A New Year’s Meal For The Spirit...

This New Years Day post can be read on my Dairy at RedState here.

Nuts & Bolts...

The comedian Gallagher summed it up best in six little words:

Women are nuts

Men are bolts

I've always had a more R-rated take on that, with the preface that ALL women (to varying degrees) are effin’ insane, and ALL men (to varying degrees) are effin’ jerks.

Yourself/myself included.

Even our saintly mothers and fathers (if you reflect on those isolated moments in memory) are not excluded from this fundamental law of life.

And the goal is (a) for yourself to work on being less of a jerk/insane, and (b) to determine what level of insanity/jerkiness you are willing to tolerate in your partner and in others.

The sooner you realize and accept this fact, the easier life will be for you, your partner, and those around you.

You will notice, though, that the two parts Gallagher mentions (Nuts & Bolts) do fit together perfectly. You just have to fit the proper Nut to the correct Bolt.

This has been a much needed public service announcement.

You're welcome.

;-)

*I came to this conclusion about a year and a half ago. I was almost certain of it (high 90s%) prior to that point in time. And then a situation occurred when I finally realized that it is in fact 100% true and accurate, and that one cannot escape from it. LOL

I want to join the Tautology Club!!!

This one made me chuckle this morning:

Yes, I am on a blogging break...

Sorry for not blogging as much over the last couple months. I am, as you have already surmised, on a blogging break. There have been a few current event topics I've been wanting to chime in on during this time, but real life takes precedents. If you follow any of the links in my blog roll over this time period, then you're already aware of the key issues of the day anyway.

I've been through some stressful moments over the last couple months, combined with a period of time when I battled a persistent chest cold, some weight loss and occasional bouts of insomnia. Just as with everyone else (especially here in California), the state of the current economic and financial climate adds to the edginess and uncertainty.

But, all-in-all, it's been good... because I'm in love. Which can and does, in it's own way, also add to the stressfulness of things. I've just got to learn to not worry so much, and to stop over-analyzing things. I need to keep things in their proper perspective; to rely less on self and outside influences, and to rely more on God.

Currently reading Thomas a Kempis' classic work "The Imitation of Christ" (available via Dover Publications in paperback for $2.50). Thanks to Eric @ The Daily Eudemon for that recommendation a few months back.

Thanks also to Dim Bulb @ The Divine Lamp for stopping by lately and giving me an "Honest Scrap" Award. I feel so honored. (Hah!)

A general request for prayers wouldn't hurt... so, there it is (heh). And I'll keep all of you in my prayers, as well.

Thank you all for being patient. I hope to return to blogging form soon.

My Own Inoculation...

I did my part in combatting swine flu by cooking and eating pork chops for dinner last night, with brown rice and veggies. I even have leftovers for tonight.

YUM!

Crickets...

Yeah-yeah, I know.  Where the heck have I been?

Sometimes real life takes precedent.

I promise to post some things before the weekend is over.

In the meantime, please keep my nephew, Vinny, in your prayers.  He's having eye surgery next week.

Thanx!

Two "Year in Review" Posts...

The first is by the humorous Dave Barry.

The second is by the contemplative Jennifer's.

Enjoy!

A Brief Christmas Eve Contemplation...

Here in the U.S.A. we have the Declaration of Independence "in order to form a more perfect union."  But God is asking each one of us to sign a "Declaration of Dependence" - dependence on Him, in order to form a more perfect union with Him.

Sometimes we don't feel like having to depend on someone else.  We think that it's not necessary.  We feel ashamed.  Or we feel obligated.  But, in the case of our LORD, the only obligation is to be more like Him (as it was intended before the fall).  He's asking us to be transformed.  And He knows that we can't do that on our own.  Which is why He sent His only Son to show us the Way.

So, when you next look upon the Nativity scene this holiday season take time to contemplate His humble birth, His years of loving ministry, wise teachings, and numerous miracles, His persecution and sacrificial death on the cross, and His glorious resurrection to new life.

And when things are difficult or overwhelming do not be ashamed to depend on Him to get you through the tough times, and to be your companion during the good times as well.  Thank Him for all that He has done for you.

May you and your loved ones experience a truly Merry Christmas, filled with countless blessings.  May your hearts be open to God.  May your lives be transformed.

