Random Thoughts

Fireworks

2011-05-24T21:28:00.001-05:00

The people in our neighborhood are setting off fireworks tonight... In anticipation of Memorial Day, I suppose.

Ballet

2011-05-19T18:27:00.001-05:00

Having to stand in line for the ballet is just wrong.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Re: Cooler Scooter

2010-08-29T22:02:00.001-05:00

Hey Scott,

I've actually seen these around Dolphins stadium. We, who all walk the porto-lets, think these are some of the smartest, laziest people ever.

Linda Free

Fine Wine Fan

Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 28, 2010, at 9:32 AM, "Scott Smith" <scottsmith@comporium.net> wrote:

http://www.coolerscooterdirect.com

Now I've seen it all.

Cooler Scooter

2010-08-28T08:32:00.001-05:00

http://www.coolerscooterdirect.com

Now I’ve seen it all.

Charlotte's Gallery Bar Has Your Favorite Brand Of Scotch-Plus 39 More

2009-12-21T11:12:00.000-05:00

Charlotte's Gallery Bar Has Your Favorite Brand Of Scotch-Plus 39 More

Still life in a our fire pit

2009-12-06T20:49:00.000-05:00

Check out the impromptu still life I discovered frozen in our outdoor
firepit this morning. I swear there was no staging. Looks very Christmasy
doesn't it?

Mom quote

2009-11-29T12:59:00.000-05:00

“To be successful when you’re sweeping you need to look at the floor, not the ceiling.”

Tiffany's Baby Shower

2009-11-28T12:43:00.001-05:00

Click here to view this photo book larger

Smith Family Thanksgiving

2009-11-28T11:17:00.001-05:00

Click here to view these pictures larger

Mugs

2009-10-26T21:28:00.001-05:00

I asked my kids to pick my mug for coffee this morning and tell me whey they picked it. Isabel chose a mug and said it was because the design looks like sea shells, which reminds her of when we go to the beach together and how much she really likes going to the beach with me. It’s cool to see a pot through a kids eyes.

This guy is a genius...

2009-09-25T09:23:00.000-05:00

http://www.livingthemap.com/Living_the_Map/Living_the_Map/Living_the_Map.html

And no doubt having a blast. Wish I’d thought of it (15 years ago).

Change

2009-08-12T16:03:00.000-05:00

"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."

-Mahatma Gandi

Clinton and Gore, Together Again

2009-08-06T09:40:00.000-05:00

A must read article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/us/politics/06gore.html?hp

Wow. I remember the promise of hope, the excitement, the disappointment, the anguish, the worry, the anger, and finally the disgust…

Interesting how events and emotions that seemed to fill our minds, the airwaves and every waking moment can be wrapped up in a well-written, one-page article.

Carbon Leaf

2009-07-10T07:00:00.003-05:00

Debi and I saw Carbon Leaf last night at the Visulite Theater in Charlotte. It was one of the best live performances we’ve ever seen (and we’ve seen a few). We’ve been listening to their music for a couple of years now and both enjoy it immensely, although we’re still debating who “discovered” the band.

This was our first time seeing them live -- you know how some bands sounds great in the studio but then suck on stage? Not these guys, they were amazing. Their set (which went on for almost two hours) contained a good blend of old & new songs and they mixed it up a bit so that it wasn’t the same thing you’d hear on an album.

I might call their sound Celtic Rock, but each album has its own character and feel. If you look online, their albums might be classified as Folk, Alternative, Rock, Bluegrass, and Blues but trying to pigeon-hole these guys is focusing on the wrong thing, just enjoy the music.

Their talent is more than creating rhythmically catchy tunes with some studio magic. I find the lyrics refreshing but real; they evoke a shared imagery of having “been there.” The band, especially the lead singer Barry Privett, puts emotional content behind them - the composition is sublime.

You can find them on itunes or at www.carbonleaf.com.

Wild Kingdom...

2009-05-30T14:45:00.001-05:00

We've seen an increase in wildlife around the old homestead lately. In the past couple of weeks we've had bunnies in our backyard, a guinea bird in our front yard and today I found a 'possum outside in our recycle bin. Crazy.

Self Expression Through Art

2009-05-19T11:24:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BCXMq4B8VU

Maybe I should have had a hot pocket instead of taking pottery classes. LOL.

(got this link from Ron Philbeck’s blog).

Amelia (a butterfly) in Hansel & Gretel

2009-05-17T15:03:00.000-05:00

Mother's Day with the Joneses

2009-05-10T15:58:00.000-05:00

Amelia's Puppy Party

2009-05-10T15:50:00.001-05:00

Neighborrow

2009-05-04T11:28:00.000-05:00

Doesn’t seem to have caught on just yet, but it’s an interesting concept.

http://neighborrow.com/

Kentucky Derby In The Mountains

2009-05-03T18:50:00.004-05:00

Here are a few images from our weekend trip to the mountains to see the Races. The Lembergers were there too. The pretext for the get-together was to watch the Kentucky Derby (which we did). We had good food and drinks (some more than others) and we had a fine time. Amelia even picked the winner of the Derby, Mine That Bird. At 50:1, it's too bad we didn't put some money on that horse. If you're interested there are a few more photos of the weekend posted at http://www.oursmithhill.shutterfly.com/.

2009-04-26T19:08:00.008-05:00

Went to a croquet tournament yesterday, hosted by Jason & Sarah Lane. It was quite warm early in the day, but with a spot of shade and an occasional breeze it turned out to be quite a nice day to be outside. The gin & tonic might’ve helped to relieve the heat of the day too.

This being my first croquet tournament, I had no idea what to expect. There were ladies with big hats, gentlemen with bow ties, and there was even a seersucker suit. The food was was delicious and the bar was well-stocked (did I mention the gin & tonics?). The croquet lawn was perfectly manicured and the court set.

All of the Lane's careful preparations were secondary to the rivalry. Would the Bradfords win for the 4th straight year? Could the participants conspire to keep them from the victory? The early rounds were civil at least, but the final was filled with adrenaline, trash-talking and debates over rules.

The reigning champs were out in the semi-final round. The final consisted of the Lanes, the other Bradfords and the Roberts. The Lanes got off to a strong start, then faltered and fell behind. The Bradfords were playing the strong & steady game, while the newcomer Roberts took an early lead. In the end, the Lanes made an incredible comeback but ultimately it would not be enough. The Roberts of Charlotte stole the victory and the right to wear the Pink Jacket and wield the Golden Mallet for the coming year.

It was a load of fun and great to visit with friends, old and new.

Below are a few of my favorite images from the event. Here is a link to all of the photos (all 193 of them) for those who are really interested… http://yorkcroquet2009.shutterfly.com/

Rock Hill School District Challenger Program

2009-04-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

The Challenger after school program has been cut from the budget as of June 4, 2009. This program serves all children in the Rock Hill school district but Rosewood Elementary International School has one of the largest student enrollments. Without this program, parents will have to find alternative programs for their children. It’s a decision that will have a big impact on OUR community.

Here are some links to the Herald Reports:
http://www.heraldonline.com/front/story/1288708.html
http://www.heraldonline.com/front/story/1285235.html

How you can get involved: You can attend the District Board Meeting to voice your opinion.

The Rock Hill District Three Board meeting is Monday, April 27th at 6:00pm at the District office, located at 660 N. Anderson Road, Rock Hill, SC 29731. This meeting is open to the public. Business meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. on the fourth Monday of each month, January through November, in the district office. Citizens are always welcome to attend, but for those who can't attend, a tape of the meeting is shown on Cable 18 at 6:00 p.m. on the first two Tuesdays and Thursdays following the meeting.

