2008 the Year in Review

Here's my Year in Review for 2008. We saw the year of the "kick ass" Super Hero movies with the Dark Knight and IronMan......haven't seen Hulk yet, although not really convinced it will be that good. It looks like the new Punisher movie went in and right back out of theaters; not really surprised at that. Sports, the Raiders and the Niners ended on good notes and with good coaches (who are replacements for the ones that started the season). Yeah, I guess I should mention the Titans having a stellar season too, and with a vet as their QB, not their whiny little Rooking superstar. Baseball; I'll get back to you on that. The Giants and A's sucked and it doesn't look like it's going to bet better soon. TV; lots of good new shows and a whole crapload of stupid ones. Life on Mars, The Mentalist, Eleventh Hour....all awesome. Leverage, just as good. The Shield ended on a WOW! note like it started. Politics; the American people finally spoke up and said "Dear Republicans, we've had enough of your shit for the past 8 years. Go sit in a corner and be irrelevant for another 8 or so until you pull your heads out and figure out where you went wrong". An intelligent, well spoken, honest, Family Man is going to be our President. A man who props up his weaknesses by surrounding himself with people who know what the Hell they are doing and actually listening to their advice. Okay, I guess I should mention he's the first Black President.....but honestly that doesn't matter. Only a small portion of the population still cares about such things. We saw what happens when you sell your soul completely to the company store and let them turn you into something you aren't. That was John McCain. He went from the once proud Maverick, bucker of the system that he was in 2000 to Old Man Withers from any Scooby Do cartoon saying "I'd have gotten away with it to if it wasn't for you meddling kids and your dog..." Seriously, he turned into mean, angry, Old Guy with slight alzheimers. He let the RNC pick that joke of a running mate which essentially killed any chance he had. Just shows how out of it the RNC is. The Republican Part; the Party of Irrelevance. The Homefront; Cath and I are going strong after what will be 5 years this January 22nd. The oldest go married and I have a new Granddaughter. We also have a kitten who is bringing out the kitten in our older cat. I haven't been back home to visit still, but Mom and Dad and Sis are coming out in April. The Economy put a kabosh on Cath's Real Estate career....at least for now, she's wanting to get back into it and I can tell she misses it. 1/20/09 can't get here soon enough for me, know what I'm saying? Airsoft; my team The Order has become more respected as a separate entity and less "friends of Bad Karma" like we used to be. We are coming into our own and it feels good. Then again I have a bunch of great teammates so it's hard not be good.

In conclusion, I for one will be glad when this year is over. Enough of the crap already. Here's to '09 being much better.

Winter is Coming....

Sorry George R.R. Martin I had to borrow that from you.......actually Winter is here....now!!!  To my dear friends in the GoG...I give you the true meaning of cold....it was 9 degrees this morning.  Yes you read that right, 9 fricking degrees.  That's bloody cold!!!  Hell I remember back in Cali when it was like 40 we'd be "damn it's cold today...." and put on a heavy coat.  I can't imagine anyone getting used to this...this is warm to a damn Polar Bear....9 flipping degrees.......brrr......

The Christmas Truce

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_truce

I like to put up the link to this story this time of year as it's one of my personal favorite tales of WWI. To me it speaks truly to the duality of mankind. We kill each other one minute, then pause just long enough to enjoy a shared experience like a Holiday....then back to the killing. Great story that shows that not even War can dampen the Holiday Spirit, and that there is a connection we all share regardless of where we were born or what language we speak.

Wiiiiiiiiiii!!!!!!

Yep, we finally got a Wii. Nintendo has impressed me with the way this motion controlled console works so well. Remember all previous attempts at motion control? Can anyone say Nintendo Power Glove???? You know, it used sonics for motion. But when you got it home, it absolutely blew. It never worked and it ended up being an expensive paper weight. Cathy and I have been talking about getting one, mainly for the Wii Fit board and exersice programs that come with it...hey need to get off my fat ass and get some exercise and train for airsoft in the off season....besides it's a way to get Cathy to play video games with me (she can't get into the PS2...which is fine. I will use that for my violent, war games and FPSes....). Although I do want to get the star wars lightsaber duel game.....and maybe the light saber controllers (they fit over your Wii remote although I can just see me actually hit someone with them....can't help it I'm a fencer for crying out loud!!)

Updates and ramblings....

So my favorite TV show Heroes is back on stride with it's last episode of the season. There was a big shake up when new writers took over after an episode or two because the best two writers were tapped to by ABC to write for "Pushing Daisies".......even they couldn't help that show. Now they are back and this latest episode was much better than the whole season. Things got so jumbled and muffled and confused that it was driving viewers away. Although I must say the show has basically become a modern retelling of all of the great '80's X-Men story lines. The latest, Volume 4, is called "Fugitives". Nathan Patrelli (a person with powers himself) has just given US President Worf....yeah that was Michael Dorn, I'd know that voice anywhere...a dossier with the names, photos and explanations of powers of all the characters from all three seasons. What he wants the Pres to do? He, Nathan, wants to round them all up and throw them in camps....er I mean a Facility so they won't harm anyone. Nathan was always borderline villan but now he's crossed over completely. It seems that Sylar burned up with the Primatech....I doubt it. This is Heroes after all. Clares bio-mom seems to not have bought the Personal Immunity Advantage to her flame powers....ooops.... So basically Nathan has become Senator Kelly and has initiated the Mutant Registration Act.....I wonder if there will Sentinels.......

SuperGoober posted a great description of a typical Gathering of the Geeks on his blog. It's really funny, and having experienced several of these I can hear the voices and bad impressions mentally.

The oldest Girl is married now. She's happy and they are doing great. My new GrandDaughter is getting bigger and cuter. Oh yeah she's going to be spoiled. Nanu is already looking for plans for a doll house for her.

That's it for now.........

All Hail Mr. Plow!!!

Actually all Hail Mr. TDOT Salt Truck. So about 3-4pm yesterday the Wife calls to tell me "hey, have you looked outside yet?" I knew it was going to be a balmy 36 yesterday but I didn't know it was going to freaking snow!!!! Now, as the title of the blog suggests I'm originally from California, where if you want to see snow you drive 4 hours to Tahoe to see it then drive home to the 50 degree winter weather. The flakes yesterday were so big that visibility was as bad as it is during a good San Francisco morning Fog.....The GoG knows what I'm talking about. It stopped snowing by the time I got home, but it was cold enough to start sticking. Slippery!!! I had to salt the driveway this morning so I didn't skate driving out of it. On my normal route I lucked out and got behind a TDOT salt truck!!! This means that the road ahead of me was nice and non-icy. Of course you don't follow too closely behind the salt truck....does nasty things to your paint....but it's easy to see the Area of Effect (Salt Truck: 4d6 EB, AE Circle. Only when roads Icy -1/4 Charges: 1 truckload +1 linked to:Change Environment: icy road to non-icy road). All Hero System fans will get that last bit......yes I know my Geek is showing. I must say this snow crap sucks. Of course the Discourser has dealt with this before as he used to live in a snowy State so he knows my pain. I just look at it this way, it's another skill I will develop.

More recomendations

Bought Dark Knight yesterday....brillant movie. Heath Ledger will be missed. He was demented as the Joker. Brought the characters true nature out. The same character that blew up the second Robin (although the readers pretty much voted for this because apparently that character was a complete ass) and tortured Commisioner Gordon and shot Barbara Gordon paralyzing her in The Killing Joke. Yeah very twisted indeed. Also caught the second episode of Leverage. I'm going to like this show.

More Movie and TV recommendations

Cat and I did something we hadn't done in awhile; went to a movie. I know, we don't get out too often. The last movie we saw was Indiana Jones and the Aliens.....you know that piece of crap that Lucas and Spielberg made.....a script that took forever to write, and this is the piece of crap they come up with????? I've come to the conclusion that if the name Lucas or Spielberg is on a movie, I'm not paying to see it. They've become reverse King Midases....everything they touch turns to a steaming pile of crap. Anyway, I will leave my Lucas/Spielberg hate for the time being and get back to it. We saw Transporter 3. Yes I know, I'm lucky that way. My Wife loves these movies as do I. We both agree, the stories are lame but it doesn't matter. The whole point of a Trasnporter movie is to watch bad ass Audi's race at high speeds with some intense driving manuevers and to watch Jason Statham do some bad ass martial arts. He's not trying to be a serious actor here, the guy knows he makes good action movies and that's all he needs to do. Haven't seen in the Name of the King (heard it was crap) nor have I seen Deathrace (there they go again with the remakes). Transporter 3 was good. There was a lot of the elements that make these movies fun; like riding a rollercoaster. Saw the preview for Watchmen. Oh my freaking God that movie looks awesome. Also saw the one for the Spirit which looks bad ass too. I also saw more examples of Hollywood running out of ideas with the following two remakes: Return to Witch Mountain and My Bloody Valentine. Yep, The Rock is going to star in a remake of the Disney classic Return to Witch Mountain called Race to Witch Mountain. Same basic story but updated. They are remaking My Bloody Valentine but making at 3-D version. Seriously, stop now. Don't remake the old cheesy 80's horror movies. Let them stand on their own. Now to the TV recommendations. Just watched the full premiere episode of Leverage. Pretty good. It's kind of a mixture of Snatch and the Ocean's movies. It's a group of thieves who is headed by an ex-insurance investigator who is the "one honest man" in the bunch. They go after the bad guys and act like modern day Robin Hoods. The team is made up of the Face who is an excellent con-woman, the muscle who is a guy that looks like a surfer dude but is a fairly bad ass martial artist. The computer guy, who is basically a geek and the cat-burglar, a borderline crazy woman named Parker. Then there's the leader, Nathan, the "one honest man". It looks to be pretty good. Also, if you haven't caught it yet (good luck in doing so) the last episode of the Shield was bad ass!!! Vic's bad karma came to bite him in the ass big time.

