Days of Whine and Posers ... Today's Life with Government in the United States!

Today, I find I must speak out.  

The Old Grand Flag,
She Ain't What She Used To Be.

No, I'm not a God or anything, just one that observes what others choose to ignore.

And, "Yes", I know I'm known for humor and sarcasm in this blog.  Still, if you'll bear with me, you'll find there might be a little something to get you thinking.

I know, there's one or two saying, "What?  Think?  Why, if I wanted to think, I'd watch Jeopardy!"

Anyway, I recently viewed a video of President Obama being ignored by politicians in Russia.  Each time the President offered his hand for a handshake, the politicians looked another direction and completely ignored him.  (Some say one video disputes this, but it cuts off way before the snubs began.  It is being pushed by the Democratic Party and Obama supporters.  The second video clearly shows the snubs and cannot be debated.)

No, this wasn't a call for the NAACP to get involved, so keep Jesse Jackson 
and Al Sharpton quiet for a change.

Instead, this was a signal of two things: 1) Obama's attempts to validate a Syrian bombing policy wasn't a popular idea the world over, and 2) respect for the President of the United States, and the country he represents, has finally hit an all-time low the world over.

And you thought you were the only one that felt things 
were on the downward trend in the states!

Politician's, the world over, are weasels, scam artists, users, abusers, and criminals.  They legalize what will profit them and over tax things that the common man (or woman) needs or uses on a constant basis.  As there is no honor among thieves, there is no honor among the backstabbing that politicians habitually exhibit.  In fact, at least the thieves are honest enough to admit they are thieves, while the politicians try to represent themselves as caring, loving, honest representatives of the common person, all the time only representing the interests of big business. Yet, even knowing this, the general populace allows these self-serving criminals to call themselves "Our Leaders."

Doesn't speak much for our intelligence or self respect, does it?

May 4th, 1970, Four Dead At Kent State
University protesting the war and
government actions.  This was one of
the big events that changed many
attitudes towards the leaders and
government of the day.

In the 60's, young Americans stood tall against the political machine of the day.  They called out their actions aimed at profiting big business from the Vietnam acts of aggression in which thousands of our brave friends fought and died for concepts and ideals that the politicians only used to get rich from.  Where is the youth of today when the need is just as great?

That's right, they're more concerned about video games, internet social networks, and gossip about MTV performances and such.    

Glad they have their priorities right!

They, and most others, have taken for granted that there is no battle to be fought.  Of course, laws that now prohibit protesting within miles of conventions, meetings, and certain government and corporate addresses now make things a little more difficult.  This is only one of the ways the government has decided that they can ignore the people by not seeing the people.

Funny how they can ignore them for three years, and then expect all of them to come out to vote and see them campaign during the fourth, isn't it?

Politicians have legalized graft by now calling it "special interest contributions." 
(We could call it bribery, but then we'd be guilty of slandering a public official.)   

They are in the process of eliminating labor unions by making them illegal state by state. 
(Big business loves this so they can continue to screw over the common man without any retaliation whatsoever!)   

They're taking away the right to protest by limiting where protests can be held and if a permit will be issued. 
(The KGB did this in the old USSR and American politicians screamed against communistic practices.  So, now it's okay?)  

Privacy has been breached by the NSA in so many ways they can't be counted. 
(Okay, so do we need another KGB example?)  

Even the right to a speedy trial has been forfeited in the name of "terrorism." 
(World War II prisoners were imprisoned for up to four years and we thought it an atrocity.  Guantanamo Bay, Cuba prison facilities have been in existence since 2002.  Will they forever be imprisoned?  There comes a time to realize there's ten times that many free that hate America even more because of our treatment to their countrymen.  Are we breeding future terrorists by our actions?") 

What excuses will they use next to take away more of your rights?

In answering that question, let's remember some of the individual rights and items that have been under attack by politicians in the last decade:

1. Smoking
2. Gun Ownership
3. 20 oz. and greater soft drinks
4. Right to protest
5. Right of individual privacy
6. Labor Unions
7. Exotic Pet ownership
8. Pit Bull ownership
9. Internet downloading

            ... and many others

Notice how all of these items listed will protect either 

big business or the government?  

Eliminate the smoking and insurance companies benefit from high premiums and less payouts.  Eliminate the guns and the government has no fear to create a military state. Eliminate the large sized soft drinks and, again, health insurance companies prosper, as well as the government from the additional sales tax collected on multiple smaller sizes. Eliminate the right to protest and accept it ... or else.  Eliminate the privacy and the NSA can go crazy with witch hunts.  Eliminate the labor unions and big business can keep wages low without fear.  Eliminate the Exotic Pets and eliminate the chance of governments being sued for liabilities in accidents.  Same with Pit Bulls.  Eliminate the Internet downloading and let big business reap the profits in a pay per view world.

