I like to listen to NPR, mostly while riding down the road. Today, on my way to, where else but the golf course, I heard a discussion on a new book on the Marshall Plan. If you remember any of your post WWII history, you should recognize this, it's implementation was responsible for putting Europe back together after everyone had so much fun tearing in up in the 30's and 40's.
The book,The Most Noble Adventure: The Marshall Plan and the Time When America Helped Save Europe was written by Greg Behrman. As the discussion evolved, the unavoidable comparison with Afghanistan and Iraq was brought up. Mr. Behrman seemed to think that a type of Marshall Plan would be a viable option but I'm not really convinced that the situations are similar enough to make it work. So, over the next few days I am going to do some learning, refreshing my knowledge on post WWII Europe and why the plan put together by George C. Marshall was so successful and if there is something there that can be used to get us out of the mess we have created in those countries.
One thing I do already know is that the current administration is not capable of rebuilding a cabin made of Lincoln Logs let alone any country.
More to come.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Monday, September 3, 2007
Labor Day
It's Labor Day, the traditional end of summer so today I won't labor. This is what I will do though.
It's Ice Cream
Homemade Doublestuffed Oreo Cookie Ice Cream and I'm going to eat some.
But not until later, after I have some fried catfish, cooked just the way a Cajun friend taught me. So I won't labor but I will cook since that is a labor of love.
It's Ice Cream
Homemade Doublestuffed Oreo Cookie Ice Cream and I'm going to eat some.
But not until later, after I have some fried catfish, cooked just the way a Cajun friend taught me. So I won't labor but I will cook since that is a labor of love.
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Somebody Up There Likes Me
Hey up there, you, Sam. Yeah, you, Sam Walton. I know you are there and are reading all this stuff, what else do you have to do? I never thought I would say this, let alone put it out where the entire world can see it but I just wanted to thank you (keep you thong around you waist Kapitan, it’s not the end of the world).
Why you ask? Because I did something really stupid this past week; I did not fill up my truck before Labor Day prices went into effect. I know, it’s the same every holiday, beer goes on sale and gas goes up.
Why is that I wonder, you would think the people that make beer would catch on to the oil companies game and raise prices when they know everyone will be drinking more. NK thinks that they just want to keep everyone so drunk they don’t notice or care about the price of gas. That would mean that the oil companies are sharing their profits with the beer guys and they don’t share with anyone.
Anywho, back to Sam. When I went to my local Sam’s Club gas station I expected it to be like everywhere else. The Kum and Go (nice name, what) raised prices by 20 cents a gallon from last Wednesday. A station near Sam’s priced their gold at $2.95, $2.99 and $3.02 per gallon. But not good ole Sam’s people, they resisted the urge to gouge us this time around. So thanks again buddy, we all appreciate it.
Why you ask? Because I did something really stupid this past week; I did not fill up my truck before Labor Day prices went into effect. I know, it’s the same every holiday, beer goes on sale and gas goes up.
Why is that I wonder, you would think the people that make beer would catch on to the oil companies game and raise prices when they know everyone will be drinking more. NK thinks that they just want to keep everyone so drunk they don’t notice or care about the price of gas. That would mean that the oil companies are sharing their profits with the beer guys and they don’t share with anyone.
Anywho, back to Sam. When I went to my local Sam’s Club gas station I expected it to be like everywhere else. The Kum and Go (nice name, what) raised prices by 20 cents a gallon from last Wednesday. A station near Sam’s priced their gold at $2.95, $2.99 and $3.02 per gallon. But not good ole Sam’s people, they resisted the urge to gouge us this time around. So thanks again buddy, we all appreciate it.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
It’s Over
Well, it is officially done, our fine home is no longer on the market. The agent we contracted with will drop by today to pick-up the sign, get his lock box and give us the key within same. Yesterday morning (Friday) NK said she slept well and was glad that is was over.
When I returned from the golf course, she was suffering from a happy depression. Yes, she was glad that we were no longer under the gun, waiting to hear that someone wanted to interrupt our day to view our house. She was depressed because now we know that we will not be moving to Oregon this year.
We will be fine here for one more year, we have installed some flooring in our storage room and will most likely put in new flooring in the kitchen. In addition, we are going to have some electrical work done so our storage room will become useful as a craft room and a reading/library area. We hope this will enhance the salability next year.
At the request of CK here are a few pictures of the new floor.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Dateline Central USA
Fat Sinking Mid-America
The Central portion of the United States is dropping in elevation. In the past year, along a rough line bordering Colorado on the west and Ohio on the east, states have dropped approximately 15 feet in elevation. Experts have now identified the cause of this previously unexplained fall. It seems Middle America’s obesity has finally become a serious issue (see chart).
