tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359474632024-02-19T16:49:37.675-08:00The Cultural IrritantMusings on Society and Irritating Cultural Habits.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-52670310398965092832012-12-08T08:51:00.000-08:002012-12-08T08:55:44.972-08:00This is importantI'm learning a lot of things and having a lot of things thrown at me as I start my own business. I thought I would write about the most important lesson I've learned so far. <br />
<br />
You cannot succeed, truly succeed, in life/business whatever, without the support of your wife. If you're spending all your waking time trying to make a business work and your wife isn't 100% behind you, you're headed for failure. Plain and simple.<br />
<br />
Now, I'm writing this from the perspective of a human male, with a wife, but I'm sure the operation is the same if reversed. Ladies, if you're considering a field to buy it, and your husband isn't behind the purchase with you, chances are that purchase is going to create some strife. <br />
<br />
What I'm talking about here seems pretty common sense. However, I think we assume it's common sense and don't think about it as much as we should.<br />
<br />
If I am going to commit to making a business successful and profitable, I've got to have a solid plan and a vision for doing that. We work hard to hammer these concepts out. Spend countless hours researching target markets, competition, suppliers, vendors etc. If you're doing all this on your own and not bouncing things of your spouse, getting her input, treating her like a partner, LISTENING to her suggestions, etc. then you're cart is planted firmly in front of your horse.<br />
<br />
If you don't treat your spouse as a partner, as someone who is depending on your success as much as you are, if you're not enrolling them in your visions and plans, then you're only really putting 50% of yourself into what you're doing. Your base is weak and will crumble under pressure. It is inevitable. Your business will fail, and it should, because you obviously don't care enough about it to build a partnership with both your hands. You are quite literally being a half-ass about it.<br />
<br />
You're not a whole person once you tie the knot. And once you tie the knot, it's forever. You are and always will be one half of a whole. If your husband or wife dies, leaves, whatever, you don't go back to being a whole person. You will always be missing that piece of you that you gave away when you fell in love and got married. You left and you cleft, nothing can change that and I pray it doesn't.<br />
<br />
Ladies, giving your support doesn't mean letting us do whatever we want. Too many times, I talk to people who say, "oh yeah, my wife is fully supportive. She lets me do exactly what I want." Fully enrolling in a partnership means that you take and active roll in the success of the venture. Affirmation, encouragement, advice, these are all things that need to be done regularly in order to achieve success. You're also called to question some visions and plans and not let us get away with stuff. Tough love. This should hopefully be a rare thing.<br />
<br />
If you find yourself starting every conversation on the defensive, or starting every conversation by putting someone on the defensive, I'd take a hard look at what it is your'e doing and how you're communicating. Guys or Gals, if you need have a crucial conversation about something your spouse is trying to do with the business, you need to make sure the person you're talking to is able to listen and hear what you have to say. You need to sow the seed of success in fertile ground.<br />
<br />
Guys or Gals, if you're constantly being attacked, don't attack back. Realize that the person across from you who can't fathom what it is you've just done, or what you're about to do, is only so upset because they want success just as much as you do and are extremely invested in your achievement. (at least, assume that at first.)<br />
<br />
The only way to achieve success is by having a Godly relationship with your spouse, FIRST. If you're deficient there, you're going to be deficient everywhere.<br />
<br />
DISCUSS!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-71839628702113719992012-09-08T00:59:00.000-07:002012-09-08T00:59:50.369-07:00Short Story: Tweet ReliefI think the difference between being a kid and being an adult is the position from which you view the sky. It's odd that thought would float through my mind right now. I always wanted my final thoughts to be stirring, emotional or somehow life affirming. Instead, the only thing I can think about is how much bigger the world feels when you view the sky from your back.<br />
<br />
10 minutes prior, none of this was on my mind. I was thinking about tweeting vaguely partisan sentiments about a recent stump speech I'd caught part of. It seemed paramount to make my voice heard on this subject. After all, 300 followers were probably patiently waiting to see where I'd come down on the issues. Oh yes, I'm that important. I pictured 300 people patiently waiting, phones lifted to glassy eyes. The blue glare from monitors reflecting off hundreds of neck-beards the nation over. I picked up my phone.<br />
<br />
It's not really that hard to use your phone while you're driving. That's what God made knees for. I've been doing this for 15 years. It's not my first time steering a car with my knees. It's not my first time doing a lot of things I'm doing right now. Listening to a band nobody's ever heard of, thinking I'm cool, dangling a cigarette out my window....it's routine. Depressing, but routine. <br />
<br />
Somewhere between wondering how to organize the image of Clint Eastwood standing in his yard yelling, "GET OFF MY LAWN," to his lawn-chairs into 140 characters and hitting the shuffle button on my iPad, I glance up. I let out half a laugh as I realize that it's true what they say. Your life really does flash before your eyes. Mainly the parts you're super ashamed of. That magazine you found in your Uncle's garage, the horrible things you said behind your sister's back, the resume you lied through your teeth on. It's all there. <br />
<br />
Doing a flip on a trampoline is way, way different than doing a flip inside of a 1,883 pound automobile. However, the feeling in the pit of your stomach is exactly the same. Being flung out a broken window is no picnic, but then a lot of picnics are terrible affairs anyway. The ground is hot, but wet. The smell of old road tar washes up at me. I'll probably never smell it again. I guess that's a plus.<br />
<br />
The world feels a lot bigger when you're looking at the sky from your back. In my peripheral view, what's left of it going gray, I see you. I wonder if you would have laughed. Probably. Clint Eastwood is a funny guy, after all.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-29754008530963850682012-05-24T09:45:00.000-07:002012-05-24T09:45:48.300-07:00Stray Observations<br />
<ul>
