The Problem With Todays Youth

2007-04-28

So while I'm online tonight, I get an IM from a stranger, wanted to know if i wanted to see someone's pic. I declined and shutdown the IM when they realized they had the wrong person. Then they pinged me again, wanting to know if I still wanted to see some naked guys pic. This is the actual conversation picked up after I was clarifying their actions:

 

jPBaBy2o1o [11:06 P.M.]: yuppp
ME [11:06 P.M.]: well, good luck with that
jPBaBy2o1o [11:07 P.M.]: o ive sent it to plenty of his friends..if he doesnt know already hes in for a rude awakening
ME [11:08 P.M.]: well I'm not sure what you are sending or how old you are, but I am guessing pretty young. Kinda childish, and if you were an adult you could be sued. I'd think about your actions and the ramifications
jPBaBy2o1o [11:08 P.M.]: im 19..and no i cant be sued its my property now i can use it however i want
jPBaBy2o1o [11:09 P.M.]: he gave it to his ex(my best friend)
jPBaBy2o1o [11:09 P.M.]: at his will
jPBaBy2o1o [11:09 P.M.]: and she gave it to me and we gave it to others
jPBaBy2o1o [11:09 P.M.]: hes 20 or 21
jPBaBy2o1o [11:09 P.M.]: so hes above 18
jPBaBy2o1o [11:09 P.M.]: so there isnt any legal stuff with age
ME[11:11 P.M.]: so, your bf ex had pics of him and her together I'm assuming naked, that was a private moment between them. He gave them to her, and now that they broke up she is distributing online, and you people think that isn't a problem?
jPBaBy2o1o [11:11 P.M.]: he took pictures of himself
jPBaBy2o1o [11:11 P.M.]: for her
jPBaBy2o1o [11:11 P.M.]: and it wasnt my bf
jPBaBy2o1o [11:11 P.M.]: my friends
ME[11:11 P.M.]: right. private pics not for distribution, he didn't sign a release
jPBaBy2o1o [11:11 P.M.]: he didnt put a copyright on it either
ME[11:12 P.M.]: and you sent it to his friends?
ME [11:12 P.M.]: you are naive
jPBaBy2o1o [11:12 P.M.]: sorry then
jPBaBy2o1o [11:12 P.M.]: didnt know youd get so offended over a naked guy
ME [11:12 P.M.]: I'm sorry for you, that you can't see how wrong your actions are. I don't get offended by male nudes, my house has them all over my walls
jPBaBy2o1o [11:13 P.M.]: how do you get them?
ME [11:13 P.M.]: just trying to point out the error in your thinking that you can't be in a host of trouble. He would be in his legal bounds to sue the crap out of the two of you
jPBaBy2o1o [11:13 P.M.]: he wouldnt
ME [11:14 P.M.]: there is a big difference between buying artwork, and stealing pics of someone and posting them online
jPBaBy2o1o [11:14 P.M.]: i didnt post them anywhere
ME [11:14 P.M.]: you said you sent it to his friends
jPBaBy2o1o [11:14 P.M.]: im just sending them to our friends
ME [11:14 P.M.]: via email
jPBaBy2o1o [11:14 P.M.]: i didnt post them on any website or anything
jPBaBy2o1o [11:14 P.M.]: no i do it through the im
jPBaBy2o1o [11:15 P.M.]: want to see?
ME [11:15 P.M.]: no..I don't need to be privy to you and your friends revenge
jPBaBy2o1o [11:15 P.M.]: you dont know him its not a big deal
jPBaBy2o1o [11:15 P.M.]: or us
jPBaBy2o1o [11:16 P.M.]: naked guys are beautiful and i know you think that too considering they are on your walls
jPBaBy2o1o [11:16 P.M.]: so why not?
ME [11:16 P.M.]: wow, grab a moral or two already, what do you hope to gain?
ME [11:16 P.M.]: how is sharing pics of someone I don't know demoralizing to him, if your point is just to embarrass them