You can respond to the Herald poll at www.heraldonline.com. The Challenger poll is on the right side, about ½ way down the page. The question is “Should Rock Hill schools eliminate the Challenger after-school program as a cost-cutting measure?”

Please attend the meeting and voice your support of the Challenger Program. Don’t be afraid to share your opinion!!

Isabel's Art

2009-04-13T20:13:00.000-05:00

The hand represents the people of the world, grasping for the secret to achieving happiness and equality. The squiggly lines represent the long and sometimes tangled history that each person brings to bear upon the world in which we live. And the circles represent the outside influences in the world, constantly tugging at our hearts and minds. The black and white symbolize man’s eternal struggle between good and evil. The purple represents the magical hope of a child that all people can come together and join hands in peace and unity.

Ok, so I just made that up – but that might be what she was thinking when she drew this.

Work

2009-03-30T20:08:00.002-05:00

Funny how important the topic of work becomes when the economy is bad. In good times, we take them for granted, but now they are prized. I have a pal who has been out of work for about 5 months who was offered ( and accepted) a job today. In a perfect world it's probably not the perfect job but my pal is happy to have found one. Here's hoping that it turns out to be the perfect job and good luck to all my other pals who are still looking!

Horoscope

2009-03-24T17:25:00.003-05:00

I don't often read my horoscope, but I just happened on today's. Wish I'd read it before leaving the house this morning. It said:

You may be working extra hard today, yet to no apparent avail. It's possible to become so discouraged that you even consider giving up. But this is not the best time to quit, for you are probably closer to the finish line than you realize. And once you cross it, others will acknowledge the valuable contributions you have made all along the way.

A tiny ray of light on the horizon...

2009-03-11T08:54:00.001-05:00

http://obssqueeze.blogspot.com/2009/03/breaking-news-theres-good-news.html

Hope it sticks. Looks like the DOW is off to a good start this morning.

Letter to President Obama from the AH&LA

2009-03-05T22:58:00.000-05:00

http://www.ahla.com/uploadedFiles/AHLA/government_affairs/Letters/AHLA_Letter_to_President_Obama_3-09.pdf

Send Rush a message

2009-03-05T06:25:00.000-05:00

I got an email from the DNC saying that they're going to put up a billboard in Rush Limbaugh's hometown in response to his comments that he wants our President to fail. They are solicting ideas for slogans for the billboard.

Here are a couple off the top of my head:
Don’t RUSH to judge; give our country a chance.
Don’t RUSH to hate; give hope a chance.
Ring around the rosie… Rush says we ALL fall down.
Suck it Limbaugh!

Here's the link if you'd like to share your suggestions:
http://www.democrats.org/rushbillboard

Frosty

2009-03-02T16:32:00.000-05:00

Snow Day

2009-03-02T16:27:00.000-05:00

Our Snowman

2009-03-02T16:23:00.000-05:00

Smile!

2009-02-16T21:02:00.000-05:00

Mad Science Night was a BLAST!

2009-01-30T14:07:00.000-05:00

Cotton Candy

2009-01-30T11:54:00.000-05:00

President Obama

2009-01-20T18:05:00.001-05:00

A new president... it's been a long time coming. I am hopeful that we can come together as a nation in a spirit of bipartisanship, commitment and service to put our country back on track.

I haven't really had a chance to absorb the content of his speech, would like to read it again later when I have time. I've been curious about, but haven't heard much about President Obama's speechwriter, then I found this. Interesting.

Anyway, here's the inaugural speech.

Full transcript as prepared for delivery of President Barack Obama's inaugural remarks on Jan. 20, 2009, at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C.

My fellow citizens:

I stand here today humbled by the task before us, grateful for the trust you have bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank President Bush for his service to our nation, as well as the generosity and cooperation he has shown throughout this transition.

Forty-four Americans have now taken the presidential oath. The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred. Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some, but also our collective failure to make hard choices and prepare the nation for a new age. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered. Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.

These are the indicators of crisis, subject to data and statistics. Less measurable but no less profound is a sapping of confidence across our land - a nagging fear that America's decline is inevitable, and that the next generation must lower its sights.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many.

They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America - they will be met. On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.

We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things. The time has come to reaffirm our enduring spirit; to choose our better history; to carry forward that precious gift, that noble idea, passed on from generation to generation: the God-given promise that all are equal, all are free, and all deserve a chance to pursue their full measure of happiness.

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of short-cuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted - for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things - some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sahn. Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is the journey we continue today. We remain the most prosperous, powerful nation on Earth. Our workers are no less productive than when this crisis began. Our minds are no less inventive, our goods and services no less needed than they were last week or last month or last year. Our capacity remains undiminished. But our time of standing pat, of protecting narrow interests and putting off unpleasant decisions - that time has surely passed. Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act - not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions - who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.

What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them - that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works - whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. And those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account - to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day - because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government.

Nor is the question before us whether the market is a force for good or ill. Its power to generate wealth and expand freedom is unmatched, but this crisis has reminded us that without a watchful eye, the market can spin out of control - and that a nation cannot prosper long when it favors only the prosperous. The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our Gross Domestic Product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on our ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart - not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.

As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals. Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience's sake. And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more.

Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.

We are the keepers of this legacy. Guided by these principles once more, we can meet those new threats that demand even greater effort - even greater cooperation and understanding between nations. We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan. With old friends and former foes, we will work tirelessly to lessen the nuclear threat, and roll back the specter of a warming planet. We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.

For we know that our patchwork heritage is a strength, not a weakness. We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus - and non-believers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward, based on mutual interest and mutual respect.

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict, or blame their society's ills on the West - know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy. To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to suffering outside our borders; nor can we consume the world's resources without regard to effect. For the world has changed, and we must change with it.

As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us today, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages.

We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment - a moment that will define a generation - it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.

For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this nation relies. It is the kindness to take in a stranger when the levees break, the selflessness of workers who would rather cut their hours than see a friend lose their job which sees us through our darkest hours. It is the firefighter's courage to storm a stairway filled with smoke, but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.

Our challenges may be new. The instruments with which we meet them may be new. But those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism - these things are old. These things are true. They have been the quiet force of progress throughout our history. What is demanded then is a return to these truths. What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility - a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.

This is the price and the promise of citizenship.

This is the source of our confidence - the knowledge that God calls on us to shape an uncertain destiny.

This is the meaning of our liberty and our creed - why men and women and children of every race and every faith can join in celebration across this magnificent mall, and why a man whose father less than sixty years ago might not have been served at a local restaurant can now stand before you to take a most sacred oath.

So let us mark this day with remembrance, of who we are and how far we have traveled. In the year of America's birth, in the coldest of months, a small band of patriots huddled by dying campfires on the shores of an icy river. The capital was abandoned. The enemy was advancing. The snow was stained with blood. At a moment when the outcome of our revolution was most in doubt, the father of our nation ordered these words be read to the people:

"Let it be told to the future world...that in the depth of winter, when nothing but hope and virtue could survive...that the city and the country, alarmed at one common danger, came forth to meet [it]."

America. In the face of our common dangers, in this winter of our hardship, let us remember these timeless words. With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Fun in the snow...

2009-01-20T18:00:00.004-05:00

There wasn't much of it, but the kids were so excited to see the snow this morning.

And then it all melted.

My angel

2009-01-19T06:30:00.000-05:00

Is the inauguration too expensive?

2009-01-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Many have said the inauguration is costing too much money. Just to be clear… I don’t think this is limited to one party or candidate - I think we always overspend on these inaugurations.

They should have hired my wife to plan the inauguration... she can put on a 5-year old birthday party for 10 kids for about $20. I'm thinking she could pull off a very nice inauguration (including a fresh flower in the lapel of everyone on the dais) for no more than $50k.