Boycott Dollar Tree

Click on the entry title to go to the Chronicle article. A single Mom of an 11-year old son was working at the Dollar Tree in Fairfield when a random nutjob comes into the store and stabs her to death. When he is caught, he tells the police his only reason for killing her was that she was black. Pretty horrible, but here's the real nasty part; Dollar Tree and it's Insurance Company are refusing to pay her son Worker's Comp benefits because even though she died on the job, her death "wasn't job related". Can you freaking believe that?!?!?!? This Corporation that sells shit made in China for a dollar can't pay a kid left motherless because of some racist asshole the 250K this child is entitled to as the sole survivor of this tragedy. It is work related Morons!!! If she didn't have to work that day, she wouldn't be dead. This reminds me of Ford and the Pinto memo. Some number cruncher told the heads of Ford that it would be cheaper to pay the lawsuits when folks died in the firey explosions of their Pintos then to fix the problem with the car. Imagine that? Thought processes like that I just don't get. Yeah it may be cheaper to pay lawsuits, but we are talking wrongful death lawsuits!!! For every lawsuit they pay, someone died and it was their design flaw (a bolt underneath the gas tank that when the car was in a rear end collision scraped across the gas tank opening it up and causing sparks) that did it. I mean 250K for a workers comp claim is nothing to a corporation like Dollar Tree. Their product overhead is nothing. Cheap crap made in China for pennies and sold for a buck or 2...c'mon it's a brillant scheme. So please join me in boycotting this heinous company.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/12/08/BATP14KFTT.DTL

Follow up: Click on the above link for the article. So it looks like Dollar Tree got shamed into paying the full amount. It's taken two years for this Family to get justice. For once the media did some good. After this story broke, Dollar Tree stores were picketed and empty. See folks, speaking with your wallets does do some good sometimes. Personally I will continue to boycott their stores as the thought of them denying someone what is rightfully theirs because of a technicality is wrong, and will cost them more than the 150,000 that was due the Family. Isn't that funny, they tried to save themselves 150K but will end up losing more than that in sales and might have to close stores.

Emily Post is Rolling in Her Grave

Manners,

2. manners,
a. the prevailing customs, ways of living, and habits of a people, class, period, etc.; mores: The novels of Jane Austen are concerned with the manners of her time.
b. ways of behaving with reference to polite standards; social comportment: That child has good manners.


I've written before about this, but will do so again as running around town Saturday with Cat gave me plenty of examples of rudeness to last awhile. I've noticed, especially in the upcoming generations, a lack of social skills having to do with politeness and concern for the fact that there are others in this world besides yourself. Ever see a group of Teens? They are armed with cellphones and stand around in groups that you believe that they know each other but yet they barely talk to each other yet text away to someone that isn't there. If friends of mine were constantly doing that we'd give them shit. Apparently this kind of rude behavior is "okay" with these kids.

Pause for your daily rant: What is it with texting anyway? Why the hell are people so fascinated with carrying on whole conversations via essentially instant messenger on a device that is a phone? You know, a phone??? A device invented by Alexander Graham Bell for one person in one place to communicate with another in a far away place without being in the same room. You know that device. These magical devices called cellular phones which allow you to speak to anyone, anywhere, at anytime (given you have a decent signal) by bouncing your voice off of a satellite in space. These people who can save themselves carpal tunnel syndrome by just dialing a series of numbers (or like my phone, just saying someone's name) and you can reach that person and....wait for it....HEAR THEIR VOICE!!!!!! OMG!!!!!!! WOW!!!! AMAZING!!!! I understand a quick message like "be home late" or "meet you for drinks at 6" but whole conversations!?!?!?!

Now back to your regularly scheduled blog entry:

As I was saying, before I went off on a tangent..mmmm nummy tangents...., for all it's vaunted "Southern Hospitality" (and I've been witness to that) there's alot of rude people out here. Actually in the US period (haven't been to too many other Countries to say the World....). Here's a few things I've noticed that are pet peeves of mine:

Line Etiquette: Or if you're British Cue Ettiquette. In a Grocery Store there are several lines to choose from and it is generally accepted that each register has it's own Line. You pick one (it's kind of a game....is that cashier quicker than that one? Is that Old Lady going to pay with a check that she hasn't even bothered to take out of her purse yet to write?) and get in it waiting your turn like a polite, civilized human being. At a restaurant, you cue up at the Host/Hostess station to give your name so you can be seated. Or if you have to pay at the register, you form one line and wait for the next available register. You don't, and this happens all the time at Cracker Barrel in my Town, decide that you are too special to stand behind everyone else and go to the open register at the far end of the bank of registers. I don't get this. A simple glance will tell you that there are several people waiting in line for the next register, but you oh entitled one feel that since there are several registers, there should be several lines. Even if that were the case, you don't get to go until the 8 other people waiting before you got there get to go. I could be an ass (NOOOOO....you Steve an Ass??? Say it ain't so???) and say something, but I would end up making a scene and embarassing my Wife. I couldn't help it. It would sound something like this; "Oh, is that your private register??? Because I didn't see your name on it. Don't let the simple f**king fact that there are about a dozen people standing over here waiting for the next available register dissuade you from being an rude, entitled Asshole. NOOO, please don't have an freaking consideration for your fellow man. By all means, cut in line Senior Asshat." Like I said, I'd embarrass her. They do this at the Hollywood video out here as well. There are a dozen folks in one line, then some asshat thinks they can start a line of their own. Umm, NO!!! Get your sorry ass behind everyone now. The Post Office has it down to a science. One word, Ropes. Isn't it funny how metal poles with faux-velvet padded chains formed into a maze-like configuration makes people observe good line etiquette? Seriously, it just shows how sheep-like we are. We can't form a line like civilized human beings without being shuttled like cattle through essentially chutes!!! It's very sad. We were in Sam's and they always have their free samples. Cat and I lined up to on the left side of the table where everyone else was lining up to wait our turn. These two Burly Mountain Women that weighed in at a combined weight of 700 or so pounds decided that they were going to start their own line on the right side of the table. WTF Fatty???? Did you feel that since your were some jumbo sized, manly looking beyatch that that somehow entitley your ponderous behind to jump in front of everyone!?!?!?!? I know better than to get between a lard ass and their food, especially cheescake, but Jesus!! Now what I don't understand, although it may have to do with what side of the vehicle you gas cap is on and people's not wanting to back in to a pump aisle, is the folks that sit in line waiting for their turn at the pump and there's at least one or two pumps open!!?!?!?! Now I feel bad just driving up and pulling up to the open pumps, but I reassure myself that if lazy ass would put it in reverse and take some effort and turn their wheel a bit they'd be pumping gas right now instead of me.

Cellphones: Remember those wonderful devices I spoke about a bit ago? With these devices comes more opportunities for rudeness. When in a restaurant, even a place like Denny's, Steak and Shake, etc, turn the damn thing on silent/vibrate. How hard is that? The other diners in the place do not want to hear your cool ring tone. It's rude. It's bad enough conversation levels get loud in someplaces, but to constantly hear a cornucopia of ring tones going off in the middle of it is just plain rude. If it should ring, excuse yourself and go outside or away from the table to take your call. Don't sit there and do this : (in a loud voice by the way) "Hey what's up? Yeah baby, can't wait to tap your hot ass later....you sexy bitch you...". Thanks Douchebag, I bet the "hot ass" on the other end would love to know that you just let everyone in Cracker Barrel know that you're having sex later. Thanks for the heads up, why that's information that I needed to know so badly. When you are in the theater, just turn the damn thing off. Nothing pisses me off more than paying 10 bucks to see a movie and it getting to an intense scene only to have it ruined by the glow of some entitled asshole's phone as he checks his email or texts someone. Look Dickhead, ye of the attention span of a flea. You aren't the only one that paid 10 bucks to see this movie, and most of us would actually like to watch and listen to THE FREAKING MOVIE and not be distracted by you ruining our dark vision by your glaring little electronic device. If the movie is that boring, get the Hell out and go get your money back. Or the assholes that actually talk on their phones during the film. I throw shit at them then get the manager. Or the self important schmucks who can't stop yakking on the damn thing for five minutes to eat their damn meal. Ever see this? We were in a restaurant and this jackass is talking on the phone the entire time he was there. Even while he was eating.......not talking to his waiter, just nodding when asked a question. This moron kept this up even while walking to the counter to pay!?!?!? C'mon folks. No one is impressed by your bluetooth headset and the fact that you have a cellphone...k? We all have them. Hell I have a bluetooth headset and I must say they are handy devices. There are times I've been shopping when I was talking with Cat on the phone, but told her I'd call her back when I got into line to pay. The one's that get me are the Mom's with their kids in the grocery store, yakking away on the phone whilst their children are running rampant. Get off the damn phone Mom and pay attention to your crotch spawn okay......spend some time with your damn kids. You can talk to whomever later!! Now if you have to take a call say in the grocery or whatever, get the Hell out of line and deal with it or tell that person you will call them back as soon as you are done paying. I've had morons hold up the line because they are so busy talking on the damn phone that they haven't scanned their card yet, or taken out their check book or what have you.

