Sunday, May 9, 2010

Update your google readers!!

I have been growing more and more distant on this blog for a few weeks.  It's not like it is intentional, it is just that blogger doesn't make it easy for me to post a new blog post.  It requires me to find time in my very busy after work schedule.

Now that I am working more human hours, my ability to post has been diminished.  When I was working retail, I would come home at night, and no one would be up, so I would blog.  Not the case anymore.

So, if you have been following me on the URL http://idontgive2centsithrowquarters.blogspot.com please update my feed to http://throwingquarters.com

I am moving this blog over to the Wordpress Platform, because they have a specialized mobile app to allow me to post from my phone, a whole heck of a lot easier than blogger.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

See if you can find me

Well today I am not here.  I am over here writing about joint checking accounts.

You will be surprised as to which side I am on, but in reality, I can argue both sides of the issue.

Go check it out.  Comment and tell us what you think.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pooping at work?

When is it acceptable to poop at work?  I think that is a fair question.  Since I have started a new job, it's nice to revisit the subject as to remind myself of the proper etiquette before my bowels need to have a pyrotechnic show that would probably rival Thunder over Louisville.

The reason I ask this question as there is always that guy in the office that can't wait to get to work and drop a deuce.  Usually it's a young guy who recently moved in with his girlfriend and is freaked out about scaring the girl off by the odoriferous colon he has in his pants.  But, we often think of the nasty dumpers as dudes, but in my long career of working in small staffed offices, there are just as many girls who can poop with the best of them.  Usually the girls who poop at work are also those who have recently moved in with their boy and are trying to keep up the guise that they don't poop.  Just like they don't sweat, fart, or even stink after working out.

We all know that after about 2 years of living together, sharing a space, and even occassionaly enjoying a pleasurable romp in bed, that they do actually poop.  They also sweat, and if your romps are good enough, sometimes you both stink and sweat after. 

So this leaves me to pontificate the correct way to poop at work. 

It is only acceptable to poop at work in the case of an extreme emergency.  You know the, oh my god, that Chipotle Burrito washed down with the extra hot sauce emergency.  The holy shit, I can't believe I ate the squirrel on lunch. 

Recreational shitting is to be done in your own home, and not part of a regular routine at work. 

Thank you for your time and consideration, now light that candle, it stinks in here.

Monday, April 19, 2010

My Wii called me Obese...

...and unfortunately it might be right.

If you follow me on Twitter, you might have noticed that I was looking for a Wii Fit Balance Board for my daughter's birthday.  Well not long after her birthday, the greatest wife in the world, my wife, not yours, found one at a Target and quickly scooped it up.
Well as The Wifey left this past weekend to visit her family in Kentucky, she left Audrey and I behind to fend for ourselves.  Well Audrey's idea was to unpack the Wii Balance Board and get to it.  So we did.  

To get it set up, as Audrey and I were clueless, I decided to be the guinea pig and step on.  It goes through a series of activities to determine you "Wii Fit Age".  It said that my "Wii Fit Age" was 30.  Fitting as this year I DO turn 30.  So I thought, hell, maybe I am a little more healthy than I think.  Like everyone else I have the same self image issues most of us do.  We don't think we look all that great, because the magazines tell us we don't.  
So as I stood on an electronic box, sipping a beer, it gave me the most humbling news.  My dreaded BMI.  It was up there.  It said my ideal weight for a guy my size and age is 166 pounds.  Then it gave me what my real weight was.  

I almost dropped my beer on the fucking thing.  I would have been fine with letting my mom come over with her eternal pissing beast, and let him piss all over this contraption.  I tried to hide the tears that shrink wrapped my eyes.  I knew I had gained some weight recently, but I had no idea how much I really had gained.  Sure my pants are up 2 sizes and now even those are getting snug, and I've noticed stretch marks in places I didn't have them before, and right then and there I realized I was becoming the dumb fat guy.  I wasn't taking care of myself the way I should be.  

I am starting to run the risk of having heart disease, running the risk of not being able to run with my daughters.  Running the risk of becoming unattractive in my wife's eyes.  

These are all real fears.  These can be motivation to real change.  

My younger brother was once in my place.  Gaining weight and not caring.  Then he realized one day that something needed to change.  About a year later after he was down nearly 75 pounds, be said, there is no such thing as a diet.  There are all these fad diets, Adkins, South Beach, The Cookie Diet, and they are all bullshit.  None of them work.  You have to make a lifestyle change.  You have to change what you keep in your fridge, you have to change how you wake up in the morning.  Sure there are things you have to sacrifice, like the 8 pounds of salt you throw in your chicken, or the 25 scoops of sugar you put in your coffee.  

I once tried this so called lifestyle change, and it worked, for the 2 weeks I did it.  Because of my brother, I was able to cut sugar out of my coffee altogether, and drink it straight up, and I still do to this day.  I lost 15 pounds in 2 weeks, just by doing that.  But after my wedding and during my wife's pregnancy, that lifestyle was long gone.  I was back to eating whatever the fuck I cared to.  Like chicken covered in cheese.  Like eating a hamburger 6 of the 7 nights of the week.  Like sitting on the couch watching television instead of outside walking the dog.  

Life has certainly changed, and because my wife has felt so run down, I have let myself feel run down. 

So as I stood there, looking at the television shocked to see that the scale was up past the 250 pound mark, I decided there needed to be a little change in my life.  So I did was anyone would have.  I finished my beer and ran the equivilent of a mile and a half in my living room on the Wii Fit with my daughter.  Being active together.  Sweating.  Laughing at each other.  

Today I finished filling out the paperwork to get a scholorship to the YMCA they are building near the house.  If we are going to change, we are changing as a family.  

This past Sunday, I woke up with Audrey, and we went to church with friends of mine.  It was the first time in a long time that going to church was fun for me.  It was on my terms.  

This new challenge will be to.

**that is NOT a photo of me

Monday, April 12, 2010

Glenn Beck spews hatespeak?


Who is Glenn Beck? 


Glenn Beck is a syndicated radio talk show host, and host of a program on Fox that bears his name.  Many call him a religious zealot.  Many call him a hate monger.  Many call him conservative.  Many call him a Republican.  I call him nothing like that.  I call him an educator, I call him an entertainer.


Many years ago I was a broadcast student.  I was psyched about learning a new profession that had intrigued me for so long.  I was sitting near the rear of the classroom listening to my instructor give his 'opening monologue' if you will. 


The message that day resonated in me.  It still lives in me today as I write this trivial blog.  At the end of the day, your program you are working the board on, producing, directing, hosting, or contributing should answer 2 questions.  Did you learn something?  Were you entertained?


