Truth: Facebook Zucks!

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  So Facebook in their desperate attempt to keep the value of their declining stock value...has decided to start charging Fan Pages for promotion.  So if I wanted to reach x amount of people on a status update or post, I have the option to pay $5, $10, $20, $50 to reach more "fans" on a status update.

I noticed recently that traffic was down about 50% in the last 2 weeks. I knew something was up.  I was reaching 16,000 people a week, down to 6,000.  Now I know why.  They put filters in place.  Bastards!

In order to increase revenue, because their current ad system isn't working, they are charging for promotions.  It won't work for most pages. The big companies might do this, but I doubt it.  The little guys like me, aren't going to pay.  Four years building a community of great people, now I can't reach them.  Now they won't be able to reach each other unless they go to the page.  No more push, it will only be pull.

For the record, I do not make money off of Facebook. Heck since Google pulled my advertising from www.hockeydino.com (Still haven't told me why), I do not make money to support the site. I rely strictly on donations to keep it going...and during this tough economy, that's not happening.

So Mr.Bazzionaire Zuckerberg has sold us out. Who really wants to pay for Facebook? Not me, nor will I.

So if you enjoy, or dislike my blog, please spread the word and keep subscribing to my posts. If you are on the Facebook community page, click LIKE as often as you can for me. That will help.  I do appreciate it.  I know I've got a good thing going on Facebook, despite their roadblock to stifle me.  Yes of course I'm on Google Plus...aside from Google screwing me, Google Plus is great.

Look I know it was free, and I shouldn't complain...but I am, because I can.

Truth: Busy Lessons Busy Classes

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Classes upon classes....busy busy busy. Lessons upon lessons...busy busy busy.

Piano. Language. Martial Arts. Underwater basket weaving. Speaking. Baseball. Football. Basketball. Dancing. Ballet. Tap Dancing. Trumpet. Guitar. Cooking. Baking. Writing. Ballroom dancing. Square dancing. Toastmasters. Boy Scouts. Girl Scouts. Junior Achievement. 4H Club. Glee Club. Clown Troop. Cheerleading. Gymnastics. Wrestling. Lacrosse. Soccer. Boxing. Track and Field. Cross Country. Weightlifting. Birthing. Marriage. Anger Management. Speed Reading. Social Engineering. Volleyball. Whirleyball. Racquetball. Gardening. Auto Mechanics. Computer Repair. Typing. Court Reporting. Underwater Basket Weaving. Walleyball. Tennis. Cooking. Spinning. Cycling. Cake Decorating. Knitting. Crocheting. Sewing. Singing. Harp. Bass. Violin. Cello. Computer. Skydiving. Rock Climbing. Wok cooking. Paper mache. Gun shooting. Bow and arrow. Care of Magical Creatures. Wizardy. Pole Vaulting. Bowling. Softball. Astronomy. Astrology. Scuba Diving. CPR.
Shuffleboard. Wellness. Sign Language. Calligraphy. Bridge. Watercolor. Sketching.
Animation. Illustrations. Civil War History. Hypnosis. Fly fishing. Quilting. Wine Tasting. Photography. Hiking. Bird Watching. Motorcycle safety. Shooting. Mediation. Yoga. Pilate's. Aerobics. Pole Dancing. Dog Obedience. Mushroom collecting. Balkan Folk Music. Motivational Speaking. Bible Study. Glass blowing. Organizational Control. MS Word. Scrap booking. Sticker making. Oil Painting, Ghost hunting. Project management.

Why do you fill your time up with all of these classes and lessons to take? How many of these classes have you taken in your life time?  Are these just something to do and fill up your time?  Or are they really good at he;ping you become a better person?  What good is it to know all of these things and perhaps not use them?

Truth - Looking Outside

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  When you think of other places around your country, or around the world, you have ideas in your head of what people are like.  You have this from television...from school, from visiting, from family, from friends.  You have this from movies, stories, and text books.

People generalize...they label, they have misconceptions or not in their head of what people are from those regions.  Many times, the dialect alone will put people, traditions aside, in these funky groups; albeit inappropriate often.

I've seen several of these maps according to states.  They are indeed funny.  I'm wondering though, if you are in a state that doesn't have a good label, then how does that make you feel?   South of the Mason Dixon line referred to as "Where they filmed Deliverance"...surely cannot make those folks smile.

There's labels and close minded labels.  Somewhere in the middle is truth.  This is indeed funny, in attempt...I am just wondering if everyone sees it like that or not?  My first impression is, not funny.  But then...there are some of these are spot on what I think of those areas of the country.  Ohio is spot on.  What do you think?

Liberty: Memorial Anger

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The more I learn about the world and how it ticks, the difference of opinion I have of the military.  Don't get me wrong, I don't have an issue with the people who join or have served. I don't have an issue with the awesome technology either. I have issues with how the military industrial complex has taken over the world. It is this enourmous monstrousity of money and power that seemingly can't be stopped.

By stopped I mean, the spending for it, the need for it, the use of it...its just crazy insane.  The USA alone spends more on the military than all of the world combined does. Do you see something wrong with that picture?  Most people don't because it is their team.

Yeah I know, it's too keep "us" safe from the evil in the world (even if we supply arms and money to that evil or have in the past).  When I think of Memorial Day I think of all those brave men and women who lost their lives dying for liberty, for freedom, for you, and for me.  I think of all of those who have been in military conflicts that were not wars.  All of those who died because of profit, greed, and and power.  All of those who died because some men in a room decided that it was their decision to send off people to die to get more money, and more land.  That it was their decision to send others to get revenge, or carry out some crazy plan that made no constitutional sense.

So Memorial Day makes me sad and it makes me mad.

