My Favorite American Idols

This is my first year of actually paying attention to American Idol past the funny audition stage. Here are some of my faves this year:

Kellie Pickler - she's almost pure country but I still like her. Her personality and cute naive ways are sweet. I don't think she can win it but I do really like her.


Taylor Hicks - the coolest and most unique guy this year (maybe of any year). I love his style and flair. He also really loves what he's doing and it shows. Blow that blues harp baby!


Lisa Tucker - still my favorite. She is really talented and the fact that she's only 16 just amazes me. I mentioned her as my favorite as soon as I saw her audition. I hope she wins but the past 2 weeks voting has been low for her.


Katherine McPhee - honorable mention for me. I like her and she can really sing. I could see her winning. She is good enough for sure. Better than most at least.

One reason I really like her is her answer to this question:

"Do you think the audition process was fair?"

"No, they let go of some really good people and kept people who were pretty."

A smart and honest answer. For example, I think that guy Ace is there because he's good looking. He can sing but not like a lot that were left go. Also, Kevin was included because of his 'cuteness'. He sucked as a singer. Paula is mostly responsible for this type of thing. Randy is too. Simon is the only judge with any sense. He tries to judge on singing ability first and stage presence second. He never goes for the 'hot' or 'cute' angles. Simon is cool!

My honest prediction for this year's winner is Chris Daughtry. He is great and I can see him winning easily. He's just not my personal favorite, which is odd because he is a rocker at heart. He doesn't compromise his style either. He is really good.


So there you have it. The view of American Idol a la YB.

Debra LaFave

Here are some pics of Debra LeFave, the Teacher accused of boinking a 14 year old boy. She's pretty good looking, eh?

I'm curious as to what everyone thinks of this. Why should she be prosecuted for having sex with the boy? He wasn't forced. Actually, I'll bet he was walking around bragging to all his buds. Almost any guy would be happy to be with a woman that hot. He was probably having the time of his life.

Let me know what you think. Personally, I'm envious of the guy.














Debra LaFave

Link to the news story.

Old People Food

Last night Nicci came home and immediately wanted to go out for dinner. I wasn't really into it but I went. We went to one of the many 'old people places' in town. By 'old people places' I mean one of those restaurants that cater to the older crowds. Just like on Seinfeld, they have big dinner crowds starting at 4:00 in the afternoon. The mad rush is usually over by 6:00. The food is mostly good but generic style and usually there is a buffet. My town, being populated by probably 75% old farts, is full of 'old people places'.

Well, this one doesn't disappoint. It has a good variety on the buffet and the dessert bar is great. The clientele is what cracks me up. We were surrounded by blue hair and giant bellies and loud talking people. Just walking in I started laughing.

There was this one guy next to us that "couldn't pass that up!" What I mean is that he said he "couldn't pass that up!" 4 times after coming back from the buffet. 4 times he went back and I remember wondering how he couldn't pass up a giant pile of sauerkraut and another pile of Lima Beans. Who can eat that stuff? I passed those up every time.

The table in front of us had the biggest belly I think I've ever seen sitting there. The guy was not real tall but his belly was amazing. He made many trips to the buffet so I could see he was into keeping his belly toned. Like that skit on The Kids In The Hall where they all had big guts, he was 'keeping it fit'. :)

I felt kinda bad for him though because he was with 2 of the most annoying and dominating women ever. The one woman, who had glowing blue hair, talked the whole time we were there. She hardly ate anything but she jabbered incessantly and her voice was loud and crackly. The other woman talked a little and when the guy would venture to say something, one or the other would cut him off or tell him he was 'off base'. They used that term about 275 times that night. Mostly the guy just grunted or nodded when they said something to him. I eventually could see why he was so quiet.

Have you ever noticed that when old people get together they have mostly one topic of conversation? Yep, they do. Mostly it's all about their adventures with healh care. Everywhere around us the conversations were about who had this operation, what Doctor told them this, which friend was ill and where they were and what home they were in. It was amazing. Plus it was easy to hear all the details since they all talked so loud. Nicci believes it's because they are all going deaf. I've noticed this phenomena before since I've been spending time with my Uncle so much. When his old buds come around, they always talk about the same things. Weird.

Later in the evening I just started smiling about it all. Nicci and I decided we should join in so we started making up stories about going to the Doctor and family that were being treated for health problems. Before we left our entire family had been operated on, poked and prodded and taken to retirement homes 4 times. Suddenly the family wasn't so healthy anymore. :)

It was a fun night. The food was OK but today I have indigestion from it all. Basically, I think the next time I go there will have to be with a special invite from my Aunt & Uncle. It's one of their favorite places, naturally. Otherwise, I will just stick with KFC.

Soriano Refuses To Play Outfield

Soriano refuses to play outfield. Somehow this story makes me happy. The guy is a second baseman. He didn't ask to be traded. That's what happens when you gamble.

Send him back to New York where he belongs. That would be the sweetest infield in history.

Maybe It's The Water?

Something is wrong with me. Lately I can't remember things. I am clumsy, I run into stuff like when I tried to get into the Jeep this morning, missed the step and banged my head on the side. Peachy told me yesterday that I am very sensitive lately. I think I'm a dope.

I'm a dork too. I tried to program the recorder last night for a show Nicci didn't want to miss that evening. This morning she noticed it didn't record. I had set it for Tuesday night. I went into the garage this morning to leave for work. The car is in the garage, never my Jeep. Never. I grabbed my keys this morning, turned out the lights and then tried to figure out which key was the right one to lock the door behind me. Naturally I had to turn the light back on.

I am tired a lot and I have bouts with not being able to breathe. Like right now. I am starting to think there is some physical thing happening. I can be a dope sometimes but not all this at once. Usually I can space my dopiness out so it's not an issue. These days I can't.

Maybe there is something in the water? I don't know but I sure hope this passes quickly. Any home remedies out there for dopiness?

My Girlfriend Is Back!

I just accidentally found out that Lara Croft is coming back in April. An all new adventure, all new style. Actually after reading up on it they are getting back to her roots. This is supposed to be similar to Tomb Raider I & II. They are the best. That last one sucked ass. The creator of this one said pretty much that. :)

Rarely do I care about new games anymore. Other than Bloodrayne, I haven't bothered with any for a long time. This one is a must!

Oooh baby!

Don't worry, I'll catch you.


Simply gorgeous!

Makes me wish I was animated. ;)


She is hott!

Don't piss her off!

Check out the official website here: www.tombraider.com

This one looks like they got it right. Sweet!

It's A Miracle!

I came inside at exactly 1:51 p.m. this afternoon, waited until 1:52 p.m., turned and when back outside. The difference was amazing! Who knew that the start of Spring was so dramatically obvious? I sure didn't. I was cold one minute then warm the next. Just because Spring is in the air (literally).

Now that Spring has finally sprung, Baseball is not far behind. April 3rd is the first day of the real Baseball season. The first Yankee game is the official start of Baseball. Don't let anyone tell you differently.

It won't come soon enough.

Veoh Channel

I found this cool site where you can watch/download old hard to find movies. No cost. Stuff like Night Of The Living Dead and The Brain That Wouldn't Die and Metropolis. Classics that are hard to find sometimes. It's great! Apparently most of their copyrights have expired and it's no big deal to copy them anymore. Anyone ever seen Plan 9 From Outer Space? It is considered the worst movie ever made. I think it may be but I love stuff like that. Check it out here: Veoh Channel

There are a lot more things there than just these old classics too. I just haven't taken the time to look at those. :)

Weird Dream

Last night I had a dream that I went out to visit one of my favorite blogger friends on the west coast. We decided we would go out for dinner so we went to The Ivy, which is in L.A. Her sister and her husband came along. (Funny that since I don't even remember what they look like.) When we got there the paparazzi were going crazy. They were taking our picture and begging us for autographs. They thought we were big time celebrities. They kept asking what clothes we were wearing. My friend kept telling them she was wearing Fruit Of The Looms. I was cracking up. While we were eating they would keep running by the table taking snapshots of us and what we were eating. One guy came by dancing in a ballerina outfit and taking pictures of us. He was very graceful. ;)

Then all of a sudden Brad Pitt was standing by our table. My friend started giving him crap about dumping on Jennifer Aniston. She was saying "especially for that skanky Jolie!" He turned to me for help. He said to tell her what it's like from a guy's perspective. I then started giving him crap for getting Angelina pregnant. I kept telling him he was ruining one of the prettiest butts in the world. He got no solace from either of us.

Next thing I know Brad is sitting in her chair and they were making out. Her sister kept saying, "I always knew they were meant for each other".

Then we hear a big commotion. We look around to see Vanilla Ice was trying to get into the restaurant. They Wouldn't let him in though. They kept saying he was a has-been and that even when he was popular he still sucked. He started threatening them, claiming he had a 'Nine'. (Remember that song... "Nilla with a nine!") They just laughed at him so he pulls out 9 bucks and tries to bribe them with it. Naturally that didn't work. Then these two big dudes came out and carried him to the street.

