[b]MTV's[/b] first video back in 1981 was [b]"Video Killed the Radio Star"[/b] by the Buggles. MTV has changed SO much and KVKID comments that it was cool when all they did was play Videos instead of crappy, sex selling, unreality TV.
[b]My question is[/b]. If Video killed the radio star, then what killed the Video Star?
Sarah was born on July 21, 2001 and since her birth we have had the 2000 Red Neon that she came home in and the 94 Jeep Cherokee Sport.
In November 2002 our 94 Sport broke a motor mount and repairs would have been $2000. I ended up not spending a penny and sold it to a mechanic for $2000. We used that money to buy our ONLY married with Children purchase.
[b]2003 Jeep Liberty[/b], Silver, 2wd, Sport. I love this vehicle and we have it on a 4 year lease. The payment is less than the Neon if you believe that. I think I will probably always own a Jeep of some kind.
I went by the theatre late Tuesday night and people were already lining up for the midnight showing of [b]Spiderman 2[/b]. I live by a $4.50 night time and $2.50 daytime theatre so you know this place was jumping.
I went today at 1:45 for the 2:00 showing and it was [b]sold out[/b] along with the other 5 previous showings. I decided to get tickets early for tonight's 8:30 showing and went with 2 other friends. We got there at 7:50 and the line was outside the theatre. They sat us at 8:10. Not too bad and we got decent seats.
The movie received [b]4/4 stars [/b]in the Dallas Morning News so I was pumped. [b]It did not disappoint[/b]. [b]I think 3 1/2[/b] would have been more likely since only movies that I want to see a second time would get a 4.
Great plots, great story line-trying to do good and evil gets in the way, inner struggles of Peter Parker AND Spiderman, romance, sacrifice. Awesome special effects.
[b]One problem[/b]: Lots of kids under 10 were there. This movie isn't going to hold the attention of kids under 10. There was plenty of noisy kids that were distractions, but not as annoying as the SSSHHHHHs that constantly happened.
[b]I recommend[/b] going late at night to avoid MOST kids, and if you go Friday-Sunday get your tickets in advance or online and get there 45 minutes early IF you want to get a decent seat of your choice.
I was watching the Astros/Cubs game tonight and after Sosa had struck out 3 times and popped up with runners on 1st and 3rd and the game tied the [b]fans BOOED[/b]! :roll:
[b]What morons[/b]. You don't boo your star player who risks his reputation by corking his bats so he can hit balls out of the park at Wrigley. Besides with him striking out 3 times you get your money's worth with his mammoth swings. Best looking swing and miss in baseball.
Quit being crybabies and support your team win or LOSE. You've got the coolest ballpark North of St. Louis so lighten up!
I had a deja vous moment today as I was reading the USA Today about a [b]city in Kentucky that has barred people from wearing Sports Jerseys, sleeveless shirts, and ball caps backwards[/b]. It is only on weekends in a blocked of area that has bars and restaurants. The deja vous came when as I was reading it I heard in being talked about on the News that I had on.
The [b]ACLU[/b](American Civil Liberties Union?) is filing a complaint or suing that this is [b]discrimination against blacks and poor people[/b]. :shock:
As a white person I am scratching my head. What's the problem? Just don't wear a $200 Yankees jersey, or sleeveless shirt, or look like a gangsta or a rapper by wearing a ball cap Backwards. Get a nice pull over polo shirt and turn the cap forward. IF this is getting publicity our society is plum sick.
I also don't understand. Is it black people AND poor people, or poor black people and not the wealthier ones? If someone is poor then why are they spending $200 on a known gangsta jersey or looking like a pimp?
On a side note, is [b]Tommy Hilfiger[/b] able to make a pair of jeans that fits a young black man? I worked at a high school and a middle school and those jeans almost always SAG down near the back of the kneecaps. Good thing for those boxers that fit.
I am active in a Christian church and know that my Spiritual Gifts include teaching and hospitality. I also receive JOY in serving others, with a catch.
I enjoy doing things like mowing lawns, washing cars, detailing cars, going out of my way for someone or anything manual. THE CATCH is I have a hard time serving people when they are sick. It is as if I don't have any empathy. I'm NEVER sick and it wears me out to serve others.......
My wife has been ill the past 3 days leaving me to care for her, a 3 year old, and a 3 week old when she's not feeding him. She has an infection that is giving her migraines and has caused her fever to peak to 103.2. Pretty serious stuff. I know my attitude in helping really stinks and wish it was better. I even apologized to her. I've been trapped in this house for 3 days and to top that off it has been raining.
I'm behind on serving 3 others thru mowing and have one car to detail. The rain really has caused that delay, but I fear that it will be sunny tomorrow and I'll be stuck taking care of my wife. I feel like I've got cabin fever!
I just wish I had a better servant attitude in this situation.
Any imput or ideas would be greatly appreciated. :(
I married in 1995 so am going on 9 years. You'll see the bad habit of not keeping cars.
[b]1995 Saturn SL2[/b], 5spd, Maroon. Ordered this a few months before getting married, dumping my wife's 8 year old Ford Escort. Sticker was $14,000 but I bought it for $11,800 thru a GM plan. Kept it one year and Saturn bought it from me for $12,000. WOW, made $$$ on that car.
[b]1997 Wrangler[/b] 4 cyl, blue, soft-top. Since I worked at a Jeep Dealer I was one of the first in 1996 to drive the New Rounded headlights Jeep. [b] 1997 Wranger[/b] 6 cyl., black, soft-top. Traded the 4 cyl in on this one. 3 year lease with $225 payment. Not bad.
[b]1987 Ford Mustang[/b], 4 cyl, high mileage, blue. Bought this car as a get away car since I was moving to Texas and leaving the Jeep Dealer.
[b]1994 Ford Probe[/b], 4 cyle, auto, black. Traded the Mustang LX on this after it broke down twice on me. The Probe was the WORST car I've ever had.
[b]1997 Dodge Neon[/b], 2 dr. 5 spd, no air, 850 miles, repo car, white. I got out of the car business and this car was only $6,800 and gave us a $150 payment and a warranty. Great car, no troubles.
[b]1997 Chevy Cavalier[/b], 2 door, 5 spd, Red. Once again my GM discount works. Paid $10,400 for a car that stickered at $15,000+. [b]Young Chevrolet [/b]in Dallas was the best experience I've ever had.