Truth: Map Eyes

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  I was looking for something on Google Maps the other day, for a restaurant. As I came upon the sky view of the terrain, the satellite view I started to wander. I started to wonder too.

I wonder how many pictures these satellites have.  What kind of data are they collecting.  What are they selling?  What about government satellites with super strong cameras?  What are they looking at? Did they really just take pictures so we could see what things look like from above on a map?  What if some nut job wanted to scope out an area, all he would have to do is google map it?

The maps are cool..checking out things are cool.  However my negative cynical almost paranoid slightly delusional liberty minded mammalian brain things there's something fishy going on; or the potential for it.

I also look at a pic, like the one I have attached here of a semi busy intersection and wonder what the odds are that anyone can recognize their car.  I mean just by looking at a pic, could anyone identify their car?  I am thinking the odds are super great, to nearly impossible.  If you know the intersection, and time of day, then your odds are better.

Just look at this picture. You can't even tell the type of vehicle can you? You know the satellites can read the print on a dime, so surveillance intelligence could scope you out.  However you, the everyday person, I doubt it.  So what are the odds that anyone could recognize their car from that far up? Slim to none people...slim to none.

Sports: Foul First

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. My baseball team (American League) is the Detroit Tigers.  They are killing me.  I have them pegged to win their division, but I don't know how they will do it.

There are so many wrong things with this team, that I don't know where to start.  They have 2 sure starters in Verlander and Fister.  If they don't give them run support, then all those starters do is keep them in games...which really doesn't amount to victories.  Let's focus on pitching this time.

Their bullpen is a joke.  Sorry but Valverde does nothing for me.  He is the second coming of Fernando Rodney and Todd Jones all wrapped in one - he'll get you saves, but it will never be easy.  I am looking forward to Marte coming up, and that's pretty much it.  I like Below, but will he put you over the hump?  No.  Benoit could be a better closer if you ask me. He has nasty stuff, not sure he has the makeup of a closer though.  He seems to get raddled easy.  Not a fan of Coke and the rest   Having a bullpen is a key to winning.  Other teams know this..and will fight pitches from the starters...thus driving their pitch count up.  When you do that, going to the pen is inevitable, and its game over.  The Yankees have been doing this for years.

In all of baseball I believe, I feel, I know that the most important element of a game is how a batter can take advantage of a pitcher.  1984, Monday Night Baseball...Dave Bergman had the type of at bat I am talking about. 13 pitches! In Sparky Anderson'sbook, Bless You Boys, he wrote, "Tonight I saw the greatest at bat in my life...Bergie fouled off seven pitches and then picked one practically off the ground and drilled it into the upper deck in right. What a battle! Bergie was up there a full seven minutes."  He hit a walk off home run to win the game for the Tigers.  I'll never forget it.

When I watch baseball and see a player foul off pitch after pitch, and work the count I just love it. Imagine a lineup where 9 guys work 10 pitches each.  That starter will be gone in no time.  That's what I'm talking about.   Managers now are so concerned with pitch counts, that if you aren't working the pitcher you are done. Other teams work the Tigers starters who (aside from the Porcello pitch project) are pretty good.  Get to the bullpen!

We'll talk another time how they have no patience at the plate. That's another headache for another time.  Foul that pitch! It's good!

Truth: Stocking Facebook

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. All the initial rage to buy stock in Facebook to me was a sham.  Cool stories I guess when certain people become billionaires. Nahh, not really.  Who cares about Zuckerberg and the like becoming part of the 1%? I don't.

So the stock starts out at a certain level, then dies down very quickly.  In fact aside from very big investment banks regular folks really didn't touch it like they had thought, driving the value down a bit.  Buy low, sell high avoid the hype.

The hype. So some people think it is good to invest in Facebook. I really don't see how or why it is.  I don't think Facebook is going away anytime soon.  I think it is for the most part like a utility.  Do utilities really make money?  The top managers do, but its mostly run to keep operations going. I think Facebook is going to be, as it mostly is for a majority of people, part of who and what they are.  I mean it is worth more than Government Motors, Ford, and McDonald's...so that worth just doesn't die away.  That brand won't go away...unless of course they go to a subscription model and start charging people.  Once they charge, I'm gone. I and you help them become rich with free content and they will charge?  Crazy. Evil.

Not to mention if Facebook collapses I am sure the government will step in to bail them out. Their biggest investors are already the Wall Street tarp receivers.  Anyways though, what is Facebook?  What value does it really provide to people other than entertainment?  Connectivity?....so what.  Where are the widgets? Where are the cures for cancer?  No we just have a giant centralized photo repository, and a place to make yourself seen. A place where you can be unique just like everyone else.

Facebook makes about $4 a person everyday.  Google makes about $30.  See the issue? Facebook has to expand and do something to generate revenue...and quick.  Or that stock will crash further, despite the "success" of the company.

America Online, Shop America, Napster, Flickr, Myspace...alas we hardly knew ya. Will Facebook follow? It's up to you. If they charge, just say no.  If they don't, then really who cares about them.  They need us more than we need them. Start collecting your email addresses of your Facebook friends now.

Liberty - Tin Foil Drones

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I came across the attached photo the other day regarding libertarians.  You may have seen it already.  Many of these type of photos are out there for various topics and labels.  There are variations, but this one seems perfect.

I think it is great and reflects the struggle I deal with on a daily basis. The brainwashed people that believe ideals don't matter, and only "reality" does, just drives me up a wall. Without getting too preachy, although it is hard for me not to, I have to spout off on this from time to time.  Gotta vent.

You don't need the fiction of a government to run your life.  You don't need people making decisions who line their pockets from those decisions, that will effect your children and their children for years to come.  Stop giving these idiots in government the power to run and ruin your life. WAKE UP. We have had 41,000 new laws on the books so far this year alone. Who does that benefit besides the police and lawyers? You? The common person? The middle class?  Don't think so.

