Went out with Bob and the Date last night. To start with we tried a sports bar/restaurant, that was full. Then the Pub, that was full. Then we went to Applebee's, that was packed. We walked over to Chili's and got three seats!
Everything was crowded, Friday night go figure! It was fun though. We had great conversation and a couple of drinks.
I've got a few things to do today. Going to be a good day though.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Had A Great
Evening although short, with the Date. Had supper with a good friend. Helped out the Dinner Theatre show. Made plans for tonight.
Busy evening! Should be a nice day! It is Friday after all, I'm so needing this weekend as I blogged yesterday.
The only down thing was the public release of Obama's budget which tops the scale at nearly four TRILLION dollars. Tack this onto the porkulus bill from last week, the omnibus spending bill this week, TARP 2 which is surely in the works, and various bailouts which they will throw in here and there and we are going to inflation heaven very soon. Money will be worth less than the paper it is printed on.
Busy evening! Should be a nice day! It is Friday after all, I'm so needing this weekend as I blogged yesterday.
The only down thing was the public release of Obama's budget which tops the scale at nearly four TRILLION dollars. Tack this onto the porkulus bill from last week, the omnibus spending bill this week, TARP 2 which is surely in the works, and various bailouts which they will throw in here and there and we are going to inflation heaven very soon. Money will be worth less than the paper it is printed on.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Thursday
This has been one long week. I will very much be in need of the weekend when it gets here.
I'm alone in the shop since yesterday and the rest of the week. My coworker has gone to a conference in San Antonio. Its nice but it is also easy to get behind at work if you aren't careful.
We still have tons of inspectors around and that isn't fun. I'm just ready for a vacation....which I'll be getting at the end of March! That is what I'm really looking forward to!
I'm alone in the shop since yesterday and the rest of the week. My coworker has gone to a conference in San Antonio. Its nice but it is also easy to get behind at work if you aren't careful.
We still have tons of inspectors around and that isn't fun. I'm just ready for a vacation....which I'll be getting at the end of March! That is what I'm really looking forward to!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Losing Liberties
How do you boil a frog? One degree at a time. Old saying. I've never boiled a frog so I'm not sure if it would work or not but I do see something that is alarming in our new President.
As I'm writing this the President is about to address the nation. He and congress have just passed the largest spending bill in the nation's history. It will take generations to pay off this debt but that is just one degree. The nationalizing of the banking system is the second degree. Obviously that has to be done to stop the stock market and housing market from tanking as it has done....or does it?
Perhaps this is just my own paranoiac thoughts here but what if that is the goal to get another stimulus bill passed? Perhaps the gloom and doom talk from the administration is actually an organized plan or further scare the capitalist investors from the market which will offer "proof" that his plans need to be further implemented?
Destroying the stock market and future retirement programs is a sure way to get you to look to the government to help you. The past week the market has been a barometer of how the administration has handled the crisis. We are now at pre 1997 levels. On purpose? Is the administration not smart enough to see how their words effect the market? I believe it just might be.
More spending, more urban and social programs implemented, more jobs lost....more liberties lost. What is the next degree? Nationalizing housing? Perhaps the government will buy all mortgages? There will soon be a massive omnibus spending bill up for congress to vote on, it sits at around 400 billion right now...it will get bigger. It is nothing but pork earmarks. Payoffs for supporters as if the stimulus bill wasn't enough. Hang onto your wallets America, the taxman is coming for it...and along with him hyper inflation. They might just bring back the Carter era Misery Index....
I'm certain that our government has gotten out of control of the citizens in which it was designed to protect. Our government no longer lives in fear of its citizens, it is instead attempting to consolidate power in a centralized location, unprecedented amounts of power.
They don't control the masses yet as nearly half of the country opposes his policies. However as I said, one degree at a time and one program at a time. Just wait until he implements some variety of green agenda in which people are sent to your street to survey you and your utility usage, how many rooms in your house are lived in, offers suggestions on how to cut that back, seemingly innocuous at first.
One more harmless degree.
If the stimulus is going to work why not make it ten times bigger? Wouldn't their logic dictate that we would get ten times the benefit ten times faster? Why just 800 BILLION?
This administration is taking the FDR playbook and taking it to places it was never intended to go and a faster rate than ever believed. One month. It took Mussolini ten years to implement his socialist agenda and consolidate power. Obama...one month.
We live in dangerous times. We find ourselves on a slippery slope in which our very democracy finds itself in the very situation our Constitution was written to prevent. Government overstepping its bounds and creeping like ivy into every single nook and cranny of our lives. One more degree.
Obama firmly believes that the government is the savior to any problem. I believe it is the people who are the savior to any problem and that the problem is the government.
Right now the President is proclaiming that helping the people is his concern and not helping banks. Banks which were forced into giving bad loans by the very party in power. Reforms are coming and what the result will be is that more bad loans will be made, housing prices will plummet further, the Dow will be around 2500, retirement will be nonexistent, and the future will be bleak....IF this is allowed to continue. A few more degrees.
The light at the end of the tunnel is that we have elections and in two years the mid term elections will be here and perhaps this damage can be undone. Perhaps the country will see the damage being done, the liberties being lost.
He is now talking about his three initiatives, Healthcare, Energy, and Education. I have a friend who's father is very sick. She is a liberal and I know supports this President. With socialized healthcare her father wouldn't be able to get the care he needs, he would be placed on a list. As it is he is going to have surgery early next month. Treatments as needed there after. He won't be part of the horror story that is socialized healthcare. I do believe more people need access to insurance and I believe there is a way to do that without ruining medical care as Obama wants to do.
Energy? Yeah, just wait until the green shirted thugs come around. Education? We will likely produce some of the least engaged children ever who will have a bleak future indeed. I hope...no I pray that the young will educate themselves about history and about our very country. About what our founding fathers intended and how far off the track we have been lead.
Obama is a dangerous man. His damage in office can be put into check however. You, the citizens need to make your voices heard. For the next two years he has a blank check congress that will rubber stamp anything he wants. Two years of anything will not destroy this country. We can turn down the flame but we have to get involved and understand how politics works. We have to engage in the process. Politics is the one thing we have in common that effects every single part of our lives.