Where does the little guy fit in?  Where is the little guy represented?  

It's time to stand up to government.  

Can you imagine an election where no one votes?  Oh, there would be some loyalists that would make money off of the candidates and would vote, but what if there was a 98% drop in the overall voting count.  Would that send a message to the government that things were being seen, not ignored?

Maybe it's time for the eagle to crap
on the heads of the  self-serving politicians that
have forgotten what they were
elected to do!

What if we stopped buying products that weren't absolutely essential?  

Wouldn't that send a message to them and big business?

And, what if we stayed at home and used, say, one less tank of gas per week, each?  Take the population of the U.S., multiply it by 10 (for ten gallons), and watch the oil companies go, "What the hell?  We gotta get our 33 million dollar a quarter profit margin or we're all gonna lose our jobs!"

What if we all wore T-Shirts, applied bumper or window stickers, and put a flag outside of our home that read, 

"As a citizen, I PROTEST!"  

Think a message might get through?

What if we all said, "The Hell With Being Politically Correct?"  Control of the populace is gained by making them ignorant of the ability to think individually, providing them with a unified thought pattern (brainwashing), and negatively propagandizing any one or thing that doesn't believe the same as what is put out to be "proper thinking."  Our society of today is vast proof that this is now being utilized, as individual thought is chastised by the masses time and time again.

The individual thinker is what moves mountains, while the masses are herded to the meadows below to fatten up and then be slaughtered.  We must fight this concept of Political Correctness at every turn.  Otherwise, we might as well just fatten up.

*********

I'm 59 years old, and nearing the lower gully on the other side of Life's Mountain.  I served my country in the military, and have watched it become less and less of what it was meant to be.  Still, I care about the country in which I reside and the people ... all people ... that have to struggle to make ends meet here.  I'm tired of the deception and betrayal of government as it has continuously grown larger and less amiable to the wants, needs and desires of the common man it fails so miserably to represent.  

Yes, it's time for a change.  But change will only take place if everyone will participate.  It can start with one voice being echoed by two, and then four, and then eight and so on and so on.

Are you ready to start the echo?

Or would you rather just sit back and ignore it until it too late?

Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday ... Beautiful Songs (You May Have Never Heard)

For months, I've been tempted to participate in Jen's Twisted Mix Tape Tuesday.  (Lord knows Jen and others have been on my case about doing it!)  However, I haven't done it because I'm known more for sarcastic comedy than my "musical" side.

However, for those of you that know me, you're aware I have quite a background in the music industry, of sorts, having played in a short lived band in the early 70's (we once opened for REO Speedwagon), as well as having spent many years as a radio disc jockey ... back when you had to pick your own music, create your own show, and develop a character that would draw all the "heads" and serious music lovers to your show.  

Besides all of that, age hasn't decreased my spirit to own every piece of music I can.  My cd collection has passed the 7,000 mark, I still have over 2,000 vinyl albums, and my digital collection is amassed at over 127,000 songs.   One might say I'm a music hoarder of sorts.  But, as I've validated to my wife for years, "Would you rather have me spend my money on music, or drink it away on a six pack a night?"  She agrees, music is a much better choice.

When I saw Jen's post for "Beautiful Music" this week, I knew I had to finally participate.  Why?  Because I think I finally have something to offer those that really like music.  I've selected five of my all time favorites, plus, just for giggles, I've added number six.  These are songs that you may never have heard, but are each haunting and beautiful either in the music they provide or the stories they tell.  I'll try to add some humor along the way, but I really want you to just listen to the songs and their stories if you will.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

#6  -  "Diamond Mine"  (Blue Rodeo)

If you ever smoked dope, this was the song you wanted to be high to.  If you never smoked dope, you'd still enjoy it if you had the patience to listen.  It starts slow, builds steadily, rocks like a mother in the middle, and brings you back down to catch your breath in the end.  I guess you might call it the perfect masturbation song!

So, get out your ointment, and rub slowly.  Build yourself up as you intensify the speed and concentration.  Let the waves pulsate as you reach the peak, and then, have a cigarette on me!

#5  -  "Why'd You Lie"  (Colin James)

As "Diamond Mine" was released in 1989, so was "Why'd You Lie."  It's a story of someone not being very faithful in a relationship, lying about it, and then trying to explain when caught.  It wasn't based on the Richard Nixon presidency, no matter how similar the story may be.

