I walk into the billiard hall, glancing about for my good friend, Trace. He's a brilliant pool player, and he's invited me to stop by tonight to watch everyone play.
Trace and I go a long ways' back. We have a romantic past that has grown to a deep, affectionate friendship. We know each other, sometimes too well. I know what he's thinking when I look at him, and when he walks up to me with that overstudied air of casualness, I know he's glad to see me. I feel that I stand out like a daisy in a factory parking lot, so it eases my anxiety a little.
We sit down and chat for a minute. Trace had warned me of the cigarette smoke and wow, is he right. Everyone but Trace and I are virtually chainsmokers, slamming a beer between each cigarette and only giving up both when it's their turn at the pool table. The smoke is almost overpowering, and my eyes start to water.
We are waved over by the rest of Trace's friends, who make room for me to sit and watch. Throughout the entire room there is nothing but pool tables and players. There are at least 10 pool tables lined up, with players shooting back-to-back with each other. It's a place for fun, it's a place to get serious about pool, it's a place for amateurs and pool sharks.
Trace is at home here.
Trace's friend Vicki is a tough-talking, wise-cracking woman from up north. She wears glasses and her hair is pulled back tightly into a ponytail and I am guessing it's to keep her hair out of the way when she shoots. She sits to my left, and Trace is to my right. Vicki and I discuss a variety of unimportant things, and decide that we're going to like each other. She fills me in on the rest of the group between swigs of beer, drags on her cigarette, and easy banter with the others around us.
Everyone has a 'level' that shows their expertise. Trace is pretty high, and he has told me privately that he keeps it as low as possible so that he's never under much pressure to perform. Most of the players range lower than he is, anyway.
Hank is a very friendly, flirtatious businessman. He's a decent guy, and quite bright. He's older than the rest of the group, and he sees pool as a mathematical challenge that he hasn't mastered yet. As the night goes on, he drinks more and more until he confesses to me that he's wasted. Still, he shoots a good game of pool and beats his opponent.
Two heavyset women sit on the other side of Trace. One of them has very badly-streaked blond hair. She makes it obvious that she's interested in Trace, desperately doing what she can to keep his attention. She is squeezed tightly into jeans and a shirt that is at least two sizes too small, which displays her boobs with as much alacrity as an Ace bandage.
Blondie won't make eye contact with me, apparently fearing that I'm a dreaded rival. She tries to strike up a conversation with Trace about his favorite band and even suggestively mouths lyrics to a couple of the songs as they blare throughout the pool hall.
I don't care. Trace doesn't belong to me, and he is on his own here. Trace remains uninterested but polite, as he always is with most women. Trace lets very few people get to know him. He is an island unto himself.
There are a couple others there, but I don't get a chance to say more than hello to them.
My eyes water the whole time. I wonder what I could possibly look like, and then Trace gets up to play and Hank sits down next to me. "You have VERY beautiful eyes," says Hank. I thank him for the compliment. Hank says "So, what's up with you and Trace?"
I don't know how to explain us, so I say "We've been friends for many years. At one time, we were more than friends."
"Ah! So you're back together again? The make-up sex has to be great," says Hank.
"It's not like that," I assure Hank, but I can see that he wants it to be like that, so I let it go.
"You know," says Hank, "Trace is a great favorite with the ladies. They're all attracted to his dark, mysterious nature and his love of music. I'm not saying he goes home with any of them, but they'd sure like him to!"
I know. I know Trace, and I tell Hank that Trace has always been like that. He has this magnetism that even he isn't fully aware of. Sometimes it's been to his detriment. But Trace is a good guy and a romantic at heart. He's very picky, and doesn't do one-night stands.
As we talk, Trace is playing against his opponent. I watch him, and knowing him as well as I do, I see he's completely disconnected from the game, from the pool hall, from everything. Hank says "Trace keeps losing! This isn't a good night for him."
I joke about bringing him bad luck, but I know better. I even say to Hank "Look at the way he stands there - Trace isn't into this at all tonight." Hank doesn't pay attention.
Trace loses for good, everyone congratulates his opponent, they shake hands, and the evening is over.
As Trace walks me out to the car, we talk about little stuff and I thank him for inviting me along.
"You saw that I threw that match on purpose, didn't you?" asks Trace. I nod, and then ask "Why?"
"I wasn't into it," Trace says dismissively. "And besides, I wanted her to win."
Again, I ask why.
"Because it will let her go up to a higher level, and it'll make it easier for me to beat her the next time," says Trace. "And remember, I never want to score out too high."
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
My Trip to Key West
I went with a friend to Key West for part of this weekend, and I didn't take a single picture. Why? Because it rained the entire time, with a few brief interludes of sunshine.
But rain or shine, I was quite unimpressed.
Although I'm a Florida native, I've only been to the Keys twice: Once was seven years ago, when I did a little snorkeling and saw the sunset off Key West as I was looking toward Cuba. The other time was this weekend.
Despite the valiant efforts of their tourist board and a few intrepid citizens, there really isn't much to do in the Keys that you couldn't do (and enjoy as much or more) in Miami.
You see, the Keys are beautiful: I mean gorgeous. Their water is an incredible blue or blue green (depending on how deep it is). It's crystal clear and an absolute treat to scuba dive or snorkel in. The fishing is wonderful, the animals are incredible, and there are shipwrecks to see. So, if you like water activities, you really need to visit the Keys.
But don't expect to be entertained.
Oh sure, there are some quaint shops and at least 3 drag queen (DQ) shows on Duval Street in Key West. Being as the drag queen shows are apparently the ONLY shows in Key West, if you want to have a couple of drinks and take in a show, you have to subject yourself to at least one drag queen show.
The first one we saw at Aqua was pretty offensive. Every drag queen had to grab every straight man's crotch in the entire nightclub, so that by the end of the show, there wasn't a single male crotch that remained unmolested. After accosting the clientelle, the DQs would make comments about how large (or small) their victim's really were. After a while, such puerile 'jokes' grew stale.
I'm amazed that Aqua hasn't been sued for assault and battery yet. However, the wait staff was nice enough and the drag queens DID put on a highly energized and entertaining show. That is, if you are OK with having your penis caressed by another man while you're both under the spotlight. Interestingly enough, they never tried that with any of the gay clients there. I guess the DQs were afraid they might like it and attempt to return the favor.
We left when the show dragged on interminably and the raunchiness grew as rancid as a piece of fish that's been rotting in the trashcan for three days.
The second drag show was further down the street at Lateda (pronounced 'la-ti-da'). It was so boring that it wasn't worth staying through, either (although we paid over $50 for the unique experience of being bored at a drag show). The two men in the show rehashed some trite and dull Broadway tunes. Unlike the DQs in Aqua, these guys attempted to sing themselves, rather than lip synch. It was a wasted effort, the tunes dragged on (pun intended) and I was almost asleep at the bar before I voted that we cash in early for the night. My friend agreed, and so off we went.
Strangely, one of the DQs in the Lateda show is a performer named Randy Roberts. His site shows him as thinner and more attractive, with a variety of interesting costume changes. Like Britney Spears, apparently he's grown more fond of food and less fond of work. There were no costume changes (he wore a simple red evening gown), and Randy was more fond of ranting on and on about gay marriage than he was on impersonating anyone or anything. He's apparently slated to go on One Life to Live soon. Oh joy. He will really liven it all up, won't he. *yawn*
The only thing worse than Randy was his partner, who had less sex appeal and voice talent than Ethel Merman.
On the other hand, the food in Key West was generally good, and sometimes great.
The famous Sloppy Joe's (once frequented by Hemingway) was still serving their signature Sloppy Joe (it was quite tasty) as well as all other types of standard, crowd-pleasing fare. Their conch fritters with lime-mustard dipping sauce is a sure-bet.
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville restaurant was quite similar to Sloppy Joe's, and served a rather mundane cheeseburger in tribute to his famous song. If you want a margarita, go to Jimmy Buffet's. If you want to eat, find something elsewhere. It's not as if you'll suffer, but why waste the money and calories when there's something better to be found?
The Hog's Breath Saloon was a very typical type of bar. How it gained a reputation of being a 'biker bar', I'll never know. All types crowded in there, and as the evening wore on, you could see and hear the bikini contest going on in the outdoor portion of the bar. This is another example of a bar with the standard food and the usual drinks you will find elsewhere. The only distinctive features are the name and the (apparently undeserved) reputation. But as Key West is the ultimate destination for alcoholics, it's probably comforting for them to know that there is seemingly no shortage of alcohol at the Hog's Breath Saloon.
The Hard Rock Cafe in Key West is a cut above some of the others. The food is quite excellent. My friend declared their pulled pork sandwich to be the best ever, and I found their bacon and bleu cheese burger to be exceptional (as is their service). They have the added attraction of being located in an old, haunted house where the original owner hung himself many years ago, so the second floor's women's bathroom is sometimes given to cold spots, knockings, and repeated door slammings. I went up there myself to meet the ghost, but he apparently decided not to put in an appearance that evening. Maybe he was at a drag show.
An unexpected exception was a restaurant that all the locals repeatedly recommended: Alice's. Their food was light, interesting, creative, and exceptional to the usual fare. Their breakfast menu ranged from a smoked salmon eggs benedict to light and fluffy omelettes. Their dinner menu looked fascinating, but we didn't have a chance to try it out. However, don't wear anything that you want kept clean: Alice apparently doesn't believe in cleaning. The seats were filthy, as were the cushions adorning them. I would like to believe the kitchen doesn't follow suit.
There are many nice little shops up and down the street, some showcasing amazing artistic talent. There is also jewelry of all types and descriptions, for any budget. I picked up a couple unusual things while there, and I'm still enjoying looking them over.
I also had a chance to look over a gorgeous handmade, hand-painted silk blouse for $4,500. I was indulged by the owner and his wife, who apparently have many connections in the artistic community (and buyers, too!). The wife hand-looms many of her materials, and their shop houses contributions from other skilled textile craftsmen and women.
The Mel Fisher exhibit, the Hemingway house (and the lighthouse nearby) are interesting and worth a brief visit. However, in typical Key West style, there is truly not much to be seen and you can see everything in each exhibit within 1-2 hours, max.
So, if you are going to visit the Keys, go with the intent to spend a day in Key West (don't forget to see the sunset celebration in Mallory Square). Then spend a couple of days on another key where it will be cheaper to stay and you can try many of the water sports available. That is what *I* intend to do the next time that I visit there.
(Incidentally, I rented a car from Avis via Priceline (undoubtedly the cheapest way to get a car) and had a wonderful experience. What a far cry they are from Enterprise Rent-A-Car!)
But rain or shine, I was quite unimpressed.
Although I'm a Florida native, I've only been to the Keys twice: Once was seven years ago, when I did a little snorkeling and saw the sunset off Key West as I was looking toward Cuba. The other time was this weekend.
