Banned Breed

2009-11-04T13:59:00.002-06:00

Perceptions

Last night I attended a Dallas Producers Association meeting and it was an interesting study in perceptions. The theme was "Member Showcase" and, to me, that signifies that if you are going to show off a sample of your work it should be top-notch stellar as you are trying to impress your peers.

One presenter gave everyone a tip on how to bring something into focus when shooting. Oddly though, it was a tip that even a non-shooter like myself already knew.

Another presenter showed an approximate 4 minute long piece that just went on and on about some sort of new phone technology. Curiously enough, he kept apologizing for the piece. It made me wonder why someone would show a sample of their work if they were going to continually apologize for it.

There was one presenter, who is a DP, that had some really funny clips. Unfortunately, I tried to find my 2 favs from his reel but they aren't on YouTube.

Another presenter showed us a clip that was shot at The Lodge. Now let me preface that Dallas and Honolulu are the two US cities known for having the best strip clubs. The Lodge is at the top of the food chain. So we were forewarned that the clip would be racy and edgy. We watched it. The lights came on. Everyone was wondering what the cautions were about since we see things FAR more edgier on a basic Tuesday night episode of Sons of Anarchy.

Seriously. A comedian on stage at The Lodge peforming before an audience. Everyone is clothed. Nothing racy is being said. Compare that to Sons of Anarchy where you can see shots of bottomless porn stars sexually riding a biker boy. Granted there aren't any money shots, but it does make wonder about the people and their various perceptions as to what is racy to one person is yawnsville to a group of others.

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Today is a spectacular day in Dallas. It's in the mid-70's, skies are blue and it makes me reliaze why I like autumn so much better than spring. Spring, as great is it can be, always makes me thing that the heat of summer is just right around the corner. Autumn, however, is like a great big sigh of relief because the heat of summer is over!

2009-09-29T14:07:00.002-05:00

Cinnamon and Honey

Honey is the only food on the planet that will not spoil or rot. It will do what some call turning to sugar. In reality honey is always honey. However, when left in a cool dark place for a long time it will do what I rather call "crystallizing".

When this happens I loosen the lid, boil some water, and sit the honey container in the hot water, off the heat and let it liquefy. It is then as good as it ever was.

Never boil honey or put it in a microwave.

To do so will kill the enzymes in the honey.

Bet the drug companies won't like this one getting around.

Facts on Honey and Cinnamon:

It is found that a mixture of honey and Cinnamon cures most diseases.
Honey is produced in most of the countries of the world. Scientists of today also accept honey as a 'Ram Ban' (very effective) medicine for all kinds of diseases.

Honey can be used without any side effects for any kind of diseases.

Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients.

Weekly World News, a magazine in Canada , in its issue dated 17 January,1995 has given the following list of diseases that can be cured by honey and cinnamon as researched by western scientists:

HEART DISEASES:
Make a paste of honey and cinnamon powder, apply on bread, instead ofjelly and jam, and e at it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol in the arteries and saves the patient from heart attack. Also, those who have already had an attack, if they do this process daily, they are kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of the above process relieves loss of breath and strengthens the heart beat.

In America and Canada , various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as you age, the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and veins..

ARTHRITIS:

Arthritis patients may take daily, morning and night, one cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University , it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week, out of the 200 people so treated, practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain, and within a month, mostly all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS:
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL:
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water, given to a cholesterol patient, was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, if taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol is cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS:
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon20cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold, and clear the sinuses.

UPSET STOMACH:
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache and also clears stomach ulcers from the root.

GAS:
According to the studies done in India and Japan , it is revealed that if Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM:
Daily use of honey and cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system and protects the body from bacteria and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION:
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals.

INFLUENZA:
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural ' Ingredient'

which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from the flu.

LONGEVITY:
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Take four spoons of honey, one spoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans also increase and even a 100 year old, starts performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

PIMPLES:
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste.
Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it next morning
with warm water. If done daily for two weeks, it removes pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS:
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

WEIGHT LOSS:
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder in one cup of boiled water. If taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also,drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER:
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully.. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder for one month three times a day.

FATIGUE:
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens, who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts, are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, taken daily after brushing teeth and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M. when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, increases the vitality of the body within a week.

BAD BREATH:
People of South America , first thing in the morning, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water, so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS:
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing. Remember when we were kids? We had toast with real butter and cinnamon sprinkled on it!

2009-09-03T11:11:00.003-05:00

Fashion Police & Fried Foods...

Ahhh Dallas. The buildings are covered in mirrored glass so we can gaze in wide wonder at our own beauty. We pay homage to the temple that is Neiman-Marcus. We always dress properly even if we are dashing down to the 7-11.

At this time of the year, we start to get a mischievous glint in our eyes as we think about the people watching that will begin in 21 days at the great State Fair of Texas. The Fair is sublime for people watching because we see souls that we never see at any other time of the year. We wonder where they stay hidden the rest of the year. It's the type of forum in which the saying, "Spandex is a privilege, not a right," really comes into play.

So it was with much disdain that I read the list of foods up for consideration as this year's best "fried food" at the Fair. As I read the first item on the list, I honestly felt queasy:

• Deep Fried Butter could push the grease-o-meter to a new high. “100 percent pure butter is whipped ’til light and fluffy, then specially sweetened with a choice of several flavors.” It is then surrounded by a “special dough” and quick-fried.

I know thousands of people attend the Fair for the sole reason of indulging in bad food. My one indulgence was a Fletcher's Corny Dog. Last year, after being on a kick of eating healthy, The Illustrious One and I looked on in glee as we got our obligatory corny dog. (We like to attend on the first day because it's not terribly crowded, the park is clean, and the grease if fresh.) We both bit into our respective wienies but there was no wide eyed "Mmmmm" this year. We mirrored one another's face with a look of, "This isn't so good."

If I recall correctly, neither one of us finished our single corny dog. It was rather sad as we stood there in Big Tex's shadow and watched people younger than us, that visually appeared healthy and could use a good walk, dash about on Rascals.

Of course this now leads us into our final rant which is on fashion. Tonite, I am scheduled to go to an advanced screening of The September Issue. I felt it was only appropos to whet my visual appetite by reviewing the site People of Walmart. This site has provided me with fresh reasons for my boycott WalMart list!

2009-05-19T23:06:00.002-05:00

Today has been lively. I've been working on 48 Hour Film Project details and trying to figure out a well rounded group of judges. I believe that both of the judges I contacted today will confirm. I'm toying between 2 possibilities for the 3rd slot and will probably make that decision tomorrow. Upon approval by the powers that be at 48HFP, I will then be able to issue a press release announcing their names.

I'm very grateful to so many for helping me to promote and distribute info about the Dallas edition of 48HFP. This city had 22 teams the past couple years but when you learn that cities like Des Moines are pulling in 45, it just really lights a fire under you to get the Dallas numbers up this year. Boston had 90 teams; Washington DC had 110 so we have some serious ground to make up.

Tonite was the monthly mixer for the Dallas group of InterNations.org. We held it at Bengal Coast and everyone had a fantastic time. BC has a fantastic cocktail, Lychee Basil Mojito and it was wildly popular with all who had it. About half the group stayed for the prix fixe Chef's tasting but unfortunately I had another commitment at 9p so I couldn't stay.

A handful of people I know from the "Gayborhood" and the film community showed up and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

Then it was off to a DEEP meeting at Chi. Much discussion with the Police as it was the Crime Watch meeting - the Dallas Police Department are really fantastic to us in Deep Ellum.

2009-05-14T11:11:00.003-05:00

It's been a while since I posted on this blog. I handle the Dallas reviews for www.Wcities.com and I am also the Dallas editor for www.IsMyHome.com. I also contribute to luxury and travel blogs -- yes, I actually get paid to do this. It doesn't cover my living expenses but it does cover some basics like the motorcycle insurance, cell phone, etc.

However, with those blogs I do censor myself and keep things light and fluffy. This blog however, is where I can come to tell you what I really think. So, without further ado, here goes:

What the everlasting F*** is the U.S. Government thinking? We are spending $2.6 MILLION to study why Chinese whores drink while working? The study is referring to the whores as FSW which stands for "Female Sex Workers". Also, the polite term of "Gatekeeper" is being used in the study instead of Pimp or Madame.

When we've got people in southern Mississippi still living in tents due to Katrina and hearing that Medicare is running out of money, what is that liberal congealed mess in Congress thinking?!

Further, who are the esteemed "scientitsts" that are going to be hanging out in these whorehouses "observing" why prostititues engage in "dangerous sex" when they are drunk?

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My other vent is networking events.

When a person is organizing a networking event, they are dashing about making sure the handouts are ready to go, the beverages have had ample time to start icing down, the food is set up, the laptop & big screen monitor are set up, the furniture arranged, etc. And then, if the Gods are smiling, the organizer will have everything ready to go 60 minutes out but no later than 45 minutes out.

So yesterday, I was hosting an event and 45 minutes out everything was finalized and ready to go. It was my chance to spend a few blissful minutes to just chill as The Illustrious One took a power nap on the other end of the sofa. 5 minutes later, the door opens to the sounds of "Is this the place for....." Yes, 40 minutes early the first person arrived. No one else arrived for another 30 minutes.

Another quandary is when people arrive at 8:25p for an event that's ending at 8:30 and ask, "Are we late?" Seriously? You're seriously asking that?

Then, as we approach the 9p hour and people are still raiding the cookie tray and chit chatting, some of us are kind of hoping you all might be courteous enough to take your conversations over to one of the Deep Ellum restaurants or clubs. You see, we, the organizer(s), have been going non-stop for about 14 hours at this point and still have another 45-60 minutes to put the furniture back, find where all the used cups, napkins, and plates might have been stashed so they can be thrown away, clean up the area where the food & drinks were, get everything sealed up and in the fridge, run the dust mop over the floor and then around 10p, we are finally getting a chance to go home to just relax.

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And so that the world knows I am not all doom & gloom, today I received a really fantastic gift! My mom is amazingly creative and she has segued off ceramics and is into scrapbooking. This morning FedEx delivered a scrapbook for Harley Amadeus von Doberman and it is just over the top cool -- everyone that has seen it just loves it and says my mother ought to do this for $$. The Illustrious One and I will be pulling together photos for it and I'll post shots of the completed book.

2009-01-08T21:11:00.002-06:00

There's a site that I've become rather fond of -- www.Hulu.com.

I was first turned on to Hulu when I found out that Sons of Anarchy was being shown there. The biggest perk for me is the Films section because they have things like old black and white classics to relatively modern-day releases.

Yes, there are a handful of commercials but each film only has about 5 commercial breaks and each break only has 1 commercial for 15-30 seconds. You can't get that on TV and it's cheaper than going to the video store so a win-win situation as far as I'm concerned.

It's also nice because you browse through the 10 pages listing the current films and check off those to add to your viewing queue. Some films have expiration dates of a few weeks or a few months and others have no expiration date.

Typically, I like to watch one film per night on the nights I'm not doing something and some of the films I've watched recently are:

The Night of the Hunter
Waking Ned Devine (GREAT!)
In The Name of the Father
Swimming Pool
The Professional
Requiem for a Dream
Wimbeldon
Lock, Stock & Two Smoking Barrels
The Fabulous Baker Boys
Somewhere in Time
Killing Zoe
Nobody's Fool (GREAT!)

...anyway, you get the idea. Definitely check out www.Hulu.com.

2009-01-06T23:55:00.003-06:00

I've been asked in the past if I had any interest in going skiing and my reply is "Not really - I'd just sit, watch people catapult themselves down a mountain and drink hot cocoa".

So upon seeing these photos it reaffirmed the fact that I'd be better off drinking cocoa....

Seems this poor guy trotted out on New Year's Day fancying himself a ski. So he flings himself and his kid onto a chair lift, somehow his ski got caught, the boot didn't release and the ensuing hilarity found him ass over teakettle with his pants yanked down to his ankles but his ankles were pointing towards the sky and his head was pointed towards the terra firma.

Alas, there were no frontal shots in this series so this posting cannot be added to my collection of "I love a good cock shot" posts...

2009-01-04T23:44:00.003-06:00

Call me strange, but I like the Texas winters because of the sheer diversity. Yesterday was Saturday with beautiful blue skies and 80; tomorrow morning it will be 30 with ice. I like the diversity because come August we will have two variations on the same theme: "God, it's hot" and "Fuck it's hot". I think anything below 100 falls into the first category.

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In other amazing developments in my world, I've decided to see if I can go without reading any bad news this year. I already forgo a lot of it by not owning a television. I have admittedly enjoyed the movies on www.Hulu.com because they are free and they offer good diversity. Yet, a lot of what I read is derived from sites like CNN, FoxNews, the local news affiliates, the British papers online, etc.

For the past 4 days I have avoided any stories with negative headlines and it's shocking how few articles that leaves to be read.

I'm a big believer in the philosophical debate on "does art imitate life or does life imitate art". In this day and age, art almost translates to media of all types. So when people are inundated with negative news stories on TV, exposes, bad news on the websites, etc., it's having an impact on their mental being with directly affects the emotional and physical well being. Some people might think I'm sticking my head in the sand, but I'm not buying into that because I am making a conscious choice to have positive elements into my life.

Of all 3 of the major network news sites here in Dallas, there were only 2 stories today that were positive - one had to do with the recovery of a stolen puppy from a pet store and the other was on a woman who won $1 million at the Winstar casino New Year's Eve after she had been laid off after 35 years at Bell Helicopter.

Think about that.....Dallas is the 6th largest media market in the country with a population 4x the population of the entire state of Wyoming and there were only 2 positive stories.

I'm just one person, but I've had enough.

2008-12-22T17:00:00.002-06:00

The FDA has approved Stevia to be used in the US as a sweetener....does this mean that Hell has frozen over?

Not really - it just means that Big Business is looking for an out.

You see, for the better part of the last 20 years, the FDA has classified Stevia as a "food additive" and vehemently prohibited it being labeled as a sweetener of any type. They have threatened legal action towards companies that printed recipes using stevia, commandeered supplies of stevia coming into the country, threatened to put companies selling stevia out of business, etc.

Why, pray tell, has the FDA been so afraid of a little green herb that is 30x sweeter than sugar and is safe for diabetics because it regulates their blood sugar? Quite simply, because the sugar lobbyists were too powerful and the Big Businesses like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, etc., began embracing Asapartame as the sweetner of choice.

Problem with Aspartame, is that it is linked to a whole host of health ailments and the FDA's own doctors provided feedback that it should not be approved when the FDA's head honchos decided to approve it and that fake sweetner is now used in 8,000+ products.

But now, thanks to the amazing grassroots efforts of the health oriented community, the truth about Aspartame has gotten out to mainstream America and people are beginning to realize that their health is vital and that can't keep feeding their body crap and expecting it to run 100%.

So while it is wonderful that the FDA has approved Stevia for use as a sweetener, they still deserve to be bitch-slapped because they didn't approve it for the health of the public but to appease the whims of the likes of Coca-Cola and Pepsi that are reacting to consumer complaints / concerns.

Hopefully, this will be a straw in the wind and more consumers will begin to make the direct correlation between the foods they eat and their health. The human body was not designed to run on fake foods and a host of pharmaceuticals and I personally feel that has become abundantly clear after seeing the rampant increase of "disease" over the past 100 years since the advent of processed foods and the heavier use of meat consumption. The closer to nature one can eat, the better off.

2008-12-19T00:36:00.002-06:00

Taking the Bible too literally & Taxing junk food & Greed....

So as most have probably heard, there's a family in Arkansas named the Duggars who have pro-created to the tune of 18 children. 1 male. 1 female. Copulating to send forth 18 offspring -- and they are looking forward to more.

The father, Jim Bob, needs to realize that his wife has a vagina and not a clown car between her thighs.

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New York Governor Paterson recently implemented a whole array of things to tax including soft drinks. People are all riled up over it.

Personally, I don't see the problem.

Obesity is a serious problem affecting this country and with most people being without insurance, it falls onto the tax payers to pick up the costs from the county hospitals. One way or another, we are paying for it.

It's only logical that the very products that are contributing to the poor health should be justly taxed just as cigarettes have been.

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All this yelping about Bernie Madoff and his amazing $50 billion Ponzi scheme is a bit mind numbing. Donald Trump summed it up well when he said most of the people investing with Bernie were greedy.

How else explain why people put 10's, if not 100's, of millions of dollars with this one guy? Trump gave examples of wealthy people mortgaging the family home that had been paid for decades ago just so that they could get their hands on more money to invest. And, as Trump put it, those people are now going to be looking to work at the local drug store.

I also agree with Trump that one solitary little old man couldn't have pulled this off by himself.

I've been reading the New York Post, New York Times and Palm Beach Post about some of these stories and can't even imagine what some of those people are about to go through. Life may throw you lemons at times, but usually you know how to catch them and add some water and sugar. Whereas most of those inherited monied toffs won't have clue 1 as to how to pull their life together.

In the immortal words of Gordon Gekko, "Greed IS good" but let's add the afterthought "within reason".....because let's be honest, very few people in this world can afford to lose $50 million.

2008-12-16T01:54:00.003-06:00

George Carlin Was Right About Politics...

Carlin, bless his soul, described the word politics as "poli" meaning "many" and "tics" meaning "blood suckers".

Certain sections of this country looked down their noses because approximately 25% of Texans felt Nobama was a Muslim on some level. We were called ignorant, back woods, etc. I have never stated that he's Muslim but I do have my idle wonderings based upon his schooling and his exposure to certain belief systems growing up. At least Texans had enough sense not to vote for Nobama regardless of their opinions on his choice of religious beliefs.

