A red-neck's last words, and evidently those of an Iranian daredevil also. Normally, I would not make fun of the dead. However, this guys last words (read the story, it is short) just reminded me of that joke.
On another note, the church softball team had a pool party yesterday. Someone told that "redneck's last words" joke, and about 10 seconds later, one of the kids in the pool yells out "hey, watch this". Too perfect... :)
Sunday, August 28, 2005
Friday, August 26, 2005
Let's Go Brewers!
Lisa and I had tickets to Wednesday night's game. These were not part of our 10-pack. For these tickets, we cashed in our "Come on Back Club" cards for a discount (you can either get free crappy seats or a discount on good seats, we chose the latter).
Our evening started at the T.G.I.Friday's that they have out in left field. That was cool! Every seat, basically, has a view of the field. It was really neat to be able to watch BP and the grounds crew and whatnot while having a nice sit down dinner at the ball park.
Our seats for the game were excellent. We were in the 12th row of section 115. This is directly to the right of home plate, between the back stop netting and the dugout. Quite a different perspective from there than from our usual seats in section 209 (loge outfield).
To top it off, the Brewer's won. Couldn't ask for a better time!
We have our usual section 209 tickets for tonight's game. Hopefully they do as well against the Braves as they did against the Marlins. Not too many games left, and they are actually in the wild card hunt for a change.
Our evening started at the T.G.I.Friday's that they have out in left field. That was cool! Every seat, basically, has a view of the field. It was really neat to be able to watch BP and the grounds crew and whatnot while having a nice sit down dinner at the ball park.
Our seats for the game were excellent. We were in the 12th row of section 115. This is directly to the right of home plate, between the back stop netting and the dugout. Quite a different perspective from there than from our usual seats in section 209 (loge outfield).
To top it off, the Brewer's won. Couldn't ask for a better time!
We have our usual section 209 tickets for tonight's game. Hopefully they do as well against the Braves as they did against the Marlins. Not too many games left, and they are actually in the wild card hunt for a change.
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Just Another Sperm Donor
Well, it looks like TV has hit a new low. It was bad enough that we had some so called "reality TV" shows like "My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiancee" and "The Bachelor" that serve no other purpose than to undermine the sanctity of marriage.
Now we can add to the list a show that seems to serve no other purpose than to advance the myth that a man's only true value in child rearing is being a "sperm donor". This is just plain disgusting. Period.
Now we can add to the list a show that seems to serve no other purpose than to advance the myth that a man's only true value in child rearing is being a "sperm donor". This is just plain disgusting. Period.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Nothing Shocking
The fact that Lance Armstrong is being hit by more doping allegations should not really shock anyone. I have never been on the Lance Armstrong bandwagon, so it is difficult for me to imagine what people see in him. What really amazes me is the number of people who just refuse to believe that he could be doping, even though he is extremely dominant in a sport that I believe is rife with this sort of cheating.
Personally, I like what Greg LeMond has said about Lance in the past. Specifically: "Lance is ready to do anything to keep his secret. I don't know how he can continue to convince everybody of his innocence." You could claim that LeMond is just speaking out of jealousy. However, I don't think that is the case. I think he is speaking out of personal knowledge.
Personally, I like what Greg LeMond has said about Lance in the past. Specifically: "Lance is ready to do anything to keep his secret. I don't know how he can continue to convince everybody of his innocence." You could claim that LeMond is just speaking out of jealousy. However, I don't think that is the case. I think he is speaking out of personal knowledge.
Monday, August 22, 2005
With Parents Like That...
Also from New of the Weird:
In March, when Knoxville, Tenn., prosecutors ordered 582 parents of chronically truant students to a meeting to advise them of their responsibility to get their kids to school, 241 failed to show up.
Which shows a really big part of the problem with society. That is, parents who are not at all interested in the training and educating of their children. They either don't give a shit, or they expect the school to do their job for them, or both.
This reminds me of a meeting we had at school a couple of years ago when they explained the "points system" that was implemented for graduation at our daughter's school. When it came to question and answer time, there were a fair number of parents who were not asking questions like "how can I help my child achieve these points", but were more along the lines of "are there going to be enough non-acedemic ways for my child to get points so s/he can graduate" (IOW, how can we skirt the system). It was really sickening and pathetic.
In March, when Knoxville, Tenn., prosecutors ordered 582 parents of chronically truant students to a meeting to advise them of their responsibility to get their kids to school, 241 failed to show up.
