MERRY CHRISTMAS

Avatar is one great movie.I have heard about the special effects...but it is a great love story.Part Apocalypse Now,part Dances With Wolves..the thing that really blew me away(besides the story,the acting,and the beautiful cinematography )was the brilliant mind stunning color!The use of color in this movie just blew me away!!!WoW!http://www.avatarmovie.com/

New Genesis

I just got a great new book.It is the book of Genesis illustrated my R.Crumb-the artist of all those hippy dippy comix books.

As someone who has commented on Genesis quite often over and over myself,I have found this effort simply spectacular.R.Crumb leaves nothing(and I mean 'nothing')out.It is fun and true to the sprirt to the first book of the Bible.I give this book an A+!

A Quicky

Went to visit my Dad,Twice.

Went to see my two boys at Toledo.

Went to see Ohio State beat Wisconsin.

Went to see Wilco.

Went to see my son,Tyler.

Went to see my niece play Rugby in college.

Had a weekend away with two of my brother's and their wives.

The movie,'The Informant!' has some scenes supposedly in my old hometown.

A dancer on,'Dancing With The Stars'(Louie Vito)is from where I live,now.

Went up to celebrate my brother Greg's 50th birthday this past Saturday.

Celebrated my brother-in-law,Ben's,50th Birthday this past Sunday.

Nice Sunrise

Another Dollar Tree Book

It has been awhile since I have mentioned getting a good book from The Dollar Tree.I have read plenty.I just haven't posted about them.
That ends today.I just finished a fantastic read about the largest single day outbreak of tornadoes in United States history[148 tornadoes in a twenty four hour period that killed 335 people!]called 'F5',by Mark Levine.

As chance would happen,this super cell storm happened exactly 36 years ago today:April 3rd,1974.

The title of the book refers to the most powerful of tornadoes,a level F5.F5's have a strength of over 318 mph.The 'F' actually stands for Fajita,the last name of the Japanese/American scientist that invented the 'F' classification system for tornadoes.

According to the book,in all of the 1960's there where only nine tornadoes classified as F5's.On April 3rd,1974 there were six!Plus numerous F4's,F3's and on down the line.

Though the public persona of the storm was in Xenia,Ohio(just a hop,skip and a jump away from where I live),author Mark Levine chose the people of Limestone,Alabama to put a true face on this horrific tragedy.
While the book reads like a horror novel,it also shows the heroism and love of the people in Limestone.All does not end well.Families are killed,disfigured,displaced and are just generally put through hell on Earth.The horrors of the aftermath is even discussed.And ,in some cases can be considered just as tragic.
Yet,the author shows the resilient nature of people before,during and after the super cell outbreak.
I have gained a great respect for tornadoes after reading this very good book.I don't think I will be taking tornado warnings lightly ever again.
One good read.

GoogleAttack

Via my Site Meter I have seen that I am getting allot of hits from Mountain View,California.Home of Google.I know that Google is putting a beta version of a newer type of e-mail system together,so I think that maybe these secondless hits are somehow connected with some sort of gathering process...but I just want to say this...these 'hits' are making me nervous...just saying.Hey,Google,anything to say for yourself???

It has been a while since I have last posted.Allot has happened since then.

I have finally been able to transfer into my own county at work.Now,instead of driving 32 miles one way,I only have to drive two and a half minutes.This saves me both time and gas.It's like getting a thirty dollar a week raise-plus almost two hours of my life back each and every day.The best part is,I like the shop and the people.

Not that I am no longer driving.Since we have gotten or 2004 Subaru Forrester a month and a half ago,we have already put over three thousand miles on it.I don't mind.I probably love driving this car more that any car I have ever driven.

Which is a good thing.This has been a typical driving week.Some weeks,it's driving up to Port Clinton to see my Dad.Or back and forth either to Toledo or Nelsonville to take the kids to or from college.
This week,I had to drive Nik and Adam back to the U of T(with a twenty mile detour going up,and getting lost on the way back home) on Tuesday,and on Wednesday,I had to drive up and back from my cousin John's wife,Denise's calling hours{God be with you,John and Denise} in Akron.We didn't get home until almost one a.m.