Despite the valiant efforts of their tourist board and a few intrepid citizens, there really isn't much to do in the Keys that you couldn't do (and enjoy as much or more) in Miami.
You see, the Keys are beautiful: I mean gorgeous. Their water is an incredible blue or blue green (depending on how deep it is). It's crystal clear and an absolute treat to scuba dive or snorkel in. The fishing is wonderful, the animals are incredible, and there are shipwrecks to see. So, if you like water activities, you really need to visit the Keys.
But don't expect to be entertained.
Oh sure, there are some quaint shops and at least 3 drag queen (DQ) shows on Duval Street in Key West. Being as the drag queen shows are apparently the ONLY shows in Key West, if you want to have a couple of drinks and take in a show, you have to subject yourself to at least one drag queen show.
The first one we saw at Aqua was pretty offensive. Every drag queen had to grab every straight man's crotch in the entire nightclub, so that by the end of the show, there wasn't a single male crotch that remained unmolested. After accosting the clientelle, the DQs would make comments about how large (or small) their victim's really were. After a while, such puerile 'jokes' grew stale.
I'm amazed that Aqua hasn't been sued for assault and battery yet. However, the wait staff was nice enough and the drag queens DID put on a highly energized and entertaining show. That is, if you are OK with having your penis caressed by another man while you're both under the spotlight. Interestingly enough, they never tried that with any of the gay clients there. I guess the DQs were afraid they might like it and attempt to return the favor.
We left when the show dragged on interminably and the raunchiness grew as rancid as a piece of fish that's been rotting in the trashcan for three days.
The second drag show was further down the street at Lateda (pronounced 'la-ti-da'). It was so boring that it wasn't worth staying through, either (although we paid over $50 for the unique experience of being bored at a drag show). The two men in the show rehashed some trite and dull Broadway tunes. Unlike the DQs in Aqua, these guys attempted to sing themselves, rather than lip synch. It was a wasted effort, the tunes dragged on (pun intended) and I was almost asleep at the bar before I voted that we cash in early for the night. My friend agreed, and so off we went.
Strangely, one of the DQs in the Lateda show is a performer named Randy Roberts. His site shows him as thinner and more attractive, with a variety of interesting costume changes. Like Britney Spears, apparently he's grown more fond of food and less fond of work. There were no costume changes (he wore a simple red evening gown), and Randy was more fond of ranting on and on about gay marriage than he was on impersonating anyone or anything. He's apparently slated to go on One Life to Live soon. Oh joy. He will really liven it all up, won't he. *yawn*
The only thing worse than Randy was his partner, who had less sex appeal and voice talent than Ethel Merman.
On the other hand, the food in Key West was generally good, and sometimes great.
The famous Sloppy Joe's (once frequented by Hemingway) was still serving their signature Sloppy Joe (it was quite tasty) as well as all other types of standard, crowd-pleasing fare. Their conch fritters with lime-mustard dipping sauce is a sure-bet.
Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville restaurant was quite similar to Sloppy Joe's, and served a rather mundane cheeseburger in tribute to his famous song. If you want a margarita, go to Jimmy Buffet's. If you want to eat, find something elsewhere. It's not as if you'll suffer, but why waste the money and calories when there's something better to be found?
The Hog's Breath Saloon was a very typical type of bar. How it gained a reputation of being a 'biker bar', I'll never know. All types crowded in there, and as the evening wore on, you could see and hear the bikini contest going on in the outdoor portion of the bar. This is another example of a bar with the standard food and the usual drinks you will find elsewhere. The only distinctive features are the name and the (apparently undeserved) reputation. But as Key West is the ultimate destination for alcoholics, it's probably comforting for them to know that there is seemingly no shortage of alcohol at the Hog's Breath Saloon.
The Hard Rock Cafe in Key West is a cut above some of the others. The food is quite excellent. My friend declared their pulled pork sandwich to be the best ever, and I found their bacon and bleu cheese burger to be exceptional (as is their service). They have the added attraction of being located in an old, haunted house where the original owner hung himself many years ago, so the second floor's women's bathroom is sometimes given to cold spots, knockings, and repeated door slammings. I went up there myself to meet the ghost, but he apparently decided not to put in an appearance that evening. Maybe he was at a drag show.
An unexpected exception was a restaurant that all the locals repeatedly recommended: Alice's. Their food was light, interesting, creative, and exceptional to the usual fare. Their breakfast menu ranged from a smoked salmon eggs benedict to light and fluffy omelettes. Their dinner menu looked fascinating, but we didn't have a chance to try it out. However, don't wear anything that you want kept clean: Alice apparently doesn't believe in cleaning. The seats were filthy, as were the cushions adorning them. I would like to believe the kitchen doesn't follow suit.
There are many nice little shops up and down the street, some showcasing amazing artistic talent. There is also jewelry of all types and descriptions, for any budget. I picked up a couple unusual things while there, and I'm still enjoying looking them over.
I also had a chance to look over a gorgeous handmade, hand-painted silk blouse for $4,500. I was indulged by the owner and his wife, who apparently have many connections in the artistic community (and buyers, too!). The wife hand-looms many of her materials, and their shop houses contributions from other skilled textile craftsmen and women.
The Mel Fisher exhibit, the Hemingway house (and the lighthouse nearby) are interesting and worth a brief visit. However, in typical Key West style, there is truly not much to be seen and you can see everything in each exhibit within 1-2 hours, max.
So, if you are going to visit the Keys, go with the intent to spend a day in Key West (don't forget to see the sunset celebration in Mallory Square). Then spend a couple of days on another key where it will be cheaper to stay and you can try many of the water sports available. That is what *I* intend to do the next time that I visit there.
(Incidentally, I rented a car from Avis via Priceline (undoubtedly the cheapest way to get a car) and had a wonderful experience. What a far cry they are from Enterprise Rent-A-Car!)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
The Enterprise-Rent-A-Car ( ERAC ) Nightmare
My mom was in a terrible car accident some time ago. She was hit by a drunk driver, and although she was OK, the car ended up in the shop for a month and a half. Why the insurance company didn't total it, I'll never know.
So, when Mom asked me to recommend a rental car company to her, I recommended Enterprise-Rent-A-Car (ERAC).
I should have known better.
Mom asked me to find out about rates, so I called the local branch near to us, explained the situation, and asked the manager how cheap we could get. He told me he could get me a car for about $10 a day! I considered this to be a great kindness on his part, and thanked him greatly for it. I even went there with a witness the next day, and he reconfirmed the offer. Mom also called, spoke to the manager, and was told the same thing that we were told. So, naturally, Mom chose to give her business to ERAC.
Mom had the car for a month and a half. When she finally returned it, she was hit with a bill for $1,100!!! In a panic, she called me to sort it all out. I was sure there had been some mistake.
There wasn't.
The manager had Mom sign a contract full of numbers and small print. What Mom thought she was signing for was a car for $9.99 plus taxes, which would come out to roughly $15. Since her insurance company covered rentals up to $30 a day, she thought there would be no problem.
However, Mom had actually signed for a car for $36.99 a day! The additional charges were unnecessary insurance charges on top of that. And, apparently it's the additional charges that Mom believed to be the charges for the car itself.
Now, since the insurance company only covers up to $30 a day, Mom is responsible for a minimum of $7 a day, plus unnecessary insurance, for 30 days. But it gets even better! Mom's insurance company won't cover the rental after 30 days, so Mom is stuck with additional charges of $36.99 a day plus the unnecessary insurance! Although Mom had known they probably wouldn't extend the coverage, she never expected that she was paying more than $15 a day.
And this is how we reached the total bill of $1,100.
So, Mom asked me to step in.
I went back to the branch last Friday, and asked the manager to cut her some slack. Mom and Dad are not young any more, and they can't afford to drop that kind of money around. Mom was a victim already - why would they make her a victim twice? Besides, everyone knows that ERAC is flexible with their pricing. But the branch manager wouldn't budge. He even told me that I should know better than to believe that a car could be rented for only $9.99! I was insulted that he would imply that we were lying or being manipulative, and I told him so. But we were unable to continue our conversation: He was so swamped with customers that he begged to call me back.
He didn't call me back that Friday.
He didn't call me on Monday.
He didn't call me on Tuesday.
So, on Tuesday afternoon I went with a friend to that ERAC branch to get some answers. We were told that the manager was currently in interviews, so we asked for the name of his boss instead. We were given the name and told where his office was, so we drove to see him. He wasn't there. Where was he? Behind closed doors with the branch manager, interviewing employees.
So, we drove back to the original ERAC branch and insisted on meeting with The Boss. A girl went back to deliver our message and came out to tell us that he wasn't available at the moment but would be out in 30-45 minutes. As I own my own company, I couldn't sit around cooling my heels forever. So, I left my number and asked for him to call me.
He never did.
I also left a message for The Boss's Boss. He did call me. And, he gave me the usual run-around. He also made the same insulting insinuation: *I* should know better than to hold them to their word! After all, who would believe they could get a rental car for only $9.99 a day?!
Well, WE would believe that, obviously, since were were told that.
But The Boss's Boss continued to insist that they were going to hold Mom to the contract which she mistakenly signed. I pleaded for him to at least drop the rates to $30 (which I know they can do) so that most of the charges would go away or be lessened. He finally resignedly said he would call Mom in the next day or so and try to work something out with her. I had a witness to this phone call, incidentally: I had him on speaker phone the entire time.
An hour later, I got a call from the branch manager. I was honest, and told him whom I had spoken with. I emphasized it was nothing personal, but perhaps some good would come out of it, since The Boss's Boss had told me he was going to call Mom and try to work something out with her.
"Um, when did you speak to The Boss's Boss?" asked the Branch Manager.
"About half an hour ago," I replied.
"That's odd," said the Branch Manager, "he just wrote a note in here to proceed with the charges."
Was The Boss's Boss lying to me to merely placate me then? Apparently. Since he was intending to blatantly lie, he certainly should have brought the Branch Manager into the deception. Obviously his goal was to make the nuisance go away, and promise anything to get me off the phone.
This is a simple game of bait and switch, and I am greatly disappointed. It is now obvious that the customer comes dead last, and the branches will do anything to make a profit off a helpless customer who goes forward on what they are verbally promised.
Because there are so many witnesses to the Branch Manager’s promise of $10 a day, I am amazed that anyone persists in insisting that my mom pays the full amount that he has chosen to charge her.
I stumbled across a website called Failing Enterprise. There you can read of similar scams and atrocities which ERAC perpetrates on their unsuspecting customers. Their employees don't fare any better. And to make matters even worse, ERAC just purchased Alamo and National. So, our ability to find quality customer service in a rental car environment is lessening.
Avis, anyone?
So, when Mom asked me to recommend a rental car company to her, I recommended Enterprise-Rent-A-Car (ERAC).
I should have known better.
