Truth: My 2009 Christmas List

Well I may as well start early this year so you can get a head start and deal with all your shopping sales and what not.   I like things. I need things. I want things. Do your part to stimulate the economy, and help your 34th favorite charity; me.

• I want this bike.  You can pick the color.
• I want a 1970 Cadillac convertible . Again, color of your choice.
• I want a Blu Ray player.
• I want a 92 inch HDTV (LED or PLASMA) flat screen.
• I want you to want me. Not really, but I like that song.
• I want a new suit.
• I want a new sports coat.
• I want a bigger yard.
• I want American Idol to have every week like the first episode.  In other words, I want the Gong Show back.
• I want more people to realize that the POTUS isn't what they hoped for.
• I want someone to convert all my cd's to mp3's, tag them, and organize them for me.
• I want a terabyte backup hard drive.
• I want gas to go down to $1 a gallon.
• I want the government to stop printing money.
• I want consumers to start buying products owned by US companies.
• I want Detroit to survive and do a 180.
• I want the Detroit Lions to move to Los Angelas.
• I want the Detroit Red Wings to get a new stadium because Joe Louis Arena is a pit.
• I want the Detroit Tigers to get a new GM, who won't mortgage their future on players no one else wants. 
• I want lasik surgery to come down in price.
• I want time to slow down, as it's slipping away.
• I want next year to not fly by.
• I want my friends who are out of work, to get a job that they'll be happy with. 
• I want my side projects to prosper.
• I want a composite hockey stick.  My wood ones are not lasting anymore.
• I want reality tv to go away; or at least give me a "reality tv" block option.
• I want more of my friends to use gmail, so it can make my life easier.
• I want Joe Buck to stop announcing baseball and football games please.
• I want  you to click on my adverti$ers and my webpage www.hockeydino.com often.
• I want tickets to Greenland.
• I want the Michigan Wolverines to get new football coach.
• I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle
• I want you to enjoy The Herman Letters and Intense Auburn blogs.
  
• I want 1977 Topps Baseball Card set in mint condition. My favorite cards of all time.
• I want Quebec and Winnipeg to get pro hockey teams.
• I want people to Pay It Forward without me having to remind them.
  
• I want more of my friends to start playing softball and hockey with me.
• I want net book.
• I want Brett Favre to never retire, so he doesn't unretire.
• I want Alan Trammell to make the baseball Hall of Fame.
• I want the mainstream media to wake up about the economy.
• I want the Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid to resign now.
• I want Sarah Palin to not run for office.
• I want people to stop asking me if I want Lions tickets. I'm done.
• I want your gold.
  
• I want a kindle.
• I want a new camper.

Due to the state of the economy, I've cut back on my list this year.

Thank you in advance.

Sports: Spectator Sporting

I guess I could be considered a weekend warrior.  I play sports for fun.  Hockey, Dek Hockey, Streek Hockey, Softball, etc.  It's what I love to do, and I've been doing it ever since I can remember.  I'm athletic, but I'm not a good athlete.  I'm a weekend hack, just like every other guy.  I've slowed down considerably, and the old knee aint what it used to be, among other things that ache me.  However I love to still play.

I play street hockey with a bunch of guys who've been playing for about 25 years. It's my 4th year with them.  I enjoy it, and look forward to it.  It's great fun, and a good workout. These guys are hardcore, and I'm glad to have hooked up with them.  I used to play with a bunch of other guys, but they chose other paths for fun.

My issue though with this sport or any that I play for that matters is my inability to focus.  Call it A.D.D., call it whatever, I have a horrible time focusing when I play. This has always been the case, ever since little league baseball and youth soccer.  I've had many coaches and teammates tell me over the years if I would just get my head in the game, I'd be a better player.  

I know this, but I don't know how to focus.  When I'm playing the game, I find myself at times watching the action as a fan, rather than as a participant.  Needless to say that does wonders for my game.  I'm out of position, I'm offsides, I'm not hustling, I get hurt...  It sucks.  

I've got another 30 years in my of doing these sports.  So if you have any tips on how I can get in the game, and nurture my love for playing...please let me know. Help.

I'd also like to figure out how to get more of old friends back into the swing of things to play like the old days. I miss the old days.

Truth: Sale! Sale! Sale!

Black Friday.

Cyber Monday.

What gives people?  Why do you stand in line at midnight at Toys R Us so you can be one of the first people in the store to BUY something?  Seriously what is wrong with you?   There's not something wrong with you? Yeah ok.

The news channels have helicopters flying over malls checking out parking and traffic.  For what?  So the people at home are somehow going to run out of the house because they see a mall is packed?  I don't get it. I never have. I never will.  Why do you fall for this?

I don't understand the need to be at the mall at the crack of dawn. A local mall had a fight break out because the line to get in was too long.  People started to get restless and cranky.  So the cranky people are showing their Christmas spirit by starting fights in line.  Get a life.

I blame each and every one of you who support these two "magic" days.  As if you are actually really SAVING money.  Are you saving money people?  No, you are SPENDING money.  My guess is most of you are just running up your debt, which really doesn't help the economy in the long run.  It actually hurts everyone.

The time you spend to save a few bucks, could be offset by actually making money somewhere somehow. Buy what you need, not what you want.  Decipher what you need vs what you want. Get a clue and you'll be better off for it.  I'll be better off for it.

I blame you for making these two days exist. I would love to know what drives you to want to wait in line. What drives you to want to deal with jammed parking lots. What drives you to want to deal with busy traffic jams.  Inquiring minds what to know!

Chicks - 2009 Annual Top Hot Chicks

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  The votes are in for this year's list (3rd annual) of the top 25 most beautiful women of all time. Thank you for all of your suggestions. I've never heard of some of these chicks, but I trust your judgement.