Soon we are all ready for dessert and when it comes things are really quiet. Almost no noise at all. We start looking around because we hear someone crying. Turns out it is Vanilla Ice standing at the gate crying because he can't come in. The gate has turned into one of those big plywood-looking things at a construction site. He is standing there looking through a peep hole in the plywood crying. We feel bad for him so we send him a shot of Tequila.

Then I woke up.

All I can say about that is when I do visit the west coast we are definitely going to The Ivy for dinner. All that free entertainment would be worth the hassle of getting there. Plus I never remember my dreams so this must be a premonition, right? :)

BS Friday

Here is the answer to the BS Friday post. The story is false, mostly. It never happened to me but all those things did happen to my friend Crash. I wasn't at the party but I got the whole scoop through people who were there. Crash could put away the brews even in high school.

That guy Alex was the biggest horndog ever. He was for real Quyen. He had BS lines that you wouldn't think would work but the high school girls kept fallin for them anyway. I'll have to post some stories about that guy.

Blogger sure has been dead lately, hasn't it? It's like nothing is happening anymore.

I had the weirdest dream last night. I hurried up and wrote down what I could remember of it before I forgot it all. I will post that later. It's pretty funny.

Have a great weekend everyone. :)

BS Friday

Welcome once again to BS Friday. I'll write it and you tell me if it's true or just plain old BS. This week's post is called: My First Drunk

I remember my first drunk. Like most people I didn't even know I was drunk. It just sort of crept up on me.

I was just a junior in high school. I was heading out to a party with my old buddy Crash (remember him?) and we stopped along the way to pick up a few friends. Now, when these guys said "party" I was too naive to know just what they meant by 'party'. So when the other guys were in the car one of them turned and asked if I liked Jenny. Well, I thought he meant 'Jenny', who I knew well. But what he was saying was 'Genny' as in Genesee Beer. That should tell you what I was getting into.

When we arrived at the party I was a little shocked. It was at our friend Alex's house and the place was packed. His parents had actually allowed him to have the party. They took off for the evening trusting him to be a good boy with his friends. Yeah, right. They didn't know Alex like we did. He was one of those wild boys that a lot of people only wanted to be with when it was party time. Otherwise he was an obnoxious jerk. So what his parents didn't know was that his older brother had helped him get a full tub of Genny.

As soon as we walked in a beer was shoved into my hand. Alex was his usual irritating self, especially with the women. His one goal in life was to boink as many women as he could. He often told us that. (His story is one for another day.) So he didn't hang with us too long since we weren't females. I didn't want to be uncool (as if!) so I popped the top and took a swig of the beer. I nearly choked to death! It wasn't my first beer but I had never liked beer anyway. Genny sucked. Even after I became a beer lover a few years later I hated that stuff. I couldn't hide my reaction and it got a good laugh from the people around us, so naturally I took another big swig, just to try and save face. I handled it better that time.

Soon the party was in full swing and I got used to the taste. Being new to drinking I had no idea what I was headed for. The easier it got to swallow the more I swallowed. I became the Party Guy. I was told later that I was trying to be the life of the party. I even told about 100 people that I was just that. I don't remember everything but these are the things I was told happened:

I made it a point to try and kiss every girl there, whether they wanted it or not.
I stood on the coffee table dancing and begged someone to dare me to drop my drawers.
I had to be stopped when I started a striptease on the table.
Eventually I went outside and started mooning everyone who drove by.
I told Alex's latest conquest 'the truth' about him. He got pissed enough to want to fight with me.
I got into a chugging contest.
I insisted that we get sheets from the closet and have a toga party.
I decided we needed to camp outside that evening even though we had no gear. (Plus it was early Spring and not real warm.)

The next morning came way too fast. I woke up at our usual camping place huddled up next to a burnt out fire. Crash and David and Alex were with me. There was about 1000 beer cans everywhere. When I tried to sit up the whole world started spinning. I immediately started blowing chunks. I continued throwing up for 2 days straight. I know I have never been that sick since.

It was a lesson I learned the hard way. But I can't say I learned it well since I had some other bad nights later in life. But for the remainder of my time in school, I stayed away from any booze at all. The memory of the morning after is still with me today. It still makes me dizzy thinking about it.

Grrrrrr!

I am very annoyed today. I feel irritated all of a sudden.

Did you ever have one of those days when an annoyed, irritated mood came over you and you had no reason for it? That's whats happening with me today.

Got anyone you want to dump on today? I'm the guy to do it. Just let me know. :(

Mean Anything To Anyone?

"Elaine, who among us hasn't snuck into the break room to nibble on a love newton?"

If so, I wanna know. ;)

Adventures In Grocery Shopping

I have decided that the grocery store and single lane roads are very much alike. Both have narrow lanes/aisles; both have inconsiderate idiots; both have annoying old beyotches that slow down the works.

I was in the grocery store tonight and right inside the door this big fat old round annoying slow-poke of a woman was just standing in the doorway. The doors were automatic and they were stuck open because her fat ass was just standing there. I waited a little bit for her to move but she didn't. (It reminded me of a dumb ass driver that won't get moving unless the road is clear for 5 miles.) I then nicely said "Excuse me" and started to try to go around her. She looked right at me, rolled her eyes and started walking real slow into the place. Waddling was more like it.

She stayed in the middle of the aisle, slowly working her way along, casually glancing my way as I looked for an opportunity to get around her cheesy butt. Every time I had an opening, either she would move in that direction or some other a-hole would miraculously show up and block my path. It was a conspiracy I tell ya! It's just like when you are stuck behind some slow ass driver and every time a passing zone comes around there is one car in the other lane that blocks the way.

Literally after about 5 minutes of trying to get around Mrs. Flabbuns I had had enough. She stopped in the middle of the aisle, pretending to look at something (she wasn't really looking, I know she was just there to irritate me) and when she looked around to see where I was I just walked right into her. I put my hand on her shoulder, said excuse me while holding her in place and took the 386 steps necessary to get around her. She looked surprised, like she had never seen me before. I walked quickly down the aisle muttering horrible nasty things about her and anyone else I happened upon. That part was fun!

I swear, patience is something you are supposed to get the older you get, right? With me I think it's the opposite.

Should I Have Kids? Nope.

I told you so!

Should think it over You scored 40 % Parent Material!

If you scored in this range, either you don't want children but happen to know a little bit about proper child care, you want children but you need to give the decision a little more thought, or you're just not sure about it right now. If you don't want children, you should go ahead and read what I wrote for the people who scored "shouldn't have kids." If you're too lazy to go and look, the gist is this: that's perfectly fine! There's nothing wrong with you! If you're unsure, it looks like you need to take some time and do some serious thinking. Spend some time with children of all ages, read up on parenting, or even borrow the children of a friend or relative for the weekend and see how you like it. Then, ask yourself: chould you do that job all of the time? If you really do want kids, you may need to examine your priorities just a little. Do you want a kid, or a new boat? Could you really put in the time and effort? Or would you be miserable if your interests, job and social life suffered? I suggest that you do the same things that I recommended to people who aren't sure. I also suggest that you read some parenting books and take some parenting classes, just in case. At the end of this, if you realize that you can't handle a life with children, why not get a puppy?

My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 9% on Parent Material

Link: The Should You Really Have Kids? Test written by science_gal on Ok Cupid, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Reminiscing

Last night I sepnt a good deal of the evening looking through old pictures. Someone at work showed me some old pics of herself at her prom. Then she asked to see mine. I thought about it and it made me laugh. So I started looking for those old pics.

If you've ever started looking for old pics through your albums or your stacks that you've saved, you know what a chore it is. Not because it's a pain but because it is so easy to get distracted. You see someone you hadn't thought about for a while and then you start remembering times you spent with them. Then you move on and find more memories. It's never ending the way your mind jumps from situation to situation, memory to memory.

I spent a lot of time looking at the years gone by. Old pictures are weird to look at. Looking back on life can be fun and it can be strange. I have pics of every life change I've had and when I look I remember most of them. The feelings and the people, the places and the events... it's cool but unnerving at the same time.

I really laughed when I found some pics from when I wanted to be a rock-n-roll god. I had a girlfriend who always took pics of everything in those days. I actually have on a real, original pair of parachute pants. (Anyone else remember those?) Also a red bandana is tied in proper style around my wrist a la Rick Springfield. It was the 80's and I was cool, at least I thought so. I still have those parachute pants somewhere. I kept them as a memento. Funny stuff.

I had a moment or two of sadness too. Pictures of friends who have passed away. Pics of people I'll probably never see again. Of course there are pics of people I am glad to never see again. Those are happy ones. :)

It was a strange evening to be sure. Not bad, just different. I had fun but it has left me in a bit of a melancholy mood this morning.

I sure am glad I saved all that stuff though. I would have forgotten most of those times if I hadn't.

You Reap What You Sow

Someday I want a shirt like that. :)

Phone Appreciation Day

It has occurred to me recently that we take modern marvels for granted. Specifically in my mind recently is the amazing invention of the telephone. When you think about it the phone is truly amazing.