This song verges on Blues/Rock, while telling you a tale that will curl your hair, even if you've recently waxed.  The guitar licks will drive you insane if you let them, so I have to provide a warning, "This song may drive you crazy if you concentrate solely on the guitar licks."  Okay, you've been warned.  Go sue someone else!

#4  -  "What Am I Living For"  (Mark - Almond)

No, this isn't The Allman Brothers Band as so many have mistakenly thought in the past.  Instead, it's two talented songwriters that knew how to draw people into a tale of misery and woe by providing beautiful melodies and thought provoking lyrics.  Kind of like Frank Zappa in drag!

As we've all questioned ourselves at times, this song brings the full brunt of the seriousness of life, and the ironies of effort.  You cannot but love this song if you're a human being at all.  See, now, if you don't like it, I've got you!  (Don't you hate it when someone does that?)

#3  -  "White Bird"  (It's A Beautiful Day)

Bill Graham owned and operated two of the most well known rock clubs in the late 60's.  These were named the Fillmore East and the Fillmore West.  Rock acts of the "Psychedelic Era" performed almost nightly at these clubs, fine tuning their talents for the full scale concert halls that followed.  These clubs were also small enough to give them a "hometown" feeling of comfort for the artists as well as giving them some "homegrown" feelings before and after playing!  (Damn, watch the seeds, man, they're popping all over the place!)

It's A Beautiful Day was a band fronted by David LaFlame that graced the Fillmores on both coasts.  His female vocalist accompaniment rotated between his wife, girlfriends, ex-wife, girlfriends ... well, you get the picture.  "White Bird" was the group's biggest hit, and still remains a favorite Classic Rock Radio tune of today.  Listen, leave your golden cage, fly away, and if you don't return, remember the good times we almost had!

#2  -  "Moriah"  (Spooky Tooth)

In 1973, Orlando, Florida held a concert at an outdoor baseball park.  On the agenda was an opening group called White Witch (known for their song, "Let's Go Get Stoned"), the headliner was the J. Geils Band (who had just hit the airwaves with their big single, "Give It To Me"), and some unknown group in the middle called Spooky Tooth (which usually occurred when you'd smoked too much, got a bad case of the munchies, and gobbled down popcorn before it had cooked thoroughly).  

Spooky Tooth included an organ/vocalist by the name of Gary Wright.  Yep, Mr. Dreamweaver man himself!  However, don't believe that Gary never knew how to rock and roll.  Spooky Tooth was a kick ass rock band that carried the evening.  "Cotton Growing Man" was a favorite song of mine for decades, but this song, "Moriah" was haunting to no end.  One might even call it somewhat mystical in nature.  Give it a shot and you'll see what I mean!

#1  -  "Pretty Princess"  (Loggins & Messina)

Loggins & Messina was one of the few groups I would still pay big money to see today if they were to get back together.  No, Kenny Loggins wasn't always a pop icon shouting the theme from Caddyshack, "I'm Alright."  In fact, some of the best music you'll ever hear came from him and Jimmy Messina (who in no way resembles a groundhog).  

You want some real music?  Listen to the extended versions of "Vahevala", "Angry Eyes", and this one here, "Pretty Princess."  You're going to hear a blend of so many instruments and vocal harmonies, you'll wonder if they didn't overdub it 500 times.  I guarantee it, they sounded this good in concert, if not better.  

This song is about an afternoon affair that a wife has as her husband is away.  Again, slow to start, fast in the middle to a fever level, and then time to catch your breath at the end.  Fingers tired, yet?

***********

So, that's my little contribution to this Mix Tape Tuesday.  Hope you enjoyed it.  Of course, if you didn't scan and really listened to the music, you enjoyed it much better.  

Never thought you'd start smoking again, did you?

Boom! Boom!

Syria ... as it stands now ... before bombing
takes place ... if it does happen!

Boom!  Boom!

The bombs are to be dropped 

in Syria.

(That should frustrate all Syrians hunting for treasure with metal detectors!)

Boom!  Boom!

Once again, the politicians are playing their games!

(Especially Senator John McCain, who loves his I-Phone Poker!)

Boom!  Boom!

The Russians and the rest of the world believe we're crazy to bomb a formal government (even if it doesn't live up to our standards of hiding its atrocities to its occupants) and back one made up of terrorists and extremists!

(Let's see, we've fought a war against extremists for 12 years ... 

so, have we now decided "If you can't beat 'em, join 'em?"

Boom!  Boom!

As campaign contribution obligations are met, big business is saying, 

"Pick me, Pick me!  Haliburton Corporation got all the money last time!  It's my turn!"