[b]1999 Saturn SL2[/b], 5 spd, blue. Traded the Cavalier after it gave us some "non warranty" repairs. Loved the Saturn. GM discount again.
[b]1999 Chevy S-10[/b] short bed, step side, light gold, 4 cyl, 5 spd. Nice little truck. Traded the Saturn because my wife and I were getting into opening up an antique booth and needed something with hauling capabilities. GM Discount again.
[b]2000 Dodge Neon[/b], red, auto. Was moving and ready to start a family and had 2-2 door vehicles. Traded both the 97 Neon and 1999 Chevy truck on this car. Bought it from a friend who sold used cars. We moved to Missouri with ONE car.
[b]2000 Dodge Neon[/b], red, 5 spd. Traded the used Neon automatic on an exact car with a 5 spd. So much more power. The auto only was 3 speed. Traded out pretty well back then. [b]Jay Wolfe Dodge [/b]in Independence MO was great to work with. Did the deal over the phone and picked it up only spending 45 minutes at the dealership.
[b]1987 Dodge Maxima[/b], 200,000 miles, 5 speed. Was given this car by an older friend. Kept it 4 months and sold it for $300.
[b]1994 Jeep Cherokee Sport[/b], black, auto, 2wd. When the Maxima was taking in 3 quarts of oil a day it was time to get another car. Bought this Cherokee while visiting Texas on a Spring Break.
LOTS of Cars! 6 while single and 13 while married 9 years. I think I am still paying on that stinking Probe!
If I had to narrow it down to only watching 5 channels here is my top 5.
[b]Top 5 Channels that I'd keep if only given 5 to watch[/b]
5. The Food Network(Food finds, Top 5s, etc.) 4. ESPN 2 3. FoxNetwork, a must during football season NFC games. NASCAR too. I think they have COPs! 2. The Travel Channel just for [b]The World Poker Tour [/b]Wednesday nights. 1. ESPN
My grandpa only got 2 channels....barely. Now I have over 200 and for some dumb reason I have most of them set and never watch over 100 of them. Picking 5 only would be tough. [b] Which 5 would you pick?[/b]
Honorable mentions for me:
Animal Planet Health Channel(trauma ER) CBS for Golf/AFC football ABC for Golf/Monday Night Football TLC FX(Nascar)
I've seen a few new ideas come out recently that I thought of long ago and it makes me grimace knowing someone stole my idea. Well not really.
One idea I came up with while working the movie theatre was dual compartment cups for the couples who want 2 different type of drinks, but don't want to spend $8 on 2 drinks. 7-11 came out with that cup last Summer.
Another was the disposable finger toothbrush. Just saw it advertised on TV that shows a business person pull a finger/brush from his pocket on the way to a meeting.
Again, the last was the C2 cola. I've been mixing Coke and Diet Coke for years and Coke stole my idea. Maybe I can pull of a law suit?
[b]What new ideas have you thought of only to see it come to market and you not get any credit?[/b]
I've been driving for 22 years and will do a three day description of the vehicles I've owned.
[b]Today[/b]: My single years. [b]Tomorrow[/b]: My married without children cars. [b]Day after that[/b]: My married with children cars.
[b]1965 Chevy Malibu[/b], cherry red, black interior. My dad bought this car at an auction for $700. It had a 283 engine with a 2 speed powerglide. My highschool car. I wrecked it once in H.S. and once in College. My older brother bought it from me. Quick off the line.
[b]1979 Olds Cutlass Supreme[/b], burgandy 2 dr. Nice car.
[b]1978 Olds Cultass Supreme[/b], Blue, made to look like the SS version. I wrecked this one too. Traded it in on my next car.
[b]1987 Ford Mustang LX[/b], coupe, blue. My first car with a payment as I graduate college in 1988. It had 8,000 miles on it. Really wanted a Pontiac Grand Am since my dad worked for GM, but the Quad 4 was hard to get. I wrecked this car TOO! :?
From 1990-1996 I sold vehicles at a Jeep/Eagle dealership and drove their demos. AWD Turbo Talons, Cherokees, Wranglers.
[b]1985 Jeep CJ-7[/b], Gold 6 cylinder. Soft top. Sold it to a friend to by another CJ-7. Paid $2500, sold for $3000.
[b]1984 Jeep CJ-7[/b], Black Laredo, 3 tops. NICE! Bought this from a customer of mine for $4000. Kept it 2 years and sold it when I got married. :( Wish I still had this one. Sold it to a guy who was going to use it to plow snow with.
These cars took me from [b]1982[/b], my sophomore year in High School to [b]1995[/b] when I got married. Tomorrow you'll see that driving lots of demos for [b]FREE[/b] :D created some bad habits for me when it came time to buy my own cars.
Today's Dallas Morning News had an article "[b]Decapitations intended to create horror[/b]" that discussed a little bit about the recent beheadings, but took a look at the history of beheadings. Interesting information because I feel some people may think that beheadings is something new and inhumane.
In the bible [b]David slew Goliath [/b]and then [b]proceeded to cut off his head[/b]. It said in much of Western history decapitation was considered the most humane way to execute someone and it was reserved for the upper class. The Romans considered it the most honorable form of death and reserved this right only for Roman citizens.
[b]Comments[/b]: The article ended by saying that by decapitating people these Vigiliantes are feeding our fears. Look at how much media coverage the 3 recent beheadings have received. More coverage and shock than if a bus of 30 Americans was blown up in Saudi Arabia. I know one thing, it has gotten the attention of the people of South Korea. The sad thing is these extremists feel justified for doing this.
I have noticed that a majority of people in Texas do not park in their garages. [b]Why? Because they CAN'T. [/b][b] A)[/b] there is too much junk in it, [b]B)[/b] their Suburban doesn't fit anyway, [b]C)[/b] it has been converted to a gameroom or extra bedroom. Right now I can't park one of my 2 vehicles in my garage because when the school year ended my wife and I just unloaded our school supply boxes in the garage, then we had the baby. I feel so like a Texan parking outside my garage. In my neighbor hood of about 30 homes I have notice 3 pool tables in people's garages. Hmm? Also a 32 inch or larger TV accomodated 2 of these garages. A good place for the husband to get away I guess?