Sarah Palin was slammed by the liberal media and Democrats as being short on experience because she's only the governor of the largest U.S. state and a former mayor. But yet those same yahoos embraced Nobama who might have enough executive experience to arrange a pub crawl to be our next President.

Nobama also pontificated that it would be a fresh wave of "change" when his happy ass got to D.C. To date, there's a plethora of lackeys from Slick Willy's administration and from the Chicago politics scene -- you know, that same political scene that is legendary for low down dirty dealing? Yep...so much for that fresh wave of change.

Nobama is pontificating that he has an in-house investigation going on regarding this whole "selling his seat" fiasco with the Illinois governor yet he has stated to the press that he is "absolutely certain" that no one from his side chatted sweetheart deals with the governor. At least some of the press were astute enough to ask him how he could be certain if there was still an in-house investigation? Nobama hasn't replied to those questions.

And now we have little Caroline Kennedy deciding she fancies herself a chair in Senate. She'll just slide in and take over Hillary's seat -- hell, how hard could it be? Caroline has herself a law degree from Harvard....never practiced law though. She's even been involved in the organizing committes of some galas. She lives on the Upper East Side, doesn't have a steady job and her husband is a stay-at-home painter. Oh yeah...she's REALLY in touch with America and the challenges the average Joe is going through.

Even the feedback left from readers of the New York Post has been blistering in that Caroline is NOT qualified.

What a cluster fuck.

Texas should secede. We'd be something like the 6th wealthiest nation in the world as our own country again so no time like the present.

In a post on another site, Parkerbraden made the following selling points on Texas secession:

From The People of Texas

We Texans love y'all, but we'll have to take action if Obama wins
president over McCain. We'll miss you too.

Texas has given all those complainers plenty of time to get used to the results. After seeing the whiners along the campaign route, the folks from Texas are considering taking matters into our hands.

Here is our solution:

#1: Elect Barak Obama President of the United States. (All 49 states.)

#2: George W. Bush becomes the President of the Republic Of Texas.

So what does Texas have to do to survive as a Republic?

1. NASA is just south of Houston, Texas. (We will control the space industry.)

2. We refine over 85% of the gasoline in the United States.

3. Defense Industry. (We have over 65% of it) The term "Don’t mess with Texas," will take on a whole new meaning.

4. Oil - we can supply all the oil that the Republic of Texas will need for the next 300 years. Yankee states? Sorry about that.

5. Natural Gas - Again we have all we need and it's too bad about those northern states. John Kerry will figure a way to keep them warm....

6. Computer Industry - we currently lead the nation in producing computer chips and communications: Small places like Texas Instruments, Dell Computer, EDS, Raytheon, National Semiconductor, Motorola, Intel, AMD, Atmel, Applied Materials, Ball Semiconductor, Dallas Semiconductor, Delphi, Nortel, Alcatel, Etc, Etc. The list goes on and on.

7. Health Centers - We have the largest research centers for Cancer research, the best burn centers and the top trauma units in the world and other large health planning centers.

8. We have enough colleges to keep us going: UT Texas, A&M, Texas Tech, Rice, SMU, University of Houston, Baylor, UNT, Texas Women's University, Ivy grows better in the south anyway

9. We have a ready supply of workers. (Just open the border when we need some)

10. We have control of the paper industry, plastics, insurance, etc.

11. In case of a foreign invasion, we have the Texas National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. We don't have an army but since everybody down here has at least six rifles and a pile of ammo, we can raise an army in 24 hours if we need it. If the situation really gets bad, we can always call Department of Public Safety and ask them to send over a couple Texas Rangers.

12. We are totally self sufficient in beef, poultry, hogs and several types of grain, fruit and vegetables and lets not forget seafood from the gulf. And everybody down here knows how to cook them so that they taste good. Don't need any food.

This just names a few of the items that will keep the Republic Of Texas in good shape. There isn't a thing out there that we need and don't have.

Now to the rest of the United States under President Obama: Since you won't have the refineries to get gas for your cars, only Mr. Kerry will be able to drive around in his 9 mile per gallon SUV. The rest of the United States will have to walk or ride bikes.

You won't have any TV as the space center in Houston will cut off your communications. You won't have any natural gas to heat your homes but since Mr. Kerry has predicted global warming, you will not need the gas.

Signed, The People in Texas

Have a nice day!

2008-12-02T11:21:00.000-06:00

This is a great commentary that I wanted to share:

Happy Cyber Monday! A couple of weeks ago, I was discussing geopolitics and economics with someone on Twitter and they argued that we needed yet another bailout in order to prevent a recession. At which point I cursed the poor state of our school systems and replied that not even the US Treasury would be able to prevent a recession, in fact all of this money printing and deficit building would likely only prolong the suffering. Recessions are as legitimate as expansions or booms and bad businesses with fiscally irresponsible and archaic business models need to go out of business to make way for those who have modern business models and financially sound business practices. It is a part of the business cycle.

Reading the news from the Thanksgiving weekend only confirms my belief that we need recessions.

We need a recession because we have lost our ever loving minds.

We need a recession because we have reached a point where people will trample a pregnant woman and stomp another human being to death trying to be first in line to get a flat screen TV that we could have ordered online at walmart.com.

We need a recession because people are having shootouts and brawls at Toys R Us.

We need a recession because people who are two paychecks away from being homeless are running around buying Christmas presents for fully grown people with full time jobs instead of building an emergency fund and acting as if they deserve a gold star for cutting back this year.

We need a recession because fools in Atlanta are throwing $18,000 birthday parties for 12 year -olds catered by Chic-Fil-A and treating charitable foundations like the latest fashion accessory.

We need a recession because the credit glut of the last 20 years has lead to a bunch of materialistic, ravenous, unaccountable consumers who covet things instead of people and the only way to stop that is the power of the business cycle.

90% of GDP is consumer spending. We’re not making anything. We’re just fueling our economy spending money we don’t have..

A recession will soon teach everybody that credit is not wealth. Home debtorship is not home ownership. Your child won’t die if they don’t have a Xbox PSP, Wii, or WXYZ. Yes, you CAN survive living on less than what you earn. In the end all of this junk will end up in a heaping trash pile in somebody’s landfill.

We need a recession to teach us some common sense. That thrift and saving are virtues and Black Friday ain’t really a holiday. Black Friday is a creation of retailers and the news media.

There is a certain wisdom that many of our grandparents have/had. We saw them growing up. Making wine out of water. The original recyclers. They we’re recycling food, clothes, and furniture because they cared about the planet, they did it because they had to. They knew what it was like to walk around in shoes with holes on the bottom. They didn’t place their faith in the daily temper tantrums of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. They kept a little food aside for a very stormy day and for all of our jokes about hiding money in mattresses, they were probably right the way banks are failing these days.

Our political class is run by a bunch of feckless leaders who seem to believe that you can cure a credit glut by offering more credit. Billions of dollars for the bankers who created this mess in the first place? Its like trying to cure a bout of salmonella by eating more contaminated eggs. The sad thing is that our children and grandchildren will be paying for those rotten eggs

My Christmas list has three names on it. I’ll spend less than $200 this year as I do every year because in my family we pull names and I don’t have the problem with telling people NO!

We need a recession to smack us out of the MTV Cribs- Flip That House- coma that has beset us all. It is all an illusion. None of it is real.

I am throughly disgusted by those Wal-mart shoppers who had the audacity to be upset when police closed the store because it became a CRIME SCENE after a human being was trampled to death behind some consumer electronics.

“When told to leave,” some Valley Stream Wal-Mart shoppers “complained they had been in line for up to 24 hours.” A police spokesman said: “This crowd was out of control….” and “described the scene as [one of] ‘utter chaos. SF Gate

We need a recession so next Friday after Thanksgiving these fools will be sitting around the breakfast table enjoying family and friends instead of stomping someone else’s loved one to death or getting miffed that the crime scene tape is standing in the way of their $350 notebook computer.

In fact, I propose that each of you approach your city council with a “Black Friday Ordinance” make every retailer that advertises a “Black Friday” sale have adequate off-duty police officers on site to control the expected crowd and then send the fire marshal around to every store to shut the whole thing down if necessary.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Jdimypai Damour. I am so very sorry for what happened to him.

2008-11-30T21:06:00.003-06:00

The Illustrious One has "friends"....my God does that man have friends. How can you know someone as long as I have and yet they still have "friends" coming out of the woodwork? He and I have debated this issue because I have a pecking order....there are "people I know" and then "acquaintances" and then "friends". Think of it like a tiered cake with smaller layers as you get to the top. I have lots of people I know but few people I call "friends".

It's just one of those things that makes us unique. I find it refreshing because Illustrious genuinely likes people. He can be amazingly sociable. I have tried to learn from his example and I don't think I'm as reserved as I used to be - but I could be wrong which may explain why I still have so many "acquaintances" and so few "friends"...

Speaking of acquaintances, a few years ago, I was asked to watch a film called Office Space. I remember that Jennifer Aniston was in it as some Bennigan's-like waitress with buttons o' crap all over her shirt and I believe they referred to it as "flair". On Facebook, they have this Flair application which are virtual buttons that you can pin on your bulletin board. Here are some of the choice pieces of Flair I'm selected for my bulletin board:

What would Keith Richards do?
Dear Santa, can I have the numbers of the boys on the naughty list?
Still plays with motorcycles
1 day of coal, 364 days of fun - I think I'll take my chances
I don't do drugs. I am drugs. - Salvador Dali
I'm having another "It seemed like a good idea at the time" moment
Come to the dark side....we have cookies!
Whoever said anything was possible obviously never tried slamming a revolving door!
God will make a way when there seems to be no way.
As a math atheist, I should be excused from this (WOW - do I wish I had thought of this when I was in school!)
Life isn't about how to survive the storms but how to dance in the rain.
It's ok to say Merry Christmas!

...and in homage to that slogan that's all over our neighbor city to the south that proclaims, "Keep Austin weird", I throughly support the slogan: "Keep Dallas Pretentious!"

2008-11-30T20:11:00.003-06:00

The Thanksgiving holiday is coming to a close.

On Turkey Day, I joined some neighbors for a bit of a pot luck. It was good company, very laid back and the Cowboys kicked impressive ass in just the first few moments of the game. Someone from the building - whom none of us knew - decided to go outside to wash his bicycle. And I must say, that never in my life have I ever seen anyone wash a bike in quite the fashion he did -- detail brushes, special soaps, etc.

One of the girls tried to get his attention to invite him in for a plate but he was either ignoring her or didn't hear her knocking on the window.

I abstained from participating in the mass hysteria known as Black Friday. Typically I love things black and Fridays but not when it involves masses of people and needlessly spending money.

I was very saddened to learn of that man in New Jersey who was trampled to death at the opening of a Wal-Mart. When I read on the New York Post's website that the employees could not get the shoppers to leave even when they announced one of the staff had been killed, that just sent up massive signs of something is tragically wrong in this society. To keep shopping when a person has been killed like that is just horrific and callous beyond reason....and all to save a few $$.

Today, I ventured out for a bit and was approached by a couple guys with camera gear. One of the guys was working on his photography portfolio for college. They were quite nice and I hope some of his shots turned out the way he wanted. I was all bundled up because it was very blustery today. Superstition looked good -- but then she always does. One of the guys asked me how long I'd had her and I realized that today was our 8th anniversary! She and I have had some fun times together and I look forward to having many more fun years with her.

For a black Harley, she's been in so many media shots -- when I was editor for Thunder Roads Texas, on a video shoot for Colin Raye, shooting for my dream project, etc.

Speaking of projects, there is a wonderful one pending and I look forward to working on it. I hope it will be able to allow me to pick up working on my personal pet project. My project has been at an absolute standstill for months and there's not a bloody thing I can do about it since I don't know how to edit.

I was recently involved with another person's pet project - he wrangled something like 150 people to assist on both cast and crew. All people helping him achieve his goal.

I have to have faith that when the time is right, I can pick up my project and start running with it again with the right people supporting the long term goals for it.....I'm anxiously looking forward to that day.

.

2008-10-29T23:52:00.003-05:00

All I can say is Thank God for the British Press!

IF Barack Obama wins the election next week, America and the world will be taking a huge step into the unknown.

There will be great things about an Obama victory. Above all, America-haters around the world will be forced to see that the United States is an extraordinarily open society. A black leader in any European state is unimaginable.

But there are troubling aspects to Obama’s effortless cruise to Presidency.

First is that it is accompanied by an almost messianic belief in the man, at home and abroad.

After so much unrealistic hope must come a great fall. Disappointment, if not disillusion, is inevitable, particularly in today’s economic meltdown.

Second, most of the great American papers and major TV networks have abandoned objectivity in this election.

To put it unkindly, they have been in the bag for Obama for months.

The media are vicious about the Republican candidate John McCain and even more so about his running mate Sarah Palin. But Obama is above criticism. They have spent far less time than they should on examining his record. Obama is polished and attractive. But he also displays a remarkable arrogance.

In fact, he is the most untested and most inexperienced politician ever to get so close to the US presidency.

But the Press have skated over his thin CV in the Democratic Party political machine and also over the disagreeable nature of many of his friends, particularly the America-hating pastor of 20 years, Jeremiah Wright.

Wrong

Abroad, his positions have often been been plain wrong and dangerous.

Between 2004-2007, his constant demand for US troop withdrawal from Iraq would have led to catastrophic genocide. He opposed Bush’s 2007 surge of troops in Iraq and has only recently, grudgingly, admitted that the surge has been a great success.

Thanks to American blood and treasure, Iraq now has the nearest thing to democracy in the Arab world. It is imperfect and fragile and needs continued American support. Little in Obama’s statements suggests he understands this.

Equally dangerous is his promise to sit down without preconditions with Iran’s President Ahmadinejad, who declares Israel a “stinking corpse” and seeks to destroy it.

French officials, who tried to talk with Iran for years under President Chirac, snort derisively at such naive folly.

Despite all the evidence that America is essential to global stability let alone progress, the rhetoric from Obama and his supporters suggests that he wishes to pull America back from the world stage. This would lead to catastrophe.

Quite apart from existing threats, there is now the risk of economic chaos.

After the economic crash of the early 1930s, America was isolationist and no other country was able to stop the march of the European dictators with, as we know, terrible consequences.

Today there are similar dangers of economic meltdown and a rise in the number of failed states. That danger will increase if America withdraws.

It was a Democrat Secretary Of State, Madeleine Albright, who said that America is “the indispensable country”.

One can only hope that if he wins on November 4, President-elect Obama will quickly come to understand that.

2008-10-28T10:11:00.002-05:00

When Leaders Get Messiah Complexes

Thursday, October 23, 2008

By Col. Oliver North

Washington, D.C. — On Wednesday this week, I was an unwilling eyewitness to a dramatic political event and it made me wonder where we are headed as a nation. More on that in a moment. First, a little background.

There is no doubt that leadership matters. The study of human history provides evidence that empires — even entire civilizations — rise and fall on the ideas, virtues and skills of great leaders. From Mesopotamia to the European continent, those who chronicled the triumphs and failures of great leaders in the Western world measured success based on military prowess and territory conquered. Herodotus detailed how the Persian Empire, built by Darius, eventually succumbed to Alexander the Great in the 5th Century B.C. That vision of leadership began to change in what is now Israel.

Old Testament prophets described a Messiah — in Aramaic, měshīhā — a leader — a savior who would deliver the Jewish people from their travails. For more than two millennia, Christians have believed that the Messiah is Jesus of Nazareth and that at the appointed time he will come again in triumph. Unfortunately, in the modern era there have many other leaders who perceived that they had messianic qualities that only they could provide.

Napoleon, in the aftermath of the bloody French Revolution, described himself as "essential" to the future of France – and was appointed dictator. The aftermath was a disaster for his countrymen and much of Europe.

Adolf Hitler was elected by the German people and then given absolute power because he claimed that only he could "preserve the Aryan race." The result was a global conflagration that resulted in the death of more than 25 million.

More recently — from Idi Amin in Uganda, to Pol Pot in Cambodia, Kim Jung Il in Korea and Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe — all have "led" their people to perdition after describing themselves as the only men capable of leading their populations through difficult times. Yet, all their people were ultimately worse off.

It is notable that until the 20th century, the American people managed to avoid selecting leaders who held messianic self-esteem. Neither George Washington nor Abraham Lincoln — arguably two of this nation's greatest leaders through the toughest crises in our history — described themselves in such terms. In fact, the record of what they said and wrote is replete with humility.

Not until Franklin Delano Roosevelt decided in 1940 that our country needed his "seasoned leadership," did any U.S. president even contemplate a third successive term in office. While FDR rose to become a great wartime leader, there is also little doubt that he amassed far more power in the office of chief executive than any of his predecessors. Roosevelt's authority was so great that his successor, Harry Truman, the modest man from Missouri, saw fit to endorse a constitutional amendment limiting presidents to two terms.

Given America's history of limiting executive power in government — if by no other means than term limits — it is interesting to note how much hope some people now vest in such office. And it's not just the presidency.

New York City, where FOX News Channel is headquartered, has a public law limiting the mayor to a tenure of two terms. Despite this ordinance, Mayor Michael Bloomberg, citing the current "economic crisis," insists that he should have a third stint in office. Though he was once a believer in term limits he now claims that, "Given the enormous challenges we face, I don't want to walk away from a city I feel I can help lead through these tough times."