I don't really get why it costs so much anyway. For the actual swearing-in ceremony they need to rent a podium and a microphone with a lot of speakers. How much could that cost?? They don’t even need to buy a Bible for the swearing-in because he's using a second-hand bible. I understand they're going to need some extra security for crowd & traffic control, but where’s the rest of the money going??

I guess for many people the inauguration of a president is cause for celebration, kind of like NY Eve -- you know, out with the old, in with the new, hope for a better tomorrow, and all that jazz. I think we should provide the microphone & speakers, and one president-elect taking the oath, then like NY Eve parties – everyone should be on their own to celebrate in whatever fashion they choose (and are willing to pay for).

War on grammar

2009-01-18T11:36:00.002-05:00

I saw a 3-minute recap of Bush's presidency yesterday in which they referred to his 8-year "war on grammar." Ain't that the truth.

Not that literacy is everything, but it will be nice to have a president who can talk good.

Only 2 days left.

A trip to the mountains

2009-01-18T10:51:00.007-05:00

Happy Birthday Val. Happy New Year.

I'm posting these a little late due to some technical difficulties, but now I'm back on track. We celebrated Val's birthday & the New Year with Val & Steve at their cabin. It was cold & windy, but it was very peaceful. The only sounds that could be heard for miles around were the crackle of the fire and the crashing of pottery from the loft to the slate floor below. As much as I would like to blame the kids, it was my fault. At least we had a good time on this visit (b/c they may never invite us back again).

A good Christmas

2009-01-18T10:45:00.000-05:00

Holy timepieces Batman!

2008-12-17T16:35:00.007-05:00

All of a sudden it's the middle of December. I really shouldn't be surprised -- the kids have been counting down to Christmas for weeks now.

We’ve been to the mountains a couple of times to help our friends, Val & Steve, with their cabin, we went to New Orleans for Thanksgiving (nice visit with family but a hellacious drive), went to Tennessee for my niece’s wedding and a bunch of other stuff. Let’s just say it’s been a busy fall.

I’ve been spending a good bit of my spare time playing with my new camera. I was fed up with the crappy old camera with the battery that won’t hold a charge and the shutter delay and the lens that sticks so I finally broke down and got a new camera. I love a new toy, but I’m no pro… I’m just a parent with a camera.

Below are a few of my recent favorites.

I have NO IDEA what she said to Santa, but it certainly got a reaction out of him

Politics on my porch

2008-10-28T05:24:00.001-05:00

We were knocking around the house on Saturday morning just after finishing breakfast when there comes a knock at the door. Most of the time when someone knocks on our door it’s either someone from a local church trying to “save” us, a kid selling magazine subscriptions or candy bars or someone offering to paint our house number on the curb, mow our lawn, cut down a tree, or pressure wash my house. In short, when someone comes a knockin’ it’s usually a hassle, so I immediately went into smart-ass mode.

I go to the door and peek out the little window to see two guys on my front porch. The big guy was wearing an Obama/Biden shirt; the little guy was wearing a Pete Skidmore shirt (dem candidate for Coroner in York County). I was quite surprised. South Carolina is a confirmed red state, isn’t it?? It’s not even on the list of possible swing states, right?

In that instant before I opened the door, I thought to myself “I wonder how well received they’ve been…” As I said, I was already in smart-ass mode, so when I opened the door…

I stepped out onto the porch, and asked what they wanted. The guy with the Obama/Biden shirt immediately launches into his spiel. I tell him to hold on a sec. I open the front door, and yell inside: “Honey, get my gun, there’s some democrats on the front porch!!”

The color immediately drained from both their faces. I think the little guy may have soiled himself.

We had a good laugh about it. They were glad I was kidding and I thanked them for fighting the good fight even against seemingly insurmountable odds.

It really helps to have a sense of humor when it comes to politics.

Opie Cunningham on the election

2008-10-24T06:28:00.000-05:00

See more Ron Howard videos at Funny or Die

Visit Charlotte - Romantic Getaways

2008-10-17T13:01:00.004-05:00

Click here to see Visit Charlotte's video regarding some nice places to stay and eat in Charlotte, NC -- hotels, bed & breakfasts & restaurants that would be great for a romantic weekend getaway or for company visiting from out of town.

Sample ballot for York County, SC

2008-10-16T06:29:00.001-05:00

I’ve searched all over for a sample ballot for the upcoming election but have yet to find one that has the candidates & questions that I will be voting for on Nov 4th. If anyone knows where I can find such a sample ballot, please let me know.

Alternatively (and almost as good), I did find a list of the election candidates & questions for all of York County: CLICK HERE. This list contains the info for all districts in the county, so you'll need to know your district to determine which races you’ll be voting on. CLICK HERE to find your disctrict & precinct info.

Armed with this info you should be able to determine which candidates & questions you’ll see on your ballot on Nov 4th. Please feel free to share this info with any other York County residents who want to be prepared when they step into the voting booth.

I don’t want to sway your vote; I just want to encourage everyone to vote. But if you don’t have an opinion, feel free to call me – I’ll share mine!

----------------------------

P.S. I’m not endorsing Mr. Brackett, but wanted to answer some questions that have come up in recent conversations:

In the State of South Carolina the person who prosecutes criminals is known as the circuit SOLICITOR (for you Law & Order fans: the district attorney).
Mr. Brackett’s first name is Kevin, not Keep (Mr. Brackett is the incumbent candidate).

Biden & (not) Palin on GMA

2008-10-08T10:30:00.000-05:00

This morning on GMA, they said they have invited Palin to come on the show numerous times, but that she has repeatedly declined. They even offered to host an informal debate with Palin & Biden and she declined (although she said she would welcome the opportunity to debate him again). A pal o mine said the Today Show has the same story – Palin won’t go on the show.

She can spew all sorts of ridiculous, venomous vagaries and half-truths about Obama/Biden in a speech but she sure as hell doesn’t want anyone else asking her any direct questions (like Gibson & Couric). I hope the press continues to invite her and report that she is declining all these interviews – maybe more people will get the idea that she’s afraid to talk because she’s in over her head.

GMA had Biden on to talk about the debate this morning. He had some good comments but the best part of the interview was when they showed him the clip from SNL where Jason Sudeikis did Biden in the VP debate. Biden couldn’t stop laughing. He’d seen it before but it still cracked him up. That makes me like him even more. I want a candidate with a sense of humor!

McCain Jumps the Shark

2008-10-08T07:31:00.001-05:00

McCain Jumps the Shark (aka, Presidential Debate #2)

My opinion of this debate is about the same as the first presidential debate…

McCain came off as a cranky old man (including his “THAT ONE” line), who gave us next to nothing in the way of concrete plans or information regarding what he will do for our country. And he still seemed awkward & uncomfortable to me. I swear I think the old guy is going senile – at some points during the debate, he just seemed to be talking in circles. Not the sort of clear, concise language a presidential candidate should be using. Of course it is the nature of all politicians to talk endlessly without saying anything REAL, but McCain went beyond that I think.

Oh, and one more thing – by the end of the debate, he was really bugging me with saying “MY FRIENDS…” over and over. It just became kinda creepy. I could almost picture him in a dark alley with an overcoat saying “step into the alley with me, MY FRIENDS, I have something to show you…”

Obama was calm, logical, and methodical. He was well-spoken and gave the impression that he’s ready to do something real for America. I thought it was pretty brave for him to say that he thought health care should be a right for all Americans. It’s not often that a politician is willing to take such a firm stand so far from the center (left or right).

I think this race has become analogous with the story of the tortoise and the hare. Obama is just taking it slow and steady, while McCain is jumping around like a lunatic from one lame-ass strategy to the next (picking Palin as a running mate, suspending his campaign during the failed bailout vote, this new smear campaign against Obama, etc.). It would seem that the McCain camp has jumped the shark.

