For watching a long day of the DNC fighting amongst themselves on what to do with the disenfranchised states of Florida and Michigan. Yeah to most people it will be boring stuff but if you understand what is going on this is high drama!
You would have to be living in a cave not to know what has been going on between Clinton and Obama for the Dem nomination. Well Clinton would win it IF Florida and Michigan are seated in full which of course she is pushing for. Obama will win if anything less than that happens.
What is being debated is the question, How many votes will NOT count because they jumped the gun and held their primary earlier than the DNC said they could. Essentially they (Florida and Michigan) broke the rules and the DNC said they wouldn't count ANY of their delegates and not seat them at the convention. Well the problem is that no one knew that the race would be this close and would have been long over with by now.
What has happened is a DNC system meltdown on par with the China Syndrome! Clinton and Obama HATE each other. Neither one will give up. Clinton has "more experience" while Obama is collecting more support. Clinton has more popular votes (especially if Florida and Michigan are counted) and Obama now has more super delegates.
The super delegate was created as a check to the popular vote. Essentially it means that these super delegates can over rule the will of the voting public and nominate who THEY want as they are not bound by the popular vote. If the super delegates over rule the people they would essentially disenfranchise the entire democratic voting public!
So today it all boils down to this meeting held today in Washington D.C. What will the dems do? Who will gain the DNC support? More importantly HOW MANY votes (of common hard working people) will they throw out to come to the conclusion they want?
High Drama!
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Friday!
Yes my friends it is the magical day of the week! I need it after yesterday.
Word has come down from on high that there will be a big layoff at my place of work.
I'm safe but we did lose a person. I am going to lose some good friends out there. It really sucks because a lot of these people are younger and have families to support.
What really sucks is there are several people who are past the age of seventy and are drawing several paychecks from retirements, social security, AND this place and won't step down to save a job. One person in particular draws no less than five paychecks! He clears around eighty grand without this job and he is seventy three.
He could save one man's job who is supporting a family but won't do it, want to hear the kicker? There are TWO people in that same area who are in similar positions and neither one will retire to save this guy's job.
That isn't the only story like that either. That is the downside of working within a union. The young people get the screws while the people with seniority can't be touched and can practically be as lazy as they want to be.
Word has come down from on high that there will be a big layoff at my place of work.
I'm safe but we did lose a person. I am going to lose some good friends out there. It really sucks because a lot of these people are younger and have families to support.
What really sucks is there are several people who are past the age of seventy and are drawing several paychecks from retirements, social security, AND this place and won't step down to save a job. One person in particular draws no less than five paychecks! He clears around eighty grand without this job and he is seventy three.
He could save one man's job who is supporting a family but won't do it, want to hear the kicker? There are TWO people in that same area who are in similar positions and neither one will retire to save this guy's job.
That isn't the only story like that either. That is the downside of working within a union. The young people get the screws while the people with seniority can't be touched and can practically be as lazy as they want to be.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Unintended Consequences
I listen to satellite radio a lot at work. A lot of times it is all I have to do. So one time this radio host was telling his audience about a traveling salesman friend who was on the road. Turns out he had finished up his meeting a day early but the hotel room was still paid for another night.
So he found a homeless guy and gave him the room to spend the night in and get cleaned up. I don't think anyone would disagree that his heart was in the right place. The host went on to explain that the salesman had received a bill from the hotel for around four hundred dollars after the homeless guy had cleaned out the honor bar.
The salesman had learned a lesson about kindness coming back to bite you.
Being idealistic myself (and contemplating a new project) I am running into this very problem. I don't want to reveal what it is since it might not happen right now. It is an idea that is getting thought over though quite a bit.
I have to wonder, What If that salesman's generosity to the homeless man took a temporary detour but later took hold allowing the homeless man the hand up he needed? Perhaps he has a job and a roof over his head now because of his random encounter with the salesman? Are you saying it isn't possible?
Perhaps it isn't likely but it IS possible.
OK so what if it didn't work the way I would like it to work and the homeless man just went and got drunk and passed out in an alley. The likely outcome. What if you had shown kindness to a lot of people in trouble, would the outcome still be the same for everyone of them?
I think the likelihood that everyone would continue status quo is diminished now. Someone WOULD be effected in the intended way.
Now consider that is only the people in the deepest trouble, the homeless or drug addicted. What if someone just needed a little help to out of a jam? Perhaps they could then turn around and help someone else out of a jam!
Now the well intentioned person could have things going in their favor exponentially.
So he found a homeless guy and gave him the room to spend the night in and get cleaned up. I don't think anyone would disagree that his heart was in the right place. The host went on to explain that the salesman had received a bill from the hotel for around four hundred dollars after the homeless guy had cleaned out the honor bar.
The salesman had learned a lesson about kindness coming back to bite you.
Being idealistic myself (and contemplating a new project) I am running into this very problem. I don't want to reveal what it is since it might not happen right now. It is an idea that is getting thought over though quite a bit.
I have to wonder, What If that salesman's generosity to the homeless man took a temporary detour but later took hold allowing the homeless man the hand up he needed? Perhaps he has a job and a roof over his head now because of his random encounter with the salesman? Are you saying it isn't possible?
Perhaps it isn't likely but it IS possible.
OK so what if it didn't work the way I would like it to work and the homeless man just went and got drunk and passed out in an alley. The likely outcome. What if you had shown kindness to a lot of people in trouble, would the outcome still be the same for everyone of them?
I think the likelihood that everyone would continue status quo is diminished now. Someone WOULD be effected in the intended way.
Now consider that is only the people in the deepest trouble, the homeless or drug addicted. What if someone just needed a little help to out of a jam? Perhaps they could then turn around and help someone else out of a jam!
Now the well intentioned person could have things going in their favor exponentially.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Off Today
And there is a storm brewing! It doesn't look like it will be a big one or last long but it is sure thundering and I think it is going to come down hard in a bit! It can't be too bad, my weather radio hasn't gone off yet and told me it is going to be bad.
Yes and I'm off today to have my shocks changed at nine this morning. I know this guy and he used to work where I worked before he got laid off and then he opened up his own shop and has been super busy since.
I made this appointment two weeks ago!
Anyway things are good and I have a day off to get some errands ran after my shocks are done! With my big overtime check I paid up my monthly bills a month in advance, feels good! I've got a ton left over too!
