"Invaders": junk mail collage

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Click here: Al Green, Tired of Being Alone

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2GN2S ...

Virgin Atlantic launches new gender-neutral uniform policy

Virgin Atlantic has said it is scrapping gendered uniform options in an effort to champion the individuality of its employees.

The UK-based company called the move a "significant change for the aviation industry." Under its new styling and grooming guidelines, the airline will also provide women with trousers as part of their standard uniform. Previously, trousers were only provided on request.

"Not only do the new guidelines offer an increased level of comfort, they also provide our team with more choice on how they want to express themselves at work," Mark Anderson, Virgin Atlantic's executive vice president of customer, said in a statement.

Female cabin crew on Virgin Atlantic will no longer be required to wear makeup during flights, the airline has said.

Virgin Atlantic said the changes are part of a wider series of initiatives under its "Be Yourself" agenda.

Employees at Virgin Atlantic can now show off their tattoos. The long-haul carrier has also changed its ticketing system. Travelers who hold passports with gender-neutral markers can select "U" or "X" gender codes on their booking as well as the gender-neutral title "Mx."

After karate class at noon, I drove to meet my Grandhunks #1 & 3 at the In'n'Out on 19th Street in Coasta Mesa at 2:30 pm. I picked the place so it would be close to where GH#3 works at 4pm.

GH#3 ordered for us

GH #1 had finished a 48 hour shift (EMT)

The guys got the 3-by burger, protein style. Lettuce instead of a bun.

GH #1 enjoys...

I got the cheeseburger, animal style.

mine

Time with Grandhunks, precious. Thanks Guys!

A sweet 6+minute video, Castaway, here.

Just because ...

Mama Owl

Smiles for Friday ...

Thanks for coming by today

"The land": junk mail collage.

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Click here: Stevie Wonder, You are the Sunshine ...

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2GN2S ...

Historybook: Chinese philosopher Confucius born (551 BCE); Alexander Fleming discovers penicillin (1928); Ted Williams is last major league baseball player to bat over .400 (1941); Jazz legend Miles Davis dies (1991); American tennis great and color barrier breaker Althea Gibson dies (2003).

Althea Gibson, 1927 - 2003, was an American tennis player and professional golfer, and one of the first Black athletes to cross the color line of international tennis. In 1956, she became the first African American to win a Grand Slam title (the French Championships). The following year she won both Wimbledon and the US Nationals (precursor of the US Open), then won both again in 1958 and was voted Female Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press in both years. In all, she won 11 Grand Slam tournaments: five singles titles, five doubles titles, and one mixed doubles title and 56 career titles. Gibson was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. "She is one of the greatest players who ever lived", said Bob Ryland, a tennis contemporary and former coach of Venus and Serena Williams. "Martina [Navratilova] couldn't touch her. I think she'd beat the Williams sisters." In the early 1960s she also became the first Black player to compete on the Women's Professional Golf Tour.

At a time when racism and prejudice were widespread in sports and in society, Gibson was often compared to Jackie Robinson. "Her road to success was a challenging one", said Billie Jean King, "but I never saw her back down." "To anyone, she was an inspiration, because of what she was able to do at a time when it was enormously difficult to play tennis at all if you were Black", said former New York City Mayor David Dinkins. "I am honored to have followed in such great footsteps", wrote Venus Williams. "Her accomplishments set the stage for my success, and through players like myself and Serena and many others to come, her legacy will live on.

"No matter what accomplishments you make, somebody helped you."

- Althea Gibson

The wonderment of 17 months.

Today was an ordinary day that included karate class in 90' no a/c, Grandhunk #1 stopping by to surprise me, and a 3pm Dr. appointment. That is where the magic happened. Not the getting on a merciless scale, or the flu shot etc. But in the lobby, a cute little Mom, with her hair piled high on her head, and hands on her hips, stood looking at something I couldn't see. Pretty soon the cutest little boy took his time walking gingerly, enjoying all the attention. He was tiny, I am guessing less than two feel tall, but clearly enjoying life. That would have been it, as I had to get to my appointment.

But luck was with me, when I went to the pharmacy, Mom and son were there. I couldn't get enough of watching him. A normal sized man passed him and he looked up as if looking at the Eiffel tower. The man missed it. We do that when we are in a hurry or in our own thoughts. The Mom stood behind me in line. She had her eyes on him all the time, but to her credit, let him explore the tiny space. I think I said adorable, then asked his age. Mom said 17 months. I think I said something like, "he's exploring his new world." She nodded. I didn't ask his name, or if I could take a picture. I was caught up in seeing his delight at seeing people, but really just everything, all the time with the biggest smile.