(Money, Money, Money, Money, Money, Money, Money and mo' Money!)

"Something must happen to
boost my popularity polls!
Michelle's trying to get booked
on Oprah again, but they've
said they'd rather have
this old lady swimmer!"

Boom!  Boom!

We're going to drop bombs that will kill innocent people in retaliation for chemical weapons being used that killed innocent people.

(But if we aim real good, we might not kill that many at all!  In fact, the few that get killed will only be classified as the 

"unfortunate casualties that wars bring!")

Boom!  Boom!

Obama's popularity polls have been dropping as of recent.  Perhaps he believes a war is what he needs to bring them back up again!

(Hey, Look me over, I'm your kind of guy!  

Let's get into another war 

and drop bombs from the sky!)

Boom!  Boom!

The world's self designated police officer (the United States) is going to force itself into the spotlight once again and try to control its own population growth by sending more and more Americans off to war to be killed.

(One Congress Twelve, One Congress Twelve, people being killed in another country.  Time to forget about our own again and spread the disease of greed and political correctness throughout the world, whether they want it or not!)

Confucius say, "Rock & Roll
and the music industry has
always been about sex, drugs &
extremes.  If you're surprised,
about Miley's actions, you've
been a dumb ass too long!"

Boom!  Boom!

In the United States, there are more important newsworthy items to take up our time.  We're concerned about Miley Cyrus dancing.  

Mothers, who've allowed television, movie and music artists to set the role models their kids follow, instead of properly helping their children grow by providing proper role model guidelines and instructions themselves, complain and bitch about Miley.  Yet, hasn't rock and roll always been comprised of sex, drugs, and extremes?  Now, they're upset because it lives up to its reputation!  

Can you say, "Are you really that damn stupid that you expected the Video Music Awards to be a G Rated program?"

(Let's see, there's been profanity, Howard Stern's bare butt, Britney Spears and Madonna kissing, and many other instances of adult behavior and entertainment on past shows.  What did you expect, a bunch of kittens chasing a ball of string?  By the way, there's a little button on your remote that allows you to change the channel.  If you'd use it, you wouldn't have to bitch about what your children were watching!  Or, weren't you paying attention (like always) and only learned about her dancing exhibition the next day at work?)

Boom!  Boom!

A Cleveland, Ohio kidnapper that held three girls captive for 13 years hangs himself in a jail cell to escape life imprisonment.  The news media wonders how it happened.  Those with common sense are simply happy it did and that they won't have to pay for the decades of incarceration he would have cost the taxpayers.

(Ding Dong, the asshole's dead, hung himself is what they said, 

Ding Dong, the damn asshole is dead!)

Boom!  Boom!

"I love sleeping with my
new shotgun.  It's so much
warmer than my wife was!"

Dennis Rodman goes to North Korea for the second time as an unofficial ambassador of the United States.  Does anyone really care why?

(He either wants to coach the Korean National Basketball Team in the next Olympics, become the team hairstylist, or get a job designing the next generation of rhinestone uniforms!)

Boom!  Boom!

George Zimmerman went shopping for a shotgun.  Wanted something that he could hold on to for self protection.  George Zimmerman's wife has filed for divorce.  Obviously, she felt neglected as her role was replaced by shotgun.

(Guess George wanted something he could cock, shoot more than once, and would remain long and true to what it aimed at.  It has been hinted his wife has insinuated he was unable to perform in that manner and that she was tired having to purchase batteries all the time!)

Boom!  Boom!

When will the bombs fall?  

When will the politically correct realize most could care less what the hell they think? 

When will the sanity return?  

Has common sense left the building never to return?

Or, could we say, it's just on vacation for a few generations?

Boom!  Boom!

FTSF: God's Armed Schools & Maybe, the Final Post

http://imgur.com/80h2Ch1

It is reported that Arkansas Christian Academy has 

armed its staff in an attempt to protect 
the children that 
attend school there.  

Bang! Bang! 

Try to shoot our kids

and we'll shoot you first!

This ought to bring the extremes from both sides of the "gun issue" out in droves.

So, is this a "good thing" 

or 

is it a "bad thing?"

Does it matter?

Obviously, the administration of A.C.A. has already armed individuals to protect the Sunday services they provide.  (Wow, those must be some "kick-ass" sermons!)  Thus, one could assess that those that attend the religious services believe that there is not enough safety by prayer alone.  (Powerful enough to create the Earth, but not powerful enough to stop an idiot from shooting them.  Where's God's priorities, anyway?)