And, on your heart and soul, sign your "John Hancock" on that Declaration of Dependence on God.

You'll be the better for it.

GOD BLESS!!!

Meet "Mriga"...

She's currently on layaway, but I hope to have her in my hands by the end of March.  She's Canadian: an Art & Lutherie Acoustic Cutaway Dreadnaught (from one of the Godin companies of guitars), with an Antique Burst Cedar solid top, Wild Cherry sides and back, Silver Leaf Maple neck, Rosewood fingerboard and bridge, semi-gloss custom varnish, Tusq nut and saddle.  No electronics to start (I'll add that later).

I'm hoping to get back to taking lessons again, soon.

Introverts vs. Extroverts

Julie the Happy Catholic has a post linking to a "Monday Morning Memo" on the difference between introverts and extroverts.  Very enlightening.

Celebrating...

... the 6th Anniversary of my 39th Birthday..................... by going to work.

C'est la vie!

And now for something completely different...

It was dreary, cloudy weather for two of the three days this past holiday weekend. But at least I got some sun, sand, ocean and melanin enhancement on Saturday afternoon.

Just getting over a cold and sore throat (pain the the a**).

Went to go see "Henry Poole Is Here" (with Luke Wilson) at the movie theater. A nice, funny yet heartwarming story on faith and tragedy, though I think they could have tweaked the ending a bit.

I also rented the movie "Cashback" on DVD (a cleverly done little indy film from England).

And I'm reading a great book titled, "What's the Matter With California?" by Jack Cashill.

That's about it.

Oh, yeah... and I turn 39 for the seventh time next week. (woo-hoo!)

Post#500 - The DMV...

I was utterly shocked last week when I went to my local DMV to re-up my driver's license (including getting the proverbial mug-shot).

My appointment was scheduled for 9:10 AM.

I arrived 20 minutes early.

I kid you not... I walked out of there at exactly 9:12 AM!!!

SEE, GOD DOES EXIST! IT'S A FRIGGIN' MIRACLE!

WalMart Follow-up...

Last month I posted my little soapbox rant about a door-to-door petition going around my neck of the woods regarding the potential arrival of a WalMart in town.

Well, last Friday's local newspaper had an article stating that the petitioners have garnered enough signatures to put the proposition on the November ballot. So I revisited my post, did a little editing and revising, and sent at as a "Letter to the Editor". After not seeing my letter posted by Wednesday morning, I thought that it wasn't going to get published.

Then I opened up TODAY'S paper. Not only did they publish my letter (practically verbatim), but they placed it above the fold as a commentary in the Op-Ed section with a full headline and byline! (Holy S***!)

Then, while I was in the bathroom shaving, I get a phone call this morning from a woman who read my letter in the paper and wanted to personally thank me for expressing the views which she also shared.

Yeah... I felt good this morning. But I ain't gonna let it go to my head.

Got Meme'd Again...

Eric over at The Daily Eudemon tagged me with a meme yesterday (I could've sworn I did this meme six months ago).

The rules:

1. Link the person(s) who tagged you
2. Mention the rules on your blog
3. Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours
4. Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger’s blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged

Since I've done this before, I'm going to do 1-thru-3, and the rest to anyone who reads this post and wants to run with it.

Okay... six "unspectacular quirks" of mine (and I'll try not to duplicate what I wrote last time):

1) I'm very particular about the music I listen to and the movies and TV shows that I watch (even though my tastes are wide ranging).

2) My favorite colors are deep azure blue or cobalt blue, sunset orange, and suntan bronze.

3) Add a stunningly cute, brown-eyed, dark-haired, 30-something, single female of Mediterranean or Latin American ancestry to that suntan bronze skin, wearing a deep azure blue bikini on the beach at sunset with the sky aflame and I am sooooooo there. Just point me the way. (Yeah, I know... I'm very particular about women, too. HAH!)

4) I have a tendency to talk to myself while I'm shopping at the store: "Now, where is that item I'm looking for? Ooo, it's on sale. What?! Out of stock? Oh, man. Hmmm... what else is there?" I'm sure people look at me strangely (also probably scaring away the women in #3).

5) I've always wanted to, at least once, fly in one of those glider airplanes.

