What Do You Drive?

Obama's Elf

2009-02-18T14:06:00.000-05:00

Although this is stupid, it makes me laugh...hard.

More Eliza...

2009-02-10T22:33:00.003-05:00

College Humor wrote a parody of Beyonce’s “If I Were A Boy”, and Eliza recorded the vocals for it. She's not in the video, but it is her voice. She's given a credit at the end of the vid. Go HERE to check it out.

Indie Artists in the Hood

2009-02-03T20:28:00.004-05:00

I've never been a huge rap music fan (unless you include my "LL Cool J stage" from around 1986 or so) but I do find myself really getting into the folk or indie artist covers of rap songs that have enjoyed a certain level of popularity over the last several years. I'm referring to artists like Nina Gordon who does a cover of NWA's "Straight Outta Compton", or Dynamite Hack's version of NWA's "Boyz N Da Hood" and who can forget Ben Fold's doing "Bitches Ain't Shit" which was originally performed by Dr. Dre. For some reason the odd marriage of the acoustic music and the gangsta lyrics appeals to me. If you're not familiar with the songs I'm referring to, check out the vids below.

M & M Turns One!

2009-02-02T13:55:00.004-05:00

My niece and Godchild turned one yesterday. Here is the required pic of her with cake all over her face...pretty cute kid, huh? She takes after her Uncle.

I love the look of disdain on her face - as if she's thinking, "Why the hell did you people put that piece of cake in front of me? You HAD to know I was just going to put it all over my face and in my hair. What did you EXPECT me to do with it, I'm ONE".

Lauren O'Connell' s New Album, "The Shakes", to be Released Soon

2009-02-01T12:33:00.005-05:00

You may recall that I did a review of Lauren O'Connell's first album in a previous post. Lauren's sophomore effort is due out soon.

Here's a listing of the tracks on her upcoming album, many of which can be found on Lauren's YouTube page.

From Chambers, Slow
Chicken Wire
The Pilot
Things I Panic About
I Don't Mind
Bystander
Oncoming Traffic
1988
Sweet Lament
Tangled Up Kites

Here's some info on the release of the CD and a taste of her new work.

Corvette Knuckles

2009-01-29T16:15:00.003-05:00

My buddy Russ, who's the inspiration for the name of this blog, emailed today. He read my "200th Post" entry from Thursday and must have checked out the link that I provided for the knuckletattoos.com website. On that site, there is a virtual Knuckle Tattoo Gun. All you have to do is type in the text that you want on your knuckle tattoo and hit submit. All of the coolness/none of the pain.

Here's Russ's submission:

Where I am/Where I Want to be

2009-01-28T15:06:00.008-05:00

Where I am

Where I Want to be

200th Post

2009-01-27T19:30:00.010-05:00

You may recall that to mark the occasion of my 100th posting to this blog, I went out and got the tattoo that you see here:

To celebrate this, the 200th posting to this blog (which is easily...TWICE the event of my 100th posting), I had that tattoo removed and replaced it with this today:

My wife REALLY didn't understand my motivation for doing this to my body...I don't know why she got so upset...here was her response:

By the way, if you are as heavily into knuckle tattoos as we are (because, really, why shouldn't you be?) go HERE.

The Failed Hero Theme Song (Response Song to First Impressions by Julia Nunes)

2009-01-27T14:15:00.008-05:00

First off, if you're not familiar with Julia Nunes go HERE...or better yet, go HERE.

Now that that's done, on with show!

Back in the '50s and '60s, there was a type of song known as an "answer song" or a "response song". An answer song is essentially what it sounds like it would be - a song released by one artist, that is answered or responded to by another artist. Sometimes they even used the same exact tune and just changed the lyrics.

For example, "Sweet Home Alabama" by Lynyrd Skynyrd was a response to Neil Young's "Southern Man."Typically though, these songs were sung from the perspective of the opposite sex. "I'll Bring It Home To You" was the response of Carla Thomas to Sam Cooke's "Bring It On Home To Me". "Oh Neil!" was Carole King's answer to Neil Sedaka's "Oh Carol!"...you get the idea. A modern day example of this is "Beautiful Girls" by Sean Kingston and "Beautiful Girls (The Reply)" by JoJo.

Sooooo, that's what this song/video is. It's a response to Julia Nunes' original song, "First Impressions" but from the unknown guy's/boyfriend's perspective.

First, here's "First Impressions" by Julia Nunes:

Here are the lyrics:

I've gotten used, to being introduced
Hello, what's your name, how are you
They see my smile, my laugh and the hurt behind my eyes
Loss is not so easily disguised

I'll try my best to keep on with my sunny disposition
But I close my eyes and end up reminiscing
So save me from waking up tonight, save me from waking up tonight
Cuz I toss, and I turn and it doesn't feel right
Save me from waking up tonight

Left to my own devices
I'd stay up till 3 am
Spend the whole day barely awake, and then do it all again
Cuz my dreams are filled with pleasantries that make me think you’re here with
me They won't let my poor heart mend

I have tried my darnedest to continue smiling wide
But I miss you and that's something I can't hide

So save me from waking up tonight, please save me from waking up tonight
I thought I was fine, but it looks as if I might not make it through the night
So save me from waking up tonight, please save me from waking up tonight
Cuz I toss and I turn and it doesn't feel right
Please save me from waking up tonight

And here is my response song. It's called the Failed Hero Theme Song. This is my first attempt (and a pale imitation at best) at using the layering technique that Julia uses so well in her videos. I put this together on a PC, not a Mac so I was stuck using Windows Movie Maker which limits you to only one video track and two audio tracks. To get around this, I used Audacity to combine the 3 audio tracks into one track first and then used that as the final audio track. I combined it with a vid of Julia rather than myself because the synching of the audio and video of me was already off and by using her image, it kind of went along with the whole "perspective of the opposite gender" thing that answer songs are all about.

I think the percussion (the "cha, chas") are a little loud and the back-up vocals a little low but altogether it turned out better than I expected for a first try using inferior software. Anyway...here it is:

Here are the lyrics:

Our friends told me
That you wrote a song
But when you played for them
Your smile looked all wrong

They say you hide your pain
Except at night, alone
And I can't decide if I
should call you on the phone

Cuz its 3 am
And I'm wide awake
And I can't help but think
I made a big mistake

When I set you free
Will you come back
Can you hear me now
Because it's a fact

That I still miss you
And all the fun we had
Forgive me please
Cuz now I feel so bad

That I made you cry
And so many times
I was that guy
Who never saw the signs

But now I see
That I was oh so wrong
With you instead of here
Is where I belong

And I never meant to hurt you
And I regret all our fights
And I'd like to be the one
Who saves you from waking up at night

But I won't call
I'll put the phone back on the shelf
I won't be saving you tonight
I can't even save myself

Oh, and by the way...if, by the off chance Julia Nunes, that you happen across this vid - this was done in the least "scary creepy internet stalker guyish" kind of way possible :)

Unique Vehicles

2009-01-26T19:55:00.017-05:00

For some odd reason, I’ve always had an odd attraction to unique vehicles. I’m not talking about kit cars or vehicles that people have modified themselves. I'm referring to the quirkier or more unusual choices that automakers sometimes give to us straight from the factory – those cars that are just different enough to be “cool”...or, at the very least, "different". So, here’s my list in no particular order. Over the last 20 years or so, at one time or another, I’ve wanted to buy all of these cars…who knows, maybe one day I still will. Click any of the images for a larger pic.

The Isuzu Vehicross: The Vehicross came out in 1999 and only had a production run of three years. To me it always had a kind of “sport ute on steroids appeal”. I imagine if you crossed a two-door sports car with a jeep, that the Vehicross would be the result of this unholy union. It has styling that still appears fresh even today. Oh and if I got one, it would have to be yellow.
The Honda Del Sol: The Del Sol was available from 1994 to 1997. It was a cool little two-seater that was kind of a quasi-convertible in that it had a lift-off aluminum roof panel that opened ¾ of the interior of the car to the sun. It always struck me as a "fun to drive" kind of car.
The Subaru SVX: Available from 1992 to 1997. One of my friends had one of these until around the year 2000 when the tranny went out and she traded it for a more conservative VW Passat. The coolest thing about this car? Obviously, the windows. Surprisingly, like the Vehicross, this car still has a body style that holds up fairly well to today’s standards.
The second generation Toyota MR2: This was the MR2 that was available from 1990-1999. I’m not interested in the previous “boxy” MR2 or the more current “looks like it’s trying to be a Porsche Boxster” body style. A girl that I knew in college had one of these in yellow. This car was a little pocket rocket. With the turbo option, it put out 200 hp and weighed less than 2700 lbs. 200 hp + low weight = fast car.
The Suzuki X90: The X90 convertible sold from 1996 through 1998. It came with either four wheel drive or rear wheel and only produced 95 hp. However, it only weighed in at 2500 lbs so it still had some zip. This was probably one of those cars that you either instantly loved or instantly hated the look of. I like the styling…although it does remind me a little of an over-sized roller skate.

I Really Couldn't Help Myself...

2009-01-25T14:39:00.007-05:00

Now don't get me wrong...I mostly consider the Internet a good thing...great even...but there are some aspects of it that just suck - For example:

I really can’t stand those “Send this to everyone you…” e-mails that people send.

Here’s the text of one that I received today:

Breakfast at McDonald's

This is a good story and is true, please read it all the way through until the end! (After the story, there are some very interesting facts!):

I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.

The last class I had to take was Sociology.

The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.

Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.'

The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.

I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake, literally.

Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.

It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.

We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.

I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.

As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.

As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'.

His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.

He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.

The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.

