Published writer, compulsive reader, Old School Whovian, Match Game enthusiast, NKOTB fan, data hoarder, and - surprisingly, given that list - married with four kids. Welcome to my take on life, fatherhood, entertainment, and whatever strikes my fancy. Enjoy!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Vantage Point
A star studded cast, an intriguing premise and a hell of a trailer - the latter is what worried me, as it usually means you've seen the best three minutes of the movie before you even buy a ticket.
Not so in this case. Vantage Point tells the story of a Presidential assassination attempt told from multiple, often redundant points of view.
The good to great? The concept was interesting and the plot took twists and turns to keep you watching. The acting - barring Forrest Whitaker's surprisingly awkward performance - was top notch, and the action consistent.
Downside? The Evil plan rivaled Oceans Eleven in complexity, which seems awfully risky when each twist triples the chance of the US knocking you on your ass. But, maybe they read the script and knew that Hollywood would take this opportunity to preach love and international sympathy in place of a proper smackdown - right before the terrorists then interrupt the love fest to murder everyone.
By the way that chase scene . . . well, that should have been cut. What absolute, silly Hollywood fodder. But at least it was worth a laugh :)
A fun ride and I'm glad I rented it. 3.0 out of 4.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Happy Birthday Chrissy!
Oh, there's lots to talk about, but so little time in the day. Before I lose track of things, I wanted to pop on here and wish my youngest sister a very Happy Birthday!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
The Wisdom of Hagar The Horrible
Hamlet: Dad, why can't people just get along?
Hagar: It's very simple my son . . . sometimes people annoy other people.
A Grooming Tip
I just got my mustache caught in the tab of my soda and pulled out a bunch of hair. Some people pay for a trim; I have my Mountain Dew.
Killing Castro
Lawrence Block is an undisputed master of the mystery genre, but with a catalog that stretches back nearly a half century many of his early works have long been out of print. Some of those titles are now seeing the light of day for the first day in decades under the Hard Case Crime label.One of these books, written under a pen name in 1961, is Killing Castro. No one in 1961 could have predicted Castro's longevity. If his harsh regime wasn't quickly overthrown from within it seemed bound to fall with a little outside help.
Enter Block's novel. A group of Americans from different walks of life are dropped into Cuba and told to assassinate Fidel in exchange for a $100,000 payout.
A surprising amount of the book traces the history and evolution of Castro's movement, from the noble face he put on his early efforts to the repression that is the signature of his rule.
As literature this isn't going to knock Shakespeare off the shelf, but as a quick, fun read it's perfect. It's also, unexpectedly, well written and tightly woven; shades of Block's genius, even in his youth.
2.8 out of 4
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Slapjacks 1-0 in Fantasy Football 2009
Whew. It was a narrow victory in Week 1 of my fantasy football league, but a victory all the same.
[You'll have to forgive the odd formatting here. I'll master it as the weeks go by. ]
Here's my opponent, the Deerslayers.
[You'll have to forgive the odd formatting here. I'll master it as the weeks go by. ]
Here's my opponent, the Deerslayers.
Note that Phillip Rivers was his starting QB. As he played in the latter half of the Monday Night Football double-header, I had to wait on his stats. It was a rough first half for him (aka a great one for me) but as LL Cool J says, he went all "Phillip Rivvvers!" in the 4th quarter. But it wasn't enough.
The guy that saved the weekend for me was tight end Zach Miller of Oakland. His unexpected 10.20 points preserved my narrow lead. In the end, it was enough. Final score: Me: 86.06 Deerslayers: 81.28.
The numbers aren't 'final' yet, as stat corrections can still be made, but I'll need to improve next week. My point total would only have won three of the games this week, and I'd have been smoked by some of the front runners. That's not good.
Three passings of note
It's old news by now, but Patrick Swayze passed away of cancer Monday. His autobiography, The Time of My Life, is scheduled to drop September 29th. He was 57.
Dirty Dancing was on constant rotation in my house at the tail end of grade school, and I greatly admire his all too public fight with cancer. Not that they'll ever read this, but my condolences to the family, especially his wife of over 30 years.
* * *
The real-life inspiration for the film Norma Rae, Crystal Lee Sutton, passed away from cancer as well.
She remains an icon of the labor movement, but Sutton never reaped the financial benefits of her life story. She had to return to the workforce as a nursing assistant before being sidelined with cancer. She was 68.
* * *
Lastly, Jody Powell, long time Press Secretary for Jimmy Carter, died of an apparent heart attack.
Powell plays a role in a few upcoming posts about Carter, and so the timing of his passing struck a nerve. Powell was with Carter from the late '60's until his political end, and carried a deserved reputation as a hothead. He once dumped red wine on Sam Donaldson on an airline flight, and answered a letter to the then-Governor by referring to the writer as a moron.
He was 65.
Monday, September 14, 2009
Monday Roundup
It was great to see the Packers open their season with a win, especially against the Bears. It wasn't a very entertaining game, unless you enjoy the pigskin version of a pitcher's duel, but a W's a W. I thought the Packers defense looked great and exhibited tons of controlled, measured aggression. Plus I again had the chance to see Lovie Smith lose multiple challenges, which he seems to do each and every time I have to suffer through a Bears game. That's always fun.
