Big Don's Blog

Hair

2007-02-08T14:16:00.000-08:00

‘Gimme a head with hair, long beautiful hair…”

Mona has declared the word of the day as “Hair”. Now, I don’t have a head full of hair, because of my high testosterone level (thanks Grandpa!). My body makes up for it everywhere else, it seems.

What is curious is that last night, before I read Mona’s blog, I was thinking of that very song from the 60’s musical. It popped into my head after hearing “Aquarius” on a TV commercial. Yes, Madison Ave is still going back to our ‘Baby Boomer” roots. On the upside, there was some very good music written back then. But, again, I digress.

Although I am relatively comfortable with my baldness, I do often wonder what I would look like with a full head of hair, like in my youth. I started loosing my hairline when I was 20, and have had the recession continue ever since. Still, I have never felt that it kept me from being liked and/or loved. I never wanted to do the comb-over, so that has not been an issue. I had a professor in college who did the comb-over and I realized that it did look ridiculous.

Anyway,

There once was a woman so fair
With beautiful long blonde hair
She wore it around
In lieu of a gown
Which made all of the men stare.

(Yeah, I good!)

I'm back with a MEME...

2007-02-01T12:54:00.000-08:00

A MEME from someone I really like and appreciate. (Lisa, may your days be filled with love and inspiration.)

1. I've come to realize that my last kiss.....
Was missing something: it was too platonic.

2. I am listening to.....
My local radio station on-line.

3. I talk.....
to myself a lot, these days. Loneliness can be disturbing. I need a hobby.

4. I love.....
myself and a few others. I am not so easily seduced as I once was and I reserve thoughts of real love (vs. lust) until I am really sure.

5. My best friend.....
lives in another state. I need a new one.

6. My first real kiss.....
was in a parked car with a girl who knew more about such things than I did.

8. I hate it when people ask.....
obvious (rhetorical) questions.

9. Love is.....
difficult to define, usually unrealized, and a seed that must be nurtured.

10. Marriage is.....
love with compromise.

11. Somewhere, someone is thinking.....
that they could be the next millionare by buying magazines.

12. I'll always.....
look for attention and affection. (I can be very needy!)

13. I have a crush.....
on bloggers who I have not even met in person.

14. The last time I cried was because.....
I was missing my father.

15. My cell phone.....
has a Jimi Hendrix ring tone.

16. When I wake up in the morning.....
I look for motivation to get out of bed and go to work. Sometimes sleeping in makes more sense than going to a place where I don’t feel like I am making a difference.

17. Before I go to bed.....
Take my Metamusel, brush my teeth, and then wonder how long I will be sleeping alone.

18. Right now I am thinking about.....
What other things I can be doing to look busy at work.

19. Babies are.....
The most enchanting things in the world. I can’t wait to be a Grandfather.

20. I get on myspace.....
to laugh at those who actually have accounts.

21. Today I.....
made a few people smile and helped a few others with getting their job done.

22. Tonight I will.....
Go buy Turbo Tax software and start entering data.

23. Tomorrow it will be....
better because I will have learned something, helped someone, or experienced something that will make me a better person.

24. I really want to be.....
immortal.

25. Someone that will most likely repost this is.....
That is a good question.

Video

2006-10-16T21:46:00.000-07:00

My new favorite video:

Free Hugs

Enjoy

Back to politics

2006-10-09T13:52:00.000-07:00

So, it seems that North Korea may have tested an atomic warhead. The underground explosion was detected by sensors and now (big suprise) China is now very upset! I think they are as worried about the crazy Mr. Kim as anyone else, but it will be the US who will spearhead the UN effort to try and so something about this. I think we should just sit back and take a full defensive posture on the whole matter and see how the rest of the world reacts. Let China and France work things out. I will speak more on this later.

I was also reading one of my favorite political blogs, From Birk to Kirk, and was pondering the American two-party system. It seems that whenever a third political party is formed it is headed by some rich guy who want to be president because he is sure that the is a simple answer to all our problems. But, when these parties do become a real political force, it also draws the other two parties back to the center. "See, we can be fair to all Americans."

I think we need that right now. It should be started now so that in the next general election, it can run people for Congress, not the Presidency. Perot had the right idea, he just tried too hard to make himself leader of the country, rather than the leader of a political party. Build a small team of supporters in the House, then go for a Senate seat. Now you have some real political clout to sway a vote or two. Then start thinking about an executive post after you have established your credibility.

Hey, it could happen

Empowerment

2006-09-22T10:21:00.000-07:00

For some reason this thought popped into my head this morning. Here it is, Friday, also payday, and I am starting to realize a weekend where I may actually do something (have plans), then this idea formed.

I do not know if this is original. It probably is not my idea -- I do read a lot and I could just be ruminating someone else's thoughts. But, I knew I needed to write it down, lest I forget it, so here goes:

Empowerment

Think of life as a series of choices: when we wake up in the morning, what we eat for breakfast, how fast we drive to work, etc. Most of these choices have limited options and have small consequences if a wrong choice is made. But, these choices are our own.

Power can be defined as important choices. Your boss has more power than you because his choices can determine the options for your choices. In other words, your boss can choose to not employ you, and now you need to radically update your choices for things like food and housing. This means that the more people that are impacted by your choices the more power you have.

A good leader does not abuse his choices (power). A good leader does two things:
(S)he shows others that their individual choices are important, thereby elevating the perceived value of their choices;

and (s)he abdicates their trust to others by allowing them to make certain choices (empowerment). This can also be know as delegation or representation. It is what we do when we vote. We give our power of choice to someone else.

OK, that is all I have for now, but it felt good to get it documented.

Grammar and Punctuation

2006-09-20T08:00:00.000-07:00

OK, so I need a little time with my Hobrace Manual.

Your English Skills:

Spelling: 100%
Vocabulary: 100%
Grammar: 80%
Punctuation: 80%

Does Your English Cut the Mustard?

Actually I have noticed that I do tend to over-punctuate when I write. I find that an extra comma helps me clarify my written thoughts. When I read other people's works, especially those who write in run-on sentences, I find putting a comma in does help to separate several verbs.

Back to work...

Memed again.

2006-09-19T13:08:00.000-07:00

Although this is really voluntary, I was memed by amused, but I am modifying the original meme to have a male slant.

Favorite hot dog: Basic ball park dog with mustard. Anything else just covers the taste of the meat.

Favorite cookie: oatmeal chocolate chip with walnuts (and a glass of cold milk)

Tech junkie or luddite: Techie. I assembled my own PC.

Favorite tv show as a kid: I was a real TV watcher growing up - 'The Rifleman'

Favorite tv show this minute: Studio 60 - premiered last night.

Favorite animal: Dog (man's best friend)

Favorite bird: Pelican

What IÂm reading this week: C# programming guide, for work.

Favorite tool in my garage: Power drill

Famous woman I might run away with (if she weren't married): Bonnie Hunt

Famous people it might be fun to go drinking with: Anyone who picks up the check, including, Jon Stewart, Jack Nicholson, Senator Dole, (ex)President Clinton, I could go on, but this is taking too long.