You can pick up that little hand held mechanism and punch in a few numbers and talk to anyone anywhere in the world. You can talk to them for however long you want to. You can talk about any subject at all. It's like you are right there with them in the same room. It's like taking a short trip and being right there instantly. Amazing!

Sometimes when I'm on the phone with someone I will close my eyes and visualize the person I'm talking to. I will listen to their voice, to what they are saying, how they say it and make a picture in my mind of how they are sitting or lying down, how their facial reactions are, whether they are biting their lip or messing with their hair or just messing with something else, distracted, not totally in the conversation. I sometimes do other things when I'm on the phone so I try to 'see' what the person I'm talking to is doing too.

Yep, the phone is a really cool thing. We have them everywhere now. I imagine when they were first invented how people reacted. They probably thought it was a passing fad back then. These days, I just don't see how we can get along without them nor how we ever did.

Today I appreciate my phone. :)

Weekend Wrapup

I really haven't felt much like posting lately. I've been visiting like normal but posting hasn't interested me much.

The weekend was great. We took my Uncle out for his 77th birthday. He and my Aunt had a great time. Other than that there wasn't all that much of interest to talk about.

I did see Jenny McCarthy's movie Dirty Love. It's the one she wrote and starred in.



If you are looking for great cinema, stay far away from this one. But if you like Jenny's style of humor, which is way off the wall, then you'll love it. I did.

I have gotten addicted to the PC game Civilization all over again. I played it a lot a few years ago. Now I've started a couple of games and I'm right back into it. I forgot how cool it is. I have this huge game going where I custom made the largest world possible with the highest amout of rival civilizations possible in it. It's great.

That's about it. Not a lot to tell. I hope everyone's weekend was great.

Saturday! Saturday!

You have to say that title in the obnoxious reverb voice of the Monster Truck commercial guy from the radio. But the sentiment is the same, the weekend is finally here. Time to sing like the Greaseman; "The weekend is here and we'll have a can of beeeer!"

This morning is strange. No BS Friday answer to post. This whole week was very long. For some reason it seemed like it was anyway. This mornings Starbuck's coffee was one of the sweetest I've had in a while.

I haven't forgotten to do a BS Friday Post. Sorry it's late S!, I just didn't have time yesterday. That's how the whole week was. On the surface it looked like it wouldn't be so bad but it ended up the opposite.

I will try to get a BS story done today sometime. First, I am going to enjoy the morning. It's already 65 and sunny outside. I'm heading out to soak up some sun and some more java. I hope everyone's weekend has started as sweet.

I'll be back!

Tagged By Quyen

Quyen tagged me for this. I kinda like these things anyway. :)

Two's

Two Names You Go By
1. YB
2. Bobby

Two Parts of Your Heritage
1. Irish
2. Italian

Two things that scare you
1. Drowning
2. Stupid people in charge

Two of Your Everyday Essentials
1. Coffee! Especially Starbuck's
2. Gmail Chat

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now
1. Birthday Suit
2. Emerald Earring

Two of Your Favorite Bands or Musical Artists
1. Eric Clapton
2. Frank Sinatra

Two Physical Things that Appeal to You
1. Eyes
2. Butt

Two of Your Favorite Hobbies
1. Blogging
2. Guitar

Two Things You Want Really Badly
1. 1963 Chevy Impala SS Convertible
2. Total freedom

Two Places You Want to go on Vacation
1. NYC
2. Ireland

Two Things You Want to Do Before You Die
1. Spacewalk
2. Figure out the answer to this question

Two Things You Are Thinking About Now
1. Peachy - she stopped in this morning :)
2. How many hours until the weekend!

Two favorite web sites
1. Blogger
2. Ebay

Two Favorite Sports (to watch and/or play)
1. Baseball
2. Golf (Play)

Two People who will fill this out
1. Betty
2. Summer

Two things you did last night
1. Played Civilization
2. Watched American Idol

Two shows you like to watch
1. The Ghost Whisperer
2. Bones

Two places you like to go to:
1. The beach, any beach
2. Anywhere she is

Two Favorite Subjects In School:
1. Art (various types of..)
2. History

Two Favorite Places to eat:
1. KFC
2. The Carriage House

Two things you like about yourself (physically):
1. My eyes
2. My right butt-cheek

Two things you ate today:
1. does coffee count?
2. cinnamon scone

Two people you last talked to:
1. Peachy
2. Triana

Two Things You're doing tomorrow:
1. Clean the Jeep!
2. Conquer the World!!!

Can't Live Without 'Em

I just walked through one of the main areas of our workplace and noticed something; I saw 5 people walking through and four were talking on their cell phones. The 5th person was laughing and listening to the conversation on one of the phones so they count as being a phone user.

Isn't that strange? 5 out of 5 were using a cell while they are at work. A workplace, mind you, that has banned the use of cell phones in the work areas during work hours. Obviously that rule didn't work out.

The Maintenance guys and Engineers have phones but they are the kind with the walkie-talkies. They are supposed to have them. These were Production staff.

We really can't live without cell phones anymore, can we? I wonder what we did before those thing were invented?

Your Daily Reminder - New Posts Are Below This One

Go to the left sidebar and use the link to vote for Summer. Do not pass go, do not collect $200.00. Come back and vote often.

Thank you for your cooperation. Good night. (RoboCop)


***BTW, we have managed to get our friend Summer up to the #2 spot. Good job! But we still have work to do. Keep voting so she can get that #1 spot. There's not much time left.

Simon Cowell

Does anyone else wonder why Simon still does American Idol? Besides the money, I mean. The other 2 judges and even the loser host all jump on him when he voices his opinions. Lately even the contestants give him crap. It's to the point where he can't even start talking before they are all telling him he's a jerk, he's wrong, he's mean..etc.....

I know he can be a little rough but he gives the others their say. They aren't giving him his. They just jump right on him every time. It's starting to bug me.

I don't know why he puts up with it all the time.

This is all your fault Karen. You got me interested in this show and now I'm sympathizing with Simon. Weird.

Now Aren't You Surprised?

Barry Bonds used steroids? No! Isn't that a shock?

Only if you are an idiot.

It has been so obvious that he has been using perfomance enhancing drugs for years. The new book that details his use of the stuff shouldn't be a shock to anyone. (The link to the story is right here.) Why does he still keep denying it? I'll tell you why. Because of the records he's making a mockery of that's why. He wants to be the ultimate homerun king and apparently, acccording to the book, he couldn't stand "that white boy MacGwire" being the guy. That's what sent him on his way into cheatersville.

The excuse that Baseball didn't ban steriods until 2002 doesn't work. If you can't do it naturally, then you can't do it. Barry, you suck!

They need to ban his ass from Baseball before any more damage to the stats is done. They won't though. He hits long balls and that's what the casual Baseball fan wants to see. Real Baseball people love the game for all of it's nuances and possibilities and drama.

Nope, no one should be surprised. The truth always comes out eventually.


Now isn't this an honest face?

Nope. Far from it.

I Feel A Tear Coming On

Did you ever have one of those days when you just knew things were gonna suck? Today is one of those days. I feel like today will suck.

Why do I feel that way you ask? Well, let me tell ya why; because Peachy isn't here today. I know, I know, the horror! It gets worse. She won't be here for the rest of the week either!

Is your stomach in knots yet? Is your hair standing on end now? Feel free to scream out loud if you want to. I already did.

Aside from all that I think everything else should be just fine.

But seriously, it's funny how a person gets into a routine and gets used to certain input and such during their day. It is usually weird when Peachy isn't here. I think I'm more into a routine than I know. Plus, I just like having my friend around during the day. I'm selfish like that. I wonder how it is when I'm not here?

It's OK though. I will get more work done. I think that's a plus, right? :)

The Woman King

The college in the town I just moved away from has elected a woman as Homecoming King. Yep, I said King. It has caused a bit of an uproar around town. It's even made the national news.

The college had been exclusively for women until 2 years ago when they went co-ed so I wonder if this election was a statement by the students about that issue? I dunno. I do think it's funny in a way but I am conflicted about it. I also think it's disrespectful of the Homecoming idea as well as the men at the school. But mostly I am amused. It's a liberal arts school. Who could be surprised? Today in this country, anything goes. And that isn't a great idea.

RIP Kirby

You will rarely see a Baseball uniform here other than a Yankee uniform but today is an exception to that personal rule. Kirby Puckett passed away yesterday. He was one of the Baseball greats of our time. He will be missed.

I Just Feel Like It

There is absolutely no reason for this post. I just feel like posting. So here it is, another post about nothing.

This is kinda fun, writing without any preconceived ideas, no point to make, no good inspiration except to waste a little of your time. Sorry about that Chief!

Not really sorry, BTW. I had fun. I hope you did too. Until next time then......

Happy Monday

It's a beautiful Monday morning. How's that for a different start on a Monday? I usually have a blah start on Monday mornings. Well, this morning started with Frank Sinatra and Starbuck's. An almost perfect combination so this Monday isn't quite so annoying as some.