I think people often mistake someone with their garage door up as having a garage sale. Americans are such pack rats. No wonder the show on TLC called Clean Sweep is a hit.
[b]This is the week that I reclaim my garage and renew my status as a transplant from up North.[/b] It may take a few days as I have a few boxes of trash already that needs to go to the dump. I guess people up north have basements to store their junk and therefore park their cars where it is supposed to be, under cover.
It was as simple as going to purchase a newspaper and then pick up my wife a frozen lemonade from Taco Beuno. All was going well as I pulled into the shopping center parking lot. My most direct route has a guy starting to back his truck from a parking spot. [b]My options were: stop and wait, speed up and honk like 9/10 others North Texans would have, make a quick left and take a detour[/b]. Being passive that I am I slowed down and waived the guy out. At this moment I glanced at the Taco Bueno drive thru and was thinking, [i]"YES, no cars."[/i] I proceeded to follow this slow moving truck who turned down my anticipated path and [b]OH NO [/b]he was going to Taco Bueno TOO. It gets worse, he lets 2 cars coming from the other direction go in front of him and [b]instead of being 1st, I'd be 4th [/b]in a drive thru with a reputation of being SLOW.
I opted to go get my newspaper and come back and check see how the drive thru was going. Still busy so I park it and go in just to get [b]ONE frozen lemonade[/b]. No problem, one couple in line, I'm next. This couple must not have been to a Taco Bueno before because they stood there for 3 [i]real[/i] minutes(felt like 15 with my already increasing anxiety taking hold of me). They decide to order but had many questions about the menu. As I stood there I saw the truck that I let go ahead of me earlier leave the drive thru. :x
[b]Anxiety is peaking at this point[/b]. Another car goes thru, would have been ME if I had just gone thru the drive thru :evil: [b]FINALLY it is my turn[/b]. I hope I didn't say it too loud, [b]"ALL I WANT IS ONE FROZEN LEMONADE." [/b] The guy asks, what flavor? "Uh, LEMONADE." Here's your money, thanks for the drink, and now the couple is blocking the straws. I just about gave up.
I left thinking I had just wasted 15 minutes of my life knowing that tomorrow it will be just a distant memory. It was not a life or death situation, but when I am in situations like that, death is a close relative.
[b]I made it home wondering where was my blessing for being nice?[/b] Or did I blow it in my attitudes when I finally got to order? [b]AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH HH![/b]
I learned today that it is Chuck E. Cheese, not Chuckie Cheese. Oh well. Today I promised to take my 3 year old to see the new release Two Brothers and the 2 o'clock show was sold out. Sarah was disappointed although she really didn't understand, she didn't throw a fit. She did recommend "another" theatre so we drove 10 minutes away to the 24 Megaplex. They only had one showing and it was already going. My back up plan was Chuck E. Cheeses. She obliged.
If you go just for the kids you will not be disappointed. The following is my Top 5 about not liking Chuck E. Cheese. [b] Top 5 Reasons I don't like Chuck E. Cheese[/b]
[b]5. The food is horrible.[/b] We NEVER eat there. [b]4. Even at slow times kids are running everywhere. [/b] One boy got on a ride with Sarah with a "crap filled" diaper. [b]3. Some things Sarah can't do[/b], but wants to try anyway. I want her to win, not try. [b]2. Machines/Games are broken often.[/b] The picture taker was broken. 3 of the 6 ski ball machines were broken AND I actually hit the 100 spot and it didn't register costing me 6 tickets, basketballs were flat, etc. [b][b]1. $6 in tokens[/b][/b] [b]= 47 tickets won = a 10 Cent Spider[/b]. We were only 2nd in line and had to wait more than 5 minutes while a boy and girl were deciding how to spend their 100 tickets.
Again, Sarah was happy and I felt like I got ripped off. I need to remind myself it's for her, not for me.
I grew up in St. Louis and have been away for nearly 8 years and [b]will ALWAYS be a Blues fan and a Cardinals fan.[/b] I do like the Rams too, but am a diehard Blues/Cardinals fan. On my RED Neon I have a Cardinal sticker and license plate brackets. On my [b]Jeep[/b] I have a Blues rear tire cover. I would not do this if I lived in [b]Chicago[/b] because I know the temperment of their fans. My Jeep would get keyed or the cover slashed. In Chicago you didn't dare go to a "night" game wearing St. Louis stuff unless you had an entourage the size of [b]Shaq or AI[/b]. [b]Here in Dallas it seems the fans are more the bandwagon type [/b]and its okay to support other teams. St. Louis fans I think are the middle of the road. Not so obsessive to cause property damage, but diehard enough to LOVE a team that has made the playoffs 27 straight years with NO CHAMPIONSHIP(St. Louis Blues).
A friend brought Chinese dinner over and we talked about sports fans and she grew up in Pittsburgh where [b]Steelers fans willed their season tickets to family members[/b]. WOW!
I did go to the Carnival last night with my daughter and a friend and his daughter. I went before they opened to see how much [b]tickets were. $1 each[/b]. When we got there I got $6 in tickets thinking Sarah could ride 6 rides. WRONG :( [b]The merrygo round was 3 tickets=$3[/b]. OUCH. I went back to see about getting the [b]$15 unlimited rides armband[/b] and they wouldn't give me credit on the $6 I just spent. How tasteless. My friend Chad was a little more agressive and threatened to knock the booth over so the other lady did buy his back. He didn't threaten them really.
We had the place to ourselves. Sarah rode the slide 3 times(with me) and [b]all together rode about $30 worth[/b]. I spent $5 and let her FISH to win a stuffed dog.
The game people were extremely pushy to the point of walking right up to you and putting a dart or ball in your hand. Didn't like that.
The last disappointment was that we came home smelling like cigarette smoke. At least half of the attendees smoked while helping us.
The carnival was set up on school grounds that [b]"Strictly prohibit tobacco use of anykind."[/b] At least during the school year I guess. I did email the district about this and will wait to see if I get a response.
[b]Top 5 things I've learned from my neighbors[/b]
[b]5.[/b] A barking dog isn't so bad as long as its yours and you aren't home. [b]4.[/b] Its okay to let 3 year olds ride bikes in the street, on a busy street too. [b]3. [/b] The posted speed limit of 20 is just a recommendation. [b]2. [/b] If you don't water your yard you don't have to mow. [b]1. [/b] There are at least 5 police officers on duty in McKinney at any given time.
