Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Hey if you want to help at all...

So I am sending out some care packages to soldiers.  In looking at the Orange County Register's view on on Prop 8, I read a great article about packages to our soldiers.
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I can do all the buying and sending stuff, but if you have a chance to write a note - even a simple card or something - to a guy out in the field, please do so and drop it to me.  I will include it.  I am copying the key part of this guy's article.
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Thanks Scooter
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At the far-flung "battle positions" and "combat outposts," however, it's a different story.

For example, at Marine Battle Position Tripoli, a quarter-mile-square base near the Syrian border where I recently spent some time, the Marines live closer to the ground. Instead of the "containerized housing units" – aluminum mini-trailers known as "cans" – found at the larger bases, Marines at BP Tripoli sleep in plywood "hooches." Showers are an on-again, off-again proposition, and the toilet facilities are "WAG bags," plastic bags that you -- well, I'll spare you the details.

There is a PX at Tripoli, but it's tiny, offering a few hygiene articles, batteries and T-shirts that are all size "small." As for the food in the chow hall, let's just say that the Marine cooks do the best they can with what they have.

Not that the Marines are complaining. Most of the infantrymen, artillerymen and others at BP Tripoli take pride in living a rougher, dirtier life than troops in the rear.

"I like it better here," says Sgt. Rodney Stahler, 22, of Aberdeen, Md., with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines from Camp Pendleton. "It's more relaxed, and it's further from the flag pole" – meaning that it's removed from the seemingly petty rules that the brass in the rear often insist upon.

Obviously, troops at BP Tripoli and similar locations can use almost anything: baby wipes, new socks, toiletries, DVDs, non-perishable snacks, sports and men's magazines – "Maxim" magazine is about as racy as the Marines are allowed – powdered energy drinks, AA batteries. You name it and the Marines and soldiers in the outback can probably use it.

Interestingly, many of the Marines I spoke with at BP Tripoli said that while they appreciate anything people send them, what they really need is supplies for Iraqi civilians they are trying to help.

Staff Sgt. Jamie Parker, a civil affairs Marine with 2/11, says his unit could use school supplies for Iraqi children and sewing supplies for a program the Marines operate for local Iraqi women. Actual sewing machines would be great, but if that's not practical, any sewing supplies would do. If you want to help, email me at the address below and I'll give you an APO address.

So keep those care packages coming. Again, if you need a name and an APO address, let me know.

Whatever you send the Marines and soldiers and sailors and airmen in Iraq, trust me, it will be appreciated.

I Like Sarah Palin as a person, but...

I like Sarah Palin as a person. She seems a bit mean spirited towards everyone that isn't her, but that seems kind of the norm nowadays... But she isn't ready to be commander in chief. You know, Katie Couric questioned her about what happens when democracy doesn't yield results the U.S. likes, as in the case of Hamas in Gaza. Here's what she said:
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"Yeah, well especially in that region, though, we have to protect those who do seek democracy and support those who seek protections for the people who live there. What we're seeing in the last couple of days here in New York is a president of Iran, Ahmadinejad, who would come on our soil and express such disdain for one of our closest allies and friends, Israel ... and we're hearing the evil that he speaks and if hearing him doesn't allow Americans to commit more solidly to protecting the friends and allies that we need, especially there in the Mideast, then nothing will."
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For her information those who DO seek democracy in the region include Hamas. They were a democratically elected terrorist group. Is she suggesting that we protect them?
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Well, actually that is a rhetorical question and possibly above her head, so let me rephrase for the short bus. Not all democratically elected governments are our friends and should be protected. Hamas is one example. Just a little FYI, Ms. Palin, Mr. Ahmadinejad was also democratically elected. And I assume you do not mean we should protect him.
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One 72 year old lying bastard away from being our President. Hooray!

You Big Fat Liar


You Big Fat -explative deleted - Liar!
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See, this is what I am saying about John "Mitch" McCain. He just lies and lies and lies and I can't stand it.
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Obama did not infuse "unnecessary partisanship" into any debate. In fact, every comment had been that he and Mitch McCain agreed and that Congress needed to act.
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AFTER Mitch McCain's comment, he pretty partisanly blamed McCain and the Republicans - by the by, 64% of the Republicans voted AGAINST McCain and the Republican President. Helluva Job there McCainy.
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And didn't the Big Fat Liar say he was going to suspend his campaign until there was a resolution to this.
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Oh yeah, that was just a bullshit line he had trying to play games with the economy, the debate and the election.
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No one really expects him to be honest in anything he says anymore.
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And there is no equivalence here. John Mitch McCain is a serial liar. He releases a commercial that says Obama is a suck up by agreeing with him a lot. And at the same time releases a statement that Obama doesn't care for the country because he is partisan in opposing McCain.
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Pick a lie and stick with one. Oh wait, he doesn't have to because no one calls McCain on this Junior High School, playground insult bullshit. This isn't a man who we have to count on as Americans.

Monday, September 29, 2008

You know what dogs hate?


When you dress them up in a Halloween costume you just happen to see at Target.

Friday, September 26, 2008

Web: Define Happiness

The Web is very helpful sometimes:
Definitions of happiness on the Web:

1) state of well-being characterized by emotions ranging from contentment to intense joy
2) emotions experienced when in a state of well-being
3)

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Ah... 100 degress and Sunny

Palm Springs is A OK.
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Trevor is content, Ed is happy and I am going to sit in my pool and read!
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xoxox

Monday, September 22, 2008

Don't Wimp Out

So I watched the Big Bang and How I Met Your Mother tonight.  Can I just say, if you don't have the cajones to finish the job, then don't set it up as a cliff hanger.
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Both wimped out big time.

Well, it's about time


I suppose it is about time to post old Eddie's name. It is frozen screen of Ed's credit. You can always select it to watch it grow.
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I am proud of him.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Nothing Looks Happier than...


