Saturday, March 03, 2007
Opie & Anthony in L.A.
With the impending merger of XM & Sirius it is more important today than ever to get the PESTS (POWS) out for Opie & Anthony. No one knows if phoney hoo hoo and his Daddy Karmazi will work with The BOYS so e-mail these guys http://971freefm.com/pages/1537.php and bring O&A and Ron&Fez to L.A. radio where they belong!
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Memorial Street
Yesterday I was at a memorial service for my Dad. If I ever had doubt that he was a kind and gentle spirit those doubts disappeared as people who were business associates, colleagues, students of, or just friends came to me one after the other to tell me how kind, caring, and genuine my Dad was.
Roy, a guy I knew when I was a kid and would visit my Dad’s TV station, came up to me and said that Dad was the kind of guy who cared for the people he worked with. Who nurtured and supported them so they could get ahead. Roy told me about how he moved his way up the career ladder from a guy who kept the library of film to an editor (maybe before he was actually ready). All along my Dad knew how to encourage and teach those around him so they could reach their potential. He tried to hide them behind his sunglasses but I saw the tears that came to his eyes as Roy said how much he loved and missed my Dad.
I was able to place names with faces as all these people from Dad’s past came to pay their respects. Two of his close friends, Ken & Dave, talked about Dad’s accomplishments and his heart. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place as we all remembered how loving and generous he was.
After the service we had some time to visit with each other and share remembrances and I especially enjoyed speaking to Dave who was my Dad’s closest friend over the last 20 years. Dave has the grin of Old St. Nick and you could feel the warmth of his friendship with my Dad in the way he spoke of him.
Even though we came to honor my father there was an underlying stress to this event. A tension that stemmed from someone who deep down inside didn’t feel like sharing. A person who the world revolves around and loves the spotlight but hates criticism. Avoiding those things that are hard to accept and returning to apologize the next day to those offended when it’s already too late. This person is frustrated because even though the person thinks they are saying the right thing most of the time it is not about what you SAY but what you DO that defines your character. Certainly people mourn in different ways but it is offensive when one persons mourning has damaging effects to other mourners. This certainly can’t be good for the offender either.
I wonder what goes on in the head of a person like this.
I wonder what they dream of.
I wonder if there is any chance that this person will change or if they’re an old dog who has long since given up on new tricks.
I just fall back to my standard mantra these days:
“What would Dad have wanted?
What would he do?
What would he want me to do?”
Roy, a guy I knew when I was a kid and would visit my Dad’s TV station, came up to me and said that Dad was the kind of guy who cared for the people he worked with. Who nurtured and supported them so they could get ahead. Roy told me about how he moved his way up the career ladder from a guy who kept the library of film to an editor (maybe before he was actually ready). All along my Dad knew how to encourage and teach those around him so they could reach their potential. He tried to hide them behind his sunglasses but I saw the tears that came to his eyes as Roy said how much he loved and missed my Dad.
I was able to place names with faces as all these people from Dad’s past came to pay their respects. Two of his close friends, Ken & Dave, talked about Dad’s accomplishments and his heart. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place as we all remembered how loving and generous he was.
After the service we had some time to visit with each other and share remembrances and I especially enjoyed speaking to Dave who was my Dad’s closest friend over the last 20 years. Dave has the grin of Old St. Nick and you could feel the warmth of his friendship with my Dad in the way he spoke of him.
Even though we came to honor my father there was an underlying stress to this event. A tension that stemmed from someone who deep down inside didn’t feel like sharing. A person who the world revolves around and loves the spotlight but hates criticism. Avoiding those things that are hard to accept and returning to apologize the next day to those offended when it’s already too late. This person is frustrated because even though the person thinks they are saying the right thing most of the time it is not about what you SAY but what you DO that defines your character. Certainly people mourn in different ways but it is offensive when one persons mourning has damaging effects to other mourners. This certainly can’t be good for the offender either.
I wonder what goes on in the head of a person like this.
I wonder what they dream of.
I wonder if there is any chance that this person will change or if they’re an old dog who has long since given up on new tricks.
I just fall back to my standard mantra these days:
“What would Dad have wanted?
What would he do?
What would he want me to do?”
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
Numbers
I felt the warmth of my friends and family around me and it helped to ease the blow of what had happened but there was still emptiness. I am still in shock; I can’t get over the fact that he is gone. Sure the support is great but if I am looking for closure I didn’t find it. Though I think this event may be a step in the right direction but I still feel lost.
In my dreams that night I saw my Dad for the first time since his death. I don’t know why it took nearly two weeks for him to show up in my dreams but there he was. I saw a vivid image of him pointing to numbers on a telephone. Telling me to remember these numbers. I found myself repeating them in my head, making sure I didn’t forget and telling myself that I can’t forget to write them down when I awake.
The following day I felt as though a dark cloud was above my head. No longer did I have the open house preparation at the forefront of my mind, keeping it busy. Now all that was left was loss, emptiness and those 11 numbers. I wish I knew what those numbers meant. I looked them up as though they were a phone number and found they referenced a couple in Michigan, the Templins.
How strange would it be for me to call the Templins up and find out if they knew my Dad?
How amazing would it be if they had some connection?
How terrific would it be if they could help me find answers to the questions and doubts that invade my head?
I haven’t called.
In my dreams that night I saw my Dad for the first time since his death. I don’t know why it took nearly two weeks for him to show up in my dreams but there he was. I saw a vivid image of him pointing to numbers on a telephone. Telling me to remember these numbers. I found myself repeating them in my head, making sure I didn’t forget and telling myself that I can’t forget to write them down when I awake.
The following day I felt as though a dark cloud was above my head. No longer did I have the open house preparation at the forefront of my mind, keeping it busy. Now all that was left was loss, emptiness and those 11 numbers. I wish I knew what those numbers meant. I looked them up as though they were a phone number and found they referenced a couple in Michigan, the Templins.
How strange would it be for me to call the Templins up and find out if they knew my Dad?
How amazing would it be if they had some connection?
How terrific would it be if they could help me find answers to the questions and doubts that invade my head?
I haven’t called.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
My Dad
I have sat down six times over the last few days to write down these words. They may not be completely coherent but I will do my best.
On Monday November 27th at 5:15am my Dad died, 7 days after his 68th birthday. Before he left even though he was not able to communicate we were able to tell him how much we love him and he heard us.
I send this out to all the people that loved him, knew him, or simply were familiar with my Dad's struggle with diabetes and kidney disease. As I write this so many thoughts are swirling around in my head: the regret of not having enough time with him, the wish that I could turn back time (like Hiro Nakamura in the show Heroes) and somehow change what happened, the hopes and dreams we shared for his future, the emptiness inside me after losing him.