<li>There are few things more annoying than self proclaimed, "Social Technology Experts." If there's one thing that everyone should realize when it comes to social media and social technology, it's that none of us are experts. The landscape is constantly shifting and changing. We are all students. Those who listen and learn, adapt and change, will be successful. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Watching Angelo clamor for food is probably one of the most entertaining parts of my day. In the 2 hours I get to spend with him a day, requests for food easily make up 115 minutes. He's a growing boy. Please, God, let him be a growing boy...</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I am really jealous of my Dad right now. He's going to be winging his way across the pacific northwest landscape in a WWII era B-17 bomber. If 737's are the Honda Civics of the flight world, the B-17 is definitely a 1970, 4 speed, Hemi Plymouth Barracuda. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Speaking of flying, what if I jumped out of a plane, pulled my ripcord, and a cell phone, ipad, laptop, portable speakers, and usb cords went tumbling out instead of a parachute. Having one last face palm moment before you died wouldn't be that horrible of a way to go. I mean, sometimes you just have to laugh at yourself, right?</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Saw an ad today for an organic bamboo bathrobe, "for the green Dad." I don't know if this meant eco-friendly or inexperienced, but the message was the same. If you really care about your children, stop buying cloth bathrobes that pollute our atmosphere and cause the Global Warming Fallacy.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>There really is nothing like leaving the FedEx building at 11:30pm and stepping into a downpour. I can't tell where the rain starts and the sweat ends. Probably somewhere on my upper lip.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>I really want to be good at fishing. I want to be one of those Dad's who take their kids fishing. The problem? I have fished exactly 3 times in my entire life. I have no idea how to remedy this. I might have bigger problems.</li>
</ul>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-42833146850358017012012-02-17T15:52:00.000-08:002012-02-17T16:00:11.926-08:00Crazy, Stupid, Love of Ryan GoslingI'll be honest folks, I used to really like to do movie reviews. However, I found myself sliding deeper and deeper into the abyss of negativity and relying on cynical platitudes to describe the majority of what I was watching. I didn't stop to think that maybe it was a problem in the choices I was making of what to watch, I just found it easier to ridicule what was on the screen in front of me.<br />
<br />
Searching through the moribund wasteland of new release titles for an appropriate Valentines day movie, I settled on Crazy Stupid Love. I figured, this is something I won't have to pretend to like too much, and Janelle, wife, will most likely enjoy it.<br />
<br />
You can imagine my surprise, halfway through the film, when I found myself not hating it. Had I turned a corner? I was actually watching and enjoying a mainstream Hollywood film!<br />
<br />
Granted, there were things that annoyed me. Especially the young boy caught doing things that young boys should not be doing, then having the character act completely normal, without any lack of shame. Obviously the message is, hey, it's fine, everyone does this, etc.<br />
<br />
***spoilers ahead**** The ending was far from cute, with the masturbatory interest giving the young boy compromising pictures of herself to, "get him through high school." It was a stark blemish on what was otherwise a pretty engaging film. Those two scenes were absolute turnoffs, and kept me from liking this movie as much as I could have. Shame on them. It was lazy, cheap, and added nothing to the story.***end spoilers***<br />
<br />
I loved that the movie showed divorce in a negative light. Kevin Bacon played the suitor, turned home wrecker. Normally, movies turn this character into a sly manipulative dog. One who lures the victim in with such brilliant seductions that we really can't help feeling sorry for the seductee, even though they cheat on their sacred vows. Instead, Bacon's character is a normal guy, at a normal office, who commits a terrible act along with Julianne Moore's character. The film doesn't make excuses for this or turn either of them into victims, they present the whole situation as a terrible mistake and make each character pay for that mistake. <br />
<br />
I enjoyed seeing this, because divorce is as normal as it is horrific and I'm glad the movie chose to recognize that. It also celebrates the idea of monagamous commitment, chastity, and chivalry. Of course, it does this in a way that for a time appears to glorify the opposites of those qualities, but in the end, the taste that's left is pleasant.<br />
<br />
***Sploilers*** The movie ends with promise of the main couple reuniting, and Gosling's character providing a great example of a chivalrous suitor. He even asks his love interests father for the blessing on the relationship. He's concerned about the parental relationships being maintained. Good times. ***end spoilers***<br />
<br />
It was interesting to see what I assumed would turn into a standard, run of the mill RomCom be so positive. Heck, just the fact that a movie in hollywood actually said, "divorce bad, marriage good and whoring around brings you no joy," is just unfathomable at this point in the life of our culture.<br />
<br />
Stray observations -<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Ryan Gosling and I are pretty much indistinguishable without our shirts on</li>
<li>Julianne Moore's nose is tiny and her playing alongside Steve, "the schnozz," Carell is hilarious all by itself</li>
<li>I'm pretty sure the producers watched Pollyanna McIntosh in "The Woman," before coming up with Ashleigh Tipton's (Jessica) character.</li>
<li>No Oscar buzz for Martha, Marcy, May, Marlene? Seriously? come on....</li>
<li>Pretty sure the best character in this entire film is the daughter, who dances wildly in front of the Television, to infomercials, with no prompting.</li>
<li>Why does saying, "let's get outta here," work for Ryan Gosling in a bar and not for me, standing by my windowless van?</li>
<li>Marissa Tomei's Cheeks look extra chipmunky on blue-ray</li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-71901925790045955612012-02-13T11:24:00.000-08:002012-02-13T11:32:14.748-08:00San Valentino GiorniValentines day has once again crept up on us like a creepy, middle-aged afternoon mall goer in a trench coat. That's a lot of adjectives, but I feel it needed to be described that way. For most people, especially men, it is a day of crass commercialism and trying to see what you can get away with in bed. This is what I overhear being talked about today, and every VD in the past. For many men and women, this is relationship crunch time. A nice VD will cover up a multitude of sins. The pressure is also on because, while you may not think about it again for the rest of the year, this is a day when you HAVE to show your partner you care. For some people, the exercise of thinking about another individual, someone other than themselves, is an extremely difficult task.<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>To me, the way VD is celebrated in this country is a joke. It's a farce. It would be hilarious, if it weren't such a damning narrative on the state of our culture. Yet, I celebrate it every year. Here's why.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Around the 3rd century emperor Claudius Gothicus (also a store manager at hot topic) had taken a liking to persecuting the new religion of Christianity with fervor. The emperor banned priests from conducting marriage ceremonies between Christian men and women. The emperor, cruel and evil though he was, realized married Christian men and women presented a dangerous threat to his reign. He recognized the power of strong Christian marriage relationships and sought to destroy them for that.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Saint Valentine, being Italian, had a big heart, full of love. In addition, being Italian, he had a complete disregard for the law. If you wanted young Valentino to do anything, all you had to do was tell him it was forbidden. "You must never clean your room Valentino!" 5 minutes later, spic and span, guaranteed. This attitude welled up in him when he heard the decree of Claudius. He proceeded to give aid and comfort to Christians wherever possible. He married many of them. </div><div><br />
