2/22/09
2/21/09
Be Careful What You Ask For...
Two priests died at the same time and met Saint Peter at the Pearly Gates.
St. Peter said, "I'd like to get you guys in now, but our computer is down. You'll have to go back to Earth for about a week, but you can't go back as priests. So what else would you like to be?"
The first priest says, "I've always wanted to be an eagle, soaring above the Rocky Mountains."
"So be it," says St. Peter, and off flies the first priest.
The second priest mulls this over for a moment and asks, "Will any of this week 'count', St. Peter?"
"No, I told you the computer's down. There's no way we can keep track of what you're doing."
"In that case," says the second priest, "I've always wanted to be a stud."
"So be it," says St. Peter, and the second priest disappears.
A week goes by, the computer is fixed, and the Lord tells St. Peter to recall the two priests. "Will you have any trouble locating them?" He asks.
"The first one should be easy," says St. Peter. "He's somewhere over the Rockies flying with the eagles. But the second one could prove to be more difficult."
"Why?" asks the Lord.
"He's on a snow tire, somewhere in Wisconsin."
St. Peter said, "I'd like to get you guys in now, but our computer is down. You'll have to go back to Earth for about a week, but you can't go back as priests. So what else would you like to be?"
The first priest says, "I've always wanted to be an eagle, soaring above the Rocky Mountains."
"So be it," says St. Peter, and off flies the first priest.
The second priest mulls this over for a moment and asks, "Will any of this week 'count', St. Peter?"
"No, I told you the computer's down. There's no way we can keep track of what you're doing."
"In that case," says the second priest, "I've always wanted to be a stud."
"So be it," says St. Peter, and the second priest disappears.
A week goes by, the computer is fixed, and the Lord tells St. Peter to recall the two priests. "Will you have any trouble locating them?" He asks.
"The first one should be easy," says St. Peter. "He's somewhere over the Rockies flying with the eagles. But the second one could prove to be more difficult."
"Why?" asks the Lord.
"He's on a snow tire, somewhere in Wisconsin."
2/20/09
Welcome Signs
Truth in advertising...
Maybe. Maybe not. I'd still rather be there...
What did you expect from the "God's waiting room" state?
Hey, size DOES matter!
2/17/09
Unstimulated.....
If a picture says a 1ooo words this one tells the whole story.
For those less than Masters of the Obvious.....
1) the web page is the stock section of Foxnews.com and the stocks are having .....uhem... a hard time getting up despite the fact that it's sponsor happens to be Cialis's Promise Program.
2) The Websites that just happened to be opened when I took this snapshot of the website were our very own Crunch Time, Pamibe's 'I told you so..' blog at http://www.pamibe.com/. That was just a funny coincidence.
You just can't make this stuff up.
Special Thanks to my coworker and Blogspawn Silverwing - http://www.silverwings-silverings.blogspot.com/ who saw the website first and doubled over laughing uncontrolably.
And Then There Were 3
I'm going to have to get a bigger hat rack! The Asshats are just piling up!
A friend (Luis) in Colorado was out at a restaurant with his wife & two boys (2 & 6). The six-year old said he needed to use the bathroom & Luis told him to take the two-year old with him. The bathroom was in direct view of their table & he watched both boys go in.
A few moments later, a man in his 40s came up to the table - both of my friend's boys with him & the following conversation ensued:
Guy: Do you think it's very smart to let your kids RUN around the restaurant, bothering people?
Luis: Sorry, we are just leaving...
Guy: If they go by my table again, I am going to trip them! (seriously! two little kids!)
(Luis, agitated at this point, stands up & the guy gets in his face)
Luis: If you touch my kid, I will kick your ass! (trust me, he can back this up.)
Guy: No you won't.
Luis: Are you sure? Please, walk away.
At this point, it bears noting that Luis, a second degree in HKD, was accosted a few years back in Boston by two jerks. One ended up kissing a brick wall & the other was choked into submission...Luis can handle himself.
(Guy gets even closer to Luis)
Luis: WALK. AWAY. NOW!
The guy finally got some sense in his head & walked back to his table. Needless to say, the manager was over there by now & other folks were all too glad to tell how this jerk had threatened two children in front of their parents. The manager kicked the bozo & his girlfriend out without further incident.
Congratulations, asshat #3! You must be related to #2 with a twisted mind like that. Part of me wishes Luis had kicked your butt all over the restaurant but I'm glad my friend had the presence of mind to behave as an adult should instead of stooping to your head-up-the-butt level.
A friend (Luis) in Colorado was out at a restaurant with his wife & two boys (2 & 6). The six-year old said he needed to use the bathroom & Luis told him to take the two-year old with him. The bathroom was in direct view of their table & he watched both boys go in.
A few moments later, a man in his 40s came up to the table - both of my friend's boys with him & the following conversation ensued:
Guy: Do you think it's very smart to let your kids RUN around the restaurant, bothering people?
Luis: Sorry, we are just leaving...
Guy: If they go by my table again, I am going to trip them! (seriously! two little kids!)
(Luis, agitated at this point, stands up & the guy gets in his face)
Luis: If you touch my kid, I will kick your ass! (trust me, he can back this up.)
Guy: No you won't.
Luis: Are you sure? Please, walk away.
At this point, it bears noting that Luis, a second degree in HKD, was accosted a few years back in Boston by two jerks. One ended up kissing a brick wall & the other was choked into submission...Luis can handle himself.
(Guy gets even closer to Luis)
Luis: WALK. AWAY. NOW!
The guy finally got some sense in his head & walked back to his table. Needless to say, the manager was over there by now & other folks were all too glad to tell how this jerk had threatened two children in front of their parents. The manager kicked the bozo & his girlfriend out without further incident.
Congratulations, asshat #3! You must be related to #2 with a twisted mind like that. Part of me wishes Luis had kicked your butt all over the restaurant but I'm glad my friend had the presence of mind to behave as an adult should instead of stooping to your head-up-the-butt level.
2/15/09
Good & Bad
Good news/Bad news time...
The good: I've got a "theme song".
The bad? Well, I wasn't thinking it would involve so much polyester, disco lights & bell bottoms!
The good: I've got a "theme song".
The bad? Well, I wasn't thinking it would involve so much polyester, disco lights & bell bottoms!
2/13/09
Garfield would be proud.
In the wake of the recent Hudson River incident, The Obama Administration was quick to act and advised the FAA to implement the following new anti-bird measures for all airliners.
2/12/09
Props to UserFriendly.org
I have been a great fan of User Friendly for many years.
http://www.userfriendly.org/
Illiad's Daily Static is a great read even for Technotard as well as Geeks. But today he had one that just spoke volumes to me. I may have taken it to a different context than the great author had intended but here is my take on today's toon.
Also could be said that: In the West when Conservatives make mistakes Conservatives bear the burden. And in the West when Liberals screw everyone over Conservatives bear the burden.
http://www.userfriendly.org/
Illiad's Daily Static is a great read even for Technotard as well as Geeks. But today he had one that just spoke volumes to me. I may have taken it to a different context than the great author had intended but here is my take on today's toon.
Also could be said that: In the West when Conservatives make mistakes Conservatives bear the burden. And in the West when Liberals screw everyone over Conservatives bear the burden.
2/11/09
A$$hat #2
Well, we've got another one we can add to the list...
My instructor offered a self-defense class through the local community college & about eight people signed up - including a 6'2", 250lb guy in his upper 40s. Now, anyone can use some knowledge of self-defense, right? Well Too-Tall here doesn't - he knows EVERYTHING!
Yes, this guy, who does his own TKD thing, thinks he wrote the book on self defense. Actually, it's not even a pamphlet. This buster, secure in his size, weight & overly supreme ego, has a philosophy of "might makes right". In other words, he hits with 250lbs of mass behind him, so you should, too.
For those of us lacking that weight, well it's too bad...we just aren't allowed to defend ourselves.
Now, that's bad enough but buster isn't done just yet. He walked a couple of the female students out after class & proceeded to inform them that: 1) he could take them down & there's nothing they could do to stop it; and 2) "don't tell the instructor but none of these techniques will work".
Being an experienced practitioner & one who is well-versed in said useless techniques, I would like to respond, in turn:
1) Really nice, creepfest! Seriously, these women are taking a SELF-DEFENSE CLASS. This means they are there, surprise, to learn. They don't know everything & neither does anyone else. We're all learning, except for you, genius. Threatening women with an attack on their first day of class is the most asinine thing an arrogant moron like you could do.
2) Yeah, because you've done all of the techniques before. I have yet to meet the person who can keep his grip on the simplest of wrist escapes offered in this class. Of the 300+ techniques in my binder, I'd argue 90% are effective (10% are demonstration techniques) & the average student could reasonably employ 75% of them in a self-defense situation (15% or so are either very flashy throws or likely lethal). The self-defense curriculum is a subset of the HKD material & is implemented specifically to provide the opportunity to escape. As such, it is 100% practical self-defense (hence, the course title).
Look, I've met you before, fella. The martial arts world is rife with ego-maniacal jerks who think they know it better than everyone else. First, traditional TKD isn't practical for any self-defense. Second, creeping someone out in an overt attempt to steal students is unethical. Fittingly, your kind is the least useful to the community & knows next to nothing about offering a service besides your lips on your own a$$.
At least your head is up there for easy access.
My instructor offered a self-defense class through the local community college & about eight people signed up - including a 6'2", 250lb guy in his upper 40s. Now, anyone can use some knowledge of self-defense, right? Well Too-Tall here doesn't - he knows EVERYTHING!
Yes, this guy, who does his own TKD thing, thinks he wrote the book on self defense. Actually, it's not even a pamphlet. This buster, secure in his size, weight & overly supreme ego, has a philosophy of "might makes right". In other words, he hits with 250lbs of mass behind him, so you should, too.
For those of us lacking that weight, well it's too bad...we just aren't allowed to defend ourselves.
Now, that's bad enough but buster isn't done just yet. He walked a couple of the female students out after class & proceeded to inform them that: 1) he could take them down & there's nothing they could do to stop it; and 2) "don't tell the instructor but none of these techniques will work".
Being an experienced practitioner & one who is well-versed in said useless techniques, I would like to respond, in turn:
1) Really nice, creepfest! Seriously, these women are taking a SELF-DEFENSE CLASS. This means they are there, surprise, to learn. They don't know everything & neither does anyone else. We're all learning, except for you, genius. Threatening women with an attack on their first day of class is the most asinine thing an arrogant moron like you could do.
2) Yeah, because you've done all of the techniques before. I have yet to meet the person who can keep his grip on the simplest of wrist escapes offered in this class. Of the 300+ techniques in my binder, I'd argue 90% are effective (10% are demonstration techniques) & the average student could reasonably employ 75% of them in a self-defense situation (15% or so are either very flashy throws or likely lethal). The self-defense curriculum is a subset of the HKD material & is implemented specifically to provide the opportunity to escape. As such, it is 100% practical self-defense (hence, the course title).
Look, I've met you before, fella. The martial arts world is rife with ego-maniacal jerks who think they know it better than everyone else. First, traditional TKD isn't practical for any self-defense. Second, creeping someone out in an overt attempt to steal students is unethical. Fittingly, your kind is the least useful to the community & knows next to nothing about offering a service besides your lips on your own a$$.
At least your head is up there for easy access.
2/10/09
My Word
It should be in dictionaries all over the world! It is pith & brilliance given form in these trying times of sheer idiocy.
The word?
Asshat!
asshat (n): (1) an individual or organization so incredulously incompetent that explanation, very nearly, defies logic. i.e. - That jerk voted for a wasteful stimulus package? What an asshat! (2) a crude, needlessly argumentative individual surpassing ordinary recalcitrance. i.e. - What do you mean I need to pay for this stimulus, Congressman? Don't be an asshat about this! (3) President Barack Obama after signing any executive order. i.e. - Well, it looks like Asshat is at it again!
The word?
Asshat!
asshat (n): (1) an individual or organization so incredulously incompetent that explanation, very nearly, defies logic. i.e. - That jerk voted for a wasteful stimulus package? What an asshat! (2) a crude, needlessly argumentative individual surpassing ordinary recalcitrance. i.e. - What do you mean I need to pay for this stimulus, Congressman? Don't be an asshat about this! (3) President Barack Obama after signing any executive order. i.e. - Well, it looks like Asshat is at it again!
Might As Well...
Nothing wrong with doing the odd meme...
Rules: Go to urbandictionary.com and type in your answers to the following questions. Post the first definition it gives you.
1. Your Name: Hapkido
-- Korean martial art that consists of a variety of arm and leg joint locks, weapon techniques, throwing, kicking, and nerve pressure techniques. Hapkido is very suitable for self-defense. In Hapkido, Hap meaning: together, or the harmony of body and spirit, Ki meaning life and body energy, Do, meaning way of life, way of learning.
2. Your Age: 34
-- Anal sex, simalar to 69. I wanna 34 that girl! (OK, that's kind of gross...)
3. One of your friends: Ron
-- triumph; decimates all in its path; very strong (Yeah, remind me not to piss him off!)
4. What you should be doing: Working
-- A term to describe the tedious and boring indentured servitude that most people are forced to endure to get money. Generally, not a pleasant experience. *duh*
5. Favorite color: blue
-- The feeling when u wake up at 7 in the morning and remembering it's a monday. (That is soooo true!)