Nothing looks happier than a Terrier in a snuggle ball.

And now for fun...

Sorry that last post got a little serious. Back to fun.
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I mentioned Ed's cousin Andrea who is stuck in College Station due to the Hurricane. Well here is a picture.
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Oh sure, maybe it's a little dated, but it does have our Eddie (propped up like a ventriloquist dummy on Ca-Key) and Andrea (middle in pink) at the same time.
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That is Ed and Andrea's grandfather (O-Pa) holding John.
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Ah, the joys of scanning.

John McCain as Jerry "Mitch" Michell


The reason I don't write about the election is really just to keep my sanity.
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I used to believe that John McCain was an honorable person who would put country first. Regardless of what others see in John McCain, I now see my father.
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My father, a charming, funny, witty man was a serial liar. Don't mistake me, a great guy and friend to me - when he wasn't chasing tail. I lived with him as a child and growing up.
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He was a pathological liar, in that from moment to moment he believe what he said. He could pass any lie detector test. He fathered two extra children, one I knew about and one I didn't, and never mentioned them. He lied about things big and small - dates, prices, ages, background, how many times he was married, jail - honest to god, anything. In his 40's he decided that minorities go all the breaks and so he was 1/16 American Eskimo. He filled out everything as native American and dared people to disbelieve it.
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He was wicked smart and taught me millions of things - of which 1/2 at anytime were lies. Only to be shown as lies when I unwittingly mentioned them to others.
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He lied often to get laid. He lied less often to advance a job. he lied more often to get a new job. But mainly he lied for fun.
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Read that again. My father lied mainly for fun. He lied to see if others believed him. His private joke that everyone else was slower, stupider, more trusting or more honest that he was. That they were, you know, idiots.
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And now John McCain is lying to us. In his ad's, in his selection of Vice President as the person most able to guide this country through it's darkest times, about the other's guys experience, religion and background. He is lying because we, as Americans, are honest and trusting of his good intentions.
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I don't write about the election because John McCain is turning everything good about us into hate. I don't write about the election because John McCain is my father. Willing to say anything, hurt anyone, distort any truth for personal gain and glory. And it sickens me.
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So it is easier to pretend it isn't happening. When his lies get to big or too often, I slip and mention them. Privately I rage and scream, publicly I try to point out the truth. But I know it is a sucker's game. Getting you to talk about the little lies covers for the big ones.
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And I see McCain's little eyes twinkle and sparkle - just like my dad's did when he got away with something. See that is a good reason not to write about this.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

San Diego Union Tribune Says No to 8

Wow, for those of you who don't know San Diego (and who does really), let me tell you a little about it.  San Diego, is a beautiful city, where the temperature is always 70, the sun always shines in the afternoon and the people are happy, content and conservative.  It is a city primarily of retirees, military and families and the city mantra, repeated endlessly, is "Don't Turn Into Another LA".
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The city believes, quite often fairly, that Los Angeles was once blessed with natural wonders, like San Diego, and that with the addition of too many people, too many hippies, too many Mexicans,  too many freeways and unbridled growth LA is now a nightmare.  I don't agree with San Diegans, but that is a general belief. Of course San Diego can't become another LA; but if you have ever seen La Jolla at sunset, Misson Beach and Bay on a lazy afternoon or Balboa Park as an Oasis in the early morning - you would understand what they are afraid of losing.  I get it.
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And in San Diego there are 2 papers.  University people (teachers, students, and alumni) and those interest in anything north of Torrey Pines all read the LA Times - San Diego edition.  And San Diego has some of the best Universities (UC San Diego, San Diego University, Scripps) and some of the best party schools (San Diego State) in the world.  Lots and lots of people take the LA Times. Everyone else reads the San Diego Union Tribune.  And, as it is the anti-LA Times,  it is editorially conservative, reliably so.  Of course in California, the anti-liberal is very often libertarian, but I digress.
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Anyway, the San Diego Union Tribune, the second most watched Conservative Newspaper in California (nothing beats the Orange County Register on that count) came out today AGAINST Prop 8.  That is FOR gay marriage...  I reproduce here as it brought a tear to my eye.  But I went to grad school in San Diego (at UC San Diego), I have a boyfriend and this is a topic near and dear to me.
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Gay marriage right should not be repealed

UNION-TRIBUNE

September 18, 2008

The right of gay and lesbian couples to wed on an equal legal basis with heterosexual couples has long stirred opposition not only among social conservatives but also among a much broader swath of society. But in the four short months since a landmark California Supreme Court ruling legalized gay marriage, a significant social shift seems to have occurred.

As gay couples have gone to the courthouse and entered into matrimony, usually surrounded by champagne, family and friends, the worst fears of gay marriage opponents suddenly seem greatly inflated. For instance, Christian conservatives have asserted for years that allowing gays to marry would undermine heterosexual unions – hence, such laws as the Defense of Marriage Act. In truth, however, there has been no discernible impact on traditional marriage between a man and a woman now that gay couples in California have the same right.

With gay marriage a fait accompli, society has not crumbled. The long-standing institution of marriage is not in crisis. Californians have taken this change in stride. Indeed, there appears to be a marked shift in public opinion toward acceptance of gay marriage.

Consider that in 2000, when California voters last weighed the issue, fully 61 percent supported a ban on gay marriage. Today, with Proposition 8 on the Nov. 4 ballot, polls show that Californians support gay marriage by a margin of 54 percent to 40 percent, with 6 percent offering no opinion. The trend suggests that, by Election Day, a solid majority of Californians will register their approval of gay marriage.

Proposition 8 would repeal the right of gay and lesbian couples to marry. It stipulates, by a one-sentence amendment to the state constitution, that only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California. Our guess is that even voters who may have reservations about gay marriage will be reluctant to repeal a right that now exists as a matter of law. To do so would smack of singling out a particular group for discrimination, a move that offends many Californians' sense of fairness.