Yes and I'm off today to have my shocks changed at nine this morning. I know this guy and he used to work where I worked before he got laid off and then he opened up his own shop and has been super busy since.
I made this appointment two weeks ago!
Anyway things are good and I have a day off to get some errands ran after my shocks are done! With my big overtime check I paid up my monthly bills a month in advance, feels good! I've got a ton left over too!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Rainy Night
To top off a rainy and severe weather filled weekend Memorial Day evening was also filled with a severe storm and hail. Not much in the thunder department but a deluge of rain and high winds!
It was a good weekend though! I enjoyed it quite a bit! Still have leftovers in the fridge from yesterday's meal with family and that will probably be supper tonight!
Everything is really going pretty well right now. I'm off tomorrow to have my shocks changed on my vehicle. It is that time! I also have to errands to run that I couldn't do yesterday since a lot of businesses were closed.
It was a good weekend though! I enjoyed it quite a bit! Still have leftovers in the fridge from yesterday's meal with family and that will probably be supper tonight!
Everything is really going pretty well right now. I'm off tomorrow to have my shocks changed on my vehicle. It is that time! I also have to errands to run that I couldn't do yesterday since a lot of businesses were closed.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Memorial Day
Keep in mind what today is about when you are eating with friends and family.
Keep in mind that the reason you are able to do so in peace today is because our military confronted tyranny around the world preserving your God given freedoms.
Keep in mind that we are still confronting tyranny today, defending your freedoms against people who want you to live in a theocratic tyranny or want you dead.
Many countless people have given everything to guarantee your freedoms, remember them today.
Go out and do something for a veteran today.
Keep in mind that the reason you are able to do so in peace today is because our military confronted tyranny around the world preserving your God given freedoms.
Keep in mind that we are still confronting tyranny today, defending your freedoms against people who want you to live in a theocratic tyranny or want you dead.
Many countless people have given everything to guarantee your freedoms, remember them today.
Go out and do something for a veteran today.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Indiana Jones And The Oklahoma Tornadoes
This new Indiana Jones movie was a mixed bag. It had some very fun moments but the ultimate payoff at the end was a bit hokey. I mean it was spectacular visually, don't confuse that for hokey, I'm only referring to the premise they were offering.
I do believe there were more fun high points than there were low points as the movie was a very fun romp! There were the traditional close calls, split second timing, cunning villains, and big surprises!
The pacing had some issues but ultimately you just overlook it and get caught up in the adventure. Harrison Ford simply was Indiana Jones, this movie would have benefited from being made years ago instead of today but for this story the technology wasn't there. Shia LeBouf can now be considered the most over exposed actor out there now.
This movie will do huge box office and it should. This is what a Summer movie should be about. Putting your life on pause for a couple of hours and escaping everything that troubles you for a short time.
Yesterday I was also captivated by the real life and really intense footage of a super cell outbreak of tornadoes in my very own county! I was surprised to turn on Fox news to see live footage being broadcast of my home area! It was just to the South of me and we caught the Northern edge of the storm but missed out on all of the most severe weather! The storm chasers were everywhere! I believe the storm produced double digit tornadoes yesterday as the storm was that massive but thankfully no one was seriously injured.
I do believe there were more fun high points than there were low points as the movie was a very fun romp! There were the traditional close calls, split second timing, cunning villains, and big surprises!
The pacing had some issues but ultimately you just overlook it and get caught up in the adventure. Harrison Ford simply was Indiana Jones, this movie would have benefited from being made years ago instead of today but for this story the technology wasn't there. Shia LeBouf can now be considered the most over exposed actor out there now.
This movie will do huge box office and it should. This is what a Summer movie should be about. Putting your life on pause for a couple of hours and escaping everything that troubles you for a short time.
Yesterday I was also captivated by the real life and really intense footage of a super cell outbreak of tornadoes in my very own county! I was surprised to turn on Fox news to see live footage being broadcast of my home area! It was just to the South of me and we caught the Northern edge of the storm but missed out on all of the most severe weather! The storm chasers were everywhere! I believe the storm produced double digit tornadoes yesterday as the storm was that massive but thankfully no one was seriously injured.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Exhale
Yesterday was a marathon of boredom at work, but you know something? It is over with and today is the start of a great weekend!
There were more storms last night and yes my weather radio went off again. I didn't get up this time and after a couple of minutes it quit. It rained quite a bit last night and today feels really nice out!
Tonight is Indiana Jones, tomorrow is the Coca Cola 600, a marathon race I try to watch every year, the NBA playoffs are going on, my weekend is packed! I haven't been taking off of work to build my leave back up after my medical time off. I would like to get it up to over 100 hours again, that is a comfortable amount for me. I'm only about twenty hours away so I've done pretty good since it was in the fifties after all that time off!
There were more storms last night and yes my weather radio went off again. I didn't get up this time and after a couple of minutes it quit. It rained quite a bit last night and today feels really nice out!
Tonight is Indiana Jones, tomorrow is the Coca Cola 600, a marathon race I try to watch every year, the NBA playoffs are going on, my weekend is packed! I haven't been taking off of work to build my leave back up after my medical time off. I would like to get it up to over 100 hours again, that is a comfortable amount for me. I'm only about twenty hours away so I've done pretty good since it was in the fifties after all that time off!
Friday, May 23, 2008
Wooohoooo! Payday!!!!
Plus a three day weekend on top of that! What a marvelous idea!
We now have a sizable group that will be going to see Indiana Jones tomorrow night!
It will be so much fun!
A while back I purchased a weather radio that goes off when there is severe weather in the area. In theory this was a good idea since the weather around here changes quite a bit. In reality this is how it worked.
I go to bed, at 12:45 the weather alarm goes off and won't shut up until I get up and turn it off in the living room.
I go back to bed.
At 2:00 it goes off again with further warnings that won't shut up until I get up and turn it off again.
I go back to bed.
At 4:00 it goes off again with even yet further warnings of doom and gloom and won't shut up until I get up and turn it off.
I go back to bed again.
AT 5:30 it goes off for the last time with more imminent threats of tornadoes and heavy rain.
I go back to be for the remaining half hour of fit filled sleep praying that it doesn't go off a fifth time.