6. Birthplace: Mineola
-- Mineola isn't defined yet. (Yeah & it's best left that way!)
7. Your nickname: Biff
-- To mess something up, specifically a physical activity.
8. Your birthmonth: August
-- The idea of perfection. The 8th Month of the year in certain European and Asian cultures signifies greatness in achieving perfection, or something close to it. (Being a Leo, I can tell you the above is absolutely true!)
Rules: Go to urbandictionary.com and type in your answers to the following questions. Post the first definition it gives you.
1. Your Name: Hapkido
-- Korean martial art that consists of a variety of arm and leg joint locks, weapon techniques, throwing, kicking, and nerve pressure techniques. Hapkido is very suitable for self-defense. In Hapkido, Hap meaning: together, or the harmony of body and spirit, Ki meaning life and body energy, Do, meaning way of life, way of learning.
2. Your Age: 34
-- Anal sex, simalar to 69. I wanna 34 that girl! (OK, that's kind of gross...)
3. One of your friends: Ron
-- triumph; decimates all in its path; very strong (Yeah, remind me not to piss him off!)
4. What you should be doing: Working
-- A term to describe the tedious and boring indentured servitude that most people are forced to endure to get money. Generally, not a pleasant experience. *duh*
5. Favorite color: blue
-- The feeling when u wake up at 7 in the morning and remembering it's a monday. (That is soooo true!)
6. Birthplace: Mineola
-- Mineola isn't defined yet. (Yeah & it's best left that way!)
7. Your nickname: Biff
-- To mess something up, specifically a physical activity.
8. Your birthmonth: August
-- The idea of perfection. The 8th Month of the year in certain European and Asian cultures signifies greatness in achieving perfection, or something close to it. (Being a Leo, I can tell you the above is absolutely true!)
2/7/09
Dangerous, Working On Armed
I'm thinking about purchasing a handgun. Never mind my reasons (though they're constructive), we have the 2nd Amendment & I'm not a felon, so it's my right!
Now, I've fired a .357 when I was younger (Ouch!) but otherwise there's no handgun experience I can claim. Being an average-sized guy, my decision is that a .40 would be the best fit for me: not too big like a .45 or .50 hand cannon but more power than offered in a 9mm.
I do have some experience with weapons. Let's see, I have a 20ga. Franchi, 12ga. Franchi, compound bow, training knives, a tactical folding knife, training handgun, bokken (wooden sword), joong bong (medium-length sticks) & dan bong (short sticks)...
I'll admit I suck with the sword.
Still, I'm looking for an informed opinion on good handguns in .40 caliber to purchase. Most of the magazines out there are full of self-congratulatory pieces on pieces. What is needed is honest input for such a big purchase. Cost is somewhat an issue but I have wiggle room.
What handgun would you recommend?
Now, I've fired a .357 when I was younger (Ouch!) but otherwise there's no handgun experience I can claim. Being an average-sized guy, my decision is that a .40 would be the best fit for me: not too big like a .45 or .50 hand cannon but more power than offered in a 9mm.
I do have some experience with weapons. Let's see, I have a 20ga. Franchi, 12ga. Franchi, compound bow, training knives, a tactical folding knife, training handgun, bokken (wooden sword), joong bong (medium-length sticks) & dan bong (short sticks)...
I'll admit I suck with the sword.
Still, I'm looking for an informed opinion on good handguns in .40 caliber to purchase. Most of the magazines out there are full of self-congratulatory pieces on pieces. What is needed is honest input for such a big purchase. Cost is somewhat an issue but I have wiggle room.
What handgun would you recommend?
2/6/09
Yet another Blogspawn
I'd like to introduce my ...I think I have 7 readers now, to my Blogspawn. I can hardly claim her as my blogspawn because she started flying on her own although it may have been the gusts of hot air that I produce on this site that shot her out of the nest and into the blogsphere.
Ladies and Gentlemen.... It's my pleasure to introduce to you *drumroll*.. Silverwing.
This blogspawn has indeed ventured out into the wild of cyberspace and you can see the new nest at http://silverwings-silverings.blogspot.com/ . She unlike I, can blog on multiple topics. I'm still working on it.
Pamibe, Mrs Who, BR, Hap, and my other 3 readers...ya'll be nice.
Ladies and Gentlemen.... It's my pleasure to introduce to you *drumroll*.. Silverwing.
This blogspawn has indeed ventured out into the wild of cyberspace and you can see the new nest at http://silverwings-silverings.blogspot.com/ . She unlike I, can blog on multiple topics. I'm still working on it.
Pamibe, Mrs Who, BR, Hap, and my other 3 readers...ya'll be nice.
2/3/09
The B*tch Is Back!
UGH! Just when you think you're rid of a nuisance...
We started a new term for students who sign up through the local community college. It's a no-credit, continuing-education, self-defense class for them. Initially, I was hopeful because of one of the names on the roster - a young lady who was the 1st self-defense student. She had athletic ability, confidence & a good attitude. I'm not sure if she showed but certainly she gets the most out of the class.
Unfortunately, every so often a margarita catches a fly. Also on the roster was the "don't need the commentary" lady. The one that reminds me of Dolores Umbridge of Harry Potter: OoTP fame. You know the type: she says the most insidious things in the most pleasant tone - as if to disguise her malevolence inside a sugary-sweet wrapper. Happily, I didn't have to try & teach her anything tonight...
What hurts me most is I consider myself a patient instructor. I can work with an easily distracted seven year-old & maintain composure without issue. I reason that my patience as a black belt is required to ensure the students are properly trained in self-defense. It's a point of pride for me to show the utmost courtesy in the capacity of a teacher.
In "Dolores'" case, all I want to do is tell her to clean the stuff out of her ears, listen & get a clue.
To paraphrase Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan Jessup in "A Few Good Men": I don't want trophies & I don't want "yes, sirs"...What I do want is for you to stand there in your ragetty-ass workout clothes with your holier-than-thou mouth & extend me some f*cking courtesy!
While we're on that subject...if a certain blue belt "reminds" me one more time what happens next in class, I swear he'll get a quick, decisive lesson in showing proper respect to an instructor. As it stands, I quietly brushed him off & handled class.
Geez! All these distractions & no adequate way to express my feelings!!! Pamibe, how's about letting me use some of those great emoticons you have? :-)
We started a new term for students who sign up through the local community college. It's a no-credit, continuing-education, self-defense class for them. Initially, I was hopeful because of one of the names on the roster - a young lady who was the 1st self-defense student. She had athletic ability, confidence & a good attitude. I'm not sure if she showed but certainly she gets the most out of the class.
Unfortunately, every so often a margarita catches a fly. Also on the roster was the "don't need the commentary" lady. The one that reminds me of Dolores Umbridge of Harry Potter: OoTP fame. You know the type: she says the most insidious things in the most pleasant tone - as if to disguise her malevolence inside a sugary-sweet wrapper. Happily, I didn't have to try & teach her anything tonight...
What hurts me most is I consider myself a patient instructor. I can work with an easily distracted seven year-old & maintain composure without issue. I reason that my patience as a black belt is required to ensure the students are properly trained in self-defense. It's a point of pride for me to show the utmost courtesy in the capacity of a teacher.
In "Dolores'" case, all I want to do is tell her to clean the stuff out of her ears, listen & get a clue.
To paraphrase Jack Nicholson as Col. Nathan Jessup in "A Few Good Men": I don't want trophies & I don't want "yes, sirs"...What I do want is for you to stand there in your ragetty-ass workout clothes with your holier-than-thou mouth & extend me some f*cking courtesy!
While we're on that subject...if a certain blue belt "reminds" me one more time what happens next in class, I swear he'll get a quick, decisive lesson in showing proper respect to an instructor. As it stands, I quietly brushed him off & handled class.
Geez! All these distractions & no adequate way to express my feelings!!! Pamibe, how's about letting me use some of those great emoticons you have? :-)
Where's the love?
Valentines Day is coming and Ronny Engrish is in desperate need of a romantic idea to surprise Mrs. Engrish with. Lately (apparently since Y2K+5) I have been very ....grumpy ....not easy to get along with ....not being a nice guy in general. Mrs. Engrish is pretty fed up with Putting up with My ..uhm...Stuff. (never know if Mrs. Who reads this in front of the kids so I gotta keep the language rated PG)
So I have been thinking what I can do for Mrs. Engrish that will not result in a frying pan going ballistic with a terminal trajectory of my crainium.
As I am a guest here on Crunch Time, and it is just the way I roll..... Please - Keep it clean.
So I have been thinking what I can do for Mrs. Engrish that will not result in a frying pan going ballistic with a terminal trajectory of my crainium.
As I am a guest here on Crunch Time, and it is just the way I roll..... Please - Keep it clean.
2/2/09
Edyoukayshun
Obamacide:
The death of the US economy perpetrated on the majority by the minority.
Ya know I honestly try to find something non-political to blog about but it sometimes takes transfering some brain power away from the real work I do. Blogging on politics is pretty much a no brainer, and our current dope-in-cheif is making this all too easy.
The death of the US economy perpetrated on the majority by the minority.
Ya know I honestly try to find something non-political to blog about but it sometimes takes transfering some brain power away from the real work I do. Blogging on politics is pretty much a no brainer, and our current dope-in-cheif is making this all too easy.
I SCREAM
Baskin Robins just announced a new flavor-
Baskin Robbins, one of the major supporters and financial backers of our new President, is introducing a new ice cream in honor of the inauguration, "Barocky Road."
It's half vanilla, half chocolate, and surrounded by fruits and nuts!
Baskin Robbins, one of the major supporters and financial backers of our new President, is introducing a new ice cream in honor of the inauguration, "Barocky Road."
It's half vanilla, half chocolate, and surrounded by fruits and nuts!
1/30/09
Blogo Blog Part II
The Senators are calling Gov. Rod Blagojevich "Dishonest, Devious, Corrupt, and a Hyprocrit"
Excuse me. If we are using that criteria for removing people from office.....
WILL THE LAST ONE OUT PLEASE GET THE LIGHTS.
Elected officials are all a bunch of ASPHOLES
Excuse me. If we are using that criteria for removing people from office.....
WILL THE LAST ONE OUT PLEASE GET THE LIGHTS.
Elected officials are all a bunch of ASPHOLES
1/29/09
A Couple Pics...
From my 2nd degree test.
Just to show you it wasn't all fun & games:
And I mean for everyone involved:
There's something cool about taking a big dude down:
My air fall (OK considering it's been 6 months...):
Just to show you it wasn't all fun & games:
And I mean for everyone involved:
There's something cool about taking a big dude down:
My air fall (OK considering it's been 6 months...):
More to come later...
Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich Sacrificed
What just happened?
WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED?!?
I am not Defending Gov. Rod Blagojevich. I am defending due process which just got a serious rectal raping from the Senate.
Either one or two things just blew up in America.
1) Due process died. In which case. La Cosa Nostra will reign supreme. I will show you how.
If the government cannot process a fair trial even if it is just accusations. Then they cannot be trusted to conduct themselves when it comes to a REAL TRIAL with real crimes.
2) The communist election that just took place in the United States Senate threatens to undermine the United States Government as a whole. It will do much better than any outside enemy has ever dreamed.
IF Blago is guilty and he may very well be (I think that there is a good chance he is) then by attacking him with such Cowardly tactics is without honor. No Defense. Innocent until proven guilty.
If Blago wants to fight this he now has PLENTY of grounds for which to do it.
It was not handled according to the Illinois Constitution which clearly has rules that the House would preside over any impeachment. Blago can tell the Cowards of the Senate to "Screw Off" and they can't do anything about it.
First I think that the Senators should all be tried for Treason for participating in this mockery of Justice. Then when they are found guilty they should be taken out to the Rose Garden and Shot in the head as Traitors against the United States Of America.
Then we send this to the House for a proper trial / hearing and let them have a shot at doing their jobs. If Rod Blagojevich is found guilty in a fair trial then justice will have it's say.
Tell then......We are all in danger of a comunist trial of accusation.
It is a dark day in America. A very Dark and Dangerous day.
WHAT THE HECK JUST HAPPENED?!?
I am not Defending Gov. Rod Blagojevich. I am defending due process which just got a serious rectal raping from the Senate.
Either one or two things just blew up in America.
1) Due process died. In which case. La Cosa Nostra will reign supreme. I will show you how.
If the government cannot process a fair trial even if it is just accusations. Then they cannot be trusted to conduct themselves when it comes to a REAL TRIAL with real crimes.
2) The communist election that just took place in the United States Senate threatens to undermine the United States Government as a whole. It will do much better than any outside enemy has ever dreamed.
IF Blago is guilty and he may very well be (I think that there is a good chance he is) then by attacking him with such Cowardly tactics is without honor. No Defense. Innocent until proven guilty.
If Blago wants to fight this he now has PLENTY of grounds for which to do it.
It was not handled according to the Illinois Constitution which clearly has rules that the House would preside over any impeachment. Blago can tell the Cowards of the Senate to "Screw Off" and they can't do anything about it.
First I think that the Senators should all be tried for Treason for participating in this mockery of Justice. Then when they are found guilty they should be taken out to the Rose Garden and Shot in the head as Traitors against the United States Of America.