3 times in the past 2 weeks my neighborhood has resembled a scene from Cops. Well, no chases, but one case of capturing a pitbull, one with a handcuffed driver who was passing thru, and another with what looked like an estranged boyfriend or ex husband trespassing on his wife and children's newly leased home.
Maybe it would have been better to live in a subdivision with a home owners fee. :roll:
As I watch Sportscenter Hi Lites of the College World Series I can't help but be annoyed by the [b]Ping[/b]ing of the bat.
[b]Top 5 Reasons Aluminum Bats Should Be Banned From College Sports[/b] 5. [b]PING! [/b] A ground out [b]PING[/b] sounds like a home run [b]PING![/b] 4. [b]Uniqueness[/b]. You never have a broken bat, infield single. 3. [b]Player development.[/b] A great hitter at the college level with an aluminum bat may not be able to make the transition to the major leagues and drafting him would be a RISK! Read the article linked at #2. 2. [b]Safety[/b]. The Aluminum bats are lighter than wooden bats and therefore swing speed is quicker allowing the ball to leave the bat at a higher velocity. Watch out pitchers! See http://www.thesportjournal.or... to read about the dangers and controversies. 1. [b]Nostalgia[/b]. They have not been used by the pros and never will be. Refer to #3....player development.
I live on a corner interesection and my house backs up to the side of my neighbor's house and he breeds pitbulls. Behind his house is another person that breeds pitbulls too!
[b]Top 5 Things I've Learned About Pitbulls Thru My Neighbors Breeding Pitbulls[/b]
[b]5. They come in funny colors.[/b] White, striped, brownish. [b]4. Pitbulls can climb 6 foot wooden privacy fences[/b]. *see footnote [b]3. Pitbulls can bite thru steel cable.[/b] [b]2. Pitbulls will dig 2 feet deep to get out of yards.[/b] [b]1. Some pitbulls are friendly.....[/b]RIGHT!
I saw my neighbor walking her [b]"friendly" pitbull[/b] and trying to break the ice I asked if she was friendly. She said sure, you can pet her. About the time I bent down and was ready to stick my hand out it leapt at me and [b]tried to take a BITE out of my FACE [/b]:shock: . Good thing she was on a leash. This is the same dog that climbs the fence all the time. My neighbor reassured me that [b]"She's never done that before." [/b]Yeah, RIGHT!
My conclusion since I have a 3 year old who likes dogs is to teach her that not ALL dogs are friendly and that she needs to use caution when approaching dogs. We teach her that [b]ALL PITBULLS ARE BAD![/b]
* Last night it was like a version of [b]Animal Planet's Animal Cops[/b]. Ironically a Pitbull from one yard jumped into the neighbor directly behind mine's yard. 2 tranquilizer darts, one failed attempt to collar the dog, and finally coraling it into a pen it was able to chew threw the steel cable noose collar they were using. WOW!
Once again my neighbor reassured the Pet Control guy that his dogs a nice dogs...YEAH RIGHT :?
The carnival quietly set up in the high school parking lot right by my home. Lots of tractor trailers and rusty looking rides. Seeing a few of the workers brought this next Top 5 to mind.
[b]Top 5 Things I've Noticed About the Carnival Workers[/b] [b]5.[/b] They must not have running water because it doesn't appear that they bath or shave. [b]4. [/b] The game people are worse than used-car salesmen, and I've sold cars so I know! [b]3. [/b] Sunblock, what's that. Taunting the sun's deadly rays. Most of them are Coppertone brown. [b]2. [/b] There must not be a "no smoking" policy on the carnival grounds, although we shall see tonight because it is on a public school parking lot and "Smoking on any McKinneyISD Campus is prohibited." One of my announcing lines. Many smoked while operating rides. [b]1. [/b] There must not be any background checks or drug tests prior to employment.
Going to the carnivals can be scary, but I think I'll take my 3 years old and stay as long as I can stomach it. The good thing is she is not as judgemental as I am I guess. We'll find out tonight.
Wonder if they'll be heading over to StoneBridge later this week. Notice how they usually set up on the marginal side of towns too, which I live in!
Back in a little kitchen just south of St. Louis [b]The Michael A. Nash Fan Club[/b] was concocted. Just 2 members: [b]me, the President and Billy Victor [/b](http://billyv.tblog.com) came up with the idea back in 1986. [b]On April 11, 1986 the 1st of 2 Michael A. Nash Newsletters was formed[/b]. Billy was the Vice President and Chief editor of the newsletter. It was a one page newsletter telling potential members about Michael A. Nash. [b]We also had top 5 potential slogans for The MAN Fan Club.[/b]
The winner was, [b]"But officer, I know Michael A. Nash."[/b] Runner ups would have been:
"To err is human, to forgive Michael A. Nash." "I pledge allegiance to Michael A. Nash." "Buddy LEE, I thought you said Michael A. Nash."
Original membership was limited to the [b]"homina" brothers of Maplewood Baptist Church[/b] and it IS a lifetime membership. Eventually the memberships were offered to women who attended MBC. Now, 18 years later the original memberships are good, maybe not active, but good. Today anyone can become a member of the Michael A. Nash Fan Club. All memberships are FREE and no paperwork is necessary.
All you have to do is leave one comment on any of my blogs. It's that easy. I prefer nice statements though.
Back in 1989 Billy Victor made [b]The Michael A. Nash Video[/b] updating the happenings of The MAN and had cameo appearances of celebrities and political figures who claimed to be Michael A. Nash Fan Club Members. These included: The Late Ronald Reagan and his wife, Vice President Bush, Pope John Paul II, and Don Rickles, who on tape, calls me a "hockey puck."
At one point in time we did have a scam in The MAN Fan Club. Someone posing as [b]Marvin A. Nash[/b], identical twin to Michael A. Nash put out his own news letter claiming fraud. Nothing came of this luckily.
[b]Today[/b], I make my pledge to renew my love of being the President of the Michael A. Nash Fan Club and will daily offer my members a [b]Top 5 list[/b], plus other ramblings. Billy Victor is STILL the Vice President and Chief Editor of my Fan Club.
