Entries from July 2007
1) Seeing where the World Trade Center stood – CHECK
2) Seeing TIMES SQUARE – CHECK
3) Seeing street performers – CHECK
4) Riding a subway – CHECK
5) Riding in a cab – CHECK
6) Sliding around the back of taxi cab weaving through traffic – CHECK
7) See the BODIES exhibit at the Historic Seaport museum – CHECK
8 ) Buy food from a street vendor’s cart – CHECK (soft pretzel with mustard that rocked)
9) Buy Farofa in Little Brazil – CHECK
10) See MTV studios where they used to play music videos – CHECK
11) Eat a slice of the “best cheesecake in the world” at Maxies near Time Square – CHECK (Rocky Road cheesecake is a new favorite)
12) Listen to a street preacher – CHECK
13) See the Brooklyn Bridge – CHECK
14) See a several story billboard of Puff Daddy and another of Jennifer Anniston – CHECK (Jennifer Anniston nose looked even bigger – if that’s actually possible. Well, I am pretty sure it was her. It might have been Geddy Lee. I am not exactly sure.)
15) Had a fantastic time – CHECK
16) Found inspiration to write again – CHECK
17) Discovered that NYC is like no other city I have ever visited – CHECK
Categories: Energy · Food · History · Jennifer Aniston · New York City · mustard · writing
Yep. 10 years.
We will be going to NYC on Saturday for the day.
I’m psyched.
Categories: family stuff
1) Most of her husband’s Presidential terms were spent sharing suspicion for various scandals. Dark political clouds not only hung over his current administrative decisions, they also seemed to cover their past. TravelGate, WhiteWaterGate, MonicaGate and that missing file that magically reappeared AFTER one of the investigations into their activities was over. While they may not be guilty of everything they’re accused of, there is too much question about things.
2) Bill Clinton is a womanizer. He probably has always been a womanizer. Several women have accused him of inappropriate behaviors. Hillary’s an educated woman, yes? However, she still dated and married him, right? That leaves us with three not so wonderful conclusions about her. If she didn’t see it, she must not be all that aware of her surroundings. If she did acknowledge it and thought she could change it, she’s delusional. Finally, if she did acknowledge it but didn’t care, perhaps she saw his potential at becoming a famous leader; that strikes me as being cold and calculating. Adding to my doubts of her grasp of reality, she gets in front of a camera during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and tells the public she believes her husband. Anyway you slice it, it just looks bad.
3) She writes a tell-all book well before having to express political aspirations about becoming a Presidential candidate. Airing out any laundry that she can pretend is old news now.
4) What happened to her national campaign for healthcare reform? Did the list of large health care conglomerates end up more appealing as political donors than targets of reform?
5) She supported the war at first, but now opposes it? I don’t care how vocal of an opponent she is of the war now. It’s hardly a bold stance now. Listen to the rhetoric now and even (M)Ann Coulter is changing her tune about our presense there. Bush and a dwindling number of his supporters are the only ones convinced we should still be there.
I think the time is ripe for change, and I think most people would agree with me. With there being so many candidates running for Presidents for Dems and Reps, that tells me that there is a lot of doubt who should be running the show and that there is little unity. Of course, it doesn’t help that Bush took little initiative to build bridges with his 51% win of the votes. Most political discussion turn into us vs. them rants. Hillary is just another polarizing force in Washington. Not a unifying force, a divisive force which isn’t going to help us.
I think the next Presidential candidate needs to show more balance. The message needs to at least sound like its a reflection of the people. I don’t want a corporate suck-up any more than I want someone pandering to whatever demographic vote they think will get them into the White House. Experience, especially with the current dark view of imcumbency, could almost be a handicap. I am not exactly sure who I will be supporting, but I doubt it will be Ms. Clinton.
Categories: Government · politics
Up until a few days ago, candy cigarettes didn’t seem like such a big deal. My recent observations have led me to believe that candy cigarettes may not be such a good idea.