On October 28th my Dad finally got the chance he had waited more than 8 years for, a kidney match had been made. When they performed the surgery on October 29th the doctors found that Dad has a massive infection in the cavity around his stomach that had gone undetected. This infection had it been found before the surgery would have resulted in his being denied the transplant. They also found a carcinoma in his bowel which they removed. So when the surgery which lasted more than 8 hours was complete the doctors had saved his life whether the kidney functioned or not. The coming weeks found slow progress with the kidney but by mid November my Dad began to do something that he hadn't done the previous 8 years. He began to pee. It wasn't as much as a healthy person, he was urinating somewhere between a pint and a quart of liquid a day, but it was far more that the one ounce a day he had become used to.
During his recovery we enjoyed some good times. Nina and I visited UCLA frequently and most of the visits we spent talking about TV, movies, current events and on occasion I would bring in some of Dad's favorite foods including dim sum. I loved so much the talks we had.
One of Dad's gifts was the ability to layout a problem that I presented him so I could see the outcome should I pick one solution or another. I will forever be grateful for this gift and I have and will continue to practice it with others for the rest of my life.
He was always supportive and never judgmental. It was not a surprise that his heart required a bypass and so much maintenance over the years because it was so big, so charitable, and so full of love. He was strong and tough when it was required but you always knew what an old softie he was inside. He was a fighter and a survivor who had beat the odds time and time again. He was my Hero.
On November 20th I visited Dad for his birthday and he was in good shape but tired from the physical therapy he had performed that day. I was lucky enough to be there when he got one of the best birthday presents ever. A visit from his grandson TJ and TJ's girlfriend Michelle. I was so surprised and happy to see them and the minute Dad saw them there was this amazing warmth that filled the room as Dad cried with happiness. Yes the old softie had come out once again.
At some point during the following week he contracted an infection that didn't show itself until late Thursday night. From that point on doctors tried everything they could to give him a chance to fight the infection and the nurses tried to give us hope but by Sunday morning I think we all knew the end was near.
Though he had been in a coma that was induced by the infection and he could not speak I discovered through the day Sunday that he was hearing what I said to him at each visit. During one of my visits in the early afternoon I got up in his face to tell him how much I love him and to give him a hug as he lay there in his hospital bed. At that moment I thought I saw his head move. The first response I had seen from him in many days. When Nina and I walked out the ICU I told her that I could have sworn I saw his head move and that he heard what I was saying. She told me she saw his leg move when I was talking to him. I went back to his bedside a few minutes later to confirm my feelings and he was able to raise an eyebrow, and give me a partial grin to let me know he heard me.
On Sunday Night my Step-Mom Jan and a couple of chaplains from the hospital visited him to give a blessing based on his Episcopal Faith. Following this first Nina and I and then my brother Tom and his wife Cari were able to visit him one last time. On this visit my brother and I told my father pretty much the same words. We told him that we love him and that it is up to him if he wants to keep fighting and that if he was tired and ready to leave us that it was ok. That if he wanted to continue fighting we would support him but we didn't want him to fight just for us. I told him how much I love him and that I would take care of Jan and the others he left behind. As I said these words I saw a tear come from his eye.
In my grief I write these words and I hope that this letter is not seen as burden on you. If nothing else it is a celebration of my father and the love I have for him and a part of the process that I must go through to find the closure I so desperately need. Hopefully as time passes what will remain are memories of the good times we had.
On Monday November 27th at 5:15am my Dad died, 7 days after his 68th birthday. Before he left even though he was not able to communicate we were able to tell him how much we love him and he heard us.
I send this out to all the people that loved him, knew him, or simply were familiar with my Dad's struggle with diabetes and kidney disease. As I write this so many thoughts are swirling around in my head: the regret of not having enough time with him, the wish that I could turn back time (like Hiro Nakamura in the show Heroes) and somehow change what happened, the hopes and dreams we shared for his future, the emptiness inside me after losing him.
On October 28th my Dad finally got the chance he had waited more than 8 years for, a kidney match had been made. When they performed the surgery on October 29th the doctors found that Dad has a massive infection in the cavity around his stomach that had gone undetected. This infection had it been found before the surgery would have resulted in his being denied the transplant. They also found a carcinoma in his bowel which they removed. So when the surgery which lasted more than 8 hours was complete the doctors had saved his life whether the kidney functioned or not. The coming weeks found slow progress with the kidney but by mid November my Dad began to do something that he hadn't done the previous 8 years. He began to pee. It wasn't as much as a healthy person, he was urinating somewhere between a pint and a quart of liquid a day, but it was far more that the one ounce a day he had become used to.
During his recovery we enjoyed some good times. Nina and I visited UCLA frequently and most of the visits we spent talking about TV, movies, current events and on occasion I would bring in some of Dad's favorite foods including dim sum. I loved so much the talks we had.
One of Dad's gifts was the ability to layout a problem that I presented him so I could see the outcome should I pick one solution or another. I will forever be grateful for this gift and I have and will continue to practice it with others for the rest of my life.
He was always supportive and never judgmental. It was not a surprise that his heart required a bypass and so much maintenance over the years because it was so big, so charitable, and so full of love. He was strong and tough when it was required but you always knew what an old softie he was inside. He was a fighter and a survivor who had beat the odds time and time again. He was my Hero.
On November 20th I visited Dad for his birthday and he was in good shape but tired from the physical therapy he had performed that day. I was lucky enough to be there when he got one of the best birthday presents ever. A visit from his grandson TJ and TJ's girlfriend Michelle. I was so surprised and happy to see them and the minute Dad saw them there was this amazing warmth that filled the room as Dad cried with happiness. Yes the old softie had come out once again.
At some point during the following week he contracted an infection that didn't show itself until late Thursday night. From that point on doctors tried everything they could to give him a chance to fight the infection and the nurses tried to give us hope but by Sunday morning I think we all knew the end was near.
Though he had been in a coma that was induced by the infection and he could not speak I discovered through the day Sunday that he was hearing what I said to him at each visit. During one of my visits in the early afternoon I got up in his face to tell him how much I love him and to give him a hug as he lay there in his hospital bed. At that moment I thought I saw his head move. The first response I had seen from him in many days. When Nina and I walked out the ICU I told her that I could have sworn I saw his head move and that he heard what I was saying. She told me she saw his leg move when I was talking to him. I went back to his bedside a few minutes later to confirm my feelings and he was able to raise an eyebrow, and give me a partial grin to let me know he heard me.
On Sunday Night my Step-Mom Jan and a couple of chaplains from the hospital visited him to give a blessing based on his Episcopal Faith. Following this first Nina and I and then my brother Tom and his wife Cari were able to visit him one last time. On this visit my brother and I told my father pretty much the same words. We told him that we love him and that it is up to him if he wants to keep fighting and that if he was tired and ready to leave us that it was ok. That if he wanted to continue fighting we would support him but we didn't want him to fight just for us. I told him how much I love him and that I would take care of Jan and the others he left behind. As I said these words I saw a tear come from his eye.
In my grief I write these words and I hope that this letter is not seen as burden on you. If nothing else it is a celebration of my father and the love I have for him and a part of the process that I must go through to find the closure I so desperately need. Hopefully as time passes what will remain are memories of the good times we had.
