You will have to entertain yourself today.
If you are at work I would suggest a non-sexual diversion.
If you choose, you may discuss my genius in the comments.
March 31, 2011
March 29, 2011
Today's earworm
Compare and contrast to Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga.
Thus endeth today's music lesson.
March 28, 2011
Sarah Palin is unelectable
There is little about Sarah Palin I do not like. Her conservative principles are firm. She is a real American. I am a little disturbed she quit as Alaska's Governor, and the reasons may be accurate, but it is still a tough spin.
The liberals hate Palin more than any political figure in history; more than Reagan, more than either Bush, more than Nixon. The liberal press has destroyed her. The women's libbers loathe her (I would think she should be the poster girl for the NOW chicks).
She terrifies the RINO's, she makes progressive crap their collective drawers.
She will never ever be elected President.
Discuss.
The liberals hate Palin more than any political figure in history; more than Reagan, more than either Bush, more than Nixon. The liberal press has destroyed her. The women's libbers loathe her (I would think she should be the poster girl for the NOW chicks).
She terrifies the RINO's, she makes progressive crap their collective drawers.
She will never ever be elected President.
Discuss.
March 27, 2011
A Priest, a Rabbi, an Iman, and a Baptist Preacher walk into a bar...
I had a long, well reasoned post all written in my head. Who wants to read about politics and Public Radio anyway?
It is Sunday. Spend some time with your family, or a good book, or an entertaining movie. Save your heavy thoughts for Monday.
Have a great day.
It is Sunday. Spend some time with your family, or a good book, or an entertaining movie. Save your heavy thoughts for Monday.
Have a great day.
March 26, 2011
A post where your author gets all artsy-fartsy
The coffee is hot
but the weather sure is not
a morning haiku
Rain makes flowers grow
spring snow and frost makes them dead
March in Hoosierland
Fruit Loops Lucky Charms
a spoon, bowl a little milk
wish I had bacon
Perhaps you should just go read what poetry Jean has to offer instead.
but the weather sure is not
a morning haiku
Rain makes flowers grow
spring snow and frost makes them dead
March in Hoosierland
Fruit Loops Lucky Charms
a spoon, bowl a little milk
wish I had bacon
Perhaps you should just go read what poetry Jean has to offer instead.
March 25, 2011
Brilliant Commentary and I Need Your Input
There is a reason for that. Hoosiers was filmed in Hinkle Fieldhouse.
If you have never seen the film, Hoosiers was the story of a small town basketball team that overcame the odds to win a State Championship. The story is based on the real-life story of Milan High in 1954. Bobby Plump hit the last second shot to win the game. He also went on to be a star at Butler. Weird coincidence? The real game also took place at Hinkle.
The "Milan Miracle" is the stuff of legend in the Hoosier State and kids were once weaned on the tale along side Mother Goose and the Grimm Brothers. Many a child of the 1960s and 1970s shot basket after basket in the drive or against a hoop on the barn reliving the last second game winning shot. Now days, kids just dream of being one of four State Champions. Why no, I am not bitter. Why do you ask?
Since it is Friday, I think we will do an impromptu Friday
Hoosiers
Rocky
Brian's Song
Major League
Breaking Away
Rudy
The Natural
Bull Durham
Raging Bull
Tin Cup
Your vote may differ. What are the best sports movies?
March 24, 2011
Manufacturing Dreams
I had the weirdest dreams this morning. They remained in my mind even after I woke up, slowly dissipating like fog in the morning sun until they are just a blurry memory as I write.
I was back in the widget factory. I was giving a tour, I guess, I was describing each department and machine. The whole thing was from a weird point of view, like a documentary shot from slightly above. We could look down at an angle at the machines, not a top view, but I was not at ground level either.
I described the screw machines, how they were set up, secondary, the CNCs, heat treat and the various grinding operations. I described in detail the complicated assembly process. The time was in the early days of my employment at the plant, when it ran in batch mode, lots of waste and useless movement of materials. Work-in-process inventories cluttered the floor space. In my dream I described in detail the antiquated semi-hand assembly process.