Yesterday I went with my Uncle to a coin show. He is a big time coin collector. He has been collecting since he was a kid. He is now 77. You do the math. His collection is so huge that he literally has buckets of coins he considers worthless. Like 2 full buckets of just steel pennies from the WW2 period. Yeah.

Anyhow, I went with him just because he's fun to hang with and we perused this giant coin show. The place was packed too. Who knew it was such a big deal anyway? I didn't. It amazed me what he bought too. He bought $65.00 worth of new nickels. They were uncirculated or something like that. But they weren't all for him. He has friends who collect coins too and he gets new stuff for them. But thats a lot of money for nickles. He did get some cool old stuff he needed to fill some empty spots. I'm not really sure how he can have any more he needs but he said he did.

I did get a coin while I was there. I have this thing for silver dollars. I always have. But I saw this cool one from 1879. It was made in Carson City. I had to get it. My imagination was going crazy thinking about all the cowboys, gamblers, dance hall girls and gunslingers that had to have handled that silver dollar. So I bought it.

I don't think this is the start of a new hobby for me. I have too many now. But it is a cool coin. Anything that makes my imagination fly like that has to be cool.

Ok, I'm rambling. Time to get to work.

Sunday Sunday

Ok, I know the song is Monday Monday but I figured I wouldn't remember that tomorrow.

The new look is nearly complete. I'm liking it so far. If you are wondering about the gray color base, just remember that I am first and foremost a Yankee. It was the closest thing I could find to the Yanks away colors. I am usually only able to see the boys when they are away from Yankee Stadium, so it seemed fitting.

But if and when I can figure out how to pinstripe this blog, I will do it. :)

I love the little Yankee emblem seperators between posts. They make me happy. See, I'm easy to please... most of the time. The Bugs Yankee is a happy touch too. I felt I really needed to personalize this thing or I was going to dump it altogether. So here we are.

I do need to figure out how to make the Haloscan comments lettering bolder. It's hard to see at the bottom of the posts. But at least it's there and the comments are intact. I was worried about that. I also cannot figure out how to make the title bolder/bigger. It has been annoying trying to fund that but I will. Eventually. I hope. ;)

So Yankeebob is on it's way once again. Hopefully it will be as much fun the next couple of years as this first couple have been. Thanks to all my blogger buds for making it hard to just drop it altogether. Happy Sunday!

New Look

Ok, I finally took the time to try for a new look. Like it? I'm still working on it so bear with me. Things may change a bit more sooner than later.

Funny thing, the 'next blog' button is missing on this template and so is the link to the dashboard. Maybe I dumped it somewhere. Hmm... I'll have to go back and find it. :)

Ok, well I hope this suits my blog friends. So far, I'm cool with it.

BS Friday Answer

Good morning everyone. Here is your answer to the BS Friday story. The whole thing is true. No embellishments, no stretching the truth. I smashed up my friends car good that day.

Once it sank in what had happened and I was sure we weren’t bleeding to death I remember saying to Crash that we needed to switch seats. I was uninsured so he would get nothing out of it. That’s how we ended up with him taking the heat. It wasn’t so bad though since I paid for the car and his parents thought he paid for it. But his insurance did go up a bit.

The poor guy couldn’t get a break early in his driving career. I was so shell shocked by the incident that I didn’t drive again until I was 17.

So there you have it, another week done. Thanks again to everyone who played along. Have a great weekend

BS Friday

Welcome once again to BS Friday. I'll write it and you tell me if it's true or just plain old BS. Today's post is called: Call Me Crash

I was 15 when I had my one and only car wreck. Yep, 15 and driving without a license with a friend in his Mom's car. Nice, eh?

My friend (who's nickname was already Crash since he had totalled a car already) and I were heading to our Boss's house to party. She was the Manager of the local KFC where we worked and we had become party buddies with her and her roommate. On the way, Crash got this bright idea to stop and pick some strawberries. I can't remember why but we stopped and picked a bunch of them. We had them in these trays of cardboard sitting all around inside the car. When it was so full that only our little butts could fit inside, we decided to go. That's when Crash handed me the keys.

He said it was time for me to drive. I reminded him that I hadn't driven officially and that I didn't have a license but he insisted, so I hopped in and revved up the engine. I was game for anything back in those days.

We started out just fine. I took my time getting used to the car and things were groovy. Then we took a wrong turn. Crash started looking around and told me to stop. We had to turn around. Well, I pulled into this persons driveway and got ready to turn around when I noticed something cool. The driveway was one of those big round things that started at one side of the property, swooped around in front of the house and emptied back onto the road at the other end of the property. I looked at it for a while and then looked at Crash. He was smiling. He had the same thought I did. That round yard sure looked like the perfect place for doing donuts.

Instead of backing out, I took a hard left into the grass and started powerbraking the car. I truned the wheel hard left and the car just kept spinning in circles. We did quite a few loops and then I straightened out and we took off.

This time we headed in the right direction. At a point just before our friends house Crash started yelling at me to stop. I was saying "Why. What's wrong?" but he just kept yelling at me to stop. When I did he told me to go slowly onto this little bridge and to stop when he said. So I did. Once we were stopped he said "When I say go, just slam the pedal to the floor. You'll see how cool this bridge is." So when he said go, I slammed the pedal to the floor. The car just sat there for a while, wheels spinning and the smoke flying. Then it slowly got some traction and started forward. Suddenly it took off. It was wild to see all that white smoke in the rearview mirror.

Of course now we were traveling at a pretty high rate of speed and we were near to our friends house. Crash suddenly started yelling at me to stop again. We were close to our friends driveway. He then started pointing to the driveway that we were going to go into. Me, being the rookie driver, did what rookie drivers do. I started to slow down and my natural instinct was to lean the car that way. When I saw I had drifted too far to the right, it was too late. I tried to bring it back out onto the road but we were into the stones at the side of the road and the car wouldn't come back. I hit the brakes hard, which naturally didn't help much, and the car went into a skid. It didn't stop either. Until it hit the telephone pole right next to our friends driveway. Hit it hard.

I remember sitting there stunned. The noise when we hit was really loud. I couldn't get my thoughts straight. Then I looked over at Crash and I saw all this red color everywhere. I immediatly panicked! I thought he had been hurt bad! There was red everywhere. It looked horrible!

Turned out it was just the strawberries that had smashed all over the place when we hit. Neither of us was seriously injured. The car was. It hit right on the front corner where the frame started. Bent the crap out of it. The car was totalled.

It took months of working at KFC to pay off that debt. I paid for the car because I should not have been driving. Crash took the heat for the mess though. Not long after this incident he had another one. He was T-Boned by 2 college students when he was just driving along minding his own business. He had 3 cars totalled before he was 17 years old. None of them technically were his fault. He earned the nickname Crash.

But for one day I was the one who earned that name.

Celebrity Love Match

Spacebrain turned me on to this. You get to see how compatable with celebrities you are. It won't let me copy the graphics but I can copy the text. Check it out.

Find out which celebrities
you're most compatible with!


Naturally I'd start with Sandy. :)



Your compatibility with Sandra Bullock:

You are a butterfly flying in her patch of sunshine. You flit about her golden aura, attracted to her radiating warmth. She loves the way you move in the world, bringing new faces, places, and experiences. To her, your vivacious presence is the cat's meow. For you, she will never yield a nasty butterfly net, allowing you to fly free and light as you please. You want to be caught by this cat! Purrrfect.

My Love Meter with Sandy was "Hot Tamales!" Oh yeah!



Next had to be Jennifer. :)



Your compatibility with Jennifer Love Hewitt:

Slipping through your fingers. She is imaginative, witty, and has more identities up her sleeve than you do! She's a wonderful playmate until you notice that reality periodically leaves the building. You're frustrated when she doesn't make the connections you consider obvious. Meanwhile, you have similarly evasive strategies. You trigger her insecurity when she asks you to be her soul mate and you answer your call waiting. Cries of "Insensitivity!" are heard from Pisces everywhere.

That sounds right. Our Love Meter was "Just Friends". Too bad. She's all yours Lars.


Next up, Jessica.




Your compatibility with Jessica Alba:

Your mental appetite for change and variety is totally lost on the steadfast Bull. She admires your quick intellect; perhaps even sharing your love of debate - but your need for endless stimulation exhausts her. At the end of the day, she wants to be touched and caressed like the physical creature she is. Put your hopes for a lasting relationship to bed.

Bummer. Just Friends again.


One more, Jennifer Aniston.




Your compatibility with Jennifer Aniston:

Like lightning bugs, you two create buzz around the new and different, attracting nonstop friends, activities, and interests. Mental chemistry: you're both thinkers, and when she gets too attached to her ideas, your paradoxical twists encourage flexion. For you, her honest, direct perceptions unclutter your overthinking mind. Sexual chemistry: you're both detached, curious lovers. Her experimental ways will thrill you.