jPBaBy2o1o [11:16 P.M.]: ok well im sorry to bother you then gnite..if you want the pic let me know but ill leave you alone now
jPBaBy2o1o [11:17 P.M.]: the pictures actually helped him
jPBaBy2o1o [11:17 P.M.]: so they arent embarrasing him
jPBaBy2o1o [11:17 P.M.]: noone said anything negative about it just positive so he shouldnt be embarrassed
ME[11:18 P.M.]: so if someone took your pics without your knowledge and sent them to people you knew you wouldn't care?
ME [11:18 P.M.]: or strangers for that matter?
jPBaBy2o1o [11:18 P.M.]: well if i ever took pictures of myself naked
jPBaBy2o1o [11:18 P.M.]: and sent them to a local friend
jPBaBy2o1o [11:18 P.M.]: i would automatically assume that they would show other people
jPBaBy2o1o [11:18 P.M.]: especially if there was a fight between us
ME [11:19 P.M.]: phhhht -please generally that is a trust issue
jPBaBy2o1o [11:19 P.M.]: well then why did he cheat on her?
jPBaBy2o1o [11:19 P.M.]: isnt that a trust issue?
jPBaBy2o1o [11:19 P.M.]: thats why they broke up
ME [11:19 P.M.]: well, again, I can't agree with your logic, I don't think your actions are motivated by "helping" him, if you are in a fight
jPBaBy2o1o [11:19 P.M.]: and thats why she is doing this
jPBaBy2o1o [11:19 P.M.]: i am just helping my best friend
ME [11:20 P.M.]: Well, people are going to do what they are going to do, but the universe is funny that your deeds come back to haunt you.
jPBaBy2o1o [11:21 P.M.]: probably but its fun while it lasts
ME [11:21 P.M.]: remember that when the universe kicks your ass
jPBaBy2o1o [11:21 P.M.]: lol
jPBaBy2o1o [11:21 P.M.]: so do you want to see the pics or not? so you can get a glimpse of the guy we've been talking about for 10 minutes?
ME [11:23 P.M.]: good luck, i'll keep my eyes peeled to Judge Judy to see if his case make it to tv. Hell no, I have my own collection, and I can guarantee you, I would never break the trust to share photos of someone with a stranger. Imagine it this way, consider yourself standing in the middle of the mall tomorrow handing out photos of this guy to what ever hand was extended. What's the point? None. Except you to do damage in your mind
ME [11:24 P.M.]: But as long as you are "helping" him in your logic, remember that is your defense
jPBaBy2o1o [11:24 P.M.]: why don't you add this to your collection then?
ME [11:24 P.M.]: cause i'm not interested. It has no meaning
ME [11:24 P.M.]: All kinds of levels of intimacy
ME [11:25 P.M.]: looking at some stranger..big whoo..million of pages out there of that (ATTEMPTS TO SEND ME PICS ANYWAY-I DECLINED INVITE ATTENTION [11:25 P.M.]: Instant Images session ended.
ME[11:25 P.M.]: have you figured out that I am an adult and have seen it all?
jPBaBy2o1o [11:26 P.M.]: then i dont understand what the big deal is
jPBaBy2o1o [11:26 P.M.]: ive seen it all too
WIT QUEEN [11:26 P.M.]: Then you never will
jPBaBy2o1o [11:26 P.M.]: im an adult
jPBaBy2o1o [11:26 P.M.]: but more never hurt
jPBaBy2o1o [11:26 P.M.]: so you have seen enough? never wanna see a naked guy again?
ME [11:26 P.M.]: Who said I'd never seen a naked guy again?
ME[11:27 P.M.]: You don't have a very logical thought process
jPBaBy2o1o [11:27 P.M.]: nevermind
jPBaBy2o1o [11:27 P.M.]: your right
jPBaBy2o1o [11:27 P.M.]: byw
jPBaBy2o1o [11:27 P.M.]: bye
ME [11:27 P.M.]: buh bye