1. Megan Fox
2. Audrey Hepburn
3. Bridget Bardot
4. Maria Grazia Cucinotta
5. Grace Kelly
6. Heid Klum
7. Rita Hayworth
8. Monica Belluci
9. Ava Gardner
10.Ann Margret
11.Eva Mendes
12.Sophia Loren
13.Raquel Welch
14.Michelle Pfeiffer
15.Carmen Electra
16.Eva Herzigova
17.Liz Hurley
18.Alessandra Ambrosio
19.Marilyn Monroe
20.Kate Beckensale
21.Elisha Cuthbert
22.Jessica Biel
23.Salma Hayek
24.Daniela Pestova
25.Brande Roderick

Others receiving votes:
Claudia Schiffer
Angelina Jolie
Jessica Rabbit
Beyonce
Tina Fey
Keira Knightley
Racheel Weisz
Giovanna Mezzogriorno
Scarlett Johansson
Tyra Banks
Ingrid Bergman
Denise Milani
Dagmara Dominczik
Aishwarya Rai
Adriana Lima
Sarah Palin
Jennifer Ehle
Giselle Bundchen

Liberty: Thank you Thank you

Ok aside from the usual mushy family, friends, pets stuff, this is what I'm thankful for...

Al Gore for creating the internet.
M&M's for making almond flavor.
Shish tawook.
Lemon hummus.
$5 hot and ready pizza.
Mickey D angus burger w/bacon.
Dek Hockey.
Street Hockey.
Homemade pickles.
Homemade pot stickers.
LED Christmas lights.
The leaf net for my fish pond.
Michael Moore for proving capitalism is really great.
Couscous with some basil.
HO scale trains.
Oprah retiring.
Camping with friends.
Hand sanitizer...I use it more than ever now.
My blackberry storm, oh how I love thee.
The dollar store; great for shampoo and napkins.
The delete button; used for all chain mail.
Ron and Rand Paul;The Revolution just started.
Tea Parties.
Gmail,anyone who uses anything else is just dumb.
Fantasy football.
Sweet potatoes.
Fresh salad.
Fire pit.
Lifelong friends.
Fresh made pies.
Church of the NFL.
Google Voice (Thanks W&J!)
Detroit sports talk radio.
Softball team.
My Network.
Entrepreneurial spirit.

Mulching Lawn Mowerers
Green Tea with honey.
Ohio State Buckeye Fans; you validate my hate for all OSU.
Vanilla wafers from Italy.
Sass.
Youtube music videos.
Lettuce, truly underrated.
John Dingle - those that voted for him proves stupidity runs a muck.
The readers of this blog; your complaints when I don't write fuel me.
My garden...300 tomatoes baby.
Caller ID.
Magic Jack.

California Rolls.
Thursday Night Football.
Homemade pasta sauce.
ESPN documentaries.

Baseball Almanac.
Hockeydb.com
You.

A.D.D. Rumblings No. 112509

1. Fast food, it's not my thing. I hit it once in a while, but out of convenience not first choice. I'm tired of it. I could live without it the rest of my life and not care. Halt! I've found something that is really freakin good. The Angus burger from McDonald's. What an outstanding burger. I'm telling you, it's very good. You have one of these, you'll never order anything else from the menu. Friends urged me on and they were right. I've urged friends on, and they've all agreed.  I'm lovin it.

2. I recently went to check out a statue of a bear that cost $50,000.  I had to see for myself where these liberals were spending my money.  I was not at all impressed.  For $50,000 I was hoping the bear could talk and at least give me a hug.  It did not naturally, and it was pretty lame.  Another example of government spending that just does not make sense.  Does anyone care?  This is a recording.  Does anyone care?

3. Whenever I am at some one's house and I see dust on their furniture, I always have to write a word on it with my finger.  It's so juvenile of me. Now you are going to do the same!

5. Many are really tired of the people who blame the mainstream media for the problems in the world, and their biased coverage.  Most of the time I am one of those people who blast the media.  I see how they operate, and it bothers me. Here's an example of why:  The Associated Press has just 2 reporters assigned to cover Health Care Reform which has a combined total of 4500 pages.  But the AP has 11 reporters assigned to cover Sarah Palin's book which totals 450 pages. Who's priorities are wacked?

4. I've come to really enjoy watching football on Thursday night.  Sunday and Thursday nights are the best time to watch baseball and football.  I just freakin love it!  College or pro, it's just great. 9 times out of 10 there's always a good game on and I get to watch teams I normally never get a chance to check out.  I'm a proud lemming of the NFL.  If the NFL walks off a cliff, I'm walking with them. Don't push.

[This blog brought to you by the word Floccinaucinhlipilification and number 10 ]

6. Ok Pet Peeve time. I just have to get it out of my system. Kids, please do NOT put date stamps on your digital photos. Hello?  How do you frame your pictures or share them with people when there's a date stamp on it?  Come on!  If you put them in an album, there's nothing but dates on the page.  If you show them in a slide show all you see are dates.  I know you do this to piss me off, but it has to stop.  For my health please stop.

7. Singer Mariah Carey has 18 number 1 hits in her career, second only to The Beatles.  I heard recently she was considered the biggest star on the planet (liberals hate to say world, they say planet...makes them more in tune with mother nature jive). The fact the media proclaims her to be the biggest star on the planet because her PR firm tells them, does nothing for me.  I think she is pop trash.  The fact most of you have bought her music to make her on the same page as The Beatles means you don't know anything about music.  I blame you. How do you sleep at  night?