Experts plan to gather in Colorado (the leanest state according to CalorieLab) to determine what steps to take to mitigate the problem. One suggestion being discussed is to attempt a population shift (massive relocation) east and west of the troubled region. By moving the most obese out of the Central US, the decline in elevation will most likely slow or stop. To counter this move however, scientists claim that healthier people will have to be relocated from the east and west coasts to the heartland. They hope this will serve a dual purpose; stop the elevation change and introduce a healthy lifestyle to Middle America. Of course the risk in this plan the the loss of valuable beach property with the added weight to the coastal regions.
The Central portion of the United States is dropping in elevation. In the past year, along a rough line bordering Colorado on the west and Ohio on the east, states have dropped approximately 15 feet in elevation. Experts have now identified the cause of this previously unexplained fall. It seems Middle America’s obesity has finally become a serious issue (see chart).
Experts plan to gather in Colorado (the leanest state according to CalorieLab) to determine what steps to take to mitigate the problem. One suggestion being discussed is to attempt a population shift (massive relocation) east and west of the troubled region. By moving the most obese out of the Central US, the decline in elevation will most likely slow or stop. To counter this move however, scientists claim that healthier people will have to be relocated from the east and west coasts to the heartland. They hope this will serve a dual purpose; stop the elevation change and introduce a healthy lifestyle to Middle America. Of course the risk in this plan the the loss of valuable beach property with the added weight to the coastal regions.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Dear Rudy
Dear Mr. Giuliani:
I have been thinking about your 12 commitments to the American people and I have some questions that, when answered, may help everyone understand why you should even be considered as a presidential candidate.
My concern for the time being is with your first commitment. In it you state that you " Will keep America on offense in the Terrorists' War". It seems to be clear that you intend to stick to or even escalate the current administration’s policy. Your justification for this is that it will shorten the amount of time to win and will reduce casualties and you will accomplish this by increasing the strength and size of the military, I think you mentioned 10 new brigades.
This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! First you must still be in complete denial or just insane since there will not be any way to win in Iraq, however you define the word. Next, have you overlooked the trouble the military has had getting new recruits interested. Since a typical brigade in this countries military consists of 1,500 to 3,500 soldiers (let’s see that is 15,000 to 35,000 more troops), just where in the hell do you think they will come from? Maybe that mother in Clovis, Ca. will let her last son go back after the funeral of his brother, there’s one.
Oh, I know, we can open up the border and then recruit all of the good non-citizens just dying to get into the good old USA. Hell, most of them will already be adjusted to the heat after days in the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. No, that won’t work will it. I forgot about commitment number two, your promise to curb illegal immigration by making sure that the big fence gets completed. I'm sure that will keep them from wanting to come into the USA.
Well, even if you can find them, I think you may have also overlooked the possibility that sending more of our fine young men and women into harms way may just increase the number of casualties instead of reducing them.
You don’t have to write me back, now that I think of it, I won’t vote for you in any event. An acquaintance recently said you were a "perv" and I believe her. I just didn’t know you were such a stupid perv. Do you know the good Senator from Idaho?
I have been thinking about your 12 commitments to the American people and I have some questions that, when answered, may help everyone understand why you should even be considered as a presidential candidate.
My concern for the time being is with your first commitment. In it you state that you " Will keep America on offense in the Terrorists' War". It seems to be clear that you intend to stick to or even escalate the current administration’s policy. Your justification for this is that it will shorten the amount of time to win and will reduce casualties and you will accomplish this by increasing the strength and size of the military, I think you mentioned 10 new brigades.
This makes absolutely no sense whatsoever! First you must still be in complete denial or just insane since there will not be any way to win in Iraq, however you define the word. Next, have you overlooked the trouble the military has had getting new recruits interested. Since a typical brigade in this countries military consists of 1,500 to 3,500 soldiers (let’s see that is 15,000 to 35,000 more troops), just where in the hell do you think they will come from? Maybe that mother in Clovis, Ca. will let her last son go back after the funeral of his brother, there’s one.
Oh, I know, we can open up the border and then recruit all of the good non-citizens just dying to get into the good old USA. Hell, most of them will already be adjusted to the heat after days in the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico. No, that won’t work will it. I forgot about commitment number two, your promise to curb illegal immigration by making sure that the big fence gets completed. I'm sure that will keep them from wanting to come into the USA.
Well, even if you can find them, I think you may have also overlooked the possibility that sending more of our fine young men and women into harms way may just increase the number of casualties instead of reducing them.
You don’t have to write me back, now that I think of it, I won’t vote for you in any event. An acquaintance recently said you were a "perv" and I believe her. I just didn’t know you were such a stupid perv. Do you know the good Senator from Idaho?
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Hail to the Chief
Dateline Gulf Coast.