</div><div>As a result of this work, he was caught and imprisoned. Valentine was not to be deterred. After converting his jailers blind daughter to Christianity, he went ahead and did the same for his prison keeper. Valentine was on a roll. Over the course of a year of prison dwelling, he eventually struck up a friendship with the emperor, Claudius. Eventually, he was offered his freedom, as long as he recanted his faith and pledged allegiance to Claudius' Roman gods. Valentine, spitting directly in the face of danger, instead attempted to convert the emperor to Christianity. Enraged, Claudius sentenced Valentine to death. He was beaten with clubs, stoned with...well, stones, and then beheaded. This is the person I remember when I celebrate Valentines Day. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Christ and his disciples died spreading the gospel and doing the Lord's work. They died facilitating a Christian way of life and love. They did not die for diamonds, chocolate, and flowers. They died for something much deeper than shallow displays of affection or lustful whimsy once a year. Valentines Day is a reminder that the person you married, your wife or your husband, deserves all the love and affection you can possibly give them every day of the year. None of us are in danger of getting beaten to death for doing this. What's our excuse?</div><div><br />
</div><div>Whatever ways you're going to show your love for your spouse this Valentines day, make it a point to not stop showing that love during the year. Instead of buying flower arrangements brought to you at the expense of violent working conditions in Colombia, Ecuador, and Kenya, write a letter. Instead of buying conflict diamonds that young children are killed for, wash the walls and mop the floor. Clean the desk off and make the bed. Instead of buying chocolate products made with child slave labor, Make a nice dinner and light a candle. Find sustainable ways to show your wife or husband you love them. Start on Valentines Day and carry it through. </div><div><br />
</div><div>Sacrifice of your wants and desires to enhance the life of your love is a noble thing. Take pride in that. Today is the 13th. Make it the last day you spend following crass commercialized holidays and get back to celebrating the true and heroic facts of the day in question.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In before, "Jesse just wants to get out of getting something for Janelle for VD." Hacks.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-11227832679682570422012-02-06T20:13:00.001-08:002012-02-06T20:17:31.615-08:00Motivation<div>There is nothing like being frustrated by a tough project, and coming across a picture like this and realizing that the guys and gals in this shuttle strapped on a rocket and went into space. All of a sudden, recovering all your cat pictures from a busted hard drive seems a little petty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/520391main_2011-1643-m_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://www.nasa.gov/images/content/520391main_2011-1643-m_full.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-8623483963959934212012-02-02T20:05:00.001-08:002012-02-02T20:05:43.592-08:00Yellow Cake Conspiracy Birthday Party<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/W1YFi6vCCNc?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-6503047723200600302011-09-02T15:10:00.001-07:002011-09-02T15:10:03.718-07:00Thoughts on Fatherhood So Far<div><p>My son, it says, be wise and incline your ear to wisdom. Why doesn't 11 month old Angelo get this! Maybe I'm not putting out any wisdom for his ear to incline to? Maybe he's in outright rebellion against myself and his mother? Maybe he is deaf?</p>
<p>Oh wait, no it's probably because he is 11 MONTHS OLD!</p>
<p>Just thinking about these things makes me feel nice. Sure son, let's put maple syrup on that waffle that you have to eat with your tiny, sticky hands. You can incline that ear later, once mommy has given you a bath.</p>
<br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVk8D2NxPfrpZZxIdxNr7yRazYtw0h5et995ywfEvcFYNCMvK9wnAH7ERSL2tRt54UO5POoUk6Cy-xd5cZotmgjZ0scjbxxE1-W8N0cXRCUgkLdVxHO-ztZ18ehbLqmO-6ekEV/' /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-23230212747281486352011-04-17T12:15:00.001-07:002011-04-17T12:15:59.493-07:00Notes from a sermonFor the next two years, we are in for some hard core campaigning from both side of the aisle. During this time, its important to remember that we should not be looking to our politicians to protect our nation, our families, and our wealth. That type of security is only available in the arms of an all powerful, all knowing, all loving God. <br/> <br/> We should take comfort in his sovereignty in this tine of tribulation. He will protect his flock from the scorching wind. <br/> <br/> The Obama presidency is enough to make a grown man cry. We weep, not for our present, but for our childrens future. My God says he will wipe away those tears. We know the score and we know who has won. In the midst of this tribulation, we have comfort.<div style='clear: both; text-align: center; font-size: xx-small;'>Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.7</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-23877672745333729052011-01-06T08:12:00.000-08:002011-01-06T08:12:51.492-08:00A Call for PrayerBefore asking for your help, let me explain my relationship with the people that I am requesting prayer for.<br />
<br />
I have known David Spears practically my entire life. We used to play Army when we were kids. I spent the time working on my German accent, but David would devise elaborate tactical battle plans for both us and our army men. David has always had a military mind. He put that mind to good use in battle for our country in Iraq. He's used it effectively since then as well. His strategic thinking has helped him support a wife, twin boys, and a home buying experience, all while working and going to school.<br />
<br />
David is an excellent Godly example of a righteous man. When my son is old enough, I will point to David as an example and my son will benefit from David's integrity.<br />
<br />
Michael Lortz and I also used to play Army men. Michael would always count his at the end to make sure I hadn't stolen any. Wrestling matches would usually ensue. But enough about last weekend. <br />
<br />