Then we send this to the House for a proper trial / hearing and let them have a shot at doing their jobs. If Rod Blagojevich is found guilty in a fair trial then justice will have it's say.
Tell then......We are all in danger of a comunist trial of accusation.
It is a dark day in America. A very Dark and Dangerous day.
They want our Freedom of Speech. YEAH! I HOPE THEY FAIL TOO!
Democrats Petition Against Rush Limbaugh
ARE THEY FREAKING SERIOUS?!?
Can they be this stupid?!? If you want to get to Rush's good side you do NOT attack him let alone attack the Constitution. You have to fight him on an intelligence level which is lacking on that side of the aisle.
Excerpt:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an online petition to express outrage at conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh for saying he wanted President Obama to "fail."
2nd Excerpt:
The petition comes after Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill Friday that they need to quit listening to Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration.
Yeah what else is new. He has reasons for what he has said and you cannot shut him up by taking away his right counterdict the President. We opposed the former President on issues. We oppose the current President on philosophy and idealogy. Step on my rights to do this and it will inflict a muscle spasm on the hand that is clutching my bible and my gun. I keep the latter loaded so becareful where you stand.
3rd Excerpt:
"If I wanted Obama to succeed, I'd be happy the Republicans have laid down. I don't want this to work. So I'm thinking of replying to this guy, say 'okay, I'll send you a response, but I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails'."
Got news for ya people. I don't let Rush do my thinking but I am agreeing 100% with Rush at this time. I HOPE THEY FAIL TOO!
ARE THEY FREAKING SERIOUS?!?
Can they be this stupid?!? If you want to get to Rush's good side you do NOT attack him let alone attack the Constitution. You have to fight him on an intelligence level which is lacking on that side of the aisle.
Excerpt:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an online petition to express outrage at conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh for saying he wanted President Obama to "fail."
2nd Excerpt:
The petition comes after Obama warned Republicans on Capitol Hill Friday that they need to quit listening to Limbaugh if they want to get along with Democrats and the new administration.
Yeah what else is new. He has reasons for what he has said and you cannot shut him up by taking away his right counterdict the President. We opposed the former President on issues. We oppose the current President on philosophy and idealogy. Step on my rights to do this and it will inflict a muscle spasm on the hand that is clutching my bible and my gun. I keep the latter loaded so becareful where you stand.
3rd Excerpt:
"If I wanted Obama to succeed, I'd be happy the Republicans have laid down. I don't want this to work. So I'm thinking of replying to this guy, say 'okay, I'll send you a response, but I don't need 400 words, I need four: I hope he fails'."
Got news for ya people. I don't let Rush do my thinking but I am agreeing 100% with Rush at this time. I HOPE THEY FAIL TOO!
1/28/09
2nd Degree Test
Well, I survived it. If I had to grade it, the grade would be a B-. Not because it was a poor test but because my overall performance should have been closer to personal expectations (As a general rule, we say we don't want to pass a test with a C).
Falling: No real problems here. This was the part that concerned me most as falling on the noggin is a sensitive issue still. My air fall was decent considering that hasn't been done since August 2008. I even did a good air fall over a person. Full credit to Dan for managing to stay still while two black belts jump & flip over him.
The techniques part went well. I can't argue with my performance as even the odd slip or miss on a takedown was recovered quickly & without allowing the "attacker" to fight back. Finishing techniques were largely uninspired yet effective. Hey, if the guy doesn't want to get back up, I delivered the technique well enough!
So then came the situational defense portion...in this we first had to defend ourselves while wearing an ugly pair of pink mittens that wouldn't allow for easy grips. It was nice to see how little individual finger movement affects the techniques I prefer to use. The second part was putting on a "blindfold" with two small (about 1/16" is my guess) holes. These throw off depth perception & forget about peripheral vision. Basically, you have to "feel" your way through the defense. It's freaky but not as frightening as it sounds.
Lastly came the ground fighting...from Hades! I had to go against a former wrestler who was 2 weight classes above me (I'm middleweight, he's heavyweight). We started sitting down, back to back. Now, let me tell you that I'm quick on the ground. 75% of the time I'll get around before the other guy & take his back. That's a huge advantage in a ground fight.
Unfortunately, this was one of those other 25% times...
He prevented my turn & we locked shoulder to shoulder. This is normally a good spot for me when I'm in my weight class. In this case, he walked over me like a welcome mat & I went to my back. "No problem", I thought, "I'll pull guard & work from there". Yeah a great idea except he wasn't so cooperative. He passed my guard on the right & went straight to side control - a horrible position to be in for the guy on bottom.
I worked for a wrist/finger lock but he managed to drop his weight on my hand, blocking it. My left arm was propped under his abdomen to prevent him from smothering. He did manage to get my right hand off of his neck but, fortunately, he didn't know how to manipulate the joint for a shoulder lock. I tried to throw him off me but my hips couldn't generate the force needed to move his mass.
Now, when you're in side control it's important to keep your head facing AWAY from the armpit of the attacker as an elbow to the face (in theory, for class) will make short work of you. I was doing this in textbook form but it didn't prevent him from wrapping that arm around my head & securing it. He pressed me into his gut & hard as I tried, there was no way to breathe or escape.
Yeah, I tapped out as oxygen deprivation isn't on my list of things to enjoy...
Falling: No real problems here. This was the part that concerned me most as falling on the noggin is a sensitive issue still. My air fall was decent considering that hasn't been done since August 2008. I even did a good air fall over a person. Full credit to Dan for managing to stay still while two black belts jump & flip over him.
The techniques part went well. I can't argue with my performance as even the odd slip or miss on a takedown was recovered quickly & without allowing the "attacker" to fight back. Finishing techniques were largely uninspired yet effective. Hey, if the guy doesn't want to get back up, I delivered the technique well enough!
So then came the situational defense portion...in this we first had to defend ourselves while wearing an ugly pair of pink mittens that wouldn't allow for easy grips. It was nice to see how little individual finger movement affects the techniques I prefer to use. The second part was putting on a "blindfold" with two small (about 1/16" is my guess) holes. These throw off depth perception & forget about peripheral vision. Basically, you have to "feel" your way through the defense. It's freaky but not as frightening as it sounds.
Lastly came the ground fighting...from Hades! I had to go against a former wrestler who was 2 weight classes above me (I'm middleweight, he's heavyweight). We started sitting down, back to back. Now, let me tell you that I'm quick on the ground. 75% of the time I'll get around before the other guy & take his back. That's a huge advantage in a ground fight.
Unfortunately, this was one of those other 25% times...
He prevented my turn & we locked shoulder to shoulder. This is normally a good spot for me when I'm in my weight class. In this case, he walked over me like a welcome mat & I went to my back. "No problem", I thought, "I'll pull guard & work from there". Yeah a great idea except he wasn't so cooperative. He passed my guard on the right & went straight to side control - a horrible position to be in for the guy on bottom.
I worked for a wrist/finger lock but he managed to drop his weight on my hand, blocking it. My left arm was propped under his abdomen to prevent him from smothering. He did manage to get my right hand off of his neck but, fortunately, he didn't know how to manipulate the joint for a shoulder lock. I tried to throw him off me but my hips couldn't generate the force needed to move his mass.
Now, when you're in side control it's important to keep your head facing AWAY from the armpit of the attacker as an elbow to the face (in theory, for class) will make short work of you. I was doing this in textbook form but it didn't prevent him from wrapping that arm around my head & securing it. He pressed me into his gut & hard as I tried, there was no way to breathe or escape.
Yeah, I tapped out as oxygen deprivation isn't on my list of things to enjoy...
1/25/09
They Can Smell Fear
Former French president Jacques Chirac was attacked by his "clinically depressed" poodle, Sumo, on January 22nd. This just goes to show that even pansy dogs have nothing to fear from even more pansy French leaders. In fact, these notoriously foofy little pooches may be able to smell the sweet, tasty fear of their owners, thus driving them to clinical depression and, ultimately, an attack worthy of a stitch or two.
Now, I reasoned there had to be more to this whole deal...Seriously, think about how much you'd have to prod a poodle into attacking anyone, much less it's owner. OK, I'll grant you there have to be a few out there with the nasty, pretentious attitude of a chihuahua but the odds of the single biggest wimp in the EU buying one of them is statistically beyond rare.
With that in mind, Idemanded that politely suggested that begged that Mr. Engrish hop a plane to gay Paris & get the scoop. He returned with the most astounding tape that revealed the happenings of that fateful day...
*Sounds of muddled arguing*
Jaques Chirac: Mmmmm. J'aime creme brulee...
Sumo the dog: Ahf! Ahf! (French for "Arf! Arf!")
JC: No, Sumo, mon ami! Zees ees mah creme brulee!
Sumo: Grrrrr!
JC: Sumo! Mon dieu! Mah creme brulee! Noooooooo!
Sumo: *nom, nom, nom, nom*
*Tape ends in static...sounds of unknown man quoting Mr. Bean*
Thanks to Ronny's daunting bravery, we've in fact discovered that Sumo, in a clinically depressed state, merely wanted some creme brulee (as any good frenchy would). It seems the only part of Jacqes that was mauled was his pride...
Now, I reasoned there had to be more to this whole deal...Seriously, think about how much you'd have to prod a poodle into attacking anyone, much less it's owner. OK, I'll grant you there have to be a few out there with the nasty, pretentious attitude of a chihuahua but the odds of the single biggest wimp in the EU buying one of them is statistically beyond rare.
With that in mind, I
*Sounds of muddled arguing*
Jaques Chirac: Mmmmm. J'aime creme brulee...
Sumo the dog: Ahf! Ahf! (French for "Arf! Arf!")
JC: No, Sumo, mon ami! Zees ees mah creme brulee!
Sumo: Grrrrr!
JC: Sumo! Mon dieu! Mah creme brulee! Noooooooo!
Sumo: *nom, nom, nom, nom*
*Tape ends in static...sounds of unknown man quoting Mr. Bean*
Thanks to Ronny's daunting bravery, we've in fact discovered that Sumo, in a clinically depressed state, merely wanted some creme brulee (as any good frenchy would). It seems the only part of Jacqes that was mauled was his pride...
Sorry...
The title has a dual meaning. I was content to leave political topics in Mr. Engrish's realm, so my apologies for typing this politically-charged post.
Additionally, the "Sorry" refers to MSNBC (or MSNBS, if you will) actually putting out another piece of in-the-tank-for-Obama tripe & passing it as some sort of fact.
The article states that president Obama broke from the "unpopular Bush administration". OK, I'll give you that: 1) president Obama has broken sharply with the Bush administration; and 2) president Bush left office with a low approval rating.
The story continues that [president Obama] has "mostly avoided divisive partisan and ideological stands".
Right...
Closing Gitmo & releasing terrorists, lifting the ban on funding of overseas organizations that support abortion & giving terrorist combatants the same protections in interrogations afforded to enemy combatants fighting under a flag sure sounds partisan & ideologically divisive to me.
1) Closing Gitmo: Where do you think these terrorists are going, Mr. President? President Bush was set to release a number of them but the home countries refused them. For some reason, I don't think representative John "In Cold Blood" Murtha's idea of housing them in his district will fly well with the "rednecks" in that area. Great way to cower to a leftist base but, as with most wingnut ideas, this just won't work.
2) Lifting Bans on Abortion: This is the very political issue that defines our generation. The thought that my taxes will help fund an abomination, an affront to life, disgusts me. You know what, abortion is legal here, thanks to Roe v. Wade...that's bad enough but why do you need to fund this atrocity around the globe?
3) Army Field Manual: Get a clue, Bubba II! Treating terrorists with kid gloves doesn't solve the problem. Treating them to bullets with a caliber of .40 or more does. They didn't play nice in 1986, 1990, 1993 or 2001. Our men & women in the military don't play nice with monsters like terrorists...allow them to do their jobs & watch these a-holes go the way of the dodo.
Additionally, the "Sorry" refers to MSNBC (or MSNBS, if you will) actually putting out another piece of in-the-tank-for-Obama tripe & passing it as some sort of fact.
The article states that president Obama broke from the "unpopular Bush administration". OK, I'll give you that: 1) president Obama has broken sharply with the Bush administration; and 2) president Bush left office with a low approval rating.
The story continues that [president Obama] has "mostly avoided divisive partisan and ideological stands".
Right...
Closing Gitmo & releasing terrorists, lifting the ban on funding of overseas organizations that support abortion & giving terrorist combatants the same protections in interrogations afforded to enemy combatants fighting under a flag sure sounds partisan & ideologically divisive to me.
1) Closing Gitmo: Where do you think these terrorists are going, Mr. President? President Bush was set to release a number of them but the home countries refused them. For some reason, I don't think representative John "In Cold Blood" Murtha's idea of housing them in his district will fly well with the "rednecks" in that area. Great way to cower to a leftist base but, as with most wingnut ideas, this just won't work.
2) Lifting Bans on Abortion: This is the very political issue that defines our generation. The thought that my taxes will help fund an abomination, an affront to life, disgusts me. You know what, abortion is legal here, thanks to Roe v. Wade...that's bad enough but why do you need to fund this atrocity around the globe?