At the end of every class he asked those 2 questions before he dismissed us. 
I believe Glenn Beck has the same meeting with his production staff.  I want to entertain as well as educate America.  Thus the tag line of his show, 'the fusion of entertainment and enlightenment'. 


Do I think Glenn Beck is right all the time?  No.  Do I think he is more right than I want to believe?  Sometimes.  Am I entertained by the character that is Glenn Beck? Absolutely. 
This week I saw a bunch of tweets that talked about why Glenn Beck must be stopped.  Why Glenn Beck spews hate.  Why Glenn Beck's advertizers should not buy ad space on his program.  Then they seemed flaborgasted when he came out and said, ' I'm just an entertainer.'


See! Everything he said is bullshit! He knows nothing! Some of these tweets said. 
I'm just surprised all these people thought of him as anything other than an entertainer.  He doesn't have a party affiiliation, although he leaned a bit liberal prior to 9/11.  He is not a Republican, Democrat, or Green Party, or whatever party there might be.  He is what I would call a Constitutional Traditionalist.  He beleives in the Constitution and he feels many people after the founding fathers corrupted, or maybe prostituted the interpretaition of it.  His program breaks down his views on how they did just that. 


He targets a type of person called a, progressive.  A progressive as they called it was not about progressing America, but retarding it and restoring big government. 


The states gave the Federal Government power, not the reverse.  The progressives, according to Beck want to destroy America.  He uses case study from way back when, to today to prove his point.  This is hard to watch or listen to, or even be told, but in the end, he says if you are trying to hijack this country, you are the enemy. 


I happen to stand in line with that.  If you ARE in fact trying to hijack our government, you are the enemy. 


Beck says he is scared that, if things keep going the way they are, then everything will be government run, and thus end the democratic republic.  He says, look at what they did to healthcare, the financial industry with bailouts, the auto industry with bailouts.  The government just didn't hand over money.  They got a stake in the business. 


People forget that JP Morgan bailed out our country during the Depression.  Now, many years later, it is the government who bailed out JP Morgan.


So why are people so pissed off at Glenn Beck?  


Is it because what he says is true?  Is it that everything he says cannot be refuted?  Is it because he can rally people behind him?  Is it because despite what he says, he can still draw the audience?  Is it because you just hate who ever your neighbor likes?  


Many people forget that people like Glenn Beck, Barrack Obama, and whomever else has 'power' is because we give it to them.  It's either afternoon television ratings, voting for them, or going to their sermons everyday.  People like Glenn Beck would have zero power if we didn't give it to them.  


So how does one amass 'power' as they say?  Well as much as we want to believe, it's the detractors that tend to make television personalities more popular.  Howard Stern didn't become the 'King of all Media' by rallying people that liked him, it was pissing off the people who didn't.  In New York, when he was on WNBC, people who liked him tuned in because they wanted to see what he was going to say.  People who hated him tuned in because they wanted to see what he was going to say.  


Jesus wouldn't be as popular as he is without his crucifixion.  His detractors raised such a stink, they put him to the cross.  He died, then he showed off and rose from the dead.  Criss Angel only wishes he could do that trick.


Glenn Beck is no different than Jesus, Howard Stern, or even Barrack Obama.  He says what he says because he can get a reaction.  Either take it or leave it.  For you to assume Beck is anything other than an entertainer, you my friend are the idiot.  You are going to let what an entertainer says get your panties in a twist?  He doesn't make policy.  He doesn't run the country.  


For the record.  Glenn Beck had the same message when George W. Bush was in office.  His message hasn't changed.  


For the record.  I voted AGAINST George W. Bush the first time.  I voted FOR George W. Bush the 2nd time.  I voted AGAINST Obama.  

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Whirl Wind weekend

Kentucky often gets a bad reputation.  Sitting just south of Ohio, Kentucky is known for it's southern drawl, bluegrass, moonshine, and even the legal spirit Bourbon.  It's awesome that Kentucky is so close for us too.  Jenn's family lives there.  It's so nice to be so close to visit as often as we do.

6 weeks ago, The Wifey's Granddad had a stroke.  She was itching to get down there and see what it going on.  The stroke was nothing life threatening, it was mild by stroke standards, but put her Granddad's morality in check.  For her Granddad his mortality first came into play when he and his wife, Grandmother, went on a trip.  They were in Nova Scotia, Canada, when he had a heart attack.  It was serious, but again, by heart attack standards it was under control.  Well he got to see the 'fantastic' Canadian health care system. 

For those of you who want to know how it works, here is a sneak peak.  He sat in the hospital for 3 days before they gave his doctor's clearance to do the stent procedure which is done within 24 hours here in America.  They took their time with testing.  About 2 weeks later he was cleared to leave the hospital and come home.

The Wife's maternal grandparents are the epitome of independent senior living.  They were active, sharp, and everything the doctors say you should be when you get older, but this heart attack while on a road trip in Canada, was a snap back to reality.  No one lives forever.

I know this just as much as any, Grandparents and go in a blink of an eye. 

Flash forward, Granddad had a stroke.  Then flash forward to a week ago, he had another heart attack.  At this point Jenn and I revamp our plans for Easter and decide to head to Kentucky for the holiday rather than drive up to see her sister. 

Flash forward this past Friday.  Earlier in the day Jenn gets a phone call update from her mom.  Granddad is doing well and they are talking about sending him home.  No reason to stay in the hospital.  Later that day Jenn noticed a call from her Aunt.  No message.  She tabled the call and decided to call back at a later hour.  She was getting Audrey from school, and helping with homework.

At the time Jenn didn't answer the phone, I got a call minutes later from her Aunt.  A phone call from her Aunt is not something I get.  Ever.  I answer.  Hopefully all was well.  Jenn's Aunt tells me that Grandmother had a stroke and she is on her way to the hospital via ambulance.  She couldn't get a hold of Jenn, and she asked for me to pass along the message.

I hung up the phone, my staff saw the look on my face.  I told them I had to go and get to Jenn.  I tied up a few loose ends with my customers and I was gone.

I got home, and Jenn was surprised to see me home 2 hours early.  I asked her if she called her Aunt back.  She said, no.  I said that she might want to call, her Grandmother had a stroke.  Everything was stable, but you need to call her.

I saw Jenn's heart sink.  I know what it is like being so far away and feeling helpless.  We went through a very similar situation when we went to Chicago for a nice overnight trip to see a show, and I got a phone call that BOTH of my Grandparents were in trouble and that I needed to get home.

This situation hit very close to my heart.   I knew what Jenn wanted to do.  She wanted to get in the car and go.  It didn't matter what her mom said.  Everything could have been hunky dory and she would want to get in the car and go.