I held my tears as I stood there with them.

The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.

He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).

Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.

That is when I noticed all eyes in the restaurant were set on me, judging my every action.

I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.

I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.

He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'

I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'

I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.'

We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.

We are not churchgoers, but we are believers.

That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.

I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.

I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it.

Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'

I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.

She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.

In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son, the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.

I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:

UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.

Send this to whoever…blah…blah…you’ll have good luck…etc…etc. – you know the drill.

Now normally I immediately trash these kinds of e-mails but in this case, I just couldn't help myself. My e-mail response to the sender and the other people she sent this piece of crap to is below.

Bummer. She failed her assignment.

The teacher instructed the class to “go out and smile at three people and document their reactions”, not buy a fast food breakfast for two homeless guys...

Grade = F Failure to follow instructions.

:)

Good day all.

A note to everyone I know...please stop sending me this stupid shit. Thank you.

I’m On “Best Of Craigslist”!!!!!!!!!

2009-01-24T19:56:00.012-05:00

So, you've got a great job, a magnificent house, several expensive cars and lots of fun toys. Your spouse, children and even your in-laws adore you. Your friends are encouraging and supportive. Your co-workers all respect and admire you and dogs and cats flock to you…BUT do you have what I have?

What is it that I have that could be so great you may ask?

“I’M ON “BEST OF CRAIGSLIST”!!!!!!!!!

Well actually, one of my postings to Craigslist is….

The Best of Craigslist is a selection of postings nominated by Craigslist readers in every major city in the US for various reasons…be they humorous, thought-provoking, well-said, just plain weird, etc.

You see, whenever I post something on “What Do You Drive?” that I think might just be deserving enough to be shared with additional readers, I’ll post it to my local Craigslist “Rants and Raves” section as well.

I did this with my “A Cell Phone in Every Hand...EVERY Single Hand...” posting from January 8th. While perusing the Best of CL today, I ran across my own posting.

I am waaaaay excited, like "Oprah in a Twinkie factory" excited...according to my wife, too excited.

Thanks to all who nominated me!

Way to go…. Hyundai ?

2009-01-24T15:51:00.005-05:00

Hyundai Motors announced this month that If you buy a new Hyundai and lose your job within a year, you can give it back. Yes, you read that right. Hyundai's Web site says,"If you find that you cannot make your payment because of a covered life changing event, they'll allow you to return your vehicle and walk away from your loan obligation - and in most cases they will cover most, if not all of the difference”.

The program pays the difference between the car's trade-in value at the time the owner files a claim and any remaining balance on the loan up to a maximum of $7,500 and there is no increase in the initial vehicle price for this nice little benefit. Although I’ve never been a Hyundai fan (in fact, the old joke used to be, “Hyundai has a 10-year warranty…because they NEED to") you’ve got to give them credit for this great marketing idea in these uncertain times. It might be just enough to push the loyal Toyota or Honda buyer to take a second look at a Hyundai and should certainly be enough of an incentive to sway domestic buyers.

F This!

2009-01-15T19:22:00.001-05:00

Thinking Outside the Box to Bust Carjackers

2009-01-12T22:34:00.004-05:00

Note to self...promises of hot chicks and cocaine will get me my stolen car back...

Well played Alan Heusse, well played...score one for the good guys.

Another Morning Rant

2009-01-12T19:05:00.009-05:00

Soooo I start up the car to drive to work again this morning...

It's 8:00 am and in my seemingly never-ending quest to become my Father,I had left the radio on and tuned to WOSU, our local public radio talk channel when I turned the car off the night before.

Since it's 8:00 am (news every hour, on the hour), the news is on and the news person is talking about how far into the white porcelain bowl our economy is in so I flipped the channel.

(Insert 1950's era slide button radio static here...I know all cars since like 1980 have had electronic tuning but I still hear that sound every time I change the channel, even if it's only in my own head...)

The new is on on this channel too...this story's about the Gaza Strip and how one of the air strikes killed a reporter. I flipped the channel...(insert static sound effect again)...I'm on the local "Sunny" channel and am thinking to myself,' "Hey these guys are "Sunny"...that's like happy...right?" "There's not going to be any bad news here."

Wrong.

The news person is spouting stats about the Iraq war and the fact that the US military death count number is currently at 4,226...

So I reach down to switch the channel again but I realized that it was kind of hopeless and just turned the damn thing off. I'm going to find my IPOD when I get home from work tonight and hook it back up again so I can hear something happy...I'm thinking that "Three Little Birds" by Bob Marley will probably do the trick...or maybe a little "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" by Israel Kamakawiwo Ole.

The song that I was actually reminded of as I was flipping channels this morning was a song by Anne Murray from around 1983 believe it or not..Wow back when albums were made of vinyl and not shiny plastic polycarbonate...the song is called "A Little Good News" and aside from the fact that Bryant Gumble's no longer at the news desk and that the the fighting is in Iraq rather than Lebanon, the song is still pretty relevant. Not bad for a tune that's over a quarter century old...you can check it out below.

Wouldn't it be nice to wake up one morning, switch on the radio and find that there was no bad news to be reported?

Now That the Dust Has Settled, Sarah Palin Talks

2009-01-10T14:52:00.008-05:00

Not that it matters much at this point, but in the interview below, Sarah Palin discusses how she was treated and and portrayed by the media during the campaign. Although to some die-hard Obama supporters, she may across as a poor loser, I still can't help but ~~picture her naked~~ like her.

She is dead on in her comments regarding the treatment of her family by the press versus the treatment that the Obama family received and no one can deny that she was the most widely attacked figure during the election.

Many of the instances that she referred to, can be seen in this video here.

The first video is just a part of a forthcoming documentary entitled "Media Malpractice". More on the documentary can be found HERE and I, for one, am looking forward to seeing it.

A Cell Phone in Every Hand...EVERY Single Hand...

2009-01-08T22:47:00.019-05:00

Work has SUCKED this week so I decided to go into the office early this morning to catch up on some stuff. As I'm getting on the interstate at about 5:58 am, I notice that many of the drivers in the lane next to me are speaking on their cell phones. As I'm actually merging onto the entrance ramp, I notice that the driver of the car directly in front of me AND the driver of the car directly behind me are both on THEIR phones.

Now I could go on and on about how dangerous this is and how drivers who are distracted by their cell phones drive like idiots, but the fundamental question that hit me in the "Jesus Christ it's not even light outside yet" predawn hours of the early morning was simply, "WHO the FUCK are these people even TALKING to at THIS Hour?"

I mean, really.

Even if I wanted to distract myself from the 2 ton piece of metal I was driving at 70 miles an hour so that I could hold an electronic piece of crap up to my ear to socialize, I don't even know who I'd call at 6:00 in the morning - because everyone I know is FUCKING ASLEEP !!!! But apparently, based on my observations today, it's ME who is the exception to the rule - everyone else is jib jabbering away to someone!!!

And you KNOW these are not the "head surgeon talking the nervous young resident through the surgery while rushing to the hospital in morning traffic" type of calls but instead the inane bullshit "how are you doing?...oh that's niiiice...what are you up to?...You're driving to work?...Hey, I'M drivin' to work tooooo..." type of calls.

I was so pissed off, I almost dropped my cordless electric razor into my travel mug and splashed hot coffee on my lap and magazine.

But in all seriousness, are people today so in need of constant mental or social stimulation that they can't just enjoy the calm and solitude of being alone with just themselves and their thoughts for 20 freakin' minutes without feeling the need to get on the phone?

People, take my advice...enjoy the silence, meditate, think about the day and the tasks ahead of you, hell even listen to the radio if you need to hear another human voice but please, please, for the love of whatever deity you pray to, PUT THE FUCKING PHONE DOWN!

And with this post, what they all warned me would happen has finally happened - I've officially become my Dad...

Oh, that reminds me...My wife got me this shirt for Christmas:

I absolutely love it, LOVE it and I love her for knowing that I'd love it and getting it for me. If you want one, you can get one too. Buy it HERE.

Tilt-shift Miniature Faking

2009-01-06T20:39:00.013-05:00

Tilt-shift miniature faking is a process in which a photograph of a life-size location or object is manipulated so that it looks like a photograph of a miniature scale model.

With the help of THIS website, I managed to make some photos of the real Miata look like a toy Miata - pretty cool. Results are shown here. Click the pic for a larger version.

John Lennon Resurrected...

2008-12-31T16:51:00.013-05:00

...well his voice and a brief video image of him at least are. Through the use of digital technology, the former Beatle appears in a commercial and urges people across the United States to support a campaign by "One Laptop per Child" to deliver tough, solar-powered XO laptop computers to the world's poorest children.

More on this can be found HERE.

The commercial itself is below:

Kinda creepy, huh? Keep in mind that the term "laptop" while Lennon was alive only referred to the part of your body between the waist and knees and not a PC.

On a similar note, I'm starting a new band...here's our publicity pic:

Oh, and today's New Year's Eve...2008 hasn't been the greatest. Here's to a better 2009 for everybody!

New Rule Eases Ban on Firearms in National Parks

2008-12-05T20:59:00.005-05:00

WASHINGTON – People will now be able to carry concealed firearms in some national parks and wildlife refuges.

An Interior Department rule issued Friday allows an individual to carry a loaded weapon in a park or wildlife refuge — but only if the person has a permit for a concealed weapon, and if the state where the park or refuge is located also allows loaded firearms in parks.
The rule overturns a Reagan-era regulation that has restricted loaded guns in parks and wildlife refuges. The previous regulations required that firearms be unloaded and placed somewhere that is not easily accessible, such as in a car trunk.

Assistant Interior Secretary Lyle Laverty said the new rule respects a long tradition of states and the federal government working together on natural resource issues.

