Friday, January 07, 2005


Judge Judy....seperated at birth Posted by Hello

Barbara Boxer Posted by Hello

Chronic Dry Eye?

Today is a Snow Day at our house. The dogs share different views of the blizzard currently blowing through the ‘hood. Molly has opted to staying in her chair, looking sullen. Kiara thinks this stuff is a lot of fun. I tend to fall somewhere in-between. Later, we will make a run to town for supplies. Daisy will get the staples at the local Safeway and I will make a dash for the liquor store. Nothing says snowstorm better than Vodka and OJ.

I awoke this morning to winds easily in the 30+ mph range and snow drifts everywhere. My wife who is from Mississippi was attempting to shovel snow with a garden shovel. It seems that the concept of swirling snow is not well known in the South. When I asked her why she was doing this, she replied that there was no clear path to our front door. I asked her if she was expecting somebody? A blank look greeted me as if this logic held no merit. We have since opted to forgo the shoveling of snow and will just wait out the storm.

Since we have abandoned (‘we’ being a stretch) the shoveling of 30 mph driven snow, we sat down to watch the Weather Channel and the View.

I don’t get the Weather Channel, I mean we get the Weather Channel on our cable service; I just don’t get the need for it. Albeit it is interesting that they are looking for ‘record heat’ in parts of the country, it does nothing to make me feel better about the weather here. I find that looking out the window pretty well tells me all I need to know. It is snowing, it is cold and I am parking my butt in the house. I do understand that the area is having a white out, a condition caused by driving snow and wind, which causes a lack of good visibility. I could take a cheap shot here at the actual diversity in corporations, but why go for the obvious.

I rarely watch the View, Star Jones, Barbara Walters and so on, but Daisy enjoys it. It seems a bit like a shouting match at my in-law’s house, with the ever-present Mah Jong game in the background. I’m sure something is being said, but I can’t really make any of it out. However, the commercials are more interesting. Granted the yeast infection products and the like did not put me off, but I found two commercials very interesting.

I was unaware that I could win a weekend with Anna Nicole Smith by entering a contest with Trimspa. I cannot think of a reason to spend anytime with Anna. If this is the best you could do for scraping up a spokesperson, I’m probably not buying your product. I hate to think anyone looks at this ‘flake of the month’ and thinks, “I want to be just like her.” If she is a role model, then the snow I see out my office window is gold dust and I should be outside bagging this stuff up.

Also this morning, I learned about a condition called Chronic Dry Eye Syndrome. Janine Turner, formerly of CBS’s Northern Exposure, apparently suffers from this condition. I guess you can’t make tears and this is chronic enough to be classified as a syndrome. However, it should be noted that the meds that help with this condition have not been tested on people with herpes in their eyes. To quote my 9-year-old granddaughter, ”Yuck, Gross.”

You can get herpes in your eyes? What position can that possibly entail?

Oh well…back to watching the snowstorm.

I'm not positive, but based on this view of our back yard, looks like no golf today. Posted by Hello

Thursday, January 06, 2005


Molly's assistant Kiara. Posted by Hello

Made For TV

God and the tsunami
How can a merciful God allow such disaster and suffering?

The above was the topic of discussion last night on MSNBC’s Scarborough Country, and so it begins. Roll out a few whack jobs from the religious right, left, and in between and it certainly makes for good television. This assumes of course you consider Jerry Springer good television. It was a lively exchange of personal attacks. It had very little to do with God, it had a great deal to do with your 15 minutes of fame.

I’m not clear on a lot of issues in this world and this falls into that arena. I have seen the footage of the waves sweeping away lives and shattering the very existence of thousands. It is not an easy thing to watch. But, not unlike the attack on the twin towers, I find I cannot look away. Yet, it never strikes me that this is the wrath of God. I will let the great religious minds debate that issue.

In 1998, 138,000 people died in Bangladesh after a series of cyclones hit the region. No real comment from God it seems.
Years prior, millions of Cambodians were murdered in the infamous "Killing fields”, far exceeding the horrors of the Nazi death camps of WWII. The press pretty well passed on that one.
Today, in Sudan thousands die daily, and yet no talk of God’s wrath.
I guess we need to toss in European and Western folks into the mix to bring God into the mix.
To be honest, I do see God in all of this. I see the uniting of different countries and cultures with the sole purpose of helping. I watch the outpouring of monies and donations from regular people, who just want to do something.
At some point this relief effort will get caught up in local and international politics. It will bog down and fingers will be pointed, but until then I will revel in the warmth of humankind as we do the best we can with what God gave us.

There will be a movie deal, a Tsunami version of Fear Factor or Survivor. Hollywood won’t be letting this slip by easily. Human suffering makes for great film fodder at some point. I can only hope that we don’t begin to lose concern and interest when all the excitement wears off.