Supporters of Proposition 8 make two arguments. The first is that, for thousands of years, marriage has been defined as between a man and a woman exclusively. Considering how Californians historically have been wide open to change, this appeal is not likely to carry much force.

The second argument made by supporters is that children should be raised solely by a father and a mother, not by two fathers or two mothers. Yet the debate over child-rearing is entirely beside the point, because Proposition 8 is about marriage only. It would do nothing to prevent gay couples from adopting children or from having children through artificial means. Indeed, all Proposition 8 would do is ensure that the children of gay couples would be raised in households where the parents were unmarried. Would that be a healthier situation for children?

In the past, this page has advocated civil unions for gay couples rather than marriage. But our thinking has changed, along with that of many other Californians. Gay and lesbian couples deserve the same dignity and respect in marriage that heterosexual couples have long enjoyed. We urge a No vote on Proposition 8.

Friday, September 19, 2008

Ed's Cousin Still Camped out after Hurricane Ike

Well, we read about Lynn's Power outage and I felt pretty bad.
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Then I read the stuff below from one of Ed's cousins who lives in Houston with her family.
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And I have been to College Station... it is a fun place for a Football Game (I saw U of Houston place the Aggies - I was dating a UofH cheerguy) but not a great place to have to live out of a hotel...
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We are still camped out in the hotel in College Station. The boys are getting a little tired of sitting around while I try to do some work. I can't quite tell from the energy company's map if our expected time frame of getting power is by or after next Monday. School should be back in session on Monday based on the latest reports.
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We go see Riley twice a day. The shelter is down to less than 50 pets...at the peak they had 300+ "small" animals. The large animal shelter had 150+ horses. The Brazos County Animal Shelter has been awesome.

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Paul's company may provide us with a generator, so that he can take emergency calls from home and let someone else have the hotel room and work out of the disaster office here. It should be an interesting week.

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We've eaten out at all of the restaurants in town. Owen, you will be glad to know that we even went to the Dixie Chicken and tried a local Mexican restaurant very near campus tonight. We've seen the memorial for the members of the Corp that died in 1999 during the bonfire accident as well as driven around campus.

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My only comment is that "all the restaurants in town" is not as exhaustive a list as they probably want. The map shows College Station (A) vs. Houston where their home is...
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Yikes.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

What happens to you taxes under Barak v. Gramps


You know they keep talking about how the Obama Tax Plan will increase taxes. That is true if you make over $600,000 a year. Otherwise you do pretty damn good.
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You know, just truth in advertising, which Gramps doesn't believe in...
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Click for bigger picture.

Spain: European Ally (Updated)

Technically, TECHNICALLY, this is not a political post.
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I have posted about Miss South Carolina's idioticy pertaining to her total lack of geographic skills.
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And so, to post about Grandpa McCain's total lack of knowledge about Spain is not political.
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Gramps did a radio interview with a Spanish Radio station.  Not just Spanish Language, but Spain Spanish Radio.
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In the interview (listen here), Gramps is asked if he would meet with the President of Spain.
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He responds that he is willing to meet with anyone in this Hemisphere who embraces democracy and fights drug trade.  For example, he talks to the Mexican President.
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He is again asked about Spain - specifically.  And he discusses how they need to embrace democracy, fight drugs and be anti-terrorist, then, maybe, he could meet with them.  he can't promise anything.
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FYI, Gramps sells himself as the Foreign Policy and Security expert.  So here are some basic facts that he might have forgotten in his Geritol haze.

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1- Spain IS a democracy.  Granted Gramps probably remembers Franco the dictator (who was still in power when Gramps first hit Capital Hill) but, in the words of Chevy Chase.  This just in, Franco is still dead.
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2 - Spain was George W. Bush and Tony Blair's chief supporter, ally and promoter in the run up to the war in Iraq.  They sent in the 4th most troops and suffered the 3rd most causalities.
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3 - The words, "this Hemisphere" in conjunction with discussion about the United States and Mexico refer to the Western Hemisphere.  Spain is in Europe.  Europe is a continent (or a peninsula on the Euro-Asian Continent if you want to geo-specific) in the Eastern Hemisphere.  Spain's last colony in this, the Western Hemisphere, was lost in the Spanish American War in 1898, before even Gramps was born.
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4 - Spain, of which he is not sure is a friend of the United States, is in NATO and so is technically, TECHNICALLY, part of our key alliance.  Of course it has only been in NATO since 1982 - the year he first went to Congress. 
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Well, since Spain isn't really key to Arizona, I can see how Gramps missed it.  I mean Spain is member of NATO, is a member of the collation to oust Sadam, is the most recent country to suffer a domestic terrorist attack from Al Queda (what did you call them, the chief threat to our civilization) - I can see how they might fall right off the old radar.
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If you have anymore tough Geography questions, Gramps, you just come to me buddy.  I am here for you.
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Update from Scooter
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In listening to it again (because it is damn funny), there is a particular funny old folks moment towards the end.  The interviewer, trying to throw Gramps a life line, helpfully explains that Spain is in Europe, but with her accent it comes out "EU rup".  The conversation occurs after McCain keeps talking about Latin America, and so she asks, 
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"Senator, what about Europe?"
"What about me what?"
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And she does what we all do with crazy codger old folks, she says thank you and ends the discussion.

