What It's About

Welcome to my blog! I ruminate on random thoughts rattling around in my brain. Subjects range from reality TV to current events and everything in between. Whether you agree with me or not, I welcome your comments. God gave you the ability to think for yourself, and this country was founded based on the right to have your own opinion. Who am I to question that? Hope you enjoy! And, if you like to shop on the internet, or have always wanted to try, please feel free to click on one of the banners on the left. Do admit I get a small commission for anything you buy through the links. Appreciate it if you do decide to buy something!

Wednesday, March 31, 2010

These May Only Interest Me, But…

Before get started, how do you like the new look of the page?  Just seems a little more serene and thought-provoking.  Like the old saying goes, if you cant impress ‘em with your smarts, divert their attention.

Anyway, been some things in the news which have caught my attention.  May only interest me, but, they might interest you, too.  So, if you’re curious about what piques my interest, here we go:

  • Jaime Escalante died this week.  You may be asking who he is.  He was the inspiration for the movie Stand and Deliver, starring Edward James Olmos and Lou Diamond Phillips.  Mr. Escalante was a math teacher in an inner-city school.  You know, the schools where no one is supposed to be able to learn?  Anyway, he started teaching advanced math classes such as calculus and his students became some of the best students in the country.  He proved attitude has more influence than conditions, which is something I’ve thought for a long time.  It’s easy for kids to lay blame on someone or something else if adults do it, too.  Just something to think about when you’re talking to your kids.  RIP, Mr. Escalante;
  • Been seeing a lot of headlines about the Sandra Bullock/Jesse James situation.  Who is cheating on who with whom?  Why did they do it?  Who will be filing for divorce?  Why should we care?  If he cheated on her, that should be between them and not played out in all the tabloids.  Would this really be a story if she hadn’t won the Oscar this year?  Hard to say for sure, but I doubt it.  Barely know who he is and she hadn’t really been heard from in a long time until The Blind Side came out.  Am I saying he shouldn’t have cheated on her?  Absolutely not.  Just wishing the media would leave them alone, or at least her, anyway;
  • Lance Corporal Matthew Snyder was killed in Iraq in 2006.  A Baptist church out of Iowa decided to protest the war during his funeral.  His father Albert Snyder filed suit against the church for invading the privacy of the funeral and causing even more distress than was already there.  The initial jury awarded him millions of dollars.  The appeals court not only overturned the award but ordered Mr. Snyder to pay the church’s legal bills.  Now, can understand the court saying the church had the right to free speech since they were protesting outside the funeral in a public place.  Freedom of speech even applies to idiots as long as they are not inciting violence or anything like that.  But, it’s a real slap in the face of Mr. Snyder to be ordered to pay the legal fees for the church in my opinion.  Would not consider this a frivolous lawsuit.  Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything.  The funeral for someone who died for your freedoms is not the place for an anti-war protest.  Anyway, the Supreme Court has agreed to hear Mr. Snyder’s appeal.  Hope they have some sense about ‘em;
  • President Obama has decided to open up some of the oil fields along the Gulf Coast and Virginia which have been closed for the last 20 years.  Now, you would think the Pubs would be happy and the Dems would be upset.  Well, at least one Pub has said it didn’t go far enough.  Some Dems are supporting it while others are leery about environmental concerns.  Obama started his presidential campaign by saying he was agin it but would open them up if there was scientific proof it would help.  Guess he found it somewhere.  Can’t imagine there’s enough oil in those reserves to make even a tiny dent in our needs.  But, have to give him credit for trying to appease the other side of the aisle on at least one issue.  I’ll give you a little oil in exchange for signing a health bill few people in the public are happy with.  Seems like a fair trade, huh?;
  • Heard about Pat Venditte?  He’s a right-handed pitcher for the Yankees.  No, he’s a left handed pitcher for the Yankees.  No, oh, heck, he throws with both hands.  Just depends on which side of the plate the batter stands on.  Has a six-fingered glove so he can switch it back and forth.  Now, it’s amazing enough when anyone is talented enough to pitch a baseball at the professional level.  Hard to imagine having that kind of talent in both arms.  He’s still in the minors for now, but he may make it to The Show before too long.  Will have to keep an eye out for him;
  • Most of you know I’m an Alabama Crimson Tide fan through and through.  But, saw a story this week where one of Auburn’s recruits (who picked AU over UA for some reason) was diagnosed with leukemia this week.  His name is Shon Coleman.  Has to be very tough to hear this kind of news when it seems you have everything going for you, especially for an athlete of his caliber.  My thoughts and prayers go out to him for his recovery and to his family for their comfort.  War Eagle, Shon!;
  • As you may have seen on the left, decided to join the Twitter world last week.  My screen name is ScotPS23.  Some interesting people to follow on there.  Decided to follow Dr. Alan Zimmerman.  He wrote a note to thank me.  He mentioned my twins so know it wasn’t just some standard reply.  Was pretty excited about that.  It’s a great way to keep up with the news if you want.  The thing I wasn’t expecting is some of the businesses who decide to follow you.  Guess it’s in the hope you will follow them.  Had a couple of sports gambling and a vitamin store start following me.  Didn’t return the favor so they dropped me.  Oh well.  Try to provide an update on my thoughts several times during the day.  It’s a good release if nothing else;
  • The more I hear “Mother” from Pink Floyd’s The Wall, the more I appreciate it’s melodies.  Could listen to it over and over again without the lyrics.  They are a little too Oedipal for me.  But, it has my second-most-favorite David Gilmour guitar solo in it.  Very nice.