Mom asked me to find out about rates, so I called the local branch near to us, explained the situation, and asked the manager how cheap we could get. He told me he could get me a car for about $10 a day! I considered this to be a great kindness on his part, and thanked him greatly for it. I even went there with a witness the next day, and he reconfirmed the offer. Mom also called, spoke to the manager, and was told the same thing that we were told. So, naturally, Mom chose to give her business to ERAC.
Mom had the car for a month and a half. When she finally returned it, she was hit with a bill for $1,100!!! In a panic, she called me to sort it all out. I was sure there had been some mistake.
There wasn't.
The manager had Mom sign a contract full of numbers and small print. What Mom thought she was signing for was a car for $9.99 plus taxes, which would come out to roughly $15. Since her insurance company covered rentals up to $30 a day, she thought there would be no problem.
However, Mom had actually signed for a car for $36.99 a day! The additional charges were unnecessary insurance charges on top of that. And, apparently it's the additional charges that Mom believed to be the charges for the car itself.
Now, since the insurance company only covers up to $30 a day, Mom is responsible for a minimum of $7 a day, plus unnecessary insurance, for 30 days. But it gets even better! Mom's insurance company won't cover the rental after 30 days, so Mom is stuck with additional charges of $36.99 a day plus the unnecessary insurance! Although Mom had known they probably wouldn't extend the coverage, she never expected that she was paying more than $15 a day.
And this is how we reached the total bill of $1,100.
So, Mom asked me to step in.
I went back to the branch last Friday, and asked the manager to cut her some slack. Mom and Dad are not young any more, and they can't afford to drop that kind of money around. Mom was a victim already - why would they make her a victim twice? Besides, everyone knows that ERAC is flexible with their pricing. But the branch manager wouldn't budge. He even told me that I should know better than to believe that a car could be rented for only $9.99! I was insulted that he would imply that we were lying or being manipulative, and I told him so. But we were unable to continue our conversation: He was so swamped with customers that he begged to call me back.
He didn't call me back that Friday.
He didn't call me on Monday.
He didn't call me on Tuesday.
So, on Tuesday afternoon I went with a friend to that ERAC branch to get some answers. We were told that the manager was currently in interviews, so we asked for the name of his boss instead. We were given the name and told where his office was, so we drove to see him. He wasn't there. Where was he? Behind closed doors with the branch manager, interviewing employees.
So, we drove back to the original ERAC branch and insisted on meeting with The Boss. A girl went back to deliver our message and came out to tell us that he wasn't available at the moment but would be out in 30-45 minutes. As I own my own company, I couldn't sit around cooling my heels forever. So, I left my number and asked for him to call me.
He never did.
I also left a message for The Boss's Boss. He did call me. And, he gave me the usual run-around. He also made the same insulting insinuation: *I* should know better than to hold them to their word! After all, who would believe they could get a rental car for only $9.99 a day?!
Well, WE would believe that, obviously, since were were told that.
But The Boss's Boss continued to insist that they were going to hold Mom to the contract which she mistakenly signed. I pleaded for him to at least drop the rates to $30 (which I know they can do) so that most of the charges would go away or be lessened. He finally resignedly said he would call Mom in the next day or so and try to work something out with her. I had a witness to this phone call, incidentally: I had him on speaker phone the entire time.
An hour later, I got a call from the branch manager. I was honest, and told him whom I had spoken with. I emphasized it was nothing personal, but perhaps some good would come out of it, since The Boss's Boss had told me he was going to call Mom and try to work something out with her.
"Um, when did you speak to The Boss's Boss?" asked the Branch Manager.
"About half an hour ago," I replied.
"That's odd," said the Branch Manager, "he just wrote a note in here to proceed with the charges."
Was The Boss's Boss lying to me to merely placate me then? Apparently. Since he was intending to blatantly lie, he certainly should have brought the Branch Manager into the deception. Obviously his goal was to make the nuisance go away, and promise anything to get me off the phone.
This is a simple game of bait and switch, and I am greatly disappointed. It is now obvious that the customer comes dead last, and the branches will do anything to make a profit off a helpless customer who goes forward on what they are verbally promised.
Because there are so many witnesses to the Branch Manager’s promise of $10 a day, I am amazed that anyone persists in insisting that my mom pays the full amount that he has chosen to charge her.
I stumbled across a website called Failing Enterprise. There you can read of similar scams and atrocities which ERAC perpetrates on their unsuspecting customers. Their employees don't fare any better. And to make matters even worse, ERAC just purchased Alamo and National. So, our ability to find quality customer service in a rental car environment is lessening.
Avis, anyone?
Monday, October 15, 2007
The Unnecessary Sadism in Halloween
It wasn't in my time, but there are people who remember a kinder, gentler Halloween.
Halloween was once far removed from it's pagan origins. Children dressed up as their favorite characters, and the scariest thing you saw on Halloween night was your next-door neighbor dressed as a wicked witch with green face paint. They walked, unaccompanied, door-to-door throughout their neighborhood. They were given apples and homemade cookies and other treats and could eat them without worry.
Many of us long for those days.
But a new trend started in the 1960s. With the onslaught of some truly gory movies, Halloween began to take on an unsettling edge. And in the 1970s, we began to hear of children getting razors and needles in apples, and poisoned or drug-laced treats. Suddenly we could no longer accept Mrs. Bunicetti's homemade cookies, and we had to trick-or-treat in packs or with an adult.
Haunted houses began to take a darker turn. No longer were there merely ghosts, goblins, and witches... now there were demons and demented serial killers, blood, and gore.
The costumes began to reflect this as well. Now the peaceful ritual of Grandma giving out candy was brought to a screeching halt when she opened the door to see a little ghost, a goblin, and... a bloody Freddy Krueger with entrails waiting on her doorstep.
"Oh buck up, it's a brave new world," you might say scornfully. "Who takes this stuff seriously, anyway?"
David Rudd of Texas Tech University actually sees such things as a benefit. "If exposed repeatedly to a fearsome stimulus, the brain will get used to it and no longer experience it as frightening. This is a key behind cognitive therapies for anxiety dysfunctions such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, where a person's system overreacts to perceive something as threatening when it is not, Rudd said. When such cognitive therapies are combined with medicines, their success rate at improving symptoms "is 80 percent," he added," according to Pravda, the Russian government's news machine.
But this has a much more worrisome side to it. As David Rudd admits, we (as humans) grow used to such atrocities with repeated exposure. Is it any coincidence that we also have grown more inhumane?
According to The Disaster Center, "The United States Crime Index Rates Per 100,000 Inhabitants went from 1,887.2 in 1960 to 5,897.8 in 1991.
By 1991 the crime rate was 313% the 1960 crime rate.
In 1996 your risk of being a victim of a crime in the United States was 5.079%, and of a violent crime 0.634%. In 1960 these rates were 1.89% of being a victim of a crime and 0.161% of becoming victim of a violent crime."
I recently went to Bush Garden's Hallowscream, and I was very surprised to see how young some of the children were who were there, gleefully walking through haunted houses dripping with blood and gore. I have a friend who recently took his daughter (I didn't approve). You see, these weren't simply scary things to see: They all had a decided and studied sadism to them. In one venue, we saw people operating on someone who was awake (torture). In another, we saw someone dismembering a corpse in bloody glory. And these venues weren't the exception.
I took my own son to Zoo Boo, a haunted house adventure at our local zoo. There were some delightfully scary haunted houses without gore. We declined going through the one haunted house that did have it.
I am not calling for a Halloween removed of it's sadistic trappings. The horse is out of the barn, and there is no getting it back inside again. But I am calling for all parents to rethink what they are exposing their children to. If enough parents refuse to allow their children to participate in viewing gory movies or wearing viciously depraved costumes, the market would dry up.
And, perhaps if the sadism was reduced from Halloween, we might be surprised to see what Grandma would say is merely common sense: A reduction in crime statistics, too.
Halloween was once far removed from it's pagan origins. Children dressed up as their favorite characters, and the scariest thing you saw on Halloween night was your next-door neighbor dressed as a wicked witch with green face paint. They walked, unaccompanied, door-to-door throughout their neighborhood. They were given apples and homemade cookies and other treats and could eat them without worry.
Many of us long for those days.
But a new trend started in the 1960s. With the onslaught of some truly gory movies, Halloween began to take on an unsettling edge. And in the 1970s, we began to hear of children getting razors and needles in apples, and poisoned or drug-laced treats. Suddenly we could no longer accept Mrs. Bunicetti's homemade cookies, and we had to trick-or-treat in packs or with an adult.
Haunted houses began to take a darker turn. No longer were there merely ghosts, goblins, and witches... now there were demons and demented serial killers, blood, and gore.
The costumes began to reflect this as well. Now the peaceful ritual of Grandma giving out candy was brought to a screeching halt when she opened the door to see a little ghost, a goblin, and... a bloody Freddy Krueger with entrails waiting on her doorstep.
"Oh buck up, it's a brave new world," you might say scornfully. "Who takes this stuff seriously, anyway?"
David Rudd of Texas Tech University actually sees such things as a benefit. "If exposed repeatedly to a fearsome stimulus, the brain will get used to it and no longer experience it as frightening. This is a key behind cognitive therapies for anxiety dysfunctions such as phobias and post-traumatic stress disorder, where a person's system overreacts to perceive something as threatening when it is not, Rudd said. When such cognitive therapies are combined with medicines, their success rate at improving symptoms "is 80 percent," he added," according to Pravda, the Russian government's news machine.
But this has a much more worrisome side to it. As David Rudd admits, we (as humans) grow used to such atrocities with repeated exposure. Is it any coincidence that we also have grown more inhumane?
According to The Disaster Center, "The United States Crime Index Rates Per 100,000 Inhabitants went from 1,887.2 in 1960 to 5,897.8 in 1991.
By 1991 the crime rate was 313% the 1960 crime rate.
In 1996 your risk of being a victim of a crime in the United States was 5.079%, and of a violent crime 0.634%. In 1960 these rates were 1.89% of being a victim of a crime and 0.161% of becoming victim of a violent crime."
I recently went to Bush Garden's Hallowscream, and I was very surprised to see how young some of the children were who were there, gleefully walking through haunted houses dripping with blood and gore. I have a friend who recently took his daughter (I didn't approve). You see, these weren't simply scary things to see: They all had a decided and studied sadism to them. In one venue, we saw people operating on someone who was awake (torture). In another, we saw someone dismembering a corpse in bloody glory. And these venues weren't the exception.
I took my own son to Zoo Boo, a haunted house adventure at our local zoo. There were some delightfully scary haunted houses without gore. We declined going through the one haunted house that did have it.
I am not calling for a Halloween removed of it's sadistic trappings. The horse is out of the barn, and there is no getting it back inside again. But I am calling for all parents to rethink what they are exposing their children to. If enough parents refuse to allow their children to participate in viewing gory movies or wearing viciously depraved costumes, the market would dry up.
