Yay, Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. and Costco Wholesale Corp. reported sales that rose more than analysts estimated after U.S. consumers bought discounted clothing and food as they contended with higher gasoline prices.

Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, said sales at stores open at least a year climbed 3.2 percent, beating its forecast and sending the shares higher in early New York trading. Costco's sales advanced 8 percent...Wal-Mart climbed 36 cents to $57.19 at 9:43 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. The retailer increased 20 percent this year through yesterday, the biggest gain in the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Bloomberg.com



Isn't it wonderful? Lenin's quote, "The Capitalists will sell us the rope with which we will hang them," comes to mind. Companies like Wal-Mart, ok they are probably the main one, put the economic squeeze on American companies and rather than buy here, at a fair price, they buy from China. China, the country with the human rights violations. China, the country that poisoned our pets, and sold toys painted with lead for our children, that is where Wal-Mart does most of its buying. The last report I read stated that Wal-Mart is China's 8th largest trading partner, bigger than all but 7 COUNTRIES. And what do American consumers do? They buy from Wal-Mart, a company that has policies that put Americans out of work. Furthermore, Wal-Mart treats its employees poorly. Health insurance? They don't need no stinkin' health insurance. Meanwhile, the Walton family heirs are among the richest in America. Recently, it was stated that if the 4 main Walton heirs put their fortunes together, it would be more than Bill Gates's fortune.

Yet, we line up to buy crap there.

I realize in some parts of the country, some people have no choice because Wal-Mart has already destroyed the local economy, forcing out small businesses. But in much of the rest of the country, we have choices. Most folks I know have homes loaded with junk they don't need. Hey, just go to a couple garage sales around here, and you'll see what I mean. If the choice is Wal-Mart or starve, by all means, go to Wal-Mart. But I don't believe most are buying essentials from Wal-Mart, they are just buying crap. And others are selling out their neighbors for a few pieces of silver.

Are voters racist? Hillary getting a bad deal

The media has been all over Hillary Clinton to quit the race. They seem to be skewing the news, as she "barely wins in Indiana," while Obama "wins in a landslide" in North Carolina. And, again, two huge states, Michigan and Florida, don't count because the DNC decided they did not have the right to move up their primaries.

What a total bunch of nonsense.

It was just announced on TV that African American voters in No. Carolina voted 94% for Obama. WTH???

He is getting those votes only because he is black. Clinton has done at least as much (probably more) for the black community than Obama ever has, yet she is virtually shut out? I can understand if Obama had a huge majority among blacks, but 94%? Racism, pure and simple.

I don't really have a dog in this fight, I guess, because I won't vote for either one. I'm a registered Democrat, but can't in good conscience vote for either one in the Presidential election. I'm not voting for McCain, either. I'm one of those who wastes his vote by choosing either a Libertarian or Green candidate. Not that I believe any of those have a chance in hell of winning, but it is impossible to pull the lever for one I have no faith in at all.

It's tough being a compassionate Conservative. Bush ruined that for us. He is neither, although that is the bill of goods he sold the voters in 2000.

Sock it to me?

That was the phrase that won the Presidential election of 1968.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ItU6tkdF2A

Richard Nixon appeared on one of the top sketch comedy shows of the day (one of the greatest of all-time, really.) Laugh-in had the effect of humanizing him, and made him into an electable candidate. He went from a punchline of many jokes to almost lovable. This was the first time such a tactic was used.

Today, appearing on TV programs is a staple part of the campaign. A week or so ago, John McCain appeared on WWE Wrestling (you can't make this up.) Hosting, or at least being a part of a comedy or funny talk show is almost routine for presidential candidates. Obama has been on Letterman to do a Top Ten List, and last night it was Hillary's turn.

In case you missed it, here is her list:

10. "We have more Dakotas than every other country combined."

9. "Canadian bacon: soggy and chewy; American bacon: crisp and delicious!"

8. "Thanks to the internet, I can order new pantsuits 24/7. There's your pantsuit joke, Dave. Are you happy now?"

7. "232 years and not one cookie shortage."

6. "TiVo."

5. "Did I mention the soup? Mmm, soup."

4. "Did you know former President Teddy Roosevelt was an American?"

3. "Where else can you get a car painted for $29.95?"

2. "Is this the part where I say, 'Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!'?"

1. "Apparently anyone can get a talk show."


Apparently, making a fool of oneself is the way to win the hearts of Americans.

I wonder if either party is thinking about Carrot Top for 2012?

I Don't Want to Grow Up

I'm not sure why I titled this entry what I did, but I guess after reading the following quote, I couldn't get the Toys R Us jingle out of my head. : )

All my life I used to wonder what I would become when I grew up. Then, about seven years ago, I realized that I was never going to grow up...that growing is an ever ongoing process.

M. Scott Peck

I picked this quote today because this is an issue that has been on my mind. We, as humans, continue to evolve as a species and as individuals every day. I know I'm a different man than I was a few years ago, and I'd like to think I'm a better person, too.

Life is a learning process, and the ultimate knowledge is that which we learn of ourselves.

Lifestyles of the uber rich and not very famous

I was just looking at the list of the world's richest individuals, and it dawned on me that the overwhelming majority are pretty much unknown here in the USA. Outside of Warren Buffett and Bill gates, the rest are from other countries, and truth be told, names not recognized by us.

Warren Buffett (US): $62bn
Carlos Slim (Mexico): $60bn
Bill Gates (US): $58bn
Lakshmi Mittal (India): $45bn
Mukesh Ambani (India): $43bn
Anil Ambani (India): $42bn
Ingvar Kamprad (Sweden): $31bn
KP Singh (India): $30bn
Oleg Deripaska (Russia): $28bn
Karl Albrecht (Germany): $27bn

But here is what I thought about: the plight of Africa and many other countries without pure water. I have read that it costs anywhere from $70 to $300 depending on who is giving the estimate. If each of these top super rich billionaires gave just $30,000,000 each, a pittance by their standards, almost like a dollar to you and me, a million wells could be drilled. If just one gave a billion dollars, over a quarter million wells could be drilled. The impact of fresh water is tremendous for a local area. It allows them to be self-sufficient. It frees up hours normally spent just attaining this staple of life that we take for granted being available right at our tap. It allows crops to grow, and for the people living there to be more healthy.
The billionaires have the ability to change the world for untold millions.

Addendum:

I was looking at the list, and I realized that 5 of the top ten are from countries that are considered to be extremely poor. It makes me wonder about how wealth is distributed, and why we, as Americans, feel so obligated to help others when their own countrymen don't seem to care.

Today was one of the most difficult of my life

I got back a little while ago from the service for my friend, Bob. In addition to having a great sense of humor, Bob was one of the most extraordinary gentle men I have ever known. I seperated those words for a reason. Bob was a gentle man. I remembered how we would hang out in his garage doing guy stuff--working on cars, bikes, whatever. Ok, it was mostly him working on his car and bike, and I provided comic relief because my mechanical knowledge would barely fill an index card, while Bob could do almost anything. What he couldn't do, he would teach himself to do.

During these work sessions, chipmunks would come into the garage, and go up to Bob. He would tell them to hold on a minute, and he then give them a peanut from the stash he kept in the garage. This was done like it was the most normal thing in the world.

But what really struck me today was the fragile nature of our existence. Bob was a powerful man. He was 6'5" and strong and healthy. When we were younger, he was a really good athlete, and could have been a jock if he wanted to. He did all the crazy stuff young men do. He was a biker all his life, and he may have occasionally played fast and loose with speed limits. Ok, on more than one occasion, police showed up at his home and told him, "Look we know it was you," referring to reports of a bike racing through his hometown at speeds that were in triple digits. Considering that he was the only one in town with a street legal racing bike, they really didn't have to think too much to figure out who it was.

But all it took to end the life of this strong man was the flu. I'm sure, wherever Bob is, he is laughing his ass off about that.

Divorce sucks

I spent time on the phone yesterday speaking to an old friend. He's going through a nasty divorce. His can't be soon enough ex-wife is really making it hard for him. It's not the financial part of it, it's that she is engaging in spiteful behavior. How can two people who used to be in love be so vicious towards one another?

I know the old joke is that divorce is so expensive because it's worth it, but why does it have to be hurtful? Funny part is, this is the third divorce I've heard of recently where the one who initiated it by doing things that were wrong in the context of marriage, act like they were so aggrieved. Can't anyone own up to their shortcomings? Won't anyone admit wrongdoing any more?

I'm going to my buddy's memorial service today. He and his wife were together for 27 years. They had rough patches, but they got through them because they started out as friends, and worked through problems and stayed friends. I never heard Bob utter an unkind word about anyone (ok, maybe a few of his bosses, but we all know what jerks they can be) and perhaps that is a huge part of the reason he and his wife were so happy for so long.

The Democrats are confusing me

I don't under stand why so many are coming out and saying Hillary should drop out of the race and get behind Obama. I'm confused for a number of reasons. First, would be that the race is still close. By her just dropping out, when the race is still very tight, and a number of voters haven't been heard yet, sounds, for lack of a better term, not very democratic.

Secondly, her dropping out without a winner being decided makes anyone who supported her insignificant, as if they don't count. If I back someone and they lose, I could deal with that, but if they were pressured to quit while it was still a race, I would be offended.

Third, the logic that by focusing on each other rather than McCain, is destructive and is a faulty premise. The American voting public has a short memory, at best. The all-important first primary was in New Hampshire. How many people can name all the candidates? Mrs. Clinton came in first, Obama came in second. I doubt few people can name who came in 3rd, or any of the other high rated candidates, let alone some of the fringe ones. The Democratic National Convention is in August. 10 weeks is more than enough time to decide. These folks are not exactly unknowns. I think they are selling the American public short by assuming we need more than 10 weeks to make a decision.