For every new law, repeal and old law. For every new regulation, repeal another one.  Let's get some common sense back into the process folks. Let's change the process folks.  Let's get a clue.

Liberty..freedom...these aren't just words. Like minded folks get me.  Friends tolerate my beliefs to an extent. Until I start talking about shrinking the giant war machine.  Then I'm crazy. Then I'm wanting the terrorists to win.  Yeah I'm crazy. Crazy like a drone.  A tinfoil drone.

Truth - Har Har Jars

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. What is up with food in jars for decorative purposes?  You know what I am talking about too.  These jars that came out about 10 years ago that have peppers in them for no reason. The jars that have olives or garlic in them. The decorative pieces that come in all shapes and sizes.

What is up with these things and why are they everywhere now?  What, it's supposed to show food is in the kitchen?  I have a few of these. I'm not sure I like them.  They are too commonplace for me.  I was at a restaurant and this place had them everywhere.

The first thought that comes to my mind is, what a waste of food.  The second thought is, that's pretty boring.  Nothing unique about those things, just boring. The third thought is, why the hell am I looking at jars of pickled display vegetables, and giving a care?  I don't know. Dumb.  Then I'm going to write about it?  Weird.

I don't now why these stupid frivolous things pop up and make me so enamoured at finding their definition.  If I were a cat, I'd be dead by now.  If I were a monkey, I'd be called George.

Jars and bottles of peppers haunt me.  They haunt my existence. Do you see?  Don't you know?  Please stop putting these out on display.  They are not needed.  An entire industry was built off of someone's lame idea that these would look fantastic.  We have an entire industry thriving off of pickeled decorative vegetables. Indeed the terrorists have won.  Indeed.

The shark did not bite when I jumped...serious.

A.D.D. Rumblings No. 52212

1. The other day I was sitting down getting ready to watch The Notebook...no, not really.

2. The other day I was at the tattoo parlor looking to be cool and get a tattoo...no, not really.

3. The other day I put ketchup on my hot dog just to see what it was like...no, not really.

5. The other day I went to the store, I was going to buy Journey's greatest hits...no, not really.

4. The other day I started to watch a UFC fight so I could be cool like the other guys...no, not really.

6. The other day I started to understand how democrats think...no, not really.

7. The other day I told myself I would stop talking to myself...no, not really.

[This blog is brought to you by the word exonerate and the number 18]

8. The other day I decided to eat a bag of white castle...no, not really.

9. The other day I was really happy to mow the lawn...no, not really.

10.The other day I was very happy to pay so much in taxes and get not much in return for my money...no, not really.

Truth - Comic Book People

 It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  You know I don't have a problem with science fiction, I actually like some of it.  I don't have a problem with comic book heroes either (I'm Batman).   The movies are fine. I even have some comic books from when I was a kid.  To each his own of course.  I've enjoyed Star Trek, Iron Man, Captain America, Batman, Star Wars, Battlestar Gallactica.  However I've only enjoyed them from an entertainment value.   With movies I admire the special effects more than anything.

So I went to a Comic Book Convention.  Very weird.  Very very weird to me.  I just don't get these people who dress in costume (adults mind you) and walk around "pretending" they are a character.  What's up with that?  Sorry, but it was a freak show.  I can't say I really enjoyed myself, other than for the "entertainment" value of the people there.  Great people watching.

I don't read comics...could care less. I didn't see all the Star Trek or Star Wars movies.  It doesn't interest me. I sure as heck am not going to dress up and walk around in costume or character.  Is it Halloween?  Look I am not being critical, I just have a hard time accepting and understanding. Yes to each his own, but why?  What makes these people spend all of their time and money playing with dragons and reading every book that comes out every week?  What is the productivity personally or for society?

Someone tell me, because I don't get it. There's a chance that I am missing out on something, but I don't think so.  What is the pop culture obsession with comic book characters...with sci fi characters....with old television pop stars?

Hey, at least I got to see John Hessman aka "Dr. Johnny Fever", Loni Anderson, Dawn Wells, Donna D'Errico and Erin Gray.   I spoke with Donna for a bit since we are Facebook friends for 5 years...she's even sent me emails with recipes for some cool dishes in the past.  She didn't remember me - that hurt....no, not really.  Funny actually.  Probably didn't recognize me without the dinosaur costume?

Truth - Backwards Drive Thru

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  So I was out and about running an errand. I had to go to a shady side of town unfortunately.  So  on the way back, I stopped at a drive thru to get a turkey samich, with lettuce, and bacon.  It was good if you want to know.

So as I am pulling up to this drive through I noticed that the first drive cars were coming out of it...and the second drive on my right was the entrance.  Kinda weird as usually the first driveway is the entrance. My quick thinking brain and hawk eyes noticed immediately that the drive thru was on the other side of the building.  That is, you had to drive on the left side of the building clockwise to get to the drive thru.  The drive tru window was on the passenger side.

What am I in London?  An then...   Who thought of this? Who designed this? Luckily I had Robin the boy wonder in the passenger seat with me to get the order and pay. I could not reach.  We then noticed that there was a basket with a handle that would pass food to people in the driver's seat.  It was like an usher basket at church.  Place your money in, then get the food.

But wait...it then dawned on me I used to go to an Arby's that had a conveyor belt that went over the car down above the drive thru down to the driver.  Food was passed that way and there was a bank tunnel tube where you sent money.

So Arby's is backwards. That is all I have to say. Clearly this is a job for The Herman Letters to handle.

The Boy Wonder even said that the drive thru was a little bit crazy to the manager attending the window. He said yeah, just a little.

By the way, we were given NO NAPKINS.  That was great.

