After 15 years.....
12.30.05 (11:06 pm) [edit]
Well 2005 is almost history. What an interesting year this was. It started out with my head so far up my ass I could see my small intestine. I did some new things, some very stupid things and a few more stupid things.
Then magically, the year took a sharp turn for the better and I haven't looked back.
In 2005 a very special person came into my life and I am happy to report we are doing very well. The spring of 2006 should be a very exciting time!!
On a completely unrelated note, my roomate from freshman year of college sent me an email out of the blue. We haven't seen each other or spoke in 15 years. He and I were great roommates and had some very good times. Anyway, some of you know that I have a big new job these days, and it turns out that he teaches at the same place. So, in essence, we are colleagues.
The irony--it's the same school where we both started as roommates 15 years ago.
Life is funny....
Then magically, the year took a sharp turn for the better and I haven't looked back.
In 2005 a very special person came into my life and I am happy to report we are doing very well. The spring of 2006 should be a very exciting time!!
On a completely unrelated note, my roomate from freshman year of college sent me an email out of the blue. We haven't seen each other or spoke in 15 years. He and I were great roommates and had some very good times. Anyway, some of you know that I have a big new job these days, and it turns out that he teaches at the same place. So, in essence, we are colleagues.
The irony--it's the same school where we both started as roommates 15 years ago.
Life is funny....
Observation number two.
12.29.05 (4:52 pm) [edit]
Has anyone else noticed the number of family killings by enraged and crazy spouses? It seems like every day there is another one. One spouse (usually the male), kills his wife, kids and anyone else within sight.
Just today there was news of a guy in Pakistan who killed his daughters so they wouldn't "disgrace their family honor".
What the hell is wrong with people?
It seems to me there are many out there who would rather die and ruin the lives of everyone associated with them, rather than try to make life better. There has to be a better way to help people who are down and out.
Just today there was news of a guy in Pakistan who killed his daughters so they wouldn't "disgrace their family honor".
What the hell is wrong with people?
It seems to me there are many out there who would rather die and ruin the lives of everyone associated with them, rather than try to make life better. There has to be a better way to help people who are down and out.
Observation number one
12.29.05 (4:38 pm) [edit]
I am a huge fan of the show Seinfeld and am in the process of collecting the DVD sets for the show. I think it is one of the greatest shows of all-time--however...
The first two seasons are without a doubt some of the worst television shows I have ever seen. In fact, sometimes I wonder how the show even made it to a third season.
Seinfeld fans, do you agree with me on this?
The first two seasons are without a doubt some of the worst television shows I have ever seen. In fact, sometimes I wonder how the show even made it to a third season.
Seinfeld fans, do you agree with me on this?
Time to make the Donuts.
12.28.05 (10:09 am) [edit]
NEW YORK (AP) -- Michael Vale, the actor best known for his portrayal of a sleepy-eyed Dunkin' Donuts baker who said "Time to make the doughnuts," has died. He was 83.
Vale died Saturday in New York City of complications from diabetes, according to son-in law Rick Reil.
Vale's long-running character, "Fred the Baker," for the doughnut maker's ad campaign lasted 15 years until he retired in 1997.
[image]irishred_383572461 .jpg[/image]
Vale died Saturday in New York City of complications from diabetes, according to son-in law Rick Reil.
Vale's long-running character, "Fred the Baker," for the doughnut maker's ad campaign lasted 15 years until he retired in 1997.
[image]irishred_383572461 .jpg[/image]
Merry Christmas to All
12.23.05 (7:37 am) [edit]
Have a great Christmas everyone!!!
BIG news update!!
12.22.05 (5:37 pm) [edit]
From today's headlines on CNN.com....
[b](CNN) -- New images from the Hubble Space Telescope show the planet Uranus has two additional moons and two faint rings never observed before.[/b]
The new moons, which were named Mab and Cupid, bring the total number of satellites orbiting Uranus to 27.