3) Army Field Manual: Get a clue, Bubba II! Treating terrorists with kid gloves doesn't solve the problem. Treating them to bullets with a caliber of .40 or more does. They didn't play nice in 1986, 1990, 1993 or 2001. Our men & women in the military don't play nice with monsters like terrorists...allow them to do their jobs & watch these a-holes go the way of the dodo.
1/23/09
1/22/09
nObama the fearless leader or Clueless MORON!
First thing he does is close Gitmo. Second thing he does is turn tail in Iraq. This may come as a shock to you all but I totally agree with him. I think we should be done with these people that hate us so much. These people that cannot get out from under the foot of tyranny are just going to have to deal with the cards that they are dealt. Hey we did not do it why is it our problem? Why are we doing all the work that no one else in the world will do? Quite frankly it is taxing my nerves, taxing my patience, and taxing my moral fortitude and taxing my wallet.
I say that he should get us out of Iraq and that he should get the lights and be the last one out....If he makes it.
It makes me sick to think of the decisions our Great Military have to face now. Join up and protect the country we love or follow the directions of a commander in cheif who will do little more than piss on their graves.
Yeah nObama. Close Gitmo. Get all our soldiers out of Iraq. BUT YOU BE THE LAST ONE WITH YOUR UNPROTECTED POSTERIOR HANGING IN THE WIND WHEN YOU GET ON THE PLANE. If you don't get shot dead then you were right. Congratulations. Care to take the bet? Didn't think so. You need something called COURAGE. That is something you are dearly lacking.
Batten down the hatches America. You are in for a four year tour in a hell storm of your own choosing.
He decides to promote organizations with abortion agendas on foreign soil with Federal Dollars. Sure I like spending my money on funding abominiations.
It is Day Three. 1457 days to go. God Save Us.
I say that he should get us out of Iraq and that he should get the lights and be the last one out....If he makes it.
It makes me sick to think of the decisions our Great Military have to face now. Join up and protect the country we love or follow the directions of a commander in cheif who will do little more than piss on their graves.
Yeah nObama. Close Gitmo. Get all our soldiers out of Iraq. BUT YOU BE THE LAST ONE WITH YOUR UNPROTECTED POSTERIOR HANGING IN THE WIND WHEN YOU GET ON THE PLANE. If you don't get shot dead then you were right. Congratulations. Care to take the bet? Didn't think so. You need something called COURAGE. That is something you are dearly lacking.
Batten down the hatches America. You are in for a four year tour in a hell storm of your own choosing.
He decides to promote organizations with abortion agendas on foreign soil with Federal Dollars. Sure I like spending my money on funding abominiations.
It is Day Three. 1457 days to go. God Save Us.
1/20/09
Snorkeling
A friend of mine recently told me about a snorkeling trip he took over the weekend.
"Cool!", I said, "Where did you go?"
"Oh, I just stayed here in town", was his reply.
Dumbfounded, I told him that was just plain impossible unless he "snorkeled" in a pool.
"Not true", he said. "In fact, here's a picture to prove that I did go snorkeling!"
...
...
...
...
Well, here it is!
Brrrrrraaaaaiiiiiiinnsss
It seems that my blog niche is political. I try to stop but I can't help myself sometimes.
All this mania and no common sense.
I saw this somewhere in the blog sphere but I got it from an internet friend so I cannot claim ownership nor a source but it was funny as heck.
We have the Return of the Chancellor Hiller
nObama-nation Zombie #1
And the Man of Mania .... Dejavu. We have seen this before. All he needs now is the mustache.
I Wish...
that this was the inauguration I was going to see tomorrow. How we have gone from a nation where "hope" & "yes, we can" had meaning to meaningless phrases veiling socialism is beyond my understanding.
Congratulations to president-elect Barak Obama. I pray that God guides the future president on a steady course for what is best for America. My fear is that because radicals have become so emboldened as to sue for the removal of God's mention in the inaugural, that my prayers may not be answered.
"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, we will be a nation gone under."
Part I:
Part II:
Part III:
I pray that you are at peace in Heaven, Mr. President. Pray for us & a great nation in a trying time...
Congratulations to president-elect Barak Obama. I pray that God guides the future president on a steady course for what is best for America. My fear is that because radicals have become so emboldened as to sue for the removal of God's mention in the inaugural, that my prayers may not be answered.
"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, we will be a nation gone under."
Part I:
Part II:
Part III:
I pray that you are at peace in Heaven, Mr. President. Pray for us & a great nation in a trying time...
1/18/09
TLC: Paying It Forward
Mrs. Who, of House of Zathras, was generous to award Mr. Engrish & me this heart-warming accolade.
Mrs. Who is probably my favorite person in the world who I've never met...and considering most of the people I actually have met try to toss me around just gets her that much higher on the friends list. :-)
She's always lent an ear when needed & couples attentive listening with jovial quips. Constantly in touch after my surgery, she even sent me a very appropriate gift to hide my temporarily receding hairline AND made sure that I'm good to go if there's a Harley in my future! Needless to say, Mrs. Who is tops on my list.
Before the nominees...
Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you
3. Nominate 5 other blogs for this award
4. Add links to those blogs
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs
6. Give a reason why you consider their blogs cool
Now for the nominees:
1) The man who inspired me to start blogging: Harvey of Bad Example. He's the cigar-smoking, editorial-writing bad influence (but in a good way) who your parents warned you not to hang out with. He covers serious, he delivers the funny (the occasional link to IMAO doesn't hurt my traffic, either). If you want to learn how to blog, look no further.
2) Roses at ACK! THBBBT! If there was ever a contest on who could capture a moment, put it into words & then inspire you into really "feeling" it, Roses would win every time. Everything from simple quips to elaborate stories make her blog a must-read.
3) _jon of We Swear. You know what? This one's tough to describe. He's to-the-point & there's a certain depth to every word on the page. I can't say what it really is but the site just says "cool" to me.
4) Pamibe. This is a recent discovery by way of other blogs. She tells the story. She gives her opinion. And you just can't help but think "hell yeah!" when reading what she has to say...unless you're a far-left wingnut & then, really, who cares what you liberals think?
5) Bob of the aptly titled Bob's Blog. If you want quiet inspiration, a chuckle or even an "awwww!" moment, pay him a visit. It's one of my favorites when I just want to forget my day & see how someone else's went.
Mrs. Who is probably my favorite person in the world who I've never met...and considering most of the people I actually have met try to toss me around just gets her that much higher on the friends list. :-)
She's always lent an ear when needed & couples attentive listening with jovial quips. Constantly in touch after my surgery, she even sent me a very appropriate gift to hide my temporarily receding hairline AND made sure that I'm good to go if there's a Harley in my future! Needless to say, Mrs. Who is tops on my list.
Before the nominees...
Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog
2. Add a link to the person who awarded you
3. Nominate 5 other blogs for this award
4. Add links to those blogs
5. Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs
6. Give a reason why you consider their blogs cool
Now for the nominees:
1) The man who inspired me to start blogging: Harvey of Bad Example. He's the cigar-smoking, editorial-writing bad influence (but in a good way) who your parents warned you not to hang out with. He covers serious, he delivers the funny (the occasional link to IMAO doesn't hurt my traffic, either). If you want to learn how to blog, look no further.
2) Roses at ACK! THBBBT! If there was ever a contest on who could capture a moment, put it into words & then inspire you into really "feeling" it, Roses would win every time. Everything from simple quips to elaborate stories make her blog a must-read.
3) _jon of We Swear. You know what? This one's tough to describe. He's to-the-point & there's a certain depth to every word on the page. I can't say what it really is but the site just says "cool" to me.
4) Pamibe. This is a recent discovery by way of other blogs. She tells the story. She gives her opinion. And you just can't help but think "hell yeah!" when reading what she has to say...unless you're a far-left wingnut & then, really, who cares what you liberals think?
5) Bob of the aptly titled Bob's Blog. If you want quiet inspiration, a chuckle or even an "awwww!" moment, pay him a visit. It's one of my favorites when I just want to forget my day & see how someone else's went.
1/15/09
Then How Do You Define Stupid?
According to (P)MSNBC - Attorney General nominee Eric Holder told the Senate he considers water-boarding to be a form of torture.
Coming from a democrat, this makes perfect sense. Heaven forbid we concern ourselves with the lives of Americans who may be killed by terrorists. No, we have to consider treating these barbaric animals with decency so they won't be too mentally traumatized to fly hijacked airplanes - with Americans in them - into buildings - with Americans in them.
Mr. Holder apparently believes enemy combatants in Gitmo also deserve due process guaranteed to Americans in the Constitution. He would try some of these jihadists in US courts instead of military court martials, where the trials belong.
Mr. Holder, do you get your torture standards from senator Durbin? Do you expect out men & women in uniform to tickle terrorists into submission. This is war, sir! If pouring some water on the face of a restrained terrorist gets us answers that save lives, then - dammit - we need to take action! You liberal punks seem so secure in your world of theory that reality is forgotten.
Here's the question:
You're in an alley with your family. About 50 feet in, a man with a crazed look on his face & a big knife in his hand pops out about 25 feet from you, locks eyes & charges. No, in this case you DON'T have a gun. It's him or your family.
Do you:
a) Try and talk him down? (A: No, you moron, he's charging at you! Too late to talk.)
b) Tuck tail and run? (A: Sure. If you're a stinking coward who would abandon your family.)
c) Stand there and let everyone die?
d) Take action?
Option A, B & C are all going to get everyone killed, except the attacker. The fact is that being nice time is over. You either take action, even if it means you die letting your family get away, or you bear the blood of others on your hands because you did nothing. The answer seems so obvious with family in mind. Why is it that country doesn't carry similar importance for relativist-minded liberals?
Coming from a democrat, this makes perfect sense. Heaven forbid we concern ourselves with the lives of Americans who may be killed by terrorists. No, we have to consider treating these barbaric animals with decency so they won't be too mentally traumatized to fly hijacked airplanes - with Americans in them - into buildings - with Americans in them.
Mr. Holder apparently believes enemy combatants in Gitmo also deserve due process guaranteed to Americans in the Constitution. He would try some of these jihadists in US courts instead of military court martials, where the trials belong.
Mr. Holder, do you get your torture standards from senator Durbin? Do you expect out men & women in uniform to tickle terrorists into submission. This is war, sir! If pouring some water on the face of a restrained terrorist gets us answers that save lives, then - dammit - we need to take action! You liberal punks seem so secure in your world of theory that reality is forgotten.
Here's the question:
You're in an alley with your family. About 50 feet in, a man with a crazed look on his face & a big knife in his hand pops out about 25 feet from you, locks eyes & charges. No, in this case you DON'T have a gun. It's him or your family.
Do you:
a) Try and talk him down? (A: No, you moron, he's charging at you! Too late to talk.)
b) Tuck tail and run? (A: Sure. If you're a stinking coward who would abandon your family.)
c) Stand there and let everyone die?
d) Take action?
Option A, B & C are all going to get everyone killed, except the attacker. The fact is that being nice time is over. You either take action, even if it means you die letting your family get away, or you bear the blood of others on your hands because you did nothing. The answer seems so obvious with family in mind. Why is it that country doesn't carry similar importance for relativist-minded liberals?
OK, Good One! You Got Me
Ha ha! That was a good one!
-23 last night. -20 right now. -11 for a possible high. This is either the world's best ever practical joke or someone forgot to ask God to turn off the globe's air conditioning!
-23 last night. -20 right now. -11 for a possible high. This is either the world's best ever practical joke or someone forgot to ask God to turn off the globe's air conditioning!
Good Call (Not!)
So, there's a new horror movie out there called My Bloody Valentine 3D. The premise, best I can figure, is a guy with a penchant for WW II gas masks & mining equipment gets jealous of Jason Voorhees killing all the sexually active teenagers & wants some of that market share.
Basically, it's a metaphor for Apple/Congress vs. Microsoft.
Anyway, the 3D part of the movie is what caught my attention. Seriously, Hollywood, who comes up with this everything-old-is-new-again crap? Remember how well Jaws 3D was received? Oh, you don't? Maybe that's because it was a bigger stinker than the chum used in the first Jaws movie.
How about a movie based in reality for something original? We have well over 2000 years of history to explore and, contrary to what most of you twits think, it CAN be explored without perverting history a la Valkyrie...
Basically, it's a metaphor for Apple/Congress vs. Microsoft.
Anyway, the 3D part of the movie is what caught my attention. Seriously, Hollywood, who comes up with this everything-old-is-new-again crap? Remember how well Jaws 3D was received? Oh, you don't? Maybe that's because it was a bigger stinker than the chum used in the first Jaws movie.
How about a movie based in reality for something original? We have well over 2000 years of history to explore and, contrary to what most of you twits think, it CAN be explored without perverting history a la Valkyrie...
1/12/09
PSALM 2008-2012
PSALM 2008-2012
FIRST BOOK OF DEMOCRAT
OBAMA IS MY SHEPHERD,
I SHALL NOT WANT.
HE LEADETH ME BESIDE STILL FACTORIES.
HE RESTORETH MY FAITH IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
HE GUIDETH ME IN THE PATH OF UNEMPLOYMENT.
YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE BREAD LINE,
I SHALL NOT GO HUNGRY.
OBAMA HAS ANOINTED MY INCOME WITH TAXES,
MY EXPENSES RUNNETH OVER MY INCOME,
SURELY, POVERTY AND HARD LIVING WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.