Conversations in Public: The bottom line of manners is "be aware of the other people around you". It takes a matter of minutes. If you are in a public place, watch your freaking language. There are families with children around and other folks that just don't like impolite speech. Don't be walking through the mall with your buds and loudly proclaim "Dude I hit her like the fist of a f**king angry God last night. Her titties were off the chain!!!!" Thanks pal. My 5 year old Grandson just heard everything you said and is now wondering why you are hitting some woman. Oh, and keep it to a conversational level please. Cat and I are usually separated by a few feet. We don't TALK LIKE THIS TO EACH OTHER WHILE IN TARGET EVEN WHEN IT GETS A BIT LOUD!!!!! She's right next to me, and I don't have to shout for her to hear me. Or while in a restaurant, keep it down. There are sometimes I get into Cracker Barrel or Red Robin and I SWEAR TO GOD IT'S THIS LOUD....AND IT GETS LOUDER BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE'S CONVERSATION IS COMPETING WITH EVERYONE ELSE'S. All it takes is one table full of loud morons to start the auditory assault on my auditory orafices. Hee hee I said orafices. You all have inside voices (except Moose; I don't think he has an inside voice honestly.), use them.

Now these are examples of everyday rudeness I encounter. Friday will be Shopping Friday. The Day After Thanksgiving which starts off the official Christmas Shopping season. That's when people get really rude. Ever been in line to get one of those "the first 500 customers get a free so and so"? Talk about rude assholes. Jeez!!!! They form a line outside the store, then as soon as the doors open, the push, tackle, shove and otherwise inflict bodily harm on anyone in there way!!!!! It's crazy, and good reason I don't go shopping on that day. I'd go postal, I really would.

Now alot of these situations can be remedied by the register staff/clerks, etc paying attention!! Which, when they are, works. I've seen people try and cut line before and the observant clerk saying, "excuse me, but this person was here before you. The line starts behind them." It's very rare now that you see a clerk give a damn....yeah I know, Dante and Randall of "Clerks" are the prime example of "Customer Service" today.

Just remember folks, just because you had to wait 5 seconds longer than I did doesn't mean the world is going to end. Or just because you think your cellphone and the amount of calls you get a day make you important and impressive doesn't mean that the world cares. Be observant. Use some freaking common sense. Be polite. If others were there before you, you aren't going to die because you had to wait on them.

Those Grapes just keep on getting sour don't they?

Here I thought I was done with Political observations for a bit. Click on the blog title for the full article...oh and read some of the backwoods, redneck, sour grape comments too; they are worth a good chuckle. So on election day this "sign inspector" (and folks out here wonder why the State Government is broke....Memphis actually employs someone as a "sign inspector"!?!?!) used his petty tyranical position to pull up all of Obama's signs off of a certain section of Memphis. Apparently there is a law in Shelby County (Memphis' county) that keeps campaign signs, for sale signs, yard sale signs, etc a certain distance from the road. This "righter of wrongs" drove around on taxpayer money, in a State Vehicle, wasting taxpayer bought gas so he could take all of Obama's signs and take them to his campaign office in Memphis and write a citation to Barack Obama. Yes, you read that correctly. Apparently his campaign office in Memphis thought this guy was a moron (rightfully so) and ignored him and several requests from the County Court to pay the fine. So the County Court decided to take the President (on this Blog he's the President as far as I'm concerned) to court for a violation that he personally didn't take part in. To be fair, his campaign headquarters should have to pay any fine. A lawyer heard Barack's name called in court and spoke up to take the case.

Wow!!! Just Wow!!! You know you bunch of Hillbillies; if the grapes are too sour, stop eating them!!! How petty can you be? Oh wait, I forgot about Joe (Sam) the (non) plumber (ex-lawyer). There are a bunch of hicks out here who think that "he's not above the law. He should pay his fine....after all he stole the election...blah blah blah..." Oh God!!! Is this what it's like to be on the winning side???? Wow, now I know how the 20%ers feel. What's funny is some folks out here get pissed when the rest of the Country thinks we are a bunch of backwards hicks. I got news for you: STOP PROVING THEM RIGHT!!!!!

Honestly, you don't know how hard it is not to do a happy dance when I hear the whining. I honestly have to resist becomming a Giant Douche; it's really hard. I just have to keep telling myself that there will be 4 years (maybe more) of constant, daily amusement. Just being around the sour, bitter, redneck whiners will be oh so joyful. Sorry, there's the douche coming out in me.

The sour, sour grapes feed the bitter, bitter tears.

Movie Recommendations and TV Reviews

Just rented the following movies:
The Librarian: Return to King Solomon's Mines
Gremlins (hey my 14 year old Step-Daughter has never seen it....)
Journey to the Center of the Earth
Nim's Island

The Librarian series has two movies so far: the one I've mentioned, which is the second, and the first entitled :The Spear of Destiny or something like that. They are made for TV movies about an organization that works out of a Library that seeks out dangerous artifacts and brings them to be stored in the basement of the Library out of reach of dangerous folks. Bob Newhart and Jane Curtain are in it, as well as Noah Wylie. Entertaining stuff, rips off a lot from Indiana Jones and other movies of that ilk, but still fun.

Gremlins: Well.......what can i say, if you are as old as I am, you saw this in the theater when it came out and it was the funniest thing you saw.

Journey to the Center of the Earth: New version with Brendon Frasier and the kid (don't know his name but he's been busy) who starred in Zathura and Bridge to Tarabithia...it's not Jules Verne version, but the story references Verne's book. Apparently Verne's book wasn't fiction but the truth. I've heard that about Verne's works alot actually, and it's been the plot of alot of Verne related subjects. Case in point: in the Time Wars series by Simon Hawk, the main Temporal Terroist, Nikolai, steals a Russian Submarine and kidnaps the Time Commandos and a Scientist named Jules Verne....long before he ever wrote any of his fiction. There was also a lame Sci Fi show about Verne that hinted at the same thing. It's a great Family Movie....funny and enjoyable.

Nim's Island: Another great Family movie with the little girl from Little Miss Sunshine, Jodie Foster and Gerard Butler (and no, he doesn't yell or kill people in this movie like he did in 300).

TV shows:
Well of the new shows that started this Fall that looked good to me, only three have ranked continued viewing: The Mentalist, Eleventh Hour and Life on Mars.

I caught 3 episodes of Fringe....meh. The show had an interesting premise, but the execution of said premise is lame. The cast kind of sucks and it's just plain boring. Sorry Fox, you can't remake the X-Files and it looks like you've spent so much energy on American Idol that you forgot how to make scripted shows. Same with My Own Worst Enemy. Had promise and I like Christian Slater but it's going nowhere fast. He is a spy who has a mental block that hides his spy identiy until it is needed. When not needed he's a mild mannered married wage slave. I thought they were going to go slow with the Married guy's personality coming out when it should and it would take him awhile to find out what was going on, but they jumped right into it. His spy self leaves messages for his other self and vice-versa. It's really stalled and gotten boring. Not going anywhere fast, I give it a pass.

Mentalist: I recommend this show for the cast. Great characters and it's a great whodunnit with a twist. The main character used to be a "psychic" ala John Edwards.....the fake psychic that used to be on Sci Fi....and now he helps the FBI solve cases because he's extremely observant and can get in people's heads just by talking to them/observing them.

Eleventh Hour: Great cast again, and a great sci fi-esque whodunnit show.

Life on Mars: A cop from 2008 gets hit by a car running across the street to bust a suspect and wakes up in 1973. The cast is great. I mean you have Michael Imperioli (Chrissy from the Sopranos) and Harvey Keitel. It's like watching an old cop show from the 70's and the fish out of water aspect is great. At first you weren't sure if the main character was in a coma, but recent episodes have verified that he is.

Now for a bit of a slam on my once Favorite show: Heroes is going downhill fast. This season I thought you were going to see a sort of Justice League vs Legion of Doom......almost happened once, and it looks like it's going to happen again, but the story in between that's been leading up to it has been really lame. You know you're stalling when you do a Flashback show. It better get better quick or it won't be back next year.

