Anytime we take on a challenge is it the jumping in that is hard?
Is it keeping your pace up?
Is it avoiding distractions and keeping focus?
Perhaps its the emotional support from the people that love you?
Last night it was the shits.
Nina and I had just traveled some 960 miles enroute from Fullerton, CA to Portland, OR and my stomach was not happy. I wasn't sure what I had eaten that could cause the distress but the boy was distressed. It was gurgling, and snapping, and popping. It was rice crispies of the intestine.
To make matters worse after 960 miles of clear weather free driving we reached a point where the streets were covered in ice, temperatures were subzero and my X3 was making me question if all wheel drive was enough to get me to my destination.
With the exception of the beautiful snow covered trees of Mt Shasta we didn't see a speck of snow or ice on the ground. Once we came through mountain pass into Salem, Santa's winter wonderland surrounded us. There was no snow falling on us but there was a good 6" base that lit up the sky like daytime. Truly beautiful this snow was. What? Gurgle, spat, ugh.
As we passed the exit to Keiser, OR the home of friends Tish & Bill I said to myself that we should stick to the road despite the repeated calls from my nephew Warren warning of congestion, delays and all around traffic nightmare. He suggested that we stop in Wilsonville for a little while to do some shopping or have dinner while the road cleared up. We didn't make it to Wilsonville.
At Washburn approximately 8 mile (yo Em wassup?) south of Wilsonville traffic came to stop. So the thought of stopping for the night at the local best western seemed like a good idea. I could tell Nina was worried about driving in the snow and if it hadn't been 28 degrees there would probably have been sweat on her brow. But in these temps mini icicles had begun to form on her eyelashes. No rooms at the Inn but if we travel 2 miles the wrong direction we might have a chance at a room at the local fleebag. Nope.
I decided to tough the weather out. I have never driven in the stuff and, oops, what was that? O crap lets hit the restrooms Sweetie! It was horendous.
Imagine the worse stomach flu you ever had. The smell of old fish combined with a trash dump. That gooey stuff that gatherers between your toes when you don't wash your feet for two weeks.
Oh yes it was pleasant.
But I had to suck it up (not literally you sick f's) and trudge through this wonderfull white christmas eve that I had always dreamed of. Yep it was now past midnight so we were ho ho hoing all night.
The radio was no help either. Apparently the state of Oregon does not think it important to have an all news station so trying to find out more info about the weather conditions we were headed toward was not going to happen. Instead we had to listen to an interview with "Uncle Ted" the rocker/gun nut who says if Obama is elected we are all done for. I guess there is no live radio on Dec 23rd.
Our journey ended at 1:45 am after leaving Fullerton at 6:30am. FUN!
No chains on, I had AWD after all. My X3 had some slip and slide last night and Nina was very appreciative once we made it to the safety of her sisters.
Here's to my FIRST White Christmas! Gurgle, churn, spat, ugh.
Much love to all!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Things That Aren't Here Anymore
There was a popular local Newsman in Los Angeles by the name of Ralph Story. Growing up I associated the guy with boredom because it seemed to me that he never talked about anything I cared about. So when Dad watched one of his programs I found something else to do.
This year I discovered a two episode series of Ralph's called "Things that arent here anymore" and the "More things that aren't here anymore". A delightful survey of Southern California attractions that we loved as a kid and no longer exist. I have to say that watching the shows brought back fond memories for me like the time the lion attacked our station wagon at Lion Country Safari or getting bit on the arm by a roaming goose at Busch Gardens. Yes! Those were the "safe and sane" years.
I imagine that in 5 years there will be another series (perhaps helmed by the great Huell Howser) profiling those things that are not around since the collapse of our economic system. It doesn't take a genius to realize that the CDs are running empty at the Local Entertainment Store not to be replenished as the Digital Age is upon us. With the expense of producing goods increasing I see that the era of the "touch and feel" economy will dissappear. We will no longer care about having a solid piece of whatever to show for the money we spend. Could the Quatloo be that far off?
Here is the beginning of my list of "Things that won't be here anymore":
1. The Middle Class.
Shocking as it may seem I believe that as more individuals lose their jobs and more get dumped on the street as a result of foreclosure that the US as we know it will be like many third world countries. There will be Rich and there will be Poor. I think that the US economy has ridden on the backs of the middle class for too long and we are fast approaching the day when the middle class will no longer be able to afford to keep the government afloat and will fail. What side will you be on? Rich or Poor? That is unless we adopt The New Economy.
Wow that's a big one!
I better let that settle in with you before I write "More Things That Aren't Here Anymore".
This year I discovered a two episode series of Ralph's called "Things that arent here anymore" and the "More things that aren't here anymore". A delightful survey of Southern California attractions that we loved as a kid and no longer exist. I have to say that watching the shows brought back fond memories for me like the time the lion attacked our station wagon at Lion Country Safari or getting bit on the arm by a roaming goose at Busch Gardens. Yes! Those were the "safe and sane" years.
I imagine that in 5 years there will be another series (perhaps helmed by the great Huell Howser) profiling those things that are not around since the collapse of our economic system. It doesn't take a genius to realize that the CDs are running empty at the Local Entertainment Store not to be replenished as the Digital Age is upon us. With the expense of producing goods increasing I see that the era of the "touch and feel" economy will dissappear. We will no longer care about having a solid piece of whatever to show for the money we spend. Could the Quatloo be that far off?
Here is the beginning of my list of "Things that won't be here anymore":
1. The Middle Class.
Shocking as it may seem I believe that as more individuals lose their jobs and more get dumped on the street as a result of foreclosure that the US as we know it will be like many third world countries. There will be Rich and there will be Poor. I think that the US economy has ridden on the backs of the middle class for too long and we are fast approaching the day when the middle class will no longer be able to afford to keep the government afloat and will fail. What side will you be on? Rich or Poor? That is unless we adopt The New Economy.
Wow that's a big one!
I better let that settle in with you before I write "More Things That Aren't Here Anymore".
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Birthday
It's just another birthday for me. After the many that have passed in my life the process becomes rather routine. But there are a few attributes to good a birthday.
- Any birthday that includes a party is a good one. I don't much like getting presents (at least not as much as when I was a spoiled kid) but I like spending time with my friends and family on such an occasion. And when the only person in my life who has EVER been able to surprise me succeeds, well it makes it all that more fun.
- Birthdays celebrated in Vegas are always cool because you hope that you will be extra lucky. Not as such for me at the online poker table last night. Vegas is great for birthdays because you can let loose, drink too much, and no one will be the wiser.
- When your company gives you the day off for your birthday, it's always a good birthday. I don't know why more companies don't do this as it makes people feel like their employers care about them eventhough they clearly don't.
- A birthday that lands on a Friday or Saturday is always better than birthdays during the work week because no matter how much fun they are you always know that tomorrow you have to come back to this stinking place.
- Birthdays when you are kid and your parents are not divorced are probably the best birthdays. They are almost magical sometimes. It's on a day like today especially that I miss my Mom & Dad. They were gems.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
What are you thankful for?
For the most part my blog is about me. It's about my thoughts my feelings my adventures and my trials. But today I want it to be about you.
I want the few out there who regularly read my blog (and I know it's a small bunch) to open up your hearts and minds and tell me what you are thankful for.
As those of you who have good reading comprehension know this is the day two years ago when my Dad left this earth. At first I thought it was sad that I didn't realize he was my hero until he died but today I honor him as I do everyday as being the guy who gave me the guidance to find the wisdom I have today. I love you DAD and you will always be in my heart and mind.
Some things I am thankful for:
It interesting to note that for the last 3+ years I have worked in a less than positive environment, for and with people that are selfish and jealous, never understanding why I am a victim to this situation.
I think I figured out why on this day of thanks.
I was put in a hostile, negative environment to open my eyes to the joys I have outside of work. To cherish that which makes up my life and does not dictate it. To appreciate that it's those who I love and care about and choose to spend my time with that matter, no matter if it's a small percentage of my time spent of earth. It makes this quality time more special to me.
Now that I have reached this catharsis it is time to MOVE ON!
I encourage your comments. Don't be shy! Let your voice be heard!
Happy Thanksgiving one and all!
I want the few out there who regularly read my blog (and I know it's a small bunch) to open up your hearts and minds and tell me what you are thankful for.
As those of you who have good reading comprehension know this is the day two years ago when my Dad left this earth. At first I thought it was sad that I didn't realize he was my hero until he died but today I honor him as I do everyday as being the guy who gave me the guidance to find the wisdom I have today. I love you DAD and you will always be in my heart and mind.
Some things I am thankful for:
- My beautiful, caring, fun and adventurous wife Nina. She makes my sun rise in the morning and makes even the most diffcult day one of love and to be remembered.