And one more thing, since we’re on the topic. This debate format/process seems flawed to me. I know the moderator has to rein them in a little or it would just devolve into a shouting match, but the way it works now, the last guy that gets to speak can make up whatever BS he wants, because the other guy doesn’t get a chance to respond.

Of course, if we were to have a proper debate, each candidate would tell us his position on the given issue and why and then the next guy would do the same (without any mud-slinging, emotional anecdotes, or fear-mongering). A real, proper debate is what we need. Maybe we should send all four of them to school to learn proper debating techniques.

All in all I think the debate was not terribly exciting. No fights, no train major train wrecks (although I think McCain’s train is rolling down the wrong track), but also not much in the way of deep probing Q&A.

I’m not surprised that the people at Fox were bitter – McCain failed. Not that it was a huge blowout by Obama, but like the tortoise, slow and steady wins the race (I HOPE).

By the way, only 104 days to go!!! Can’t wait till Jan 20th!

On learning from our mistakes...

2008-10-06T06:37:00.000-05:00

The economy is crazy now. It seems the world is crazy now. I suppose I was naive, but as a young man I never expected the US to be involved in the wars and rash economic & fiscal policy that we've experienced in the last few years. I always felt like our country (like a young person) would learn from its mistakes and continually improve; exhibit greater caring, develop greater tolerance for our citizens and the citizens of the world, gain a mature understanding of domestic & world affairs that would lead us to a place of peace and enlightenment.

Guess I was wrong.

Sorry, just a bit of existentialism with my morning coffee.

You might want to check your tires

2008-10-02T06:37:00.000-05:00

http://abcnews.go.com/video/playerIndex?id=4826897

The Omen In My Mail by Kathleen Parker

2008-10-01T19:51:00.000-05:00

Below is an interesting article by Kathleen Parker; a syndicated writer with the Washington Post Writers Group.

I agree with Ms. Parker that as Americans we should not just blindly toe the party line; we need to examine each candidate and issue based on its merit through the lens of our own personal values.

------------------------------------------------------

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/30/AR2008093002315.html

The Omen In My Mail

By Kathleen Parker

Wednesday, October 1, 2008; Page A17

Allow me to introduce myself. I am a traitor and an idiot. Also, my mother should have aborted me and left me in a dumpster, but since she didn't, I should "off" myself.

Those are a few nuggets randomly selected from thousands of e-mails written in response to my column suggesting that Sarah Palin is out of her league and should step down.

Who says public discourse hasn't deteriorated?

The fierce reaction to my column has been both bracing and enlightening. After 20 years of column writing, I'm familiar with angry mail. But the past few days have produced responses of a different order. Not just angry, but vicious and threatening.

Some of my usual readers feel betrayed because I previously have written favorably of Palin. By changing my mind and saying so, I am viewed as a traitor to the Republican Party -- not a "true" conservative.

Obviously, I'm not employed by the GOP. If I were, the party is seriously in arrears. But what is a true conservative? One who doesn't think or question and who marches in lock step with The Party?

The emotional pitch of many comments suggests an overinvestment in Palin as "one of us."

Palin's fans say they like her specifically because she's an outsider, not part of the Washington club. When she flubs during interviews, they identify with that, too. "You see the lack of polish, we applaud it," one reader wrote.

Of course, there's a difference between a lack of polish and a lack of coherence. Some of Palin's interview responses can't even be critiqued on their merits because they're so nonsensical. But even that is someone else's fault, say Palin supporters. The media make her uncomfortable.

Or, it's the fault of those slick politicos who are overmanaging her. "Let Sarah be Sarah" has become the latest rallying cry among my colleagues on the right. She'll be fine if we just leave her alone, they say. Between prayers, I might add.

Not all my mail has been mean-spirited. A fair number of the writers politely expressed disappointment; others, relief and gratitude. Still others offered reasonable arguments aimed at changing my mind. I may yet.

In the meantime, though, I would note that this assault and my decision to write about it aren't really about me -- or even Sarah Palin. The mailbag is about us, our country, and what we really believe.

That we have become a partisan nation is no secret. This week has provided a vivid example of where rabid partisanship leads with the failure of Congress to pass a bailout bill vitally needed to keep our economy from unraveling.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi gave a partisan speech, blaming the credit crisis on the Bush administration (omitting the Clinton administration's role in launching the subprime lending debacle). Republicans responded by voting against the bill.

Everyone's to blame, by the way.

Such extreme partisanship has a crippling effect on government, which may be desirable at times, but not now. More important in the long term is the less tangible effect of stifling free speech. My mail paints an ugly picture and a bleak future if we do not soon correct ourselves.

The picture is this: Anyone who dares express an opinion that runs counter to the party line will be silenced. That doesn't sound American to me, but Stalin would approve.

Readers have every right to reject my opinion. But when we decide that a person is a traitor and should die for having an opinion different from one's own, we cross into territory that puts all freedoms at risk. (I hear you, Dixie Chicks.)

I'm sure it is coincidence that, upon the Palin column's publication, a conservative organization canceled a speech I was scheduled to deliver in a few days. If I were as paranoid as the conspiracy theorists are, I might wonder whether I was being punished for speaking incorrectly.

Unfortunately, that's the way one begins to think when party loyalty is given a higher value than loyalty to bedrock principles.

Our day of reckoning may indeed be upon us. Between war and economic collapse, we have enormous challenges. It will take the best of everyone to solve them. That process begins minimally with a commitment to engage in civil discourse and a cease-fire in the war against unwelcome ideas.

In that spirit, may Sarah Palin be fearless in tomorrow's debate and speak her true mind.

Kathleen Parker is syndicated by the Washington Post Writers Group. Her e-mail address iskparker@kparker.com. Read more from her at washingtonpost.com's new opinion blog, PostPartisan.

New One Dollar Bill

2008-09-24T13:00:00.001-05:00

Due to the recent financial crisis on Wall Street, the US Treasury Department has issued a new one dollar bill:

I'm A Little Confused...

2008-09-23T15:55:00.003-05:00

I'm a little confused. Let me see if I have this straight....

* If you grow up in Hawaii, raised by your grandparents, you're "exotic, different."

* Grow up in Alaska eating moose burgers, a quintessential American story.

* If your name is Barack you're a radical, unpatriotic Muslim.

* Name your kids Willow, Trig and Track, you're a maverick.

* Graduate from Harvard law School and you are unstable.

* Attend 5 different small colleges before graduating, you're well-rounded.

* If you spend 3 years as a brilliant community organizer, become the first black President of the Harvard Law Review, create a voter registration drive that registers 150,000 new voters, spend 12 years as a Constitutional Law professor, spend 8 years as a State Senator representing a district with over 750,000 people, become chairman of the state Senate's Health and Human Services Committee, spend 4 years in the United States Senate representing a state of 13 million people while sponsoring 131 bills and serving on the Foreign Affairs, Environment and Public Works, and Veteran's Affairs Committees, you don't have any real leadership experience.

* If your total resume is: local weather girl, 4 years on the city council and 6 years as the mayor of a town with less than 7,000 people, 20 months as the governor of a state with only 650,000 people, then you're qualified to become the country's second highest ranking executive.

* If you have been married to the same woman for 19 years while raising 2 beautiful daughters, all within Protestant churches, you're not a real Christian.

* If you cheated on your first wife with a rich heiress, and left your disfigured wife and married the heiress the next month, you're a Christian.

* If you teach responsible, age-appropriate sex education, including the proper use of birth control, you are eroding the fiber of society.

* If, while governor, you staunchly advocate abstinence only, with no other option in sex education in your state's school system while your unwed teen daughter ends up pregnant, you're very responsible.

