Well this weekend didn't go so well. I was 7 and 9 this weekend. So far this season I'm 23 and 25.
I thought the steelers were going to pull that one out.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Survival tip for husbands
When your lovely wife asks you if there's anything you want her to do today, the correct response is "Whatever you want to do, sweetheart". Then stop talking.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Zen and the art of Chrysler automobile repair
Last year, I replaced the starter motor on my mini-van. Actually, it was almost exactly one year ago.
At the time, I chalked it up to normal wear and tear. Hey, things wear out. No biggee.
Yes, it was a pain to replace it, and an expense that I hadn't planned for. But these things happen.
On Friday night, it happened again.
Turn key, everything works, I can hear whirring from under the car, but no cranking. Exact same symptoms as last fall.
So I got it towed home. I should ask if they have a frequent flyer program.
I called around, and have to special order a starter from the dealer. It'll be here sometime this week.
I guess I could rehash my rant about Chryslers, but I won't. I just plan on paying this thing off, then driving it until something major breaks. Then I'll trade it in on a Ford.
At the time, I chalked it up to normal wear and tear. Hey, things wear out. No biggee.
Yes, it was a pain to replace it, and an expense that I hadn't planned for. But these things happen.
On Friday night, it happened again.
Turn key, everything works, I can hear whirring from under the car, but no cranking. Exact same symptoms as last fall.
So I got it towed home. I should ask if they have a frequent flyer program.
I called around, and have to special order a starter from the dealer. It'll be here sometime this week.
I guess I could rehash my rant about Chryslers, but I won't. I just plan on paying this thing off, then driving it until something major breaks. Then I'll trade it in on a Ford.
Update
Here's what's been going on here at Case de Oso.
Baby Bear is getting bigger. He's comfortably in 24 month size clothes, and he's not even 18 months old yet. I think he'll follow the same curve that Junior Bear followed growth wise. Which means I need to start getting bids on bulk beef products now. His fever has subsided, and he's back to being a normal little guy.
Irish Woman is coming back around. She is able to drive again, and is able to do light stuff around the house. She still can't lift up Baby Bear. She goes back in for a follow-up this week, so I imagine she'll be back to work soon.
Girlie Bear ended up with a severe double ear infection. Yet another round of anti-biotics and she's feeling better. She missed tryouts on Monday, but the coach let her try out on Wednesday. She still didn't make it. Oh well, better luck next year.
Little Bear is doing well in school, and has entered that phase of life when he can be a tenor in the morning and a baritone by evening.
Junior Bear is still alive. He's doing OK in school. He's currently on super double secret probation at the moment. He got accepted to his first choice for college, so we're discussing how he wants to proceed from here.
I'm me. Some days are easier than others, but it's football and hunting season. I can at least relax a bit now.
Baby Bear is getting bigger. He's comfortably in 24 month size clothes, and he's not even 18 months old yet. I think he'll follow the same curve that Junior Bear followed growth wise. Which means I need to start getting bids on bulk beef products now. His fever has subsided, and he's back to being a normal little guy.
Irish Woman is coming back around. She is able to drive again, and is able to do light stuff around the house. She still can't lift up Baby Bear. She goes back in for a follow-up this week, so I imagine she'll be back to work soon.
Girlie Bear ended up with a severe double ear infection. Yet another round of anti-biotics and she's feeling better. She missed tryouts on Monday, but the coach let her try out on Wednesday. She still didn't make it. Oh well, better luck next year.
Little Bear is doing well in school, and has entered that phase of life when he can be a tenor in the morning and a baritone by evening.
Junior Bear is still alive. He's doing OK in school. He's currently on super double secret probation at the moment. He got accepted to his first choice for college, so we're discussing how he wants to proceed from here.
I'm me. Some days are easier than others, but it's football and hunting season. I can at least relax a bit now.
Holy Crap!
Detroit won a football game!
What's next, dogs and cats living together?
If this isn't a sign of the end times, I don't know what is.
What's next, dogs and cats living together?
If this isn't a sign of the end times, I don't know what is.
Transparency, anyone
Local congresscritter Baron Hill has decided that no-one can tape his town hall meetings. Ostensibly this is so that highly edited versions of the events don't end up on YouTube, and embarrass the good congressman.
Recently, a couple of students from Indiana University were told to stop taping at a town hall meeting Congressman Hill was holding, even though they apparently had cleared their activities with Hill's assistants prior to the meeting.
Congressman Hill says it's his right to not be videotaped, and if he was just any other citizen, I'd say he was right. He does have the right to demand to not be taped in purely personal settings, such as when he is out with his family or such.