Truth - Shower The Thought

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I am guessing that most people probably sing in the shower.  I don't since I can't sing. Actually I singe like Mike Buble, but I choose not to.  I don't fool myself into thinking that I can sing better in the shower like most of you peasants, so I just don't. I deal in reality, not fantasy. The fact that I want to sing additionally is none of your business of course and another topic for discussion between my, myself, and I.

Today was a day just like any other day.  when I took a shower early this morning I wondered how many showers I have taken over the years. I did some estimating, and with the exception of some camping trips and my youth where I took baths...it was about 14,500 times. Give or take 100 or so.

14,500 showers in my life time. Perhaps 5 gallons of water per instance?  OK so that's 72,500 gallons of water used.  That is basically a 57 foot by 57 foot pond that is 3 feet deep full of water.  So calculating I will leave to be just over 100 (don't worry, my brain will be frozen for the future), that will be approximately 153,050 gallons of water I will have used for a shower.  Which is about an 83 by 83 area of water that is 3 feet deep.

This is my footprint of water that I use.  Should I use more? Should I use less?  I mean the water already has been used several times over through out history by people and animals. I'll have to think about it.

Rinse, lather, repeat.

Truth - Buffet Germs

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. There is something cool about a buffet. There is something totally disgusting about a buffet.  What is cool, is the amount and variety of food.  For the price you get a good deal.

What is not cool and totally disgusting is the amount of people that touch the utensils.  Gross. Or the amount of micro germs that falls from hands on to the food growing bacteria here and there at an alarming confusing rate.

I went to a buffet..a Mongolian type place (I'll refrain from the name) and had a hard time dealing with the food there.  It looked good, but all I could think of was the 300lb sumo wrestler in front of me who kept wiping his brow and putting his hand on his phone.  Me no likey.  Me think gross.  Me get sicky.  Do you hear where I am coming from?

The only way to rid yourself of such a place is to stop going all together.  Sorry but that business model just is not appealing to me.  The same thing applies at weddings, at Vegas style buffets.  I mean it's cool for a home party (maybe), but with 100's of people you don't know?  Can you say Legionnaire's disease?  I knew you could.  Can you say salmonella poisoning?  Sure can.

Once when I was younger we went to this all you can eat buffet place.  This family was putting food in their pockets.  Chicken...filling bags of food. It was crazy.  Heck they had a family member pull up to the door with their car and they were running food like to it.

Come on people. All you can eat? Is it worth the embarrassment...is it worth the germs?  No.

I'm hungry, what's for lunch?

Truth - Who Where You?

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. You know as cool as social media is...as cool as being unique is...as cool as making a statement is...there's still something not cool about revealing certain things about yourself.

I'm driving behind this vehicle today, and it has pictures...stick pictures of the family members. It has pictures with names of the family too. Why? What for?  I realize one may be proud of their family, but in this day and age; is not security a concern?

Why in the world would you broadcast how many people are in your family? Ever?  Why would you differentiate between the genders? Or even with actual names? I just don't understand.  Actually it is dumb. About as dumb as Four Square or always broadcasting where you are checked in at.

The other day I checked in at the Empire State Building...then 30 minutes later I checked in at the Eiffel Tower in Paris.  I spent the rest of the day checking in at different places around the world.  People commented...no one cares.  No one notices.  So get over yourself, get smart.  Stop broadcasting who you are, where you are, and everything about your family.

How smart is it to reveal how many kids and pets you have? Not so smart.  Get a stick figure picture that has your name on it, and underneath the label of "needs attention".

Sorry...your location, your name, your family...keep it to yourself. DUH.

Truth - Dog People

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  Who let the dogs out? You, and everyone else. There are dogs everywhere.  So many dogs, a young Obama might salivate at the thought [that was a joke by the way - you PETA types relax].  While running through the local subdivision as part of my triathlon training, I counted at least 53 dogs in a six block area. That may or may not be alot of dogs, but I think it is.

When I was a kid, we could count how many dogs there were in the hood. Now, everyone has a dog it seems.  Some have 2 or 3.  It's just absolute crazy mayhem if you ask me. What's up?

People go dog crazy and I just don't get it. Yeah dogs are cool, cats aren't...but still.  You spend so much time and money, and you get caught up in this industry...it just doesn't make sense.  I know the dog breeders disagree; and I'm not dissing their business.  My issue is people who treat dogs like people, and spend more time with their pets than people.  Its as if, they have to have a dog, because all of that movie and television indoctrination over the years makes them "need one".

I for one have had enough of it all. It's crazy.  Stop buying dogs, stop breeding them.  It will go away.  Save dogs for the blind, and for police work. Then then then...you get attached to these "best friends" & "family members" who die on you.  So what do you do to make the pain go away?  You get another dog and repeat the process.  Hell you could have 7 dogs in your lifetime.  All that death?  All that sadness? All that time spent cleaning up after them instead of looking for a cure for cancer, or perhaps using that money to start a business?

Our priorities are whacked.  It's a dog gone world, and I just shake my head.  You dog people are freaking weird!

I love my dogs.

Truth - Name Calling

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.

You are a jerk.
You are a dingeldorf.
You are a dinglehopper.
You are an enigma.
You are mean.
You are an elitist.
You are such a guy.
You are a chauvinist.
You are a pig.
You are a softy.
You are grumpy.
You are a womanizer.
You are too nice.
You are too opinionated.
You are weird.
You are crazy.
You are something else.
You bozo.

Not not you...but that's what I've been called.  Now now now...please don't stop there, go on. Go on with your assessments and terms of endearment towards me.  Please, don't stop.  I beg thee.

While it may seem as a cry for attention, or a cry for help...or perhaps even a bit of self serving drama/adulation etc...it's not.  It's just an observation that people like to have labels, and call people names.  Whether they are true, hateful, playful, or joking...the action of labeling still applies.