THE DEMOCRATS AND I WILL LIVE FOREVER
IN A RENTED HOME.
BUT I AM GLAD I AM AN AMERICAN,
I AM GLAD THAT I AM FREE.
BUT I WISH I WAS A DOG
AND OBAMA WAS A TREE
FIRST BOOK OF DEMOCRAT
OBAMA IS MY SHEPHERD,
I SHALL NOT WANT.
HE LEADETH ME BESIDE STILL FACTORIES.
HE RESTORETH MY FAITH IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.
HE GUIDETH ME IN THE PATH OF UNEMPLOYMENT.
YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE BREAD LINE,
I SHALL NOT GO HUNGRY.
OBAMA HAS ANOINTED MY INCOME WITH TAXES,
MY EXPENSES RUNNETH OVER MY INCOME,
SURELY, POVERTY AND HARD LIVING WILL FOLLOW ME ALL THE DAYS OF MY LIFE.
THE DEMOCRATS AND I WILL LIVE FOREVER
IN A RENTED HOME.
BUT I AM GLAD I AM AN AMERICAN,
I AM GLAD THAT I AM FREE.
BUT I WISH I WAS A DOG
AND OBAMA WAS A TREE
Chicks Dig SCARS not Czars ya dipwad
Glen Beck is becoming a rising star in the fight against political stupidity. His job is going to be SOOOOOO easy. The hard part of his job is going to be ... 'how do I get all the idiot agendas into my show(s).'
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/20024/
If I recall history correctly....czars did not do so well. I hope this is not a sign of the times. This just has nObama stupidity written all over it. Why didn't his HIGHness use First Prime of Climate Propaganda? It is a little more job role descriptive...wait they don't actually think these titles through do they.
http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/20024/
If I recall history correctly....czars did not do so well. I hope this is not a sign of the times. This just has nObama stupidity written all over it. Why didn't his HIGHness use First Prime of Climate Propaganda? It is a little more job role descriptive...wait they don't actually think these titles through do they.
Unbelievable
I took today & tomorrow off so as to attend class for extra practice. Of course, in typical Iowa-is-a-stinking-frozen-hellhole fashion, class canceled due to weather - which, according to those global warming, kool-aid drinking geniuses at the Weather Channel (D) shouldn't have been a factor.
I really can't wait until June to move...
/rant
I really can't wait until June to move...
/rant
1/11/09
Test Itinerary
My 2nd degree test will be different than the standard promotion evaluation we have for Hapkido. Normally, we are tested on all our techniques - in this case, that would be over 200 techniques - in addition to groundfighting, "Circle of Death" & demonstrating a few techniques step-by-step.
In this case, however, we're changing from Combat Hapkido to Traditional Hapkido (where we all started), so the test will involve only a selection of 40 techniques, groundfighting, CoD & probably some full-speed punch/kick defense. Since there are fewer techniques, I want to mix in ones I do well & ones that are a challenge. Also, the ones that aren't so useful (IMO) were rooted out.
What is left becomes the below list of names that'll probably make you laugh...
Hap's 40 Technique Test
Palm/Ridgehand_______Front Fall Takedown
Horizontal Elbow_______Wrist Grab Throw
Step-Under Throw_____Throat Takedown
Step-Behind Throw_____Knifehand Armbar
Wrist Roll____________Pinch/Sweep
Suplex Throw_________Slot Machine
Tricep Armbar________Steering Wheel
Hamburger__________Wrap Around
Policeman___________Steering Wheel (Handshake)
Corkscrew___________Fingerlock/Elbow
Rubber Chicken_______Fast Hamburger
Z-Lock_____________Front Inside Sweep
Head Throw_________Front Inside Kick
Throat Spear_________Front Takedown
Fingerlock___________Arm Break/Side Kick
Armbar Throw_______Figure 4 Segal
Triple Whammy______Ki Strike
Tigerclaw Twist_______Double Wrap
Gooseneck__________Hook Takedown 2
Rear Takedown_______Steering Wheel (Punch)
In this case, however, we're changing from Combat Hapkido to Traditional Hapkido (where we all started), so the test will involve only a selection of 40 techniques, groundfighting, CoD & probably some full-speed punch/kick defense. Since there are fewer techniques, I want to mix in ones I do well & ones that are a challenge. Also, the ones that aren't so useful (IMO) were rooted out.
What is left becomes the below list of names that'll probably make you laugh...
Hap's 40 Technique Test
Palm/Ridgehand_______Front Fall Takedown
Horizontal Elbow_______Wrist Grab Throw
Step-Under Throw_____Throat Takedown
Step-Behind Throw_____Knifehand Armbar
Wrist Roll____________Pinch/Sweep
Suplex Throw_________Slot Machine
Tricep Armbar________Steering Wheel
Hamburger__________Wrap Around
Policeman___________Steering Wheel (Handshake)
Corkscrew___________Fingerlock/Elbow
Rubber Chicken_______Fast Hamburger
Z-Lock_____________Front Inside Sweep
Head Throw_________Front Inside Kick
Throat Spear_________Front Takedown
Fingerlock___________Arm Break/Side Kick
Armbar Throw_______Figure 4 Segal
Triple Whammy______Ki Strike
Tigerclaw Twist_______Double Wrap
Gooseneck__________Hook Takedown 2
Rear Takedown_______Steering Wheel (Punch)
1/10/09
Definitive Proof...
That there are still good people on this earth.
Mrs. Who takes a subject so commonly exploited by the modern media - racism - and demonstrates that young people don't view others in biased terms of ancestry. Many adults should take a lesson from her post!
Mrs. Who takes a subject so commonly exploited by the modern media - racism - and demonstrates that young people don't view others in biased terms of ancestry. Many adults should take a lesson from her post!
1/9/09
1/8/09
2nd Degree (Again?)
Well, I got the e-mail today.
It's the one that inspires nervousness, concern & anxiety: it's time to test once again. This round is for my 2nd Degree in Hapkido on January 27th.
OK, so I'm not all that nervous right now (said the student as he leafed through his HKD binder). It'll get bad as test comes closer & closer.
At least I have the week off to practice up. My 1st degree test involved getting punched in the jaw, choked to the point of almost passing out & barely being able to drag myself off the mat at the end. The hardest part was losing a won position in a ground fight...something I hope to remedy this time around. Unfortunately, the man who beat me, a very good friend of mine, hasn't exactly slacked off!
It's the one that inspires nervousness, concern & anxiety: it's time to test once again. This round is for my 2nd Degree in Hapkido on January 27th.
OK, so I'm not all that nervous right now (said the student as he leafed through his HKD binder). It'll get bad as test comes closer & closer.
At least I have the week off to practice up. My 1st degree test involved getting punched in the jaw, choked to the point of almost passing out & barely being able to drag myself off the mat at the end. The hardest part was losing a won position in a ground fight...something I hope to remedy this time around. Unfortunately, the man who beat me, a very good friend of mine, hasn't exactly slacked off!
1/6/09
Masks
The events this evening make me wonder if, in a way, many of us are living behind masks. This isn't to say I was dumbstruck when that person insulted me - I had a few things to fire back...but I didn't. Rhetorically, is that right? Is it wrong?
The difference I've noticed is my willingness to confront MORE at work and less outside of it. Why? I just don't know. If that had been a HKD student smarting off to me? Well, it could have been a whole different story, but there's no way to be sure. Conversely, co-workers have confronted me & it's straight talk to the end. One even threatened me & I told him he had five minutes to cool down (which he did, thankfully). Night & day...
Which is the mask & which is real? Why am I so willing to confront at work - where I feel more detached & less confident - than in Hapkido - where I'm a black belt, confident & sure of my capabilities? Who is the real person behind it all? To me, it feels weak to avoid that confrontation in class & yet the conflict seems out of my nature.
Maybe it's knowing a physical confrontation (self-defense) would be inherently in my favor at work or class but when words are the only option, I feel powerless. It's fear of seeming a child talking to an adult. Why? I don't have that answer. I tend to do well with words - even to the point that public speaking is enjoyable.
Perhaps this all comes down to it being a situation beyond my control. My response was inside this personal sphere of influence but correcting the disrespectful talk was not. Somehow knowing this doesn't make things better.
One thing's for sure: the mask has to come off. My prayers are that the wimp in Hapkido goes away. A man should be strong & willing to confront hostilities & disrespect alike.
The difference I've noticed is my willingness to confront MORE at work and less outside of it. Why? I just don't know. If that had been a HKD student smarting off to me? Well, it could have been a whole different story, but there's no way to be sure. Conversely, co-workers have confronted me & it's straight talk to the end. One even threatened me & I told him he had five minutes to cool down (which he did, thankfully). Night & day...
Which is the mask & which is real? Why am I so willing to confront at work - where I feel more detached & less confident - than in Hapkido - where I'm a black belt, confident & sure of my capabilities? Who is the real person behind it all? To me, it feels weak to avoid that confrontation in class & yet the conflict seems out of my nature.
Maybe it's knowing a physical confrontation (self-defense) would be inherently in my favor at work or class but when words are the only option, I feel powerless. It's fear of seeming a child talking to an adult. Why? I don't have that answer. I tend to do well with words - even to the point that public speaking is enjoyable.
Perhaps this all comes down to it being a situation beyond my control. My response was inside this personal sphere of influence but correcting the disrespectful talk was not. Somehow knowing this doesn't make things better.
One thing's for sure: the mask has to come off. My prayers are that the wimp in Hapkido goes away. A man should be strong & willing to confront hostilities & disrespect alike.
Bad Form
OK, lady. I realize that you aren't actually in HKD & are part of the self-defense class. This also means my rank is not relevant to your training and, as such, you are not expected to call black belts "sir" or "ma'am". Believe me, none of the aforementioned means anything to me (I don't like being called "sir"). It's a non-martial arts class mixed in with a ranked martial arts class.
All of this is fine.
What ISN'T fine is addressing me like I'm one of your pals & stating that you, "don't need the commentary". Honey, I've been getting my butt kicked in this class for six years & am still paying my dues every day. You, on the other hand, don't want to be taken down because - in your mind - that must not happen if you don't want it to. To be perfectly straight with you: I ain't yer friend. Regardless of your need for the commentary, you will get it.
Let's be clear that disrespecting me will get you nowhere. If I decide to bore you with my never-ending analysis of the feeding habits of the Bolivian Butter-butt beetle, you can: 1) keep your yap closed & listen; 2) keep your yap closed & walk away; or 3) politely excuse yourself. Notice that not one of these options includes a smart-aleck remark.
I've seen people like you come & go - two others to be exact. Neither of them were cut from the right cloth. So, congratulations, you're now a member of a small (& crappy) club.
***Update***
According to my fellow black belts, bad attitude lady didn't return. While there's no telling if it's an absence or permanent, it is a little unfortunate - as learning self-defense is important for everyone. Still, if someone is lacking the discipline or willingness to learn, there's not much point attending class, either.
All of this is fine.
What ISN'T fine is addressing me like I'm one of your pals & stating that you, "don't need the commentary". Honey, I've been getting my butt kicked in this class for six years & am still paying my dues every day. You, on the other hand, don't want to be taken down because - in your mind - that must not happen if you don't want it to. To be perfectly straight with you: I ain't yer friend. Regardless of your need for the commentary, you will get it.
Let's be clear that disrespecting me will get you nowhere. If I decide to bore you with my never-ending analysis of the feeding habits of the Bolivian Butter-butt beetle, you can: 1) keep your yap closed & listen; 2) keep your yap closed & walk away; or 3) politely excuse yourself. Notice that not one of these options includes a smart-aleck remark.
I've seen people like you come & go - two others to be exact. Neither of them were cut from the right cloth. So, congratulations, you're now a member of a small (& crappy) club.
***Update***
According to my fellow black belts, bad attitude lady didn't return. While there's no telling if it's an absence or permanent, it is a little unfortunate - as learning self-defense is important for everyone. Still, if someone is lacking the discipline or willingness to learn, there's not much point attending class, either.
Why Computers Sometimes Crash
I should have posted this one when Hap was being b-slapped by the Geek Squad's Information Superhighway Cops.
I got this from a friend so I cannot claim or verify authenticity of author.
By Dr Suess
Why Computers Sometimes Crash,
If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
and the bus is interupted at a very last resort
and the access of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.
If your curssor finds a menu item followed by a dash,
and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash,
and your data is corrupted cause the index dosen't hash,
then your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!
If the label on the cable on the table at your house,
says the network is connected to the buttion on your mouse,
but your packets want to tunnel to another protocol,
that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall.
And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss,
so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse,
then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang,
'cuz sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang.
When the copy on your floppy's getting sloppy in the disk,
and the macro code instructions is causing unnecessary risk,
then you'll have to flash the memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM,
and then quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your Mom!
I got this from a friend so I cannot claim or verify authenticity of author.
By Dr Suess
Why Computers Sometimes Crash,
If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,
and the bus is interupted at a very last resort
and the access of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,
then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.
If your curssor finds a menu item followed by a dash,
and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash,
and your data is corrupted cause the index dosen't hash,
then your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!
If the label on the cable on the table at your house,
says the network is connected to the buttion on your mouse,
but your packets want to tunnel to another protocol,
that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall.