It was all very strange. It is very weird in that for a good while it was my job to transform that plant into a smooth, quick-reacting just-in-time factory. The tour was in the pre-changeover days, and I made special emphasis on the waste and poor manufacturing flow.
I could hear the machinery, smell the oils and coolants, feel the plant (this makes sense to anyone who has worked in heavy manufacturing). It is strange how memories from fifteen or twenty years ago can be so vibrant.
I am not sure what spurred these long buried memories. Perhaps it was a discussion with a customer earlier this week if manufacturing will ever come back on shore. We still make more "stuff" than any country on earth, but so many of the components we need to manufacture and assemble cars and machinery are all sourced overseas in this global economy. So much expertise is gone; the old guys who fabricated the tooling, who faced every problem and had the answer buried in their work experience.
This morning I pulled out a stack of business cards, encircled with a thick rubber band. It is several inches thick. Each card represents a customer, a contact, a company from my past. All no longer active. The name on the card represents a company closed, a contact retired, let go, outsourced.
i know the answer, most of those industries and plants are not ever coming back to power the employment of the rust belt. Too many operated like the plant in my dream. Too many were destroyed by the unions, by high taxes, by costly energy. For too many years the big corporations failed to reinvest in their manufacturing until it was cheaper to close than upgrade the plants. Cheap labor from Asia and Mexico were a more attractive offer. I guess I will have to be content to visit those plants in my dreams.
I was back in the widget factory. I was giving a tour, I guess, I was describing each department and machine. The whole thing was from a weird point of view, like a documentary shot from slightly above. We could look down at an angle at the machines, not a top view, but I was not at ground level either.
I described the screw machines, how they were set up, secondary, the CNCs, heat treat and the various grinding operations. I described in detail the complicated assembly process. The time was in the early days of my employment at the plant, when it ran in batch mode, lots of waste and useless movement of materials. Work-in-process inventories cluttered the floor space. In my dream I described in detail the antiquated semi-hand assembly process.
It was all very strange. It is very weird in that for a good while it was my job to transform that plant into a smooth, quick-reacting just-in-time factory. The tour was in the pre-changeover days, and I made special emphasis on the waste and poor manufacturing flow.
I could hear the machinery, smell the oils and coolants, feel the plant (this makes sense to anyone who has worked in heavy manufacturing). It is strange how memories from fifteen or twenty years ago can be so vibrant.
I am not sure what spurred these long buried memories. Perhaps it was a discussion with a customer earlier this week if manufacturing will ever come back on shore. We still make more "stuff" than any country on earth, but so many of the components we need to manufacture and assemble cars and machinery are all sourced overseas in this global economy. So much expertise is gone; the old guys who fabricated the tooling, who faced every problem and had the answer buried in their work experience.
This morning I pulled out a stack of business cards, encircled with a thick rubber band. It is several inches thick. Each card represents a customer, a contact, a company from my past. All no longer active. The name on the card represents a company closed, a contact retired, let go, outsourced.
i know the answer, most of those industries and plants are not ever coming back to power the employment of the rust belt. Too many operated like the plant in my dream. Too many were destroyed by the unions, by high taxes, by costly energy. For too many years the big corporations failed to reinvest in their manufacturing until it was cheaper to close than upgrade the plants. Cheap labor from Asia and Mexico were a more attractive offer. I guess I will have to be content to visit those plants in my dreams.
March 23, 2011
Indiana Democrats
You took the money, now do the work. You have cheated stolen from the taxpayers for 32 days now.
You fled the State, sore losers in the last election. You took your pay and ran away. If you ever come back the taxpayers will likely be on the hook for a special session. You will want to be paid for it too.
Fucking thieves.
I would not be surprised to see your crybaby brothers and sisters in Congress try the same act.
If you Indiana Repubs roll over and negotiate with these low-life scum, it will be the end for you too.
You fled the State, sore losers in the last election. You took your pay and ran away. If you ever come back the taxpayers will likely be on the hook for a special session. You will want to be paid for it too.
Fucking thieves.
I would not be surprised to see your crybaby brothers and sisters in Congress try the same act.
If you Indiana Repubs roll over and negotiate with these low-life scum, it will be the end for you too.