And next time you get pulled over, remember, "[b]But officer, I know Michael A. Nash."[/b]
[b]It happened again today.[/b] As I am waiting for traffic to clear so I can make a simple right turn I notice a car on the major thorough fair waiting to what appears to be making a left turn into the complex I am turning from. No problem, UNTIL when I see traffic is clear I start to take off and this person is making a U-turn right at me :shock:
No turn signal, no waiting for me to clear(and I was first in the intersection). :x
[b]This happens ALL the time in North Dallas. [/b]
[b]Who has the right away?[/b] Does this happen to you? Or are you the one making the U-turn? You look familiar.
I have been interested in FINALLY [b]purchasing a digit camera[/b] every since Christmas. My present to myself back then was the [b]Sony Hi8 Digital Camcorder [/b]and I have filmed about 12 hours worth of family time with it. I have also taken 240 digital still shots and have really come to like the digital options(zoom, crop, antique, black and white, emailing pictures or immediate deletion of bad pictures). Most pictures from the memory card print ok, but was told it probably is a 1.3 Meg. camera. When I try to zoom and crop at Walgreens the pictures get hazy, so they would on a 5 X 7 or larger.
I saw a [b]Kodak Easy Share [/b]in the Target ad for $129 and it was a 3.2 Megapixals. When I get there the guy says that it doesn't have a zoom and he recommends the [b]Sony Sure Shot[/b]?? and it costs [b]$269.[/b] I didn't buy anything for fear of making a poor, almost educated decision. My $149 self imposed price cap would be nearly doubled.
I am even more confused at this point in time. Do I need 3.2 Megs, or would 2.0 be enough. Should I stay with a Sony name or is Fuji or Kodak okay.
[b]Looking for help on this one :? What about Ebay?[/b]
Recently I purchased the 8 pack of [b]C2[/b], low carb, 1/2 the calorie [b]Coke[/b]. Once again it reinforces my thoughts of "how do we charge more and give them less?" [b]The 8 pack cost $2.89[/b]. Triple that and the case price would be $8.67. TWICE the amount of normal coke. The taste wasn't too bad and I could tell it had a hint of coke.
[b]Pepsi[/b] just released their version of low carb, 1/2 the calorie, but must not be ready for full production because unlike Coke theirs isn't being advertised heavily yet. The taste of [b]Pepsi Edge [/b]made me think of a flat tasting diet Pepsi. YUK!
[b]My vote goes to C2[/b]. I won't buy anymore because I can buy a case of Coke and a case of diet Coke and mix them myself AND save $$$. I've been doing this for YEARS! 2 parts diet and 1 part Coke. Even less carbs and calories than C2.
The movie was a short 90 minutes, 110 with commercials and movie trailers. Lame commercials and trailers. :?
The movie was entertaining enough not to bog down. Bad thing was I think [b]I only laughed 2 times[/b], 2 less times than the general audience. I think word of mouth will kill this movie that did finish #1 with a weak $30 million, $12 million ahead of [b]Tom Hanks' The Terminal[/b] that opened on a lot less screens.
[b]Downside[/b]: The Dodgeball coach for the Average Joes was crude and really ridiculous(urine jokes). The movie was over the top with people getting hit in the face with wrenches and a guy getting hit by cars and still being okay. Few "homosexual" overtones in the movie. AND, you leave the movie with an F' bomb in the very last scene...how stupid and unnecessary.
[b]Upside[/b]: It moved along and had a diverse group of misfits, or underdogs for the Average Joes. Ben Stiller was extremely goofy as the gym owner and was extremely average. Happy ending, blah, blah, blah.
I predict this movie will lose over 50% of its audience next weekend. Not good! :x
Recently here in Texas 2 of our twice weekly lottos have gotten up to over $100 million dollars. I am pretty conservative and do go to a Baptist church and teach a Sunday school class and rarely play. When the amount gets pretty high and if the timing of stopping by a quickie mart and me having an extra $ or 2 with me I'll get a quick pick or two. I do not fear getting hooked, unless I won because I don't like losing money. One problem I have is buying a ticket and not even checking the #s.
One article recently stated that one of our lottos hadn't been won in 2 months and that although remote, there was a statistical chance that it would never be won. Statistically possible, yet improbable. It was also stated that someone has a better chance of getting struck by lightening TWICE than ever winning a lottery with the 6 #s and a powerball.
If you don't play the lottery would your chances of getting struck by lightening go up? :shock: If you don't go outside during storms would your chances of getting struck by lightening go down? :lol:
Which would give you a better chance? Finding a winning lottery ticket OR getting struck by lightening while hanging out inside.
Point being....WHO comes up with these mundane statistics.
Oh, I didn't win the last one and I didn't play either. I was cutting the lawn Saturday during a light rain with some distant lightning. :wink:
I was fortunate to go and see the [b]St. Louis Cardinals [/b]play the [b]Texas Rangers [/b]last weekend and during the week they catapulted themselves into a 3 game lead in their division. I grew up in St. Louis and didn't like it much at the beginning of the year when ALL sports writers were giving the division to either the [b]Cubs[/b] or the [b]Astros[/b]. Close to the 1/2 way point and the Cardinals are hanging tough due to great hitting and decent pitching. [b]Scott Rolen and Albert Pujos [/b]are studs and lead their positions in All Star balloting.
When reading the [b]Dallas Morning News [/b]last weekend I came across a nice article about how many people in the Mid West grew up Cardinals fans listening to[b] KMOX 1120 [/b]out of St. Louis at nights. I think it said you could listen some nights from about 40 or so states. IF YOU DROVE FAST ENOUGH!
Congratulations to [b]Ken Griffey Jr.[/b] who FINALLY hit his 500th homerun today against The St. Louis Cardinals. Even in a loss the fans got their money's worth. For some reason the stadium was about 10,000 below capacity. Unusual for St. Louis who often is in the Top 10 attendance wise for a "small" market city.
In my years of watching movies and music rocumentaries 2 awesome climaxes stick out in my mind, one from 20 years ago.
[b]U2 Rattle and Hum Rocumentary[/b]. The movie is filmed in black and white and is shot from a few concert locations. More than half the way through the band is playing at SunDevil Stadium in Arizona when The Streets Have No Name is played. During the music intro the screen goes from black and white to color. WOW, what a rush I still get watching it.