The circus is in town and all of the clowns are present. They come in the guise of hope. After 2 years they are still trying to spread the lie that the people of New Orleans can expect help from their leaders. The levees are still questionable, crime is rampant and large areas of the city remain vacant, empty, dark. Even if they wanted to, many could not move back because essential utilities have not been restored or they could not afford to insure any home that might be restored or rebuilt.
But here he comes, like flies on road-kill. dubya flies in with his entourage. Nagin smiles shakes his hand and kisses his ass, what's up with that? They are breaking ground at a cemetery (calling it a memorial service). Why does a groundbreaking at a cemetery draw special attention and how is that helping the levees? All of the jerkasses seem to have forgotten that after 2 years the city (the former population) is without any hope of impending recovery. Oh, sure, the casino's are open, the French Quarter still draws a crowd and people are eating in the cities restaurants. Those with money are still there (or have come back). Those without are still in Texas, Nebraska, Alabama and god knows where else.
On a light note, did you see the teenage beauty queen from S.C. explaining why Americans can't find the U.S. on a world map. Our educational system at it's finest and another reason for the endless stream of blonde jokes. If you haven't seen the video, go here, it is hilarious.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII
She must have watched a number of dubya's speeches.
The circus is in town and all of the clowns are present. They come in the guise of hope. After 2 years they are still trying to spread the lie that the people of New Orleans can expect help from their leaders. The levees are still questionable, crime is rampant and large areas of the city remain vacant, empty, dark. Even if they wanted to, many could not move back because essential utilities have not been restored or they could not afford to insure any home that might be restored or rebuilt.
But here he comes, like flies on road-kill. dubya flies in with his entourage. Nagin smiles shakes his hand and kisses his ass, what's up with that? They are breaking ground at a cemetery (calling it a memorial service). Why does a groundbreaking at a cemetery draw special attention and how is that helping the levees? All of the jerkasses seem to have forgotten that after 2 years the city (the former population) is without any hope of impending recovery. Oh, sure, the casino's are open, the French Quarter still draws a crowd and people are eating in the cities restaurants. Those with money are still there (or have come back). Those without are still in Texas, Nebraska, Alabama and god knows where else.
On a light note, did you see the teenage beauty queen from S.C. explaining why Americans can't find the U.S. on a world map. Our educational system at it's finest and another reason for the endless stream of blonde jokes. If you haven't seen the video, go here, it is hilarious.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WALIARHHLII
She must have watched a number of dubya's speeches.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
August 28
Nothing happened today unless you consider the impending demise of yet another Republican Senator, this one from Idaho. His compatriots appear to be on him like a wolf that just came upon a dead deer. When there is no meat left, they are headed for the bones.
It seems that the good Senator may have come on a little strong to a police officer back in June. Then, just to make it go away, he pled guilty guilty to a disorderly conduct charge on Aug. 8, with the court dismissing a charge of gross misdemeanor interference to privacy. It seems he was peeking into a stall and then went into an adjacent stall and played footsies with the officer.
Senator Craig has been one of Mitt Romney's strongest Senate supporter in his run for the Presidency. He is the second of Romney's little band to resign from a post due to cloudy sexual innuendo. Sound's like Mitt has not done a very good job vetting his groupies.
On a lighter note, on this date in 1968, Chicago police started and then quelled a riot outside the Democratic Convention. On the streets of Chicago, antiwar protesters massed in the downtown area, determined to force the Democrats to nominate Senator Eugene McCarthy. Mayor Richard Daley responded by unleashing the Chicago police force. Thousands of policemen stormed into the crowd, swinging their clubs and firing tear gas. Stunned Americans watched on TV as the police battered and beat protesters, reporters, and anyone else in the way. The protesters began to chant, "The whole world is watching. The whole world is watching."
It seems that the good Senator may have come on a little strong to a police officer back in June. Then, just to make it go away, he pled guilty guilty to a disorderly conduct charge on Aug. 8, with the court dismissing a charge of gross misdemeanor interference to privacy. It seems he was peeking into a stall and then went into an adjacent stall and played footsies with the officer.
Senator Craig has been one of Mitt Romney's strongest Senate supporter in his run for the Presidency. He is the second of Romney's little band to resign from a post due to cloudy sexual innuendo. Sound's like Mitt has not done a very good job vetting his groupies.
On a lighter note, on this date in 1968, Chicago police started and then quelled a riot outside the Democratic Convention. On the streets of Chicago, antiwar protesters massed in the downtown area, determined to force the Democrats to nominate Senator Eugene McCarthy. Mayor Richard Daley responded by unleashing the Chicago police force. Thousands of policemen stormed into the crowd, swinging their clubs and firing tear gas. Stunned Americans watched on TV as the police battered and beat protesters, reporters, and anyone else in the way. The protesters began to chant, "The whole world is watching. The whole world is watching."