And, perhaps if the sadism was reduced from Halloween, we might be surprised to see what Grandma would say is merely common sense: A reduction in crime statistics, too.
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
The Mistaken Driver's License Suspension
My friend, Esme, has an unusual arrangement with the father of her child. She pays him child support, although they largely split the time spent with him, and share many of the responsibilities. This has worked out well for them both, and they're both dedicated parents. Although it hasn't always been easy, they get along relatively well.
But recently the State of Florida has changed the way they collect child support and it's causing havoc among those who pay it. Let me give you the rest of the story from Esme's perspective:
Saturday morning, I was driving down the road after a trip to the grocery store. My trunk was full of frozen food, and my boyfriend and I were happily discussing our plans for Sunday. Suddenly I saw a police car in my back mirror. As my tags were up to date, my insurance was paid, I was driving the speed limit and obeying the laws, I didn't think I had a thing to worry about, so I paid no attention.
Suddenly, the police car's lights began flashing, and I realized I was being pulled over! When the policeman came up to the window, I asked him what I was being pulled over for. Perhaps, I thought wildly, I am being pulled over due to my car missing a couple of hubcaps that had been thrown off on the highway somewhere during a long trip down the coast.
He asked if this was my car, and I said that it was. Now I began thinking that someone had somehow reported it stolen and it was all a mix-up which could be easily solved. But no - he then told me that he had pulled me over because according to his records, my driver's license had been revoked.
I was shocked and gasped "What?! Not AGAIN?!" as my boyfriend echoed me.
"You didn't know of this?" asked the cop.
"NO!" I said forcefully. "They've done this before, and I had to go to court to prove that it was a mistake the FIRST time! THIS time I have paid two months in advance, got a notice in the mail, and called them to verify that it was indeed a mistake and the suspension wasn't happening. But of course, it's happened AGAIN!"
The policeman actually believed me, but had to still issue me a citation that he said could be addressed in court and, if I could prove I wasn't guilty, I could settle it with the judge. In the meantime, I couldn't drive and the entire weekend was before me.
My boyfriend switched seats with me (I was thankful that someone was with me or I would've had to pay for a taxi to get home). Upon arriving home, I tore apart my house to find the information proving what I'd said, and also downloading history of payments made from the computer. The rest of the weekend was overshadowed by the fact that I couldn't drive and had to rely on others to get me where I needed to go.
On Monday, I walked into the child support office armed with my information. Now, picture the friendly environment of the child support office for a moment: Every employee is bored and resents you. They all feel that if you're there, you are undoubtedly a deadbeat of some sort, and it's their job to punish you. You could sum up the aura that they give out as mere derision: You're just a waste of oxygen on planet Earth. To enforce this feeling, they all deal with you from behind bullet-proof glass. There are little openings to shove paperwork and (presumably) bribes through, but that's as close as you'll get to any human contact. All interraction involves you peering blurrily at them through the scratches and smears which are never cleaned from the glass on either side.
Another little trick they have is the interminable wait. Everyone starts in room number 5. You wait there until someone comes in (your wait can sometimes be upwards of 15 - 30 minutes before someone shows up), then they take your basic information and either send you back to the waiting room or into another room where you repeat your wait. Due to the bulletproof glass, you can't leap across and strangle anyone, and all complaints fall on deaf ears, so the waiting room is full of resigned victims.
I went up to the receptionist at the window with my boyfriend in tow. "Reason you're here?" she asked loudly and flatly.
"Er, I'm here because my license was suspended incorrectly," I said hesitantly through the bulletproof glass. I resisted the urge to duck down and speak a little more clearly through the hole at the base of the glass.
She gave me the skeptical look that they're all trained to give you there. "Siddown," she instructed. "Someone'll call you when they're ready." A moment later, she said "Yer in luck! She's ready to see ya in room number 5."
So, we trudged back to room number 5.
We waited the standard minimum of 15 minutes before an elderly woman tottered in, carefully balancing a jelly donut and a cup of coffee. "OH!" she said, startled by our unexpected appearance, apparently. She almost spilled her coffee.
"Did anyone tell you we were here?" I asked.
"NO!" she said. "If I'd known you were here, then I wouldn't have stopped for coffee and a donut."
I began to tell her what was going on, but my boyfriend wisely stopped me. "She's only the information gatherer, hon," he said, grimly.
"Well, I'm not ONLY..." but then the woman trailed off and pushed a form to me to fill out with my name, address, and the reason for my visit. Yup, she was ONLY. She then referred us to Room #4.
We sat in Room #4 for at least another 15 minutes. During that time, we stared at a poster of a determinedly cheerful blue-skinned blond who is supposedly representative of the people who help you with your child support problems. I tried to match her with anyone in the office. Failing that, I tried to match her with my mental picture of anyone I'd spoken with in the main Tallahassee office. Finally I gave up. Maybe it was simply the blue skin (possibly due to a printer's error?) but I think it was the cheery demeanor that threw me. Incidentally, this blue-skinned blond is posted in each room, leering at the victims as they wait.
Finally a very nice man popped in, telling us that he'd already faxed a request to retract the driver's license suspension.
"Well then, you already have realized that this was a mistake," my boyfriend piped up.
Yes, they had. The man informed me that this mistake is very common now that a new system has been institutionalized. In fact, some people have been hauled away in handcuffs, all due to a mistaken suspension. And, since you can't sue the State of Florida, you must simply bend over and take it.
"We've been trying to get Tallahassee to listen," the harried man explained. "We see this constantly now. But they think this new system is "it" and they don't want to hear about it."
By now, an hour of my time had expired while I corrected their mistake. Happily, I didn't have to go get my license reinstated because the cop hadn't taken it from me. However, as this representative pointed out to me, if I had to replace my driver's license with a new one, it would have been another $50! Apparently I was luckier than many have been.
I've thought about calling Tallahassee and complaining, but what good would really come out of it? First, I'll have to wade through an exceedingly defective voicemail system. Second, the phone lines are staffed with attendants who only work from scripts and will not deviate from them except to politely tell you that whatever you really need help on is simply not their job and they can't give you an answer. If you ask to speak to a supervisor, they say the same thing.
I have begun to realize why they all work behind bullet-proof glass.
But recently the State of Florida has changed the way they collect child support and it's causing havoc among those who pay it. Let me give you the rest of the story from Esme's perspective:
Saturday morning, I was driving down the road after a trip to the grocery store. My trunk was full of frozen food, and my boyfriend and I were happily discussing our plans for Sunday. Suddenly I saw a police car in my back mirror. As my tags were up to date, my insurance was paid, I was driving the speed limit and obeying the laws, I didn't think I had a thing to worry about, so I paid no attention.
Suddenly, the police car's lights began flashing, and I realized I was being pulled over! When the policeman came up to the window, I asked him what I was being pulled over for. Perhaps, I thought wildly, I am being pulled over due to my car missing a couple of hubcaps that had been thrown off on the highway somewhere during a long trip down the coast.
He asked if this was my car, and I said that it was. Now I began thinking that someone had somehow reported it stolen and it was all a mix-up which could be easily solved. But no - he then told me that he had pulled me over because according to his records, my driver's license had been revoked.
I was shocked and gasped "What?! Not AGAIN?!" as my boyfriend echoed me.
"You didn't know of this?" asked the cop.
"NO!" I said forcefully. "They've done this before, and I had to go to court to prove that it was a mistake the FIRST time! THIS time I have paid two months in advance, got a notice in the mail, and called them to verify that it was indeed a mistake and the suspension wasn't happening. But of course, it's happened AGAIN!"
The policeman actually believed me, but had to still issue me a citation that he said could be addressed in court and, if I could prove I wasn't guilty, I could settle it with the judge. In the meantime, I couldn't drive and the entire weekend was before me.
My boyfriend switched seats with me (I was thankful that someone was with me or I would've had to pay for a taxi to get home). Upon arriving home, I tore apart my house to find the information proving what I'd said, and also downloading history of payments made from the computer. The rest of the weekend was overshadowed by the fact that I couldn't drive and had to rely on others to get me where I needed to go.
On Monday, I walked into the child support office armed with my information. Now, picture the friendly environment of the child support office for a moment: Every employee is bored and resents you. They all feel that if you're there, you are undoubtedly a deadbeat of some sort, and it's their job to punish you. You could sum up the aura that they give out as mere derision: You're just a waste of oxygen on planet Earth. To enforce this feeling, they all deal with you from behind bullet-proof glass. There are little openings to shove paperwork and (presumably) bribes through, but that's as close as you'll get to any human contact. All interraction involves you peering blurrily at them through the scratches and smears which are never cleaned from the glass on either side.
Another little trick they have is the interminable wait. Everyone starts in room number 5. You wait there until someone comes in (your wait can sometimes be upwards of 15 - 30 minutes before someone shows up), then they take your basic information and either send you back to the waiting room or into another room where you repeat your wait. Due to the bulletproof glass, you can't leap across and strangle anyone, and all complaints fall on deaf ears, so the waiting room is full of resigned victims.
I went up to the receptionist at the window with my boyfriend in tow. "Reason you're here?" she asked loudly and flatly.
"Er, I'm here because my license was suspended incorrectly," I said hesitantly through the bulletproof glass. I resisted the urge to duck down and speak a little more clearly through the hole at the base of the glass.
She gave me the skeptical look that they're all trained to give you there. "Siddown," she instructed. "Someone'll call you when they're ready." A moment later, she said "Yer in luck! She's ready to see ya in room number 5."
So, we trudged back to room number 5.
We waited the standard minimum of 15 minutes before an elderly woman tottered in, carefully balancing a jelly donut and a cup of coffee. "OH!" she said, startled by our unexpected appearance, apparently. She almost spilled her coffee.
"Did anyone tell you we were here?" I asked.
"NO!" she said. "If I'd known you were here, then I wouldn't have stopped for coffee and a donut."
I began to tell her what was going on, but my boyfriend wisely stopped me. "She's only the information gatherer, hon," he said, grimly.
"Well, I'm not ONLY..." but then the woman trailed off and pushed a form to me to fill out with my name, address, and the reason for my visit. Yup, she was ONLY. She then referred us to Room #4.
We sat in Room #4 for at least another 15 minutes. During that time, we stared at a poster of a determinedly cheerful blue-skinned blond who is supposedly representative of the people who help you with your child support problems. I tried to match her with anyone in the office. Failing that, I tried to match her with my mental picture of anyone I'd spoken with in the main Tallahassee office. Finally I gave up. Maybe it was simply the blue skin (possibly due to a printer's error?) but I think it was the cheery demeanor that threw me. Incidentally, this blue-skinned blond is posted in each room, leering at the victims as they wait.
Finally a very nice man popped in, telling us that he'd already faxed a request to retract the driver's license suspension.
"Well then, you already have realized that this was a mistake," my boyfriend piped up.