And your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss,
so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse,
then you may as well reboot and go out with a bang,
'cuz sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang.
When the copy on your floppy's getting sloppy in the disk,
and the macro code instructions is causing unnecessary risk,
then you'll have to flash the memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM,
and then quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your Mom!
Those who do not know history are doomed.....
What have we learned in 2 millennia?
"The budget should be balanced,
the Treasury should be refilled,
public debt should be reduced,
the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled,
and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt.
People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."
- Cicero - 55 .BC
Come on people it should not take 1954 years to get this through the governments thick skulls.
"The budget should be balanced,
the Treasury should be refilled,
public debt should be reduced,
the arrogance of officialdom should be tempered and controlled,
and the assistance to foreign lands should be curtailed lest Rome become bankrupt.
People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance."
- Cicero - 55 .BC
Come on people it should not take 1954 years to get this through the governments thick skulls.
1/5/09
Prop 'em Up!
A Connecticut senator is asking that the government prop up some failing newspapers in his state. Obviously, there are some concerns about the government owning a stake in supposedly free market reporting agencies (You know that whole, "Congress shall make no law..." statement in the First Amendment). Some people think it's a bad idea for the state to own & influence the media.
"Balderdash", I say! There's plenty of advantages to government being able to push the media around. Let's take a look at the benefits...
Government-owned Media Possibilities:
1) Media lapdogs now required to pander to The Obama. (Instead of just wanting to)
2) Bill Clinton would have cleaned up that darn blue dress!
3) Hillary Clinton shown dodging sniper fire just like in "The Matrix".
4) Blagojevich? Ahmadinejad? Heck the only problem we have is spelling their names.
5) The NYT can keep the Red Sox! (worst team in baseball...Go Yankees!)
6) New "no live feeds" policy for Joe Biden spares embarrassment on all those gaffes.
7) Can report election results without being bothered by those pesky votes.
8) Maybe honest reporting will become an actual requirement...
9) ...except in cases of democrat scandals, of course.
10) They speak truth to power...if Congress passes the bill.
"Balderdash", I say! There's plenty of advantages to government being able to push the media around. Let's take a look at the benefits...
Government-owned Media Possibilities:
1) Media lapdogs now required to pander to The Obama. (Instead of just wanting to)
2) Bill Clinton would have cleaned up that darn blue dress!
3) Hillary Clinton shown dodging sniper fire just like in "The Matrix".
4) Blagojevich? Ahmadinejad? Heck the only problem we have is spelling their names.
5) The NYT can keep the Red Sox! (worst team in baseball...Go Yankees!)
6) New "no live feeds" policy for Joe Biden spares embarrassment on all those gaffes.
7) Can report election results without being bothered by those pesky votes.
8) Maybe honest reporting will become an actual requirement...
9) ...except in cases of democrat scandals, of course.
10) They speak truth to power...if Congress passes the bill.
12/31/08
12/27/08
Another Step
OK, not much of one but I got my car started after the battery died. Some ice had worked its way under the trunk support rods the last time I opened it. When I tried to close it, the trunk stayed open just enough to keep the inside light on...for a week, effectively killing the battery.
Fortunately, a jump got her going again & a few minutes of tooling around in the parking lot to keep the rotors clean, brakes in working order & gears lubed helped out greatly. I bought some fuel stabilizer so the remaining gas in the tank won't separate on me.
After I can drive again, I'll get the oil changed (can't do it myself since there's no level surface to use here) & probably get the coolant system flushed, just to be safe.
Driving comes back about 3/10 or so, after the follow-up MRI with the doc in S. Carolina. After that, it's three months until I kiss this winter wasteland goodbye!
Fortunately, a jump got her going again & a few minutes of tooling around in the parking lot to keep the rotors clean, brakes in working order & gears lubed helped out greatly. I bought some fuel stabilizer so the remaining gas in the tank won't separate on me.
After I can drive again, I'll get the oil changed (can't do it myself since there's no level surface to use here) & probably get the coolant system flushed, just to be safe.
Driving comes back about 3/10 or so, after the follow-up MRI with the doc in S. Carolina. After that, it's three months until I kiss this winter wasteland goodbye!
12/25/08
12/24/08
Job = Motivation
I've come to a crossroads at work. It happened today.
You see, I work for a trucking company. For those of you whose only involvement with trucking is that big, burly dude at a gas station wearing the "Bubba Gump Shrimp" ball cap, let me tell you that Christmas is the most miserable time of year.
Imagine 3,000 4 year-olds, all wanting to go home for the holiday, asking collectively, "Are we there yet?!?!" & you have an idea of where the pain starts. Add to it that the "parents" (dispatchers, in this case) get just as whiny as the kids & well, let's just say I sympathize with you drinkers out there.
So, when one of the above managers decided to undo a couple of my plans & left one load uncovered just to get what he wanted without telling me, I was a little more "Grinch" than Santa...
At some point this just hit me: "USE IT"!!! Don't be pissed at one guy who's just thumbing his nose at the rules. He's been there for 17 years & is a lifer. This isn't conflict! No, in the big picture it's my continued motivation to move down to South Carolina & take on new challenges, experience new things AND breathe some life into, well, my LIFE!
It's just like HKD: Use the energy you're given by the antagonist. Let them provide what is needed to move the mountain, erode the obstacle or detour the path. Move beyond the obstruction, don't rest on it.
Or, as Dad puts it: "A bad day is like taking a crap: When you're done & you flush, do you really care about where it is or what it's doing? No! It's over & gone"
Whichever version you like best works for me. Either way, I'm getting a new toilet! :-)
You see, I work for a trucking company. For those of you whose only involvement with trucking is that big, burly dude at a gas station wearing the "Bubba Gump Shrimp" ball cap, let me tell you that Christmas is the most miserable time of year.
Imagine 3,000 4 year-olds, all wanting to go home for the holiday, asking collectively, "Are we there yet?!?!" & you have an idea of where the pain starts. Add to it that the "parents" (dispatchers, in this case) get just as whiny as the kids & well, let's just say I sympathize with you drinkers out there.
So, when one of the above managers decided to undo a couple of my plans & left one load uncovered just to get what he wanted without telling me, I was a little more "Grinch" than Santa...
At some point this just hit me: "USE IT"!!! Don't be pissed at one guy who's just thumbing his nose at the rules. He's been there for 17 years & is a lifer. This isn't conflict! No, in the big picture it's my continued motivation to move down to South Carolina & take on new challenges, experience new things AND breathe some life into, well, my LIFE!
It's just like HKD: Use the energy you're given by the antagonist. Let them provide what is needed to move the mountain, erode the obstacle or detour the path. Move beyond the obstruction, don't rest on it.
Or, as Dad puts it: "A bad day is like taking a crap: When you're done & you flush, do you really care about where it is or what it's doing? No! It's over & gone"
Whichever version you like best works for me. Either way, I'm getting a new toilet! :-)
12/23/08
Merry Christmas from HR
MEMO TO ALL EMPLOYEES
RE: Christmas PARTY ON DEC. 23RD
DATE: DEC. 1ST
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. No-host bar, but plenty of eggnog! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 P.M. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time, however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees! A special announcement will be made by our CEO at that time!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Patty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 2
RE: Holiday Party
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees.
We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time. There will be no Christmas tree present. No Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Patty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table ... you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?
Somebody?
Forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and executives believe $10.00 is very little for a gift. NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party
What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party — the days are so short this time of year — or else package everything for take home in little foil swans. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men's table. To the person asking permission to cross dress, no cross dressing allowed though. We will have booster seats for short people. Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food we suggest for those people with high blood problems to taste first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar" desserts.
Sorry!
Did I miss anything?
Patty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party
So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice...what do you expect me to do, a tap-dance on your heads? Fire regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of sage by our "earth-based Goddess-worshiping" employees, but we'll try to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the band's breaks. Okay???
Patty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
Date: December 9
RE: Holiday Party
People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be "Satan,"
there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a red suit." It's a tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family feuds over the thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine's Day.
Could we lighten up? Please????????? Also the company has changed their mind in announcing the special announcement at the gathering. You will get a notification in the mail sent to your home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All #%&$**@ Employees
DATE: December 10
RE: The %#*&^%@*%^Holiday Party
I have no #%&*@*^ idea what the announcement is all about. What the %#&^!@ do I care...I KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO GET!!!!!!!!!!!! You change your address now and you are dead!!!!!!!!!!!! No more changes of address will be allowed in my office. Try to come in and change your address, I will have you hung from the ceiling in the warehouse!!!!!!!!!!!
Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your #$%^&*! salad bar, including hydroponic tomatoes. But you know, they have feelings, too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right now! > HA !
I hope you all have a rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die, you hear me!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Terri Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery from her stress-related illness and I'll continue to forward your cards to her at the sanitarium. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
Happy Holidays!
RE: Christmas PARTY ON DEC. 23RD
DATE: DEC. 1ST
I'm happy to inform you that the company Christmas Party will take place on December 23, starting at noon in the banquet room at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue. No-host bar, but plenty of eggnog! We'll have a small band playing traditional carols...feel free to sing along. And don't be surprised if our CEO shows up dressed as Santa Claus! A Christmas tree will be lit at 1:00 P.M. Exchange of gifts among employees can be done at that time, however, no gift should be over $10.00 to make the giving of gifts easy for everyone's pockets. This gathering is only for employees! A special announcement will be made by our CEO at that time!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Patty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 2
RE: Holiday Party
In no way was yesterday's memo intended to exclude our Jewish employees.
We recognize that Chanukah is an important holiday which often coincides with Christmas, though unfortunately not this year. However, from now on we're calling it our "Holiday Party." The same policy applies to employees who are celebrating Kwanzaa at this time. There will be no Christmas tree present. No Christmas carols sung. We will have other types of music for your enjoyment.
Happy now?
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Patty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 3
RE: Holiday Party
Regarding the note I received from a member of Alcoholics Anonymous requesting a non-drinking table ... you didn't sign your name. I'm happy to accommodate this request, but if I put a sign on a table that reads, "AA Only"; you wouldn't be anonymous anymore. How am I supposed to handle this?
Somebody?
Forget about the gifts exchange, no gifts exchange are allowed since the union members feel that $10.00 is too much money and executives believe $10.00 is very little for a gift. NO GIFTS EXCHANGE WILL BE ALLOWED.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
DATE: December 7
RE: Holiday Party
What a diverse group we are! I had no idea that December 20 begins the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which forbids eating and drinking during daylight hours. There goes the party! Seriously, we can appreciate how a luncheon this time of year does not accommodate our Muslim employees' beliefs. Perhaps Luigi's can hold off on serving your meal until the end of the party — the days are so short this time of year — or else package everything for take home in little foil swans. Will that work?
Meanwhile, I've arranged for members of Overeaters Anonymous to sit farthest from the dessert buffet and pregnant women will get the table closest to the restrooms. Gays are allowed to sit with each other. Lesbians do not have to sit with Gay men, each will have their own table. Yes, there will be flower arrangement for the Gay men's table. To the person asking permission to cross dress, no cross dressing allowed though. We will have booster seats for short people. Low-fat food will be available for those on a diet. We cannot control the salt used in the food we suggest for those people with high blood problems to taste first. There will be fresh fruits as dessert for Diabetics, the restaurant cannot supply "No Sugar" desserts.
Sorry!
Did I miss anything?
Patty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All Employees
DATE: December 8
RE: Holiday Party
So December 22 marks the Winter Solstice...what do you expect me to do, a tap-dance on your heads? Fire regulations at Luigi's prohibit the burning of sage by our "earth-based Goddess-worshiping" employees, but we'll try to accommodate your shamanic drumming circle during the band's breaks. Okay???
Patty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
To: All Employees
Date: December 9
RE: Holiday Party
People, people, nothing sinister was intended by having our CEO dress up like Santa Claus! Even if the anagram of "Santa" does happen to be "Satan,"
there is no evil connotation to our own "little man in a red suit." It's a tradition, folks, like sugar shock at Halloween or family feuds over the thanksgiving turkey or broken hearts on Valentine's Day.
Could we lighten up? Please????????? Also the company has changed their mind in announcing the special announcement at the gathering. You will get a notification in the mail sent to your home.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Patty Lewis, Human Resources Director
TO: All #%&$**@ Employees
DATE: December 10
RE: The %#*&^%@*%^Holiday Party
I have no #%&*@*^ idea what the announcement is all about. What the %#&^!@ do I care...I KNOW WHAT I AM GOING TO GET!!!!!!!!!!!! You change your address now and you are dead!!!!!!!!!!!! No more changes of address will be allowed in my office. Try to come in and change your address, I will have you hung from the ceiling in the warehouse!!!!!!!!!!!
Vegetarians!?!?!? I've had it with you people!!! We're going to keep this party at Luigi's Open Pit Barbecue whether you like it or not, so you can sit quietly at the table furthest from the "grill of death," as you so quaintly put it, and you'll get your #$%^&*! salad bar, including hydroponic tomatoes. But you know, they have feelings, too. Tomatoes scream when you slice them. I've heard them scream. I'm hearing them scream right now! > HA !
I hope you all have a rotten holiday! Drive drunk and die, you hear me!!!!!!!!!!!