Well, that’s all for now.  A little longer than I intended.  Hope one or two of ‘em interested you as much as they did me.  Thanks as always for making it this far.

Later.

Friday, March 26, 2010

My Takes

Both of you who read this blog are probably wondering why I haven’t had any comments on the news lately.  Well, as you may have seen, been on vacation part of the time.  And, it’s been kind of slow in the news department so just haven’t been motivated to write…What’s that you say?  There has been some news?  Are you serious?  Just kidding.  Just needed to blog on the funner stuff first.

So, in case you’re curious about my thoughts, here we go: 
  • So, healthcare reform finally passed.  Not real sure what I think about it to be honest.  Am happy there’s no “public option”…yet, anyway.  Have to imagine that will be debated again in the years to come.  From what I’ve read and heard about the current version, am willing to see what will happen.  Although my instincts are not real happy about it, my rational side hasn’t seen anything that really upsets me.  Am certainly not like the nut mentioned in U S Common Sense or any of the other people out there threatening Congressmen with physical harm.  Reactions like that just cause more people to turn agin ya rather than fer ya.  If you really want to hurt a politician, vote against him and/or donate to his opponent;
  • Have been hearing all the hullaballoo about VP Biden dropping the mother of all curse words before some press conference on healthcare.  Nobody ever said he was the brightest bulb in the bunch, but think this is being way overblown.  I’m of the same opinion expressed by Seth Frederikson in his blog.  You should definitely think before saying something like that in front of microphones and cameras.  As a disclaimer, while I agree with Mr. F’s take on this situation, I did not vote, will not vote, and certainly did not work to elect nor will work to re-elect the current administration.  But, just cuz we don’t see eye-to-eye politically, don’t mean we can’t get along and just agree to disagree on some things.  Anyway, learned all I needed to about Ol’ Joe when he plagiarized a speech way back when he ran for the Oval Office.   Bottom line, if you’re going to be dropping f-bombs, only load them in the bomb bay doors when you are far from the never blinking eyes and ears of the media;
  • Have read a little about the lesbian in Mississippi causing the prom to be cancelled.  Now, if she wants to wear a tux and bring a girl with her to the dance, that’s her business as far as I’m concerned.  My issue is why did she ask for permission in the first place?  The conspiracy theorist in me thinks she got the answer she was hoping for so she could draw attention to herself and/or her cause.  Could be wrong, but…Otherwise, why not just show up with who she wants to be with wearing whatever she wants?  And, of course, the media has played along just like the lapdogs they are.  But, reckon if idiots like me didn’t click on the links to read the stories, they wouldn’t follow these stories…;
  • The Indian military has made a weapon out of the bhut jolokia, a.k.a. – the world’s hottest pepper.  It’s a bomb which guess can be called the nuclear bomb of all the tear gasses.  To give you an idea of just how hot these peppers are, a jalapeno rates up to 8,000 units on the scale used to judge the heat in peppers.  This one rates at over 1,000,000.  Pretty dang hot.  The plan is to use it as a non-lethal weapon in their war against terrorism.  Reckon they figure to smoke more information out of them by turning up the heat.  The article also said they are looking to develop it for civilian self-defense.  Talk about too hot to handle;
