This just in (a few hours ago)...

In keeping with tradition - given that today is solely dedicated to the tradition of celebrating the fact that we as a nation are free from the tyranny of British Rule! (Hey, look it up! - That's how this holiday weekend got started!), I have made it a point to follow (all-beit loosely over the years) the ever-popular annnual Nathan's Hot Dog eating contest held at Nathan's in Coney Island every July 4th.

This year, Joey Chestnut again beat his arch-rival Takeru Kobayashi, 68 - 64.5 - both setting personal best records, and Chestnut breaking his own former world record. The 10 minute contest featured 19 contestants, but the two of them easily beat out the others - making it an interesting show between two bitter rivals. This was American, Joey Chestnut's third win in a row - securing the coveted Yellow Mustard Belt for yet another year.

Hot, Humid, Buggy, Monday Blues.....

I went outside this mornin'

'bout 6:30 a.m.

Next thing I know, I got skeeters and flies

Suckin' life outta my neck

It was hot and muggy and damp

As I got into my van

Them skeeters hadn't had their fill

Cause they chased me outta town

I got the Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo, Mo...

Hot, Humid, Buggy Monday Bluuuuueeeesssss!

I must have had....... muuusic lessons...

This is CLASSIC!

Do me a favor and forget my name....

This cracks me up just thinking about it. Stick around till the end...

Does it have to mean something?

Soo,

I am probably overthinking this one a bit. Help me out here. I've become a little more reflective lately. This is a good thing (I think) as I have usually been the kind of person who doesn't notice much - really. There was a time in the notso distant past when I didn't realize my wife had cut and colored her hair for at least two days. I just knew she looked really great - I didn't think about how or why. So, yeah.... where was I? Back to overthinking things.

Speakiing of haircuts - I got a really bad one on Friday. I actually had to get scissors out and even things up around my ears when I got home. I then proceeded to get out my beard trimmer and accidently hacked a huge swath of fur out of my goatee! Yep. For those who know me - I have only shaved this thing twice in the last 12 1/2 years - for work both times. I started growing it while at Fuller Seminary the day my son Bryce was born (3/12/96). Not only do I feel naked without it - but now I'm reflecting on why I have worn it for so long. Woe is me! Now for the reflecting and possible overthinking part. Here goes...

• Why did I grow it in the first place? Am I hiding something? (except for a very pronounced set of jowls and a swell cleft in my chin?


• Do I grow it back, or go naked for awhile? (Actually, according to Beth - I think its coming back - real soon!)

The point of all of this - (Yes Virginia, there is a point here). I don't ever want to do something even as minor as growing facial hair, unless I am willing to do some self-examination in the process. Here's some of what I mean.:

• How important is style to me? I don't want to get caught up in being "stylish" or trendy for trendy's sake.


• Neither do I want to let myself go to the point where I don't care. I think both extremes are a bad testimony. I usually err on the side of letting myself go a bit.


• Also, the question of whether I am hiding something, or rather - hiding from something is a valid one. Do I somehow feel more comfortable with a little bit of fur between me and the rest of the world? Why?

Maybe this is a bit overanalytical (probably so), but I think it is healthy to do some self-examination once in awhile. So, I've been asking myself these questions - and pondering. Maybe there's something to it.....the goatee. Maybe I grew it as a statement of rebellion - or wanting to hide, or feeling the need for a barrier or cushion between myself and the rest of the cold, prickly world.

Or, maybe (most importantly), it could just be that my wife likes it. (She does!)

A Classic if there ever was one!

Just because...

I thought I'd do a little interview in light of the fact that it's halloween and all.

Now, without further ado, may I introduce our beloved Herman Munster.


Herman: Thank you, so much. Ho, hohohohohoho!



Thought: So, tell me Herman. What do you think of Halloween these days? It's gotta be a BIG night for you and your family, right?

Herman: Well, to tell you the truth, Steve - I never really give it much thought. Ho,hohohoho! I mean, I love all the kids, and handing out candy and stuff - but quite frankly, I could do without it.

T: What do you mean?



Herman: Well, it's just all the costumes and mischeif and stuff. Don't get me wrong, I love a good party and all - but some of these costumes are a bit over the top if you ask me. Pret-ty scary! I mean, as a parent it's just something I can't condone. They ought to be ashamed of themselves for traumatizing all those little kids, and giving them nightmares.