Thursday, October 20, 2005
Get rich quick
Someone just hit the powerball for $340 million. This person had a 1 in 146 million chance and they hit it. And this person lives in Oregon where $340 million might as well be 340 extillion trillion dillion. More money than you could possibly spend.
We all wonder if that will ever happen to us. I am convinced that it won't for me. I found the following article interesting in the words that scammers use to justify their actions. Usually the justification is that they are a robin hood like being taking from the rich (Americans) and giving to the poor (themselves). Just like the drug trade this is a no win situation for anyone. Even the scammer loses when he wastes his money on furr sinks & electric dog polishers.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/latimests/20051020/ts_latimes/iwilleatyourdollars
Since I know someone who fell for a scam like this and still believes in it I know that this is a reality even in 2005. They target the elderly because they are more trusting. Perhaps it's a good thing that grandma doesn't have a computer or know how to e-mail? She can be protected. But then again my grandma is so stingy I can't image her sending money to Nigeria to a stranger. It's sad that I know someone who has been taken for a huge sum of money yet I do not know someone who has won a huge sum.
Stay informed, protect the elderly in your family and FIGHT BACK!
We all wonder if that will ever happen to us. I am convinced that it won't for me. I found the following article interesting in the words that scammers use to justify their actions. Usually the justification is that they are a robin hood like being taking from the rich (Americans) and giving to the poor (themselves). Just like the drug trade this is a no win situation for anyone. Even the scammer loses when he wastes his money on furr sinks & electric dog polishers.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/latimests/20051020/ts_latimes/iwilleatyourdollars
Since I know someone who fell for a scam like this and still believes in it I know that this is a reality even in 2005. They target the elderly because they are more trusting. Perhaps it's a good thing that grandma doesn't have a computer or know how to e-mail? She can be protected. But then again my grandma is so stingy I can't image her sending money to Nigeria to a stranger. It's sad that I know someone who has been taken for a huge sum of money yet I do not know someone who has won a huge sum.
Stay informed, protect the elderly in your family and FIGHT BACK!
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Thinking my way thru the morning commute
Sitting in Traffic you get to thinking.
I would like to invent a device like the remote that turns off TVs in airports that would do the same to cellphones on the road. 80% of the people I see on the freeway are talking on the phone while driving. It is very frustrating when you are stuck behind some idiot concetrating on the phone more than the road and holding you up in the fast lane. If I had a device to turn that puppy off I would turn my frown upside down. Criss cross applesauce that buddies!
I travel the 91 west every morning to work and the best days to commute are when there is an accident on the 91 east of where I pick it up (Magnolia Blvd). I wouldn't wish that anyone be in an accident but wouldn't it be cool if there was a service that could create a disruption in the area behind you so that you could avoid traffic? A group of guys dressed in reflective vests jump out of a truck and start coning the freeway east of me down to one lane. Sweet.
I am back to considering a Hybrid vehicle for my next purchase because the price difference between the Escape Hybrid and the regular Escape is $3000 and not $10000 like it is for other hybrids. The thing is I try to avoid traveling slower that 40 mph and it is at the lower speeds that you really get the savings over the gas engine. Also I need to determine if in fact running the air requires the gas engine to kick in all the time and if I need to run the air all the time.
The best thing about my commute is listening to Opie & Anthony. Recently they had a comedian named Patrice on talking about how he needed to teach his girlfriend how to be a friend. She knew how the to be his girl, but she didn't know how to be his buddy like one of the guys. Opie & Anthony were tight lipped about this, guess they didn't want to ruffle anyone's feathers. The bottom line is that women are not your friends. They are sexy, sweet and wonderful companions but they will never be "your buddy". You can't go to a bar with your girl and talk about the rack on this one, or the ass on that one. At the same time you don't want to hang out with your girl checking out guys packages (do they even do that?).
I would like to invent a device like the remote that turns off TVs in airports that would do the same to cellphones on the road. 80% of the people I see on the freeway are talking on the phone while driving. It is very frustrating when you are stuck behind some idiot concetrating on the phone more than the road and holding you up in the fast lane. If I had a device to turn that puppy off I would turn my frown upside down. Criss cross applesauce that buddies!
I travel the 91 west every morning to work and the best days to commute are when there is an accident on the 91 east of where I pick it up (Magnolia Blvd). I wouldn't wish that anyone be in an accident but wouldn't it be cool if there was a service that could create a disruption in the area behind you so that you could avoid traffic? A group of guys dressed in reflective vests jump out of a truck and start coning the freeway east of me down to one lane. Sweet.
I am back to considering a Hybrid vehicle for my next purchase because the price difference between the Escape Hybrid and the regular Escape is $3000 and not $10000 like it is for other hybrids. The thing is I try to avoid traveling slower that 40 mph and it is at the lower speeds that you really get the savings over the gas engine. Also I need to determine if in fact running the air requires the gas engine to kick in all the time and if I need to run the air all the time.
The best thing about my commute is listening to Opie & Anthony. Recently they had a comedian named Patrice on talking about how he needed to teach his girlfriend how to be a friend. She knew how the to be his girl, but she didn't know how to be his buddy like one of the guys. Opie & Anthony were tight lipped about this, guess they didn't want to ruffle anyone's feathers. The bottom line is that women are not your friends. They are sexy, sweet and wonderful companions but they will never be "your buddy". You can't go to a bar with your girl and talk about the rack on this one, or the ass on that one. At the same time you don't want to hang out with your girl checking out guys packages (do they even do that?).
Friday, October 07, 2005
Are We Making Progress in the Middle East?
A letter reportedly from the leader of al Qaeda in Iraq to Osama Bin Laden was intercepted in early July that details al Zarqawi's concerns about their tactics in Iraq might turn muslims against al Qaeda. If this letter is legitimate then perhaps we are making progress on the War on Terror afterall.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/10/07/pentagon.al.qaeda/index.html
Bush's Speech Thursday morning was well prepared and was one of his best. Too bad he didn't save it for prime time. It's about time he put it out there that Iraq is a quagmire and it's his quagmire. I think the more he takes responsiblity for things, the better he will be perceived. To portray the war on terror as similar to the war on communism is kind of a stretch. I like the way he linked sacrifice to success and made it clear that people are dying and that they will continue to die until this war is over. That is how great change works. The fact that people do not want to deal with this issue is understandable but if we don't fight this war now we will pay in the long run. Like if you don't change the oil on your car regularly. Got that Fantasia Barrino?
Clearly if the US were to pull out that would make Iraq a terrorist haven.
Since Bush is looked on positively for taking responsiblity do you think he should admit his mistakes? Would that endear him to the American people and to the world?
If he admitted that he made a mistake and shouldn't have gone into Iraq in the first place would you feel better about the guy? Can he be saved in the opinions of guys like Sean Penn (do we care?) or Phil Donahue? Does it make him look weak or responsible?