I can distinctly remember Roseanne passing by Michael's room and rolling her 4 year old eyes at us before heading off to play the piano or read a book. She has always excelled at everything she's put her hand to. I will always remember Roseanne as being the standard by which all other girls measured their success at the piano, schoolwork, baking, etc. I remember thinking that whoever married Rose would be marrying far outside of their station. She has been a good friend, who has always had good advice, and above all, she has turned into a Godly, virtuous woman. I still live in fear of the Rose eye roll.<br />
<br />
Roseanne and David married last year. When David told me he was engaged to Rose, my reaction was something like, "of course you are!" It made so much sense, and everyone was genuinely excited for this match. If there is one thing that was guaranteed to come from this marriage, it would be results. Roseanne and David are built to change the world. They are, what corporate America would label, power players.<br />
<br />
Sure enough, soon after the wedding came the announcement that Roseanne was pregnant. In typical Lortz/Spears fashion though, she wasn't just a normal kind of pregnant. No, they would be twins! Again, my reaction was, "of course she's having twins." It made all the sense in the world.<br />
<br />
Roseanne and David gave birth to beautiful, strong baby boys just a week after my son had arrived. We greeted them with joy and a knowledge that they are destined for great things. Adam and Oliver. <br />
<br />
Over the next few days, Adam will be undergoing a series of surgeries, tests, etc. to correct a condition that the doctors have found. Rose, David, and the boys all need you prayer. The Bible teaches us that "the prayers of a righteous person are powerful and effective." So you need to do two things:<br />
<br />
1. Be Righteous<br />
2. Pray for the Spears family<br />
<br />
That is all. That is your mission. Go forth and conquer.<br />
<br />
Roseanne's post - <a href="http://rosannelortz.blogspot.com/2011/01/cords-of-death.html">http://rosannelortz.blogspot.com/2011/01/cords-of-death.html</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kwMhtomLFjWLjVEf7itMunuBbhy8OPbVSvKe3HfeZlj1PzFxhIJAkMv2BWjID7WqHA-auQ9sMVHgMWRkODDvdZEltLvdGt5_WX1UV34_5NcID6R3SDgqRkP03tkhjnu0G_PP/s400/Adam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3kwMhtomLFjWLjVEf7itMunuBbhy8OPbVSvKe3HfeZlj1PzFxhIJAkMv2BWjID7WqHA-auQ9sMVHgMWRkODDvdZEltLvdGt5_WX1UV34_5NcID6R3SDgqRkP03tkhjnu0G_PP/s320/Adam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-62211331593694149542010-12-31T08:28:00.000-08:002010-12-31T08:28:58.993-08:00The fast food matrix has youBefore I get into this, I just want everyone to know that when I read Fast Food Nation, all it really did was make me crave McDonalds Chicken Nuggets. Like, a lot. I don't know what that says about my character, personality, will-power, etc. but at least I didn't act on the urge. At least not right away. I waited two weeks and then got the 50 nugget deal and washed it down with a large fry. <br />
<br />
As the shame and regret of what I'd just done began to set in, I started thinking about this stuff we consume by the ton per year. The first thing that jumped into my mind, besides the start of a nugget induced blood clot, was a quote from The Matrix back in 1999. It goes like this: Cypher (played by the adorable Italian Joey Pants) is having a conversation with Elrond about reality vs. Rivendell, or something like that. During the conversation, he takes a sip of what can only be Chianti, leans back, and says:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>"You know, I know this steak doesn't exist. I know that when I put it in my mouth, the Matrix is telling my brain that it is juicy and delicious. After nine years, you know what I realize? <br />
</blockquote><blockquote>Ignorance is bliss. "</blockquote><br />
I felt the same way. I knew the nuggets that I'd just consumed were mass produced with virtually no taste at all. I knew the flavor triggers that sent signals to my brain were being stimulated by a chemical reaction, induced by a substance engineered in a laboratory. I knew all of this, I was not ignorant, and yet, I ate.<br />
The similarities between myself and Joe Pantoliano don't end there, but that's a discussion for another time.<br />
<br />
Here's what I decided. There is nothing inherently wrong with what these McMurderers are doing. I don't mind tastes being engineered for my mouth. That's an incredible feat of science! God obviously gave someone a great deal of knowledge and skill to be able to figure that out. Just like anything, moderation is key. As I looked over the devastation wrought by my gluttony, I got a feel for what the real sin here was. Everything in moderation. Yes, even Chicken Nuggets.<br />
<br />
I understand the cries of foul from militant vegans, sensationalist reporters, and people who read one book about fast food and get outraged. I think people just don't like to think of themselves as beings that can be controlled by anything, let alone crafty advertising. They're angry at the business practices, they're angry at the feeding and slaughtering practices, they're just angry in general. <br />
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I get all this, and I even agree on points. Corporations should not treat their employees the way that slaughterhouses do. Collusion and price fixing is bad for business because it eliminates the competition which help drive improvement in the marketplace. The hiring and firing practices of fast food corporations is suspect at best. Their franchising system and buying practices encourage mass enslavement via debt, from the farmers/growers/ranchers to the franchisees that "own" the individual stores. <br />
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I'm against all that, but that's where my solidarity with people like Eric Schlosser ends. Those people clamor for governmental regulation and control of the marketplace. As if that's going to somehow magically fix anything. Multiply the current corruption levels by 1 BILLION percent (not exagerating). That's what you'd have if those people got their way. <br />
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If a business owner treats his or her employees the way some of these slaughterhouses are operated, they should be prosecuted criminally. They should pay a significant monetary fine that should be distributed back to the victims of their abuse. They should be held to a Godly standard of operation. The penalties should be significant enough to deter owners from operating in a way that destroys lives.<br />
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The point is, ignorance truly is bliss when it comes to this situation. You cannot possibly know the amount of faecal matter that drops into your beef and still shovel literally tons of it into your face each year without a twinge of guilt/shame/regret. I'm willing to accept that it's there, I just won't eat as much of it. Red sauce without the meat is not to be tolerated in any good Italian kitchen. <br />
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So what can you do? I don't know. Probably nothing. Don't blog about it though, that's just lame.<br />