[b]A Few Good Men[/b]. During the court scene where Tom Cruise(Kaffee) is grilling Jack Nicholson(Col. Jessup) about whether or not he order the code red.
[b]Lieutenant Kaffee[/b]: Colonel Jessep! Did you order the "code red?!!"
[b]Judge Randolph[/b]: You don't have to answer that question!
[b]Jessep[/b]: I'll answer the question. You want answers?
[b]Lieutenant Kaffee[/b]: I think I'm entitled to them.
[b]Jessep[/b]: You want answers?!
[b]Lieutenant Kaffee[/b]: I want the truth!
[b]Jessep[/b]: You can't handle the truth!
[b]Drums pounding, heart pounding......[/b]
[b]Lieutenant Kaffee[/b]: Did you order the "code red?"
[b]Jessep[/b]: I did the job I was --
[b]Lieutenant Kaffee[/b]: -- Did you order the "code red?!"
[b]Jessep[/b]: You're [i]gosh darn [/i]right I did!!! :shock:
WOW, what a movie moment. Great film by Rob Reiner.
I am so glad the Lakers didn't win the NBA title, but can't stand that they are taking up so MUCH of the sports coverage and are about 80% of the NBA coverage. As a white guy I root for teams with at least one white player, but want to say a word of praise over the way the Pistons played even without the "token" white guy. Congrats!
[b]SHAQ[/b]. I have never liked SHAQ daddy and at least since the Lakers lost we haven't had to listen to his egotistical and sarcastic self gloating comments. Although he demands a trade. I live in Dallas and wonder if I could stomach his being on the [b]Mavericks[/b], even if it took them to the Finals. :? [b]YES[/b], the Lakers lost. My prayers were answered....although many Lakers fans prayers weren't.
[b]Bonds[/b]. After hearing his comments [i]steroids [/i]about Boston being a racist city and it always has been since his [i]steroids [/i]dad played I can't help but despise Barry Bonds even more. I think if I were a Boston pitcher I would skip the "intentional walk" and just drill him [i]steroids[/i]. At least Pedro challenged him [i]steroids[/i] today with first base open and struck him out. Bonds is an extreme egomaniac [i]due to steroids[/i]. Maybe he'll be the best player never to have won a championship. Secretly I am praying for age to kick in [i]steroids[/i] and for Bonds not even pass up babe Ruth [i]who drank and smoked a lot and never took steroids[/i]. I do like hearing how Hank Aaron never show boated and rarely used the public platform to cry out racism. He had SO MUCH more scrutiny and threats than Bonds [i]steroids[/i] could even dream of.
[b]On a side note[/b]: Slavery ended 142 years ago today. [b]Really[/b]. The way many people act and talk you would think it ended less than 42 years ago. Get over it and look forward instead of backwards 150 years.
Today I picked up my lunch from a place called [b]ScottyPs[/b]. Great fries and chicken strips. I had $6 and easily could have feasted on their fries with a side of cheese, but I called an audible and ordered the kids chicken strip basket. Total cost for the meal with drink and a cookie with the side of cheese...$5.14 8)
I got it to go so maybe they would think it was for my child. [b]Is there anything wrong in ordering a kids meal, which is plenty a portion for an adult?[/b]
I worked at a [b]Sony/Loewes Movie theatre [/b]and we had a stiff policy, no kids pak unless a child was with the adult. [b]This hacked a few people off[/b]. The idea was to push up our "per cap" and make adults order the $5 popcorn and $3.50 drink.
When I do personally order the kids meal it is plenty. We have a [b]Culver's[/b] nearby and with their kids meal you get a scoop of custard..mmmmmmm. Of course I drive thru it there too!
[b]What do you think? Does anyone else order kids meals as an adult?[/b]
The benefit is that it is cheaper in cost AND it is more like the portion someone SHOULD eat.
At least driving around town one can expect to pay about a 5-10 cent difference for gasoline, but when it comes to soft drinks the disparity paid for similar drinks is outrageous.
This morning I drove to a local [b]Whataburger[/b] to get my wife an Iced Tea. $1.84 for a 44 ounce...OUCH!
The first peeve I have is that between places a medium or large may mean different things. Sizes have grown through the years thanks to [b]7-11 [/b]who has recently dropped its [b]Double Gulp[/b] 64 ounce drink.... :x When you order a medium at one place it may be a 20 ounce and at another place it is a 32 ounce.
Another peeve is the price disparity between even same restaraunts. The 20 ounce at the Walmart McDonalds was $1.50 with tax and at the free standing McDonalds you get a 32 ounce for the same price.
Yet another peeve is the taste quality. I have definitely figured out which places have cough medicine quality drinks.
Ironically I know when I go to the movie I am going to pay a lot for a drink and have no problem doing it. $3.00 for a 32 ounce. [b]"Only a quarter more for the 44 ounce" [/b]is the upsell. 12 extra ounces for a quarter, wow. At the Rangers/Cardinals game Friday I did pay $4.50 for a drink, and no it wasn't a beer. It was Coke. I could have bought a case at that price.
In closing I have started to pray that a [b]QT(Quick and Tasty)[/b] will be put in McKinney. Right now they are offering their 32 ounce drinks for 49 cents. Regular prices are 69 cents. Not bad. They even have 8 different flavors of slushy that only costs 10 cents more. You can also choose between crushed ice and cubes. Even choices in straw lengths and thickness. They offer fresh brewed Iced Tea which is unheard of for a gas station. They are the CADILLAC of beverages.
Maybe the government would do some good to regulate the soft drink market :shock:
Recently I blogged about despising [b]Blockbuster Video [/b]and its late fee charges and overpriced movies and a few of you suggested [b]Netflix[/b] where they mail you new DVDs each time you send ones you've watched back.
Well the Wednesday [b]USA Today newspaper [/b]had an article about Blockbuster and the competition Netflix has given it.
To summarize back in 1993 the owner of Blockbuster, Wayne Huizenga, also owner of the [b]Florida Marlins [/b]was worried about movie downloads and Netflix caught them by suprise with their monthly [b]$21.99[/b] a month charge. Unlimited movies as long as you return ones you watch. Blockbuster just recently started offering the same program, [b]but for $24.99 a month[/b].