But when he's acting as a representative of the people and holding a public meeting with his constituents, he has no right to privacy. His first amendment rights as a citizen are trumped by the right of his constituents to know where he stands on issues, even if they can't make it to the meetings. They need to know not only his opinions on the issues, but also how he and his supporters treat those who disagree with him.
They could even help him out. If dissenters act unreasonably at his meeting, then a video of their conduct could be beneficial when justifying ejecting them.
If Congressman Hill is worried that his words might be taken out of context, he should tape the meeting himself and be able to release the full, unedited video and shut down anyone trying to pull a fast one.
Disclaimer: I don't live in Indiana, and I only know about Baron Hill because his district uses the same media outlets as Louisville, and he and his opponent in the last couple of elections made it nasty early in the campaign.
Come on, Congressman, a little sunlight in your meetings will go a long way in getting people to trust your word without a lot of effort on your part. Let your constituents make tapes of their meetings with you so that disputes don't come down to a he-said-she-said argument.
Recently, a couple of students from Indiana University were told to stop taping at a town hall meeting Congressman Hill was holding, even though they apparently had cleared their activities with Hill's assistants prior to the meeting.
Congressman Hill says it's his right to not be videotaped, and if he was just any other citizen, I'd say he was right. He does have the right to demand to not be taped in purely personal settings, such as when he is out with his family or such.
But when he's acting as a representative of the people and holding a public meeting with his constituents, he has no right to privacy. His first amendment rights as a citizen are trumped by the right of his constituents to know where he stands on issues, even if they can't make it to the meetings. They need to know not only his opinions on the issues, but also how he and his supporters treat those who disagree with him.
They could even help him out. If dissenters act unreasonably at his meeting, then a video of their conduct could be beneficial when justifying ejecting them.
If Congressman Hill is worried that his words might be taken out of context, he should tape the meeting himself and be able to release the full, unedited video and shut down anyone trying to pull a fast one.
Disclaimer: I don't live in Indiana, and I only know about Baron Hill because his district uses the same media outlets as Louisville, and he and his opponent in the last couple of elections made it nasty early in the campaign.
Come on, Congressman, a little sunlight in your meetings will go a long way in getting people to trust your word without a lot of effort on your part. Let your constituents make tapes of their meetings with you so that disputes don't come down to a he-said-she-said argument.
Picks for week 3
OK, here we go, just in time (again):
Cleveland at Baltimore - I love a rivalry. Cleveland
Tennessee at New York Jets - New York Jets
New York Giants at Tampa Bay - New York Giants
Green Bay at Saint Louis - Green Bay
Kansas City at Philadelphia - Kansas City
Atlanta at New England - Atlanta
Washington at Detroit - Washington. Go Skins!
San Fransisco at Minnesota - Minnesota
Jacksonville at Houston - Houston
New Orleans at Buffalo - New Orleans
Chicago at Seattle - Chicago. Da Bears
Pittsburg at Cinci - Pittsburg
Miami at San Diego - Miami
Denver at Oakland - Oakland. RAIDERS!!!
Indiana at Arizona - Arizona
Carolina at Dallas - Carolina. Dallas SUX.
Hope I can do better than .500 this week. It's getting to be a pattern.
Cleveland at Baltimore - I love a rivalry. Cleveland
Tennessee at New York Jets - New York Jets
New York Giants at Tampa Bay - New York Giants
Green Bay at Saint Louis - Green Bay
Kansas City at Philadelphia - Kansas City
Atlanta at New England - Atlanta
Washington at Detroit - Washington. Go Skins!
San Fransisco at Minnesota - Minnesota
Jacksonville at Houston - Houston
New Orleans at Buffalo - New Orleans
Chicago at Seattle - Chicago. Da Bears
Pittsburg at Cinci - Pittsburg
Miami at San Diego - Miami
Denver at Oakland - Oakland. RAIDERS!!!
Indiana at Arizona - Arizona
Carolina at Dallas - Carolina. Dallas SUX.
Hope I can do better than .500 this week. It's getting to be a pattern.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Weirdest story ever on Fox News
OK, so a divinity school graduate who also does reality TV has been arrested on suspicion of strangling his former porn star girlfriend. Boy, there's a lot going on there.
Apparently the young lady appeared in a few mainstream movies, but since I've never seen the Fast and the Furious or Rush Hour 2, I didn't recognize her.
Here's the paragraph that stuck with me:
Christian mime?