History: Lather, Rinse, Repeat

I read a slightly disturbing thing the other day. Apparently now that gas prices are hover at 2.00 a gallon a Texas plant that builds SUV's for one of the big 3 has started getting busier making more of the gas guzzling behemoths. There was also a report that stated that SUV sales are starting to go up again. Do you Douchenozzles not understand anything????? This is how the 4.00 a gallon gas started. With people who don't need a huge, gas guzzling vehicle buying gas guzzling vehicles and putting a strain on the gas reserves. Dumbasses. As for the big 3; I'd really love to see them burn to the ground, weighed down by their own greed and short-sightedness. Unfortunately, retired worker's pensions would stop and there would be about a million or so jobs lost. We can't have that happening now. That would be a disaster! It's hard to get a factory job here; most of our crap is manufactured overseas. Hey maybe that's where the bailout money should go; to help the workers. Retrain them to do something else, help them find new jobs. When that happens, then let the Big 3 die, feet twitching. Maybe they will get the hint. I don't get it. Toyota, Nissan and Honda can make diverse products, why can't Chrysler? Ford does an okay job of it; better than GM. Seriously, the three Japanese companies make SUVs, Mini Vans, Fuel efficient sedans, sporty cars, etc. When was the last car you saw Dodge make? Dodge hasn't made a car (the Magnum but who the hell wants that thing) in a long time. It's all Full-size Pick-Ups or SUVs with Hemi's. Ford is trying with their Focus to make a decent mpg rated sedan. My Wife's Focus isn't too bad. GM, boring plasticy crap, although they are making up for it with the Volt (electric car). So before you go out and buy that new SUV because they are real cheap right now, think about why they are real cheap right now. Think about the way the oil market goes up and down seemingly at a whim. If you thought about it, you'd realize that it's like the instructions on a shampoo bottle; lather, rinse, repeat.

Thank You For Your Service.

I always like to post the most famous picture of WWII (even though this one is staged, I highly suggest seeing "Flags of our Fathers" or reading the book for the true story) on Veteran's Day to remember those that fought the good fight so that we here at home can continue to be Americans. The oldest Vet I knew was my Cousin's Grandfather by marriage, Mr. Dominick DiMaggio (yes he's related to Jolting Joe). A fine man who passed away a few years ago. It was pure gold to hear him talk about being stationed in Italy playing baseball between battles. Thank you Dominick. To my good friend back home Jim McWhorter who was a door gunner in Hueys for two tours of Nam and the lasting impression that left on him (we are never allowed to put him in a helicopter, period). I Thank you Jimmy. To Sgt. Petro and Sgt. Hopkins and all the other active duty soldiers I've met at the Bad Karma Airsoft Field; thank you. To Jimmy Dixon who in his late 40's early 50's joined the Kentucky National Guard to support his son who also joined. I thank you both for your service. To Col's McKnight and Longrear, men who I've had the pleasure of meeting at the Operation: Irene airsoft events; thank you. To PFC Blackburn and MSGT Mullens; I thank you as well. To the men and women still in Iraq and Afghanistan; thank you. I may not agree with the reasons you are still in Iraq, but I support you nonetheless. You go where they send you. That's the Military. So take pause today to remember those that have fought and died and fought and survived in this Country's armed conflicts of the past and present.

Open Letter to Al Davis

Dear Clueless McGinnty,

 

You are cordially invited to pull your head out of your ass and go die; please.   You have made a Mockery of the once great Oakland Raider football franchise and we the die hard fans have had enough.  Coaches usually get fired when the don't win for long periods of time, and they usually are allowed to...wait for it....COACH!!!!  You know, given an opportunity to control the team.  That's what a Head Coach does.  If the Head Coach wants to fire the Defensive Coordinator because the Defense sucks; you let him.  That ass is still coaching and the Defense still sucks.  Oh, I forgot Al, he is really good at kissing your wrinkled old man ass...after he helps change your Depends that is..... You sir have no clue anymore what football is about.  Hello, Al?  This is the 1960's calling and we'd like to tell you that football has changed just a tad.  You were pissed when Kifkin got rid of Moss...guess what, Moss sucks.  He didn't do crap for the team and he sure isn't helping out in New England now is he.  JaMarcus Russell is a good QB, but when the O-line is like a giant sieve it's hard for the man to do his job.  Watched about 2 minutes of the Panthers/Raiders game yesterday.  I had to turn it off.  If you can't see that you are screwing up the team Al, then there is no hope for the future of your franchise.  I mean the Raiders used up all three time outs in the FIRST QUARTER!!?!?!?!?!  Who does that?  Did you not see that happen Al?  Or was some sycophant blowing sunshine up your ass to the point where those oversized 70's glasses you wear were getting rosier and rosier....

 

In closing, please sell the team.  Seriously Sell the team or sit down, count your cash and STFU and let some qualified people run it.  If you can't do that, then please hurry up and die so someone can.  

 

Sincerely,

A Disgusted Raider Fan.

The Tears they taste so sweet......

I can't get over people out here.........your guy lost, deal......you have a new President...like it or not he's the leader of this Great Nation you love so much but yet I hear asshats say they want him to fail or be assassinated. Your tears...they taste like sweet nectar to me.......yum..... So let me get this straight; you want our Country to fall into ruin. You want our leader to fail and die? Really? You know if I said shit like that about Bush you'd call me UnAmerican and want me to be deported. Talk like that isn't Patriotic. So don't you fucks dare tell me how Patriotic you are...screw you. Now I know you're saying "but Mr. Ranter......you'd be pissed off if McCain won..." Oh yes I would have been very pissed off, but I wouldn't call for the man's assasination. Nor would I want him to fail....Hell no!! Look I hate Bush, that's no secret, but I don't want the man to die. I just wanted the Man to be a fucking leader...but instead he became a gross Mockery of the Office he holds. He dragged that Noble Office through the muck and mire and spit on the memory of those that came before him. Great and Noble men; Lincoln, Jefferson, etc. Your guy lost; suck it up you freaking whiners!!!!! Like you bastards have been saying for the past 8 years, and I will say it to you now: America, Love it or Leave it. There's one door that leads North and the other leads South....then there's several other nations to choose from. Go, get the fuck out......we don't need your negative asses around anyway. You are what's stopping this Country from working. You're negativity and Partisan politics are what keeps us down and what's making us a laughing stock on this Planet. When the rest of the World celebrates our choice of a new leader, that should tell you something right there. I'm all for Free Speech, but there comes a time when we really should rexamine that right. The KKK and Neo Nazi, Black Panthers, etc these groups should be labeled Domestic Terrorists and shut down. Hell all Street Gangs should be declared Domestic Terrorists and shut down. Yes, everyone has the right to say what the Hell they want, but you know what.......if what you're saying is hate speech, then you should lose all rights to say it....or at least have to suffer consequences for it.

And here's a link to a photo montage of the next President to further fuel those tears....

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/11/the_next_president_of_the_unit.html

Yes We Can!!!

And we did! It's about time this Country woke up. Now before I go gloating....I notice this morning that I woke up with a bit of smug on my face.....I'd like to say that I respect Sen. John McCain for his enduring sense of honor and graciousness and manners. His supporters on the other hand.....stay classy GOP Frat Boys. Jeez...you know you're a douchebag when the candidate you support gives you a disgusted look for catcalling and booing during a concession speech. For all those asshats that booed at the mention of President Obama's name (trust me, it's okay to call him that now as W is just a page in a history book) I've got a bit of advice: Suck it bitches!!! He's you're President now and if you don't like it you can go North until you hear people speak French and say "Eh" alot or you can go South until you hear "Como estas ustedes?". Sour graps much??? It was like a football press conference or something.....some idiot shouted "Sarah Palin in 2012"......yeah like the GOP is going to back that. I think they've learned a very hard lesson. Anyway, great respect to Senator McCain and a big "what do you expect from rich, white, douchebags" to his supporters. Did you notice that when President Obama mentioned John McCain his supporters didn't boo but applauded respectfully. Now for the gloating.

The victory speech was awesome and meaningful, like most of President Obama's speeches have been (by the way....I'm going to use that term alot....I'm a mean bastard that way...rub salt in that GOP wound). It was also sobering and humble. The same line he's used over and over again will hopefully be what this Country becomes; the United States. That's right, no Red, no Blue but freaking Purple. Like I said earlier, I have smug on my face today and I'm not wiping it off for a bit. C'mon, I live in freaking Tennessee here, the State where the local CBS affiliate went to local coverage as President Obama's win was announced and they didn't cut back to Katie and the gang just said "CBS is reporting that Obama has won. We congratulate him. Now back to our discussion of the State Assembly race". It was like a "our guy lost so we don't give a shit, but hey Tennessee let's be happy that our State Assembly is now in the control of the Republicans and will give our Democratic Governor a pain in his ass". I got a bit of advice for you WTVF....your Republican is showing, might want to tone that down. Just because this is a Red State, and just because McCain prevailed here doesn't mean that we all don't want to see the CBS coverage and we can care less about the local State Government.....Almost 800K Tennesseans voted for Obama.........that's plenty so show it and stop being biased. If I want biased I'll watch Fox News. I'm anticipating lots of grumpy people to day; suck it up bitches you lost and now you know how most of us have felt for the past 8 years. Today is the day to gloat because tomorrow it's time to get down to business and hopefully get this sinking ship we call the United States of America back on track. I leave you with a snippet of lyrics from the Scorpions Song "Wind of Change"

The world is closing in
Did you ever think
That we could be so close, like brothers
The future's in the air
I can feel it everywhere
Blowing with the wind of change

Take me
to the magic of the moment
On a glory night
Where the children of tomorrow dream away
in the wind of change