* If your wife is a Harvard graduate lawyer who gave up a position in a prestigious law firm to work for the betterment of her inner city community, then gave that up to raise a family, your family's values don't represent America's.

* If you're husband is nicknamed "First Dude", with at least one DUI conviction and no college education, who didn't register to vote until age 25, and once was a member of a group that advocated the secession of Alaska from the USA, your family is extremely admirable.

OK, it's much clearer now.

Today's homework assignment

2008-09-16T16:13:00.001-05:00

Dear Teacher,

So I come home late from work today, and I find my kids around the table working on homework. Right out of the gate, I assume it’s another day of the usual, but I take one look at my daughter's work and nearly crash into the sofa! It came to me in a flash -- she’s making a RANSOM note!! Her mother also thought it was a ransom note.

Now, I know you have a lot on your plate, but please don’t enlist our kids in a ransom scheme to raise cash for school supplies.

Respectfully,

A Concerned Parent

Bering Straight Talk

2008-09-15T13:47:00.002-05:00

By MAUREEN DOWD
Op-Ed Columnist
New York Times
Published: September 13, 2008

I’ve been in Alaska only a week, but I’m already feeling ever so much smarter about Russia.

I can’t quite see it from my hotel window, but, hey, I know it’s out there somewhere, beyond all the stuffed bears and cruise ships and glaciers and oil derricks.

The proximity of the country from which William Seward bartered to buy Alaska for $7 million — Seward’s icebox — is so illuminating that I suddenly realize that we would commit a grave error by overestimating Russia’s economic strength. After all, it represents only 2.8 percent of the world’s G.D.P., even though its gross domestic product has ballooned from $200 billion in 1999 to $1.7 trillion this year.

But I overanalyze.

An Arctic blast of action has swept into the 2008 race, making thinking passé. We don’t really need to hurt our brains studying the world; we just need the world to know we’re capable of bringing a world of hurt to the world if the world continues to be hell-bent on misbehaving.

Two weeks after being thrown onto a national ticket, and moments after being speed-briefed by McCain foreign-policy advisers, our new Napoleon in bunny boots (not the Pamela Anderson kind, but the knock-offs of the U.S. Army Extreme Cold Weather Vapor Barrier Boots) is ready to face down the Russkies and start a land war over Georgia, and, holy cow, what business is it of ours if Israel attacks Iran?

The trigger-happy John McCain has indeed found a soul mate. Trigger squared. In Fairbanks on Thursday, at a deployment ceremony for her son who is going to Iraq, Governor Palin followed the lead of McCain and W. in fusing Osama bin Laden’s diabolical work on 9/11 and the mission in Iraq. She told the departing troops, “You’ll be there to defend the innocent from the enemies who planned and carried out and rejoiced in the deaths of thousands of Americans.”

Asked by Charlie Gibson what insight into Russian actions her Alaskan proximity gave her, Sarah blithely replied: “They’re our next-door neighbors. And you can actually see Russia from land here in Alaska.”

Being a next-door neighbor is not quite enough, though. If Sarah had been reading about the world she feels so confident about leading rather than just parroting by rote what Randy Scheunemann and the neocons around McCain drilled into her last week — Drill, baby, drill! — she might have realized that as heinous as Russia’s behavior toward Georgia was, it was not completely unprovoked. The State Department has let it be known that it warned McCain’s friend, Misha, the hotheaded president of Georgia, not to send troops in to crush the rebellion in two breakaway states.

And she might not have had to clench her jaw and play for time when Gibson raised the Bush doctrine, the wacko preemption philosophy that so utterly changed the world.
The really scary part of the Palin interview was how much she seemed like W. in 2000, and not just the way she pronounced nu-cue-lar. She had the same flimsy but tenacious adeptness at saying nothing, the same generalities and platitudes, the same restrained resentment at being pressed to be specific, as though specific is the province of silly eggheads, not people who clear brush at the ranch or shoot moose on the tundra.

Just as W. once could not name the General-General running Pakistan, so Palin took a position on Pakistan that McCain had derided as naïve when Obama took it.

“We must not, Charlie, blink, Charlie, because, Charlie, as I’ve said, Charlie, before, John McCain has said, Charlie, that — and remember here, Charlie, we’re talking about John McCain, Charlie, who, Charlie, is John McCain and I won’t be blinking, Charlie.”

She tried to finesse her previous church comments about Iraq, asking worshipers to pray “that there is a plan, and that plan is God’s plan.” Earnestly repeating after her tutors, she said she had meant to echo Abraham Lincoln, that in war we must pray that we are on God’s side rather than that he is on ours. But her original comments sounded more W. than Abe — taking your policy and ideology and giving it the hallowed mantle of a mission from God.

Sarah has single-handedly ushered out the “Sex and the City” era, and made the sexy new model for America a retro one — the glamorous Pioneer Woman, packing a gun, a baby and a Bible.

Her explosion onto the scene made Obama seem even more like a windy, wispy egghead. Like W., Sarah has the power of positive unthinking. But now we may want to think about where ignorance and pride and no self-doubt has gotten us. Being quick on the trigger might be good in moose hunting, but in dealing with Putin, a little knowledge might come in handy.

Click here for a link to the column.

BELIEVE

2008-09-07T00:01:00.000-05:00

Sarah Palin

2008-09-03T12:28:00.001-05:00

Did McCain really think it would be SO easy to wrap up all the votes for hardcore Christian conservatives and women in one tidy little package?? I guess he did. But it seems he may have gotten it wrong.

I don’t know if Palin has won over the conservatives, but it seems the women-folk aren’t buying it. A female pal of mine said she felt that bringing in a woman was nothing more than a ploy by the McCain campaign to say “see how progressive we are???” She went on to say “you know I would love to see a woman running but GEEZ.... she is in over her head and does not give a RIP about women's rights.”

Troopergate and the other recently revealed tidbits about her past are infinitesimal compared to scandals involving many other politicians, but the steady flow of these little nuggets makes it seem like McCain & his people did not choose wisely. No matter how you feel about her level of experience (a. she doesn’t have enough experience with the way things run in Washington or b. you’re fooling yourself), you have to admit that it looks like McCain chose her in haste. Regardless of the reality, that’s the appearance. It seems like a bad, rushed choice and who wants a president who can’t make good choices under pressure? Oh wait… well, I mean who wants ANOTHER president who can’t make good choices under pressure?

Kudos to Obama for saying that Palin’s teenage daughter is off-limits. I agree. Too bad the media can’t get on-board with that. My friend said: “If I hear one more media person say: of course she is not fair game... and then they analyze it for 15 minutes. Not fair game would mean - just not talking about it at all.”

I don’t really want to hear any of the crap about her being a Mom to five kids and how can she do that, who’ll take care of the kids, etc. It’s the twenty-freakin-first century; I think a woman has a right to choose to work outside the home. It’s none of my business how the family down the street manages with a working mom and it’s none of my business how the VP manages it.

I’m interested in seeing how her speech goes tonight.

A Bush Sandwich

2008-09-03T12:28:00.000-05:00

The RNC was totally using the sandwich method to deliver W’s little speech last night at the convention. You know the sandwich method, right? When you have bad news to deliver, you start w/ something good and end with something good and sandwich the bad news in between to lessen the impact. Laura Bush is more popular than her hubby so they had her speak before AND after him.

McCain picks a running mate

2008-08-29T11:15:00.000-05:00

Wow. One way or another, we are going to make history in November...