Apparently the young lady appeared in a few mainstream movies, but since I've never seen the Fast and the Furious or Rush Hour 2, I didn't recognize her.
Here's the paragraph that stuck with me:
According to Randone's Web site, he also traveled the world as a Christian mime, The Los Angeles Times reported.
Christian mime?
Yet Another Survival Tip
If you have an all-night video game party at your school, and your father has already told you you cannot participate, it is not conducive to your happiness and well being to email your father with a "I'm going, you can either accept that or not" take on the situation.
You should also not roll in at 7:30 AM the next morning expecting warm cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate.
It would also add to your chance of surviving the weekend if you just accepted that your father is not going to let you sleep it off. Think yard work, lots and lots of yard work. And your father is well aware that it's raining, so what?
You should also not roll in at 7:30 AM the next morning expecting warm cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate.
It would also add to your chance of surviving the weekend if you just accepted that your father is not going to let you sleep it off. Think yard work, lots and lots of yard work. And your father is well aware that it's raining, so what?
Decision
I've made a decision.
If you get shot in Louisville, and the only picture they can find to show of you on the news is your mugshot, then I don't care.
That is all.
If you get shot in Louisville, and the only picture they can find to show of you on the news is your mugshot, then I don't care.
That is all.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Grave Robbery in England
An Anglo-Saxon horde of gold in Stafforshire, England, has been found by a man with a hand held metal detector.
So the graves of my Viking ancestors are desecrated again.
This poor princeling worked hard his entire life to pillage and burn enough villages and monastaries to gather his treasure for Valhalla, and now this schlub walks around in black socks and sandles and finds it.
All kidding aside, the find is enormous, and will teach us a lot about that period of English history. The Scandinavian settlers/invaders of Britain brought a lot with them, and got back as much as they contributed.
Good on him for finding something this important.
So the graves of my Viking ancestors are desecrated again.
This poor princeling worked hard his entire life to pillage and burn enough villages and monastaries to gather his treasure for Valhalla, and now this schlub walks around in black socks and sandles and finds it.
All kidding aside, the find is enormous, and will teach us a lot about that period of English history. The Scandinavian settlers/invaders of Britain brought a lot with them, and got back as much as they contributed.
Good on him for finding something this important.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The Last Centurion
The Last Centurion was the best piece of military fiction I've read in a long time.
John Ringo put out this book last year. It's based in the not too distant future, and takes place against a societal collapse caused by a virulent flu outbreak along with climate caused famine.
It's a narrative told from the point of the main character, a young infantry officer who's left pretty much stranded in the Middle East when the rest of the military heads back to the U.S. to help with the disaster.
It's a page turner, and I highly recommend it. One note - Democrats and left-leaning environmentalists might be a bit cautious about reading. The character has not much nice to say about some Democratic politicians.
John Ringo put out this book last year. It's based in the not too distant future, and takes place against a societal collapse caused by a virulent flu outbreak along with climate caused famine.
It's a narrative told from the point of the main character, a young infantry officer who's left pretty much stranded in the Middle East when the rest of the military heads back to the U.S. to help with the disaster.
It's a page turner, and I highly recommend it. One note - Democrats and left-leaning environmentalists might be a bit cautious about reading. The character has not much nice to say about some Democratic politicians.
A gun company going out of business?
Izmash, the Russian company that makes AK-47's, among other things, is in deep financial doodoo, and may go into bankruptcy.
I have a Mosin that was made by it's predecessor Soviet factory in the '30's, and it's rock solid.
If Izmash goes out of business, it would be a loss to people who want good, solid firearms and not pay through the nose for them.
Apparently they're losing money because the Russian government has curtailed weapons spending, and they are having to compete with all of those countries that the USSR licensed their designs to back during the Cold War.
Rumors are also saying that their executive management is pretty incompetent.
But I have to ask:
If you can't make a profit making guns in this market, just how messed up a business person are you?
I have a Mosin that was made by it's predecessor Soviet factory in the '30's, and it's rock solid.
If Izmash goes out of business, it would be a loss to people who want good, solid firearms and not pay through the nose for them.
Apparently they're losing money because the Russian government has curtailed weapons spending, and they are having to compete with all of those countries that the USSR licensed their designs to back during the Cold War.
Rumors are also saying that their executive management is pretty incompetent.
But I have to ask:
If you can't make a profit making guns in this market, just how messed up a business person are you?
Results, Week 2
OK, I was 8 and 8 again this week.
That makes me 16 and 16 for the season so far. Batting .500 isn't too bad, but I'm glad I'm not betting money on this.