I'm going to have to rethink this weather radio.....
We now have a sizable group that will be going to see Indiana Jones tomorrow night!
It will be so much fun!
A while back I purchased a weather radio that goes off when there is severe weather in the area. In theory this was a good idea since the weather around here changes quite a bit. In reality this is how it worked.
I go to bed, at 12:45 the weather alarm goes off and won't shut up until I get up and turn it off in the living room.
I go back to bed.
At 2:00 it goes off again with further warnings that won't shut up until I get up and turn it off again.
I go back to bed.
At 4:00 it goes off again with even yet further warnings of doom and gloom and won't shut up until I get up and turn it off.
I go back to bed again.
AT 5:30 it goes off for the last time with more imminent threats of tornadoes and heavy rain.
I go back to be for the remaining half hour of fit filled sleep praying that it doesn't go off a fifth time.
I'm going to have to rethink this weather radio.....
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Flavor Of Love Finale
The trainwreck of a show that I have tried to watch ended Monday night. I finally got to see it on my DVR last night while waiting on a game to install.
Flav declared this would be the last season of the show and he was going to find a woman for him that wasn't crazy, which 99% of the ones on the show were in fact crazy. He chose Thing 2, one of the twins.
They rode around in the streets of Paris standing up through the sunroof of a limo, this clown was wearing a crown while his hair was all Kid style, standing straight up. I'm hoping that this is the last season, I really shouldn't watch this show anymore. It is horrible and I'm sure it has detrimental effects upon the viewer. I feel dumber after watching it, that's for sure.
Flav declared this would be the last season of the show and he was going to find a woman for him that wasn't crazy, which 99% of the ones on the show were in fact crazy. He chose Thing 2, one of the twins.
They rode around in the streets of Paris standing up through the sunroof of a limo, this clown was wearing a crown while his hair was all Kid style, standing straight up. I'm hoping that this is the last season, I really shouldn't watch this show anymore. It is horrible and I'm sure it has detrimental effects upon the viewer. I feel dumber after watching it, that's for sure.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Supper At La Salsa
My friend Wendy had problems yesterday at work and had a meltdown. So I offered to go to La Salsa for supper to make her feel better, which of course it did!
La Salsa is a magical Mexican restaurant! Their food is divine! Anyway yes it helped her to get out and chat some about the stuff that was bothering her and of course the food was amazing!
This weekend there is a group of us that are going to go see the new Indiana Jones, yes there are mixed reviews but come on! This IS Indiana Jones! How could you not like that???? Even if this is a bad movie, which I'm sure it isn't, it is still better than 90% of the dreck that is put out today and passed off as entertainment.
I'm positive it will be fun and entertaining and I'm very much looking forward to seeing it over this holiday weekend!
La Salsa is a magical Mexican restaurant! Their food is divine! Anyway yes it helped her to get out and chat some about the stuff that was bothering her and of course the food was amazing!
This weekend there is a group of us that are going to go see the new Indiana Jones, yes there are mixed reviews but come on! This IS Indiana Jones! How could you not like that???? Even if this is a bad movie, which I'm sure it isn't, it is still better than 90% of the dreck that is put out today and passed off as entertainment.
I'm positive it will be fun and entertaining and I'm very much looking forward to seeing it over this holiday weekend!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Irish Inspiration
I have to make an Irish stew soon. I know I know, especially after my Sunday night post/video about Summer, it really isn't the time of year for stew.
I've been craving stew for a while now and after watching No Reservations last night I've decided to make one! Anthony Bourdain prowled the streets of Belfast and Dublin he explored the post peace process Ireland. Peace and prosperity now reign where bullets and bombs once dominated.
I've got pretty simple food tastes anyway, meat and potatoes and I'm pretty content. That is the staple of most of my fast food diet (which I've dramatically cut back on) but most meals consisted of meat, bread, and potatoes.
So I do believe I'll be searching for a Irish stew to make now! I just love it when you can put everything into the crock pot and forget it until you are ready to eat! That will probably be what I will make for this holiday weekend!
I love it when food inspiration strikes like this! It takes the wondering out of what to cook for later on as I usually do!
I've been craving stew for a while now and after watching No Reservations last night I've decided to make one! Anthony Bourdain prowled the streets of Belfast and Dublin he explored the post peace process Ireland. Peace and prosperity now reign where bullets and bombs once dominated.
I've got pretty simple food tastes anyway, meat and potatoes and I'm pretty content. That is the staple of most of my fast food diet (which I've dramatically cut back on) but most meals consisted of meat, bread, and potatoes.
So I do believe I'll be searching for a Irish stew to make now! I just love it when you can put everything into the crock pot and forget it until you are ready to eat! That will probably be what I will make for this holiday weekend!
I love it when food inspiration strikes like this! It takes the wondering out of what to cook for later on as I usually do!
Monday, May 19, 2008
Brand New Week!
Full of possibilities, hopes, dreams......oh yea! And my big overtime check! I've already got it budgeted and I'm pretty sure I can keep to it.
It is getting warmer, as I said in my last post we are just right there on the brink of Summer but my Summer hang out crew is breaking up. One of them is moving two and a half hours away in July. That is going to suck as the past two Summers have been really good for me. We would just hang out, no one would even have to talk to enjoy what was going on and each other.
It was comfortable and nice. I know there will be times when we will be able to get together even after the move but they won't be nearly as plentiful as it has been. So I'm going to savor the handful of times we have left right now and be grateful for the ones that come later.
It is getting warmer, as I said in my last post we are just right there on the brink of Summer but my Summer hang out crew is breaking up. One of them is moving two and a half hours away in July. That is going to suck as the past two Summers have been really good for me. We would just hang out, no one would even have to talk to enjoy what was going on and each other.
It was comfortable and nice. I know there will be times when we will be able to get together even after the move but they won't be nearly as plentiful as it has been. So I'm going to savor the handful of times we have left right now and be grateful for the ones that come later.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
On The Edge Of Summer
Just in time for Summer I heard All Summer Long the other day, a song by Kid Rock and it really made me think about when I was that age how I wished for days like he sings about.
Even though my Summers were never quite as idealistic as his I did have some that were care free and fun while I was in elementary school. Then the Summer really seemed like it lasted forever. A week lasted a month! I'd be up before seven and outside terrorizing the neighborhood. There were trees to climb, bikes to ride, games to make up....until three o'clock when Underdog came on. Then we, my next door neighbor friend Audra, and I were out again until dark!