The regulation allows individuals to carry concealed firearms in federal parks and wildlife refuges to the same extent they can lawfully do so under state law, Laverty said, adding that the approach is in line with rules adopted by the federal Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service. Those agencies let visitors carry weapons consistent with applicable federal and state laws.

The National Rifle Association hailed the rule change, which will take effect next month before President-elect Barack Obama takes office.

"We are pleased that the Interior Department recognizes the right of law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families while enjoying America's national parks and wildlife refuges," said Chris W. Cox, the NRA's chief lobbyist.

The rule will restore the rights of law-abiding gun owners on federal lands and make federal law consistent with the state where the lands are located, Cox said. The NRA led efforts to change gun regulations they called inconsistent and unclear.

A group representing park rangers, retirees and conservation organizations said the rule change will lead to confusion for visitors, rangers and other law enforcement agencies.

"Once again, political leaders in the Bush administration have ignored the preferences of the American public by succumbing to political pressure, in this case generated by the National Rifle Association," said Bill Wade, president of the Coalition of National Park Service Retirees.

"This regulation will put visitors, employees and precious resources of the National Park System at risk. We will do everything possible to overturn it and return to a commonsense approach to guns in national parks that has been working for decades," Wade said.

The park rule will be published in the Federal Register next week and take effect 30 days later, well before Obama takes office Jan. 20. Overturning the rule could take months or even years, since it would require the new administration to restart the lengthy rule-making process.

Happy Thanksgiving

2008-11-27T15:18:00.007-05:00

Please keep the spirit of the holiday season in mind as you're gnawing on that big 'ole turkey leg...

I'm not normally a "giver" but the more I do it, the better it feels...A small example of this occurred last weekend when I gave a toy from a Happy Meal from McDonalds to a little girl who was there with her Grandpa...(my wife ordered one since she only wanted a cheeseburger, a drink and small fries - plus what's a 38 year old going to do with a toy Lemur from the movie Madagascar II?). Another example from my own life was donating about 30 boxes of spaghetti to a homeless shelter. Do what you can in your own neighborhood. It feels good to do something for others who are less fortunate (remember, that could be you some day) and helps someone who really needs the assistance.

Happy Holidays!

Walmart Bingo

2008-11-06T20:20:00.003-05:00

This SO describes the Walmart near me....

Click for a larger image if you can't read this.

Ohio Wesleyan's Last Home Game of 2008

2008-11-03T19:57:00.012-05:00

We went to an Ohio Wesleyan Football game this weekend...they're just a Division 1 team in Deleware Ohio but it was still more fun than what it sounds like. They did something this weekend that they normally don't do...they won. My best friend's son plays for them, so that's why we attended - he's in the vid below. It's hard to believe that I have a friend who's got a kid in COLLEGE...

Wherever I Go From Here - Original Song

2008-10-10T21:49:00.004-04:00

Unfortunately inspired by a funeral for a friend...written from his girlfriend's perspective.

LYRICS

Wherever I Go From Here

Everybody keeps on talking
In quotations and clichés
Relatives and lifelong friends
They just don’t know what to say
I know that good intentions
Are what everybody has
But any words that they say to me
Can’t help to bring you back

Wherever I go from here
I know that you’ll be there
I’ll carry your memory
Every moment, everywhere

Can someone help me understand
Can someone tell me why
This wasn’t part of the plan
It’s too soon to say goodbye
You were only with me for an instant
A couple years, a couple days
You walked in and you walked out
I’ll always miss your smiling face

Wherever I go from here
I know that you’ll be there
I’ll carry your memory
Every moment, everywhere

I wasn’t ready for this moment
You were way too young to leave
It’s just a breath and a heartbeat
That kept you here with me
Now the Autumn leaves are falling down
The days are short, the nights are cold
But you visit me in dreams sometimes
Then I’m not so all alone

Wherever I go from here
I know that you’ll be there
I’ll carry your memory
Every moment, everywhere

So Long Mark R, We Hardly Knew Ya

2008-09-25T12:02:00.010-04:00

Getting a call between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am on a weekday is never a good thing - you know as soon as you hear the shrill shriek of the phone between these hours that whoever is on the other end is calling with bad news. In fact, as my wife picked up the phone in the dark predawn hours, I said aloud, "This can't be good..."

The call that we received at 5:00 am this morning was from Sweetie's brother informing us that Mark, one of our friends, died early this morning at the much too young age of 34. Not much is yet known about the cause, but there will surely be an autopsy in the near future.

What I'll remember (and miss the most) about Mark was his ability to make me laugh...Take, for example, the look on his face in this picture.

So long Mark, we hardly knew ya.

Shocker!

2008-09-23T22:00:00.004-04:00

...in related news - Oprah admits she likes Twinkies.

By the way, this makes two Oprah/Twinkie references on this blog to date...don't believe me? Go to the search bar and type "Oprah"...or "Twinkie".

See? Told ya!

The Song That I Currently Cannot Get Out of My Friggin Head

2008-09-20T22:06:00.003-04:00

Check out the song below from Dan Gocek. Seriously check it out...you'll catch yourself doing the "hand clap part" in your car at stoplights. I've been aware of Dan for awhile now, but someone was smart enough to throw him up on YouTube. This song is on continuous loop in my head...I figured by sharing, maybe it will infect you and leave me alone...

9/11: Seven Years Later...Lest We Forget

2008-09-10T21:24:00.007-04:00

I was too young to remember the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

I was too young to remember the assassination of Kennedy…John or Robert.

I was too young to remember Martin Luther King being shot.

I have no memory of the Kent State massacre; I was just 4 months old when it occurred.

I do, however, remember exactly where I was and what I was doing 7 years ago at 8.46 am.

The thing that I remember the most from that day was how polite and accommodating everyone was to each other on the highway on the drive home. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen drivers behaving so nicely on the highway - my fear is that we ARE forgetting…

The above video is of Jon Stewart's Post 911 Speech from The Daily Show...the clip contains the whole episode, but the important stuff is contained within the first 9 minutes. Jon's speech was my second most vivid memory from that time period.

At the very least, today is a pretty good occasion to tell your friends and family that you love them...not to be cliche, but who knows what tomorrow may bring?

Ohio Sub SB 184 Becomes Law Today

2008-09-09T09:35:00.004-04:00

Starting today (September 9, 2008), Sub SB 184 is law. Many of the changes associated with this law are beneficial to gun owners and CHL holders. For example, CHL holders can now lawfully transport their handgun in an UNLOCKED (but closed) glovebox or vehicle console. The other major change involves the castle doctrine - in fact, you have even heard this bill referred to as the "Castle Doctrine Bill". Starting today, the duty to retreat from a criminal attack before using force to defend yourself or another if you are lawfully in a residence or vehicle has been removed.

More on this law and it's changes are supplied below. Keep in mind that this is only a personal interpretation of the law and is in no way intended to be construed as legal advice or a professional interpretation.

Tort Reform
Bars criminal offenders or their attorneys from recovering damages for injuries they receive while engaged in specified criminal acts even if not charged.

Castle Doctrine
Removes the duty to retreat from a criminal attack before using force to defend yourself or another if you are lawfully in a residence or vehicle (vehicle must be your own or that of an immediate family member). In such situations, the burden of proof that an act was not self defense falls on the prosecution provided the defender was lawfully in the residence or vehicle and the attacker was not.

LEO Notification
Reduces the penalty for failure to notify a LEO that you have a CHL if the officer knows you have one to a minor misdemeanor (for example, you are stopped in a motor vehicle that is registered to you and the officer runs your plates). Note that this does not relieve you of the duty to inform, only reduces the penalty if you don't.

Class D
The Class D liquor permit restrictions were altered. Rooms are no longer off limits for "dispensing", only for rooms in which a Class D has been issued where alcohol is being consumed. An exception was added for retail stores provided the CHL holder was not consuming. An example would be grocery stored conducting a wine tasting. An exception was also added for the holder of the Class D license for any establishment provided the Class D holder has a CHL and is not consuming alcohol.

Picking Up or Dropping Off at School
Decriminalized ccw in a school safety zone while immediately in the process of picking up or dropping off kids at school provided the CHL holder remains in the vehicle.

Sealed Records
If a past criminal conviction has been sealed or expunged or relief from disability granted by a judge, those records are not to be used as grounds for denial for a CHL.

Renewals
When renewing a CHL, you are no longer required to bring a color photograph or resubmit fingerprints. For first time renewals, evidence of meeting the educational requirements are no longer required. For subsequent renewals, a written test does not need to be taken, only a demonstration of range competency.

Public Buildings
Only government buildings denoted in the law are off limits, as well as those buildings or parts of buildings owned or leased by the government of Ohio, or a political subdivision of Ohio (county or local governments, for example), where employees of the government regularly are present for the purpose of performing their official duties as employees of the state or political subdivision. It specifically excludes buildings used primarily as a shelter, restroom, parking facility for motor vehicles, or rest facility.

Homeowner's Rights
You are not required to have a CHL to lawfully carry concealed in your own home.

Tenant's Rights
Landlords cannot deny or restrict tenants who have a CHL, or guests with a CHL while the tenant is present, their right to keep and bear arms.

Parking Lots
If you knowingly violate a prohibition against firearms in a private parking lot or parking facility, it is a civil trespass issue, not a criminal trespass (provided you are not in violation of other laws).

Retired Peace Officers
The firearms requalification period for retired peace officers was extended from one to five years.