Three words about me: eccentric, eclectic and errotic

Worst thing about me: I am dogmatic

Best thing about me: I am really a sweetheart

Favorite type of tree: A mighty oak

Which of the Monkeys: Mikey Dolenze. I was also a goofball growing up.

Favorite color: Navy Blue

Something I hate a bunch: My current lack of motivation

Something I adore: Reading and writing

In my junk drawer: Screwdriver, misc. hardware, a roll of breath mints, white glue, a photo of my children when they were very young.

OK, that was fun.

Pennies

2006-09-15T08:34:00.000-07:00

I am using Mona's Friday suggestion for this post.

The Penny

I remember a 'West Wing' episode about the penny, where one of the characters was researching this coin because there is a trend to eliminate it from US currency. At present, it costs the US Mint about 2.5 cents to manufacture a single penny. The reason that pennies are no longer solid copper is because of the cost of the metal. Today a new penny is made of Zinc that is clad in copper.

A fun trick for a child is to scratch a penny, then drop it into some Coke. Over a couple of days, the zinc will dissolve in the cola and all that is left will be the shell of a penny.

So, why do we hang onto this smallest-dollar unit? Our base-10 currency system almost requires that we keep the penny. To round off all financial transactions to the next nickel would put people off. Who is actually going to pick up the cost of those lost pennies: the buyer or the seller? Plus, if I don't pay cash, can I get my three cents back?

I also think that getting rid of the penny is tantamount to admitting that inflation has finally caught up with everyone. If we decide to eliminate the penny, then will the nickel be far behind? If 1/100ths of a dollar is virtually meaningless, then eliminate the nickel also. Just jump to the dime as the smallest coin (both figuratively and literally) in the realm.

Finally, I think the biggest winner in this idea is government. All that rounding and/or truncation of using pennies will allow taxes to increase a couple of percent without raising taxes. In other words, an 8% sales tax on 1 dollar will now be 10 cents (rounded up). Thankfully does not hold true for 10 or 100 dollars.

Still, a penny is a penny.

"See a penny, pick it up, and all the day you will have good luck."

Blogger Sag

2006-09-12T17:05:00.000-07:00

What does that mean?

One of my favorite bloggers has decided to end the almost daily ritual of blogging. I don't want to tell you the site (although I have mentioned it in the past) because it would be an unjust disappointment for you to read the prose there and know that it will not continue. On the otherhand, maybe the writer will take a break and decide to return, or simply start a new blog with a different slant. Hard to say.

If the latter occurs, I will try and remember to provide a link so that you can discover the site for yourself.

Some time ago, I did a brief survey of some blogs and estimated that most blogs have about a three-month half-life. True, many of them, presumably the better ones, last much longer, however many people start a blog to make a point or begin a personal saga and then peter out in a short while. Until you start a blog and try to keep up with it, it is hard to appreciate the effort that some people put into them. I truly respect those who are able to do a daily post and keep it fresh and readable.

So, i will try to maintain my discipline also and keep on typing. No, I will not be here daily, but I will attempt to post at least once a week.

I also want to thank those of you who do comment. I have installed a counter to help me realize how many people do visit my rants and raves, so that should bolster my enthusiasm.

Until next time, dear readers... BLOG ON!

The Intermittent Blog

2006-09-11T12:44:00.000-07:00

I do have blogs that I visit on a (almost) daily basis, and then there are the blogs that I check in on about once a week to see if they have added anything new. I used to worry about readership and keeping current with my posts, until it stopped being an enjoyment and started being a drudge.

I have been doing some self-searching for a reason. Why am I not compelled to write as much as others? I do have thoughts and feelings, and I do enjoy expressing them (such as I am doing now). Well I do have a couple of reasons that I can definitely point to:

1) I am a lazy good-for-nothing by nature. It is not that I don’t finish anything I start, but I do tend to start many things that sort of peter out and die. I was hoping that this blog would not be one of them.

2) I often have good ideas for a post, but they happen at times when I cannot really write them down or fully develop the thought, so it sits in my brain for about 47 seconds and then I forget about it.

3) I know that I do have readers to this site because some of you have been kind enough to comment and give some support. As a ‘wanna-be’ writer, I do want to reach an audience of more than three people.

4) So, I am back to where I started, when I began this blog. What is its purpose? Whom doe sit serve? (I am having a flash back from the movie “Excalibur”.) It is my blog to allow me to vent and rant and express myself when I feel the need. Therefore, it serves me.

OK, I feel better now. I have purged some of my demons and have had the cathartic experience that I hoped for. Hey, it is Monday, and I am not quite fully caffeinated, yet. Have a good week.

A writer?

2006-09-07T08:44:00.001-07:00

No big suprise here:

You Should Be a Science Fiction Writer

Your ideas are very strange, and people often wonder what planet you're from.
And while you may have some problems being "normal," you'll have no problems writing sci-fi.
Whether it's epic films, important novels, or vivid comics...
Your own little universe could leave an important mark on the world!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

Asian Culture

2006-09-06T15:28:00.000-07:00

We know that a culture that has been around for thousands of years must be doing something right.

For Example

Will American culture ever be able to do better?

Writing off the Republicans

2006-09-06T14:41:00.000-07:00

Has success been too much for the Republican party. Will the GOP realize that they cannot have it all theri way all the time? Probably not.

President George W. Bush is still trying to pull his legacy out the trash can and turmoil that is Iraq. At the same time, he is not making any headway with the issue of Iran and their ability to make a nuclear weapon. By the time the enxt President takes a seat in the oval, the quagmire of the middle East will be no better (and probably worse) than what it is right now.

So, I need to decide if I am going to stay with the over-righteous conservatives, or re-align my declaired party with someone else. I say 'someone else' becuase for me to jump over to the DMC would be utter stupidity and I could not look myself in the mirror for months.

What is left then? Should I stay registered with the GOP and just vote for someone else in the national elections? My biggest issue is that there really is not anyone else to vote for. The status-quo of the two-party system does not bode well for the moderates, does it?

And it seems that the independant parties only put up radicals and goof-balls who just want to be heard. My original thought about backing a Republican was to maintain fiscal constraint. You know, keep taxes low and the economy up. It seems that the current administration has sort of missed the target on that one.

So, with just over two years left before teh next big election, I will need to keep my eyes peeled for other options. Unfortunately, the big compaign machines can take anyone and make them look like something the may not really be. So, be wary, and read as much independant information that you can trust. Remember, that some so-called independant reports are actually supported by someone with specific interests. Mr. Rove has shown that his party is not above any type of madia manipulation to distort the truth.

Boy, that felt good to get off my chest.

And you thought...

2006-09-01T18:59:00.000-07:00

And you thought I forgot about this.

You are ANY MORE USELESS, I'D BE A CAT
Take Which Useless Man are you? today!
Created with Rum and Monkey's Personality Test Generator.

You are ANY MORE USELESS, ID BE A CAT, a fun-loving mixed mutt with a red nose causing controversies with your common sense. You can be found both behind and in front of a camera, occasionally at the same time. You are happy to hone a skill, or ham it up, but you are the penultimate friend, always available to help someone renovate, fix a car, or move a body. Mainly, if you are ANY MORE USELESS, ID BE A CAT, it is because you do not like cats.