Don't ask me why this is the case; I just have observed that it is the case more often than not it seems.  People like to call me names. You freaking sheep stop it. You clowns, stop it.  You wonderful fans and foes stop it. Why? Why? Why?  They say swearing is a sign of unintelligent thinking.  Is name calling that far off, or just a way of identifying.  I call politicians ass clowns...so maybe there is some truth there after all.

Truth - News Defenders

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. The defenders of justice. The defenders of the law.  The defenders of the community.  Yeah you know who I'm talking about!  The local news teams that sneak around with their cameras trying to expose and sensationalize every story there is.

"Our job is to catch speeders so that the community is safer" - is what one local television "defending err rescue" team proclaimed.  Really?  Is that really the job of the local television reporters?...to save people from themselves? Is that why we watch them?

Look I realize if you have a story like a certain corner is a great place for speeders. However don't tell me you are doing it to save people. You are doing it to catch people in the act, to instill fear...and ultimately help cops catch people to increase their quotas. Get those speed traps going!

Everyone wants to be Chis Hansen of Dateline NBC to nab someone in the act. They want to take credit, and expose the bad guys. Hey, exposure and investigative reporting is fine.  Hell, spy cams are fine by the reporters.  Just lay off the holier than thou statements.  Lay off the "we are here to serve and protect" blah blah blah.  Shut up.

Am I wrong here? Fair and balanced has disappeared into sensational and accusatory. Gotta expose those bad guys, so we can protect the community.  Defend! Rescue!  I suppose embarrassment is one way for justice to come out of it. Not denying that.  Just take off the super hero outfits, and you'll get some credibility.

A.D.D. Rumblings No. 51312

1. If I was the guy who Adele is singing about, I'd come out with a book or something. She's making a fortune off of him! Idiot!

2. I like grinders.

3. Who really cares what Mitt Romney did in high school? Hell we don't even know if Obama even went to school.  There's no proof.

5. Deep fried artichokes.  Do you hear what I'm saying?  Deep fried artichoke hearts. Think about it.

4. Sad news Hostess is laying off people. It's sad people are getting fatter without eating Ho Ho's and King Dongs.  A crying shame. Their blackberry pie is epic awesome...samoa caliber.

6. Using other people's phones make me ill.  Grossteque.

7. Howard Stern bores me. He's so 1990's. I didn't like the 1990s.

[This blog is brought to you by the word constitutional and the number 2]

8. When I hear the word jicama I laugh like crazy.

9. When they asked about shwarma in the movie The Avengers, sales went up nationally 200%.  My secret has been destroyed.  The search continues.

10.People that go to the gym always tell you.  People that read a book always tell you. People that go to the bar always tell you. "I'm in shape", "I'm smart", "I'm a partier".  You see what I'm saying?

Truth - Time Passages

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Time is going by way too fast. Everything and anything that seems like it is 6 months out, just gets here in no time.  The older I get, the quicker time flies by. 
When I was younger, the summers would definitely last forever.  Now that I'm older as much as I want summer to get here...it bothers me a bit.  It bothers me because as soon as it gets here, sooner than later, it will be gone before you know it...then the depressing fall and winter arrive.

That's the problem, if winter and fall weren't so freaking bad, then maybe just maybe summer would not fly by so quickly. I don't know, I'm not holding my breath.  The year already is almost half gone.  It seems like yesterday it was Christmas.

As much as I try to clear my plate and simplify my life, time is going by much quicker. It goes by more quickly for everything.  I wonder if a more developed brain, compared to childhood is the reason for that. I suppose if summer filled by brain it would be all time consuming and  just slow down.  As opposed to adulthood where time is of the most importance -  where to be, where to go, how long, getting ready, clothes, food, transportation, stress, planning....the madness.

I've mention time issues to others, and their only response is to enjoy what you are doing and make the most of it.  That's not the issue.  That doesn't change the speed.  So are you telling me, that I can't stop it from going by fast, so I just have to enjoy it?  There has to be something else at play.  There has to be a way to stop the madness.  To end it.

What is it? How do we put time in a bottle, and just float away?  How do we slow down the process?  Thinking hard on this one.

Truth - Accomplishing Nothing

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  The other day I took care of several errands that I just didn't have the time to get done sooner.  I'm not a fan of getting errands done anyways.  I mean I want them done and out of the way; but actually doing them does nothing for me. Should it do something for me?  It doesn't. I am an apathetic errand runner.

I've long struggled to try to get some rewarding feeling for actually doing something like a chore.   At times I used to really like it. I would get something done, then feel inspired and content afterwards. Now when I do something, I just move on.  I don't care about getting things done, other than I just drudge through it to get out of the way and over with.

I have this weird feeling that being content about doing chores or errands is simply brainwashing on myself.  I cut the lawn...so that makes me feel good?  That's crazy!  I cut the lawn to make the grass look nice and get it out of the way so it doesn't get too crazy.  It's a job. It's a chore. It's an errand. I may have to brainwash myself into thinking I am beautifying or that I am creating instead of just cutting. I will work on that.

So I need to be dishonest with myself then too? I need to lie to myself in order to change the terminology and purpose so I can feel a sense of accomplishment?  How can I do this when I know full well I am lying to myself?  It just doesn't make a whole lot of sense.

It ain't easy being as cynic of yourself. It's easy to be cynical of the world and all you crazies out there.  Cynical of myself...oh God help me.

Truth - Celebrity Drunks

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  I was watching a news report the other day about some celebrity who was caught with a DUI.  This celebrity also had I believe an open intoxicant in her vehicle.  Actually that may have been the story, I don't really recall.