Monday, August 27, 2007
I'm Late, I'm Late
I got a call yesterday afternoon to play in a pro-am today. I signed up some time back as an alternate but I did not expect to play. So as I write this, I'm late getting started to get ready but I couldn't resist commenting on Alberto. Bye bye Al and good riddance. Unfortunately, if Chertoff is his replacement, don't expect much better, remember he brought us the remnants of Katrina.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Afternoon Delight
No, it's not what you think if you are familiar with the song. It's just that it is a relatively nice Sunday afternoon so I decided to smoke some ribs. We spent the morning doing a little more to get the house in show shape (we had let it go for a few weeks while we were busy lamenting the lack of lookers), I mowed and pulled a couple of weeds, NK replaced a few floor tiles that did not want to follow our rules. Then we got to cooking.
NK started by soaking the black-eyes for what we call County Line Black-Eyed Peas, a recipe we made up after eating some at a County Line in Ok City awhile back. While that was going on and she was cutting up the Jalapeno's and other goodies, I made the rub for the ribs and then my bourbon BBQ sauce. Since I just started the fire in the smoker I thought I'd take a few minues to let you know what was up today and that NK has come up with a rather appropriate moniker for some of our political freinds. They are now and forever will be jerkasses. Later this week I'll continue my look at the jerkass candidates with a look at The Emperor of the City, Rudy Giuliani.
NK started by soaking the black-eyes for what we call County Line Black-Eyed Peas, a recipe we made up after eating some at a County Line in Ok City awhile back. While that was going on and she was cutting up the Jalapeno's and other goodies, I made the rub for the ribs and then my bourbon BBQ sauce. Since I just started the fire in the smoker I thought I'd take a few minues to let you know what was up today and that NK has come up with a rather appropriate moniker for some of our political freinds. They are now and forever will be jerkasses. Later this week I'll continue my look at the jerkass candidates with a look at The Emperor of the City, Rudy Giuliani.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
I'm not here either
Like CK, I'm not here today either, doin stuff to get ready to show the place on Monday. Maybe I'll be back tomorrow. Have a good weekend.
Friday, August 24, 2007
Never on Sunday
To play on Sunday, you have to win on Saturday. To play on Saturday, you have to win on Friday. I'll be home tomorrow. I gave it a go today. I got down 2 holes early, came back to tie then went down 2 again. After we left the 1oth hole I was 3 down. Once again I came back but not quite far enough. On the 18th hole, a par 3, my tee shot missed the green. My opponent also missed and wound up in the sand. My second shot stopped about 4 inches from the hole so I thought I had a chance, especially when he rolled his shot out of the bunker about 7 to 8 feet by. He had not made a putt all day from that distance, but he made that one to win 1 up.
It's a good thing I lost though, we have someone coming to look at the house on Monday and we will need the time to get things ship shape.
It's a good thing I lost though, we have someone coming to look at the house on Monday and we will need the time to get things ship shape.
Match Play
Today I am going to have some fun. I’m going to pretend that I’m Tiger Woods and try to win my first match play event. Up until Wednesday I did not know if I would play or not, just had not decided because I usually only play Monday through Friday and leave the weekend for those poor souls that have to work during the week.
I don’t really care if I win, I just like the competition (bullshit). When they set the pairings, they pair those with like handicaps together. The person I will play has a handicap that is 2 strokes lower than mine. For those of you unfamiliar with the game, that means that on average, he is better than I am.
Par (the number of strokes it takes to get the ball in the hole through 18 holes) at my golf club is 72. While my average score is 91, lately I have been scoring in the mid 80’s (which by the way was my goal for this year). But in match play, none of this really matters beyond the confidence I have gained.
In match play all you have to do is complete a hole in one less stroke than your opponent. The winner of the match will have won more holes than there are left to play or there could be tie after 18 holes. If the match is tied after 18 holes, the match continues until someone wins a hole. The winner moves on to play on Saturday, the loser goes home. For once, I would like to play on Saturday.
I don’t really care if I win, I just like the competition (bullshit). When they set the pairings, they pair those with like handicaps together. The person I will play has a handicap that is 2 strokes lower than mine. For those of you unfamiliar with the game, that means that on average, he is better than I am.
Par (the number of strokes it takes to get the ball in the hole through 18 holes) at my golf club is 72. While my average score is 91, lately I have been scoring in the mid 80’s (which by the way was my goal for this year). But in match play, none of this really matters beyond the confidence I have gained.
In match play all you have to do is complete a hole in one less stroke than your opponent. The winner of the match will have won more holes than there are left to play or there could be tie after 18 holes. If the match is tied after 18 holes, the match continues until someone wins a hole. The winner moves on to play on Saturday, the loser goes home. For once, I would like to play on Saturday.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Helping Hand
June 8, 1972
Maybe if we had left Vietnam sooner, Kim Phúc and the villagers of Trang Bang would not have experienced this particular horror of war. Shut your mouth George W. Bush, you are a disgrace to the American people and to peace loving people everywhere and I am ashamed to be a citizen of any country that would lower itself to the cheap political theatrics you have chosen just to save face.