That makes me 16 and 16 for the season so far. Batting .500 isn't too bad, but I'm glad I'm not betting money on this.
This is your brain on drugs
Monday, September 21, 2009
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Obama back on the campaign trail
Well, it looks like the President realized he makes a better candidate than president, because he's been putting himself on a campaign footing to get his health reform package pushed through Congress.
He's been making a lot of speeches, lots of TV time, and he's even going to be on Letterman tomorrow night.
Would Kennedy and Johnson have gone on Johnny Carson to get their civil rights bills, which also had a lot of opposition at the time, pushed through?
Hey, President Obama, you already got the job. Quit campaigning. Start meeting with the people who oppose you and see if you can get this thing taken care of. This isn't a direct democracy. Start working with our other elected representatives and get off my television.
He's been making a lot of speeches, lots of TV time, and he's even going to be on Letterman tomorrow night.
Would Kennedy and Johnson have gone on Johnny Carson to get their civil rights bills, which also had a lot of opposition at the time, pushed through?
Hey, President Obama, you already got the job. Quit campaigning. Start meeting with the people who oppose you and see if you can get this thing taken care of. This isn't a direct democracy. Start working with our other elected representatives and get off my television.
When it rains, it pours
and I'm not talking about the weather.
In the midst of continuously telling the Irish Woman to sit down and stop trying to cook and clean now that she's home, Baby Bear started running a fever.
I controlled it for a day or so with Tylenol and Motrin, but when it didn't subside by this afternoon, we decided he needed to see a doctor. I bundled him up and took him down to the weekend urgent care clinic. Turns out he has tonsilitis. So he's on anti-biotics.
I picked up Girlie Bear from her mom's this evening, and she was running a 102.5 degree fever. She had a headache and her nose was all stuffed up. Got her some Motrin at her mom's and brought her home. Hopefully her fever will break during the night and she'll get over it without a trip to the MD. She has basketball tryouts tomorrow, so I guess that's not in the cards if she stays sick.
So in the last week, I've gotten slightly ill from my flu shot, Irish Woman has been in and out of the hospital with gall bladder surgery, Baby Bear got sick, and now Girlie Bear is feeling woozy. Either there's a lot of karma being made up for here, or this is going to be a bad winter health wise.
In the midst of continuously telling the Irish Woman to sit down and stop trying to cook and clean now that she's home, Baby Bear started running a fever.
I controlled it for a day or so with Tylenol and Motrin, but when it didn't subside by this afternoon, we decided he needed to see a doctor. I bundled him up and took him down to the weekend urgent care clinic. Turns out he has tonsilitis. So he's on anti-biotics.
I picked up Girlie Bear from her mom's this evening, and she was running a 102.5 degree fever. She had a headache and her nose was all stuffed up. Got her some Motrin at her mom's and brought her home. Hopefully her fever will break during the night and she'll get over it without a trip to the MD. She has basketball tryouts tomorrow, so I guess that's not in the cards if she stays sick.
So in the last week, I've gotten slightly ill from my flu shot, Irish Woman has been in and out of the hospital with gall bladder surgery, Baby Bear got sick, and now Girlie Bear is feeling woozy. Either there's a lot of karma being made up for here, or this is going to be a bad winter health wise.
Football Picks - Week 2
Here they are, just under the wire:
Houston at Tennessee - Tennessee
New Orleans at Philadelphia - New Orleans
Arizona at Jacksonville - Arizona
Oakland at Kansas City - Kansas City (Sorry Raider nation, but we suck this year)
Cinci at Green Bay - Packers
Minnesota at Detroit - Minnesota. It's nice that Detroit lets the high school kids come out and play football on Sunday afternoons, though.
Saint Louis at Washington - Redskins
New England at New York Jets - New York
Carolina at Atlanta - Carolina
Tampa Bay at Buffalo - Tampa Bay. It's not cold enough yet for Tampa to not be able to play well up north.
Seattle at San Fransisco - Seattle
Baltimore at San Diego - San Diego
Pittsburg at Chicago - Steelers
Cleveland at Denver - Denver
New York Giants at Dallas - New York. Dallas Sux
Indianapolis at Miami - Indi
Let's hope I do better this week.
Houston at Tennessee - Tennessee
New Orleans at Philadelphia - New Orleans
Arizona at Jacksonville - Arizona
Oakland at Kansas City - Kansas City (Sorry Raider nation, but we suck this year)
Cinci at Green Bay - Packers
Minnesota at Detroit - Minnesota. It's nice that Detroit lets the high school kids come out and play football on Sunday afternoons, though.