Yes, they had. The man informed me that this mistake is very common now that a new system has been institutionalized. In fact, some people have been hauled away in handcuffs, all due to a mistaken suspension. And, since you can't sue the State of Florida, you must simply bend over and take it.
"We've been trying to get Tallahassee to listen," the harried man explained. "We see this constantly now. But they think this new system is "it" and they don't want to hear about it."
By now, an hour of my time had expired while I corrected their mistake. Happily, I didn't have to go get my license reinstated because the cop hadn't taken it from me. However, as this representative pointed out to me, if I had to replace my driver's license with a new one, it would have been another $50! Apparently I was luckier than many have been.
I've thought about calling Tallahassee and complaining, but what good would really come out of it? First, I'll have to wade through an exceedingly defective voicemail system. Second, the phone lines are staffed with attendants who only work from scripts and will not deviate from them except to politely tell you that whatever you really need help on is simply not their job and they can't give you an answer. If you ask to speak to a supervisor, they say the same thing.
I have begun to realize why they all work behind bullet-proof glass.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
Monday, October 01, 2007
New TV Show "Aliens in America" Created to Lower our Resistance
Our modern liberals face some problems as they battle their way toward power. One of the primary ones is Islamic terrorism.
We can see how tainted America has become when we acknowledge that the vast majority of terrorists look "different" from us. But, instead of allowing bag checkers at airports to focus on middle easterners in particular and paler-skinned people in general, we (in our classic "don't sue us" mentality) have decided to simply randomly scan people, including grandmothers whose worst sin is making a burnt chocolate chip cookie.
Liberals are scurrying to re-invent the Islamic terrorist, and the only ones that will ultimately profit from this are the terrorists. But the reasons the liberals are so hell-bent on this vary. One reason is that they may not truly believe that the threat exists, despite all evidence to the contrary. It's the classic bury-your-head-in-the-sand-and-it-will-go-away mentallity.
Another reason may be that Liberals feel even if a threat does exist, it only exists with the few extreme Islamists far away overseas: Liberals don't believe that Islamists in our country could possibly agree with the extremists philosophies. Why they believe that, I don't really know, since our newsmen and politicians have been crying out for moderate muslims to show themselves and yet only a handful have appeared, glancing furtively over their shoulders.
And let us not forget that liberals want to win the White House. Until Liberals remake the threat to our country to be less than what it really is, people traditionally elect Republicans in times of war. This would ultimately doom Hillary's campaign.
Whatever the reason may be in this case, Hollywood is now producing a show for our viewing pleasure called "Aliens in America." The premise is simple: A prejudiced white family asks for an exchange student thinking that they'll get an Aryan male. Instead, they get a boy from Pakistan. He goes to school and is immediately accused of being from the same group that participated in the 9/11 attack.
It's supposed to be a real laugh riot: A "hilarious, smartly crafted comedy", according to the New York Daily News. Perhaps the liberals are hoping that this spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down easier.
I can already hear the disclaimers: "Well not all Muslims are terrorists and not all Muslims are bad!" I'm sure this is completely true: Not all snakes are poisonous either. But frankly, I don't want to get too close to one until I can identify it, as many of them look very much alike.
However, terrorists are not visually identifiable, and the Islamic religion teaches all Muslims that it is OK to pretend to be peaceful and even lie about what religion you are until it's time to strike.* Ultimately, the goal of the Islamic faith is world-domination through whatever means necessary. There currently is no other religion that has this belief system.
Americans have grown mentally lazy: Our lowered educational standards repeatedly show this to be true. Most people would rather waste time in front of a television set, absorbing whatever is set before them, focusing on what is pleasurable even when the wolf is at the door. Do we really want to encourage a lax attitude toward Islamic terrorists? Do we really want to hasten the demise of America?
* Bukhari, vol. 4, book 56, no. 3030; Muslim, vol. 4, book 32, no. 6303; Qur'an 3:28; Ibn Kathir, vol. 2, 141-42
We can see how tainted America has become when we acknowledge that the vast majority of terrorists look "different" from us. But, instead of allowing bag checkers at airports to focus on middle easterners in particular and paler-skinned people in general, we (in our classic "don't sue us" mentality) have decided to simply randomly scan people, including grandmothers whose worst sin is making a burnt chocolate chip cookie.
Liberals are scurrying to re-invent the Islamic terrorist, and the only ones that will ultimately profit from this are the terrorists. But the reasons the liberals are so hell-bent on this vary. One reason is that they may not truly believe that the threat exists, despite all evidence to the contrary. It's the classic bury-your-head-in-the-sand-and-it-will-go-away mentallity.
Another reason may be that Liberals feel even if a threat does exist, it only exists with the few extreme Islamists far away overseas: Liberals don't believe that Islamists in our country could possibly agree with the extremists philosophies. Why they believe that, I don't really know, since our newsmen and politicians have been crying out for moderate muslims to show themselves and yet only a handful have appeared, glancing furtively over their shoulders.
And let us not forget that liberals want to win the White House. Until Liberals remake the threat to our country to be less than what it really is, people traditionally elect Republicans in times of war. This would ultimately doom Hillary's campaign.
Whatever the reason may be in this case, Hollywood is now producing a show for our viewing pleasure called "Aliens in America." The premise is simple: A prejudiced white family asks for an exchange student thinking that they'll get an Aryan male. Instead, they get a boy from Pakistan. He goes to school and is immediately accused of being from the same group that participated in the 9/11 attack.
It's supposed to be a real laugh riot: A "hilarious, smartly crafted comedy", according to the New York Daily News. Perhaps the liberals are hoping that this spoonful of sugar will help the medicine go down easier.
I can already hear the disclaimers: "Well not all Muslims are terrorists and not all Muslims are bad!" I'm sure this is completely true: Not all snakes are poisonous either. But frankly, I don't want to get too close to one until I can identify it, as many of them look very much alike.
However, terrorists are not visually identifiable, and the Islamic religion teaches all Muslims that it is OK to pretend to be peaceful and even lie about what religion you are until it's time to strike.* Ultimately, the goal of the Islamic faith is world-domination through whatever means necessary. There currently is no other religion that has this belief system.
Americans have grown mentally lazy: Our lowered educational standards repeatedly show this to be true. Most people would rather waste time in front of a television set, absorbing whatever is set before them, focusing on what is pleasurable even when the wolf is at the door. Do we really want to encourage a lax attitude toward Islamic terrorists? Do we really want to hasten the demise of America?
* Bukhari, vol. 4, book 56, no. 3030; Muslim, vol. 4, book 32, no. 6303; Qur'an 3:28; Ibn Kathir, vol. 2, 141-42
Friday, September 28, 2007
The Art of the Game
Sonosaur is a great video gamer, is programming, and ultimately wants to be a game programmer and designer despite my hopes that he'll become a psychologist making $200 an hour.
Yesterday he was sitting next to me as I worked on the computer, flipping through his gamer magazine and reading portions aloud to me on some of the newest developments in gaming. Finally he sighed and tossed the magazine on the desk, picking up another.
"You know," he said, "no one's coming out with anything original anymore! I can see a sequel - heck, I can even see a trilogy! But some of these games just go on and on and on! Do we really need a twentieth Tomb Raider?"
I pointed out that there were some young men who might disagree (in fact, *I* love the Tomb Raider series). He rolled his eyes in disdain, as he is a gamer for the art and the challenge only.
Then he said "Don't these game designers think any more? Everyone's doing a game based on a movie which is based on a book. Now ME - *I* am waiting for the game about a book based on a movie based on a game!"
I stopped typing for a moment and glanced at him. He gave me a quirky grin, and resumed reading.
Yesterday he was sitting next to me as I worked on the computer, flipping through his gamer magazine and reading portions aloud to me on some of the newest developments in gaming. Finally he sighed and tossed the magazine on the desk, picking up another.
"You know," he said, "no one's coming out with anything original anymore! I can see a sequel - heck, I can even see a trilogy! But some of these games just go on and on and on! Do we really need a twentieth Tomb Raider?"
I pointed out that there were some young men who might disagree (in fact, *I* love the Tomb Raider series). He rolled his eyes in disdain, as he is a gamer for the art and the challenge only.
Then he said "Don't these game designers think any more? Everyone's doing a game based on a movie which is based on a book. Now ME - *I* am waiting for the game about a book based on a movie based on a game!"
I stopped typing for a moment and glanced at him. He gave me a quirky grin, and resumed reading.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
The Divorce (AND My Honorary Daughter's P.S.)
It saddens me that an honorary daughter of mine appears to be heading for divorce.
If we had only been in the loop, we would have told him "Don't come home after being gone for days, and plop down to play World of Warcraft for hours, virtually ignoring her."
We would have kept telling her "Communicate more with him. Tell him why you're unhappy and what you need to make this marriage work."
We would have told him "Stop trying to smother her and keep her locked up in the house. She's only 21! Encourage her to go to college or at least get a job. Stop making her feel like you disapprove of such things. You must allow her some freedom."
We would have kept telling her "Stop trying so hard to compromise your life doing only what HE wants to do. Start doing some things for yourself. With any luck, he'll join in."
We would have told him "Take her out on a date at least once a week. And stop drinking so much when you go out. Give up the gambling and save some money for the future."
We would have told her "Stop hanging out so much with his roommates. Don't spill your guts to them, or tell them the troubles in the marriage. Young men are predators, and they will happily take down a wounded deer."
We would have told them all this, but now it looks as if it's too late.
(I know for a fact that everything she says here is true from all the things she's told me over the last year)
I am definitely on my way to a divorce. No question there. I haven't called I've been a lil stressed from being kicked out of my own home.
I have tried numerous times to talk to him...he will even admit it. The one thing he always says to me is "why are you getting angry?" I'm not! I'm trying to talk! Then he walks away and crawls into bed. So I go and pull down the covers and say "I was talking to you why do you always walk away?" He says "ok lets talk now then."
Well you know what - if he is not willing to take the time to talk to me...why should I make the time when ever he feels fit? Disrespecting me in public and in front of family...I will not stand for it...because I do NOT do it to him.
As for the roommate, he and I did not talk about my life with my husband. We talked about everything but. First it started with his girlfriend then he and I started to cook dinners together by using his cook book. The other roommate I hardly talk to.
My husband would encourage me to go to school and get a job but at the same time he put me down. Example: he suggested I go to school for nursing. I thought about it and it was a great suggestion so the next day I turn to him and say "I will go for nursing." He replies "Are you kidding? Do you realize how much you have to remember?" So what is that - all of a sudden I'm not good enough! WOW - it just doesn't end with him!
I have some graphic text on my phone to this roommate (friend) of mine about a kiss! A picture of a kiss and I told my husband yes there was a picture of a kiss and in it I kissed my roommates (friends) cheek. I admit there is a lot more to everything but at the same time for 1) I would NOT and will NOT ever cheat on my husband 2) I told him a few weeks ago I was leaving him because I can't make people change they have to be willing. and 3) I would never leave my marriage for another man. I am doing this for me and me only!