With in an hour I would say tops, we had the dog off to my mom's house, and we were in the car heading south to Kentucky.

Saturday we were in the hospital visiting.  They released Granddad, but Grandmother wasn't out of the woods.  Upon first glance you couldn't even tell Jenn's Grandmother had a stroke.  After listening to the nurses and the family's account of what the doctors were saying made me appreciate what we have here in Cleveland even more.

Cleveland is home to 2 world class health systems.  If you have cancer, get to the Ireland Cancer Center at the Cleveland Clinic.  Need a heart transplant, get to University Hospitals.  There are other great programs at these two great facilities including neurology.  If you go to one of these great facilities, you get quick, prompt, and sounds medical advice.  If there is uncertainty, they rarely show you they are freaked out about it, and if they are unsure they don't tell you a bunch of bullshit.  They tell you, hey we are not sure, but this is what we are going to do.  Think an entire hospitals with Dr. Houses. 

Now here we are in a hospital, in a small town relative to Cleveland, hearing all about what the 3 doctors who saw Grandmother said.  1 said, you look great don't know why you are here, a 2nd painted a picture of doom and gloom, and the 3rd said that she didn't have a stroke. 

Get you stories straight.  I was talking to my broth via text while I was there.  He said he couldn't trust anyone outside of the Cleveland Clinic, especially in a part of country where they might use butter to treat sunburn still or use snake bites to treat sinning. 

That might be all well and good, but Jeff Foxworthy said something pretty true, it doesn't matter how much school you might have gone to, you just seem stupid if you have a southern accent. 

In all seriousness, Grandmother seems to be doing well as of right now, which is a good thing.  Jenn stayed down there a few extra days with the baby so she can have the peace of mind that everything is ok.

And it may seem that I am being a little hard on the Kentucky hospital, but in all reality I would put America's worst hospital up against the rest of the world's best hospital. 

I will let you know how everything turns out. 

In the meantime, pray, send good vibes, do anything that you might think help to make sure Jenn can get through this with some sanity. 

Monday, March 22, 2010

Throwing Quarters Podcast replay [audio]

Here is the audio for Season 3 Episode 2.

You can catch the Video Replay in the post below for click here. 

If you so choose, you can also download it on iTunes.  Just search the podcast library for Throwing Quarters Podcast.

You can also find us on your iPhone and Android using the UStream App, just search Throwing Quarters for the video, or stream it on Stitcher Podcast Radio from your smartphone.  

Enjoy.



Powered by Podbean.com

Musical Guest: American Swill [Redwater Rojo]
Mentioned Artist: Rob Evan [Minerva Realm]

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Health Care, a real debate



Well I apologize for the hiatus.  I haven't logged in for a little bit due to this cough that I seem to have contracted.  Ahh, I have healthcare, but I just haven't made it to my doctor yet. 


Call me lazy.  You're probably right. 


So earlier this week, I posted a tweet that fed into my personal Facebook page.  The post was meant to make fun of Denis Kucinich, a longtime Congressman from Ohio, who was mayor of the city of Cleveland, and who eventually led the city directly into default.  First time in history a city had ever done that. 


The concept of this attack on Denis was that he flipped his stance on the health care reform bill.  He opposed it prior to this week.  I basically said that Denis traded his vote for a ride on Air Force 1.  He did.  When you watch the video of President Obama disembarking from his 747 in Cleveland this past week, right behind him, the guy who looks like his butler, yeah, that was Denis.  Good ole, retard Congressman who seems to get re-elected year after year for no apparent reason.  The guy, who year after year, attempts to run for President.


So the President came to a suburb of Cleveland to take about healthcare.  All of a sudden, after a pretty routine speech for Obama, Kucinich decided, you know what, I support this bill. 


Whatever Denis.  Stick to your guns.  You made another boneheaded move.


Well this little post of mine sparked ignited a debate in the comments section.  28 comments later, we are still duking it out.


It's just amazing.  Because I want to make sense of the debate, I am going to try and explain what happened.  My good friend Carrie and her Husband Josh, live in and around Washington DC.  [Line redacted upon request.] To say they are neck deep in political bullshit on a daily basis is to say that it snows in the winter [unless you're Al Gore, then that just made no sense]. 


Carrie supports this healthcare reform because it will give healthcare to everyone.  Warm and fuzzy, cue the music.  Everyone is happy.  She sites the Canadian plan as an example of how government healthcare works and is good.  Her argument has valid points, and I too support a plan that will give everyone healthcare.


Now, my other good friend, Heather, and for clear disclosure worked for the Republican Party during the presidential campaign, is NOT a supporter of this plan.  She says that the government plan will slow down services like chemo if cancer is found.  She sites that this is what happens in Canada.  She says that our system needs revamping, but not at the high cost that this healthcare bill is going to do. 


In a nutshell that is the argument.


Carrie asked what the Republicans have brought to the table?  She said that all she is seeing is them trying to attempt to block ANY reform. 


Now Heathers point, and there is no refuting this, is that the Republicans can't stop shit.  They don't have a majority at all, or the power to influence the majority. 


The partisan card needs to be put back in the deck.


So who do you believe? Carrie, who thinks this plan offers healthcare for all.  Or do you agree with Heather?  She thinks that the cost of this plan is too great.


Well here is where I am going to chime in. 


I agree with both of these ladies.  They both make a compelling argument.  Who wouldn't want healthcare for all?  It's a great thought.  It reminds me of the movie American Tale.  There are no cats in America and the streets are filled with cheese. 


Sadly, just as Fivel found out that the song he sang wasn't exactly true, much is the same with healthcare reform.  It sounds great.  There are a ton of great talking points.  But I don't see the vision.  


This bill is going to give coverage to 32 million Americans who are uninsured.  Awesome.  Well according to the last Census it stated that there are 45 million who are uninsured.  So this bill isn't giving all Americans health coverage.  For that matter, there are 308.9 million Americans according to that same Census.  So, 14% of America is uninsured.


So why are we revamping a system that will only effect less than 14% of the population?  It's like we are trying to use a broad sword to put a cake.  It doesn't make sense. 


There are points in there that say, well, insurance companies can't deny coverage for pre-existing conditions.  Awesome, that's great.  But now that they HAVE to cover me for my cancer, that is going to drive cost up, which the government will pay, which they will pass back down to you and me, the American taxpayer.  The bill even states that this will raise taxes.  That is how it MIGHT cut the deficit in the first 10 years.  But when has a government project ever been within its budget?  History is indicitive of future performance.


So here I sit, in a place right now, knowing I have coverage, but not going to the doctor.  It's a nice place to be, but I don't support this bill, but its one thing to oppose something to oppose it, but I offer some other ideas.