6) My "first love" (career-wise) was in the field of Holography. It was 1979 and Pope John Paul II came to Philadelphia during his first U.S. visit. I was an usher at the outdoor mass/visit on Ben Franklin Parkway by all the museums downtown. The following day I was off from school, and the Franklin Institute had a brand new exhibit on Holography. I was hooked! I mean, seriously hooked!

I eventually wanted to do research and development in Holographic television (all these years later, and the technology is still in it's infancy). Unfortunately, calculus was the death of that dream. Although, I did get the opportunity to work at a hologram manufacturing company in Philly for two years doing product assembly. The last year there was my worst-paying job, but it was fun and interesting.

What the F*** is the Big Deal About WalMart???

I just had a visitor come to my front door with a petition in hand asking for signatures to put a proposition on the November ballot regarding WalMart. Some back story. Not too far from me is an empty K-Mart building (with a huge parking lot that is nearly empty except for the Trader Joe's customers - nothing wrong with T-Jo's, I just shopped there earlier today while my clothes were going through the dry cycle at the local laundromat).

WalMart has been interested in moving into the location, possibly expand the building somewhat. Of course, the NIMBYs (Not In My Back Yard) have to have their shrill voices heard yet again. I swear, this town at times seems to have it's priorities all frelled up. They also at times show themselves to be a bunch of frelling hypocrites.

Some years ago, there was an empty Montgomery Ward building across the street from the mall. Home Depot was interested in taking over the building. The townspeople bitched and moaned, eventually chasing away Home Depot. What did Home Depot do? They moved into a new location a mile away in the town next door. They're doing quite well there. What happened to the Montgomery Ward building? It became a Lowe's (a Home Depot clone). NO ONE bitched and moaned about Lowe's moving in.

There is a Target (a WalMart and K-Mart clone) store just several blocks from said mall. Target has been very successful. The mall has gone through extensive remodeling and expansion. Robinsons-May closed down as one of the anchor stores at one end of the mall. Target took over and rebuilt the Robinsons-May and turned it into a two-story Super-Target (just like the Super-WalMarts). They're also keeping the original Target open (the one just a few blocks away). NO ONE bitched and moaned about the Super-Target opening up in town, and so close to an existing Target.

Downtown used to have several local, independent coffee shops: Daily Grind, Cafe Voltaire, Caffe Bella, Kelly's Coffee, Coastal Coffee. All of these coffee shops were wonderful and added character to the downtown area. They're all closed. NO ONE came out to support them. Now, there's just two coffee shops in that area: One is a little place near the far end of the main drag (and it's just a "storefront counter" to a retail establishment). The other is Starbucks. Funny, but NO ONE bitched and moaned about Starbucks opening up downtown. They also never bitched & moaned when (in a mid-town shopping center) they opened up a Starbucks... and then also opened up a Starbucks inside the supermarket... just 50 feet away from the other just-opened Starbucks.

NO ONE seems to care that Starbucks sells overpriced bitter swill, but they'll cry their crocodile tears about WalMart selling Chinese-made goods on the cheap (funny, I seem to see those same Chinese-made goods in K-Mart, Target, Sears, the Gap, the local supermarket, even the little Mom-&-Pop shops selling trinkets to willing residents and tourists). I should know. Just a couple weeks ago I walked into a WalMart (in the the town next door) for the first time to buy the new Jouney CD - only available at WalMart. While I was there I took a walk around the store. I saw the same exact window fan that I bought just two weeks earlier at Sears for $21.99 (Target had the exact same fan for $24.99) being sold at WalMart for $11.99. Yeah, I was pissed... pissed that I could've saved ten more bucks.

Look. I am not a fan of large corporations taking over locations here and there. But corporations (in general) are not all evil. You wouldn't be able to have your cars, airplanes, computers, iPods, cell phones, TVs, medicines, etc. without them. Of course, I'd prefer that there were more Mom-&-Pop type places to buy and sell goods and services. But let's be friggin' reasonable people. And be friggin' consistent. Some common sense and perspective please.