I think if he did admit to his wrongs and used it as a basis to convince the world that the past is the past but that today we need to finish the job in Iraq things might be different.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/10/07/pentagon.al.qaeda/index.html
Bush's Speech Thursday morning was well prepared and was one of his best. Too bad he didn't save it for prime time. It's about time he put it out there that Iraq is a quagmire and it's his quagmire. I think the more he takes responsiblity for things, the better he will be perceived. To portray the war on terror as similar to the war on communism is kind of a stretch. I like the way he linked sacrifice to success and made it clear that people are dying and that they will continue to die until this war is over. That is how great change works. The fact that people do not want to deal with this issue is understandable but if we don't fight this war now we will pay in the long run. Like if you don't change the oil on your car regularly. Got that Fantasia Barrino?
Clearly if the US were to pull out that would make Iraq a terrorist haven.
Since Bush is looked on positively for taking responsiblity do you think he should admit his mistakes? Would that endear him to the American people and to the world?
If he admitted that he made a mistake and shouldn't have gone into Iraq in the first place would you feel better about the guy? Can he be saved in the opinions of guys like Sean Penn (do we care?) or Phil Donahue? Does it make him look weak or responsible?
I think if he did admit to his wrongs and used it as a basis to convince the world that the past is the past but that today we need to finish the job in Iraq things might be different.
Monday, October 03, 2005
Weekend Observations for 10/03/05
Now that I have a DVR from my crappy cable company taping things for future broadcast is much easier. Is "taping" the correct term when no tape is involved? Being a fan of the vast world of television I sampled all the returning shows from last year and a good number of the new ones.
The best show this year is the best show from last year. LOST. JJ Abrams has a second success to accompany ALIAS, that is so dynamic in the stories it tells as it pulls the experiences of the stranded plane crash survivors past's into the events on the island and ties the whole thing together. We still don't know the big picture which in my mind is what will make this a long term success. If you don't know what's around the corner you will always be surprised to find it. Terry O'Quinn and his mysterious Loc character is the highlight for me. He is much better than the skipper, gilligan, or even the professor.
At the same time the folks at ALIAS really dissappointed me with how they treated Vaughn in the season opener. I should have known that when I saw Jennifer Garner had a producer credit that this was going to happen. Ben Affleck sucks.
The worst show this year has to be SURFACE. The acting, the writing, the concept. Well it's all bad and I give this show a month before it's done. A close second is E-RING. Not because it's not a good concept, I love the "homeland security" play and I am still pissed that CBS cancelled The Agency. Dennis Hopper is great but the other acting is very poor, not to mention the dialogue, and Benjamin Bratt is lousy.
Survivor is getting tried (as we all knew it would).
Can you tell that the only significant thing I did over the weekend was watch TV? That's what happens when you work on Saturday.
The best show this year is the best show from last year. LOST. JJ Abrams has a second success to accompany ALIAS, that is so dynamic in the stories it tells as it pulls the experiences of the stranded plane crash survivors past's into the events on the island and ties the whole thing together. We still don't know the big picture which in my mind is what will make this a long term success. If you don't know what's around the corner you will always be surprised to find it. Terry O'Quinn and his mysterious Loc character is the highlight for me. He is much better than the skipper, gilligan, or even the professor.
At the same time the folks at ALIAS really dissappointed me with how they treated Vaughn in the season opener. I should have known that when I saw Jennifer Garner had a producer credit that this was going to happen. Ben Affleck sucks.
The worst show this year has to be SURFACE. The acting, the writing, the concept. Well it's all bad and I give this show a month before it's done. A close second is E-RING. Not because it's not a good concept, I love the "homeland security" play and I am still pissed that CBS cancelled The Agency. Dennis Hopper is great but the other acting is very poor, not to mention the dialogue, and Benjamin Bratt is lousy.
Survivor is getting tried (as we all knew it would).
Can you tell that the only significant thing I did over the weekend was watch TV? That's what happens when you work on Saturday.
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Joe Rogan = Evolution Man
Listening to Joe Rogan the other day on Opie & Anthony was a blast. This guy really has some interesting things to say. He is actually a student of Man. He has the best job in the world (eventhough he hates it) because it's easy, he works 3 days a week and the money is amazing. But I never thought listening to the host of Fear Factor would direct me toward national geographic.
The most interesting thing he talked about was evolution. Scientist have mapped the human genome (the set that consists of all the genes that determine who we are) and found that we are 96% ape. This being said how could one argue against the concept of evolution?
Don't believe me? Read it for yourself.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0831_050831_chimp_genes.html
Calling humans human is like calling a sandwich that is 96% shit and 4% cheese a cheese sandwich. I am sorry friend, that is a shit sandwich.
Hoo hoo ha ha hee hee
(scratch the head)
(pound the chest)
(rub the tummy)
The most interesting thing he talked about was evolution. Scientist have mapped the human genome (the set that consists of all the genes that determine who we are) and found that we are 96% ape. This being said how could one argue against the concept of evolution?
Don't believe me? Read it for yourself.
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/08/0831_050831_chimp_genes.html
Calling humans human is like calling a sandwich that is 96% shit and 4% cheese a cheese sandwich. I am sorry friend, that is a shit sandwich.
Hoo hoo ha ha hee hee
(scratch the head)
(pound the chest)
(rub the tummy)
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Popular Political Opinion
I am the first person to stand up for the war in Iraq. I feel strongly that in order to insure that Iraq is settled as a peaceful country that U.S. forces need to remain there. I am not overly concerned with the death toll of civilians or military. Not because I don't care but because I understand that when you are trying to exact great change there is a cost.
What concerns me is the American Public and how long the Bush Administration will stand strong against the growing number of the who demand the withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Iraq. This is still a small group but it's a vocal group. I am afraid that the message that the "U.S. Troops in Iraq is wrong" will become public opinion. It is public opinion that brought the troops back from Vietnam and it could be the same for Iraq. Although I see no similarities in the two conflicts.
Yet I wonder if a major cause of the war in Vietnam is the same as what has created the conflict with al Qaeda. If there was not a "Head of al Qaeda in Iraq" would the situation appear so grim? If Al Zarqawi was dead would peace come to the region sooner? If you saw the documentary "The Fog of War" you know that a major cause of the Vietnam conflict was miscommunication. I think it is clear that communication is a big part of why Osama Bin Laden and his followers hate the U.S. and I think most would agree whether you like him or not that George W. Bush is far from a great communicator. He even calls on invisible reports at press conferences. (Bianca are you there yet?).
It takes time and sacrifice to exact great change.
Lets hope the American Public has the patience to see it through.
What concerns me is the American Public and how long the Bush Administration will stand strong against the growing number of the who demand the withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Iraq. This is still a small group but it's a vocal group. I am afraid that the message that the "U.S. Troops in Iraq is wrong" will become public opinion. It is public opinion that brought the troops back from Vietnam and it could be the same for Iraq. Although I see no similarities in the two conflicts.