Good to see Aaron Rodgers notch a last minute comeback too, which should shut up the brainwashed Favre lovers for a minute or two.
* * * *
Kanye West at the VMA's, interrupting Taylor Swift during her acceptance speech? Assholish. The guy makes great music, but it's about time he shut up and became a reclusive - and QUIET - artist.
* * * * *
Speaking of inappropriate outbursts, a co-worker of mine asked my opinion on Joe Wilson's "You Lie!" comment to the President. She isn't a conservative; well, that goes without saying as I'm the only one there who doesn't drink the Kool-Aid ;)
In fact this is a transgender co-worker, and as you can imagine we've had a fun time debating politics before.
"I think it was a stupid time to say it, and the wrong place to say it. I think he deserves some form of censure for his outburst, but in the end all he did was call a guy a liar. There are people on the web acting like he raped their Grandma and killed a baby. Get over yourselves. You know Wilson and the guy he beat have both raised over a million dollars since the speech? F that. I don't live in South Carolina, neither do most of the people getting all up in it. Let the people down there decide what they want to do with him. If they don't like him, they'll vote him out."
Here's what suprised me.
"Yeah," she said. "I agree with you. I mean, I so don't agree with the content of what he said, or where he said it, but you kinda have to admire the guy. It took guts to stand up there and say that. At least the Republicans know what they want and aren't afraid to say it. I wish there were more Democrats that had the balls to fight for what they want."
"We AGREE???," I said. Wow. Hell done froze over. :)
* * * *
Congrats to Antonio for winning HGTV's Design Star 4. I knew he was going to take the crown , but I'll let you in on a little secret: I think Dan out-designed him in the final challenge.
* * * *
Finally, I watched Doctor Who: The Next Doctor last night after the game. Great episode, really well done, and quite touching in parts.You know what? Jackson Lake would have made an entertaining and unique 11th Doctor.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
It was going to be something more, but in the end it's 'just' a family update :)
First things first: if anyone knows of a part-time job for a 15 year old boy or a 16 year old girl in the Milwaukee area, let me know.
* * * *
Oy. Long day. I worked until 11 Friday, then went back to work this morning. I missed the Badger game (we won), the Tea Party rallies (wouldn't have gone, but would have liked to see some of the news coverage), and Mass. I actually left work 15minutes early to get to church on time, but the baby was sound asleep when I got home and I nixed the trip. As a rule -as THE rule of parenthood, as a matter of fact - I do not wake a sleeping baby.
There I go again. "Baby". She's two years old for Pete's sake. When YaYa was two I was having her take out the garbage and resole my shoes. I guess parents really do coddle their youngest.
Speaking of YaYa, to answer a question in the comments: she'll be 8 in October. Lisa was pregnant with her when the towers fell. Because YaYa's birth date is after the 'cut off date' for the state she technically shouldn't be in her current grade; we pushed it through, in part by enrolling her in all day K3 at age two and a half. In short, she skipped a grade without skipping a grade.
* * * *
The kids are enamored by foam animals that grow when you put them in water. Oh, I know what you're thinking. You're imagining those foam capsules that expand to all of a few inches high in the end. I don't blame you; I thought that's what they were. Nuh-uh. These buggers GROW. They have a turtle as big as our actual, full grown Red Ear. They have an alligator that is still growing, and a starfish so big in diamter it barely fits inside one of our large kettles.
Technology has really advanced since we were kids, eh?
* * * *
As part of the back-to-school routine I took the kids to the dentist. Smiley was terrified but came out with a spotless record. YaYa not so much, and will have to have some cavities filled. LuLu will also return, for one cavity and to have several teeth extracted from the front of her lower jaw. Right now those teeth are fouling up her jaw by cramming everything together. The doc thinks removing them should allow the adult teeth to come in properly.
* * * *
We (well, I) caught a grasshopper the other day, a huge one a couple inches long. The dang thing was a scrapper too, pawing at my hand until I got him in the cage. He's still doing well, and we'll release him soon.
Meanwhile Smiley's two goldfish have finally made their way to the great Hereafter, following a vicious attack by Ginger. She dumped an entire container of goldfish flakes in the bowl, and I'm afraid the fish never recovered.
* * *
Oh, to answer another comment about the history of my home: my house has been in my family for around seventy or more years of its 117 year history. In that time there are two recorded deaths here. Both my great-grandparents passed away on the first floor, one in this very room.
* * * *
Oy. Long day. I worked until 11 Friday, then went back to work this morning. I missed the Badger game (we won), the Tea Party rallies (wouldn't have gone, but would have liked to see some of the news coverage), and Mass. I actually left work 15minutes early to get to church on time, but the baby was sound asleep when I got home and I nixed the trip. As a rule -as THE rule of parenthood, as a matter of fact - I do not wake a sleeping baby.
There I go again. "Baby". She's two years old for Pete's sake. When YaYa was two I was having her take out the garbage and resole my shoes. I guess parents really do coddle their youngest.