Saint Louis at Washington - Redskins
New England at New York Jets - New York
Carolina at Atlanta - Carolina
Tampa Bay at Buffalo - Tampa Bay. It's not cold enough yet for Tampa to not be able to play well up north.
Seattle at San Fransisco - Seattle
Baltimore at San Diego - San Diego
Pittsburg at Chicago - Steelers
Cleveland at Denver - Denver
New York Giants at Dallas - New York. Dallas Sux
Indianapolis at Miami - Indi
Let's hope I do better this week.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Another survival tip
If you, as a teenager, decide to purchase a Sony PSP, even though your father told you not to, please don't act surprised when iris impounded when you get in trouble.
However, taking advantage of being left alone in the house due to a family emergency to retrieve said PSP by rummaging through your fathers closet will tend to bring even more dire consequences down upon your head.
However, taking advantage of being left alone in the house due to a family emergency to retrieve said PSP by rummaging through your fathers closet will tend to bring even more dire consequences down upon your head.
Pick Results, Week 1
Ouch.
I was 7 and 8 this weekend, so if you add the Thursday night game that I got right, I'm running 8 and 8 on the season.
I'm going to have to do better than that.
I was 7 and 8 this weekend, so if you add the Thursday night game that I got right, I'm running 8 and 8 on the season.
I'm going to have to do better than that.
Long time, no post
Sorry for not getting anything up here for a few days.
I was already behind on Tuesday morning when I thought I needed to get on the stick. However, Irish Woman came down very ill, and low and behold it wasn't the stomach virus that's going around.
Her gall bladder apparently filled up like a sack of marbles. She went into the hospital on Tuesday, and came out on Thursday evening.
She's doing well, and is resting comfortably.
My work has been very understanding, and luckily right now is kinda slow for us. It's the calm before the storm of work getting ready for the Christmas season.
I'll try to catch up.
I was already behind on Tuesday morning when I thought I needed to get on the stick. However, Irish Woman came down very ill, and low and behold it wasn't the stomach virus that's going around.
Her gall bladder apparently filled up like a sack of marbles. She went into the hospital on Tuesday, and came out on Thursday evening.
She's doing well, and is resting comfortably.
My work has been very understanding, and luckily right now is kinda slow for us. It's the calm before the storm of work getting ready for the Christmas season.
I'll try to catch up.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Prayers Needed
A good woman is in the final stage of her life. The wife of John Wesley Rawles, author of SurvivalBlog.com, will soon be moving on to her reward with her Lord.
Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Please keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.
Remember the 4 Rules
RULE I: ALL GUNS ARE ALWAYS LOADED
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
A Marine corporal broke Rules 1 through 3, and in doing so killed one of his troops.
When I was in, trust building didn't come from pointing firearms at each other. It came from working and training together every day.
Because this young NCO forgot to treat each and every one of his subordinates as a precious gift, that young Marine is dead and his own life is ruined.
I know he is devestated and will never get over what has happened, but it was wholly avoidable.
Prayers and thoughts go out to both families who have lost sons because of a stupid macho stunt.
RULE II: NEVER LET THE MUZZLE COVER ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO DESTROY
RULE III: KEEP YOUR FINGER OFF THE TRIGGER UNTIL YOUR SIGHTS ARE ON THE TARGET
RULE IV: BE SURE OF YOUR TARGET
A Marine corporal broke Rules 1 through 3, and in doing so killed one of his troops.
When I was in, trust building didn't come from pointing firearms at each other. It came from working and training together every day.
Because this young NCO forgot to treat each and every one of his subordinates as a precious gift, that young Marine is dead and his own life is ruined.
I know he is devestated and will never get over what has happened, but it was wholly avoidable.
Prayers and thoughts go out to both families who have lost sons because of a stupid macho stunt.
Interesting take on 9-11
OpFor has posted a couple of reasons why September 11 shouldn't be entirely a day of mourning. It's historically been a date of triumph over barbarians, as opposed to a day to mourn a tragic loss to them.
I actually celebrate September 11. It's Little Bear's birthday. In 2001, we forgot that until the next day, and I've never stopped regretting that.
13 years ago today, a very small, very fragile precious being came into my life, and no matter what some khat chewing, cave dwelling, son of a syphillitic camel trader does or threatens to do will not ruin that.
That is how we will defeat them. We will refuse to compromise on what is important to us, no matter what or where.
I actually celebrate September 11. It's Little Bear's birthday. In 2001, we forgot that until the next day, and I've never stopped regretting that.