Let the registered voters decide. If it is still undecided come August, let it be dealt with it then. That is democracy in action.

A Bob Story

I have been thinking about my buddy Bob all morning.

I wanted to share one of the stories that just describes the kind of guy he was. Back when we were around 17 or 18, a huge snow storm hit NJ. We drove around (back then gas was around 30 cents a gallon, so it was not an unusual activity --why am I starting to sound like Grandpa Simpson?) anyway, we came upon a car stuck in the snow. We pulled over and pushed the car out and got the driver back on the road. Bob decided it was fun helping out stranded motorists, so we spent the next few hours driving around and pushing people stuck in the snow. Most of them offered us money, but we never took a dime. Just randomly helping out strangers, that was the kind of guy he was. You can only imagine just how great a friend he was.

It's Hard to Find the Words

I got a call around 8:00 tonight from the wife of one of my oldest friends. My buddy passed away from the flu. I am still in a state of disbelief. Bob was one of the biggest, toughest, most athletic guys I ever knew, and he died from the friggin' flu. He got sick about 2 weeks ago, and it turned into pneumonia, I guess, and he never got better. Bob was a great guy, always ready to help anyone. I could blog for days with Bob stories. But I'm not ready right now to talk about him. I'm just too sad.

Rest in Peace, my friend.

WTH?????

I need to know what is up with those things where I have to sign in or sign up and leave a comment at MySpace, eBay or various other places. It will say to type in the following code. What the hell is it? I can barely make out the letters.

Is that Pi, then some Greek letters, and an ankh? I don't even have those keys on my computer. I totally understand the logic, but why are the letters so damn hard to read? The other day, I had to guess 3 times before I finally got a letter pattern I could read.

I should be able to leave a comment without studying Egyptian or Sanskrit first.

Just sayin'.

According to Jim

According to Jim is in its 8th season, and I have no idea why. Are we that starved for entertainment that such a plain vanilla show just goes on and on?

Here's the part I don't get, though. I like the entire cast. Jim Belushi has been in some movies I liked, and whenever he is on a talk show, he is worth watching. He's a funny guy. I like the guy who plays Andy (notice I'm not even interested enough to look up names, thats how boring the show can be,) Jim's wife, and all the ancillary characters. But, put it all together, and it's "family entertainment," which is code for boring.

I don't even mind family entertainment. I love the Simpsons, which is family fare. Maybe I'm just tired of shows where Dad is a buffoon, made fun of by the sister-in-law, wife, kids, and whoever is in the neighborhood. This doesn't bother me with the Simpsons because well, Homer is a cartoon. I can suspend belief. I should be able to do the same with Jim, but I just can't. I can only assume I dislike it because it's just so formulaic: conflict, Jim over reacts, wife or other family member gets upset, Jim saves the day, everyone hugs after wife or family members get out an "Oh, Jim."

Yawn. I can't remember ever having a LOL moment while watching the show. I'm embarassed to say I've watched quite a few episodes when there was even worse on elsewhere.

I'd have to rate the show a rather disappointing 4.8



It's been a while, so here's a quick review of my ratings system:
10--a prime show. The Sopranos or 24 would rate a 10.
9-- definately worth watching. Think South Park or Seinfeld re-runs. Not as funny as the first time, but still great TV fare.
8-- Pretty darn good stuff. If you can't be home, you'd consider setting up the VCR or DVR. Some solid 8's would be Earl, or Everybody Hates Chris.
7-- Not quite good enough to record. But you can look forward to watching. The Office is the first show that comes to mind as a 7.
6--Now we get into the shows that are ok, but only a first choice if other shows are re-runs. You won't mind watching a 6 at a different time. Britcoms are 6's.
5-- Think of a movie you liked, but have seen a dozen times or more.You'd choose the movie over the program, then the program is a
5. Mash and almost everything on TVLAND has become a 5.
4--Crappy show, but with some redeeming quality, like it features hot chicks. Any show with Pam Anderson would be a 4.
3--Only worth watching if the only alternative is infommercials. Fishing shows are 3.
2-- About the same as a good infommercial. QVC is a 2.
1-- Infommercials, unless they are The Knife Collector Show. They sell swords!

Has South Park Jumped the Shark? Poor Britney Spears.

This year, while they have had some great episodes like Super Fun Time, the Britney Spears episode was just so..I don't know..disturbing. And the "no intenet" one had it's moments, but overall, just lacking a little bit. I'm almost expecting Ted McGinley to show up any episode now.

I wonder if he'll be sporting a faux hawk when he does.

I will be following this closely.

FYI (because I like to educate and inform)

What is "Jumping the Shark?"

Here's the video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpraJYnbVtE

http://www.jumptheshark.com/index.jspa

My cyber stalker

When I got this computer, I had a security program on a trial basis. I used it for a short period of time (maybe 30 days) and decided not to continue. Now, every day, like some former depraved, obsessive jilted lover, I get a popup reminding me to renew. You'd think after 8 months it would stop. It's relentless.

About once a week or so I get a note from a different service that will find all the computer problems that I have. It turns out the only two problems I have are these never ending reminders to buy the services that will prevent others like them.

I wonder if I can arrange to have the one meet the other? Sort of a cyber lonely hearts club bot dating service. Hmm.

Fox 5 Messes with my Head

I love watching my TV infotainment in the morning. And, Fox 5 in NY is my favorite station. But I have a problem with it. I seem to develop an emotional attachment to the on air personalities. I need to get my soft news from Jodi Applegate and her co-anchor. She's been through quite a few since I started watching. The latest was Ron Corning. He just disappeared. At least with some of the team, they announce that they are leaving. I just tune in hoping to see Ron, and I see some other guy. The weather, man, Mike Woods (who I think the Crotchety Old Lady has a secret crush on)
has been around for a long time. The traffic reporter and the other woman--who doesn't get a title, I guess, seem to last longer than co-anchors. The field reporters have a longer shelf life, but even they just disappear with no notice.

I hate when that happens.

Traffic Reporter Ines Rosales

I Hate Spam

No, not the mystery meat in a can that is favored by Hawaiians and geriatrics everywhere else. But the darn spam that comes in my email every day. And the worst is I fell for a spammer/scammer today. It just seemed to be so simple and safe.

Bastards.

I don't see the difference between this and stealing or harassment.

The method of Tagged.com is best described in a blog by Rubymoon at

http://alphawomen.com/me-me-me-me-me/heads-spam-mail-more

"My e-mail address has been spammed! How? I was sent an e-mail with my sister in law's name..inviting me to Tagged.com. This website is a spam website. Once you click on the yes button to verify that this person is a friend..you have to register. Then they will ask you for your e-mail address and you PASSWORD! Yes, I was foolish enough to enter it. I actually didnt think anything of it. Usually Im very careful and weary. Anyhow..there are e-mails that have a link "unsubscribe"..it will actually subscribe you without your consent & send you a thank you e-mail. Then I got these "Return Path" e-mails asking to verify that I wanted to update my e-mail address for Sprint Nextel. I dont even have an account with them! This e-mail had my email address from where the spam started..and wanted me to update "my account" with my yahoo email address. I kept wondering how they knew it. So please, please..read your e-mails carefully, if you find them the slightest bit suspicious, do not click on any link. Do not even open the link on a new tab! Yes, Im that foolish..lol, apparently. *sigh* And once again, I am truly sorry for causing this mess. Remember "Tagged.com"

I don't think she will mind me borrowing her perfect explanation.

New Scientific Study...Blogging Makes You Smarter

OK, it's not very scientific, and I'm the only participant, but headlines sell. And blogging is making me smarter.

"How so, Old Man," you may ask? Simple, really. Blogging on my 3, and counting, blogs is forcing me to expand my horizons. Because I feel an obligation to my readers and myself, I drag myself away from watching really bad TV, like TMZ or any of the other celeb news programs and horrible sitcoms, and instead watch good movies, or even read.

Sure, a lot of what I read is in the blogoshpere, but the intermingling of ideas is what makes the web exciting. I also get to read news articles from around the world, and again, find different perspectives.

And while I am as interested as the next guy to find out what Britney Spears or Lindsey Lohan is up to, it's nice to keep my mind active with real news, too.

It's funny, but the more I discover about others, the more I discover about me.

Is This Any Way to Treat a Hero?

Is this how you would treat a hero?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46vYZFU1Dew

This video showed the conditions at Fort Bragg, home to the renowned 82nd Airborne.

The Mission of the 82nd , taken right from their own website is: Within 18 hours of notification, the 82nd Airborne Division strategically deploys, conducts forcible entry parachute assault and secures key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of U.S. national interests.

They have a long, storied, and proud history. They have served the United States well. And, after serving us, this is how we treat them? Have them housed in deplorable conditions, and expose them to heaven knows what diseases.

The video asks us to contact Colonel Fox at Fort Bragg, but after spending an hour, I was unable to find any phone number, e-mail, or even a mailing address for him or any of the big Kahunas in the military high command. So, I drafted a letter to the Boss, President Bush. I will e-mail it as soon as I post this blog. I don’t know if it will help, but it sure can’t hurt.

Here’s my letter:

Dear President Bush:

I have seen, through video and newspaper coverage, stories about the abysmal living conditions at Fort Bragg. Our fighting men and woman put their lives on the line for America, and while this is something for which no price could ever be determined, we do owe them, at the very least, safe, sanitary, and comfortable living conditions when they return to the United States. Our heroes deserve nothing less. I ask you to please help resolve this issue.