With this weak economy, this area needs jobs... ANY jobs. This area also needs housing... AFFORDABLE housing (something that the people of this town continuously bitch & moan about, yet every time there is a development up for proposal it is always shouted & shut down by these same NIMBY idiots). The area could also use a place were people can buy things inexpensively, especially with the current state of the economy and with gas prices at over $4.50 per gallon. NONE of these things will happen with empty buildings and vacant lots. (Spoken by someone who not too many years ago was unemployed for exactly 500 days, at a time immediately after 9/11. Someone who also rents a shitty apartment, and has all but given up hope of ever owning a home in Southern California - where in just the last decade housing prices more than tripled. Yeah, that person I'm talking about is me).

I expressed these views to the poor lady who just came to my door, and who had NO answers to my questions of hypocrisy. Needless to say, I didn't sign the petition. I doubt, though, that she got the point. Nor will any of her comrades with their knickers in a perpetual knot.


*steps off the soapbox*

Let's Shake a Spear, shall we?

Eric over at Daily Eudemon posted an innocent little quote about Shakespeare, to wit I entered into the fray in the comments section regarding the Bard and the Ol' English language. I'd be interested to know if anyone else understands my point or even agrees with me.

"Alas, poor Trubador."

And now for something completely different...

With video games like "Rockstar" and "Guitar Hero", it's about time they started selling video games based on the REAL music industry. Something like.......... ROADIE HERO.

What kinda of nut am I?

(hat-tip to the Happy Catholic for this one)

Given the old saw about California - it's the Granola State: one-third fruits, one-third nuts, and one-third flakes - and that I've been a resident here for almost 14 years, I always considered myself one of the "nuts"......... but, which nut?

You Are a Hazelnut

You are very unique and distinct. You may even freak some people out. Most people don't really know how to interact with you. You get along best with anyone who is super sweet. But you really do get along with almost anyone. You just need a chance to wow them.

What Nut Are You?

My Southern Puddle-Jumper Experience

Per request from an on-line friend, I was able to find my notes from a unique airline flight I had a couple years ago from Birmingham, AL, to Charlotte, NC (It was after my 2-day visit to EWTN). I call these relatively short flights "puddle-jumpers", and the flight attendants on these puddle-jumpers in the South have a tendency to stray from the normal safety protocol script that you get at the beginning of your flight. In fact, if you didn’t know any better, you’d think you had just stumbled in a "Night At The Improv". What follows (practically verbatim... it was so funny - and unexpected - that I had to take notes) was the "routine" given on that surreal flight from the female comed-... uh, I’m mean "flight attendant". The names and airlines have been omitted to protect the guilty.

"In the seat pocket in front of you there is a safety card for you to follow along. It’s got pretty pictures. If you’ve heard this a thousand times before, at least pretend to read over the card. You people in Rows 15 and 16? You HAVE to read the card.

For those of you who haven’t driven in a car since 1964, shame on you! For the rest of you, you’ll need to fasten your seat-belt just like you do in your car.

Please put you seats in the upright and uncomfortable position for take-off.

In case of an emergency, yellow oxygen masks will drop down from the ceiling. If you have a small child, or if the person next to you is acting like a small child, please put your mask on first before assisting the child.

If you happen to be in the lavatory when an emergency occurs, for your convenience a mask will drop in there as well. It’s a little different, just pull down the tag that says "pull". After you’re done screaming, please place the mask over your face and adjust the straps accordingly.

If we should happen to need to land in one of the 3000 swimming pools between Birmingham and Charlotte, your seat may be used as a floatation device.

There’s no smoking allowed at any time during this or any other flight. There is, however, smoking allowed on the wings. If you can light it, you can smoke it. But, you’ll be gone in 60 seconds.

There may be 50 ways to leave your lover, but there are only six ways to leave this airplane: two in front of the aircraft, and four in the middle.

If you need a personal light to be able to read during the flight, press the yellow button above you. If you need assistance from one of the flight attendants, press the green button. Pressing it once is free. Press it three or four times and you’ll be charged $5.00 per press. Press it more than five times and your seat will be ejected. You think I’m joking? Just try it!

We may experience turbulence during the flight. If so, please remain seated and keep your seat-belt fastened. We wouldn’t want you to get a headache for the rest of the day.

Thank you for flying ________ Airlines."

Only in the South.

You can imagine the looks on everyone’s face during and after that "opening monologue".