Since June 02 Netflix's stock value has gone from $6.99 as share to $29.73 and Blockbuster's has gone from $26.90 down to $15.47 during that same time.
It is nice to see someone making a dent in Bullybuster, I mean Blockbuster's empire since they ran out most independed companies.
Today as I was lying in bed with my newborn son watching TV and reading the paper the phone rang and an automated voice came on reminding me that I currently have an overdue DVD in my possession....dang it :x
I despise Blockbuster Video. I live in a fast growing city of about 60,000 people and we have 4 Blockbuster Video stores and ZERO other freestanding video stores. Only a grocery store with a crappy selection and even more crappy service. THIS IS A MONOPOLY!!!!!!
I hate it that Blockbuster charges the full amount for a video even if it is one hour late. It is clearly posted when their 3 different types of videos are due: 2 day, 7 day, etc. I rented Welcome to Mooseport while visiting the hospital and lost track of when it was due...a 2 day rental or a 7 day rental. It cost me.
Blockbuster does have a new unlimited pass with no late fee charges IF you pay $24.99 a month. I despise them too much to pay that amount. I just need to order my movies Pay Per View for $3.99 and not have late fees.
If anyone wants to open up a video store in McKinney Texas to challenge Blockbuster let me know...I'll go to work for you if I can get free movies.
People stereotype all the time for many reasons including upbringing, naitivity, stereotype fulfillment, etc.
Our [b]Dallas Morning News[/b] prints a section in its paper that is about an 8 in X 4 in section labeled Crime Stoppers. Today's section shows 6 people wanted on various crimes: cocaine possession, theft, burglary, theft identity and assault. 4 of the people are black and 2 are hispanic. I have often noticed that minorities are represented over 95% of the time. It is rare to see a white person listed.
To add to this stereotype is another part of the newspaper that shows local Eagle Scouts and their achievements. Today's paper has 4 young men and they are all white. Occaisionally a minority is represented.
Should the paper be more sensitive and diverse in how it represents criminals and outstanding citizens? I am sure there are some white criminals that could be listed and many minority youth that have achieved Eagle Scout status.
I just think the paper just helps fuel the typical stereotypes that plague society. :?
2 weeks ago I interview for a position to teach under a friend of mine who is a Principal at a school in a small district nearby. At one point before the interview I really felt about 50/50 on going there if the position was the right fit for me. Quickly after interview I made the decision to stay put.
[b]Top Reasons to STAY PUT[/b]
+ I will be familiar with my current position as far as paperwork, the students and parents, staff, team and building. + 3 miles driving instead of 23 each way will save me about 20 hours a month and $60 in expenses. + The new position would have been about $100 a month less and with my wife staying home each $100 probably will feel like $200. + My administration really supported me this year. I know it would have been great to work for my friend and his main Principal seemed wonderful too so this was a toss up category. + Start times next year at my current situation will be 8:30 allowing me to sleep until 7:30. The other position I would have had to leave the house by 7:00. + I will start off with 3 students and have a cap of about 6 and the new position there were already 10 students. Crucial when I am teaching students with behavior issues. + Answered prayer. This is something I prayed about and asked others to pray about and after that Sunday I really felt comfortable in what my heart and mind were telling me.
Detroit Pistons won game one in LA and before game 2 of the NBA finals I was watching the pre-game show and one of the commentators actually said the following:
"Do you think the Pistons will try to win game 2 or will they be happy with a split in L.A."
How moronic is that statement. Of course they wanted to win.
Did anyone else watch this pre-game show? Horrible trio for a pre-game show also.
This actually happened here in the Dallas area Thursday night shutting down a major highway here for a few hours. The longer I live in the Dallas area the more I despise driving the highways.
Stupid people do things that affect tens of thousands of people. Throwing a girlfriend off a bridge is bizarre, but the guy also jumped killing himself too. Friday, one main highway going to the Ballpark in Arlington was shut down for a high water rescue: a guy drove around a baracade and his car was overtaken by high water...duh. It took 1:45 minutes to drive a normally 50 minute trip.
[b]Things I saw in traffic[/b]:
+ a crotch rocket motorcylcist pop a wheely in the fast lane while doing 60 mph. + multiple cars speed up to 20 over the mph and squeeze in front of ONE more car + drivers refusing to get out of the fast lane at all costs + people diving over the double white line illegally, usually jamming me up because I waited legally + tons of broken turn signals, or they're not being used
Bottom line is I have to choose to drive in traffic so I also chose to live farther out of the city so I rarely deal with traffic. Even on a 3 mile trip from work I can encounter idiot drivers.
We spent 3 nights at the hospital and overall it wasn't a bad experience.
[b]Top 5 Good Things about the Hospital[/b]
5. Everyone was extremely friendly 4. Free Newspaper 3. The ONE cafe was priced okay and had healthy choices. 2. Free parking. 1. AWESOME pellet ice perfect for drinks or for munching on.
[b]Bottom 5 Things about the Hospital[/b]
5. Fold out chair/sleepers for husband. OUCH, my back. 4. Lots of people in and out of rooms. 3. Easy to get lost at times. 2. Sleep when you can. 1. Horrible TV remote controls.
Well many people will probably flog me when they see me after reading this. My wife had our baby boy Wednesday at 4:54 pm and we were still at the hospital this morning ready to come home.
We were set to come home sometime around noon today, meaning I would be home in plenty of time to still go to the [b]Rangers/Cardinals[/b] game. Yesterday I gave the tickets to Billy in case I couldn't go today. [b]Feeling good about things[/b]: son is okay, going home to see Sarah, getting to still go to the ballgame [i]UNTIL[/i] some Doctor lady came in and asked would there be any problem staying until 5pm. Uh yeah, ball tickets for a 7:05 game. It was like a punch in the gut, but I said if that is best for Ian then okay. She wanted us to stay 48 hours after his birth so he wouldn't have to come back in 3 days. No problem then :cry:
After being quiet for a long time and thinking of possibilities I figured I'd just watch the game at home. Then the check out nurse came in around 4 and said she would go through the check out. I asked the question: [b]How early could we get out of here[/b]....blah blah blah...ball game tonight. She said we could leave at 4:30 meaning I could still possibly make the ball game in time. I called Billy and he met me at my house at 5:20. 5 minutes later we were on our way. Without traffic we should be there by 6:15. With heavy traffic, a near flat tire, and nearly running out of gas, and more heavy traffic, we walked into Ameriquest Ballpark at 7:07 in time to see the first Cardinal batter reach base, albeit we watched it on one of the TV monitors.