What happened to the free market?  Insurance companies have allowed the prices to increase, because they can pass it down to the plan holder.  The market could keep that price kind of in check, because if people couldn't afford the premiums, they would stop the coverage [but in Ohio, we are not allowed to change our insurance plan with our employers at all unless we have a qualifying event, thanks government].  But as a false housing bubble has bolstered our market, during that same time, health coverage rose too.  Because people were using their houses as an ATM, they kept paying their medical bills, and not bitching about it.  If they were bitching, there were not bitching to the right people and the politicians weren't listening anyway, they were getting paid off BY the insurance companies.  As one system went unchecked, so did another, so did another, and so on.


So now what do we do?  Reform!  But reform for the sake of reform is not good.  Never has been.  If we are going to reform, give me back my ability to negotiate the price of my healthcare. 


Make hospitals who bill the insurance companies more accountable for their prices.  A recent report showed that a patient was charged $1.50 some cotton balls.  Awesome.  I can get a pack of 1000 for $0.89 at costco. 


So give me back the power to not only talk to my doctor about my care, but also, how much it costs too. 


The biggest thing about this bill I hate is how they slyly packaged student loan reform into this bill.  I'm sorry, I thought this was healthcare reform?


I am not opposed to student loan reform, but because they packaged these together, and tried to pull the wool over our eyes, I'm downright pissed off.  This is the bullshit the President promised to stop.  He promised transparency.  He promised so many things, but alas he has DONE none of it.  


Government intervention hasn't lead to many great things.  Carrie sited Canada as a good example of government health care.  Yes, Canada seems happy with it's system.  But where Canada is 1 example of success, there is Russia, Nazi Germany, and China who's systems eventually collapsed.    


So this is where America sits and waits.  The President's political party is in office and they are having trouble passing a health care reform bill HIS party came up with.  The Republicans have nothing to do with it.  They opposed it and the most of the Democrats oppose it as well.  This should scream loud and clear to America, don't pass it.  Even the people who wrote the bill don't even agree with it's entirety.    


So please, as we near this vote in Congress, how do YOU feel about it.  Don't be shy.

*photo credit is here

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Parenting Manuals need my chapter

In a world fraught with contradicting advice to parents, let my advice read loud and clear.

If your child is over 1 year old, or for all you minivan driving, month-loving, suburbanites, 12 months, take the binky away and close up shop on the boobies.  

Last week, after a great Friday, I stepped outside and took a fresh air getting walk.  On my walk I discovered a mother and her son.  I stopped and chatted.  I learned, they too, were out getting some fresh air on a glorious sunny day in Cleveland. 

This mother and son seemed like every other ordinary mom-son combo, except that this mother's son was about 3, almost 4 and was sucking on a pacifier like some porn star to Ron Jeremy.  As we parted ways I couldn't help but just shake my head.  Why would this parent allow that pacifier after age 4 [that's 48 months for all you hippies out there]?

I wish I could say that this woman is the only woman I've seen letting their child suck on a pacifier.  Out in suburbia, this seems to be a trend. 

As parents we have an obligation to raise children to be productive members of society.  Children need to be active participants in their own lives.   After age 1 [that's 12 months for you hippies] the pacifier is a 'shut up' tool.  Instead of teaching your kids how to be quiet when appropriate, and doing what they are told with out back talk, you shove that pacifier in their mouth to shut them up.  How is this teaching manners?  How are you helping your child learn proper behavior?  These parents are teaching their children to be socially retarded.

I am just disgusted with this trend of not harming your child's psyche.  I can hear all you sheep parents out there, "...child will get depressed if I take that security away..." or "...my child won't know how to handle it well.."  Guess what?  It's called life.  Get used to it.

If we let our kids hold onto their pacifiers, it can give them a false sense of entitlement, and not to mention all the dental problems that go along with this whole argument. 

So why such a big deal over pacifiers?  Well it's just like what the Republicans call a pot, a gateway drug.  Ask George W. Bush, he knows. 

If you don't tell your child no, the it will get even harder when they learn how to talk.  You have to teach your kids things like, no, just like you teach your kids, yes. 

There was this book about potty training your child in 24 hours I once read.  I said, "..Often it is the parent who isn't ready rather than the child..." I think this holds true for this whole binky thing.

Often, 1st time parents have a hard time letting go of the baby phase as they grow into the toddler phase.  Again, often times it is the first born with the biggest sense of entitlement, because all those parents read what to expect when your expecting and study it like some born-again Christian studies the Bible, and thumps it like some televangelist.  

So to all those parents who might be reading this and say, "This guy has no clue" let me say this.  I am the father of 2 kids and I have a 11 year old step-daughter from my first marriage.  My first, Audrey, just celebrated her 8th birthday [96 months for you month-loving hippies] and I also have a 6 month old [today].  My oldest, on her first birthday, was taken off a bottle and onto a sippy cup.  Her pacifiers were unceremoniously thrown away, and that was the end of it.  No cute ceremonies, or stories of placing them on the Christmas tree so that Santa can use them for all the babies.  No.  We said no more, and that was that.  What is wrong with telling your child no?  Jesus Christ, get some balls! 

Was it a long few weeks as she adjusted?  You bet your ass it was, but it was a matter of resolve.  Did my daughter slip into a deep depression and start cutting her wrists while she wore black lipstick and listened to Marylin Manson through the incense cloud?  No.  You can see the affects of the quick change today.  She can handle change like no other child on this Earth.  She has small bouts of shyness that is quickly overcome.  She isn't a baby and order off the kids menu all the time either.  She was potty trained in just 1 day [for you hippies, that's 24 hours].  She is a well adjusted, great kid.  She is the best behaved kid I have ever seen.  She can interact with adults and with other kids. 

I not only talk the game, but I'm the fucking world champion.   



**picture credit here**

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

#happyinCLE

So have you heard of this magazine called Forbes?

Did you know that they have a need to put down Cleveland?

No?

Great.  Well guess what?  Forbes sucks.  No, I am not going to link the story because it will pad Forbes' statistics.

If you are twitter you have seen the hashtag, #happyinCLE.  It was started by the Convention and Visitors Bureau to prove that there are plenty of happy people in Cleveland.

I am told that whomever wrote that whole article never even came to Cleveland to check it out.  So here is my letter back to Forbes.