13 years ago today, a very small, very fragile precious being came into my life, and no matter what some khat chewing, cave dwelling, son of a syphillitic camel trader does or threatens to do will not ruin that.
That is how we will defeat them. We will refuse to compromise on what is important to us, no matter what or where.
Picks for Opening Weekend
Here are my picks for the weekend of 12 and 13 September:
Miami and Atlanta - Atlanta
Kansas City and Baltimore - Baltimore
Philadelphia and Carolina - Carolina
Denver and Cinci - Cinci
Minnesota and Cleveland - Minnesota (Go Vikings!)
New York Jets and Houston - New York
Jacksonville and Indianapolis - Indianapolis
Detroit and New Orleans - New Orleans. I'm expecting to see another "stellar" year out of the Lions.
Dallas and Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay
San Fransisco and Arizona - Arizona.
Washington and New York Giants - Washington (Go Skins!)
Saint Louis and Seattle - Saint Louis
Chicago and Green Bay - Tough one. I like both teams on this one. Just a gut feeling, but I think Chicago will take this one. Sorry Pats.
Buffalo and New England - Owens and Brady playing against each other. I hope there are a few "minor" injuries handed out to either of these two knuckleheads. Patriots.
San Diego and Oakland - Oakland (Raiders! Raiders!)
I got my pick last night with the Pittsburg victory in overtime. I didn't make it to the 4th quarter before heading to bed, so I missed the finish. I really dislike being in the Eastern time zone for these night games.
1-0 so far. Good start.
Miami and Atlanta - Atlanta
Kansas City and Baltimore - Baltimore
Philadelphia and Carolina - Carolina
Denver and Cinci - Cinci
Minnesota and Cleveland - Minnesota (Go Vikings!)
New York Jets and Houston - New York
Jacksonville and Indianapolis - Indianapolis
Detroit and New Orleans - New Orleans. I'm expecting to see another "stellar" year out of the Lions.
Dallas and Tampa Bay - Tampa Bay
San Fransisco and Arizona - Arizona.
Washington and New York Giants - Washington (Go Skins!)
Saint Louis and Seattle - Saint Louis
Chicago and Green Bay - Tough one. I like both teams on this one. Just a gut feeling, but I think Chicago will take this one. Sorry Pats.
Buffalo and New England - Owens and Brady playing against each other. I hope there are a few "minor" injuries handed out to either of these two knuckleheads. Patriots.
San Diego and Oakland - Oakland (Raiders! Raiders!)
I got my pick last night with the Pittsburg victory in overtime. I didn't make it to the 4th quarter before heading to bed, so I missed the finish. I really dislike being in the Eastern time zone for these night games.
1-0 so far. Good start.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
WTF?
Two employees of ACORN in Baltimore have been fired because they allegedly assisted two people who wanted to open a brothel and import children from Central America to staff it.
The two people were just posing as pond scum and taped the whole thing. Kinda hard to deny it when the prosecution can go to the tape.
So ACORN employees were involved in assisting people set up a child sex slavery ring? Qel Surpris!
ACORN, for those of you just catching up, is one of our president's favorite "community action" organizations. It has been accused of fraud in registering imaginary people to vote. It's also gotten a a$$load of money from the stimulus program to continue it's "good" work.
Now it's apparently involved in tax evasion and international child slavery.
Your tax dollars at work.
The two people were just posing as pond scum and taped the whole thing. Kinda hard to deny it when the prosecution can go to the tape.
So ACORN employees were involved in assisting people set up a child sex slavery ring? Qel Surpris!
ACORN, for those of you just catching up, is one of our president's favorite "community action" organizations. It has been accused of fraud in registering imaginary people to vote. It's also gotten a a$$load of money from the stimulus program to continue it's "good" work.
Now it's apparently involved in tax evasion and international child slavery.
Your tax dollars at work.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
First Pick of the Season
OK, here's the guidelines for my picks:
I will pick each and every game played in the regular and post season. I will go for straight wins, not against the spread. I will always pick against Philadelphia and Dallas. I will almost always pick for Green Bay, Oakland, Washington, and Minnesota. I will post a running tally of my results on Tuesday evenings. I will explain my pick when I can, but not always. Some picks will be well thought out, a lot of them will be a coin toss. Picks for Thursday night games will be done on Wednesday evening. All others will be done either on Friday evening or Saturday morning
You guys keep me honest, now.
And without further adieu:
Thursday night is the opener. Pittsburg and Tennessee.