[b](CNN) -- New images from the Hubble Space Telescope show the planet Uranus has two additional moons and two faint rings never observed before.[/b]
The new moons, which were named Mab and Cupid, bring the total number of satellites orbiting Uranus to 27.
It just keeps getting deeper.
12.20.05 (3:47 am) [edit]
Another week, another George W. Bush revelation. Thanks again, America for electing this guy twice.
(Special thanks to my home state of Ohio for eight year of electoral stupidity.)
From the NY Times:
[i]WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 - Counterterrorism agents at the Federal Bureau of Investigation have conducted numerous surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations that involved, at least indirectly, groups active in causes as diverse as the environment, animal cruelty and poverty relief, newly disclosed agency records show.[/i]
There is much more to this story, but it demonstrates once again the bully-like tactics of this administration.
Remember this name for 2008: Mitt Romney. Romney (R) is the current governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is "retiring" in 2006. In other words the big-named governor is exploring a presidential bid. You might remember Mitt from the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. He and a group of others helped rescue the games from bidding scandals and pulled off a successful Olympics.
Finally, to all my friends in NYC....
Enjoy you walk to work today in the freezing cold!
--C
(Special thanks to my home state of Ohio for eight year of electoral stupidity.)
From the NY Times:
[i]WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 - Counterterrorism agents at the Federal Bureau of Investigation have conducted numerous surveillance and intelligence-gathering operations that involved, at least indirectly, groups active in causes as diverse as the environment, animal cruelty and poverty relief, newly disclosed agency records show.[/i]
There is much more to this story, but it demonstrates once again the bully-like tactics of this administration.
Remember this name for 2008: Mitt Romney. Romney (R) is the current governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and is "retiring" in 2006. In other words the big-named governor is exploring a presidential bid. You might remember Mitt from the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games. He and a group of others helped rescue the games from bidding scandals and pulled off a successful Olympics.
Finally, to all my friends in NYC....
Enjoy you walk to work today in the freezing cold!
--C
Christmas Quote of the Day...
12.19.05 (3:33 am) [edit]
"Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting."
- Elizabeth Bibesco
- Elizabeth Bibesco
Paris Hilton.
12.15.05 (3:52 am) [edit]
I named this blog entry Paris Hilton because last night on the news they said that she is the most searched name on the internet. Maybe when people google her they will get my blog and read it. Then I will become famous, get rich, land a good book deal and take lots of vacations all over the world.
All of this because of Paris Hilton, who I think is a moron.....
This morning, the walk to work was so incredible. There was a wet snow falling and the trees were covered. It was one of those rare days you get each year when winter is truly tolerable and people forget about the fact that it is so cold.
If you live in Ohio you have to deal with the temperature extremes. This summer, it was frequently in the mid 90's and very humid. December has been extremely cold--often below 20 degrees and in the single digits at night. I guess you can say Ohio has a little bit for everyone.
Ok, on to my topic of the day, which is the denegration of local tv news. Is anyone with me on this? I cannot stand to watch local news anymore. First, it's so overdone and over-the-top. Everyone is so concerned about "We brought you this first and LIVE." Second, it's all bad news. Death, crime, death, crime and death.
There is also too much of it. Morning shows start at 5 am, the nightly local news starts at 5, sometimes even 4:30. The have scrolling announcements at the bottom of the screen for the weather. They will say what the weather is, then run a list of EVERY town and city in the area with THAT town or city's temperature and forecast. Ugh.
After years of trying to find a good solution to this problem, I finally found one. I don't watch it anymore! Wow, wasn't that a groundbreaking decision?? Local news needs to get better--period.
(Do they have local news is Canada?)
--Feliz Navidad
All of this because of Paris Hilton, who I think is a moron.....
This morning, the walk to work was so incredible. There was a wet snow falling and the trees were covered. It was one of those rare days you get each year when winter is truly tolerable and people forget about the fact that it is so cold.
If you live in Ohio you have to deal with the temperature extremes. This summer, it was frequently in the mid 90's and very humid. December has been extremely cold--often below 20 degrees and in the single digits at night. I guess you can say Ohio has a little bit for everyone.
