PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Music Monday-U2 "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
A few weeks ago, U2 held a concert at Fed Ex Field in Landover, MD. That concert caused a huge backup on the beltway and made my usual one hour commute home take about two and a half hours. Since the Redskins are playing tonight at Fed Ex Field, I am expecting a nearly as hellish commute home tonight. So U2 is my choice this week for Music Monday.
Come join Music Monday and share your songs with us. One simple rule, leave ONLY the actual post link here. You can grab this code at LJL Please note these links are STRICTLY for Music Monday participants only. All others will be deleted without prejudice.
PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!
PS: Because of spamming purposes, the linky will be closed on Thursday of each week at midnight, Malaysian Time. Thank you!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Global Warming Insanity
- A new book has been released called Time to Eat the Dog: The Real Guide to Sustainable Living which says that a medium sized pet dog has the same carbon footprint as an SUV and you would be better off owning a goldfish or canary. Try playing catch with a canary, and when was the last time a barking goldfish scared off an intruder.
- California, the United Kingdom, and the European Union are looking at banning plasma televisions. Thank God I have yet to be able to afford one of those and am still using an old fashioned tube TV.
- A New York Times environmental reporter has floated the idea of offering carbon credits to families that limit themselves to having one child. Tough break there for Jon & Kate Plus 8.
- The state of California was also considering a ban on black cars. Suffice to say that I was going to make a smartass remark in regards to what would be the next thing to ban, but I censored myself. Use your imagination.
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Saturday, October 24, 2009
HOA From Hell #7
I have no love for homeowners associations. Outside of a few legitimate roles such as caring for common areas, most of them have rules that our a little too restrictive for my taste. Some of them have rules that are just extreme and unreasonable, like not being able to smoke (a legal activity) in your own home or what type of Christmas decorations you can have.
Now there is the case of Kimberly Broffman of Clearwater, Florida and the Lakes Homeowners Association. Kimberly is a six year old girl who came to live with her grandparents when she was an infant when her mother was injured in a home invasion. It was supposed to be a temporary situation, but Kimberly's mother has run into more difficulties and the child has stayed with the grandparents.
The HOA wants the little girl evicted from the home because their rules state that the community is a retirement community and you must be 55 years old to live there. The grandparents, Judie and Jimmy Stottler, have been trying to sell their home with no success. Mrs. Stottler wrote to the association explaining that until they sell their home they could not afford to move and would become homeless. She thanked them for their consideration and understanding, and the HOA responded with a court summons.
I understand a retirement community wanting to have rules regarding kids. They can be a little loud. However, in some cases compassion should be the rule. You have a child in a loving, stable family relationship. To force the family to either put the child in foster care or become homeless is beyond heartless.
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Now there is the case of Kimberly Broffman of Clearwater, Florida and the Lakes Homeowners Association. Kimberly is a six year old girl who came to live with her grandparents when she was an infant when her mother was injured in a home invasion. It was supposed to be a temporary situation, but Kimberly's mother has run into more difficulties and the child has stayed with the grandparents.
The HOA wants the little girl evicted from the home because their rules state that the community is a retirement community and you must be 55 years old to live there. The grandparents, Judie and Jimmy Stottler, have been trying to sell their home with no success. Mrs. Stottler wrote to the association explaining that until they sell their home they could not afford to move and would become homeless. She thanked them for their consideration and understanding, and the HOA responded with a court summons.
I understand a retirement community wanting to have rules regarding kids. They can be a little loud. However, in some cases compassion should be the rule. You have a child in a loving, stable family relationship. To force the family to either put the child in foster care or become homeless is beyond heartless.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Harry Reid Losing Ground
I am home after my three day business trip to Vegas. These trade shows are a lot of work, but very important to the company I work for. There is a lot of walking and standing over the course of the show, and my feet and back just don't hold up like they used to. My dogs are barking and it sure is good to be back home to relax for the weekend
We also don't get a lot of time to ourselves while on these trips. After spending the normal workday hours walking the trade show floor, we usually get about an hour break before going out to a business dinner. By the time that ends it is pretty much time for bed. When in my hotel room, I usually have the television on for some background noise. This brings me to main point of the post.
Harry Reid is really in trouble in Nevada. Here it is, still more than a year before the next election for his Nevada Senate seat, and what do I see on the tube? A Harry Reid campaign commercial touting all of the great things he had done for the state of Nevada.
A recent poll of registered voters in Nevada shows Reid with a 38% approval rating. We don't even know who his opponent is going to be yet, but polls currently show that Reid would lose to either of the two likely Republican opponents. There is nothing I would like more than to see that twit lose next year. Well, maybe if the Republican take back the House and knock Pelosi off of her high horse.