Yet I wonder if a major cause of the war in Vietnam is the same as what has created the conflict with al Qaeda. If there was not a "Head of al Qaeda in Iraq" would the situation appear so grim? If Al Zarqawi was dead would peace come to the region sooner? If you saw the documentary "The Fog of War" you know that a major cause of the Vietnam conflict was miscommunication. I think it is clear that communication is a big part of why Osama Bin Laden and his followers hate the U.S. and I think most would agree whether you like him or not that George W. Bush is far from a great communicator. He even calls on invisible reports at press conferences. (Bianca are you there yet?).
It takes time and sacrifice to exact great change.
Lets hope the American Public has the patience to see it through.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Bad Week
Ever have one of those weeks when you feel like a dark cloud is following you around?
This week is one of those for me. You think that everything you touch will break. Whatever you try to do will be a failure. The feeling of frustration and paranoia that you are not capable of doing anything right and you are incompetent and others know it. I ask myself what I did wrong that I deserve such problems?
Maybe if I had donated to Hurricane Katrina Aid?
So if I had donated to this one cause then I would be ok? All the money I have donated through the year (part of which was when I was without a job) to other good causes means nothing because I didn't donate to this cause? Everyone else in the country donated but I didn't so I am destined to break everything I touch and fail every task I attempt? Maybe if I had just purchased a kayak and paddled out to the survivors in New Orleans to rescue them my freezer wouldn't have broken this morning?
Maybe if I hadn't been slacking on my workouts for the past week? My stupid mind could tie my guilt for not working out the last week to bad karma which results in bad luck? When you are in a bad way and frustrated your mind plays tricks on you.
Don't worry, I am not insane, I am just having a bad week.
Really glad I was able to share it with you.
And it's only Tuesday.
This week is one of those for me. You think that everything you touch will break. Whatever you try to do will be a failure. The feeling of frustration and paranoia that you are not capable of doing anything right and you are incompetent and others know it. I ask myself what I did wrong that I deserve such problems?
Maybe if I had donated to Hurricane Katrina Aid?
So if I had donated to this one cause then I would be ok? All the money I have donated through the year (part of which was when I was without a job) to other good causes means nothing because I didn't donate to this cause? Everyone else in the country donated but I didn't so I am destined to break everything I touch and fail every task I attempt? Maybe if I had just purchased a kayak and paddled out to the survivors in New Orleans to rescue them my freezer wouldn't have broken this morning?
Maybe if I hadn't been slacking on my workouts for the past week? My stupid mind could tie my guilt for not working out the last week to bad karma which results in bad luck? When you are in a bad way and frustrated your mind plays tricks on you.
Don't worry, I am not insane, I am just having a bad week.
Really glad I was able to share it with you.
And it's only Tuesday.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Weekend Observations for 09/26/05
When you schedule a service call for certain cable companies (all of them?) between 8am and 10am it really means after 11am. Also you are not capable of attaching a coax cable to a cable box (otherwise why would we need to schedule an appt with you stupid ass?). I have attached cables to boxes for years. There is nothing like a properly attached cable. How complicated can the box be? Anyone who has seen a box before knows how it works and what to do to make it work for you. Am I still talking about Cable TV?
The Raiders are tough. Being a fan of the Raiders is tougher this year than most. Everyone picks them to lose every week, and odds are that in most cases they will be right. The difficult part is that the Raiders are in all these games. On Sunday they tied it up against the Eagles with 3 minutes to go when their defense broke down and the Eagles drove the ball down the field just to have a gimp come out and kick a winning field goal. My heart was pounding, I was all sweaty, the tension was high and then at the big climax I was spent and ashamed. I don't know how many more of these I can take because I am not getting any younger. I am talking about Football right?
The Cold Case season opener last night was nothing too great, until the end. I read this article in entertainment weekly talking about how all these TV shows end with a montage of images set to music. Like a cool music video, but EW asked when it will no longer be in fashion to do this. Cold Case is usually a terrific show but last night I was left unsatisfied because the mystery was just blah. Then the end comes where they roll out "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel as you see the pictures of the characters as they hug, as they are locked up in jail, as they look today, as they looked when the murder occurred and then the final recognition of the dead guy but Det Rush at the end. Damn that makes me all tingly just thinking about it. It was a great music video but just a so-so show.
You don't notice people whispering around you when you are in the IN Crowd. Do you? Are you in or out? Do you spend a lot of time in the IN Group? Do you prefer to be in or do you like it when you are out? Maybe you like being out and then going in and then getting back out again just to be welcomed back in? Sometimes being in is the best.
The Raiders are tough. Being a fan of the Raiders is tougher this year than most. Everyone picks them to lose every week, and odds are that in most cases they will be right. The difficult part is that the Raiders are in all these games. On Sunday they tied it up against the Eagles with 3 minutes to go when their defense broke down and the Eagles drove the ball down the field just to have a gimp come out and kick a winning field goal. My heart was pounding, I was all sweaty, the tension was high and then at the big climax I was spent and ashamed. I don't know how many more of these I can take because I am not getting any younger. I am talking about Football right?
The Cold Case season opener last night was nothing too great, until the end. I read this article in entertainment weekly talking about how all these TV shows end with a montage of images set to music. Like a cool music video, but EW asked when it will no longer be in fashion to do this. Cold Case is usually a terrific show but last night I was left unsatisfied because the mystery was just blah. Then the end comes where they roll out "In Your Eyes" by Peter Gabriel as you see the pictures of the characters as they hug, as they are locked up in jail, as they look today, as they looked when the murder occurred and then the final recognition of the dead guy but Det Rush at the end. Damn that makes me all tingly just thinking about it. It was a great music video but just a so-so show.
You don't notice people whispering around you when you are in the IN Crowd. Do you? Are you in or out? Do you spend a lot of time in the IN Group? Do you prefer to be in or do you like it when you are out? Maybe you like being out and then going in and then getting back out again just to be welcomed back in? Sometimes being in is the best.
Friday, September 23, 2005
The Hell Express
In life there will always be people that hate you. There will always be people who no matter what you do will think you are a bad person. Usually these people are relatives that have expectations far beyond reason. Psychos.
The other day Nina and I were discussing how no matter what we do that a certain individual in our lives will always think we are bad. Will always be unhappy with us. Will always think we are going to hell. The option we chose is to not give a crap. I guess we are bad people.
We are so bad in some people's minds that I am sure we are on "The Hell Express". Because not only are we going to hell we are on a plane that has 95% OnTime Performance Record and supercharged engines. I can just see meeting Saddam in the lounge as he asks "What did you do?", and I tell him that I told one of my relatives that they could do whatever they wanted because they won't listen to me anyway. "Rough".
Nina told me that the bad thing is that murders, rapists, and child molesters will be on the express with us. I told her that's ok, because they will be in coach.
The other day Nina and I were discussing how no matter what we do that a certain individual in our lives will always think we are bad. Will always be unhappy with us. Will always think we are going to hell. The option we chose is to not give a crap. I guess we are bad people.
We are so bad in some people's minds that I am sure we are on "The Hell Express". Because not only are we going to hell we are on a plane that has 95% OnTime Performance Record and supercharged engines. I can just see meeting Saddam in the lounge as he asks "What did you do?", and I tell him that I told one of my relatives that they could do whatever they wanted because they won't listen to me anyway. "Rough".