Days were long and filled! It was a small town but you had to have a friend in the country with a pond or river to go fishing. I had those but there was plenty to do in town! We'd walk to the park (where there was a pond but not a fishing pond) then we would walk to Northside Market, walk back home with our penny candies. We'd walk downtown and then walk to the community pool!
Middle school and high school Summers were filled with working so they were not nearly as enjoyable as far as being care free and fun filled.
There were moments though;)
Now I would love to have a lake around here, friends, campfires, boats, and a camper would really be a lot of fun! I really don't enjoy eating fish but it is a blast to catch them! I am confident there will be a thousand fun Summer days coming up!!!!
Even though my Summers were never quite as idealistic as his I did have some that were care free and fun while I was in elementary school. Then the Summer really seemed like it lasted forever. A week lasted a month! I'd be up before seven and outside terrorizing the neighborhood. There were trees to climb, bikes to ride, games to make up....until three o'clock when Underdog came on. Then we, my next door neighbor friend Audra, and I were out again until dark!
Days were long and filled! It was a small town but you had to have a friend in the country with a pond or river to go fishing. I had those but there was plenty to do in town! We'd walk to the park (where there was a pond but not a fishing pond) then we would walk to Northside Market, walk back home with our penny candies. We'd walk downtown and then walk to the community pool!
Middle school and high school Summers were filled with working so they were not nearly as enjoyable as far as being care free and fun filled.
There were moments though;)
Now I would love to have a lake around here, friends, campfires, boats, and a camper would really be a lot of fun! I really don't enjoy eating fish but it is a blast to catch them! I am confident there will be a thousand fun Summer days coming up!!!!
A Fine Day
Yesterday was darn fine. It was just one of those rare days when things went well and everything was enjoyable.
First I went to the tech shoot to iron out any difficulties that we might encounter. We shot footage for about two hours. The actors got a lot of benefit from rehearsing so much. They have their lines down now and know pretty much what is expected from them when we shoot for real. Beersnob will be transferring the footage to Canada to the effects guy.
After we wrapped up the shoot, John and I went up to Hastings, got some coffee and just chatted. It really felt good to just talk for a while about nothing and everything. We talked for quite a while and it was just a lot of fun!
Then I came home and fixed some supper. I was really pretty tired. More than I had realized I guess. It was a busy day and it took some time to set up all of the equipment, shoot, and tear it down again. So I was flipping channels and came across the NASCAR All Star race, that is a fun event to watch so I watched it and that was kind of the topper of a great day.
It was really enjoyable all the way around!
First I went to the tech shoot to iron out any difficulties that we might encounter. We shot footage for about two hours. The actors got a lot of benefit from rehearsing so much. They have their lines down now and know pretty much what is expected from them when we shoot for real. Beersnob will be transferring the footage to Canada to the effects guy.
After we wrapped up the shoot, John and I went up to Hastings, got some coffee and just chatted. It really felt good to just talk for a while about nothing and everything. We talked for quite a while and it was just a lot of fun!
Then I came home and fixed some supper. I was really pretty tired. More than I had realized I guess. It was a busy day and it took some time to set up all of the equipment, shoot, and tear it down again. So I was flipping channels and came across the NASCAR All Star race, that is a fun event to watch so I watched it and that was kind of the topper of a great day.
It was really enjoyable all the way around!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Shooting Today
Yes, we are going to shoot more test footage and edit it this week. We are only shooting about three hours so it will be a very fast day.
It will be fun to actually shoot something again. It has been a long while now since I've been able to do that. I had to work last Saturday so I missed the first day of shooting in almost a year. That was a disappointment but I did rough cut the footage so I saw the results.
I'm looking forward to today, it will be fun! I'll report back later today or tomorrow on how it went!
It will be fun to actually shoot something again. It has been a long while now since I've been able to do that. I had to work last Saturday so I missed the first day of shooting in almost a year. That was a disappointment but I did rough cut the footage so I saw the results.
I'm looking forward to today, it will be fun! I'll report back later today or tomorrow on how it went!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Thursday Night Editing
Beersnob and I sat down last night to edit a test scene for the Battlestar Fanfilm project.
Meanwhile Chris sat down in Minnesota and wrote a mission statement for the other non film related project which I will dub The Secret Project for now.
The editing went fairly smoothly. I cut the best lines from each take and spliced them all together to form a nice scene that maintained the energy level John wanted or was close to what he wanted. It was a fun evening and since it was only one scene it took about three hours to get it all cut but that was including putting all of the footage onto the hard drive to start with.
Once the splicing began it didn't take long.
Chris's statement was pretty solid for The Secret Project. I don't know if there is really anything I can add to it right now but I am sure once it is started and things that are unforeseen happen then it will have to be revised. It is good to put the purpose of what you want to accomplish in black and white so everyone knows what page you are on.
Meanwhile Chris sat down in Minnesota and wrote a mission statement for the other non film related project which I will dub The Secret Project for now.
The editing went fairly smoothly. I cut the best lines from each take and spliced them all together to form a nice scene that maintained the energy level John wanted or was close to what he wanted. It was a fun evening and since it was only one scene it took about three hours to get it all cut but that was including putting all of the footage onto the hard drive to start with.
Once the splicing began it didn't take long.
Chris's statement was pretty solid for The Secret Project. I don't know if there is really anything I can add to it right now but I am sure once it is started and things that are unforeseen happen then it will have to be revised. It is good to put the purpose of what you want to accomplish in black and white so everyone knows what page you are on.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Crime Against Humanity
What is happening in Myanmar right now is literally a crime against humanity. Not only because the Myanmar government is limiting the amount of aid that can be brought in but the government is reported to be stealing aid AND because the Western countries aren't doing enough to force them to open up to help the desperate citizens that have been effected by the cyclones TWO weeks ago.
The UN is having meetings on what to do. That is always helpful, meetings solve everything....
What would President Me do? I'd treat the barbaric government that has ruled Myanmar with an iron hand as the barbarians they are. I'd order aid airdropped into the most devastated areas escorted by fighters. I'd airdrop everything needed to prevent the famine that is sure to happen shortly from now. Then it would be time to deal with the government.