Heroin, Onion Soup Mix and Pot Pies

Ahh..
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Now I get it.
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Last night, quite late, Eddie asked me if he should have a Swanson's Chicken Pot Pie.
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Of course I said "No, it's too late to be eating." 
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Now I meant it in a good way.  He has been eating better, going to the gym, losing weight and he looks good.  I thought the question was asked with the purpose of me saying no. Honestly, I thought that was the point.
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So he said he wanted one anyway, and I argued with him.  Again, I thought that was my role in this... You know like when someone asks you to help them stop smoking and you are suppose to argue with them a little.  Well, I was wrong here - but let's not dwell on that.
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You see in the middle of the night, I had an epiphany.   Swanson Pot Pies are Eddie's Heroin.  And I say that with love and understanding.
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Understanding because Lipton's Onion Soup Mix and Sour Cream (commonly called "Onion Dip") is my Heroin.  I can have EITHER Onion Soup Mix (also used to Meatloaf and Stew) OR Sour Cream in the house.
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I can NOT have both in the house at the same time.  Because I will make Onion Dip.
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And then I will put the Onion Dip in the Fridge - for Ed of course.  And I will ask Ed if he wants some Onion Dip and chips approximately every hour on the hour until it is gone.
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Surprisingly Ed never wants Onion Dip.  And I get out "a few" chips and have a little.  Sometimes I will put out chips and dip when he is on the computer - just in case.  And I will watch TV.  Then I will get up and get a chip....  And then another... and before you know it the chips and dip is in my lap and I have no memory of them getting there.
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Remove the chips.. HA! I don't care.  I will eat celery and Onion Dip, carrots and OD, leftover tortillas and OD, Pita bread and OD.  When I am about to wash the dregs of the bowl out, I will like it off my fingers like a 5 year old with the cake batter.
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But I have learned, not to ask Ed if I can have Onion Dip.  I wait until he is tired and then say "I'm not tired yet." And watch whatever drivel is on until he falls asleep.  If the TV keeps him up, I will read.  And then, sneakily like an addict, I will find something to dunk in my lovely beige and chunky bowl of sour cream and love.
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I have finally confessed to Eddie and we no longer keep the two things in the house at the same time.  Every now and right before a football game I can go get Sour Cream and Chips and we will indulge my jones for a few hours.
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Oh yea, the kicker.  Onion Dip gives me some terrible gas.  But that is the cost of true love.

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Ohhh... i am beautiful und saaaad...


So I was going down the elevator today (to put my laundry in the dryers - how fabulous!), and there were already 3 models and a normal person in the elevator.  Honestly, 2 of the models (one boy and one girl) had their fashion hoodies open, but over their head, and the other girl was dressed in layers (it is 12 zillion degrees in the elevator and a hot day outside).
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And they all looked like their little worlds were ending.  "Boo de hoo, I'm bootiful and I poout."  Honestly, totally stand and modeling in the elevator!  Like I am so sure.  (They were also about as animated as the model in the picture.)
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So I turn to the other woman, who is dressed for work and trying to avoid eye-contact by looking at her black berry, and I say, "It is so hard to be pretty, isn't it?"
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And she made that snort that says you are trying to hold in a laugh, as the doors opened on my floor (29 where the washers are).  And I left and said to the 3 waifs, "Watch out for the rain."  And their little uncomprehending eyes stared at me from under their hoodies as the doors slide closed  and the black berry woman gave me a huge smile.
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Ah the joys that come with age and bitterness.

Why was New Orleans not "too big to fail"

Here is a question that haunted me last night.  Why is AIG (an insurance agency who insured repackaged mortgage securities) too big to fail, but New Orleans - once home to over a million people, now home to about 40% of that number, with out 500,000 people still unable to go back - not "too big to fail".
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Why could we cough up $85,000,000,000 overnight to keep the insurance company from losing bad debts, but we still can't figure out a way to help millions of our own citizens in New Orleans as well as rural Louisiana and Texas?  Honestly.  In fact those same insurance companies we just spent $85 Billion to cover their asses are still dragging their feet in Louisiana.
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Why is Matt Lauer talking about a fundraiser in Hollywood today instead of talking about how the feds handed out $85 BILLION to Insurance backers?  Are we really this shallow?  Does anyone give a shit who Barbara Striesand sung for last night?  Bhuler?
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One last question and then I will stop.
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Why is it okay to have the government socialize insurance (AIG), socialize secondary mortgage backers (Fredie and Fannie) and socialize investment banks (Beat Stearns), but it is "socialism" to have or even propose national health care?  Is it only "socialism" when it helps everyone, but not "socialism" when it only helps your big contributors?

Lynn goes Zen without power (then goes non-Zen)

(From Lynnie)
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Due to a BIG wind storm I’ve been without electricity since Sunday afternoon.  The first day it was annoying (not devastating like Galveston but nonetheless annoying)…finding flashlights and batteries, candles and matches, getting the garage door open manually and all that jazz.  The second day (after finally scoring bags of ice at a remote filling station and the last 2 coolers at the local market) was kind of zenish … candlelight, soooo quiet, lots more dog petting, neighbors gathering and helping each other out (sharing meals etc.), and anyone who has to do something with their hair looks just as bad as I do.  The third day, back to annoying.  I will admit that’s largely because it’s the season premiere of House tonight and I was going to be really annoyed if I didn’t get to tape it.  But the gods are with me and there is now power…let there be light
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(Then from Gavin)
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I would have went crazy.
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(Now from me....  I would have went crazy too.  Three hours is too long without power.  I can't imagine 3 days.  Especially on floor 37!

