For those of you who think our current president is for "change", here is a sample of things to come for the "Man of Change" in his first week on the job: "If we don't get this done we [the Democrats] could lose seats and I could lose re-election. But we can't let people like Rush Limbaugh stall this. That's how things don't get done in this town." --Barack Obama, always looking forward for the people.
Here is another little tidbit I came across today: "I have believed for some time that military power is no solution to terrorism. ... So let me suggest a truly audacious hope for [the Obama] administration: How about a five-year time-out on war -- unless, of course, there is a genuine threat to the nation?" --former presidential candidate George McGovern advising Obama.
Why didn't he propose this eight years ago?! This hole thing could have been avoided entirely. Hundreds of thousands of innocent civilian Iraqi lives (according to some lefties) could have been spared. I'm certain the Islamofacists will go to their respective corners. McGovern should have proposed this for his run as president. I'm certain the Vietcong, Chinese, North Koreans, Camier Rouge and Soviets would also have gone to their corners.
I actually laughed out loud at work for over thirty seconds for this one!\
This weekend is our "birthday" weekend with our girls and their others. Sherri and I have birthdays at the opposite ends of January. We spend an overnight in Milwaukee, have dinner and party with them. This year a two-year-old will be joining the festivities. Another wrinkle - in the usual plans, that is. I believe this all began as surprise style event for my fiftieth birthday. We were spending the night downtown, but the kids took us to a Buck's game and dinner at Bua Depepo's. This year, we'll be in 'Tosa instead and geared more toward Tizu entertainment during the day. Good times to come.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sunday, January 25, 2009
LIGHTBULBS AND FOOTBALL
A reader referenced my obsession with purchasing light bulbs. That would be my lovely wife. I buy a pack of INCANDESCENT light bulbs whenever a trip is made to WAL-MART or the Dollar Store. The reason I do this is because when they are officially outlawed by congress and we are all forced to buy those crappy squiggly electric light-emitting, mercury-filled objects that will need a hazmat team to dispose them, you'll all come to me for the black market sale of the outlawed bulbs just so that the hazmats will stay out of your house. You think I'm exaggerating, don't you. There IS coming a day where we as "free" Americans we will not be free to buy the light emitting object of our choice as we now temporarily have. What ever happened to "choice" with the ruling class. Oh, that's right, that refers ONLY to ending pregnancy. Every other "choice", it appears, will be made for us by The One and/or his surrogates, his "czars, departments or judges.
My 79-year-old dad has been diagnosed with Parkinson's. In his attempt to achieve the correct medication balance, a new physician was found, a Parkinson's specialist. That specialist, it turns out, after weeks of testing and analysis, proclaims my dad has now, and has been for some time, suffering from emphysema. So, the experts he's been seeing for about five years were all quacks. Government health care care at its finest! Perhaps "Soylent Green" isn't too far off after all.
Maybe this lack of football has affected me. Anyway, it was another GREAT weekend with the family. Our "sitting" was another success. Large amounts of food were made and consumed. Lots of laughing at a the expense of a certain Indiana city was done.
We're in the deep freeze here again, so much so, in fact, that I cannot enjoy a cigar, even in the garage. Spring will be coming again, as it always does, regardless of what Algore says.
My 79-year-old dad has been diagnosed with Parkinson's. In his attempt to achieve the correct medication balance, a new physician was found, a Parkinson's specialist. That specialist, it turns out, after weeks of testing and analysis, proclaims my dad has now, and has been for some time, suffering from emphysema. So, the experts he's been seeing for about five years were all quacks. Government health care care at its finest! Perhaps "Soylent Green" isn't too far off after all.
Maybe this lack of football has affected me. Anyway, it was another GREAT weekend with the family. Our "sitting" was another success. Large amounts of food were made and consumed. Lots of laughing at a the expense of a certain Indiana city was done.
We're in the deep freeze here again, so much so, in fact, that I cannot enjoy a cigar, even in the garage. Spring will be coming again, as it always does, regardless of what Algore says.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
NEW PRESIDENT - LET THE CHANGE BEGIN
Well, we have another new president. As usual, no coup, no violence, no back alley deals (that I know of) were perpetrated to arrange the outcome. Only the main stream media was complicit in the outcome - on BOTH sides.
While I understand the historic implication of this election, I am still having a rough time wrapping my head around the messiah complex given our president. Why does he get a pass on spending over $150 million on his inauguration (coronation?) when there are two wars being fought overseas, the economy is in tatters, people are starving and the earth is about to melt, when the last inauguration was lambasted for the exorbitant spending of $43 million (paid by donors) and similar problems were said to be occurring? During a another similar time in our history, another president served cold chicken sandwiches and our current president is being compared to the latter, so, what gives?
I've made the loser leap and joined "Faceboook", mostly because my lovely spouse a daughter, nieces and friends are "on" it. Oh well, welcome to geekdom 2009. I am not really into all the nuances, but I can see value in staying (or getting) in touch with others.