T: Well, it seems a little ridiculous that you should be upset about the scary costumes that little kids are wearing these days - aren't the costumes you and your family wear a little over the top too?

Herman: What costumes?

T: Uh, well - there was that one episode where you wore a cowboy get-up - ewwwww.... scary...

Herman: Oh, I remember that one...... Ho, hohohohohohoho! Too funny!!!!!



T: Well,that's all the time we have today. Thank you Mr. Munster - and to everyone out there - have a safe and happy Halloween!

I always kinda knew...

So - it now comes as no surprise as to why I have low blood pressure. I should have known all along: Read all about it here.

Because I can...

O.K. - so I am very glad to be in touch (sort of in touch that is...) with my friend David Mosley again. He suggested I check this version of this song out - I liked it - here it is:)





(Sorry, this isn't a *video* - but it sure is a swell picture, don'tcha think?)

Everyone needs a good laugh once in awhile...

This is one of our favorite "clean" comedians - Daren Streblow. Enjoy. If you liked him check out Team Polycarp for another guy we like - Taylor Mason.

The music in my head...

Soo, here's a little something to check out. I have always liked this song for some sick reason. I mean, c'mon - Kermit is the MAN! (frog) So, I thought I'd take some time to learn this tune - jazz it up a little, have some fun.... But NOW I can't get the song out of my head. So, if you are brave - or just sick and twisted like me - hit play, sit back and enjoy the music if you dare.

But, BEWARE! The melody is haunting and it will stay with you for a long, long time. (Bwa ha ha ha ha!)




BTW - I was really having fun learning this song until I ran across a youtube video of THIS GUY doing the same song. I got a little discouraged.

(Honestly, I could probably keep up on guitar - but vocally compared to him I sound more like the frog...)


So, I gave up - for now. But I still just can't get it outta my head!!!!!!

I don't like what I'm hearing....

So, I just wanted to share a few thoughts about what I've heard lately.


In a recent interview on Good Morning America, Joe Biden is on the record saying:


"We want to take money and put it back in the pocket of middle-class people,”... “It’s time to be patriotic … time to jump in, time to be part of the deal, time to help get America out of the rut."


Again, let me just say for the record, this election has been a difficult one for me to stomach. I have had a really hard time not just sticking my head in the sand and praying the whole thing will be over with. I usually like to get behind someone - to believe in someone or something. I am glad to see our country getting past the race issue, and closing the gender gap. I think its' all wonderful stuff. That being said, what I am hearing lately is just the same old dirty tricks, mass manipulation and labeling that has gotten us where we are today.



As I mentioned a few days ago - it looks like the candidate for "change" is doing the same old stuff. I think that Obama is a likeable guy, I just can't support him. Aside from the Pro-choice issue - which for me is HUGE, he also seems to be playing the class-envy game. Their campaign doesnt' seem to be about change for the better so much as a call for "fairness" and a pandering to the "middle-class" in the form of wealth re-distribution. This would be a very bold step in the wrong direction in my opinion - a huge move toward overt socialism. Just listen to Biden's words - He said they will TAKE MONEY (from some) and GIVE IT to others.



I have a few questions. Could somebody please tell me, honestly -


1. Who pays most of the income tax now?


2. How will "giving" a tax cut that will amount to about $1000 per household boost our economy any more than the "stimulus" checks our government is so fond of handing out these days?

3. Won't raising taxes on corporations just encourage inflation - which affects the bottom line for the precious "middle-class" they soo long to champion? Will that effect jobs?

(BTW - I am definitely "middle-class" - our household income doesn't even come close to approaching 6 figures - and I have gotten full Tax refunds for the past 11 years and counting. They can't cut my taxes any more! I don't pay and I get money "back" I didn't pay in through the child tax credit - what more can they do??!!!!)

4. If this plan is such a great way to "fix" our economy, why is the Obama campaign now talking about holding off on their plan to raise taxes until things stabilize? Isn't that just admitting that it could actually have a negative effect instead?

5. If I happen to earn more than $250k per year - is it automatically assumed that I obtained this status by luck or at the expense of someone less fortunate? Would I not deserve it somehow? Is it ever justified to be successful? What if I put in 70 hrs. a week for 10 years to build my business and now it is just taking off and I am earning that kind of money after years of sacrifice? Is it now my patriotic duty to give more of it to the government so somebody who doesn't pay taxes now will get a bigger "refund" check? What if paying my new "patriotic" tax burden means laying somebody off? Will that somehow magically "fix" our economy?