No matter, the point of the news story wasn't that she broke the law, or was doing something stupid at all. The point was we wanted to hear what lesson she learned.  The interview was going to be about the lesson she learned.  Really? The lesson she learned?

It cracks me up.  What lesson is there to learn, and how come she didn't know about this before?  How come she didn't know it was against the law to drive drunk or drive with an intoxicant open?  Perhaps this adult thought she was above the law?  Maybe is as dumb as a brick and had no idea.  Maybe like most celebrities they get a pr firm to try to salvage her image so she can move forward.  Maybe the bad press is still good press because it puts her in the spotlight.  Maybe she can capitalize off of this and get some speaking engagements or a new gig?

Yeah maybe she really is remorseful and has learned a lesson.  However many people are going to hear her story, and repeat what she did.  When will they have learned their lesson?  Before its too late?

I call this bogus reporting. Its sort of like when they interview a celebrity and ask them if they are dry or clean; then the celebrity always says yes.  6 months later they report how that celebrity was stoned on that interview.   It's a joke, a circus, a wild game.

You don't have to touch fire to know you will get burned.  You have to be smart.  Could this celebrity actually stop others from doing what she did? Yeah there's a chance, but I am thinking it went through both of her ears like a whirlwind her whole life as is.  Dumb.

People do make mistakes naturally.  For the most part, dumb comes to mind instead.

Truth - Silly Subdivision Names

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  Whenever I drive by a subdivision the first thing I think of is the name that is listed on their sign.  I wonder why is that sub called that?  I laugh every time and usually repeat the name in a British accent. You'll often see these ridiculous words or a combination associated with a subdivision name:

Acres
Alpine
Arbor
Bear
Bella this and Bella that
Berkshire
Birch
Blue
Brook
Buckingham
Canyon
Castle
Champions
Chelsea
Cliff
Commons
Country
Court
Coyote
Creek
Crescent
Crest
Crossings
Eagle
Edinburgh
Eldorado
Elk
Enchanted
Estates
Falcon
Farms
Forest
Fox
Gardens
Gate
Glen
Green
Grove
Harbor
Harvest
Hawk
Heron
Heather
Hills
Homes
Homestead
Knoll
Lakes of
Landing
Lane
Links of
Manor
Maple
Meadows
Mills
Moon
Nature
Nottingham
Oak
Peak
Pelican
Pine
Plantation
Pointe
Pond
Preserve
Ranch
Redwood
Ridge
River
Run
Serenity
Shire
Shores
Skies
Silver
Spring
Summit
Sun
Sunset
Stones
Terrace
Timber
Towne
Trails
Troon
Tuscan
Valley
View
Village
Vista
Whispering whatever
Wild
Willow
Wind
Wolf
Woods
Any British city (i.e. Lancaster, Sherwood, Strathford)

To tell you the truth, it all cracks me up. 9 times out of 10 the name has nothing to do with the subdivision or the history of the area.  It has to do with some marketing pr person at a building company who comes up with some medieval, British, or elitist name to give it some charm. Fake.  Just insert name of tree nowhere to be found in the area and insert body of water nowhere to be found in the area or any other contrived name.  People just love it!

Not me, I just laugh. I love to laugh though...so keep it up. Can you say yuppie?  I think all of these names should be banned, and  a unique name registered so no one else in the world can use it.  Cool names, like Deathstar, Cougar Central, Polishville, Nice Lawns, The Skids, Boondocks, Little Red Riding Hood, The Joint...

Liberty: POTUS Love

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. You know I really understand people's disdain for politics. I get it. It makes sense.  Politicans suck, and it seems like a neverending battle.  But one thing I've noticed for the last few years is the type of people who "love" the  President.  You know the American Idol crowd.  The crowd that listens and sways to the flavor of the pop culture day.  The hope and change sheep.

These are the people that say they are liberal, but really have no freaking clue what it means.  These are the people that tell me on Facebook that they have an affection for the president, and that they don't need to explain why. Oh really, you don't?  I am not talking about the hardcore progressives, union thugs, staunch party followers who have an agenda and are devoid of ethical reason. I am talking about every day people who follow drama where ever they can. They turn on their bleeding hear all in the name of fairness or doing the popular and right thing.

You know what the problem is? The problem is they pick and choose what to hear and what to understand.  They only pick up on sound bytes.  They see and hear someone picking on their "guy" and they automatically defend him. "Well I'm a liberal so I like him".  Really?  You like a guy (and it doesn't exclude the people before him) that orders the death of innocent people with drone attacks and useless military engagements?  You love a guy that lies just because he is our guy?  Just because he can make tasteless jokes at a press conference?  Just because you like his wife? Just because Oprah loves him?

You don't have to dislike him, but to love him?...give me a break. These people vote.  It makes me ill and it is beyond sad.

I told you long ago that your hope and change was just smoke and mirrors.  I've been proven right.  Grow up.  Seriously, what is there to like?

A.D.D. Rumblings No. 5712

1. I think cars and airplanes made of rubber might be the ticket.

2. I tap my foot alot. What does that mean?  Someone said its bad for my heart.  How could it be mad for my heart, but running a marathon isn't? Makes no sense.

3. I would like to know why they they put sensors in hockey pucks so when it cross the line, a light goes of?  Tell me why!

5. I bought a box of cookie dough. Life is like a box of cookie dough, you never know when you are gonna put it down. Stupid is, as stupid does.

4. I often think about what the next wave of cell phones are going to be like.  After the smartphone craze I think Star Trek Tri-Quarters are in order.  Beam me up some Jim Beam Scotty.

6. I am very aware that I use the word "I" often when writing my blog.  I think it is a bit arrogant and self serving.  Me and myself don't always agree with I about it though.