Not that one wants to be shot while praying, that is, but then again, if you really believe, wouldn't that be where and when you would want to go?  (Better than to be shot while reading a Playboy in the john!)

Or, would you rather your prayers gave you the sense to hire gunmen to kill those who might not believe the same as you?  (What?  There are those that aren't Christian?  You're kidding!  Not in today's world!)

The government in Arkansas ruled against public schools being allowed to have armed staffs, but allowed private schools to do as they wish.  (Guess that shows where the politicians kids attend, doesn't it?)  In other words, if you're not wealthy enough to have kids in private schools, you're kids aren't important enough to be protected.  Kind of makes you understand the philosophy of those we elect a little better.  (That should make you feel good the next time you go to the polls!)

Let's see ... you have to be protected by armed guards and staff in church and at school, so you must be one that could be targeted by the criminal element.  That could mean your attendees are wealthy, community business rip-off artists leaders, and extremely newsworthy that would either draw those interested in robbing or gaining infamous attention,  Either that, or you're so paranoid about the community in which you reside that you're going to extremes to protect your "flock" and their cash cow kids.

Instead of arming themselves, isn't it the responsibility of the church to reach out to the community and provide such a light of hope and goodness that no one would be tempted to do harm?  

Or, could I be living in a dream world where the church works to teach and provide, instead of to look at a P&L statement and send out tithing past due notices?

Somewhere, things really got screwed up.  

Welcome to 2013!

Anyway, this is Finish the Sentence Friday!  As always, this is where I provide the JPEG that show who our tremendous hostesses are and what the rules of the blog hop is.

This week's prompt is:

"I really wasn't myself when I ..."

So, now, I have to come up with something witty, charming, and intelligent to say, when I'm really not in the mood to do so.

"What, not in the mood?"

For the last week or so, I've been in one of those funks that just seem to take the humor right out of life.  In fact, I've almost decided that perhaps I may take an extended hiatus from the blogosphere.  Why?  Here are my reasons:

1. Not enough time to read blogs.  We all know that you have to return the favor or reading others blogs.  It's really just good manners.  However, I'm working so many hours at my current job, I'm brain dead when I finally get home.  I get home, sit down, eat dinner, and fall asleep at the computer trying to either read blogs or write them.  It makes one wonder if it's all worth it.  
2. I'm not entirely happy with what I've been writing.  It seems like the ones I feel are exceptionally funny get no respect, and the ones I toss together get all the views.  I almost wonder if people are really reading, or just skimming through.  As most that consider themselves "serious" about their writing, I'd rather not write than to have it skimmed.  
3. Monday's blog (even though it was one about being tagged) got the lowest number of views I've had since I first started writing on Hubpages.  Normally, I receive a first day view count between 200-400, depending on the topics and the day of release, and many more after the release date.  Monday's received 22 views, and none since.  I know people are pissed because I haven't had the chance to get to their blogs, but if this is it, then let me just say, "Fuck it, I'm done!"
4. I'm tired of looking at a mailbox full of unopened reminders about my inability to perform my responsibilities.  I have over 200 unopened emails staring at me from websites of friends and acquaintances that I haven't had the time to look at.  Not only is this frustrating to those looking for and deserving views, but to me for not being able to do as I pretty much promised to do.  This doesn't help for a positive mental attitude, by any means.

So, there it is.  I guess you might say "I really wasn't myself when I wrote this."  

Or, was I?  

Maybe it is time I say, "Goodbye" to the blogging world.  The "Never Give Up" inside of me tells me not to, but the shear facts given above tell me that is the answer.  

Perhaps, this Finish the Sentence Friday is my last post ...

.... or, will the sentence be finished sometime in the future.

Only time will tell.

MF ... Tagged by the marvelous Menopausal Mother

Picture that I stole from the blog of 
Menopausal Mother, the tagger in this game 
of Black Art Trickery!  Forgive me, Marcia?

What happens when you run to the bathroom for what is expected to be a necessary and demanding bodily function and nothing happens?

You get tagged!

It's worse than getting ready to sneeze and no sneeze occurs.  In fact, just when you think you're going to have success, only warm and bitter aromas fill the air.  The cramps remain, but still, nothing else occurs.

You've been tagged!

No matter how hard you try, it's just not in the cards, or in the bowl.  So, do you go ahead and fill the toilet with paper to give yourself some validity for your efforts?  Or, do you just arise, pull up your pants, and give in to the fact that there are forces in Mother Nature that are much more powerful than your body's ability to crap?

And finally give in to the fact 

you've really been tagged!!!