Ok, on to my topic of the day, which is the denegration of local tv news. Is anyone with me on this? I cannot stand to watch local news anymore. First, it's so overdone and over-the-top. Everyone is so concerned about "We brought you this first and LIVE." Second, it's all bad news. Death, crime, death, crime and death.
There is also too much of it. Morning shows start at 5 am, the nightly local news starts at 5, sometimes even 4:30. The have scrolling announcements at the bottom of the screen for the weather. They will say what the weather is, then run a list of EVERY town and city in the area with THAT town or city's temperature and forecast. Ugh.
After years of trying to find a good solution to this problem, I finally found one. I don't watch it anymore! Wow, wasn't that a groundbreaking decision?? Local news needs to get better--period.
(Do they have local news is Canada?)
--Feliz Navidad
Donner is my favorite reindeer.
12.14.05 (5:05 am) [edit]
Well, so much for the bot blogs going away here. It seems like there are more junk blogs than ever before around these parts. Oh well--at least many of the blogs I like to read are still around....
I don't even know who reads mine anymore, but I like to write from time to time just to get some thoughts out.
This is the first December that I can remember where there has been snow on the ground every single day during the month. Usually in Ohio (except for the snow belt by the lake), it is hit and miss on a white Christmas. This year however there is little doubt that Christmas will be quite white.
I have been so busy with my move and all, I really haven't had a chance to sit back and enjoy this holiday season. I have no doubt though that the new year will bring many good things for us all.
I don't even know who reads mine anymore, but I like to write from time to time just to get some thoughts out.
This is the first December that I can remember where there has been snow on the ground every single day during the month. Usually in Ohio (except for the snow belt by the lake), it is hit and miss on a white Christmas. This year however there is little doubt that Christmas will be quite white.
I have been so busy with my move and all, I really haven't had a chance to sit back and enjoy this holiday season. I have no doubt though that the new year will bring many good things for us all.
The death penalty and YOU.
12.13.05 (5:22 am) [edit]
The death penalty is getting on my nerves. It's not that I am against it, because I don't think the act itself is cruel and unusual. Think about the victims that got shot execution style, or burned alive. I was on a state website that posts information on executions and explains the crime the person committed. Some of the things I read were unreal. No, I don't feel sorry for those that get the death penalty.
Two areas where I do have a problem with the death penalty are:
Consistency
Time
It's hard to believe that everyone on death row deserves the death penalty. How does the murder of two people in a convenient store in Texas stack up against a murder in Ohio that was considered "cruel and calculated"? What determines whether or not a certain crime is punishable by death?
Now before you answer that, keep in mind that I am seeking something solid and consistent. The fact is there isn't anything like that anywhere. I'd like to know how a mother of 5 children who takes each one and drowns them in a bathtub gets life and someone else who may kill one person gets the chair. Drowning 5 children is pretty damn cruel. I don't care if she was a little off in the head. She killed 5 children.
I also do not understand the timing of death sentences. Why does it take 20 years to complete the process? Do appeals really need to take that long? Isn't it MORE cruel and unusual to say "Well, murderer, you have been sentenced to death and sometime in the next 30 years at a time of our choosing, we will come get you and shove a needle in your arm and you'll be dead."
That's more cruel than the act itself. Look, if we are going to have the death penalty, then let's really have one. A person convicted and sentenced to death gets 2 full appeals and a review of the case by an independent arbitrator. After that, if you are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, your execution will take place within a few months of the final decision.
The death penalty is not a deterrent. Not when a person knows that they won't be fried for many years (if ever). Do you honestly think Scott Peterson will ever really be executed?
Finally, what is with all the sudden compassion for the latest criminal executed in California? Everyone is so outraged because:
[i]"Death did not come quickly for Stanley Tookie Williams, the Crips co-founder executed today for the 1979 murders of four people in Los Angeles. Witnesses and officials said Williams appeared to grow impatient as prison staffers took several minutes to find a vein in his left arm. "He did seem frustrated that it didn't go as quickly as he thought it might," said San Quentin State Prison Warden Steven Ornoski."[/i]
Actually, it didn't take several minutes, it took 26 YEARS.