Respectfully,

Me

President Bush may be contacted at

The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington D.C. 20500

Or

Comments@whitehouse.gov

Or

A comment may be left at (202) 456-1111

Please do your part to right this injustice.

Televisions Little Annoyances

For all of my TV viewing life, with rare exceptions, TV shows have started and ended in convenient little intervals. They start and stop on the hour or half-hour, and last either 30 or 60 minutes. TBS did try some an experiment when they first started out with programming on the 5's, but obviously that didn't work out.

So, what is up with this stupid crap that Gray's Anatomy and The Office did last night and have been doing all too frequently? Gray's ran 62 minutes, and the Office went 31. The biggest irritant? Gray's ended, more or less at 60 minutes, but I can't turn it off until the Old Lady sees the coming attractions for next week. Not that she, or most of the viewing public will remember them, mind you, but it is done to stretch it out even more. This stupid ploy is a way to provide a lead in for the next program. But all it does is make me miss the opening of the show I want to watch. And, of course, make me angry with the Old Lady for making me miss it so she can see the previews that she is going to forget anyway. Here's an idea: instead of gimmickry, why not offer quality programming? That sleight of hand may have been more successful before remotes, but now, it just takes a quick click to get me out of bad TV.

Another thing that really makes me irritated is that it seems every successful show becomes a double episode. Biggest Loser was probably the first show that did it. The 2 hour super special season premiere episodes have morphed into a regular part of the schedule. And, of course, much of the show is just repetition, as they recap highlights seen earlier. And now, Deal or No Deal has adopted the same formula. It is almost as if they punish the faithful viewer and reward the channel flipper.

Considering my well-known short attention span, anyone can guess what I do. I watch a different show for the first hour, and then tune in later, or vice versa, just checking in quickly near the end of the show to see who won. Their programming strategy is doing, with me, exactly the opposite of what they wanted. They are encouraging me to tune out.

Not that anyone cares, but Leyla is my favorite Deal or No Deal model.

Giving some love to the Red Sox

It may be the cold medicine talking, but I realized recently that the Sox have a second player I don't hate. This may not seem like big news to anyone, but I have hated the Sox since my first game as a Crotchety Little Kid waaaaay back in 1961. And since then I have hated every player except Manny. I still want him to strike out every single at bat versus the Yankees, of course, but I don't hate him. I may even admit that I like him. Guy just makes me LOL.
But I did say a second player exists.

Sean Casey, back up infielder/DH was just mentioned on Mike and Mike the other day as being a really good guy. This made me happy because the Crotchety Old Lady and I met him when he was a rookie with the Indians. He was a really nice kid from South Jersey, and we have kind of watched his career over the years. It's good to know he is still a decent guy. I hope he does well, but not so well as to ever cost the Yankees a game.

It was nice to see the shirt that the moron buried in the new Yankee Stadium has raised some serious change for the Jimmy Fund. It ended at $175,000. Good to see some positive coming out of the actions of an idiot. Most actions don't have such a happy ending.

I'm Sick + The Farm Report

I have a cold, so I feel like crap. Went through a big box of tissues yesterday, and today ain't looking any better. I'm using every available OTC cold fighter known to modern man, and they seem to work for about 10 minutes.
Cold-Eeze

Emergen-C

Airborn

Kold Kare

Infagard

Clinical Air

Yup, an entire cocktail of these, and no help at all.

Today I have read about the coming food price surges. It is already hitting countries like Haiti and many others. Imagine how thrilled those who are starving must be to find that producers in the USA and Canada are being paid either to grow less, or to grow corn for ethanol. Especially if they ever knew that ethanol doesn't work.

Do our legislators ever f'ing study anything that they vote in? All they seem to do is pander to the loudest voice and that usually results in the most short-sighted legislation possible.

And, I have to blame the voters. We should elect more responsible representatives, and do a little research ourselves. Is showing up every 4 years enough to keep this republic free and responsive?

I doubt it.

Big Bang Theory--can this be my new favorite show?

In the NYC area, Monday nights at 8:00 is the time for what may be one of the funniest shows I've seen in a long time. The Big Bang Theory on CBS is very, very funny.
Of course it's formulaic. Won't find anything groundbreaking in the set up or even most of the plots. 4 nerdy young guys, all doctors (not medical, rather in scientific fields) hang out together, and 2 share an apartment. Beautiful (ok, hot) single girl, played by Kaley Cuoco, moves in next door, and the nerdy guys are smitten. They have no idea how to deal with her, and hilarity ensues.

OK, so the basic premise is kind of hackneyed. But the writing is crisp, while the jokes fly fast and furiously. Every nerd stereotype is exploited to its full potential, so I can't imagine this show lasting very long, like a Seinfeld or some other classic comedy. However, I am really enjoying it while it's here. For today, it's can't miss TV.

I rate it a solid 9.6.


Kaley Cuoco:
Remember her from 8 Simple Rules?



http://www.cbs.com/primetime/big_bang_theory

Our health care system in this country is perfect as is

Just ask anyone with full benefits and a $10 co-pay. But for so many others, it's not so hot. I have an online friend who has failing kidneys. She is on the transplant list, but was just told she will not get the operation because she can not afford to pay for the drugs she will need after the operation for the rest of her life. These meds she needs are not covered by Medicaid. But let a f'ing crackhead need heaven knows what for as long as can be, and all is well. What the hell is wrong with anyone who does not see this as a system that is in serious need of something being done?

I don't know the answer. I have no idea how to solve the health care situation, but I do know saying it's the best in the world is a bunch of claptrap.

Right now, I am paying over a thousand dollars a month for insurance (not particularly good insurance at that) and medication and various and sundry items. Based upon what I have paid so far, including a couple expenses I doubt I'll have again this year, I expect to pay out over $16,000 in health care costs, just for me. If I worked and made minimum wage, that would be about my entire paycheck, if I got some overtime. How can these people survive?

It pains me to no end to see that 4 of the top ten billionaires on the list are from a company that does not believe in paying benefits for its workers. This same company used to pride itself on supporting American factories, but now it imports mostly from China. The only Americans it supports it pays minimum wage and gives no health benefits to. They should be embarassed, but instead, they point with pride to their father and his legacy.

Shouldn't there be more to business than the bottom line?

When I think about some of the great business leaders of the last century, I see men of vision, men who understood the old adage, everybody eats. Today, I see men and women who are so distanced from their employees, who only live by numbers. They import crap from companies that use deadly poison in food products (but it's cheaper) and use lead paint on kid's toys (but they were cheaper.) They kill our planet and our people while filling their pockets. Get mine, get enough, then get some more. For shame.

And this health care dilemna is just an extension of this same self-centered attitude. And, sadly, this attitude has trickled down. As long as I can get my Viagra script filled for 10 bucks, screw the person who is going to die because she doesn't have the money for her kidney meds. Some days it's hard to admit being a member of the human race.

I like the Pope as much as the next guy, but...

does he have to be on nearly every channel?

Sure, it was a big deal that His Holiness came to NYC, but he was on my cable system in the NY market, channels 2,4,6,7,9,11, and 68. At the same time. Who knows, he may have been on even more, I just got tired of checking the other ones on the dial. And the worst part of it all? He was simply getting on his plane, Shepherd One.

And what surprised me also is that it was an Alitalia plane. I thought the Pope had his own plane. Even John Travolta has his own plane, and the Pope is the top man in a bigger religion, while Travolta is what, a uber Theton or something like that? Should be no contest. But the Pope does have the cooler ride, that must count for something, I suppose.

Gawd, I love Bollywood

I just watched Dhoom2 (available from Netflix) and I truly love Bollywood movies. Just something about them that is hard to describe. First, the movies are long. Bollywood films generally give about 25% more movie for your money. This one was 2 hours and 15 minutes. And it was loaded with action, beautiful women, and according to the Crotchety Old Lady, very handsome men. (Direct quote from her--"My, isn't he fit!)
One thing that must be understood to really appreciate a Bollywood film is that it really doesn't flow like an American or Hollywood one. Dhoom2 started out with a daring robbery to set the tone and introduce the thief, and an equally exciting, (re: unbelievable) introduction of the police officers on the case. A drug deal broken up by, hell, you have to see it to believe it. Just as we settled in for a good old-fashioned spy/action/thriller/police movie --Bam--a dance number.

In case anyone had thought it made sense at that point, well, no, it didn't. Other scenes just randomly put in involved a basketball game in the pouring rain, a ride in a dune buggy on the freeway, and a few more dance numbers. The plot is pretty unbelievable, sort of a love story, sort of a mystery.

I give up. The only genre it fits is Bollywood entertainment. But somehow, the movie works. It is really entertaining, if long. But I stayed awake during it, which is more than I can say about most movies. I love Bollywood movies. Have I mentioned that before?

Here's one of the female leads, Bipasha Basu

Daytime TV stinks--TGIM

I'm pretty much on my own all day, just me and close to 200 channels of bad TV. Fortunately, Comedy Central runs repeats of the Daily Show and Colbert, so that the vast wasteland does have the occasional entertainment oasis.
Another break from terrible TV is Monk. I'm not entirely sure why I like the show. It doesn't have the suspense even of Scooby Doo and doesn't come close to a fair to middlin' whodunit like Murder She Wrote. But there is something about the character, Adrian Monk, that is endearing. It must be that he is one of the greatest detectives in the world, yet he is called, behind his back, the defective detective.