The hilarious Marcia, of menopausal mother, decided to keep all of her female friends as readers and cast away her male friends (at least the ones that haven't been paying for her actions that are illegal in 48 states), and tag five of us guys.  

This act of treachery and despair open handed friendship symbolizes her desire to remove at least five male bloggers from the web for several days, leaving the web traffic to her and her gender biased cohorts fun loving compatriots.  With us guys out of the way, their views will surely increase, as ours decrease.  Such a plan has been issued by the new Gestapo world order the ingenious Marcia and her cult members.  

Sieg heil, mine fuhrer!

Now, Marcia really doesn't need this to get views.  In fact, her blog is one of the most popular around, and for good reason.  She pays people to read it!  It's timely, funny, relevant, and extremely well written.  It's not a boring "How To...", but instead, a great read any time of the day (or night, as that's when she has her many male visitors).

I'm still trying to figure out how I got on her bad side!

There are seven topics mandating five answers each in this episode of tagging.  That's a grand total of 35 answers required by our torturer tagger.  After attempting to comply with this feat, we are to name five others to be tortured tagged, making us the new "bad" torturers taggers.

So, without further ado, let us begin this journey.

It's always nice when someone
recognizes you're having a hard time
with constipation and helps you out!

Five Things I have a passion for:

1. Making people laugh
2. Hot, passionate lovemaking  (usually done the same time as #1)
3. Long drives with great music  (I said music ... not that rap crap for those unable to carry a tune.)
4. Writing (or whatever I do that somewhat resembles it)
5. Helping others succeed (Nothing like knowing I assisted a person to a better life, even if my own sucks.)

Five Things I want to do before I die:

1. Bungee jump off a bridge
2. Eliminate stupid people from running our country (Yeah, I know, I'm dreaming.)
3. Continue to fight against the Politically Correct concept that's destroying common sense and individualism today  (Yeah, still dreaming)
4. Win the Powerball Jackpot  (Wake up, Rich, damn it, wake up!!!)
5. Come up with an ending to my book that's not predictable (12 years and still no luck)

Five Things I say a lot:

Vote Bernie Madoff
for President!!!

1. "God, people are so damn stupid anymore ... no common sense whatsoever."
2. "Unless people start teaching their kids common sense and responsibility, we can't expect things to change!"
3. "All politicians are the same ... scam artists just as bad as Bernie Madoff!"
4. "There are those who "try" and those who "do."  Those who "try" start with failure in  mind and reduce their chances of ever succeeding.  Those who "do" start with success in mind and will reach a greater level of success because the effort will be there to  succeed."
5. "Stop blaming things and blame people!  No gun, cigarette, bottle of booze, or drug ever killed anyone without some dumb ass causing it to!  Stop listening to the so-called mind doctors that preach against objects instead of self control and personal accountability.  If they knew what they were talking about, they'd have come up with a solution to keep people from actions that kill other people!"         ... and my wife wants me to add:
6. "I love you" to her.  (It gets habit forming after 33 years of marriage to the bitch.)

Five Books or magazines I've read lately:

1. The Hunger Games trilogy
2. Most Evil: Avenger, Zodiac and the Further Murders Of Dr. George Hill Hodel (by Steve Hodel)
3. Sins Of Our Fathers (by Susan Howatch)
4. Big Man  (by Clarence Clemons & Don Reo)
5. Ronnie  (by Ronnie Wood) 

Five Favorite Movies:

1. Fargo  (hilarious subtle humor)
2. Forest Gump  (everything you could want in a movie)
3. From Dawn Till Dusk  (Vampires and Salma Hayek table dancing, it's guy Utopia!)
4. Twister  (no thinking or major plot ... just good action without gore)
5. It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World  (the best slapstick comedy ever made)       ... and I gotta add
6. Big Fish  (overlooked fantasy comedy with a moral)

Five Places I would love to travel to:

1. My home  (God, I just don't see it enough with my 70 hour work week schedule)
2. Any country where smoking isn't looked upon as a Cardinal Sin  (Does it exist?)
3. Italian countryside  (The one place I'd like to live my final days of life)
4. Asia  (Didn't have enough time to visit much when I was there)
5. Capetown, South Africa  (This time without spending two weeks in the hospital surviving a bite from a Cape Cobra.)

Five Bloggers I choose to torture tag  -  You're it!

"Oh, thank you so much, Rich!
You have saved us from much
frustration an duplicated effort!"

  
This is really where I have to draw the line.  I'm happy to have been considered by Marcia for the tagging, and really somewhat honored that she'd think of me.  She's a fun loving individual that loves to share her enthusiasm and hysterics, and I'm proud to have her as a friend.