Dear Forbes,
  I understand from the outside looking in that Cleveland doesn't seem to be as appealing as other cities across this great nation of ours.  Sure, the Cleveland Browns haven't won a championship since 1964, the Cleveland Indians blew it in the 9th inning in 1997, and the economy that was once based on the steel mills has all but eroded.
  What you don't seem to have a grasp of is that Cleveland is resilient.  We look at things a little different than your crap colored glasses.  Let's look at some good things that Cleveland has gone for it.
  Our food scene has been written up in the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, and Bon Appetite Magazine.  Michael Symon has not only opened doors for other Cleveland chefs, but according to Chef/Owner of Rocco Whalen, "He's built bridges and highways."  The Cleveland Cavs were your only excpetion, but if that is the only exception you see, then I'll politely tell you to go throw yourself off the nearest skyscraper.
  Cleveland is home to the largest theater complex outside of Broadway.  Cleveland is committed to becoming the model for a green technology.
  More importantly, Cleveland is where I CHOOSE to make my home, and have a family.  By telling your dwindling subscribers that Cleveland is miserable, you are telling me I have made a mistake for living here, and that my friend is just a jerk move.
  So the next time you want to put Cleveland on a list for not being awesome, maybe you should actually send a reporter here and see how the people in Cleveland get along.  Maybe actually doing research would be better than reading wikipedia and throwing out some facts about Cleveland that were relevant 30+ years ago.

Sincerely,

Adam, btw, I wish I had a subscription to cancel, but I guess I'm glad I never gave you my money.


For those of you who want to support the Cleveland cause there are 2 great t-shirt companies selling t-shirts basically telling Forbes to eff off.

Fresh Brewed Tees

The C.L.E. Clothing Company

Monday, March 1, 2010

Principles

It's one thing to have principles and tell everyone you know about them.  It's quite another to actually live by certain principles.

I have said over and over, I will not ever buy another General Motors vehicle.  Ever.  The press has understated Ford's ability to weather the recession storm with out the help of the American taxpayers.  There is hardly any coverage about this point, but this does not go unnoticed to me.  It's a lesson in business.  Change your business model if it proves to be failing.  So a year before the big recession hit, Ford was making plans for a change.  They stopped making mini vans, and started to reinvest in smaller more fuel efficient cars.

In early 2010, Ford started to reap the rewards of it's change, although the mainstream media is still not reporting on the great things they are doing.  Ford's Fusion won Motor Trend's Car of the Year.  The last time Ford has won this award was in 2002 when the Thunderbird's re-emergence came to be.

Well in early 2010, in the year of change for me, I was able to help Ford continue it's growth.  I was able to buy a brand new car, the 2010 Ford Fusion.  It's filled with goodies.

I could go on and on about how awesome this car is, but I want to mention how awesome Ford is.  Not only is the dealer I worked with amazing, by helping me pay off the new car and getting me a decent rate on a new loan for the new car, despite my struggles to help build my credit, but Ford as a company has a great social media presence.  I tweeted on my way home that I bought a new Fusion.  They tweeted me the next day to congratulate me.

This is not the first time I have interacted with Ford on twitter.  I commented on how awesome it was that Mike Rowe from Discovery's Dirty Jobs is the spokesman for Ford.  They tweeted back, they thought so to and appreciated my comments.

With Toyota stumbling on their quality, Ford has always had a stigma of producing poor cars.  Everyone always has those stories, my Ford did this, my Ford did that, but with every bad story about a Ford there are 10 good stories that no one ever talks about.

Ford's quality has always been great, and now with the media darling that is Toyota currently in crisis mode over it's quality of production, Ford will still be unnoticed and underrated by the mainstream media.

You know what, I kind of like it that way.  They are just going to put their head's down, keep putting out a great product, and engaging their customers in new ways.  I will be there with them, behind the wheel of my new Fusion.

Next up in a few, getting my poor wife out of her GM and into a Ford Flex.

Friday, February 26, 2010

I'm not dead

I'm just poking my head in to tell you that I am not dead, just sick.

I came out of hiding long enough to get a post up over here.  Go comment.  Until I can check in again, work is doing great, loving the new job.

ok bye

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Overnight w/ Vodka Logic [Part 2]

After Vodka Logic had her claim ticket for her luggage and an address to have them drop off the luggage, we headed back to my place.

The plan was, at this point, to find a place to eat.  In Cleveland there are many many places to choose from, but I didn't want to drive too far.

Laura has read many of my blogs talking about food, and Bar Symon has just redone their menu, so I decided we are going there.  It is close.  There is probably not a wait.  And in the eventuality we get drunk, my wife is nearby to pick us up and drive us home after she is done with her practice.

So have you ever had beef tongue?  Me neither.  That's why when I saw it on the Bar Symon menu, I had to try it.  Vodka Logic looks over the menu and then looks at me and asks, what is a perogi?  I looked at her and was flabbergasted.  What?  Was that a question?  Sometimes I take my heritage for granted.  My family is Slovak.  Perogi are pretty much a staple in my house around Christmas time.  So seeing my reaction, and a hearty suggestion she try them, and what better place than Cleveland?  The Cleveland Classic was in the kitchen just for Vodka Logic.

So by the time the first round of cocktails got to the table, dinner arrived.  I was famished so I dug in, after Laura and I took photos of the food of course.

The [blurry] Cleveland Classic


Beef Tongue Sandwich w/ Chips

I know that looks yummy right?

So during dinner we got a phone call at the table.  Guess what?  Laura's bag finally made it to Cleveland.  So I stopped drinking after the second drink, and prepared to drive Laura through Cleveland, then back out to the airport to get her lost bag.  

It is in my humble opinion that if you want to see a city, have someone who lives there show you around.  If you live in a place and don't know anything about it, then learn.  Be proud of your town.  

As we exited the restaurant, with 1 extra sausage in hand, because Laura only could handle 1 of the 2 she got, so we set off down the historic Lake Rd into Cleveland.  

Laura commented on the houses.  How cheap they were.  People don't realize how inexpensive the Midwest is.  She saw this in the tab she picked up at the restaurant.  Our meal could have easily cost over $100 in New England.  In Cleveland, a miserly $60.00.  

As we drove down I was sharing some facts about Cleveland.  Lake Effect snow, electric rail road to the burbs, and even where the celebrities live.  I think at one point I was overloading her, because she said, damn you know a lot about this city.  

I know I do.  I also tend to ramble when I have someone new to show around.  I love my city, and I think Laura saw this.  We arrive in downtown and I drove her through Playhouse Square, the Gateway District, by E 4th Street, and then to I-71 south to the airport.  

Baggage claimed and off to bed.  

Now Laura did not come into town w/o bringing gifts for the Mrs. and I and also for the kids.  Patriots gear for the kids.  Shot glasses for the Mrs. and I.  How awesome is that?  Seriously.

So Friday was the tourist day.  Laura's only request was to see the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.  So I obliged.  Audrey spent her day off with her mom, as she hadn't seen her for the week on the account of play practice, and the wife, Laura, Addison, and I went to the Rock Hall.  