I'm picking the Steelers. Both teams looked really good in the preseason, but Pittsburg is coming off of the Super Bowl. I think they will take this one.
Are you ready for some football? I sure am.
I will pick each and every game played in the regular and post season. I will go for straight wins, not against the spread. I will always pick against Philadelphia and Dallas. I will almost always pick for Green Bay, Oakland, Washington, and Minnesota. I will post a running tally of my results on Tuesday evenings. I will explain my pick when I can, but not always. Some picks will be well thought out, a lot of them will be a coin toss. Picks for Thursday night games will be done on Wednesday evening. All others will be done either on Friday evening or Saturday morning
You guys keep me honest, now.
And without further adieu:
Thursday night is the opener. Pittsburg and Tennessee.
I'm picking the Steelers. Both teams looked really good in the preseason, but Pittsburg is coming off of the Super Bowl. I think they will take this one.
Are you ready for some football? I sure am.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Can't Hardly Wait
The Tolkien Trustees have settled with the New Line Studios, and work is moving forward on movies based on "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien.
OK, I'm a fanboy. I read "The Hobbit" when I was about 8, and I even enjoyed the made for TV animated version of it, although it did scare the pants off me. Hey, I was only like 5 or 6.
I loved the LOTR movies, even if some of my co-workers grumbled about the story not being over when they got to the end of "The Fellowship of the Ring".
So, I'm waiting with baited breath for the release of "The Hobbit". One of the cool parts about having kids is that you get to enjoy movies and books all over again.
OK, I'm a fanboy. I read "The Hobbit" when I was about 8, and I even enjoyed the made for TV animated version of it, although it did scare the pants off me. Hey, I was only like 5 or 6.
I loved the LOTR movies, even if some of my co-workers grumbled about the story not being over when they got to the end of "The Fellowship of the Ring".
So, I'm waiting with baited breath for the release of "The Hobbit". One of the cool parts about having kids is that you get to enjoy movies and books all over again.
Monday, September 7, 2009
Found: One Key
Those of you who've read here for the past month know about my adventures in trying to replace a lost key to my minivan.
It wasn't cheap and it wasn't easy to do it.
This evening, while cleaning up a spilled cup of water, my lost key turned up under my chair.
Now, I moved that chair and even dis-assembled it when I was looking for my key. It was not in there when I was actively searching for it.
Which leads me to the likely suspect for the missing key: Baby Bear.
Why he had it is a mystery, for who can tell what goes through the mind of a toddler?
Where he put in the last month is also a mystery. I swear I turned the house upside down and shook it looking for my lost key.
Oh well, at least now I have a spare. I'll just have to keep an eye on that boy so I can find his hidey holes.
It wasn't cheap and it wasn't easy to do it.
This evening, while cleaning up a spilled cup of water, my lost key turned up under my chair.
Now, I moved that chair and even dis-assembled it when I was looking for my key. It was not in there when I was actively searching for it.
Which leads me to the likely suspect for the missing key: Baby Bear.
Why he had it is a mystery, for who can tell what goes through the mind of a toddler?
Where he put in the last month is also a mystery. I swear I turned the house upside down and shook it looking for my lost key.
Oh well, at least now I have a spare. I'll just have to keep an eye on that boy so I can find his hidey holes.
Survival Tip # 2
Here's another survival tip for the teenagers out there:
If your father is monitoring the on-line activity you and your siblings do via parental controls and logging, do not try to circumvent them. Especially if you are using your sister's log-in and password to circumvent them. And using said unauthorized access to go to adult web sites. On a weekend where your sister is not home.
Not smart. Not smart at all.
If your father is monitoring the on-line activity you and your siblings do via parental controls and logging, do not try to circumvent them. Especially if you are using your sister's log-in and password to circumvent them. And using said unauthorized access to go to adult web sites. On a weekend where your sister is not home.
Not smart. Not smart at all.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Airlines going Greyhound
A British company is working on new seating designs that would cram even more people into an airliner. People on the outside would face in, people on the inside would face back to back, which means a good fraction of the passengers would be riding backwards. Air sickness bags, anyone?
Apparently RyanAir, the Irish equivalent of Southwest, is considering a new design that would put passengers into a standing position throughout the flight. Again, this would allow them to pack us in even tighter.
To me, passenger airlines are in a race to the bottom. Prices are usually high if you want to go anywhere even remotely interesting during a time that is right to travel. You don't get fed, and they probably don't offer a glass of water unless you pay through the nose for it. Direct flights are almost a distant memory, so you're stopping at least twice for a flight of any measurable distance.