The Bitch from HELL!!!!!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FROM: Terri Bishop, Acting Human Resources Director
DATE: December 14
RE: Patty Lewis and Holiday Party
I'm sure I speak for all of us in wishing Patty Lewis a speedy recovery from her stress-related illness and I'll continue to forward your cards to her at the sanitarium. In the meantime, management has decided to cancel our Holiday Party and give everyone the afternoon of the 23rd off with full pay.
Happy Holidays!
12/18/08
Finally
I got the last of the gifts mailed out today.
All that's left is to endure the snowstorm we're getting tonight (& probably the next day) & three days of work before Christmas is finally here.
Speaking of work: my boss has been pointing the finger at me lately to blame for, well, random things that didn't directly involve me. Since there's no reason to his scapegoating, I think for Christmas I'd just like someone to point one particular finger at him...
All that's left is to endure the snowstorm we're getting tonight (& probably the next day) & three days of work before Christmas is finally here.
Speaking of work: my boss has been pointing the finger at me lately to blame for, well, random things that didn't directly involve me. Since there's no reason to his scapegoating, I think for Christmas I'd just like someone to point one particular finger at him...
12/17/08
Test
We had 3 candidates test for black belts tonight (Catie & JD for 1st degree, Will for recommended black).
Both JD's & Catie's technique were beyond impressive. All things being equal (which they aren't), each could probably take me in sparring. Both caught me once or twice in 1-on-1 but I still landed most of the hits. Still, the talent of these two make me feel like I've lost a step - but that says more to their abilities than anything.
Will has decent technique - he gets frustrated easily at 16 - and it's his power that does the talking. He's taller & stronger than the average 16 year-old...you'll know it when he hits you. Fortunately, for me, that power comes at the price of less speed. Once he starts throwing combos, however, you'd better watch out!
Self-defense was great for all of them. Catie needs to put more "oomph" into it, but she can still make you pay for grabbing her. Will was shown that he can't rely on power to get him out of every situation & adapted quickly. JD stayed cool under fire.
All three passed. We need to work with JD on terminology, Catie on power & Will on sharpening a few techniques. All are in great shape at their respective levels & there's plenty of time to get them dialed in with the above.
Both JD's & Catie's technique were beyond impressive. All things being equal (which they aren't), each could probably take me in sparring. Both caught me once or twice in 1-on-1 but I still landed most of the hits. Still, the talent of these two make me feel like I've lost a step - but that says more to their abilities than anything.
Will has decent technique - he gets frustrated easily at 16 - and it's his power that does the talking. He's taller & stronger than the average 16 year-old...you'll know it when he hits you. Fortunately, for me, that power comes at the price of less speed. Once he starts throwing combos, however, you'd better watch out!
Self-defense was great for all of them. Catie needs to put more "oomph" into it, but she can still make you pay for grabbing her. Will was shown that he can't rely on power to get him out of every situation & adapted quickly. JD stayed cool under fire.
All three passed. We need to work with JD on terminology, Catie on power & Will on sharpening a few techniques. All are in great shape at their respective levels & there's plenty of time to get them dialed in with the above.
12/14/08
Marine Speed Trap
Probably not true, but it delivers the funny...
Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, just north of the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar. One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching the crest of a hill. The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and then turned off.
Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked on to a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location.
Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander. The reply came back in true USMC style:
~ ~ ~
Thank you for your letter.
We can now complete the file on this incident.
You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked on to your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it, which is why it shut down.
Furthermore, an Air-to-Ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked on to your equipment location.
Fortunately, the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched to destroy the hostile radar position.
The pilot also suggests you cover your mouths when cussing at them, since the video systems on these jets are very high tech.
Sergeant Johnson, the officer holding the radar gun, should get his dentist to check his left rear molar. It appears the filling is loose. Also, the snap is broken on his holster.
Thank you for your concern.
Semper Fi
Two California Highway Patrol Officers were conducting speeding enforcement on I-15, just north of the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar. One of the officers was using a hand held radar device to check speeding vehicles approaching the crest of a hill. The officers were suddenly surprised when the radar gun began reading 300 miles per hour. The officer attempted to reset the radar gun, but it would not reset and then turned off.
Just then a deafening roar over the treetops revealed that the radar had in fact locked on to a USMC F/A-18 Hornet which was engaged in a low flying exercise near the location.
Back at the CHP Headquarters the Patrol Captain fired off a complaint to the USMC Base Commander. The reply came back in true USMC style:
~ ~ ~
Thank you for your letter.
We can now complete the file on this incident.
You may be interested to know that the tactical computer in the Hornet had detected the presence of, and subsequently locked on to your hostile radar equipment and automatically sent a jamming signal back to it, which is why it shut down.
Furthermore, an Air-to-Ground missile aboard the fully armed aircraft had also automatically locked on to your equipment location.
Fortunately, the Marine Pilot flying the Hornet recognized the situation for what it was, quickly responded to the missile system alert status and was able to override the automated defense system before the missile was launched to destroy the hostile radar position.
The pilot also suggests you cover your mouths when cussing at them, since the video systems on these jets are very high tech.
Sergeant Johnson, the officer holding the radar gun, should get his dentist to check his left rear molar. It appears the filling is loose. Also, the snap is broken on his holster.
Thank you for your concern.
Semper Fi
Wanted Review
Not bad at all.
I'm not a Jolie fan. She's pretty but even that is more related to her full lips than anything else (kinda skinny for my tastes). Still, she does a good job in this twist & turn action flick.
There's plenty of good humor in the right places & just the right amount of over-the-top stunts to prevent eye-roll strain. Lots of flipping cars, good explosions & some good gunfights round things out nicely.
An obligatory plot twist isn't the biggest surprise but it does fit the movie & sets it up for a clean, fun resolution.
Overall, I'd say it's well worth your time (as most Morgan Freeman movies are), especially for the jerks in the film habitually getting their comeuppance in amusing ways!
I'm not a Jolie fan. She's pretty but even that is more related to her full lips than anything else (kinda skinny for my tastes). Still, she does a good job in this twist & turn action flick.
There's plenty of good humor in the right places & just the right amount of over-the-top stunts to prevent eye-roll strain. Lots of flipping cars, good explosions & some good gunfights round things out nicely.
An obligatory plot twist isn't the biggest surprise but it does fit the movie & sets it up for a clean, fun resolution.
Overall, I'd say it's well worth your time (as most Morgan Freeman movies are), especially for the jerks in the film habitually getting their comeuppance in amusing ways!
12/13/08
CSI: NY
I like the show & Gary Sinise is a top-notch actor. However, the episode I saw this evening - involving martial arts & chess - which should have been one of my favorites of all-time, left me a bit irked.
The chess part was fine. Sad ending, but very well done.
The martial arts part was a hodge-podge of stereotypical crap. It starts with one of the investigators declaring that because one suspect is a 4th degree black belt, he is "capable of murder". Hey, writers, let me tell you that anyone is physically capable of murder. Martial arts training doesn't by definition increase a person's predisposition to violence. People have been killing since Og the caveman first picked up a rock.
The second crappy thing was both Sinise & the 1st investigator trying to talk to a lady at her dojo. She "introduces" herself to a complete stranger by placing a side kick right at his face. Someone tries that at my instructor's school & I'd take them down myself. I've never seen - or even heard - of something like that happening.
Note to the public (potential jurors, in particular): Martial artists are not even mostly like those Cobra Kai jerks from Karate Kid. Black belts are not trained deadly weapons. To date, no state to my knowledge requires that black belts "register" as weapons. A black belt is simply a student who has proven he/she is capable of learning the basics of an art.
For those of you prejudiced into thinking that a black belt on trial for defending his/her person could have completely controlled the situation, do the person a favor & imagine yourself in that person's place. It's not so simple as saying, "I'm a black belt", and all the bad guys go away. Martial artists are simply people who, as a result of training, have a slightly better chance of defending themselves. Don't buy into the urban legend B.S. that they have this magical ability to destroy legions of muggers with a dirty look.
I have a friend who was attacked by two guys in Boston,MA. It was a case of mistaken identity. They pinned him to a brick wall without provocation & threatened him. One had his head introduced to said wall & the other backed off. The police said the two just picked on the wrong guy & let it go. If this had gone to trial, would he have been given a fair shot? I just don't know.
All I'm saying is if you're in a trial with a martial artist as the defendant, please don't let that cloud your judgement. If the person was attacked, consider that maybe - just maybe - the person was scared & defended themselves based on some useful training. Unless the person just went way over the line of reasonable force, there's no reason to judge them as an avaricious miscreant bent on destruction.
The chess part was fine. Sad ending, but very well done.
The martial arts part was a hodge-podge of stereotypical crap. It starts with one of the investigators declaring that because one suspect is a 4th degree black belt, he is "capable of murder". Hey, writers, let me tell you that anyone is physically capable of murder. Martial arts training doesn't by definition increase a person's predisposition to violence. People have been killing since Og the caveman first picked up a rock.
The second crappy thing was both Sinise & the 1st investigator trying to talk to a lady at her dojo. She "introduces" herself to a complete stranger by placing a side kick right at his face. Someone tries that at my instructor's school & I'd take them down myself. I've never seen - or even heard - of something like that happening.
Note to the public (potential jurors, in particular): Martial artists are not even mostly like those Cobra Kai jerks from Karate Kid. Black belts are not trained deadly weapons. To date, no state to my knowledge requires that black belts "register" as weapons. A black belt is simply a student who has proven he/she is capable of learning the basics of an art.
For those of you prejudiced into thinking that a black belt on trial for defending his/her person could have completely controlled the situation, do the person a favor & imagine yourself in that person's place. It's not so simple as saying, "I'm a black belt", and all the bad guys go away. Martial artists are simply people who, as a result of training, have a slightly better chance of defending themselves. Don't buy into the urban legend B.S. that they have this magical ability to destroy legions of muggers with a dirty look.
I have a friend who was attacked by two guys in Boston,MA. It was a case of mistaken identity. They pinned him to a brick wall without provocation & threatened him. One had his head introduced to said wall & the other backed off. The police said the two just picked on the wrong guy & let it go. If this had gone to trial, would he have been given a fair shot? I just don't know.
All I'm saying is if you're in a trial with a martial artist as the defendant, please don't let that cloud your judgement. If the person was attacked, consider that maybe - just maybe - the person was scared & defended themselves based on some useful training. Unless the person just went way over the line of reasonable force, there's no reason to judge them as an avaricious miscreant bent on destruction.
12/12/08
Bored
You know the mind-addling grasp of ennui has set in when you bother to actually check your work e-mail from home just to have something to do...
12/11/08
I remember when Jesse Jackson Jr. was...
Well Jesse Jackson Jr. finally made it to the big time. Read any News site and it should have at least some of the details.
I have a funny but true story about running into this putz when I was a young conservative lad.
Back in the late 80's, this schmuck came prancing over to my high school and the Principal had to show him around. I had been passing by and needed to say something to the Principal. The Principal did not appear to be enjoying his demotion to tour guide but that is not important. He stopped me in the middle of my opening comments and said. "Hey, This Jesse Jackson Jr." Like this guy was some kind of celebrity or something. I stopped what I was saying turned my head looked the guy up and down then looked him square in the eye and said: "Yeah. So what. ...Anyway..." and returned back to my conversation and totally ignored the doof. The look on the idiot's face was just priceless. [WAIT! I am somebody important! You cant ignore me.] The Principal hid the smile but not the amusement in his eyes. I can't remember what the topic of the conversation was but I definitely remember hanging up on a stuffed shirt wanna be celeb. riding on his father's coattails who was himself trying to ride on the coattails of another legend. It was not the reception that Jackson Jr. had counted on.
True story.
Martin Luther King Jr. There was a patriot. Jackson? Just a wanna be. Jackson Jr.? ditto. Even as a kid I could see that Martin Luther King Jr. was not just someone seeking the spot light and the camera time. King was a man I could respect. I am fortunate to have grown up in an era after his revolution.
I have a funny but true story about running into this putz when I was a young conservative lad.
Back in the late 80's, this schmuck came prancing over to my high school and the Principal had to show him around. I had been passing by and needed to say something to the Principal. The Principal did not appear to be enjoying his demotion to tour guide but that is not important. He stopped me in the middle of my opening comments and said. "Hey, This Jesse Jackson Jr." Like this guy was some kind of celebrity or something. I stopped what I was saying turned my head looked the guy up and down then looked him square in the eye and said: "Yeah. So what. ...Anyway..." and returned back to my conversation and totally ignored the doof. The look on the idiot's face was just priceless. [WAIT! I am somebody important! You cant ignore me.] The Principal hid the smile but not the amusement in his eyes. I can't remember what the topic of the conversation was but I definitely remember hanging up on a stuffed shirt wanna be celeb. riding on his father's coattails who was himself trying to ride on the coattails of another legend. It was not the reception that Jackson Jr. had counted on.
True story.
Martin Luther King Jr. There was a patriot. Jackson? Just a wanna be. Jackson Jr.? ditto. Even as a kid I could see that Martin Luther King Jr. was not just someone seeking the spot light and the camera time. King was a man I could respect. I am fortunate to have grown up in an era after his revolution.
12/10/08
Mea Culpa
I have to apologize for that last post. No, not because I was venting or upset or frustrated. My apology is necessary because I worried some very good people unfairly. Re-reading the entry, I can see how that was so easily misconstrued. "I give up" for me = throwing my hands up in resigned disgust.