6. Are corporate profits bad? Is it wrong for a company who is in business producing a tangible item that people want to buy, or providing a valuable service that people are willing to pay for - to actually make a profit by doing so?

7. Since there is a lot of talk about greedy corporate profits, who are the major shareholders in american corporations? Aren't most outstanding shares owned by mutual funds? (hint: Yes) Who owns most mutual fund shares? (hint: the middle class - through IRA's, in 401(k) plans, state teacher's retirement plans, union pensions, etc...).

8. Will raising taxes on evil corporations make the share prices go up or down? Won't this hurt the "wealthy" shareholders? The next time we hear some politician grandstanding about the greed on wall street, we should all keep in mind that he's talking about all of us too! One does not need to be "rich" to be an investor. On the contrary, most of us are in fact "invested" in stocks to one degree or another.

So, it would seem that TAKING money from some and giving it to others, may not be the best policy for change - in fact it just may make things worse.

The Candidate for CHANGE...

I have refrained (intentionally) from giving much political commentary lately - for good reason I think. I am quite sick of it all actually. However, I found this bit of info very interesting. In a recent article from the N.Y. Times, regarding the need for a "New" aggressive tone from the Obama campaign:

• "In the midst of all this, Mr. Obama had a private lunch on Thursday with someone he battled with for much of the year but who knows how to put the Republicans on the defensive: former President Bill Clinton. Discussion topics, aides said, included how Mr. Obama might handle Ms. Palin in the days ahead." (NY Times, Obama Plans a sharper tone as party frets, by By ADAM NAGOURNEY and JEFF ZELENYSept. 11, 2008)

So, I ask you, is this change? Or is this politics as usual - taking cues from the Clintons on how to destroy one's political enemies. I ask this in the most non-political, objective, strictly non-partisan perspective of an outside observer, of course...

Tell me what do you think...

Cause I don't pay attention...

Sooooooo, I had yet another milestone go by. This is only slightly different though, and kinda sad, cause I'm so bad at it lately, but.........

This is my 101st post.

I posted pictures a few days ago - that was my 100th post.

This is my 101st post and yes, I'm wasting it complaining about how I was completely oblivious to the fact that my 100th post was a couple of days ago.

I promise to have something a little more reflective and meaningful soon. I can feel it stirring inside me, and there's a burning in my bosom.....oh yeah! I can feel it....

My advice - invest in a "REAL" life...

So, I have a really painful, huge confession to make. Brace yourselves....I wasted - yes WASTED about three hours of my life Saturday evening - simply because of curiosity. Let me 'splain.



I read an article a few weeks back discussing the "true" nature of certain violent crimes in light of international laws and in particular, the legal reach of certain territories as they pertain to.................... virtual space. It seems, there is a quandry with regards to the legal definition of rape and other violent crimes (child abuse, assault, etc...) in cyberspace - and in particular in the ever-popular virtual world - Second Life.



The article then went on to expound on how Second Life has grown into a whole economy of it's own - with virtual real estate, etc... Real world businesses, recording artists - even politicians are setting up virtual interfaces in this place that doesn't tangibly exist. Sweden (I believe) has even designed an Embassy in Second Life.



After hearing about this, I couldn't take it - Dangerous or not, I had to check it out.



I first heard about Second Life about 9 months ago. My good friend signed up and checked it out for a while. He eventually got bored with it and I don't believe he's been back for a few months.



The big deal about Second Life is that it has literally been taking over people's lives. There are people who are becoming overnight millionaires by creating stuff in this virtual world (virtual real estate - furnishings for their virtual houses - you name it - all because people are willing to pay real (real world dollars) for this "virtual" stuff. Crazy!!!!! I had never gotten around to checking it out. That changed after I read the latest article. (I would link to it, but I can't find it anywhere.)



Apparently there are over 7 MILLION subscribers to Second Life with tens to hundreds of thousands of people "present" at any given time. This has become a huge thing.



If you aren't familiar with the concept here is my lame attempt to catch you up to speed:



You sign up (there is a free trial and there are paid subscriptions - I tried the freebie - Thank God!)