More Desperation

Yesterday as I was driving home I noticed the three Obama signs on people's front lawns were missing.  I at first thought these folks had taken them down because it was all but inevitable....well okay there is Florida to contend with but I digress....but then I noticed that all the other elections signs, Mayor, State Rep. etc, were still up.  How petty can you get?  Do these desperate morons think that taking an Obama sign off of someone's front lawn is going to make the Candidate disappear?  Or that the owner of said sign will be intimidated not to vote?   This is just petty, dumbassery at it's finest.  All your actions will do is make that person hate you, or feel sorry for you or even firmly drive them to the side of the Democratic Party.   Sorry dumbasses, you take my sign off of my lawn, then I will be less likely to vote for your guy/gal next time around because their supporters are petty assholes.  It's a sign...and removing it isn't going to change anyone's mind.   Intimidation only leads to polarization.  Someone barely leaning Democrat will only be firmly entrenched in the Party by your intimidation.   My Wife also discovered the lengths GOP folks will go to in their Desperate attempt to somehow win this election.  She works for a major Realtor Company.....not going to mention which one because there's not many that are considered "major".....and the woman that owns her Branch office in MJ and the other one in another City decided to Spam all the Realtors with Anti-Obama Emails.......one putting this Financial Crisis squarely on Carter's shoulders...which is damn funny.  Carter may have pushed the banks to make risky loans in the 70's, but Reagans "trickle down" economics didn't do squat to help and King George the 1rst didn't help much either.  Clinton left Shrub with a massive Surplus after 8 years, and we can see what Bush did with that Surplus.  This email ended with "still think this is all Bush's fault?"   Why yes, you stupid beyatch I do.  Hell we have proof that pretty much the majority of this mess we are in is because of the failed policies of the Bush Administration.  She must be a 26%er.  Still thinks Good 'ol W has done a fine job.   Her next one was about Obama and the Fannie Mae Freddie Mac people that supposedly gave him loads of cash......which is old and has been proven to be completely false and a pack of lies.   I emailed Cat back the Snopes link about it and said "if you really want to piss her off, send her this link and tell her she's passing along lies now".   What galls me is that if it was my Wife passing along Anti-McCain stuff, they'd give her so much shit.  I've never met this woman, but it just shows me her character.  She will break the rules or do things that would be considered a "no no" with anyone else just to get her way or to make others abide by her opinions.   Desperate morons like this don't realize that all you are doing is preaching to your little choir.  You aren't going to change anyone's minds with this crap.  Especially crap that has been publicly debunked time and time again.  I swear the GOP record goes like this "Socialist, Marxists, too risky, Rev. Wright, Bill Ayers, tax the middle class, tax and spend, redistribute the wealth, not even a citizen, secret muslim, Fannie Mae Freddie Mac, most liberal candidate ever..."  Can you please get some fresher rhetoric????  Is that possible?  Half the shit that comes out of the GOP mouth is the same debunked, recycled scare tactics that only energized your own small minded, gap-toothed, bible-thumping Core.  Maybe if John McCain would have told us what the Hell he wants to do for this Country, he may have stood a chance.   Maybe if John McCain would have actually checked the background of the running mate his GOP cronies were going to pick for him he may have stood a chance.   All I know, from McCain's own lips, that he is planning on doing for this Country is freezing spending, giving each Family 5,000 dollars to buy health insurance and giving even more tax breaks to the huge Corporations in hopes they will re-invest in America.   That's all I've heard him say.  That's his platform right there.  Barack Obama has detailed several things he wants to do to address our Country's problems.  He has told us over and over again what he wants to do, and it hasn't wavered.  People like the sound of it.......people have no clue as to how freezing spending is going to help.   So let's look at this; we have schools in dire need of cash, a health care industry that pretty much will leave most people with no choice but to die because they can't afford to get better and an economy circling the drain.   So McCain wants the Government to continue to tax the Middle Class more (as of right now, there are more Middle Class families and small businesses that pay more of a percentage of taxes than some Corporations....tell me how that's fair?) and let the Corps keep more of their profit so they can invest in sending more jobs overseas so they can increase that profit even more.  Yeah that's investing in America.  But he doesn't want to spend any of that tax money, yet somehow he's going to give each family 5K to go out and buy health insurance.....that's what a third of a years premium, and if you have a pre-existing condition good luck finding any insurance.  That doesn't solve the problem at all....Hell it's not even a band aid it's just throwing coins at beggars.  So pretty much the things the Mac said he's going to do for us won't solve anything.  I guess that's all he's go though because everything else he's said is the GOP recording of "Socialist, etc etc".  Hell even his little GOP plant Sam "Joe" the-non-licensed Plumber is a sham.  Not only is he breaking Ohio Law by doing plumbing without a license, he doesn't even know how he's going to purchase the business he was going to purchase, and I doubt highly that a one-two man Pluming operation is going to make Net Income of anywhere close to 250,000.....besides Sam the Sham was a Lawyer before he became a Non-Plumber (wonder what happened....probably disbarred...) and he owes back taxes of about 2K.  Yeah that's a real example of the "Real America".    Give it up GOP, this isn't your year.  Your boy Shrub the Cowboy screwed everything up for the past 8 years and no one wants a repeat.   They don't call him McSame for nothing you know.

Can You Smell that?????

Take a whiff....there's this stench of sweat and nervousness coming from the GOP...ah now I know what that is: it's Desperation, the new cologne by John McSame and Sarah Failin. Honestly I've never wanted an election to be over so much in my life. Now let's just hope they've figured out how to work voting machines in Florida......

There's a special place in Hell for people like this.....

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/11/01/national/a132957D66.DTL

 

Click on the link to read a sordid tale of a Halloween Buzzkill and all around mean person.   And they wonder why we treat the Elderly like crap.....some of them deserve it.   Remember that grumpy old white bitch in your neighborhood?  Remember her?  She would emerge from her Dungeon to growl at you for walking on her lawn.  In an affluent neighborhood in Detroit this rich old biddy was turning kids away from her house on Halloween if their Parents were Obama supporters.   When asked by reporters what about the poor kids that she turned away that burst into tears this wrinkled old prune said "Well everybody's got a choice.....".    Talk about taking sour grapes to the next level.   Nothing in the article as to what her house looked like the next day.  If this had been in my neighborhood when I was a kid.....oh the amount of TP and eggs her house would have been covered in would have been astounding.  We would have thrown the most eggs at her car.....love to eat away that paint job.  She had a sign up warning everyone but still.  These are freaking kids who have no control over what their parents do or even care about politics.   Although I'd like to thank her, she's just driven a crapload of future voters to the Democratic Party....good job beyatch!!!  As a parent I'd take this opportunity to console my kids by saying "see Honey, that's what Republicans do.  They are EVIL people who are in league with the Devil.....". 

Get out and Vote

Another great Socks and Barney strip from Steve Conley.

I remember in 11th grade one of my US History teachers had a bumper sticker in her classroom stuck on a cabinent door. It said "If you don't vote, don't complain." I remember the day I turned 18 I went down to the local Post Office and did two things; one I wanted to do, the other I didn't really want to do but had to by law. The thing I didn't want to do was register for the draft. The thing I wanted to do was register to vote. Look, McCain is going to win Tennessee because the majority of folks out here are crazy......they will only vote for a Republican. Period. End of Story. I voted anyway and I voted for Barack. I wasn't the only one out here from the number of Obama signs on lawns I've seen. In the long run your vote does count, even though you may think it doesn't. Just remember, there are people in other countries that risk life and limb just to get to the polls, all you have to do is be late for dinner. Think about it.

Socks and Barney

Today's strip explains my last post to a tee.....click on the blog entry title to go to Steve Conley's page to see a bigger version.

Can you hear the record skipping???

Note: I have removed the ads from by Blog. I hope you are reading this Google.....running ads about "Obama's Half-Brother in Kenya" really pisses me off. It's some BS Russian paper and ads like that are precisely what I rant about in this Blog. No more ad space for you. Not yours.

Now to our regularly scheduled Blog. I can't wait for November 4th to get here. I'm so tired of the Repulican Record skipping over and over again. It's the proverbial broken record. The tune goes something like this: Marxist, Socialist, Spread the Wealth, More taxes, more spending, give aways to the poor, small businesses going under (really? Honestly they think this is the truth? If you are a small business and you NET not GROSS but NET over 250,000 a year, then you need to Incorporate or become an LLC because you are no longer a Small Business. Also you need a better accoutant...just saying...) oh and this is the best one I've read today..."a half hour infomercial is kinda creepy.....", The ONE, The Messiah........I can go on, but why. The GOP is doing a fine job of that themselves thank you very much.

I love how the GOP plants/spammers/bots are putting down Obama for his half-hour infomercial last night. You are the assholes saying "we don't know anything about your sekrit mooslim messiah...." so when he puts an all about his background program on TV all you can say is "kinda creepy"???? Really??? Let's face it, you will never vote for a Democrat, no matter who he/she is. Stop coming up with excuses. Just say it and be honest. Or better yet, why not come out and say "I won't vote for a black man" because that's really the reason isn't it? C'mon, be an honest bigot......