While watching my oldest son play baseball, I witnessed a group of children eating candy. One little girl in particular was holding a box of candy cigarettes. Instead of just munching these chalk-like candies, she was posing with them while talking with her friends. The edible cigarette was held between her index and middle finger on a relaxed arm. Pointing the imaginary lit end away from her body, she stood with her friends – repeating what is probably parental behavior regarding COPD in convenient rolled form. What was the name of the candy cigarettes? Target brand, of course.
The mind races (mine, at least) at the possibilities with other marketing ideas to aim at kids. Fisher Price Toys could come out with a bright colorful plastic oxygen tanks that the kid could lug around with them. Velcro chest straps could playfully minimize the difficult breathing that you get when you dance with Mr. Tobacco for decades. Baby Gap could come out with fashionable hospital-like gowns.
O.K., maybe it’s a stretch. However, I don’t see the need for candy cigarettes. Having lost loved ones to this, it’s more than annoying to see something deadly appear as a harmless activity for kids. The message is rather conflicted, don’t you think?
Categories: Parenting · huh? · venting
What is the appeal of Harry Potter spoilers?!?! Isn’t this like the obnoxious person who shouts out what’s going to happen next in a movie theatre?
I don’t want to be told. I don’t want to see a summary of what happens. At this point, I don’t think I even want to speculate. I am old school. I love books. I love reading. I dig the information age, e-mail, blogging, et al. However, I like the reading experience. Lying/Laying in bed (I never got this verb down. I don’t know if I am reclining or distorting the truth) while reading is great, especially while it’s cold and raining outside.
I do have the new book, but am waiting until it’s my turn to read it. I have no idea how it turns out, but would like to discover that on my own.
Categories: Harry Potter · muggles · pop culture
Both my sons today learned how to ride their bikes today. This rite of passage has been something that my wife and I have been working on for a long time. It’s one of those things that we think is an important skill to know. It ranks up there with learning how to swim (which both boys know how to do, too).
Once they become more experienced riders, their worlds will open up and they will be able to experience more freedom, along with get even more exercise, and give us more options of things to do while vacationing in Chincoteague, VA.
Today is a big day. Go write that down.
Categories: Chincoteague · Family · Fathers · family stuff
What would make this last week a busy one?
a) Having part of your house renovated over a several week period?
b) Baseball season’s All-Star playoffs for your kids?
c) Going to a two-day seminar that’s a 3-hour round trip?
d) Keeping up with the everyday functions of a large family?
e) all of the above
Categories: Uncategorized
1 ) Captain Unaccountable
2 ) The Human WTF
3) Inmate #4569775
4 ) The dude who freed Scooter
5 ) Dick Cheney’s Other Huntin’ Buddy
6 ) Executive Priviledgenator
7 ) Miss Representation
8 ) Laura Bush’s old man
9 ) Missionary Accomplished
10 ) The only guy who believes Alberto Gonzales
Categories: Government · huh? · humor · politics
Having once sold insurance over the phone at one of those national insurance companies, I have some information you can take back to your licensed insurance agent in case your vehicle is destroyed by Transformers.
The insurance claims adjuster will probably count the damage under the COMPREHENSIVE coverage. Also known as OTHER THAN COLLISION, this insurance protection protects you from any physical damage cause by something other than hitting another vehicle or object. You will be responsible for paying your insurance deductible (unless you think your insurance company will be able to subrogate against the TRANSFORMER’S insurance company). It’s entirely possible that your insurance company will pay out under the UNINSURED/UNDERINSURED MOTORISTS coverage as the TRANSFORMER is probably not carrying insurance.
After that, you will get the ACTUAL CASH VALUE of the car. It’s not what you PAID for the car; it’s not how much you still OWN on the car. It’s what the car’s trade-in value. Good luck with that.
p.s. Please note that I am no longer licensed in any state to advise or suggest insurance coverages nor am I sponsored by any property and casualty company. Please direct any questions you have to your personal, state licensed insurance agent. Check your yellow pages or contact the Department Of Insurance in your state for more information. Thank you.
Categories: claims · insurance · transformers · untested theory