Nina told me that the bad thing is that murders, rapists, and child molesters will be on the express with us. I told her that's ok, because they will be in coach.
Monday, September 19, 2005
Weekend Observations for 09/19/05
This weekend I discovered Bavarian Abbot Ale, imported from Belgium. Nice. With 8% alcohol it about put me on my ass but it was quite tasty with a range of flavors from fruity to spicy in a nice mix of three wheats (Tripel in Bavarian-Speak). All Poulez Fussie's (sic) are not created equal. In Canada we enjoyed a bottle of this variety and it was amazing. Unfortunately I did not note the winery (it was a 2001 though) so I decided to try a few bottles at the Beverages and More store. We sampled two over the weekend and one (Louis Jadot 2002) was ok but did not differ much from your garden variety Chardonnay the other (Joseph Drought 2003) tasted like watered down Louis Jadot. Any recommendations?
Shower repair. Next time I have an issue with plumbing I am going to dive into it instead of being sheepish. Lord knows I am a mechanical clutz but with a year plus of home improvement under my belt I discovered that I can do a thing or two. I discovered that by taking apart my shower massage that I was able to do a sufficient repair that stopped the "spray all over because of hard water mineral collection" problem. I also discovered the folks at Home Depot Expo are not like the guys at Home Depot. They don't know anything about anything related to home improvement. The guy I talked to had one objective, and that was to get done talking to me so he could move on to whatever other crap he had to do. Sheesh! Mineral collection got you down? Try a soak in a little vinegar.
My 1983 TV is nearly toast. The other night there was a green flash and everything went purple. Then the Raiders hit the field and looked nervous, scared and a tad inept. They held there own but in the end fell short of a victory. I am not sure why they got so shaky all of a sudden, they did not look that way in the season opener in New England. Next week they take on the Eagles. This could be a long season.
Local Color:
When in Fullerton (now in Brea too) be sure and check out Kimmie's Coffee Cup. They have the best chicken fried steak and eggs in So-Cal. Sunday we decided to try "Bernies" which advertised itself as good hometown cooking. The place had a line out the door. The food just sucks. It's horrible. I don't know if the place is better for lunch or dinner but the breakfast was a zero. Go to Kimmies.
Shopped for a new bicycle. Since the last time I bought one was in the early 90's I figured it was time to find a new one. I think the bike I liked the most was the Giant Yukon which is a comfort bike that felt quite good. It seems the best one available for me but I am not sure if it's as comfortable as I want it to be. It's also only $100 than the Diamond Back Ascent that I purchased in 1992. Not bad. Anyway I have not purchased it yet but I think I will soon.
What is a good price for alternations? $12 a seam is the price I was quoted on Saturday. Is that good?
If you have a fountain in your yard is it supposed to sound like a rushing stream? I had to get up to pee three times the other night because my neighbor's fountain has been running like Hurricane Katrina for the last few days.
Frick and Frack suck.
Enjoy the week.
Shower repair. Next time I have an issue with plumbing I am going to dive into it instead of being sheepish. Lord knows I am a mechanical clutz but with a year plus of home improvement under my belt I discovered that I can do a thing or two. I discovered that by taking apart my shower massage that I was able to do a sufficient repair that stopped the "spray all over because of hard water mineral collection" problem. I also discovered the folks at Home Depot Expo are not like the guys at Home Depot. They don't know anything about anything related to home improvement. The guy I talked to had one objective, and that was to get done talking to me so he could move on to whatever other crap he had to do. Sheesh! Mineral collection got you down? Try a soak in a little vinegar.
My 1983 TV is nearly toast. The other night there was a green flash and everything went purple. Then the Raiders hit the field and looked nervous, scared and a tad inept. They held there own but in the end fell short of a victory. I am not sure why they got so shaky all of a sudden, they did not look that way in the season opener in New England. Next week they take on the Eagles. This could be a long season.
Local Color:
When in Fullerton (now in Brea too) be sure and check out Kimmie's Coffee Cup. They have the best chicken fried steak and eggs in So-Cal. Sunday we decided to try "Bernies" which advertised itself as good hometown cooking. The place had a line out the door. The food just sucks. It's horrible. I don't know if the place is better for lunch or dinner but the breakfast was a zero. Go to Kimmies.
Shopped for a new bicycle. Since the last time I bought one was in the early 90's I figured it was time to find a new one. I think the bike I liked the most was the Giant Yukon which is a comfort bike that felt quite good. It seems the best one available for me but I am not sure if it's as comfortable as I want it to be. It's also only $100 than the Diamond Back Ascent that I purchased in 1992. Not bad. Anyway I have not purchased it yet but I think I will soon.
What is a good price for alternations? $12 a seam is the price I was quoted on Saturday. Is that good?
If you have a fountain in your yard is it supposed to sound like a rushing stream? I had to get up to pee three times the other night because my neighbor's fountain has been running like Hurricane Katrina for the last few days.
Frick and Frack suck.
Enjoy the week.
Friday, September 16, 2005
Spread the Virus
Opie & Anthony on XM 202.
Stern is done.
Whoo hoo Robin, I'm done.
Oh Howard you will be going to satellite too.
Whoo hoo Robb-in I invented everything.
Whoo hoo but I won't be as funny as Jim Norton.
Stern is done.
Whoo hoo Robin, I'm done.
Oh Howard you will be going to satellite too.
Whoo hoo Robb-in I invented everything.
Whoo hoo but I won't be as funny as Jim Norton.
Thursday, September 15, 2005
Don't Give to Hurricane Katrina Relief
Don't give to Hurricane Katrina Relief.
That is don't give until you have properly evaluated who you are giving to and what the people you are giving to will do with your hard earned funds.
I am shocked and amazed at the outpour of help that has washed over those who have suffered from this disaster. It is equally amazing that just because a miss-managed international charity that uses a red plus sign as their symbol spouts off a huge figure for rebuilding far before the actual damage has been assessed.
Let's get real people they botched up 911! Why would you trust them with your hard earned wages now? There are millionaire coke addicts traveling all around the world because they hit the lottery thanks to the red plus sign. Charities like this one and a certain breast cancer fund that plasters pink ribbons everywhere are businesses that make money off the business of helping people. These organizations throw big parties for their management team in 4 star hotels in NYC and nobody pays mind to this. Many don't even know about it.
Let's look at the people we are helping. According to Celine Dion (I love to quote her) these people may have never touched a plasma TV (So sad, tears). She says so what if they steal 20 pairs of shoes because "they won't get far with it. Let them touch these things they never touched." Touch it, rub it leibshen (sic). Und now is the time on shprockets when we dance!
New Orleans has the second highest murder rate in the nation. Even the police were caught looting after Katrina passed.