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Who is too big to fail? (hint - not you)

I think it is funny, now that the Fed is flushing another $85,000,000,000 (85 Billion) down the crapper, to say AIG is too big to fail. "Too big to fail". What does that mean exactly. Because, you know, when our government spends $85,000,000,000 dollars it doesn't have of our money - well it seems we have a right to ask that question? You know - who is not too big to fail? Americans. Americans can fail all they want.
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Big ass corporations who made the same stupid mistakes as people are "too big to fail". 9, 500 family being foreclosed a day are not too big to fail. But corporations who made exactly the same mistake and paid out multiple millions of dollars to CEO's who are now disgraced, they are too big to fail.
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I agree that I don't want to pay for some schmuk that made stupid mistakes - and now might lose his house. But if I grant you that, at least grant me that you don't want to pay for some stupid ass schmuk company that did exactly the same thing!
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Hey, at an average of $200,000 a house, that $85,000,000,000.00 could flat out BUY 425,000 American families a home. Pick them at random out of phone books. I'ld rather the government spend my $85,000,000,000 that way. What, I don't have $85,000,000,000 to spend? Guess what, neither does the federal government!
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Speaking of CEO's buggin me today; Carly Fiorina was making the rounds of TV talk shows and was talking about corporate responsibility and payouts. Background information they might not give you... in 2005 she received $21 Million (that's $21,000,000,000.00) to be fired. And today HP layed off 20,000+ people. Who probably won't be able to make their house payments. And, probably, are NOT "too big to fail". So I kind of think Carly Fiorina should shut up.
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More fun with math... If HP didn't have to pay Carly Fiorina $21,000,000.00 to fire her, then they could have purchased homes for 105 American Families! And we probably wouldn't have to listen to her on TV!
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see.. win win.

Annie Lamott's Quotes to Use

Anne Lamott used to be a frequent writer for Salon.  She has since battled cancer and stopped writing for the electronic magazine, but still is writing books and things.
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Well this election is bugging her (and being Salon we don't have to say why).  But she offers some excellent non-political quotes to deal with life and I thought I would share two
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First, "The great novelist E.L. Doctorow once said that writing a novel is like driving at night with the headlights on: You can only see a little ways in front of you, but you can make the whole journey this way. It is the truest of all things; the only way to write a book, raise a child, save the world."
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Second, "Laughter is carbonated holiness. It is chemo. So do whatever it takes to keep your sense of humor."
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And finally from her own head, "Call the loneliest person you know. Go flirt with the oldest person at the bookstore.  Fill up a box with really cool clothes that you haven't worn in a year, and take it to a thrift shop. Take gray water outside and water whatever is growing on your deck. This is not a bad metaphor to live by. I think it is why we are here. Drink more fluids. And take very gentle care of yourself and the people you most love: We need you now more than ever.

Remember Aldona?

Well last night we went to Aldona's house and meet one of the kids ho is starring in Billy Elliot when it opens on Broadway this year.
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He is a very nice kid named Kayril.  And, boy, does he make one feel like an under achiever.
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He is 14, 2 years Ballet Champion of the US, 3 time junior Latin Ballroom Champion, can sing and dance and got the Billy gig via open auditions with over 4,500 kids!
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And yet, he seems like a nice kid.  Well spoken, with a slight russian accent (he was born here, but his family emigrated from the Ukraine after the fall of the USSR).  He does the Jordy? (northern British) accent great and in character. 
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It should be a lot of fun to watch.

Monday, September 15, 2008

The Bush Economy if a Freaking Train Wreck

I don't mean this as a political post in terms of the coming election, but as a general comment.  The George W. Bush Economy is a f'ing train wreck.
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The Unemployment jump might not bug you.
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The plunging dollar might not bug you.
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But if you have a 401K, my guess is that the Leman Brother's, Bear Sterns, Merrill Lynch clusterfuck is going to effect you.
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Banking in New York so far has lost about 100,000 jobs - that was before the Leman Bankruptcy. The housing market is in the toilet.  Our currency is on the edge of losing it's place as the world's backstop currency (and if it does - we can no longer run a deficit and there goes social security and medicare and our military! really.).
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You think $4.00 a gallon gas is bad, wait until oil is price in Euro's and it goes up about 50% overnight in dollar terms - the terms we pay it in.
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And the presidential race is a sideshow.  Honestly, it is being turned into a carnival bait and switch without any discussion of real solutions to the economy, the country's infrastructure (which killed people in Minneapolis last year, and still hasn't addressed New Orleans) or what our role in the changing world should be (should we expand NATO?, should we still be in South Korean paying for their defense 50 years after the end of the war?).
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Argh, he said.  Argh!

The latest Cub's Fan

Well she might not be the Cubbies fan that Phil is yet but she is on here way!  This is Kate, the daughter of Patti and Jay.  She is going to grow up and root for the Cubs (although I thought the White Sox were South Side, but I so don't know Chicago).
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Anywho, this is one happy looking baby.  That's because she doesn't know that the Cubs will break her heart.  Hey, at least she isn't a Bruin fan!

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Burn After Reading

Well.
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We saw Burn After Reading tonight. I had heard some lousy things about it (from the NY Times and Entertainment Weekly).
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I usually agree with Entertainment Weekly, but I actually liked this movie.
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You have to have a dark sense of humor.
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I laughed at inappropriate times, but so did Ed and Randy, so I felt better.
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It was a game of expectations setting, which is always good when you think a movie isn't going to be good.
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And some people that bug me (and I mean you John Malkavic) actually were very funny.

Wow: Worst loss since 1929



Wow, if the Tennessee game was a surprise opening win for UCLA, then the 0-59 loss to BYU was kind of a back to reality check. Well, as I said, we have a new coach, a 3rd sting QB and we lost our 3rd Tailback of the year. The defense wasn't as bad as the score looked. The offense dropped the ball 3 times in a row inside our own 20, which lead to 3 quick quick scores.
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So go Bruins, we'll get them next time.

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Very Cool Pictures of Golden Rays

My mom sent me these pictures of these Golden Rays migrating off the coast of Mexico.
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They are very nifty pictures.

Here is the original link to Telegraph of England. That would have been amazing to see.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Okapi in the Wild

Well, I am a sucker for wildlife, and the Okapi is about as rare as they get.
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The Okapi was originally thought to be a made up, mythical animal (like the Duck Billed Platypus), when dead animals were brought back to Europe.
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The first wild Okapis weren't brought back alive until the 1900s.  Originally they were very very rare.  In fact, the San Diego Wild Animal park used to breed them and get over $250,000 per animal in the 1970s.  Now they are much more common in zoos.
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But in the wild, they are still very rare.  This is because their small range coincides with a war zone.  So picture in the wild are a testament that animals can make a come back, if you give them a safe haven.
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Yeah!