Speaking of YaYa, to answer a question in the comments: she'll be 8 in October. Lisa was pregnant with her when the towers fell. Because YaYa's birth date is after the 'cut off date' for the state she technically shouldn't be in her current grade; we pushed it through, in part by enrolling her in all day K3 at age two and a half. In short, she skipped a grade without skipping a grade.
* * * *
The kids are enamored by foam animals that grow when you put them in water. Oh, I know what you're thinking. You're imagining those foam capsules that expand to all of a few inches high in the end. I don't blame you; I thought that's what they were. Nuh-uh. These buggers GROW. They have a turtle as big as our actual, full grown Red Ear. They have an alligator that is still growing, and a starfish so big in diamter it barely fits inside one of our large kettles.
Technology has really advanced since we were kids, eh?
* * * *
As part of the back-to-school routine I took the kids to the dentist. Smiley was terrified but came out with a spotless record. YaYa not so much, and will have to have some cavities filled. LuLu will also return, for one cavity and to have several teeth extracted from the front of her lower jaw. Right now those teeth are fouling up her jaw by cramming everything together. The doc thinks removing them should allow the adult teeth to come in properly.
* * * *
We (well, I) caught a grasshopper the other day, a huge one a couple inches long. The dang thing was a scrapper too, pawing at my hand until I got him in the cage. He's still doing well, and we'll release him soon.
Meanwhile Smiley's two goldfish have finally made their way to the great Hereafter, following a vicious attack by Ginger. She dumped an entire container of goldfish flakes in the bowl, and I'm afraid the fish never recovered.
* * *
Oh, to answer another comment about the history of my home: my house has been in my family for around seventy or more years of its 117 year history. In that time there are two recorded deaths here. Both my great-grandparents passed away on the first floor, one in this very room.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Jeżeli lubisz kawę, dziękuj Polaka. (If you like coffee, thank a Pole.)
Today, September 12th, is the anniversary of The Battle of Vienna, one of the most decisive battles in Western history.
In 1683 an invading Turkish army of 150,000 men was on the verge of conquering Central Europe. Their siege was Vienna was nearly complete, and only a last ditch, frantic defense had repelled the latest assault. Within days, if not hours, a large chunk of Europe would fall under Islamic rule.
That'd be about the time these guys showed up.
King Jan III Sobieski of Poland, honoring a mutual defense treaty, organized a relief expedition to Vienna. Upon arriving at the battlefied the Polish army launched an infantry attack that tied up the Turkish troops; after twelve hours of fierce fighting Poles held the high ground on the right.
Then, at 5 pm, Sobieski ordered the single largest calvary attack in history, with over 20,000 horsemen crashing down on the enemy.
Sobieski was in the lead, along with 3000 of his heavy lancers - the feared Winged Hussars.
These famous cavalrymen would ride into battle with wings of eagle or ostrich feathers attached to their back. It is rumoured the sound of the wings frightened and confused enemy horses, disrupting any defense. Certainly the sight of the signature wings struck fear into their riders as well.
What, at the start of the day, seemed a certain victory for the Turks quickly turned into a murderous rout. The winged horsemen bowled over the first line of defense, sliced and hacked through the rest, and burst through into the heart of the Ottoman camp, narrowly missing capturing the Turkish leader.
Said Sobieski, paraphrasing Casesar: “Veni, vidi, Deus vicit:” “I came, I saw, God conquered.”. For his victory against them, the Turks would label Sobieski the "Lion of Lechistan [a contemporary name for Poland]"
The implications of the battle were clear: Islamic forces never again threatened European soil in any meaningful way, and centuries of conflict were at an end - at least until modern times.
One result of the battle is less obvious. The Turks fled the battlefield so abruptly they left a kings ransom of items behind in their camp. Among them were stores of hard, bitter beans. While the drink made from the beans had been introduced to the wealthy and royal elsewhere in Europe, an enterprising Pole opened a shop in Vienna and sold the liquid to the masses.
Ladies and gentlmen: the introduction of coffee into everyday European life.
h/t
In 1683 an invading Turkish army of 150,000 men was on the verge of conquering Central Europe. Their siege was Vienna was nearly complete, and only a last ditch, frantic defense had repelled the latest assault. Within days, if not hours, a large chunk of Europe would fall under Islamic rule.
That'd be about the time these guys showed up.
King Jan III Sobieski of Poland, honoring a mutual defense treaty, organized a relief expedition to Vienna. Upon arriving at the battlefied the Polish army launched an infantry attack that tied up the Turkish troops; after twelve hours of fierce fighting Poles held the high ground on the right.
Then, at 5 pm, Sobieski ordered the single largest calvary attack in history, with over 20,000 horsemen crashing down on the enemy.
Sobieski was in the lead, along with 3000 of his heavy lancers - the feared Winged Hussars.
These famous cavalrymen would ride into battle with wings of eagle or ostrich feathers attached to their back. It is rumoured the sound of the wings frightened and confused enemy horses, disrupting any defense. Certainly the sight of the signature wings struck fear into their riders as well.
What, at the start of the day, seemed a certain victory for the Turks quickly turned into a murderous rout. The winged horsemen bowled over the first line of defense, sliced and hacked through the rest, and burst through into the heart of the Ottoman camp, narrowly missing capturing the Turkish leader.