- My friends and family who have supported me and enriched my life
- The challenges that life has brought me that keep me ever learning, ever growing
- The folks who produce the Syrah, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel especial in Santa Ynez and Paso Robles
- Opie & Anthony - they keep me sane and make me laugh through the longest day at work
- My Poker Buddies
It interesting to note that for the last 3+ years I have worked in a less than positive environment, for and with people that are selfish and jealous, never understanding why I am a victim to this situation.
I think I figured out why on this day of thanks.
I was put in a hostile, negative environment to open my eyes to the joys I have outside of work. To cherish that which makes up my life and does not dictate it. To appreciate that it's those who I love and care about and choose to spend my time with that matter, no matter if it's a small percentage of my time spent of earth. It makes this quality time more special to me.
Now that I have reached this catharsis it is time to MOVE ON!
I encourage your comments. Don't be shy! Let your voice be heard!
Happy Thanksgiving one and all!
Monday, November 17, 2008
Smoke gets in the Office Space
I guess I shouldn't have taken my daily walk today. The sky seems pretty clear and the air doesn't smell as bad as yesterday but when my trip was complete I was left with a headache to the power of Tylenol sinus. Alas it will pass soon just to be replaced with the stress of dealing with my co-workers here at Dunder Mifflin West.
Here's what we got:
The old dude who thinks he deserves respect because he's old. This guy will go on and on about subjects that most of the general population doesn't know a thing about to impress them that he knows something when he is really just blowing smoke. I figured him out early on when he informed everyone that the word Tiramisu was based on the root word "Terra" meaning earth because it is traditionally made of sponge cake covered in espresso so that it looks like a cross section of the earth.
The "C" level manager that worked his way up from the assembly line to the Board of Directors yet never took a management class in his life and thus does not know how to relate to or manage people. The guy that loves to impress people with sophisticated concepts like "metaphors" and can never admit to being "wrrr", "wrrron", wrong.
The mid-level manager who got dumped into his role by accident and got the responsibility but no raise and no new title. He's the guy that the "C" level dude dumps is trash on. While the mid-level dude fears the people below him who might know more than he and has no concept of what half of people in his department do and thus cannot properly evaluate them. He has to do what he can to keep the smart people below him at bay and in turn they are not utilized for their full worth while he promotes "the old guy" to unknown heights of incompetence and failure.
The twenty-ish "supervisor" who management likes because she is cute and personable. Truth is she is smart and she thinks she is ready to run the department but lacks the necessary training & experience to handle such a role. She doesn't realize that the reason she is getting kudos from management is because they are using her to advance their agenda at half the cost of a qualified supervisor. Some lessons cannot be taught in school and must be learned through experience.
Then there's the guy who has but one thing left that his truely his, the red stapler, and it's just a matter of time before they take it away from him.
Here's what we got:
The old dude who thinks he deserves respect because he's old. This guy will go on and on about subjects that most of the general population doesn't know a thing about to impress them that he knows something when he is really just blowing smoke. I figured him out early on when he informed everyone that the word Tiramisu was based on the root word "Terra" meaning earth because it is traditionally made of sponge cake covered in espresso so that it looks like a cross section of the earth.
The "C" level manager that worked his way up from the assembly line to the Board of Directors yet never took a management class in his life and thus does not know how to relate to or manage people. The guy that loves to impress people with sophisticated concepts like "metaphors" and can never admit to being "wrrr", "wrrron", wrong.
The mid-level manager who got dumped into his role by accident and got the responsibility but no raise and no new title. He's the guy that the "C" level dude dumps is trash on. While the mid-level dude fears the people below him who might know more than he and has no concept of what half of people in his department do and thus cannot properly evaluate them. He has to do what he can to keep the smart people below him at bay and in turn they are not utilized for their full worth while he promotes "the old guy" to unknown heights of incompetence and failure.
The twenty-ish "supervisor" who management likes because she is cute and personable. Truth is she is smart and she thinks she is ready to run the department but lacks the necessary training & experience to handle such a role. She doesn't realize that the reason she is getting kudos from management is because they are using her to advance their agenda at half the cost of a qualified supervisor. Some lessons cannot be taught in school and must be learned through experience.
Then there's the guy who has but one thing left that his truely his, the red stapler, and it's just a matter of time before they take it away from him.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Goodbye Grandma
It seems that November is the month when people die.
November 6, 1992 was Mom.
November 27, 2006 was Dad.
November 9, 2008 was Grandma.
One of the things that made my Grandma's passing different was that she was ready. She had lived almost 93 years, had outlived all of her friends and many of her family. She had experienced many things and had a life that after my Grandfather died in the 70's she dictated all on her own. In a way this power isolated her as she was never the one to "go along" with the crowd.
Some things I will never forget about her:
I hope that she had fond memories for me.
November 6, 1992 was Mom.
November 27, 2006 was Dad.
November 9, 2008 was Grandma.
One of the things that made my Grandma's passing different was that she was ready. She had lived almost 93 years, had outlived all of her friends and many of her family. She had experienced many things and had a life that after my Grandfather died in the 70's she dictated all on her own. In a way this power isolated her as she was never the one to "go along" with the crowd.
Some things I will never forget about her:
- The Denver Opera "in the Round"
- Her Paintings and the way her and my Mom encouraged me to explore the fine arts
- The way she would make this sound like she was sucking wind (Suss!) when I would drive her around town and not hit the brake when she thought I should
- The little pig magnet on her fridge that said "He who indulges, bulges"
- Her tight purse strings (I didn't say they were all complimentary)
- How she would always have a 5pm cocktail break which consisted of Cutty Sark on the rocks and a small bowl of popcorn which she would purchase already popped in a big bag from the King Soupers.
- How she would never call, or write me if I didn't call or write to her first and how she would never leave a message on them new-fangled answering machines
- The fact that every year before and after Mom died I would go to see her and all I would hear was how much she loved and appreciated my brother who seldom visited
I hope that she had fond memories for me.
Sunday, November 09, 2008
My Night with the A-Rabs
"You know the bible is just like the koran" mumbled the pasty faced, rather tall, hippie lady as she tried to pass off her literature just outside the venue. It seemed that though she was quite demure she still had an agenda with a passion to turn those hate filled Muslims. And what better place but the annual middle eastern festival in Garden Grove, California.
The hippy chick was not the only one there with an agenda. Also in attendance were recruiters from the FBI and CIA. In large blowup enclosures with phrases on the side like "Secret Missions Start Here" and "Your Future is Our Future" but most important was "If you don't speak another language don't bother". I have to think that if I was a young fit arab man I could make some serious bucks spying on my countrymen. It's a wonder there was not a line of folks at these booths, not there wasn't a lot of countrymen to witness the start of the betrayal.
There was a good selection of food including kebob, falafel, and the best humus I have ever tasted. It was interesting to see the large quantities of hookah's. A hookah is a special pipe for smoking flavored tobacco. One booth had dozens of flavors including key lime, blackberry, and spice. Did you know that Salma Hayek is half Lebanonese? Well you can imagine there were a number of her sisters there as well. For how the Muslim faith is protrayed as very conservative there was a lot of skin showing and one booth that was all about sexy music videos.
My Cambodian wife when faced with the looks are stares of the various festival-goers said "I feel out of place/unwelcome". I told her "welcome to my world". It seems that there are few places that I go which make me feel welcome and with the exception of a couple people who I gave money to when I made purchases the rest didn't seem to want me around.
I couldn't help but notice that there was a number of attractive young girls (late teen early twenties) who were draped in Palestinian flags or had those checkered bandanas ala Yassar Arafat tied around their heads. I understand pride in hertitage and "country first" but given the fact that most of the time I see someone with this garb on it's in a terrorist message on Al Jazerra I wonder what message is being sent. I didn't ask these ladies as not to offend, after all I was an outsider in their territory but it makes think that either al Qaida or Hezbola is recruiting more effectively than the FBI or CIA or these head dresses mean something else.
It could be that the reason we did not feel welcome at the festival is because it is a place where Middle Eastern folks can be comfortable with each other and not have to feel they have to present a different persona as they perhaps do outside the confines of this grassy area. I like experiencing other cultures I just hope that these cultures under King Obama will be more open to welcoming me. Maybe if I wear an Obama 2008 badge on as I walk around town others will hug me more?
Nah.
The hippy chick was not the only one there with an agenda. Also in attendance were recruiters from the FBI and CIA. In large blowup enclosures with phrases on the side like "Secret Missions Start Here" and "Your Future is Our Future" but most important was "If you don't speak another language don't bother". I have to think that if I was a young fit arab man I could make some serious bucks spying on my countrymen. It's a wonder there was not a line of folks at these booths, not there wasn't a lot of countrymen to witness the start of the betrayal.