  • Have you heard of Corey Poitier?  He’s a Republican running for Congress in Florida.  The other day he made a comparison to Buckwheat in one of his campaign speeches.  People have interpreted it to say he was talking about his Dem opponent (who is black) or President Obama.  So, you’re thinking just another white, male Pub without a clue, right?  As one sports dude would say, not so fast, my Friend.  Mr. Poitier is actually black.  For the record, he says he was referring to the healthcare bill and not to anyone in specific. (Guess I would, too)   He also said he and his brother have used that term for years and it essentially means “dummy” to them.  To me, just goes to show there’s people on both sides of the aisle who need to think before they open their pie hole;
  • Been an exciting year for the NCAA tournament this year.  Lots o’ good upsets.  This is what sports should be all about.  Everyone has a chance and folks love to root for the underdogs.  People say the basketball tournament proves that a football playoff would work.  Not so sure about that cuz, in college football, people like for the powerhouses to win the championship.  Anywho, as of tonight, the SEC still has two teams left so I’m still really interested.  If and when they go out, will only remain interested enough so my sports-minded friends will still think I’m cool.  OK, sort of cool.  Well, not as big of a geek…hopefully;
  • Was looking at my friend suggestions on Facebook the other day.  Some of them I understood cuz we have mutual friends.  Some of the others made no sense at all cuz, not only do we not have any mutual friends, got no idea who they are in the first place.  Just wonder what criteria they use to make those suggestions;
  • Still thinking about the Twitter thing.  Have almost made the decision to try it out although I’m not really sure why.  Might be a little too long-winded for the 140 character limit.  Will have to see;
  • A friend of mine said he went through a drive-thru the other day and they asked him if it was for here or to go.  Guess someone was having a long day.
Well, that’s all for now.  As always, thanks for making it to the end with me.  March 27 marks the one year anniversary of my very first blog.  Where does the time go?  Want to thank every one of y’all who let me clear out the voices in me noggin.  Well, quiet ‘em down, anyway.

Y’all have a great weekend now! Ya hear?

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

48 Ways to Have a Great Day Every Day

Some of you may recall I once posted a newsletter from Dr. Alan Zimmerman on ways to reduce stress in your life (see here).  Well, gotta another one want to share about different ways to have a great day every day.  They are all very short.  It's from his October 27, 2009, newsletter.  Gonna add some editorial comment on a few of them, but most stand pretty much on their own.

Dr. Zimmerman's TUESDAY TIP:


"The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it."

Michelangelo Buonarroti, Italian Renaissance painter and sculptor


What Dr. Zimmerman Has To Say About This:

Michelangelo is right.  You shouldn't settle for an "okay" life when an "exceptional" life is possible.  You shouldn't settle for "getting through another day" when every day could be a "great" one. 

And over the years, I've discovered that a "great" day has a lot more to do with how I approach it than what actually happens to me.  A "great" day is a matter of choice and not a matter of luck.

That being the case, I've put together a list of ways you can have a great day every day.  It's a compilation of my thoughts and experiences ... interspersed with the wisdom of others.  Print out the list and look at once in a while ... because the more points you follow, the better your days will be.