Summer of '06

2006-08-07T08:19:00.000-07:00

I don't know if this will be a memorial summer, but I has been the hottest summer in some time. I am hoping that next year we will be taling about the heat from this year, rather than breaking this year's temperature records.

Here it is, early August, and I am anxious for the fall to be here. I will miss autumn in Illinois: the cooler air and small thunderstorms blowing by. I am hoping to make a couple of trips back before Thanksgiving, but it is not the same.

None-the-less, I press on here in beautiful San Diego, and wonder where my heart really lies. I am just a little linely and feeling sorry for myself this Monday morning. It will pass... I hope...

My Number

2006-08-03T13:12:00.000-07:00

For what it is worth...

You Are 8: The Challenger

You're brave, impulsive, and gutsy - loving challenges.

You act first and think later. And you're not afraid to speak up.

You are confident, so much so that you can be a bit bossy at times.

Whether people like it or not, you always stand up for yourself.

What Number Are You?

Word of the Day:

2006-08-02T14:29:00.000-07:00

I printed this and put it just outside my cube at work. After three weeks, I finally got a comment on it. Yes, it is my itellectual property.

MIUAWGA

(pronounced: Moo-e-ah-ga) An acronym from “making it up as we go along.” This behavior stems from a non-compliant culture that constantly allows forgiveness over permission and action over agreement.

Has Israel taken the wrong road?

2006-08-02T14:05:00.000-07:00

With the current situation in the Middle East, there have been opinions from pundants and politicians and the media asking if Israel should be going into Lebanon and cleaning out the area of terrorists.

So far, the rest of the world has been taking a 'wait and see' attitude, especially the United States. To condone Israel at this point would be to admit that our methods have not, and probably will not, work in dealing with this type of enemy.

Israel has decided that to deal with a street fighting thug, one must become a street fighting thug with overwhelming force. If you kill my children and innocent civilians, then your children and civilians are also fair game. (Reference) If you change the rules of war and conflict, then we will start playing by your rules and ignore what the rest of the world says or believes.

So the rest of the world will sit back and wait to see if Israel looses its heart, its moral compass, and its compassion. We will also see if Lebanon, the only real democracy in the Arab world, can withstand the test of an stronger, invading force without collapsing in on itself.

As always, the issue is complex, but only because we insist on listening to so many voices. It could be that the days of hearing all sides is becoming numbered. Survival will require that we narrow the variables in world issues and get back to basics.

Israel has done George Bush a big favor. It will end up proving his point, that despots and totalitarian governments should be dealt with in the sternest measures.

Book Meme

2006-08-01T10:54:00.000-07:00

I did this on my own volition becuase I do need to post on a regular basis. I was drawn to this meme, from Nancy, because it is about books:

Book Meme

1. One book that changed your life:
“Only a Trillion” by Issac Azmov. He is my hero and, when I write, I think of his style as my gold standard. His factual science books were my incentive to return to college and persue an engineering degree. I also enjoyed all of his fictional works. Remember, he is the man who gave humanity the “Three Laws of Robotics.”

2. One book that you’ve read more than once:
“A Wizard of Earthsea” by Ursula K. Le Guin. It is a wonderrful use of ‘magic as a science’ and give credence to the universe it creates. It is a personal tale, and with the subsequent two books, it is a good story of personal achievement and selflessness.

3. One book you’d want on a desert island:
“The Lord of the Rings” (all three in one book, as it was originally intended). There is so much texture in the story that it could be re-read several times and one could realize something new each time. Of course at my age, I would have forgotten the most of the book by the time I finished it, so I could re-read it over many times.

4. One book that made you laugh:
“Eleven on Top” by Janet Evanovitch. I have enjoyed all the Stephanie Plum books, but this one in particular made me laugh out loud when yet another automobile was destroyed.

5. One book that made you cry:
I cannot think of a book that made me cry. The most upset I have ever been reading a book was “The Shining” by Stephen King. It scared me so badly that I had to stay up all night reading it because I was too frightened to go to sleep. The most recent emotional issue I had was the latest Harry Potter book when Doubledore was killed. Came real close with that one.

6. One book that you wish had been written:
Lee Harvey Oswald’s autobiography.

7. One book that you wish had never been written:
Erich von Daniken and all his ‘quasi-theories’. He had a good presumption but distorted facts so badly, to prove his theory, that he broke the morality of science for the sake of selling a book.

8. The book you are currently reading:
An Anne Rule book that I borrowed from my late father’s library. It is a series of ‘true detective’ stories. I read her book “Green River Running Red” and nejoyed it. I thought this would be worth reading.

9. One book you’ve been meaning to read:
I have been trying to finish “Moby Dick”, but the middle of the book is like drudging throught the heat of a summer afternoon in the dessert. I started it on an airplane trip and now it sits in my read pile, haunting and teasing me to finish.

Civics from High School

2006-07-31T17:05:00.000-07:00

It is nice to know that I am not a complete idiot:

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 10 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

I will admit that I took an educated guess on two of the questions, so I guess I am also lucky.

Some Useless Info...

2006-07-31T08:01:00.000-07:00

And Just when you thought you were getting through to people...

This

and

This too

Summer is moving along at a fast clip and the weather is a real treat (dripping sarcasm). I hope I survive till the holidays. Then I will have some REAL issues to complain about!

My Soundtrack

2006-07-20T15:44:00.000-07:00

Your Theme Song is Beautiful Day by U2

"Sky falls, you feel like
It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away"

You see the beauty in life, especially in ordinary everyday moments.
And if you're feeling down, even that seems a little beautiful too.

What's Your Theme Song?

Funny Names

2006-07-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

OK, I am a pervert, but this is something I couldn't keep to myself...

Your Penis Name Is...

Ivan the Terrible

Penis Name Generator

Hey, were you expecting Pee-Wee Herman?

A Meme

2006-07-11T08:06:00.000-07:00

In case you didn't know:

Richard Dawkins coined the term meme, which first came into popular use with the publication of his book "The Selfish Gene" in 1976. Dawkins based the word on a shortening of the Greek "mimeme" (something imitated), making it sound similar to "gene". (Wikipedia)

It means a transfer of culture from one person to another. I think it is the same root from the word 'Mimeograph', which is a word that has not been used sense 1965. For you younger people, it is the same a 'Xerox (TM)'. For even younger people it is the same a scanning. In blog terms it means being asked to share a bit of information about yourself to others, thereby transfering your culture to your readers.