March 22, 2011
I was thinking...
In the past 50 years, have more people suffered radiation burns or sun burns?
Have more people suffered radiation poisoning or sun poisoning?
Nuclear power or solar power?
On this date in 2005 I published my first post. More than 3,000 posts and 6 years later, I am still presenting my unique perspective.
Have more people suffered radiation poisoning or sun poisoning?
Nuclear power or solar power?
On this date in 2005 I published my first post. More than 3,000 posts and 6 years later, I am still presenting my unique perspective.
March 21, 2011
Obama and why you are paying nearly $4 per gallon for gas
President Obama yesterday praised Brazil for its new offshore oil industry and said he wants to buy as much oil as possible in this new win-win partnership — although we have piled up $5 trillion in new debt, curtailed new petroleum exploration off shore and in the West, as well as kept Alaska off-limits. Our near-term energy future apparently lies in borrowing money to buy oil from those we praise for drilling where we never would ourselves. sourceYep.
And let the protest begin
I suspect Cindy Sheehan and Code Pink will be setting up shop in Lafayette Park near the White House today. Maybe they are camped down the street from the Obama house in Chicago.
Surely the Left is up in arms? We are attacking a legitimate regime in Libya. There is no American interest at stake. It is likely over oil. "Blood for oil", will the Progressives shout.
For goodness sake, the Colonel only violated one stinkin' UN Resolution. It was US warmongering when Saddam violated 12.
Let me understand. We have to interfere in Libya because a a crazy frickin' dictator attacks his own people in open rebellion? Is it not a problem if those people are Kurds? Qadaffi helped foment terrorism. Hussein only paid blood money to the families of suicide bombers in Israel.
The Libyan operation is a coalition, because Canada, Italy, Britain, France and others are involved. GW was a "Cowboy" in Iraq because he went in with Canada, Italy, Britain and others. I guess adding France makes all the difference. After all, their last military victory was under Napoleon, and he lost his last war. 1815 was not so long ago, I guess.
Clinton bombed Iraq and an aspirin factory in Somalia to cover up his diddling of Monica (cigar anyone?). What is The Obama up to?
What are the college kids to do? Should they protest the evil war in Libya or the evil Republicans in Wisconsin. Decisions, decisions.
EDIT: How about that -- not all Democrats are hypocrites
Surely the Left is up in arms? We are attacking a legitimate regime in Libya. There is no American interest at stake. It is likely over oil. "Blood for oil", will the Progressives shout.
For goodness sake, the Colonel only violated one stinkin' UN Resolution. It was US warmongering when Saddam violated 12.
Let me understand. We have to interfere in Libya because a a crazy frickin' dictator attacks his own people in open rebellion? Is it not a problem if those people are Kurds? Qadaffi helped foment terrorism. Hussein only paid blood money to the families of suicide bombers in Israel.
The Libyan operation is a coalition, because Canada, Italy, Britain, France and others are involved. GW was a "Cowboy" in Iraq because he went in with Canada, Italy, Britain and others. I guess adding France makes all the difference. After all, their last military victory was under Napoleon, and he lost his last war. 1815 was not so long ago, I guess.
Clinton bombed Iraq and an aspirin factory in Somalia to cover up his diddling of Monica (cigar anyone?). What is The Obama up to?
What are the college kids to do? Should they protest the evil war in Libya or the evil Republicans in Wisconsin. Decisions, decisions.
EDIT: How about that -- not all Democrats are hypocrites
March 20, 2011
I'll stare you down
This is one of my favorite pictures of your humble author, Here I am staring down the photographer as a smart-aleck 14 year-old. That would make me a freshman in high school. My Mom's perfect handwriting on the back tells us the year was 1976.
edit picture removed. You should check in more often!
At this age I was pretty confident I could kick anyone's ass, although I weighed maybe 100 pounds. Like most boys that age, I was terribly full of myself.
Not like now.
My hair was thick and wavy and unruly. I desperately wanted to be able to grow long hair, feathered at the sides like the cool kids. Instead I had waves and curls. I also wanted to be tall and good looking.
Alas, I was who I was.
I was not in any way as innocent as I looked back in our bicentennial year.