My Georgia Post was a week before the Sarah Palin Interview





Just so we are all clear here, I asked the question on nincompoopery if we would REALLY go to war with Russia over Georgia 1 week ago today.  Well before the Sarah Palin interview was shot.
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I have tried to, and will continue to, stay out of the Presidential race on nincompoopery because all of my friends already have their minds made up one way or the other.  Saying anything would just annoy people and there are PLENTY of web sites and comments that do that.
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Nincompoopery is just a friendly little place where I can let friends and family now what is going on with Eddie and I - and where I can let me mind wander.  Most everyone has learned to put up with the gratuitous himbo shots and the relentless UCLA rah rah.  No reason to make anyone put up with politics here as well.  I know you all have only so much patience.
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Speaking of UCLA, we play BYU (ranked 14th in the country) in the great state of Mormon tomorrow.  Go Bruins.
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And, speaking of himbos, here is a Romanian Robert STANESCU.

Thursday, September 11, 2008

Not bad work if you can get it....

Well see now I know why people donate to campaigns.  if they told me jobs like this were available, maybe I would have gone into this government thang earlier.  
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It's stories like these that are going to move our young people into government work.  (Yes, it is an appointed position... missionary, but appointed.)
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WASHINGTON — As Congress prepares to debate expansion of drilling in taxpayer-owned coastal waters, the Interior Department agency that collects oil and gas royalties has been caught up in a wide-ranging ethics scandal — including allegations of financial self-dealing, accepting gifts from energy companies, cocaine use and sexual misconduct.

..(some boring stuff removed so we can get to the dirt)..

The report says that eight officials in the royalty program accepted gifts from energy companies whose value exceeded limits set by ethics rules — including golf, ski and paintball outings; meals and drinks; and tickets to a Toby Keith concert, a Houston Texans football game and a Colorado Rockies baseball game.

The investigation also concluded that several of the officials “frequently consumed alcohol at industry functions, had used cocaine and marijuana, and had sexual relationships with oil and gas company representatives.”

The investigation separately found that the program’s manager mixed official and personal business. In sometimes lurid detail, the report also accuses him of having intimate relations with two subordinates, one of whom regularly sold him cocaine.

The culture of the organization “appeared to be devoid of both the ethical standards and internal controls sufficient to protect the integrity of this vital revenue-producing program,” one report said.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Cooler Weather Begins

I was walking Trevor this morning in shorts and a t-shirt (which is all I have worn in New York for the past 3 months) and it was finally cool.  Not so cool I needed pants, but cool enough that I needed a long sleeve t-shirt.
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(switching to internal voice) And once again I ponder how I came to live somewhere in which weather plays such an important part in my life.  New York is a great city, but couldn't they have located somewhere with better weather? Cold and Windy.  Hot and Humid.  There are places where it is Nice and Breezy or Sunny and 70.  (Actually the only places where it is consistently Sunny and 70 is San Diego and Quito Ecuador, so I get why New York isn't there.)
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You don't really ever think about weather in LA.  I mean you watch the news and you think, "Thank God I don't live there." But you don't freak out.  You look outside the window.  Sunny - light pants and a shirt.  Rainy - light pants, a shirt and an umbrella.  Cloudy - June.  Done.
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Anyway, the point is I am glad it is getting a little cooler.  I am not a fan of hot and humid.  I am a fan of scorching with a big pool in the backyard, but that is about it.

Tuesday, September 09, 2008

King of His Own Brain... (Olympic's Version)

Well, let's just say that this boy was a STAR in his own mind. This is Gervasio Deferr from Spain. He is an excellent gymnast from Spain. In fact, this picture was taken after a GREAT Floor Exercise program in which he ultimately won the Silver Medal.

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Given the overweighting of the Chinese Gymnast scores, there is a strong possibility that he had the best Floor Exercise routine.
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but...


No matter how good he was, he was not as great as he thought he was. After his exercise he blew kisses to the crowd and waved like a madman.

It was even better when the awarded his medal. He waved and waved and waved, delaying the Gold Medal ceremony. After the Chinese Anthem was finally played, he waved and blew kisses so long, the photographers finally waved him off stage. He was the ONLY athlete of any sport I saw the photographers wave off. He got the hook!

Monday, September 08, 2008

One of the things I love about New York

So today after I got up and worked some I had to run some errands.  No, running errands in the middle of the day isn't what I like about New York.  THAT is what I like about working from home!
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But I digress...
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Here is what I like about New York.  You don't have to pull yourself together to go outside.  By 10AM, when all the suits are in their offices, all you need to do is change from your PJs into reasonably clean clothes, brush your teeth - and you are done.
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I mean at any given time 25% of the people on the street are crazy, 25% are students trying to look cool by looking like crap, 25% are tourist (of which 50% wear "I'm with Stupid T-shirts"), 10% have on last night's clothes and are doing the walk of shame (this city has a lot of walk of shame'ers!), and 10% of the rest have TERRIBLE taste.  Hell, as long as you don't drool or scream at imaginary friends, you start out in at least the 75th percentile of good-lookin'.
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Just an observation...

What is the effect of instant communications?