Which shows a really big part of the problem with society. That is, parents who are not at all interested in the training and educating of their children. They either don't give a shit, or they expect the school to do their job for them, or both.
This reminds me of a meeting we had at school a couple of years ago when they explained the "points system" that was implemented for graduation at our daughter's school. When it came to question and answer time, there were a fair number of parents who were not asking questions like "how can I help my child achieve these points", but were more along the lines of "are there going to be enough non-acedemic ways for my child to get points so s/he can graduate" (IOW, how can we skirt the system). It was really sickening and pathetic.
Keeping Our Eyes on the Important Stuff...
The resent News of the Weird had some rather telling pieces this time around. Here is the lead story:
In July, after word got out that the video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" could be fitted with an online update to make some of its scenes explicitly sexual, an 85-year-old grandmother in New York sued the company, Rockstar Games, for having failed to rate the game AO (adults only, age 18 and up) to take account of the modification. However, Florence Cohen apparently freely purchased the M-rated version (age 17 and up) for her then-14-year-old grandson, even though it invites players to murder, steal and engage in gang violence and attacks on police. She complained only when she found out that the M version's unexplicit sex and partial nudity could be made explicit. [MSNBC-AP, 7-27-05]
OK, then, so I guess breaking at least 4 or 5 commandments is OK with Grandma. Seeing a little explicit "in-out in-out", OTOH, evidently crosses the line. You really have to wonder what is going on in Grandma's head.
After all, it isn't the seeing of the women naked and all the "in-out in-out" that is going to warp little Johnny's mind at all. The tripe that the game already contains (violence, murder, disdain for authority, degradation of women to mere sex objects, etc.) is far more damaging then the addition of some T&A.
In July, after word got out that the video game "Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas" could be fitted with an online update to make some of its scenes explicitly sexual, an 85-year-old grandmother in New York sued the company, Rockstar Games, for having failed to rate the game AO (adults only, age 18 and up) to take account of the modification. However, Florence Cohen apparently freely purchased the M-rated version (age 17 and up) for her then-14-year-old grandson, even though it invites players to murder, steal and engage in gang violence and attacks on police. She complained only when she found out that the M version's unexplicit sex and partial nudity could be made explicit. [MSNBC-AP, 7-27-05]
OK, then, so I guess breaking at least 4 or 5 commandments is OK with Grandma. Seeing a little explicit "in-out in-out", OTOH, evidently crosses the line. You really have to wonder what is going on in Grandma's head.
After all, it isn't the seeing of the women naked and all the "in-out in-out" that is going to warp little Johnny's mind at all. The tripe that the game already contains (violence, murder, disdain for authority, degradation of women to mere sex objects, etc.) is far more damaging then the addition of some T&A.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Waukesha Car Show
After church today, we went to the Waukesha Old Car Club's car show in Frame Park in Waukesha. My parents were working at it, and we visited with them for a while.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
I See Dumb People, They're Everywhere...
As I have mentioned before, my commute to work is about 40 miles. On that commute, I get to see quite the bunch of dumb people. Here is just a list from yesterday.
- Dumb ass #1 who speeds past me, only so I can catch up to her later, when she is busy yakking on her cell phone, and swerving as she rummages through crap in the passenger seat.
- After work, traffic is bumper to bumper and slow because of an accident on the east bound side of the Interstate (I am going west). Dumb ass #2 is in front of me. Not only does he leave a huge gap between him and the car in front of him, but then he slows down further to gawk when we get to the scene.
- Dumb ass #3, after the backups, cuts me off, cuts off several others, as he weaves from lane to lane to get ahead, only to get to he exit about 5 seconds before I do.
- Dumb ass #4 plunks his stupid ass in the left lane, and stays there, even though he is barely doing the speed limit.
- Multiple dumb asses who can't seem to drive at a constant speed, and are evidently confused by things like hills. It is called "cruise control", look into how it works.
Stupid Tornado Sirens...
So, according to the warning messages that are interrupting Baseball Tonight, we are supposedly having tornados that could pass about 10 miles north of us, and there are storms about 10 - 15 miles south of us that are capable of producing tornados. However, the city of Watertown is not actually in the path of either of these storms, just caught in the middle. So what do they do? They set off the stupid tornado sirens.
The do that all the time. Earlier this year, the set the stupid things off when there was a potential for a tornado down in Fort Atkinson, which is clear on the opposite end of the friggin county. Evidently, they never heard of Chicken Little. If a tornado ever does rip through here, everyone is going to ignore the sirens thinking the storm is probably up in Beaver Dam...