You then create an Avatar (customizable online persona) - during your interaction this is the "You" that others see. Here's a shocker - I found myself designing a somewhat overweight, brown-haired, pinkish skinned guy in a baggy shirt with some facial hair (does that remind you of anyone?) However - you can make yourself an Alien, or whatever you like - and you can aquire a virtual wardrobe - you can dress like a super hero - doesn't matter. (It's also kind of creepy.)



Once you create your online self (Avatar) you then are mandated to go to "Orientation Island." There are four tasks you must complete in order to be given a "key" to the rest of the outlandish world that is - Second Life. Basically you have to learn how to get around, pick things up, walk, chat, etc... One thing I like about it was this: You can FLY!!!!!!!! There is also a teleport feature that allows you to go anywhere or attend any "event" instantly - much like an internet search engine.



So, once you figure out how to get yourself off of "Orientation Island" you can then explore Second Life. .......



Yep, the whole world has just opened up for you........ the whole thing....... yep......



So I did a search - what to do?, what to do....? Don't get me wrong, there was plenty to do - plenty of the "Mature" variety (No, I DIDN"T) I honestly didn't have to - some of the Avatars people picked out were PLENTY mature enough.



So, filtering OUT the mature content I checked out two places. First place I went was to a concert at a club. I teleported my chubby pink-skinned online self to this club. The "band" was apparently taking a break, cause the stage was empty - and there were wierd naked alien people dancing. The minute I "entered" the indoor/outdoor club people started "talking/chatting" with me - "come dance with us..." they said. Huh? Dance? I then realized that these were actual "people" - who had unfortunately chosen to make "themselves" look like naked aliens. These real people were at that moment "seeing" me, the chubby pink-skinned me - fly into this club - they wanted me to dance with them. I immediately felt a creepy sensation come over me. Would I, the real me (VERY happily married)- EVER go into a club and dance with complete strangers - for fun? Nevermind that they were the naked alien variety (This was not a "Mature" venue either - according to their online standards). I immediately teleported out of there and into another wierd place.



I Searched and found a venue that advertised ways to make "money" in Second Life. O.K. - should be interesting. Apparently, many of the things you "do" in Second Life cost you money - "Linden" dollars to be specific. If you pay for a subscription you get a $400 per week stipend - enough to do things with. However, there are folks making some serious Linden Dough by setting up "Virtual" businesses with the Second Life universe. I teleported to a location to find out how. Shock and Awe - many of the ways to "Make Money" involve "Mature" themed activities. I was again chatted with - propositioned, etc..... apparently by real people...... I got the heck out and deleted my account.



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O.K. - now it's time for my take on the whole Second Life thing (which took about 3 hours of my time - most of which was spent trying to get off of Orientation Island).



Here are some observations about the world we live in: (The REAL world)

• People spend a lot of time in chat rooms.




• People also visit web cams (and their not all adult sites - there are web cams in college libraries - at the beach, on the freeway, at outdoor deli's - pretty cool stuff I guess).




• Second Life is growing every day.

• Other "virtual" worlds - like World of Warcraft are also becoming increasingly popular.




• Myspace and Facebook tout MILLIONS of subscribers.




• Blogging is also a popular way for people to stay in touch and put their ideas, experiences and thoughts into something meaningful in a media that larger audiences can then share and comment on. (I am guilty as charged)

Given these observations I would assert that they all say a similar thing about our society at large: We all want to belong to something - we crave interaction. It also says that we aren't so good at interacting with each other on a "personal" level. We are more comfortable doing it online. (I for one will admit it!) We like to be in control of what others see.



Here's an example: I have a friend who made up a character on myspace - it isn't really him - he's pretending to be somebody else! Just think, there are millions of people on Myspace & Facebook who may be doing the same thing - they just don't realize it.



In a way, we have all become Avatars - online personas - craving interaction. We want to be known, to belong to something. Deep inside, we long to be touched by others, but we don't know how. We can't let anybody in. We are afraid to let people see who we really are.



My final ruling on Second Life is this: For all the effort, all the time and expense - do yourself a favor - invest in REAL relationships. If we all spent as much time, energy and money (not just Linden Dollars) - tangible resources - making THIS life all that it could be we wouldn't find the need to escape to a fantasy life where we are Gods, or Super Heroes - or even naked aliens.



Another thing - I will be VERY careful the next time I decide to be curious about something. My son Darian was laughing his head off when he saw me "exploring" this creepy world - and trying to get away from those aliens.