8. That hypocrite director Michael Moore makes a documentary on the evils of capitalism yet still charges $10 bones to see the movie.  So what do the sheep do?  The sheep pay $10 while he laughs all the way to the bank.  For the millionth time, capitalism is not evil.  Evil is evil, and those that work around capitalism are evil. Those that break laws, that cheat, that knowingly or unknowingly hurt other people or their assets are evil.  Capitalism is great. Greed is good.  Rinse, lather, repeat. Smile Jesus loves me.

9. To be Stupid or not?  There's a college course at Occidental College called STUPIDITY.  They study stupidity. From their course description:...Stupidity, which has been evicted from the philosophical premises and dumbed down by psychometric psychology, has returned in the postmodern discourse against Nation, Self, and Truth and makes itself felt in political life ranging from the presidency to Beavis and Butthead. This course examines stupidity.  If stupid people take the class would they pass it or fail it?  If you passed the class would you really want to say that you aced Stupidity?

10. Why do people who always eat to much always tell you that they ate too much?  Why do they have to tell you that they are full? Am I supposed to care or something that you are a dolt and cant control your food intake?  Do you want me to rub your belly or something?  I'm full of you telling me that you are full.  Now get in my belly!

Truth: I Can't Read...

I can't read Twilight. I can't read Harry Potter. I can't read Steven King. I can't read Tom Clancy. I can't read Danielle Steele. I can't read John Grisham. I can't read Dean Koonz. I can't read Ann Rice.

I can't read them, because I won't read them.

The mere thought that these books are Oprah approved, or popular makes me not want to read them.  Yeah I've read King, Clancy, and Grisham..but I just don't care.  If you read them, fine. Just keep it to yourself please.  I find more often than not people read these "best sellers" in order to be able to talk about them with others who read them.  I guess that's cute...but really what's the point?  Is that the only point, or are you really curious about these books?  So much so, you then have to run and see the movie the day it's out too.



I'm sure some of these are probably good books.  Some of these authors have talent.  But I have more respect for an author that churns out one good book, than these mass produced authors who have a new book out every year.   Is it true they have writers for them, and they just have their names attached?  That's what I've heard about Clancy and Steele anyways.

I'll stick to Faulkner, Mellville, Rand, Twain, Tolstoy, Steinbeck.  Got a good book to recommend? One that I WILL read?  If you could read my mind....

Truth: Blonde Jovi

Raise your hand if you are sick of Bon Jovi.

Wow.  Cool, glad I'm not alone.   What is more annoying than record labels shoving an artist down your throat?  The answer, when the artist does it himself.  Yep, Bon Jovi approached NBC about making them "Artists in Residence".  What the heck is that?

That means Bon Jovi will have exclusive access to all the talk shows, and news shows on anything owned by NBC.  You know like Bravo, which will have this little Springsteen Jr. on Inside the Actor's Studio with that Professor Butterball.  Pacino, Deniro, Bon Jovi...all the great thespians of our time ya know.

Simply a marketing ploy in hopes to sell his new album.  Contrived contrived contrived.  Who's buying this garbage?  Well when it comes to Bon Jovi it's usually any woman from the age of 35 to 45 who still wishes her name was Gina.  Do you know how often I hear how CUTE Bon Jovi is, and how "I just want to kiss him"?  Often.

Bon Jovi is not that good. They aren't bad, but they aren't that good.  They've never been that good, just good. Good enough to make it big, and annoying enough to still stick around while producing not so much.  I mean back in 1986, I got it. I understood.  Heck I even have a Bon Jovi concert taped on a hand held  recorder when I saw them in concert.  I like some of their stuff.

I don't disrespect them sticking around. I don't care.  I don't disrespect them for trying to make some scratch. I'm cool with that.  I'm just sick of them, and they aren't getting my coin.   Let's see how many of you get this, the best thing ever about Bon Jovi fans:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1z09v_triumph-the-insult-comic-dog-bon-jo_animals

Truth: Opa! Win! Free!

Oprah Winfree...you either love her or hate her.  I don't hate her. I just don't get her appeal.  I don't think her show is good. I don't think she is very good. I'm amazed at how she is worth $2.5 billion.  Last year she made $350 million.  She announced that's she's canceling her show soon (not soon enough if you ask me), to start her own cable channel.  What? Don't we already have the Oxygen and Lifetime channels?  Just what we need, one more waste of time, waste of space tv channel. Then again I heard an interview where a fan said of Oprah, "She is the epitome of love and compassion for mankind ".  Puke.

You know friends of mine often comment how I'm the Oprah of Facebook, or that my blog is The View.  If only I could be so successful I'd take that as a compliment.  However I know it's not.  I know it's a criticism of the people that read my blog, the comments that they leave, the questions I pose from time to time. With friends like that who needs enemies right?  Whatever, I don't really mind as I know that I can't control who responds to what I write. I'll concur that certain readers are definitely a View or Oprah type audience.  But again, that's more of a revelation of who they are, not who I am. Or is it?

Maybe I should be more like Oprah? But no one screams when they see me, unless it's first thing in the morning. I certainly don't have the following; except the days I don't post I get hate mail for not posting. I know!  I think I will give away free 2011 Pontiacs to all my readers!  OPA!

Truth: Not So Funny

There are comedians that I think are not funny. Yet because of certain roles or events, they are forever deemed funny. For example I don't think Eddie Murphy is funny.  I think he's a good actor, and I've enjoyed his movies, but I don't find him really funny.  His stand up special was pretty funny about 20 years ago, but what have you done for me lately?

 

I do not think Robin Williams is funny. I did when he was Mork, but after that he was just a neurotic person who everyone thinks is funny.  I don't. I do think he is a very underrated actor, I'll give him that.  Will Farrell. Sorry I don't get it.  Only because it seems he plays the same character over and over.  Jim Carrey I don't get either.

 

Larry the cable guy.  Are you kidding me? He's about as funny as Roseanne Barr or Jeff Foxworthy - not really funny at all. Rainn Wilson I don't find funny.  He's just weird, and it's the same shtick thing over and over.