I hadn't been there in a while, and to all those Clevelanders who haven't been, get there, it is a great place.  Time was getting tight for Laura's flight home, so what were we to do for lunch.  I know I wasn't going to stop at the Rock Hall's cafe.  That would be a waste.  Why visit a cafe when you can dine at one of Bon Appetite's Top 10 Restaurants?

Off to the Greenhouse Tavern we went.  

I think this lunch menu is one of Cleveland's best kept secrets.  Small, inexpensive, and flavorful.  

I didn't get a good photo of my lunch as I wolfed it down so fast, but Laura was able to get this shot off before her hunger monsters got a hold of it.


The Greenhouse French Dip

We finished our lunch and realized that Laura had to get to the airport to head off to Indianapolis on the 2nd leg of her tour of the Midwest. 

But what is a trip to Cleveland without a proper send off?



Come back soon Vodka Logic.  You only saw part of this great city!


Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Overnight w/ Vodka Logic [Part 1]

So it was no secret that Laura from Vodka Logic was coming to town.  Her flight was scheduled to come in on Wednesday afternoon.  With the snow storms that hit Cleveland then hitting the East Coast, her flight was canceled.  Then rescheduled.  Then canceled again.  Then rescheduled.  Again.

During this time a study came out from Forbes Magazine.  Cleveland was #1 on the worst winter weather list.  Boston was #2.  Funny, Laura was coming from Boston.  To Cleveland.  During winter storms.

Seriously.  I can't make this crap up.

Finally, Vodka Logic made it to town Thursday night.  Her flight was 20 minutes early, but not to worry, we would end up waiting around the airport for another hour.

As you know US Airways is known as the airline that can land in the Hudson River, but not as an airline that can get your bags from destination A to destination B.

The baggage claim belt came to life, and died in a meager 10 minutes.  Everyone who had a bag on the belt, got their bag and left.  Then we look around.  There are 4 people there who had not gotten a bag, and they were still standing around.  Waiting.  For a bag that wasn't going to be there.  Laura and I were a few of those people.

Laura got in line to make a claim, I took a seat.  I was pretty pissed for her.

Just want to put it out there.  If I have to pay to check my luggage, it had better be there when I get there.  Airlines are jacking up fees, and losing luggage.  It is one thing to lose luggage when it is free, I get what I pay for; but when I am paying you to put my bags on the my airplane and then take them off, and I don't get my bags, then why do I have to still pay you?

I digress.

There is a part 2 of this story, and it has a happy ending.  Come back tomorrow for the conclusion.  You will not want to miss it.  The rest of the story needs it's own blog post.

Saturday, February 13, 2010

A Lonely Luge

The Winter Olympics are something I am always drawn to.  I love skiing, curling, speed skating, and even the cross country events.  To tell you the truth, I am drawn to the competition, no matter now boring or trivial the sport might be. 

As exciting as the competition might be, Friday, as the games were about to open, we were struck with tragedy.  Some say it should have never happened.  Some say it was just another danger of a sport.

Georgian luger, 21 year old, Nodar Kumaritashili lost control of his luge and was thrown off hitting an unpadded metal pole at nearly 90 miles per hour.  They say it isn't the fall that kills you, it's the sudden stop.  As hard as it might be to imagine what that would be like, it's hard to watch.   I learned of the crash via Twitter while having lunch with the Wife and Laura from Vodka Logic.  I wanted to know more, and I was sure that I would get the news I wanted from the news once I was able to watch.

As the Wife and Audrey got ready for their play, I watched The NBC Nightly News as they showed the footage of the crash.  My mouth dropped to the floor.  Tears came to my eyes.  This athlete's death was shown on nationwide television.  Again they showed the crash in slow motion.  Slow enough to see the fear in the athlete's eyes.  In less than 0.01 seconds, he was dead.  

Now technically he did not die on impact, but to show this video not only during the 6:30 Nightly News, but also at the top of the Opening Ceremonies.  Over. And over. And over.  It was classless, inappropriate, and showed a disrespect to this athlete that is completely unimaginable.  Would they have shown the video over and over if it were an American?  

The analysts say it was his lack of experience on the track and this particular track is said to be the fastest and most challenging track in the world.  

I am disgusted with NBC for even showing this video.  As exclusive as it might have been, it was inappropriate to show this horrific death.  

It was probably the scariest thing I have ever seen.  

So as I sit here, excited to watch the competition unfold, I am reminded of how precious life can be. 

Thursday, February 11, 2010

I got a new job in less than a week....

...and I really feel like a dick for it too.

There are a ton of people out there who are jobless, my mother is one of them.  My friend Kasey is another.  Both of whom read this blog.

So I want to say it now, I am sorry for getting a job when I already had a great job.  I am.  My job with Verizon Wireless was fantastic.  But now with my new adventure, I find myself biting my tongue about how awesome of an opportunity it is, because people close to me are having a very hard time.  Depression. Guilt.  Thoughts of inadequacy.  You name it, you'll have it.

So I am just very very sorry, but I am also not very sorry at all either.

I know what it is like to not have a job, and I was told a long time ago when I was working in the Radio Industry, to always be looking for your next opportunity.  So that is what I am always doing.  Always.  Many people learn the need for a solid network about 1 pink slip too late.  Make that change on your terms.  It is no secret that companies are cutting back.  Be looking.  Be ready.  On the day I resigned from Verizon Wireless, it was the same day that Verizon Communications announced layoffs on it's wireline side.  Keep your eye on the business.  If it looks solid, start looking.  If it gets shaky, step up your efforts so you are ready.

You also need to be really honest with yourself.  Are you really someone that is worth something to the company?  Really?  I know I know, that is very hard to self assess, but you need to start getting honest.  Stop saying that your shit doesn't stink, because in the end, your shit is just as smelly.  The issue is, is your shit easy covered up by oust?  Are you that squeaky wheel?  They say it gets the oil, and I usually say it's the oil to help you lubricate your exit.

So as I lack the words to blog as of late, it really as a result of me trying to stifle my excitement for the next part of my career because there are many of you looking and trying to even get interviewed.  I feel bad for you.  What do you want me to say?  Hang in there?  Well hang in there.

Some people say when life gives you lemons, make lemonade.  In the words of Ron White I say, find the person who's life is giving them vodka, and have a fucking party.

In a way I am sorry.  In another, I am not.  I am staying in control of my destiny.  I suggest you get in control of yours too.

********

In case you missed it, I was asked to be a guest on a podcast yesterday.  Check out my interview on Kelly's Podcast "Speaking from the Crib".  I had a blast.  Enjoy that.

Monday, February 8, 2010

My wife has a new blog and I can't seem to find the words

Why is it that when I have time to write, I can't figure out what to write about?  Or when I do want to talk about something, I cannot find the words?