Woo Hoo! Our Love Meter went off the charts! Call the Firehouse was the rating. I need to get a ticket to L.A. right now.

See Ya!

Coffee And A Thought

Is anyone else sitting and enjoying their Irish Cream coffee? Not the cheap syrup additive but the real deal. I am. I brewed my favorite coffee, added the foamed milk with my Latte machine and then the coup de grace, a full shot and a half of genuine Baileys Irish Cream. It's the best thing for ending the day.

As I'm sitting here in the dark sipping my coffee, I can't help but think that I don't understand anything that Elton John sings about in that song Little Jeannie. Remember that one? WTF does he mean when he says "I want you to be my acrobat"? The whole thing takes on some new meaning when you think he really isn't talking about a girl.

"Be my acrobat"?

Nope, I don't even want to know.

Uhmmm... good coffee.

Fat Tuesday?

I woke up this morning and realized that I didn't really know what Fat Tuesday was. All these years with the awesome might of the internet at my fingertips I never took the time to find out. I knew that Mardi Gras was a big ass party but I still didn't get what Fat Tuesday was all about.

My first thought was "Is it this?"





Then I remembered it was a party so I thought maybe it wasn't supposed to be spelled 'FAT' but maybe 'PHAT'. That brought this to mind:




And this:



Now that is PHAT!

I figured that couldn't be right, even if I wanted it that way, so I decided to go ahead and do some research to find out just what it was all about. Imagine my surprise when I found out this:

"Mardi Gras Day is also know as Fat or Shrove Tuesday. In the not so distant past, this day was something of a "last call" before the expected reflection and abstinence of the Christian Lenten season."

Huh! Go figure. Fat Tuesday and Mardi Gras are one and the same. It is the time to let loose before being sorry for letting loose. Drunken debauchery before chastity? Weird thought, eh? I had no idea that I already had the idea... or whatever I was trying to say there. So actually today is the first day of Mardi Gras. OK, now I get it. So it really is this:





But I'll tell ya, I sure am glad that Fat Tuesday is not this:






And here is a warning for all those larger people at Mardi Gras who have a little too much to drink:




No bungee jumping!


Happy Fat Tuesday everyone.

I Am Lame

So it's Monday again. I think I've started quite a few blah Monday posts that way. That's because I am lame.

The weekend went way too fast again. I guess all the extra working I've done the past 2 weeks made me a popular guy. Not with the work crowd but with the people who missed me. That's nice but it makes for a hectic weekend.

I did something recently that caused me to feel even more lame. I was searching back through my archives for something and stopped to read a few old posts. Then I read a few more. Funny thing was, I was entertained. I liked the stuff I read. Then I tried to read more recent posts and I found that I didn't like it much. It is lame. I have become lame blog guy.

I hate lame things, especially if I am responsible for them. :)

So in honor of this revelation I am doing several things about it. First, I will find out how to change this boring ass template. I need to just take the time and do it. Second, I will delete the Yankee blog. Sorry KB, we are all ignoring that blog anyway. Besides, I am Yankeebob after all. Yankee stuff belongs here. Third, I will try to be myself again here. I have slacked off on that in order to not offend too much. (What a dip-shit.) If these things don't work out, I will be deleting this blog too. Maybe I'll turn to the dark side permanently. We'll see.

Did I mention how much I hate lame things, especially if I am responsible for them? Yeah, I did. :)

So bear with me and if you have any good suggestions as to where I can find cool templates, let me know. All the past suggestions have gone into the nether-world and I don't remember where they are.

Ok, now that that's off my chest, let's see what the day brings.....

Thought For The Day

I was just thinking about how dangerous it must have been when a caveman had gas. For us it’s just embarrassing. For them it had to be downright dangerous.

Imagine trying to hunt when the Brontosaurus burger from the previous nights dinner starts coming back on you. Letting out a little gas would surely scare away any animals you were trying to make that evenings meal. They could smell that green cloud a mile away even if it was an SBD.

Then again, letting out some gaseous fumes could also make you the hunted. A lot of predators hunted by smell. That cheesy blaster probably would lead them right to you. Imagine feeling the relief of blowing a good one only to have the feeling replaced by the fear of seeing old T-Rex sniffing you out not 20 feet away. Worse yet, if you did a noisy one, that would give your hiding place away for sure.

Yep, gas had to be a really bad thing for the cavemen & women. It could cause you to starve or be eaten.

I hadn’t thought of that before.

BS Friday Answer

Here is your BS Friday answer. The story is false. Almost all of it. My friend and I did have the leaving work problems and the parking adventures but the restaurant was open and everything after parking went just fine.

The remainder of the story was actually from a Seinfeld episode called “The Fire”. It was Kramer that had that adventure. It is one of my favorite Kramer stories. The way he tells it is hilarious! (I have added the original script at the bottom of this post.)

Jen caught me on it, after she had already guessed right. But she was cool and sent me an email about it and didn't comment even though she knew the truth. Thanks Jen. Summer & Awna almost had it all right. Aoife had it too. Jarod just cracked me up! I guess everyone is onto the whole half true – half false thing.

BTW Lars, Peachy did play along a little. At first she didn’t know for sure but later I let her in on it and she just went along.

All in all, this was a fun one. Thanks again to everyone who played. Tune in again next week for more shenanigans. :)




Kramer: After he heckled Toby, she got so upset she ran out of the building and a street sweeper ran over her foot and severed her pinky-toe."
George: "That's unbelievable!"
Kramer: "Yeah, then after the ambulance left, I found the toe. So, I put it in a Cracker Jack box, filled it with ice and took off for the hospital."
Jerry: "You ran?"
Kramer: "No, I jumped on the bus. I told the driver, 'I got a toe here buddy. Step on it!'"
George: "Holy cow!"
Kramer: "Yeah yeah, then all of a sudden this guy pulls out a gun. Well, I knew any delay's gonna cost her her pinky-toe, so I got out of the seat and I started walking towards him. He says, 'Where do you think you're going, Cracker Jack?' I says, 'Well, I got a little prize for you, buddy.' Pwaa! Pwaa! Keeyah! Knocked him out cold!"
George: "How could you do that?"
Kramer: "Yeah, then everybody is screaming because the driver, he's passed out because of all the commotion. The bus is out of control! So I grab him by the collar, I take him out of the seat, I get behind the wheel... Now I'm driving the bus!"
George: "You're Batman."
Kramer: "Yeah, I am Batman. Then the mugger, he comes to and he starts choking me. So, I'm fighting him off with one hand and I kept driving the bus with the other. Then I managed to open up the door and I kicked him out the door with my foot at the next stop."
Jerry: "You kept making all the stops?"
Kramer: "Well, people kept ringing the bell!"
George: "What about the toe? What happened to the toe?"
Kramer: "Well, I am happy to say that the little guy is back in place at the end of the line."
George: "You did all this for a pinky-toe?"
Kramer: "Well, it's a valuable appendage."
- Kramer, George and Jerry, in "The Fire"

BS Friday

Welcome once again to BS Friday. I'll write it and you tell me if it's true or just plain old BS. Today's post is called: Batman I Am


This post is a little different because this just happened yesterday. It's very fresh in my mind. I still can't believe it happened to me.

I left work early yesterday with a friend. We had planned this excursion several days ago and I was really psyched. Well, the first hint I should have taken that this was going to be a different kind of day was when I met her at her desk and she was called away for a 'minute'. Yeah, you guessed it. That minute became 45 minutes. I had gone back to my desk to do some things while I waited. Finally she called and when I went to meet her, she was gone again. Luckily this time she only took 5 minutes.

We went downtown to her favorite Indian restaurant for a quick lunch. We finally managed to find a parking spot and squeezed the SUV into it. When I went to put money into the meter I found that it was broken. Nothing I did could make it work so we had to go and find another parking spot. Tickets in the city are really expensive.

So finally we got to the restaurant and they were closed. Figures. My friend was totally bummed and when she turned to go back across the street she didn't notice the city workers coming at us. She stepped off the curb before I could stop her and a street sweeper ran over her foot. It was a shock! Worse yet, it had severed her pinky-toe.

So I called 911 and stayed with her until they came. There was blood everywhere! It was gross. Then after the ambulance left, I found the toe! So, I put it in a Cracker Jack box I found laying there, filled it with ice from the CVS and took off for the hospital.

Of course I didn't have her keys with me so I had to jump on the bus to get there. I raised such a commotion catching the bus that the driver asked me what my problem was. I told the driver, "I got a toe here buddy. Step on it!"

Everything is cool for a few minutes but then all of a sudden this guy pulls out a gun. He's gonna try and rob the bus. Well, I knew any delay's gonna cost my friend her pinky-toe, so I got out of the seat and I started walking towards him. He says, "Where do you think you're going, Cracker Jack?" I said, "Well, I got a little prize for you, buddy." Pwaa! Pwaa! Keeyah! I knocked him out cold! It's amazing what adreneline can do for you.

I thought we were OK but now everybody is screaming. I look around and see that the driver, he's passed out because of all the commotion. The bus is out of control!