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2008/08/mccain_picks_palin.html?hpid=topnews

Claxons

2008-08-14T06:56:00.000-05:00

Thwack, thwack, thwack… the sound catches my attention. I look up; the overhead fan is off-balance but at least it produces a slow, soft breeze. I turn my attention back to my drink and my companion. Mr. Hemingway is telling a tale about a fishing trip to the waters around the Dry Tortugas with his pal Waldo Pierce. I’m certain that he’s embellishing, but I don’t mind – the story washes over me in a warm comforting wave, not unlike…

I’m immediately jolted by a violently deafening noise. It’s mind-numbing; almost as if every synapse in my brain has been momentarily scrambled.

What a glorious day -- the cool sand, the warm breeze… I can feel the sun’s rays enveloping me like a hug. I stumble as I run down the beach, but I don’t care - I don’t even bother to look down. I watch my kite, flying high in the sky. It’s a nice strong wind, pulling my kite ever higher in the sky. I don’t think I’ve ever flown one that high. I glance down the beach at my friend whose kite is just as high. I wonder if it could go so high that…

Again with the deafening noise! My brain goes into shock momentarily. What is that??

The train almost seems to move in slow motion as it pulls into the Santa Lucia station. The air is brisk; it’s exhilarating. I take the water bus; the one that stops at every station along with way. I may decide to get off and poke around the back streets a bit, besides there’s no better people-watching opportunity than Venice during Carnevale. After a few stops, and a couple of glasses of good cheap vino I’m back on the water bus. A thousand images flash through my brain as the Basilica di San Marco comes into view; it’s almost as if…

The claxons sounds again. I want to poke my eardrums with an ice pick – what the hell is that???

Oh wait, it’s my alarm. Damn, it’s time to get up.

We're the Miami Dolphins

2008-08-09T00:01:00.000-05:00

Ice, Ice, Baby

2008-08-07T09:58:00.001-05:00

A very COOL thing...

http://www.icehouseamerica.com/icehouse/icehouse.html

Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Ad

2008-08-06T08:50:00.004-05:00

I never thought Paris Hilton would do anything that I would find interesting, entertaining, humorous or worth mentioning to other people, but I was wrong. This is pretty clever.

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/64ad536a6d

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers

2008-07-23T18:51:00.010-05:00

Is there anyone who doesn't know that Debi and I had front row tickets for the TP concert on 7.11?? I won FRONT FOW tickets on the radio (99.7 WRFX, The Fox -- I was the 99th caller). I could have sold the tickets for a bundle, but there was NO chance of that happening. I thought Debi would explode, but finally the concert date arrived...

Here's Debi with The Fox.

Steve Winwood opened. Didn't really get any good pictures of him as he spent most of his time on stage behind the harpsicord...

MA & cousin Marty (from Gainesville)

We were SO close it was amazing.

Safety drain covers for pools, spas & hot tubs

2008-07-23T12:17:00.000-05:00

Have you heard about this problem with kids getting stuck on pool drains and being injured or drowning? I had no idea how dangerous it is.

Congress has passed the Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act which will go into effect on December 20^th. The law requires that all public pools replace flat drain covers with these dome-shaped covers which will prevent entrapment, but a lot of pools still have the old covers.

Here are a couple of stories from ABC news about the dangers:

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5428662&page=1

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5428982&page=1

You might want to share with other parents and certainly check the drain covers at your local pool!

Election 08: What's really important

2008-07-23T09:58:00.000-05:00

Poll: Bullshit Is Most Important Issue For 2008 Voters

Beer Here

2008-07-09T15:24:00.001-05:00

Click here to find local breweries (micro and brewpub):

http://www.beertown.org/craftbrewing/locator/breweries.aspx

Star Spangled Banner

2008-07-03T09:59:00.001-05:00

I'll try to refrain from posting any more Youtube videos for awhile, but you have to admit that this is hands-down the best version...

Happy Independence Day!

Miami Dolphins -- BELIEVE

2008-07-02T08:41:00.000-05:00

I'm Proud to be an American

2008-07-01T10:25:00.004-05:00

Ok, so it's a little cheesy, but this song is etched indelibly in my memory. Someday (hopefully far, far into the future) when I'm on death's door and my life flashes before my eyes, I have no doubt this memory will be included in the montage.

I was a brand new airman in the United States Air Force and had just arrived at my first permanent duty station. It was my first official military function at my new duty station. There we were, all in our dress blues surrounded by flags. The Air Force Band & Choir were performing. They were AMAZING. They had performed several patriotic numbers & the emotions of the crowd were approaching a fever pitch. They finished off with this song and brought the house down. It's true that music has the power to move men's souls.

Our deepest fear...

2008-06-25T12:07:00.000-05:00

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond imagination. It is our light more than our darkness which scares us. We ask ourselves – who are we to be brilliant, beautiful, talented, and fabulous. But honestly, who are you to not be so? … It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Marianne Williamson in Return to Love: Reflections on a Course in Miracles; Re-quoted by Nelson Mandela during 1994 inauguration speech

My own little world

2008-06-24T11:09:00.000-05:00

Going on a trip?

2008-06-23T13:08:00.003-05:00

George Carlin was a funny guy who occasionally made us think about things (some more important than others). The first time I ever remember seeing him was when he did the bit on "stuff." Here it is for your viewing enjoyment. RIP, George.

We just got back from a trip to Atlanta and we brought way too much stuff. I used to be pretty good at packing light for a trip, but when travelling with kids I find that we bring a lot of just-in-case stuff. I hate lugging around a lot of unnecessary stuff, but I also want to avoid having a bored kid or a kid with no clean underpants.

Here are a couple of websites that might help you reduce your stuff on a trip:
Universal Packing List
OneBag.com

Avoiding high gas prices

2008-06-13T15:08:00.004-05:00

Or if that doesn't work. Try this...

New Car

2008-06-11T13:00:00.001-05:00

I bought a car yesterday. Yes, I found a private seller who isn't an asshole...

It's a 97 VW Jetta. I was trying to buy THE PERFECT CAR but I finally realized that car doesn't exist. So, I decided I would get something close and fix whatever is broken. Not as good on gas as my Honda unfortunately, but it's a nice looking car and very zippy. I like the car and I got a good deal, so I'm happy (and glad to be done with it).

Thanks to Penny & Marky for watching the kids so we could shop for cars in peace.
Thanks to Val for loaning me her consumer reports log-in.
Thanks to Drayton & Dee for hauling the Escape Pod to South Carolina so we could take a little more time to find the right car.
Thanks to Debi for being oh-so-patient throughout this entire ordeal.
Thanks to all my friends & family for putting up with my griping & complaining about insurance & used car shopping.

The Story of Stuff

2008-06-03T09:51:00.002-05:00

http://www.storyofstuff.com/

It's about 20 minutes long and it will not result in a warm fuzzy feeling.

Happy Annivesary Babe!

2008-05-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

Happy Annivesary (by Rog Rogers)

I've watched the gold in your hair turn silver
And the sparkle in your eyes dim more each day
And the clutch of your hands getting weaker
All these things say it wasn't yesterday

So darlin', Happy Anniversary
You've made my life for me
Once again, thanks for the memory
My darlin', Happy Anniversary

The paper we signed has turned yellow
Its crumbling edges tend to tell its age
Its meaning we will cherish forever
But in the book of our lives, it's just a page

So darlin', Happy Anniversary
You've made my life for me
Once again, thanks for the memory
My darlin', Happy Anniversary
My darlin', Happy Anniversary

Memorial Day 2008

2008-05-27T12:24:00.006-05:00

My respects to my fellow veterans who have died in the service of our country; my heart goes out to all the families & friends of those vets.

I had a good, low-key Memorial Day weekend. Had a cook-out at my sister’s house Friday night. Visited with my mom & nephew who left on Saturday morning. I went to see Iron Man on Sunday with my Marine niece, who was visiting for the weekend. Then yesterday, Debi and the kids and I just hung out -- watched a movie (Hook) and played games all day.