 

Richard Pryor, now he was funny.  Carrot Top who most people I know think sucks, makes me laugh like crazy.  I'm a fan of prop humor.  Like my music, movie, and art I'm searching for new, for unique, for fresh.  I don't want to hear the same things over and over.  Life is too short.  Show me the funny!

 

My 30 favorite comedians:
1. Steve Landesberg
2. Bill Murray
3. George Carlin
4. Don Rickles
5. Dennis Miller
6. Rodney Dangerfield
7. Cheech & CHong
8. Gary Shandling
9. Mel Brooks
10.Larry David
11.Henny Youngman
12.Andy Kaufman
13.Steven Wright
14.Dennis Leary
15.Tim Allen
16.Jerry Seinfeld
17.Redd Foxx
18.Ray Romano
19.Woody Allen
20.Billy Crystal
21.Jay Leno
22.David Letterman
23.Dave Chappelle
24.Bill Cosby
25.Bob Newhart
26.Steve Martin
27.Buddy Hackett
28.Sam Kinnison
29.Chris Rock
30.Bob Hope

 

Not a big fan of these 30:
1. Richard Lewis
2. George Wallace
3. Dana Carvey
4. Paula Poundstone
5. Jon Stewart
6. Kevin Neeland
7. Robin Williams
8. Will Farrell
9. Martin Lawrence
10.Richard Jeni
11.Alan King
12.Robert Klein
13.Dane Cook
14.Jackie Mason
15.Sandra Bernhard
16.Roseanne Barr
17.Larry the Cable Guy
18.Jeff FOxworthy
19.Louie Anderson
20.Sinbad
21.Whoopi Goldberg
22.Judy Tenuta
23.Kathy Griffin
24.Joe Rogan
25.Yakov Smirnof
26.Margret Cho
27.Gallagher
28.Cedric the Entertainer
29.Wanda Sykes
30.Jeanne Garafalo

Liberty: Pro Choice or Pro Control?

Here's what I've noticed about liberals. They want you to have choice when it comes to sex, but that's about it.For everything else in life, they want control.  Government control of course.  For example the government may start really controlling which type of shower head you use, in order to control how much water is being used by everyone.  If you are paying for the use of water, what choice do you really have when they tell you to use a tiny shower head with no pressure?  Remember when Al

Gore made the push to use smaller sized toilets?  Same thing. Where's the choice?

Now the government also has come out with "recommendations" that breast examinations (self or professional) are not needed for women of a certain age.  Oh really?  So when women get breast cancer, which may have been preventable by early detection what's going to happen?  Just give them chemo and hope it works?  The government should not be running health care. It's that simple.

Am I the only one who finds this appalling?  This is nothing more than "health care" rationing, and you bet it has to do with Obamacare.  Just a hunch, but it's all coming together now. This will be the first step towards getting more health care involved. Get your government bureaucrats to change the rules of the game, and the captive insurers follow the planned script.  It is called health care rationing, and the health of the public (the currently insured) be damned! Where's the choice?

Thanks to Chi-Town Ricky for the pic

America when are you going to wake up?  Then again life is very overrated, vote liberal!  At the risk of repeating myself, I'll repeat myself.  This isn't Republican vs. Democrat, this is conservative (real choice) vs. liberal (no choice).  There is a difference!   THINK PEOPLE. THINK. Think now, think often.  Your country is being taken away from you because of your complacency. Do something.

Have some fun watching the U.S. Debt Clock: http://www.usdebtclock.org/

Truth: God Bless the Tech Morons

Why do people who come to me for technical advice always preface it by saying "I'm not very good with computers" or "I'm not very technical".  Then there is the usual "I'm not as good as you" remark.  Well of course you aren't as good as me, but that doesn't mean you are a technical moron. 

 

People, you drive a car...you can work a computer.  You use a TIVO, you can use a computer.  You've been on the internet. You've used an atm machine.  You have surfed the internet and played games.  You can do it!  The computer is a glorified calculator anyways. How many years have they been around?

 

I think the problem lie somewhere else. I can spot these so called techno morons a mile away. They have that look about them. They aren't entirely dumb, they just put up this wall and want someone to do the work for them. I think they panic when there is an issue.  Oh no, the sky is falling!

 

If you want advice or help, ask me. If I don't know I'll tell you. More often than not, I may not know.  However please do not tell me you are not technical because you can't send an email correctly.  Because I'll just look at you funny.

 

Here's my favorite request scenario. It happens all of the time. They will call me up on the phone and ask me to email them some instructions.  What?  You couldn't email me asking for the instructions to begin with?  Ugh!

Truth: Who Me Angry?

There's always one person in a team situation or work setting that will drive you nuts. For some of you it may be more than one person.  At times, everyone drives me nuts.  But still even with many people ticking me off, there's always that one person who sends me over the edge.  The site of them, the presence of them, the thought of them raises my blood pressure through the roof.

In fact I think this person makes me age.  As soon as they open their mouth, I want to put my shoe in it. Why?  Well it's not like they are a bad person.  In fact this person is very nice and generally in a good mood. However, they believe the world revolves around their schedule and everything should stop at their beck and call.
This person also thinks differently than I do. Lives to work, rather than works to live.  You know the type, works 7 days a week but makes sure everyone knows it.  They make sure the boss and their boss sees them.   They are the first to raise their hand in a meeting, and the last to leave.  I've seen many of these people through out my career, but at this moment there is one guy that is killing me.

I need to play rock em sock em robots with him to get it out of my system I think. Am I choosing to let this person get the best of me?  Should I really just let my eyes roll, grin and bear it?  If I got in his face about his annoying get under my skin personality he may not even flinch.  He's oblivious.  I don't like him.  Please don't make me angry Mr. McGee...you wouldn't like me when I'm angry.