Merry Christmas.
Two areas where I do have a problem with the death penalty are:
Consistency
Time
It's hard to believe that everyone on death row deserves the death penalty. How does the murder of two people in a convenient store in Texas stack up against a murder in Ohio that was considered "cruel and calculated"? What determines whether or not a certain crime is punishable by death?
Now before you answer that, keep in mind that I am seeking something solid and consistent. The fact is there isn't anything like that anywhere. I'd like to know how a mother of 5 children who takes each one and drowns them in a bathtub gets life and someone else who may kill one person gets the chair. Drowning 5 children is pretty damn cruel. I don't care if she was a little off in the head. She killed 5 children.
I also do not understand the timing of death sentences. Why does it take 20 years to complete the process? Do appeals really need to take that long? Isn't it MORE cruel and unusual to say "Well, murderer, you have been sentenced to death and sometime in the next 30 years at a time of our choosing, we will come get you and shove a needle in your arm and you'll be dead."
That's more cruel than the act itself. Look, if we are going to have the death penalty, then let's really have one. A person convicted and sentenced to death gets 2 full appeals and a review of the case by an independent arbitrator. After that, if you are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, your execution will take place within a few months of the final decision.
The death penalty is not a deterrent. Not when a person knows that they won't be fried for many years (if ever). Do you honestly think Scott Peterson will ever really be executed?
Finally, what is with all the sudden compassion for the latest criminal executed in California? Everyone is so outraged because:
[i]"Death did not come quickly for Stanley Tookie Williams, the Crips co-founder executed today for the 1979 murders of four people in Los Angeles. Witnesses and officials said Williams appeared to grow impatient as prison staffers took several minutes to find a vein in his left arm. "He did seem frustrated that it didn't go as quickly as he thought it might," said San Quentin State Prison Warden Steven Ornoski."[/i]
Actually, it didn't take several minutes, it took 26 YEARS.
Merry Christmas.
Christmas thoughts
12.05.05 (6:41 pm) [edit]
Here are a few thoughts for the upcoming Christmas holiday:
There is nothing better than Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song"
Bing Crosby singing White Christmas is a close second.
Jewel's version of "O Holy Night" gives me goosebumps.
As I get older, the idea of gift giving gets less appealing. I'd rather just see my family and spend time with them. We all spend way too much money and it gets ridiculous.
I have three really big reasons to be extra thankful this year and one of them really kicks.
It's snowing and 15 degrees here right now. God I love this time of year. It beats the hell out of 95 degrees and humid anyday.
I can't wait for Ohio State to kick Notre Dame's ASS in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2.
This year, instead of a gift exchange, one side of my family is buying gifts for needy children. We even had a 50/50 raffle at Thanksgiving and added that to the pot. We raised over $150 bucks!!
Tis the season...
There is nothing better than Nat King Cole singing "The Christmas Song"
Bing Crosby singing White Christmas is a close second.
Jewel's version of "O Holy Night" gives me goosebumps.
As I get older, the idea of gift giving gets less appealing. I'd rather just see my family and spend time with them. We all spend way too much money and it gets ridiculous.
I have three really big reasons to be extra thankful this year and one of them really kicks.
It's snowing and 15 degrees here right now. God I love this time of year. It beats the hell out of 95 degrees and humid anyday.
I can't wait for Ohio State to kick Notre Dame's ASS in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2.
This year, instead of a gift exchange, one side of my family is buying gifts for needy children. We even had a 50/50 raffle at Thanksgiving and added that to the pot. We raised over $150 bucks!!
Tis the season...
A Christmas Journal by Jimmy the Elf
12.01.05 (5:56 pm) [edit]
Jimmy the Elf was gracious enough to agree to blog about his pre-Christmas experiences at the North Pole this year. Join us as Jimmy the Elf chronicles the Yule tide season.