There was a good selection of food including kebob, falafel, and the best humus I have ever tasted. It was interesting to see the large quantities of hookah's. A hookah is a special pipe for smoking flavored tobacco. One booth had dozens of flavors including key lime, blackberry, and spice. Did you know that Salma Hayek is half Lebanonese? Well you can imagine there were a number of her sisters there as well. For how the Muslim faith is protrayed as very conservative there was a lot of skin showing and one booth that was all about sexy music videos.
My Cambodian wife when faced with the looks are stares of the various festival-goers said "I feel out of place/unwelcome". I told her "welcome to my world". It seems that there are few places that I go which make me feel welcome and with the exception of a couple people who I gave money to when I made purchases the rest didn't seem to want me around.
I couldn't help but notice that there was a number of attractive young girls (late teen early twenties) who were draped in Palestinian flags or had those checkered bandanas ala Yassar Arafat tied around their heads. I understand pride in hertitage and "country first" but given the fact that most of the time I see someone with this garb on it's in a terrorist message on Al Jazerra I wonder what message is being sent. I didn't ask these ladies as not to offend, after all I was an outsider in their territory but it makes think that either al Qaida or Hezbola is recruiting more effectively than the FBI or CIA or these head dresses mean something else.
It could be that the reason we did not feel welcome at the festival is because it is a place where Middle Eastern folks can be comfortable with each other and not have to feel they have to present a different persona as they perhaps do outside the confines of this grassy area. I like experiencing other cultures I just hope that these cultures under King Obama will be more open to welcoming me. Maybe if I wear an Obama 2008 badge on as I walk around town others will hug me more?
Nah.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Obama Day 2
Thanks to Howard Stern we have some audio that validates my conclusion that people do not vote based on the issues. And perhaps they only voted based on skin color.
Also the dude is like only a quarter black but clearly the black community loves him.
Enjoy: Why Are You Voting for Obama?
Looks like Wall Street doesn't like him so far (take tongue, insert into cheek)
Before you pass me off as a right-wing conservative I would point out the following:
And in support of the coming together of the United States under President Obama when I get home tonight I plan to find my neighbors yappy kick-around dog and sacrifice him.
Also the dude is like only a quarter black but clearly the black community loves him.
Enjoy: Why Are You Voting for Obama?
Looks like Wall Street doesn't like him so far (take tongue, insert into cheek)
Before you pass me off as a right-wing conservative I would point out the following:
- I support gay marriage
- I support a women's right to choose
- I support stem cell research
And in support of the coming together of the United States under President Obama when I get home tonight I plan to find my neighbors yappy kick-around dog and sacrifice him.
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Obamanation
IT'S DONE!
No more can the USA be declared a racist country because a black man is now president.
What other things are off the table now?
Any of you reading this that think the reason that Obama won was because of his stance on the issues are just kidding yourself.
Any of you who think he won because he held the banner of "CHANGE" high are ignoring the fact that every candidate from the opposite party in a presidential election rides that Change banner like an angry mule in the 40 acres of desert.
Any of you that think the reason he won was because he is black. Well you guys are right.
And who wouldn't want the job? I mean the guy gets to take the blame for further bloodshed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The truth his he won't bring the troops home in 60 days as he previously promised. And the economy he has inherited? What a prime time to be president when you get to take the blame for a failure like the current state of wall street and the sub-prime mortgage disaster. The fact is the president has little to do with destroying or saving the economy and when one of the political pundits last night said that under Obama the economy would start coming back in 6 months I laughed. Yeah and so will the troops.
The biggest hypocrate of the night has to be Jesse Jackson. After this money hungry scumbag called Obama "the N word" in a candid moment less than six months ago he is standing there crying at the success that is President Obama. The dude was crying because it isn't President Jackson on that stage. This guy is an example of what's wrong in this world. Hopefully the age of Obama will mean the end of the Jackson era. At the very least.
And to you conservative middle class idiots that voted for this guy I hope you enjoy the higher taxes that your buddy Obama will impose on you. How can anyone possibly think that in a economy of federal bailout that the individual would get his taxes cut and not see them go the other way (higher for you slow people)? You are a bunch of fools and you will pay (literally) when this liberal leader and his liberal senate and liberal house start taking your money and giving it to all those programs that support people who would rather depend on government assistance than go get a job at the local BK.
And mark my words, by this time next year when all those people who thought Obama would change their lives and make it ok for them to miss a mortgage payment discover that nothing has changed you will hear a lot of pissed off people. It's going to get ugly.
Where did Hillary disappear to?
No more can the USA be declared a racist country because a black man is now president.
What other things are off the table now?
- 40 acres and a mule
- Reparations
- Getting to work on time
- The glass ceiling
- "The Man"
- The Struggle
- The correct way to refer to blacks
- Any other race centered excuses for not succeeding
Any of you reading this that think the reason that Obama won was because of his stance on the issues are just kidding yourself.
Any of you who think he won because he held the banner of "CHANGE" high are ignoring the fact that every candidate from the opposite party in a presidential election rides that Change banner like an angry mule in the 40 acres of desert.
Any of you that think the reason he won was because he is black. Well you guys are right.
And who wouldn't want the job? I mean the guy gets to take the blame for further bloodshed in Iraq and Afghanistan. The truth his he won't bring the troops home in 60 days as he previously promised. And the economy he has inherited? What a prime time to be president when you get to take the blame for a failure like the current state of wall street and the sub-prime mortgage disaster. The fact is the president has little to do with destroying or saving the economy and when one of the political pundits last night said that under Obama the economy would start coming back in 6 months I laughed. Yeah and so will the troops.
The biggest hypocrate of the night has to be Jesse Jackson. After this money hungry scumbag called Obama "the N word" in a candid moment less than six months ago he is standing there crying at the success that is President Obama. The dude was crying because it isn't President Jackson on that stage. This guy is an example of what's wrong in this world. Hopefully the age of Obama will mean the end of the Jackson era. At the very least.
And to you conservative middle class idiots that voted for this guy I hope you enjoy the higher taxes that your buddy Obama will impose on you. How can anyone possibly think that in a economy of federal bailout that the individual would get his taxes cut and not see them go the other way (higher for you slow people)? You are a bunch of fools and you will pay (literally) when this liberal leader and his liberal senate and liberal house start taking your money and giving it to all those programs that support people who would rather depend on government assistance than go get a job at the local BK.
And mark my words, by this time next year when all those people who thought Obama would change their lives and make it ok for them to miss a mortgage payment discover that nothing has changed you will hear a lot of pissed off people. It's going to get ugly.
Where did Hillary disappear to?
Monday, October 13, 2008
THE NEW ECONOMY
Yippee! The stock market is up 11% today! We are back baby! We hit bottom and now there's no where else to go but up!
Well maybe not.
I don't want a tax cut. I don't want rebate check. I want a pay raise. A big one.
I want the government to cut corporate taxes so that businesses can create new jobs and afford to pay their employees what they deserve. So that they can keep the good people that they have invested in and not have to find and train new people every couple years. It's time to end the "we will pay them no more than we have to" philosophy that has turned the workplace into a place we dread and more into a new challenge if not adventure each day.
Economic stimulus does nothing. That check we got earlier in the year didn't help anything.
I don't want a tax cut. I don't want a rebate. I want a raise.
Don't companies realize that if they don't pay market levels for the folks they hire that they will lose them?
If industry pays their employees more the employees will pay more taxes, they will buy more crap on the weekends and in the end the economy grows. THE NEW ECONOMY.
In the not so distant future companies will have to pay their employees more just to survive.
THAT'S RIGHT! PAY ME MORE = KEEP YOUR BUSINESS OPEN
A change is coming and it's not coming from Washington, it's coming out of necessity
THE NEW ECONOMY is on the horizon
Well maybe not.
I don't want a tax cut. I don't want rebate check. I want a pay raise. A big one.
I want the government to cut corporate taxes so that businesses can create new jobs and afford to pay their employees what they deserve. So that they can keep the good people that they have invested in and not have to find and train new people every couple years. It's time to end the "we will pay them no more than we have to" philosophy that has turned the workplace into a place we dread and more into a new challenge if not adventure each day.
Economic stimulus does nothing. That check we got earlier in the year didn't help anything.
I don't want a tax cut. I don't want a rebate. I want a raise.
Don't companies realize that if they don't pay market levels for the folks they hire that they will lose them?
If industry pays their employees more the employees will pay more taxes, they will buy more crap on the weekends and in the end the economy grows. THE NEW ECONOMY.
In the not so distant future companies will have to pay their employees more just to survive.