Said Sobieski, paraphrasing Casesar: “Veni, vidi, Deus vicit:” “I came, I saw, God conquered.”. For his victory against them, the Turks would label Sobieski the "Lion of Lechistan [a contemporary name for Poland]"
The implications of the battle were clear: Islamic forces never again threatened European soil in any meaningful way, and centuries of conflict were at an end - at least until modern times.
One result of the battle is less obvious. The Turks fled the battlefield so abruptly they left a kings ransom of items behind in their camp. Among them were stores of hard, bitter beans. While the drink made from the beans had been introduced to the wealthy and royal elsewhere in Europe, an enterprising Pole opened a shop in Vienna and sold the liquid to the masses.
Ladies and gentlmen: the introduction of coffee into everyday European life.
h/t
ISO
Needed: part time after school job for two teenagers, a 16 year old girl and a 15 year old boy. Bay View or thereabouts preferred, but not a requirement.
Yum Nums
While I sit here Ginger's raided the fridge. She's brought me string cheese, her Mom's abandoned McDonald's meal, and other "yum nums" as she calls them. Now she's bawling because I won't let her eat the Angus burger. No chance kid. Too much goodness to waste on someone that eats cheerios off the floor.
Beats so big I'm steppin on leprechauns
The other day I had the car radio blasting when YaYa tried to talk to me. I grew frustrated. "YaYa, I want to hear the song. Later." I said.
"You like this song too?" she asked.
"Yes," I said. What, do I have to spell "QUIET" on the rear view mirror?
"Cool!," she said. "You and I have so much in common. We both like books, and writing, and this song, and the Jonas Brothers' Love Bug!"
* * * *
Moving on, here's the song in question, Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas. I adore the line "I'm so 3008, you're so two thousand and late."
The video is quite funky in and of itself, and I will go on record as saying Fergie looks super hot throughout. I've seen her work since she was six years old on Kids Incorporated. My sister Chrissy was nuts for her as a kid and joined the Stacey Ferguson fan club. Hell, she went and named her youngest kid after Fergie. I kid you not.
Anyhow, it's cool to see her succeed. (trivia: Her former cast mate Renee, who I always thought was hotter, sings the "Pump it Up" jingle in Crystal Light commercials)
Enough talk. Get ta dancin'. Will-I-Am, drop the beat now.
Gotta get that [x3]
Gotta get that that that, that that
Boom boom boom (Gotta get that) [x4]
Boom boom boom (Yeah) [x2]
Boom boom boom [x2]
[Will.I.am]
Yo
I got the hit that beat the block
You can get that bass overload
I got the that rock and roll
That future flow
That digital spit
Next level visual shit
I got that (Boom boom boom)
How the beat bang (Boom boom boom)
[Fergie]
I like that boom boom pow
Them chicken jackin' my style
They try copy my swagger
I'm on that next shit now
I'm so 3008
You so 2000 and late
I got that boom boom boom
That future boom boom boom
Let me get it now
Boom boom boom (Gotta get that) [x4]
Boom boom boom (Yeah) [x2]
Boom boom boom [x2]
[Taboo]
I'm on the supersonic boom
Y'all hear the space shit zoom
When when I step inside the room them girls go apeshit, uh
Y'all stuck on super A-shit
They're no fast stupid a bit
I'm on that HD flat
This beat go boom boom pow
[Apl.de.ap]
I'm a beast when you turn me on
Into the future cybertron
Harder, faster, better, stronger
Sexy ladies extra longer, cuz
We got the beat that bounce
We got the beat that pow
We got the beat that 808
That the boom boom in your town
[Fergie]
People in the place
If you wanna get down
Put your hands in the air
Will.I.am drop the beat now
[Will.I.am]
Yep yep
I be rockin' the beats (Yep, yep)
I be rockin' the beats (Yep yep yep, yep)
Here we go, here we go
Satellite radio
Y'all getting hit with (Boom boom)
Beats so big I'm steppin on leprechauns
Shitin' on y'all you with the (Boom boom)
Shitin' on y'all you with the (Boom boom)
Shitin' on y'all you with the...
This beat be bumpin' bumpin'
This beat go boom boom
Let the beat rock
Let the beat rock
Let the beat r...
This beat be bumpin' bumpin'
This beat go boom boom
[Fergie]
I like that boom boom pow
Them chicken jackin' my style
They try copy my swagger
I'm on that next shit now
I'm so 3008
You so 2000 and late
I got that boom boom boom
That future boom boom boom
Let me get it now
Boom boom boom (Gotta get that) [x4]
Boom boom boom (Yeah) [x2]
Boom boom boom [x2]
Let the beat rock (Let the beat rock)
Let the beat rock (Let the beat...)
Let the beat r... (Let the beat rock, rock, rock, rock)
"You like this song too?" she asked.
"Yes," I said. What, do I have to spell "QUIET" on the rear view mirror?
"Cool!," she said. "You and I have so much in common. We both like books, and writing, and this song, and the Jonas Brothers' Love Bug!"
* * * *
Moving on, here's the song in question, Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas. I adore the line "I'm so 3008, you're so two thousand and late."