That's messianic thinking. But apparently the Big Apple isn't the only place it's happening.

During Wednesday afternoon's rush hour, I was making my way home on the "Dulles Greenway" when a phalanx of police motorcycles and cruisers stopped all traffic and ordered us to pull our vehicles off the highway onto the shoulders. Over a loudspeaker we were told to stay put until the Obama campaign convoy passed, on the way to a rally in Leesburg, Virginia.

Instantly, hundreds of people were out of their cars. Directly in front of me a group of supporters — evident by their bumper-stickers — jumped out with cameras, cell-phones and banners. They began chanting: "The Messiah! He's coming! Obama is coming!" The shouting only intensified as the candidate and his entourage — motorcycles, police cars, black Secret Service Suburbans and busses — roared past us.

What I found so disturbing was seeing so many of my countrymen who apparently think — or believe — or hope — that the next president of the United States will save us from ourselves. Senator Obama has said we can not, "Wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for." He would do well to remember that unfulfilled expectations are the greatest cause of anger on the planet. That's true whether it is between a husband and wife, students and teacher, employers and employees, or leaders and the led. He might also recall that humility is a virtue that has distinguished our greatest leaders.

What all this means to the future of this republic, I don't know. I'm a military historian, not a prophet. But I do know the first name of the Messiah. It's not Mike. And it isn't Barack, either.

2008-10-26T09:52:00.002-05:00

Joe Biden doesn't like anything but pro-Democrat fluff questions. Try to ask him a direct question on an issue that has concerned Americans and he laughs it off, blames the anchorwoman, whoever wrote the questions, etc.

Then the Dems respond by severing ties with the station because they were so rough on Biden.

Are these yahoos for real? They can't handle the simple questions from a TV station - so do they expect the big boys throughout the rest of the world to treat them with kid gloves also? No wonder certain other world leaders are so hot to get these wankers into office -- they know they can steamroll right over them.

2008-10-23T19:05:00.005-05:00

A couple weeks ago I received a call from the Dallas County Republican Party asking if I would be a judge at my local precinct. My first thoughts were, "Me? Are you serious?" Seems the lady was quite serious because I was the only Republican they could find in my precinct and they legally have to have someone representing each party at the polls on election day. I asked, "I'm the ONLY Republican in Deep Ellum? There's tattoo parlors and biker bars within blocks of me; I know there are other Republicans around here!" Yes...but they aren't in the volunteer database for them to easily call upon. I said that I suppose I could be a judge and thought to myself that it might be something to add to the list of activities I've experienced in life.

So yesterday I received the paperwork from the county with the details on what I was to do, training class to take, how much I would get paid, etc.

I was at a shoot today and shared the info that I had been asked to be a judge in my local precinct for the upcoming election and those around me said, "You? Are you serious? Have they met you? Oh dear God!" I wasn't quite sure how to take those responses but it essentially boils down to the fact that I can be stubborn and opinionated and I like Uzi's so I'm going to support the party that isn't interested in jacking with the Second Amendment.

To be working in the entertainment industry, I'm quite surprised by the number of people that have already voted and voted for McCain/Palin - these people include straight, gay, men, women, white and black. Actually, one of the most outspoken critics I've ever heard go off on Obama is a black man that is disturbingly good with spouting off facts and statistics (he's also a biker).

This election might be quite interesting indeed.

*****************************

On another note that is anti-Obama, FoxNews has an amusing breakdown of gaffes that the liberal media has chosen to overlook:

As Mrs. Gump used to say, “stupid is as stupid does”. So let’s level the playing field and list some of the stupidest things said by Barack Obama that are underreported in the media.

Obama said he campaigned in 57 states. America only has 50 states.

Obama said Kentucky is closer to Arkansas than his home state of Illinois. Kentucky borders Illinois, but not Arkansas.

Obama asked the UN Security Council to condemn Russia. Russia has veto power over the UN Security Council.

Obama said we have too few interpreters in Afghanistan, because they are all in Iraq. In Iraq and Afghanistan the citizens speak different languages.

Obama said Kennedy talked to Khrushchev to get missiles out of Cuba. They talked in 1961. The missiles went there in 1962.

Obama said his uncle in the American military liberated Auschwitz. The Russians liberated Auschwitz.

Obama blamed Bush for the rise of Hugo Chavez. Chavez was elected 2 years before Bush.

Obama said the treatment for child asthma is: Give them a Breathalyzer.

Obama claimed 10,000 people died in a Kansas hurricane. The real number was 12.

Obama said our nation honors “fallen heroes, and I see many of them standing here today.” Fallen heroes are dead so he must have seen ghosts.

Obama referred to the town of “Sunrise” as “Sunshine” and Sioux Falls as “Sioux City.”

Get the picture?

2008-09-18T18:09:00.002-05:00

This is an interesting and thought provoking posting an acquaintance of mine left on his blog.

last will and testament of Bean're

There has been alot of deaths lately in my life. It seems that every time I turn around I am going to another funeral. The latest was a friend of mine that I grew up with and knew for 35 years. I was at is house with his parents and 2 other brothers more then I was at mine. He developed cancer about a year ago and after aggressive treatment and surgery he was given months to live. I was able to get up and see him. We talked about old times and hung out with some other old friends. We also made some plans that we both knew would never happen because time was running out. Well just the other day, that end came. Because we had the time together and the fact the he was in alot of pain and his quality of life had deteriorated so much, I was almost relieved for him.

When I got to the funeral it was like a reunion for friends that I hadn't seen in 20 or more years. It was good to reminisce over the good times and even some of the bad times. for 2 days this went on then came the service and the burial. Well the service was very religious. My friend was a good person and a good provider for his family and friends but he was never much for organized religion. The Music they played was hideous funeral music that was so generic, the funeral home probably plays the same tape at every funeral. The preacher did a sermon in which he said that death is a payment for our sins. We all sin so we all die. I think we all die because we are all born. That's how life works.

I don't want that kind of going away so I thought I should list my last will and testament just in case life for me ends and I travel down a new highway that many of our friends and family are on now.

First of all I don't want an organized religious funeral. I want a priest and a Rabbi and a Hara Krishna sitting in the front row with a Monk, a Buddhist and a shaman. There will be no sermon but I want everyone to tell stories about my life. I want everyone to share the good and the bad. I think we could have a few laughs. I also want music playing during my viewing. Good music. Audioslave and Zeppelin. Jackyl and Grateful Dead. I want everyone to bring a CD with the song that reminds them of my life and give it to the DJ just like a stripper before her set. Yea I want a DJ too.

I want lots of pictures of me with friends. I have always been a photo whore so lets all bring pictures. This should help inspire some stories to tell also.

I want my bike there and everyone to take parts from it so everyone has a part to run on their bike and keep my memory in the wind. If you aren't at the funeral, you don't get a part. This should make for a good turnout since everyone will be there and fighting over my Baker 6 speed. I got some other cool parts too so enjoy.

I don't want people to dress up in black suits and dresses. I always wear my Hot pink tie at funerals now. That's not as disrespect for the passed but as disrespect for death itself. F*ck death! I am sure when I go I won't like death anymore. Everyone knows purple is my favorite color. Lets go with purple and pink as the color of the day. The funkier the better.

I want people to have a good time. I want to inspire people to go out and live. I have truly lived my life and This is a good day to make the commitment to "live" not just exist. Go out and do something you have always wanted to do in my honor. That would make me happy.

I am not through living yet but we never know what tomorrow brings so just in case something may happen to end my journey know that I will be waiting on the other side with our other friends and family.

2008-09-17T14:14:00.001-05:00

2008-09-09T13:07:00.003-05:00

It's time to make the change to have everything hosted in one place and on one account for a very affordable price!

2008-09-02T21:11:00.001-05:00

Say What?!

I didn't even know this was genetically possible...

2008-08-31T23:46:00.005-05:00

Elephants v. Jackasses

I freely admit to being a bit of a rebel - maybe it's the Texan in me. When it comes to politics, I think of myself as an Independent simply because the Republicans have a less than stellar environmental record and I am pro-choice. So, I am the type to vote for a Kinky Friedman or John McCain but no way, no how would I vote for a Barack Hussein Obama.

First off, I'm a Dallas girl and I can do pretentious snob as well as the next Neiman-Marcus girl so when I'm watching this yahoo with his cheshire cat grin and smug look, I'm thinking to myself, "Now how the hell is that going to win anyone over?" But, somehow, several million people believe his rhetoric that he's going to fly into the White House and start making, in the immortal words of David Bowie, Ch-ch-ch-changes.

Here's one fallacy about that - he can't do jack in the White House because Congress has to vote on things. See, BHO is ranting and raving about the war in Iraq and how many military personnel are over there. YET - there were FEWER military personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan when then Republicans had control of the house and since the Democrats won control 2 years ago the military presence has INCREASED. Yet, they would blame it all on Bush.

One should also note that the economy was better with the Republicans in control - we started free falling once the Democrats got in there.

That broad Nancy Pelosi won her election and is now Speaker of the House based upon a platform of getting the troops out of Iraq. She promised change (Is it even possible for any Democrat to campaign on any other issue but the empty, shallow promises of "change"?). Pelosi vowed to her constituents that she would make change happen. She did just the opposite of her promises. But, of course, somehow, someway it must be Bush's fault that she did a bait & switch on her voters.

Now the Democrats are pontificating about hockey mom Sarah Palin that McCain chose as his VP. Joe Biden is up a creek because he can't help but put his foot in his mouth in a public setting so God help him when he has to debate Sarah Palin.

BHO is huffing and puffing like the big bad wolf about her lack of experience. Let's see - BHO was elected a Senator 2 years ago and has spent 2 years campaigning for President and giving his Illinois constituents precious little value for their votes. Oh, he does make his token appearances on occasion to yelp out "Present" but he rarely votes Yes or No to anything. God forbid the American public might find out what his real opinions might be.

And now BHO and his 300 advisers are ranting about Sarah's lack of experience. Let's see, Sarah has been a Mayor and is the current Governor of the largest U.S. state that also produces 20% of the energy American's use. Granted, she did start her political career in the PTA 16 years ago at a time when BHO was pondering what community action project he could get into but the girl does have several years on BHO in terms of experience - not bad considering she's younger than he is.

Sarah visited the Alaskan military troops overseas before she was ever a bleep on the VP radar screen. BHO does a Globus Gateway tour of the mideast and yelps to a crowd of Germans in Berlin like he was thinking that the citizens of Germany could vote in a US election.

Where does BHO stand on the 2nd Amendment? Who the hell knows. Sarah, on the other hand, knows her way around a firearm.

Where does BHO stand on the the Pro-Choice debate? Who the hell knows. Sarah, has made her feelings clear on this issue and even opted to bring her youngest child to term even though she was informed the baby would have Down's Syndrome.

BHO's approval rating? Hovers around 45%. Sarah's hovers around 87%.

BHO's experience in an executive capacity? Squat. Sarah has several years experience.

I, for one, am delighted that McCain opted to shake things up by pulling in Sarah. She's a rebel, she's an independent thinker, she can work well with both sides of the aisle and she doesn't put up with any BS.

And that is EXACTLY the type of person that should be a heartbeat away from the Presidency.

2008-08-23T22:10:00.001-05:00

And This Is Who The Democrats Want On Their Election Ticket?!

Obama Misspeaks, Calls Biden 'The Next President'; Biden Calls Obama 'Barack America'

August 23, 2008 4:52 PM

ABC News' Sara Just reports: Journalists who were awake until the wee hours waiting for confirmation that Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., was indeed Barack Obama's running mate, cannot be blamed if their hearing is a little fuzzy today.

But after today's Obama-Biden speeches to a massive crowd in Springfield, Ill., many reporters are rolling back the tape and asking each other, "Did he really say that?"

When introducing his running mate, Obama said, "So let me introduce to you the next president - the next vice president of the US of America, Joe Biden."

And then when it was Biden's turn to speak, the Delaware senator called the presumptive Democratic nominee "Barack America" instead of Barack Obama.

"My friends, I don't have to tell you, this election year the choice is clear. One man stands ready to deliver change we desperately need. A man I’m proud to call my friend. A man who will be the next president of the United States, Barack America,” Biden said, per ABC News' Sunlen Miller.

However the official Obama campaign transcript of Biden's remarks sent to reporters omitted part of the misspeak, reading: "A man who will be the next president of the United States, Barack Amer – You know, you learn a lot of things being up close with a guy."

Then, later in his speech, Biden jokingly referred to his wife's PhD as a "problem." Biden was clearly having a playful moment with his wife, who he also referred to as "drop dead gorgeous."

"Ladies and gentlemen, my wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, is drop dead gorgeous. My wife Jill, who you’ll meet soon, she also has her doctorate degree, which is a problem," Biden said, "But all kidding aside, my Jill, my Jill, my wife Jill and I are honored to join Barack and Michelle on this journey, because that's what it is. it's a journey."

The Republican war machine jumped on the first misstatement, with the McCain campaign releasing the following statement within minutes of the Springfield event's close: “Barack Obama sounded as though he turned over the top spot on the ticket today to his new mentor, when he introduced Joe Biden as the next president. The reality is that nothing has changed since Joe Biden first made his assessment that Barack Obama is not ready to lead. He wasn’t ready then and he isn’t ready now,” McCain spokesman Ben Porrit said.

2008-08-22T11:46:00.000-05:00

Food Supply Under Threat

Starting today, your fresh vegetables may now be irradiated without your knowledge. The FDA has unleashed a new rule allowing food companies to secretly irradiate lettuce and spinach, and there is NO requirement that these foods be labeled with a warning label! The FDA is also looking to expand this to other vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers and onions. Soon, ALL vegetables may be irradiated.

Why does this matter? Because irradiation destroys phytonutrients, including anti-cancer nutrients that are protecting your health right now. With this rule, the FDA is literally killing the food supply!

This is a crucial issue for the survival of America. No nation can survive the destruction of its food supply. The FDA is determined to do what all the terrorists in the world could not: Use weapons of mass destruction against the food.

The media is focusing on the angle of "this protects us from e. coli", they are NOT focusing on the issue of this is destroying our food supplies.

Contact the FDA today to let them know your feedback on this vital issue to the health of us all: http://www.fda.gov/comments.html.

Also, wherever you see a report on this issue whether it's a mainstream site like CNN, MSNBC, FOX, etc., leave comments in relation to this story. Also email the reporters of your local broadcast and print media that are covering this story.

2008-08-17T13:08:00.002-05:00

Praises Jesus…and Mick! Rolling Stones classic wakes grandfather from coma.

Rolling Stones classic wakes grandfather from coma

Sam Carter lost consciousness after contracting severe anaemia but was brought back to life when "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" was blared into his ears.

The anthem was the first single the retired baker from Stoke in Staffordshire ever bought, released in 1965 when he was just 17.

Despite only being given a 30 per cent chance of survival, he woke from his coma after his wife Eva, 65, took the doctor's advice and played him his favourite tunes through a set of earphones.

After three days of listening to the local Stoke station Signal 2, his eyes opened as soon as he heard the sound of Mick Jagger's vocals and Keith Richards' guitar riff.

Sam said: "I can't remember much from being in a coma, but I do remember that when that song came on it took me right back to when I was a youngster.

"I could remember how excited I was to get it down at the record shop.

"I suddenly had a burst of energy and knew I had a lot more life left in me and that's when I woke up - to the sound of the first song I ever bought."

Same, who has three children and six grandchildren, added: "I would love to thank Mick and the rest of the Stones personally - I feel they really did help wake me from my coma."

Wife Eva said she had switched on the radio at Stoke's City General Hospital in a last-ditch attempt to bring him back a fortnight ago, after growing increasingly frustrated with his lack of progress.

She said: "I didn't really think it would work.

"I couldn't believe it when he started opening his eyes and looked at me. It was like we had been given another chance."

2008-08-15T00:00:00.001-05:00

Let's Save Ross Avenue

Kudos to the group that has put together the initiative to save Ross Avenue.

A group of Hispanic activists demanded that Industrial Boulevard be renamed for Cesar Chavez - an activist that did good for California farm laborers; however, Chavez was NOT from Dallas let alone Texas.

The Dallas City Council opted to not rename Industrial for Chavez so now the activists are demanding that Ross Avenue be renamed. You know Ross Avenue? That major street between Live Oak, crosses Greenville Avenue, DISD headquarters, major high rises, the entire Arts District down to the West End. Yeah, that little no name street is the one that the activists fancy that the time has come to rename. To hell with Dallas history. To hell with the Ross Brothers who the street was named after. Let’s name it after some guy that isn’t even from here.

For far too long, those of that are natives of this city have stood by while newcomers, politicians, activists, etc., have tried to rewrite our history. Well, we’ve had enough.

Let’s support the group that is working to ensure that Ross Avenue will remain Ross Avenue for a very long time.

2008-08-13T23:28:00.000-05:00

American Airlines announces new partnership with Komen Foundation but declines to help long term customer with request

This week American Airlines (AA) made the announcement that they are partnering with Dallas based Susan G. Komen foundation on a mission to promote breast cancer research.

The partnership represents a newly created fundraising category for Komen called Promise Grants, which are collaborative, inter-disciplinary research projects with the strong potential to discover and deliver the cures for breast cancer more quickly.

AA has pledged to raise a minimum of $1 million annually for eight years, to fund Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s first Promise Grant — a $7.5 million, five-year study of inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

The remainder will be used to fund health and community programs.