THAT'S RIGHT! PAY ME MORE = KEEP YOUR BUSINESS OPEN
A change is coming and it's not coming from Washington, it's coming out of necessity
THE NEW ECONOMY is on the horizon
Thursday, October 09, 2008
We are all screwed
How can I be expected to write my normal pithy remarks about the world around me when my investments are falling like bricks from the top of a watchtower?
Speaking of watchtowers I recently discovered one of my farmers market friends - the guys that sell me crap at the farmers market so they can hide the sales from the government (are weed sales taxable?) - is a Jehovah Witness. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
The guy is a nice enough fellow.
He believes in black helicopters, the second shooter, Area 51 cover up, the Illuminati...
Ya, he's a good egg but kinda kooky. Don't ya know. Drives a Tan Sierra. Right here in Brainard.
We were talking about religion and though he is not one of those guys who would push his on you he believes that only Jehovah witnesses will be saved, go to heaven, meet their creator, whatever.
He said that he used to be a very bad man and once he discovered the watchtower it changed his life, made him a better person. Dude whatever gets you home at night without crashing into a tree.
The witnesses follow "the scripture" word by word which is why they don't celebrate holidays or birthday's, no Christmas, or presents, or cake.
My nephew likes presents. Especially the ones with Benjamin Franklin's picture on them.
Cake is good but for me it has to have butter cream frosting. Love that butter cream frosting.
None of that for the Jehovah Witness. Because he follows the bible to the letter. And because he does this, he and his JW brothers will be the only ones who are "the anointed" who will see God.
But what if the bible turns out to be bullshit?
Speaking of watchtowers I recently discovered one of my farmers market friends - the guys that sell me crap at the farmers market so they can hide the sales from the government (are weed sales taxable?) - is a Jehovah Witness. Not that there's anything wrong with that.
The guy is a nice enough fellow.
He believes in black helicopters, the second shooter, Area 51 cover up, the Illuminati...
Ya, he's a good egg but kinda kooky. Don't ya know. Drives a Tan Sierra. Right here in Brainard.
We were talking about religion and though he is not one of those guys who would push his on you he believes that only Jehovah witnesses will be saved, go to heaven, meet their creator, whatever.
He said that he used to be a very bad man and once he discovered the watchtower it changed his life, made him a better person. Dude whatever gets you home at night without crashing into a tree.
The witnesses follow "the scripture" word by word which is why they don't celebrate holidays or birthday's, no Christmas, or presents, or cake.
My nephew likes presents. Especially the ones with Benjamin Franklin's picture on them.
Cake is good but for me it has to have butter cream frosting. Love that butter cream frosting.
None of that for the Jehovah Witness. Because he follows the bible to the letter. And because he does this, he and his JW brothers will be the only ones who are "the anointed" who will see God.
But what if the bible turns out to be bullshit?
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Nancy Pelosi is a Partisan Bitch
If Nancy the Ninny had any sense of diplomacy the "save our economic ass" bill would have passed in the house on Monday but as Steve Martin used to say "NOOOOOOOOOOOO!" She had to go on a partisan diatribe praising the democrats and blasting the republicans. What a Cu*t!
When her party's candidate is preaching his plan to work across the isle how can voters believe it with this c*nt spouting her venom in the middle of the worst economic crisis in recent history? She is bad for her party and bad for the country. I bet the dems are still shaking their heads and trying to figure out how to get this *unt out of the house.
Where's your voice of the people now?
If you want to read a clear opinion of the situation instead of the drivel coming form the speaker check this out:
http://publications.fidelity.com/investorsWeekly/application/loadArticle?pagename=IW080929govtrescue&fca_id=20084190p08
When her party's candidate is preaching his plan to work across the isle how can voters believe it with this c*nt spouting her venom in the middle of the worst economic crisis in recent history? She is bad for her party and bad for the country. I bet the dems are still shaking their heads and trying to figure out how to get this *unt out of the house.
Where's your voice of the people now?
If you want to read a clear opinion of the situation instead of the drivel coming form the speaker check this out:
http://publications.fidelity.com/investorsWeekly/application/loadArticle?pagename=IW080929govtrescue&fca_id=20084190p08
Monday, September 29, 2008
Raider Nation Rise From The Ashes
The Raiders are a great three quarter team. They have shown since the disaster of Week 1 that they can be competitive as long as they are balanced. Had the injuries to their running back corps and an important O-Line member not occurred undoubtedly they would be 3 and 1. The fact is that all teams deal with injuries and the Raiders have already shown that they can adapt to change it just takes a little time.
I am a homer for the Raiders, they have been my team since I was a kid and I have experienced the most exciting moments in sports watching them over the years. I remember the good old days when they were regularly on top and in the playoffs and thinking to myself when they beat the Redskins in the Superbowl "where do we go from here?" Like my use of the royal "We"?
It just seemed to me that the joy of victory required the struggle to get there for it to mean anything. If the team is in the playoffs every year and just misses the big game by a playoff game or two and in a subsequent season gets there and wins, does it mean the same as a team that finishes among the last 5 teams for 5 years straight? What did i wish on my team?
The Raiders really are a talented and young team and I know that "Big Al" sees this. I believe the reason Lane Kiffen is still the head coach is because Al sees how the team has grown from week to week. It makes me sick that the coaching controversy continues and I wish Al would put out a press release saying that Kiffin's job is secure and call the dogs off. Al you don't want Lane to take his talent and apply it to a rival team like Shanahan & Gruden did. Or have you forgotten the Raiders last Superbowl appearance? Firing a good coach mid-season is always a mistake and Lane Kiffin is a good coach.
So here comes that crazy prediction from the Raider's homer:
The Raiders will be in the Playoffs this season.
I am a homer for the Raiders, they have been my team since I was a kid and I have experienced the most exciting moments in sports watching them over the years. I remember the good old days when they were regularly on top and in the playoffs and thinking to myself when they beat the Redskins in the Superbowl "where do we go from here?" Like my use of the royal "We"?
It just seemed to me that the joy of victory required the struggle to get there for it to mean anything. If the team is in the playoffs every year and just misses the big game by a playoff game or two and in a subsequent season gets there and wins, does it mean the same as a team that finishes among the last 5 teams for 5 years straight? What did i wish on my team?
The Raiders really are a talented and young team and I know that "Big Al" sees this. I believe the reason Lane Kiffen is still the head coach is because Al sees how the team has grown from week to week. It makes me sick that the coaching controversy continues and I wish Al would put out a press release saying that Kiffin's job is secure and call the dogs off. Al you don't want Lane to take his talent and apply it to a rival team like Shanahan & Gruden did. Or have you forgotten the Raiders last Superbowl appearance? Firing a good coach mid-season is always a mistake and Lane Kiffin is a good coach.
So here comes that crazy prediction from the Raider's homer:
The Raiders will be in the Playoffs this season.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
As Good as it Gets?
Are you getting the most out of your life?
If things aren't perfect do you check out of society?
Do you have to control everything?
Are you not flexible or willing to compromise? Ever.
Is this as good as it gets?
It seems that time and again I meet people who are so self-centered that they cannot cope with their own existence unless everything stems from their tree of life. They are not interested in new things unless they discover them. They are not flexible in the direction their life takes (how about Wahoo's instead of El Torito this time?). They put rules on themselves and others that can only result in disappointment because life doesn't always go their way.
Some might say that these people just haven't grown up. Others might describe them as stubborn and self-centered. But I have to believe that in some way these people are the way they are because they want to be that way at any cost. They want to have their way, they are convinced that they cannot learn anything from others, and this is the best of life.
This kind of personality can be frustrating at times and I have found that when I apply my "associate within boundaries" philosophy to this type of situation I can get the optimal results. In short this philosophy says to address people at their level. If your friendship with someone is based on having a beer at Hooters once in a blue moon you shouldn't expect that person to say YES when you call them in the middle of the night asking for a spare kidney.
Are you one of these people? Someone who needs that coffee table to be exactly 14 inches from the TV. Someone whose happiness is dependent on the outcome of a sporting event. An individual who can never admit when they are wrong but trumpets the failure of others.
If you are then I suspect you aren't reading this.
On the slight chance that you are this way and reading my blog I ask you this.
Are you happy?
Normally I would end a post like this with a profound question like that but in this case I think I have to be blunt. The self-centered among us need to examine who they are dominating by being so controlling and inflexible. I think if you think about it you will discover that the only person you are dominating by building up the walls of self-centrism is you.
Life is too short. Live a little.
If the kitchen is out of orange juice why not try grapefruit?
If things aren't perfect do you check out of society?
Do you have to control everything?
Are you not flexible or willing to compromise? Ever.
Is this as good as it gets?