He is able to excel despite his flaws and fears. While he rarely overcomes his negative character traits, he continues to do his job in spite of them. The show is more comedy than detective show, more human interest than interesting crimes.

A typical episode would be one like Mr Monk and the Psychic. A local official's wife is killed (by the way, the opening of the show details who did it--mystery solved) and the rest of the episode is used to discredit the psychic who found the body, and to pin the rap on the murderer.

Monk begins nearly every case by deciding "he's the guy," and then setting out to gather evidence. It is sort of a reverse whodunit, may be the best way to explain it. But the show maintains my interest through the interpersonal relationships of Monk, the San Francisco PD, Monk's assistant, his psychiatrist, and occasionally, various ancilliary characters.

Monk's assistant (there have been a couple from season to season) has such duties as providing nursing care for Mr Monk, along with maintaining his list of fears. Naturally, his list is in perfect order. A recent episode included an encounter with frogs. Mr Monk had to decide if he was afraid of frogs (he decided he was) and then had to determine where they went on the list.

I rate this show pretty highly, putting it at a very solid 7.2.

Instant Gratification Gone Wild

I was watching a TV program (ok, I admit it was Oprah) about waste. First was featured a family that just was on the verge of bankruptcy. It was shown how much they wasted. By one week of living without wasting, they were able to save about $400!!! I was shocked people lived like that. Mom made 4 seperate dinners for her family w/3 kids. She threw out huge garbage bags full of spoiled food because they refused to eat leftovers. One kid had a half-dozen or so a day bottled water habit. After making breakfast, which the kids didn't eat, they went out to Dunkin for another breakfast, buying donuts and bagels. The one kid probably had 100 or so outfits in her closet, many of which she never even used. The family kept the heat between 75 and 80 because one kid felt a chill.
The second family had a kid (maybe around 7) who had a twice a week Starbucks habit, along with a 5 year-old with a video game habit. Dad had lunch packed for him, but most days he threw itout to get something different.

According to audience response, this large scale waste is apparently a common problem.

This all got me thinking about various things.

How freaking stupid are these people?

Who doesn't know that throwing out hundreds of dollars worth of food every week, along with keeping the heat on 75 is going to lead to ridiculously high bills? Who is surprised that eating out multiple times per week is expensive? And who didn't know how costly, both to the pocketbook and the environment, bottled water can be?

What I'd like to know most, I suppose, is who has hired these folks and why are they paid so much when they are not able to make the most common sense decisions?

The best we can do

As the election process winds down, it appears, barring any last minute miracles, that Obama will run against McCain for President. Not for nothing, but is this the best we can do? Once again, I will not be able to vote FOR someone, I will vote against someone.

Is it me, or are these choices really terrible? Not saying Mrs. Clinton is any better, either. The last person I voted for (with a legitimate chance to win) was over 20 years ago. I supported Reagan, and to be truthful, he didn't do as much as I'd hoped. Looking back, his record is not nearly as good as folks give him credit. To borrow a word that is making the rounds, there appears to be a Santa Clausification of Reagan. He has taken on mythical qualities, delivering prosperity and fulfilling dreams. Among Republicans, he is considered one of, if not the greatest, Republican President ever. I can only presume they never heard of Teddy Roosevelt or Abe Lincoln.

What is the answer? The only one I can see is a movement towards additional political parties. How likely is it that I could find someone who stands for me when I generally only have 2 choices? One of the most beautiful parts of our system is our President is powerful, yet not all-powerful. I can only imagine the progress we could make as a people if our Congress was composed not of 2 parties, each with around 50%, but instead a legitimate 3rd or 4th party, with enough clout to swing a vote either way. Voting would not always follow party lines, but representatives could actually wind up speaking for the people who selected them.

Goodbye Verizon

I only have only one other option to Verizon, and that is Cablevision. Tomorrow, they will show up and switch me over. It costs a bit, but I will save around $40 per month, so in a month or two, I'll be even.
It stinks that we have such few choices, but, for today, at least one exists. Competition makes every one better, and keeps prices down. I wonder how good things would be if true competition was allowed to exist in a free market?

Not too much to say today. Feeling kind of bummed. One of the guys I went to grammar and high school died last week, and it was pretty impressive reading all he accomplished. Made me realize how much I screwed up, I guess. It's said, it's all about the dash. The part of a tombstone that is between the year of birth and death. I just got to feeling that my dash is pretty lacking.

All I can do is the best I can from this point on.

**sigh**

The Money Mess

I watch the ads for instant loans (Cash call and the like) and I wonder who is using them. The rate is a Mafia-like 99.25%. I thought we had laws against predatory lenders. Or is that considered a fair rate of return? Credit cards are bad enough with the 30% they charge some customers, but this is triple that usurious rate.
I realize they claim the rates are valid because the individuals are credit risks, but if they are that bad a risk, they shouldn’t get any loan at all, let alone one that is so high it almost guarantees that the borrower will default.

I’ve read a lot of the stories about people defaulting on their mortgages. Many are quick to point out that the reason people over extend themselves is greed, wanting it all at once--instant gratification gone wild. Certainly that is a lot of it, but it should be pointed out that in many cases, buyers were assured that before the ARM became too expensive, the buyer could convert from the ridiculously low teaser rate into a regular mortgage. So, who’s at fault? Do we blame the person who tried to make it work, or the lender lying to make the deal? Seems to be a combination of the 2. Couple that with plunging housing prices, and that makes it nearly impossible to get out of a house with a mortgage that is strangling one’s budget.

The folks I feel the most empathy for is the homeowners who borrowed to either make needed repairs, or to pay medical bills or some other unusual expenses. They tried to do the right thing, and are getting punished for it. One of the biggest problems with government intervention is that it either becomes too onerous, or it will exclude those who are normally responsible and truly need the help.

What is the happy medium?

I made it!!!

The Crotchety Old Lady goes back to work tomorrow. She's been home recovering from her toe surgery, 24-7 for 5 years. Ok, it's felt like 5 years. It was only about a month, but one of the longest months in recorded history.

Not that she isn't fun to have around. She has a great sense of humor, and is fun to talk to, but I need my space, dammit! I've watched so many Soap Operas and Oprah, I think I'm beginning to menstruate. If there is bad TV, I swear that woman will find it, and become enamored of it.

And speaking of Oprah, what is her deal? I admit I have seen the show a few times, and it is occasionally interesting, but the majority of it is basic celebrity yammering. I don't give a crap what 99.9999% of Hollywood types say or think. I could not possibly care less about what book Oprah is reading. I don't dislike the woman, but oy vey, her program is annoying as hell.

Some odds and ends

I watched a pretty decent movie last night. Surf's Up is an animated film that kids would like, but I enjoyed it a lot. Sure, it had a lesson, and was very predictable, but it was funny.

I have seen a trailer for the new Harold and Kumar movie, Escape from Guantanamo Bay. They are the Cheech and Chong of a new generation, but much funnier. And NPH as himself is the best.

Kal Penn, the Kumar of the duo, has appeared in a serious Bollywood film, The Namesake, and I highly recommend it. It's not what one usually associates with Bollywood, as it had no musical numbers, or lame comedy. It was a touching, dramatic family film.

A little teaser for Guantanamo Bay

http://youtube.com/watch?v=y_NOc6yH5JY

I'd like to give a shout out to Jesus

I was watching The Price Is Right the other day, and I was amazed by what I saw. First of all, the show is much better without Bob Barker. I started to find him rather smarmy-- an old man surrounded by “Barker’s Beauties.” I only watched the show when I’m in the hospital as channels are limited. But I have started viewing it since Drew Carey became the new host. Drew is one of my all-time favorite comics, a very funny guy, although he does tone it down a lot on the show. Still, it cracks me up when he gets the occasional hot chick contestant. It’s subtle, but he definitely acts differently. He also does get in some really good one liners during the show.
But I digress from what had been the main focus of today’s writing. Drew always asks the contestant spinning the big wheel to try to get into the showcase at the end of the game the same question: “Is there anyone you’d like to say hello to?” At least twice this last week, a contestant said, “I’d like to give a shout out to my Mom, and to Jesus.”

This really starts a stream of questions in my mind.

Will Jesus then help the guy on the wheel?

Does Jesus think, “Hey, that guy just gave Me a shout out. Cool”

And probably the last question, and the one that resonates most loudly in my demented brain, what would the show do if the contestant said, “I would like to give a shout out to the hoary Lord of the Underworld, Beelzebub. Satan Rocks!!!”

And lastly, everyone always thanks Jesus or God when they do well. Did anyone ever complain that they lost because God liked the other contestant better? I would.

The ethanol "solution"

Once again, government is foisting some phoney, feel-good scheme upon the people of the USA. And, once again, we are falling for it.
"Let's get fuel from distilling corn," is the latest example. On the surface, it looks great. After all, we produce millions of tons of corn. Corn is a renewable resource. Alcohol burns cleaner than petroleum based fules. What could be better?

Woohoo, time to go order my new SUV. My fuel woes are over.

But wait, Newton postulated that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Does his theory apply equally to economics as to every other immutable law of the universe? Can it be stated that for every action, there is a reaction? Certainly, for our economic systems are so integrated that a significant shift in one industry will disrupt various other industries. This new use for corn will drive up the price of corn (there's that pesky old economic law of supply and demand kicking in) and so, therefore, other grains will be used to replace corn for animal feed and human consumption.