I wish we could have stayed for the funeral,but the class I am taking for work just wouldn't all0w it.It is nice to be in a job where schooling is necessary for advancement.It is fun to use my brain again.For other and reading and such,I mean.

The new Dan Brown book,'the Lost Symbol' was a quick read.This time Dan Brown takes on Washington D.C.If you have read either of his other two Robert Langston books you will be on very familiar ground.Though,I will say,I was 'very' surprised by the major plot twists at the end.I didn't think Dan Brown had it in him.Mr.Brown could have done without the compulsory,preachy last couple of wrap up chapters.Though I agreed-more or less-with what he was droning on and on about,I don't think the over-wrought ending will please either the religious or the atheist reader.Maybe that was his intent.

Because of furlough/cost saving days,today,I am officially starting my first real vacation-if only for five days-that I have had in over three years.

Today is some much needed R&R(plus paying the bills and running some errands).Tomorrow,because Robyn's brother,Jeff,had some extra tickets,we are going to see the Ohio State-Wisconsin game at 'the Shoe' in Columbus[GO BUCKS!].Monday(Columbus Day),I am going to go see one of my favorite rock groups of all time,Chicago's own,'Wilco'.Jeff Tweety and gang are only one of the greatest bands of all time,and if judging by the last time I saw them in concert,one of the greatest live bands:ever .

So,I am looking forward to a great week...I hope that you are too.Take care,with love,The Drew

Dissecting 'Imagine'

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

It is all the rage in certain circles to make light of Christian beliefs.Of course,certain Christians are making it justifiably easy to do so.Instead of preaching the Lord Jesus's message of salvation,mercy,love of enemies and forgiveness,these Christian Pharisees and Sadducees are more intent on spreading the easier messages of fear,hatred and ignorance...everything Jesus taught against embracing.

BUT,thought three lefts do indeed make a right,two wrongs never do.Therefore in my vain attempt to try and instill this lesson upon those whom do not wish to learn about the harms of intolerance,just for the giggles,here is my criticism of the pseudo-religious John Lennon song,'Imagine'.

Lyrics are only a part of a song.Most music can only be totally enjoyed when it incorporates lyrics,voice,music,tempo,etc.Just taking a section of a song and interpreting it can not clearly give you the 'wholeness' that is meant to be conveyed my the song in it's entirety.For example,take these lyrics:"She loves you,yeah,yeah,yeah".Pretty dumb on their own,but when you have the Beatles sing them in context of their song,it's pretty awesome.

But this is what I am going to be doing with the 'Imagine' lyrics...taking them apart-dealing with them on their own face value(just sayin').

The opening lines are simple enough :Imagine there's no Heaven /It's easy if you try/No hell below us /Above us only sky /Imagine all the people Living for today

Of course John Lennon is talking about there not being any higher power(s) judging our actions.We shouldn't be basing our lives on some obscure entity's final judgements of us either being rewarded or condemned for the lives that we have led...that we should live our lives for the right now-this exact moment.

But that is not what he is saying.

Basically,what Mr. Lennon is saying here is that you should act as if the life choices you make shouldn't have any consequences.Help an old lady across the street,serve somebody a good meal at Applebees,then there should not be an expected thank you or tip for good service.
Further,if the old lady pushes you out in traffic,or the person spits in your face,you should be totally ok with that,accepting the behavior as is.

I know,I know,you are thinking that is not what John Lennon meant.You are saying that what he meant was that we all should skip along merrily picking flowers and acting kindly towards one other.But even then,what if someone is picking flowers from your flower garden and giving them merrily to your 'Ex'?

The 'what if' becomes an entanglement,a law meant to trip you up.Say you don't want your 'Ex' to have your flowers.Thus comes conflict.Neither of you is wrong,but the conflict still exists.

You 'Imaginary' world is already no better off than this one.

The next lyrics are:Imagine there's no countries/It isn't hard to do/Nothing to kill or die for/And no religion too/Imagine all the people/Living life in peace

I love these sentiments...whom doesn't want to live a life of peace?Who doesn't want that kind of love?