Anyway, I was reading another blog and they had a meme that they encouraged others to share, so here goes:

I know ~ a whole bunch of 'party' trivia. It make me sounds smarter than I really am.
I believe ~ given the right incentive, I can do anything.
I fought ~ with my whole family, at one time or another. Eventually we made up.
I am angered ~ by ignorance.
I love ~ making out.
I need ~ someone to love who also loves me back.
I take ~ just what I need, but try to give back more
I hear ~ most of what you say, but I am only human
I drink ~ with gusto, when I do drink.
I hate ~ that the GOP has lost its moral and fiscal compass.
I use ~ Aramis
I want ~ a winning lottery ticket (please, not less than $10 Million)
I decided ~ to keep up with blogging and enjoy myself.
I like ~ most people at face value.
I am ~ not afraid to give my opinion or respect your opinion.
I feel ~ like having an ice cream cone.
I left ~ Illinois for California. Why? That's a good question.
I do ~ (I've said that a couple times already, and I don't wish to got there again.)
I hope ~ the world doesn't fall apart before my children have time to enjoy life.
I dream ~ about women.
I drive ~ less than 10 miles to work.
I listen ~ to others as I hope they listen to me.
I think ~ that there is an answer to the world's problems if those in power would not take every disagreement so personal.
I wish ~ hapiness and success for my daughters.
I compensate ~ for my lack of knowledge by listening and learning.
I regret ~ many things, but I have learned to let go of my guilt.
I care ~ about other people
I should ~ save more money
I am ~ a good and happy person
I said ~ I would call, and I am sorry that I didn't.
I wonder ~ about many things. That is why I don't always stay on task.
I changed ~ myself and become more optimistic.
I cry ~ when watching some movies.
I am ~ over 6 feet tall and slightly overweight.
I lose ~ interest with these long memes.
I leave ~ food on my plate at a restaurant to make myself feel like I am dieting.

OK, you may feel free to comment or partake in this exercize, if you wish.

Welcome Back

2006-07-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

It has been a very warm summer, so far. I have learned that San Diego does have its drawbacks. It seems that because the weather is so moderate, most of the time, most of the older apartments, condos, and houses, do not have air conditioning. I was checking out a condo the other day and the seller said, "This is La Jolla. You don't need air conditioning." Then I walked outside to a 90 degree day.

When I got back to my apartment it was very warm inside, and, of course, I do not have air either. So, I just wait until the sun goes down and hope the fan and a nice breeze comes up to make it cool enough to sleep.

OK, that said, now that I have returned from a nice respite of fireworks and home repairs in Illinois, I am hoping to get back to a routine of work and posting blogs.

I went to see Superman, but have not posted my review as yet. I am also going to go see Pirates this week.

One of the reasons I did not see Pirates over the weekend was because I had a wedding reception on Saturday evening. Despite the fact that I had to drive another 80 miles from Orange County to my home, I did imbibe in the open bar. Consequently, I also spent Sunday recovering from the indulgence, rather than accomplishing anything useful.

So... Off we go my friends. I hope your holiday was as nice as mine.

La Drink

2006-06-28T07:49:00.000-07:00

Not that I am a lush...

You Are A Martini

You are the kind of drinker who appreciates a nice hard drink.And for you, only quality alcohol. You don't waste your time on the cheap stuff.Obviously, you're usually found with a martini in your hand. But sometimes you mix it up with a gin and tonic.And you'd never, ever consider one of those flavored martinis. They're hardly a drink!

What Alcoholic Drink Are You?

And yes, the martini is my drink of choice.

And another thing...

2006-06-16T13:11:00.000-07:00

I was visiting one of my 'favorite' blog sites: Rhodian Attic and watch a video post by Henry Rollins. Yes this is a politically liberal site, but I want to read what they are saying. Those people who only get the oppositions point of view from their friends are foolish.

Anyway, I wrote the following comment on this blog and I want to share that here:

A previous comment from 'Glenda' read as follows:

Here's my point...I worries me and as much as I'd like to jump on the “it's so funny bandwagon”, I just can't. Those words were so anti-woman, not just anti-Ann Coulter, whom I have no love for, in case you're wondering.

So can’t he just make fun of her for what she has done or not done without making it Ok for other men to think it’s acceptable to talk to all women that way? Because we do have a huge problem with men mistreating, beating, raping and abusing women. The numbers speak for themselves. So while it may seem that I am speaking up for Ann I am really trying to speak up for all women.OK, everyone pile on now. I know I just sucked all the fun outta the room.

My comment:

I'm gonna go with Glenda on this one. I think that pushing back one extreemest views by going too far the other way, even in a humerous vein, only escalates the rhetoric and misses the point.

Lately it seems that the only way to get your message heard is to be so far out there, that people notice. With the saturation of media sources and the internet noise level so high, one must yell and scream and make a total ass out of themselves to be noticed. Hence the Limbaughs, Coulters, Rhodes, and Springers (heck I 'm even going to throw in Sterns).

Get back on message! "You be my bitch" is hardly a better message.

Just more stuff..

2006-06-16T09:01:00.000-07:00

Today I posted a review of 'The Da Vinci Code'. You can find it using the link on the left-hand side of this blog (Cinema Fan).

It got me to thinking about "The Church" and Christianity, as it is discussed in the film. Even though the book, 'The Da Vinci Code' is fiction, most of the information stated in the book is true. The part about Charlemagne and the Mycenae Council is well documented and true. Yes, there are gospels that were written that are not included in the 'original Bible'. This does make one question the belief in 'divine Inspiration', a prerequisite for reading the Bible.

The book, and the movie, also use a sect (cult) of the Catholic Church called Opus Dei that is purported to be very Orthodox in its interpretations of the tenets of the Church. The real trick that Brown uses in his story is the extrapolation of the conspiracy into today's mindset. Two things pop into my mind: 1. You are not paranoid if they are really after you, and 2. Dis-information is the tool of those conspiring against you. In other words, you will never be able to disprove a really good conspiracy.

Now, how much will you be willing to pay for a replica of the puzzlebox used in the movie?

In that same vane, I found a picture of a new church with a unique architecture:

Post Turtle

2006-06-14T17:29:00.000-07:00

I am a Republican, but I thought this was funny...

While suturing a cut on the hand of a 75-year-old Texas Rancher, whose hand was caught in a gate while working cattle, the doctor struck up aconversation with the old man. Eventually, the topic got around to former Texas Governor George W. Bush and his elevation to the White House.

The old Texan said, "Well, ya know, Bush is a 'post turtle.'"Not being familiar with the term, the doctor asked him what a 'post turtle was. The old rancher said, "When you're driving down country road and you come across a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a post turtle."

The old man saw a puzzled look on the doctor's face, so he continued to explain: ''You know, he didn't get there by himself, hedoesn't belong there, he doesn't know what to do while he's up there, and you just want to help the dumb shit get down.''

A couple of things...

2006-05-17T09:33:00.000-07:00

Because it is an election year, there are the ubiquitous TV ads that both build up and tear down candidates. The tear-down ads are done with soft money from both sides of the political fence. We still do not know how to run a 'clean' campaign, or we just don't care. It is this type of mud-slinging that makes Americans think the political system is a choice of "the lesser of two evils".

But, my original though here is about financial contributors to candidates.

Where do you draw the line about contributions. In one ad I saw it says that this candidate accepted contributions from employees for a certain company (a power-providing company). So what? If this candidate agrees with, or supports the views of these people, then they should contribute. At what point is a candidate bought? If I say that I am pro-oil, I would expect to get money from oil companies. But which came first (the chicken or the egg)?