It seems that time and again I meet people who are so self-centered that they cannot cope with their own existence unless everything stems from their tree of life. They are not interested in new things unless they discover them. They are not flexible in the direction their life takes (how about Wahoo's instead of El Torito this time?). They put rules on themselves and others that can only result in disappointment because life doesn't always go their way.
Some might say that these people just haven't grown up. Others might describe them as stubborn and self-centered. But I have to believe that in some way these people are the way they are because they want to be that way at any cost. They want to have their way, they are convinced that they cannot learn anything from others, and this is the best of life.
This kind of personality can be frustrating at times and I have found that when I apply my "associate within boundaries" philosophy to this type of situation I can get the optimal results. In short this philosophy says to address people at their level. If your friendship with someone is based on having a beer at Hooters once in a blue moon you shouldn't expect that person to say YES when you call them in the middle of the night asking for a spare kidney.
Are you one of these people? Someone who needs that coffee table to be exactly 14 inches from the TV. Someone whose happiness is dependent on the outcome of a sporting event. An individual who can never admit when they are wrong but trumpets the failure of others.
If you are then I suspect you aren't reading this.
On the slight chance that you are this way and reading my blog I ask you this.
Are you happy?
Normally I would end a post like this with a profound question like that but in this case I think I have to be blunt. The self-centered among us need to examine who they are dominating by being so controlling and inflexible. I think if you think about it you will discover that the only person you are dominating by building up the walls of self-centrism is you.
Life is too short. Live a little.
If the kitchen is out of orange juice why not try grapefruit?
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Followas
I recently added the ability for you to become a follower of my blog (see right column) but apparently you can only sign up as a public follower if you have a blog yourself and the fact is that some of us are bloggers and some just don't know the struggle we bloggers face.
I think you shouldn't have a be a blogger to a follower of a blogger. But I's don't like it when people who are not bloggers refer to me as blogger because they are not bloggers and don't understand where we bloggers come from, you know?
Once in a while when I see one of the other bloggers I know in my hood I will say "Yo Blogga, wassup?" but I don't want to see no damn Site Owners (I call 'em boardas) calling me a blogga, they just don't know my struggle. Frikin boardas, they think just because they own da site that I blog on that I am a slave to dem. I ain't no slave to no damn boarda! One day I will get what I deserve for spreading my content and won't have to answer to none of them tight ass white linen pants wearing boardas.
Peace!
I think you shouldn't have a be a blogger to a follower of a blogger. But I's don't like it when people who are not bloggers refer to me as blogger because they are not bloggers and don't understand where we bloggers come from, you know?
Once in a while when I see one of the other bloggers I know in my hood I will say "Yo Blogga, wassup?" but I don't want to see no damn Site Owners (I call 'em boardas) calling me a blogga, they just don't know my struggle. Frikin boardas, they think just because they own da site that I blog on that I am a slave to dem. I ain't no slave to no damn boarda! One day I will get what I deserve for spreading my content and won't have to answer to none of them tight ass white linen pants wearing boardas.
Peace!
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Sarah Palin The First Female President
You heard it here first. Come 2012 Sarah Palin will be the boss.
Why?
Because she single handedly killed the Obama campaign last night. Because she is what the politicos call a "great communicator".
I am sick of what has become of our government and I question whether it was always like this and I was just a naive get. At one time I thought the right was about lowering taxes and promoting business and the left was all about supporting those who can't support themselves. But the fact is that both parties are two sides of the same coin. Don't kid yourselves people politicians are in it for the money and power just like any other ambitious corporate ladder climbers.
So now I look at politics as a SPORT.
Not so much thinking that anyone will change anything or better my life but by the plays made to get the advantage over the opponent. When Obama picked Mile High Stadium for his convention speech I thought it was a smart move. Kind of saying "I am a man of the people. Watch me fill this f'in stadium with people". And he did. But then his less than stellar performance at the mic that night didn't keep me interested. Maybe if he had thrown in a "people's elbow" or repeatedly referred to himself in third person "And Barack says to George W Bush and his people know your role and SHUT YOUR MOUTH".
Dude you have to attack to win and saying the McCain is just a third Bush term is not enough. I'm just sayin...
Shortly after the convention McCain made the very wise choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate. This choice will bring in 50% of the Hillary voters who only voted for Ms. Clinton because she is a woman. Many women voted Clinton as blacks are voting Obama because of gender or race. I am not being critical of this just stating it as I see it. At the same time some white people vote McCain because he's white. Who cares? It's not news to anyone that people pick a candidate for many stupid reasons. Remember the people who voted for Bill Clinton because he has "a kind face"?
But last night Sarah brought her hunting gear and had her guns blazing at the Obama campaign.
Last night she was confident, comfortable, and clear.
Last night she put John McCain in the Whitehouse.
Why?
Because she single handedly killed the Obama campaign last night. Because she is what the politicos call a "great communicator".
I am sick of what has become of our government and I question whether it was always like this and I was just a naive get. At one time I thought the right was about lowering taxes and promoting business and the left was all about supporting those who can't support themselves. But the fact is that both parties are two sides of the same coin. Don't kid yourselves people politicians are in it for the money and power just like any other ambitious corporate ladder climbers.
So now I look at politics as a SPORT.
Not so much thinking that anyone will change anything or better my life but by the plays made to get the advantage over the opponent. When Obama picked Mile High Stadium for his convention speech I thought it was a smart move. Kind of saying "I am a man of the people. Watch me fill this f'in stadium with people". And he did. But then his less than stellar performance at the mic that night didn't keep me interested. Maybe if he had thrown in a "people's elbow" or repeatedly referred to himself in third person "And Barack says to George W Bush and his people know your role and SHUT YOUR MOUTH".
Dude you have to attack to win and saying the McCain is just a third Bush term is not enough. I'm just sayin...
Shortly after the convention McCain made the very wise choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate. This choice will bring in 50% of the Hillary voters who only voted for Ms. Clinton because she is a woman. Many women voted Clinton as blacks are voting Obama because of gender or race. I am not being critical of this just stating it as I see it. At the same time some white people vote McCain because he's white. Who cares? It's not news to anyone that people pick a candidate for many stupid reasons. Remember the people who voted for Bill Clinton because he has "a kind face"?
But last night Sarah brought her hunting gear and had her guns blazing at the Obama campaign.
Last night she was confident, comfortable, and clear.
Last night she put John McCain in the Whitehouse.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Open to New Things
Are you a person who is open to new things?
I like it when people tell me about new things they discover, new cities they've visited, new restaurants tried, etc. Of course for me the source of the info determines the value of the information so I wouldn't take a wine suggestion from someone who prefers it "from the box" because you can easily store it in the garage. At the same time I admire the courage of someone who will put himself out there and make a suggestion.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge, speaking my mind, heck that's why I have this blog. But sometimes I am hesitant to suggest things to others because I know nothing good can come from it. It's like there are people in life that cannot take suggestion, that no matter how good or life-enriching a suggestion I have might be they will not follow it because they didn't come up with it. I sometimes censor my critiques on this blog as not to offend the sensitive reader which is kind of strange because I bet the vast majority of the people I e-mailed about this blog rarely bother to read it.
It's always humorous when I bring an idea to someone who passes it off and years later brings the same idea back to me as the best thing ever. I by no means believe that I have all the answers but it's very funny when a person is so adamant about a restaurant today they I have been going to since 1996 (or whatever).
Then there are the people who make up shit. You know those people who love to give unsolicited advice, that feel good about themselves if they know more about something than others do. I know this one dude who enjoys speaking of archaic stuff that no one in the general area has a clue about just so he can sound intelligent. Always talking about how this is the best place for pasta or the best city to visit. Yet when a topic comes around I am familiar with and he knows little about he won't let it stop him from painting a canvas of lies. It's almost like the guy tells the same lie enough times so that he will get to the point that he believes it as the truth when I know it's crap. I do not take suggestions from this guy, at least not anymore.
I am a sucker when it comes to people. I tend to be too trusting. At times this can bite me in the ass because there are a lot of users out there. I think one of the reasons I have not been able to move up in the company I currently work for is the I have repeatedly trusted the wrong people and they have repeated stabbed me in the back. I don't take suggestions from these people either.
So are you open to new things? What criteria do you use to determine whether to employ a suggestion from someone? Is it important to you that you be the smartest person in the room or are you open to advice? When you criticize something do you take into account the audience of your critic?
I like it when people tell me about new things they discover, new cities they've visited, new restaurants tried, etc. Of course for me the source of the info determines the value of the information so I wouldn't take a wine suggestion from someone who prefers it "from the box" because you can easily store it in the garage. At the same time I admire the courage of someone who will put himself out there and make a suggestion.