How will it effect your life? Obama didn't mention one time HOW he was going to accomplish his lofty goals he laid out. There is only one way to pay for that kind of spending and that is devastating taxes.
As I'm writing this the President is about to address the nation. He and congress have just passed the largest spending bill in the nation's history. It will take generations to pay off this debt but that is just one degree. The nationalizing of the banking system is the second degree. Obviously that has to be done to stop the stock market and housing market from tanking as it has done....or does it?
Perhaps this is just my own paranoiac thoughts here but what if that is the goal to get another stimulus bill passed? Perhaps the gloom and doom talk from the administration is actually an organized plan or further scare the capitalist investors from the market which will offer "proof" that his plans need to be further implemented?
Destroying the stock market and future retirement programs is a sure way to get you to look to the government to help you. The past week the market has been a barometer of how the administration has handled the crisis. We are now at pre 1997 levels. On purpose? Is the administration not smart enough to see how their words effect the market? I believe it just might be.
More spending, more urban and social programs implemented, more jobs lost....more liberties lost. What is the next degree? Nationalizing housing? Perhaps the government will buy all mortgages? There will soon be a massive omnibus spending bill up for congress to vote on, it sits at around 400 billion right now...it will get bigger. It is nothing but pork earmarks. Payoffs for supporters as if the stimulus bill wasn't enough. Hang onto your wallets America, the taxman is coming for it...and along with him hyper inflation. They might just bring back the Carter era Misery Index....
I'm certain that our government has gotten out of control of the citizens in which it was designed to protect. Our government no longer lives in fear of its citizens, it is instead attempting to consolidate power in a centralized location, unprecedented amounts of power.
They don't control the masses yet as nearly half of the country opposes his policies. However as I said, one degree at a time and one program at a time. Just wait until he implements some variety of green agenda in which people are sent to your street to survey you and your utility usage, how many rooms in your house are lived in, offers suggestions on how to cut that back, seemingly innocuous at first.
One more harmless degree.
If the stimulus is going to work why not make it ten times bigger? Wouldn't their logic dictate that we would get ten times the benefit ten times faster? Why just 800 BILLION?
This administration is taking the FDR playbook and taking it to places it was never intended to go and a faster rate than ever believed. One month. It took Mussolini ten years to implement his socialist agenda and consolidate power. Obama...one month.
We live in dangerous times. We find ourselves on a slippery slope in which our very democracy finds itself in the very situation our Constitution was written to prevent. Government overstepping its bounds and creeping like ivy into every single nook and cranny of our lives. One more degree.
Obama firmly believes that the government is the savior to any problem. I believe it is the people who are the savior to any problem and that the problem is the government.
Right now the President is proclaiming that helping the people is his concern and not helping banks. Banks which were forced into giving bad loans by the very party in power. Reforms are coming and what the result will be is that more bad loans will be made, housing prices will plummet further, the Dow will be around 2500, retirement will be nonexistent, and the future will be bleak....IF this is allowed to continue. A few more degrees.
The light at the end of the tunnel is that we have elections and in two years the mid term elections will be here and perhaps this damage can be undone. Perhaps the country will see the damage being done, the liberties being lost.
He is now talking about his three initiatives, Healthcare, Energy, and Education. I have a friend who's father is very sick. She is a liberal and I know supports this President. With socialized healthcare her father wouldn't be able to get the care he needs, he would be placed on a list. As it is he is going to have surgery early next month. Treatments as needed there after. He won't be part of the horror story that is socialized healthcare. I do believe more people need access to insurance and I believe there is a way to do that without ruining medical care as Obama wants to do.
Energy? Yeah, just wait until the green shirted thugs come around. Education? We will likely produce some of the least engaged children ever who will have a bleak future indeed. I hope...no I pray that the young will educate themselves about history and about our very country. About what our founding fathers intended and how far off the track we have been lead.
Obama is a dangerous man. His damage in office can be put into check however. You, the citizens need to make your voices heard. For the next two years he has a blank check congress that will rubber stamp anything he wants. Two years of anything will not destroy this country. We can turn down the flame but we have to get involved and understand how politics works. We have to engage in the process. Politics is the one thing we have in common that effects every single part of our lives.
How will it effect your life? Obama didn't mention one time HOW he was going to accomplish his lofty goals he laid out. There is only one way to pay for that kind of spending and that is devastating taxes.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
The Wonders Of Wunder Radio!
This is probably my favorite iPhone app so far! Yeah it cost $5.99 but for what it does it is a small price.
Wunder Radio will find streaming radio stations except Clear Channel stations and stream them to your phone over the cell signal. I was at two bars of signal yesterday and still was getting a decent stream in the office. That place kills signal too. It never buffered at all with three bars in a part of the building where signal is better.
You can browse by GPS location and find local stations. You can browse by genre, you can browse by country, you can even browse by continent! Heard about a DJ in another part of the country? You can likely hear him with this app!
You also get all of the NOAA locations, police scanners, railroad scanners, and even airline scanners! This is one incredible app and very cheap considering what it does!
You want to listen to radio in Cameroon? You can do it! I did! They have funky music and I likely won't listen again but I did it! Want to listen to German radio? I did! It is very techno! Won't listen again but I did it once! Irish radio? It's on there!
Yeah most of these stations you can find online and listen to but when you can do it on a mobile application it is so much more convenient and so much more interesting as it is literally at your finger tips!
One more reason I love my iPhone!
Wunder Radio will find streaming radio stations except Clear Channel stations and stream them to your phone over the cell signal. I was at two bars of signal yesterday and still was getting a decent stream in the office. That place kills signal too. It never buffered at all with three bars in a part of the building where signal is better.
You can browse by GPS location and find local stations. You can browse by genre, you can browse by country, you can even browse by continent! Heard about a DJ in another part of the country? You can likely hear him with this app!
You also get all of the NOAA locations, police scanners, railroad scanners, and even airline scanners! This is one incredible app and very cheap considering what it does!