7. I think it is weird that Lily pads fascinate me.

[This blog is brought to you by the word shuffling and the number 19197405]

8. I figured out what I really don't like about golf.  It's the fact that I suck at it. For every good shot, I have 3 bad shots.  Screw that noise.  That's worse than a weather forecaster.

9. I saw some chicks at the store wearing clogs with glitter on them. I had to look away.

10.I was wondering if I should really add another ADD Rumbling and turn it up to 11. It might make it that much louder.

Liberty - Evil Exists

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Evil does not exist. Evil is just what is and isn't acceptable by society.  Whatever is legal or illegal determines what is good and bad.

[insert needle skip on the record sound effect here]
What?

Yep...that's what someone told me the other day.

ABSURD.

Evil exists. While it may or may not in the biblical sense, that is neither here nor there on the fact that it exists.  Not like some floating device that captures unsuspecting and anxious souls.  More so, the thought process, the mentality...it surely does exist.

Whenever one causes harm to another person, infringe upon their rights, that is evil.  When someone wants to hurt you, harm you, kill you, take from you, steal from you by any form of force, that is EVIL.  Sometimes by gun, by knife, by tongue, by carelessness, by taxes...  There are many conduits of evil.  It comes in many shapes, sizes, and form (i.e redheads for example).

His argument was basically saying that in the past slavery wasn't evil because it was accepted at the time as the norm.  WRONG.  Just because something is accepted does not mean it is not evil or wrong.  Legal doesn't justify the end results.

It's liberal tripe that relays this line of thinking.  People will do anything to justify actions.  Do you know how many innocent people die because of drones?...let it's "ok" because it is an act of war.  During war it is claimed there is no innocent deaths; only from friendly fire.

That's not how it works.  Pragmatism only flies with self defense.   You know, things may bug me, but this concept that evil doesn't exist really ticks me off.  As the U.S. evolved to move away from slavery, there are those that think what is happening today is ok because it is legal and accepted by society. It's flawed. It's jacked.

The masses are indeed ignorant, and ignorance may be the only saving grace of evil acts.  For example a factory making a widget for saving old people is doing a noble and just act.  Yet their pollution is killing all the fish, and people who live nearby.  They didn't know that their factory would kill people - that is ignorant.  Now if they did know and move on without doing anything, that is just evil.  When you don't know, you have somewhat of a bye. Its sort of like manslaughter vs. murder.  The end result though is the same.

So what do we need to do?  We need to get smarter, not dumber.  We need to evolve.  I fear, I know, I see the opposite occurring.

God help us all.  Shut up Lucifer.

Liberty: Guilty By Association

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Anyone ever peg you to be something that you aren't just because you agree with some things?  Like people think I live in a bunker because I want less taxes and support the Tea Party movement.  Or people that think I'm a snob because I support the University of Michigan in football.  People think I'm a loser because I was born a Detroit Lions fan (some truth there).

It's all guilt by association. You know the government or your neighbor might you think you are a terrorist because you are buying cans of tuna fish and stocking up.  How dare you prepare for a rainy day without their consent. You automatically are suspicious if you do "certain" things.

Anyone ever associate you with a certain group because you watch certain television shows or listen to certain music?  Perhaps the clothes you wear?  You know you don't have to throw caution to the wind to be logical. You can still reason out decisions, and judgements without lumping everyone together. Right?

While it's true stereotypes may not just magically appear; it is a good idea to not assume or immediately be the judge and jury.  Instead think about it, reason it out, and provide some rationale to the people you are lumping in.

If I told you I have been to a Nascar race would you think of me a certain way?  Probably.  But you see, I don't care for Nascar.  The experience was a trip, fun people watching...but the sport (or whatever you call it) does nothing for me.  Love the first lap, after that turning left is just not my thing. Yet I am guilty of your "nascar fan image" most likely if I didn't provide the explanation. So I really don't talk about it.

The whole guilt by association to me is getting bigger and bigger, because the population is just to big for individualism.  The solution may be to have more countries or states. Break up the big ones, so individualism can rise up above.  Will it happen...doubt it. Could it? Sure.  Well it's easy enough to lump sum everything and everyone I suppose.

Truth: Movie Diet

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I like pop culture but I tend to think it is too invasive.  Movies to be exact. Not in a negative way completely.  It is just that move lines or quotes become a response to every one's vocabulary. People respond to things they hear and see by movie quotes. If you don't see a movie, and someone mentions a line from it, you are out of the loop.  Here's some that people always seem o use, in their commentary:

Dave?
Getting jiggy wid it.
Inside outside, living the Vida Loca.
Noone puts baby in a corner.
Badges, we don't need no stinking badges.
Go ahead make my day.
I'll be back.
Goooood morning, Vietnam!
They're not gonna catch us. We're on a mission from God
I'm Batman.
I feel the need....the need for speed!
She blinded me with science.
Jake, jake's my boy.
Yippie kay-yay
Those aren't two pillows!
That's a fact jack!
Get it together Karkalovich.
Get away from her, you BITCH!
Big Ben, parliment.
Never go against the family.
No one talks to Moe Green that way.
I'll make you an offer you can't refuse.
Go ahead punk, make my day.
I'm mad as hell and I can't take it anymore.
Do you want to play a game?
Hell I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it would do any good.
These are the droids we are looking for
Luke I'm your father
What we have here is failure to communicate
I'll have what she's having
Attica!
He-e-e-e-re's Johnnie!
Turn it up to 11.
Say hello to my little friend.
Show me the money!
May the force be with you.
Do you like gladiator movies?
Ever dance with the devil by the pale of the moonlight?
Freedom!
We came, we saw, we kicked ass.
You can't handle the truth.
Oh Fudge!
Life moves pretty fast. You don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it."
F R A G I L E
Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die!
Someone tell a joke
I'm not bad, I'm drawn that way.
Why it's a major award.
You'll shoot your eye out kid.
There's no place like home.
They're here.
We aren't in Kansas anymore.
I am serious. And don't call me Shirley.
Phone home.
What are you prepared to do?
Just like an Irishman, bringing a knife to a gun fight.
Dude. Sweet.
Schwing!
 A martini. Shaken, not stirred.
And then?
I know it was you, Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart.
The first rule of fight club is...
I see dead people.
Do you expect me to talk?" No, Mr. Bond. I expect you to die.
Bond, James Bond.
They call it a Royale with cheese
I was born a poor black child
Run Forrest Run
Demented and sad, but social.
You are killing me smalls
Mama says, 'Stupid is as stupid does
Life is like a box of chocolates.
There's no crying in baseball
What we do in life echoes in eternity
With great power comes great responsibility
Yo Adrian!
Stella!
I know you are, but what am I?
Abe Frohman, the sausage king of Chicago
You're gonna need a bigger boat
It's alive! Alive!
Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me, aren't you?"
Food Fight!
Get busy living or get busy dying.