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Let's see what Steve Buscemi thinks about all of this...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk17CLmChazKsb2TQkPmuGC7Wz1sFCwZFVqlGJoNNRXgILXsm6fNtD24SfNG7zcaO7SCFZMygh692hupF-KXCJ5TJbEBFCjTGU3QURLe4Y5yWbitb5WYTXYVu2cdWKVEkmYj5d/s1600/2f54866bd3675d2d7d6d761155ca0f549e6dbbda.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="264" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk17CLmChazKsb2TQkPmuGC7Wz1sFCwZFVqlGJoNNRXgILXsm6fNtD24SfNG7zcaO7SCFZMygh692hupF-KXCJ5TJbEBFCjTGU3QURLe4Y5yWbitb5WYTXYVu2cdWKVEkmYj5d/s320/2f54866bd3675d2d7d6d761155ca0f549e6dbbda.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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My feelings exactly.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-87410058841234790052010-11-11T22:09:00.000-08:002010-11-11T22:09:59.520-08:00What are you remembering on Memorial Day?As I sit here at the end of Memorial Day, at the Portland International Airport, listening to drunken frat bro's talk about the posteriors of passing maidens, my mind can't help but wander to actions of military service men and women in the world's wars over the yyears. Don't ask me how it correlates, because it just doesn't.<br />
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I am remembering the stories of my Grandpa Prentice, and how he was put on trial for his life in front of a military tribunal for desertion during wartime. His crime? He went awol while saving the family farm from a blood sucking lawyer who was trying to fleece my great grandmother. Not only was he acquitted, he ended up knocking out the guard who spat in his food while he was in the brig. He received the purple heart after being wounded when the ammunition ship he was on was dive bombed by a Kamikaze.<br />
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Now as I listen to the bearded hipsters behind me talk of pabst blue ribbon, Bon Iver, and rolling their own cigarettes, I'm reminded of the story that Sgt. David Spears fooled me into believing when we were kids. He told me, with a complete straight face, how his grandfather singlehandedly knocked a Nazi plane out of the sky with nothing but a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Physics told my 9 year old brain this was impossible, but my brain told physics to go straight to hell. David's Grandfather was a hero, but not for that reason. No matter how awesome that story would have been.<br />
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Anyway, enough of my ramblings. Go hug a vet. For real.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-631085365630896312010-11-07T09:16:00.001-08:002010-11-08T09:12:22.052-08:00Two and a half man-babiesI watched an episode of two and a half men the other day. Let me explain why. It wasn't that I was curious about that train wreck of a sitcom, it was that I couldn't believe my local tv station would allow a show about a polygamous transgendered family on the air. It's a little risqué, even for CBS.<br />
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Imagine my surprise when I got 13 1/2 minutes of Charlie sheen mugging for the camera in order to collect 5 million per episode. I know the dollar ain't what it used to be, but come on.<br />
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What struck me most about the show was the utter disregard for any sort of humor. Opting instead for the popular, "witty banter between male rock head, and intelligent in-touch with feeling feminine person." I can't say female because that role was played by a male character, although I did have some doubts at first.<br />
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However, let me tell you what passes for "wit" these days. Someone, usually masculine character, states something. Feminine character then proceeds to rattle of an acerbic reply, designed to cut the other person off at the knees and feed him his manhood in the most sarcastic way possible. You can reverse these roles between masculine and feminine, bit the conversation always goes the same way. Here's an example.<br />
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Person A: "hey I brought home some steaks for dinner." <br />
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Person B: "what, are camping with your buddies? How about a nice salad once in a while King Artery Failure of Cholesterol mountain!"<br />
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Cue laugh track. <br />
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Incidentaly, the laugh track is the single worst thing to happen to comedic television in the history of, ever. It's like that really annoying kid who used to laugh at his own fart jokes. Before you ask, yes, I was that kid.<br />
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Anyways, the reason this is horrible is because it creates an environment that says it's okay to talk to other people like that. If what was said in television happened in real life, the end result would be years of unsuccessful marriage therapy, followed by a messy divorce that would leave barely 1 1/2 man, let alone two. Which is probably why there is so much of that going around these days. Thats right, the militant homosexual movement and 2 1/2 men are single handedly bringing down the marriage institution in the US.<br />
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That claim might be a little absurd, but I do believe if men and women spoke to each other with more respect, we wouldn't have so many problems in our society. Contrary to popular belief, words do actually mean things.<br />
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Speaking of which, the words to the theme song are brilliant. Here, I'll recite it for you. "men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men men manly men men men men..." and so on and so forth ad infintum.<br />
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Yep, the show starts off literally PLEADING with us to believe that they're men, while giving us zero evidence to support their claim.<br />
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My point, as I'm sure you've all realized by now, is please bring back Jack Bauer. Thank you.<br />
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- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhoneAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-19548029228380670262010-10-04T10:07:00.000-07:002010-10-04T10:07:26.549-07:00The 10 Habits of Happy CouplesPsychology Today, in all their arrogance, has posted a roadmap to success for couples in search of a happy relationship. You can find the article <a href="http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/just-listen/200911/10-habits-happy-couples">here.</a> Let's just pick through this real quick. <br />
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Here's a gem! <em>"Happy couples resist the temptation to go to bed at different times. They go to bed at the same time, even if one partner wakes up later to do things while their partner sleeps."</em> Combine this with the super creepy ad for sleep number beds where they pretty much tell you to go ahead and come home drunk at 3 in the morning because your partner won't be disturbed by your fat butt rolling into bed on a sleep number matress, and you've got a recipe for disaster. Now, I actually tried this. It did not work. Janelle was way more pissed off at 3 in the morning when she was roused by my profanity laced tirade during Xbox live play time. So, unless the thing you're planning on waking back up and doing is walking over rice paper on a bed of down feathers, be prepared for the consequenses.<br />