The specially co-branded aircraft — an American Airlines Boeing 757, and an American Eagle Embraer 145 — will raise money for a breast cancer cure.

Distinctive pink streamers extend the full length of the fuselage of the two airplanes.

As this story was about to be posted to the Dallas.IsMyHome blog, we were contacted by a woman that works at a high-level position with an internationally known technology company. (She requested that her personal details be kept private.)

After several years of utilizing AA as a primary transportation means for her business trips to Europe and South America, she contacted AA yesterday via email to find out if they would please extend her Elite privilege for another year as she has been dealing with a diagnosis for breast cancer, surgeries, chemo and recovery since February of this year and wasn’t going to be able to make the 50,000 mile minimum.

Now keep in mind that the Elite privilege that she is requesting are perks that she has already earned on an annual basis and doesn’t cost AA any money. These perks include:

Allows her to board with the first group so she can get situated without people jostling into her.

Allows her access to the lounge on her international trips

As you can see, these are trivial perks but can make a world of difference for a woman that is still in recovery.

AA’s customer service replied that no, they would not extend her elite status but that she was welcome to PURCHASE her status when she began traveling again.

We contacted AA’s media department today via email requesting an official response as we strive to report a balanced view; however, at the time of this posting, AA has not replied.

The email from the woman to AA and AA’s response are posted here in their entirety:

Original Message Follows:
>————————
>E-mail received from:
>TERI MXXXXXX, 7LXXXXX, TERI.MXXXXXX@XXXXX.COM,
>(Home)XX4-XXXXXX,4 Date Generated: 08/12/08 08:50
>Regarding:
>—Message Comments—
>Hello,
>
>So Far this year I have not been able to travel due to breast
>cancer and chemotherapy. I will loose my platinum status but
>will be resuming travel in November. I am hoping that my
>platinum status can be extended through next year where I will
>then be earning it again. Thank you for your compassion and
>understanding.

American Airlines Reply:
>From: ext AAdvantage Customer Service
>[mailto:Aadvantage_Customer_Svc@aa.com]
>Sent: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 11:29 AM
>To: XXXXXXX Teri (XXXXX-D/Miami)
>Subject: Re: Other (KMM6745123V54191L0KM)
>
>Dear Ms. MXXXXXX,
>
>We’re glad you contacted AAdvantage(r) Customer Service. I’m
>happy to help.
>
>Under the circumstances, we certainly understand your concerns
>about your AAdvantage(r) elite membership. We sympathize with
>what you are going through, and extend our best wishes for a
>rapid recovery.
>
>Please contact us than and at that time we will afford you the
>opportunity to regain your elite Platinum membership by buying
>your Platinum status back. In the interim, please accept our
>apologies that we are unable to suspend your AAdvantage
>Platinum(r) membership until your health improves. The elite
>Membership Year extends from March 1 to the last day of
>February of the following year, at which time all memberships
>are downgraded one elite level unless members requalify for
>the same or higher status.
>
>We wish you all the best and encourage you to let us know as
>soon as you’re back on your feet — and back up in the air! It
>would be our pleasure to assist you in once again qualifying
>for AAdvantage Platinum membership.
>
>Thank you for participating in the AAdvantage program. We
>appreciate your business.
>
>Regards,
>
>Carmen N.
>AAdvantage Customer Service
>American Airlines

2008-08-11T02:00:00.003-05:00

Individuality

I think it's interesting that so many people are moving towards using their debit cards for everything; however, sometimes it's kewl to have personal checks that represent who you are, your goals, beliefs and/or hobbies.

I like the concept of writing a New Moon Check within 24 hours of the new moon. This concept helps you to visualize financial abundance coming into your life. Do a Google search on writing a new moon check and you'll see what I'm talking about.

To that regard, having customized checks allows you to put even more visual emphasis on what you are trying to draw more of into your life whether that is cash, adventures like a photo safari or taking up a new sport like motorcycling.

A website called Carousel Checks will also give you the option of uploading your favorite photo - perhaps you and a loved one, your pet or just an amazing landscape setting so you have your own photo checks.

Carousel offers inexpensive options for getting started and when you have to crack open the check book to pay bills, it will make it a bit more interesting by allowing you to focus on something that brings you pleasure.

2008-08-08T20:56:00.004-05:00

First Time For Everything....

For the first time, a major policital candidate is catering to the biker crowd. You know the bikers? Ride those big ass obnoxious 2 wheeled contraptions, wear too much black, drink too much, tatted up and hard core blue collar?

Oh, wait, what am I saying? Those were the demographics for bikers in 1983. Today, bikers represent the opposite end of the spectrum + we have so many more joining our ranks as the fuel costs keep jacking us around.

So kudos to McCain for recognizing what a powerful segment of the population we bikers represent. And if you want to get involved with the Bikers for McCain movement, click here.

.

2008-08-05T19:37:00.002-05:00

Paris Hilton for President

Compared to what I've seen by either camp so far, after seeing this video clip, I wholeheartedly support Paris Hilton and her inadvertent entry as an Independent in the 2008 U.S. Presidential Election!

Paris Hilton Responds to McCain Adfunny videosFunnyOrDie.com

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

2008-08-01T08:15:00.005-05:00

Animals - Wild and Domestic

In just the past couple days, I have seen 3 stories that defy logic to me:

A woman bitch slaps her boyfriends child and the pet pit bull bites the woman. I've never owned a pit bull but I am experienced with Dobermans and I can state that if they feel a loved one is being hurt, they are going to after the attacker. It's part of their nature. And don't go off on how pit bulls and Dobies are dangerous because a recent British study showed that smaller yappy dogs are far more aggressive than larger dogs - people just don't report the ankle biters like they do the larger dogs and therefore the stats about larger breeds being more aggressive are very skewed. Larger dogs, are in fact, calmer and more docile than small dogs.

A bear foraging for food got it's head stuck in a plastic jar - police shoot and kill bear. What the f*** is this about? You've got a bear that hasn't been able to eat or drink for at least 5 days just trying to get the damn plastic jug off it's head and the police shoot and kill it because it's a threat to humans? They couldn't find a tranquilizer dart? This was horrifically unnecessary.

Saudi Arabia and the Koran thumping buffoons known as the religious police have banned the sale and ownership of dogs and cats. They fancy that pet ownership is one of those nasty "Western traits" that they are too good for. Forget the fact that it's well documented that people are emotionally healthier by owning a pet, they are concerned that humans might be lured into vice like activities because they met one another while Fido was on a stroll. .

2008-07-29T08:15:00.000-05:00

Today is Day 5 of my water fast.

Sleep was good last night but I think I was clenching my teeth because my gums felt odd this morning.
Breath isn't as rank as it was 2 days ago. Powerful thirst when I awoke.

I'm down 11 pounds.

2008-07-15T15:33:00.000-05:00

Ride to Work Day

Remember all you biker and scooter people, tomorrow, Wednesday, 16 July 2008 is the 17th annual Ride to Work Day.

I know most of you that have 2-wheelers are already making use of them daily; however, for those of you that haven’t made the transition, tomorrow is a good day to show you are one of us!

Ride your motorcycle or scooter on tomorrow to demonstrate:

* The number of motorcyclists to the general public and to politicians.
* That motorcyclists are from all occupations and all walks of life.
* That motorcyclists can reduce traffic and parking congestion in large cities.
* That motorcycles are for transportation as well as recreation.
* That motorcycling is a social good.

Motorcycle and scooter sales are skyrocketing due to the high gasoline prices. Training classes are filled for weeks out.

The next hurdle will be parking for our bikes and if you have not done so, please sign the petition requesting the City of Dallas implement designated motorcycle and scooter parking!

The City’s assistant director of transportation is already reviewing the request and we will keep you updated as things progress — but your name on that petition is needed so they know we mean business!

See you tomorrow out on the roads!

2008-07-14T15:15:00.007-05:00

The New Yorker Cover of Barak & Michelle Obama

Take a good look at the most recent edition of The New Yorker magazine. It seems that the golden child rag of Conde Nast Publishing thought this cover was just too droll as it played up all the stereotypical ravings that are being blasted around the Internet about BO.

They fancy that everybody will understand this tongue in cheek illustration.

It goes to show just how far New York City is from the South. Don't those Yankees know that there are some good ol' boys down in Alabama with their guns and hunting dogs who are going to use this image for target practice?

Don't they know there are Bible thumping church ladies in the Midwest that are in total shock & awe.

How could this be happening to America?! A femi-nazi-camo-wearing-assault-rifle-fro-haired woman bumping fists with a turban-and-sandal-wearing man as the American flag burns with Osama looking down from the portrait?

And the people at New Yorker think that this image won't be used to the fullest by the firestorm that's already brewing on the web?

I always thought the New Yorker was liberal. What redneck took over the job as editor there recently?

BO's camp said it is not amused by this image -- of course not. It's a PR nightmare!

McCain's camp said it is not amused by this image -- of course they did. Even though it is a PR windfall for them!

Meanwhile, Hillary with her hundreds of delegates that she's still technically holding on to is keeping quiet in the shadows.

It's not August in Denver yet and BO does not have that nomination tied up.

Could this be the image that turns the tide?

.

2008-07-10T08:44:00.004-05:00

Yet More Reasons For Texas To Go Independent

When BO isn't running from Jesse Jackson wanting to cut his nuts off and "forgetting" to ask his supporters to help bail Hillary out, he's continuously shocked and awed by what he sees in America.

Lovely.

We've got a guy running for president that is amazed by what he's seeing in America.

He's surprised that Montana is so big.

He was shocked that gumbo in N'awlins tastes better than it does in Chicago. WTF?!

He's proclaimed that he was surprised he really liked Texas - by saying that he's going to endear himself to Texas voters? Obviously the campaign bus didn't stop by the Koffee Kup Kafe in Hico.

He has trouble in public remembering if he's in Sioux City or Sioux Falls. Only rock stars on tour can get away with that BS - not some character who thinks he has the balls it takes to run the country....yeah, the very balls that Jesse Jackson wants to whack off!

It's just comedy. It's absurd. THIS is what our country has come to with this election?

TEXAS PLEASE SECEDE! We were our own country once and this is a really good time for us to be our own country again. Think about the possibilities of Texas being it's own country:

We own the half of NASA that controls everything.
Need launch pads? We have a really long coast line and tons of open space in the west.
Think of how many corporations are either based in Texas or have their US headquarters here (ExxonMobil, Southwest Airlines, American Airlines (might need to change that name), Continental Airlines, EDS, Texas Instruments, JC Penney, Blockbuster, AT&T, Kimberly-Clark, BurlingtonNorthernSantaFe, etc...
If Texas were an independent nation, it would rank 5th in the world in petroleum production and 5th in cotton production, with a gross national product greater than Australia or Brazil.
Texas contains over one third of the nation's dwindling oil reserves.
We have the 2nd larges port.

It's time for us to get away from the political insanity that is enveloping the US.

.

2008-07-09T01:19:00.002-05:00

Support Our Military Veterans?

An Army medic that was made famous from a photo snapped of him, in full combat gear, running with an Iraqi boy that was injured, has died from an overdose.

When is this country going to stop financially supporting illegal aliens and start putting resources towards our current and former military personnel to help them with any type of medical needs?

This is an absolute disgrace.

.

2008-07-08T03:03:00.004-05:00

Corvettes: What Are The Owners Like

I read an interesting article about the personality types that are driven to have certain cars. Until I get another Corvette - granted I want it in a kewl color - I have no interest in any other type of car.

So, this guy "Kenny" has made a study of car owners and here's what he has to say -- which is rather scary how much I identify with it.

Kenny said that drivers of sports cars such as the Corvette are seeking power and control, but mostly control.

"You will find that Corvette owners are more sensitive and refined than you would think. They're not into hoarding it over other people the way that the Hummer owners are," said Kenny.

The other emotional need that can be fulfilled is a desire for immortality."

They get real upset if the paint job gets scratched. That's very upsetting to a Corvette owner. They want these things to last forever, and they want to last forever," said Kenny. "They're never going to sell it. In fact, a lot of Corvette owners, when they buy a new Corvette, they keep the other one."

It took me almost 18 months to decide to sell my Vette and I cried for like 2 days even though I knew I was doing the right thing. It's true that we get upset over stuff that wouldn't phase others.

One time when I was backing my Vette up into a garage at a house I lived it, I was doped up on cold medications and I saw my Harley kind of moving. Turns out I had gotten the car too close to the bike's highway pegs on the engine guard and there was a little scratch on her door.

I literally ran into the house to get sick because I couldn't believe I had done that to my car. The bike, thankfully, was unharmed.

As for the power and control...oh hell yes. There is nothing like being enveloped in those seats, down low, wide wheel base and knowing that baby will do anything you ask of her.

I don't know how people can have a car just as a means of transportation. For me, it's definitely a part of my personality.

.

2008-07-07T20:48:00.004-05:00

Squandering One's Life

It's not that life is short...it's that you're dead for so long.

I've honestly never understood what people thought they were going to get out of life by doing what was expected of them by other people.

The number one screw up is marriage. For some people the concept will work but for at least half the population, it won't. People are "expected" to get married, "expected" to pop out kids, "expected" to take on a mortgage...and then the posh car, the right restaurants, clothing, "friends", etc.

I was talking a while back to an acquaintance who is a life and career coach. She was describing how most of the people that come to her are 35+ and trying to figure out what they are going to do when they grow up. They've gotten married, got their career, kids, blah blah blah......and at that point I said, "...and they wake up one day, look around, and say Is this all there is?" She said, "Exactly!"

Don't get me wrong...I'm all for integrity and trying to do the right thing. But at some point you have to have the balls to say "I'm not sacrificing my happiness for yours." Everyone around you freaks out when you begin to change to embrace who you really are. Your surrounding people will go out of their way - without even realizing it - to sabotage you. Even though they don't realize it, there's no reason to make excuses for their behavior.

I have a friend from London that is a biker boy. I'll call him "British" - he's about to have his 45th birthday on Wednesday. But he isn't turning 45. Instead he's going to be celebrating his 30th anniversary .....of drinking Guiness! British is a former hairdresser, London policeman, motorcycle salesman, etc. He gets around but he's open to what life has in store. His motto is: "If it doesn't make ME happy, fuck it. As long as I'm happy, that's all I care about."

For me, I listen to how people speak....when I hear someone say, "I have a responsibility" the R word sounds amazingly like "Drudgery" when it comes out of their mouth every single time.

A person can be responsible and not piss their life away...there IS a happy middle ground.

When someone asks me, "Don't you want to get married?" Not particularly. I see how wives are treated and I would like to believe that I think better of myself than to allow a situation like that to happen. I'd much rather live in sin, get the necessary documents drawn up to give them the legal power they need in case of an emergency and know that I can walk if things aren't so good. I've always thought it showed so much more fortitude to live together than to get married. When you live together, you're there because you want to be there...not because you have to be there.

George Clooney shares many of these sentiments. He's always being badgered about when is he going to marry. He recently shared the following: An uncle, also named George, deserves some credit when it comes to the actor’s “no regrets” philosophy.

“I learned a lot about death from him,” George said. “People keep on asking me, ‘Don’t you want to have kids?’ I have not wanted to have kids. Then they say, ‘Aren’t you afraid of dying alone?’ But we all die alone. I remember Uncle George sitting in bed, 68 years old. He looked at me and said, ‘What a waste.’ … I came to the conclusion that I was not going to wake up one day in my 60s and say, ‘What a waste.’ I was going to grab as much out of this life as I could.”

So in closing, in the immortal words of Wesley Gibson in the film Wanted...

What the fuck have you done lately?

.

2008-07-06T23:34:00.007-05:00

Dobermans Are Safer Than Chihuahuas

Anyone that knows me well knows that I am passionate about Doberman's. I am so tired of hearing people that don't know better pontificate about how dangerous Dobies are. Dobies, and all dogs, are only as mean as they are treated. Treat them nice, they are nice.

So, thank God yet again for the British. In today's Daily Mirror, there is a wonderful article discussing how little yappy dogs are so much more dangerous than a Dobie or Rottweiler. Seems that yappy dogs just get tossed out of the way and their attacks are rarely reported. This makes the results of what's really an aggressive dog quite skewed.

So, give your Doberman a hug and a squeaky toy and enjoy reading this article:

.

2008-07-02T00:09:00.002-05:00

Dogs Rule

In countries like Great Britain and the US of A, we like our dogs. They are always happy to see us and think we can do no wrong. That fun quote comes to mind, "God, let me be the person my dog thinks I am."

So, in my typical fashion of getting my daily fix of the British tabloids, I was peeved to read that Muslims were all wailing and wringing their hands in Scotland because of a picture of a puppy training to be a police dog was advertising the non-emergency number of the local police force.

WTF you say? Me too. Seems Muslims believe that dogs are unclean and were upset that one had been used in this advert.

Here's a solution -- go back to where ever you came from. Hide all photos of dogs. Let those of us in dog happy nations enjoy our doggie images!

And for GOD sake get a bloody life and focus on something more important than a puppy in a photo.

2008-06-15T09:23:00.000-05:00

Tests To Delight & Inform

A few weeks ago an acquaintance gave The Illustrious One and I some sort of online tests that were to tell us how to better understand one another. It's a 2-part test and the output is like 40 pages each so between the 2 of us, there was a lot of reading. Evidently these tests are quite popular in the corporate world.

Suffice to say that The Illustrious One's report portrayed him as skipping through life with glee throwing pixie dust into the air.