                    DR. ZIMMERMAN'S 48 WAYS TO HAVE A GREAT DAY ... EVERY DAY

**Get PHYSICAL.

1.  Take a few deep breaths throughout the day.  It not only calms you but re-invigorates you.

2.  Get busy living. Don't sit around waiting for life to happen.  And don't sit around wallowing in the grief of yesterday.  Life is too short for long pity parties.

3.  And if you're feeling overwhelmed or burned out, just remember ... for fast-acting relief, try slowing down. (works better than any chemical you can put in your body)
 

**Put some RECREATIONAL fun in your day. 

4.  Look for the humor in everyday situations.  For example, if you show me a man that has both feet firmly planted on the ground, I'll show you a man who can't get his pants off.

5.  Look for the craziness in everyday platitudes.  As they say, "Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he'll eat for a lifetime."  But in reality, sometimes you teach a man to fish, he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day long.  (not that there's anything wrong with that from time to time)

6.  Don't watch life from the sidelines.  Get involved and make the most of it ... starting now.

7.  Grow up without growing old.

8.  Always remember, no one is in charge of your happiness except you. (extra double AMENS for this one!!!)


**Keep your EMOTIONAL life in check.

9.  Lighten up.  Most of the things you worry about aren't going to happen anyway. (One of my favorite quotes is "Lighten up, Frances" from Stripes)

10. Don't go through life; grow through life.

11. Dismiss discouragement.  Every great achievement was once impossible.  (Just think of the advances made in our lifetimes you would have never dreamed possible such iPods, laptops, etc)

12. Remember, it's always darkest just before the dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

13. Practice patience.  Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.  (Perseverance, too)

14. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

15. Be thankful for your problems. If you threw all your problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, you'd grab yours back.


**Nurture your SOCIAL connections.

16. Enthusiasm is contagious. Start an epidemic.

17. Speak kindly.  Leave the rest to God.

18. Multiply your happiness by dividing it.

19. Tell the truth; then you won't have to worry about remembering anything.

20. Remember, there's always someone who cares about you.  In fact, if you think nobody cares if you're alive or dead, try missing a couple of car payments.
   
21. Don't miss a good chance to shut up.  Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.  (Like the old saying goes, there's a reason God gave us two ears and only one mouth)

22. Beware of gossip.  Letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in again.

23. If you want to G-E-T, you have to A-S-K.

24. Guard your tongue.  You cannot unsay a cruel word.

25. Choose your friends carefully.  When you wallow with pigs, you're going to get dirty.  (As the Bible says in Proverbs, bad company ruins good character)

26. Strive to make people feel good.  After all, people will forget what you said, and people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
   
27. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

28. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

29. Even if you have pains, you don't have to be one.

30. Forgive your enemies.  It messes up their heads.

31. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.


**Approach your OCCUPATION with wisdom.

31. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.

32. Don't corner anyone meaner than you.

33. The harder you work, the luckier you get.  (Imagine that) 


**Use your MENTAL capacity to think good thoughts and make good choices.

34. Remember ... life isn't fair.  Some days you're the bug, and some days you're the windshield. Deal with it.
   
35. When you're pursuing what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

36. Never dismiss the value of a mistake. Make the mistakes of yesterday your lesson for today.

37. Be thankful for every experience.  After all, good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of those experiences come from bad judgment. (Lots of good stories, too)

37. If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop digging.

38. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

39. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

40. Use common sense.  Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

41. Keep on learning ... by reading and observing.  Forget about learning the hard way.  As Will Rogers said, "There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves."  (Only took me 5 times to figure out that fence hurts)

42. Keep your ego in check.  And if you ever get to thinking you're a super-important, hot-shot kind of person, try ordering somebody else's dog around.


**Tap into your SPIRITUAL side.

43. Don't count the days; make the days count.

44. Live simply.  Love generously.  Care deeply.

45. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time.