I'd have the leader's head on a stake. I'd shock and awe every low rent military installation they have ever had and project a level of force they have never dreamed of.
That government must be toppled or potentially hundreds of thousands could die. To put that into perspective the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami death toll topped 240,000. High yet early estimates so far indicate that if a full famine were to break out in Myanmar the cost of doing nothing could reach into the millions since rice stocks have been destroyed.
There are so many places that deserve attention around the world, Darfur for instance, completely deserves international intervention to stop the rampant genocide happening today. It just seems that even though many people have good intentions few have the will to carry out a radical solution of toppling a government bent on making sure its population is dead. They don't want aid, it would help bolster their control if the people in the outlying areas died off during this catastrophe. Totalitarian regimes do that. Life is meaningless to them while power is everything.
What is wrong with the world today when you can't just go get the guys in the black hats and string them up?
The UN is having meetings on what to do. That is always helpful, meetings solve everything....
What would President Me do? I'd treat the barbaric government that has ruled Myanmar with an iron hand as the barbarians they are. I'd order aid airdropped into the most devastated areas escorted by fighters. I'd airdrop everything needed to prevent the famine that is sure to happen shortly from now. Then it would be time to deal with the government.
I'd have the leader's head on a stake. I'd shock and awe every low rent military installation they have ever had and project a level of force they have never dreamed of.
That government must be toppled or potentially hundreds of thousands could die. To put that into perspective the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami death toll topped 240,000. High yet early estimates so far indicate that if a full famine were to break out in Myanmar the cost of doing nothing could reach into the millions since rice stocks have been destroyed.
There are so many places that deserve attention around the world, Darfur for instance, completely deserves international intervention to stop the rampant genocide happening today. It just seems that even though many people have good intentions few have the will to carry out a radical solution of toppling a government bent on making sure its population is dead. They don't want aid, it would help bolster their control if the people in the outlying areas died off during this catastrophe. Totalitarian regimes do that. Life is meaningless to them while power is everything.
What is wrong with the world today when you can't just go get the guys in the black hats and string them up?
Inspired Brainstorming
Yesterday Chris and I were able to place a name with the project and are fleshing out the purpose and mission. This has been a happy diversion lately and I'm enjoying it quite a bit however I also have supper plans tonight!
This is exciting! I'm really looking forward to this evening but even though I am the project is the thing I'm thinking about more and more. There are some flaws I can't solve yet but I am sure that the solution will present itself very soon! We have not set a launch date as of yet as it is too early but I do believe that within just a few short weeks it will be ready. It is coming together very fast.
I wrote a portion of the rules yesterday in order to start to frame them and sent it to Chris to revise and add his own touches to. The very cool thing about this project is that it is nearly turnkey and very reasonable dollar wise to finish and have running.
This is exciting! I'm really looking forward to this evening but even though I am the project is the thing I'm thinking about more and more. There are some flaws I can't solve yet but I am sure that the solution will present itself very soon! We have not set a launch date as of yet as it is too early but I do believe that within just a few short weeks it will be ready. It is coming together very fast.
I wrote a portion of the rules yesterday in order to start to frame them and sent it to Chris to revise and add his own touches to. The very cool thing about this project is that it is nearly turnkey and very reasonable dollar wise to finish and have running.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Brainstorming An Idea
Yesterday my friend Chris told me he really didn't think he wanted to do anything related to film, acting, or writing anymore. I asked him what he thought he wanted to do. He said he really didn't know but he enjoys helping people.
So we kicked around a couple of ideas and after some in depth research last night I found that there wasn't nothing really like what we had discussed. I sent him the links documenting my research in detail and that it would be fairly easily to build what we had talked about.
He has some site building experience while I do not but what I found seemed to be pretty turnkey and at a reasonable price. There is even a place that specializes in hosting this particular type of site and this software. So now it is just a matter of fleshing out our ideas a little bit more and implementing them.
I really don't plan on taking a very active role in this but I do plan on helping Chris achieve this as I do believe it is a noble thing and might be a lot of fun to tinker with on my end as well.
All in all it is win win as it might be a nice diversion.
So we kicked around a couple of ideas and after some in depth research last night I found that there wasn't nothing really like what we had discussed. I sent him the links documenting my research in detail and that it would be fairly easily to build what we had talked about.
He has some site building experience while I do not but what I found seemed to be pretty turnkey and at a reasonable price. There is even a place that specializes in hosting this particular type of site and this software. So now it is just a matter of fleshing out our ideas a little bit more and implementing them.
I really don't plan on taking a very active role in this but I do plan on helping Chris achieve this as I do believe it is a noble thing and might be a lot of fun to tinker with on my end as well.
All in all it is win win as it might be a nice diversion.
Short Weekend
After working nine and a half hours Saturday yesterday was very short. I called my mother early in the morning to wish her a happy mother's day then went and got some breakfast.
I had a lot to do yesterday that I usually do in two days on the weekend so I put off the grocery shopping. Laundry was the important part, I can get food anytime. That is easy.
Wow, I can't believe it is Monday already again. Its alright though, the paycheck in two weeks will be pretty healthy with the overtime amount I have let alone if I get anymore this week. I don't know how long the overtime will last but I'm sure that I won't have to work next weekend!
In film news Beersnob picked up my green screen and rack to shoot some of the first footage in the fanfilm on Saturday. It is actually starting to move now and get done. This is good! I'll have another project to throw myself into shortly!
I had a lot to do yesterday that I usually do in two days on the weekend so I put off the grocery shopping. Laundry was the important part, I can get food anytime. That is easy.
Wow, I can't believe it is Monday already again. Its alright though, the paycheck in two weeks will be pretty healthy with the overtime amount I have let alone if I get anymore this week. I don't know how long the overtime will last but I'm sure that I won't have to work next weekend!
In film news Beersnob picked up my green screen and rack to shoot some of the first footage in the fanfilm on Saturday. It is actually starting to move now and get done. This is good! I'll have another project to throw myself into shortly!
Sunday, May 11, 2008
I Need A Reset Button
And a big helping of grace and forgiveness. I said some things while in an emotional state and was hurt and now I might have lost a friend.
I wish this past week hadn't happened and I could go back a week before this happened and tell myself to not do what I did.