More importantly, they all knew Katrina was coming. The media tracked this storm for more than a week before it hit the coast. Don't tell me these people don't have TV's, you can drive through south central L.A. and see little shacks that people live in and there in the front room is a huge big screen. Blame the major of New Orleans for being unprepared (like he was), blame the governer of Louisiana for not acting quickly (because she didn't), blame the president for being on vacation (because he does his best sleeping in Texas) but when it all comes down to it we are each responsible for our own survival and the survival of our loved ones.
YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM!
YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR WHAT HAPPENED EVEN IF YOU DON'T DONATE A CENT!
You probably have already paid the bill in higher gas prices. The one percent of the petroleum refining that is done on the gulf coast stopped due to the storm. So that equals a $1/gallon increase (on average) in gas prices? I DON'T F---ING THINK SO!
It's high season for the gas station owners!
You will also pay in insurance premiums just like with 911. How many of you had a 50% increase in your property tax because of 911?
You will pay in taxes as Bush asks Congress for billions upon billions of aid for the gulf coast. All before any damage assessment has been made.
After the predicition that it would take a month for the waters to recede, today, a little more than a week after the disaster parts of New Orleans are already opening. Mardi Gras is back on schedule. The plastic bead necklass makers are back in business. And Howard Stern's girlfriend is flying around looking for lost puppys.
It just warms the heart that soon the thieves and murders of the Big Easy well be back to work again.
That is don't give until you have properly evaluated who you are giving to and what the people you are giving to will do with your hard earned funds.
I am shocked and amazed at the outpour of help that has washed over those who have suffered from this disaster. It is equally amazing that just because a miss-managed international charity that uses a red plus sign as their symbol spouts off a huge figure for rebuilding far before the actual damage has been assessed.
Let's get real people they botched up 911! Why would you trust them with your hard earned wages now? There are millionaire coke addicts traveling all around the world because they hit the lottery thanks to the red plus sign. Charities like this one and a certain breast cancer fund that plasters pink ribbons everywhere are businesses that make money off the business of helping people. These organizations throw big parties for their management team in 4 star hotels in NYC and nobody pays mind to this. Many don't even know about it.
Let's look at the people we are helping. According to Celine Dion (I love to quote her) these people may have never touched a plasma TV (So sad, tears). She says so what if they steal 20 pairs of shoes because "they won't get far with it. Let them touch these things they never touched." Touch it, rub it leibshen (sic). Und now is the time on shprockets when we dance!
New Orleans has the second highest murder rate in the nation. Even the police were caught looting after Katrina passed.
More importantly, they all knew Katrina was coming. The media tracked this storm for more than a week before it hit the coast. Don't tell me these people don't have TV's, you can drive through south central L.A. and see little shacks that people live in and there in the front room is a huge big screen. Blame the major of New Orleans for being unprepared (like he was), blame the governer of Louisiana for not acting quickly (because she didn't), blame the president for being on vacation (because he does his best sleeping in Texas) but when it all comes down to it we are each responsible for our own survival and the survival of our loved ones.
YOU ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM!
YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR WHAT HAPPENED EVEN IF YOU DON'T DONATE A CENT!
You probably have already paid the bill in higher gas prices. The one percent of the petroleum refining that is done on the gulf coast stopped due to the storm. So that equals a $1/gallon increase (on average) in gas prices? I DON'T F---ING THINK SO!
It's high season for the gas station owners!
You will also pay in insurance premiums just like with 911. How many of you had a 50% increase in your property tax because of 911?
You will pay in taxes as Bush asks Congress for billions upon billions of aid for the gulf coast. All before any damage assessment has been made.
After the predicition that it would take a month for the waters to recede, today, a little more than a week after the disaster parts of New Orleans are already opening. Mardi Gras is back on schedule. The plastic bead necklass makers are back in business. And Howard Stern's girlfriend is flying around looking for lost puppys.
It just warms the heart that soon the thieves and murders of the Big Easy well be back to work again.
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
Hertz Don't It? (Northwest Adventure Part 1)
Just got back last week from a trip to Oregon & Vancouver BC to attend the wedding of my nephew Warren and his lovely bride Dena and to see my niece Paullllla off to her new adventure as a marketing major at the University of British Columbia. There is a lot to cover and I am sure you will be hanging on my every word.
Ya right.
The first issue that comes to mind is my rental car. Despite that fact that I did not have to get the car until three days into the trip, up to that point things had gone quite well. Everyone had arrived and were in good health. Nina had put on a terrific rehearsal dinner with rave reviews. We were a mere day away from Warren & Dena's nuptuals.
I had decided to rent from Hertz because they tend to have newer cars in better condition and my brother-in-law Sam had a coupon for me to borrow. I managed to rent a full size car for 8 days and the tab was about $200. Not bad eh?
I rented from an HLE (Hertz Local Edition) to avoid the added taxes that are put on rentals that are picked up at the airport. I thought this was a smart move. Save money, the place was closer to my sister-in-law's house where we were staying, I had no cares at all. At noon I had my niece Julie drive Nina and I to the HLE to pick up the car. We had a brand new Ford (who incidentally owns Hertz) Taurus waiting for us. The car had barely 2000 miles on it and I thought it would be a comfortable vehicle to transport us from Portland to Vancouver.
On the way back from the HLE I noticed that the temperature gauge was quickly moving to H. I asked myself if I wanted to take a risk driving this car on the 6 hour journey to Canada. I decided that if my car at home had the needle pointing on H I would take it to shop as soon as possible. I decided to take the car back and trade it for another one.
When I returned to the HLE I told them about the problem. They said they didn't have any more cars and would have to get one from another HLE. About a half hour later someone showed up with a Buick. While the pretty boy no brain Hertz agent did the paper work I went out to check out the car. It needed a good wash so I went back in and asked them if they could wash the car. They gave me a card for a free "Kaddie Kar Wash" which is one of those drive thru quick car wash stores. They said that they don't wash the cars.
When have you ever rented a car and it was clear when you picked it up? Was I at Hertz or Rent a Bucket of Spit? (nice image)
So I take the car back to the house and on the way I realize that this car is dirty on the inside as well as the out. They had not tried to clean it up at all since it's last return the day before (the previous renters paperwork was in the car). Pathetic. I called the Hertz 800 number and asked them if I exchanged the car at the Portland Airport would I have more cars available to choose from. Indiria the nice lady from Bangladesh asked what car I wanted. I told her I would be happy with a clean, correctly functioning Taurus, so she reserved one for me. At about 6:30 Nina and I ventured out to the airport to exchange the dirt bucket.
When we got the airport I told the attendent that I was exchanging the car. He called his manager over and the guy took down my story and said that he would file a complaint against the Hertz that I rented from. We went into terminal and waited for the next agent to become available. While we were waiting the guy behind me mentioned that people were going right up to the agents and bypassing the line to "ask questions". I told him that those people are just far better human beings than he and I and were deserving of being first. Then I told him that perhaps I was delirious because this had been the third time I had been in line at a Hertz that day. He was pretty surprised, you could tell he had high expectations from Hertz as I did.