Wednesday, January 05, 2005

fun talking stuff

http://www.pbs.org/speak/


Bush Heals


Bush Heals Lines of Division

In an apparent bid to attract more of the general public to the Bush camp. (Known as Camp Bush, sort of like Camp David but a lot denser and blind ends everywhere. At the same time, porn star, Ron Jeremy, has filed a lawsuit claiming he has the name "Camp Bush" under patent.)
Working closely with TBN, Trinity Broadcasting Network of Santa Ana, CA. , and the Benny Hinn Ministries, Carl Rove has set off on expanding the Bush appeal nationwide.
"Clearly many people enjoy Bush, and I think more need to consider Bush in their lives," quipped Rove at a recent luncheon held in Garden Grove at the Crystal Cathedral. He was attending a gathering of the "Stars of The Bible Belters" as they prepare to kick off their reunion tour at the Staples Center January 10th. The "Belters" include the likes of Oral Roberts, Billy Graham and world-renowned "toss them to the ground" originator, Ernest Angely .
"We are very happy to have this group of leaders be part of the Bush Camp and looked for greater healings of this divided country in the future," said Rove "Just talking about Bush makes us all very excited."
Talks are under way to include 2 of the biggest fans of Bush out there, and certainly it goes with out saying that the inclusion of Jimmy Swaggert and Jim Bakker would go a long way to put some teeth into the Bush Camp.
A spokesman for the tour says they are thrilled with the possible addition of these innovators.
"These two were ardent fans of the Bush Camp long before many of us saw the importance of chasing after Bush."
Posted by Hello

Tuesday, January 04, 2005


the editorial staff Posted by Hello

The What Angels

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?


According to the word help program, the above statement is an incomplete thought and I should complete the thought before moving on.

Apparently Arte Moreno did not use Microsoft word when renaming the team.

I’m more then a little confused as why this makes any sense to anyone?

Isn’t the name Los Angeles Angels somewhat redundant?

Is there some hidden gem that I should be seeing, but because I am currently not living back home in Orange County it just isn’t apparent to me. I pulled out my old 2001 Thomas Guide and there seems to be a line that indicates where LA County ends and Orange County picks up. Did this change? After all I have been gone for over 2 years so it is possible.
I would think that if Mr. Moreno was looking to bring a larger media appeal to the Angels there may have been a less confusing approach. Why not jump on the wave that FOX TV already has in motion and rename the team “Angels in the OC”. This show has put Orange County in the homes of millions of people around the world and it would seem a good fit. A guest appearance by Darin Erstad and Tim Salmon might be a nice way to introduce the new name.
Is there some reason that the Angels should be put in the role of the Clippers as that other Los Angeles team?
I have a bad enough time trying to explain the difference between LA and Orange County to my neighbors here in the State of Washington of Seattle as it is. This will not help.
How about the Surf City Angels? Ok I’ll give you that Huntington Beach is not Anaheim either, but hey at least in the same county.
Somehow I can’t help but wonder if the real intent was to buy the Dodgers in the 1st place and this is just a feeble attempt to give it that appearance.
Hey but what do I know, I’m still working on the New York Giants and New York Jets thing. At least they settled on one city for their name.





Sunday, January 02, 2005


my dog molly Posted by Hello

And the Car says...

A bumper sticker says so much about the driver of the vehicle. It should send a clear message to the reader what the intended message is. You aren’t left wondering a great deal if there is any hidden agenda.

“My Kid is an Honor student at Sam Hill Junior High.” Pretty well says it all.
“Honk if you love Jesus.”
“Honk if you streak.” 1970’s reference here
“Honk if you like to Honk.”
Well you get the drift… A bumper sticker is pretty darn clear about the intent.

In that light I think about the bumper stickers I have seen in the last 6 months or so and wonder if the message is really all that clear.
Kerry/Edwards usually found on Volvos and Subarus. They usually share a space next to the popular “Mean People Suck” sticker. Bush in 04 usually on new pickups and large SUVS in Orange County, and older trucks and large town cars in the more rural areas.
However, the other day I was behind a beat up old Mazda mini truck with a “Bush in 04” sticker next to “My other ride is your mom” and “My kid beat up your honor student” stickers. A not so clear message from this driver. I can only assume we can never be sure of who votes for who after all, or that the driver some how misread the meaning of the “Bush in 04” sticker.
Speaking of double messages, here is an interesting thought. Be patient with me on this one.
“No war for Oil” is a very often seen sticker. This of course makes the assumption that the US is in fact in Iraq for the sole purpose of securing the oil fields. So we will assume for a moment this might be a valid truth.
On the same vehicle, I saw the sticker that said “Hands off ANWR.” ANWR being the Alaskan Wildlife Reserve where energy companies have often lobbied to tap into rich oil fields that may in fact be there. Many folks are opposed to this including such leaders of the environmental movement like Ted Kennedy. Ted is well known for his tireless efforts to protect the Wild Turkey and the Grey Goose.
Ok, so you're saying no war for oil, but no drilling for oil that might remove the reason for a dependency to use foreign oil in the 1st place? Just trying to get a feel here for what you are saying.