So I grab the driver by the collar, I take him out of the seat, I get behind the wheel... and now I'm driving the bus!"

Then all of a sudden the mugger, he comes to and he starts choking me. So, I'm fighting him off with one hand and I kept driving the bus with the other. Then I managed to open up the door and I kicked him out the door with my foot at the next
stop. I had to keep making the stops because people kept ringing the bell.

Anyway, to make a long story short(er), I am happy to say that the little toe is back in place at the end of the line where it belongs. It looks like she will be just fine. I'm glad too. That toe is a valuable appendage.

So that was my 'fun afternoon off'. Not exactly as we had planned but we now have a good story to tell the Grandkids.

L.A Story

For the record, here is the actual quote from L.A. Story that I edited for our coffee party. I still think it was a fun party Meritt. :)


Guy with neck-support: I'll have a decaf coffee.
Trudi: I'll have a decaf espresso.
Movie critic: I'll have a double decaf cappuccino.
Policeman: Give me decaffeinated coffee ice cream.
Harris: I'll have a half double decaffeinated half-caf, with a twist of lemon.
Trudi: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Guy with neck-support: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Movie critic: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Cynthia: I'll have a twist of lemon.

This is another one of my favorite quotes:

"Why is it that we don't always recognize the moment when love begins but we always know when it ends?"

Good question eh? The movie is full of funny stuff and also moments that make you think. Check it out if you haven't seen it yet.

Here is a link to a lot of the movie's quotes, if you are interested.

Coffee At Meritt's

Meritt: (Standing in her back yard.) Thanks everyone for your help with the Italy trip. How 'bout some coffee?


YB: I'll have a half double decaffeinated half-caf.
Jody: I'll have a decaf coffee.
Kim: I'll have a decaf espresso.
Lars: I'll have a double decaf cappuccino.
Momtomadi: Give me decaffeinated coffee ice cream.
SuZan: A decaf latte with whipped cream for me.
Jarod: I'll have the Caramel Macchaito. Hold the caramel.
YB: I'll also have a twist of lemon.
Jody: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Kim: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Lars: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Katy: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Jarod: I'll have a twist of lemon.
SuZan: I'll have a twist of lemon.
Momtomadi: I'll have a cherry for the ice cream.


Meritt: First, I don't do decaf and second, this isn't Starbuck's or L.A. Now, how 'bout some coffee? Just coffee.

Everyone: OK. Do you still have lemon?
Momtomadi: And that cherry?

Meritt: (walking inside her house) *sigh* *grumble..grumble..YB..grumble..instigator..grumble...*sigh*

I'm Following Again

I got this from Peachy. Surprisingly it seems to be pretty accurate. Neat!

Your Five Factor Personality Profile

Extroversion: You have high extroversion. You are outgoing and engaging, with both strangers and friends. You truly enjoy being with people and bring energy into any situation. Enthusiastic and fun, you're the first to say "let's go!" Conscientiousness: You have low conscientiousness. Impulsive and off the wall, you don't take life too seriously. Unfortunately, you sometimes end up regretting your snap decisions. Overall, you tend to lack focus, and it's difficult for you to get important things done. Agreeableness: You have medium agreeableness. You're generally a friendly and trusting person. But you also have a healthy dose of cynicism. You get along well with others, as long as they play fair. Neuroticism: You have low neuroticism. You are very emotionally stable and mentally together. Only the greatest setbacks upset you, and you bounce back quickly. Overall, you are typically calm and relaxed - making others feel secure. Openness to experience: Your openness to new experiences is high. In life, you tend to be an early adopter of all new things and ideas. You'll try almost anything interesting, and you're constantly pushing your own limits. A great connoisseir of art and beauty, you can find the positive side of almost anything.

The Five Factor Personality Test

Too Funny!

I had to post this one. It is so funny to me!







I think I work with that guy!

Question Of The Day

How do you know when you are in love?

There is a really big difference between love and infatuation even though at the beginning they feel the same. I just want to know how a person knows when it's love.

We all know all about lust. That one is easy. Tell me how you know when it's love. (And please, no bad Foreigner song lyrics.)


".....remember only this, a kiss may not be the truth, but it is what we wish were true."

I Am Consistent

Tonight I stopped for gas on the way home. There were these two older gents talking at the pumps next to me and they were quite annoying. They were the kind that obviously knew something about everything and they were really going at it. Real loud preaching type stuff about the government, war… all kinds of things. They had all the answers.

It was really irritating me. I have had quite a few long days and I’m a little punchy.
So they started inside to pay (who doesn’t pay at the pump anymore?) still jabbering real loud and out of nowhere I hear a voice say “Would you just shut the f&%$ up!” Funny, that voice sure sounded familiar.

Yeah, it was mine.

The one guy sort of paused and glanced my way but thankfully they kept going. I breathed a sigh of relief. I really didn’t want to be a jerk to total strangers. I was happy that I got away with that one. I thought I had anyway.

As I pumped my gas in silence I thought I heard someone giggling. I turned to investigate the sound and that’s when I realized that I hadn’t checked out the pump directly behind me. I peeked around the corner and was surprised to see a really old woman finishing up with her gas purchase. She was still giggling a little but when I peeked around the corner she full out laughed at me. I just smiled and went back to my side.

At least she found it amusing and didn’t give me a speech about my bad manners.

Another Cool Quiz

Thanks to the quiz I got from Summer I noticed a Buffy quiz too so I had to take that. It decided that I am most like Faith. That is very cool! I can identify with her character. She has all the fun but is a stand up hero in the end. That's the way to live. Here are the results:

Faith

72% amorality, 90% passion, 45% spirituality, 36% selflessness
Faith is a powerhouse, and you might be, too. Passion-driven, down-to-earth, and willing to do what it takes to get things done and have a good time doing them, she is tough and sexy. Now, this test didn't rate your sexiness, but with these kinds of traits, that's probably true as well.

You rate as one of the most dynamic characters of the Buffy universe.

Congratulations!



Now tell me you could resist her! Well, maybe you women will have to imagine a manly version. :)

*Updated: I added the link.

I'm A Nerd?

I got this quiz from Summer. It took a little time but it is funny. I guess I'm a "Modern, Cool Nerd". I think I don't mind that. I think so anyway.... Here are the results:

Modern, Cool Nerd
52 % Nerd, 73% Geek, 30% Dork
For The Record:

A Nerd is someone who is passionate about learning/being smart/academia.
A Geek is someone who is passionate about some particular area or subject, often an obscure or difficult one.
A Dork is someone who has difficulty with common social expectations/interactions.
You scored better than half in Nerd and Geek, earning you the title of: Modern, Cool Nerd.

*Updated: Check out the link.

Nerds didn't use to be cool, but in the 90's that all changed. It used to be that, if you were a computer expert, you had to wear plaid or a pocket protector or suspenders or something that announced to the world that you couldn't quite fit in. Not anymore. Now, the intelligent and geeky have eked out for themselves a modicum of respect at the very least, and "geek is chic." The Modern, Cool Nerd is intelligent, knowledgable and always the person to call in a crisis (needing computer advice/an arcane bit of trivia knowledge). They are the one you want as your lifeline in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (or the one up there, winning the million bucks)!

Congratulations!

The Highwayman Revisited…..

...or the continuing saga of the morning commute.

This morning we find our hero, The Highwayman, traveling his well known perilous route of destiny when he suddenly is accosted by one of the worst menaces on the road; Slow Pokerson, the slowest driver around. It wouldn’t be so bad if the Highwayman had run into SP somewhere on the main highway, but the first part of the commute is a one lane road with rarely a passing zone to be seen. Also there was the small problem of having several cars between our hero and the menace of Slow Pokerson. Zounds! What will our hero do?

Unlike many normal road racers, our hero never panics. Calling on his customary cool, calm demeanor, our hero knows his route well and when he sees that the pseudo-funeral line of slow pokes all turn onto the main access road to a connecting highway, the Highwayman quickly darts to the right onto a longer but possibly more advantageous route. The Highwayman needs all his years of experience and guile to maneuver around the sharp turns and tight S curve without slowing down. This has to be a perfect maneuver to pull it off properly. As our hero blasts his way down the mountain road he looks to his left and sees the Slow Pokerson led line has not made it to the highway quite yet. He smiles the smile of the satisfied as he passes by SP at the stop, a tear streaking SP’s cheek as he realizes his prey has avoided him once again.