It was finally our shot and the agent was very accomodating. Eventhough I was sick of telling the same story over and over somehow I thought I would get something back for my pain. She offered us a Ford Escape (Ford's compact SUV) for the same rate as the Taurus. After checking the car out in the lot we happily agreed. Hertz finally made the right call from a customer service standpoint. The Escape turned out to be a very smart vehicle that I am considering purchasing in the future. Paula's dad also liked it because he got to shove a bunch of the crap he bought for her to take up to University of BC.
We left the airport at 8pm (note this for future post) and went back to the house.
to be continued...
Ya right.
The first issue that comes to mind is my rental car. Despite that fact that I did not have to get the car until three days into the trip, up to that point things had gone quite well. Everyone had arrived and were in good health. Nina had put on a terrific rehearsal dinner with rave reviews. We were a mere day away from Warren & Dena's nuptuals.
I had decided to rent from Hertz because they tend to have newer cars in better condition and my brother-in-law Sam had a coupon for me to borrow. I managed to rent a full size car for 8 days and the tab was about $200. Not bad eh?
I rented from an HLE (Hertz Local Edition) to avoid the added taxes that are put on rentals that are picked up at the airport. I thought this was a smart move. Save money, the place was closer to my sister-in-law's house where we were staying, I had no cares at all. At noon I had my niece Julie drive Nina and I to the HLE to pick up the car. We had a brand new Ford (who incidentally owns Hertz) Taurus waiting for us. The car had barely 2000 miles on it and I thought it would be a comfortable vehicle to transport us from Portland to Vancouver.
On the way back from the HLE I noticed that the temperature gauge was quickly moving to H. I asked myself if I wanted to take a risk driving this car on the 6 hour journey to Canada. I decided that if my car at home had the needle pointing on H I would take it to shop as soon as possible. I decided to take the car back and trade it for another one.
When I returned to the HLE I told them about the problem. They said they didn't have any more cars and would have to get one from another HLE. About a half hour later someone showed up with a Buick. While the pretty boy no brain Hertz agent did the paper work I went out to check out the car. It needed a good wash so I went back in and asked them if they could wash the car. They gave me a card for a free "Kaddie Kar Wash" which is one of those drive thru quick car wash stores. They said that they don't wash the cars.
When have you ever rented a car and it was clear when you picked it up? Was I at Hertz or Rent a Bucket of Spit? (nice image)
So I take the car back to the house and on the way I realize that this car is dirty on the inside as well as the out. They had not tried to clean it up at all since it's last return the day before (the previous renters paperwork was in the car). Pathetic. I called the Hertz 800 number and asked them if I exchanged the car at the Portland Airport would I have more cars available to choose from. Indiria the nice lady from Bangladesh asked what car I wanted. I told her I would be happy with a clean, correctly functioning Taurus, so she reserved one for me. At about 6:30 Nina and I ventured out to the airport to exchange the dirt bucket.
When we got the airport I told the attendent that I was exchanging the car. He called his manager over and the guy took down my story and said that he would file a complaint against the Hertz that I rented from. We went into terminal and waited for the next agent to become available. While we were waiting the guy behind me mentioned that people were going right up to the agents and bypassing the line to "ask questions". I told him that those people are just far better human beings than he and I and were deserving of being first. Then I told him that perhaps I was delirious because this had been the third time I had been in line at a Hertz that day. He was pretty surprised, you could tell he had high expectations from Hertz as I did.
It was finally our shot and the agent was very accomodating. Eventhough I was sick of telling the same story over and over somehow I thought I would get something back for my pain. She offered us a Ford Escape (Ford's compact SUV) for the same rate as the Taurus. After checking the car out in the lot we happily agreed. Hertz finally made the right call from a customer service standpoint. The Escape turned out to be a very smart vehicle that I am considering purchasing in the future. Paula's dad also liked it because he got to shove a bunch of the crap he bought for her to take up to University of BC.
We left the airport at 8pm (note this for future post) and went back to the house.
to be continued...
Tuesday, September 13, 2005
Open Letter to Best Buy
Your company failed to reach estimated profits because of your failure to respond to customers needs. About a year ago I e-mailed you about your rewards program and how you should not charge a yearly fee to belong to it and my e-mail was completely ignored. I had been a customer of your company for many years and you lost me. I have not purchased anything from Best Buy ever since.
You get nothing. You lose. Good day sir.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050913/bs_nm/retail_bestbuy_earns1_dc
You get nothing. You lose. Good day sir.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050913/bs_nm/retail_bestbuy_earns1_dc
Tuesday, May 03, 2005
Busy
Back to work, going to school, everything I used to do during the week I now do on the weekend.
I get no Sleep
I'm Busy
I get no Sleep
I'm Busy
Friday, April 01, 2005
An Open Letter to Want-to-be Wine Country Temcula
I am going to hold you people accountable.
I am going to tell it like it is and try to explain why your so-called "wine country" is 85% trash.
On a recent trip to Temecula, California it became crystal clear why to really experience California wine country you must go North of Los Angeles. For those of you not familiar, Temecula is a small town located in the Northern San Diego County but I consider the place more Riverside adjacent (the only trash here is white).
About 5 years ago Nina and I made our first trip to Temecula. Being winos and fond of drinking and driving (just kidding) Temecula was a way to do some wine tasting and not have to drive for more than an hour. Back then we visit about 5 wineries and heard the classic comment from a trailer dweller as she re-entered her rented limo "That place has the best wine. One drink and your toasted". This trip include mediocre wine, high fees for tasting, and overpriced crappy food and the then Premier Temecula Winery Thorton Vineyards. A meal that we had to wait 3 hours to get. Needless to say Thorton was not on our list to visit this time.
The art of wine tasting is about sampling the subtle differences between one winery and another comparing it to what you are used to. It's about discovering a new flavor, it's about finding a wine that you like the taste.
IT'S NOT ABOUT GETTING DRUNK!
In the next few posts I will describe what happened at the various wineries we visited. The good the bad and the ugly.
I am going to tell it like it is and try to explain why your so-called "wine country" is 85% trash.
On a recent trip to Temecula, California it became crystal clear why to really experience California wine country you must go North of Los Angeles. For those of you not familiar, Temecula is a small town located in the Northern San Diego County but I consider the place more Riverside adjacent (the only trash here is white).
About 5 years ago Nina and I made our first trip to Temecula. Being winos and fond of drinking and driving (just kidding) Temecula was a way to do some wine tasting and not have to drive for more than an hour. Back then we visit about 5 wineries and heard the classic comment from a trailer dweller as she re-entered her rented limo "That place has the best wine. One drink and your toasted". This trip include mediocre wine, high fees for tasting, and overpriced crappy food and the then Premier Temecula Winery Thorton Vineyards. A meal that we had to wait 3 hours to get. Needless to say Thorton was not on our list to visit this time.
The art of wine tasting is about sampling the subtle differences between one winery and another comparing it to what you are used to. It's about discovering a new flavor, it's about finding a wine that you like the taste.
IT'S NOT ABOUT GETTING DRUNK!
In the next few posts I will describe what happened at the various wineries we visited. The good the bad and the ugly.
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