Truth: Repeat The Beat!

Bruce Springsteen came out in concert and said Hello Ohio!  The problem;  he was in Detroit when he said it. Oops!  Honest mistake? Yeah probably. However he said it several times! But then again, what do you expect when bands tour 100 to 300 nights a year?  They are bound to screw up every now and again not knowing where they are.  It happens to me every day.

But that's the problem I see to begin with. How authentic can they actually be from city to city performing the same tunes every single night?  I've been to many concerts in my lifetime, but lately I've slowed down quite a bit. I now only go because the person I'm with likes the performer's music, and for the ambience.  There's nothing like seeing a good band in a small bar, or sitting outside listening to music. Arena concerts though?...not so much. I'll go if it's someone I haven't seen before (maybe).

I once saw Van Halen and Genesis two nights in a row.  They were good shows, however they were identical.  Every song, and even all the ad lib between songs was the same.  I was pissed about it.  I wasn't pissed that they their ad lib was the same, but that I was so foolish in wasting my time getting so geeked about seeing them. I felt like a sheep. I've been mad ever since, and that was 25 years ago.  I know I know...let it go man.  I can't.

The music industry is a giant machine, that so many people get sucked into.  All thinking that their concert experience is unique.  Heck go to youtube and you can't tell one concert from the next.  Ok ok ok maybe I'm thinking too much, and should just enjoy the music.  But it's on my dime man!  All hail the small band who plays a few times a month and haven't sold their soul.  Keep rockin the free world!  Have a great day Madagascar!

(you can tuna piano, but you can't tune a fish)

Truth: Oh The Drama!

I'm watching you. Yeah you!  Readers of this blog.  I check out my subscribers list, and I see who is on there, and who isn't.   I love that some of you will never talk to me in person or email, but you read my blog.  Like driving by a car accident, you just have to look.  And when you unsubscribe I get a notification that you did too!

Does it bother me when people leave?  Not so much.  But I am curious. So inevitably I ask them.  People have quit reading my blog because they say  I talk too much about politics.  Others say I talk too much about sports. Others complain I never talk about hockey.  Some people have left because they think I'm not conservative enough (hahahaaha) for them.  Many have left because I'm not a huge fan of President Bush.  I've lost several because I speak ill of the messiah Obama too. Oh boo.

What's even more funny is when those that I know unsubscribe, then ask me or email about an opinion or my commentary. DELETE.  Sorry pal, you don't support me, I don't support you.  It's called capitalism brotha!

The best though, is when people on Facebook have issues with each other, then they delete me because I know someone they are having issues with.  Hello?  What is this high school?  You are going to delete me because someone I know messed with you, and to boot I didnt even know about it?  Give me a break.  No loss!  If you think that way, who needs ya?

Liberty: Silly Gadgets

Blu Ray, GPS, Bluetooth, Iphone, DVR, HD TV, TIVO, IPOD, etc.  What am I missing from the latest technology gadgets? It seems I can't keep up with technology products.  I'm very far behind. I have no idea what a Blu Ray player is. I've never seen on, but I know they are supposed to be really cool.

I have a DVR player, but I never use it. I've recorded probably 5 things, and they were a few Stanley Cups and Super Bowls.  There is just no tv show I need to watch if i miss it.

I don't have an IPOD or mp3 player.  I just play cd's in my car if I have to.  I'd like to though get all my cd's convert them electronically, then get rid of them.  Anyone have a quick ways to do this? I want a music juke box that stores all my music, and that I can play anywhere in the house. Hook me up people.

TIVO. What would I do with a TIVO? Hey you can skip past commercials! Well, I just change the channel what's the difference? I surf anyways.

I have bluetooh on my Blackberry Storm, but other than getting messages from strangers in a bar, what's the use for it? I don't know.  Someone tell me.

My TV died. Sony 32 inch. I loved that thing. It had two tuners, with PIP. 15 years it lasted.  [insert TAPS playing here].

Netbook...do I want a netbook? Kind of small, but I suppose it could work if I traveled alot.

I used to keep up with gadgets, technology, equipment. Who remembers the Nakamichi Dragon? Or Cerwin Vega speakers? Heck how about a sparkomatic car stereo?  Now we're talkin!

So many choices, so far behind. I'm lost in a sea of electronics but I don't think I'm any worse for the wear by not having these. Hold me hand and tell me what I'm doing wrong.

Truth: It Depends

A friend of mine recently told me that there are many people wanting to fly, but they don't know how to leave the tarmac.

 

I think he's right for the most part. I think though also, is the fact you have many planes on the tarmac delayed for whatever reason preventing you from taking off.  What I mean is, you have to depend on so many people to get things done, that it can become cumbersome or impossible to get anywhere.

 

When I was in Manhattan, I marveled at the entire supporting of the infrastructure that takes place on a daily basis.  Just taking out the trash alone is a huge undertaking that blows my mind.  The food services, the parking, the police, the transportation.  All the intricate pieces that need to keep the city afloat coming together to make it happen.  They all depend on each other to function.

 

You hear these cliché's that you are master of your own domain.  That you control your own destiny. That you alone have the ability to succeed on your own.  It all makes sense from a theoretical standpoint.  My issue though is that you have to depend on others to make it happen.  In any level of success you need support people, you need favors, you need help, you need services to make it happen.  Individualism is key, but people always get in the way.  You need to find a way to minimize those obstacles....somehow.

 

When you let someone down, you are letting everyone down to some degree. I'm frustrated at how much I have to depend on others for projects to get completed. I can only hope that others don't fee the same about me, because I feel their pain.  What you do depends so much on others helping or followng through.  Can it work?  It all depends on so many things.  It all depends on you.