Like the poultry reference, this issue could be argued ad infinitum. The only way to really find a smoking gun in this situation is to look at the history of the candidate and see if said candidate changed their opinion on or about the time the contributions were made. Otherwise we are dealing with innuendo and conspiracy theories.

My second point for this post is the company coffee machine.

Why do some people take the last, full cup of coffee and leave a smidgen in the pot? They walk off thinking to themselves that there is coffee left, so they don't need to make another pot. They are too important and too busy to make coffee (or they are too ignorant to know how). This says much about the culture of the company that they are in.

After many years as a consultant in many different companies, I have found that the coffee machine is a reflection of the company's personality. If employees do not take the time to make coffee or clean up after themselves, they are usually selfish and ego-centric and it reflects in other aspects of their work.

On the other hand, I have worked at companies where there is cooperation and caring and an ethic to do the right thing. At these places, everyone makes coffee if they take the last of the pot. The general area is clean and maintained, and not by the janitor crew.

So, how is it at your place of work?

The Growth Curve

2006-05-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

I recently read a post about babies and how they grow. It seems that smaller, leaner babies grow up faster in later years and end up healthier for it.

So, maybe the obesity in America is not from over-indulgent parents as it is from the AMA's mis-conception that fat babies are health babies. After WWII, and the years of rationing, our nation became a juggernaut of manufacturing and agriculture. Suddenly the technology that was developed during the war was applied to the fields of grain, and we had more food that we could consume or give away. We became the best fed nation in the world, and our children shared in that wealth.

When my children were growing up, it was good news to know that they were at the top of the growth curve. Yes, as an over-achiever, I was proud that my kids were better than 90% of the rest of the pack! Now, I am told that it may not be a good thing to be better than the rest, that the other children may end up bigger and/or better than my offspring.

In the end, it doesn't really matter. I have learned that making everything competitive only leads to more aggravation and a wasting of energy. That is real growth in my mind.

May 1 - afterglow

2006-05-02T14:44:00.000-07:00

So, instead of watching the Soviets parade in the snow, showing off their quasi-strength, we had Mexican illegals parade across our country to demonstrate their impact on the US economy. Well, other than going to a different place for lunch (Tai), I did notice that there was a lot less traffic going to work.

It indicates that 40% of the gas used in San Diego is purchased by people making the least amount of money. So gasoline is probably the largest contributor to inflation at lower incomes. I also imagine that this group of people do more carpooling that the rest of the commuters, in order to minimize the impact of gasoline prices.

Of course, all this is speculation and innuendo on my part. I certainly do not have any numbers to back this up.

But now it is May 2nd. So on I trod.

The Blog Effect

2006-04-25T08:19:00.000-07:00

No, I have not been posting like originally thought I might. It is not that I don't have any thoughts each day, it is more that I don't have anything profound each day, and I don't take the time to treat this blog like a diary.

None-the-less, I did have a thought about blogging this morning. This probably stems from my guilt for not blogging in a while. (Are you as confused as I am?)

So, here is my thought:

Blogging is another 'Andy Warhol' effect. Everyone gets 15 minutes of fame, at least in their own minds. With a single post on a new blog you have world-wide access. The only issue beyond that is if anyone is listening (reading or looking).

After that initial post, if you keep up the posts, the 'American Idol' effect then kicks in and you start to get a few followers. If it turns out that you have real talent, in whatever style your blog is presented, then the word starts to get out and you viewership expands.

These hard-core, long-term, obsessive bloggers tend to fall into two categories: professionals (who have a specific agendas for writing, pictures, political, or religious blogs) and the amateurs (who enjoy sharing their life stories and diaries, or have a fun fictional character). Either way, if your readership is large enough, you can enroll in the AdSense portion of the blogasphere and may make some money.

I have not personally heard or known of anyone getting rich this way. Mostly it is rumors and innuendo. There are those blog sites that are totally commercial. These boys are simply phishing for hits from search engines on a given topic. They are the cheap billboards along the internet highway.

Anyway, that is my thought for today. Maybe something more profound and interesting will pop into my brain in the near future.

Modern Transportation

2006-04-17T14:01:00.000-07:00

Arrrgh!

I flew from San Diego (where I now live) to Chicago (where the adult-children still live) for the massive Easter Brunch that has become a tradition for us. When making my reservations several months ago, I went for the cheap and got a trip that had one lay-over each way in San Francisco. The outgoing leg was a red-eye from SFO to O'Hare.

Despite my efforts, I was not able to get any sleep on the flight out to San Francisco. When I got home, I just walked over to my bed and crashed. No biggie.

The rest of the day was a hazy blur, but it ended with me visiting my ex-door neighbors and playing cards till midnight.

Sunday came and I gathered everyone up to go to the brunch. We sat and ate for two and a half hours. Man, was it good! I then talked my youngest into driving me back to the airport on her way home. I also scrambled to get her taxes done (which meant filling out a 1040X for re-filing taxes. Then off we went to the airport.

Well, the weather was a factor at O'Hare. Many planes (including mine) were late getting in, so I was very worried that I would not make my flight from San Francisco to San Diego. And, that was the last flight out from SF. I asked about the non-stop from O'Hare to SD and found out that it was over-filled because the previous non-stop was cancelled.

Undaunted, I waited patiently to see what would happen. My aircraft did arrive and they turned the plane around very quickly. We were told, however, once we pushed away from the gate, that due to head winds and weather, it would take us longer to get to Frisco than the schedule indicated. Of course that meant I would miss my connection.

After we took off, the pilot informed us that they had found a 'short cut' to SF and we should arrive as early as 10PM. That gave me twenty minutes to make my next flight. Cool.

The bad part was that it got very bumpy after takeoff, what with all the weather. So, I tried to snuggle down and get some sleep. No good.

The movie was 'Narnia'. Unfortunately, that got my attention and I watched the whole thing. (Pretty good, actually.) So now with only 90 minutes of the flight left, I closed my eyes and tried to get a short nap. Oh, lucky me, more bumps!

As we landed in San Francisco, my watch said it was just after 10. By the time we de-boarded and I rushed to the gate (of course it was in a different wing of the terminal) I had a reasonable chance of catching my flight. So, off I gallop.

The good news was that my flight was still on the monitors and had not departed. The bad news was that it was delayed because of aircraft issues. So I got to sit and wait until they found and delivered another aircraft.

I finally got home about 1:30 this morning. To say I was tired is an understatement. I slept through most of my alarm this morning and I rolled into work about 9:30. All the sugar and massive qualities of food finally caught up with me.

I got your message when I landed in San Diego along with an auto-message from Untied Airlines, saying that my flight was cancelled and I was "scheduled to depart from Frisco to San Diego at 6AM on Monday".

So, that is my Saga-de-jour. If this story seems dis-jointed and poorly written it's because I still haven't regained full conscienceness yet. (Excuse me while I clean the drool from my keybiard.)

Questionnaire: do you really know yourself?

2006-04-10T18:34:00.000-07:00

OK, so I was visiting one of my favorite blogs (boredhousewife) and Lisa put out a list. Here are my answers to the same questions (although, at this time Lisa did not have a question 24, so I added it.)