You want to listen to radio in Cameroon? You can do it! I did! They have funky music and I likely won't listen again but I did it! Want to listen to German radio? I did! It is very techno! Won't listen again but I did it once! Irish radio? It's on there!
Yeah most of these stations you can find online and listen to but when you can do it on a mobile application it is so much more convenient and so much more interesting as it is literally at your finger tips!
One more reason I love my iPhone!
Monday, February 23, 2009
NASCAR Instead Of The Oscars!
That's what I did last night!
I'm sure that when the ratings are released that they will follow the trend of recent years and continue the slump.
With idiots like Sean Penn winning over Micky Rourke and no big named movie except the little watched Benjamin Button up for best picture, mainstream America just had no reason to watch.
Now the second race of the season! That's a good reason to watch even though it was at California. I really don't like that track. There is little action on it, the turns are wide and really it just isn't exciting at all. There are few to no cautions and the only ones last night were for rain meaning mostly green flag stops.
Still I'm sure it was better than the Oscars and a LOT less elitist.
I'm sure that when the ratings are released that they will follow the trend of recent years and continue the slump.
With idiots like Sean Penn winning over Micky Rourke and no big named movie except the little watched Benjamin Button up for best picture, mainstream America just had no reason to watch.
Now the second race of the season! That's a good reason to watch even though it was at California. I really don't like that track. There is little action on it, the turns are wide and really it just isn't exciting at all. There are few to no cautions and the only ones last night were for rain meaning mostly green flag stops.
Still I'm sure it was better than the Oscars and a LOT less elitist.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Independent Spirit Awards
If the Oscars were half as entertaining as the ISA on the Independent Film Channel the ratings would be at record highs. Those are some great awards for movies you likely haven't heard of.
The most entertaining acceptance speech came when Micky Rourke won the best actor award for The Wrestler. It went for a good five minutes and was funny. He didn't prepare a list but made it up as he went. You are allowed to say anything you want and he did.
The Oscars are very stuffy by comparison which is likely why fewer and fewer are watching. The elitism is evident while at the ISA you feel that you could come in off of the street and sit down with everyone and fit right in.
I've watched it the past few years, I believe six but if not then I know I've seen it the past five. So far every time it has been a far better show than the Oscars and the movies are ones I'd be far more interested in seeing.
If you can catch the replay catch it. It is a great time!
The most entertaining acceptance speech came when Micky Rourke won the best actor award for The Wrestler. It went for a good five minutes and was funny. He didn't prepare a list but made it up as he went. You are allowed to say anything you want and he did.
The Oscars are very stuffy by comparison which is likely why fewer and fewer are watching. The elitism is evident while at the ISA you feel that you could come in off of the street and sit down with everyone and fit right in.
I've watched it the past few years, I believe six but if not then I know I've seen it the past five. So far every time it has been a far better show than the Oscars and the movies are ones I'd be far more interested in seeing.
If you can catch the replay catch it. It is a great time!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Weekend Accomplished!
This weekend was a long time coming. Well five days anyway, four of them working days for me. However it was a concentrated amount of work in four days to prepare for the inspection I blogged about yesterday.
I didn't want to do anything but be quiet and still after work.
I was craving a tuna salad sandwich after work so I stopped by the store on the way home and picked up the stuff, some chips, and bread.
It was really nice to just relax and just do nothing after work. Yeah I know I went out Thursday night with friends and I needed that too. I feel good this morning! I'm looking forward to listening to the Cigar Dave show at 11:00 and other than that no plans except for coffee with my friend Bob to help him set up his brand new iPhone and hang out.
I didn't want to do anything but be quiet and still after work.
I was craving a tuna salad sandwich after work so I stopped by the store on the way home and picked up the stuff, some chips, and bread.
It was really nice to just relax and just do nothing after work. Yeah I know I went out Thursday night with friends and I needed that too. I feel good this morning! I'm looking forward to listening to the Cigar Dave show at 11:00 and other than that no plans except for coffee with my friend Bob to help him set up his brand new iPhone and hang out.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Good Night/Inspection Day
Today is the day we have been cleaning up for the past two weeks. An inspection that rolls around every couple of years is today and all of next week. We get it early on this morning. At least we get it all over and done with first.
Last night was fun. Had some scotch time with Chianti after work while I grabbed supper at the pub. Been a few months and we just wanted to catch up with chatting about what was going on.
Then I asked if they wanted to go to the Blue Note around 8:30, they did and so I invited the Date to attend so we could all hang out and relax for a while. That was a lot of fun! I love it when things like that go right and everyone enjoys themselves!
I'm looking forward to the weekend. This has been a stressful week.
Last night was fun. Had some scotch time with Chianti after work while I grabbed supper at the pub. Been a few months and we just wanted to catch up with chatting about what was going on.
Then I asked if they wanted to go to the Blue Note around 8:30, they did and so I invited the Date to attend so we could all hang out and relax for a while. That was a lot of fun! I love it when things like that go right and everyone enjoys themselves!
I'm looking forward to the weekend. This has been a stressful week.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Vince Vs. Billy Mays
Billy Mays has dominated the TV commercial pitchman genre recently. With his carnival barker loud style you get the feeling that if you were having a quiet supper with him that you would need ear muffs.
The guy is just out and out loud as he practically screams, "Hi! Billy Mays here for xxxx!" Well Mays is getting his own reality show on Discovery. I really don't think Discovery will lend itself to this type of show as well as VH1 would but we'll see.
From Magic Putty to KaBoom! and everything in between he is golden in his pitch until Vince came along. Shamwow Vince that is. He looks as if he should have a coffee drip in his arm. His frenetic style and talking to the camera technique makes it appear as if you are at the county fair and he is right there demonstrating his wares for you.
He only has two products that he is pushing right now (as far as I know) with the Slap Chop and the Shamwow but I am thinking you will see him more often and Billy Mays less often.
Vince has the bases covered and even though he seems a bit too frenetic he does seem friendly. Billy Mays is more like the loud drunk uncle that everyone is hoping doesn't show up for Thanksgiving but you have to invite him anyway.