This whole process is frustrating.  

Oh and by the way.  Have you checked out my wife's blog?  She finally got on there last night and posted about a new reality TV show.  

Thursday, February 4, 2010

I'm not here today

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Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Vacation Day 3 [Last chance to sleep in]

Hopefully as you read this, I am fast asleep.  See since starting the 2 week vacation before the new j-o-b starts, I haven't been able to sleep in.  Monday, the perfect time to do so, I was up at 7am.  Tuesday I was UP AND OUT THE DOOR by 7:30am.  Today, I hope I am still asleep.  You see this post is auto posted for 8am EST.  Let's hope I don't beat it here.

Venus and Mars

Anyway, for those of you who like to read what I write, go check out a new blog I am a part of.  Yesterday I wrote about child support.  Tomorrow I am a part of a debate.  Did I win?  You decide tomorrow, but in the end, the debate was over casual sex.  Go see what I said tomorrow, seriously, I offended my counterpart.  Seriously.  I got the e-mail.  It was awesome.

So, there is not much to say right now.  Life is quiet.  I am planning an itinerary for when Vodka Logic comes to town.  We need to hit some places where food is sold.  Hit the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.  Give her a guided tour of MY city.  Watch the final dress rehearsal of the play my wife and kids are in.

In the mean time, I was talking with Audrey about her roommate for a few days.  Hope Vodka Logic likes 7 almost 8 year olds.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

I meant to say this yesterday

So, if you follow me on Twitter, you already know. 

For those who don't, I will cut to the chase.  I got a new job.  I'm changing careers.  I'm starting anew.

For those who have followed me since I began my blogging journey, you caught me at a time where I wasn't in love with working in retail.  You have followed that progression through the years until now.  I have written about customers of retail, employees of retail, and if you knew where to look, you will also know that this blog has bitten me in the ass.  I'm glad to say that it is all over now. 

Yesterday, I wrote a 2 line letter to my managers.  This is my official resignation of my posistion at [employer redacted].  My last day of work will be February 13, 2010. 

To say it felt strange to resign from a position I really loved would mean I was saying that writing with my feet is neat and legible. 

It was weird.  My assistant manager was shocked.  My colleague who was there was shocked.  Everyone was shocked.

I was the leader of the pack to some.  I was a niusance to some.  In the end, I'm glad to say I got along well with everyone. 

At the end of the day, I sat down with my manager.  I could see that she was trying to hold herself together.  She as where I was going.  Its a question that she allowed to ask, due to the non-compete clause I signed.  I told her. 

She said she was really happy for me.  She also said, that she appreciated my two week notice, I am only required to work through Sunday the 31st.  I would be compensated my unused vacation time.  She said it would give me time to spend with my family and get my head in my new role.  I could see the tears shrink wrapped to her eyes on my way out. 

To say that I appreciate it would be a severe understatement.  Its like saying that Tone Loc WASN'T a musical genius.  I mean does it get any better than funky cole medina or wild thang?  You're singing it now, I can hear ya.

So as I have stated before, this year is my year of change.  My changes happen because I am making moves to make them happen.  No longer will I sit idle and allow others to shape my career.  I will shape my career. 

Here is to saying good-bye to all I have worked with.  We will stay in touch. 

Here is to new beginnings. 

Slainte

*this blog was composed and posted on my Droid® so excuse any blaring spelling errors, I couldn't find my spell check.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Family can be such a pain [Guest Post from Vodka Logic]

Hello Everyone, 


Last week I said I gave my brain a day off.  Well it really enjoyed it's vacation, so let's hope it return tomorrow.  Until then, here is a post from a good blogger buddy of mine from Boston.  She asked that she not be linked for fear her family might find her.  If you would like her link, just shoot me an e-mail


Sincerely, 


The hollow shell of a body that is sorely lacking it's brain

 ----------


Firstly thanks Adam for letting me use your blog to vent some painful feelings. As the poem says I have been hurt yet again by my family. More specifically my sisters. For some reason I don't fit in, am not welcome in their lives. I have been through this with them before and was told I was selfish and one even called me offensive. That is one comment I can not shake. I do not have the same sensibilities, beliefs even interests as my sisters. I used to but things change... 


 They have read my blog, they separated themselves from it, canceling any connections they had with it. Apparently a few sharp words and naughty poems makes me offensive and a risk to be associated with. [I kid you not]



I have put my heart on my sleeve with some of my poems and they have never asked if I was ok, did I want to talk. [but I am selfish]



Anyway the following poem is what came out of me this morning. I don't need any more drama so Adam said he would let me post on his blog.



Pain is the only way.
That makes me write,
What I want to say.


Here I am alone again,
The black sheep strikes.
A broken chain.

I'd like to say I do not care,
I'm just not able.
All I say will seem unfair.

I'll hear the flack,
Be chastised
Told it's me that is slack.

Swatted away from above
Mistreated by family
Whom I love.


Grind it down into the dirt,
And bury it deep
I'll take the hurt.


My pain and sorrow
It will fade,
Lucky for me there is tomorrow.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

9 lists of 8

Because I am coming off a hectic weekend, and 2 relaxing days off, I gave my brain a day off.

My new found Canadian Buddy, Will tagged me in a game of lists.  9 lists of 8.  They are predetermined lists. But I need a break for now.  At the end, you get a chance to play along.

8 TV Shows I watch:
Law & Order: SVU-This is where I get all my knowledge on crime.
Myth Busters- I love how nerdy Adam and Jamie are to get to the bottom of Urban Legend
Glenn Beck- I know I know. But like I have tweeted before, part thinks he is full of shit, the other thinks he might be right.  I hope he is full of shit, but something tells me he isn't.
Local News on WKYC-TV-When it comes to the news in Cleveland, I turn to our NBC affiliate.  The weather reports are pretty accurate, but they don't scare me with their 8 million Doppler Radars.  
Top Chef-I am not what you would call a foodie, and frankly I hate the word.  I am a guy who likes to cook and likes to eat.  I don't criticize restaurants, I don't tell you to stop going there.  If I write about it; it was good.  If I am quiet, then I think it sucked, but I am not so entrenched in my opinions of a place to tell you that it sucked.  Top Chef really let's me spend time with Audrey and show her food is something to get excited about.
ESPN First Take-Although I am not your typical guy, I am still a guy.  I like to see what they are saying about my Browns
Iron Chef America-Michael Symon is from Cleveland.  I always watch when he is on.
Diners, Drive In's, and Dives-This season is featuring 7 or 8 Cleveland area restaurants.  Check that show out.