I enjoy sharing my knowledge, speaking my mind, heck that's why I have this blog. But sometimes I am hesitant to suggest things to others because I know nothing good can come from it. It's like there are people in life that cannot take suggestion, that no matter how good or life-enriching a suggestion I have might be they will not follow it because they didn't come up with it. I sometimes censor my critiques on this blog as not to offend the sensitive reader which is kind of strange because I bet the vast majority of the people I e-mailed about this blog rarely bother to read it.
It's always humorous when I bring an idea to someone who passes it off and years later brings the same idea back to me as the best thing ever. I by no means believe that I have all the answers but it's very funny when a person is so adamant about a restaurant today they I have been going to since 1996 (or whatever).
Then there are the people who make up shit. You know those people who love to give unsolicited advice, that feel good about themselves if they know more about something than others do. I know this one dude who enjoys speaking of archaic stuff that no one in the general area has a clue about just so he can sound intelligent. Always talking about how this is the best place for pasta or the best city to visit. Yet when a topic comes around I am familiar with and he knows little about he won't let it stop him from painting a canvas of lies. It's almost like the guy tells the same lie enough times so that he will get to the point that he believes it as the truth when I know it's crap. I do not take suggestions from this guy, at least not anymore.
I am a sucker when it comes to people. I tend to be too trusting. At times this can bite me in the ass because there are a lot of users out there. I think one of the reasons I have not been able to move up in the company I currently work for is the I have repeatedly trusted the wrong people and they have repeated stabbed me in the back. I don't take suggestions from these people either.
So are you open to new things? What criteria do you use to determine whether to employ a suggestion from someone? Is it important to you that you be the smartest person in the room or are you open to advice? When you criticize something do you take into account the audience of your critic?
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Open Letter to James Allotey
Or whoever you are.
The spam letter you sent me:
Dearest
Please, I want to introduce myself and this business
opportunity to you.My name is Mr James Allotey , a bank accountant,I will
need your assistance in this business transaction.I would like you to
stand as the next of kin to my deceased customer,Mr David Clemetson, who
died in a plane crash in January 31st 2000 plane crash.Check the
website for the details of the plane crash:
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/
He was a wealthy medical doctor who made a deposit of
$17Million with
our bank.He died without any registered next of kin and as
such the
funds now have an open beneficiary mandate. If you are
interested please
do let me have your private telephone number so that I can
give you
comprehensive details on what we are to do.
Send me the following information:
1. Your Full name :
2. Your private secured telephone number :
3. Your occupation :
4. Your home or office address :
I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
James Allotey
I want to thank you and curse you at the same time. You sent me a letter in an attempt to con money out of me like so many of the folks from Nigeria. Your's was the standard format detailing the huge sum of money ($17 million) that could be had if I posed as an heir. All I need to do is send you my contact information to get the ball rolling.
But then in a attempt to legitimize your contention you included this:
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/
It makes me sick that you would go so low as to include the heartfelt memoirs of real people who lost real friends and family just so you could make a buck. What deceit. Have you no conscience?
At the same time I want to thank you because I didn't know that an archive of this kind existed. Reading notes, at times detailed, on the lives of these poor people who lost their lives too soon put me on that plane. Left me thinking what last thoughts they had and how the people that survived them took the tragic news.
The spam letter you sent me:
Dearest
Please, I want to introduce myself and this business
opportunity to you.My name is Mr James Allotey , a bank accountant,I will
need your assistance in this business transaction.I would like you to
stand as the next of kin to my deceased customer,Mr David Clemetson, who
died in a plane crash in January 31st 2000 plane crash.Check the
website for the details of the plane crash:
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/
He was a wealthy medical doctor who made a deposit of
$17Million with
our bank.He died without any registered next of kin and as
such the
funds now have an open beneficiary mandate. If you are
interested please
do let me have your private telephone number so that I can
give you
comprehensive details on what we are to do.
Send me the following information:
1. Your Full name :
2. Your private secured telephone number :
3. Your occupation :
4. Your home or office address :
I urgently hope to get your response as soon as possible.
Best Regards,
James Allotey
I want to thank you and curse you at the same time. You sent me a letter in an attempt to con money out of me like so many of the folks from Nigeria. Your's was the standard format detailing the huge sum of money ($17 million) that could be had if I posed as an heir. All I need to do is send you my contact information to get the ball rolling.
But then in a attempt to legitimize your contention you included this:
http://archives.cnn.com/2000/US/02/01/alaska.airlines.list/
It makes me sick that you would go so low as to include the heartfelt memoirs of real people who lost real friends and family just so you could make a buck. What deceit. Have you no conscience?
At the same time I want to thank you because I didn't know that an archive of this kind existed. Reading notes, at times detailed, on the lives of these poor people who lost their lives too soon put me on that plane. Left me thinking what last thoughts they had and how the people that survived them took the tragic news.
Thursday, August 07, 2008
Brett the Jet
Whether Brett Favre is to wear a Packer jersey or not has been up in the air for the last week or so. Well today he became a Jet and to me that makes no sense. I guess he wants to live in New York so he can hear Opie & Anthony everyday on regular radio, those satellite bills can be expensive for a pro quarterback. He said he wants to play for a team in contention, a team good enough to make it to the big game.
The Jets?
Over the Bucs?
Why would the guy choose a team that plays the Pats twice a year? What support staff do the Jets have to help him reach the Superbowl? Why couldn’t he reach an agreement with Green Bay? He was one pass away from the big game last year, now he’s on the "other team" that plays in New York who didn't make it to the Superbowl last year.
If the reports of his belligerence with Green Bay officials were correct he would have made a perfect Raider.
Did you know that he is on the cover of the latest version of Madden football?
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/genericContent.do?oid=216745&c=1
I wonder if they can reprint all the labels and put a Jets jersey on them before next Tuesday?
Do you think when they chose him back in the spring to be the cover boy they thought “this guy won’t suffer from the ‘Madden Curse’ because he’s already retired”
Not so much.
The Jets?
Over the Bucs?
Why would the guy choose a team that plays the Pats twice a year? What support staff do the Jets have to help him reach the Superbowl? Why couldn’t he reach an agreement with Green Bay? He was one pass away from the big game last year, now he’s on the "other team" that plays in New York who didn't make it to the Superbowl last year.
If the reports of his belligerence with Green Bay officials were correct he would have made a perfect Raider.
Did you know that he is on the cover of the latest version of Madden football?
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/genericContent.do?oid=216745&c=1
I wonder if they can reprint all the labels and put a Jets jersey on them before next Tuesday?
Do you think when they chose him back in the spring to be the cover boy they thought “this guy won’t suffer from the ‘Madden Curse’ because he’s already retired”
Not so much.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
U-PLAY
"Viva La Vida" because death will strike you down one day and all this will be gone.
In my favorite track "42" of the latest Coldplay release Chris Martin sings "Those who are dead are not dead, they're just living my head".
INDEED.
In mine as well Chris.
But we are not crazy are we? We might be ghosts. Or at least maybe we just think we are.
42, the answer to the greatest riddle of the universe is a "rite of passage" track. It melds the Coldplay we know and love with the new "Brian Enoized" Coldplay which sounds similar to Bono and the boys from Ireland. I call the new band U-PLAY.
"Life in Technicolour" opens with a unforgettable whirl of sound that is reminiscent of a fire once stoked in an abandoned castle.
"Lovers in Japan - Reign of Love" could easily be a track on "Joshua Tree" but it would have a more earth-conscious title like "Revelation in the city of fossil fuels".
The album concludes with the reassurance that we will die at some point but that Death is our buddy. Followed by that familiar whirl from the beginning to complete the U-Play journey.
Kind of hokie, kind of cliche'
I LOVE IT!
A MODERN MASTERPIECE!
I WANT MORE!
In my favorite track "42" of the latest Coldplay release Chris Martin sings "Those who are dead are not dead, they're just living my head".
INDEED.
In mine as well Chris.
But we are not crazy are we? We might be ghosts. Or at least maybe we just think we are.
42, the answer to the greatest riddle of the universe is a "rite of passage" track. It melds the Coldplay we know and love with the new "Brian Enoized" Coldplay which sounds similar to Bono and the boys from Ireland. I call the new band U-PLAY.
"Life in Technicolour" opens with a unforgettable whirl of sound that is reminiscent of a fire once stoked in an abandoned castle.
"Lovers in Japan - Reign of Love" could easily be a track on "Joshua Tree" but it would have a more earth-conscious title like "Revelation in the city of fossil fuels".
The album concludes with the reassurance that we will die at some point but that Death is our buddy. Followed by that familiar whirl from the beginning to complete the U-Play journey.