This flashback was brought to you by the numbers four and nine. Which combine to make my age as of today.
edit picture removed. You should check in more often!
At this age I was pretty confident I could kick anyone's ass, although I weighed maybe 100 pounds. Like most boys that age, I was terribly full of myself.
Not like now.
My hair was thick and wavy and unruly. I desperately wanted to be able to grow long hair, feathered at the sides like the cool kids. Instead I had waves and curls. I also wanted to be tall and good looking.
Alas, I was who I was.
I was not in any way as innocent as I looked back in our bicentennial year.
This flashback was brought to you by the numbers four and nine. Which combine to make my age as of today.
March 19, 2011
In a cold sweat
I used to never get cold. I wore T-shits all winter and never, ever zipped my coat. That was back in the days when my blood was literally maple syrup.
Now that my blood sugar is better and mostly under control, my healthier, thinner blood does not warm me so much. For the past year or so I get cold. In the core of my body. I get the shivering teeth chattering kind of cold. I don't like it, but it is a fact of life. These days I often wear a sweatshirt over my faded Nike tees. When I go outside I wear a hat and gloves and my coat is zipped to my neck. Winter walks find me in a stocking cap and a hoody under my winter coat. Friggin' wimp I am these days.
Last night I mosied off to bed around 11:30. That is my usual time. I am one to fall asleep instantly. But for some reason I was still awake after midnight. I got up and went to read a little. As I sat in the chair I began to get warm. I asked the Wife if she thought it was hot in the house, she thought not.
I fetched a diet root beer and sat at the table. I looked down and my shirt was dark with sweat. Damp patches showed in the pits and under my manboobs. My back looked like I had just spent the past 30 minutes working out, not reading sea stories. (want to give me hug?).
I showed my Wife, she asked me if I was OK, if I was having a heart attack or something? I told her I felt fine. I checked my pulse, it was normal. I told her I guess I was having sympathetic hot flashes. She was not amused.
After a bit, I returned to normal. By the time I went to bed (after falling asleep in the chair), I was actually a bit cold.
I feel fine this morning. Old age ain't for the faint of heart.
And yes, if it happens again I will call the doctor. Or at least my Mom.
Sorry, I know there is nothing worse than hearing old people talk about their health. I really had nothing else this morning.
Now that my blood sugar is better and mostly under control, my healthier, thinner blood does not warm me so much. For the past year or so I get cold. In the core of my body. I get the shivering teeth chattering kind of cold. I don't like it, but it is a fact of life. These days I often wear a sweatshirt over my faded Nike tees. When I go outside I wear a hat and gloves and my coat is zipped to my neck. Winter walks find me in a stocking cap and a hoody under my winter coat. Friggin' wimp I am these days.
Last night I mosied off to bed around 11:30. That is my usual time. I am one to fall asleep instantly. But for some reason I was still awake after midnight. I got up and went to read a little. As I sat in the chair I began to get warm. I asked the Wife if she thought it was hot in the house, she thought not.
I fetched a diet root beer and sat at the table. I looked down and my shirt was dark with sweat. Damp patches showed in the pits and under my manboobs. My back looked like I had just spent the past 30 minutes working out, not reading sea stories. (want to give me hug?).
I showed my Wife, she asked me if I was OK, if I was having a heart attack or something? I told her I felt fine. I checked my pulse, it was normal. I told her I guess I was having sympathetic hot flashes. She was not amused.
After a bit, I returned to normal. By the time I went to bed (after falling asleep in the chair), I was actually a bit cold.
I feel fine this morning. Old age ain't for the faint of heart.
And yes, if it happens again I will call the doctor. Or at least my Mom.
Sorry, I know there is nothing worse than hearing old people talk about their health. I really had nothing else this morning.
March 18, 2011
A post that starts out with nonsense and goes downhill from there
It is finally Friday. For some reason this week has been a long one. Temps hit above 70 yesterday. Woo wee, it was nice. The sun was shining. Too bad the wind was blowing strong, but I will take what I can get. I snuck (sneaked?) out at lunch and enjoyed a nice H. Uppman Chairman's Reserve Robusto. This was my first stogie since before the New Year.