Other than it not taking days to get across the country, how is this different from taking the bus or the train?
Apparently RyanAir, the Irish equivalent of Southwest, is considering a new design that would put passengers into a standing position throughout the flight. Again, this would allow them to pack us in even tighter.
To me, passenger airlines are in a race to the bottom. Prices are usually high if you want to go anywhere even remotely interesting during a time that is right to travel. You don't get fed, and they probably don't offer a glass of water unless you pay through the nose for it. Direct flights are almost a distant memory, so you're stopping at least twice for a flight of any measurable distance.
Other than it not taking days to get across the country, how is this different from taking the bus or the train?
Saturday, September 5, 2009
He got off light
The pig eyed sack of chicken waste that raped and murdered a teenage girl in Iraq after killing the rest of her family has been given several lifetime sentences to sit and think about what he did. Of course, he's showing no real remorse and blames the Army on him leaving his post, killing a family, and raping a woman before he killed her.
He's lucky he didn't go before a military jury. Military juries, especially if an enlisted person requests that other enlisted personnel be on his jury, are very hard on people who desert their post in wartime to commit rape and murder. Interestingly enough, enlisted personnel tend to be harder on other enlisted's than a panel purely of commissioned officers are.
This filth is an insult to every honorable person who ever wore the uniform. He got off light.
This idiot ought to have his Achilles tendons cut, then after he heals, he ought to be left alone and unguarded in the town he committed his crime in. Let the chips fall where they may after that.
He's lucky he didn't go before a military jury. Military juries, especially if an enlisted person requests that other enlisted personnel be on his jury, are very hard on people who desert their post in wartime to commit rape and murder. Interestingly enough, enlisted personnel tend to be harder on other enlisted's than a panel purely of commissioned officers are.
This filth is an insult to every honorable person who ever wore the uniform. He got off light.
This idiot ought to have his Achilles tendons cut, then after he heals, he ought to be left alone and unguarded in the town he committed his crime in. Let the chips fall where they may after that.
Stephen King Stories
Tam over at View From the Porch is talking about the scariness or lack thereof to be found in Stephen King novels.
I agree with her that Mr. King's short stories were always better than his full length novels.
The exception to this was "Misery". I read that book cover to cover over a snowy weekend when the base I was stationed at was shut down due to a blizzard and ice storm. So, a 20 year old man sits alone in a barracks room, while a howling ice storm rages outside, reading a scary novel about a man who's locked in a cabin with a crazy woman.
Yeah, I didn't sleep all weekend while I read that one.
I agree with her that Mr. King's short stories were always better than his full length novels.
The exception to this was "Misery". I read that book cover to cover over a snowy weekend when the base I was stationed at was shut down due to a blizzard and ice storm. So, a 20 year old man sits alone in a barracks room, while a howling ice storm rages outside, reading a scary novel about a man who's locked in a cabin with a crazy woman.
Yeah, I didn't sleep all weekend while I read that one.
Want
Nike is making tinted contact lenses.
Apparently athletes wear these to either enhance colors they want to see, or to cut down on glare.
I'd love a pair of these for long drives or days at the range.
And the red ones would be good for those long adversarial meetings at work.
Apparently athletes wear these to either enhance colors they want to see, or to cut down on glare.
I'd love a pair of these for long drives or days at the range.
And the red ones would be good for those long adversarial meetings at work.
Friday, September 4, 2009
SurvIval tip
Here's a survival tip for teenagers:
If your father is making you take a course in school that you don't want to, it's not a good idea to change your schedule to drop that course and take something else. Especially if said parent is going to open house and is told there about your little act of subterfuge.
Just a word to the wise that will keep a boot out of your ass.
If your father is making you take a course in school that you don't want to, it's not a good idea to change your schedule to drop that course and take something else. Especially if said parent is going to open house and is told there about your little act of subterfuge.
Just a word to the wise that will keep a boot out of your ass.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
It's not a clown car
OK, I come from a long line of large families. My grandfather had a whole bunch of kids. I'm the oldest of 5. I have 4.
But 19?
Double digit kids made sense when there was a really good chance they wouldn't make it to adulthood and you needed help in the fields.
But how can this couple reasonably assume they can support, nurture, and properly raise that many kids?
Hey, it's their life. But don't expect me to think it's a good freaking idea.
But 19?
Double digit kids made sense when there was a really good chance they wouldn't make it to adulthood and you needed help in the fields.
But how can this couple reasonably assume they can support, nurture, and properly raise that many kids?
Hey, it's their life. But don't expect me to think it's a good freaking idea.
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