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
The Reclining Bike
As many of you know, I had neck surgery a couple of years ago. Once you've had your spine fused, it's not much fun to bicycle. The standard bike (I purchased a Trek last year) is the sort that you have to lean over, biking while you look up, torquing your neck out at a difficult angle. Needless to say, that isn't very comfortable.
Enter the reclining bike!
I just purchased a fabulous reclining bike, after taking one for a test ride at a local bike shop. These bikes are made for people who, for varying reasons, can't ride a standard bike. However, people that are perfectly healthy still enjoy reclining bikes because they're relaxing and afford a more scenic view to the biker, who can look upwards and outwards as they ride along.
My particular reclining bike is a hybrid: It's semi-upright and looks very much like a standard bike, but all the weight is thrust to the back, so the rider doesn't have to bend over and look upward to enjoy riding it.
WEDNESDAY MORNING NOTE: I wish I could devote myself more fully to this post, but when I think it over, there is truthfully little else to say. When I get a chance, I'll post a pic of the new bike. ;o)
Enter the reclining bike!
I just purchased a fabulous reclining bike, after taking one for a test ride at a local bike shop. These bikes are made for people who, for varying reasons, can't ride a standard bike. However, people that are perfectly healthy still enjoy reclining bikes because they're relaxing and afford a more scenic view to the biker, who can look upwards and outwards as they ride along.
My particular reclining bike is a hybrid: It's semi-upright and looks very much like a standard bike, but all the weight is thrust to the back, so the rider doesn't have to bend over and look upward to enjoy riding it.
WEDNESDAY MORNING NOTE: I wish I could devote myself more fully to this post, but when I think it over, there is truthfully little else to say. When I get a chance, I'll post a pic of the new bike. ;o)
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Gainesville Campus Police Violate Student's Rights
Yesterday in our town of Gainesville, Florida, John Kerry made an appearance at the University of Florida. And Andrew Meyer decided to attend.
By now, many of you have seen the video. If you haven't, it's published below.
Meyer is apparently a very impassioned young liberal, who is quite taken with the views of the extreme left, and had just finished reading a book that had really inflamed him. He ran up to the microphone, cutting in front of everyone, and proceeded to both preach at Kerry and the audience and then attempted to ask three questions of Kerry. Incidentally, if you watch the video you can see he wasn't outrageously extreme, and was obviously a fan of Kerry's and not a heckler (as Glenn Beck has claimed).
At this point, campus police rushed him as if he were a dangerous criminal. Using excessive force, they subdued him. When he continued to demand to be released and asked why they were responding in such a manner, they tasered him.
During the entire incident, Kerry drones on limply in a monotone, quietly telling the police that he'll answer the questions. If it had been anyone else, they would have been screaming at the police to stop! Kerry apparently felt it best to quietly protest but not get deeply or passionately involved. Does the man take a stand in anything?!
What really alarms me (more than this obvious police brutality) was that almost all the conservative talk show hosts yesterday made fun of Meyer and laughed over the incident. The only one that saw it for what it truly was, was Michael Savage.
Say what you want about Michael Savage... and yes - he definately lacks the suave polish of most of the others... but Michael got it right, and the others were dead wrong.
And I remain alarmed.
Yes, Meyer was rude. And yes, he's gained the reputation of being the campus weirdo - the annoying gadfly that nobody really likes much. And yes, he's known as being a practical joker. But simply being weird or annoying doesn't constitute an offense worthy of this reaction! Such police behavior is reminiscent of the brutality seen in the early 1960s civil rights marches.
This is the danger of putting tasers in the hands of the police. Tasers were originally meant to be a humane substitute for a gun! Please tell me that no policeman in his right mind would consider shooting Meyer under the same circumstances!
Obviously many people will choose to enroll their children in other colleges instead of the University of Florida as long as such gestapo tactics are sanctioned there.
Also obvious is the whopper of a lawsuit that Meyer now has. Thank goodness he didn't have a medical condition, or it would be his parents suing for wrongful death, instead.
By now, many of you have seen the video. If you haven't, it's published below.
Meyer is apparently a very impassioned young liberal, who is quite taken with the views of the extreme left, and had just finished reading a book that had really inflamed him. He ran up to the microphone, cutting in front of everyone, and proceeded to both preach at Kerry and the audience and then attempted to ask three questions of Kerry. Incidentally, if you watch the video you can see he wasn't outrageously extreme, and was obviously a fan of Kerry's and not a heckler (as Glenn Beck has claimed).
At this point, campus police rushed him as if he were a dangerous criminal. Using excessive force, they subdued him. When he continued to demand to be released and asked why they were responding in such a manner, they tasered him.
During the entire incident, Kerry drones on limply in a monotone, quietly telling the police that he'll answer the questions. If it had been anyone else, they would have been screaming at the police to stop! Kerry apparently felt it best to quietly protest but not get deeply or passionately involved. Does the man take a stand in anything?!
What really alarms me (more than this obvious police brutality) was that almost all the conservative talk show hosts yesterday made fun of Meyer and laughed over the incident. The only one that saw it for what it truly was, was Michael Savage.
Say what you want about Michael Savage... and yes - he definately lacks the suave polish of most of the others... but Michael got it right, and the others were dead wrong.
And I remain alarmed.
Yes, Meyer was rude. And yes, he's gained the reputation of being the campus weirdo - the annoying gadfly that nobody really likes much. And yes, he's known as being a practical joker. But simply being weird or annoying doesn't constitute an offense worthy of this reaction! Such police behavior is reminiscent of the brutality seen in the early 1960s civil rights marches.
This is the danger of putting tasers in the hands of the police. Tasers were originally meant to be a humane substitute for a gun! Please tell me that no policeman in his right mind would consider shooting Meyer under the same circumstances!
Obviously many people will choose to enroll their children in other colleges instead of the University of Florida as long as such gestapo tactics are sanctioned there.
Also obvious is the whopper of a lawsuit that Meyer now has. Thank goodness he didn't have a medical condition, or it would be his parents suing for wrongful death, instead.
Monday, September 17, 2007
The Positively Negative Experience at Curves
I went to Curves this morning to work out. My friend loves working out, and we try to do it together, so she met me there and we began our routine.
For those of you not familiar with Curves, it's a club for women only, where we can get a 30-minute workout. There are 15 stations positioned in a circle: There are 8 workout machines and 7 platforms. You spend a minute at each station as you work your way around, either working out on the machines or doing whatever keeps you moving when you're on the platforms. The idea is to never stop moving, and do it vigorously, for 30 minutes. There is vibrant get-up-and-go music blaring loudly, and every minute, a woman's voice smoothly says "change stations."
But today something had changed.
At first we worked through the first two sets, not realizing that we hadn't heard "change stations" yet. Then we heard a new woman's voice chirp cheerily "Be positive!"
"What's going on here?" we asked the attendants. We were told that they were trying out a new style, where instead of hearing "change stations", we were to be spoon-fed bromides to help motivate us.
Oh puhleeze!
We protested loudly, not because we are negative people (as one of the attendants implied). If we were truly negative, neither of us would be the success that we've become. But we are both so very repulsed by this newest "quick fix" idea.
Although (obviously) most people have average IQs, are they really so gullible as to be easily influenced through not-so-subtle exortations? And must we all be put through a mindless series of messages, droning on repeatedly?
"Be beautiful!" "Be Dynamic!" "Be Happy!" was all we heard every minute during our tiresome 30-minute workout. The only way this new program will help as a weight loss is through the nausea that it induces. It also disrupts the concentration and is an irritant to the mind.
What was Curves thinking? Obviously someone in their marketing department has just bought into one of those newest, recycled management fads (as I wrote about here). Too bad the American consumer has grown resistant and resentful of such fads, overall.
I often quote my grandmother, who was the repository for pithy sayings. Here's yet another one that applies: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
For those of you not familiar with Curves, it's a club for women only, where we can get a 30-minute workout. There are 15 stations positioned in a circle: There are 8 workout machines and 7 platforms. You spend a minute at each station as you work your way around, either working out on the machines or doing whatever keeps you moving when you're on the platforms. The idea is to never stop moving, and do it vigorously, for 30 minutes. There is vibrant get-up-and-go music blaring loudly, and every minute, a woman's voice smoothly says "change stations."
But today something had changed.
At first we worked through the first two sets, not realizing that we hadn't heard "change stations" yet. Then we heard a new woman's voice chirp cheerily "Be positive!"
"What's going on here?" we asked the attendants. We were told that they were trying out a new style, where instead of hearing "change stations", we were to be spoon-fed bromides to help motivate us.
Oh puhleeze!
We protested loudly, not because we are negative people (as one of the attendants implied). If we were truly negative, neither of us would be the success that we've become. But we are both so very repulsed by this newest "quick fix" idea.
Although (obviously) most people have average IQs, are they really so gullible as to be easily influenced through not-so-subtle exortations? And must we all be put through a mindless series of messages, droning on repeatedly?
"Be beautiful!" "Be Dynamic!" "Be Happy!" was all we heard every minute during our tiresome 30-minute workout. The only way this new program will help as a weight loss is through the nausea that it induces. It also disrupts the concentration and is an irritant to the mind.
What was Curves thinking? Obviously someone in their marketing department has just bought into one of those newest, recycled management fads (as I wrote about here). Too bad the American consumer has grown resistant and resentful of such fads, overall.
I often quote my grandmother, who was the repository for pithy sayings. Here's yet another one that applies: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Friday, September 14, 2007
Parents Scramble to Remake Nick Hogan's Image
In an obvious attempt to remake Nick Hogan's image, Hulk Hogan's wife spoke out in a St. Pete Times article today.
Talk about shutting the barn door after the horse got out.
Not many people had heard of Hulk (Terry) Hogan's spoiled son until Nick Hogan's car crash on August 26. This crash sent Nick's friend John Graziano to the hospital (Graziano was completely non-responsive when we last heard of him at the vigil that I wrote about here). Stories came out shortly afterward indicating that Nick had been drag-racing regularly up and down the street he'd crashed on. Eye witnesses reported seeing Nick repeatedly racing another car which turned out also to be owned by Hulk Hogan.
Then a damning interview turned up.
The St. Pete Times unearthed an interview with Nick Hogan that had occurred shortly before the August 26 car crash. In the interview, Nick bragged about how he'd been pulled over 3 times within minutes of each occurrence, and had been warned each time by a cop that he needed to stop speeding. However, he was let go twice, since he was a celebrity's kid, even though (as he admitted) he was speeding drastically fast. Only on the third time did he receive a ticket.
Incidentally, these incidents occurred in the Miami-Dade area. I would hope our police aren't as influenced by celebrity status, although to the best of my knowlege they haven't charged him with anything yet.