Dear Me,
Next week you are going to say some things you won't mean and it will make things bad all the way around. So keep your cool. You'll know what I mean when it happens.
signed,
Me
It is weird, everything I've done to try to make things better isn't helping and only making things worse. I'm at a loss now. I feel doubly hurt than I was before and all I can do when my friend decides to talk to me again is to apologize, ask them to show some mercy and if we can move past a bad week and forget the bad parts while we continue as we were.
There is a lot I will miss about them if they don't want to talk again. The humor, the long conversations, the challenges as they pushed me to think more out of my comfort zone. Even the crossword puzzles the past couple of weeks. Ironically, well maybe not so ironically, we were going to read David at the same time by Charles Swindoll. David made a mess of things several times over so I haven't come close to his benchmark yet so I believe there is hope in this situation.
I wish this past week hadn't happened and I could go back a week before this happened and tell myself to not do what I did.
Dear Me,
Next week you are going to say some things you won't mean and it will make things bad all the way around. So keep your cool. You'll know what I mean when it happens.
signed,
Me
It is weird, everything I've done to try to make things better isn't helping and only making things worse. I'm at a loss now. I feel doubly hurt than I was before and all I can do when my friend decides to talk to me again is to apologize, ask them to show some mercy and if we can move past a bad week and forget the bad parts while we continue as we were.
There is a lot I will miss about them if they don't want to talk again. The humor, the long conversations, the challenges as they pushed me to think more out of my comfort zone. Even the crossword puzzles the past couple of weeks. Ironically, well maybe not so ironically, we were going to read David at the same time by Charles Swindoll. David made a mess of things several times over so I haven't come close to his benchmark yet so I believe there is hope in this situation.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Wow Its Early!!!!
But I'm off to work this morning. Nine and a half hours of OT coming up.
It'll look really nice on the next paycheck in two weeks.
I got to run right now or I'd blog more but got to get to work before five!
It'll look really nice on the next paycheck in two weeks.
I got to run right now or I'd blog more but got to get to work before five!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Supper With Sass Plus
Last night Sass texted me to have supper and a drink with her so I gladly complied. It has been a long time since we had got to hang out together, especially since she has moved back from Mexico and is working full time now preparing to go to school to finish her nursing degree.
Her boyfriend showed up and he is a great guy. Had a lot of fun visiting with both of them. I had the jerk chicken salad. Very good but overly spicy.
I got my tax rebate and got paid today so I'm rolling in cash this morning. Woohoooo! I have to work tomorrow though so no going out late tonight:( No big deal, I'll have Sunday off.
Her boyfriend showed up and he is a great guy. Had a lot of fun visiting with both of them. I had the jerk chicken salad. Very good but overly spicy.
I got my tax rebate and got paid today so I'm rolling in cash this morning. Woohoooo! I have to work tomorrow though so no going out late tonight:( No big deal, I'll have Sunday off.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
Doctor's Appointment
My original post for Wednesday was to be about how I have no more kidney stones and am ordered to drink two liters of water per day to prevent them from coming back.
However it got changed. I'm feeling good this morning. It rained last night and things are spiffy. I always sleep well when it rains.
I do have another appointment in three months to follow up this last appointment. They want to do a CT scan to see that everything else is alright. Other than that I have a good outlook that if I drink as much as I'm supposed to then there is a good chance they won't be back!
However it got changed. I'm feeling good this morning. It rained last night and things are spiffy. I always sleep well when it rains.
I do have another appointment in three months to follow up this last appointment. They want to do a CT scan to see that everything else is alright. Other than that I have a good outlook that if I drink as much as I'm supposed to then there is a good chance they won't be back!
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Hurting
For those of you who know me I've got a question for you.
Am I a bad guy? You might mention I'm a little quirky or crazy, I'll give you that. Everyone is a little bit of their own crazy I guess. I would like to think I'm a stable crazy at least.
Well I'm hurting this morning. Worse than I originally thought I would, pretty badly in fact. I let myself feel something I was afraid to feel in almost two years and that was hope. I had been talking to someone that I really grew to like and enjoy. We passed the days at work with email conversations that really helped me get through the day and I started to do something foolish and that was hope that I had a brighter future than I actually do. I was really really liking what we had going. It has been a long time since someone took an interest in me and this felt good.
Did anyway.
Hope hurts dear gentle readers, it sneaks up on you and says, "This is good, relax!" then when you think things are going one way it smacks you around and tells you to wake up, you're stupid.
Yeah, not feeling good today at all. Well at least I have the next twelve hours to think about why I'm not good enough, that should help. I'll be exhausted by the end of the day and it'll be easy to get to sleep, I didn't get much last night.
I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm whining. I'm really not, I'm not a self pitying kinda guy. I'm just really hurt and confused now and it feels like I'm going no where really really fast.
This sucks.
Am I a bad guy? You might mention I'm a little quirky or crazy, I'll give you that. Everyone is a little bit of their own crazy I guess. I would like to think I'm a stable crazy at least.
Well I'm hurting this morning. Worse than I originally thought I would, pretty badly in fact. I let myself feel something I was afraid to feel in almost two years and that was hope. I had been talking to someone that I really grew to like and enjoy. We passed the days at work with email conversations that really helped me get through the day and I started to do something foolish and that was hope that I had a brighter future than I actually do. I was really really liking what we had going. It has been a long time since someone took an interest in me and this felt good.
Did anyway.
Hope hurts dear gentle readers, it sneaks up on you and says, "This is good, relax!" then when you think things are going one way it smacks you around and tells you to wake up, you're stupid.
Yeah, not feeling good today at all. Well at least I have the next twelve hours to think about why I'm not good enough, that should help. I'll be exhausted by the end of the day and it'll be easy to get to sleep, I didn't get much last night.
I'm sorry if it sounds like I'm whining. I'm really not, I'm not a self pitying kinda guy. I'm just really hurt and confused now and it feels like I'm going no where really really fast.
This sucks.
Off Today
But we are working twelve hour shifts at work now until we get caught up. That will likely last until this weekend. So a day off right now will help me get to that point without being overly exhausted. The extra pay will be nice in a couple of weeks, especially if we wind up working this weekend as they are predicting.