The video is quite funky in and of itself, and I will go on record as saying Fergie looks super hot throughout. I've seen her work since she was six years old on Kids Incorporated. My sister Chrissy was nuts for her as a kid and joined the Stacey Ferguson fan club. Hell, she went and named her youngest kid after Fergie. I kid you not.
Anyhow, it's cool to see her succeed. (trivia: Her former cast mate Renee, who I always thought was hotter, sings the "Pump it Up" jingle in Crystal Light commercials)
Enough talk. Get ta dancin'. Will-I-Am, drop the beat now.
Gotta get that [x3]
Gotta get that that that, that that
Boom boom boom (Gotta get that) [x4]
Boom boom boom (Yeah) [x2]
Boom boom boom [x2]
[Will.I.am]
Yo
I got the hit that beat the block
You can get that bass overload
I got the that rock and roll
That future flow
That digital spit
Next level visual shit
I got that (Boom boom boom)
How the beat bang (Boom boom boom)
[Fergie]
I like that boom boom pow
Them chicken jackin' my style
They try copy my swagger
I'm on that next shit now
I'm so 3008
You so 2000 and late
I got that boom boom boom
That future boom boom boom
Let me get it now
Boom boom boom (Gotta get that) [x4]
Boom boom boom (Yeah) [x2]
Boom boom boom [x2]
[Taboo]
I'm on the supersonic boom
Y'all hear the space shit zoom
When when I step inside the room them girls go apeshit, uh
Y'all stuck on super A-shit
They're no fast stupid a bit
I'm on that HD flat
This beat go boom boom pow
[Apl.de.ap]
I'm a beast when you turn me on
Into the future cybertron
Harder, faster, better, stronger
Sexy ladies extra longer, cuz
We got the beat that bounce
We got the beat that pow
We got the beat that 808
That the boom boom in your town
[Fergie]
People in the place
If you wanna get down
Put your hands in the air
Will.I.am drop the beat now
[Will.I.am]
Yep yep
I be rockin' the beats (Yep, yep)
I be rockin' the beats (Yep yep yep, yep)
Here we go, here we go
Satellite radio
Y'all getting hit with (Boom boom)
Beats so big I'm steppin on leprechauns
Shitin' on y'all you with the (Boom boom)
Shitin' on y'all you with the (Boom boom)
Shitin' on y'all you with the...
This beat be bumpin' bumpin'
This beat go boom boom
Let the beat rock
Let the beat rock
Let the beat r...
This beat be bumpin' bumpin'
This beat go boom boom
[Fergie]
I like that boom boom pow
Them chicken jackin' my style
They try copy my swagger
I'm on that next shit now
I'm so 3008
You so 2000 and late
I got that boom boom boom
That future boom boom boom
Let me get it now
Boom boom boom (Gotta get that) [x4]
Boom boom boom (Yeah) [x2]
Boom boom boom [x2]
Let the beat rock (Let the beat rock)
Let the beat rock (Let the beat...)
Let the beat r... (Let the beat rock, rock, rock, rock)
Friday, September 11, 2009
Eight Years On
Today is the eighth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I don't think there are any major events scheduled to mark the date, and I'm fine with that. Stress the 'big' anniversaries, of course, but in years like this have faith in your fellow Americans; know that they'll bow their heads at some point in the day and remember the lost.
Man, that was a awful day. Words will never be able to describe it. Still, as recent as it feels in my head, I have to stop and remember that each and every one of my kids had yet to be born when the towers fell, yet my oldest is now in third grade. That seems crazy.
Time runs away from all our memories, the good and the bad.
* * * *
I'm not planning in any way to politicize the anniversary, and I wish others would do the same. But while I'm not angered by the following headline on MSNBC.com, I am left shaking my head: U.S. Muslims Fear Backlash for 9/11
If the need exists to run with a 9/11 headline - and does it? - there are better avenues to explore. Why run an article in which the interview subjects admit nothing much has happened to them because of 9/11, then or in the eight years since? How is that news? And why run such an empty piece under a fear-mongering headline?
Why, even on 9/11, is there such an obsessive need for some news agencies to find fault with the American people, and our character - to the point where they'll even massage a story to create an angle?
When the towers fell Lisa and I were living in a predominantly Muslim apartment building. It was the two of us, a middle aged white guy across the hall, and a building of Pakistini, Saudi, and Palestinian families. We exchanged cards on the holidays, we asked about each others families, and we shared meals (yes, even goat).
I wrote the following on the fifth anniversary of the attack:
For days [after 9/11] my neighbors would not step foot outside their doors, fearful of retaliation. In the end we knocked and offered to buy them groceries. My wife embraced one of the women and told them not to be afraid, that we didn’t hold them responsible.
It wasn't long at all before things were back to normal. No one threatened them, no one harmed them, no one treated them any differently, nor did they feel compelled to change their own way of life.
I'm PROUD of the way my country treated our Muslim population in the wake of the attacks, as we all should be. Somewhere, at sometime, was someone cursed at or even threatened? I'm sure. We are a nation of 300 million people, and not all of them angels. But we, AS A SOCIETY, reacted with compassion and understanding.