But the Highwayman’s satisfaction is not long lived. Shortly he comes upon a tiny little Kia fully loaded with big hoodlum looking types stuffing the entire interior of the hard working import. They all have on doo-rags and/ or baseball caps turned at all different angles. The little car is laboring with the effort of hauling this gang of hoods around the mountain and the Highwayman feels a little bad for it. But not enough to embarrass its hoodlum driver when he gets his chance. Knowing that at the top of the next hill there is a small passing zone and that the little car cannot possibly keep the pace uphill with all that weight inside, the Highwayman steels himself for yet another skilled maneuver. He accelerates early and at the precise instant the passing zone comes within range, he jets around the hoodlum mobile and leaves them in the dust. As our hero looks into his rear-view mirror at the glittering gold-toothed grimace of the head hoodlum he finds himself wondering if they know why baseball caps are designed the way they are. Those guys don’t seem to know how to properly place them on their heads. Hmmm…

Our hero finally makes it to the main highway and peacefully and uneventfully proceeds to his one and only stop on the way, his personal refueling station called Starbuck’s. He is welcomed warmly by Rebecca of Sunnybrook who is already preparing his warm elixir of morning life without even asking. She knows his trials and how important her service is to the weary road warriors of the world. With a smile and a free sample of a new Daisy decorated cupcake, Rebecca sends the Highwayman back out onto the road, fueled up and ready for anything.

Our hero finds the driving on the highway this day much to his liking. There are few enemies on the road. He smiles and raises his Grande Latte in a silent toast to whatever fat-cat politician decided that the poor government workers needed another day off and made this day a holiday. Some people appreciate holidays for totally different reasons.

The Highwayman proceeds ahead, cruise control locked on, all systems operating at maximum efficiency, straight ahead, steady course, once again feeling the calm satisfaction of surviving the morning commute. Once again defeating the enemies on the road, the Highwayman prepares to face the day knowing he has a momentary respite from the enemies of the highway, until another time...........

Tune in again next time for the continuing saga of, The Morning Commute.

Kinda Worn Down

It's been a long weekend. Not the good kind of long. The shutdown at work is when we technical types get our hands on the critical equipment that is normally out of our reach during regular business days. So we get to come in and work with the stuff until the job gets done. You get the OK, you do the project, you get it done and you get up and running again. It makes for long days. Days are longer when they are supposed to be weekend days.

The cool thing is that since it's the weekend the place is all ours. No one calling with a problem. No one stopping you in the halls with questions. No "Oh shits" to handle asap. Just get in and do your thing. I like that. It kinda makes me wish I always worked off hours. Almost.

Tomorrow is our last day of this type of freedom, if you can call it that. It's been hectic and very busy but when it's hectic and all those annoying co-workers are back, it will be hectic and frustrating. So even though it's a holiday I won't mind too much. Plus, it will be a Starbuck's morning. How can that be bad?

I thought I'd have more blog time around starting different projects but the reality is that I have had less time. Thats not something I had expected.

Tomorrow should be fun. I hope everyone has had a great weekend. I'm off to try and catch up now.

BS Friday Answer

Time for the answer to the BS Friday post. This week we had quite a few differing opinions. I like that. Jody, I think you played it right this time. I really can't tell if you think it's BS or not. Either way it looks like you will get it right. Smooth. :)

OK, the story is true. It was a really fun time and I love doing things like that. I couldn't have had a better set-up if I was on a TV Sitcom. I have since done that type of BS a few more times. Mostly when I would take one of my spontaneous weekend trips to the beach. I would rarely let people know who I really was. It was fun in a weirdo kind of way.

Funny, I never called any of those numbers I got. I hadn't thought about that before now.

Now I get to work over the weekend. Yay for me. It is a rare thing but here I am and I'll be here through the whole weekend. Even the holiday on Monday. So I guess I'll be tuning in more than usual for a weekend. I hope everyone else is having fun.

BTW, one happy thing about working the weekend, I am on my second Starbuck's. Whee! I raised a toast to you Meritt when I had the first. I have no idea why. Starbuck's makes me think of my Coffee Talking friend I guess. :)

Some Dentists Don't Care

I just had a mini-conversation with a friend via text messaging and we inadvertantly discovered that some Dentists don't care as much as others.

Yes, Dentists again. Bear with me.

Remember that old ad that stated "4 out of 5 Dentists surveyed recommend sugarless gum for their patients who chew gum"? Well, if that were true then 1 out of 5 or 20% of the Dentists don't care about rotting your teeth with real gum.

I think they are the smart ones. Keeps them in business.

BS Friday

Welcome once again to BS Friday. You know the drill, I’ll write it and you tell me if it’s true or just plain old BS. Today’s post is called: Slut For A Night


A few years ago I was invited to go to a friend’s 5 year high school reunion. She and her fiancé (who happened to be my best friend) were going. It wasn’t the big formal wing-ding. In this area the reunions span a whole 3 day weekend. The first night to kick things off they start out with a social gathering at one of the local bars. It’s a nice place, a bit upscale. Back in those days I never turned down a party invite and the people at the reunion got their first 2 drinks free, so off we went, straight from work.

When we got there we had to sign in to get our name tags and our free drink coupons. My friends signed in and when they got to me and asked my name, I told them the truth; I was just tagging along. The girl doing the name badges laughed and said I must be a party slut. I told her that she had no idea how accurate that was. Then, since it was a private thing, my friend BS’d them and told them I had graduated with them. They asked my name again and I was about to tell them when the girl reached out and stuck a name badge onto my chest. All it said was ‘The Slut’. We all got a kick out of that and she started making a new one but I stopped her. I told her I’d just keep the ‘true’ one.

That became the highlight of the party. You see, it had occurred to me that I had a very unique opportunity. I was at a party where not too many people really knew me. They all had been drinking for a couple of hours before we arrived and they all had name badges. Real ones. The light bulb in my head told me that this had all the makings of a great evening. Besides, I got free drinks. Gotta love that.

So we mingled. I truthfully don’t remember all the conversations I had but that name tag sure got me noticed. I do remember bumping into this one guy and I started acting like I had known him all my life. His name was Kevin (name badges are cool!) and when we bumped I said “Hey Kevin! It’s been a long time bud!” He looked me over and laughed at my name badge then mentioned that I didn’t look familiar. I said, “C’mon man. Don’t you remember that party around Homecoming? We had a blast!” (I knew everybody partied around Homecoming) He said “Do you mean that bonfire? Out at 'so and so’ field?” Me; “Yeah, now you’ve got it. I was worried that you had forgotten that night.” And so the conversation went. He ‘remembered’ all the crazy stuff we had done together. He remembered a lot of stuff that obviously didn’t happen but it sure sounded like fun. I'm sorry I missed it. ;)

Later I was at the bar and there was a beautiful blond girl nearby. I looked over and said “Hey Cindi.” She looked at me like she didn’t know me. Surprise! :) I said, “You don’t remember me do you? All those years in the same school and all the times we partied together. I’m bummed.” She got all sympathetic and said she was sorry but she didn’t remember me. I said “Don’t you remember that time at Tammy and Brenda’s party? When that guy had treated you so bad?” (I had seen her talking to those 2 mutual friends of ours. She didn’t know me but we did know them. I just guessed that some guy had treated her badly.) She said “That was you?” I smiled and said, “Yep that was me. I think it’s the beard throwing you off. I didn’t have it in school. Besides, I wouldn’t forget you. No one else in school spelled Cindi with an I.” That did it. Instantly she and I were long lost friends and she had missed me soooo much. We spent quite a bit of time ‘catching up’ and eventually I got her number.

That was how the whole evening went. I floated in and out of ‘old friends’ lives all night. I got a few numbers. I had many many free drinks. Sometimes people really didn’t remember me and that was OK. There were plenty of people who did. I felt right at home. The friends who brought me there got a huge kick out of ‘The Party Slut’. Still to this day the story comes up when get together. I’m famous for knowing no one but everyone. What a slut.

Whistle While You Work...

I was walking across the parking lot earlier when I noticed that I was whistling. It was a happy tune but I couldn't remember what it was. It drove me nuts for about an hour before it came to me; I was whistling the theme from The Smurfs.

Wtf? Who whistles the Smurfs music?

Apparently I do.

My Final Dentist Visit, For Now

My trip to the Dentist on Valentine's Day was interesting. Interesting in that it was vey quick and not what I had expected. Did everyone but me know that in order to get a tooth fixed and capped it takes 3 seperate visits? I didn't know that and when I mention it to someone they look at me like I'm a dope. In defense of me, it was my first cap/crown... whatever you want to call it.

So after all the previous visits that took at least 45 minutes to an hour, this time I was in and out in less than 30. 15 minutes in the chair. It was pretty anti-climactic. I was kind of disappointed in a way. At least I didn't get those damn needles in my gums again.

The best part of the visit was when the Dental assistant and the Dentist were talking about when the first X-Ray in history was done. The Assistant was sure that it was performed in 1492. The Dentist told her that she had X-Rays and Columbus mixed up. But she kept insisting that the first one was done in 1492. The Dentist was getting a little flustered. I was trying not to laugh and for a change it wasn't too hard for me. I had a mouth full of gauzy stuff so I managed. But it was funny.

For the record, the first XRay was accidentally done on 8 Nov, 1895, by Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen. The whole thing took off from there. The Doc was very close in his estimate. The Assistant must not have realized that XRays need electricity. The whole thing was funny but made me a bit wary of her messing around with my teeth. What else does she have misconstrued?