Sports: Slappy Slapfests

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  The amount of sports slappy going on is killing me. Killing me.  You know, I am fine with fans, fanatics, people that support their teams. But the slappyness has to stop.

The other day ESPN makes this big deal about who is going to be on the cover of the Madden football video game. So they have a live event, with slappy announcers, along with Cam Newton and Calvin Johnson.  Both are there talking smack, and the announcers are egging it on etc.

The crowd in the background is doing their dog chants, and all of their other useless drivel is being heard.  There is an actual count down to the event as to who will be called the winner.

I was beside myself.  I didn't watch it, but I saw a few minutes.  That was enough...as I didn't want to stick a fork in my eye.

Then then then the Detroit Tigers released Brandon Inge.  His 100 batting average would even make Mendoza cry. So all of the slappy fans downriver starting commenting on Facebook:

"I can't believe it! They should have given him a chance"
"I am done with the Tigers!"
"He was so good for the community, this sucks"
"I can't believe he's gone"
"The Tigers don't know what they are doing"
"This is horrible. I will miss him"
"He's the reason why I follow the Tigers"
 

Meanwhile actual sports fans get go on with our lives. Keep it old school, keep it real.

Truth - You Show Off

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I'm all for nice things, and I don't get jealous of people who have "stuff" at all. What bugs and irks me is when people show off just to show off.  I used to work with a guy who would get a new car every 2 years...he would walk around asking if people wanted to go to the parking lot to see his new ride (lexus, bmw, mercedes). Who cares!?

Does anyone like a show off? Show some humility will ya.  If you have something nice, just accept the compliments when you get it. Don't go looking for them.   The people that do this to me, are just high maintenance mental chihuahua types who are excited by bright shiny objects.

I told a friend that I liked his new vacuum cleaner. It was after all pretty modern and cool.  Instead of telling me about it or thanking me, his first words were "It's $700, but I got it for $500". Did I ask how much it was?  Do I care?

I am not easily impressed by loads of jewelry, high priced watches, fancy cars, expensive clothes.  It just doesn't matter to me.  I'm ok with it mattering to certain people to a degree,  but I think it just shows a certain lack of character to be a show off.

If you are all about bling...if you are all about showing off...if you are all about having the latest and newest...if you are all about keeping up with the Jonses...well then, you will probably never be truly happy.  Could you be?  Yeah sure...money can pretty much buy everything.  What is the psychological need to have "things".  Is it some innate quality that has people leaning towards this way of life?  Or is it learned?  If you were brought up to think gold hub caps equals status, then you might just not know any better I am thinking.

I tend to look at the "haves" differently than I do the "have nots", but it's mostly if they are showing it off or not. The non show offs, intrigue me.  The show offs, bore me.

You had to be a bigshot, didn't ya?

Truth - Slogan This

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. Company logos become so ingrained in our minds, it just becomes part of our culture.  Just off the flat top of my head I came up with these.  How many do you know?

Have a coke and a smile.
Ain't nothing like the real thing baby.
Have it your way.
Plop, plop, fiz, fiz, oh what a relief it is.
Reach out and touch someone.
Can you hear me now?
You are in good hands.
So easy a caveman can do it.
It's the real thing.
Like a good neighbor.
Bring em back alive.
Breakfast of champions.
The best a man can get.
The quicker picker upper.
We bring good things to life.
Finger lickin' good.
Let your fingers do the walking."
Got Milk?
This is your brain on drugs, any questions?
Be all that you can be.
Good to the last drop.
The best part of waking up.
Give me a break.
I'm a pepper, you're a pepper.
You deserve a break today.
“Where do you want to go today?
Melts in your mouth, not in your hands.
It just keeps going and going.
Obey your thirst.
Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't.
Just do it.
Betcha can't eat just one.”
You got peanut butter in my chocolate.
When it absolutely, positively has to be there overnight.
It's everywhere you want to be
What's in your wallet?
A little dab'll do ya
I'm not only a member, I'm the president.
Leave the driving to us.
We'll leave the light on for you.
It does a body good.
The choice of a new generation.
Fly the friendly skies.
Don't leave home without it.
Quality is job one.
Oh what a feeling.
Eat Fresh.
See what brown can do for you
It takes a licking and keeps on ticking.
I'm lovin it.
Where's the beer?
The happiest place on earth.
Think Different

Dang...I'm not sure how proud of myself I should be or worried I came up with this list.  Yikes, time to turn off the radio and TV. Then again, if I didn't know this list how could I ever write about it?  Yeah, now I know why I remembered these.  What's your excuse? Oh, so you could read my list and identify with me? Oh ok I get it now.

The terrorists have won. Son of a gun.

Wait son of a gun...that's made by STP!