But this also means there is nothing to believe in.It doesn't matter where you live,or what the people around you believe.This can be taken mostly two ways.One is that everyone is a mindless drone.The god of Big Brother-ism.No choices.One simply must.Nothing to live or die for?

The second,is that everyone is so full of love and tolerence,that everything's cool.

This sounds strangely like heaven-but wait-there is no religion.Who would not die to save their son?Who does not love their home?The American Indians claimed not to own their land...but why did they then fight the white man when he stepped in to take it?

Because the American Indian loved his land and was willing to kill and die for it.

What if I loved where you slept as much you did?And why shouldn't I?You'd probably have a nice place to lay your head.Does that mean I could just pull up next to you and hug on up?What if this encroached on your personal space,your happy place?Wouldn't kicking me out be killing me on a small level?Or you?

Imagine.

You may say that I'm a dreamer/But I'm not the only one/I hope someday you'll join us/And the world will be as one

You see,here,these lyrics show that John Lennon was a product of his environment.War,greed,prejudices,bigotry,molestations,politics,advertisements,drugs...
...'The world will be as one'..amen.But,do you really want to be like me?Haven't most of us fought our whole lives to stand out;to be different?Isn't the glory of our lives in our individually?Isn't that our greatest asset?Wouldn't the world truly benefit from us not being one but millions being glorified and accepted for being ourselves?

Imagine no possessions/I wonder if you can/No need for greed or hunger/A brotherhood of man

Now,I am just beating this into the ground.It's just that I consider it too easy for John Lennon to write about no possessions as a semi-reclusive,muti-millionaire.Talk to a mother or father who doesn't have enough money for baby food and diapers about not wanting to possess them.Talk to someone whom doesn't have his health about not wanting it.

You may say that I'm a dreamer/But I'm not the only one/I hope someday you'll join us/And the world will live as one

I will say this about ,'Imagine',it's one ballsy song.In order for something to happen,first you have to imagine that it is going to happen.People don't consider this not only one of John Lennon's greatest songs,but one of the greatest songs of all time of all time for nothing.

The sentiment is there...the ideology is just semi-thought out and-in parts-just out and out wrong.

But,relax,Pilgrim,there is a plan that has a better chance at working.A plan that does work and has brought humanity up unto the point that we can dream and imagine as John Lennon does.

Too bad,that some of the people that could expand and use it the most won't use it because they see other people using it-in their eyes-wrongly.

Some people just can't dream...imagine that.

It's Labor Day...and you know what that
means...

IT'S THE START OF THE GIFTMAS SEASON!!!

My 51st Birthday

I had a glorious fifty first birthday.Though Robyn was already on her second day of school,this gave me a last chance to spend the day with the boys before Adam & Nikolas had to go back to The University Of Toledo to start their sophomore year(Ty,doesn't go back to school for another couple of weeks).

The boys,and Adam's girlfriend,Marissa,went out to celebrate with me for lunch.At our local Mexican restaurant I am slowly working my way through their menu.I started at their #1 and I was now on their #48...which to my surprise was a very tender rib-eye.Yum!A giant Dos Equis completed my meal(Happy birthday to me).

Handing the keys off to Tyler,we men went to see ,'Inglourious Basterds'.The boys became instant Quentin Tarantino fans(I have been singing his praises for years).This was one fun movie.Brad Pitt,a perfect villain,actual conversations,pretty girls,humor,over the top violence,drama,and shooting Hitler's face off.Some of his best work.

After the flick,Robyn had rib-eyes on the grill.Two delicious (and I mean delicious) steaks in one day!WoW!)

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Afterwords,the guys spent their last evening at home,packing and then out gallivanting...Robyn and I spent some down time together just relaxing and enjoying each other's company before the big day tomorrow.

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Bright and not so early we packed up our-just purchased this week-2005 Subaru Forester and the Dodge Stratus.Before you knew it,the six of us(yes,Marissa,too) were heading up to the U of T and unpacking Adam & Nik.We met their roommate,Stephen,finished unpacking,and voila,we were off to Port Clinton to see Grandpa.