   However, I'm somewhat against tagging and award posts that tend to only be written out of consideration and respect of the torturer tagger.  Perhaps it's because they somewhat limit the creative spirit. Or, maybe it's because I know so many people are struggling to find the time to write their own blogs on specific subject matter and themes, instead of producing one of these.  

   So, Marcia, I love you to death and think you're a fantastic writer and person, but I'm going to pass on this phase.  I know there are at least 100 bloggers out there exhaling thankfully in relief now as they won't have to go through this.  I hope you'll understand my stand here and not feel slighted in any way.

   However, if there is a blogger out there that reads this and willfully wishes to participate, feel free to consider yourself tagged.  You can even reference me in doing so.  I'd be honored.

Next time, I promise a more comedic blog.  Hopefully, you'll understand.  If you don't and I find out about it, I'll tag you in the future.

That's a promise!

FTSF ... aka The Day From Hell

Welcome to my world!
You're gonna love it here!
Muhahahahah!

Thursday turned out to be 
another day from Hell.  

I don't know why I expected anything different.  Working 11-12 hours a day has kept that streak going for quite some time.  It has taken away much of my writing time, and most of my blog visiting time.  I know you might be one of those that are pissed at me for not visiting as of late.  All I can say is, "Sorry!  Life is a bitch right now."  

But today (Thursday) was going to be a good day.  I was going to get up early, even though I finally got a day off, do a quick change of transmission fluid in my Ridgeline, and head up to Indiana to see my father.  I figured to leave town about 11 a.m., get to Spencer around 2 p.m., spend a couple of hours amusing my stepmother and and annoying my father, leave around 5 p.m., and get back into my home sweet home setting around 8:30.

I had forgotten one factor that could vary the results in every way.

My wife was off work, too!

Now, I do love my wife.  Let's just say that I'm a firm believer of the old expression, "Absence makes the heart grow fonder."  The more she's absent, the more I love her.

It works in reverse, also!

First thing that happened was she shut off my alarm this morning before it woke me.  So, I awake at 10 a.m.   So much for getting up early.  In addition, she's in the shower, which means it will be at least 2 hours before I'll ever see the place.  With only one bathroom in the house, I grab an empty Coke can and take a leak, hoping that it won't be more than a 12 oz. one.

If ya gotta go, ya gotta go!

11.5 oz. later, I finished, washed my hands in the kitchen sink (knowing I'd create a change in temperature in the shower for my devoted one) and waited ... and waited ... and waited.  One hour and ten minutes later, she emerged.  

Finally, my turn had arrived.  

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!

I've entered saunas that didn't
have as much damn steam!

Entering the 759 degree bathroom filled with hairspray mist and perfume stench (too much of a good thing, you know), I glanced at the fogged up mirror with the streaming waterfall of condensation rolling down to the two inches of water already covering the floor.  

Damn, doesn't she know how to close a shower curtain???

Finishing my cold shower (as she'd used 800 gallons of hot water taking hers, I quickly dried off, dressed, and waded back into the bathroom.  There, I nearly electrocuted myself blow drying my hair while standing in water.  At least it straightened my hair.  No gel needed today.

Could I still get everything done?  

Rushing to the Honda dealership to get some transmission fluid, a little old lady on a cell phone cut across the road in front of me.  It's amazing when you can make ABS brakes lock up!

Have you ever seen 400 cd's leave the car seats, fly through the air 

and scatter on the floorboard of a car?  

After spending an additional 15 minutes picking them up and positioning them in some semblance of order in the boxes, I was able to procure the fluid and return home without additional delay.

That's when the wife struck again!

Not thinking, as usual, an extraordinary blond moment took place within her tainted brain.  As I walked into the house, I find that she had prepared a frozen pizza for lunch.  My little homemaker had struck again!

I must remember, take it to the shop,
you're no good at doing it yourself,
take it to the ship,
you dumbass!

Now, as you may recall, I've made statements in the past about my physical reaction to enriched flour.  In case you don't remember, it causes me to pass out in 30 minutes or less.  I drop off to sleep without even recognizing the slumber coming on.  

To keep from ticking her off and knowing I was pressed for time, I grabbed a quick slice and headed outside.  I got the Ridgeline up on stands, finished the slice, and headed under the truck.  There I situated the drip pan, loosened the bolt, and waited for the fluid to drain.

Have you ever awakened looking up at the bottom of a truck?

I look at my watch.  It's 3:35 p.m. and much too late to make the trip to Indiana.  So, I resign myself to the fact that I can finish with the truck quickly, get another shower, and spend the evening relaxing on the web and catching up on visiting the blogs of others I've neglected.  