Further in the interview, he talks about how the yellow color of his car makes girls want to drop their panties and calls his car "a pussy magnet".
Nice kid.
When John Graziano ended up in the hospital, the Hogans became that family's bestest friends. As Graziano's gullible mother defensively stated, the Hogans were immediately by John's bedside, helping out the Grazianos financially, and being generally supportive.
I'll bet!
With any luck, the Hogans will be able to make this all go away quietly. Meanwhile, they're hiring the best spin doctors and lawyers that money can buy (one of these lawyers is a specialist in DUI cases).
So in the paper today, Nick's mom (Linda) produces the usual baby snapshots and informs the incredulous reader that although Nick seems to be a brash, nasty boy he really is an adept businessman with a heart of gold. What's really incredible is that he's this marvellous and he's only 17. Wow! We have a child protege in our midst!
Linda also glosses over Nick's repeated speeding tickets by saying "What 17-year-old doesn't get tickets?" Ah, what an excellent point. Sure! We all know tons of teenagers who get speeding tickets for 106 mph in a 70 mph zone and 82 mph in a 45 mph zone, and then brag about how often they're able to speed and not get caught.
It's not an accident that Nick finally hurt someone. Why didn't his foolish parents take the measures that were needed? But the Hogans (a.k.a. Bolleas) luck is holding so far.
They were very lucky that Graziano was a friend, so that they could be allowed into the hospital to start their spin control. They're also lucky that Graziano's mother is willing to take money and expressions of sympathy over justice and a lawsuit.
Let's hope that their luck runs out.
Soon.
Talk about shutting the barn door after the horse got out.
Not many people had heard of Hulk (Terry) Hogan's spoiled son until Nick Hogan's car crash on August 26. This crash sent Nick's friend John Graziano to the hospital (Graziano was completely non-responsive when we last heard of him at the vigil that I wrote about here). Stories came out shortly afterward indicating that Nick had been drag-racing regularly up and down the street he'd crashed on. Eye witnesses reported seeing Nick repeatedly racing another car which turned out also to be owned by Hulk Hogan.
Then a damning interview turned up.
The St. Pete Times unearthed an interview with Nick Hogan that had occurred shortly before the August 26 car crash. In the interview, Nick bragged about how he'd been pulled over 3 times within minutes of each occurrence, and had been warned each time by a cop that he needed to stop speeding. However, he was let go twice, since he was a celebrity's kid, even though (as he admitted) he was speeding drastically fast. Only on the third time did he receive a ticket.
Incidentally, these incidents occurred in the Miami-Dade area. I would hope our police aren't as influenced by celebrity status, although to the best of my knowlege they haven't charged him with anything yet.
Further in the interview, he talks about how the yellow color of his car makes girls want to drop their panties and calls his car "a pussy magnet".
Nice kid.
When John Graziano ended up in the hospital, the Hogans became that family's bestest friends. As Graziano's gullible mother defensively stated, the Hogans were immediately by John's bedside, helping out the Grazianos financially, and being generally supportive.
I'll bet!
With any luck, the Hogans will be able to make this all go away quietly. Meanwhile, they're hiring the best spin doctors and lawyers that money can buy (one of these lawyers is a specialist in DUI cases).
So in the paper today, Nick's mom (Linda) produces the usual baby snapshots and informs the incredulous reader that although Nick seems to be a brash, nasty boy he really is an adept businessman with a heart of gold. What's really incredible is that he's this marvellous and he's only 17. Wow! We have a child protege in our midst!
Linda also glosses over Nick's repeated speeding tickets by saying "What 17-year-old doesn't get tickets?" Ah, what an excellent point. Sure! We all know tons of teenagers who get speeding tickets for 106 mph in a 70 mph zone and 82 mph in a 45 mph zone, and then brag about how often they're able to speed and not get caught.
It's not an accident that Nick finally hurt someone. Why didn't his foolish parents take the measures that were needed? But the Hogans (a.k.a. Bolleas) luck is holding so far.
They were very lucky that Graziano was a friend, so that they could be allowed into the hospital to start their spin control. They're also lucky that Graziano's mother is willing to take money and expressions of sympathy over justice and a lawsuit.
Let's hope that their luck runs out.
Soon.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Our Kids Are in Danger
As I wrote here in May of 2006, terrorists did a dry-run on a local school bus in Hillsborough County, Florida. If you go to that link, you can read the details. Increasingly, authorities are admitting that such incidents as that one have been cropping up all over the country.
The terrorists are getting ready to hit our schools and our children, in a mass attack, and the government is very reluctant to let you know this for fear of wide-spread panic.
This week, Glenn Beck is beginning a series intent on proving that the terrorists are ready to strike.
Examples abound. A large number of school buses are missing in Texas. Middle Eastern men are trying to buy school buses. They've been seen outside of schools throughout the nation, taking pictures, watching and waiting, learning traffic patterns and more.
The real question is not if they are planning it. The real question is, how can we thwart it?
Some schools have been trained by the FBI in counter-terrorism. But will it be enough? And what about the schools that haven't been trained?
And what about the schools that are seemingly well-fortified, but could be breached by a car bomb or simply a determined group of Islamic terrorists with automatic weapons?
Parents are being encouraged to contact their schools and find out what's being done. But, will that be enough? Schools can make assurances of protection, but unless we've seen it with my own eyes, and we have everyone in those schools doing regular terrorism drills, we can't know how effective it all will be until it's too late.
The government needs to come out with some standards, and they need to move quickly. Schools need to be forced to at least meet or exceed those standards. These new standards need to take into consideration as many possible alternatives as they can.
The Islamic terrorists feel that if they kill, rape, and torture our children (as they did in the Russian middle school in Beslan), then they will be able to bring the nation to its knees. Additionally, if America's children are no more, there will be no future generations that can arise to fight these monsters.
We are overseas, fighting a war elsewhere, while our borders and schools remain relatively unprotected. It's like going on a lecture tour about preventing home robberies while leaving your front door unlocked.
We want to live in peace, but they want us to die in pieces.
If you are as concerned as we all should be, then write or call your congressional representatives today to ask that they make a concerted effort to protect the children of our nation.
To contact your Senators, go here.
To contact your Representative, go here.
Or, simply click on the envelope at the bottom of this post to forward this article to them instead.
Do it. Before it's too late.
The terrorists are getting ready to hit our schools and our children, in a mass attack, and the government is very reluctant to let you know this for fear of wide-spread panic.
This week, Glenn Beck is beginning a series intent on proving that the terrorists are ready to strike.
Examples abound. A large number of school buses are missing in Texas. Middle Eastern men are trying to buy school buses. They've been seen outside of schools throughout the nation, taking pictures, watching and waiting, learning traffic patterns and more.
The real question is not if they are planning it. The real question is, how can we thwart it?
Some schools have been trained by the FBI in counter-terrorism. But will it be enough? And what about the schools that haven't been trained?
And what about the schools that are seemingly well-fortified, but could be breached by a car bomb or simply a determined group of Islamic terrorists with automatic weapons?
Parents are being encouraged to contact their schools and find out what's being done. But, will that be enough? Schools can make assurances of protection, but unless we've seen it with my own eyes, and we have everyone in those schools doing regular terrorism drills, we can't know how effective it all will be until it's too late.
The government needs to come out with some standards, and they need to move quickly. Schools need to be forced to at least meet or exceed those standards. These new standards need to take into consideration as many possible alternatives as they can.
The Islamic terrorists feel that if they kill, rape, and torture our children (as they did in the Russian middle school in Beslan), then they will be able to bring the nation to its knees. Additionally, if America's children are no more, there will be no future generations that can arise to fight these monsters.
We are overseas, fighting a war elsewhere, while our borders and schools remain relatively unprotected. It's like going on a lecture tour about preventing home robberies while leaving your front door unlocked.
We want to live in peace, but they want us to die in pieces.
If you are as concerned as we all should be, then write or call your congressional representatives today to ask that they make a concerted effort to protect the children of our nation.
To contact your Senators, go here.
To contact your Representative, go here.
Or, simply click on the envelope at the bottom of this post to forward this article to them instead.
Do it. Before it's too late.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Fred Thompson
I have been impressed with Fred Thompson since his early years in the senate (way before Law & Order). He was and is as close to a Reagan Republican as I've ever seen, and can be a very polarizing influence on the elections.
Right now we're dealing with candidates that are enough alike to be scary: The classic neocons (motivated by money) and the classic democrats (motivated by money). Their philosophies and views are very similar as well, with just enough variation to give them something to debate about, but do any of them take their beliefs seriously? It's hard to tell because most of them don't have a very extensive voting record in the public eye.
For instance, Hillary obviously only moved to New York in order to find a state that was sympathetic enough to her to elect her so that she could gain some "street creds" toward a run for the Presidency. After all, it wasn't enough to be the true (but officially unacknowleged) Vice President in her husband's Presidency. But, because it's obvious that everything Hillary's done has been for one calculating reason, we have to suspect it all. On the other hand, to her credit, Hillary is a poll watcher. I am sick and tired of Presidents who behave in a patriarchal manner, ignoring the will of the people.
Barack Obama is likely to become Hillary's Vice Presidential pick. Frankly, America is not ready yet for someone who has any Muslim ties whatsoever, and his attendance at a local muslim school as a child is of concern to many people. Additionally, he is young and inexperienced although he's charming. American had that once before in JFK.
If JFK hadn't been killed in a dramatic manner at an early age, many Americans would never have idolized him as they have. But JFK joins the ranks of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean: People who died young and pretty and therefore are easily memorialized. However, JFK was, in reality, a President with as many or more flaws than the current President. Many fiascos abounded and were partially covered up due to the desire to keep him a legend: The reality of JFK's presidency is kept among the scholars. Are we ready to allow yet another inexperienced President? Hasn't President Bush done enough damage to our country? So, if I had to choose between Barack and Hillary, I would vote for Hillary.
Then we have Rudy Giuliani who is another neo-con, like the current President, but with even less experience than Bush had when he entered office. Bush was Governor of Texas, and he still wasn't equipped to run the country. I would submit that a jump from a State Governor to President of the USA is a larger leap than from state Senator to President, because at least as a state Senator you know your way around the hallowed halls of Washington D.C.
Since Rudy is apparently the current front-runner, I won't bother with discussing his other opponents outside of Fred Thompson.
Fred Thompson is an interesting candidate. I've followed his career from when he was a U.S. Senator onward. I was very surprised to see Senator Thompson playing a part in Law & Order, as I had only known and admired him as the Senator from Tennessee (he made quite a reputation for himself while on Capital Hill).
Thompson has the charisma and proven track record to rise above the other Republican candidates. He has the best chance to carry the White House next year.
I spoke to someone who is organizing the local group of "Fred Heads". I mentioned a slightly unpleasant call I'd had with someone high-up in the local Republican party. When I'd asked for information on the group with Fred Thompson, he grew a little chilly, then recommended I go to the Guilianni dinner instead. "Yeah," the Fred Head said. "What's up with THAT? We're already the social outcasts!"