Motor Vehicle Transport
Unloaded firearms at least twenty-four inches in overall length as measured from the muzzle to the part of the stock furthest from the muzzle with a barrel at least eighteen inches in length do not need to be transported in a closed case or secured in a rack provided they are in plain sight with the action open or the weapon stripped (if both as possible). CHL holders can transport a loaded handgun in an unlocked (but closed) glove compartment or vehicle console.

Unloaded Defined
An unloaded firearm is defined as having no ammunition in the firearm and no ammunition loaded into a magazine or speed loader that may be used with the firearm in question and that is located anywhere within the vehicle in question, without regard to where ammunition otherwise is located within the vehicle. What this means is don’t have any magazines or speed loaders loaded in the vehicle if you don't have a CHL.

Firearms Confiscations and Surrenders
If a firearm is confiscated or surrendered to police, they must take steps to track ownership so it can be returned in the same condition it was in when taken into custody. If a firearm is not returned and a court orders the return, the law enforcement agency is responsible for all legal fees.

Multiple Crimes
Specifies that for certain multiple crimes of violence, convicted individuals must receive multiple mandatory sentences and not be able to plead out to a single crime.

Additional information can be found on the Ohioans for Concealed Carry website.

Just Throwin' This Out There...

2008-09-04T13:49:00.004-04:00

I know that this has already been beat to death, but I just found out John McCain's middle name today.

Which sounds more presidential? Or to take it to an extreme, which sounds more American?

John Sidney McCain?
-OR-
Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.?

Lefty bloggers, in full Obama rapture, will point out that Hussein means "beautiful" but I think John Stewart made the point the best when he stated that, "Barack Hussein Obama running today is like a 1940's presidential candidate named Gaydolph Titler."

Criminals For Gun Control: Parts 1 and 2

2008-09-03T12:05:00.003-04:00

Great "Public Service Announcements" from Antiprise:

But seriously people, it's a cold, cruel, dangerous world out there. Protect yourselves and the ones you love.

So long Jerry, We Hardly Knew Ya

2008-09-02T20:27:00.004-04:00

One of the best guitarists ever stopped pickin' today...so long Jerry Reed, we hardly knew ya.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Sarah Palin in Under Three Minutes

2008-09-01T18:43:00.006-04:00

This is for my neighbor Jim and is essentially a continuation of the conversation we had in the truck on the way out to Swapper's Day this weekend. A special Thank You! goes out to another Jim (well James) over at Hell in a Handbasket for helping spread the word about Swapper's Day on his blog. By the way, based on what I saw Saturday, Swappers Day had a huge turnout - see you all there next year...As soon as plans are finalized for next year's event, I'll post them up here.

McCain and Palin Pic

2008-09-01T18:35:00.002-04:00

I'm actually a McCain Supporter but I couldn't help but laugh at this pic that was posted over at Cowboy Blobs.

Headlights

2008-08-29T01:28:00.003-04:00

Just some more random shit that I've run across that I like...this song is called "Cherry Tulips" and it was the debut single from the album "Some Racing, Some Stopping". The band is Headlights. I liked the song but moreover, I liked the video...something about the way that objects were slid in and out of frame...also the lead singer isn't bad looking for a chick who has a nose shaped like a ski-slope.

Why haven't I heard of these guys until today?

Terra Naomi Rocks

2008-08-28T13:57:00.002-04:00

I've always been a fan of the band Sublime. Terra Naomi does Sublime's "Santaria" real justice. It's kind of amazing that a drunk/tired group of musicians jamming in a hotel room with improvised instruments like a garbage can and spoon can come up with a performance that actually rivals the original version. Terra's voice is perfect for this song...check it out below.

It's Spelled "Deactivated" You Dumbass

2008-08-27T21:50:00.008-04:00

You would think that after all of this time, that scammers would learn how to spell...don't you think that the scams would be more profitable for them if they could overcome this one small obstacle? Friggin' illiterate lowlife criminal scum.

Sweetie got this text message on her phone today:

If you can't make it out. it reads :"Your COOPER STATE BANK acct was dezactivated (sic) for expire." Because of the bad spelling and grammar and since we've never even heard of Cooper State Bank, we knew it was some sort of scam. I hopped on the Internet (what did we ever do without it?) using the search terms "Cooper", "Bank" and "Scam" and sure enough...it's a phishing scam.

Details from the Columbus Dispatch are below:

'Phishing' scam targets Cooper State Bank customers
Wednesday, August 27, 2008 5:19 PM

Text-messaging scammers went phishing for central Ohio credit union members last week and now they're hoping Cooper State Bank customers are biting. Shortly after noon today, text messages began to arrive by the hundreds, perhaps thousands, on area cell phones. One read: "Your COOPER STATE BANK acct was dezactivated (sic) for expire." The message provided a phone number to call. When the San Diego number is called, a recorded voice asks for personal information to reactivate the account, including the caller's credit-card number.

The text is a phishing scam and is similar to a series of text messages and phone calls that targeted members of Ohio credit unions last week. Most of the people who received the text message today are not Cooper State customers."We started getting calls about them right after noon, about 25 within an hour," said Cooper State spokesman Rick Flowers. "We were worried at first there was an internal breach of our data, but there wasn't." The bank, which has three offices in central Ohio, quickly posted a warning on its Web site. "It's one of the most sophisticated phishing scams I've seen," Flowers said, adding it was too soon to know if any customers had fallen for the scam. "But we'll probably bite a few bullets on this."

If I Would've Known You Were Going to do That...

2008-08-27T20:57:00.008-04:00

...I Would've Referred to it as at LEAST the "$17.90 Version"!

I opened up my e-mail today and was surprised to see that I had been sent a PayPal payment. It was in the amount of $1.79.

I got a chuckle out of it and appreciated the gesture - Thanks Brian!

An Obscure Reference...

2008-08-27T20:24:00.001-04:00

Today, I felt that I was the frog and my job was the chimp.

By the way - if you actually understand this reference, you're probably spending too much time on the Internet.

I Saved Brian $179.00

2008-08-26T22:54:00.008-04:00

Brian over at "Life of Brian" put up a posting on his blog about a company that will paint your face into a copy of a Chinese propaganda poster for the hefty sum of $179.00. Pretty steep, huh? Previously Brian put up some postings about a site called PhotoFunia which allows you to insert your face into various pics for free - kind of a cool site to play around with. Anyway, Brian took a liking to the poster below from Chinese propaganda poster site...

I'm guessing he probably doesn't have $179 bucks laying around to toss away on becoming a paper socialist hero, so I figured I'd take this as an excuse to dust off the old PhotoShop skills and see if I could "help a brutha out". The results are below...btw, I like to refer to this as the $1.79 version.

USA Today Crossword Puzzle Clue

2008-08-22T16:37:00.004-04:00

Just in case any of you are working on yesterday's crossword puzzle in USA Today, the clue for 44 Across: "Sporty little imports" requires an answer of MIATAS to finish the puzzle.

Texas School District to Let Teachers Carry Guns

2008-08-15T16:26:00.003-04:00

Remember Columbine? Remember the Amish schoolhouse shooter? A school board close to Fort Worth Texas has the right idea...see the Reuters article below:

A Texas school district will let teachers bring guns to class this fall, the district's superintendent said on Friday, in what experts said appeared to be a first in the United States.

The board of the small rural Harrold Independent School District unanimously approved the plan and parents have not objected, said the district's superintendent, David Thweatt.
School experts backed Thweatt's claim that Harrold, a system of about 110 students 150 miles northwest of Fort Worth, may be the first to let teachers bring guns to the classroom.
Thweatt said it is a matter of safety.

"We have a lock-down situation, we have cameras, but the question we had to answer is, 'What if somebody gets in? What are we going to do?" he said. "It's just common sense."
Teachers who wish to bring guns will have to be certified to carry a concealed handgun in Texas and get crisis training and permission from school officials, he said.

Recent school shootings in the United States have prompted some calls for school officials to allow students and teachers to carry legally concealed weapons into classrooms.

The U.S. Congress once barred guns at schools nationwide, but the U.S. Supreme Court struck the law down, although state and local communities could adopt their own laws. Texas bars guns at schools without the school's permission.

Cool "Thank You" Idea for Weddings

2008-08-14T20:55:00.005-04:00

Sweetie's cousin got married a few weeks ago. Unlike most young couples, they were pretty quick in getting their "Thank You" cards sent out. Along with the card, they also included the picture that you see here...This is the first time I've seen someone do this and just thought it was a cool idea.

What's REALLY cool is that you can use a similar technique for the guest who RSVP'd "Yes" for a $50 a plate reception then didn't show up and sent a $15 gift...

Actually, this isn’t such a fun thing to do....

2008-08-14T20:19:00.006-04:00

Now I know that a blog is a medium that's usually used to communicate to the masses, but in this case I felt the need to direct my comments to a specific individual...

Greg W. - Please, Please PLEASE tell me that you still read my blog on a semi-regular basis...I found this online, giggled my ass off for longer than I care to admit and couldn't help but think of you and how retarded shit like this cracks you up.

Swappers Day 2008/Johnstown Ohio

2008-08-13T09:44:00.012-04:00

Final plans are now being made for the Johnstown Sportsmen's Club annual Labor Day event, Swapper's Day. Here's what I know so far...

The 64th annual Swappers Day will be held in Johnstown Ohio August 30th - September 1st, 2008. It starts at 8:00 am. Cost to get in is $4.00 per person (children under 12 are free), parking is free. For those who don't know, it is a big gun show/flea market. It is put on by the coon hunters club and they'll have coon dog lake races at 11:00 am each day.

This event has everything you can imagine for sale with the majority of items being firearms. Plus they'll have the normal "Fair" type concessions as well.