Update: The storms did cause some damage where they actually hit. Please pray for those effected by the storms.
According to the news today, there was nothing substantial north of us. South west of us got hit pretty hard though. Still, nothing that should make our sirens go off. I really wish they would save those things for use when we are actually in the direct path of the storm. Otherwise, people will just start to ignore them (as I am sure they already do).
The do that all the time. Earlier this year, the set the stupid things off when there was a potential for a tornado down in Fort Atkinson, which is clear on the opposite end of the friggin county. Evidently, they never heard of Chicken Little. If a tornado ever does rip through here, everyone is going to ignore the sirens thinking the storm is probably up in Beaver Dam...
Update: The storms did cause some damage where they actually hit. Please pray for those effected by the storms.
According to the news today, there was nothing substantial north of us. South west of us got hit pretty hard though. Still, nothing that should make our sirens go off. I really wish they would save those things for use when we are actually in the direct path of the storm. Otherwise, people will just start to ignore them (as I am sure they already do).
Quit Yer Bitchin'
I am getting really sick and tired of people bitching about the price of gas. If you don't like it, don't drive. Whatever you do, just shut the hell up.
First off, it is called a fair and open commodities market. If you have a problem with it, move to Russia.
Second, gas taxes may be high, but if they are actually used properly I have no problem with them. That is, they are supposed to be used for the roads. That is as it should be. Those who use the roads more will use more gas and will thus pay more tax and will thus pay more for the upkeep of the roads. Everything there is as it should be. I fear, however, that the money is not always spent as it should be and is sometimes going to fund useless social programs and whatnot. That is a separate issue, however.
Third, they are called "economy cars". Look into trading in your SUV, pickup, or whatever and getting one if filling your piggy vehicle up is such a hardship.
Fourth, they are called "jobs". If you can't afford your gas, look into getting a better one (or a second one).
Finally, I have never seen a budget (including my own) that didn't have some fat that could be trimmed (cable TV, cell phones, high speed internet, money to go out to eat, money pissed away at a bar, whatever). Look into cutting some of that before you bitch about the price of gas.
And yes, the price of gas does effect me. My trip to work is 40 miles one way. However, I don't really care. Rather than bitching about it, I am dealing with it. OK, done ranting now...
First off, it is called a fair and open commodities market. If you have a problem with it, move to Russia.
Second, gas taxes may be high, but if they are actually used properly I have no problem with them. That is, they are supposed to be used for the roads. That is as it should be. Those who use the roads more will use more gas and will thus pay more tax and will thus pay more for the upkeep of the roads. Everything there is as it should be. I fear, however, that the money is not always spent as it should be and is sometimes going to fund useless social programs and whatnot. That is a separate issue, however.
Third, they are called "economy cars". Look into trading in your SUV, pickup, or whatever and getting one if filling your piggy vehicle up is such a hardship.
Fourth, they are called "jobs". If you can't afford your gas, look into getting a better one (or a second one).
Finally, I have never seen a budget (including my own) that didn't have some fat that could be trimmed (cable TV, cell phones, high speed internet, money to go out to eat, money pissed away at a bar, whatever). Look into cutting some of that before you bitch about the price of gas.
And yes, the price of gas does effect me. My trip to work is 40 miles one way. However, I don't really care. Rather than bitching about it, I am dealing with it. OK, done ranting now...
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Power Outage
Well, it has certainly been a couple of interesting days.
First, I get home from softball last night and there is an message on the machine about power being out at work and telling me that it should be back by 4:30. This means I will likely have a little clean up to do in the morning, since some processes that run at night will have been interrupted. OK, thanks for the heads up...
Then, this morning I make my 40 mile drive to work and the power is still out... Power company says it will be a couple more hours yet, so I grab some stuff and drive 40 more miles back home. Finally got to start working around 11:00. Crappy part is it is now 8:45 and I finally finished what I wanted to get done today. On the plus side, I got to do this all from home...
First, I get home from softball last night and there is an message on the machine about power being out at work and telling me that it should be back by 4:30. This means I will likely have a little clean up to do in the morning, since some processes that run at night will have been interrupted. OK, thanks for the heads up...
Then, this morning I make my 40 mile drive to work and the power is still out... Power company says it will be a couple more hours yet, so I grab some stuff and drive 40 more miles back home. Finally got to start working around 11:00. Crappy part is it is now 8:45 and I finally finished what I wanted to get done today. On the plus side, I got to do this all from home...
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Harry Belafonte is an Idiot...