46. Don't go through life with a catcher's mitt on each hand ... with a "gimme, gimme, gimme" attitude.  True happiness comes from throwing some things back into life.
   
47. Don't forget ... every path has a few puddles.

48. Do what is right whether or not you feel like it.  The time is always right to do what is right.

49.  No matter what happens, the sun will always rise tomorrow.

50.  Always remember God loves you...and the rest of us are trying. 


So there's my list.  Feel free to edit it as you like.  Make up your own list.  Write down your truths.  And when the economy seems bleak, when your business is struggling, when your relationships are under fire, or you seem to be living under a cloud, pull out the list and read it again.  Remind yourself you CAN have a good day ... EVERY DAY ... if you just apply a few of these truths.


Action:

Add two more "ways to have a good day every day" ... to the list above.  Make it an even 50.


Dr. Alan Zimmerman

As you can see, already added my additional two.  Am interested in what yours may be.  Please feel free to let me know by either leaving a comment or sending me an e-mail at ScotPS23@yahoo.com.  

If you are interested in learning more about Dr. Z or signing up for his newsletter, you can go to his website using this link.  He's given me lots of things to think about over the years.  You might enjoy him, too.

As always, thanks for reading.  Feel free to pass this along to your family and friends.  (Now, that's a funny expression just screaming for its own blog.)  And, don't forget about my friends' blogs over on the left side.  Been some good ones lately.


I'm out!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Disney Vacation

Well, just spent a week visiting with The Mouse.  Went on the cruise then headed over to Orlando for a couple of days of the Magic Kingdom and Epcot.  As usual, had some random observations rattle around in me noggin.  So, will share ‘em with you so I can clear ‘em out of me head.

If you’re ready, here we go:
  • What is it about Disney that inspires people to plop down $30 onPP&S Pirate Minnie crazy hats which you won’t wear the next day much less after you get home?  You know the ones I’m talking about.  The sorcerers hats, the ears, etc.  We were guilty of it, too.  Bought a bunch of stuff for the Pirates in the Caribbean party on the boat which will probably never be worn again.  Unbelievable; 
  • Disney is all about customer service.  They will do anything they can to make a guest happy as long as it’s within reason.  About the only time they willingly disappoint guests is when the characters leave with people still in line to see ‘em.  There’s just no way around that, though;
  • That being said, they’re all about customer service cuz they’re all about the Benjamins.  Happy guests open their wallets way more often than unhappy ones.  They nickel and dime you until you’ve spent way more than you realized/wanted.  Nothing wrong with keeping your business afloat, but wish they would let me keep some of my money for when I get back home;
  • Magic Kingdom Castle Quote of the week from my daughter:  “You mean they charge to get into Disney?!”  as we were pondering a last  minute trip to the Magic Kingdom.  Ah, the innocence of childhood;
  • Quote of the week from my son: “Why do people congest the roads” as we were sitting still on the interstate for the umpteenth time for no apparent reason while trying to get home Saturday.  Wish I had an answer for him.  Just can’t understand how traffic can stop on a road with no stoplights or stop signs when there are no wrecks;
  • P&P w Hook There are some Bama fans that work at Disney.  When I took pictures of Mickey and Minnie on Castaway Cay, both gave me the thumbs up for the Bama cover on my iPhone.  Figured they did that for everyone regardless of the school.  Well, when I took my son’s picture with Capt. Hook, he did the same thing and gave a hand cheer when I said, “Roll Tide.”  My son said, “War Eagle” (yes, he cheers for the other side, sigh) and Hook gave him a thumbs down.  Would guess that’s not standard procedure;
  • The smiles on your family’s faces make it worth all the money  spent and time spent standing in lines.  Memories truly are priceless.
A cast member asked us if we were having a good time.  Told ‘im we wouldn’t be talking with him to book our cruise for next year if we weren’t.  Although we had a great time, it’s always  nice to get back home and sleep in your own bed…even though it rained, hailed and snowed the day we got back with a little bit of sunshine thrown in, too. 