Directions:

Take Route 37 to Johnstown and turn right on Sportsmans Club Road and go about 2-3 miles. The address is 7357 Sportsmans Club Road but you'll run right into it. Click HERE for a map.

For additional information, e-mail the Johnstown Sportsmans Club at jcscclub@gmail.com.

Lauren O'Connell "Sitting in Chairs" CD Review

2008-08-11T14:53:00.020-04:00

In my previous posting, I wrote about Julia Nunes, an up-and-coming independent artist from the Rochester New York area who is making her musical mark in an innovative and modern way – via YouTube.

It was through Julia’s page on Youtube that I became aware of Lauren O’Connell. Lauren is a friend of Julia's who has her own YouTube page HERE. Lauren often performs along with Julia at local gigs and like Julia, has put out a CD of her own original songs.

Because Lauren has a couple of cameo appearances in Julia’s videos and because she often opens for Julia at various performances, you might think that she is just riding Julia’s musical coat-tails. This was my initial thought as well. BUT - after watching/listening to Lauren’s songs, I have come to the conclusion that when it comes right down to it, Lauren is actually the better songwriter/singer/performer between the two. Where Julia is instantly likable, it took a couple of watches/listens for me to get into Lauren’s songs but once I did, I was hooked – hooked enough to shell out the $10 bucks to order Lauren’s CD, “Sitting in Chairs”.

You might be thinking to yourself at this point, “So why did you buy Lauren’s CD and not Julia’s?” The answer is pretty simple: Julia is articulate and has a good likable personality for the medium of video…she writes good songs, plays guitar and uke decently but her biggest appeal, to me at least, is her "comfortableness" with being on camera, her “girl next door”appeal and her cool use of audio layering in her songs along with her creative use of video editing when it comes to the “harmony” parts…I’ve loaded a couple of the MP3s (by the way, you can usually find a link to these in the sidebar to the right of most of her "non-original" vids) that Julia has made available for some of her cover songs onto my Ipod to listen to in the car, and quite honestly, just listening to Julia, doesn’t have nearly the same impact as watching her perform. In other words, Julia is a “video” performer. Fortunately, Julia seems to know this herself and takes advantage of this fact. Also, from the live concert footage I’ve seen of her, her “video likability” seems to transfer well to the stage.

Lauren, on the other hand, is more serious and talks very little in her vids. At times, she looks pretty damn uncomfortable being on camera. Lauren also makes these weird faces when she sings that I can best describe as “Pirate Faces”.

In other words, I’d rather listen to her than watch her…so that is why my money went to Lauren and not Julia…well that and some other reasons. My review of Lauren’s CD (based on my first listening), “Sitting in Chairs” is below:

I ordered "Sitting in Chairs" from Lauren's MySpace page. Scroll down past the videos and look for the Pay Pal link. Don't bother trying to order off of her YouTube page - that link doesn't work. I ordered it on July 31st and it arrived in the mail today.

The tracks on the album include:

sitting in chairs
levers and gears
good intentions
my equations
i'm all talk
chimney smoke
just be
all the perching crows
somewhere in between
there will be

This is her debut album and she recorded the entire CD in one day.

The title track: "Sitting in Chairs" (which you can listen to on Lauren's MySpace page) starts out the CD with a medium fast tempo and has kind of a country feel to it.

The next track is "Levers and Gears" which, in my opinion, is one of the best tracks on the CD...Lauren is a little more subdued on this one. It's got a catchy quiet melody which fits in just right behind the imaginative lyrics of this song...loud enough to acknowledge Lauren's guitar skills but quiet enough not to overpower her voice. There's some great imagery in this song and it's a perfect example of Lauren's skill of approaching a topic in a new and original way...in this case, mental illness, which is why the "So let's be together in a white padded room and make lovely machines of our twisted up levers and gears" line is so great.

"Good Intentions" is next...this song has some pretty cool tempo changes in it...it starts off sounding folksy, there's a little of a Joni Mitchell/Big Yellow Taxi feel to this one but it also has some parts that are almost spoken as it goes on, giving it a modern feel...kind of a "modern day hippie" vibe. This one's also on her MySpace page.

"My Equations" describes a longing to simplify things in life. She takes what sounds to be a common C-Am-F-G7 chord progression and makes it interesting with her lyrics.

"I'm All Talk" is next. In her songs, Lauren uses alot of non-lexical vocables...in other words, alot of "la la las"...it's part of her singing style and appears in many of the songs on the CD, including this one. You would think that it would be annoying, but she makes it work.

"Chimney Smoke" shows Lauren's writing abilities...clever use of words and good creative descriptions.

"Just Be" can also be found on Lauren's MySpace page. Her voice sounds sweet and pure on this one.

"All the Perching Crows" has kind of a Fleetwood Mac sound to it.

"Somewhere in Between"is a modern day "Anything You Can Do". Irving Berlin and Ethel Merman would be proud.

The final track, "There Will Be" strikes a more somber chord and reminds me a bit of a hymn for some reason. Ultimately, it's a song about hope.

Throughout my life, most songs that I really truly liked have come from singer-songwriters. Lauren O'Connell is no exception. If you are a person who is as into "lyrics" as you are "melody", then it's a pretty fair bet that you will like this CD. Lauren is an eclectic mix...I'd categorize her as a female Paul Simon as far as her songwriting abilities. She also obviously has a love of language and is able to incorporate this into her music...in this sense she reminds me, strangely enough, of the late George Carlin. In the same way that George combined words and phrases in new thought-provoking ways in his comedy act, Lauren is able to do the same in her song lyrics. Lastly, the sound of her voice is reminiscent of an early, "Coffeehouse" Jewel Kilcher - the "Pieces of You Jewel", when she was still folksy and not yet country.

The only complaint that I had with this CD was that two of my favorite songs off of her YouTube page aren't on it: "Things I Panic About" and "1988". These two songs both show what a brilliant lyricist Lauren is and easily surpass anything on her CD with the exception of "Levers and Gears". I'm hoping that this means that a sophomore effort will be coming soon.

Days at work, Birkenstocks and Julia Nunes

2008-07-11T22:38:00.011-04:00

The place I work could be categorized as casual...scratch that...that's not strong enough of a word.

Let me see...how can I best explain this? If the "casual uniform" of the American worker is considered jeans and a T-shirt then my place of employment is ripped jean shorts and a tank top - is there a word for an atmosphere that is "more casual" than "casual"?

To put it in perspective, the only clothes I've worn to work for the last month or so have been shorts, a T-shirt and Birkenstocks.

I would also categorize the atmosphere in the office as "artistic". I'm sure this influences the "wear whatever you want" dress code policy. Oh and there's only ten of us...and of that ten, four are related to each other.

But I digress...kind of going along with this "more casual than casual" dress code, we also are not constrained by many of the silly "rules" that much of corporate America is subjected to such as "no Internet" or "no food at your desk" or "no streaming audio". In fact, if I was restricted from the Internet, it would actually be close to impossible for me to do my job and I mean that literally not figuratively...Also, I would most likely starve to death (or at least obtain the physique of Snoop Dog) within a matter of days if I was restricted from eating at my desk.

So one of the fringe benefits of working where I do is that I can listen to music all day at my desk if I wish to. I've used various means of doing this...Yahoo Radio, Pandora.com (which I highly recommend, by the way), Myspace Music pages, etc. My current method is to find an artist that I like on YouTube who has several videos on their page and use the "playlist function" which will automatically play all of their videos one after another. I don't actually watch the videos since I keep the window minimized at the bottom of my screen but it is a nice way to listen to the music.

My current YouTube fave (and who I've been listening to at work this week) is a young lady named Julia Nunes. By the way, the last name is pronounced "Noons"/rhymes with "tunes". Believe it or not, her instrument of choice is the ukulele..yes the ukulele. It's actually pretty amazing how many songs she can make sound good using an instrument that has only four strings. Julia has some covers that she sings, but where she really shines is on her original songs...As a songwriter myself, I can tell you right off that this girl definitely can write lyrics. The thing that sets her apart from other 20-something indie/folk singer/songwriters is how she harmonizes with herself and how this is portrayed with cut-scenes in her vids. Plus, she just comes across as a "cool chick". Both her most well known song - "Into The Sunshine" and my personal fave - "First Impressions (the song formerly known as "Emo Ukulele") are below...check them out. Oh and if your boss doesn't allow you to listen to streaming audio at work, you might want to go HERE.

Julia's YouTube page is http://www.youtube.com/user/jaaaaaaa (that's a "J" followed by seven, seven count 'em, "A"s)

His and Her Converse One Stars

2008-07-06T19:10:00.009-04:00

I bought a pair of new kicks today and Sweetie liked mine so much she bought herself a pair in pink.

Who would have thought that these would be back in style again? The last time I owned a pair of Converse it had to have been circa 1974.

Worthless Trivia: Kurt Cobain was found wearing a pair of these when he took his own life 14 years ago (So long Kurt, we hardly knew ya).

Oh,and by the way...Yes, I DO have clown feet thank you very much.

A Scanner Darkly/Cars

2008-06-27T22:48:00.008-04:00

Sweetie and I rented a DVD tonight called "A Scanner Darkly". The DVD was released back in 2006. This was one of those movies that I wanted to rent when it came out on DVD, but never quite got around to. Scanner Darkly is set seven years in the future where America has lost the war on drugs. Keanu Reeves plays an undercover cop who is ordered to start spying on his friends. Basically, it's a film that cautions about the dangers of excessive drug use as well as the government's capacity to abuse and manipulate power.

The coolest part of the movie is the cinematography which looks like a comic book come to life. It uses live action photography overlaid with an advanced animation process (interpolated rotoscoping) to create a haunting, highly stylized vision of the future. All in all, it's a pretty trippy movie.