Its days like that I wish I could bottle and save for some day in the future when they’re all grown up.

Putting those old bridesmaid dresses to good use...

2008-05-23T09:15:00.001-05:00

http://thebridesmaidparty.com/donate/

http://www.princessproject.org/princess/

Also, information about green weddings:

http://portovert.com/home

Mowing Green Keeps Air Clean

2008-05-21T09:30:00.002-05:00

Want to help reduce pollution? Need a new lawn mower? Live in York or Mecklenburg counties? Click here for information on a special deal on a battery-powered, rechargeable mower.

Superman's Mission for President Kennedy

2008-05-16T10:19:00.001-05:00

Ok, I know I’m a huge geek, but for me as a kid, JFK & Superman were both larger than life superheroes, so I found this interesting.

The cover pictured below is not the actual cover for the published issue (click on the hyperlink below for the explanation).

http://www.dialbforblog.com/archives/166/

Insurance and ballet

2008-05-15T14:00:00.002-05:00

I'd like to say this is the last word on the insurance settlement for my car, but I'm sure I'll have to vent a time or two before it's all done... I really hate dealing with insurance companies. They are such vile, soulless, money-grubbers. As expected, they're lowballing us on the settlement AND they were mean to Debi on the phone. I may have to use my boss voice.

If anyone has any bright ideas for how to get more money out of an insurance company, I'm open to suggestions.

We went to a couple of used car lots over the weekend. Good god, those people are SLEAZY – I felt like I needed a shower when I got home.

Both the kids are dancing in the Peter Pan ballet this weekend (two different performances). They don't seem at all nervous; I think they're still too young to know they should be. That's a good thing and I hope to keep it that way.

Debi and I are very proud & excited to see them dance. Paw Paw & Maw Maw are coming in all the way from New Orleans to see the production. Now, THAT is dedication. I'm sure I'll be posting pictures.

Farewell George, you have served me well...

2008-05-08T22:23:00.002-05:00

The Next Level

2008-05-07T10:28:00.002-05:00

It seems this phrase has become part of the American business lexicon. I hear it all the time. Recently, a co-worker posed the question: "how many damn levels are there anyhow???"

So far, no one has been able to provide the answer.

Looking for cheap gas?

2008-05-05T10:33:00.004-05:00

There is no such thing as cheap gas these days.

However, a friend sent me this link where you can find the cheapest gas in your zip code. If you're interested... http://autos.msn.com/everyday/gasstations.aspx?zip=&src=Netx.

Is anyone else tired of hearing about gas prices EVERY TIME you turn on the news?? They're not just giving the nationwide average, they're also giving us the price in every major city along with video footage of some average Joe pumping his gas. Is that really necessary? I know the price is high when I fill up. If I'm curious about gas prices between fill-ups, I can just glance at the sign as I drive by the 20 or so gas stations I see every day during my travels. There's reporting real news and there's beating a dead horse (sorry, probably not the most sensitive cliche I could have used in light of the Derby tragedy).

An interesting footnote to this gas conversation... I visited my hometown this past weekend and my Mom gave me a box with all of the postcards and letters I've sent her over the years since I left home. I've only read a couple at random so far; one was my first letter from Italy -- I was outraged that gas was nearly $4.00 a gallon (it was about $.80 a gallon in the States at the time I think). It's all relative, huh?

A Parade Float...

2008-05-01T16:20:00.000-05:00

Obama's Preacher - Does it Matter?

2008-05-01T10:32:00.002-05:00

All the crap with the preacher was dying down, but Rev. Wrong stirred it all up again.

Before it was just a bunch of random sound bites taken (perhaps) out of context over the course of 20 years. But NOW, he’s saying it all again – fresh & new and scaring the hell out of people.

Do the lunatic ravings of his preacher reflect badly on Obama? Initially, I thought not. But he has been attending this man’s church for many years and he’s certainly heard these vile remarks. You can’t say that Obama just napped on the pew on the occasional Sunday and didn’t really know the guy; this man was a spiritual advisor to Obama – they prayed together the day Obama announced his candidacy for president.

I don’t care for it when ANYONE spouts that sort of racist, anti-American, inflammatory BS. If I attended a church or was part of any organization whose ideological leader expressed those sorts of opinions I would definitely leave.

So, it seems to me that the choices are these:
- Obama agrees with his preacher and is just now denouncing him to get elected
- Obama doesn’t agree with his preacher but didn’t have the strength of character to
speak up for what’s right until it became politically necessary

Neither is very appealing to me. Especially not in a presidential candidate.

Fine Living - Again

2008-04-30T10:56:00.002-05:00

I posted this picture a few weeks ago of a redneck dream home.

Now, here is the redneck dream vacation home.

Deawy bewoved...

2008-04-18T12:14:00.004-05:00

As in-laws go, mine are a pretty good bunch and I have to say that as far as nuttiness goes, my family and Debi's are pretty evenly matched, so we all get along fairly well. I very much enjoyed visiting with them last week when we went to New Orleans for Debi's brother's wedding.

We had lots of good food & drink; the only I didn't get was some good blackened redfish. A gang of us went to the French Quarter on Thursday for sort of a bachelor/bachelorette thing. Except for keeping Debi's sister, Sparkles, out a little too late, we had a fine time. The girls all got their faces painted and glittered & we were all still finding glitter on our persons on Saturday.

The wedding was held at a beautiful old Victorian house in New Orleans on St Charles. The proprietor of the establishment was a little nutty (sort of a Carol Burnett does Nora Desmond character) but it was a perfect day for an outdoor wedding by the pond. We had good Cajun food and an open bar at the reception. Cousin Tina took pictures of E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y. Danny's friend, Mike and his band played some great music (Danny even sang along on one number). But the best part of all (from my perspective) was that Debi performed the ceremony.

She started off with a line from Spaceballs... "Deawy bewoved, we are gavered hair tobay..." Then she said some serious sounding wedding stuff, and ended with some words of wisdom from Dr. Seuss. It was serious, reverent, warm, funny, silly in all the right amounts at all the right times. We laughed, we cried. It was perfect and she did a great job.

After the wedding, we went to the French Quarter again for some fun & festivities. When a guy at the bar asked Debi what was up with the corsage pinned to her t-shirt, she replied "I married my brother today." In most places that comment would turn heads, but you know what they say in New Orleans... Laissez les bons temps rouler.

The happy couple is honeymooning in Puerto Rico and although we had a great time, we're glad to be home.

Earth Hour - March 29 @ 8pm

2008-03-28T15:58:00.001-05:00

Turn the lights off for a full hour tomorrow starting at 8 p.m. your time, and you'll join millions of people around the planet coming together for a cause: global warming.

Last year's Earth Hour, which happened only in Sydney, Australia, had the effect of taking 48,000 cars off the road for an hour. This year's event is global, so savings will be even bigger.

Get together with friends, and make a night of it.

Turn 'em off at 8 p.m. your local time, Mar. 29.

Earth Hour - pledge to turn off your lights here, and receive Earth Hour updates and tips.

http://www4.earthhourus.org/

Community Culinary School of Charlotte

2008-03-25T10:25:00.004-05:00

Have you heard of Community Culinary School of Charlotte? Their motto is: “Training in the culinary arts for the chronically underemployed adults.” In addition to several weeks of training in culinary arts, they also provide their students with the ServSafe food handling certification.

The CCSC works with Friendship Trays, the largest meals-on-wheels program in Mecklenburg County and with the Society of St. Andrew gleaning network. Click here for a definition of gleaning. CCSC students pay their "tuition" by volunteering with Friendship Trays and the Society of St. Andrew.

I just heard about this organization on the radio yesterday -- sounds like they are providing some valuable training and services.