Maybe if we had left Vietnam sooner, Kim Phúc and the villagers of Trang Bang would not have experienced this particular horror of war. Shut your mouth George W. Bush, you are a disgrace to the American people and to peace loving people everywhere and I am ashamed to be a citizen of any country that would lower itself to the cheap political theatrics you have chosen just to save face.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
Question Number 3
I was going to rant again about something dubya said yesterday but I changed my mind. I have been thinking about my answer to question #3. Can't get it out of my head. I mentioned my struggle to provide an answer and a few artists that came to mind. I completly forgot about Eric Clapton, you know, Cream, Derek and the Dominos, that guy. I could listen to him forever. I'll stick with Howlin' Wolf but I thought you should know about Clapton.
Anywhat, that got me thinking about my top 25 all time favorite songs (as of today) so here they are:
Number 1 all time favorite - Get Over It, Eagles. The message will always be applicable (I think The Droid Whisperer still hates it).
Number 2 - Sunshine of Your Love - Clapton (Cream days)
Number 3 - Little Red Rooster - Howlin' Wolf
Number 4 - In the Mood - Glenn Miller
Number 5 - Little Red Riding Hood - Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (dedicated to NK)
Number 6 - Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
Number 7 - Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks
Number 7.5 - War - Edwin Starr (or the Boss)
Number 8 - Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado - John Denver
Number 9 - 12th of Never - Johnny Mathis
Number 10 - Hot Rod Lincoln - Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen
Number 10.5 -Down to Seeds and Stems Again Blues - Commander Cody
Number 11 - Alices Restaurant - Arlo Guthrie
Number 12 - Master of the House - Les Miserables
Number 13 - Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano (no not the Doors, this is a much better version).
Number 14 - The Artists Life - Strauss
Number 15 - Black Magic Woman - Santana
Number 16 - The Immigrant Song - Led Zepplin
Number 17 - Daddy's Little Girl - The Mills Brothers
Number 18 - Good Night Irene - Levon Helm and the RCO All Stars (A tribute to my father)
Number 19 - I Just Came Home to Count the Memories - John Anderson
Number 20 - Third Rate Romance - The Amazing Rhythm Aces
Number 21 - Riders on the Storm - The Doors.
Number 22 - I Like Beer - Tom T. Hall
Number 23 - Masters of War - Bob Dylan
Number 24 - The Thrill is Gone - B.B. King
and
Number 25 - Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road - Loudon Wainwright III
Anywhat, that got me thinking about my top 25 all time favorite songs (as of today) so here they are:
Number 1 all time favorite - Get Over It, Eagles. The message will always be applicable (I think The Droid Whisperer still hates it).
Number 2 - Sunshine of Your Love - Clapton (Cream days)
Number 3 - Little Red Rooster - Howlin' Wolf
Number 4 - In the Mood - Glenn Miller
Number 5 - Little Red Riding Hood - Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs (dedicated to NK)
Number 6 - Unforgettable - Nat King Cole
Number 7 - Travelin' Soldier - Dixie Chicks
Number 7.5 - War - Edwin Starr (or the Boss)
Number 8 - Guess He'd Rather Be in Colorado - John Denver
Number 9 - 12th of Never - Johnny Mathis
Number 10 - Hot Rod Lincoln - Commander Cody and his Lost Planet Airmen
Number 10.5 -Down to Seeds and Stems Again Blues - Commander Cody
Number 11 - Alices Restaurant - Arlo Guthrie
Number 12 - Master of the House - Les Miserables
Number 13 - Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano (no not the Doors, this is a much better version).
Number 14 - The Artists Life - Strauss
Number 15 - Black Magic Woman - Santana
Number 16 - The Immigrant Song - Led Zepplin
Number 17 - Daddy's Little Girl - The Mills Brothers
Number 18 - Good Night Irene - Levon Helm and the RCO All Stars (A tribute to my father)
Number 19 - I Just Came Home to Count the Memories - John Anderson
Number 20 - Third Rate Romance - The Amazing Rhythm Aces
Number 21 - Riders on the Storm - The Doors.
Number 22 - I Like Beer - Tom T. Hall
Number 23 - Masters of War - Bob Dylan
Number 24 - The Thrill is Gone - B.B. King
and
Number 25 - Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road - Loudon Wainwright III
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Q&A
In response to CK's questions.
1. What did you think of the end of Sofia Copala's Marie Antoinette? Mr. Kaos has his panties all in a bunch about it and is quite certain that you would too.
No comment, I have not seen the movie. Guess we should add it to our list.
2. You have always claimed to hate cats, yet I have evidence (possibly somewhere) that you like them. Maybe even love them. Why is that?