I found it interesting that the two main characters drove the cars pictured in the screen shots below...

And here are two of the vehicles that I own...

Things are starting to make a little more sense in D.C.

2008-06-26T19:25:00.004-04:00

This is a great moment in American history - The US Supreme Court’s historic ruling today overturns Washington, D.C.’s ban on handguns and on self-defense in the home, in the case of District of Columbia v. Heller.

Oral arguments were held earlier this year and the Supreme Court has affirmed with a 5-4 vote that the Second Amendment means what it says, it is an individual right, and the DC gun ban is unconstitutional. This is important because this is the first time that the High Court has declared in absolute terms that the Second Amendment is an individual right. In other words, no more "the right to bear arms only applies to militias" bullshit. Go HERE for more. By the way, both Republican Presidential candidate John McCain and Ohio Governor Ted Strickland are praising the decision while Obama...well...not so much. I would like to point out again that this decision was a 5-4 vote - pretty narrow margin. Please keep this in mind when you go to the polls in November. It is said the next president will be nominating 2-3 Supreme Court justices - If Obama is elected and a similar case comes up, the results may not be as great as they were today...

So long George, We Hardly Knew Ya

2008-06-23T22:51:00.004-04:00

Back in October, I put up a posting that included a George Carlin Video.

Unfortunately, the world lost a great comic mind Sunday when George died of heart failure at the age of 71. Although, he's known to many as that comic who cusses alot due to the popularity of his famous "Seven Words" routine, I always thought of Carlin as an intellectual comedian. His routines made you think and you can tell that alot of thought went into their creation. Carlin enjoyed playing with words and in my mind was always the "thinking man's comic". I grieve for the coming generations who won't have the opportunity to quote his routines to their buddies...So long George, we hardly knew ya.

I have an Addiction

2008-06-18T20:57:00.004-04:00

Ummm, I don't quite know how to say this but I'm a man so I'm just gonna come right out and say it, I have an addiction...

To these!

Yes, that's right...Bomb Pops! For the last 2 months or so, I've been eating these like the fat Oprah snarfs Twinkies...I'll literally eat, at a minimum, 3 in one sitting. I'll go through a box in 3-4 days. I crave these things like they're frozen crack. The other night I woke up out of a sound sleep at like 3:00 am and got one out of the freezer...you probably think I'm exaggerating but I actually did this. I think I need therapy! If I end up on the "Intervention" show on A&E, I hope I get Jeff VanVonderen in the Interventionist Lottery. I think we all know that Jeff is the coolest of the lot...if you have no idea, what I'm talking about, go HERE.

Chelsea Handler Was in Columbus This Weekend

2008-05-31T22:47:00.011-04:00

Chelsea Handler, the star of E! Entertainment Television's "Chelsea Lately" show was in Columbus today. She was in town to do her stand up routine. She also has a new best-selling book out titled, "Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea".

Prior to her show, she did a book signing at one of the local Barnes and Noble stores. Sweetie is a big fan, so we went to check it out. Chelsea came in, told everyone "I can't imagine going to a book signing myself, but I'm glad you're all here." and spent the next hour or so signing books and snapping pictures.

The phrase "suck it" has somehow become an integral part of my vocabulary over the last 5 years or so...weirdly it has also become the catch phrase of Chelsea. Kathy Griffin uses it quite a bit in her act too. Maybe, in another life, I was a female comedian, I don't know...Anyway because of the shared catch phrase, here's how we asked Chelsea to sign our copy of her book:

What we did THIS weekend...

2008-05-26T18:04:00.002-04:00

Helped our friends build one of these.

Next weekend, weather permitting, we get to get reimbursed for our labor the last couple of weekends by the four of us starting some projects at our house.

So long Luke, We Hardly Knew Ya

2008-05-23T20:38:00.005-04:00

I started a new job in March of this year. Unfortunately, our Project Manager, who is a great guy left the company today. In his typical style, he gave everyone a "Thank You" card. The one he gave to me is provided below:

Gotta love the "see you probably never" line...This whole week, whenever I went to him with a question or an issue, he replied half-jokingly "I don't care." -OR- he'd write "I don't care." on whatever piece of paper happened to be handy and flash the message up to me. He'd then reply, "I'm just kidding, they pay me to care".

I thought that was a deeper statement than he probably intended it to be....a pat on the back or an "Atta boy (or girl)" is nice but not as nice as cold hard cash for most of us.

MX-5 1G Project Car

2008-05-23T20:25:00.005-04:00

Basically the same Miata you drive...but with the ability to pull 1 G on the skid pad.

Go HERE for the video.

The cool thing is, you can convert your Miata to one like the car in the video above by buying the parts from your Mazda dealer.

Songs I Currently Can't Get Out of My Head...Boom De Yada, Boom De Yada

2008-05-20T20:18:00.004-04:00

The World is Just Awesome (Boom De Yada, Boom De Yada)- the Discovery Channel commercial song ...watch for a cameo appearance by Stephen Hawking

Friendly World - Andy Kaufman

We're Through: The Breakup Song/based on "Anyone Else But You" from the movie Juno - The Mushy Nanners (Matt and Courtney)

I'm hoping that by posting these here, that they'll decide to leave my head and crawl into yours...

What We Did This Weekend...

2008-05-18T20:01:00.005-04:00

Helped our best friends build one of these:

All together, we worked 19 hours (with much cussing and only a little bit of alcohol) to take it from a pile of lumber to an almost completed shed. We got it all done with the exception of shingling half the roof.

1995 Miata made of...LEGOs.

2008-05-14T19:34:00.001-04:00

More images can be found HERE.

I've lost all faith in the American educational system

2008-05-13T20:07:00.003-04:00

I'm a car guy so I spend alot of time on the local Craigslist.org site just checking out what's out there, perusing the ads, that kind of thing. The spelling in 90% of these postings is good, legible even. Then there's the "iffy" ones where you might have to take a stab at guessing a word or two. Then there's ads like this one HERE. I'm copying and pasting the text of the message below in case the ad gets flagged and pulled.

honda del sol...... - $3000

hi . i try to buy a honda del sol.. never crash before. clean tittle. great condition.... and care interior..... if you have the car you can .call me at any time to 614-535-7569. my name is mac. if you want you cand send my picture and you phone number to. rafael_40_40@hotmail.com. ihave a toyora camry 1995 red 2 doors realy nices and care . 167 milles.. new tires.and fell like new. if you have the honda del sol and you want change we can do and give you cash back if you car look more expencive than my car. and any way if not. i buy the honda del sol cash.....

WTF???? PLEASE someone tell me that this is someone's attempt at a joke. The best that I can make out is that ol' Mac wants to trade his Toyota for a Honda Del Sol...Has our society's ability to communicate degraded to the point where this is how we try to communicate to the masses? Hell Mac, even if someone with a Del Sol did happen to read your ad, odds are they wouldn't be able to interpret it. The old SNL skit of with Tarzan, Tonto and Frankenstein kept playing in my head as I read this...

V6-Powered Miata

2008-05-09T19:48:00.001-04:00

Mark Snell built this 180 HP V6-powered MX-5 Miata. Seems to be a happy medium between a stock Miata and a Monster Miata...

Not Eaten By Bears Either...

2008-05-05T23:17:00.004-04:00

I thought about putting a "I'll be back" post up here over the last couple of weeks but never got around to it...

Steve over at The Sneeze pretty much said everything that I would have said in his blog today anyway, so in the spirit of conserving my energy and avoiding carpal tunnel, let me direct you to the post that basically explains why I haven't put up anything new on this blog lately. Please go HERE.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share a couple of blogs with you that I read on a regular basis - although, I'm not managing to be very prolific in my writing, these folks manage to come up with quite a bit of entertaining reading on a fairly regular basis...so here they are in no particular order:

http://www.mr-miata.net/ - If you have a Miata, read Brian's blog...although I'm not quite sure why he gets as excited as he does about toilet seats and bathrooms.

http://www.elizaskinner.net/ - Eliza is funny, and funny chicks - really funny chicks- are kind of rare on the Internet. Be sure to check out her videos and feel free to ignore her moles.

http://www.hellinahandbasket.net/ - If you own a gun and live in central Ohio, check out James' blog. Highly intelligent commentary here and some great stories.

http://sethgodin.typepad.com/ - This is a new one I started to read in the last couple of months. If you work or own your own business, you'll find some good advice from Seth here. If you don't work, go HERE.

All right, that's it, enjoy...I'll be back soon, after all its convertible season again and I'm sure that will give me some stories to share but for now...Love ya/bye.

M & M/Easter 2008

2008-03-23T15:12:00.002-04:00

Here's the shirt Sweetie and I bought M & M for Easter...

Oh...and we're going to be God Parents too!

NY Times Miata Write Up

2008-03-18T22:58:00.005-04:00

The New York Times just did a write up on the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring PRHT. I love the “Corky Romano” and “Sting” lines. Click on the pic below to read the article.

I love This...

2008-03-18T19:57:00.003-04:00

This has been creatively borrowed from Ernie at http://www.ehowa.com/.

Here's the link: http://www.craigslist.org/about/best/tor/467152147.html

In case it's flagged and removed from Craigslist, here's the text:

Really need help. MUST GO!!!

Please help! After two long years of being on a waiting list for a dog, we have been notified by breed rescue that, at long last, our number has come up and ... WE ARE HAVING A PUPPY! We must get rid of our children IMMEDIATELY because we just know how time consuming our new little puppy is going to be and it just wouldn't be fair to the children. Since our little puppy will be arriving on Monday we MUST place the children up for adoption this weekend!

