Well, today has been a very busy day. We started off the day with several different things that we knew we needed to get done for the day. This included writing a piece of legislation as well as working together with the counties and cities in order to make sure that those with mental retardation and developmental disabilities receive fair treatment.

We started out the day only to have several of the legionnaires who are working in the court section come by and tell us that we needed to let someone go so that they could go work in the courts. Apparently the courts did not have enough people to cover all of the clerk and bailiff positions. The thing that stinks about this is that MRDD is supposed to be the 5th largest department in the state and we only had 4 people to start with. Now we are down to three, and things have been crazy, but I think we are starting to get settled in to an extent.

A very funny thing for many of you though, I am the one in charge of the budget, payroll, and paying the bills. It has been going all right, except for the fact that we are going to need twice the amount of money that we were budgeted. Oh well, it is a lot of fun, and I am getting to run all over the place. I will talk to you guys later.

Well, I got my job. I am working for the Department of MRDD, which stands for Mental Retardation & Developmental Disabilities. I am the asistant director. This is actually turning out to be a pretty good job. I am employed by the state, and my boss is a member of the governer's cabinet. The office would oversee all of the programs such as Christie Lane for the entire state, as well as lobby for the rights of those with mental disabilities.

We are pretty much given the opportunity to do whatever we want to do within our budget. The governer is requiring that we write a bill to be submitted to the legislature, and we have to set up a display for the State Fair on Saturday.

I think that this will be a good job, and I am looking forward to it. There is also a Mental Disabilities Bill of Rights. We will print this out and give it to each of the cities. If they display it in a public place then we will give them 5000 dollars, if they refuse or just don't do it then we have the power to fine them 15,000 dollars, so we will also be doing this.

The inagural ceremony is tonight, and it looks like the governer is going to be speaking there. I will also get the chance to talk to him when he visits my office later today.

Well, I'll talk to you guys later.

Primaries Over.

This whole election deal has moved so fast. I did not make it past the primaries. However, I did do very well. I got 120 votes, there was a kid who got 13 more, and then the kid who won got 151 votes. My conseler said that he had never seen a race that close before. Also, there were several canidates behind me. Overall this really isn't dissapointing. I had thought that it would be but there are still a lot of options left. The state job fair starts at 7:30 and I am planning on being there early inorder to get a good job.

I miss all of you, but I have been to busy up until this point to really think about it. There are several pianos here, and as most of you know that makes me very happy. I will continue to update, since this is the most that I have updated for the last month or so.

Primaries

Today is primaries. I already went and voted, we will have to see how it goes. I do feel that I have several advantages as things ended up working out. I was the first canidate to turn in my petition therefore I am first on the ballot. Also, as far as I know I was the only one to go out and talk to people instead of just putting up signs. I will keep praying and keep you guys updated. If I win the primary, then I have a debate later. I will let you guys know.

boys state

Well, I'm back and at boys state. I don't really hve time to tell you guys about my time at the conference in D.C., this information will come though. I just wanted to let you guys know that I am running for Chief Supreme Court Justice, and i have succesfully passed my bar exam. The average pass rate over the years has been 14% with three chances to pass, and at least an 88% to pass. I got a 94%, one of the highest, and I passed on my first try. I collected my signatures for my petitions and have succesfully started my campaign. Daniel xxxxx for Chief Supreme Court Justice. Interpretting the law, not writing it.

Please continue to pray for me. I have also been praying over the entire campus, and I believe that i am walking in God's favor. Talk to you guys later.

Daniel

Tonight

Tonight we are going to play for the talent show at the High School. I am playing with Super K, Belle, Doon, and also another song with Laura. We are going to be playing at the high school itself, and because of this we seem to have been having a difficult time getting ready. First of all we are playing a song by the Newsboys, and it is totally different from anything we have ever done before. We have also not had very much time to practice and are not feeling super ready for this. There has been a lot of extra stuff going on during this time with school and all of our extra activities. There has been a lot of doubt among us as to whether or not we are doing the right thing. Also, I have been dealing with hopelessness myself. I feel that this is because part of what we are coming up against is the hopelessness in the school. I need to go right now but please pray.

Dog Bites.

First of all I would like to let you all know that several weeks ago I was attacked by a vicious man eating German monster. The name Shepperd is not at all applicable, thus monster. (As a side note I was not messing with this monster's sheep, therefore I am not at fault.) I was simply walking by completely unaware and doing nothing to provoke it and all the sudden my leg was in the iron grip of a vicious beast. Luckily due to my amazing running and screaming abilities I was able to get away from the monster with only slight wounds.

In reality, it was a really old German Shepperd that has a thing for tall thin guys, so at least I have a good physique.