1. Last kiss? The guy in the cube next to me has Hershey kisses in his office. Does that count?

2. How do you flush the toilet in public? I use my foot. It's not that I have a phobia, because I always wash my hands. But every little bit of prevention helps.

3. Do you wear your seatbelt in the car? Yup.

4. Do you have a crush on someone? Usually several people at once.

5. Name one thing that you start to get tense about if you are close to running out of it: Patience.

6. What famous person do you (or other people) think you resemble? I have been compared to many a famous and handsome movie star in days gone by. Actually, several people say I remind them of Charles Grodin.

7. Favorite pizza topping: Mushrooms and black olives.

8. Finish this sentence: if my life was a sitcom my theme song would be... "Running on Empty", by Jackson Browne.

9. Do you pop your knuckles? Yes.

10. What song do you dislike the most when it gets stuck in your head? Any song. My head is so empty that any song echoes around and drives me crazy.

11. Did just mentioning that song make it get stuck in your head? Nope.

12. What are your super powers? I have the ability to put people to sleep at the drop of a hat. I just start talking about my life and before you know it, they are out!

13. Peppermint or spearmint? Peppermint

14. Where are your keys? Sitting on the shelf next to my front door.

15. Who's answers to this questionnaire do you want to hear? I will not tag anyone, so this is a voluntassignmentment.

16. What's your most annoying habit? Because I live by myself (for now) I am sure most everything I do is annoying, but not to me.

17. Where did you last go on vacation? A lake in Wisconsin (I was living in Illinois at the time).

18. If you could punch one person in the nose and get away with it, who would it be? There was this kid in fourth grade who used to pick on me all the time. I'd like to find him today and let him have one in the snoot.

19. What is your best physical feature? My brain (sad, isn't it?), although some women have commented on my eyes.

20. What CD is closest to you right now? Closest: Civilization IV - a PC game. All my music CDs are on the other side of the room.

21. What 3 things can always be found in your refrigerator? Mold, moldy bread, and moldy cheese.

22. What superstition do you believe/practice? Although it is the 21st century I will still throw spilled salt over my shoulder.

23. Does size matter? Geeze, I hope not! It aint what you got, it's how you use it.

24. Paper or Plastic? Depends on my mood, but they don't really ask any more, do they?

25. Do you talk on your cell phone when you drive? Yes, but I usually use my headset.

26. What are your favorite sayings? "You can't swing a dead cat without..."

27. What song(s) do you sing most often in the shower? Something Tony Bennett or Sinatra.

28. If you could go back or forward in time would you and where would you go? I would first go back in time to see certain historical events take place. Then I would go forward to see how human-kind ends up.

29. What is your favorite Harrison Ford movie? Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back. Second: Mosquito Coast.

30. What CD is in your stereo? None. I take them out when I am done.

31. What OCD qualities do you have? Staying in a rhythm and routine on a day-to-day basis.

32. how many kids do you plan on having? I have two grown-up daughters and I can't have any more.

33. If you could kiss anyone famous who would it be? Scarlett Johansson. Those lips make me crazy.

34. Would you really want to kiss someone you didn't know? Yes. I like kissing. I am very oral.

35. What do you do when no one is watching? See question 16, I do lots of stuff.

36. If they made a movie about your life, what actor/actress would play you? Ron Howard (although he is a director now).

37. Would you rather die in a blaze of glory or peacefully in your sleep? Blaze of glory.

38. What candy, from when you were a kid, do you miss the most? I have been a Snickers fan for so long, I don't remember.

39. what is your favorite movie? The Great Race.

40. Favorite musician(s)/bands you've seen in concert? Jefferson Airplane, Jefferson Starship, Led Zeplin, Harry James.

41. Have you ever been in love? Are you kidding? If you want to talk about 'True Love', yes a few times.

42. Do you talk to yourself? Again, see question 16. I do catch myself talking to myself, especially early in the morning and in the shower. I ask myself for requests on the songs I sing. It really does work well fo rme.

43. Is there anybody you just wish would fall of the face off the earth? No. Any bad people that I wish were not here are usually replaced by other bad people.

More off my chest

2006-04-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

SO what is really pissing me off about the 'Righteous Republicans' who are running the party now is that they got rich off the American government that they so strongly defend. And why not? They do not want to loose the golden goose that has lined their pockets. (BOCTAOE)

If they were truly patriotic, they would be selling the products to the US at some discounted rate, rather than with an inflated profit margin that ensures their personal wealth. Remember during WWII when many companies offered to make materials for the war effort for a profit of $1? Certainly, I am not expecting that today, but common people. Let's not criticize others for being unpatriotic when all you seem to be doing is promoting the Iraqi war so that you can sell more stuff to the US government.

Found Dead... Don's Brain

2006-03-29T09:33:00.000-08:00

So, where is my creativity? Where has it gone? I guess I am going into a mild state of depression. Nothing seems to interest me right now. I haven't been to a film in weeks, I do not watch TV to any extent, and I sit at work with very little to do, for now.

The other thing is that my 'Big Birthday' is quickly approaching and I am starting to wonder about life and my future.

I am writing this simply to try. I appreciate those few readers who visit, and also those who take the time to comment. Any attention is welcome.

So, I will take a deep breath and trudge forward.

My top 5

2006-03-28T10:14:00.000-08:00

I was visiting one of my favorite blogs today and the question came up about the five people you get a 'wavier' or 'freebee'.

What surprised me was how long it took me to come up with five. Yes, there are many very pretty people out there who I could easily fantasize about, but when I really put some thought into it I became very discriminating about it.

I think this is my age showing. It is not that I am NOT a hound (as all men tend to be), but many of the women I see on TV or on the movie screen seem a little shallow and certainly too skinny (for my taste). But I did finally come up with five choices:

The list du jour ('cause I am a fickle guy).

1. Allison Janney (Smart, pretty, charming and tall)
2. Lisa (BoredHousewife). Do women get any sexier?
3. Scarlett Johansson (probably too young, but just gorgeous and great eyes)
4. Charlize Theron (Somehow I would want to talk to her more than get physical)
5. Alyson Hannigan (Me-likey redheads).

Now these appear in the order in which I thought of them. The first three popped right out, and the next two did take some consideration.

Do you have a list (just in case)?

A Choice of Infinities

2006-03-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

Is there a God? That question alone can (and has) sparked arguments, discussions, and probably wars. Most religious wars were not from questioning God’s existence as much as whom to believe about how God wants us to act.

Up front, I am an agnostic. I was raised and confirmed in the Lutheran church by my aunt. My father was Catholic and my mother is Baptist. Neither of them, or my immediate family, are church-goers. Although I no longer agree with all of the teachings of the church, I do appreciate my aunt for exposing me to the Christian way of life.

But this post is about the roots of God. We are told that He is infinite in both time and space. For many, this flies in the face of modern science. As we learn more about our universe, we discover that there are mathematical concepts that can explain how God works.

This is my feeling: I think the idea that God is above, or on a separate plane that our universe, seems to make him unattainable. The more we learn about the mechanics and physics of the world we live in, the less likely that it is that “God made man in his own image.” Or is it?