How did you do on your basketball brackets? I missed three games yesterday. That is pretty good for me. Although I am by birth and residence a Hoosier, I do not really care too much for basketball.
I know, I may have to renounce my Indiana citizenship. Seriously, Basketball is not the king it once was in the Hoosier State. Class Basketball, cable TV, shopping malls, modern times, and football have all combined to weaken King Basketball. No longer can you count on massive gyms being filled on a Friday night.
The girls basketball programs have sued to make sure they play an equal number of Fridays. Now we see boys games all through the week. I get the fairness thing, but no matter how many lawsuits are filed, you cannot make a sport popular. All the change has done is lessen the popularity of the boys program. I hate to bring politics into it, but that is always the result of trying to legislate "fairness". The result is lowering the outcome for all.
Class Basketball destroyed the old local rivalries. It weakened the overall product. But it has been 15 years. The old way can never return. Those of you from other States cannot comprehend what it was like to sit in a high school gym filled with 5,000 screaming, rabid fans.
How did you do on your basketball brackets? I missed three games yesterday. That is pretty good for me. Although I am by birth and residence a Hoosier, I do not really care too much for basketball.
I know, I may have to renounce my Indiana citizenship. Seriously, Basketball is not the king it once was in the Hoosier State. Class Basketball, cable TV, shopping malls, modern times, and football have all combined to weaken King Basketball. No longer can you count on massive gyms being filled on a Friday night.
The girls basketball programs have sued to make sure they play an equal number of Fridays. Now we see boys games all through the week. I get the fairness thing, but no matter how many lawsuits are filed, you cannot make a sport popular. All the change has done is lessen the popularity of the boys program. I hate to bring politics into it, but that is always the result of trying to legislate "fairness". The result is lowering the outcome for all.
Class Basketball destroyed the old local rivalries. It weakened the overall product. But it has been 15 years. The old way can never return. Those of you from other States cannot comprehend what it was like to sit in a high school gym filled with 5,000 screaming, rabid fans.
March 17, 2011
Basketball thoughts
So far I am 2-0 in my NCAA Bracket. Past history shows my picks will be as accurate as a Washington Generals three pointer by Sunday.
I am pretty sure I am in good position to win my office pool though. I am the only entry.
Do you think there are a lot of teams looking around and thanking the basketball gods they are not in a bracket with Butler?
edit. Now 2-2, missed the Louisville upset. Since I had Louisville winning the next round too, that is already two losses. Like I said, by Sunday my paper will be fit for nothing but fire starter.
I am pretty sure I am in good position to win my office pool though. I am the only entry.
Do you think there are a lot of teams looking around and thanking the basketball gods they are not in a bracket with Butler?
edit. Now 2-2, missed the Louisville upset. Since I had Louisville winning the next round too, that is already two losses. Like I said, by Sunday my paper will be fit for nothing but fire starter.
Dear Progressive Readers -- an open challenge
Few, if any of my old progressive readers show up here any more. They never comment. I guess the drubbing they took in the last election made them scurry back to their holes, clutching their blankies and crying for Mommy. Or perhaps they came to the conclusion I was right all along?
I would like to open up the forum and sincerely I would like the Obama supporter from 2008's opinion. Just as I had no issue criticising GW, I wonder how you who voted for The Obama feel about him now?
Since Obama was elected gas prices at the pump are up almost 90%. Unemployment has increased from just over 5% to 9% and higher. The deficit has tripled. The value of the dollar has fallen. Wars and strife have erupted in Iran, Korea, and all across the Mideast. The Afghan War continues, with no end in sight. The threat of terrorism is increased, not diminished. Gitmo remains open for business. Americans overwhelmingly rejected the Democrat agenda in the last election. Ocean levels have not decreased. Food prices jumped last month the highest rate in 36 years. Housing starts are the lowest since the Government started keeping track in 1959.
Is this the Hope and Change you thought you were getting? Is the Absentee in Chief living up to your expectations? We know The Obama has improved his golf game. He is spending some quality time on his NCAA Brackets, but how is he doing on the domestic and international fronts?