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Dad has been having trouble walking(he has to use a walker),but besides that is in pretty good health.I hope I am doing as well at eighty.We had pizza,watched both the Indians and the Browns win,and also Kyle Busch win at Bristol.Quality time with Gramps.

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We spent most of Sunday(my actual 51st birthday:the 23rd) up with Dad.I opened my presents.I got a Fricker's jersey,a Toledo Mud Hens ball cap and six front row seat tickets to watch the Mud Hens vs.the Louisville Bats at Toledo's 5/3 Field at six o'clock.

Frickers and their excellent wings was a blast.The restaurant is attached to 5/3 Field so it was a nice relaxing time without having to worry about making the game.

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The game was even more fun.A perfect night for baseball.And we were in the front row(section 117).The Hens even rallied to win.

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It was slightly sad seeing Nikolas & Adam off to college,but it seemed like an endless fun filled summer,and I am glad that they are having the opportunity to go to college.

Robyn and Marissa travelled back in the Subaru and Tyler drove me home.We had a great visit.

One of my bestest birthdays ever.

This & That

These Naziesque faux grass roots town meeting disturbers are really getting on my nerves(I know-I know,allot of big words for their lot).Organized by right-wing neo~propagandists,these full circle trouble makers are just that>trouble makers.Though I consider Rush Limbaugh on the same level as the late great Paul Harvey and the forgotten but not gone shill master,Howard Stern,at selling himself via selling other things,what Rush is selling is allot of distilled facts and hate & bigotry on a grand scale.

I don't blame Rush,he's just trying to keep his job.But these people that listen to what he says,repeat him verbatim and than create news by being quoted on Fox News(or some variant of the above said).They are taught to disperse into crowds and then distract(the old bait and switch) by saying just part of our National Anthem;the "One Nation under God" part(added to the anthem in the fifties by the Catholic church organization,The Knights Of Columbus).

Of course,they don't quote the whole anthem starting at the beginning:"I pledge allegiance to the flag of The United States Of America/And To The Republic For Which It Stands',because they are anti-government people.

They hate the United States Of America's government.I personally love it.While not perfect,we have the best military in the world,the best roads,great national parks,public schools,firemen,police,etc.,in the world.I love my government.Let freedom ring.

These anti-Americans(kind of ironic that they say ,'My country right or wrong!' until Rush & Fox tell them not to)praise Big Business over our government(The gov't can't even run the 'Cash For Clunkers'program,how can they run health care?).They forget the only time our government has any problems is when it runs up against 'Big Business'.

Bailing out the banks,mortgage companies,Insurance companies,the car companies,GE,Boeing,etc,these are the card carrying lobbyists that corrupt our senators and congressmen.These are the HMO's that make health care unaffordable to more and more Americans.These buyouts have cost The United States Of America tax payers trillions of dollars!

Too bad these insurance /car and bank companies advertise on Fox and Rush.It's hard to take Rush & Fox seriously when their advertisers foot the majority of their bills.

Look at it this way.I am blessed at having optical coverage as one of my job benefits.I just recently got a new pair of safety glasses with transitional lens via my coverage for $42.00.Someone working a forty hour week without optical coverage would have to pay-out of pocket-$430.00 for the same glasses.Where is the justice in that?!? Someone less blessed then me having to pay ten times more!!!

If Fox and Rush are so 'right',then why do they have to 'mis~lead'?Why do they have to sell ol' grandma down the drain and use a bunch of fear tactics that add up to nothing but a bunch of half truths and lies?

Because the Bible says,"Even the chosen ones will be mislead(if possible).Rush and Fox are not only anti-government,but anti-Christ as well.There are many cautions about mis~leading sheep,I just don't think they care.

Capitalism is not what America is all about.America is about liberty and justice.But many are being fooled.It is time for prayer people.

Was Osama Bin Laden Murdered

A while back,I found this amazing video interview of Benazir Bhutto by David Frost.The interview took place shortly after the first assassination attempt on her life.Sadly,the next attempt silenced this voice of reason forever.But not before she matter of factly states that Osama Bin Laden has been murdered.She also names the very person that killed him.