Really Big News!!!!

So, I know it's been awhile. A lot has been going on. Let me recap:

We are currently experiencing high winds in central Illinois. We'll be keeping the candles close by - supposed to be some tornados - SCARY!

In addition to my busyness, I left work early today - sniff - sick. (Not too sick to blog a little bit I s'pose, but I'll be going to bed in a few.) I did realize however that there has been a lot going on this past few days that I should comment on.

• There was a huge announcement that embryonic stemcell research may not be necessary after all - some bright guys have been able to replicate cells from mouse skin. (whatever that means). I just think that embryonic stem-cell research opens the door to a whole lot more mess.

When does life begin? At conception! It's a baby if you want it - it's a fetus if you want to suck it into a sink, or burn it alive in the mother's womb and give birth to it dead into a toilet in some "doctor's" office and tell yourself it's o.k. - isn't an "embryo" just a tiny unborn baby? Nuff said.

• Scooter Libby was sentenced to 30 months. Probably appeal, may take a couple of years. He'll be pardoned for sure on Bush's last day in office.

No big deal in the long run. The whole thing smells like entrapment - He wasn't convicted of anything but forgetting a few details about what he said during the investigation. Look into it!

• Apparently, the bigwigs in Russia are all upset over the proposal of an addition to our missile defense systems (in light of a few crazies in Iran & No. Korea).

Isn't the cold war over?????

• A 15 year-old girl was kept prisoner in a small locked room by some fruitcakes in Oregon.

That's just not right! Let me at 'em!

• The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim have won the Stanley Cup!!!!

(As if I actually kept up on sports.) Apparently this is a really big deal - they defeated some team from Canada, eh?. Hurrah for us!

• But, the really big news is this.....

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Paris Hilton got out of jail early.

______________________________________________________

This seems to be the IMPORTANT headline of the day.


If Aliens landed, or if Santa Clause appeared riding on the back of the Loch Ness Monster accompanied by the Tooth Fairy, Bigfoot and the Easter Bunny - Paris Hilton getting out of jail early would pre-empt them all.


What a country we live in.

You know what I hate? Car shopping...

In light of our recent loss (the now world famous Geo-mobile) I thought I'd fill you in on the process of replacing her.

But first let me explain something. I absolutely loathe buying cars. Period. Why? In a word - SALESMEN! You have your three basic types.

First, there's the guy with the comb-over and checkered blazer who seems so utterly desparate to make a sale that he'll tell you whatever you want to hear. He'll follow you out to your car, and try to get your work phone number so he can bug you till you buy something. (ew!)

Next, we encountered the exact opposite - the guy who wouldn't even come to the door half the time when we popped by to test drive a car my son was really interested in. It made me think his whole car lot was just some sort of mafia front - or tax scheme or something. ZERO customer service. Did he even want to sell a car? (Double-ew!)

Finally, there was the good-smelling, slick, over-dressed Alec Baldwin-type guy who just gave us the creeps. This guy had a cheezy shiny gold watch, a shiny gold bracelet, a couple of shiny gold rings and a really nice trenchcoat over his really nice suit. (Did I mention the shiny gold diamond tie tack?) Something gave me the impresssion that this guy had no trouble asking for the sale! He may have been slightly over-paid!

The bottom line - who can you trust? No matter how good the deal is (or you think it is) you always feel like you're getting the shaft, so to speak.

So, I've learned to compensate for these sales-type guys. I become a complete jerk!

My son saw me in action. His jaw hit the floor. Here's how it goes.

Them: Hello sir - can we get you into a car today? Watcha lookin' for?
Me: When I find it, I'll tell you.

Them: Well, we have a fine assort.....
Me: I'm just looking, I'll be back if there's anything I'm interested in. Go stand over there until I need you.

Them: No problem, I'll be right over here.....just call me if you have any questions.
Me - after looking around: O.K. here's what we want - 97 or newer, less than 100k miles - under $X,000.00 - what have you got?

Them: Uh, well, uh, let me get the manager......uh..
Me: Awe, c'mon, I know it can be done? Do you want to sell a car or not?

Them: Who are you?
Me: I'm a tough customer - I know what I want, I know what can and can't be done.

Them: Yes sir - you are........(under their breath, ##@@)

And, after shopping a little bit we got what we wanted - though I still lie awake at nights wondering if I couldn't have gotten a little better deal. Hmm.