If God did make man in his own image then is it not available and possible that man can move closer to God by understanding how God makes things work? Why would a divine being grant us free will only to be P.O.’d when we use that free will to understand the universe that he put us in?

What irritates me about most of the ‘commercial’ religions is that they have the temerity to say they know what God is thinking. That they understand the ‘real’ intent of the Bible, which is God’s word spoken to man. In my mind, the more we learn about the universe and how it works, the more powerful God gets.

Acronyms

2006-03-13T09:12:00.000-08:00

Definition: " A word formed from the initial letters of a name, such as WAC for Women's Army Corps, or by combining initial letters or parts of a series of words, such as radar for radio detecting and ranging."

This is not to be confused with an abbreviation (or initials), such as USMC.

I know this is a nit-picking thing to complain about, but I have take grief for lesser issues, so...

Acronym examples:

NASA ( not "en ayh ess ayh")
NOW, for National Organization of Women (not "en oh double-ewe")

Abbreviations examples:

IT (pronounced "eye tea", not "it")
DMV (pronounced "dee em vee", not "Deemov")

NASA was the real promoter of acronyms in the 60's. They had so many new words and names for things, like a Lunar Evactuation Module (a LEM), that they used acronyms constantly. It helps to give a thing an easy name. It is like a nick-name for a child.

Anyway, it iritates me when people get that wrong.

CSQE

2006-03-02T09:17:00.000-08:00

So, in my efforts to constantly improve myself, I have enrolled in a certification course. This results in me taking an exam for 4 hours to obtain a certification from ASQ (American Society of Quality) stating that I have the knowledge and credentials to be a Software Quality Engineer.

It is similar to taking the SAT, but the knowledge is obviously very specialized.

For a few weeks, on Wednesday nights, I will go to a 3-hour session and learn what I need to know in order to get that knowledge. It seemed like a good idea when I first thought about it, and the man who organized the sessions sits right across from me here at work. My current supervisor, Gina, who sits in another cube next to me, is also enrolled. We plan on forming a study group.

This has, however, severed my X-box on-line playing time down to nothing, as Wednesdays was the groups night for shooting each other. Cest' la vie.

Was this a good idea? Is improving myself, especially for a certification that I will minimally use, such a good idea? My logical self tells me yes, but my lazy self has a different opinion. I am now looking at this opportunity as a social event as much as a learning event. Hey, it is a little lonely here, by myself.

I know that I need to start exercising, but I can't find the motivation for that right now either. At least the certification training is something. I'll start there and go forward. Yeah, start slow.

Eldest Daughter

2006-02-24T10:43:00.000-08:00

I probably should post her picture, just to embarrass her, if nothing else, but my oldest daughter, Meredith, is graduating this spring from Eastern Illinois University (EIU).

I am excited. It took her five years because she did spend a couple of years in junior college then changed majors at EIU. Not a problem. I was (and still am) happy to fund her education. Now she is getting ready to move back home with her mother up in Northern Illinois. EIU is located in the center of Illinois in the small farm-town of Charelston.

So, now I must also make arrangements to fly out for an extended weekend to watch the ceremonies, take pictures, and then load up a Uhaul truck with her personal stuff and drive it over one hundred miles and unload it. Yeah, aren't Dad's great?

My biggest concern is that moving her bed into her current room took two adult males. Now that she has broken up with her boyfriend (am I telling too much?), I can only hope that she is strong enough to help me get it back down the small, winding staircase.

So, come early May, I will be very busy and very tired. I will probably be counting the hours until I get back to San Diego to get some rest.

Next is to plan some type of party for all our Illinois friends to celebrate the event.

CInema Fan speaks

2006-02-23T15:06:00.000-08:00

I just posted a new review for a mediocre film.

Cinema Fan

I hope to add to that blog very soon.

Bad Night?

2006-02-23T09:21:00.000-08:00

So, last night was x-box night. Yes, I am over 50 and playing video games, although it is getting harder to keep up with these younger guys.

Wednesdays has been x-box night for over a year now. My ex-door neighbors and some guys in the general vicinity decided to play on-line at least once a week. Wednesday night was agreed upon, and we have been shooting at each other ever since. I have kept this up, now that I live in Southern California, to keep in touch with my friends.

Last night was not so good for me. I was a little tired and had a bad reaction to a quesadilla that I ate for dinner. I got dizzy and very queasy, so I decided to lie down and let it pass. Next thing I know is that I am waking up and it is 11:30 at night. Damn.

This is even more disappointing because starting next week, my Wednesdays will be taken up with going to a Quality Certification course.

So, to my x-box buddies, I am sorry about dumping out on you last night, and maybe we can find another night to do this. No, I am not going to buy a 360 right away. Hey, as poorly as I play it would be a waste of money.

Canceled Flight

2006-02-21T08:27:00.000-08:00

I had a very interesting, and long weekend.

Monday was presidents day (Feb 20), so it was a holiday for my company. I spent the time going back to Chicago to visit.

To maximize my time there, I was scheduled to take the United red-eye from San Diego to O'Hare. I will relate the story to you, as I heard it, because I found it most interesting.

It seems that a scheduler in Chicago (United's headquarters) decided that there were too many empty seats on the aircraft, so the aircraft was down-graded to a smaller plane. This meant that a different aircraft would be sent to the departure gate (no problem), and the appropriate flight crew needed to be gathered and sent out also.

Let me explain that I am hearing this part of the story from the gate agent in San Diego, as we are waiting to board the aircraft. The flight is scheduled to depart San Diego at 11 PM. San Diego airport closes at 12 midnight. We have a pilot and co-pilot, but no Flight Attendants. They are, apparently on their way from LAX, by van.

Keep in mind, at this point that it is a Friday night, it is a 3-day weekend for many people (not all), and it is raining. As I stood there listening to the conversation between the gate attendant and the co-pilot, I realized that there was a good chance that we were not going to get out of San Diego that night.

A couple of phone calls revealed that the remaining flight crew were at least 20 miles away, and it was already 11:30. At that point the gate attendant declared the flight cancelled. Needless to say, there were the usual grumbling and complaints as we all trudged back down to the ticket counter. I got my flight changed to Saturday morning via the phone and headed for home.

The next morning, I get to the airport, but my flight is not listed, nor does my name come up using the e-ticket machines. I am disappointed and now I must wait in line with the multitudes and find out what is going on. Fortunately, I am a frequent flier with United and I get to stand in the short line.

Yada, yada, yada, I get my boarding pass and soon I am back up at the same gate looking at (I am pretty sure) the same aircraft as last night. I am early to the gate, as is my practice. Soon, up walks a flight attendant who, after a short while, tells the tale from her point-of-view.

She was one of the three flight attendants that were called up yesterday afternoon. All three are stand-by employees out of Los Angeles, and were told to report to LAX by 8 PM. Then they were told to catch a van to go to San Diego.

Here is where the story gets interesting.

It turns out that the van driver had brought his wife with him, and the van only holds three passengers. From what the flight attendant could make out, the wife was leery of the husband's fidelity and insisted that she accompany him on the trip.

An argument ensued because none of the passengers would volunteer to sit between the two rear seats, without a seat belt, for the long drive.