We get to granddaughter sit again this weekend. Her Papa has a gig with his "arena rock" style band (Spin Spin Coupling, they have web site) of thirty-plus musicians with PhD's and her Mama is joining him as a groupie. We get to "sit" while the parents rock out. I like the music, the band members and their wives and families. They've played at both daughters' weddings. Good times!
While I understand the historic implication of this election, I am still having a rough time wrapping my head around the messiah complex given our president. Why does he get a pass on spending over $150 million on his inauguration (coronation?) when there are two wars being fought overseas, the economy is in tatters, people are starving and the earth is about to melt, when the last inauguration was lambasted for the exorbitant spending of $43 million (paid by donors) and similar problems were said to be occurring? During a another similar time in our history, another president served cold chicken sandwiches and our current president is being compared to the latter, so, what gives?
I've made the loser leap and joined "Faceboook", mostly because my lovely spouse a daughter, nieces and friends are "on" it. Oh well, welcome to geekdom 2009. I am not really into all the nuances, but I can see value in staying (or getting) in touch with others.
We get to granddaughter sit again this weekend. Her Papa has a gig with his "arena rock" style band (Spin Spin Coupling, they have web site) of thirty-plus musicians with PhD's and her Mama is joining him as a groupie. We get to "sit" while the parents rock out. I like the music, the band members and their wives and families. They've played at both daughters' weddings. Good times!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
SUPERBOWL XLIII SET
Superbowl XLIII (43) is set - Pittsburg Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals. Watch the media compare Arizona, an unlikely playoff contender at the beginning of the season, to "The One" as that unlikely underdog. Remember, you heard it here first!
ALL BHO ALL THE TIME
It's inauguration time again. That means wall-to-wall, 24-7 "news" coverage of a non-event. To me, it's just like the halftime show during the Superbowl. I DON'T WATCH IT!
Yes, I know, it's an "historical" event this time. I've been told hundreds of times recently. Sixteen years ago we were told the first black president was inaugurated. So this is the "change" we are to expect?
After all the years I have commuted, I have never been involved in an accident with the large rats with antlers - until this weekend. My lovely spouse and I went out for dinner with friends we haven't seen in ages. The other husband drove. On the way home, on an icy highway familiar to my friend, thunk, a small deer was hit. Luckily, we were not traveling too fast and we were in an SUV (that's right Algore, a nasty SUV). UNfortunately, the SUV was brand new. There was minimal damage, considering, and the juvenile-appearing deputy said so. It is always and adventure with this pair we've known for over 25 years.
More fun was had this weekend as my younger daughter's birthday was belatedly celebrated. After a fine lunch at a nice downtown-Milwaukee yuppie restaurant and some fine cigars and conversation with the other men, we (my spouse, her brother, niece and mother, the celebrant and her husband) all repaired to the apartment she and her husband share in the west side of the brew city. Wii was played, cake was served and gifts were opened. A typical American birthday celebration.
Enjoy the human-induced warmer weather this week, I will!
An addition is necessary: Pittsburg Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals in Superbowl XVIII. Two storied franchises. Maybe the media will compare Arizona to "The One" as an underdog story. Remember, you heard it here first!
Yes, I know, it's an "historical" event this time. I've been told hundreds of times recently. Sixteen years ago we were told the first black president was inaugurated. So this is the "change" we are to expect?
After all the years I have commuted, I have never been involved in an accident with the large rats with antlers - until this weekend. My lovely spouse and I went out for dinner with friends we haven't seen in ages. The other husband drove. On the way home, on an icy highway familiar to my friend, thunk, a small deer was hit. Luckily, we were not traveling too fast and we were in an SUV (that's right Algore, a nasty SUV). UNfortunately, the SUV was brand new. There was minimal damage, considering, and the juvenile-appearing deputy said so. It is always and adventure with this pair we've known for over 25 years.
More fun was had this weekend as my younger daughter's birthday was belatedly celebrated. After a fine lunch at a nice downtown-Milwaukee yuppie restaurant and some fine cigars and conversation with the other men, we (my spouse, her brother, niece and mother, the celebrant and her husband) all repaired to the apartment she and her husband share in the west side of the brew city. Wii was played, cake was served and gifts were opened. A typical American birthday celebration.
Enjoy the human-induced warmer weather this week, I will!
An addition is necessary: Pittsburg Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals in Superbowl XVIII. Two storied franchises. Maybe the media will compare Arizona to "The One" as an underdog story. Remember, you heard it here first!
Monday, January 12, 2009
WE PASSED!
We passed the test!! On Saturday night, my lovely wife and I were allowed to get our beautiful two-year-old adopted granddaughter to sleep. For the night. Her parents were going out of town (thirty minutes away) for a brief appearance at a surprise birthday party for a friend. They left at 5:00 pm. We were to feed her, bathe her and put her to sleep. I, personally, did very little in the scheme of things, but I was present. All went well, as I expected. She is a delight. While slumber was being attempted, I could here giggling from the monitor in the room. Grandma had to rock the little rascal to sleep - always guaranteed to work.
With the weather taking yet another turn for the worse (-17 forecast for Thursday and 3" of snow each day until then [global warming, where art thou?]), we received our receipt in the mail for the 1/2 payment for our beach house rental on St. George Island, our little corner of heaven on earth. I have a shell collected off the beach there right by my computer at work as a reminder of better (& warmer) times. I am excited to take our precious Tizita into the Gulf!
