be true and I have known a good many hard working volunteers over the years.

I remember a story my father told about coming home from the Korean War. He said that there was one charity set up selling donuts to the service men who were returning. The Red Cross was set up giving away donuts to the service men. That speaks volumes to me.

I am sure that there will be many local churches and charitable efforts organized to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. If you wish to help, please do so. One local church in Selma has helped with hurricane victims in the past by gathering clothes, bottled water, food, and other items for transport into the affected area.

If you wish to donate monetarily to an organization that will help, then I can recommend the American Red Cross with all confidence that you will not be "scammed". Click on the banner below to donate online, directly to the Red Cross.

I know that I have been quiet on my blog
I have been focusing most of my attention on my political blog, vote4troy.com. Sorry for ignoring this blog so much.

Announcing the formation of a new nation
Last night, an online acquaintance introduced me to NationStates.net, which is an online game. You are allowed to create your own nation according to your own liking and rule it as you see fit. You can be oppressive, permissive, or in between. You can run a nation as a parody or be serious in the ruling of your nation. I started my own nation just within the last half hour. I shall see how it progresses.

Troy's new nation of "Bismo" on nationstates.net

My new business card for the campaign

My new URL
As I have written, I have been keeping a blog for the town council race. I now have my own URL. Check it out.

Today's shopping trip
I am surprised that Teresa wanted to go with me to the local gun show in Raleigh. We went there today rather than yesterday. I was looking for a few things in particular. I wanted to find a good deal on a case tumber (which I didn't find), a Hi-Point carbine (I found one, but not a great deal.), ammo, and possibly a .22 for Teresa. I found some ammo for my CZ52, for my M44 Mosin Nagant, and others. I only bought ammo for those two named guns, though.

For some time, I have been wanting to check out/acquire a Taurus PT22. I have not found a great deal on one lately except the last gun show I went to or a used one at a pawn shop I frequent. Today, I didn't find a great deal on one, but an OK deal, not too much under MSRP. I bought it anyway, since Teresa seemed real interested in it, I have been wanting one, and I had the cash. One reason that Teresa like it was that it had pink grips. Yup, pink. Here is a picture.

Hallelujah!
Mood:  celebratory
I finally found Fluff in a local store! The local Food Lion down the street a bit carries Fluff. I was in email contact with Durkee Mower recently and they told me that I should be able to find Fluff at Food Lion and Wal-Mart. I called Food Lion customer service, since I have never seen Fluff in their store. I also contacted the local Wal-Mart store.

The local Food Lion store called me and verified that they now carry Fluff. It is on aisle six, as I recall. We went by there today to get some and do a little shopping. We did indeed find tubs of Fluff. The shelf space was never there before and a new shelf tag was evident in front of the Fluff stock, so it is obviously a newly stocked product there. Whooo hooooo!!!!!!!!!

Sad news that I read yesterday
A good friend of mine told me briefly in an email about something that happened to his ex-wife. She died on May 14th of this year. I know the cause of death, but not many details. I didn't know Lori Conti well, but Tony, her ex-husband is a good friend of mine. I don't get to see Tony much because of our busy schedules. I emailed him recently about starting an investment club, as we had talked about years ago. In a real quick note, he told me that Lori had died. I looked up her obituary on the net. Perhaps I will get to see her again.
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Lori Magers Conti, 46, died Saturday, May 14, 2005.

She was born on April 28, 1959 in Indianapolis, Indiana; she was the daughter of the late Charles F. Magers, II and Marilyn Jo Hopper Magers.

Lori is survived by the love of her life, her son, Alexander Donato Conti, 8; by her five siblings and their families: JoEllen Magers Golberg and husband, John and their sons, Charles (Lori's Godson) and James Flaherty and Norris and Eric Golberg, of Wakefield, RI, Amy Lynn Fortescue and husband, James and their daughters, Meredith Dixon and husband, Stanley and Margaret Jo, of Washington, NC, Mary Catherine Feeley and husband, Michael and their son, Kevin (Lori's Godson), of Raleigh, Charles Magers, III of California; and Jay Magers and wife, Nicole and their daughters, Ansleigh and Elyse, of Raleigh.

Lori attended Calvert High School in Tiffin, Ohio and briefly attended Ohio State University. She received her B.S. degree from Atlantic Christian College in Wilson, NC. She lived in Wilson for many years, where she was a noted community volunteer. Lori was especially proud of her role in the fund-raising drive for the creation of the Wilson Arts Center.

Lori was a beautiful woman and a loving, generous person, who gave of herself unselfishly to all she knew. She was known for her infectious sense of humor, smile and always found a way to make those around her laugh. Lori was musically talented, possessed a beautiful singing voice, played the piano, and also was very involved in community theatre and drama throughout her life. She loved to act, sing and instilled that love of singing in her son and in her nieces and nephews.

Lori often volunteered in her son's school and one of her joys was to watch Alexander play sports.

Lori lived her life with faith in Jesus Christ, and a true believer in life eternal. She now rests with God, and with our parents. Good Bye for now Sissy, we love you and we will miss you, but we know we will see you again on that great day when all tears shall be wiped away.

Family will receive friends on Thursday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home (7209 Glenwood Ave.)

A funeral mass will be said on Friday, May 20th at 10 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church,11401 Leesville Road.

In lieu of flowers, a trust fund has been established for Lori's son: Alexander D. Conti,c/o Joseph G. Magers, 109 Ivy Tree Place, Cary, NC 27519.

Posted by troylaplante at 7:10 AM EDT

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