I am convinced that this is due to the length of time it took for Thompson to decide to run. Because of this, we are dealing with a large group of Republicans that are loyal to Guiliani simply because they cast their lots with him in the early stages of his campaign.
Right now we're dealing with candidates that are enough alike to be scary: The classic neocons (motivated by money) and the classic democrats (motivated by money). Their philosophies and views are very similar as well, with just enough variation to give them something to debate about, but do any of them take their beliefs seriously? It's hard to tell because most of them don't have a very extensive voting record in the public eye.
For instance, Hillary obviously only moved to New York in order to find a state that was sympathetic enough to her to elect her so that she could gain some "street creds" toward a run for the Presidency. After all, it wasn't enough to be the true (but officially unacknowleged) Vice President in her husband's Presidency. But, because it's obvious that everything Hillary's done has been for one calculating reason, we have to suspect it all. On the other hand, to her credit, Hillary is a poll watcher. I am sick and tired of Presidents who behave in a patriarchal manner, ignoring the will of the people.
Barack Obama is likely to become Hillary's Vice Presidential pick. Frankly, America is not ready yet for someone who has any Muslim ties whatsoever, and his attendance at a local muslim school as a child is of concern to many people. Additionally, he is young and inexperienced although he's charming. American had that once before in JFK.
If JFK hadn't been killed in a dramatic manner at an early age, many Americans would never have idolized him as they have. But JFK joins the ranks of Marilyn Monroe and James Dean: People who died young and pretty and therefore are easily memorialized. However, JFK was, in reality, a President with as many or more flaws than the current President. Many fiascos abounded and were partially covered up due to the desire to keep him a legend: The reality of JFK's presidency is kept among the scholars. Are we ready to allow yet another inexperienced President? Hasn't President Bush done enough damage to our country? So, if I had to choose between Barack and Hillary, I would vote for Hillary.
Then we have Rudy Giuliani who is another neo-con, like the current President, but with even less experience than Bush had when he entered office. Bush was Governor of Texas, and he still wasn't equipped to run the country. I would submit that a jump from a State Governor to President of the USA is a larger leap than from state Senator to President, because at least as a state Senator you know your way around the hallowed halls of Washington D.C.
Since Rudy is apparently the current front-runner, I won't bother with discussing his other opponents outside of Fred Thompson.
Fred Thompson is an interesting candidate. I've followed his career from when he was a U.S. Senator onward. I was very surprised to see Senator Thompson playing a part in Law & Order, as I had only known and admired him as the Senator from Tennessee (he made quite a reputation for himself while on Capital Hill).
Thompson has the charisma and proven track record to rise above the other Republican candidates. He has the best chance to carry the White House next year.
I spoke to someone who is organizing the local group of "Fred Heads". I mentioned a slightly unpleasant call I'd had with someone high-up in the local Republican party. When I'd asked for information on the group with Fred Thompson, he grew a little chilly, then recommended I go to the Guilianni dinner instead. "Yeah," the Fred Head said. "What's up with THAT? We're already the social outcasts!"
I am convinced that this is due to the length of time it took for Thompson to decide to run. Because of this, we are dealing with a large group of Republicans that are loyal to Guiliani simply because they cast their lots with him in the early stages of his campaign.
Friday, September 07, 2007
Our Trip to NASA
Over the Labor Day Weekend, we went daytripping. You already have seen the pictures taken at Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. Now here are the photos from our trip to NASA.
One of the people that went with us is a young lady that I've helped raise for the last 7 years. She loves photography, so I gave her her first digital camera and this is the result.
One of the people that went with us is a young lady that I've helped raise for the last 7 years. She loves photography, so I gave her her first digital camera and this is the result.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Lowry Park Zoo
Over the Labor Day Weekend, we went to nearby Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida. One of the people that went with us is a young lady that I've helped raise for the last 7 years. She loves photography, so I gave her her first digital camera and this is the result. We had a wonderful time and I thought I'd share some of our photos with you!
Friday, August 31, 2007
Brigitte Gabriel: Modern Lebanese Holocaust Survivor
I recently discovered public speaker and former Anchorwoman and journalist Brigitte Gabriel. Since I'd never heard of her before, I'm betting neither have you. So I'm inserting a very powerful speech she made, in it's entirety, into this blog.
I almost never put a video into my blog, but I am so very impressed that I feel I must share this.
Please don't watch this only partially (or not at all) and leave me a comment. I ask you to watch it all the way through before you comment. This is on the honor system, so it's up to you and your conscience... but you'll find it's worthwhile and amazing. Perhaps after you see it, you may not wish to comment at all.
I almost never put a video into my blog, but I am so very impressed that I feel I must share this.
Please don't watch this only partially (or not at all) and leave me a comment. I ask you to watch it all the way through before you comment. This is on the honor system, so it's up to you and your conscience... but you'll find it's worthwhile and amazing. Perhaps after you see it, you may not wish to comment at all.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
John Graziano's Candlelight Vigil
Well, I really thought I might be able to only blog every other day, but it seems there's always something that I feel I need to say, so this may be a failed experiment at it's birth.
Yesterday evening I attended the candlelight vigil of John Graziano. Graziano is the young man who was the passenger Hulk Hogan's son's car. You've probably heard of that terrible car crash in Clearwater, which resulted in Graziano's current state.
John Graziano is in critical condition, and there appears to be brain damage (although they're not saying the extent of it). Last night, I heard a self-styled "missionary" (who has been with the Graziano family for the last 72 hours) whisper that Graziano is currently completely and absolutely unresponsive.
It is obvious to most people that Hulk Hogan's son is going to turn out to be the "bad guy" in all this mess, and well he should be. After all, he has received numerous tickets for speeding, is into "drifting" and has been seen to try to antagonize other drivers on the street, attempting to get them to race him. Obviously he's a dangerous speed junkie and deserves to have the book thrown at him.
But he's not the only speed junkie. John Graziano has been reported to love the adrenaline rush. Friends recount that he would do anything for it: Skydiving, jet skiing, he lived for the thrill of the thrill.
So at the candlelight vigil last night, emotions were mixed and his family was defensive. Repeatedly, family members and friends spoke defiantly, demanding that others pray for and care about Graziano without taking into account any personal defects. They talked about his service as a Marine in combat, and his heroism overseas. They said he is more than "just a friend of so-and-so" and I can agree with all of that. But knowing Graziano's history, it seems more than possible that he knew what he was getting into. And whether it was for the rush or because he was basking in the glory of being part of the entourage, he went willingly.
During the vigil, there were wretched moments. It was stomach-turning to see some of the photographers get within inches of a knot of sobbing people, so that they could get the best shot of a tear-streaked face.
The man who pulled the vigil together (the self-styled "missionary" I'd mentioned before) was most obviously doing it for the press. He puffed himself out, spoke in stentorian tones, and did his best to show his plumage. This was his chance at fame, and he wasn't going to give away a moment of his 15 minutes. He brought along with him a guy who played keyboards, and a pretty blond singer who couldn't carry a tune and was obviously more concerned about where to set up and how to perform.
When someone from the press actually cared enough to ask him for his personal information, the "missionary" was happy to give his full title and claimed credentials, finally admitting that he was presently a missionary without a country to go to. He quickly added that he prays constantly, however: Apparently that's the current mission. Good thing the Grazianos came along with a personal tragedy he could attach himself to.
It was a sloppy mess of a vigil, with constant distractions. First the rains and lightning came, and everyone was forced to find shelter under a smallish, tin-roofed area. The sound system was quickly re-arranged and the entertainment commenced. It was appallingly false, and those people who had come willingly to genuinely pray for Graziano seemed baffled at the show-and-tell. A supposedly simple prayer vigil had moments of prayer interspersed with vast amounts of showboating and the whir and click of cameras.
Growing sick of it all, many made their escape before the candles were even lit. And as I left, I had the eerie impression that the focus had never once really been on the man we were praying for.
Yesterday evening I attended the candlelight vigil of John Graziano. Graziano is the young man who was the passenger Hulk Hogan's son's car. You've probably heard of that terrible car crash in Clearwater, which resulted in Graziano's current state.
John Graziano is in critical condition, and there appears to be brain damage (although they're not saying the extent of it). Last night, I heard a self-styled "missionary" (who has been with the Graziano family for the last 72 hours) whisper that Graziano is currently completely and absolutely unresponsive.
It is obvious to most people that Hulk Hogan's son is going to turn out to be the "bad guy" in all this mess, and well he should be. After all, he has received numerous tickets for speeding, is into "drifting" and has been seen to try to antagonize other drivers on the street, attempting to get them to race him. Obviously he's a dangerous speed junkie and deserves to have the book thrown at him.
But he's not the only speed junkie. John Graziano has been reported to love the adrenaline rush. Friends recount that he would do anything for it: Skydiving, jet skiing, he lived for the thrill of the thrill.
So at the candlelight vigil last night, emotions were mixed and his family was defensive. Repeatedly, family members and friends spoke defiantly, demanding that others pray for and care about Graziano without taking into account any personal defects. They talked about his service as a Marine in combat, and his heroism overseas. They said he is more than "just a friend of so-and-so" and I can agree with all of that. But knowing Graziano's history, it seems more than possible that he knew what he was getting into. And whether it was for the rush or because he was basking in the glory of being part of the entourage, he went willingly.
During the vigil, there were wretched moments. It was stomach-turning to see some of the photographers get within inches of a knot of sobbing people, so that they could get the best shot of a tear-streaked face.
The man who pulled the vigil together (the self-styled "missionary" I'd mentioned before) was most obviously doing it for the press. He puffed himself out, spoke in stentorian tones, and did his best to show his plumage. This was his chance at fame, and he wasn't going to give away a moment of his 15 minutes. He brought along with him a guy who played keyboards, and a pretty blond singer who couldn't carry a tune and was obviously more concerned about where to set up and how to perform.
When someone from the press actually cared enough to ask him for his personal information, the "missionary" was happy to give his full title and claimed credentials, finally admitting that he was presently a missionary without a country to go to. He quickly added that he prays constantly, however: Apparently that's the current mission. Good thing the Grazianos came along with a personal tragedy he could attach himself to.
It was a sloppy mess of a vigil, with constant distractions. First the rains and lightning came, and everyone was forced to find shelter under a smallish, tin-roofed area. The sound system was quickly re-arranged and the entertainment commenced. It was appallingly false, and those people who had come willingly to genuinely pray for Graziano seemed baffled at the show-and-tell. A supposedly simple prayer vigil had moments of prayer interspersed with vast amounts of showboating and the whir and click of cameras.
Growing sick of it all, many made their escape before the candles were even lit. And as I left, I had the eerie impression that the focus had never once really been on the man we were praying for.
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