8 Favorite Places to Eat & Drink
Bar Symon-Goes without saying I like Symon.  He's a Cleveland dude.  The fact he opened a restaurant in my home town, I think it goes without saying I love the place and will support it in anyway I can.
The Greenhouse Tavern-Although I have only been there once, I loved the wings, beef tartar, and wine.  It may be a 'green' restaurant, but political buzzwords aside, it's fantastic.  It's run by two great people Jonathon Sawyer, and Chef's Widow.
B-Spot-Symon's new burger joint.  I love burgers.  I love Symon.  Enough said.
Swenson's-See B-Spot but strike the word Symon and just plug in burgers. 
Fiesta Jalapeno- The Mexican joint across the street. Love it.
Melt-Coming up on Diners, Drive-In's, and Dives on February 8th.  Grilled Cheese and Beer.
My Kitchen-I have made plenty of great meals at home, but I love it when Wifey and I are in the kitchen together, but it doesn't happen too often.
My Mom's house-Who doesn't love their mom's cooking?

8 Things I look forward to:
Sexy time with the Wifey-Do I really need to explain that?
Eventually a 'by' line in a published book, article, magazine and then getting a check made to my name as a result.-C'Mon, I've been published 3 times, but never got paid for it! 
Comments on my blog posts-A bloggers wet dream is getting a shit ton of comments.  Don't make me beg.
The end of my work days-Work has been tough recently and I usually like the overtime, but as of late, I love going home to the family as fast as possible
Getting my car fixed-Hopefully it will be fixed by the end of the week
Addison being potty trained-Changing diapers is shitty, and yes, that pun was intended. 
Change-for the good.  It may include, but is not limted to, becoming independently wealthy, getting a full time gig that will pay me to write, having smart kids that will take care of me when they get rich.
A visit from a certain blogger who started this whole list thing-Vodka Logic is coming to town!


8 Things that happened yesterday:
Baby woke up a million times, thus trumping something I was looking forward to-2 guesses as to what that was.
I called to see how much it was going to cost to fix my car-I really wish I was more mechanical to know when I was getting raped up my ass.  At least the inmates in prison can see it coming.
Watched a ton of news-I love the news.
I forgot to put out the garbage for the garbage truck for the 2nd week in a row-I have a feeling it is going to get stinky.
I did the dishes-I am domesticated.
I read a lot of blogs-But only commented on a few.  
Laughed- I seem to do this a lot when I am not at work
Watched the Wifey sleep- And I tried to figure out what she sees in me.  She is so much cooler than me.


8 Things I love about Winter:
The Cold-The Wifey gets closer when it is cold.  That's why the house is kept at 52 during the summer.
Snow!-Although I haven't skied in years, I always watch the ski forcasts.
Cozy fires-I need a fire place
Emergency Snow Warnings-It means it's going to be a fun day behind the wheel.
It's when Addi was conceived-We did it a lot that winter.  
The hush on the street when the snow falls-The snow on the ground just mutes all the noise cars make
The last day of cold before it turns into spring-I like it when it ends.
That first snow fall-It's always amazing

8 Things on my wish list:
A portable mixing board-It would really help with the podcast
A night without the kids-I want to take the lady out to a good dinner at one of the 8 places we love to eat, maybe a movie, and then maybe do it like teenagers after words without worry the kids will hear/walk in.
A new car-More specifically a Ford Taurus SHO.  Sexy car.   I want it loaded.

A new laptop-More specifically a 15" Mac Book Pro
A happy and prosperous life and family- Like anyone else.
A new house-Need a bigger house with a yard.
A Superbowl win for the Cleveland Browns-Need I say more?
My own airplane-So I could have breakfast in San Fransisco and dinner in NYC.  Lunch on board.


8 Things I am passionate about:
My wife and children-They are the most amazing people in my life
Sales-Sales is not about hitting a number, it is about forming and cultivating relationships. 
Writing-I like to write, and I think I am ok at it.  Sometimes I think I suck, but sometimes I really do think I am awesome.  Average it out, and I am just ok.
Reading-Read to escape and learn.
Music-Especially not the shit you hear on the radio.  Local, grassroots shit.  The demo tape made in a garage is my favorite.  Gritty, honest, and usually awesome!
Food-I hate boxed dinners
Coffee-Local coffee houses are awesome, but few and far between thanks to Starbucks.
Learning-Whether it be about myself, or anyone else, I am a fan of the human being.  

8 Words I often use:
[in no particular order]
Awesome.
Happy. 
Please.
Thank-You.
Fuck.
Hello.
Cock.
Shit.

8 Things I learned from the past:
That the freedom America has wasn't exactly fought for, but negotiated.-Read Zinn's book; A People's History of the United States of America then follow it with McCullough's biography on John Adams.
That it could be worse-A childhood story that my Grandpa read to me.  It's a philosophy to live by.
Abstinence only programs do not work- I was in a school district that taught us what a condom was, and also what spermicidal lubricant was, and also how to put on a condom, by demo-ing it on a banana.  I look back on that day in health class in 9th grade as the information I use most often.  They also said that the only form of birth control that was 100% effective was abstinence.  As a result of this class I abstained until I was nearly 21, although I almost had sex when I was 18, but stopped short.  I have only had 2 partners.  Knowledge is power.
Prohibition created NASCAR-Google that.
The 60's looked scary as hell-I watched  a documentary on 1968, and it was fucked up.  
History repeats itself-I am working hard on not repeating my mistakes.
Humans will eventually be extinct-And it doesn't matter how many windmills we put up.  Eventually we are all going to die.
Gravity is awesome-Sir Isaac Newton.  Thanks for discovering it!


8 Things I want/need:
To be idolized by my children-Really, my kids need to think I am awesome
Money-It's tight right now.
Clarification on how we are NOT helping Haiti-I have seen interview after interview of American's telling the government get involved in the recovery effort.  We have Marines, War Ships, and a TON of American Aide on the ground.  We cannot just wave a magic wand.  
I need the celebs to raise money for things in their own country-For instance.  When disaster strikes, Hollywood, the fashionable cause monger they are, gets involved.  I have not seen 1 PSA from then helping out the people of this country since Katrina.  Why can't Clooney raise money to help average guys like me pay off their debt?!  I don't care what you think, but if you want to use your celebrity for something, help us out, don't tell us what you think.
Motivation-Seems I am lacking some motivation as of late.  I don't know what it is.
A new couch-Anyone who has sat down on this thing has had a hard time getting out of it.  It sucks you in.
A new TV-The one I have is sweet, but it is also 300 pounds.
A new car-For either my wife or for me.  Just want a new one


I am supposed to tag 8 people.  I say eff that.  I like breaking rules.  If you want to play along, let me know in the comments section.  I will come check it out and comment on it.