The driver finally decided to take his wife home and return for the flight attendants. By the time he got back to LAX to begin the voyage South, it was about 9:30 PM. Everyone knew that they would not be in time, but they all pressed on with failing hopes.

Cest la Gar.

Back to work

2006-02-14T12:16:00.000-08:00

So, now that things are picking up at work, I have a less time to contemplate what to write in my blog.

I have thought about relating my thoughts on politics, or religion, or other topical subjects, but there are many others out there who are doing a better job that I can at relating such ideas.

On the other hand, you may not know where those others post, and you do not know which ideas I share with those people. So, what the heck.

Happy Valentine's Day

2006-02-14T12:14:00.000-08:00

To all who may visit, and all my friends, where ever you are...

And I mean that from the bottom of my heart!

Leading Man

2006-02-10T13:45:00.000-08:00

FYI...

I found this a fair test. Although I was shooting for Cary Grant, I'll take the results.

Clark Gable
You scored 33% Tough, 9% Roguish, 19% Friendly, and 38% Charming!

You're a helluva guy, a real split personality and a bit of an enigma. On the one hand, you're a man's man, tough talking and ready for anything. But on the other hand, you soften your rough and tumble core with a disarmingly smooth exterior, and you make the ladies swoon. You're equally admired by both men and women alike, drinking other men under the table all the while charming the socks off half a dozen lovelies. You're a commanding presence, and you know how to get what - and who - you want when you want it. You're drawn to women who, like you, are savvy enough to deal with the world on their own terms. You work well with spitfires. Leading ladies include Joan Crawford, Myrna Loy, and Jean Harlow. No damsels in distress for you.

Find out what kind of classic dame you'd make by taking the Classic Dames Test.

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 55% on Tough

You scored higher than 13% on Roguish

You scored higher than 30% on Friendly

You scored higher than 74% on Charming

Link: The Classic Leading Man Test written by gidgetgoes on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Hubba hubba

My Number

2006-02-07T14:27:00.000-08:00

I am
p

Everyone loves pi
_

what number are you?

this quiz by orsa

The Super (Stupor) Bowl

2006-02-06T11:22:00.000-08:00

Unless you are a big fan of one of the teams, what are the reasons to watch the "Stupor Bowl?"

1. The commercials: yes, but NO ONE has been able to top the Apple commercial of 1978(?)!
2. The half-time show: yes, but no one has been able to top the Janet Jackson Boob of 2004!
3. The two best teams in the NFL fighting it out: yes but then only watch the fourth quarter. If it is a good, close game, you will still be a part of all the tension and be able to say you saw the best part. If it a blow-out, then you can shut it off and look elsewhere for entertainment.
4. Any other thoughts, cause that's all I got?

I watched another DVD (see cinemafan2.blogspot.com) until the 4th quarter, although I did catch most of the Rolling Stones at half-time (yawn).

The Aristocrats

2006-02-06T10:08:00.000-08:00

I rented a DVD this weekend that was recommended by a friend. It is called "The Aristocrats." First of all, this is a non-rated (should be MA) DVD that will surely offend everyone, unless you have a great sense of humor.

"The Aristocrats" is apparently an old vaudeville joke that is only told (for the most part) among comics. As a joke it is fairly feeble, but the idea is not the punchline, as it is in the telling of the joke. This movie is a pseudo-documentary about the joke and how comedians of the last couple of generations tell the joke, learned about the joke, and analyze the joke.

Now, here is where we diverge from the comedy of the joke into the comedy of the telling of the joke. As we learn about the joke, and what makes the joke funny, we are drawn into the 'back room' banter about comedians and their darker side.

It really would not be proper for me to reveal the joke here, so I will not. Let me just say that some people tell a very disgusting version of the joke, and you can start to understand what "over the top" really means. On the other hand, some people go "way over the top" and the same joke becomes hilarious.

One of my favorite scenes is when the mime does the joke. I was almost on the floor.

There are also several variations of the same joke that show both the creativity of the person telling the joke and ability of an old joke to stay 'fresh'.

There are about twenty five (I did not keep count) different comedians interviewed during this documentary, from all generations: Phyllis Diller to Paul Reiser to Whoopi Goldberg and Gilbert Godfreid. I mention Gilbert, because there is footage of him doing the joke on a Comedy Central Roast.

Two things popped into my head while I was watching this funny movie: The old joke about people using numbers instead of jokes with the punch line, "it's how you tell it;" and how many other movies have such a repeating theme that does not get old?

I give this film 4 1/2 stars (out of five). It is the equivalent of comedic jazz. A theme, and all of its variations and personal styles, put together on film.

OK, if you do want to watch this movie, then stop reading here, because I AM going to reveal the joke for you! But trust me, you will be sorry (or maybe not) if you truly want to watch this movie.

Ready? All righty, but this will be a fairly watered-down version...

OK, so the man walks into a talent agent's office. He says, "I have a great act for you!"

"OK," says the agent, "Let me hear about it."

The man steps back and with gestures and a big smile starts to talk. "It is a family act. I come on stage with my wife and she starts to sing a beautiful melody while I start taking off my clothes. When I am fully nude, I start to sing the next part of the song and my wife strips down.

"When I have finished my verse to the song, my two children come on stage and start singing. My wife and I move to the center of the stage and take a dump in front of the kids, then proceed to take off their clothes."

"My wife and I begin to sing a duet while my two children also take a crap in the same location. As the music builds, our little dog comes in and he takes a dump. Then the whole family is singing in four-part harmony and in a crescendo of music we all dive into the pile of excrement, roll around in it, and finish the song."

The man has been acting out the parts in the office and jumps up with his hands in the air, "Ta daa!"

The agent is sitting there chewing on his cigar and asks, "So, ah, what is the name of your act?"

The man smiles and says, "The Aristocrats!"

I'll let you watch the DVD and see what others have done with this idea.

Off my chest...

2006-01-27T09:02:00.000-08:00

I do read other blogs, of very different varieties. I started this when I discovered that Blogspot will let me jump from blog to blog in a 'random' fashion. The "NEXT BLOG" button (up at the blog's header) has presented many different points of view for life and art and sex and cars, and every other aspect of internet life. Eventually, I will provide links to those sites that I visit, so that you can enjoy them also, if you wish. Politically, I am probably a little to the right of center.

My point is that no matter who you are, or what you think, you can find both support and opposition to those thoughts.

For the record, I am a registered Republican, and I did vote for President Bush. I do not agree with many of the decisions he has made, nor do I think he is the sharpest pencil in the box. He is, however the sitting president of the strongest country on this earth. He was put there by an election process that had withstood the test of over 200 years.

My bottom line is that I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say it, with my life.

I present this rhetoric to anyone who feels compelled to read this blog, so that they will understand that I have opinions, but I will also try to present different opinions other than my own, especially when those ideas have merit (in my eyes).

Just Because

2006-01-26T11:30:00.000-08:00

I have been blogging under another pseudonym for a couple of months, and I have been commenting on several blogs that I visit on a regular basis. I created this blog to give myself an identity, not so much for myself, but for others.

I will eventually put most of my cross-reference information on this site, so be a little patient with me.