Moi? The very first friggin sentence started with, and I quote, "Raine can be cold and blunt"......Well fuck all. I'm supposed to read another 79 pages of this like it's news to anyone that knows me?!

Other tidbits were that a person, who values their health, should not repeat themselves around me - evidently according to the test, all you'll end up doing is ticking me off and have me thinking you are a blithering idiot that must think I have no memory recall and curses to you for squandering my time. Strangely enough, it was rather eerie how accurate that was.

Another tidbit is that unless you want me to geld you with a dull spoon, make sure you have all elements of what you need to tell me pulled together, make sure the facts are accurate and by all means keep it short and sweet. Otherwise, I will blow through your loopholes like they were the Holland Tunnel.

The other one that resonated with me was that it may seem like I'm vacillating on a decision, but the reality is that, yes, I do take a longer than normal time to make a decision, but that's because I'm working through every possible outcome and until I decide which way the dice are going roll, you won't be getting an answer - but when I do answer, I'll stick with my decision.

During the reading of all of this, The Illustrious One is sitting there nodding his head in agreement like one of those dogs on a back dashboard. Even though it can look kind of cute when he's doing that, I know that his mind is like a steel trap and he's filing away all that info to use at his discretion.

Of course, since these reports were so long winded, I did a cursory glance through and let Illustrious give me the Cliff's Notes version. Though, because I'm very visual, I did zoom in on the pretty colorful pie charts at the back of the second report. There was a dot and a star and they were both firmly entrenched in orange near the outside perimeter of the circle. "WHY are my dot and star in orange?! I hate orange! Why can't mine be in pretty colors like yours?",

Illustrious informs me that if I would just READ the fine print I would find out that the dot is who I truly am and the star is who I have adapted to be and since they were both practically on top of one another, in my case at least, what you see is what you get.

In other breaking news, Illustrious was reading a book that described personality types - the one that he is classified as, is dangerously accurate. Me? I guess the only saving grace was that it explained to him that as an only child, Yes, I really do think the entire world revolves around me.

Honestly, why wouldn't I?

2008-06-14T23:35:00.002-05:00

I Like This Guy...

James T. Harris, a Milwaukee radio talk show host and public speaker, said he opposes Obama "with love in my heart."

"We are of the same generation. He's African American and I'm an American of African descent. We both have lovely wives and beautiful children," Harris said. "Other than that, we've got nothing in common. I hope he loses every state."

With that sentiment being said, it makes me think of the lovely quote from Teddy Roosevelt: ...

There is no room in this country for hyphenated Americanism. When I refer to hyphenated Americans, I do not refer to naturalized Americans. Some of the very best Americans I have ever known were naturalized Americans, Americans born abroad. But a hyphenated American is not an American at all. This is just as true of the man who puts "native" before the hyphen as of the man who puts German or Irish or English or French before the hyphen. Americanism is a matter of the spirit and of the soul. Our allegiance must be purely to the United States. We must unsparingly condemn any man who holds any other allegiance. But if he is heartily and singly loyal to this Republic, then no matter where he was born, he is just as good an American as any one else.

The one absolutely certain way of bringing this nation to ruin, of preventing all possibility of its continuing to be a nation at all, would be to permit it to become a tangle of squabbling nationalities, an intricate knot of German-Americans, Irish-Americans, English-Americans, French-Americans, Scandinavian-Americans or Italian-Americans, each preserving its separate nationality, each at heart feeling more sympathy with Europeans of that nationality, than with the other citizens of the American Republic. The men who do not become Americans and nothing else are hyphenated Americans; and there ought to be no room for them in this country. The man who calls himself an American citizen and who yet shows by his actions that he is primarily the citizen of a foreign land, plays a thoroughly mischievous part in the life of our body politic. He has no place here; and the sooner he returns to the land to which he feels his real heart-allegiance, the better it will be for every good American. There is no such thing as a hyphenated American who is a good American. The only man who is a good American is the man who is an American and nothing else.

2008-06-07T00:37:00.002-05:00

BO's Minions Think They Are Too Good For Media Protocol?

Interesting video to watch -- so the novice to politics fancies they can rewrite the rules? Watch the video to see how BO's lackey giggled and acted like a buffoon with a press corps that was essentially hijacked.

Watch the video by clicking here.

.

2008-06-07T00:06:00.001-05:00

Yet More Feedback From The British Press

This is taken from The Daily Mail:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1024792/Charismatic-yes-But-I-fear-Obamas-new-JFK.html

Charismatic, yes. But I fear Obama's not a new JFK

Last updated at 10:54 PM on 06th June 2008

Before we get carried away on a tidal wave of Obama-mania, let's look behind the extraordinary charisma of America's first black Presidential candidate.

Undoubtedly, Barack Obama is an inspirational figure. But for all his sheer magnetism and his huge gifts as an orator, there are some uncomfortable truths about the man whom many have dubbed 'the new JFK.'

Obama has the second most liberal voting record in the Senate. He plans to raise capital gains and corporate taxes, hitting the professional and middle classes who are the engine of enterprise.

Scroll down for more

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama

He wants every American to have the same healthcare as congressmen - a nice idea in theory but, hopelessly naive in reality, I suspect.

Equally misguided are his plans to meet - in person, if necessary - the leaders of Iran, Cuba and North Korea, who do not deserve to be dignified with a place at any negotiating table.

And then there's his support for an amnesty for the U.S.'s 11 million illegal immigrants - although a similar scheme in the Eighties showed it only encourages greater illegal immigration.

Finally, there is his unflinching support for the U.S.'s abortion laws, which allow terminations up to 26 weeks - despite the wealth of evidence which shows that babies born at 20 weeks stand a good chance of survival.

Far from heralding progress, I fear that Obama is the very embodiment of the same failed Leftish experiment that has blighted Britain throughout ten years of Labour rule.

Beneath the magic - and the man has oddles of it - Obama is an East Coast cosmopolitan bien pensant. He is as ideologically distanced from Middle America as he is from the Moon.

And that has grave implications not just for the U.S., but for all those of us who look to America to be united and strong, the last remaining Western superpower and the proud standardbearer for free market democracy.

And then, of course, there's the race issue. In an ideal world, the colour of a presidential candidate's skin ought not to matter. But this is not an ideal world - and the fact is, for understandable reasons, Obama has played up his ethnic heritage to an uncomfortable degree.

Will that come back to haunt him as he seeks to extend his appeal beyond committed Democrat voters?

Obama will need to be a truly great leader if he does win the White House, for he will need to assuage the anxiety of that minority of the U.S. public who, openly or not, remain deeply uneasy about a non-white running their country.

Equally, if he doesn't win, his supporters will claim that racism was to blame, leading to spiralling tensions among the U.S.'s ethnic communities.

It is not impossible that far from being the 'new JFK' heralding a fresh age of optimism, Obama may yet prove the most divisive U.S. president in history. I just hope I'm wrong.

2008-06-05T09:13:00.006-05:00

What's The Truth to BO?

So BO "theoretically" has the nomination? And there are people that think he can win?

I find it interesting how the American press is saying the world is rejoicing with BO's apparent win of the Democratic nomination, yet if you actually read what the discussions are in other countries, people aren't overwhelmingly impressed with BO.

Here are some examples of comments from persons across The Pond:

"....what Mr. Obama must do in order to win the election is let down his guard and tell us who he is. Americans do not know him. He has allowed others to define him. He gives flowery speeches, but little substance. And he has dubious associations (Reverend Wright, ex-terrorist William Ayers, etc.) He tells us not to fear -- not to question. Listen to his wife. She says, "Don't listen to that voice in the back of your head." What? Don't question? Don't listen to your own instincts?

Mr. Obama scares us while he sweeps the rest of the world off its feet."

****************

not an issue obama is just not up for the job end of story!

*************

He has allready proved hes moraly bankrupt, By ecepting an endorsement from an equaly bankrupt Kennedy

**************

again, the approval rating doesnt mean much now....and now is when it counts.....but i do agree that hillary was the best bet.....oh well...........

**************

why because shes "conservative" but a democrat which appeals to voters who may vote republican or may vote democrat.... shes got experince she isnt likely to do something drastic and rash with the country all of these things cant be said for obarma Hence why she was front runner as she was the most realistic candidate to beat McCain Obama may have "just" got the democrat candidate but he hasnt a chance of winning the main election.

***************

Last night I listened as a scooter guy I know pontificated on how he would love to kick BO's ass if he ever saw him walking down the street -- is the the appropriate time to mention that the man speaking is black?

He had about a 10 minute monologue on how jacked up this nomination was, what he perceives will really happen, what's being said in the US press, how it's being worded, etc. Amazingly insightful comments that I don't dare paraphrase but do wish I had on tape!

It'll be amusing to watch how this plays out.

2008-05-14T13:19:00.001-05:00

InterNations - A Community for Ex-Pats

For those of of you that are living in Dallas from other countries, or you’re from Dallas and currently in another country, you need to check out www.InterNations.org.

InterNations is a great online community to help ex-pats meet one another and/or make your transition to another city easier.

BUT…it’s by invitiation only! So if you want an invite, leave your email address in the comment box.

InterNations will also be starting events in the Dallas area to help bring the international community together - film screenings, wine tastings, happy hours, car & motorcycle enthusiasts, and much more!

2008-05-13T18:48:00.002-05:00

Ozzfest ONLY in Dallas this Year!

That’s right boys and girls, the Ozzfest tour that has been a staple for so many summers is no more. Instead, this year, Ozzfest will ONLY be held in Dallas!

Ms. Sharon Osbourne is aiming to have this be a one-day mega event and it will take place at Pizza Hut Park on Saturday, August 9th.

The headliners include Metallica, and - of course - Ozzy Osbourne.

Sharon says, “This is just the beginning. Ozzy has great relationships with all of the bands that have played Ozzfest. We’re the only real festival for harder-edge bands and these artists have been very loyal to us — there is lots of love on this lineup.”

Ozzfest tickets go on sale Saturday, May 31.

BUT…is that the biggest news about this event? Could it be that an annual motorcycle ride that is typically held in August celebrating a certain well known Dallas guitarist who was gunned down a few years ago might somehow be incorporated?

Maybe…maybe not. But should the very well placed rumors be true, we’ll be among the first to let you know!

2008-05-11T11:55:00.002-05:00

BaBa WaWa

Today's rant is on Barbara Walters. So she felt the need to be like her many interview subjects and write a tell all book. However, the highlights of this book in the press junket have not been about her yelping about what amazing people she has interviewed, but about her many sexual liasions.

The woman is 78 years old and dosen't have history of being a sex symbol. Ava Gardner, she was a sex symbol and so her tell all book made sense. Not so much with BaBa.

Seems like she needs to reconsider her publicist and editors because this might have a way of backfiring.

2008-05-10T16:37:00.003-05:00

Department of Peace

This is a kewl concept that hasn't received enough attention yet: A call to have the U.S. Government begin a Department of Peace.

Read more about this proposed action by clicking on this link.

2008-05-07T13:22:00.000-05:00

Woman Returns Bible Filled With Money

Here is a great, positive story from WFAA Channel 8:

DALLAS — What would you do if you found a bible on the street, with thousands of dollars inside? Would you keep it? It was never really a question for one Dallas woman.

There’s not just one church on 56th Street on South Oak Cliff, there are five. So when Dallas fourth grade school teacher, Berda Mabury, found a Bible on the sidewalk, she wasn’t surprised. That is, until she looked inside and found several thousand dollars.

“It was church money, tithes and offerings, cash money, personal checks,” said Mabury.

The bible was blue, just like her personal one. The one she has carried until it’s all worn out. But the one she found is leather, with a message embossed in gold.

“The line at the bottom said: ‘I carried you.’ And I think it’s the thing that pricked my heart so, because I remember the times when I couldn’t carry myself, and it was God that just carried me along,” said Mabury.

So the school teacher became a detective looking for clues. “So I saw on one of the corners of the envelopes: Bread of Life Church. It seemed like I’d seen that somewhere before on 56th,” said Mabury.

Soon she started canvassing her neighborhood. “Because there’s a lot of churches,” said Mabury.

Of course it’s the smallest church, the one that looks like an old house, the one that probably needs its’ money the most. At the door she found the deacon who had lost the cash. “He said: ‘I probably laid it on top of the car and it was so heavy, that when he got to the point where he had to turn, it fell off. Because it was heavy,” said Mabury.

The man gave her a small cash reward. As the handwritten note on her own Bible explains she already got a bigger one, when God changed her life.

“Lord it’s me. Mold me. Make me. Break me. Draw us near to you,” said Mabury reading from the note.

Bread of Life may be a small church, but it’s one with a great deal to be thankful for. Berda says once she realized that it was church money, there was not even any point in counting it. But judging from the deposit slips she saw, there could have been several thousand dollars zipped up in the bible.

If you also would like to have the media give us, the viewers, more positive news stories, please take a few seconds and let the reporters know that you appreciate this. . For this story, you can email Gary Reaves at: greaves@wfaa.com

2008-05-05T11:00:00.002-05:00

As someone that handles the Dallas blogs for a number of national & international sites, I always walk a fine line about posting things of interest and keeping my opinionated Texas mouth shut. That's why I have this personal blog where I can spout off such wisdoms as "American by birth, Texan by the grace of God."

Today's featured rant is: Barak Obama.

Would somebody please explain to me why the national media has got such a fixation with this character?! I've had a weird vibe about that guy since he first got in front of the cameras....and I've learned from experience to always go with my vibes.

Before his big pep rally at Dallas' Reunion Arena this past February, a girl I know canceled a networking event so that she could attend. I asked her, "Would you please explain to me the appeal of Obama?"

Her reply, "Ohhhhhh, I just loooooove Obahhhhmahhh."

Why?

Well...ummmm...he would be our first black president.

His mama's white.

Well his wife is black.

She isn't running plus she's already let the world know she doesn't think highly of the U.S.

Oh, I don't know...I just love him.

Oh well fiddle dee dee, ain't that just a stellar reason to vote someone into one of the most powerful positions in the world.

People liken Obama to Kennedy. Kennedy was a president with a dismal success record and low approval ratings....until he visited Dallas and we all know from history how that played out.

So then a couple months ago, the ever enlightening Dallas Observer did a lovely article on Obama infroming us that when he was a state senator in Illinois, all his amazing legislation was actually tossed onto his desk for him to present by some grandaddy senator that wanted to see Obama run on the national stage. Obama didn't author jack and all these bills were submitted in the last year of his term.

So now we have him as a real bona fide senator in big ol Washington DC. He shows up - on occasion - but he doesn't seem to vote often.

You know, one of the big boy jobs a president needs to do is to make a decision and stick with it. Obama can't handle that task as he's proven by his voting record.

And now, he's all in a huff about his former Bible thumping minister. Seems this minister was good enough to marry him to his anti-American wife, to baptize their kids and to preach his sermons to Obama's willing ears for 20 years. But God have mercy when the text of these sermons start making the rounds of the media that is not sucker punched and starry eyed over Obama.

Now all of a sudden Obama is back pedaling faster than Lance Armstrong downhill the Pyrenees with a bunch of French drug testers after him.

It's nice to know I'm now the only one with this mindset -- read what CNN's Glenn Beck has to say about it: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/05/05/beck.obamawright/index.html

2008-04-29T12:20:00.006-05:00

Recognizing Happiness

There's a site called www.DailyOm.com that sends out a daily email about things to think about. This one was excellent:

Recognizing Happiness

Those of us on the path of personal and spiritual growth have a tendency to analyze our unhappiness in order to find the causes and make improvements. But it is just as important, if not more so, to analyze our happiness. Since we have the ability to rise above and observe our emotions, we can recognize when we are feeling joyful and content. Then we can harness the power of the moment by savoring our feelings and taking time to be grateful for them.

Recognition is the first step in creating change, therefore recognizing what it feels like to be happy is the first step toward sustaining happiness in our lives. We can examine how joy feels in our bodies and what thoughts run through our minds in times of bliss. Without diminishing its power, we can retrace our steps to discover what may have put us in this frame of mind, and then we can take note of the choices we’ve made while there. We might realize that we are generally more giving and forgiving when there’s a smile on our face, or that we are more likely to laugh off small annoyances and the actions of others when they don’t resonate with our light mood.

Once we know what it feels like and can identify some of the triggers and are aware of our actions, we can recreate that happiness when we are feeling low. Knowing that like attracts like, we can pull ourselves out of a blue mood by focusing on joy. We might find that forcing ourselves to be giving and forgiving, even when it doesn’t seem to come naturally, helps us to reconnect with the joy that usually precedes it. If we can identify a song, a picture, or a pet as a happiness trigger, we can use them as tools to recapture joy if we are having trouble finding it. By focusing our energy on analyzing happiness and all that it encompasses, we feed, nurture, and attract more of it into our lives, eventually making a habit of happiness.

2008-04-21T10:12:00.004-05:00

A big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Harley Amadeus who is 7 years old. This is a gift that one of his friends at Dogster sent to him today:

You can see Harley's profile here: http://www.dogster.com/dogs/698451

2008-04-14T16:15:00.001-05:00

An acquaintance of mine went on 2 retreats in the past week. The first retreat was an overnighter to work on a client's book. The second, to someone's ranch for what purpose I have no idea.

When I heard about the first retreat, I didn't think that much about it; the second one made me pause for consideration.

I could see something along the lines of, "Hey, we're going to a lake cabin to work on Michele's book," or "I'm off to Donna's ranch for some R&R".

When did any adventure outside the city limits start being classified as a "retreat"?