Thanks for letting me reminisce a little.  Hope it made you think of some of your own great vacation memories.

Until next time…

 WonderCharacter Buoys





 Family w Sailor M&M

Monday, March 8, 2010

Quick Hits

Got some quick hits that’ve been kicking around in my gray matter.  Maybe you can help me with some answers or comments, if needed.  Thanks.

OK.  Here we go:
  • How do people know to call when you’re about to start something you’ve been trying to talk yourself into for 30 minutes?
  • Been thinking about getting into Twitter.  Any thoughts or suggestions?;
  • Hadn’t seen it so don’t know, but, imagine Hurt Locker is an anti-war film.  Anyone really surprised it won the Oscar from the liberal Hollywood crowd?;
  • Why does NASCAR think it’s smart to head to the West Coast, where the stands are half-full at best, after its biggest race of the year?
  • Skype is awesome;
  • Ever notice most fitness TV commercials are geared towards women?;
  • Now that TNA is moving t0 Monday nights, maybe pro wrestling/sports entertainment will be worth watching again…maybe;
  • Brett Hart, the Excellence of Execution.  The best there is, the best there was, the best there ever will be;
  • Glad the weather’s getting better.  Hope it will inspire me to start exercising more;
  • Survivor: Heroes vs. Villains is one of the best seasons ever;
  • Anyone else not watching American Idol this year and not missing it?;
  • The hardest part of getting a new laptop is getting used to the keyboard;
  • It’s true a Southern man don’t need Neil Young around anyhow;
  • The Percy Jackson and the Olympians book series is purty good even for adults;
  • Is Chumley really that dumb and Rick really that smart on Pawn Stars?;
  • Have been able to catch with some folks haven’t thought about in years on Facebook.  Very nice.
Feel a little better now.  Thanks for your curiosity.  Please feel free to leave an answer and/or comment or two, or send me an e-mail at ScotPS23@yahoo.com.  If there’s a question gnawing at you, please leave it, too.

Probably won’t be updating the blog over the next couple of weeks.   Gotta take a break every now and then.  But, fear not, both fans out there, I will definitely be back.  Will still check for comments, though.  Please feel free to peruse my archives over on the left while I'm gone.

Y’all have a good one!  Be back soon!

Friday, March 5, 2010

More Stuff

Hope everyone’s had a great week.  Mine’s been pretty good.  Even though the week started with more snow in the Deep South, gonna be an awesome weekend weather-wise here.  Sunny and 60’s.   Can’t wait.