 

This is your captain speaking, we are ready for takeoff...we are just waiting for 500 planes in front of us .

Sports: Blue Blue Defense

My favorite sports cliche is "Defense wins ball games".  Probably because it's more than a cliche; it's the truth.  What is better than a good defense in football?  Not much.

When it comes to Michigan Wolverine football, the word defense is but a distant memory.  For years I'd cringe at what Lloyd Carr's teams would put out there.  Sure they had some players, but they were never dominant.  Now they are just downright pathetic!  I don't think I've ever seen such a bad defense in my life.  They can't cover. They can't tackle.  They don't make plays.  This team could easily have 4 more wins at this point, if they had an average defense.  Alas, they have a below average if not sad defense.

I can't stand watching them play.  To see players, considered to be high recruits miss tackles is beyond me. I just don't get it.  Who's fault is that?  Was it Carr who had weak recruiting classes?  Is it because with the new coach in play, many players left the team?  Are they recruiting the wrong type of players; looking for athletes instead of football players (ala OSU)?.  I think it's all of those things actually.

I'm in a small group, a minority of Michigan fans who are not apologists.  You'll have many fans, if not most still think this team is good, and they are giving RichRod another year to prove himself.  I don't have that kind of patience.  I think they suck, and I want him gone.  I also realize, that if he does go it could set the program back even further.  Well while there's some truth to that, how bad is bad?  I mean we lost to friggin Illinois, and Purdue!  Can it get any worse?

Defense wins ball games, even in college.  This team NEEDS to get a defense! Bo is shrugging in his grave

Truth: Blah Humbug!

I've been called the Gricnch. I've been called a Scrooge. Bah Humbug to that I say.  So what's my deal man? I can't stand Christmas Decorations up before Thanksgiving.  I can't stand it.  It cheapens the whole Christmas spirit when you saturate things.  Everywhere I go I see Christmas lights up and decorations.  What the hell is wrong with you people?

Seeing this stuff does not put me in the Christmas spirit. Seeing this stuff ticks me off.  Christmas is important to me, and special.  Why do you have to ruin it for me?  There needs to be a law that Christmas Decorations and lights cannot be put up until December 13th.  They also must be taken down January 2.  That's 3 weeks of full tilt rock and roll merry merry sis boom bah!

I'd even support Obama if enacted this into law. Ok maybe not, but I'd give him a break for a while.  And the music!  Oh my, there are two radio stations playing Christmas music 24/7! Who is listening to this, and why?

Who are you people? Why are you doing this to me? You know, the Grinch and Scrooge had some very redeeming qualities I must say.

Liberty: Veteran's Day

Random thoughts about the U.S. Military and the veterans who have served us.

- I'm ticked off the media ran the Vietnam War instead of letting the military finish the job. LBJ sucks.

- We should not be rebuilding Iraq or Afghanistan.

- France will always bug me.

- Our Military technology is awesome.

- The Vietnam Wall Memorial in D.C. is breath-taking.

- The attack on Fort Hood was not random. It was a premeditated terrorist attack. Dont' be in denial folks.

- How can anyone forgive Jane Fonda?

- Look up Letters of Marque and Reprisal when you get a chance.

- While I don't support how the neo-cons did it, I think what they did will be a good thing in 10 years.

- Am I the only one who thinks Hugo Chavez is a dolt for preparing in case of a U.S. attack?

- Beware of Army Vets who meet once a year in Kokomo and live off of tequila.

- Thank God for Delta Force.

- Three cheers for the National Guard (even the band players in the Ohio National Guard).

- Visit Arlington National Cemetary and the tomb of the unknown solider.

- The Coast Guard is under-rated.

- I still say we should invade Canada for kicks.

- Defense wins ball games and wars.

Thanks to all the veterans who have served this country.  And screw all of you who disrespect what they've done for you and are doing for you.

Truth: The Sky Is Falling

With the recent tragedy that occurred at Fort Hood, the reality about the horrible world we live in seems to rise to the tip of every one's tongues. I am not going to minimize the severity of what happened with those innocent lives being taken away at the hands of a wack job. I think that goes without saying. 9/11, VaTech, Oklahoma City, Columbine, and now Fort Hood...just to name several events that have occurred where many lives were taken away by the hands of terrorists.
What I'll say about those events, is how I notice the reaction of people to those events. It's not what I immediately look for, but I do notice it. Recently I've seen comments and emails from people who are "wondering what the world is coming to?", or " I can't believe this is happening in America". I shake my head at those comments. I find them silly and insulting. Wake up people, evil exists, and it has for thousands of years. Just because you are oblivious to the news, and aren't aware how the world turns does not mean this is something new. Everyday you run the risk of someone killing you, hurting you, or those that you love and know. It's just that simple. You can pray all you want. You can pass on your heartwarming pukey chain emails. It's not going to change things.  

You have to be the change. You have to VOTE for those that will have our country's best interest at heart in defending our way of life. You are the one that has to be vigilant and stand up. No one is going to do it for you. 

Stop shaking your head in disbelief. It's crazy out there. We are not in Kansas anymore. I'm convinced, we never were.

Something punny

Chicks: Whip It Good

when somethings going wrong
you must whip it
now whip it
into shape
shape it up

9 out of 10 guys are whipped, whether they admit it or not. Guys with a girlfriend or wife that is. Usually guys with a wife always are. Those that aren't, are headed for a divorce or going through one. Guys with a girlfriend, it's give or take depending on the length of the relationship how whipped they are. The newer the relationship, the more severe the degree of being whipped. It's just that simple.

I've seen it 1000 times. It happens to the best of them. Once they get a woman in their lives, they lose their sense. They lose all sense of reason. They lose their identity. It's sad, but true.