Your evidence (whatever it may be) can only be circumstantial and would not hold up in court. For NK’s sake I have tolerated cats, did I pet them sometimes….yeah I did and you may even have a picture but I do not like them and I definitely do not nor will I ever love them. At a minimum I was indifferent.
3. I've asked a few others this question already but, if you had to listen to the music of just one musician or band for an entire year which one would it be?
I really struggled with this one because of my taste in music. I like virtually everything but rap/hip-hop. I was going to say Glenn Miller, then I thought about some of the storytellers like Woody Guthrie and Tom T. Hall or Bob Dylan. But I’ll go with Howlin’ Wolf.
4. Now that you've jumped onto this whole blogging bandwagon how much longer does the world have to wait for you to join Myspace or Facebook?
Most likely, never. Though it may not be noticeable, I am not really a social animal. Think about it, I never "joined" anything, no VFW, no Elks, nothing. At heart I am an introvert and am really quite satisfied being one. If there were a few more creature comforts I could figure out, I would probably live as a hermit in a cave somewhere.
5. Though you did a lot of traveling for business you haven't had the opportunity in the recent past to do much traveling for pleasure, what with the visiting of you're darling children and all, if you could take the trip you've always wanted to where would you be heading?
Tough question, it has always been my desire to return to Vietnam. It is such a beautiful country and I would really like to see the area again. Since I did not spend any time in any of the cities, I have no desire to visit them, only the countryside. However, due to my infatuation with the game of golf, it would be difficult to choose between a trip to Ireland/Scotland and Vietnam.
1. What did you think of the end of Sofia Copala's Marie Antoinette? Mr. Kaos has his panties all in a bunch about it and is quite certain that you would too.
No comment, I have not seen the movie. Guess we should add it to our list.
2. You have always claimed to hate cats, yet I have evidence (possibly somewhere) that you like them. Maybe even love them. Why is that?
Your evidence (whatever it may be) can only be circumstantial and would not hold up in court. For NK’s sake I have tolerated cats, did I pet them sometimes….yeah I did and you may even have a picture but I do not like them and I definitely do not nor will I ever love them. At a minimum I was indifferent.
3. I've asked a few others this question already but, if you had to listen to the music of just one musician or band for an entire year which one would it be?
I really struggled with this one because of my taste in music. I like virtually everything but rap/hip-hop. I was going to say Glenn Miller, then I thought about some of the storytellers like Woody Guthrie and Tom T. Hall or Bob Dylan. But I’ll go with Howlin’ Wolf.
4. Now that you've jumped onto this whole blogging bandwagon how much longer does the world have to wait for you to join Myspace or Facebook?
Most likely, never. Though it may not be noticeable, I am not really a social animal. Think about it, I never "joined" anything, no VFW, no Elks, nothing. At heart I am an introvert and am really quite satisfied being one. If there were a few more creature comforts I could figure out, I would probably live as a hermit in a cave somewhere.
5. Though you did a lot of traveling for business you haven't had the opportunity in the recent past to do much traveling for pleasure, what with the visiting of you're darling children and all, if you could take the trip you've always wanted to where would you be heading?
Tough question, it has always been my desire to return to Vietnam. It is such a beautiful country and I would really like to see the area again. Since I did not spend any time in any of the cities, I have no desire to visit them, only the countryside. However, due to my infatuation with the game of golf, it would be difficult to choose between a trip to Ireland/Scotland and Vietnam.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Conversation with a 5 year old
Have you ever talked to a 5-year-old on a cellphone? One that places her mouth right up to the microphone and talks real loud because you are 1,100 miles away? One who’s first taste of food was gumbo, one who will always expect gumbo when Nana is around?
Yesterday NK’s conversation with K went something like this:
K – do you remember riding Dumbo?
NK – we have gumbo in the freezer.
K – you have Dumbo in the freezer?
NK – yes, we made some gumbo about 3 months ago.
K – no, Dumbo
NK – Oh – Dumbo not gumbo, yeah I remember the Dumbo ride at Disneyland.
They then went on to talk about riding in the Chinese Food container which K finally got to do with CK and Chad and the rest of the conversation went on without getting anyone or anything stuck in our freezer.
Yesterday NK’s conversation with K went something like this:
K – do you remember riding Dumbo?
NK – we have gumbo in the freezer.
K – you have Dumbo in the freezer?
NK – yes, we made some gumbo about 3 months ago.
K – no, Dumbo
NK – Oh – Dumbo not gumbo, yeah I remember the Dumbo ride at Disneyland.
They then went on to talk about riding in the Chinese Food container which K finally got to do with CK and Chad and the rest of the conversation went on without getting anyone or anything stuck in our freezer.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Food Dreams
Do you have food dreams? I’m not asking if you dream about food, what I am asking is whether or not certain meals or food combinations cause you to have weird, wild, LSD induced type dreams?