Gotta few things to comment on and wanted to throw them out there while they’re still fresh in me noggin.  So, if you’re willing to proceed, here we go:
  • A North Carolina congressmen has submitted a proposal to replace Ulysses S Grant on the $50 bill with Ronald Reagan.  Now, I’m about as big a Reagan fan as you will find, however, not so sure about this one.  In the grand scheme of things, Grant did more for our country by winning the Civil War as a soldier than Reagan did during his presidency.  Think all the current folks on our money should stay put.  If they want to honor Reagan with his mug on some money, they should probably come up with another coin like a $0.20 piece.  That would help cover those $0.99 plus tax things you always have to find extra change for.  Just a thought;
  • Saw where Scott Matheson was nominated by President Obama to be a federal judge.  So what, you may be asking.  Well, turns out he’s the brother of Jim Matheson, a Dem congressman from Utah, who also happens to be undecided on his healthcare reform vote.  Imagine that.  Now, Obama claims that has nothing to do with his selection, and from what I’ve read, Scott seems qualified for the position.  But, it still looks a little fishy no matter how you slice it.  Just goes to show the more things change, the more they stay the same;
  • President Obama had a press conference the other day with a bunch of doctors standing behind him wearing white coats.  Why do doctors have to wear these things when they are out in public?  You see them all the time making public appearances wearing their white coats or surgical scrubs like they just left a waiting room full of patients or someone on the operating table.  Guess they think it lends an air of credibility or something.  Think it makes them look like they are trying to distract you from the dribble coming out of their mouths myself;
  • Joined a blog promotion website called SeededBuzz.com.  The concept is you read other blogs and then provide a link to their blog on yours when you use theirs as inspiration on yours.  Sounds more complicated than it really is.  So, if you’re a blogger, suggest you check it out to see if it might be for you.  Ain’t a charge to be a basic member, but, naturally, you can upgrade for a small fee if you like.  They encourage you to remain a free member, though.  Say all this to let you know I will provide comments on other blogs from time to time now.  Will also provide a link to the blog so you can read it for yourself if you like;
  • Read about a law being introduced out in California to outlaw cursing for a week on An Authors Journey (link here).  The politician who proposed it says cursing leads to all kind of social mayhem so it should be illegal for a week.  Should be noted there is no penalty if you break the law if and when it is passed.  This brings several thoughts to mind.  One, why worry about this $@^# when California has an economic crisis worse than the US?  Someone else agrees with this question in limerick form here  Two, at what point in language history did these words become bad to say?  If you think about it, why is “manure” or “anus” any better to say than their more colorful alternatives?  Even some innocuous words such as "hole" can be seen as offensive, I guess.  Have watched shows before where the speaker has said “ass” and the second half of the word is bleeped out.  To me, would think they would bleep the former rather than the latter.  Anyway, just seems like a politician wanting to tell his constituents he’s getting legislation passed when it comes time for re-election.  Better hope no one asks him what it is;
  • US Common Sense (link here) has a commentary about Starbucks refusing to kowtow to the anti-handgun movement.  Seems California (and 42 other states) has a law which states you can openly carry handguns anywhere you want.  The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence went to several businesses asking them to prevent people from coming into their places if they were openly packing heat.  Several capitulated but Starbucks refused saying they always follow the local laws and regulations.   I say good for Starbucks!  It irritates me when people want to push their beliefs by trying to hold corporations hostage.  Went out and bought a venti non-fat latte this morning just to show my support.  Now, will say I’m not a big fan of handguns myself; however, I will fight to the death your right to own one (legally) if you so choose.  But, that is a topic for a whole ‘nother blog;
  • Gonna have an interesting trial coming up here shortly.  Anthony Galea, a sports medicine doctor in Canada, is being tried for attempting to have HGH smuggled from the US into Canada.  He’s treated some big-name stars including Alex Rodriguez and Tigger Woods.  Of course, they deny taking HGH and say they were taking part in some sort of blood-cleansing type therapy the doc is famous for.  Could get real interesting, though.  Not usually a conspiracy theorist, but have always thought it was a little odd that Tigger blew out his knee the year the PGA started testing for performance-enhancing drugs.  Not that I think it gave him an unfair advantage if he did take PED’s.  His mental toughness is what separates him from everyone else.  Probably didn't take them.  Still…;
  • Did you see where McDonald’s has struck up a sponsorship deal with…brace yourself…Weight Watchers?  Yup.  Happened in New Zealand.  McD’s will be able to use the WW seal of approval for several of their meals including chicken nuggets and filet-o-fish sandwiches.  Needless to say, not all health advocates are crazy about it seeing as how McD’s is always the poster child for unhealthy eating.  Never would have thought it would happen myself, but more power to them if that’s what both parties want to do.  It’s their name and money 0n the line.  Will be interesting to see if it makes its way to this side of the pond;
  • Could be an interesting weekend in Alabama.  The bingo parlors have opened back up.  The state authorities have said they’re gonna raid them.  The county authorities have said they gonna stop ‘em at the door.  And our politicians wonder why people, including our own citizens, make fun of Alabama;
  • March is one of the best months of the year for sports fans.  The NCAA basketball tournament (a.k.a – March Madness) will be starting soon.  Baseball spring training has started.  Basketball and hockey are wrapping up their seasons to start the playoffs.  Will be lots of stuff for sports folks to yak about.  Should be a fun month.
That’s all the news that is the news…to me…for now, anyway.  Thanks as always for trudging through it.  Hope you enjoyed it or at least have a few more things to think about, if you need more.  Please be sure to check the links on the left, too.  Some good stuff over there.

Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Random Synapse Gaps

Every time me thinks the news just can’t get any stranger,  it does.  Reckon that’s what I get for thinking.   So if you want to read  commentary on some recent news, please continue.
  • If you are into smoking left-handed cigarettes, Statewide Insurance Services has decided to add coverage for medicinal marijuana to their health insurance policies.  They said it’s already legal in 14 states and they figure won’t be too long before the rest follow suit.  Would it surprise you to find out they are based in California?  Anyway, if you’re into that kind of thing and want some coverage, all you need is to live in a state where it’s legal, find a doc to give you a prescription, and buy their insurance.  Now, that’s what I call thinking outside the box;
  • It’s come out the former mayor of Birmingham won 555 times at the local electronic bingo establishments over the last 3 years.  Total winnings:  around $1.5 million.  Although he says he doesn’t remember winning like that, claimed the winnings on his taxes so it must be true.  Some days he won close to $100,000.  Several workers have said they were told by management to take him to the “lucky” machines.  Imagine that.  Don’t have anything against gambling myself. But, does go to show what kind of character the gambling moguls can have.  In case you’re wondering why he’s the former mayor, he was recently convicted of taking bribes from several other folks and is about to be sentenced to the pokey.  Surprised?;
  • See where Tigger went home from rehab a little over a week after his statement.  Wonder why he couldn’t have waited another week or two?  Maybe he really was trying to stick it to the sponsor who dropped him during their tournament.  Or, maybe he just wanted to be able to get away for a while from the media hubbub he knew would come after he talked.  Who knows?  The real question to me:  is he sleeping in his bed or on the couch?;
  • Nancy Pelosi said the other day the politicians should vote for healthcare reform, even if it jeopardizes their political career, cuz it’s what the people want.  As a friend of mine said, if it’s what the people want, why would a vote for reform put their careers in jeopardy?  Sometimes people really should think before they open their yap in public;
  • Read where the Chilean earthquake caused the earth’s axis to shift slightly.  Something about the rocks moving  which caused the earth’s weight to shift.  Anyway, it will result in shorter days.  Have lost about 1.26 microseconds according to a NASA scientist.  Not something I would necessarily think about with an earthquake.  The article said the fact it happened is not that unusual but the length of time is.  In comparison, the quake that triggered the tsunami in 2004 only altered the time by .06 microseconds (whatever that is).  On a side note, have found it interesting the world is not coming to Chile’s aid like it did Haiti.  Reckon it’s cuz of the lower death tolls.  Still a sad event, though;
  • Guy Morriss, the head football coach at Texas A&M-Commerce, was bragging about teaching his players how to steal.  Seems the student newspaper had a headline about several players getting busted for selling drugs so he told his players to go out and get every copy they could find.  Problem was, the first paper was free then it’s $0.25 for every copy after that.  Since they were taking them stacks at a time without paying the quarters, the paper accused them of stealing.  Coach said there was nothing wrong with telling his players to take the papers.  How much you want to bet there will be another headline soon which reads, “Morriss Gone!”?
  • Just how fickle is the American public?  Jay Leno, who couldn’t draw flies to his prime time show, handily won the ratings war when he returned to his old time slot Monday.  Go figure.  Can’t imagine his show is any different.  Maybe it’s cuz the head musician got canned when they moved back.  Who knew?;
  • See where Sully Sullivan has decided to hang up his wings.  Might as well, he’s been making so many public appearances (and rightly so) after he landed that plane, probably doesn’t have enough time for his real job.  Congrats on making it to retirement, Sully!  Hope you have a long and fulfilling flight into the sunset.
Well, that’s all I got for now.  Thanks as always for hanging on to the end.  Y’all have a good one!
Until next time…