Cards won 12-7 and we left in the 8th inning. Home at 11:01.
Blogging and listening to the little guy on the monitor.
My wife and I checked into the hospital late Tuesday night around 10pm to have our baby boy the next day. Staying there 3 nights in a row has led me to a few observations.
1. Hospitals are kind of cool to visit if it isn't for a serious matter, which probably 80%+ is serious so maybe this is why I am enjoying it with it be the birth of my son and all. 2. The fold out chairs that the husbands sleep in can be extremely harmful or at most tolerable. I couldn't stand straight yesterday without extreme pain. Thanks for a friends spinal work and another friend's heating pad and a different fold out chair last night I'll be alright. 3. The prices aren't really that bad at the cafe. Choices are definitely limited though. 4. Everyone I've encountered is friendly. 5. Doors don't lock. Pretty trusting to sleep with a $500 video cam and etc. in the room with people wondering in all night.
My blogs may be slow for a few days. Coming home Friday!
My wife is scheduled to have our baby Wednesday June 9th and this could possibly conflict with a pre-arranged, long aticipated activity of mine. 2 months ago I traded for tickets to the [b]Texas Rangers/St. Louis Cardinals [/b]game for Friday June 11th and June 13th. IF she has the baby Wednesday we should be able to come home no later than Friday. It IS a night game.
Friday June 11th is my best friend's birthday http:/billyvsbits.tblog.com and we are both from St. Louis and big Cardinals fans and this could be a "special" moment in our friendship as we live in Dallas and really root for the Cardinals who will be visiting for the FIRST TIME ever and may not be back for 4 or more years.
My wife is pretty relaxed and low key and said if she is still in the hospital then I AM NOT GOING!
As Summer arrives and I have a 2 month vacation I have already filled some of my time playing various "table" ggames.
[b]My Top 5 Favorite Board/Card Ggames[/b]
5. [b]Sequence[/b]-Good for 2 to 3 teams or 2-6 people 4. [b]Moustrap[/b]-Just KIDDING 3. [b]Beyond Balderdash[/b]-so much better than former favorite Balderdash 2. [b]Spades[/b] 1. [b]Ppoker[/b]-friendly quarter limit ggames at least once a month
We went to Whataburger for breakfast today and as we pulled up 2 uniformed employees were standing near where we parked and they were smoking. My first impression was hurry up and get inside to order so they aren't the ones handling my food and the second one was how rude it was to have to walk past them as they smoked.
I had a similar experience at a new Walmart nearby and as I walked up with my daughter there was a uniformed "How may I help you?" employee about 50 feet from the entrance doors smoking a cigarette and talking on the phone. The worst thing was that he used a few choice curse words and the "F" bomb as I walked by with a 3 year old.
[b]Should I complain about things like this?[/b]
[b]Should there be designated "out of sight" smoking areas for smokers?[/b]
In honor of the current sports situations these are possible Nash names for our little boy due next week.
5. [b]St. Louis Nash[/b]-ties in to where I grew up, but there is a player on the Tampa Bay Lightning with the last name St. Louis. 4. [b]L.A. Nash[/b] or Laker Nash-Back in the 80s I LOVED the Lakers. Now with Shaq I despise them. 3. [b]Stanley Nash[/b]-In honor of the Lord Stanley's Cup that could be decided tonight. 2. [b]Red[/b] or Redbird Nash-Ties into the St. Louis Cardinals, my hometeam baseball club. 1. [b]Birdstone Nash[/b]-Predicted Belmont Winner
Word of mouth [b]SHOULD[/b] kill this movie. Good thing people go to the movies Memorial Day weekend and there was little to no competition other than SHREK who beat it out.
Overall the movie was average with great special effects and a hokie love interest and a story of second chances for the dad. Not an emotional movie AT ALL. IF I had a heart monitor on, my pulse may have risen during the pretty cool tornado and other weather scenes.
[b]Advice[/b]: See it matinee, or at a discount theatre like I live by. Otherwise I think you will leave feeling like you could have better spent your money :x
I am a public school teacher here north of Dallas and as a 7th year teacher my salary is near $40 K. [b]I am here to say that teacher pay isn't as bad as everyone cracks it up to be.[/b] Once you get into teaching you have a stable income. Less subject to layoffs and industry downturns. Granted right now some positions are being eliminated, but people aren't being layed off, just when someone retires there may not be a rehire.
The pay isn't bad in the global perspective of things. I blogged much earlier that of the 6.2 Billion people worldwide 3 Billion live on less than $2 a day. So on the whole, I've got it pretty good and with the $40K salary and my wife staying home next year I will just have to cut out some fluff that I didn't really need in the first place.
Plus I am off a total of 13 weeks out of the year and could work part time to supplement my income if needed :!:
I detailed a [b]2003 GMC Denali[/b] Memorial Day and got to drive it to and from my friends house. When I was finished it did look sharp and brand new like. [b]BUT[/b], I couldn't help wonder how the sticker price got up to [b]$50,425[/b]. It was hard loaded, but it was still a GM product. As I drove it I checked out the interior. Same old turn signal and window wiper arms that my mom's [b]99 GMC Jimmy [/b]has. I could hear/feel some of the same rattles that her car has too. I also noticed a hesitation in gas pedal depression and vehicle acceleration, but imagine that the driver would eventually adjust to it.
All told, I was not impressed. I am not dogging a friend for spending $$$ on it because he inherited it on a 2 year lease and he was ready to turn it in.
One positive thing was that I felt more secure driving it as I zipped in and around the other 40% of BIG SUV drivers.
Today I saw a car hauler with 7 [b]Yukons/Tahoes [/b]and couldn't help but thing a 1/4 of a MILLION [b]$$$[/b] driving down the road. I'll gladly take my [b]Jeep Liberty [/b]and go out and buy a [b]Jeep Wrangler[/b] for that price, although I would have to pay 2 insurances.