Yes I know there is Anthony Sullivan out there as well but he is more of a third tier guy at this point.
The guy is just out and out loud as he practically screams, "Hi! Billy Mays here for xxxx!" Well Mays is getting his own reality show on Discovery. I really don't think Discovery will lend itself to this type of show as well as VH1 would but we'll see.
From Magic Putty to KaBoom! and everything in between he is golden in his pitch until Vince came along. Shamwow Vince that is. He looks as if he should have a coffee drip in his arm. His frenetic style and talking to the camera technique makes it appear as if you are at the county fair and he is right there demonstrating his wares for you.
He only has two products that he is pushing right now (as far as I know) with the Slap Chop and the Shamwow but I am thinking you will see him more often and Billy Mays less often.
Vince has the bases covered and even though he seems a bit too frenetic he does seem friendly. Billy Mays is more like the loud drunk uncle that everyone is hoping doesn't show up for Thanksgiving but you have to invite him anyway.
Yes I know there is Anthony Sullivan out there as well but he is more of a third tier guy at this point.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Oh WOW!!!!
This has got to be something I'm going to try this Summer during grilling season!!!!
Death by Bacon! You long time readers will remember my legendary post about my love of bacon in the Bacon, Sex, and the Internet post. Well this is would be the culmination of anyone's love of bacon.
Yeah, this Summer....you can count on me doing this!
Death by Bacon! You long time readers will remember my legendary post about my love of bacon in the Bacon, Sex, and the Internet post. Well this is would be the culmination of anyone's love of bacon.
Yeah, this Summer....you can count on me doing this!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Great Weekend!
Three days off were a blast, sometimes people at work as if they had a good three day weekend or a good weekend. Usually I tell them I've never had a bad weekend, have they?
Anytime off of work is good time off of work. It'll be a busy week. There is a big inspection coming and everyone will be pinging off of the walls to do things that haven't been done in years. No one will care though. It won't be inspected anyway.
That's the way it goes though.
My PC runs like it is brand new, essentially it is. A new hard drive and a clean Vista install means lighting speeds for a few months. It'll be long enough for what I need to do.
It's Tuesday, tomorrow the President will sign the massive spending bill into law. The Porkulus bill which will deepen our debt dramatically and accomplish close to nothing. That was my problem with the last President. He allowed spending to get way out of control when he should have vetoed many more spending bills.
Now every hippy loving congressman is getting their pet projects into a bill and it has been passed including the rollback of the current welfare system. It will be like it was before Clinton and congress reformed it. That was likely one of the most right wing things he did while in office. He got people off of the government gravy train and dependent upon themselves so they were better able to pursue a good life for them and their families.
That's one of many things that are not good for our country that Porkulus will accomplish. The future of our country as we knew it is quickly coming to an end. Look at Venezuela, that is our future if we stay on this path.
I hope my state secedes from the union.....
Anytime off of work is good time off of work. It'll be a busy week. There is a big inspection coming and everyone will be pinging off of the walls to do things that haven't been done in years. No one will care though. It won't be inspected anyway.
That's the way it goes though.
My PC runs like it is brand new, essentially it is. A new hard drive and a clean Vista install means lighting speeds for a few months. It'll be long enough for what I need to do.
It's Tuesday, tomorrow the President will sign the massive spending bill into law. The Porkulus bill which will deepen our debt dramatically and accomplish close to nothing. That was my problem with the last President. He allowed spending to get way out of control when he should have vetoed many more spending bills.
Now every hippy loving congressman is getting their pet projects into a bill and it has been passed including the rollback of the current welfare system. It will be like it was before Clinton and congress reformed it. That was likely one of the most right wing things he did while in office. He got people off of the government gravy train and dependent upon themselves so they were better able to pursue a good life for them and their families.
That's one of many things that are not good for our country that Porkulus will accomplish. The future of our country as we knew it is quickly coming to an end. Look at Venezuela, that is our future if we stay on this path.
I hope my state secedes from the union.....
Monday, February 16, 2009
Day Off
It has been a really nice three day weekend! Spent Friday night, Saturday, and a large part of Sunday with the date.
Been pretty nice although it was a bit cold over the past few days. We had some warm weather and then cold again. I can't wait for Spring. I can start sitting outside and enjoy my cigars. I sat by my bedroom window yesterday afternoon and had one, it was too chilly to sit outside.
I had an Arturo Fuente 8-5-8. A medium bodied smoke. Got it for Valentine's day. It was a tad harsh as the place it was purchased doesn't humidify their cigars. It would have benefited from being in my humidor for three weeks.
Medium bodied, had a woody flavor and a bit spicy over the first third. It never mellowed as it should have which I chalked up to not resting enough in a humidor. The Fuente quality was still present though. If you ever get a Fuente you know that you are in for a quality cigar. I have another 8-5-8 and two Fuente Hemingway Signatures in my humi now. These are resting until this Summer though!
Been pretty nice although it was a bit cold over the past few days. We had some warm weather and then cold again. I can't wait for Spring. I can start sitting outside and enjoy my cigars. I sat by my bedroom window yesterday afternoon and had one, it was too chilly to sit outside.
I had an Arturo Fuente 8-5-8. A medium bodied smoke. Got it for Valentine's day. It was a tad harsh as the place it was purchased doesn't humidify their cigars. It would have benefited from being in my humidor for three weeks.
Medium bodied, had a woody flavor and a bit spicy over the first third. It never mellowed as it should have which I chalked up to not resting enough in a humidor. The Fuente quality was still present though. If you ever get a Fuente you know that you are in for a quality cigar. I have another 8-5-8 and two Fuente Hemingway Signatures in my humi now. These are resting until this Summer though!
Sunday, February 15, 2009
PC Blues
I've been fighting my PC the past two days while only taking time out to go to an Indian Casino for a break for a few hours with the GF.
First I had DVD rom problems. Then I had to reformat since my Adobe software wouldn't install. Then more DVD rom problems! I kid you not. Then the Vista installation went awry. Then this morning I got Adobe to install but now my audio drivers are missing!!!!