Anyway I have my follow up doctor's appointment today to get an xray to confirm that the stones are gone for good, which I believe they are, and hopefully to get the analysis back on what changes in my diet I need to make to prevent them from forming again.
Other big news is that the North Carolina and Indiana primaries are today and with any good luck at all there won't be a winner yet and they, Obama and Clinton, will continue to fight each other until the convention. Just remember you two the immortal words of Winston Churchill, "We shall never surrender!"
So keep that fight going! My humble advise to Obama: You have the upper hand you keep pressing even though you are extremely unqualified and a socialist! Clinton: You are a Clinton! You have a thousand dirty tricks, keep using them!!!!
Anyway I have my follow up doctor's appointment today to get an xray to confirm that the stones are gone for good, which I believe they are, and hopefully to get the analysis back on what changes in my diet I need to make to prevent them from forming again.
Other big news is that the North Carolina and Indiana primaries are today and with any good luck at all there won't be a winner yet and they, Obama and Clinton, will continue to fight each other until the convention. Just remember you two the immortal words of Winston Churchill, "We shall never surrender!"
So keep that fight going! My humble advise to Obama: You have the upper hand you keep pressing even though you are extremely unqualified and a socialist! Clinton: You are a Clinton! You have a thousand dirty tricks, keep using them!!!!
Monday, May 05, 2008
The Man Who Knew Once A Lifetime
Yesterday was only a two movie day. One, my weekly movie with my friend, was the Hitchcock classic The Man Who Knew Too Much. The James Stewart/ Doris Day international intrigue plotted movie. They are unwittingly the pawns of an assassination plot and kidnapping. They rush from Africa to London to save their kidnapped son as time runs out for an ambassador.
This is Hitch when he was in his wheelhouse. He knew this ground well and did it well. The symphony sequence in which no words are spoken is simply outstanding! A must see!
Second up was a documentary about the rise and fall of the New York Cosmos. The 1970's soccer team which signed a LOT of international talent to win including the legendary Pele. At the time it was the largest sports contract in the world and no one is for sure how much it was actually. There were varying numbers in the doc but it was anywhere from 2.5 million to 7 million.
The NASL was a success for a brief few years....until it was put on TV. Soccer is just a sport America will never embrace. It has been tried and currently the MSL is barely a blip on the ratings meter post Becks even! ESPN is probably regretting spending the 64 million for 8 years on that sport now...
Once In A Lifetime was a snapshot of the 70's lifestyle, that era when everyone had a party to go to and the games were secondary. Well that is for the Cosmos, the other teams struggled to bring people in and find an audience.
It was very interesting to watch lightning being caught in a jar and then break the jar. As fast as it was huge it was gone again. Watch it if you can find it. Even if you don't get or don't like soccer, this really isn't about the game so much as it is the era and the people who tried to introduce Soccer to America.
This is Hitch when he was in his wheelhouse. He knew this ground well and did it well. The symphony sequence in which no words are spoken is simply outstanding! A must see!
Second up was a documentary about the rise and fall of the New York Cosmos. The 1970's soccer team which signed a LOT of international talent to win including the legendary Pele. At the time it was the largest sports contract in the world and no one is for sure how much it was actually. There were varying numbers in the doc but it was anywhere from 2.5 million to 7 million.
The NASL was a success for a brief few years....until it was put on TV. Soccer is just a sport America will never embrace. It has been tried and currently the MSL is barely a blip on the ratings meter post Becks even! ESPN is probably regretting spending the 64 million for 8 years on that sport now...
Once In A Lifetime was a snapshot of the 70's lifestyle, that era when everyone had a party to go to and the games were secondary. Well that is for the Cosmos, the other teams struggled to bring people in and find an audience.
It was very interesting to watch lightning being caught in a jar and then break the jar. As fast as it was huge it was gone again. Watch it if you can find it. Even if you don't get or don't like soccer, this really isn't about the game so much as it is the era and the people who tried to introduce Soccer to America.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
The Iron History Of Juno
Well it was a big movie watching day. I had two Netflix movies at home and late in the week I had made plans with friends to see Iron Man. So first up was:
Juno. A movie about unplanned teenage pregnancy. I was pretty happy that it put a humorous and as positive a spin on it that you can and didn't go down the alternate route, which it came close to as Juno walked into a clinic.
It showed the importance of adoption and how some couples, for whatever reason, can't have children and how much a baby means to them. The writing was crisp and had a very Joss Whedonesque feel to it even though it wasn't written by him. It had to have had some Whedon influence or inspiration.
It was a good story and a fun movie, check it out.
Second up was A History Of Violence. Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello star in the adaptation from the graphic novel of the same name. A diner owner prevents a robbery and finds himself at odds with the mob. He is soon forced to defend his family, revealing things about him he thought he had control over. I really can't say more about the plot without spoilers and you know how I feel about those!
Viggo was outstanding as usual. Maria was hot as usual. The rest of the cast including Ed Harris and William Hurt were their stellar selves. It was a violent movie and one that shows that sometimes no matter how much you have put something in your past away for good, it might not be that far away after all. This was good but to me it didn't reach the level of Eastern Promises, THAT was GREAT!
Third up was the first Summer blockbuster, Iron Man. I have to say that while I have read the comic from time to time and titles where Iron Man made appearances that I was familiar with Tony Stark and his story. Robert Downey Jr. WAS Tony Stark. Every character flaw was there, the nuances, he was just Stark. I don't want to give away anything at all about this movie, it was just a good movie and so much fun to watch!
That is what you want to see in your Summer blockbusters, just a fun escape and this delivered in spades. This movie is going to do major box office and make sure that you stay until after the credits are done rolling, there is a special cameo at the end!
It was a good day! Now today I have to get the laundry done, head out to the hanger and get it ready for filming, feed the dog, and Beersnob is picking me up for a charity breakfast in about an hour!
Juno. A movie about unplanned teenage pregnancy. I was pretty happy that it put a humorous and as positive a spin on it that you can and didn't go down the alternate route, which it came close to as Juno walked into a clinic.
It showed the importance of adoption and how some couples, for whatever reason, can't have children and how much a baby means to them. The writing was crisp and had a very Joss Whedonesque feel to it even though it wasn't written by him. It had to have had some Whedon influence or inspiration.
It was a good story and a fun movie, check it out.