I suppose what struck a chord with me is that I've never heard of a biker going on a retreat. We have motorcycles...we don't need retreats! We get on the bike and embrace the aromas of spring wildflowers, we feel the temperature cool as the road takes us into a lower section, we strike up camaraderie in the most unusual of places like when a couple in their 80's approaches you at a country gas station to tell you about their biking days back in the 1950's!

Ditch the retreats...get a motorcycle!

2008-01-12T15:11:00.000-06:00

I don't know if this is true but it's what I heard from a very well placed source yesterday afternoon.

Westdale, who recently bought 3 residential properties from Henry S. Miller has decided to NOT develop the 3200 block of Elm/Main where The Door used to be.

As most of you know in this area, those buildings were torn down a few weeks ago and many have been speculating that it would be developed into a quasi West Village complex.

Now, however, that Westdale owns pretty much all the residence lofts in this area, as of yesterday (supposedly) they have decided to make that block into parking to accommodate the tenants.

I can't speak for the other buildings, but for Continental Lofts which has 61 units - almost 40 parking spaces in the back secured area were commandeered by DART for the light rail tracks. Right now, it is challenging to find parking on the streets especially when Sons of Herman Hall has an event going on and the fact that there's to be no parking in front of CL on M-F from 7a - 9a to keep the DART bus stop clear.

It will be interesting to see how this progresses.

2008-01-11T11:52:00.000-06:00

There's a kewl site called Dogster. If you are a Dog fan, you should check it out and get your canine companion their own page.

Since our company is named after our Doberman, we really like the site! Check out his personal page here: Harley Amadeus

2007-06-04T03:33:00.000-05:00

Santa Monica Pier

Today was odd.

Went down to the Santa Monica Pier to get some shots and saw.....

The brass plaque at the end of Santa Monica Boulevard pinpointing the official end of Route 66.
Cops climbing onto the roof of a senior citizens facility obviously searching for something as the coroner's team pushed a body past us.
Tons of homeless people in picturesque surroundings curled up with their belongings as celebrities lunched across the street at Ivy at the Shore.
After finally migrating this gauntlet of visuals and making it to the pier, we descend to the beach and into a sea of white crosses signifying each military person killed in Iraq.

I stood on the sand covered boards amidst these crosses and protestors and watched as people lay on the shore laughing, kids playing in the Pacific surf and in the background the carousel and roller coaster on the Pier continued non-stop.

Death & despair in a setting of carnival overpriced real estate.

Sometimes, it's necessary to be confronted with such sights to really value everything you have.

.

2007-05-16T18:07:00.000-05:00

Indian Customer Service

I was reading the feedback on a recent www.ABCNews.com story about Dell being sued by the NY attorney general for their less than stellar customer service. A lot of people are more than pissed that for the home computers you have to deal with some outsourced Indian service......and I'm not talking about Apache or Commanche Indians either.

Dayum...you'd think by reading that feedback that all those pissed off people were Texans by the way they are venting. But they aren't. So why don't American companies realize how badly that are enraging their own customers by makeing us deal with thick, heavy Indian accents? We have enough trouble just understanding one another on either side of the Mason Dixon line so how the hell can we understand someone in Bombay/Mumbai?

My only experience with that was when I had moved 3 years ago and I had called SBC about my DSL service. I somehow got bebopped over to India where this male yahoo was trying to tell me to reinstall my operating system. When I commented that the operating system had nothing to do with the issue, this guy was adamant..."You MUST reinstall the opreating system in order for your connection to work."

The hell I do.

So my gentile, Southern girl reply was: "Look Steve - and we all know your name is NOT Steve - my operating system has jack to do with this situation. So just because I am a girl and this is about technology do not assume that I don't know anything. The ONLY variable that changed was the DSL phone line the computer is attached to and the ONLY thing reinstalling my operating system will do is waste my time and give you a chance to get off work before I call in again."

He went on to jabber about something tech related - I guess to give his flaccid ego a boost - and I hung up the phone. I called SBC back and told them that I would only speak to someone currently in the United States of America and if I got transfered back over to India, within 24 hours their CEO would have a very detailed letter overnighted to him.

So what was the issue?

SBC's work order hadn't made it all the way through the system. Some yahoo along the way dropped the ball and didn't process one of the features.

Yes...that's right, there was no issue whatsoever with my operating system or anything else on my computer.

So just because someone says they are "tech support"....don't just blindly believe everything they tell you to do unless you want to find yourself taking a very big step off a very tall bridge.

.

2007-04-08T19:34:00.000-05:00

Pentimento

I've always had a thing for artistic men. Whether that art is music, painting, photography or a welding torch, there's a streak to them that the typical 9-to-5 banker guy just doesn't have.

Many times I have found it odd that creative men spend part of their lives with a predictable female. Oh sure, the female thinks it's great that her guy is different in the way he dresses, speaks and thinks. But after a while, the very elements that attracted her to him are the very ones she tries to change.

"Get a real job."

"Plan for your future."

"Be more responsible."

On and on and on until there is this guy wondering what just happened. He isn't the one that did the bait and switch -- it was her. He's still the artistic type and God love him, he tries. He tries to change and to be the person that someone else expects him to be.

And he succeeds about as well as your city zoo's zebra succeeds in changing his stripes.

So today, I read the most fantastic article on pentimento. If you don't know what it is - I'm not going to tell you because you can read it for yourself.

I LOVE this article because it is so true and so real.

**********************

The Real You
Under layers of disappointments and faded dreams, our true colors come shining through.
By Bob Perks

Everything in my life is connected.

One event, good or bad, leads to another, and every step in the right direction gets me closer to where I want to be. I have also learned that every step in the wrong direction doesn't necessarily take me off course. Those steps bring me closer to the reason why I am on this path to begin with. A journey off course means I needed to reconnect with the spirit of my mission in life.

My writing is a reflection of the many turns in my life.

This one started with one word,and the world created the opportunity to share it with someone along the way.

In my travels, I hardly ever listen to the radio. I always carry CDs so I can learn while I drive. One of my favorite authors is Robert Fulghum. Since my all-time favorite author Og Mandino passed away, I started collecting everything I could find by Fulghum. I enjoy his voice and appreciate his wit. Both he and Og are great story tellers.

In "Words I Wish I Wrote," Fulghum explains what artists refer to as "pentimento."

Sometimes after a work of art is finished, the artist will repaint a section, covering up something he doesn't like. After years of exposure the original will sometimes show through. Being able to see the creation underneath is referred to as "pentimento." The process is compared to repenting.

I must have replayed that part of the CD four or five times. I thought about how many times in my life I tried to cover up something. Perhaps a flaw in my personality, or even a habit that I would like to change, only to find it showing through at a very inappropriate time. But sometimes what we cover up is something authentic, something we need.

Excited about this new revelation, I automatically expected to find a reason to share it.

After speaking at a recent conference, I met Cathy. She approached me, saying, "I found myself the other day."

"Why? Were you missing?" I replied.

"No. I guess I was just hiding." she said.

She went on to tell me that, when she was younger, she was full of dreams and hopes of a life of happiness ever after. As she grew up, the world changed and so did she. The dreams seemed to fade. The hopes died away. Life buried them underneath piles of reality and darkened disappointments.

But now in these new found years of maturing and wisdom gained, she has discovered that they were still there all along. Dreaming out loud one day while visiting her family, she heard her mother say, "The real you is showing through."

It was then she realized that just below the surface of her recreated life, all of the "original" Cathy was still there.

"Wow!" I said. "Pentimento!"

"What?" she asked.

"It is said that our lives start out like a blank canvas. As we grow through life we create our masterpiece. But sometimes, like the true artist, we return to paint over the original. One day, after much exposure to a life well worn, the real you comes shining through," I told her.

Then I ran out to my car and gave her the CD as a gift.

There it was. On a journey to another place in my life, I learned something new.

When this happens, I believe I am obligated to pass it on. Maybe that information wasn't really for me. Maybe it was intended for Cathy all along.

Still, that one word explained so much for my own life. I am where I started, but better for the journey. As I look in the mirror now, the paint may be cracked a bit and a few lines have appeared on the surface. But when the time comes, I will proudly sign my work of art and hang it in the museum of life--next to yours.

******************************

Remember, there have been clerks and storekeepers and bankers for hundreds of years. But the ones that leave the lasting impression on humanity are the artists and scholars. Think of the lasting effects we have from the works of Galileo, Da Vinci, Rembrandt, Mozart, Beethoven -- the ones that acted upon their dreams.

Embrace who you are.

Be true to yourself because at the end of the day all you have is the integrity you owe yourself first and foremost.

.

2007-03-15T22:18:00.000-05:00

2 Wheel Passport + BMW Motorcycles

BMW Motorcycles has joined up with 2 Wheel Passport for some of the most amazing routes we will be taping this season!

As we tackle part of the Pacific Coast Highway, we'll have G 650 X's and Helli Kornton as our special guest Guide.

Flash over to the East Coast and we'll have the incomparable Nate Kern joining us as a special Guide as we give it our all to tame the Tail of the Dragon on F 800's.

And then, land speed record holder Andy Sills joins us on K 1200 R Sport’s as we journey to the motherland of speed.....Bonneville.

....stay tuned because the action is just beginning...

2007-03-14T22:34:00.000-05:00

A Purple Bike & Amusing Sites

The Illustrious One is having his bike tricked out by Vida Loca Customs. They've done a lot of fabrication work and a custom paint job. You check out the results yourself at: http://www.2wheelpassport.com/bike

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If you like your iPod and you like your home computer sites like www.Launch.com (music site that learns what songs you like), then check out www.Slacker.com. This site is similar to Launch but in a few short weeks it will work with your iPod like devices to and everytime you are near a WiFi connection it will update itself automaticall.

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Personally, I don't watch American Idol. But for those that do, www.VoteForTheWorst.com is a rallying point for all of those that are hardcore voters for the underdogs. Supposedly this site helped the guy from last season win the event.

.

2007-03-13T22:31:00.000-05:00

Take Responsibility

Today I was in Bonham checking on the progress for one of the bikes being used in 2 Wheel Passport. During my visit I received a call from someone who worked the North Texas Rock Rally with me wanting to know what I knew about Earth Day Jam and GL's invovlement.

I replied that I knew nothing as I hadn't spoken to GL since at least August of last year.

This person went on to tell me that the Earth Day Jam has supposedly been moved from Dallas to Los Angeles because Texas Stadium was double booked with another event. This person took the initiative to call Texas Stadium and it turns out it's not booked for anything the day in question for April (next month).

So then they call the LA Forum and was informed a tentative hold has been placed but nothing has been secured.

This person also went on to say how GL has been bashing me for months as one of the reasons the North Texas Rock Rally failed and also how I was responsible for the failure of some "bike event benefiting kids."

I had to think on that second one for a moment and asked if he was referring to the Million Dollar Ride that happened last autumn? He didn't know the name of the event in question - he just restated that I was being blamed by GL for it's failure.

My reply to all of this -- "Well, D******, all I have to say is that I haven't spoken to GL since August, I received the same notice that probably everyone else did from the attorneys saying that North Texas Rock Rally couldn't pay it's bills and that my outstanding invoice wouldn't be paid and as so far as Million Dollar Ride - the only thing I did for that was offer feedback when it was asked."

We then went on to chat about an event I helped out with the weekend before last called the North Texas Irish Festival -- 3 day event with 46,000 attendees. I told him how impressed I was with the management of the event, how well the staff and volunteers were treated, the amazing hospitality area for the staff & volunteers, etc. etc.

Now the kicker to all of this is that Marsha Singer is the event director for almost every major event in Dallas and GL had been trying like the dickens to secure her involvement for Earth Day Jam to no avail. Marsha is the person that called me at the last minute to help with the Irish Festival because one of her key people was dealing with a death in the immediate family.

Kind of odd that the premiere event director in town calls me in but yet one of the less than stellar event directors is going out of his way to bash me?

To top this off, on a certain networking site I am a member of, the following comments were left for me in relation to the Rock Rally:

Sponsors / Media / Builders at North Texas Rock Rally

2 recommendations for this position:

“She admirably and diplomatically resolved MANY problems with sponsors and builders that could havve been VERY volatile. She thinks fast on her feet and isn't afraid to take control. I'll bring her in whenever I can.” July 27, 2006

Tigger Liddell, Man. Partner, ThunderKitty Productions LLC
managed Raine indirectly at North Texas Rock Rally

“Working with Raine was a breath of fresh air... she was highly efficient as well as highly effective in her role... a professional through and through as she handled anything that was thrown at her with tolerant grace. I highly recommend her services!” July 26, 2006

Andie Jones, Entertainment Director, North Texas Rock Rally
worked with Raine at North Texas Rock Rally

Joel Osteen said recently that whenever someone is talking poorly about you, you should look at it as a blessing. God knows what's being said and will doubly bless you as a way of making up for the trash talking by others. I like the thought of that -- so keep trash talking me and I'll keep reaping the blessings.

.

2007-03-08T21:56:00.000-06:00

Catching Up.....

So I've been quite lax at updating the blog. In fact, it's been exactly 2 months since my last update and I've never allowed more than a week to elapse. Suffice to say that things have been busy. Since the last update, I had a birthday on January 13; The Illustrious One and I went to Cincinnati for the V-Twin Expo and it was a brisk 7 degrees; a few days later I found myself in Orlando at a warm 70 degrees then back to Dallas in time for more snow.

Things are whipping along at a fast pace on 2 Wheel Passport. BMW is involved as is Fender Guitars. I hope to make other announcements soon.

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Oh and happy happy joy joy, some chap has a blog and I am the #1 Most Bangable Babe for the month of March.

I have no idea who this guy is but I think it's a compliment! You can check out his blog at: http://www.bangableblogbabes.blogspot.com/.

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At the last minute I was called in to help out at the North Texas Irish Festival last weekend - seems there aren't many people that have experience on the event management side or know how to handle a load-in. I must say it was the calmest and most undramatic event I've ever been part of. 46,000 attendees showed up -- and kudos to NTIF for having one of the best hospitality areas I've ever seen.

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Next weekend is the Greenville Avenue St. Patricks Day Parade -- and The Illustrious One should finally have his bike back. It's been a long time since he dropped it off in November but it's looking quite fantastic!

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In sad news, John Ingman who played Mr. Humphries in Are You Being Served passed away.

.

2007-01-09T23:12:00.000-06:00

U.S. - Mexican War .... Part II

So in 1846 - 1848, the U.S. and Mexico battled it out. Don't ask me how I know the dates - that's a long story in itself. Suffice to say the U.S. won because that name comes first in the name of the war.

Anyway, so speaking as a Texan, it just seems as though even if the U.S. government doesn't go to war with Mexico - or as we in Texans pronounce it, "Messyco" -- it seems like we are primed for a war between the civilians.

When U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair was asked last week why he still supported the U.S., his reply was, "You can tell a lot about a country by the number of people trying to get in versus the number trying to get out."

Let's be realistic, when was the last time you heard about someone yelping to leave the U.S.? It's usually from Barbra Streisand whenever there's an election -- she keeps swearing she's going to leave if Republicans win, people keep sending her boxes, but damn if she's not still here.

So back to the issue at hand. Illegal aliens / immigrants that are mostly from Messyco - they break the federal law to get into the U.S. illegally. And now some yahoo by the name of Jesse Diaz from LULAC is responding to a federal study that revealed that 100 illegal immigrants previously arrested and released for breaking state or local law had on an average been arrested six times.

Senor Diaz claims that it is the FAULT of America that these poor, criminal, breaking the law border crossers are being sabotaged by the American way of life. They are delving into crime, alcohol and drugs and turning away from their fine, "law abiding" Catholic ways.

Well how about this Senor Diaz -- tell them to get the hell back to Messyco and break the laws down there. Embrace the Virgin Guadalupe and Bimbo Bakeries. Or better yet, your happy ass should take them in, employ them, spend the money on getting them legally registered in the country.

How dare you blame the U.S. for these issues. Haul yourself to Mexico and fix the issues there on the streets before these people try to cross a border.

Before you liberals start going ballistic, keep in mind that I know most of the illegals are just trying for a "better life". I blame the Mexican government for not doing more for their own people and I blame U.S. companies for willingly hiring them because if the companies didn't hire, there wouldn't be any demand that needed to be supplied.

Why is it that people from all over the world are capable of applying to become US citizens and follow the due process yet we're expected to just open up the borders to Mexicans and say, "Ya'll get your asses on in here and belly up to the bar!" Are there not countries in Africa and south east Asia that are in just as bad, if not worse shape than Mexico? Why aren't we giving carte blanche to all of them?

In a recent Dallas Observer article on the Minutemen observing the various street corners where illegals congregate to be hired as day laborers, they were talking about how they were targeting the businesses hiring the illegals by getting photos of the license plates of the cars / trucks picking them up.

One guy being interviewed recalled how he was talking to an acquaintance that owns a huge West Texas ranch. One day the owner is making his rounds and finds the decaying body of a young woman in the middle of that barren land. It was obvious she had suffered a broken ankle but there was no ID on her. She died, probably abandonded by the group she was with since she couldn't keep up with them, miles and miles away from anywhere and without her family ever knowing what became of her.

That is a human tragedy. That is what should be prevented by U.S. companies shutting their doors to illegals employees and that is what Senor Diaz should be focusing his efforts on -- make Mexico better so these people don't wind up dead in a desert or cooked from the heat in the back of a semi truck they are being smuggled in.

.