Day one: Making the Yule Tide gay.
As I prepare the toy table in the workshop I remember that everything has to be perfect. Our paints must be facing northeast and in a straight line, or Geoff the Elven foreman will bust a nut. Last year I accidentally left sawdust on the table before leaving for the night and the next day when I got to the toy shop, Geoff (I hate that name spelled like that), left a dead fish head wrapped in aluminum foil and a note that said "One more slip up and you'll be swimming with the fishes."
We were all shocked. When word got to Santa about the fish and the note, he stormed down to the toy shop and kicked Geoff where it counts the most--in the family jewels. Since then, Geoff has settled down a bit, and tends to speak in a Soprano-like tone, which for an elf is damn high.
Speaking of Santa, I got to see this year's version of the sled. It's sleek. I like the word sleek. Yes, sleek. It has XM radio so Santa can listen to NBA games on the west coast late at night. Santa likes his basketball. He also likes listening to Dr. Phil re-runs too. The sled also has a new butt warmer this year. Santa got wicked pissed when the butt warmer failed somewhere around Greenland last year and he got a slight case of frost bite on his left ass cheek. We all felt real bad about that.
Mrs. Claus has been on edge lately. Apparently the North Pole has banned Sudafed at all the drug stores. It might have something to do with the Crystal Meth lab they busted up on the poor end of the North Pole last year, sending shock waves throughout Christmastown. An old school buddy of mine got cuffed and stuffed for that and got 5 years probation and he has to sit cuffed to a chair watching re-runs of A Simple Life 24/7. Now that's just cruel. Sort of makes you want to lay off the Crystal Meth.
Other than that, we are all gearing up for a busy holiday season. Santa has been reading wish lists this week and is determining whether or not certain people have been naughty or nice. I have a secret to tell you. Santa likes certain kinds of naughty. I won't spell that out for you. So, if you fit into that category, you might want to spend a few extra minutes with your Christmas catalogues this year!
Until next time--
Jimmy.
Day one: Making the Yule Tide gay.
As I prepare the toy table in the workshop I remember that everything has to be perfect. Our paints must be facing northeast and in a straight line, or Geoff the Elven foreman will bust a nut. Last year I accidentally left sawdust on the table before leaving for the night and the next day when I got to the toy shop, Geoff (I hate that name spelled like that), left a dead fish head wrapped in aluminum foil and a note that said "One more slip up and you'll be swimming with the fishes."
We were all shocked. When word got to Santa about the fish and the note, he stormed down to the toy shop and kicked Geoff where it counts the most--in the family jewels. Since then, Geoff has settled down a bit, and tends to speak in a Soprano-like tone, which for an elf is damn high.
Speaking of Santa, I got to see this year's version of the sled. It's sleek. I like the word sleek. Yes, sleek. It has XM radio so Santa can listen to NBA games on the west coast late at night. Santa likes his basketball. He also likes listening to Dr. Phil re-runs too. The sled also has a new butt warmer this year. Santa got wicked pissed when the butt warmer failed somewhere around Greenland last year and he got a slight case of frost bite on his left ass cheek. We all felt real bad about that.
Mrs. Claus has been on edge lately. Apparently the North Pole has banned Sudafed at all the drug stores. It might have something to do with the Crystal Meth lab they busted up on the poor end of the North Pole last year, sending shock waves throughout Christmastown. An old school buddy of mine got cuffed and stuffed for that and got 5 years probation and he has to sit cuffed to a chair watching re-runs of A Simple Life 24/7. Now that's just cruel. Sort of makes you want to lay off the Crystal Meth.
Other than that, we are all gearing up for a busy holiday season. Santa has been reading wish lists this week and is determining whether or not certain people have been naughty or nice. I have a secret to tell you. Santa likes certain kinds of naughty. I won't spell that out for you. So, if you fit into that category, you might want to spend a few extra minutes with your Christmas catalogues this year!
Until next time--
Jimmy.