Guess what happens as the demand for wheat and soybeans begins to rise? If you guessed they will also go up due to demand, then you are one of the few Americans who are paying attention. Unfortunately, again due to the silly one person, one vote rule, you get the exact same ability to make an impact in the next election as the clueless voter down the block who gets all their information from Fox News. Isn't it sad that ones who confuses news with infotainment get to choose our leaders?

Isn't it equally interesting/sad that a self-described "fake news show" like the Daily Show has more journalistic integrity than most of the major news outlets?

I've got to go buy soybean futures. Hope I make enough to pay for fuel for my Hummer.

The Player's Edition works for me.

Getting political

I am so annoyed at the latest government subterfuge--the economic stimulus payment. On the surface, it appears to be a good idea. Pump up the economy by putting more money into it. But wait, isn’t that then inflationary? Of course it is. Each additional dollar in an economy makes the other dollars worth less. I’m not sure of the impact of the money being released, but what really cheeses me is that radio stations are running PSA’s encouraging those who don’t file due to low income to file just so they get the “rebate.”
According to dictionary.com a rebate is

return of part of the original payment for some service or merchandise; partial refund

So please explain to me how someone who doesn’t pay taxes gets a rebate on them?
I call shenanigans. That is all it is. An attempt to get more votes. The Romans placated the masses, and thus controlled them, through bread and circuses. Anyone who doesn’t believe this is the same method being used by modern governments is foolish. And the worst aspect of this is we are creating an entire class of people who not only regularly feed at the government trough, but develop an entitlement mentality whereby they start to believe this is the way it should be. And government, whose ultimate goal is control, is complicit in this. After all, who is easier to control than one who is dependent for food, clothing, and shelter?

Just look at families today. It was reported that 1 in 5 NYC kids eat from a food bank. And, while I don’t have the statistics available, I’m sure more than half of NYC kids eat 2, sometimes 3 meals at school. While I do not think kids should go hungry, don’t parents have an obligation to provide for their families? If one can’t feed one kid, should they continue to have more? I have seen families with generational welfare recipients. The government has created this system to control people. It’s a shame.

And all this government deception knows no political boundaries. I have always believed one can’t tell a Republican from a Democrat without a scorecard. It has never been more true than today.

Verizon still sucks

Quick update: my phone is working, but it won't be correct and static free until Verizon comes through with fiber. In the meantime, I can expect the occasional 1 week interruption in service.
They advertise the new fiber network on TV a few hundred times a day. They ask me to switch and get the whole package from them, TV, DSL, and phone. Guess when they estimate I'll have fiber available?

20 freakin 10. I live in one of the largest and most wealthy counties in the country, and it will be 2 years to get phone service that isn't much better than that of some 3rd world countries?

WTF??????

At one time in our country, monopolies made sense. We never would have had the Transcontinental Railroad if it was totally left up to private enterprise, and anyone was allowed to build. We would have been left with dozens of RR's connecting some East Coast cities and Chicago or some other cities that were more or less towards the West. Same thing with communications systems. Cities would have hundreds of telephone poles per block, and the sun would be blocked out by the veritable spider web of wires strung between them.

But that time has passed. The infrastructure is in place. Real competition, whereby 2 or more cable companies can be in the same area, along with multiple phone companies. But, as usual, business has influence over the politicians, and, as usual, we get the fuzzy end of the lollipop.

DA DEATH OF LANGUAEG AS WA KNOW IT

“Such exquisite and admirable things can be done with words. They can be used to build great cathedrals of thought, and to decorate those cathedrals. They can arise from the depths of the soul and ascend to the heavens.”

Edwin Faust

Language, or rather the misuse and abuse of it, has always fascinated me. Not the comic things like parking on a driveway, and driving on a parkway (why do we do that, anyway?) but instead the dumb things that are said.
“I need to use an ATM machine.” Really? An Automatic Teller Machine, machine.
Or “we need a new hot water heater.” If the water is already hot, why heat it?

Colloquialisms also give me pause. The one I have the most trouble understanding is “I could care less.” What the hell does that mean? And why does that mean exactly the same thing as “I could not care less?” While I’m at it, how is it that flammable and inflammable mean the same thing? Excusable and inexcusable are opposites, just as effective and ineffective are.

My mind is starting to wander. Again. Back to the topic at hand. The written word seems to have taken a back seat today to basic communication on a level which is, for lack of a better term, sophomoric gibberish.

For example: “This is pretty stupid becomes:”

THES SI PRETY STUPID ISNT IT?!?!???!! OMG LOL

I wonder what will happen to our rich language and its nuances in 25 or 50 years when an amalgamation of Spanglish, Hip Hop, and text combines into some form of communication that a person from just a few years ago would be hard pressed to understand.

While language constantly evolves, and always has, it seems to be doing so at such an alarming rate. I fail to see the upside of this.

Verizon Sucks

I hope I can get this entire blog written because my computer keeps shutting down because, well, quite simply, Verizon Sucks. Big time. My phone went out on Saturday. I used a cell (fortunately, I have service with a different company that doesn't suck like Verizon) to call Verizon. They scheduled a repair for Tuesday. I'm disabled, and it takes me half an hour to put on the equipment that it would take to get out of the house in case of an emergency. So, I talked to a rep who said since it is a medical emergency, they will get someone out Sunday. No one showed. I called back, and they rescheduled for Thursday. I called again, and spoke to some sarcastic supervisor/bitch who told me everybody has a medical emergency, so they could not accomodate me.
So, until Thursday, I have limited DSL service (it cuts out every so often due to the line problem) and the phone will ring once in a while, and sometimes the call waiting will work. Sometimes the phone will work, sometimes not.
I should expect this since I live way out in the middle of nowhere in a 3rd world country. Oh wait, no, I live in a highly populated county, which also happens to be one of the richest in the USA. What possible excuse could they have? They have none, they just suck. I'm so happy to write that check for $82.00 a month for such shitty service for my phone and DSL.
So far this morning, I got 2 calls. Both were from Verizon. Both let me know my phone was fixed. Of course, there was so much static on the line, I could barely hear them tell me it was fixed. Bastards. So, I called them on my cell (using my prepaid cell cost me to do this) and they are still coming out Thursday. Guy said he wanted to make sure I was going to be home. I asked him if he missed the part where I said I was homebound and couldn't walk. Stupid bastards.

Verizon sucks.

And for the visual learners:

Living la vida loca

Why can't I get this stupid song out of my head? I barely know the lyrics, in fact, about all I know is the refrain. One song, which I will not name because the mere mention of it makes me have to sing the entire song in my head for a few days. It's that hard to get it out. It's sort of like the South Park episode where Cartman had to sing all of Sail Away if he heard any part of the tune. The mind works in strange ways. Right now, I have been watching "I Can Make You Thin" on TLC with Paul McKenna. (http://tlc.discovery.com/tv/make-you-thin/make-you-thin.html) The premise is that he can help reprogram a fat person's brain to make them think, and eat, like a thin person. Both the Crotchety Old Lady and me could stand to lose a few pounds (ok, for me, a lot) so we are trying his methods. So far, we seem to be doing better. The scale will be the final judge. I'm not going to hit it for a month, though. I want to give it some time to work. This ain't the Biggest Loser.
I'll provide updates next month.

Just got back from AC

I just got back from Atlantic City. I had a very interesting and enjoyable time. The Crotchety Old Lady and I played the slots and found video roulette, a new addition to the casino floor. One can get the feeling of gambling like James Bond in Monte Carlo using quarter “chips.” Maybe I was wearing a Yankees shirt instead of a tux, and she was in a sweat suit, but damn we looked as fine as any jet-setter.
The Old Lady also discovered the joys of 3 card poker. This is a very interesting game. From what we saw, and how we played, simply put $45 on the table in stacks of 3, and (usually) the dealer laughs and scoops them up. Every few hands he would give us a couple back. We sat next to a guy who knew the game very well. We lost a hundred bucks in about a half-hour, while the guy who knew the game dropped over $600. I’m hoping we don’t learn to play as we can’t afford to get better.
We stayed at the Trump Taj Mahal, and Mr. Trump does it right. We usually stay at the Showboat, which is right next door, but we found we like Trump much better. The food is superior. We ordered room service, and had the best onion rings and burgers ever. And, most surprising of all, the pizza was great, too. Thin crust, and a tasty sauce made for a really good pie. The first night that’s what we ordered and liked it so much, we had the same thing the next night. Who knew?
We also visited the buffet. Because we went at 3:00 on a Tuesday afternoon, the place was empty, and the choices were fairly limited. The Old Lady had a steak smothered with onions and mushrooms. It was cooked to order and she loved it. I had some pasta and a small piece of chicken.
But a casino is more than great food. The room was really well appointed, with a beautiful view of the Atlantic Ocean. I need handicapped “facilities” and they made my stay very pleasant. Also, the staff was wonderful. Showboat staff is fine, but Trump’s people were so friendly and helpful, it was as if we were the glitterati renting the penthouse, rather than some schmoes who had a free room.
One of our favorite hobbies is people watching. We like to notice things at various spots in the casinos. Some of these things really gives one pause. We notice a lot of seniors who look like they can barely afford to eat, let alone gamble, sit at the dollar slots. I was surprised at the number of folks dragging oxygen tanks with them. African Americans seem to crowd around the dice tables, while Asians fill the tables in the big money rooms. This doesn’t necessarily mean anything, but it is fun to speculate.