Now in summary, this was a person pretending to be someone else, my conclusion it was the actual guy. I get hits all the time online, always out of the blue, guys wanting to share or trade naked pics. Years ago, I actually kept a DOTD or Dick of the Day file. If someone was stupid enough to email a stranger their penis, well it was fair game to comment on, which is what the guys usually wanted, well that and cybersex.Yawn. Been there done that, pass the sweet & sour shrimp. I was sharing this because I was unable to make this person understand the concept of right and wrong. Humanity 101. What a concept.

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The Full Jay Leno Quote

2007-04-27

I saw a quote from Jay Leno that Barnabus posted, but it was the closing line. This is his whole comment attributed to Jay. Even if it isn't -brings up some good points.

"The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some poll that  I found rather hard to believe.  It must be true given the source,
right?

The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy
with the performance of the president.  In essence 2/3s of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change.

So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, ''What we are so unhappy about?''

Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?  Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in
the summer and heating in the winter?  Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?  Maybe it is the ability to walk into a
grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through
each state?   Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we  would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having
thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough.  Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency
workers show up and provide services to  help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.  You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings.  Or
if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes , an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest
will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.

This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers.

How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?  Maybe that is what has 67
percent of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen.  No wonder the world loves the U.S. ,  yet has a great disdain
for its citizens.  They see us for what  we are.  The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have , and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know.  What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out?  The president who has a measly 31 percent approval
rating?   Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11?  The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession?

Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist
attacks?

The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me? Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show?

Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad?

Think about  it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the "Media" told you he was
failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it.  The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom.
There is currently no draft in this country.  They didn't have to go.

They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a
''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?  Say what you want but I blame it on the media.  If it bleeds it
leads and they specialize in bad news.  Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts.  How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the
corner?  The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells , and when criticized, try to defend their actions by
"justifying" them in one way or another. Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his
wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Stop buying the negativism you are fed everyday by the media. Shut off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage.  Then start being grateful for all we have as a country. There is exponentially more good than bad.

We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative."

"With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and
with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, "Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"
 

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Friday Night Shits & Giggles

2007-04-27

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Gas Pricing- A Primer Or Why Gas Emails Don’t Work

2007-04-22

Every year another one of these emails comes around with the idea of lowering gas prices if we boycott two stations, or don’t buy gas at all on a Monday.

Obviously, the American people who perpetuate these emails don’t understand how the industry works.

I used to work for a company that was responsible for delivery of oil, gas etc to the stations so here is a primer on how the industry works.

Gasoline is a refined product of crude oil, same as propane, kerosene, and home heating oil. The United States is the world's third largest producer of crude oil. The biggest production region is around the Gulf of Mexico, and the largest producing state is Texas.

The Gulf Coast region is home to two important producing areas: the Permian Basin, located in west-central Texas and eastern New Mexico, and the federal offshore portion of the Gulf. Other big oil-producing states include Alaska, Louisiana, California, Oklahoma, and Arizona.

Even with the United States producing so much oil, it is still heavily dependent on foreign sources. That dependence crippled the country during the oil embargo of 1973 and 1974. To offset that from happening again the federal government formed the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). While most domestic oil is sent directly to refineries and then to the consumer market, some of it is held back and sent to the SPR.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve exists, first and foremost, as an emergency response tool the President can use should the United States be confronted with an economically-threatening disruption in oil supplies. This has happened twice after two test sales, one in 1985 and the other during the 1990/91 Desert Shield/Storm when Saddam forces breached Kuwait and oil prices shot up globally.

The US released on 5 billion gallons to show the world what it was capable of doing. But releasing crude oil from the reserve isn’t then disbursed to your latest Quiki Mart for your consumption.

The government takes bids for companies that submit a proposal to buy X amount of barrels by bid. According to Jim Watkins during the Desert Storm release, "We clearly must remain sensitive to the market by making available the crude oil the industry is saying it really needs and not allowing bargain hunters to take advantage of the taxpayers," and accept only those offers that were above 97.5 percent of benchmark prices of comparable crude oils.

That’s right people, the only ones going to take advantage of the American Public is your government, and not anyone else, so don’t you forget it.

Crude oil whether sour or sweet still has to be processed, and shipped for your consumption. This example doesn’t show “Zone Pricing.”

Zone pricing is a practice under which refiners sell gasoline to retailers at wholesale prices that differ across geographic areas. Generally, these geographic areas vary in the level of competition and traffic counts. Refiners charge more in areas where demand is high and/or competition is low. This practice is viewed by some as price gouging and by others as a natural outcome of competitive markets.

This is also why gas boycotts don’t work, as the products is just resold if inventory is too high. Gas stations order for the week, so a one day boycott accomplishes nothing or boycotting two specific gas stations such as Exxon or Mobil.

Price increases generally occur when the world crude-oil market tightens and lowers inventories. We will discuss who controls the crude-oil market later. Also, growing demand can sometimes outpace refinery capacity. In the spring, refineries perform maintenance, which can place a pinch on the gasoline market. By the end of May, refineries are usually back to full capacity.