Because I’m asking this you have probably assumed that some items of food have provided both NK and myself some wonderful conversation points in the morning. For instance, a few nights ago we had a relatively simple meal. We knew we would be tired from laying the floor tiles in the bonus room so we just planned on soup and a sandwich (tuna) on a hoagie roll (it was quite tasty with slices of red onion and garden fresh tomato slices). What dreams may come and please feel free to provide your interpretations.
In NK’s dream, we were shopping for furniture and the salesperson told us that their best selection was in some model homes and that they would shuttle us to them (might be a Disneyland influence with the shuttle). Now remember, dreams will always have unexplained gaps and this one is no exception. Somehow the people visiting the model homes had a "chip" implanted that turned them into Stepford Wives zombie like people. For some inexplicable reason, I was able to avoid the chip implant but NK could not. Like the true rebel she is however, she was able to resist its power and we made our way out and exposed the ring. It seems that the dealers were creating their own cult of furniture salespeople and were in league with new home developers (at this point I will let you know that we blame the new home glut as the reason our lovely home remains unsold). This from just a simple tuna sandwich, or maybe it was the Cream of Chicken soup. Who knows what Campbell’s has added to that?
Another memorable combination caused NK to see a turkey running around with a human head. She thinks it may have been the head of "dubya" and that she may have the powers of a "Seer" like Professor Trelawny. This was a result of our favorite combination to avoid, smoked baby oysters on crackers (snack food) and Nathan’s hot dogs (dinner). Be warned this is a deadly combination, especially when accompanied with Corona and lime.
Oh, my tuna sandwich dream? We had been called to testify in court somewhere and on our plane trip back to San Francisco we were just about to land so I looked out the window to check and make sure the landing gears were down and locked (I could see a reflection in the water and they were locked in place). When I looked back up, we immediately started to dive straight toward the water. I glanced up toward the front of the plane and could see that the pilot was slumped over, pushing on the wheel. I jumped up to pull the pilot back so I could gain control of the plane. At that point I woke up and realized I had to pee. Not a good as NK’s by a long shot but and least I did not pee in my shorts.
Because I’m asking this you have probably assumed that some items of food have provided both NK and myself some wonderful conversation points in the morning. For instance, a few nights ago we had a relatively simple meal. We knew we would be tired from laying the floor tiles in the bonus room so we just planned on soup and a sandwich (tuna) on a hoagie roll (it was quite tasty with slices of red onion and garden fresh tomato slices). What dreams may come and please feel free to provide your interpretations.
In NK’s dream, we were shopping for furniture and the salesperson told us that their best selection was in some model homes and that they would shuttle us to them (might be a Disneyland influence with the shuttle). Now remember, dreams will always have unexplained gaps and this one is no exception. Somehow the people visiting the model homes had a "chip" implanted that turned them into Stepford Wives zombie like people. For some inexplicable reason, I was able to avoid the chip implant but NK could not. Like the true rebel she is however, she was able to resist its power and we made our way out and exposed the ring. It seems that the dealers were creating their own cult of furniture salespeople and were in league with new home developers (at this point I will let you know that we blame the new home glut as the reason our lovely home remains unsold). This from just a simple tuna sandwich, or maybe it was the Cream of Chicken soup. Who knows what Campbell’s has added to that?
Another memorable combination caused NK to see a turkey running around with a human head. She thinks it may have been the head of "dubya" and that she may have the powers of a "Seer" like Professor Trelawny. This was a result of our favorite combination to avoid, smoked baby oysters on crackers (snack food) and Nathan’s hot dogs (dinner). Be warned this is a deadly combination, especially when accompanied with Corona and lime.
Oh, my tuna sandwich dream? We had been called to testify in court somewhere and on our plane trip back to San Francisco we were just about to land so I looked out the window to check and make sure the landing gears were down and locked (I could see a reflection in the water and they were locked in place). When I looked back up, we immediately started to dive straight toward the water. I glanced up toward the front of the plane and could see that the pilot was slumped over, pushing on the wheel. I jumped up to pull the pilot back so I could gain control of the plane. At that point I woke up and realized I had to pee. Not a good as NK’s by a long shot but and least I did not pee in my shorts.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
How dumb is dumb?
On March 17, 2007 a 3-year-old child died from hyperthermia in Hilo, Hawaii. Since then there have been 19 other hyperthermia-related deaths in the United States. The youngest, a 3-month old from Chandler Arizona was left in the car for around 2 hours after the father returned from running errands. When he arrived home, he simply forgot that his young daughter was in the car with him. The outside temperature in Chandler on that day in June was 108 degrees. Young Amberlee’s core body temperature was 109 degrees according to the responding firefighters.