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We also don't get a lot of time to ourselves while on these trips. After spending the normal workday hours walking the trade show floor, we usually get about an hour break before going out to a business dinner. By the time that ends it is pretty much time for bed. When in my hotel room, I usually have the television on for some background noise. This brings me to main point of the post.
Harry Reid is really in trouble in Nevada. Here it is, still more than a year before the next election for his Nevada Senate seat, and what do I see on the tube? A Harry Reid campaign commercial touting all of the great things he had done for the state of Nevada.
A recent poll of registered voters in Nevada shows Reid with a 38% approval rating. We don't even know who his opponent is going to be yet, but polls currently show that Reid would lose to either of the two likely Republican opponents. There is nothing I would like more than to see that twit lose next year. Well, maybe if the Republican take back the House and knock Pelosi off of her high horse.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Riding With The King
When I was a kid, my favorite race car driver was Richard Petty, mainly because we have the same first name. Besides being my favorite NASCAR driver he is also the greatest and well earned the nickname "The King." During his career, Petty won the NASCAR championship seven times, the Daytona 500 seven times, and 200 career races, all NASCAR records. Last week, NASCAR announced their inaugural inductions into their newly formed hall of fame. In pretty much a no brainer, Petty was among the inductees.
While these trade shows that I attend are a lot of work, and a lot of walking, they aren't all work. Yesterday, I went by the Hunt Brothers Pizza booth who sponsor one of the cars that Petty owns. The King was there signing autographs. I was honored to have a few moments to talk with and shake hands with the greatest driver NASCAR has ever seen. Not only is he a great driver, he is truly a gentleman as well. Here I am below with Richard Petty.
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While these trade shows that I attend are a lot of work, and a lot of walking, they aren't all work. Yesterday, I went by the Hunt Brothers Pizza booth who sponsor one of the cars that Petty owns. The King was there signing autographs. I was honored to have a few moments to talk with and shake hands with the greatest driver NASCAR has ever seen. Not only is he a great driver, he is truly a gentleman as well. Here I am below with Richard Petty.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Welcome to Vegas
I arrived in Vegas last night for my business trip for the next couple of days. We are staying at The Palazzo Suites. Very plush.
Originally I was supposed to have a room with a king size bed, but they had no non-smoking rooms, so instead I have one with two queen size bed. Also with it's own HD television.
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This is probably the biggest hotel room that I have ever been in. They have a sunken living room with a table, work area, HD Television, and comfortable sectional.
The bathroom is huge, with a separate tub and shower stalls. There is a third television in the bathroom so you can soak and watch TV at the same time. The toilet is in a separate little room off the bathroom and contains a telephone. No TV in the toilet though.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Flu Shot?
I rarely get a flu shot. About the only time that I have ever gotten a flu shot was when I went to the doctor for something else and he suggested I get one.It is just not something I ever really think about, and I rarely (knock wood) get sick. So in all likelihood, I probably will not get one this year, especially when I saw this news story on my local news.
The story of Desiree Jennings is frightening. Up until August, she was a healthy, active, 25 year old woman training for a half marathon and a member of the Redskins cheerleading squad. In August, she decided to get a seasonal flu vaccination at a local grocery store. Ten days later, she came down with flu like symptoms. Her condition has deteriorated and now she has difficulty walking and speaking. Her doctors say she has had a very rare reaction to the vaccine and it has brought on a neurological disorder called dystonia.
Millions will get a flu shot this year without any adverse affect. For the vast majority of people, it is completely harmless, and I am not suggesting anybody not get a flu shot because of the case of Desiree Jennings. I doubt that I will get one, but I would most likely not have gotten one regardless of this story. However, as a father of an autistic son, I have read the stories of those who think all the vaccinations our kids have to get possibly contributing to the rise of autism. As much good as vaccinations do for us as a whole, it is important to keep in mind that they are not completely void of risk.
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The story of Desiree Jennings is frightening. Up until August, she was a healthy, active, 25 year old woman training for a half marathon and a member of the Redskins cheerleading squad. In August, she decided to get a seasonal flu vaccination at a local grocery store. Ten days later, she came down with flu like symptoms. Her condition has deteriorated and now she has difficulty walking and speaking. Her doctors say she has had a very rare reaction to the vaccine and it has brought on a neurological disorder called dystonia.
Millions will get a flu shot this year without any adverse affect. For the vast majority of people, it is completely harmless, and I am not suggesting anybody not get a flu shot because of the case of Desiree Jennings. I doubt that I will get one, but I would most likely not have gotten one regardless of this story. However, as a father of an autistic son, I have read the stories of those who think all the vaccinations our kids have to get possibly contributing to the rise of autism. As much good as vaccinations do for us as a whole, it is important to keep in mind that they are not completely void of risk.
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