GGGRRRR!!!!!
First I had DVD rom problems. Then I had to reformat since my Adobe software wouldn't install. Then more DVD rom problems! I kid you not. Then the Vista installation went awry. Then this morning I got Adobe to install but now my audio drivers are missing!!!!
GGGRRRR!!!!!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Installation
I started installing my new hard drive and Windows last night. I got Vista installed and now I'm installing the updates.
Have to get a new tire today. I've got one that has the cords showing. Needs to be replaced and now that I have some extra coin that's what's going to happen!
Might go to one of the local Indian casinos today. It'll be a warm up for Vegas!
My GF got me some scotch and cigars for Valentine's day! How cool is that?
Have to get a new tire today. I've got one that has the cords showing. Needs to be replaced and now that I have some extra coin that's what's going to happen!
Might go to one of the local Indian casinos today. It'll be a warm up for Vegas!
My GF got me some scotch and cigars for Valentine's day! How cool is that?
Friday, February 13, 2009
Double Payday!
I'm happy happy joy joy today! I got my federal refund and I got paid!
Bad news is that we might have to work a day this weekend to get things ready for an inspection. That would put a damper on my three day weekend but at least I'd still get two days off.
I'll get time and a half for the inconvenience. Not a bad deal if I have to work.
Bad news is that we might have to work a day this weekend to get things ready for an inspection. That would put a damper on my three day weekend but at least I'd still get two days off.
I'll get time and a half for the inconvenience. Not a bad deal if I have to work.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Stephen Fowler
Has become quite the internet sensation and the focus of much criticism now.
For example www.stephenfowlersucks.com is a real website and lists every demographic that he insulted as well as the fallout he is experiencing.
He has had to resign from two boards he was a member of due to the bad publicity.
There is now a pseudo dictionary entry in pop culture:
fowleristic
Main Entry:
fowl·er·is·tic Listen to the pronunciation of narcistic
Pronunciation:
\foul-er-is-tik\
Function:
adjective
fowleristic (or foul-eristic as the midwest would say) describes a person who is very narcissistic, verbal abusive with little or not empathy towards others. People who like to use more simple words would call this person snooty and pompous.
Cara G. suggested:
fowler (fow-ler) n. (pl. fow’lers)
a person showing extreme lack of couth when addressing others he considers beneath his social and/or academic status, “That mean man is a fowler.” (fow’ler) v. to speak with contemptuous rudeness, to express judgments about, “Didn’t your mother teach you not to fowler your fellow man/woman?”
(fow’ler ous) adj.
impolite, showing no respect or consideration, “Calling someone a “dumb redneck” is fowlerous.” (fow’ler ly) adv. *To fowler by association, using hate speech because of what you’ve been taught by a fowler.
from Webster:
fowlerification (noun)
The process by which a person or situation acquires, or is victimized by, fowlerous properties. "With the final insult in regards to the shotgun, Stephen declared the fowlerification complete."
Fowlerifism
an elitist ideology that tenets of which believe that only those with a certain kind of education and who live in a certain geographic area are entitled to respect and dignity. "Fowlerifism masquerades in forms of liberal ideas, but at its heart is a kind of academic apartheid."
While I disagree with the last entry of Fowlerifism the rest is accurate. I do believe that liberalism is a stepping stone to this sort of behavior as demonstrated by great liberals in history Stalin, Hitler, Castro, and Pol Pot.
For example www.stephenfowlersucks.com is a real website and lists every demographic that he insulted as well as the fallout he is experiencing.
He has had to resign from two boards he was a member of due to the bad publicity.
There is now a pseudo dictionary entry in pop culture:
fowleristic
Main Entry:
fowl·er·is·tic Listen to the pronunciation of narcistic
Pronunciation:
\foul-er-is-tik\
Function:
adjective
fowleristic (or foul-eristic as the midwest would say) describes a person who is very narcissistic, verbal abusive with little or not empathy towards others. People who like to use more simple words would call this person snooty and pompous.
Cara G. suggested:
fowler (fow-ler) n. (pl. fow’lers)
a person showing extreme lack of couth when addressing others he considers beneath his social and/or academic status, “That mean man is a fowler.” (fow’ler) v. to speak with contemptuous rudeness, to express judgments about, “Didn’t your mother teach you not to fowler your fellow man/woman?”
(fow’ler ous) adj.
impolite, showing no respect or consideration, “Calling someone a “dumb redneck” is fowlerous.” (fow’ler ly) adv. *To fowler by association, using hate speech because of what you’ve been taught by a fowler.
from Webster:
fowlerification (noun)
The process by which a person or situation acquires, or is victimized by, fowlerous properties. "With the final insult in regards to the shotgun, Stephen declared the fowlerification complete."
Fowlerifism
an elitist ideology that tenets of which believe that only those with a certain kind of education and who live in a certain geographic area are entitled to respect and dignity. "Fowlerifism masquerades in forms of liberal ideas, but at its heart is a kind of academic apartheid."
While I disagree with the last entry of Fowlerifism the rest is accurate. I do believe that liberalism is a stepping stone to this sort of behavior as demonstrated by great liberals in history Stalin, Hitler, Castro, and Pol Pot.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Boiling Blood
From someone in the Mid-West I'd like to say that I hope to run across this man's path someday. As All Mighty God as my witness I hope I do. Fortunately for him he will never stoop to venturing to my state. I share two things with him, his pithy t-shirt wardrobe which I happen to share (not the messages just the format)...and we are both carbon based lifeforms.
Other than that this man is arrogant, hates America, hates anyone who is lesser than he is or at least his view of lesser, and is just out and out mean. He is also the poster child of the elite in this country who feel they are better than the common man.
He is raising two robot children who will carry on his ways and that is likely his sad legacy. His wife is apparently so intellectually listless that she follows him blindly, at his beck and call.
I've known some arrogant people in my life but thankfully this trash was not among them. San Francisco is a good place for him and his ilk. This man continually degraded this woman for no other reason than to humiliate her. Not only her but this country, our military, and 99.9% of everyone else in it. This man is the human embodiment of the liberal elite in this country and exactly what they believe of everyone in it.