It's Opening Day

Finally. The Yankees were rained out, but that makes me pretty happy. They play tomorrow, which is my birthday (yeah, what a surprise, April Fool's Day) and I'll be in Atlantic City wearing my birthday present. A Joba Chamberlain shirt. Yeah, it's kind of wacky wearing a shirt with another guy's name on it, but it's not like I'm wearing Joba's bowling shirt because we're going steady.
Since it's opening day, here's my predictions for the division champions

AL East
Do you really need to ask?
Yankees, Yankees, Yankees. Pitching is going to be ok, and they score like a machine.

AL Central
The Tigers and the Indians are the obvious choices. I'm going with the Indians. CC and Carmona are just so dominant.

AL West
It's gonna be the Angels.

Wild card will be the Red Sox

If they can keep those stupid bugs away, Yankees will beat Cleveland for the AL Championship.

NL East
The Mets look good with Santana, as long as they can get one more year out of Pedro. Maine is looking good, too. I predict a big year for him.

NL Central
It's been 100 years since the Cubbies won the Series. This ain't the year, but at least they will take the division.

NL West
Everybody is going with the Rockies or the d'Backs. I'm going against conventional wisdom, and picking the Padres. I'm not sure why, maybe I'm just feeling religious.
The Phils will take the wild card.

The Mets pitching is strong in a short series, so I look for them to return to the Series.

Should be a re-match of the Subway Series of 2000, and while I'm rooting for the Yankees, I'm predicting a Mets win, but I won't be happy about that. It's almost as bad as a Sox win.

My Guilty Pleasure

Everyone has them. The little silly thing we do or enjoy that, while not necessarily bad for us, is something that not a lot of people know about us. It's usually something we like to keep secret, too. Or that we only share with a few others. Here's possibly my biggest guilty pleasure: I like Kiddie movies. A lot.

Monsters, Inc. That was a "Date night" flick with the Crotchety Old lady. I promised to take her out to see some romsntic chick flick, and when we got to the theater, I went to get the tickets while she procured the popcorn and Milk Duds. What a surprise!!! The chickflick was sold out , but they fortuitously had 2 seats for Monsters, Inc. So we were the only two adults there without kids.

I liked Finding Nemo, Cars, all the Muppet Movies, and most Disney movies. In fact, kiddie movies are perfect for me because I have a short attention span, and hate to think while being entertained. I prefer mindless drivel most of the time.

Last night, we saw what may be one of my all-time favorites: Wallace and Gromit in the Curse of the Were-Rabbit. The movie was funny, sweet, and in a way, geared towards a more mature audience. Inferences were present throughout to such classic horror movies as Frankenstein, various were-wolf flicks, King Kong, and others. The movie had plenty of little jokes, ones kids would surely miss, but which would make an adult laugh out loud. This is available on DVD, and if you enjoy movies that are just simple entertainment, pure and without those nasty additives that require an in-depth thought process, I highly recommend this film. It's suitable for the entire family, and can be enjoyed by all on many levels.

Man vs Wild

Yeah, I know that is the name of some cable TV program which I've never seen. The premise just seems a little too contrived even for me. And that's saying a lot. I watched a TV show about Cavemen in our midst. I can even sing the theme song from "My Mother, the Car," generally considered to be the worst show of all-time. But I digress. This quote really made me think today:

I would feel more optimistic about a bright future for man if he spent less
time proving that he can outwit Nature and more time tasting her sweetness
and respecting her seniority.
E. B. White

I'm just feeling all warm and fuzzy lately, with a desire to commune with nature. I don't know if it's a result of spring or just advanced cabin fever. I have this overwhelming desire to frolic in the woods. This is kind of strange since I haven't frolicked since 1974, I believe it was early June of that year.

Nevertheless, The Old Man is feeling pretty good. Life's sweet nectar flows into every pore of his being. I'd start quoting poetry, but the only line I know is from Jabberwocky:
O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!'
He chortled in his joy.

For some reason, that just seems to fit today.

A Peaceable Kingdom

I have seen pictures in biblical scenes with the lion laying with the lamb. I've always used the expression "fought like cats and dogs." Certain animals are just "natural enemies."
But, I know a lady who works in animal rescue. She goes by the online name "Snickerdoodles."
She rescues animals, both wild and tame, and rehabilitates them. What is truly remarkable, is that many of them spend considerable time in her home.

Just looking at some of these photos totally amazed me.
http://yankeefansforever.yuku.com/topic/385
Cats sleeping fitfully next to dogs; birds nuzzling cats; bunnies running free.

It just makes me wonder about the human condition. With love and proper care, such as food and health care, these "enemies" are able to coexist. I wonder why humans, the highest order of animal, hasn't figured this out yet?

By the way, this is a picture of Katy. She was a rescue from New Orleans. Most folks would say it's hard to find anything good that came out of Hurricane Katrina, but Katy and Snickers may not share that opinion. Katy is a sweetheart, just look at her face. You'll find plenty of pictures of her posted at my board, and at ebay's Soapbox. She likes to get dressed up and celebrate all the Holidays. A true party animal. And she gets along with all the cats and other critters. If possible, open your heart and rescue an animal today. So many need homes, and would love to become a part of your family like Katy.

Opening Day is coming soon

Opening Day for the Yankees is just a few days away. This is my favorite time of year. Hope springs eternal as the Yankees have not yet lost a game, and they have a chance to win 162 games. I know it won’t happen. In fact, the greatest teams in history lost 50 games or so in the year they established themselves with great seasons. Losing 1 out of 3 games will make for a record setting season.
The game has changed a lot since I was a kid. In fact, it’s not the same game it was 20 years ago. It’s become totally different as a starter pitches 6 innings in a game. When Gossage was the dominant closer in baseball, a closer usually pitched 2 innings or more to earn his save. Now, Rivera, Papelbon, and most closers are one inning or so. Starting pitchers, who as recently as the 80’s, used to pride themselves on finishing what they started. I remember when I was a kid, a starter pitched 40 games, and went 300 innings. Today, that is unheard of. Middle relievers were guys who either were washed up starters, or rookies just trying to impress. Today, they are an integral part of the game, and considered nearly as important as having a good starter and closer. Back in the 70’s, Wilbur Wood, a knuckleball specialist, even started both games in a doubleheader. He relieved a few games in between starts. As Casey Stengal said, “You can look it up.” Teams had a “Big Four” and a spot starter for doubleheaders.
Now we have 5 starters and several middle relievers and at least one closer.
By the way, what ever happened to the double header? Nothing was better than to go to the ballpark for a double dip on Sundays. But big money contracts have made the freebie game a thing of the past. The day-night double header just isn’t the same. I used to enjoy the strategy a manager had to use to be prepared to play two. Couldn’t burn out the staff in game one, and had to decide which catcher to use to best advantage to win them both.
Just one more thing given up for money.

Happiness

A happy person is not a person in a certain set of circumstances, but
rather a person with a certain set of attitudes.
Hugh Downs

Why are all those who tell us the secret to happiness are wildly successful? It's never Bernie, the schmoe who works in customer service and gets yelled at all day? It's always some famous person who has led, more or less, a charmed life. I know money doesn't make one happy, but the lack of it sure can make one miserable.

I wonder what is the source of happiness? Where does contentment come from? Is it from having just enough, or the ability to do what one wishes?

My contention is that real contentment in life comes from the ability to make a difference; to feel useful. Whether one wishes to make life better for one's family or to change the world, usefullness is the key to happiness. Anyone can make money, a lot of it, but the richest men who ever walked the planet became philanthropic in their old age. Rockefeller, Carnegie-- the lot of them, they all became very charitable men in their old age.

In Carnegie's own words "The man who dies leaving behind him millions of available wealth, which was his to administer during life, will pass away "unwept, unhonored and unsung".... Of such of these the public verdict will then be: "The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced."

Some food for thought.

It's beyond words

Florida high school senior Stephanie Kuleba had everything going for her -- she was the well-liked captain of her varsity cheerleading team at West Boca High School, and she had been accepted to the University of Florida, where she hoped to study medicine...According to just released data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, nearly 348,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in 2007, a 64 percent increase from 2000....

The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported that between 2002 and 2003, the number of women and girls younger than 18 who got breast implants nearly tripled, from 3,872 to 11,326. ...

Doctors also say they are seeing more parents giving their teens the gift of new breasts or other cosmetic surgery for milestones like birthdays or graduations.

"I've seen an increase in teens having plastic surgery, and certainly for graduation," said Dr. Stephen T. Greenberg, a New York plastic surgeon and the author of "A Little Nip, A Little Tuck."

http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/PainManagement/story?id=4520099
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Oy vey. I just don't get it. What message are we giving to young women that so many need to undergo such extreme measures? Obviously we reinforce in them that breast size (any physical trait, really) is more important than it should be. Is this a reflection of our society that demands instant gratification, whereby a person undergoes butchering (ooops, I mean gastric bypass) rather than a sensible way to get one's weight under control? By the way, the medical community lies about mortality rates in most surgeries. They claim gastric bypass is lower than 5%, when it is probably closer to 10% or more for men. Just from personal experience, I know 9people who had the operation. 2 died, and 2 gained their weight back. And one has been so sick in the 5 years since her operation she almost wishes she died. Not exactly a scientific sample, but sure doesn't convince me that the doctors are telling everyone the truth.
I'm willing to bet it's the same with breast augmentation surgery. I'm sure they sold Stephanie Kubela and her parents on the safety of the operation. So, a young woman with the promise of a great life before her, died from complications of an operation she did not need.

It's beyond words.

It's all about the Benjamins

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I just found this classic blog from Sunday, 10 April 2005

As NJ gets deeper in debt, and faces tax and toll increases, this just seems so timely.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jon Corzine is running for Governor of NJ this year.