2007-01-08T20:03:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday

...to Ziggy Stardust...

...to the Thin White Duke...

...to the musical enigma that is David Bowie.

May you have 60 more amazing years....

2007-01-07T16:08:00.000-06:00

Can you guess the correct answer??

NBA OR NFL?

36 have been accused of spousal abuse

7 have been arrested for fraud

19 have been accused of writing bad checks

117 have directly or indirectly bankrupted at least 2 businesses

3 have done time for assault

71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit

14 have been arrested on drug-related charges

8 have been arrested for shoplifting

21 currently are defendants in lawsuits, and

84 have been arrested for drunk driving within the last year

526 BAD MARKS!

Can you guess which organization this is? NBA? NFL?

Give up?
Scroll down

Neither.
It's the 535 members of the United States Congress. The same group who crank out hundreds of new laws each year designed to keep US in line.

2006-12-30T23:38:00.000-06:00

Odd Ways of Finding Me ...and... "It's a Nasty World After All...."

During my stay in the tech world, I became interested with web site statistics because they always showed something you weren't logically expecting. So because of that, I do have a way of watching who visits my blog. Yes, that means if you think you are visiting incognito or that I'm unaware of your presence, you're wrong. I know where you are coming from, what search criteria you used to find me and the time of your visit.

I've meant to mention this in past postings, but neglected to do so. The stats for today though are particularly varied and that has prompted me into action. So without further ado, here is just a small sampling of today's visitors and my feedback on them:

"$160,000 fountain pen" -- Virginia. I don't recall writing about an item like this; however, I think due to me being a Capricorn I do have an unusual fascination with silly, ridiculous and impractical luxury items so I might have mentioned something like this over the past 18 months of this blog.
"Montezuma County + Rally in the Rockies injunction" -- Missouri. I do recall this posting - yet another half-baked biker rally where people didn't get paid.
"Banned Rainbow episode" -- Norfolk, UK. This is popular search query from the UK to my blog. I included the script and video clip of this naughty bit from a children's show.
"Sexy doll breeding machine" -- Vienna, Austria. I would have to say that in the past 18 months I have indeed used each of those 4 words; however, never have I seen those 4 words used together....until now.
"Banned breed list" -- North Dakota. Probably someone looking for a list of dogs that are "banned breeds".
"KKK - Hico, TX" - Oklahoma. Yes, I have mentioned this. Hico is the home of Billy the Kid and also, according to talk, has been a popular place for the KKK. There is the Koffee Kup Kafe there which is a popular stopping place en route to the Texas Hill Country from Dallas.
"Nicky Bootz" -- Budapest, Hungary. This would be in regards to the 10-episode series, "Wright Across America" where Arsenal football legend Ian Wright rode cross country from Florida to San Diego with Nicky.
"Johnny Chop death" -- California, Canada, UK. Must be a news article or one of the biker shows repeating. Yes, Johnny died in late March 2006. He was 34 and received a heart transplant a few years ago. His heart simply gave out.
"Tiny condoms" - California. This was mentioned in the post about the less than well endowed men of India having wee willy winkies that didn't measure up to the international standard for penis sizes. I guess the boys at Trojan need to find a way to make tiny condoms so the boys in India can stop spreading AIDS at such a high rate.

...It's a Nasty World After All...

Anyone that reads this often, has probably seen some of my postings about swearing by anti-bacterial wips and hand sanitizer gels / lotions.

So there's this guy named Charles Gerba who is microbiologist at the University of Arizona and he's always running around testing to see how nasty things are. About a year ago he released a report informing the world that accountants and teachers were by far the owners of the nastiest, most germ laden desks, keyboards, etc.

Those of us in the television production sector, doctors and lawyers had the most germ free desks.

Now, Dr. Gerba has come out with yet more fascinating tidbits from the world of filth.

It seems that people are not cleaning their cell phones. I have a tendency to wipe mine down alot but I'll probably be doing it even more now. He tested 25 phones from cast and crew at Good Morning America and half of them carried staph infection bacteria! The sound guy had between 10-50 million bacteria on his phone!

Why are cell phones so popular with bacteria? Because they are nice and warm. The batteries heat them up, your hand is warm, your face is warm and the pocket of your jeans you slide the phone into is warm.

Another recent study showed that women have filthy purses. Some of the women who had their purses tested just blew off the findings because they said they don't ever touch the bottom of their purses....they don't? They don't set them on tables or counters when they walk in somewhere or their home? Their clothes don't brush up against them? The strap isn't hanging off the back of a chair where dozens of people have laid their hands to push that chair in and out from the table?

People thought Howard Hughes was an eccentric for being anti-germs -- I think that man was just ahead of his time.

2006-12-26T20:51:00.000-06:00

Britain's Most Challenged Call Centre Customers

A hilarious collection of the stupidest customers to ring Britain's call centres has become a cult hit. Many callers were recorded as they went through some of the silliest inquiries ever received by exasperated operators.

The loony exchanges are rapidly flying around the web in a chain email. Here are some of the best...

Customer: "I've been ringing 0700 2300 for two days and can't get through to enquiries, can you help?"
Operator: "Where did you get that number from, sir?"
Customer: "It was on the door to the travel centre".
Operator: "They're our opening hours".

Caller: "Can you give me the telephone number for Jack?"
Operator: I'm sorry, sir, I don't understand who you are talking about".
Caller: "In the user guide it clearly states I need to unplug the fax machine from the wall socket and telephone Jack before cleaning. Can you give me his number?"

Caller: Does your European Breakdown Policy cover me when I am travelling in Australia?"
Operator: " Doesn't the name of the product give you a clue?"

Caller: "If I register my car in France, do I have to change the steering wheel to the other side of the car?"

Caller: "I''d like the number of the Argoed Fish Bar in Cardiff please".
Operator: "I'm sorry, there's no listing. Is the spelling correct?"
Caller: "Well, it used to be called the Bargoed Fish Bar but the 'B fell off".

...Then there was the caller who asked for a knitwear company in Woven...
Operator: "Woven? Are you sure?"
Caller: "Yes. That''s what it says on the label: Woven in Scotland".

On another occasion, a man making heavy breathing sounds from a phone box told a worried operator: "I haven't got a pen, so I''m steaming up the window to write the number on".

Tech Support: "I need you to right-click on the Open Desktop".
Customer: "OK" .
Tech Support: "Did you get a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No" .
Tech Support: "OK. Right-Click again. Do you see a pop-up menu?"
Customer: "No" .
Tech Support: "OK. Can you tell me what you have done up until this point?"
Customer: "Sure. You told me to write 'click' and I wrote 'click'".

Tech Support: "OK. In the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?"
Customer: "Wow. How can you see my screen from there?"

2006-12-25T15:49:00.000-06:00

Billy Idol Does Christmas

It's not exactly White Wedding or Flesh for Fantasy - but it's definitely Idol.

2006-12-24T10:25:00.000-06:00

Santa Is On The Move!

It's official - Santa is en route and delivery toys right now!

When I last looked, he was in Brazil. Watch the activities yourself on the NORAD Santa Tracker.
www.noradsanta.org

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2006-12-23T20:17:00.000-06:00

Happy Festivus!

On 18 December 1997, an episode of Seinfeld highlighted a celebration called "Festivus". Remarkably, this situation was not the brain child of the show's writers but was in fact based on fact.

Tired of stressing over gifts?
Tired of the forced jovial sentiments?
Tired of the fact that Christmas seems to have lost it's real meaning (No, it was not always a holiday to make the 4th quarter profits of all major retailers look healthy).

Well, join the cause. Here you will find some interesting links on the background of Festivus, how it is catching on and how you too can participate.

It's easy to get involved with Festivus:

The event is typically celebrated in late December; non-holiday weekdays are preferred because that allows for a work stoppage!.
Put up a plain aluminum pole - about 6' tall usually does the trick.
No adornments / tinsels / balls / lights are needed for the pole because it symbolizes the simple meaning of Festivus.
Gather your nearest and dearest for a dinner.
Cocktails are encouraged.
After dinner have the "Airing of the Grievances" - if anyone has ticked you off, speak now or forever hold your peace.
The evening ends with who ever can wrestle the host to the floor -- though, many find this practice a little hard core so changes like thumb wrestling or hula-hooping have been instilled to help burn off the aggressions.

By this point you should be cathartically cleansed of all emotional and physical B.S. and be able to begin the New Year on the right foot.

Also, YOU can assist in helping me to promote the meaning of Festivus - which in a roundabout way promotes the true meaning of Christmas. Just click on the Paypal Donation buttons to the right and in the spirit of the Festivus season - since your saving so much on not buying tree trimmings and gifts -- you can help me to promote the Festivus cause!

....Happy Festivus One and All....

Additional inspiring reading on Festivus:

2006-12-19T23:05:00.000-06:00

I Hurt Myself Today .... To See If I Still Feel.....

Sometimes you just need to see certain images again. I love this video from Johnny Cash.

Rick Rubin of American Recordings told Cash that he could record anything he wanted - Cash selected this Nine Inch Nails song. The imagry is haunting and beautiful and you can't help but be struck by the timing as it recaps his entire life and was filmed right before June's death.

2006-12-17T12:22:00.000-06:00

You Might Want To Really Consider Your Domain Name Before Registering!

Thanks to Teri for sending these!

All of these are legitimate companies that didn't spend quite enough time considering how their online names might appear ... and be misread. These are not made up. Check them out yourself!

"Who Represents" is where you can find the name of the agent that represents any celebrity. Their Web site is http://www.whorepresents.com
"Experts Exchange" is a knowledge base where programmers can exchange advice and views at http://www.expertsexchange.com
Looking for a pen? Look no further than "Pen Island" at http://www.penisland.net
Need a therapist? Try "Therapist Finder" at http://www.therapistfinder.com
There's the "Italian Power Generator" company, http://www.powergenitalia.com
And don't forget the "Mole Station Native Nursery" in New South Wales , http://www.molestationnursery.com
If you're looking for "IP computer software", there's always. http://www.ipanywhere.com
The "First Cumming Methodist Church" Web site is http://www.cummingfirst.com
And the designers at 'Speed of Art" await you at their wacky Web site, http://www.speedofart.com

2006-12-16T16:23:00.000-06:00

What Makes A Good Celebrity?

Some people are much better at being celebrities than others. A classic one was Michael Hutchence of INXS. He loved being a rock star - the music, the clothes, the travel, the fans, the perks, etc. He unfortunately also had the kind of death that would make him legendary.

My personal favorite is Mick Jagger - he's brilliant. Literally. Last week Gene Simmons made the comment that if the likes of him and Jagger hadn't been rock stars they would have ended up flipping burgers. I don't buy that. Jagger was in the London School of Economics when the Stones got together and after buying into the system and allowing various managers and agents run things for a few years, Mick and the boys found themselves broke in the early 70's.

Jagger got involved and started learning everything he could. To this day, he is the force behind the Stones -- a band that's average member is 63 years of age, a band that has been together for almost 45 years, a band that hasn't had a hit album in years -- but they had the biggest grossing tour of the past 18 months.

Pete Townshend of The Who asked Mick a couple weeks ago how everything was going. Mick replied, "All right." How is Keith? "All right". How is Ronnie? "All right." Ok, Mick, how are you? "Well I'm still fucking running everything!"

Ah yes, a man who has learned that it is not wise to trust your money to anyone or delegate.

Then we come to crappy celebrities - in this case Lindsay Lohan. I don't think I've ever seen her in a film. Her tantrums, and drunken nights at the age of 20 and full blown wackaloon break downs in the middle of a celebrity audience are becoming the norm rather than the exception. This girl should just go back to the Bronx and leave everyone alone.

But every cloud has a silver lining and in Lohan's case, it's Perez Hilton. He's a jovial gay boy from Miami who packed his bags for the bright lights of WeHo (West Hollywood) and now holds court with his laptop at The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf on Sunset & Fairfax. He religiously updates his site throughout the day and just calls it like he sees it.

I appreciate that. His dead on, sometimes catty comments, truly sum up the sentiments of many people - in this case, Lohan. While the rest of the world turns on Entertainment Tonight for their celebrity scoop, I don't think anything can beat Perez. On top of it, he's getting a giggle and seems to be genuinenly appreciative of his new found celebrity -- I say, more power to him and keep up the good work!

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2006-12-13T10:52:00.000-06:00

Americans: Successfully Offending the World Population, One Conference Call At a Time!

So since Teri is up in yankee land now, I suggested she could start writing her column again for www.2wheelpassport.com. Her reply? "But this is more work!" I replied with sending her a screen capture showing the stats of the site visitors in the past few hours and let her know that she will be able to successfully offend, entertain and tantalize people in New Zealand, Canada, Asia and Europe in addition to everyone she already offends stateside and in Finland.

I also let her know that yesterday our friend Jimbo managed to offend a bunch of Koreans during a conference call. Granted, he didn't eloquently tell the guy his idea "was fucked" as Teri has been known to do at a conference table full of Finns, but needless to say there is yet another batch of foreigners out there who are ranting about the "rude Americans".

Given the stories I hear from some of the people I know, I find it odd that The Illustrious One thinks I can be abrasive at times. I've been known the throw phones against walls due to being very "exhasperated" but I've never managed to offend an entire group of people from another nationality -- at least, not to their face.

But, I am a girl from the South, so give me time. I'm sure under the right circumstances I could stir up quite the international incident and knowing my luck it will all be on tape so it can be shown for time immortal on YouTube.

And now we have a film that is coming out in early March that I personally am looking forward to seeing:

2006-12-11T23:31:00.000-06:00

I'll Take A Celeb With My Swag...

So during the course of conversation today someone mentioned how kewl would it be to have a celeb at a party. I replied, "So build it into your budget." They didn't know what I was talking about, in fact, was unaware that celebs are commodities, their inventory is their time, so pay up and they are yours - within reason - for an evening.

Let's be realistic, if you are opening a club, you spend an easy $2500 just on swag or ads. Sell a few more cocktails and have a celeb there as well. Here are some of the going rates (most everyone will have an entourage of 1 plus require travel expenses (air fare, ground transport, hotel, food, etc):

Kevin Federline: $12k + travel expenses for entourage of 4
Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas: $50k + 1
Dear or No Deal Models: $1k + 1
Cindy Margolis: $15k + 2
CC Deville of Poison: $5k + 2
Jamie Kennedy: Currently on tour but will party with you after his show for $10k
Steve O from Jackass: $18k + 2
Ron Jeremy: $3,500 + 2
Dave Navarro: $10k + 2

2006-12-10T22:20:00.000-06:00

You Asked For the "Tiny" Condom?

So I guess this means that an Indian guy could wear a "Texas-sized" condom as a rain slicker?

Dec 8, 2006 — NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Condoms designed to meet international size specifications are too big for many Indian men as their penises fall short of what manufacturers had anticipated, an Indian study has found.

The Indian Council of Medical Research, a leading state-run center, said its initial findings from a two-year study showed 60 percent of men in the financial capital Mumbai had penises about 2.4 cm (one inch) shorter than those condoms catered for.

For a further 30 percent, the difference was at least 5 cm (two inches). A poor fit meant the prophylactics often didn't do the job they were bought for, and led to some tearing or slipping off during use.

"One of the reasons for a failure of up to 20 percent (of condoms) is the association of the size of the condom to the erect penis," the council's Dr. Chander Puri told Reuters, adding another reason was couples often put them on in a hurry.

Puri said many men in India, which has the world's highest HIV positive caseload, were too shy to ask for condoms.

"We need more vending machines for condoms of different sizes so people can pick a condom with confidence that is suited to their needs," he said.

The Times of India reported the ICMR survey had studied 1,400 men between 18-50 years of age in cities like Mumbai and New Delhi as well as in rural areas in a report. It entitled its story "Indian men don't measure up."

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2006-12-08T22:04:00.000-06:00

Godard's Latest Creation...

So anyone that reads this blog often knows I'm passionate about Michael Godard. There hasn't been many works out of him this year due to his daugter Paige's illness. She passed away a month ago due to brain cancer and he's just now getting back into the studio.

I received these photos today and they are of Godard, back in the studio within the past couple days, and putting the finishing touches on his newest work.

This is such a gorgeous piece. There will be 200 Artist's Proofs at $1,395 and only 20 special "Godard" editions whose price has not been set yet. The original of this sold within moments of the email being sent out.

2006-12-05T17:20:00.000-06:00

Complaint-free Movement -- I think this idea has a lot of merit -- read for yourself....

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It was a pastor's simple idea: Just stop complaining.

And to help his congregation remember, the Rev. Will Bowen of Christ Church Unity gave each member a bracelet stamped with the word "spirit."

The challenge? Go 21 days straight without mumbling a complaining word and no gossiping and criticizing either. If a person slipped, the bracelet was to be switched to the other wrist and clock restarted.

But what began in July as a simple idea has become a national movement.
The church has received more than 100 calls, e-mails and letters, many requesting bracelets the church is offering for free.

"So far, we have sent out more than 9,000," Bowen said.

Requests for bracelets have come from individuals, families, churches of various denominations, businesses, schools, civic groups, scouts and sports teams.

The church offers yard signs and bumper stickers that read "A Complaint Free World.org," and it is selling "complaint-free church" T-shirts with this quote from Maya Angelou: "If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain."

Christ Church's own complaint-free club is growing as people reach their 21 straight days without complaining. Of the 250 members, the club now numbers 12 and includes Bowen and his 10-year-old daughter, Lia, he said.