Enough already!!! Jeebus Crist STFU!!! Look, you know how you're voting and I know how I'm voting and if at this juncture you are still and "undecided" well then you are just stupid. Seriously stupid.

Help I'm surrounded by Morons.....

Tenneessee is one of the states that has early voting so my Wife and I took advantage of my Friday day off to go vote. I remember polling places back home, there were never any campaign signs even remotely close to the polling place nor where there any folks out campaigning. I believe the law states that you can't campaign within 100 feet of a polling place.....out here though, it happens all the time. You drive up to the polling place and there are folks out there holding signs and waving at you....no one tells you who to vote for, they just hold their sign and wave. They do seem to be far enough away, but it's still odd nonetheless. While waiting in line there was this motormouth who pretty much talked to this Rich, old White Dude non-stop. The ROWD (he had Republican written all over him) had made a comment.."as long as you pull the right lever...." which the other guy MM replied "as long as it's the Far Right one.....". Gee...I know Republicans in Tennessee.....say it ain't so?? Apparently that morning the Republican spammers decided to send out yet another "Obama is a sekrit mooslim beware!!!!" email which stated that Obama says he will be sworn in on the Koran. MM decides to discuss this with ROWD.... the conversation was something like this.....

MM:"I hear he's going to be sworn in on the Koran.....that's just unacceptable to me. That's an insult to our Christian Country..."

ROWD: mumbles something about "what do you expect from their kind"...

MM: "It is the Koran right? That's what those Muslims call their bible right??"

The picture explains my reaction perfectly........

I honestly just bite my tongue now......my Wife and I just looked at each other and laughed. I told her "ignorant people amuse me.......". I mean seriously folks.....every single news agency out there and independent Media source says and I will put it in big letters for the benefit of people like ROWD and MM

OBAMA IS NOT A MUSLIM.

Probably bears repeating

OBAMA IS NOT A MUSLIM.

Honestly though, there are morons like ROWD and MM who only believe it if it comes from Rush Limbaugh or Sean Hannity (talk about your obssessed assholes....give me a break with this guy....it's like he's made it his personal mission to bring Obama down......) it's not true.

Off topic for a sec here: (in my best Andy Rooney voice) Have you ever noticed how the 24/7 news channels just go over the same old crap again and again? I've stopped watching any of them because it's all the same crap. I guess when you don't have anything new to report on in a 24 hour period, you have to fill in the gaps somehow. Take Nancy Grace (please take her...far away....) for instance. Not only does she have the most obnoxious and annoying voice on TV, but she has the ability to talk about the same cases every single day and say the same crap but in a different manner. Seriously, do you need to discuss "where Kaylee is" every single freaking day. Anyway, now back to your regularly scheduled blog post.....

Like I was saying, the stupid is strong here in the South sometimes. People's ignorance astonishes me. All you have to do is Google the rumor "Obama is a Muslim" and you will get a crapload of results saying "You're and idiot"....okay they won't say that, but they will point you to numerous places that tell you that.

Few cool and funny things....

http://www.palinaspresident.us/

Click on the link to see what would happen if McCain was to be President and cack off.....it's quite funny...hint, click everywhere.......

Fans of Wil Wheaton or fans of Criminal Minds....or fans of both.....click on the link to Wil Wheaton's blog (last link on the left hand side Links section) for his insight into auditioning for the role of Evil, Perverted serial killer guy....and there's a bonus link to his Flikr page with behind the scenes on the set photos of the shoot. Fairly cool......

1. Apply Stick to Dead Horse 2. Repeat

Ah yes, this elections GOP point they love to pound into the ground.  Socialism.  Yep, just keep beating that dead horse boys and girls.  Socialism.  Barack Obama is a "Secret Mooslim" and wants to destroy us with Socialism.  Because he wants to give Billionaire Corporations a 3% tax increase and lower taxes for the Middle Class.  Yep, Socialism.  Honestly I'm a supporter of one lump tax; say 5% of your yearly income whatever that may be.  Or, to be completely fair, no income tax but a high sales tax...say 15%.  This way your gross income that looks real good before it gets the crap taxed out of it will be your net income......so if you make 4K a month (average gross income) you get to keep that money and you won't mind so much paying 15% sales tax on something.  And, I'm not talking taxing food here....no.  Groceries, meat, veggies....we're talking fresh stuff here, not canned or processed or pre-packaged.....should not be taxed.   Food is a necessity; we eat or we die, it's that simple.  These two options I believe would be a completely Fair Tax.   In the meantime, I will take a tax break so I can get my financial situation so that I'm not living paycheck to paycheck (like half the Country or more...).  Bush and Company believed that if you are nice to the Big Corps it encourages them to re-invest in our Country.   On paper that looks good....okay, Hell that doesn't even sound good on paper.  It's laughable.   Again I will tell you a Corporations driving force: Profit.  Enough profit to pay dividends to Preferred Stockholders and still have enough left for the CEO, CFO and all of the Board of Directors to purchase yet another Yacht or another Summer Home.  Meanwhile they, who could afford to pay taxes, get tax breaks.  Huh???  That's right, those who never have to worry about not paying one bill this month so they can buy groceries get to pay less in taxes.  Is that fair?  Oh, and of course they lobby the crap out of Congress and the Senate to pass new tax laws that give them the ability to have these breaks.  I have a co-worker who's opinion is that taxing the Corporations more is wrong because it's their investments that drive our economy.   I have to say she's mistaken on that.  This is a Capitalistic Society, and our economy is driven by You and Me and our ability to buy shit.  Simple.  Just look around.  Movie Theaters are wastelands, restaurants the same.  Places that sell "entertainment", like the aforementioned theaters and restaurants, are closing up.  Tourist destinations are recording less Americans visiting and more folks from the European Union Countries....gee perhaps it's because the Euro makes the Dollar look liked a beaten dog.....even State Parks are recording lower numbers of folks going camping...unless they live nearby.  All these places are suffering because You and I don't have the extra cash left over each month to spend.   See, WE drive the economy.   Retail establishments are saying that they are most likely not going to hire Christmas help this year because they don't expect a huge rush.   Think Rich Folks having more money to invest in Wall Street is going to fix that???  NO.  They will invest it in Oil and Foreign markets.   Oh yeah, and let's just see how much those Corporations care about the US Economy......look at the label in your clothes, on the food you buy, Hell most of the crap we buy......does that label say "Made in the USA"?  I highly doubt it.  I bet it says "Made in China" or "Hecho en Mexico" or "Made in Vietnam".  Yep, for every label that doesn't say "Made in the USA" that equates to shitloads of lost American jobs....but hey, Failin's hot so let's vote for her........or McCain is a POW and a real 'merkin because he's....well he's white.......yeah that's it.   What truly galls me is that I hear shitloads of people say Obama will turn us into a Socialist Country.  I have news for you, we already are.  Take this fabulous 700 billion dollar bailout for instance.  Right now, the US Government basically has become Majority Owner of craploads of Banks.  That's right, Nationally run banks...which is what you find in Socialist Countries.  Oh wait, not that's not Socialism......no.....raising taxes on hugely wealthy folks is because they are special.....and if you work hard Joe the Plumber and Edna the Lunch Lady and Cathy the Real Estate Agent and Lola the Single Mom who works retail...that's right if you work hard and pay more taxes than you really can truly afford to then you will become wealthy and special too.   Look folks, not everyone gets to be an Astronaut okay.  We need ditch diggers, and there are those who are happy to be ditch diggers.  Nothing wrong with that, it's hard work but productive and necessary.  All Dan Ditchdigger wants is to be able to afford a house for his family with access to good schools and a good neighborhood.  He wants to be able to afford to take his family to the Doctor when they get sick without having to take out a second mortgage to pay the bill.  He wants to be able to put food on the table, but give "the cook" a night off once in awhile and treat the family to a meal out.  So if voting for Obama makes me a Socialist and a Hater of America, so be it.  It's better than backing a senile Old man who thinks we need to keep spending 10 billion dollars a day sitting in a desert far far away playing target for nutjobs because we need a "victory".  Um, I thought Shrub said "mission accomplished" and isn't Saddam Hussein rotting in a grave now?   What exactly would you call that but a freaking Victory.   It's okay, because on 1/20/09 when President Barack Obama takes that oath of office I will try to not grin in your faces and say "who hates America now asshole??".  When you are enjoying having money to save and some extra to spend on nice things....like that Plasma TV....all because you have more of your paycheck each month because of Middle Class tax breaks, I will try hard not to point at you and say "how you liking this Socialism we're having?".  Or when you can afford to take your family to the doctor and they find that cancerous lump on you early and they are able to operate and get it out of you before it can spread because you were able to go to the Doctor more than just "when you are sick" and you end up being Cancer free for a good long while, I will try not to be too much of an Asshole when I say "Isn't that better than that 5K one time check McLame was going to give you???  How's that Socialism working out for you now?"  Or when the CEO of some huge Corporation cries because the extra 3% tax he has to pay won't let him buy yet another Ferrari (bbbbb but I wanted an even dozen....) I'll try hard not to laugh.   Or when all those Corporations are still happily in business and making profit even though they are paying an extra 3% I will really try hard not to say "Told ya so.....".  

Not Counting my chickens or anything but.....