Does everyones Dentist also give you crap about flossing? Mine does. But I have never flossed. Ever. If I needed to, wouldn't I have seen some kind of difficulty before now? I think so. That's what I told them. The Doc didn't really know what to say to that so I take it as a victory for me. I have only two problem teeth and they are the same two that eventually everyone has break down when they get older. I'm not worried.

So I'm finally done with the Dentist. For now at least. In 6 months, we'll see. Maybe I'll just wait another 4 years before going back again.

Wtf-ever

Bleeeech!

Sometimes AI makes me sick!










Thanks. That was fun. :)

What Would John Wayne Think?

So now that Brokeback Mountain is a hit, Willie Nelson (gah! it creeps me out just writing that name!) has released a song about cowboys being gay. I guess the timing is right. Some lyrics: "A small town don't like it when a cowboy has feelings for men," and "I believe to my soul that inside every man there's the feminine."

Seems like another American icon is falling by the wayside. The Cowboy was pretty much the manliest of men. Not after this year is over.

I have to wonder what John Wayne would say about all this 'gay cowboy' stuff. I'll bet he's rolling over in his grave.

Break Up Day

Today is the #1 break-up day of the year. I didn't know that until I heard it in the news this morning. The day after Valentines Day is the time most break-ups occur. When people who really don't want to be together finally call it quits.

I wonder why? Why would people wait until Valentine's is over? Why wouldn't they avoid the sham of it all? It seems to me that the time just before Christmas would be better. Then you avoid all the Christmas shopping, the New Years Eve parties with someone you really don't want to be with and eventually the Valentine's Day stuff.

I've heard of people breaking up just before one or other person's birthday. I knew a guy who did that twice in high school. I think he wanted to save some cash for whoever was next in line. Yes, he was and still is a jerk.

So I guess today could be kind of a sad day. Unless you are doing the breaking up. Then it may feel liberating. But the whole idea weirds me out a little. The day after the most romantic day of the year should be spent in the afterglow. Not hitting the road. Personally I like afterglow. It's a warm fuzzy that lasts a while. Or at least it should. And I don't get many warm fuzzies anymore.

So if you are feeling like you are in the wrong relationship, don't end it today. Don't add to the sad statistics. Break the chain, be a rebel, go against the flow, be different..... wait and dump the loser tomorrow. :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek it's own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.



Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Monday's Suck

Why do Monday's suck so badly on Blogger? Where is everyone?

Maybe I Should Stop Talking

Earlier today I was talking with someone and they noticed that I had the sniffles. Nothing serious, just a slight sniffle. She asked if I was OK and I answered, "Yeah, I think my nose just needs a blow job." Silence.

I didn't even mean to say anything like that.

Then I was talking with someone else about lunch. I said in passing that I had Beef Stroganoff. They looked at me funny and said, "What were you doing?" Apparently we were supposed to be talking about the weekend not what we had for lunch. My short attention span got me again. Nice.

I think I'll keep more quiet the rest of the afternoon.

Johari Window

I got this idea from Summer. It's called a Johari Window. It's a way to see if my blog friends see me as I see myself. Go here to pick the 5 traits that you think I have. Then we'll compare.

Oh, and be kind, OK? :)

BS Friday Answer

I'm finally able to get onto the blog for the answer to the BS Friday story. The story is all true. Surprised Jody? It seems like I have surprised you a few times lately.

I worked at the Humane Society for almost 6 years. It's a tough place to be. I went there because of my love for animals. After dealing with an idiotic and uncaring public, killing a few thousand anilmals a year and trying to be the best Animal Cruelty Investigator I could be but finding out that no one cared about that either, I got burnt out. I was in my mid 20's, developing an ulcer and developing a real bad attitude. I walked away from that job with no other job, no savings and no prospects. It was one of the best feelings I ever had the day I left.

That Chow dog got me in about my 2nd year. It taught me some valuable lessons. Most importantly that not all of the animals that came through those doors could be saved. We had so many coming in that I needed to learn when to try and save one and when to ignore the pain in my gut when their time came. It sucked. I do not miss it.

It took weeks to recover from the attack. My friend and co-worker was hurt pretty badly too. It took him some extra time to recover. I have a picture somewhere of me all bandaged up about a week after the attack. I'll post it when I find it.

All in all, it was a good time in my life. I have volunteered many many hours since leaving. I even won volunteer of the year once for putting in the most hours. That happened a couple years after I had left and started my BioTech career. I was much better mentally and emotionally then.

So there you have it. Another one for the books. Thanks once again to those who played along. It's been real. ;)

Peachy Thinks I'm A Dork

She really does. Just because I do not understand some people's need to breed. Having kids is a foreign thought to me and I just don't get it.

"Not that there's anything wrong with that!" I don't think there is. I just do not get it.

I'm not sure if I understand adoption less or if I can appreciate it more. I could see it because you don't ruin your body when you adopt. But you still have the same result in the end; permanent heartache.

Obviously I do think about it a lot.

Ah, well. There are just some mysteries of the universe that some of us were never meant to understand. Count me in that crowd.

BS Friday

Welcome once again to BS Friday. I'll write it and you tell me if it's real or just plain old BS. Today's Post is called: Off With His Head!

My first real job out of high school was with the Humane Society. I started out there as a kennel worker, worked my way into the Shelter Manager's position and eventually became the first officially recognized Animal Cruelty Investigator for the county. It was a good job but one that will give you ulcers way before your time.

Anyway, my first year there was a learning experience to say the least. One of the hardest lessons came at the hands, or I should say teeth, of a Chinese Chow Chow. Let's just say he took me to school for real.

This particular Chow was brought into the shelter by its owner just because he was tired of having him. It's bad enough when someone does that to their pet but if you know dogs and understand Chows in general, you know what a problem this can be. For the most part, a Chinese Chow is a one person dog. They grow up and become bonded to one person and they are loyal and dedicated to that person pretty much forever. When someone decides to just toss one away after raising it from a puppy, the poor thing is lost, sometimes permanently.

That's what happened here. The guy had raised this Chow from a pup and it only liked him. When he left, the dog became unapproachable. It would calmly look at you as you went by its cage but if you looked like you were heading its way it attacked the cage door trying to get to you. It was a sight to see!

We had to keep it penned in a secure, private area away from the public. We didn't want to just put it to sleep right away without giving it a chance so we did try to teach him that people were OK. I spent hours in front of that cage trying to befriend that dog. For nearly 2 weeks the poor thing wouldn't let anyone near it. After a long time and lots of patience I slowly started to get through.

I don't remember just how long I worked with him but eventually I was able to get inside the cage and groom him and sit with him. Not long after that I decided he needed some exercise, so I got a leash and got him to go outside for a walk. It was a nice day and he acted like he was enjoying himself immensely. Little did I know. You see, I didn't count on the breed's loyalty to one person. I also didn't count on my 'new friend' being a total actor. I paid for it.

Once he was outside and had taken a nice walk complete with a dump and whiz, he started digging his paws into the ground and kicking clods of turf back like a bull does. I thought it was funny. Turns out that is a sign of dominance and aggressiveness. Next thing I knew the dog turned and looked at me, bared his teeth and started growling in a very menacing manner. If you’ve never been stared at by a Chow baring it’s tteth and looking like he wants to eat you, you just haven’t lived!

Suddenly he leaped up on me, snapping and growling, trying to get at my throat. Luckily I had quick reflexes and all he got was my hand as I blocked his attack. But a Chow is bred for fighting and he got that hand and didn’t let go. He tried to pull it off of me. I fell backwards and he still was on top of me, shaking his head violently trying to get his 5 finger meal. I started punching him in the nose as hard as I could. Soon enough that worked and he left go but he didn’t stop attacking. He grabbed my elbow an ripped it to shreds. Nothing I did stopped the beast. I tried to back away and get inside. I was hurting too badly at this point to fight plus I was now a one armed combatant.

I managed to get to the steps but he knocked me down again. Somehow he ripped my jeans to pieces right behind the knees. The jeans and the legs. I got inside and when the Shelter Director saw that I was leaking red stuff profusely all over the place, she immediately helped me try to stop the bleeding.

Eventually I ended up in the hospital. I had some surgery on the hand and stitches on the elbow and legs. While I was there they brought in one of my coworkers with injuries too. He was a hero. Some people had pulled up to come inside to look around and the damn Chow was still lurking outside. It jumped right into the back of the car and was drooling all over some kids when the guy grabbed the still attached leash and drug it out. Of course the dog ripped him up a little too.

It was a loooong day. The Directors husband ended up having to come by with his gun and shoot the dog. It couldn’t be restrained. I got back to the shelter late in the evening for one specific reason. You may ask wtf I was doing going back after all that so I’ll tell you. Back then the only way to test an animal for rabies was to cut off its head and send it, brain intact, to a lab for testing. I stood by, all gimpy and one handed, just to make sure the head was chopped and I could rest easy knowing it was done. A little vindictive but more so for the comfort of being sure it was done.

To this day I can’t stand even seeing a Chow on the streets.