He bought the Senate seat for $66,000,000 a few years ago. I wonder what the governorship will cost him?

Anyway, I read in the Ledger today that he contributed over $800,000 to one PAC in 2001. The guy (Norcross)who controls that PAC is in big trouble for some illegal crap, so Corzine stated that he will not contribute any more cash to this PAC.

Of course, over the last 3 years, Corzine has contributed $270,000 to PAC's that benefit Norcross.
It's a joke.

And the punchline is taxpayers ultimately foot the bill when corruption rears its ugly head.

I'm not against government spending. It's a necessity. But waste is another thing.

Again, according to today's Ledger, since 1997, the NJ Department of Banking and Insurance, has spent $5,000,000 on travel expenses. That's 3/4 of a million per year. This includes sending 9 employees to a conference in Anchorage, Alaska.

Anybody else surprised our state is bankrupt?

And now, the final indignity.

My beloved Giants want to build a new stadium.

Cost to NJ?

0.00

And, the government is opposed to it.

They claim it's because they will lose the money they make leasing out the current stadium for concerts. Typically short sighted.
Or lies.

You decide.

A new stadium will generate jobs, and bring pride to Jersey. The stadium will be bigger (currently Giants tickets are sold out for many years in advance) and should bring in much revenue in sales tax. What will we lose?

The Meadowlands maroons want to build a shopping center, not a stadium.

Brilliant.

We need another mall like Rt. 1 needs more potholes.

Classic blog

I've been blogging for a few years, so I decided to post a classic rant from three years ago. It's still relevant.

Sunday, 20 March 2005
Why I hate the FDA and FTC-a few more reasons
Now Playing: That 70's Show
Topic: Political Rant
News Note:
The Congressman who was chairman of the committee that regulates prescription drugs has retired.

Billy Tauzin, former Congressman from La., the co-sponsor of the Medicare Bill that is causing so many problems for poor people (especially seniors and the disabled) has left Congress to enter private industry.

He has accepted a $2,000,000 per year position as president of the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America.

Is anybody else surprised that the person responsible for record drug company profits gets rewarded with a nice little job like that?

Laughter

Laughter is the best medicine according to a popular belief. A study by a team of University of Maryland School of Medicine researchers, led by Dr. Michael Miller, has recently shown for the first time that laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels. Miller said that the most significant study finding was that "people with heart disease responded less humorously to everyday life situations." They generally laughed less, even in positive situations, and they displayed more anger and hostility.
http://www.umm.edu/features/laughter.htm

Recently I was speaking on the telephone with a friend of mine concerning laughter.
We both would rather have a good laugh than fight. Yet, it seems many others prefer fighting. I don’t mean the occasional spirited debate, but instead, battling and sniping at one another just for the rush. My buddy shared a very interesting anecdote. His parents had been in one of Hitler’s Concentration Camps and obviously suffered abuse beyond comprehension. Sometimes the depths of man’s inhumanity to man just boggles one’s mind. But what my friend’s Mom remembers is that the survivors were the ones who laughed. She said she could almost tell who was going to die because they were the morose ones. Quiet, almost accepting death as an inevitable outcome of their situation.

But the ones who laughed, yes even laughed at the fact they were little more than skin and bones, they lived and they were the ones who made it out alive.

I’ve seen various techniques where people just laugh for the heck of it as part of their fitness regiment, and who knows if that works. As for me, just photoshop a geek in a compromising situation, and I’m laughing until I cry.

So, for today, find something to make you chuckle. Hell, chortle if you want. If I were a real doctor, and not just playing one on the internet, I’d suggest you take two hearty guffaws, rest, and get plenty of fluids.

Some odds and ends

I got this whole Larry King vibe going on today.

Why do so many insist in saying the Lord’s Prayer using Elizabethan English? Once, someone told me it’s because of the continuity; that is, they were able to pray the same way their ancestors did. I guess it depends on who your ancestors were. Some of mine barely spoke English, and I doubt they were conversant in Olde English. It’s just stupid.

I just saw some chocolate shop in Soho is selling chocolate covered bacon.
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/
bacon_exotic_candy_bar/exotic_candy_bars
Just when you thought you saw it all. I guess they go with chocolate Easter eggs.

Barry Bonds still doesn’t have a job in the majors. I wonder if he were a different type of person, would there be a team willing to take him on? A bad attitude along with declining skills may just be the formula for his retirement. But before anyone feels sorry for him, he has had a long career and made many millions of dollars.

Vicodin is my favorite prescription drug. It has replaced Percosets in getting rid of my pain. I fully understand how someone could get addicted to them.

Game shows have changed so much over the years. Jeopardy required skill, even Wheel of Fortune required a little bit of puzzle solving ability (though not much.) Today’s popular game shows? Deal or no Deal. I like it, but it’s a guessing game. And when one gets to the point they have limited safety, they take the deal. Ok. I get it. DOND is pretty much just gambling, hosted by a comedian and pretty models.


Are You Smater Than a 5th Grader is Jeopardy for morons. The Price is Right is starting to look more like a challenge each day. Plinko rocks.

My Redneck Wedding

The writer’s strike is finally over, and something good did come out of it. Due to incredible boredom, I searched the other 180+ channels on my TV for something different. Reruns aren’t anathema to me. As a matter of course, I can watch the same Simpsons episodes over and over, and even can find comfort in them. Same thing with Futurama and Family Guy. But many of today’s shows I can barely tolerate more than once. Go figure.
But I digress.
I have started watching CMT, and have found a few shows that are incredibly entertaining.
My Redneck Wedding has to be one of the most bizarre shows on TV. As you can probably guess from the title, rednecks get married and have the most "unusual" weddings. Whether they feature a trellis made out of beer cans or mud wrestling, these weddings are not for the feint of heart. The bride is more likely to arrive via ATV or horseback than limo.
And because the bride and groom want their guests to have a good time, they arrange special events. I thought long and hard to try to remember anything at a traditional wedding besides dancing. A redneck wedding apparently includes everything from a demolition derby to mattress surfing to dining on squirrel, wild boar, and whatever else runs through the nearby woods. And mass quantities of beer are consumed, naturally.
In keeping with our Redneck expectations, the gifts exchanged between the bride and groom are equally, for lack of a better term, non-traditional.
Could be a pink rifle, or something obtained by dumpster diving.
You can’t make this stuff up.
I usually rate these shows based upon my 1-10 scale. This show was hard to rate. But using my scientifically designed scale, it comes in at a solid 6.2



A quick review of my ratings system:
10--a prime show. The Sopranos or 24 would rate a 10.
9-- definately worth watching. Think South Park or Seinfeld re-runs. Not as funny as the first time, but still great TV fare.
8-- Pretty darn good stuff. If you can't be home, you'd consider setting up the DVR. Some solid 8's would be Earl, or Everybody Hates Chris.
7-- Not quite good enough to tape. But you can look forward to watching. The Office is the first show that comes to mind as a 7.
6-- Now we get into the shows that are ok, but only a first choice if other shows are re-runs. You won't mind watching a 6 at a different time. Britcoms are 6's.
5-- Think of a movie you liked, but have seen a dozen times or more. You'd choose the movie over the program, then the program is a 5. Mash and almost everything on TVLAND has become a 5.
4-- Crappy show, but with some redeeming quality, like it features hot chicks. Any show with Pam Anderson would be a 4.
3-- Only worth watching if the only alternative is infommercials. Fishing shows are 3.
2-- About the same as a good infommercial. QVC is a 2.
1-- Infommercials, unless they are The Knife Collector Show. They sell swords!

Imprisoned

The Crotchety Old Lady has been out of work for the last few weeks due to surgery. So I begrudgingly have turned over the remote to her during the day. My day is now filled with such testosterone sapping TV fare as soap operas and Oprah.
I can’t get into the soaps because it seems every single one has the following script:
Chase has an affair with Veronica, but hopes that Michael, his half-brother doesn't find out. Great mental anguish ensues. But, of course, Michael has been having an affair with Celeste, while Conchetta, the poor but honest maid (who naturally does not know she is the illegitimate love child of Chase's Dad, Devon) falls in love with Michael's business rival. Then, Bram, a devilishly charming, filthy rich businessman from some country where they speak English, either Oz or Fiji, constructs a plan to win the heart of Veronica.
Sure, some of the names are changed around, but they always use proper names or some uncommon name like Logan or Ridge. Every once in a while a Rick or Johnny sneaks in, but one will never find a Dave on a soap opera. Soaps are also great for characters named Lucky, Sonny, or some other name that hasn’t been heard since the late 70’s. Personally, I’ve never known anyone with such a moniker, but apparently, these are pretty common in soaps.
My daily soap marathon ends just in time for Oprah. I don’t get Oprah. She has some decent guests, but she may have the most annoying delivery on television. Much of the time, she sounds like a game show host on steroids as she yells out the guest’s name or some gift for the audience. I’m sure she is a nice lady, but do I really need to hear her yell out DOCTOR OZ!!! She must be doing something right, as she makes a bazillion dollars and has launched a few very successful shows, produced movies, and publishes a magazine. I should only be so successful.

Spring training time

I've been watching the Yankees on YES, and they are looking ready for a great season. The young pitchers seem to be maturing at just the right time, and the older guys like Moose and Pettitte are pitching like they did a few years ago. Wang has the most wins over the last 2 years in the AL, and I have no reason to think he won't crack the 20-win mark this year. Joba was supposed to be a starter, but I'm not sure he is ready for that role.