Enough for now as I prepare to watch the second night of the politically incorrect "24".
With the weather taking yet another turn for the worse (-17 forecast for Thursday and 3" of snow each day until then [global warming, where art thou?]), we received our receipt in the mail for the 1/2 payment for our beach house rental on St. George Island, our little corner of heaven on earth. I have a shell collected off the beach there right by my computer at work as a reminder of better (& warmer) times. I am excited to take our precious Tizita into the Gulf!
Enough for now as I prepare to watch the second night of the politically incorrect "24".
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Well, now that I blog, it seems the Feds are after me for the stogies. The Federal Agency to Resist Tobacco is hounding me. The gasbag Algore, a former tobacco plantation owner and descendant of slave owners and son of a separatist, is in charge as the tobacco leaves are green.
Speaking of "in charge", the Democrats are in Washington, and on their first day, the Senate is not seating a duly-appointed member, a black man at that. Gee, I wonder how the remainder of the next four years will proceed without their whipping boy (after January 20) to blame. Hang on to your wallets, especially you "rich" people. The next administration is attempting to give away $300,000,000,000 as an election payoff, while spending another $1,500,000,000,000 for the same reason. Don't all those zeros look good? All this while those of us baby boomers are becoming eligible for social security, which, if you recall, doesn't actually exist, like the Federal Agency to Resist Tobacco.
Tonight was a lovely night for a winter walk as the temperature was in the low thirties. We have some cleat-like devices, acquired on the worldwide interweb (thanks, again, Algore), that attach to our shoes to aid us on the slippery spots that have accumulated recently with freezing rain. We were walking so effortlessly that at the end of the walk my wife actually began walking right past our house. I am glad I was with her, as she may still be walking!
Speaking of "in charge", the Democrats are in Washington, and on their first day, the Senate is not seating a duly-appointed member, a black man at that. Gee, I wonder how the remainder of the next four years will proceed without their whipping boy (after January 20) to blame. Hang on to your wallets, especially you "rich" people. The next administration is attempting to give away $300,000,000,000 as an election payoff, while spending another $1,500,000,000,000 for the same reason. Don't all those zeros look good? All this while those of us baby boomers are becoming eligible for social security, which, if you recall, doesn't actually exist, like the Federal Agency to Resist Tobacco.
Tonight was a lovely night for a winter walk as the temperature was in the low thirties. We have some cleat-like devices, acquired on the worldwide interweb (thanks, again, Algore), that attach to our shoes to aid us on the slippery spots that have accumulated recently with freezing rain. We were walking so effortlessly that at the end of the walk my wife actually began walking right past our house. I am glad I was with her, as she may still be walking!
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Well, today is another anniversary of my 50th birthday (#5). I received a 1/2 box of cigars from fellow efficianato, my brother-in-law and niece which I placed in my new humidor from son-in-law #2 for Christmas; some unmentionables, gloves and more cigars form my lovely wife (to be delivered at a later date and stored in the humidor) and the goodie box items (see previous entry). I do not smoke the stogies indoors. I was told I might try down here in the lair, but others use the area as well and I know the residuals would not be appreciated should I have begun the practice. I also had some of my favorite foods, "white" barbecue and white cake with chocolate morsels and chocolate icing, so, a good birthday.
Thank you one and all and for the well wishes on my wife's blog!
Thank you one and all and for the well wishes on my wife's blog!
Friday, January 2, 2009
2008 has ended with the usual year-end whimper here. I am not a fan of year-end fanfare. That being said, we spent Monday night at a Dave & Buster's in Addison, Illinois. It is an adult version of Chuck E. Cheese's, adult only for the fact that it serves adult beverages in the gaming area. Children are allowed accompanied by an adult. The food was okay and the fun was great.
While in Illinois, the globe warmed. It was fifty degrees and no snow there. Two days later there were wind chills in the low teens again. Go figure!
Has anyone else noticed that neither the current president nor the president-elect have uttered word one regarding the deadly conflict in the Gaza Strip in Israel? The current president is probably simply tired of the entire mess after eight years. The president (can't we all just get along)-elect is probably wary so as not to anger either side, so we get no leadership. How politically typical. Those peoples have been fighting for thousands of years over the same piece of ground so, I suppose, what difference could an "outsider" make anyway, notwithstanding Jimma Carter, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning great negotiator.
While in Illinois, the globe warmed. It was fifty degrees and no snow there. Two days later there were wind chills in the low teens again. Go figure!
Has anyone else noticed that neither the current president nor the president-elect have uttered word one regarding the deadly conflict in the Gaza Strip in Israel? The current president is probably simply tired of the entire mess after eight years. The president (can't we all just get along)-elect is probably wary so as not to anger either side, so we get no leadership. How politically typical. Those peoples have been fighting for thousands of years over the same piece of ground so, I suppose, what difference could an "outsider" make anyway, notwithstanding Jimma Carter, the Nobel Peace Prize-winning great negotiator.
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