Not for one moment do I believe there's another country that would have acted as well when embraced by the dark emotions that day inspired.
Anyway, I just needed to get that off my chest.
To the victims of that day: Rest in Peace.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Our Camping Trip pt 2
Once Lisa returned we took the kids to enjoy the family activites in the park. We started out on a bounce mat.
Then hit the playground.
The kids, unfortunately, were again awful. Ugh, it was not a good morning to that point.
They all wanted to hit the water park, but first I wanted to play miniature golf. We were adament that for once the kids actually play by the rules, and you can imagine how that went.
But actually, for most of the nine holes we played the kids kept it together. There was even a shocker from Smiley. When LuLu lingered near the hole on his turn, he barked "[LuLu] 'et off my gween!"
We joined in a game of musical dots, where YaYa placed second
then grabbed something to eat before hitting the water park.
This picnic basket would fill up, sound a horn as a warning, then dump the water on the bathers below. It was great, hitting you like a good massage.
As usual Lisa spent time in the water with them while I stayed on the sidelines and concentrated on looking pretty, but then an oddity: I got up and spent most of the time in the water, taking the kids down the water slides and enjoying the basket waterfall.
For a few minutes Lisa took them out of the waterpark to have a swing at a pinata.
None of them cracked it open, but they all shared the booty.
Once they returned we played in the water for quite a while, and then, at YaYa's request, hit the water balloon fight arena.
Smiley had a busted water balloon on his head, and no matter what he wouldn't take it off.
The kids were great from the moment we hit the waterpark, btw. All in all it was a fine experience, and I definitely think it won't be 22 years before I go camping again.
Then hit the playground.
The kids, unfortunately, were again awful. Ugh, it was not a good morning to that point.
They all wanted to hit the water park, but first I wanted to play miniature golf. We were adament that for once the kids actually play by the rules, and you can imagine how that went.
But actually, for most of the nine holes we played the kids kept it together. There was even a shocker from Smiley. When LuLu lingered near the hole on his turn, he barked "[LuLu] 'et off my gween!"
We joined in a game of musical dots, where YaYa placed second
then grabbed something to eat before hitting the water park.
This picnic basket would fill up, sound a horn as a warning, then dump the water on the bathers below. It was great, hitting you like a good massage.
As usual Lisa spent time in the water with them while I stayed on the sidelines and concentrated on looking pretty, but then an oddity: I got up and spent most of the time in the water, taking the kids down the water slides and enjoying the basket waterfall.
For a few minutes Lisa took them out of the waterpark to have a swing at a pinata.
None of them cracked it open, but they all shared the booty.
Once they returned we played in the water for quite a while, and then, at YaYa's request, hit the water balloon fight arena.
Smiley had a busted water balloon on his head, and no matter what he wouldn't take it off.
The kids were great from the moment we hit the waterpark, btw. All in all it was a fine experience, and I definitely think it won't be 22 years before I go camping again.
Aw, c'mon, tell me you watched it eh?
If you forgot to watch Glee yesterday evening, get with it grandpa. Set the DVR next time. Next to Lost, it is easily the best hour of broadcast TV out there.
If you remembered it was on but chose not to watch . . . well, no use sugarcoating it. You're a bad person. A bad, bad person. You probably steal candy from tots and kick little puppies for fun too, eh?
Despicable.
Watch Glee, Wednesdays at 9/8 central on FOX.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
My Fantasy Football Draft, 2009
Socialist invited (coerced me really) into taking the last slot in a fantasy football league his buddy Luke is running. We were supposed to draft over the weekend but the commish f*ed it up, and so the dirty deed was completed last night, just in time to conflict with the Jon Gosselin interview on ABC.
It was an online Yahoo live draft in serpentine fashion, and as normal I got stuck in the middle of the selection order.
I started out ok, grabbing Larry Fitzgerald and Marion Barber with my first two picks. With the third round QB's started disappearing from the board, and I grabbed Packer Aaron Rodgers. I wanted him for his numbers, but I also think it's important to keep at least one hometown player on your squad. Karmic loyalty and all that. I then picked Ronnie Brown and Antonio Bryant, and realized a problem. Both my RB's have the same bye week. That's sloppy research on my part, but hey, I spent all of 15 minutes prepping for this thing.
It was an online Yahoo live draft in serpentine fashion, and as normal I got stuck in the middle of the selection order.
I started out ok, grabbing Larry Fitzgerald and Marion Barber with my first two picks. With the third round QB's started disappearing from the board, and I grabbed Packer Aaron Rodgers. I wanted him for his numbers, but I also think it's important to keep at least one hometown player on your squad. Karmic loyalty and all that. I then picked Ronnie Brown and Antonio Bryant, and realized a problem. Both my RB's have the same bye week. That's sloppy research on my part, but hey, I spent all of 15 minutes prepping for this thing.
That meant I was going to need to load up on RB's on my bench, as they are hard to come by on the trading table. While I knew he was going to miss some weeks, I figured Marshawn Lynch was the best of who was still on the board. Then I went and screwed up again. I'm glad I picked up Santana Moss at WR, but that meant that two of my three starting wideouts had the same bye week. C'mon! About time I learned how to find the 'bye' category on the draft stat page, eh?