I had a friend once, miss the Stanley Cup Final because his woman bought tickets to the Yanni concert. He's never lived it down. It's been 12 years and we still havent given him his man card back yet. Permanent probation on this one.

Another friend indicates he'll go to Detroit Lions games because his wife wants to go. Are you kidding me? Alas I hardly knew ya brotha.

From a higher view, this just looks like some natural progression of nature. Like some sort of evolutionary process that overtakes the male species. I tend to think God is playing some sort of sick joke on the macho gene, turning everyone into mamby pambys.

I'm gonna go dust the shelves.












http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xbt30UnzRWw

Truth: Facebook Updates 11/8/09

Facebook status updates can be lame, funny, and boring. More often than not, they annoy the hell out of me and I try to avoid them. Here is my latest collection that made my eyes roll along with my commentary. (Someone keep sharps objects away from me)

I guess I just prefer to see the dark side of things. The glass is always half empty. And cracked, and I just cut my lip on it. And chipped a tooth.
- Ok I liked this one

Am I the only one that finds it extremely ODD that the "Ice Cream Truck" would be driving thru my Trailer Park before 10am, on a Monday, in cold stormy weather, AFTER school has started for the year? I mean, am I just twisted or is that a little suspicious?
- This made me laugh

Good morning and happy Tuesday!!!!
- Hey thanks for that!

shower
- unless you are a supermodel with a webcam, we don't care.

hmmmm pumpkin cookies :)
- ok we know you live with mom and you are 30, but who cares?

Happy day to all my friends... Get out there and make it a great day.
- A pick axe to my skull would feel better than reading this tripe.

I'm very tired, I think I'm going to bed
- I think you are an idiot tired or not.

Happy Friday Everyone!
- Is that all you have? Really? You spent hours trying to come up with this didn't you?

I, must, have, coffee
- You, must, have missed class when punctuation was covered.

HAPPY NOVEMBER 2009!!
- The aliens have landed.

Hey we all got an extra hour of sleep!
- And it didn't help you, you are still dumb.

Decided it's time to start working out again
- There's still fat between your ears. That'll never go away.

is enjoying Thursday now because that makes tomorrow Friday woot!
- WOOT!! get me the pick axe now! WOOT!!

Sports: Yankees vs. Red Wings

With the Yankees winning their 27th World Championship, there's bound to be quite a bit of anti-Yankee sentiment. Guilty as charged. Yes me. I hate them. Why do I hate them? They are New York and I hate all New York teams. I suppose if Bob Costas or Billy Crystal didn't spout about them every five minutes, it might make a difference.

Probably not.

I don't hate any of the players on that team. Jeter, yeah even A-Rod, Teixiera, Rivera, Matsui, Posada, Petitte... All of them are great players. I respect their greatness and I am in awe of all their Hall of Famers throughout the years. I am not one to say YANKEES SUCK, just because. Surely they do not. I'll say that about the Red Sox though (another time for that though). In that regard, I love the Yankees. They are the cream of the crop, and rightfully so.

Many people compare the hate of the Yankees to that of the hate of the Red Wings. They are just that good, all of the time, that many people resent them. They both spend a great deal of money on making their teams successful. However the truth is, and salary cap aside; they can spend that kind of money because they make that kind of money. They are successful in many ways, more than just on the ice and ball field. Kudos to them both.

However the truth is, money can buy you a good team, but it does not buy you championships. I'll be the first to say the Yankees are the best team money can buy this year. That's partially true. The other part is, they have to play the game!

The Red Wings were pretty darn good last year. However not good enough to beat the overrated Pens. So all that money could not buy a championship. Play the game. Heck look at the Detroit Tigers. They are the equivalent to the Yankees, but have players who can't work a pitch count.

You can hate the Red Wings, and hate the Yankees. But you should hate your team owners if they can't compete like them. You should also hate your fan base for not making your team successful. Each team has that chance - with parity and salary caps. Not everyone has to be the Detroit Lions.

Liberty: Ahhh the Magic Pill

A friend passed this quiz on to me. What do you want, what choices would you make? The answer lies deeper in the answer you provide:


There are three pills.

Red pill – taking the red pill will give you the feeling and results of a having done a full body workout for 3 hours.

Blue pill – taking the blue pill will give you the feeling and results of getting a full 8 hours of peaceful sleep.

Green pill – taking the green pill will give you the feeling and results of eating 3 very healthy meals in 24 hours.

You can only take 1 pill and you can only take it once a day. Which one would you take and why?

The main reason why I'm out of shape is because I don't eat well, at the right times, and it effects my sleep pattern. If I ate better I would sleep better and have more energy to work out.

Which would you take and why?

Truth: Trusting Fate

Recently when those two air pilots missed their destination by 150 miles, because they weren't paying attention, I think alarms went off finally. How many times does this actually happen in the course of a normal flight? How long can these pilots focus on the job at hand? How many times are they preoccupied with whatever?

I see this as no different than drinking and driving, texting and driving, talking oh the phone, smoking, and just being wacked out thinking about something else. Heck these are people that are under the influence of some drug, alcohol, sleep, or gadgets. What about those that are under the influence of daydreaming and A.D.D.?

At all times, at any time people are doing these things. They say that life is too short, yeah well maybe it is. The bigger issue to me is, life is too much in the hands of other people who don't know what the hell they are doing. In the blink of an eye you could have a pilot playing solitaire; a bus driver texting his woman; a teenager driving with his head buried in a song.

It's dangerous out there. What are you gonna do?





Thanks to Brother Vic for the photo.

Liberty: Meet George Jetson

I remember being a young kid back in the 1970's watching The Jetson's on TV. I remember talking in school, that we would have flying cars that would travel like the Jetsons did in the 21st Century. The year 2000 would change transportation as we then knew it.