When you pump $20 dollars into your tank, that money is broken up into little pieces that get distributed among several entities. Gas is just like any other consumer product: There's a supply chain and several groups who are responsible for setting the price of the product. The media can sometimes lead you to believe that the price of gas is based solely on the price of crude oil, but there are actually many factors that determine what you pay at the pump. No matter how expensive gas becomes, all of these entities have to get their slice of the pie.

Crude oil - The biggest portion of the cost of gas -- as of February 2006, that's about 59 percent -- goes to the crude-oil suppliers. This is determined by the world's oil-exporting nations, particularly the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)

The amount of crude oil these countries produce determines the price of a barrel of oil. Crude-oil prices averaged around $37 per barrel (1 barrel = 42 gallons or 159.6 L) in 2004 (Source: U.S. DOE). After Hurricane Katrina, some prices were almost double that. In July 2006, crude-oil prices averaged around $72 per barrel (1 barrel = 45 gallons or 159.6 L).

Sometimes, gas prices go up even though there is plenty of crude oil on the market. It depends on what kind of oil it is. Oil can be classified as heavy or light, and as sweet or sour (no one actually tastes the oil, that's just what they call it). Light, sweet crude is easier and cheaper to refine, but supplies have been running low. There's plenty of heavy, sour crude available in the world, but refineries, particularly those in the U.S., have to undergo costly retooling to handle it.

Refining costs - The refining of crude oil makes up about 10 percent of the price of gasoline.

Distribution and marketing - Crude oil is transported to refineries, and gasoline is shipped from the refineries to distribution points and then to gas stations. The price of transportation is passed along to the consumer. In the business the term used is “A Buck to the Truck” to make it worthwhile for independent haulers to transport the fuel.

Marketing the brand of the oil company is also added into the cost of the gasoline you buy. Together, these two factors account for about 11 percent of the price of gasoline.

Taxes - Taxes, including federal and local, account for about 20 percent of the total price of gas in the United States. Federal excise taxes are 18.4 cents per gallon, and state excise taxes average 20 cents per gallon. There may also be some additional state sales taxes, as well as local and city taxes. In Europe, gas prices are far higher than in America because taxes on gas are much higher. For example, gas prices in England have risen as high as $6 per gallon, with 78 percent of that going to taxes.

Station markup - While it isn't represented in the diagram above, of course some of the actual money you spend at the pump does go to the service station. Service stations add on a few cents per gallon. There's no set standard for how much gas stations add on to the price. Some may add just a couple of cents, while others may add as much as a dime or more. However, some states have markup laws prohibiting stations from charging less than a certain percentage over invoice from the wholesaler. These laws are designed to protect small, individually-owned gas stations from being driven out of business by large chains who can afford to slash prices at select s.

PRICE COMPARISON FOR PRIOR YEARS 2004 -2005

Now I know this is a lot to absorb, and I’m not addressing the entire global market, just our domestic usage. But the only way to truly affect anything is to find another source of utilizing fossil fuels, or we find another way to stop the consumption. Carpooling in the late 80’s and 90’s was made “mandatory” but without a real essential way of enforcing it, it didn’t quite catch on. Hybrid cars offer some potential but South Park addressed that well enough. If you want to affect gas pricing you would need to get everyone to stop buying gas and oil products for months at a time. Until alternative choices are available, or we think outside the box and not used flawed logic, we are dependent on this commodity.

Though if we go with the other alternative; self sufficient, build a wall around the country, everyone work from home, ship the immigrants out, bring our troops home to defend our borders, live in a bubble, we are just going to have to suck it up and realize we need to be smarter, reform the government, and recognize that other countries do it better than we do with less taxes.

But that is another post for another day. I’m off to go buy gas. By the way? Gas prices normally increase on Tuesday’s.

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Tax Cuts as Explained by a Democrat

2007-04-21

If you don’t understand the Democrats’ version of tax cuts (and you are not alone), maybe this will help explain it:

50,000 people go to a baseball game, but the game was rained out. A refund was then due.

The team was about to mail refunds when the Congressional Democrats stopped them and suggested that they send out refund amounts based on the Democrat National Committee’s interpretation of fairness.

After all, if the refunds were made based on the price each person paid for the tickets, most of the money would go to the ticket holders of the most expensive tickets. That would be unfair and unconscionable.