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<em>"Hug each other as soon as you see each other after work. Our skin has a memory of “good touch” (loved), “bad touch” (abused) and “no touch” (neglected)." </em>Well, I tried this as well. My groin still hurts from where I was punched. I wrote to psychology today to tell them how full of crap they were. They responded that I shouldn't have tried jumping out from behind the door and disrobing my wife while shouting, "I'M GOING TO MAKE MEMORIES ON YOUR SKIN!" You win this round psychology today.<br />
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<em>"Say “Good night” every night, regardless of how you feel."</em> Psychology Today FAILS to mention that saying this should never be followed up with, "you evil soul sucking harpie." Idiots. I followed up my diatribe on why men were better at sports than women with, "Good night." The next morning, I awoke to find that my wife had somehow found a way to make the LCD readout on my alarm clock flash, "you're a jerk." Great advice.<br />
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I have written my own steps for happy couples. Here they are:<br />
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1. Don't do anything bad or say anything mean or disrespectful to each other. Ever.<br />
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Boom, there you go. Email me your success stories.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-79164112328834024682010-08-19T21:42:00.001-07:002010-08-19T22:06:32.172-07:00That big silver screen in the skySome guys and I decided to read through the Belgic confession this year. I know what you're thinking: "But Jesse! You never finish anything!" You're right to say that internet person, and thank you for stating it. Now it's out there, you can shut up.<br /><br />Anyway, the last article talks about the end of days and how everyone will be milling around on judgment day getting, well, judged. Part of this judgement process seems to be the bringing to light all the acts of the individual being judged. For some reason that just hit me really hard. <br /><br />Think about it. You're there, your friends are all there, your family, your kids, wife, everyone. And they're sitting there watching a slideshow of your life. Not a Scrubs finale slideshow, but a hard core, gritty, dirty, filthy reel of every dark private moment, thought, feeling, and action to ever take place in your life.<br /><br />That time you came to Church hung over, the time you laid down a profanity laced smack down on some poor soul, the times you swore at your parents, the mass of filthy internet sites you visit, the time you voted for Obama, the time you voted for Bush a second time, whatever. It all gets laid out there and there's no more, and I mean NO MORE secrets.<br /><br />We all spend way too much time trying to hide our sin nature, instead of rooting it out. That's my conclusion. I know I do. Half of me is scared as hell of this coming judgement, but the other half absolutely cannot wait! Think about a time when you've had a sin you'd been covering up for a long time come to light. Think about that feeling in the pit of your stomach. Remember the way your head feels light and your knees start to feel weak? There's a split second where you know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, you've been caught. After that, it might take a little bit to collect yourself, but then, if you're a Christian, the truth just comes spilling out. <br /><br />Confession is a beautiful thing. Not in the Roman Catholic sense, where it's been trivialized and marginalized more than mob movies, but in the, "it doesn't mean anything, we just do it so we can go out and do it again. You sit in a box for 5 minutes and then a priest says, "Go forth and sin some more." Make your offering, say some trivial grouping of words to a non deity and you're through.<br /><br />Real confession is what happens in those moments when you know for sure, the game is up. When it all comes pouring out and you face up to what you've done, or said, and take responsibility for what's happened, that's a beautiful thing. That's where there's true peace. You're not hiding anything. You're laid wide open for whoever to see. You realize, "they see!" you don't have to hide anything anymore. It's awful and lovely at the same time.<br /><br />I'm convinced that over time, it takes a lot more effort to hid a sin, than to confess it.<br /><br />Wisdom.<br /><br />P.S. I wrote this while listening to my new favorite band <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROf8KnDW4j8">Quartetto Cetra</a>. You should have been reading this while listening to the same thing.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-8486838999801756672010-08-05T07:11:00.000-07:002010-08-05T07:46:50.894-07:00That Freedom Ring You're Hearing Is A Death KnellYesterday, Judge Vaughan Walker overturned proposition 8 in California. A commenter on one news site said, "Amen, hallelujah, let freedom ring for everyone!" This brings into view a despicable tactic used by supporters of the homosexual agenda. They cast themselves as "freedom fighters," on par with groups that ended slavery and segregation. It creates an environment that lets them call anyone who disagrees with them bigots, extremists, homophobes, fascists, etc. After all, who wants to stifle freedom? <br /><br />As Christians, we are really the only group entirely able to experience true freedom. We know what it means. We have a moral code that guides us in it's meaning, the Bible. Through God's word we realize that although we're <em>able</em> to do all things, not all things are lawful for us. Trying to attain freedom in the absence of this absolute, true moral code is really just shackling yourself to sin and death.<br /><br />In the book of Judges, one phrase rings particularly true of our modern American society. "In those days there was no king in the land. Every man did what was right in his own eyes." God does not have a track record that supports sin in the land. The land is either given over to sin and the people are destroyed, or he sends in oppresors and raises up Godly, Spirit empowered deliverers.<br /><br />I don't know about you, but I'm sitting here right now praying for some oppression to rouse us (the Church) from our nappy times.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-40836430485776498072009-11-14T08:27:00.000-08:002009-11-14T09:11:19.679-08:00Political Theater?<a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iwYEFasV3WqznkJoN2-BwTxAN4fgD9BV8RHG1">Here is an AP article from today which really gets my goatse.</a><br /><br />The quote in question, "Obama turned his attention home and pleaded for lawmakers to "resist the temptation to turn this tragic event into the political theater." He said those who died on the nation's largest Army post deserve justice, not political stagecraft. "The stakes are far too high,"<br /><br />Since when is getting to the truth for the sake of the safety of the nation political theater? Let's talk about political theater for a second shall we? Here is a <a href="http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/white-coats-in-the-rose-garden-as-obama-rallies-doctors-on-health-overhaul/">New York Times piece from back in October</a>. As Lachlan Markey from Newsbusters notes <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/lachlan-markay/2009/10/06/media-outlets-neglect-mention-doctor-photo-op-was-staged">here</a>, the entire message was political theater.