In the next round defences were the big thing, and I grabbed Tennessee. Then - AGAIN - a bye week fiasco. I picked up Jay Cutler, who shares the same bye week as Rodgers. Shoot me. Shoot me now.
I chose Longwell and Zach Miller to finish off my team minimums, then concentrated on repairing the damage I'd done to my own chances.
I grabbed Miami's D as a backup, then picked up TD specialist 'Tim Hightower at RB. After selecting Winslow as backup TE, I grabbed Isaac Bruce as an alternative at WR. I'll still have to sit leave one WR slot empty during that massive bye week, but it's better than sacrificing the points rich RB slot.
With the last pick of my draft I faced a quandry. I had no backup kicker, but still needed to work out the QB bye. I chose Chad Pennington, adding a third QB to my roster, with the idea I can trade one of them after the bye and pick up a kicker for one week if need be.
I think it's a solid enough roster, but sloppily compiled. That bye week really messed with my plans, and I've got no one to blame but myself. Oh, and Socialist for tossing this in my lap at the last minute.
Wish me luck!
On Socialized Medicine
Let's start out with some ground rules: opposition to socialized medicine is not opposition to reform, nor does it indicate a diabolical wish to watch millions suffer without medical care. Ideas like that are the stuff of political pornography, poorly crafted urban myths put forth to discredit opposition to the White House. It's wrong, factually and ethically, and frankly, it's downright silly.
If you continue to believe those tall tales, it will do you no good to continue reading. But if you keep an open mind, by all means, pull up a seat.
When it comes to discussing health insurance reform, my experiences are not unique, but I think they're far from typical. This argument has increasingly become a tit-for-tap of anecdotal evidence, almost all of it referring to a friend or a 'friend of friend' with a sad tale to tell. Well, in my lifetime - MY lifetime, not that of someone I know- I've been covered by both good and 'bad' private insurance - and by its public equivalent.
I know what it's like to pay upwards of $500 a month for insurance when you're making $10 an hour, and what it's like to count out coins to pay for your wife's medicine. I've been hit with a garnishment to pay off my daughter's hospital bills. And, I've had private insurance so thorough that I had twenty consecutive weeks of dental work without paying so much as a dime. All true.
I've also known the shame (and, make no mistake about it, the relief) of being seen under the banner of a state insurance card. I've seen how it rations care (not in theory a bad thing), allocating resources to cast the widest net possible while sacrificing both 'quality' of care and the self-worth of the patient. There are exceptions, of course, wonderful doctors going the extra mile for their charge and accomplishing great things. But if the devil is in the details, than at its purest form socialized medicine is as demon free as your nearest place of worship.
I object to Obamacare on several fronts: Politically, I find the expansion of federal power an abuse of our government's purpose, and an unwelcome intrusion into our private lives. Philosophically, I think it is a corruption of the ideals of self-reliance and independence that forged this nation and its people. Economically, I think it is vague to the point of fantasy, and destined to be an albatross around the neck of our nation for generations to come, and Pragmatically, I think it fails to accomplish the purpose for which it was designed.
Unlike other sites that argue for/against the issue, I won't devote much time addressing my first few objections. I have no interest in joining the vast number of bloggers who constantly preach to the choir. (what's the point in that??)
If you believe in Obamacare, then by definition you disagree with me on those early points. You either believe - or have conceded the argument - that the federal government has the right, duty, intelligence, and administrative acumen to assume the planning, orchestration, and settlement of your individual health insurance needs. You are entitled to your opinion, but frankly, I think you're as wrong as you're ever going to be in your life.
I do not believe that it is the Federal government's obligation or right to assume that mantle of responsibility. I think it intrusive, unwarranted, and a poor omen for the future. We are inching closer and closer to a socialist nanny state. I understand that America now approaches that future with far less dread then ever before, and nearly with open arms - how quickly we as a people look for the easy way out! - but that doesn't mean it's the right path.
Governments don't shrink. They don't. They may wax and wane, but City Hall will always be there, and it will always be hungry for more. This generation is vigorously debating an expansion of the Federal Government, and has already acquiesced to a ridiculous bailout of the private sector. Step forward to the time of my grandchildren, and the dustups of today will have been settled for decades. It all will be commonplace, accepted, par for the course. The government will have continued to grow; in power, in size, in 'responsibility'. A perversion of the constitutional limits imposed upon Washington has repercussions down through the ages, and should not be considered lightly.
In my opinion, it should not be considered at all.
If you disagree and push forward, then I argue that the financial burden of this program is still too much to bear.
We are in the midst of a severe recession, one that necessitated (ha!) the bailout of large segments of the private sector, and the use of gimmicky stimulus measures like the Cash for Clunkers program. In this environment, with unemployment soaring, tax revenue at a minimum, military deployment being expanded in Afghanistan, etc. etc. now - NOW - is the time to push this through?
Was there something I missed in the last election? Not Obama's talking points, which were just that. But if 2004 was about Iraq, 2008 was about the economy, stupid. If you surveyed people last November I doubt "health care reform" would have trumped "keep my job" and "keep my house out of foreclosure", and I'd argue the same holds true now. So why now? Easy. Obama thought it would be a cake-walk proposal, and underestimated American opposition to the plan. Now he's obliged to continue the fight or lose face, and so a plan best left for rosier times must now divert attention and money from areas that need it more.