They are described as: One male -- his name is Tommy, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), light blonde hair, blue eyes. Four years old. Excellent disposition. He doesn't bite. Temperament tested. Does have problems with peeing directly in the toilet. Has had chicken Pox and is current on all shots. Tonsils have already been removed. Tommy eats everything, is very clean, house trained and gets along well with others. Does not run with scissors and with a little training he should be able to read soon.

One female -- her name is Lexie, Caucasian (English/Irish mix), strawberry blonde hair, green eyes quite freckled. Two years old. Can be surly at times. Non-biter, thumb sucker. Has been temperament tested but needs a little attitude adjusting occasionally. She is current on all shots, tonsils out, and is very healthy and can be affectionate. Gets along well with other little girls and little boys but does not like to share her toys and therefore would do best in a one child household. She is a very quick learner and is currently working on her house training. Shouldn't take long at all.

We really do LOVE our children so much and want to do what's right for them. That is why we contacted a rescue group. But we simply can no longer keep them. Also, we are afraid that they may hurt our new puppy. I hope you understand that ours is a UNIQUE situation and we have a real emergency here! They MUST be placed into your rescue by Sunday night at the latest or we will be forced to drop them off at the orphanage or along some dark, country road. Our priority now has to be our new puppy.

Gun Shaped Cologne Bottle? Why?

2008-02-29T10:05:00.004-05:00

In Akron Wednesday, an idiot tried to rob a video store with a bottle of cologne shaped like a gun (he also had a real weapon on him as well - a knife). He was stopped by a store employee who quickly reacted to the situation and beat the snot out of him. Click HERE for the video.

Perhaps he could have used one of THESE?

My question, to the makers of Stetson cologne, is "What's next?" "A can of deodorant shaped like a hand grenade?"

My Cat Has a Drinking Problem...

2008-02-29T01:16:00.005-05:00

Ever since we first rescued him from the local shelter, he has preferred to drink his water directly out of the faucet. He'll go into the bathroom and meow until I turn the water on to a slow trickle and then jump up on the cabinet. His new thing is drinking water only from a glass...Don't tell my wife I let him do this - that's her glass.

Here he is in action:

I can't remember the last time I actually saw him drinking from his bowl (it's probably for the best anyway. Our other cat constantly puts pieces of cat food into the water bowls. I have no idea why he does this. He's not softening the food to eat it since he just leaves it in the bowl to cloudy up the water...I think he's just making cat food soup.)

Top Ten Reasons Not to Wave

2008-02-22T17:00:00.004-05:00

This posting is for my buddy Russ who I know reads this blog on at least a somewhat regular basis. If you recall, one of Russ's sayings was the inspiration for the name of this blog.

Also, thanks to Ernie over at EHOW who I "creatively borrowed" the material below from (that sounds a lot better than "steal" doesn't it?)

Also see my post on the Miata Wave if you missed it the first time...

Top Ten Reasons Why Harley Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Afraid it will invalidate warranty.
9. Leather and studs make it too heavy to raise arm.
8. Refuse to wave to anyone whose bike is already paid for.
7. Afraid to let go of handlebars because they might vibrate off.
6. Rushing wind would blow scabs off the new tattoos.
5. Angry because just took out second mortgage to pay luxury tax on new Harley.
4. Just discovered the fine print in owner's manual and realized H-D is partially owned by Honda.
3. Can't tell if other riders are waving or just reaching to cover their ears like everyone else.
2. Remembers the last time a Harley rider waved back, he impaled his hand on spiked helmet.
1. They're too tired from spending hours polishing all that chrome to lift their arms.

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Riders Don't Wave Back

10. Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
9. Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
8. Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
7. Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
6. The espresso machine just finished.
5. Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
4. Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
3. Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
2. Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature, and satellite navigation system.
1. Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

Top Ten Reasons Why Sportbikers Riders Riders Don't Wave Back

10. They have not been riding long enough to know they're supposed to.
9. They're going too fast to have time enough to register the movement and respond.
8. You weren't wearing bright enough gear.
7. If they stick their arm out going that fast they'll rip it out of the socket.
6. They're too occupied with trying to get rid of their chicken strips.
5. They look way too cool with both hands on the bars or they don't want to unbalance themselves while standing on the tank.
4. Their skin tight-kevlar-ballistic-nylon-kangaroo-leather suits prevent any position other than fetal.
3. Raising an arm allows bugs into the armholes of their tank tops.
2. It's too hard to do one-handed stoppies.
1. They were too busy slipping their flip-flop back on.

Top Ten Reasons Why BMW Riders Riders Don't Wave Back

10. New Aerostich suit too stiff to raise arm.
9. Removing a hand from the bars is considered "bad form."
8. Your bike isn't weird enough looking to justify acknowledgement.
7. Too sore from an 800-mile day on a stock "comfort" seat.
6. Too busy programming the GPS, monitoring radar, listening to ipod, XM, and talking on the cell phone.
5. He's an Iron Butt rider and you're not!
4. Wires from Gerbings is too short.
3. You're not riding the "right kind" of BMW.
2. You haven't been properly introduced.
1. Afraid it will be misinterpreted as a friendly gesture.

Kanye West/2008 Grammy Damage Control?

2008-02-15T22:16:00.009-05:00

I find it very interesting that both of the videos that I posted the other day regarding Kanye's West lack of social skills at the 2008 Grammys have been pulled from YouTube. I went back on YouTube and found that a search on "Kanye West, Grammy" comes up with very few results related to his acceptance speech. Same thing when a search is done for "Vince Gill, Kanye West"...I'm not usually a conspiracy theorist but what else can this be other than an attempt by Kanye's "people", most likely his record company, to do some damage control?

By the way, I found a vid of his acceptance speech at http://videos.onsmash.com

HERE is the best that I can do regarding the video with Vince Gill putting Kanye in his place...

I guess that I'm not alone on this...click HERE.

This Isn't How I Remember Sesame Street...

2008-02-15T21:59:00.003-05:00

You may have noticed that many of the videos that I've posted of my brand new niece (M & M) are set to a Sesame Street soundtrack.

While looking for these types of songs, I found this video...

I can't believe I sat here for 2 minutes and 6 seconds, giggling my ass off the whole time...press PLAY, I bet you'll do the same thing.

More Eliza

2008-02-15T20:57:00.016-05:00

A couple of weeks ago I put up a post about Eliza Skinner's blog at http://www.elizaskinner.net. Her site is one of the few that I peruse on a semi-regular basis. She's had some pretty funny stuff up recently...check out the VIDEO that she put up yesterday...the "blue tooth guy" is my personal favorite. Her Bad Taste posting is pretty friggin' hysterical as well.

Also, in a similar vein to my How Curtis Allgier Would Appear Without The Tattoos posting (which, according to my StatCounter - for some strange reason, is one of the most visited posts on my blog), I've taken it upon myself to work some PhotoShop magic on Eliza's head shot.

With Moles

Sans Moles

By the way...if, by the off chance Eliza, that you happen across my blog while Googling yourself (C'mon admit it...we ALL Google ourselves) - This was done in the least "scary creepy internet stalker guyish" kind of way possible...and remember, there are worse things than moles - there are moles with hairs (big, black, coarse, "stop tickling my chin when you kiss me, Grandma" types of hairs...).

More Life Lessons

2008-02-14T19:00:00.004-05:00

Back in October, I published a post entitled "What I've Learned...Life Lessons and Advice to Guys Who are Younger Than I". You can find my original post HERE. Today, I ran across a blog entitled "Dumb Little Man" that put up a similar post. You can find it HERE. Another like post from the same blog can be found HERE.

They Should Have Turned The Music Up LOUDER

2008-02-12T19:33:00.001-05:00

Kanye West is an arrogant piece of shit...Here he is accepting his 2008 Grammy for best rap album (I wish I had a better version of this).

Here's Vince Gill's response:

Thanks for putting this conceited ass in his place Vince.

Columbus Weather

2008-02-09T19:00:00.003-05:00

We finally got a nice break from the gray skies and rain today...is it Spring yet?

Falling Asleep

2008-02-07T16:48:00.000-05:00

Check out the smile (or maybe it's just gas...) at 1:01.

Swingin' M & M

2008-02-07T16:44:00.000-05:00

I've decided that I'm in love with Eliza Skinner.

2008-02-05T19:05:00.000-05:00

Who's Eliza Skinner, you may ask? She is a writer/performer from New York City. And, it's not really her so much that I'm in love with but her sense of humor. In fact, I've decided to become her sense of humor's Baby Daddy, but I digress...She is also one half of a tiny musical improv group called I Eat Pandas. I can't remember how it happened, but I somehow landed on her blog at http://www.elizaskinner.net/. You can also find her on Myspace and YouTube.

Her video "Amy at the club" had me reminiscing of my college days back at Ohio State. I can't remember how many times that "Amy" or some other incarnation of this same annoying drunk chick would come up to me in a bar and try to start this very conversation. Make sure you watch it to the very end - classic.

M & M's 1st Video!

2008-02-04T00:08:00.000-05:00

I'm not Bright Eyes

2008-02-01T15:02:00.000-05:00

A couple of people have asked me if I wrote “First Day of Your Life” (see post below)...the answer is "NO!". I simply took a great song by Bright Eyes and changed the lyrics to match the situation. Here's the original (and better) version...it's a pretty touching video.

M & M - First pic

2008-02-01T14:02:00.001-05:00

Meagan Michelle - Welcome to the first day of your life

2008-02-01T10:25:00.000-05:00

Congrats to my sister and her husband Mark on the birth of their first child, Meagan Michelle. Born today at 9:42 am. 7 pounds, 11 ounces/19 inches long.