Patricia Platt recently succeeded, with a push from her fourth-grade class. Several students told her their parents had seen her name in the paper and asked what it was about. She told them, and many wanted the class to try the challenge.

Careful not to offend parents by getting the bracelets from her church, Platt bought bracelets that displayed such words as "hope," "be strong" and "dream." All of her 25 students wanted bracelets, regularly shared in the class how they were doing, wanted updates on how their teacher was doing and applauded when she announced her success earlier this month.

Fourteen students also have made it and received "positive attitude" certificates.

"This was an incentive for me because I knew they were looking up to me," Platt said. "One girl said she needed to learn how to handle her little sister because she always has to change her bracelet because of her. And sometimes a student will come up and start to say something, then stop and say, 'Never mind. That would be complaining.' "

Bowen is surprised by how quickly his idea ignited.

"Obviously a chord has been struck that is just vibrating," he said. "And it is continuing to build momentum. More and more people are finding out about it. I'm just flabbergasted."

Mignon Bullington of Camarillo, Calif., who ordered bracelets for her family, said the complaint-free challenge "struck strong emotions" in her.

"I noticed that when my husband and I were being negative about any such subject, our kids (ages 19, 17 and 11) would chime in," she said. "How horrible that is to see and realize how our children are being taught to act, react and live."

For her, the challenge offered hope for a more peaceful and kind society.

The Rev. Howard Self, interim pastor at Congregational Church in Algonquin, Ill., said the church's administrative assistant brought an newspaper article about the bracelets to him. She had been visiting in Kansas City when it appeared in the newspaper there. "When I read it, I said, 'I have to figure out a way to use this.' "

The congregation had been through a rough time.

"I saw this as the first step in moving from a complaint-filled congregation to a complaint-free congregation," Self said.

On Sunday, the bracelets will be given out at the end of the worship service.

"This will be the symbolic closing of the door on complaining," Self said.
Bowen now is dreaming big.

"What I think we will see in the future, we will turn on our television, and there will be characters and people wearing the bracelets, and it will be a nonsurprise.

"And we may turn on 'Oprah' and say, 'Oops, it is back on the right arm!' Or Regis will be telling Kelly, 'I can't go 21 days! Is he nuts? It's baseball season!' "

Linda LeMieux of Christ Church, who recently made her 21 days, said, "We want world peace, but the question is always, what can one person do? This is it."

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2006-12-01T14:25:00.000-06:00

Women Riders Now

Today 2 Wheel Passport is the top story on the popular site Women Riders Now.

I emailed Teri to let her know she was becoming famous!

Check out the story at:
www.womenridersnow.com

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2006-11-29T09:14:00.000-06:00

LAS VEGAS BIKEFEST™ CHANGES RALLY DATES

The Las Vegas BikeFest Partnership announced today that the dates for future Las Vegas BikeFest™ events have been changed beginning with next year’s 2007 rally.

After nearly two years of analysis, surveys and discussions with industry stakeholders, the decision has been made to change the traditional date pattern for Las Vegas BikeFest™ in order to place the event during a period when temperatures are more conducive to traditional outdoor motorcycle rally activities.

Beginning with the 2007 event, the event dates will be two to three weeks later then the historic pattern in the middle of September.

The 20 year weather history for Las Vegas shows that average high temperatures during mid-September are 94ºF - 96ºF, and can often be over 100ºF. A change by two to three weeks moves Las Vegas BikeFest to a period when the average high temperature drops to 86ºF - 88ºF – perfect rally weather.

“The 2006 Las Vegas BikeFest had unseasonably moderate weather and both vendors and attendees have told us it was the most enjoyable Las Vegas BikeFest ever”, states Harry Schwartz, Full Throttle Events, one of the Las Vegas BikeFest partners.

The Las Vegas BikeFest dates for the next 10 years will be:

2007: September 27 – 30
2008: October 2 – 5
2009: October 1 – 4
2010: September 30 – October 3
2011: September 29 – October 2
2012: October 4 – 7
2013: October 3 – 6
2014: October 2 – 5
2015: October 1 – 4
2016: September 29 – October 2

The 7th annual Las Vegas BikeFest™ will be held September 27-30 in the most famous 24-hour city, Las Vegas, Nevada. The event will consist of the Vendor Village at Cashman Center with over 300 manufacturers and vendors, and activities such as Poker Runs and competitions, and non-stop entertainment. Artistry in Iron, Master Builders’ Championship will also take place at Cashman Center. 40,000 bikers and enthusiasts are expected to be in attendance.

Las Vegas BikeFest™ is produced by the Las Vegas BikeFest Partnership made up of ConvExx and Full Throttle Events. Las Vegas BikeFest™ information is available at www.lasvegasbikefest.com, or call toll-free 866-BIKEFEST (866-245-3337) or e-mail info@lasvegasbikefest.com.

2006-11-27T22:09:00.000-06:00

The Latest News on "2 Wheel Passport"

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NEW MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL SERIES “2 WHEEL PASSPORT” TO BE BROADCASTED VIA ONLINE TELEVISION NETWORK

Show’s producer Banned Breed Productions signs with iCB

DALLAS – November 27, 2006 – Dallas-based Banned Breed Productions, the television production company behind the new travel series “2 Wheel Passport,” has awarded online broadcasting rights of the show to InCommand Broadcasting Inc. (iCB). iCB is a division of Nations Broadband Corporation, a privately held telecommunications corporation which has operated worldwide for more than 15 years.

“2 Wheel Passport,” which will take viewers to various scenic destinations across the United States on a motorcycle, was initially broadcasted in Europe where it was a hit travel/destination program. Banned Breed Productions will begin filming the U.S. version of “2 Wheel Passport” in early 2007. They are working in tandem with London-based Hub TV, the producer of the original European show.

“With the advent of devices such as iPod videos and the increasing popularity of sites such as YouTube.com, we are seeing that the web is allowing freedom for productions that have not been available via mainstream broadcasters,” said Raine Devries, co-producer of ‘2 Wheel Passport.’ “Broadcasting ‘2 Wheel Passport’ on the web enables us to immediately target viewers around the world because the series will be available 24 hours a day. In addition, we now have a full hour in length rather than the 46 minutes available on traditional channels – which increases the content time by 24%. It’s a big world to see on two wheels – but it’s getting smaller every day due to the fast changes in technology.”

The Wall Street Journal recently heralded the arrival of web-based TV programming with an article headlined ‘Made-for-Web Shows are the Next Big Thing” (Oct.31, 2006). In that article, the national news publication highlighted a select group of web TV upstarts and the increased interest generated among national brands looking to reach new audiences.

Each episode of “2 Wheel Passport” will be available to watch online at 2WheelPassport.com and for download onto iPods and MP3s. Route maps, itineraries, GPS coordinates, and restaurant and lodging recommendations will also be available for download to navigation systems, computers and other devices. This allows the viewer to literally take the show with them as they travel to the same destinations and enables them to locate specific routes, sights and stopping places that they wish to experience for themselves.

About “2 Wheel Passport”
The series “2 Wheel Passport” was initially broadcast in Europe in 2003 and is now beginning U.S. production for broadcast to a global market. The new incarnation will take advantage of today’s rapidly changing technology by utilizing the web to provide downloadable GPS maps, restaurant and lodging reviews and making the series available for download to iPods and computers. Up to date series details are available at Banned Breed Productions -- www.bannedbreed.com.

About iCB and Nation’s Broadband Corporation
In-Command Broadcasting is a division of Nations Broadband Corporation, a privately held corporation which has operated worldwide for over 15 years. It was founded with a vision of enhancing worldwide telecommunication services, as well as the telecommunications power of the Internet by integrating and developing cutting edge services and technologies for the communications revolution. The company was founded by telecommunications industry veterans with proven track records of successful ventures. Since the telecom industry’s deregulation, Nations has been instrumental in providing reliable state of the art broadcasting, telecommunication, technology, and Internet-based services to business all over the world. In fact, Nations is recognized, approved, certified and tariffed by the FCC and the States’ Public Utility Commissions, and other worldwide organizations.

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2006-11-27T12:22:00.000-06:00

Thank God It's Monday...

I'm one of those weird ones that see holidays as an interruption. Monday - Wednesday was non-stop action - Thursday was a screeching halt -- Friday a few emails came in having to do with the show.

It's nice to have a full week to get back into the groove of things.

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Kudos to Prince William and Prince Harry of England for planning a tribute concert for Princess Diana. The advance word is that it will be held at the new Wembley Arena on 1 July 2007 which is the date of her birthday.

Since she was such a music fan they are asking everyone from Sir Elton John to Duran Duran to George Michael to Robbie Williams to perform. The proceeds will benefit those charities she was partial to.

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The rumblings are already begining -- when is the BIG Toy Run going to be held? It will be on 17 December 2006 at 1:00pm.

Parades leave Dallas, Grapevine and Ft. Worth and will end at Arlington Convention Center.

Entry is one unwrapped toy or $10. More details available at: www.thebigtexastoyrun.com/

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2006-11-26T11:21:00.000-06:00

"I left my nut on the bar room floor..."

In Dallas, there is a section of town called Lower Greenville. A lot of peple that are new to Dallas don't know where LG begins -- it begins at Mockingbird Lane. In most cities it would be called SoMo for south of Mockingbird (think SoHo - south of Houston in NYC and SoBe for South Beach in Miami)....but here, we have Lower Greenville.

LG is one of those parts of town where cute little bungalows sell for $300k to yuppies who then huff and puff because of the noise and traffic and even though they bought a home half a block away from a strip of nightclubs and restaurants. Everyone else rents and it's usually younger people, or those working in hospitality or entertainment.

That being said, if a group of LG residents stumbled upon blood, penis and bits of a testicle next to a bar as they had stepped up to order their drinks, they'd probably start singing the song "Detachable Penis".....

"I Left My Nut On The Bar Room Floor...."
Submitted by Avi S. Adelman on November 25, 2006 - 23:56.
Bar patron accidentally shoots self in crotch, then claims he was shot by someone else

A Lower Greenville bar patron shot himself in the crotch while sitting at a bar. He went home and called the police, claiming someone else had shot him. DPD was able to prove his story was fabricated when they found parts of the bullet, a testicle, his penis, and some flesh on the bar floor.

While this may sound like the first verse of a really bad country-western song (is there such a thing as a good country-western song??), DPD sources swear it is absolutely true. Of course, it takes a long time to tell the story because they are laughing too hard while repeating it. BD won't name the bar since they should not be associated with someone so stupid.

According to DPD sources, the incident (which occurred last weekend) started in a little tussle with some other patrons in this bar. Feeling humiliated, the patron went out to his car and came back with a small-caliber weapon tucked in his pants.

(Which brings up the question: Did he know the safety was off??)

The suspect went to the bar and tried to show his newfound manhood to the (female) bartender. She told DPD she did not see anything recognizable in his pants.

Moments later, the patron stood up and bounced his gut against the bar, causing the gun to discharge. The bartender told DPD she heard what sounded like a balloon popping, but paid no mind to it since there was a birthday party taking place in the bar.

The patron did not show any signs of pain or distress and left the bar immediately after the shot was fired. He went home, then called the DPD to report he had been shot by persons unknown.
DPD immediately began to doubt his story (could it be the lack of a bullet hole in his pants??) and started to trace his whereabouts during the evening. An inspection of the floor by the bar led to the discovery of the bullet fragments and body parts.

According to initial reports, the bullet entered the patron's scrotum (taking out a testicle and piece of his penis along the way), went through his foot, before lodging in the bar floor.

The patron was admitted to the hospital, but no charges are pending against him at this time.

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2006-11-24T19:01:00.000-06:00

Deep Thoughts...

Some people think I'm odd because I carry hand sanitizer with me everywhere. I prefer the kind from Bath & Body Works because it's often on sale for $2.50, an assortment of fragrances, comes in gel and lotion options and has moisturizing beads embedded. I'm told it's weird for a biker girl to be so anti-germs.

Well, for what it's worth, there is at least one other Texan who takes it even more seriously than I. A couple nights ago a man was at a bar called Tumbleweeds in Ft. Worthless, saw another patron use the mens room and didn't wash his hands after tucking Mr. Johnson away. This man berated the nasty guy and ended up stabbing him 4 times. Nasty man lived and the other man is in jail.

Ah ha! See -- it's not just me.

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So the Russians are still at it? Russian President Vladimir Putin is saying the death of Alexander Litvinenko wasn't "that painful."

WTF? The guy died a brutal death over 3 weeks from radiation poisoning from a substance that is so rare less than 100 grams a year are produced every year world wide, there are traces of this substance at the restaurant and hotel Litvinenko was at before he became so ill.

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The College Republicans at Boston University have caused quite the bru-ha-ha with their $250 Caucasian Achievement & Recognition Scholarship. A BU student must be at least 1/4 caucasian in order to apply and write 2 essays.

Evidentally, it's ok to have race specific scholarships for blacks, latins, indians, etc. etc., but not caucasians. Seems rather discriminatory to have race specific scholarships but if it's ok for everyone else, why shouldn't it be ok for caucasians?

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So today I stopped by A Bikers Christmas that my friend Tigger is holding at Market Hall -- naturally and gun & knife show is being held in the next hall - and I met some interesting people. Amongst some of the females I spoke with at the booths, was the topic of "Do girls who ride like to perpetuate this "bitch, rode hard & put up wet, let's flash our boobs at everyone" mentality?

No.

If I want to see topless women, I'll go to a strip club or pull up an web site -- but since I don't bat for that team the only time I go to a strip club is when KZPS is having an event at Silver City.

I don't think it's cute or funny to be called a bitch -- even if a another female does it. That makes about as much sense is a blacks calling one another "niggas".

I think it just boils down to the concept that if you don't treat yourself with respect, why should anyone else?

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Ch-ch-changes at Exile Cycles: So if you've ever dealt with Exile, you've probably dealt with Dan Hugh-Jones. For reasons, I don't know at this point, is no longer with Exile. He's going to chill for a couple weeks and then jump into his next adventure.

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While on the topic of British boys in LA - there is a certain someone that will probably be doing all the music for 2 Wheel Passport. I was doing some researching online and found a "fan's" web site -- this fan is a 46 year old woman in Pittsburg.

Some of her recent comments included her realization that some of his lyrics made references to drug use and she now wonders how she could have ever been a fan.

She also said that the articles seem to say very little and that maybe he is nothing more than a "beautiful bimbo".

I guess the concept that he might want to keep his personal life personal, never dawned on her.

She also critiqued the fact that he was in Philadelphia or Pittsburg a few months ago with one of the bands he performs in and even though it's been 4 years since she's seen him, she held out hope that there might be something between them?

Did this 46 year old groupie expect him to ring her up? Has he been pining away for her all this time? With the thousands of people he's been exposed to just this year on the US and European tours, he's got no one else to think of?

Could be but not likely.

I speak to him on the phone about once every 2 weeks and I know a fair amount about his history - as a working relationship, if he was a male bimbo I wouldn't have anything to do with him. But from a working standpoint, he's dead on.

Why do girls act so ridiculous when it comes to the boys in the bands? Things that make you go "Hmmmm..."

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2006-11-19T22:18:00.000-06:00

Bike Stuff -- Big Surprise

Yesterday The Illustrious One, Magoo and I attended the International Motorcycle Show in Ft. Worth. Made a few good contacts.

Today I ventured out to Terrell to assist with the packaging of care packs that are being shipped out to the service men & women serving overseas in battle zones. A group called Soldier Angels was organizing it.

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There's a new amusing video from Harley that you can see here:

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So in the world of biking, you have those that take the mindset of, "As long as you are on a bike, that's all that matters," and then you have those that are very brand loyal.

I confess, I don't know a lot about Honda Gold Wings, but I do know they had a "Wing Ding" here a couple years ago and everyone was wearing pajama bottoms for some reason when they were riding and a few weeks ago someone else told me that when they rode with a Gold Wing's group for a couple years, they finally had it give it up because it seemed like every 10 miles they stopped for ice cream.

Anyway, so maybe that's a little background into why the following was sent out:

Top Ten Reasons Why Gold Wing Riders Don't Wave Back

Wasn't sure whether other rider was waving or making an obscene gesture.
Afraid might get frostbite if hand is removed from heated grip.
Has arthritis and the past 400 miles have made it difficult to raise arm.
Reflection from etched windshield momentarily blinded him.
The espresso machine just finished.
Was actually asleep when other rider waved.
Was in a three-way conference call with stockbroker and accessories dealer.
Was distracted by odd shaped blip on radar screen.
Was simultaneously adjusting the air suspension, seat height, programmable CD player, seat temperature and satellite navigation system.
Couldn't find the "auto wave back" button on dashboard.

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Kudos to The Sun for laying shame on the British music establishment. When the The Sun get's their teeth into something, they often bring about successful changes. After 25 remarkable years, Depeche Mode has yet to be honored with a lifetime achievement award.

As The Sun put it, if the Spice Girls can get an award like that after only a couple years and 3 albums, then it IS a travesty when a band like Depeche has yet to be honored.

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On a spin-off Depeche topic, their band of choice for opening the last tour, Scissor Sisters has a new single out. For those of you still in the dark, SS, is one of the hottest bands in the world right now - but not, in typical fashion, in the U.S. even though this is an American band.

Bono of U2 has even said that SS is one of the best bands out right now.

So, crank up the volume, and have some fun. Oh, and for those of you that are homophobic and don't like eurotrash, tune out now because it's a visual delight to see Jake Shears in that tight leather...Mmmmm!