In the interest of fairness, I will even give you the keys to do a guest post, if you believe the comment section is not adequate for your rejoinder.
I would like to open up the forum and sincerely I would like the Obama supporter from 2008's opinion. Just as I had no issue criticising GW, I wonder how you who voted for The Obama feel about him now?
Since Obama was elected gas prices at the pump are up almost 90%. Unemployment has increased from just over 5% to 9% and higher. The deficit has tripled. The value of the dollar has fallen. Wars and strife have erupted in Iran, Korea, and all across the Mideast. The Afghan War continues, with no end in sight. The threat of terrorism is increased, not diminished. Gitmo remains open for business. Americans overwhelmingly rejected the Democrat agenda in the last election. Ocean levels have not decreased. Food prices jumped last month the highest rate in 36 years. Housing starts are the lowest since the Government started keeping track in 1959.
Is this the Hope and Change you thought you were getting? Is the Absentee in Chief living up to your expectations? We know The Obama has improved his golf game. He is spending some quality time on his NCAA Brackets, but how is he doing on the domestic and international fronts?
In the interest of fairness, I will even give you the keys to do a guest post, if you believe the comment section is not adequate for your rejoinder.
March 16, 2011
Random Ramblings -- Midweek Edition
I woke this morning with that gosh-awful Steve Miller Band song Abracadabra echoing in my brainpan. I hate anything ever recorded by the Steve Miller Band. If a song by him comes on the radio, I instantly turn it off. I would rather listen to feminine hygiene commercials. I would rather listen to farm reports. I would rather listen to Tiny Tim. The sound of cats having sex with pygmy goats would give more auditory pleasure.T he only thing worse is Afternoon Delight by the Starland Vocal Band. They only insulted our sense of taste and decency with one song. Steve Miller did it repeatedly. And yes, I mean to include Quicksilver Messenger too. He should have named his band Hoover. You know, 'cause they suck.
It does not help that I once had a complete asshat of a neighbor who happened to be named Steve Miller.
I saw on the news that health food stores around Indy are sold out of iodine tablets. People are panicking that they are going to get radiation poisoning from the nukes in Japan. So far the leaked radiation levels are similar to what you would get from a chest X-ray. But the scare-team news is all in a lather. Of course common sense would tell you that it would take world-ending release of radiation amounts to have any effect on ignorant Hoosiers, but sane reasoning does not get in the way for the no-nukes crowd. I am willing to bet that 99.999% of those in a panic also voted for The Obama. Anyone taking odds?
Never ones to let a good crisis go to waste, the lefties like Joe Can't Retire Soon Enough Lieberman are already claiming we should back away from nukes in this country. I am still not sure how the lefties think we are going to power our electric cars. We cannot generate power with nukes, with coal, with natural gas or hydroelectric dams. How many windmills and solar panels will it take to get enough power to charge your Government Motors Volt? After all, the 24 mile range does not get one very far. I know, we can harness the power of the oceanic tides to power our electric cars.
It does not help that I once had a complete asshat of a neighbor who happened to be named Steve Miller.
I saw on the news that health food stores around Indy are sold out of iodine tablets. People are panicking that they are going to get radiation poisoning from the nukes in Japan. So far the leaked radiation levels are similar to what you would get from a chest X-ray. But the scare-team news is all in a lather. Of course common sense would tell you that it would take world-ending release of radiation amounts to have any effect on ignorant Hoosiers, but sane reasoning does not get in the way for the no-nukes crowd. I am willing to bet that 99.999% of those in a panic also voted for The Obama. Anyone taking odds?
Never ones to let a good crisis go to waste, the lefties like Joe Can't Retire Soon Enough Lieberman are already claiming we should back away from nukes in this country. I am still not sure how the lefties think we are going to power our electric cars. We cannot generate power with nukes, with coal, with natural gas or hydroelectric dams. How many windmills and solar panels will it take to get enough power to charge your Government Motors Volt? After all, the 24 mile range does not get one very far. I know, we can harness the power of the oceanic tides to power our electric cars.
March 15, 2011
The Ides of March
Me and Julius were just talking, things seem quiet today. Caeser thinks he will take a walk in the Forum with our buddy Brutus.
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