HE FORGOT THAT HIS DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR!!!!
That must have been some trip he took to excite him so much that he could forget his child was in the car. This was not the only case where the parent forgot to take their child. Not that they left them there on purpose (that happened also and may be even more heinous), they just plain old forgot that they had a child in the car.
The best one (if anything like this can be classified as best) happened in 2006. After leaving her 15-month-old son in her car for nine hours while she was working, a North Augusta woman returned to her vehicle, found her son lifeless, and then drove around for nearly two hours before calling police.
Eight of the twenty children were 1 years old or less. Ten were from Southern states (are they dumber down there?). Sometimes the parent is charged, sometimes not or police had not yet determined if charges were warranted. Now I’m sure the parents were grief stricken and I’m a compassionate person most of the time but idiots like this need something to make them think. I don’t know if incarceration would solve anything but they damned sure should have to perform some type of service related to the crime AND IT IS A CRIME TO LEAVE A CHILD OR PET IN YOUR CAR.
So what is the answer? NASA researchers have come up with a device called the Child Presence Sensor that will alert the parent that they walked away from their car with the child left behind. They believe it will help the "overloaded, exhausted, distracted parent or one confused by a change in routine, that might forget that they left one of their children unattended." I guess since they can’t seem to get a shuttle up without a problem they think they should become apologists for stupid parents. And oh by the way, how much of our tax dollars went into this research that has absolutely nothing to do with SPACE?
In their press release they noted that "Cars are inappropriate places for children to be left without adult supervision. A brilliant observation but so are swimming pools, shopping centers, grocery carts and a host of other places. What will NASA do about that? In fact according to pool safety experts, the leading death of children ages 1 to 4 is drowning. So there is an alarm for a pool and that is a wise thing to install. But a sensor to remind you that you have a kid in the car, give me a break. That’s about as necessary as a warning label on an electric hair dryer that it is not for use while in the shower or taking a bath. Anyone who does that deserves the result.
The Child Presence Sensor driver alarm, designed to hang on the driver's key ring, sounds ten warning beeps if the driver moves too far away from the vehicle. If the driver doesn't return within one minute, the alarm will beep continuously and cannot be turned off until it is reset by returning to the child safety seat. If people are so stupid or insensitive enough to leave a child in the car, how likely are they to purchase this thing. Just buying it is an admission of their stupidity (duh I’m so dumb I need an alarm to remind me I have a kid).
HE FORGOT THAT HIS DAUGHTER WAS IN THE CAR!!!!
That must have been some trip he took to excite him so much that he could forget his child was in the car. This was not the only case where the parent forgot to take their child. Not that they left them there on purpose (that happened also and may be even more heinous), they just plain old forgot that they had a child in the car.
The best one (if anything like this can be classified as best) happened in 2006. After leaving her 15-month-old son in her car for nine hours while she was working, a North Augusta woman returned to her vehicle, found her son lifeless, and then drove around for nearly two hours before calling police.
Eight of the twenty children were 1 years old or less. Ten were from Southern states (are they dumber down there?). Sometimes the parent is charged, sometimes not or police had not yet determined if charges were warranted. Now I’m sure the parents were grief stricken and I’m a compassionate person most of the time but idiots like this need something to make them think. I don’t know if incarceration would solve anything but they damned sure should have to perform some type of service related to the crime AND IT IS A CRIME TO LEAVE A CHILD OR PET IN YOUR CAR.
So what is the answer? NASA researchers have come up with a device called the Child Presence Sensor that will alert the parent that they walked away from their car with the child left behind. They believe it will help the "overloaded, exhausted, distracted parent or one confused by a change in routine, that might forget that they left one of their children unattended." I guess since they can’t seem to get a shuttle up without a problem they think they should become apologists for stupid parents. And oh by the way, how much of our tax dollars went into this research that has absolutely nothing to do with SPACE?
In their press release they noted that "Cars are inappropriate places for children to be left without adult supervision. A brilliant observation but so are swimming pools, shopping centers, grocery carts and a host of other places. What will NASA do about that? In fact according to pool safety experts, the leading death of children ages 1 to 4 is drowning. So there is an alarm for a pool and that is a wise thing to install. But a sensor to remind you that you have a kid in the car, give me a break. That’s about as necessary as a warning label on an electric hair dryer that it is not for use while in the shower or taking a bath. Anyone who does that deserves the result.
The Child Presence Sensor driver alarm, designed to hang on the driver's key ring, sounds ten warning beeps if the driver moves too far away from the vehicle. If the driver doesn't return within one minute, the alarm will beep continuously and cannot be turned off until it is reset by returning to the child safety seat. If people are so stupid or insensitive enough to leave a child in the car, how likely are they to purchase this thing. Just buying it is an admission of their stupidity (duh I’m so dumb I need an alarm to remind me I have a kid).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