Everyone who has ever served and has worn a proud uniform of this country has protected this man's right to say these things. They have paid in blood for his right which he earned, not by being born here but by naturalizing as a citizen. Our military has done this for him. Thank you Mr. Stephen Fowler for exercising your God Given and military protected right. However sir that is where we part ways.
My vocabulary is failing me at the moment as I'm finding it hard to describe my anger. I'm a forgiving person by nature, live and let live but sometimes you must make a stand to keep good people from the tyranny of such cruel and inhumane people.
Mr. Fowler I shall pray for you tonight. I shall pray that you experience true and genuine compassion.
I shall pray that you be brought to a place in your life where you see your actions and be brokenhearted over them.
I shall pray that you are not allowed to destroy your two precious children any further.
I shall pray sir that you learn what love is and what it isn't.
Sir I shall pray for your very soul which is no doubt an abstract concept to you, foreign and an invention of the unwashed masses.
Tornados
They missed us yesterday but we caught some rain for a while and some thunder. They were all to the South. I really don't think anyone was expecting tornadic activity in February though.
It really caught people by surprise. March and April it is expected but February? Bizarre weather for sure.
I think there are eight people who were killed yesterday, that is what I have read anyway. Some damage but I know the power company was out fixing the damaged lines immediately after and even during the storm in places.
Its really windy out this morning, likely will be this way all day.
It really caught people by surprise. March and April it is expected but February? Bizarre weather for sure.
I think there are eight people who were killed yesterday, that is what I have read anyway. Some damage but I know the power company was out fixing the damaged lines immediately after and even during the storm in places.
Its really windy out this morning, likely will be this way all day.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
My Apologies To Barry Bonds
That's right after the current A-Rod scandal over steroids I have done some serious reflecting on what steroids means to the game of baseball. I haven't been a huge fan of baseball since the strike. No secret there but I do catch a game now and then when something big is going on.
So now that the one man who was supposed to erase Barry Bonds from the record books admitted to using steroids I had to wonder how exactly have steroids hurt baseball?
The season home run race between McGuire and Sosa was very compelling and lifted the entire game when droves of people were staying out of the stadiums. They brought their road show to your town and sold it out. More people followed that intense race than had paid attention in years! It was drama and good and because of steroids.
I say let major leaguers use steroids if they want to. Lets get the home runs back up there over sixty per year and not forty like it is now. Barry Bonds...well people bought tickets just to boo him! I don't like him, no use for him but now it isn't because of his steroid use. He continued to deny it while there is massive amounts of evidence proving him a liar.
Very similar to Roger Clemens who is STILL shouting from the highest mountain that he is clean while there is DNA evidence saying he is a liar. Steroids really hasn't hurt the game of baseball, sure it has hurt the players in their long term health but it made the game watchable. Athletes were able to jump higher, heal faster, hit the ball harder.
Now we have a game of singles instead of triples and homers. Bunts instead of doubles. Yawwwnnnn. I want to watch the closer who throws 100 mph for an inning again. I want to watch things that interest me and steroid free baseball just doesn't.
In today's economic times disposable cash is going to be saved instead of spent. Baseball will be screaming if not begging for that money to support massive payrolls. Stadiums will see their attendance drop dramatically as our recession deepens and the porkulus package fails. There are one hundred sixty two games, who is going to care about a White Sox - Oakland series in July as it is?
Teams will need that extra edge to make the game compelling again. They will need a McGuire or a Sosa race. They will need a Barry Bonds to boo. They need steroids.
So now that the one man who was supposed to erase Barry Bonds from the record books admitted to using steroids I had to wonder how exactly have steroids hurt baseball?
The season home run race between McGuire and Sosa was very compelling and lifted the entire game when droves of people were staying out of the stadiums. They brought their road show to your town and sold it out. More people followed that intense race than had paid attention in years! It was drama and good and because of steroids.
I say let major leaguers use steroids if they want to. Lets get the home runs back up there over sixty per year and not forty like it is now. Barry Bonds...well people bought tickets just to boo him! I don't like him, no use for him but now it isn't because of his steroid use. He continued to deny it while there is massive amounts of evidence proving him a liar.
Very similar to Roger Clemens who is STILL shouting from the highest mountain that he is clean while there is DNA evidence saying he is a liar. Steroids really hasn't hurt the game of baseball, sure it has hurt the players in their long term health but it made the game watchable. Athletes were able to jump higher, heal faster, hit the ball harder.
Now we have a game of singles instead of triples and homers. Bunts instead of doubles. Yawwwnnnn. I want to watch the closer who throws 100 mph for an inning again. I want to watch things that interest me and steroid free baseball just doesn't.
In today's economic times disposable cash is going to be saved instead of spent. Baseball will be screaming if not begging for that money to support massive payrolls. Stadiums will see their attendance drop dramatically as our recession deepens and the porkulus package fails. There are one hundred sixty two games, who is going to care about a White Sox - Oakland series in July as it is?
Teams will need that extra edge to make the game compelling again. They will need a McGuire or a Sosa race. They will need a Barry Bonds to boo. They need steroids.
Monday, February 09, 2009
First Rain
Of the season is going on right now. It seemed to rain most of the night, quietly. No big thunderstorms, just a light rain that didn't freeze to everything. It's probably sixty degrees out right now, cool but not cold by any means.
Back to work today. It will be a long week as I'm expecting my federal tax return this Friday which also happens to be my payday. What a cool day that will be!
A double payday! Woohoooo! Other than that it should be a fairly easy week.
Back to work today. It will be a long week as I'm expecting my federal tax return this Friday which also happens to be my payday. What a cool day that will be!
A double payday! Woohoooo! Other than that it should be a fairly easy week.
Sunday, February 08, 2009
Beautiful Day
Yesterday was great! Calm, warm, and a perfect day to sit outside and enjoy a La Flor Dominicna Ligero L 500 Cabinet which is a very strong, full flavored cigar. It clocks in at 5 3/4 x 60 which is a massive ring gauge and a bit bigger than a Robusto in length.