Kind of hokie, kind of cliche'
I LOVE IT!
A MODERN MASTERPIECE!
I WANT MORE!
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Smorstick
A brilliant man once said "Smores don't taste that good, they are just fun to make".
Well the other day at the beach in celebration of a special birthday the fire was blazin and the kids were dangling their marshmallow covered "smorsticks" hoping to toast them just good enough so they are melty but not create too much cancer. One of the moms warned "Don't burn them because the black stuff will give you cancer". I guess she's not a big fan of Carl's Jr or any barbecue food. I mean what is this bitch thinking? Scaring the kids into thinking that they will die if they eat a marshmallow that's slightly charred? I love that charred stuff. Have you been to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse? A slice of heaven the steaks are there with that nice charred exterior and that "great-4-you" garlic butter sauce. I don't know how anyone could live without barbecue. You would probably have to eat a 100lbs of charred meat in one sitting to take in enough cancer causing crap (ccc) to affect you.
Holy shit!
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/19/health/19real.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=barbeque%20causes%20cancer&st=cse&oref=slogin
We're all going to die! And it's because we like our barbecued meats. Maybe that's the reason the life expectancy of the African American... maybe I shouldn't go there. My apologies to the nappy among us and that lady I called a bitch. She was a nice lady, I am an ass.
Anyway back in his days in Holland or Denmark or Stuttgart or wherever he came from my good friend Cor as a young Leganheighen (Dutch Weblo) invented the Smorstick. It was quite an accomplishment as previously the little people of Leftinghaus used their fingers to melt marshmallows which often caused severe burns. In addition at times their fingers had teeth marks on them when they forgot to remove them from between the marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers in a rush to ingest those heavenly delights.
The smorstick was of simple design a stiff wire glued inside the circular husk of what is known today as cardboard tubing but back then was considered "the finest of material for making the strongest of Dutch furniture". To see Cor use his tribal knowledge and some Gorilla Tape to create the most efficient way to maneuver a marshmallow over flame was a thing of beauty.
Well the other day at the beach in celebration of a special birthday the fire was blazin and the kids were dangling their marshmallow covered "smorsticks" hoping to toast them just good enough so they are melty but not create too much cancer. One of the moms warned "Don't burn them because the black stuff will give you cancer". I guess she's not a big fan of Carl's Jr or any barbecue food. I mean what is this bitch thinking? Scaring the kids into thinking that they will die if they eat a marshmallow that's slightly charred? I love that charred stuff. Have you been to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse? A slice of heaven the steaks are there with that nice charred exterior and that "great-4-you" garlic butter sauce. I don't know how anyone could live without barbecue. You would probably have to eat a 100lbs of charred meat in one sitting to take in enough cancer causing crap (ccc) to affect you.
Holy shit!
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/19/health/19real.html?_r=1&scp=4&sq=barbeque%20causes%20cancer&st=cse&oref=slogin
We're all going to die! And it's because we like our barbecued meats. Maybe that's the reason the life expectancy of the African American... maybe I shouldn't go there. My apologies to the nappy among us and that lady I called a bitch. She was a nice lady, I am an ass.
Anyway back in his days in Holland or Denmark or Stuttgart or wherever he came from my good friend Cor as a young Leganheighen (Dutch Weblo) invented the Smorstick. It was quite an accomplishment as previously the little people of Leftinghaus used their fingers to melt marshmallows which often caused severe burns. In addition at times their fingers had teeth marks on them when they forgot to remove them from between the marshmallow, chocolate and graham crackers in a rush to ingest those heavenly delights.
The smorstick was of simple design a stiff wire glued inside the circular husk of what is known today as cardboard tubing but back then was considered "the finest of material for making the strongest of Dutch furniture". To see Cor use his tribal knowledge and some Gorilla Tape to create the most efficient way to maneuver a marshmallow over flame was a thing of beauty.
Quaken
This morning on my drive to work I started to get a bad feeling. It wasn't the normal indigestion of excessive drinking from the night before, I don't usually start the weeks embibing until Wednesday.
I had this feeling of impending doom. I was fearing something bad was going to happen. I though Nina might have car problems or be in danger. Since I vowed to listen to my sixth sense and not ignore it. I thought I would give Nina a call and let her know to be careful. I was happy that she got to work and everything seemed fine.
Then 11:42am came and an earthquake that seemed to last a full minute rumbled it's way under our feet.
I was not scared but became concerned when I couldn't reach my wife as the cell phones were out. It turned out Nina was able contact me on a land line. She was safe.
Maybe I am full of crap but I really think this sixth sense of mine has some strange source that is trying to legitamize itself. I mean why would I have any sense something was going to happen.
Or that I will be working for DirectTV soon.
Later
I had this feeling of impending doom. I was fearing something bad was going to happen. I though Nina might have car problems or be in danger. Since I vowed to listen to my sixth sense and not ignore it. I thought I would give Nina a call and let her know to be careful. I was happy that she got to work and everything seemed fine.
Then 11:42am came and an earthquake that seemed to last a full minute rumbled it's way under our feet.
I was not scared but became concerned when I couldn't reach my wife as the cell phones were out. It turned out Nina was able contact me on a land line. She was safe.
Maybe I am full of crap but I really think this sixth sense of mine has some strange source that is trying to legitamize itself. I mean why would I have any sense something was going to happen.
Or that I will be working for DirectTV soon.
Later
Friday, July 25, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Car Shopping Redefined
I remember back in the day when shopping was something you did in stores. Today we have the internet so shopping is now something we do wherever there is an internet connection. When purchasing a used car this year I was able to use online shopping to give me the advantage over the car dealer.
I started off by finding what is called a “web forum” which is a website where people who have an interest in a topic go to share knowledge. This was a good place to hear people's experience and complaints with the car and give details on what to look for in evaluating the car. To find a forum simply enter the subject you are interested in plus the word “forum” in a Google or Yahoo search. (e.g. “BMW forum”)
I then used “Yahoo Autos” (www.yahoo.com) to search the available cars in my area. Many of the dealer listings provide a link to a free CarFax report that gives the history of each car. Dealerships usually maintain inventories of the used cars they have on the lot at their websites. What this allows you to do is watch the movement of their cars over a period of time (I shopped for about 3 months) and tell when a car has been sitting on the lot for an extended period. This gives you a huge advantage when negotiating the price at the dealer. If the dealer says “I can’t sell the car for that price” you simply reply “How much will it cost you to let it sit here another month?”
Of course your mileage may vary but I think these tools can certainly help you get the killer deal I got in my recent car purchase.
I should be charging for this crap but you get it free for visiting MOSSNEWS!
I started off by finding what is called a “web forum” which is a website where people who have an interest in a topic go to share knowledge. This was a good place to hear people's experience and complaints with the car and give details on what to look for in evaluating the car. To find a forum simply enter the subject you are interested in plus the word “forum” in a Google or Yahoo search. (e.g. “BMW forum”)
I then used “Yahoo Autos” (www.yahoo.com) to search the available cars in my area. Many of the dealer listings provide a link to a free CarFax report that gives the history of each car. Dealerships usually maintain inventories of the used cars they have on the lot at their websites. What this allows you to do is watch the movement of their cars over a period of time (I shopped for about 3 months) and tell when a car has been sitting on the lot for an extended period. This gives you a huge advantage when negotiating the price at the dealer. If the dealer says “I can’t sell the car for that price” you simply reply “How much will it cost you to let it sit here another month?”
Of course your mileage may vary but I think these tools can certainly help you get the killer deal I got in my recent car purchase.
I should be charging for this crap but you get it free for visiting MOSSNEWS!
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Dukacab
In putting together a "mixtape" for a guys trip to Vegas I came across some old favorites and some of them stuck. I was amused by the stuff we thought was cool when we were young and I felt nostalgic listening to "The Cure", "The Jam", "Echo & The Bunnymen", "The Smiths". How we thought one band was "gay" when another one that sounded similar was cool struck me funny but we were kids after all. Kids don't know crap.
One thing that really stuck with me was my CD's of Genesis's "Duke" & "Abacab".
When the tune "Keep it Dark", the story of a man trapped by his fear who dreams of the world outside but is too scared to open the shades, came on the stereo one of my friends said "what is this?". I guess we didn't all listen to the same stuff back then.
As my Genesis CD's are now converted to MP3 and thrown together in a single folder the two became a mixtape of their own sorted by cut number and song title instead of by album. Call it "Abacuke" or "Dukacab". Whatever it is it takes two thematic masterpieces and creates a melange of messages that question issues of socioeconomic differences through a battle of good vs. evil intermixed with an examination of the insecurity we all possess inside.