It looks like this Country is finally waking up. Is it just me, or (in the immortal words of David Letterman) does John McCain look more and more like a retiree who can't remember where he parked his Buick??? Seriously John, you don't look good man. I guess pulling crap nuggets out of your ass and calling them "facts" is taking more of a toll on you than you first imagined. The McCain folks keep saying how Obama is going to raise takes for those that make 48K......even though the Man himself has said numerous times that he won't......then McCain himself says Obama is going to fine parents and small business owners who don't have insurance on their children or employees???? Where the Hell is this coming from? Honestly what is the basis for this crap nugget. Then we've got Sarah Failin who keeps on saying that Obama consorts with evil domestic terrorists.....even though in the last debate Obama laid out the facts of that affiliation. People change Caribou Barbie.....just look at your running mate. He went from true Maverick in 2000 to senile old fart in 2008 who would stoop to new lows to win. Oh, and by the way, for those of you that are still undecided.......time to make a decision. Seriously folks, if you haven't figured it out by now then you are full of shit and just an Attention Whore or you are truly clueless. I call BS on all of those "undecided" voters that Katie Couric interviewed....the ones that got to go to the debates because they were undecided. I think they just claimed to be undecided so they could get a free trip to a debate and get on TV. Did you see that one old bitty? She had rich, white Republican written all over her and of course she was "moved" by what McCain said. Lord help us. I could see which ones were Dems and which ones were Repubs right off the bat. Undecided my ass. I will tell you though, Obama better make good on what he says or he only gets one term out of me. I gave Clinton only one term because I just didn't see all the good he did the first time around. Yeah I know, I was a bit clueless but I wasn't married yet so I kinda didn't notice any differences. Ah well. Here's hoping we don't have a Bradley Effect (although from what I read its different this time around. The Bigots are being honest Bigots.). For those that don't know, the Bradley Effect refers to Tom Bradley's defeat to Deukmajien for Governor of California. He was leading in the polls, but it was determined that alot of the White folks that said they'd vote for him, just said that because they were afraid to admit they wouldn't vote for Bradley because he's black. This time around we actually have people saying they won't vote for Barack because they don't trust "his people"........

And she wonders why they all leave her.....

Is it just me, or is the rest of the Country sick of hearing about how much in love and how special Tony Romo is to Jessica Simpson? Seriously girl, who the Hell cares???? I'm glad you're happy, but Lord STFU already!!! This talentless hack is the epitome of an Attention Whore. She can't act, can't sing without a crapload of producing so basically what she is going to do is make herself hated by every single Cowboys fan in Dallas. It's okay though, they deserve each other. He's as big of an AW as she is. He sits out a game with a sprained pinky????? C'mon Dude, this is the NFL....guys have played with worse. I can see if it was your thumb, kind of hard to get a good grip on the ball to throw it when you can't grip it, but a pinky??? So your spirals aren't that good....as long as the ball gets to your intended receiver who cares how "nice" it looks. Back to Jessica, she's now on the cover of People with an apparent full blown interview of how "special" Tony is.....gaahhhhhhh Stop already.

Smishing???????

Heard a new term on the news last night: SMiShing........Yep...the spammers and con artists are at it again.  This time they are texting their scams to you.  Oh Joy!! For those that don't know, SMS is the technical term for texting.....you know the only form of communication that teenagers use nowadays.  It's very rare to see a group of Teens actually talk to each other using their vocal chords.   I know, I sound like my Father but hey....I'm 43 so get off of my Lawn!!!!   I also read today of a new scam of using the telephone to try and con Gradmas out of their cash.   This lady who has 13 Grandkids (HOLY CHRIST!!!  Let's just pause for a second and let that sink in.......if she has 13 Grandkids, just how many Children did she have??????  And if it's not a lot, then how many freaking kids did they have????) got a call from one of them which started out like this:

 

"Hey Grandma it's your Grandson."

"Which one?"

"It's me Grandma...." (this folks is your clue that this is a scam.......)

"Is that Jaime???"

"Yeah Grandma it's me Jaime....I need 5,000 because I'm in jail and need bail..." (clue #2 that this is a scam..)

 

So Grandma went to get the cash but, unlike most Seniors her age, the jist of the call started really bugging her.  Something wasn't right.  Before she got to the bank to get her money she called the Police Station her "Grandson Jaime" was supposedly at.  The Cops told her he wasn't there and it was a scam.  She called Jaime's Mother and found out he was right there at home.   Kudos to you Granny......good to see some intelligent people are still out there. 

 

Here's a few helpful hints to keep you from falling prey to these losers:

 

1. Your bank/credit card company already has all of your information.  Hell it's available to some minimum wage Customer Service Rep in Podunk, USA at the touch of a keystroke or available to someone that doesn't speak real good English in Bangalore, India.   Your bank/credit card company will not ask you for this information unsolicited.  In other words, your bank/CC isn't going to call you, email you, text you out of the blue and ask for this information.  The only time they will ask you to verify this info or for this info is if you call them.   So, if your bank sends you an email, leaves a message or texts you asking for this info; it's a scam.

 

2.  A British Barrister does not represent the exiled Prince of Nigeria, Nairobi, Somalia, nor does he have 100,000 to put in your bank account, nor does he have a check for you to cash for him.  All legal issues are handled via written document....the last holdouts on the whole "Paperless" thing.  Lawyers love paper....love it.  Try getting divorced sometime....I have a shoebox full of documents.  My Wife's shoebox is bigger....

 

3. There is no Yahoo ATM Sweepstakes (????????).  This is the lamest one yet.  If Yahoo, or anyone for that matter, runs a contest they advertise the shit out of it and have official rules, etc posted.  Most ATMs will only let you take out a couple of thousand dollars a day...these "ATM" cards say you can get up to 100,000 or something like that. 

 

4. No you don't need that cheap viagra and/or cialis from Mexico........

 

Seriously though folks, don't give out your info unless it's contact that you initiated.  If I call Comcast to order cable service, then yes I'm going to give them personal info because they need it for billing purposes and credit checks.  Same if I buy something online or over the phone...(call now....but wait there's more!!  Now how much would you pay??).  The best con-artists are friendly and clean cut looking.   They are likeable people that you just want to help.   Sorry, I'll call a tow truck for you or a cop if you're having car trouble, but I won't pay for it or give you a lift.   It's the least I can do and until people stop taking advantage of other people it's all I'm going to do.  I know, it doesn't sound like I'm a nice person, but you know what?  I'd rather be rude than dead.  Hitchhikers, I pass them by....too bad so sad.  Walk it's good for you.  Homeless folks, I might buy them a couple of burgers at McD's because I know they are hungry but I won't give them money.  It's a scam.  The money goes to further their habit which put them on the street in the first place.  Remember, the folks that are truly homeless and need help know where to get it and usually are there trying to get the assistance.  Not begging on the street.   The beggars are the junkies and winos.  Or street performers......just kidding.   Protect yourselves and you won't need to order things like Lifelock or Identity Theft insurance (yes our State Farm Agent is now selling Identity theft insurance.....).  I know you hear of customer info getting hacked or absolute Morons leaving laptops full of confidential material around to be stolen.......I bet this make the PerfectLine piss fire when this happens, if it happens on his watch.......but usually those instances are few and far between and those lawyers for those stores/agencies usually send out a letter (see there they go again.  More paper...I told you Lawyers love paper...) warning you and have been paying for a year's worth of credit report monitoring to see if there's any odd activity. 

 

So, remember, be safe and keep your private info just that....Private.

 

By the way, I have a check that needs to be cashed but I can't do it myself since I'm the Prince of Nigeria........no really I am.....

Rants, Ravings and Other Helpful Nuggets

Per the SuperGoober's request for another post, here it comes.   Going to be several (at least two) items in here so buckle up.

 