Second up was A History Of Violence. Viggo Mortensen and Maria Bello star in the adaptation from the graphic novel of the same name. A diner owner prevents a robbery and finds himself at odds with the mob. He is soon forced to defend his family, revealing things about him he thought he had control over. I really can't say more about the plot without spoilers and you know how I feel about those!
Viggo was outstanding as usual. Maria was hot as usual. The rest of the cast including Ed Harris and William Hurt were their stellar selves. It was a violent movie and one that shows that sometimes no matter how much you have put something in your past away for good, it might not be that far away after all. This was good but to me it didn't reach the level of Eastern Promises, THAT was GREAT!
Third up was the first Summer blockbuster, Iron Man. I have to say that while I have read the comic from time to time and titles where Iron Man made appearances that I was familiar with Tony Stark and his story. Robert Downey Jr. WAS Tony Stark. Every character flaw was there, the nuances, he was just Stark. I don't want to give away anything at all about this movie, it was just a good movie and so much fun to watch!
That is what you want to see in your Summer blockbusters, just a fun escape and this delivered in spades. This movie is going to do major box office and make sure that you stay until after the credits are done rolling, there is a special cameo at the end!
It was a good day! Now today I have to get the laundry done, head out to the hanger and get it ready for filming, feed the dog, and Beersnob is picking me up for a charity breakfast in about an hour!
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Saturday!
I was able to sleep in until nearly seven this morning! Felt pretty good!
Well my favorite has been, Gary Coleman is in the news because....wait for it......his seven month marriage has failed. He and his wife of seven months, Shannon Price, have appeared on Divorce Court May 1, and 2. You can see many clips on You Tube about the proceedings.
Gary Coleman is a trainwreck, well a toy trainwreck anyway. Yes he was taken advantage of by people when he was the youngest, highest paid actor of his time, yes yes yes, we all know that. But come on, there comes a time when you adjust and move past it!
He needs counseling more than anything else. Screech on the other hand.....now THERE is a big trainwreck!!!! Yeah the D-man is the celebrity trainwreck of the future! Coleman is the past!
Who isn't looking forward to the next Screech meltdown!!!! I know I am. I really think he will be the VH1 villain for several seasons to come until his untimely demise at his own hand or at the hands of his costars.....who ever gets fed up with him first.
Could you imagine a Coleman/Screech show?!?!?! OH the angst!!!!
Well my favorite has been, Gary Coleman is in the news because....wait for it......his seven month marriage has failed. He and his wife of seven months, Shannon Price, have appeared on Divorce Court May 1, and 2. You can see many clips on You Tube about the proceedings.
Gary Coleman is a trainwreck, well a toy trainwreck anyway. Yes he was taken advantage of by people when he was the youngest, highest paid actor of his time, yes yes yes, we all know that. But come on, there comes a time when you adjust and move past it!
He needs counseling more than anything else. Screech on the other hand.....now THERE is a big trainwreck!!!! Yeah the D-man is the celebrity trainwreck of the future! Coleman is the past!
Who isn't looking forward to the next Screech meltdown!!!! I know I am. I really think he will be the VH1 villain for several seasons to come until his untimely demise at his own hand or at the hands of his costars.....who ever gets fed up with him first.
Could you imagine a Coleman/Screech show?!?!?! OH the angst!!!!
Friday, May 02, 2008
Time Wasters
One of things I love to do is fine new and innovative ways to waste time. Among the best ways was the Desktop Tower Defense game I blogged about before, it'll keep you busy and thinking for a long time as you try to come up with a better and better maze to beat the goons.
Fun game! It'll keep you going for a long time!
Physics games are a lot of fun now. The Magic Pen game is a blast and is a bit different since you don't have a timer or anything. It gives you simple puzzles and you draw shapes and try to move a ball into a flag to advance to the next level. You can pin the ball to a shape, you can create a hinge and draw a shape to swing from it, you can draw shapes to ramp the ball to the flag. It is really limited by your problem solving capacity.
It is a lot of fun! Give it a try!
Fun game! It'll keep you going for a long time!
Physics games are a lot of fun now. The Magic Pen game is a blast and is a bit different since you don't have a timer or anything. It gives you simple puzzles and you draw shapes and try to move a ball into a flag to advance to the next level. You can pin the ball to a shape, you can create a hinge and draw a shape to swing from it, you can draw shapes to ramp the ball to the flag. It is really limited by your problem solving capacity.
It is a lot of fun! Give it a try!
Thursday, May 01, 2008
No Country For Old Men
This is the kind of movie that while I was watching I was hoping it would have gone on for another couple of hours like Eastern Promises. I could just watch and soak it in and enjoy everything that was happening.
It is amazing that some of the best movies have the simplest of plots. Man who is hunting finds two million dollars and becomes the target of a psychotic killing machine.
I'm not usually a fan of the Coen Brothers or their movies. I thought Fargo was overrated. Didn't care for Raising Arizona much. But this movie is spectacular! I enjoyed the casting, the dialog, the shots, everything about this movie made it good. John Brolin was outstanding, Javier Bardem was pitch perfect, Tommy Lee Jones was well Tommy Lee Jones, the same character he always plays.
Even the violence was there but wasn't over the top like some movies that are just violent for the sake of violence. In the weak field of the Oscars this year this was heads and shoulders the winner of best picture. It deserved it as much as Daniel Day Lewis deserved the Oscar for There Will Be Blood, the Coens deserved it for No Country For Old Men.
Watch it if you haven't already.
It is amazing that some of the best movies have the simplest of plots. Man who is hunting finds two million dollars and becomes the target of a psychotic killing machine.
I'm not usually a fan of the Coen Brothers or their movies. I thought Fargo was overrated. Didn't care for Raising Arizona much. But this movie is spectacular! I enjoyed the casting, the dialog, the shots, everything about this movie made it good. John Brolin was outstanding, Javier Bardem was pitch perfect, Tommy Lee Jones was well Tommy Lee Jones, the same character he always plays.
Even the violence was there but wasn't over the top like some movies that are just violent for the sake of violence. In the weak field of the Oscars this year this was heads and shoulders the winner of best picture. It deserved it as much as Daniel Day Lewis deserved the Oscar for There Will Be Blood, the Coens deserved it for No Country For Old Men.
Watch it if you haven't already.
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