People in the $10 seats will get back $15, because they have less money to spend. Call it an “Earned Income Ticket Credit.” Persons “earn” it by demonstrating little ambition, few skills and poor work habits, thus keeping them at entry-level wages.

People in the $25 seats will get back $25, because that’s only fair.

People in the $50 seats will get back $1, because they already make a lot of money and don’t need a refund. After all, if they can afford a $50 ticket, then they must not be paying enough taxes.

People in the $75 luxury seats will have to pay another $50, because they have way too much to spend.

The people driving (or walking) by the stadium who couldn’t afford to watch the game will get $10 each, even though they didn’t pay anything in, because they need the most help (sometimes known as Affirmative Action!).

Now do you understand?

If not, contact Representative Nancy Pelosi, Senator Ted Kennedy or Senator Hillary Clinton for assistance.

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Divine Retribution

2007-04-21

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Shits & Giggles Part IV

2007-04-20

Dear Alcohol,

First and foremost, let me tell you that I'm a huge fan of yours. Yes, my friend, you always seem to be there when needed. The perfect post-work cocktail, a beer with the game, and you're even around in the holidays hidden inside chocolates as you warm us when we're stuck in the midst of endless family gatherings.Yet lately I've been wondering about your intentions. While I want to believe that you have my best interests at heart, I feel that your influence has led to some unwise consequences, briefed below for your review.

1. Phone calls: While I agree with you that communication is important, I question the suggestion that any conversation of substance or necessity takes place after 2am. Look who I drunk dialed last time.

2. Eating: Now, you know I love a good meal and, though cooking is far from my specialty, why you suggested that I eat a kabob with chili sauce, coupled with pot noodles and some stale chips (washed down with chocolate Nesquik and topped off with a Kit Kat all after a few cheese curls and chili cheese fries) is beyond me. Eclectic eater I am, but I think you went too far this time.

3. Clumsiness: Unless you're subtly trying to tell me that I need to do more yoga to improve my balance, I see NO need to hammer the issue home by causing me to fall down. Completely unnecessary. Similarly, it should never take me more than 45 seconds to get the front door key into the lock.

4. Pictures: This can be a blessing in disguise, as it can often clarify the last point below, but the following costumes are banned from ever being placed on my head in public again: Indian wigs, sombreros, bows, ties, boxes, upside-down cups, inflatable balloon animals, traffic cones, or bras.

5. Beer Goggles: If I think I may know him/her from somewhere, I most likely do not. Please do not request that I go over and see if in fact, I do actually know that person. The phrase 'let's f***' is illegal from now on. While I may be thinking this, please reinstate the brain-to-mouth-block that would stop this thought from becoming a statement, especially in public...>

6. Furthermore: The hangovers have GOT to stop. Now, I know a little penance for our previous evenings debauchery may be in order, but the 2pm hangover immobility is completely unacceptable. I ask that, if the proper precautions are taken(water, vitamin B, bread products, aspirin) prior to going to bed/passing out facedown on the kitchen floor with a bag of popcorn, the hangover should be minimal and in no way interfere with my daily Saturday or Sunday (or any day for that matter)activities. Come on now, it's only fair - You do your part, I'll do mine.

Alcohol, I have enjoyed our friendship for some years now and would like to ensure that we remain on good terms. You've been the invoker of great stories, the provocation for much laughter, and the needed companion when I just don't know what to do with the extra money in my pockets.

In order to continue this friendship, I ask that you carefully review my grievances above and address them immediately. I will look for an answer no later than Thursday 3pm (pre-happy hour) on your possible solutions and hopefully we can continue this fruitful partnership.

Thank you.
Your Biggest Fan
P.S. Please take a moment or two and note the following items below that I think may be of some interest to you.

THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon
THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Specificity
2. British Constitution
3. Passive-Aggressive Disorder
THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN DRUNK:
1. Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.
2. Nope, no more beer for me.
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
5. Oh, I couldn't. No one wants to hear me sing.

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Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

2007-04-18

There aren't too many things right now that actually make me shake my head in wonderment. It isn't that I have seen it all or done it all, but every once in a while you just have to laugh at advertising.

Some commercials are pure genius, the Geico cavemen, the Slowsky's for Comcast, and whatever the advertisement is right now, when the cows are talking and they toss the rooster out of the barn to set the snooze.