No, he did call Colin Powell a "house slave" again. However, he is still beating the same drum as before.
This time, he is calling any African Americans in Bush's cabinet "Black Tyrants". He is also continuing to beat the drum comparing Bush to Hitler, and even comparing any of the African Americans in Bush's cabinet to some jews working for Hitler. At least that last comment has caused him to take some heat.
So, I guess in the world according to Mr. Belafonte, if you are black, you must be a lefty loon. If not, you will be labeled as a "slave", or "tyrant", showing once again that the party of "tolerance" is only tolerant of those who agree with them. Don't step out of line.
This time, he is calling any African Americans in Bush's cabinet "Black Tyrants". He is also continuing to beat the drum comparing Bush to Hitler, and even comparing any of the African Americans in Bush's cabinet to some jews working for Hitler. At least that last comment has caused him to take some heat.
So, I guess in the world according to Mr. Belafonte, if you are black, you must be a lefty loon. If not, you will be labeled as a "slave", or "tyrant", showing once again that the party of "tolerance" is only tolerant of those who agree with them. Don't step out of line.
More on Voting
Let's take a look at some of the statements made at the Voting Rights Act renewal demonstration. Let's take a look at some of these gems.
Stevie Wonder told the crowd that it’s “ridiculous” that in 2005, Black Americans must stage mass demonstrations to demand their right to vote.
Really? I could have sworn that Black Americans already had the right to vote. If you were to listen to Mr. Wonder, you would think only white males can vote.
Meanwhile, Jackson said the Voting Rights Act will impact future generations, like Beverly. “We need to act with a sense of desperation,” Jackson told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “Our right to vote is in jeopardy, and the radical right-wing is trying to undermine our right to vote.”
Oh, look, more bullshit implying that simple and basic voting reforms, like requiring a person to show I.D. to prove that they are who they say they are, is somehow going to take votes away from legitimate minority voters. I suppose some people are stupid enough to believe that.
In the end, however, Jackson just needs to come up with reasons for his Rainbow/PUSH coalition to exist. After all, many of the very real problems that these organizations were once fighting are really no longer problems.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, echoed sentiments that the Voting Rights Act protects those who were “abused and discriminated” against during the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. She said the United States is still the “laughing stock of the world” because of two “failed” elections.
That one statement just makes my head spin. First off, if anyone was actually "abused and discriminated" against in 2000 and 2004, then I guess the act didn't actually protect anyone. Of course, that is not actually the case. Every re-count done by anyone in 2000 showed Bush to be the winner. These loons just can't accept the fact that Bush won, and want to take every opportunity possible to delude themselves.
To these folks, the only "fair" election is one in which their guy wins. Any other election must be labeled as "unfair" for one reason or another.
Stevie Wonder told the crowd that it’s “ridiculous” that in 2005, Black Americans must stage mass demonstrations to demand their right to vote.
Really? I could have sworn that Black Americans already had the right to vote. If you were to listen to Mr. Wonder, you would think only white males can vote.
Meanwhile, Jackson said the Voting Rights Act will impact future generations, like Beverly. “We need to act with a sense of desperation,” Jackson told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “Our right to vote is in jeopardy, and the radical right-wing is trying to undermine our right to vote.”
Oh, look, more bullshit implying that simple and basic voting reforms, like requiring a person to show I.D. to prove that they are who they say they are, is somehow going to take votes away from legitimate minority voters. I suppose some people are stupid enough to believe that.
In the end, however, Jackson just needs to come up with reasons for his Rainbow/PUSH coalition to exist. After all, many of the very real problems that these organizations were once fighting are really no longer problems.
Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, echoed sentiments that the Voting Rights Act protects those who were “abused and discriminated” against during the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. She said the United States is still the “laughing stock of the world” because of two “failed” elections.
That one statement just makes my head spin. First off, if anyone was actually "abused and discriminated" against in 2000 and 2004, then I guess the act didn't actually protect anyone. Of course, that is not actually the case. Every re-count done by anyone in 2000 showed Bush to be the winner. These loons just can't accept the fact that Bush won, and want to take every opportunity possible to delude themselves.
To these folks, the only "fair" election is one in which their guy wins. Any other election must be labeled as "unfair" for one reason or another.
Thursday, August 11, 2005
Picture I.D. to Vote? Why Not?
Here is WI, we have really, really lax voter laws. I am no expert on the actual laws. However, the one thing that has always surprised me is that you don't have to prove who you are. If you are registered already, you can just show up at your voting place, say who are are and vote. No form of ID or anything required. That has always struck me as stupid.