Phil Collins, yes kids he had a career before going solo, belts out a series of emotionally wrenching hymns about those whose value is in their possessions and who ignore the damage caused to nature that surrounds us. The end result making him "feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place". Followed by the lonely man who "is just waiting for someone to show" and deliver him from the purgatory that is his life.
Is life a battle of good versus evil or is it merely finding the balance in all of us the makes living OK?
One thing that really stuck with me was my CD's of Genesis's "Duke" & "Abacab".
When the tune "Keep it Dark", the story of a man trapped by his fear who dreams of the world outside but is too scared to open the shades, came on the stereo one of my friends said "what is this?". I guess we didn't all listen to the same stuff back then.
As my Genesis CD's are now converted to MP3 and thrown together in a single folder the two became a mixtape of their own sorted by cut number and song title instead of by album. Call it "Abacuke" or "Dukacab". Whatever it is it takes two thematic masterpieces and creates a melange of messages that question issues of socioeconomic differences through a battle of good vs. evil intermixed with an examination of the insecurity we all possess inside.
Phil Collins, yes kids he had a career before going solo, belts out a series of emotionally wrenching hymns about those whose value is in their possessions and who ignore the damage caused to nature that surrounds us. The end result making him "feel like an alien, a stranger in an alien place". Followed by the lonely man who "is just waiting for someone to show" and deliver him from the purgatory that is his life.
Is life a battle of good versus evil or is it merely finding the balance in all of us the makes living OK?
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
Listening to my Sixth Sense
Some people call it intuition, some think they are psychic, some think that there is an angel looking over them or a message from a loved one who has passed. I am not sure what it is but it seems that lately my sixth sense has taken over.
So I am in Las Vegas and I am walking through the Casino and before I sit down at a table I know whether I will win or lose. It's when I don't listen to my sixth sense that I lose because every time it told me to play I won. It's uncanny and I didn't have to be drunk for it to speak to me.
For example:
I was playing a version of Texas Hold'em that my buddies like at the Hard Rock Casino and just had a bad feeling about it. The dealers were cool, the game is fun and we were having a good time but the bad feeling persisted. I lost $100 very quickly so I left the table. My buddy Erik left at the same time and I asked if he wanted to play some blackjack and we walked to the blackjack tables. None seemed like the place to sit but then I passed by a craps table it was as though the Nubian Queen dealer was beckoning me to play. I ignored it at first because I don't like to play craps unless there is a low limit but after a second pass around the casino and a second come hither look I was taken in. It was a blast and I won more than the $100 I had lost at the other table.
This kept happening to me, whether it was the table I was sitting at or the seat at the table I was sitting at I knew whether it was in the cards (or dice) for me to win. Next time I will listen to my sixth sense.
So I am in Las Vegas and I am walking through the Casino and before I sit down at a table I know whether I will win or lose. It's when I don't listen to my sixth sense that I lose because every time it told me to play I won. It's uncanny and I didn't have to be drunk for it to speak to me.
For example:
I was playing a version of Texas Hold'em that my buddies like at the Hard Rock Casino and just had a bad feeling about it. The dealers were cool, the game is fun and we were having a good time but the bad feeling persisted. I lost $100 very quickly so I left the table. My buddy Erik left at the same time and I asked if he wanted to play some blackjack and we walked to the blackjack tables. None seemed like the place to sit but then I passed by a craps table it was as though the Nubian Queen dealer was beckoning me to play. I ignored it at first because I don't like to play craps unless there is a low limit but after a second pass around the casino and a second come hither look I was taken in. It was a blast and I won more than the $100 I had lost at the other table.
This kept happening to me, whether it was the table I was sitting at or the seat at the table I was sitting at I knew whether it was in the cards (or dice) for me to win. Next time I will listen to my sixth sense.
Monday, June 30, 2008
With A Little Help From My Friends
What would you do if you couldn't find your way?
If you felt like you had lost your grip and there was nowhere to turn?
What if you thought that the world was closing in and you were trapped?
You might send an e-mail to some old friends.
And that might result in the a trip to Las Vegas.
The reuniting of longtime friends for a couple nights of gambling, drinking, and good times
And the start of a new tradition
It was good.
If you felt like you had lost your grip and there was nowhere to turn?
What if you thought that the world was closing in and you were trapped?
You might send an e-mail to some old friends.
And that might result in the a trip to Las Vegas.
The reuniting of longtime friends for a couple nights of gambling, drinking, and good times
And the start of a new tradition
It was good.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Understanding
The world is too complex to provide understanding.
There is too much cultural division to be understood.
Our differences make understanding impossible.
How can I be expected to understand something if you do not teach me?
That's the way it is, it's not for you to understand.
To be understood is to let down your guard to impending marauders!
Why aren't you with us, don't you understand the consequences of not being in the gang?
The greatest satisfaction comes from true understanding
Get me?
There is too much cultural division to be understood.
Our differences make understanding impossible.
How can I be expected to understand something if you do not teach me?
That's the way it is, it's not for you to understand.
To be understood is to let down your guard to impending marauders!
Why aren't you with us, don't you understand the consequences of not being in the gang?
The greatest satisfaction comes from true understanding
Get me?
Friday, June 13, 2008
So you think I can write?
I've been told I have the writing chops but I guess it's the reader to decide.
Since it's "so you think you can dance" season and my wife and are big fans of the show (american idol who?) I see it an interesting subject to comment on. Each year we are treated with some very talented dancers but it seems to me that what makes this show so great is when the music, choreography, and dance come together in such a way that it's a heart felt moving experience.
Such was the case the other night when Katee and Joshua danced to the Jordan Sparks/Chris Brown tune "No Air". These two dancers portrayed the emotional side effects of a broken relationship in such a way that it spoke to my heart, brought a tear to my eye. Choreographers Tabitha & Napoleon did a superb job providing the framework for Katee & Joshua to hip hop their way through pain and joy of relationship. A truely amazing performance.
My Mom and Dad were such big fans of dance and now that they are gone I feel, when I see a performance that reaches into my soul, reconnected to them. I wish that when they were alive I had the passion they had for dance that I could have shared this with them. Hopefully I am sharing it with them here.
Mom - I still feel that tingle on the back of my neck
Dad - Do you get to hear Amy Winehouse up there?
Since it's "so you think you can dance" season and my wife and are big fans of the show (american idol who?) I see it an interesting subject to comment on. Each year we are treated with some very talented dancers but it seems to me that what makes this show so great is when the music, choreography, and dance come together in such a way that it's a heart felt moving experience.
Such was the case the other night when Katee and Joshua danced to the Jordan Sparks/Chris Brown tune "No Air". These two dancers portrayed the emotional side effects of a broken relationship in such a way that it spoke to my heart, brought a tear to my eye. Choreographers Tabitha & Napoleon did a superb job providing the framework for Katee & Joshua to hip hop their way through pain and joy of relationship. A truely amazing performance.
My Mom and Dad were such big fans of dance and now that they are gone I feel, when I see a performance that reaches into my soul, reconnected to them. I wish that when they were alive I had the passion they had for dance that I could have shared this with them. Hopefully I am sharing it with them here.
Mom - I still feel that tingle on the back of my neck
Dad - Do you get to hear Amy Winehouse up there?
Thursday, June 12, 2008
The Journey Begins
These are the times that try mens souls. Or at least my neck, back, and brain are not too happy. When you live amongst the vermin that want nothing more than to put you down to get ahead there comes a time when you have to toss it all aside and find a new avenue. There comes a time when we who have been loyal and supportive realize that there is no future in the current environment, no turn before the dead end. Simply put, it's time to go.
But where to go? How do you determine the next path to take?
We all want the power to drive our own destiny but living in a day to day corporate world we get too wrapped up in the trappings of reaching the next paycheck instead of finding what our soul is searching for. For me I think my soul is search for this. For the ability to express my opinions freely. To be heard and appreciated. To enrich others lives with my thoughts and feelings and hopefully make a few sheckels along the way.
It's to this end that I have returned to the world of the blogger. A mine field of contradiction and rhetoric. Where I can put it plain and simple. Where I can have my opinions heard. At least by some.
I welcome you on this journey with me.
But where to go? How do you determine the next path to take?
We all want the power to drive our own destiny but living in a day to day corporate world we get too wrapped up in the trappings of reaching the next paycheck instead of finding what our soul is searching for. For me I think my soul is search for this. For the ability to express my opinions freely. To be heard and appreciated. To enrich others lives with my thoughts and feelings and hopefully make a few sheckels along the way.
It's to this end that I have returned to the world of the blogger. A mine field of contradiction and rhetoric. Where I can put it plain and simple. Where I can have my opinions heard. At least by some.
I welcome you on this journey with me.
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