To start with it I clipped the end and toasted the foot. A soft flame lighter would have taken forever to toast something this caliber so I used my triple flame jet lighter. It took a few seconds then it was on to actually lighting it.
Massive clouds of woodsy smoke filled the air. The first half inch was a bit stout and peppery. There is no doubt that this was a full flavored cigar. Not quite as powerful as the Joya de Nicaragua which is the strongest cigar I've had. The JdN is quite a bit smoother though.
I believe that the taste difference came from the Oscuro wrapper on the La Flor Dominicana. The wrappers really do provide at least 50% of the flavor and I really haven't had many Oscuros. Overall I wouldn't buy this cigar, this one was gifted to me in a contest. If I have had more of a developed palate for an Oscuro wrapper then I would know a bit more about what to expect.
It did mellow out about half way into the cigar and became much less harsh. The one rule of thumb is never judge a cigar by the first half inch. That was certainly true regarding this particular cigar. Don't try it if you are a cigar newbie. It will over power you.
I received my PIN number yesterday as well! So I went to activate my debit card and now I finally have access again to my checking account! I'm thrilled! I'm normal again!
To start with it I clipped the end and toasted the foot. A soft flame lighter would have taken forever to toast something this caliber so I used my triple flame jet lighter. It took a few seconds then it was on to actually lighting it.
Massive clouds of woodsy smoke filled the air. The first half inch was a bit stout and peppery. There is no doubt that this was a full flavored cigar. Not quite as powerful as the Joya de Nicaragua which is the strongest cigar I've had. The JdN is quite a bit smoother though.
I believe that the taste difference came from the Oscuro wrapper on the La Flor Dominicana. The wrappers really do provide at least 50% of the flavor and I really haven't had many Oscuros. Overall I wouldn't buy this cigar, this one was gifted to me in a contest. If I have had more of a developed palate for an Oscuro wrapper then I would know a bit more about what to expect.
It did mellow out about half way into the cigar and became much less harsh. The one rule of thumb is never judge a cigar by the first half inch. That was certainly true regarding this particular cigar. Don't try it if you are a cigar newbie. It will over power you.
I received my PIN number yesterday as well! So I went to activate my debit card and now I finally have access again to my checking account! I'm thrilled! I'm normal again!
Saturday, February 07, 2009
Fun With Twitter
A few months ago I decided to jump upon the Twitter bandwagon. I really didn't utilize it very much. Now though I've found several cigar smoking twits, several twits that lean my way politically, and just some fun twits.
Twitter is very simple. You have one hundred forty characters to update what you are doing. You can update it as often as you want. You can tweet pictures, links, or just text. It is a fun and efficient way to keep up with people of a like mind.
There are several really great apps for the iPhone but right now I'm using Tweetie. It will find nearby tweets, allows you to follow or un-follow twits. Just a great little app!
Follow me! Search for blugill
Twitter is very simple. You have one hundred forty characters to update what you are doing. You can update it as often as you want. You can tweet pictures, links, or just text. It is a fun and efficient way to keep up with people of a like mind.
There are several really great apps for the iPhone but right now I'm using Tweetie. It will find nearby tweets, allows you to follow or un-follow twits. Just a great little app!
Follow me! Search for blugill
Friday, February 06, 2009
Weirdest Love Story Ever
You long time readers know I'm a huge Kevin Smith fan, even got an email from Kev that I posted a long time back. So tonight I was thrilled to finally watch Zack and Miri Make a Porno.
Two life long friends in deep debt decide to make a porn to pay off their bills. What ensues is everything that it takes to make a no budget movie....and a bit more. With a solid classic Kevin Smith cast and the offbeat humor this is Chasing Amy redux.
Funny, touching, gross out (although not as much as Clerks 2) and lots of heart....foul mouthed heart but heart anyway. It was a lot like my group of friends in a few parts...well minus the gratuitous amounts of sex. A handful of people turn into wonderful friends and a patch work family.
This movie in its own way explores friends and lovers as only Smith can do. His finger firmly on the pulse of cutting edge dialogue and charm. Its a good mixture and it works.
Watch it, not with kids around though but watch it.
Two life long friends in deep debt decide to make a porn to pay off their bills. What ensues is everything that it takes to make a no budget movie....and a bit more. With a solid classic Kevin Smith cast and the offbeat humor this is Chasing Amy redux.
Funny, touching, gross out (although not as much as Clerks 2) and lots of heart....foul mouthed heart but heart anyway. It was a lot like my group of friends in a few parts...well minus the gratuitous amounts of sex. A handful of people turn into wonderful friends and a patch work family.
This movie in its own way explores friends and lovers as only Smith can do. His finger firmly on the pulse of cutting edge dialogue and charm. Its a good mixture and it works.
Watch it, not with kids around though but watch it.
It's All Good
The CT scan turned out just dandy. No kidney stones what so ever and everything is healthy.
Had a great lunch at BDubs with Beersnob, Chianti, and the date. Came home then and took a nap. Its a good day to be off. A bit windy however it is warm.
Had a great lunch at BDubs with Beersnob, Chianti, and the date. Came home then and took a nap. Its a good day to be off. A bit windy however it is warm.
Scan Day
Yep, in just a few minutes I'll be drinking a quart of this wild berry contrast stuff for a CT scan in a couple of hours. I should be out of there in about an hour and then I have a full day off!
Woohoooo!
Have lunch plans with my friends and girlfriend at BDubs (Buffalo Wild Wings) for some lunch and trivia. I'm going to have a great day! Not a lot of plans this weekend but I'm sure it will be fun!
Woohoooo!
Have lunch plans with my friends and girlfriend at BDubs (Buffalo Wild Wings) for some lunch and trivia. I'm going to have a great day! Not a lot of plans this weekend but I'm sure it will be fun!
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Yep, No Access
Wednesday has come and gone and still no access to my checking account via checks or a beloved check card. Perhaps Thursday is the day?