So, this is a picture of a wave of Hurricane Ike topping a 5 story building in Cuba. 
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Let me say this first, Cuban buildings fall down on their own, Hurricane Ike will be a disaster.
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But this got me thinking...
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1) Are Hurricanes worse or are we just so much better at instantly sharing pictures and stories about them?  My guess is that our information sharing has gotten exponentially better regardless of Hurricane growth or not.
So that really pushed another question.  2) How will this instant communication effect future generations?  Really.
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We all know that a story of millions starving in Africa doesn't move us as much as if we watched the story of a single child who has nothing to eat.  We (as individuals) can't really effect hordes of people or issues, but we can react to specific events.
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Take the Tsunami a couple of years back, American private citizens raised billions of dollars for Tsunami relief.  It was a singular event that we could understand.
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On the other hand, the hurricanes that keep hitting and hitting and hitting Haiti, those we don't really respond to.  I know that, for me, sending money or relief down there is a wasted cause.  Whatever the government doesn't steal will be used to rebuild and another Hurricane will just hit it again next week or next month or (at the latest) next year.  That sounds heartless, and I am embarrassed to say it, but it is kind of the truth.
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Heaven knows that we all say, "Why do they live there?" when Hurricane John Doe hits the Florida Keys for the umpteenth time.  I mean, those people can afford to move.
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So does instant communication make people feel more connected or more removed?
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hmmmm
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I think it makes us more connected to our group of friends (take for instance the fact that I still feel connect to Bridget and her daughter - even though I haven't seen Sydney in person since she was in diapers).  We can stay in touch or at least aware of each other easily.  
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But... I think it makes us feel more removed from the big problems (wars, famines, economic collapse).  There is an endless supply of big problems around the globe.  We respond to problem events.  And we respond to individual charity causes we support.  But the whole world has too many problems to tackle, and you have to ignore some or go crazy.
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In the olden days (the days of yore) people helped each other in their village or their church.  Maybe instant communications will create other villages or churches that we help out.
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During the Tsunami, a friend of Ed's was working in Thailand teaching (he still is actually).  In addition to sending money to the Red Cross and all, we sent some money to him to help rebuild the school he teaches at school.  I am going to hope that that is the upside of all of this.  With instant communications your community expands, and you usually rise to help your community.

Sunday, September 07, 2008

Bridget's Daughter.. Sydney


So avid readers will remember Sydney, Bridget's daughter. There was a picture of her right after she was born - and one of her in the bumble-bee Halloween outfit. Well, her she is now, all grow'd up and losing baby teeth!
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How cute is she?

Saturday, September 06, 2008

Pandas in China


So I was going through the pictures and all tonight, and I saw a bunch of the panda pictures.  The zoo in Beijing has a great set of panda houses, where they are quite active.
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They are also by far the most popular thing in the zoo with locals and tourists alike.  They are totally cuddly.

Friday, September 05, 2008

Are we really going to war for Georgia?


So Dick Chaney wants to include Georgia (the country, not the state) in NATO.
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As you may or may not know, NATO requires the United States to go to war in the event of an attack on an ally.
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Do we really want to hand over the decision on going to war with Russia to a hot headed administration in the Caucasus?
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Honestly. I know that Russia sucks and Georgia is democratic. BUT... Georgia has been part of the Russia / USSR Empire for hundreds of years. And the current President is poking at Russia right now.
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Is it fair to Americans to take the decision to go to war with Russia out of our own hands and put it in the hands of a Georgian President who hates Russia (and whom Russia hates). I mean last time we even told Georgia we supported them, they attacked South Odessa, which is technically part of their country but has been occupied by Russia for 10 years.
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Two parts of that country are already occupied by Russia. Isn't extending NATO membership to them a tad, I don't know, risky?

It will obviously make Georgia less flexible in discussions with Russia, and will accidentally make Russia less flexible as well.

It is a stupid idea.

You know it's bad....


You know how bad I find any political discussion to be when I talk about a Hurricane that is supposedly coming to us - although it is going to be a Tropical Storm when it gets here.
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I think I am having post-travel blues. The TV here is 100% annoying 100% of the time with 100% politics.

Thursday, September 04, 2008

Sound Advice

Sound Advice from Robert Heinlein (sci-fi writer 1907 - 1988)
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Never try to teach a pig to sing.  It wastes your time and annoys the pig.

Wednesday, September 03, 2008

What happened to you in Beijing Mommy?


The woman here works for my Eddie, her name is Trish. She is a really nice woman and we went to dinner with Suzanne, Trish and Eddie. We ate at a great restaurant and had Beijing duck.
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The next night Suzanne, Ed and I had tickets to the Athletics and saw the Mascot of the Month Andreas Thorkildsen as well as the 4 x 400 wins by the US Men and Women.
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What did poor Trish do? She went to the USA House to some trashy little party and met some d-list celebrities.
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Apparently this guy on her left plays soccer for the LA Team. Poor girl didn't even get to see Andreas change his shirt.
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ps.. Ed fired her after she sent this gleeful picture to him the next day.

Memories: Like the Corners of My Mind...


(This is NOT a political post...).
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So as the conventions play out, every 4 years-  thankfully timed to leap year so that we get at least one of our wasted days back - I am reminded of my first convention viewing.
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My Grandfather (on my mom's side) was a brilliant and crazy old guy.  He was the Head of the Psychology Department at Chapman University (then college), a very well respected little school in Orange County.
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He (my Grandfather) was, as I say, both brilliant and crazy - long before the term "manic / depressive asshole" morphed into the so much more pleasant sounding "bi-polar".  But with me (or at least in my presence) he was amazing.  He challenged my intelligence, he was interested in a broad array of topics and shared knowledge, questions and investigations with me.  Later he kind of stopped talking to me when he found out I was a homo, but I try to remember the fun stuff with him.
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Anywho... he hated the Republicans in general and Nixon in particular with a pathological vigor.  He had a very good justification for his hatred (having to do with when he was a pastor; but I have found out so many of the stories I was told as a child were bullshit, I shan't repeat this particular one.)
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So my first convention viewing was 1968 at the Republican Convention when he sat down with me for the days it was on, gleefully proclaiming "Come on Scott!  We're going to watch the monkeys again!" And, as we watched, he provided a scathing commentary on everything from Tricky Dick's flop sweat to Pat's painfully stretched face to Nelson Rockefeller's pathetic attempt to stand up to The Dick.
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I no longer watch either convention.  There are no good floor fights anymore.  The last grand theater (which I did get to watch with Granddad) was when Gerald Ford was nominated in 1976, but all the Ronald Reagan delegates kept applauding for Nancy, and wouldn't let poor Betty to the Mike ("Look at the Monkeys Dance!!!").
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It sounds stupid now, but it was just one more way my Grandfather treated me like an adult at a very early age when everyone else was trying to figure out what to do with this shy, smart kid caught in the divorce.
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I don't really talk about him that much, you don't talk about someone you disappointed just by being gay, but I so admired him - and so thought he was crazy.  I just assumed they went together (a theory I still put some stock into)....
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Anyway, no jokes, just a memory.