I'll admit it's hard to get a handle on numbers here, as the White House spins its totals and everyone else does the same, but this isn't going to be cheap. No matter what plan (if any) gets passed, it will necessitate, at a minimum: the creation, staffing, and housing of a new cabinet level body, one massive enough to administrate a plan capable of needing a 1000 page Congressional bill. Local offices will have to be established at the state and city level. Add in the cost of doing business - the accountants, lawyers, claim specialists, clerks, staples, paper, and whatnot, and you'll have to wonder exactly how we'll pay for it.
The answer? I don't know if ANYONE has the answer.
So, despite all his promises to the contrary, we go into (deeper)debt to make this concept happen. Again, if it has to happen - why now?? Is it worth extending the recession just to ensure a President doesn't walk away with his won/loss record blemished?
No, it's not.
* * * *
I feel the most compelling argument against ObamaCare, in any of its shifting forms, is the simplest: it will not accomplish its intended goals.
I wish I'd had the courage to write about an experience I had last summer, but at the time I feared embarrassing my father-in-law. He had surgery and was hospitalized at our local VA Hospital. Start to finish, he was seen, treated, care for by, and had his bill paid by the government. Great right? No.
The hospital was overcrowded and dilapidated. The halls were in need of painting and, disturbingly, featured large home made posters reminding the medical staff to follow elementary hygiene procedures. My father-in-law was housed in a dormitory with multiple patients, as if I was watching a movie about the polio epidemic. The equipment was outdated and flat-out looked ancient.
His incision became infected. Worse yet, this: months later, the surgery has to be repeated. Why? Because the VA admitted the surgeon had incorrectly installed the knee replacement.
All this, from a government institution politically untouchable from both sides of the aisle. That,my friends, is socialized health-care. At the time, I wondered out-loud if it would not have been better to scrap the entire VA system, and simply grant the vets carte blanche insurance to go where they wished. I still think that's more cost effective than paying for building upkeep, payroll, etc, and maybe someday Congress will take the hint.
But what would happen if there was nowhere else for them to turn? What if every hospital was under the same pressure, the same guidelines, the same cost constraints? It would be a disaster.
You see, I think everyone should have health insurance. I just don't think the federal government is the best vehicle for achieving that goal.
Why? A hundred reasons, but chief among them: we are a huge and populous country, with vast demographic differences. It is one thing for the U.K. to try to finagle the NHS for a population of 61.4 million, or Canada with its minuscule 33.5 million;California alone has 34 million, New York 19 million, and Texas 22 million people. All told, we have more than 300 million people to insure, five times more than the U.k.
And once again, that is a heterogeneous population. 19% of Florida residents are elderly. The predominantly male population of Alaska is legendary. The bratwurst friendly Midwest has different health issues than health conscious California, and so on.
Can you imagine one insurance plan that could effectively cover all the needs of that population? I can't. But I can guarantee you that Congress, when dispersing funds, would feel compelled to answer to their own constituents - thus making sure that so called flyover country would get the short end of the stick from a Hill dominated by the media and population rich coastal states.
No, federal insurance is not the answer. Heck, the perpetually endangered Medicare program should be proof enough of that.
Do I have all the answers? No, not by a longshot. I don't even pretend to claim expertise. But having run a company where the staff was burdened by excessive insurance costs, I have some ideas.
One, deregulate to allow small business owners to join together and use their combined leverage to obtain lower rates.
Two, when an individuals health history skews the cost of the plan and places an unfair burden on his co-workers, there could/should be supplemental government insurance which restores a competitive balance to that plan.
Three, tort reform. If a doctor is negligent or incompetent, by all means go after him. But medicine is not a perfect science, and the cost of lawsuit-avoiding but meaningless tests places a large burden on the system. The garnishment I spoke of earlier? The hospital kept YaYa overnight for several days, running tests when it was clear she had a stomach virus. At the time, we were first-time parents to a five month old and didn't see the legal reasoning behind the 'necessary' tests. We paid for it in the end; millions of us pay for it each year.
Four, if we are doomed to resort to government health care, keep it at the state level, geared specifically for and paid by the residents of that state. While I have no doubt federal funds would seep their way in, and issues of residency fraud and whatnot would need to be addressed, I think this is the best means of involving government in health care IF THEY NEED TO BE INVOLVED AT ALL. Government works best when it is close enough to feel your heel on their throat; you have a better chance of managing a state run system than you do tackling Washington.
* * *
Just as I don't pretend to have all the answers, I also don't finish this thinking I've changed any one's mind. I've stated my case, just as many of you have stated your own. I promised Lisa I would document some of my thinking on the subject,and I've lived up to that promise.
Let's hope our leaders in Washington live up the promise of our Founders, and continue the fight.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
A Message to Jon Gosselin
Jon (Gosselin) . . .dude, I can hear your interview on ABC from the other room. I heart ya man, but you're coming across like a dupa. I'm just sayin'.
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