Advertising takes talent, creativity, and money. Branding is big, as Kleenex, Band Aid and Coke ring in millions.

Consumers look for professionalism regardless of the product or service. Word of mouth is good if you don't have an advertising budget which most home businesses don't have.

So last night, I'm at the Wawa my car idling and a black Hyundai pulls up beside me. I already have my car in reverse ready to leave, when the magnetic sign on the back passenger door catches my eye.

I rolled down my window and set the zoom to capture the essence of the sign, the care that was taken to make sure the lettering was perfect, the phone number legible, the earnest appeal to choose them for all your medical and dental needs. Rest assured- they care.

I really hoped no one saw me take the picture, for fear that they would think I was seriously interested. I should have stayed around to see the driver of the car, but the three dogs in the back of the car was proof enough of his fine work.

OK, I'm kidding about the dogs.

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Condolences, Perspective & The Future

2007-04-17

Kids, all of them, that in a few years will be going off to college. Hopefully they won't be facing the kind of sorrow our nation is feeling right now.

But the outcry of why the University erred in judgment is a little harsh. The incidents took place over a few hours, and half a mile apart. Except for a network, they are asking why something wasn't addressed on the PA system, if they even have one. I think that would have caused wide spread panic and sent even more people into harms way.

Think about the randomness of attacks and how complacent we all are in our daily lives. Imagine you are sitting at your desk today, and one of your co-workers decides unknown to you, that he is sick of management and he is taking matters into his own hands. How protected are you? Unless you work for a company that has security onsite, you are just as unprotected as the university.

President Bush should have kept his pie hole shut, offered condolences, and stopped from politicking his point about gun control. There is some school of thought and postings that there are not enough guns, and if the University allowed handguns on campus, perhaps there would have been minimal damage.

Killing is not so easy for a rational mind. Even our soldiers, who are trained in battle and experience it first hand, have shown that the mind is not really capable of murder, whether it is for a cause or not.

I know heroes exist. Many have gone on before us and they live between the pages of history, and the one's who aren't so famous live in our hearts and minds. However, self-preservation is a stronger instinct.

I'd like to think that if it were me, teaching a class of students, and someone walked in with a gun and started shooting, I would have the opportunity to fight back. But I think the element of surprise was utilized and the professors were probably taken out from a distance. Possible with a 22 and a 9mm and then the doors were chained and a tactical assault carried out.

This wasn't carried out on a whim. It was planned, timed, and unless a note was left, we won't know the gunman's reason. Whether or not it would have been as effective if he didn't have a gun, is an argument in favor for abolishing the right to carry and own guns in this country, but falls silent now. If someone wants you dead, and goes to this much planning they will do it one way or another as other losses have shown us.

We can't continue to live in fear, but we do have to continue to live. We also have to remind ourselves how precious life is, and make sure the ones we love know it everyday. Life is hard enough, but it is a four letter word. However, as one of my favorite authors wrote; Life isn't fair, it's just more fair than death.

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Too Funny Not to Share

2007-04-15

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It's A Jungle Out There

2007-04-02

It certainly has been a week on all fronts, and by Saturday I finally feel like I've cut my way out of the jungle, into a small clearing, and I get a rest for a couple of days before I have to go back in and forage through it all over again. I know I should have written daily, to clear my head and get passed things, but there are some days, regardless of your intentions, you don't get to do those things you need to do for yourself. There is always someone out there who needs a shoulder, or you need theirs. Truthfully, I much rather give the shoulder then need it.

This week, from the employment standpoint, I needed a shoulder and my girlfriends bore the brunt. It's much more of a frustration on my part, that because of my position, whatever can't get done, lands on my desk. I handle it and my work has to get completed on top of everything else (read: problems) that get tossed my way. Do I mind? No. It's what I do. Does it piss me off, when I bend over backward to help somebody else's department, have them turn around and go to my superior and take a conversation out of context and try to use it against me?

Suffice it to say, I had already preceded the action to my boss, by stating that my interest or availability for that department anymore was not possible, or limited at the very least. I hate office politics. I can play them, but I hate them. I've been with my company almost eight years now when it was the two owners, my boss any myself internally, plus the field people. In that time we have grown to fourteen people internally and all the attitude and posturing that goes with it.