<br /><br />And let's not forget <a href="http://newsbusters.org/blogs/brent-baker/2009/07/02/nets-highlight-obamas-hug-health-forum-cnn-bold-display-presidential-co">Debby Smith</a>. So tell me, just who is exploiting tragic situations for political theater here?<br /><br />This is the most hypocritical administration since the last one. With most of the signs pointing to Hassan's motivation sprouting from his studies of the so called, "religion of peace," and his contact, real as well as attempted, with known terrorists, America has a right to question why this was tolerated. Once again, the governments hands are bloody. The most tragic thing that will come out of this is the blame shifting and buck passing on the backs of the 13 slaughtered on that day. That's the real tragedy, that no one will accept responsibility and help fix the situation. Instead it will be all political double speak, and some junior aide somewhere will fall on his sword and be rewarded with a talk show on a major drive by media network.<br /><br />Political theater benefits no one. Just ask Abraham Lincoln.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-56090221928009504412007-02-06T12:06:00.000-08:002007-02-06T12:28:40.351-08:00Is it time for an Italian American President?Rudy Giuliani has thrown his hat in the ring for the 2008 Presidential race. For those of you who don't know, Mr. Giuliani was one of the driving forces behind the gangland prosecutions of the 5 New York Mafia families. His skillful maneuvering of the revolutionary RICO statutes helped break the Italian Mafia's strangle-hold on New York and surrounding area's. I will wholeheartedly support Rudy Giuliani as President and I'll tell you why. <br /><br />With the tragedy of 9/11 came a shift in focus from the drug war and fighting organized crime, to "Homeland Security." Ironicaly, along with this shift in focus, came a relaxation of the former hard nosed pursuance of drugs and crime. No longer did the Organized Crime Task Force receive priority funding and adequate staffing. They are back to the dark ages of the 1960's in terms of quality enforcement officials.<br /><br />Once again, drugs and organized crime threaten our nation from within. The Russian, Albanian, Dominican, Puerto Rican, and Italiano gangs are operating at full force. Strong action is needed to protect our homeland from the threats within her border as well as without. A strong Italian-American leader, Like Mr. Giuliani, will recognize the importance of the statutes he helped put in place, and use them to successfully combat the evil that threatens our land.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-73833485253734722006-12-21T13:33:00.000-08:002006-12-21T14:15:52.641-08:00Why did a show so great as the x-files meet such a normal t.v. epic demise?Growing up in the mid ninties was a welcome relief for the craziness the mid eighties offered. It also was the starting point of the most epic television series ever. The X-files. The x-files had everything you could possible want out of television. Mystery, suspense, drama, romance, intrigue. It was all there. It was even comical at times. And not the un-intentional ER type comedy either, where Luca cracks some weak Croation joke and everyone laughs. That's not funny because of the joke, it's just funny because Luca trying to do anything other than looking angsty and petulant is comedy gold.<br /><br />The X-files was shown in the same time slot as similar shows such as, "The Nowhere Man," "The Sentinel," "Time Trax," and "The Pretender." It outlasted all of these series for one reason. No matter what, waning ratings, foul critiques etc., David Duchovnies mediocre movie roles, the show always stuck to it's tried and true format. Not deviating so far either way as to lose their traditional fan base. For 7 solid seasons this is the way things were done. And life was good. I remember recording the show while I was in college so I could watch it when I got home from night classes. Rare was the case that my sister and I missed an opportunity to sit down and immerse ourselves in the torrid lives of Agent Fox Mulder and Dana Scully as they battled evil concpiracies from one end of the globe to the other.<br /><br />Television shows use certain episodes as "filler." Meaning there is no real continuation of the overall plot, but it's good fodder for character development. Usually filler material is sub-par and agonizing to watch. Mainly because it easily recognizable as filler. You get the feeling the only reason the episode was recorded was in order to fill a time slot with advertising air time. It was never like that with the X-Files. I can still sit down at any time, randomly scroll throug the episode list on my media center, and view a quality episode in which the entire cast gives it's all for a great performance. <br /><br />In season 8, the intrepid Agent Dogget took the reigns from Mulders capable hands. David Duchovny left to try his hand at Broadway and B movies as he was wont to do. Hooray for the Avengers, his triumphant return. And although "Playing God," was passable material, it wasn't his performance that drew me in. This was the beginning of the end for the series. No network makes that switch with the idea that the show will continue on for any amount of time. And that's exactly how they acted too. The replaced Scully with some moderatley attractive Bimbo from Mulders past, who was nothing but a sounding board for Doggets, "Have you seen this Alien," gravely voice. The show spiraled out of controll because it's originality went out the window. We were forced to watch roll actors bandy about tedious dialogue while praying that some epic revelation made everything worth the time we spent still watching. <br /><br />As was to be expected, The show expired after 9 seasons in 2002. Could it have gone on indefintely? Common sense says no, but my heart says yes.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-41774704652298370752006-12-01T13:17:00.000-08:002006-12-01T13:18:50.005-08:00Caught thisIn Sun River on vacation with my buddy.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/P9130683.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-20103890635540252062006-12-01T11:10:00.000-08:002006-12-01T11:17:27.244-08:00Jesse's SpaghettiFirst thing you need is a kitchen..<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131314.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br />Break out all your ingredients and strew them around to make it look like you know what you're doing<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131315.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br />Grab a pound of veal and a pound of Italian hot sausage. I usually use about 1/2 these packs.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131325.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br />Put into frypans and turn your heat to just above medium.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131331.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br />Slice up two fresh garlic cloves, reall thin like. toss them into the pans with the meat. It will melt right in and it taste and smells like heaven.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131333.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br />Slice up some Roma tomatoes.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131334.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br />Add them to the tomato paste along with garlic, parsley, oregano, parmesan, and a cup of red wine. Put some balsamic in there too if you're really crazy :)<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131336.