This is also my Friday. Tomorrow I have a CT Scan as a follow up to the kidney stone problems about this time last year s you long time readers will recall. It doesn't take all day but the dye they gave me made me feel woozy and not good. I really didn't want to go to work feeling like that so I'm off all day.
It is early in the morning at nine so I won't have a ruined day either. In and out, maybe two hours max and I'm good!
This is also my Friday. Tomorrow I have a CT Scan as a follow up to the kidney stone problems about this time last year s you long time readers will recall. It doesn't take all day but the dye they gave me made me feel woozy and not good. I really didn't want to go to work feeling like that so I'm off all day.
It is early in the morning at nine so I won't have a ruined day either. In and out, maybe two hours max and I'm good!
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Still No Access Again
I had to go to the bank again yesterday to get more cash as I still do not have a debit card or a regular check book. I asked a place I go to daily if I could write a temporary check for fuel and they said they couldn't accept it.
I was really hoping that I'd get everything yesterday in the mail but alas I have not. So I'm on cash again for another day.
This is a tough way to live....well relatively speaking.
I was really hoping that I'd get everything yesterday in the mail but alas I have not. So I'm on cash again for another day.
This is a tough way to live....well relatively speaking.
Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Tuesday And No Access
You'll remember when I mentioned last week I had to close my checking account and open a new one. Well the problem became how can I get paid when my direct deposit was going into my old account and it was already in work by the time I had to close/reopen.
So my bank was supposed to catch the deposit and reroute it into the brand new account. They didn't until I called them, now it is fixed though however I had to stock up on cash since no one in town will take a temporary check for anything but the purchase price. So say I want to go eat at a place that doesn't take checks I have to bring cash. Or if you need cash on Saturday afternoon or Sunday when the bank is closed, you are also screwed.
Sometime this week I'm going to get my debit card and a new box of checks to replace the other brand new box of checks that are now worthless.
The next step is that I pay all of my bills online and have to go through each one of them and change account information. No big deal and I'd have been more upset if my account had been broken into however it is still a bit of a hassle.
I've got enough cash to last the week now. Hopefully I'll come home from work and find my brand new debit card in the mail!
So my bank was supposed to catch the deposit and reroute it into the brand new account. They didn't until I called them, now it is fixed though however I had to stock up on cash since no one in town will take a temporary check for anything but the purchase price. So say I want to go eat at a place that doesn't take checks I have to bring cash. Or if you need cash on Saturday afternoon or Sunday when the bank is closed, you are also screwed.
Sometime this week I'm going to get my debit card and a new box of checks to replace the other brand new box of checks that are now worthless.
The next step is that I pay all of my bills online and have to go through each one of them and change account information. No big deal and I'd have been more upset if my account had been broken into however it is still a bit of a hassle.
I've got enough cash to last the week now. Hopefully I'll come home from work and find my brand new debit card in the mail!
Monday, February 02, 2009
Hall Of Famer
The show Warner put on for the losing team was enough to put him into the Hall. 31 of 43 for nearly 400 yards, 3 tds, only 1 int. Yeah, taking the lead late in the fourth quarter and almost beating a team most of the experts said would blow out the Cards.
No doubt. Kurt Warner deserves to be in Canton. I was disappointed in the outcome but as I blogged before I really didn't have a dog in the fight. I just wanted a good show and a good game and both happened. I got to spend watching it with the date and friends and that was great. Had a lot of good snacks and that was great.
It was a fun and busy weekend as I mentioned before it would be. Now it's back to work time. I'm ready I guess. A little drained after the weekend but it'll be nice to get back to work and get some rest. Hehehehe!
No doubt. Kurt Warner deserves to be in Canton. I was disappointed in the outcome but as I blogged before I really didn't have a dog in the fight. I just wanted a good show and a good game and both happened. I got to spend watching it with the date and friends and that was great. Had a lot of good snacks and that was great.
It was a fun and busy weekend as I mentioned before it would be. Now it's back to work time. I'm ready I guess. A little drained after the weekend but it'll be nice to get back to work and get some rest. Hehehehe!
Sunday, February 01, 2009
Super Bowl Sunday
Yeah I know I blogged about this yesterday too but by golly it is the last game of the season! No one watches the pro bowl so that game doesn't matter....not even to the pros.
So last night we had a huge surprise party for Beersnob. He came home from Qatar and believed he was in for a quiet night with Chianti and her new beau. Well we hide everyone and when he shows up and walks in, we all shout and he was genuinely surprised and taken aback.
It was great! We had close to thirty people there and it was a total success!
So today is also Super Bowl Sunday. Yeah most everyone I talked to are wanting Kurt Warner's story to continue its fairy tale course. They really don't have anything against the Steelers but really would like to see the underdog win the day. They think a story like that would lift the national mood a bit! I think it just might!
Yesterday there was also a poker tournament among friends and coworkers. I was put out early on a great hand but I made it a couple of rounds in and had a great time!
It was also one of the most historic days in Iraq as they had elections and there was no violence! It was one of the most successful elections in their history and a true vindication of the Iraq policy. I really don't think you will hear that news in its proper context on the networks though.
Iraq is a free country and a baby democracy in an unstable part of the world. This year is off to a great start!
So last night we had a huge surprise party for Beersnob. He came home from Qatar and believed he was in for a quiet night with Chianti and her new beau. Well we hide everyone and when he shows up and walks in, we all shout and he was genuinely surprised and taken aback.
It was great! We had close to thirty people there and it was a total success!
So today is also Super Bowl Sunday. Yeah most everyone I talked to are wanting Kurt Warner's story to continue its fairy tale course. They really don't have anything against the Steelers but really would like to see the underdog win the day. They think a story like that would lift the national mood a bit! I think it just might!
Yesterday there was also a poker tournament among friends and coworkers. I was put out early on a great hand but I made it a couple of rounds in and had a great time!
It was also one of the most historic days in Iraq as they had elections and there was no violence! It was one of the most successful elections in their history and a true vindication of the Iraq policy. I really don't think you will hear that news in its proper context on the networks though.
Iraq is a free country and a baby democracy in an unstable part of the world. This year is off to a great start!
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