The Little Girl Who Cried:

2008-03-24T16:18:00.006-05:00

Random Thoughts On Easter Weekend

What a busy weekend.

Debi & Aunt Penny took the girls to Bristol for their cousin’s birthday party. It was a whirlwind trip… there on Friday, back on Saturday & interrupted only by an extended rest area stop because someone locked her keys in the car. AAA was summoned and they were on the road again.

Tiffany came home for a short visit with Jon, a Marine buddy. Their bus arrived in Charlotte early Saturday. Apparently the bus doesn’t go all the way to York, and there was a 3-hour layover in Charlotte before their connection to Rock Hill. They opted to take a cab from Charlotte to York ($70).

We converged on the old Kloniger place on Saturday for an evening of food, wine and coloring Easter eggs (definitely not in that order). Bummer that Val & Steve couldn’t join us but they went to the mountains, where reportedly Valerie slept like a log.

We had Tiffany’s famous spaghetti (her best batch yet) – she made enough to feed a Marine Corps. Good thing, because at the last minute she invited a friend who came with an entourage. It looked like we were filming a soap opera or maybe an iPod commercial.

So there we were; young and old – having spaghetti, swapping stories and having a fine time. There was a cute baby who slept through most of the evening and my kids, who enjoyed the chaos immensely.

After dinner we mingled around the fire pit for the traditional roasting of marshmallows. Amelia & I were having a conversation about the finer points of roasting, when one of the guys said to the baby’s dad: “Can you imagine? One day your son is going to be talking with you that way.” I am in constant awe at each new stage of the development of these little people, but I sometimes forget the wonder at the stages passed and mastered. Now that I think about it, I vividly remember holding Isabel as a baby, thinking “I can’t wait till she can talk to me someday.”

Eventually, the cast of The Young & the Restless went home and we put the kids to bed, leaving the rest of us to play a game. We chose Cranium. Well, Penny & Debi chose it - they were still bitter over the guys’ brief but decisive victory last weekend. Once we FINALLY decided who was going to be on which team, we had a blast. It’s interesting to see certain skills emerge in a game like that. For example, it seems I have a bit of talent for drawing with my eyes closed. Unfortunately, my drawing skills don’t improve when my eyes are opened.

It was late and the kids were asleep so we decided to stay the night. Thankfully & much to Isabel’s & Amelia’s relief, the Easter Bunny found them at Aunt Penny’s house. We all enjoyed watching them enjoying their Easter baskets early Sunday morning.

It was time for Tiffany & Jon to deploy…

Tiff loaded up her car with some essentials (books, civilian clothes, a cheesecake mix) to get her through the next few months of school. Good thing she’s a Marine musician because she would never make it as a professional mover. First she carried some loose clothes to the car, then an armload of loose books all of which she tossed in the trunk and/or backseat. She obviously doesn’t have the packing gene. The haphazardness of this operation became more obvious when I observed her carrying the next load of stuff to her car… it was empty plastic storage containers. So the car was loaded, directions were discussed AT LENGTH, then we said our good-byes and she was on her way, back to base.

Uncle Marky drove Jon home. Turns out Jon’s family lives about an hour and a half in the opposite direction from the way Tiffany was going. To save Tiff from having to drive 3 extra hours, Mark volunteered to drive Jon. It occurred to me later… that’s Mark’s specialty. I believe that most people are happy to help others in any way they can, but it seems that most people have a specialty. There’s the Aunt who cooks for folks during difficult times, the neighbor who repairs mechanical things when budgets are tight, the friend who baby-sits in a pinch… Mark’s specialty is driving people. He’ll take anyone anywhere they need to go at any time.

After they all cleared out Penny, Debi and I lounged in the family room, enjoying relative peace & quiet while the kids played with their Easter goodies in the living room. The quiet was shattered when Isabel ran into the room crying, almost hysterically. Amelia was close on her heels.

What could have happened?? Did she feed her bouncy ball to the dog? Did she stick a quarter up her nose? WHAT HAPPENED??? FINALLY, sobbing, she got it out -- she was playing with the phone and dialed 911. “I thought the phone didn’t work,” she blubbered. We were trying to ascertain if they answered or if she hung up when it started ringing. It seemed to be the latter.

We talked about the little boy who cried wolf and that we only call 911 for real emergencies. Through her sobs, she apologized profusely. Eventually we calmed her down and the kids went back to playing and the adults went back to lounging.

Within minutes, Isabel burst into tears & chaos erupted once again when she saw a police car drive by the house. We calmed her down AGAIN.

Isabel saw the police car drive by a second time and again with the waterworks. We reassured her that everything will be OK & that we still love her, etc.

Penny got on the phone with 911… they said someone called and hung up. When the 911 operator tried to call back, someone picked up the phone and hung up again, so they dispatched the police. Initially there was some confusion because Penny’s garage has its own address, but they straightened that out and the officer found the house.

When the officer came to the door, I thought Isabel was going to pass out. I explained the situation to the officer. He was stern with Isabel, but not mean. I’m guessing he has kids. Eventually Isabel was able to breathe again. She apologized many times and swore that she has learned her lesson about calling 911.

After all that, the hiding & finding of Easter eggs was pretty much anticlimactic.

Water you supposed to do?

2008-03-21T14:08:00.004-05:00

Buy a lined aluminum, stainless steel, or glass container for your water.

The evidence is not conclusive, but there are indications that re-using plastic water bottles may be bad for you. http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/2178.html.

Don't just keep buying new bottles of water though -- plastic water bottles require 1.5 million barrels of oil each year to make.

A good alternative is to use a container that is safe to wash & re-use. Using such a bottle will not only protect your health but will also help protect the environment. Click here for more info on some types of bottles that are good for re-use: http://www.idealbite.com/tiplibrary/archives/bottled_up1/.

Ricky Gervais' Argument With God

2008-03-20T12:01:00.000-05:00

Interesting.

http://www.bestlifeonline.com/cms/publish/best-mind/My_Argument_with_God.shtml
http://www.rickygervais.com/bestlife.php

Bi-Lo

2008-03-19T15:02:00.001-05:00

You know it’s a slow news day if you can get your name in the newspaper because you buy groceries.
http://www.charlotte.com/business/story/537787.html

The Benefits of Buying Locally

2008-03-17T12:25:00.002-05:00

Buying local food is often better for the planet than buying organic, since an organic potato from Peru takes so much more energy to ship than a nonorganic one from Idaho.

The Benefits of Buying Locally

Ridin' the fresh train. Produce shipped from outside the country travels up to two weeks before it arrives in grocery stores.
Giving local farmers a chance now. If you buy goods produced nearby, you'll keep more money in your community...and more farmland.
Jumping back from energy waste. It takes 4-17 times less oil to produce local food compared to nonlocal.
Getting off the bruise-control track. Food that has to travel long distances usually requires additional packaging and may have been genetically modified in order to survive the trip.

Wanna Try?

Local Harvest - locate a farmers market or CSA near you.
Sustainable Table - see what's in season in your area.
100 Mile Diet - feeling ambitious? Find out what it takes to eat only food produced within a 100-mi radius of your home.

from IdealBites.com daily tip for 3/17/08

Alignment

2008-03-17T12:18:00.001-05:00

I hit a pot hole in the road of life a while back and my chakras are completely out of alignment. Life has been pulling to the left something awful ever since.

Once I get my alignment fixed hopefully I can resume my journey to spiritual enlightenment.

Fine Living

2008-03-12T12:25:00.001-05:00

This just cracked me up...

Sad but true bumper sticker

2008-03-11T09:36:00.000-05:00

I was behind a car this morning that had a bumper sticker which read: “My dog is smarter than our president.”

I wanted to stop the car on the freeway to ask where I could get one.