Did I mention this was a day from Hell?

There is a bolt that must be removed atop the transmission to put fluid in.  Without this fluid, the transmission will burn up.  

Did I mention I had drained all of the fluid?  

This bolt would not move, regardless of everything I tried.  I'm not going to go into all the efforts made in an attempt to loosen this one damn bolt.  Let me simply say that 7:30 was on the wristwatch, and the bolt was holding steadfast.  

I drove my wife's car to a national auto parts store to ask for assistance.  They had no suggestions.  Finally, I went to Harbor Freight Tools, looked over options, bought a break pipe tool, returned home, and watched magic transpire.

It was about F**kin' Time!!!

By the time all tools were picked up and a shower taken, it was 8:30.  My day from Hell was coming to a close.  Still, I had to remember, Friday is almost here and my obligations to FTSF.   

Damn, what a person will do for attention!

Anyway, here's the JPEG giving you all of the wonderful names of our wonderful hostesses on this wonderful day after my day from Hell.

In case you're not familiar with FTSF, the theme states that we will finish the sentence with wondrous thoughts and experiences from deep within.  

Almost make you think about belching them out, doesn't it?

Anyway, this week's theme is 

"I Used To Love ... "

There's actually many things I used to love.  Here's a short list since the forward was so dreadfully long this time:

1. Riding around in my car, listening to rock music, while stoned out of my gourd. (And too stoned to realize the cops might be following me.)
2. Being a radio DJ for an underground station that played music most other stations stayed away from.  (Neville Brothers, Pete Townshend, John Hiatt, Little Feat, Melissa Etheridge, and the Indigo Girls for a few.)
3. Teasing my daughters to no end.  (I am a mean SOB at times, lol)
4. Performing stand-up comedy onstage professionally and experiencing the smiles and laughter my jokes brought to others. (And, "No", I never wet my pants.)
5. Hunting venomous snakes in the wild outdoors where a bite could easily bring death. (That's why guides always lead the way!)
6. Free falling after jumping out of the plane as long as possible before pulling the ripcord to open the chute. (After some bastard had duct taped the grab handle!)
7. Sitting back, as a child, listening to my mother read stories of fantasy to me.  (Ah, I remember the tales of Peyton Place and The Valley Of The Dolls so vividly!)
8. Sitting atop a lifeguard stand looking down the bikini tops of the girls gathered below for my attention (and wondering what I'd do if I had to get off the stand with a woody).
9. Racing a car around a sports car track at breakneck speed without losing control.  (I may not have loved it as much if I'd have lost control.)
10. Sitting on the phone for hours, as a teenager, listening to my girlfriend breathe when we'd run out of things to talk about. (No, it wasn't heavy breathing ... I saved that for a certain teacher I had a crush on.)
11. Watching my oldest daughter lead cheers, her senior year, having failed to make the cheerleader squad previously.  (Kid just wouldn't give up, gotta give her credit, she takes after me ... okay, okay, she takes after her mom!)
12. Enjoying a dish of vanilla ice cream with pineapple preserves with my grandparents, as a young child, while laughing at the Carol Burnette Show.  (Who wouldn't laugh at that show ... even my wife understood the humor!  Of course, that was before she became a blonde, but still, you gotta love the show!)
13. Watching the original Star Wars stoned with friends and remembering all of R2D2's lines.  (Deep Beep Doot Bop Beep = You're a dumb ass C3PO!)
14. Being frightened silly, as a child, by a full TV screen skull accompanied by a piercing scream on Saturday night's Nightmare Theater.
15. Original McDonald's french fries, Original Kentucky Fried Chicken, and a great barbecued steak before all the changes and steroids were added.  (How come food didn't make us fat until the government made is safer?)
16. Seeing how far up a girl's leg, as a teenager, I could get my hand before having it pushed away. (Again and again and...)
17. Feeling the power of God when I was baptized.  (Another teenager moment.)
18. Visiting museums and historical sites all over Europe (and the hash market in Amsterdam).
19. Traveling Italy for days with a hooker that was thankful when I'd come to her assistance in Naples in an awkward moment she was experiencing.
20. Standing at the edge of Mt. Etna and looking over and down at the active lava below (wondering how close I'd have to get to light a cigarette).

So much for the short list!

I think the real statement that needs to be made here is that:

The things we used to love are only that, memories of the past. 

The most important thing that we can love is the next moment.  

Who will join us in the enjoyment it brings!

Will you?

(and if not, do you have a sister?)