As far as the regular lineup, it's hard to find any weak spot. In no particular order:
Cano is coming off a terrific sophomore season, and should be even better this year.
Jeter is once again ready to do what he does best--win. I'm looking for a big year from the Captain. A-Rod even made him the earlky season favorite for the MVP award.
And speaking of MVP, can A-Rod repeat his MVP season of 2007? Can I get a hell, yeah? He is just reaching his prime, and may be even better this year.
Melky just gets better every year. While he may not be a power hitter in the Yankees centerfield tradition of Mantle and DiMaggio, he plays a great defense, and his arm has earned respect around the league.
Damon looks to be over his nagging injuries from last year, and gives the Yankees a lead off batter with pop and speed. Rickey Henderson without the attitude.
Godzilla should be back with his usual dependable play and decent power, along with the clutch hitting that has become synonymous with the name Matsui.
Abreau at 34 should give us the OBP and keen eye that drives opposing pitchers crazy.
Even the bench looks strong with Duncan and Betemit.
My only concerns are Giambi and Posada. They are both coming off decent seasons, but 36 year-old catchers can be injury prone. And Giambi, although he looks pretty good, is coming off a year in which he only played 83 games.
I'd love to say I'm looking at a team like the '98 squad, but sadly, not. I expect the team to challenge for the division, probably even win it. But this year, the playoffs will be different. I expect to sweep through them like a hot knife through butter. This team is built for the playoffs. Just as long as those freakin' bugs don't show up in Cleveland.

Congratulations to the G-Men

Yesterday’s Super Bowl may have been the best game ever. Whenever Big Blue is in the Big Game, it will be exciting and memorable. Whether it was Phil Simms leading the Giants to a big win based on 22 of 25 passing, or Scott Norwood missing a field goal to end the game, it’s never boring. And yesterday may have been the best of the best. Eli’s drive for the game winning touchdown with about a minute to go was unbelievable. Everyone in America knew it was going to be a pass to Burress, but the Pats couldn't stop it.
I couldn’t sleep last night. I was just so worked up after all the excitement of the huge upset.
And, spring training starts in about 2 weeks.
Sweet.

Goodbye 2007

I don’t believe in time measurement as very significant on a day to day basis. Is the day one turns 50 any different than the day before? Just as January 1st truly is no different than December 31st . That said, I’m still happy to see 2007 come to an end. It was, without a doubt, from beginning to end, the worst year of my life.
January 3rd I was in the hospital and awaited amputation. It only turned out to be one toe, but it still was a lousy way to start the year. And it didn’t get much better. Because my foot is now turned as ligaments have been severed, my rehab assignment turned into a disaster. I developed a wound on my foot that still has not healed.
In April, my Mom passed away after her battle with cancer.
In June, I found my ass back in the hospital as I had been vomiting for over a week. During that time, I had a colonoscopy, and got 4 transfusions. They checked out everything they could, and found nothing. Of course, they missed one big thing, and that led to my hospitalization in Ct. I was on vacation in August, and thought I was having a heart attack. I got a quick tour of the Ct. countryside in an ambulance, which would have been much more pleasant if I had been able to breathe. This hospital trip turned out to be a good thing. I had congestive heart failure, and the local doctors had missed that I was retaining water like a friggin’ sponge. I peed out gallons over the next few days, and lost 40 pounds in 4 days.
September-- how much trouble can I get into sitting on my couch? Apparently, quite a bit. I went out one day to see my friend, and tripped on the way in. Ripped up my toes, and they are still not healed. I also had my foot rub against something, and a wound opened up. When did I become so damned delicate?
In October, I had skin cancer removed from my face. A series of 12 needles “stung a little.” Not really, they hurt a lot. More than anything I had ever had done before.
I was measured for a brace in November so I could walk. It was going to take a few weeks. It’s been 6 already, and I have not yet heard anything about it. I had the flu the last week of 2007, and it was the perfect ending to a disastrous year. Ralphing into a bucket just seemed like an appropriate ending to my year. Sometimes I think I just keep going just to see what can happen to me next.
But hope springs eternal.
My motto is “Things will be great in 2008.”

I'm sure my parents dropped my on my head numerous times when I was a baby.

At least someone gets it

This politically correct, heaven forbid we offend someone BS is beyond my understanding. I have yet to meet anyone who was offended by a Holiday Greeting such as Merry Christmas or Happy Hannukah no matter what religion they were.
And I found this most interesting. All the TV stations and most programs have their little "Holiday Wishes" promos. Each is the most non denominational, plain vanilla greeting ever. "Season's Greetings, Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad, 'Tis the Season." WTH is up with these greetings?

Season's Greetings and 'Tis the Season? WTF!!! I want to wish you a happy winter? That is possibly the most idiotic greeting ever. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall--those are seasons. Christmas is no more a season that 4th of July or President's Day. Who would offer anyone a Happy Patriotic Season in July?

Happy Holidays falls right in with the generic and ubiquitous "Have a nice day." A pleasant enough greeting, but lacking in real commitment. It's better than "Merry Christmas if you celebrate it, " which I have heard. Oy vey!

And now, the prevalence of Feliz Navidad. So, apparently, if I were Spanish, I get an appropriate religious-based greeting. But for run of the mill Christians who speak English, no way, Jose.

Now, this is what I found most interesting in these greetings. They are on TV stations with predominantly Christian audiences. Overwhelmingly Christian would be a more accurate description. And here's the twist. I watch Asian-American TV on the weekends. I do love my Bollywood. : )
And on these channels, whose audience is, at best, only a tiny portion Christian, guess what their greeting was?

Merry Christmas.

A few weeks ago, they wished everyone a Happy Dawali, because that was what many (probably most) of the audience celebrates. They didn't qualify it or water it down so as to not offend Christians or Muslims, or whoever happens to watch their programming.
And this week, it was Merry Christmas. Because they realize anything else is just plain stupid. They didn't qualify it, they didn't dilute it, and they didn't mix in various other greetings.

We have a lot to learn from them about tolerance and acceptance. Inclusion and diversity does not mean suppression of what we love about our lives and heritage, but rather it is a way to celebrate alongside and revel in what each brings to our American tapestry.

Merry Christmas, Everyone.

Dear Santa Claus

It's been a while since I've written to you.

It's been a pretty f'd up year, so I figure you owe me big time. Normally, I ask about the wife and the elves, but this is all about me. I want stuff, and lots of it.
I want a race car set. Yeah, I know you got me one over 40 years ago. But that was given away many years ago. And I miss all the good times I had with it. There was something relaxing about sending the cars streaking around that circle. At that time, it seems hard to believe that an 8 year old needed to relax, but after a hard day of reading, writing, and all that crap, I had to get my mind off the pressures of school and watch the cars go around and around. I was pretty easy to entertain back then.

And you know what Big Guy? It hasn't changed much.

And if you could pack an electric football game in that bag, I'd be pretty happy. I know the guys never went where the should have, and I don't remember ever playing anything resembling the game of football because the thing was noisy and pretty much sucked. But I want one anyhow.

I used to like building model cars. For some reason, I always painted them baby blue with an overspray of gold. I'm sure they looked like crap, but to me they were beautiful. And I don't have any because me and Eddie from up the street used to blow them up in the field across the street. I promise not to blow them up. Besides, I don't know where Eddie lives any more.

I'd also like a couple model rockets. I used to have a fleet of them. I have no idea why, but I always painted them orange and black. I guess I thought that was a good combination. I'm not sure what color I'd paint them now. Maybe baby blue with gold overspray.

And I definately need soldiers. Don't try sticking me with those little stupid green army men, either. I want the 6" ones from Marx. And I want a few of each. Nothing sucked more than playing army and only having American soldiers and one German guy. And I'll need some Japanese soldiers, too. Make sure I get the guys throwing grenades. The Japanese one looked a little like Dice K and I want him to be the first to get shot by sniper fire when I play. I also would like some Roman soldiers. You can give the cowboys and Indians to some other guy seeking a second childhood.

This was usually the part of my letter where I asked you to bring me less presents because some poor kids needed them more. And I probably asked for peace.

Santa, we go way back. I don't really want to be greedy. Just get me the race car set. And have a nice Christmas.

I have created a monster

When I first got together with the Crotchety Old Lady we shared many passions. Sadly, Yankees baseball was not one of them. But over the last 15 very happy years, she has gradually been converted to fandom. I always imagined growing older with the woman I love and the team I have been a fan of for more years than I care to count. Sitting on the couch while enjoying each other and the best in sports entertainment--what a way to spend my days.

Gradually, the Old Lady has evolved and become a more knowledgeable fan. Again, this could only be considered a good thing. She has a favorite player (Andy Pettitte) and has Yankees gear. I should be the happiest man on the planet.

But much like Dr. Frankenstein, my plan has gone awry. I have created a fan in the purest sense of the word. Fan, as everyone should know, is short for fanatic. And that would be the way to describe my lady.

When A-Rod filed for free agency, her first reaction was that he betrayed her and the team.

And now that he has announced that he wants to come back (crawling back is how she described it) she has become really angry. She wants to take my A-Rod Jersey and cut it up and use it for dustrags after she washes the floor with it. Even though he is perhaps the best player of the last 10 years, and one of the greatest ever, he is terrible, according to her. A total bum because he did so badly in the playoffs. And she has pointed out at least a half dozen times that the Yankees lost the playoffs, and never made it to the Series totally because of him.

The Yankees are looking to re-sign Mo. And again, she is angry that he had what could only be considered an average year by every standard. She expects perfection each and every time out. She is ready to dump the greatest reliever in history because he had an average year.

I have created a monster, and she has turned on me.