Well did it change? I guess planes are bigger and faster (sans Concord), but cars are still on the ground. I surely a bit disappointed, especially with all of the time I've spent sitting in traffic, or being parked on a freeway during rush hour.

I can't say I've given up complete hope of cars flying. I will say, I'm pretty sure I don't want the people who can't drive now, flying over my head anytime soon. Can you imagine the traffic implications or accidents alone?

But check this out. It's called the Transition. A prototype car that can fly. It's built by a company called Terrafugia. http://www.terrafugia.com/. It's only $194,000! Meet George Jetson.

I'd still rather fly to the moon, but this is cool.

LIberty: Too Many Ties

I live in a state (Michigan) where most people love it half of the year, and hate it the other half of the year. Yeah I said most people, not all. There's always exceptions.

There's the economic climate which is downright pathetic. The liberals who have run the Motor City into the ground, and the liberals who have made our state a joke do not seem to understand how wrong they are. Can things really get any worse?

Then there's the actual climate. The same amount of rain that Seattle gets. Long winters that seem to last forever. More cloudy days than sunny days. Sometimes we don't even have a spring; we jump to a short summer.

So why do people live here? Sure Up North is very pretty, however have you been there in the winter? Pretty drab. Fall only really lasts a few weeks before the cold depressing November winds and rain come in.

People always tell me that I can leave it if I don't like it. Well that's true to a point. However when you have family, friends, a job etc how do you just pack up and go? I try to understand those that leave their family and friends and wonder how they do it? It's not a criticism at all. I want to know how easy it is to leave the ones you love so easily behind. I know you arent leaving them, but you don't see them as much so to a degree you are. Tell me.

A.D.D. Rumblings No. 11209

1. In school, even early on I was very good with spelling. I never won a spelling bee, but I usually was near the top. Today though, many years later there are certain words that I just always seem to misspell. For whatever reason my mind turns off and I mess up. Those words are: tomorrow, banana, receive. I've wasted more time using spell check on these words. Another example how important it is to be efficient in all you do.

2. I've replaced about 8 windshields on my last few vehicles. Last week a rock hit my windshield and made a chip. The next day, the chip turned into a long crack. Two days later I got another huge smash into my windshield. I think it was a rock, but it looks like a bullet shot it or a pellet gun. Two chips in 4 days. Why can't they make windshields made of some sort of poly rubber mix? After this windshield gets replaced, another chip is going to happen within a year. It's inevitable.

3. It's laughable that the President's staff listens to Rush Limbaugh, then actively comments about things Rush says in rebuttal publicly. Do they have nothing better to do than to respond to an entertainer? I think they do. Then again, they are so out of touch I am not surprised. Rush laughs all the way to the bank.

5. A guy I know says "the pudding is in the proof" when he is on the phone with people. No one corrects him, we just laugh about it. He's dead serious. I cringe when I hear cliches or odd quotes, but I laugh when they are misused. It just dawned on me, he's Cliff Claven from cheers. "Norm, everyone is the Swiss Army owns a Swiss Army Knife. That's why no one messes with Switzerland."

4. This is more of a request than a gripe or observation. For the love of God stop sending me chain letters, jokes, inspirational junk on email! I don't care! I don't want to see it. I don't want to weed through the countless email addresses you forgot to trim. Bad luck will not happen if you delete these things. I urge you all to delete the chain email. Save the world by doing this. Thank you in advance.

6. A friend asked me something that made me laugh out loud. No I didn't "LOL", I actually laughed out loud. He asked me if I needed Detroit Lions tickets. That made my day. It's almost as funny as my buddy who berated me for giving up my tickets, calling me a fair weathered fan. It's good to laugh.

7. This has happened numerous times to me. I'm out somewhere and I see someone wearing the same clothes as I am. So I make a point of going up to them and telling them "hey nice shirt" or "hey cool jacket". Every single time though I get a bewildered look back or no response. Usually they seem embarrassed. One would think that they'd be proud to know they aren't the only ones shopping of the clearance rack for clothes.

[This blog is brought to you by the word verisimilitude and the number 10 ]

8. The liberal puke members of congress, and a few rhinos want to give national health care to illegal aliens (they call them undocumented workers). People wonder why the health care system is a mess...and we have the bozos on Capitol Hill giving our money, services and country away. It's beyond sad. I'll ask again, does anyone care?

9. I must be living in a shell or under a rock. I've heard of Kanye West, Akon, Usher. They are all over the place. However I could not tell you one song by them. I hear their stuff, and it all sounds the same to me. They aren't very good, they just are pawns of the music industry who force feed us this crap as good. It's just pop mainstream garbage. No thanks, I'll stay in my shell.

10. Often on Facebook or email signatures I see these feel good make me puke quotes. The latest that had me scratching my head: "You are today where your thoughts have brought you. You will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you." Wouldn't it be easier just to stick the back of a spoon in your throat to vomit rather than to read this trash? I think so.

Chicks: Why Is He Staring?

Several women I know have asked me lately why do men who have a significant other (wife, girlfriend, squeeze)look at other women. I asked them to define look, because that could mean alot of different things. So they clarified it by saying STARE.

So why do men stare at women when they have a woman already? Well more often than not, they stared at their significant other at some point in their relationship (hope). It's just natural to look. It's natural to look at nice things. It's good for you, good for your heart. There is bad, and there is good, and when you look at things you differentiate the two.

Their issue is staring. They can't understand why men stare when they have the goods already. Well many reasons probably. For one, they could be a pig. Or they could actually just love the way that person looks. They could also be thinking WOW I'd like to have that.

It's all a choice though. So men, suffer the consequences if your chica gets ticked if you are staring. Chicas, let your man know you don't like it. He won't know until you tell him.

Let the games begin.