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131342.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br />Add the spaghetti to a pot of boiling water and take your cooked meat and add it to the sauce. Set the sauce to low heat, I use setting 2. Wait for your noodles to cook and constantly stir the sauce to keep it from burning.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131339.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br />Add sauce and enjoy<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131345.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PA131322.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-16028979454437817292006-12-01T09:10:00.000-08:002006-12-01T09:18:53.253-08:00Some AWESOME pics....or not awesome......IF YOU'RE A LOSER!<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB252741.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB252738.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB252736.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB252718.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB252722.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB252727.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB252730.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - 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Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB192431.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e133/th3n00b5/PB192490.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting"></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-19074189648885912992006-11-29T08:12:00.000-08:002006-12-01T09:23:01.838-08:00I've got your number Credit Yes dot comOkay so this morning I heard this commercial for credit yes dawt cawm. Stupidest ever. What's the most powerful word in the English language? The answer: Yes. Will I live in a big house? YES! Will I have lot's of money? YES! Will I own a nice car? YES! I can only assume that by "yes" they really meant, "possibly, it depends on how hard you're willing to work for it and what God has in store for you." You see, their logic falls apart as soon as I ask the question, "Will credit yes dot com stop making stupid retarded commercials?" The answer is, "There's not a chance in hell."<br /><br />Here's what get's me. I get the motivation behind these spots. They are SO annoying that you literally cannot help but think about them. It probably works way more than making a good commercial, which is an art. However, not everyone appreciates art and art is very subjective anyway. Annoying, on the other hand, is something that everyone can related to. It's a brilliant strategy and it really shows their true colors. They don't care about good or bad, they just care about screaming the loudest. <br /><br />It's true that when you call or logon you'll be connected with hundreds of lenders that are fighting for you. And by fighting for you we mean fighting for the chance to screw you. I've never seen avoidable debt promoted so flamboyantly. These services, along with their ridiculous commercials, are a blight on society. <br /><br />Should the promoters of such filth be hanged in a public square? YES!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-480803537091085342006-11-29T07:54:00.000-08:002006-11-29T08:06:04.732-08:00To buy or not to buy<div><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?ATT=22152052&CMP=AFC-Stealdeals&Item=N82E16822152052">http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?ATT=22152052&CMP=AFC-Stealdeals&Item=N82E16822152052</a></div><div> </div><div><br /> </div><div></div><div><br /><br><br /><br><br /><a href="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?ATT=22152052&CMP=AFC-Stealdeals&Item=N82E16822152052"><img src="http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1878/postil3.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a><br /><br><br /><br><br />Well there you have it. If I get this I'll be about 100 gigs over a 1 terabyte of storage. What do I need all this for you ask? Nevermind. I just hooked up the new pc to the tv last night and it's working awesome. Nothing like running your Geforce 6800 gt as a TV card LOL. Anyway, it's at times like these where I have my finger hovering over the "buy" button, that I hear my wifes voice in my head. Screaming....and screaming.....and screaming. I'm taking my finger off the button. Why? Because I have to buy Christmas presents. And Christmas is not about me.....yet. That will come later after my plan to usurp "Santa Clause" as father Christmas unfolds. Anyway, here's hoping some of you out there can use this. It really is a spectacular deal. Mainly because it's a SATA drive.<br /></div><div><a href="http://img237.imageshack.us/img237/1878/postil3.jpg"></a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35947463.post-1164235532738309082006-11-22T10:02:00.000-08:002006-11-22T14:45:33.970-08:00Thankswhat?Okay internet friends, I'm sure most of you know by now that thanksgiving holiday is nearly upon us. Like a beast from the depths it rises up, consuming the wooden ships of our pocketbooks. Like the great Krakken, it's tentacles of turkey en-wrap my innards with their tasty goodness. The great white mash potato shark eagerly gulps down the last remaining survivors of my will power. I am once again looking forward to being nearly crushed under my own massive weight after another feeding frenzy.<br /><br />It's at this point that I'd like to make the announcment that I am starting a new holiday to compete with this yearly juggernaut of gravy and meat. I am calling it "Thankstaking." If you read that quickly it looks kind of like thanks stalking, which we'll get to later. I'm tired of the endless parade of people sucking up to each other, thanking each other for each menial deed done over the course of the year. If there's one thing I hate, it's a brown noser. Whenever someone thanks me for something on thanksgiving, my first thought is, "okay, what do you want." Usually they demand thanks from me in return. Well fat chance. What has humanity ever done for me? I'm short, fat, and whenever I go out with my wife everyone assumes it's either a "mercy date" or we're "best friends." Thanks but NO THANKS humanity. No one here deserves my thanks. Not ever. None of you have done anything for me. And THAT my friends, is the spirit in which thankstaking will be celebrated.<br /><br />Here's how it works. Pick out anyone you know and go up to the shouting, "YOUR WELCOME FOR ALL OF THE AWESOME STUFF I'VE DONE FOR YOU THIS YEAR NOW LET ME SHOW YOU MY GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU'VE DONE FOR ME!!!" Then rush the food table and knock it over screaming meat is murder, save the carrots and potatos!<br /><br />Actually, that's a stupid idea. I apologize to whoever read this far. Really, thank you to all two of you who read this for the nice things you've said and done for me this year. Here's to another year of you all doing the same thing ;)<br /><br />In other news, Johanna Forster is marrying John Conser. Johan Santana was named the NL cy young winner. John Knox is my favorite preacher. Coincidence? I don't think so.<br /><br /><a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img370.imageshack.us/img370/7544/7139iw9.gif" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06023735709802010767noreply@blogger.com0