Well thank god I may be laid off for a good reason!!

I got this in the mail today (bank name was to be deleted to protect my ass - but the communication specifically invites you - my family and friends to download ringtones)...

September 03, 2008
To: All Employees
From: Citi Communications
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Citi Ringtones: The Sound of Citi
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Citi is one of the most recognizable brands in the world, and we're thrilled to build on that brand by introducing the first element of Citi's unique audio branding system – Citi ringtones.
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Many of you have downloaded one of the Citi ringtones, and for all of you who requested an iPhone version, we’re pleased to report that it's been added. We invite you – and friends and family – to visit ringtones.citi.com and download a Citi ringtone for your mobile phone or BlackBerry. These ringtones are inspired by the music used in our global brand television advertising.
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There are two versions from which to choose. Download instructions can be found on the site (Note: While you can visit the site on your work computer, you cannot download these ringtones from a computer linked to the Citi network. Please use your mobile phone or BlackBerry web browser to visit the page and download). Listen and download a Citi ringtone today – and fill out the feedback form on the site to let us know what you think.
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Citi's audio brand was composed especially for Citi and ladders off our purpose of "Driving Success." This new Citi music will be used online, for sponsorship and event marketing, in radio, call centers, ATMs, etc. To learn more about how we are adding sound to our brand, visit http://www.citigroup.net/brand/AudioBranding.
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We hope that you download and enjoy the Citi ringtone.

Tuesday, September 02, 2008

Mascot of the Month: Michael Curtiz



Michael Curtiz was an exceptional director - and quiet about it. When he directed you didn't hear the constant chatter of how amazing he is -even though you don't really like his pictures (like some Scorsese) or how touching and unspoiled his vision is (like Spielberg - don't get me started) or about how his vision is beyond yours (Coppola) or about staying true to his dream - no matter how boring (Lucas).
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No, Michael Curtiz did his job from 1913 in Austria-Hungary to 1962 in Hollywood. Along the way he tortured the English Language more than once:
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- . During filming of The Charge of the Light Brigade, he wanted many riderless horses in the background during the final charge. His instructions were, "Bring on the empty horses", later the title of the autobiography of one of the stars of the film, David Niven (I)' .
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- Another time he was chewing out an assistant for neglecting to do a job assigned to him, and yelled, "The next time I want an idiot to do this, I'll do it myself!"
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- His grasp of the English language made him the subject of many long standing Hollywood anecdotes. He once berated David Niven on set declaring: "You think you know f*ck everything and I know f*ck nothing. Well let me tell you, I know f*ck all!!"
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And yet, it is hard to image the movies without him. See how many of his movies below you know...






FYI:

Casablanca, Mildred Pierce, The Adventrues of Robin Hood, Charge of the Light Brigade, The Sea Wolf, Man with a Horn, White Christmas and King Creole.
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During World War II, this man found time to direct "This is the Army", which raised over 10 Million dollars for the US government and "Meeting in Moscow" for Franklin Rosevelt.
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Although he left Austria/ Hungary before Hitler, he lost his sister and cousins at Auschwitz and donated millions to the European Relief Fund.
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I love the fact that he just went to work, did amazing things and moved on. Two of my favorite "forgotten" movies were directed by him, Flamingo Road and The Kennel Murder Case.

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In Flamingo Road (left) Sydney Greenstreet talks to Joan Crawford about her questional "carny" past. "Glad you forgot about it. People around here don't forget so easy. I don't forget so easy."
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Joan says, "You know, we had an elephant in the carnival like that. Held a grudge against a keeper for years. Finally turned and tried to attack the keeper. Had to shoot the poor animal. (looking Sydney in the face) You wouldn't believe how hard it is to get rid of a dead elephant."

Miss Abby


Goodness knows that a little poodle is not the first choice Ronnie Roo would make for a puppy.
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However, Miss Abby here is being saved by Ron. Miss Abby is about eight (?) who was owned by an older woman who had to go into a home and can't take the dog.
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Miss Abby have been shunted around from family to kennel to shelter and is just scared and freaked out. Our Ron has taken her in and adopted her.
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Well, can I just say that the tears wheal up in me. Poor Zela had a cat in almost the same situation, and the people that "adopted" her cat put in down in less than 48 hours. Granted, Hersey was old OLD, but still....
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Here is a toast to Miss Abby and Mr Ron. Long may you bark (appropriately).

UCLA Won...


We won. I am shocked.
And very very happy.

Monday, September 01, 2008

US Open


So yesterday and today I went to the US Open with Eddie & Muffin!
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It was a lot of fun and Ed got fantastic seats for us.
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I think this might be Ed's last year as able to get US Open tickets (NBC is not broadcasting next year), so we took advantage.
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Yesterday I saw Roger Federer for the first time live. He was smaller than he looks on TV, and he was great. I actually like him more now that he isn't flawless.
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Today Muffin and I watched the Rafeal Nadal match against Sam Querrey (the American). It was an amazing match that Rafa won in 4 set with a tie breaker in set 3.
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We also saw Mardy Fish (another American) win in the earlier show.
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I had never seen Rafa in person either, so this was a great great day.