Several state legislators want to fix that. Of course, that draws the ire of certain people. As usual, Eugene Kane's article is a little light on actual substance, so I will boil it down to the one paragraph where he actually said something of substance:
"Many believe switching to a photo-ID voting law will disproportionately affect poor people, immigrants, black people and senior citizens."
Many people may believe this, but let look at the logic here. I could see, for example, where a poor person may not have a drivers license and may have better use for their money than getting a photo ID. However, there are ways around that (free photo I.D.'s, for example).
Immigrants? Well, the ones who should actually be allowed to vote (that is, immigrants who have become citizens) should have absolutely no trouble getting an I.D. No problems here.
Old people? Most already have an I.D., and for those that don't, getting one should again not be an issue. If they can't afford it, like I said, there are ways around that.
Black people? Now this one I really don't understand. Why would it be any harder for a black person to obtain and show an I.D. than anyone else?
This argument just really does not hold water. When it comes down to it, being required to obtain and show an I.D. to vote really only negatively effects those who want to attempt to commit voter fraud, or those who should not be voting in the first place.
Several state legislators want to fix that. Of course, that draws the ire of certain people. As usual, Eugene Kane's article is a little light on actual substance, so I will boil it down to the one paragraph where he actually said something of substance:
"Many believe switching to a photo-ID voting law will disproportionately affect poor people, immigrants, black people and senior citizens."
Many people may believe this, but let look at the logic here. I could see, for example, where a poor person may not have a drivers license and may have better use for their money than getting a photo ID. However, there are ways around that (free photo I.D.'s, for example).
Immigrants? Well, the ones who should actually be allowed to vote (that is, immigrants who have become citizens) should have absolutely no trouble getting an I.D. No problems here.
Old people? Most already have an I.D., and for those that don't, getting one should again not be an issue. If they can't afford it, like I said, there are ways around that.
Black people? Now this one I really don't understand. Why would it be any harder for a black person to obtain and show an I.D. than anyone else?
This argument just really does not hold water. When it comes down to it, being required to obtain and show an I.D. to vote really only negatively effects those who want to attempt to commit voter fraud, or those who should not be voting in the first place.
Sad News From Our Neighborhood
Michael Endyk lived three doors down from us. I didn't really know him, but saw him around the neighborhood often. Periodically, I have talked to his dad while I was walking the dog and he was out working in the yard, but that is the extent to which I know the family. Still, news like this makes quite sad, especially as the father of a child that is only three years younger than Michael was. I can't even imagine the pain Michael's parents must be feeling now.
I would ask any readers of this who are so inclined to please pray for healing for his family.
I would ask any readers of this who are so inclined to please pray for healing for his family.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Back from Vacation
Well, we are back from our vacation. If anyone is interested, the photo album has been updated, and the daily breakdown of events has been posted.
Todays helpful tip:
When you are going to be sitting in the sun for 6 straight hours, don't forget your ears when putting on the sun screen. Lisa found this out the hard way. Her ears are beat red, and there was a blister on the top of one of them...
Todays helpful tip:
When you are going to be sitting in the sun for 6 straight hours, don't forget your ears when putting on the sun screen. Lisa found this out the hard way. Her ears are beat red, and there was a blister on the top of one of them...
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Vacation Time!
Lisa and I are on our annual trip to Indy to see the NASCAR race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I will be blogging the details of our trip here.
Details on day 1 are out there now, including nice, pretty pictures...
Details on day 1 are out there now, including nice, pretty pictures...
Monday, August 01, 2005
Yeah, Right...
OK, Rafael, you expect us to believe an excuse like "I did not do this intentionally or knowingly." Yeah, sure, and I didn't know that beer had alcohol in it when I was drinking it either.
Just take your punishment and shut up. You sound like an idiot. One of two things have to be true. Option 1: You are attempting to fool us with an excuse that never works from drunk teenagers who stumble home too late and too drunk, and your are stupid enough to think it will work. Option 2: You really are stupid enough to take 'roids without knowing it.
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are just a liar, and not actually as stupid as you sound.
Just take your punishment and shut up. You sound like an idiot. One of two things have to be true. Option 1: You are attempting to fool us with an excuse that never works from drunk teenagers who stumble home too late and too drunk, and your are stupid enough to think it will work. Option 2: You really are stupid enough to take 'roids without knowing it.
I'll give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are just a liar, and not actually as stupid as you sound.
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