Now, this isn't some "everything's all better" message - there's still plenty for me to sort out of all this - but I am sorting it out. It'll just take time & I ask that you all be patient both for & as an example to me.
Thank you so much for your kind words & concern. My promise is those both will not be in vain.
Now, this isn't some "everything's all better" message - there's still plenty for me to sort out of all this - but I am sorting it out. It'll just take time & I ask that you all be patient both for & as an example to me.
Thank you so much for your kind words & concern. My promise is those both will not be in vain.
12/8/08
ARGGGGHHHH!
I H-A-T-E being trapped inside all day, every day.
No driving for 6 months (12 in SC) = no social life.
I didn't know what stir-crazy was until now.
Truly, this is a terrible feeling. I can't even get a ride to class.
I do have this Haiku, I guess.
My head examined/
Law says no driving for me/
Alone, here I sit
No driving for 6 months (12 in SC) = no social life.
I didn't know what stir-crazy was until now.
Truly, this is a terrible feeling. I can't even get a ride to class.
I do have this Haiku, I guess.
My head examined/
Law says no driving for me/
Alone, here I sit
12/4/08
Black Belt Humility
Even when you think there's plenty of humility in your martial arts career, someone comes along to remind you...
I was working with a very nice lady in class today, who is also a white belt. She has a good attitude, keeps her mind open & listens to the instructors.
She's pretty & kind of looks like Catherine Bell (of JAG fame) but I digress.
We're working on the "statue" drill & I was showing her the footwork needed to coordinate this activity with both hands. Then, a compliment she gave me went horribly awry!
Her: "You're so graceful with those moves. It shows how much you've done this."
Me: "Actually, I haven't done this drill all that much." (Not false modesty. It's true.)
Her: "Oh, well it's obvious you're a trained dancer."
Me: ...
Her: "I'm a good dancer, myself."
Me: "Well, all I really do is Taekwondo..."
OK, ladies, telling a guy he's a good dancer is a compliment. No question about it. Telling a guy he looks like a trained dancer = telling him you question his masculinity. At this point, any guy worth the arrow on that circle will start talking sports, lower his voice an octave & make various grunting noises.
Of course, I was VERY polite - realizing that she's allowed to hit me in class without fear of retribution - and managed to steer the training conversation away from any accusations of me jumping around all nimbly, bimbly.
I was working with a very nice lady in class today, who is also a white belt. She has a good attitude, keeps her mind open & listens to the instructors.
She's pretty & kind of looks like Catherine Bell (of JAG fame) but I digress.
We're working on the "statue" drill & I was showing her the footwork needed to coordinate this activity with both hands. Then, a compliment she gave me went horribly awry!
Her: "You're so graceful with those moves. It shows how much you've done this."
Me: "Actually, I haven't done this drill all that much." (Not false modesty. It's true.)
Her: "Oh, well it's obvious you're a trained dancer."
Me: ...
Her: "I'm a good dancer, myself."
Me: "Well, all I really do is Taekwondo..."
OK, ladies, telling a guy he's a good dancer is a compliment. No question about it. Telling a guy he looks like a trained dancer = telling him you question his masculinity. At this point, any guy worth the arrow on that circle will start talking sports, lower his voice an octave & make various grunting noises.
Of course, I was VERY polite - realizing that she's allowed to hit me in class without fear of retribution - and managed to steer the training conversation away from any accusations of me jumping around all nimbly, bimbly.
11/28/08
Crossing A Line
OK, mister idiot - that's your name now that you have proven you have no sense whatsoever - I guess you think it was amusing/funny/comical to throw that air-filled mini basketball at my head while I was in the bathroom. It's probably even funnier to you that (you think) I don't know who did it.
I'd like to take a second to remind your sorry rear that I just had brain surgery about 2 months ago & my head, as you might imagine, is high up on the list of things that should be protected.
So, since you: 1) missed; and 2) left said ball in my possession, I think it's staying with me until you're man enough to come find me & explain your actions. Keep in mind that I do know who you are (I'm not an idiot) & am gracious enough not to rake you through the muck by pointing the finger - index or middle - at you.
The way I see it, there are two options. You can man up & explain yourself OR you can go buy a new ball, thus confirming to everyone you actually threw the 1st one at me.
I'd like to take a second to remind your sorry rear that I just had brain surgery about 2 months ago & my head, as you might imagine, is high up on the list of things that should be protected.
So, since you: 1) missed; and 2) left said ball in my possession, I think it's staying with me until you're man enough to come find me & explain your actions. Keep in mind that I do know who you are (I'm not an idiot) & am gracious enough not to rake you through the muck by pointing the finger - index or middle - at you.
The way I see it, there are two options. You can man up & explain yourself OR you can go buy a new ball, thus confirming to everyone you actually threw the 1st one at me.
11/27/08
Demo August 2008
Here's pics of a demo the school did at Watermelon Days in Atkins,IA this past summer. It was a great time, despite a couple injuries: One moderate (Mr. Reif's ankle) & one minor (my left thumb).
One thing I can't figure about Iowa is how every bleeping thing grown/raised in the state has a "day" in the summer. It's confusing with all of them. Since everyone drinks to excess at most of them, I propose re-naming them all for various types of alcohol (Sign me up for Big Sky Moose Drool Days!). Everyone will remember them better that way.
Anyway, here's a few of the pics:
(Me with 2 bricks. I've never had the center piece break out like that before.)
(Dylan getting tossed a bit.)
(Poor Dylan again.)
(OK, I must like picking on him...)
(Mr. Reif taking a throw.)
(Taking Mr. Lee down.)
So, by now, a lot of you may be thinking, "Sure, Hap, you can throw people around - you're an adult". Well, allow me to introduce Catie - a young lady (about 14) who is a recommended black belt in TKD & a talented young lady. She's the best proof I have that anyone can defend themselves with good training.
Hey, Some Good News!
My instructor was finally promoted in both Taekwondo AND Hapkido! He's been at the same rank in both (5th/3rd) since I started & the promotions were long overdue.
He's now 6th degree in TKD - by way of opening & maintaining two schools, designing the entire curriculum & promoting several students to black belt (starting at white belt) - myself included. It's a time-consuming task that often goes unrewarded. I make a point to thank him putting in so much effort everyday by volunteering to help whenever possible. It's nothing compared to his efforts, but maybe it helps him out just enough.
He was also promoted to 5th degree (master instructor) in HKD. I can tell you from my time in HKD there aren't too many folks who have earned this rank. To get there, he promoted no less than seven people to black belt (again, starting from white belt). In an art where we've seen over 90% of the people drop out at various points (mostly during the throw-heavy yellow belt set), that's an impressive number of people to make 1st degree.
Additionally, he developed a Practical Self-Defense course for those who want to learn how to protect themselves but don't want the high impact of a martial art. He has also designed his own curriculum (based on experience in a few martial arts) with self-defense - the concept behind HKD - entirely at the forefront.
He's been in TKD for well over 20 years (25 this year, I believe) & HKD for about 15 years, so the time & effort invested in earning these ranks has been considerable. Upon getting promoted, the first thing he told me was, "I don't want to make a big deal in class about these promotions". That's just his way about things - he knows where his experience places him in martial arts & he's never taught any of his students that rank counts for anything in reality.
We are all definitely fortunate at our school to have such a dedicated, responsible instructor.
He's now 6th degree in TKD - by way of opening & maintaining two schools, designing the entire curriculum & promoting several students to black belt (starting at white belt) - myself included. It's a time-consuming task that often goes unrewarded. I make a point to thank him putting in so much effort everyday by volunteering to help whenever possible. It's nothing compared to his efforts, but maybe it helps him out just enough.
He was also promoted to 5th degree (master instructor) in HKD. I can tell you from my time in HKD there aren't too many folks who have earned this rank. To get there, he promoted no less than seven people to black belt (again, starting from white belt). In an art where we've seen over 90% of the people drop out at various points (mostly during the throw-heavy yellow belt set), that's an impressive number of people to make 1st degree.
Additionally, he developed a Practical Self-Defense course for those who want to learn how to protect themselves but don't want the high impact of a martial art. He has also designed his own curriculum (based on experience in a few martial arts) with self-defense - the concept behind HKD - entirely at the forefront.
He's been in TKD for well over 20 years (25 this year, I believe) & HKD for about 15 years, so the time & effort invested in earning these ranks has been considerable. Upon getting promoted, the first thing he told me was, "I don't want to make a big deal in class about these promotions". That's just his way about things - he knows where his experience places him in martial arts & he's never taught any of his students that rank counts for anything in reality.
We are all definitely fortunate at our school to have such a dedicated, responsible instructor.
11/25/08
Didn't Sign Up For This!
So, my brother calls me yesterday saying his car broke down (bad starter, maybe?) & after a few attempts, still nothing doing with the cranking & starting thing.
He had a friend come out to help him (quick reminder: I can't drive - seizure) & give him a ride home.
Obviously, this can't work as a permanent arrangement since I need a ride to work & he needs to get to work... So, the smart thing, in my mind, is to have him drive my car which needs the registration renewed since I missed that window with all the issues in SC.
Now, my car is a stick which he can't drive. So, I offer to teach him. What does he say? Oh, he can't possibly learn in one day (despite doing well the 1st time we worked on it), so there's no sense in doing all this today.
It's all very frustrating. Sure, I get out - for work & class - but depending on everyone for a ride AND trying to help kill 2 birds with 1 stone (car & ride) with no interest from the other party is just pissing me off. I sure as heck don't like this inconvenience, either. I'd much rather do my own driving, handle my own issues & not have to inconvenience others for assistance. There's just not that much choice on this end of things.
As an aside, comments I've left on some blogs must be reflecting this frustration or a change in attitude. A comment left on Harvey's blog inspired 3 respondents to let me know just how wrong I was & an inside joke on a friend's facebook page (perfectly appropriate) drew the ire of his girlfriend...with an obligatory literal jab back at her, of course.
I'm wondering how much my personality has changed in the eyes of others. Have I become more combative? Less tactful? Has my general word choice changed? It's impossible to tell from a self-perspective.
He had a friend come out to help him (quick reminder: I can't drive - seizure) & give him a ride home.
Obviously, this can't work as a permanent arrangement since I need a ride to work & he needs to get to work... So, the smart thing, in my mind, is to have him drive my car which needs the registration renewed since I missed that window with all the issues in SC.
Now, my car is a stick which he can't drive. So, I offer to teach him. What does he say? Oh, he can't possibly learn in one day (despite doing well the 1st time we worked on it), so there's no sense in doing all this today.
It's all very frustrating. Sure, I get out - for work & class - but depending on everyone for a ride AND trying to help kill 2 birds with 1 stone (car & ride) with no interest from the other party is just pissing me off. I sure as heck don't like this inconvenience, either. I'd much rather do my own driving, handle my own issues & not have to inconvenience others for assistance. There's just not that much choice on this end of things.
As an aside, comments I've left on some blogs must be reflecting this frustration or a change in attitude. A comment left on Harvey's blog inspired 3 respondents to let me know just how wrong I was & an inside joke on a friend's facebook page (perfectly appropriate) drew the ire of his girlfriend...with an obligatory literal jab back at her, of course.
I'm wondering how much my personality has changed in the eyes of others. Have I become more combative? Less tactful? Has my general word choice changed? It's impossible to tell from a self-perspective.
11/21/08
At Least I can Beat Them Up!
The Part of You That No One Sees |
 You are balanced, peaceful, and sincere. You're the type of person who goes along to get along. And you're definitely afraid of rocking the boat. Underneath it all, you fear your world falling apart. You'll put up with a situation that you don't like in fear of changing it. Disruptive and forceful people intimidate you - and sometimes exploit you. |
H/T - Mrs. Who
Another Step
Tonight, I did my first rolling fall since the surgery. OK, that's not a world breaker for news but it's a sign that things are getting back to normal. When you spend a lot of time worrying about bending over because of the hole in the top of your head, doing a controlled somersault is a big deal.
I guess I'll give it a few more weeks before I start doing regular break falls & it'll probably be January before the air fall comes back into the picture...or even March when the meds go bye-bye.
Two months off has really hurt my (already waning) cardio & it's starting to show in class. Even the most efficient breathing routines aren't keeping up with the level of activity. My kingdom for an elliptical!
I guess I'll give it a few more weeks before I start doing regular break falls & it'll probably be January before the air fall comes back into the picture...or even March when the meds go bye-bye.
Two months off has really hurt my (already waning) cardio & it's starting to show in class. Even the most efficient breathing routines aren't keeping up with the level of activity. My kingdom for an elliptical!
11/11/08
Happy Veterans' Day
A big thank you to those who have served, those who are serving & most of all to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defending this precious freedom we enjoy everyday.
May merciful God be with each and every one of you & may He help us all to fully appreciate the sacrifices you servants of America & your families make for this great land.
From one veteran to all others: I thank you all & may you always be safe in defending the USA - a country that loves you as much as you love her.
May merciful God be with each and every one of you & may He help us all to fully appreciate the sacrifices you servants of America & your families make for this great land.
From one veteran to all others: I thank you all & may you always be safe in defending the USA - a country that loves you as much as you love her.
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