The Bailout.   Honestly I'm glad that Congress is taking it's sweet time hammering out a package that will not reward the greedy bastards on Wall Street for being kids in a Candy Store.   Seriously, these bastards whined and whined about too much Government interference with the free market.  When the Gov backs off, the Greedy and Unethical bastards ran rampant; not caring who or what was destroyed in the process.  Like a pack of freaking locusts they chased profit at whatever the cost.  Now these same greedy bastards are asking You and I the American Taxpayer to give them our money so they won't lose their 5 Yachts, 10 Multi-Million Dollar Homes, 12 Sports Cars, Limo Service, etc etc.    Nice huh?   They dupe Americans into taking loans they can't afford or really don't qualify for (yes Prof...I know, we should all know what we are getting into, but not everyone in this Country is the GoG......).  C'mon folks, yes these people should have read the fine print, but the lenders should have spelled it out in plain terms as well.  If these lenders would have said "well with this loan package you will end up paying more for your house than it's worth, but hey in today's market the price should increase so it's okay.  Then when you have enough equity in the house you can refinance to a standard mortgage.  Of course, if the housing market slumps, you will get stuck owing us more money than your house is worth and that could be financially ruining to you.  Still want this loan, or would you rather just rent for awhile and build up your credit?"  I know, in the Real World lenders won't tell you the whole truth.   It would be nice if they did.  Here's a helpful nugget of information.    Housing Markets rise and fall all the time.  Any loan with a variable rate can, and most of the times will, increase and cause your payments to get out of reach.   I have yet to see an instance where a variable rate loan goes below the starting interest rate, they are just not set up that way.  Normally if say the Prime is 5%, your rate on a variable is about 6-7% to start.   A few points higher, but definitely not at Prime.  If you could qualify for Prime, why the Hell would you get a variable rate loan???  Think about it.  Most loans are from anywhere between 5 and 30 years (cars, personal loans tend to be in the 5 range whereas Mortgages are longer), do you really think that in that 5 years you're going to get a better rate than Prime?   My Wife's car loan is at 2.9% fixed.  Notice the word fixed.....I'm not stupid to think that it's going to go lower.   My mortgage refied at 5.85% FIXED.  Notice the word again.  That's right FIXED for 30 years at almost 6%.   If the trend of the cost of living continues the way it has, which so far it has, then I've done good.   I'm not going to gamble my freaking HOUSE on the chance that the Prime interest rate could go down to 4% or lower.  Ain't. Happening. Period.   Gas is between 3.50 and 4.00 a gallon, 8 years ago it was just over a dollar.   Remember what it cost to get into a movie 8 years ago?  10 years ago?  It's a lot more now isn't it.   I honestly think Congress should let these companies fail, crash and burn.  Look this "crisis" isn't as bad as it seems.  The market lost over 700 points on Monday, then rallied on Tuesday.   I don't think we have to worry about Soup Lines or "hey Brother can you spare a dime (like that would get you anything anyway....)".   I seriously think we should just let these greedy bastards die a slow painful death.  Oh, BTW, did you notice amidst all this financial "crisis" the price of a barrel of oil drop 10 bucks.    Funny that.  The reality; this Financial Crisis doesn't just affect us.  It's Global.  China owes their economy largely to the US (I mean 95% of what we sell here is made there.).  Japan the same (who buys more Japanese electronics and cars besides the Japanese......).  Seriously, this is bad but not so bad that we have to basically reward greed and bad ethics with a bucket of money.

 

Singles.  Now I know some of my friends are single, and others in extremely long term relationships but aren't married.  None of the following applies to you.  You folks don't whine and complain about your situations or want to be treated special for it.   I read an article in the Chron the other day (sfgate.com) about National Singles week or something like that.  Apparently there are Single folks who feel like they are being treated like second class citizens.  WTF?????  Get the sand out you whiny bitches!!  If you don't like being Single, then remedy the situation.   If you don't want to do that, then STFU!  So what would you like exactly?  Your benefits where you work are cheaper than mine.  You just have you to pay for.  I have to pay for me, the Spouse and any dependent children.   You get no sympathy from me.  Oh wait, you want domestic partner benefits?  Okay, that I'll give you.  If you are in a committed relationship and you and your SO live together, it would be cheaper for one party to pay for the medical.  But guess what?  You will be paying what I pay.   Actually I don't pay because it's too damn expensive.   That's a legitimate beef.  See I'm fair.  But, you have to be committed to that person for at least a year for it to kick in.  Sorry, being married should still have it's benefits.  You see being married should be rewarded because it's a lifelong commitment as well as a second job.  Ask any of your buds that are married.   A good marriage takes work.  Seriously, it's like the band on the finger is a beacon.  Married guys get flirted with more often than Single guys.  I think it speaks to our baser natures.  The Male of the species is supposed to attract that perfect mate for life and the Female of the species is supposed to actively seek out that mate.   Of course that is, like I said, our basest instinct.  Like the base, primitive, Male instinct is to spread his seed to as many fertile Females as possible for the continuance of the species.  So Single Dudes, stop whining like little bitches.  You get to indulge your inner primitive.  You get to only think about you.  You don't have to worry about having cash set aside for school clothes, fees and you don't have to use your gas being a chauffer.  You don't have to "clear it with the boss" as some guys put it.  If you want to go, you go.  Even if you are a married couple with no children, there is still someone else's agenda/plans to take into account.  I'm not sure how these people get the feeling they are Second class citizens.   Look, your married friends aren't going to the wild Orgy Party down the street unless they and their spouses are into that kind of thing.  Most aren't.  The majority of the GoG is married or in such long term relationships that they might as well be with the others Single.  The Single folks go out and party it up while the Marrieds don't.  In between marriages I used to attend a rather wild party called the KoK with the Perfect Line and other members of the gang.   The Discourser and the Prof never went.  Why?  Married guys.  The KoK is not a place for married guys unless that guy and his Wife are into the whole open marriage thing.  The Craftsman got married; he stopped going.  Pretty much now it would be the Perfect Line and maybe the Mighty Mook going.  Do you hear them whining about the fact that we can't go.  Hell no.  Do you hear them whining because they wish we could go.  Hell no.  They laugh and point is what they do.   So please, if you're Single I don't want to hear a freaking peep out of you.  If being Single gives you feeling so loneliness and isolation, then fix it.  Re-evaluate what you want out of a relationship and stop jumping into one just because.   Yes, more and more couples aren't getting married nowadays, and I don't really understand why.  There's a couple on the new season of Amazing Race (yes I know, but it's really the only Reality Show I actually like on TV) who have been together for 4 years, have lived together for most of it and now she wants to get married and he's freaking out about it.   I guess it's levels of commitment.  A marriage means it's that person and that person only.  That person comes before anyone else. At least that's how I look at it.  Maybe others see it differently, but I really still don't understand how it changes anything.  Honestly, you love that person, have been with them a long time and have no desire to be with anyone else so why not reap the benefits of being married (taxed less, health benefits...a married couple can conceivably have double coverage on medical insurance which is a good thing....etc). 

Tennessee: Year 3

Yep, it's that time again.  Time for the annual report from a California transplant living in Tennessee.

 

As usual, there is a large contingent of people who still have no clue how to drive on a freeway.   The silver lining of this is that I do.  I have almost 30 years experience driving on San Francisco Bay Area freeways, and two of those were spent commuting from one side of the Bay Bridge to the other.  I may not be the best driver in the world, but compared to a large majority of folks out here I'm a bloody expert!!  I've said it before, and I'll say it again, the real reason this lack of driving skill exists is that this is by no means a freeway culture out here.  I-40 runs the entire East-West length of the State and the majority of the time that people use it is if they are traveling from one side to the other.  Usually going East to attend a UT game but I digress.  I do have an easier time of getting to work now as my company has allowed us to work 4 10's.  Nice.....at least at 6:30 am there's enough room for me to do several lane changes and pass the slow pokes and the carpool lane isn't in effect yet.  

 

Still happily married to Cathy.  Can't see that changing ever.  The kids are all doing great.  My oldest just had another baby....see the blog entry entitled Haley Madison.  The Boy is in college and about to attend the Appalachian Center for Art....he wants to do decorative Ironwork so he's taking Blacksmithing and he will be taking welding.  He wants to get into sculpting with metal.  The youngest is 14 now and in High School and is very serious about doing well and getting a scholarship so she can got to UT and get in the Veterinarian School there.  Hopefully she will score a lottery scholarship and get a full ride.  In advance I'd like to thank my fellow Tennesseans for playing the lottery and sending my child to college.  My Grandson is 5 now and a big ball of boy energy. 

 

Making headway on some of the outdoor projects we've been working on.  Bought an electric tiller, I love that thing!  We have these brick edgers around the outside of the house that hold in "flower beds"....although the previous owners planted nothing but ground cover and had two huge cypress bushes....the Perfect Line knows them well....he used to have a bunch outside of his house.  Out came the cypress bushes, and lo and behold it makes our house look bigger!!!  I've discovered, that having large, waist high shrubbery right up against your house makes it look smaller.  And yes, before you ask, the pond is still not done.  It is still a shallow depression in the ground. 

 

Still getting used to being surrounded by the "one issue" voters.  Actually I probably won't ever get used to it, so there you go.  I have co-workers that tell me that if we drill now we will be "self sufficient"....yeah right....sorry folks it won't happen and it won't lower the price of gas one iota.  I see a lot of clinging to guns and religion around me. 

 

Still have the same job, and it looks like the stupid that was strong with the finance and accounting department has vanished and been replaced with a more rational and realistic view of things.   They were trying to go to a new system where Project Managers would process their own invoices and we in Billing would basically be cut out of the loop.  Now anyone that works in an environment where they bill people's hours knows that Project Managers hate anything to do with financial paperwork, thus the reason billing departments exist.   One PM here basically told me, "If I wanted to be an accountant, I'd have gotten a different degree in college and then become a CPA and would be making a whole helluva lot more money than I am now."   What would have happened is the PM's would have ended up having the Admins do their invoices.....in other words they would have created another billing department.  So glad leveler heads prevailed. 

 

Cathy is still in Real Estate, but she has changed shops to Century 21.  She's a lot happier there, but the market still sucks.  Here's hoping President Obama makes things better.  Yeah, I went there.....

 

Haven't gone on any more vacations....who can?  I basically took a week off and stayed home and spent time with Cath.  It was nice, and no I won't use that stupid term "staycation"....like this is a new thing.   

 

That's the scoop for this year, not much to report.  Here's hoping next year brings you news of the POND!!! (Don't hold your breath....the problem with all these home improvement plans is they take money which is hard to keep around nowadays).