Meagan, welcome to the first day of your life...

My version of “First Day of Your Life” by Bright Eyes...

More Situational Awareness and "The Real Hustle" on TruTV

2008-01-30T19:06:00.000-05:00

In the past, I've put up a couple of posts dealing with situational awareness (see HERE and HERE).

TruTV (used to be known as CourtTV) is airing a new program that deals specifically with these kinds of issues entitled "The Real Hustle". The concept of the show is that three experts (well sort of) at pulling off cons, pull off cons and scams on average Joes to show how easy it is for any of us to get taken.

The team consists of Apollo Robbins, a pickpocket expert/personal security authority, Ryan Oakes, a sleight-of-hand and psychology "specialist," and Dani Marco, an actress.

It's really interesting to watch the cons and scams go down and to see how gullible most of us are. Lessons can be learned to protect yourself from becoming a victim (because you, as the viewer, are in on the scam as it transpires)...I just hope that the bad guys aren't watching and taking notes as well.

Here's a quick example - just click PLAY:

What would you do if these "tourists" came up to YOU?

If you missed the first couple episodes of The Real Hustle (or if you can't get the above video to play), all of the vids from past shows can be found in their entirety at http://www.trutv.com/shows/real_hustle/index.html ...good stuff.

"Bearly" Believable

2008-01-29T22:10:00.000-05:00

My guess is that this is photo-shopped but you make the call...click on the picture below to see more.

Strange and Interesting Weapons

2008-01-29T19:31:00.000-05:00

Strange and Interesting Weapons - Also known as "Holy Shit, someone made a gun out of that?"

Click the pic above to see more...

The Internet Party

2008-01-18T22:53:00.000-05:00

If you spend any time at all on the Internet, you'll find Cracked.com's latest video posting HILARIOUS. You can find it HERE. It's kind of hard to describe but basically it takes some well known Internet sites, makes them into real living people and puts them together at a party...probably not safe for work.

The 2007 Mazda MX-5 Miata PRHT vs. The Original Miata

2008-01-13T21:10:00.000-05:00

An interesting comparison of old and new from http://www.drivingsports.com

2008 Mazda MX5 Miata Review

2008-01-13T09:43:00.000-05:00

Review from MilesAround.com.

Jesus H2O Christ

2008-01-12T21:34:00.000-05:00

My neighbor and I went to a gun show and a couple of flea markets this afternoon. While heading home, we passed the following while on interstate 75 between Dayton and Cincinnati.

This statue is at least 60 feet high and is in a large pond in front of the Solid Rock Church in the town of Monroe, Ohio. I'm not really sure why JC is submerged in water up to his waist, what this is all about, or what the town that it resides in thinks about it but I did think that it was definitely interesting enough to share. I like to refer to this as the "Daddy, JC want up up" statue. I also think that it would be cool to install some slides along each arm and across JC's chest and refer to it as "Waterpark Jesus".

Maybe the "Raise your hands if you're SURE" Jesus?

Apparently, others have referred to it as "Big Butter Jesus" as well...

Miata Doing a Burnout inside of a U-Haul

2008-01-10T19:24:00.000-05:00

I don't quite see the point in doing this, but here's a vid that I found of a Miata doing a burnout inside of a U-Haul. It doesn't take long to fill the U-Haul with smoke and to obscure the Miata from view...

http://view.break.com/430874 - Watch more free videos

Not So Sweet Caroline

2008-01-08T23:01:00.000-05:00

I ran across THIS monstrosity while searching for MP3s online tonight. (Sorry, but I had to hyperlink this...I tried to embed it, but it kept on auto-playing whenever my home page was accessed).

It was so deliciously awful, I couldn't help but post it on my blog. No disrespect to Neil Diamond (I don't normally admit this to people, but I'm actually a closeted Neil fan) but they took a pretty decent tune and made it into the one of the worst sports stadium anthems that I have ever heard. It's hard enough for me to stomach "We Will Rock You" and "We Are The Champions" when I go to a game, much less this rubbish.

I tried to do some research on the "band" that put this together. They're called the "Partyjocks" and apparently, they're a Dutch group...the only web pages that I could find that referenced them were in Dutch and Google did a pretty poor job of translating them. If any of my Dutch readers know anything about them (I've heard I'm EXTREMELY popular in the Netherlands) please drop me an e-mail and let me know the scoop on the "Partyjocks".

If Neil Diamond were dead, he'd be spinning in his grave about now...

Smashing Telly

2008-01-06T00:04:00.000-05:00

If you spend more time in front of a PC screen than a TV screen, you might want to check out Smashing Telly at http://smashingtelly.com/.

David, the creator of Smashing Telly, describes it as a hand edited collection of the best free, instantly available TV on the web. Not 30 second clips of a dog on a skateboard, or the millionth person to mime the Numa song, but full length programs, with a focus on documentaries and factual programs. Smashing Television, not Gimmick Television.

In other words, Smashing Telly is a hand picked collection of pretty interesting programming - and you can't beat the price.

In a previous post, I spoke about the Indie film documentary entitled "Jesus Camp". David has this in his collection at http://smashingtelly.com/2007/02/02/jesus-camp/ if you want to check it out.

SingSnap...Again

2008-01-05T23:48:00.000-05:00

Here's another SingSnap vid...this one using the old PC cam. Slight difference in video quality from the digital camcorder example in the previous post below, huh?

SingSnap

2008-01-05T23:26:00.000-05:00

Several years ago when Sweetie and I were just dating, we somehow got into karaoke. We don't go out to the bars to sing much anymore but I have found an online substitute. It's a site called http://www.singsnap.com/. It's a free online karaoke site - as long as you have a mic and a webcam (or at the minimum, just a mic) you can do karaoke and be heard across the net...for better or for worse. They have thousands of songs to sing and you can listen to other people as well. It's actually somewhat addictive. Since about August, I've been doing this using a cheapo PC Cam that's about 10 years old and a $2 mic.

Tonight I borrowed the digital camcorder that my Dad bought my Mom for Christmas with the intention of reading through the manual, taking a couple of test shots and more or less getting the hang of it...I figured that once my Mom and Dad started using it, that I would be the one that they would come to for technical support and I wanted to be proactive. So I loaded the software that came with it onto my PC, read the manual, took a couple vids of the cat and then figured out that I could attach the camcorder to my PC and use it as a glorified PC cam. The results are below - you may have to turn your volume up a bit...

I may put some additional vids up in the near future. In the meantime, you can check me out at Singsnap.com under the member name of "Coltrain"...short for Columbus Trainer, of course.

"Jesus Camp"...Pretty Sickening

2007-12-31T15:12:00.000-05:00

I watched a documentary on the A & E channel last night entitled "Jesus Camp". It was about Evangelical Christian kids who were sent to a cult...um, excuse me, a camp where they were inundated with the fundamentalist community's religious and political messages. As I was watching it, I often had to choke down the urge to throw up.

The documentary ranged from showing a homeschooling mother telling her son that "creationism has ALL the answers" to young children weeping and wailing as they promised to stop their sinning. These kids were shown being driven to tears by the adults who were "ministering" to them and the children didn't quite appear to be filled with the joy of God - to the contrary, they looked absolutely miserable.

To give you a better idea how ridiculous the Evangelicals were, here's a scene:

Adult Woman: "While I'm on the subject, let me say something about Harry Potter. Warlocks are the enemies of God! And I don't care what kind of hero they are, they're an enemy of God and had it been in the old testament, Harry Potter would have been put to death!"

Crowd: "Amen!"

Adult Woman: "You don't make heroes out of warlocks!"

I guess she didn't quite grasp the concept that Harry Potter is a fictional character, but I digress...

Other scenes included people speaking in tongues and smashing coffee mugs emblazoned with the word "government", teaching children that "science doesn't prove anything" and manipulating children to pledge that they will fight to end abortion.

The most disgusting scenes were ones that showed how indoctrination creeps into the most innocent elements of childhood. One eleven year old girl loved dancing to Christian rock, but worried that "it's not always easy to dance for God" instead of "dancing for the flesh". On an outing to the bowling alley, another nine year old girl felt compelled to walk up to a woman that she didn't know and awkwardly evangelize to her, without being prompted. In another scene, a roomful of boys telling ghost stories after dark are interrupted by an adult who warns them about telling stories that don't glorify God.

Although it was interesting to see the extreme nature of the evangelical movement and the viewpoints of a religion that, until last night I personally had no knowledge of, it seemed inordinately evident to me that the strength of the children's convictions came more from brainwashing than from any internal belief system that they had...how can a nine year old have any true comprehension of a God or a religion anyhow?

Pint Sized Lions

2007-12-20T14:12:00.001-05:00

The photo below shows what I encountered as I walked up the stairs this afternoon...

I think I found where they got their inspiration...

"Winter Wonderland" Sung by a Great Mix of Stars...21 to be exact

2007-12-17T23:44:00.000-05:00

Steve, over at the always entertaining The Sneeze, has posted a version of "Winter Wonderland" performed by Neil Diamond, Stryper, Barney...the list goes on and on. You can find it HERE. After all, nothing brings back those toasty Yuletide feelings and memories of Christmas past like Stryper.

Cars.com's 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Review

2007-12-17T19:52:00.000-05:00

Cars.com's Mike Hanley takes a look at the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata hardtop convertible.

If you can't get this video to play, click HERE.

More "I am Legend" Clips

2007-12-11T20:41:00.000-05:00

Nine video clips for "I am Legend" can be found HERE.

Snow!

2007-12-06T12:25:00.001-05:00

Central Ohio received its first snow of the season yesterday - here are some pics of the "Winter Wonderland".