This happens regardless of the size of any group anywhere, when absolute power corrupts absolutely. The only power I have any control over are my actions. I can't control others I can only control how I react to them. Generally I can parry the thrusts, and use my internal shields to deflect the blows. But no one can protect themselves from the stab in the back, unless they are wearing armor at all times, which I don't. The saying keep your friends close and your enemies closer applies more in my life in the business world, not in my personal relationships. After getting ripped to shreds this week and reduced to tears, because of anger, not sadness I was told to get back to that place I was last year, Feb 20,2006 when I walked out the door. I had had enough. So essentially for the last year I have been unhappy with this company and though I give my all, it is apparent it will never be enough. I saw one of those De-motivational websites and my new mantra that applies to this situation is this:

I think about that phrase and how it can apply to most everyone, excluding those that have the power to affect our lives, i.e The Government. Now this doesn't include world leaders who are important, but the basis of it is that they are representing the people in a democracy. But in the business world, there are democracies, but I work in a monarchy.  I think about how we misconstrue in our minds based on the fact that we are "Americans" that everything is a democratic process and my favorite phrase to negate that things be FAIR. I wish we could erase that word and concept from the dictionary, or at least redefine it.

It seems to me that a lot of people live their lives waiting for "judgement day" and whatever superior being you believe in is the final judge and jury. I don't believe any of that. I believe we are responsible every moment of our lives for how we feel, act, and how we make others feel and their actions in direct proportion to how we are treated. I was tooling around on MySpace and came across a little quiz called What Philosophy Do You Follow? Curious about it, and remembering in a flash that when I was around 6 years old or so, my mother calling me Our Little Philosopher to someone that was visiting, but I'll be damned if I remember what I was saying to elicit that from my mothers lips. The following are my results after taking the quiz:

You scored as Existentialism. Your life is guided by the concept of Existentialism: You choose the meaning and purpose of your life. “Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.” “It is up to you to give [life] a meaning.” --Jean-Paul Sartre “It is man's natural sickness to believe that he possesses the Truth.” --Blaise Pascal More info at Arocoun's Wikipedia User Page... Existentialism 95% Justice (Fairness) 55% Hedonism 55% Utilitarianism 40% Strong Egoism 40% Kantianism 35% Divine Command 20% Apathy 15% Nihilism 15% What philosophy do you follow? (v1.03) created with QuizFarm.com

I didn't know my internal beliefs were classified as Existentialism or even putting a name tag on it. But if that is what I am according to the definition so be it. Maybe it explains why I get so damn irritated by purported Christians who are the largest group of hypocrites and run around scared of life and waiting for the hereafter to have their reward. I've said before I don't care what you believe in to get you through life. I do care though about your actions.

No one has the right based on personal beliefs to band together and change the world because they don't agree with it. That's called Terrorism.

The American Heritage Dictionary gives us this definition: ter·ror·ism (těr'ə-rĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key n. The unlawful use or threatened use of force or violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for ideological or political reasons. Most people this day in age think only about the extremist that we are at war with overseas. But I see it more clearly with all religions that use the fear of an almighty presence to keep believers in line and living in fear, but always with the "Get Out Of Hell Free Card" if you are really sorry.

Actions always have a Reaction. Positive energy is supposed to bring more positive energy to you, as the offset to that is the more negative energy you put out there, the more negative things come back to you. So save your 15.95 on buying THE SECRET, because in a nutshell, just someone else who learned how to get your money in a positive way...see how it works? No breaking news story there, just a rehash of life's basic.

There is a website that pretty much shows how at least 21 religions all say the same thing about a little something we all grew up with called " The Golden Rule", the whole Do unto others as you would have done unto you, eye for an eye and all that. http://www.religioustolerance.org/reciproc.htm

I'm also not trying to come across as an atheist because I'm not, I'm more agnostic than anything. I'm just saying a long time ago Man found a way to use religion to corrupt absolutely because they held the power, and they used fear.

What is interesting though in the preface is the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html that bears reading.

What I am saying is that if you do believe in a Supreme Being, then we are to represent that faith in our daily lives and not wait for some big reward. Life is our reward. Here and Now.

Eessentially, we either recognize and tolerate and look at ourselves at the top of the food chain, and we are but one Race on this living breathing organism, we call earth, or we are going to be our greatest enemy and destroy ourselves and there is no reward for that. Of course the animal kingdom won't mind, they've been playing Survival of The Fittest long before Darwin came along.

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