I find that the secret hush hush that our main stream media has giving this tidbit of news both mystifying and baffling!Was or is there another Osamba Bin Laden?Why the political and media blackout?
I am posting this interview...I strongly suggest going to 6:10 into it to hear her actually say it.....in hopes that other bloggers will post likewise.Let's get this out there,people.Why would a world political figure under fear of her life point blank make this statement?Let's find out!Watch than post!

Lauren & Michael's Wedding

Lauren & Michael's wedding was a grand ol' time.

Robyn's brother Ben,and his wife,Sara,really know how to throw a bash,and both the bride and groom deserved it.

Lauren is just a great gal,and she not only married a great guy,but into to an equally great family(The same can be said for Michael:-)

It was the best wedding I have ever seen at our church,and the reception was just as terrific.We wined and dined and danced in consent joy and celebration.

Somehow,this reminded me of the time when Jesus turned the water into wine.That,too,was at a wedding festival.

Dear Michael and Lauren,Good luck and may God be with you both always

Blessed Are The Poor...

Today,I had an eye examine(yes,I am slowly going blind),and I got a new pair of safety glasses for work.Because we have a nice insurance plan,exam,frames,bifocals,transitional lens and safety features only cost me $42.00!

Because I was curious,I asked how much this would have cost me without my very fine insurance....and you guessed it...over $430.00!

This is what I would like to know...this is what I would like to ask my congressman:why does it cost someone poorer than me over ten times as much to afford eyeglasses!?!

I mean-come on.You can be working forty hours a week(fifty,fifty five,sixty)and without optical insurance,you have to pay over TEN times the amount for eye glasses that someone insured has to(let's not further discount the connection,here...anything paid through insurance raises the market price).

Why are people that can't afford insurance forced to pay TEN times the amount of those that are lucky enough to be able to?

It's an outrage.

Under-insured should,at least,only pay what wealthier people pay.

Sure,wealthier people work hard for their benefits-but insurance is just that:a benefit of their employment.Your family's health should not depend on a luxurious blessing of your employer.

I know the G.O.P. is fear mongering us into thinking that universal health care will decide when old people will die(like health care doesn't do that already),but what they aren't telling you is that the people that can least afford to have health care are taking the brunt of the failed health care system's costs.

The same old same old argument of,'I have to work for my insurance,why shouldn't they?' just doesn't hold much water.But the Republicans constantly spew it because the big business lobbyists pulling their strings keep telling them what to say.

Corporate welfare,on the other hand,seems to be OK.Pay banks,mortgage and car companies any amount they want(rumor has it that the Treasury Dept under the Bush administration 'gave' banks over FIVE TRILLION DOLLARS-gave-not lent),and it's good for the country.

But why help ailing businesses and not ailing families?Especially when having health care is more cost effective when illness is caught early on?
Because big business makes more on sick patients.

Those with a Republican lean will bite at any morsel thrown their way.Any excuse to fit their need.And damn if it's better for America.And damn if it's better for Americans.They just spew their hatred for our government all the while they're waving their red white and blue.

It makes me sick.

And I'd be outta luck without health care.

Andrew Jackson Not an American Citizen

Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary,Fox news and the rest of the 24/7 un-news channels-instead of reporting real news-are still harping on President Obama(supposedly)not having a real birth certificate.

This is understandable considering-arguably-how un-American the Fox networks truly are.Fox news pretending to be fair and balanced,reacts to every slight against their points of views as amoral and grievant to the decay of the American way of life.Meanwhile,the FOX broadcasting network,one of the leading filth and trash distributors in America,pollutes the minds of the unsuspecting and weak on a daily basis.

Nothing like the un-values station to preach values...

Now..with that little tirade out of the way let be get to the gist of this post,that according to this published article,president Andrew Jackson may not have been an American citizen himself.

Why is this little side bar important?It isn't really,except for the fact that trivial matters seem to hold more news worthiness now-a-days then truly newsworthy topics...like health care.

But why emphasize the trivial when such important tasks at hand as universal heath care are being debated?

To bait and switch the American attention spans,that's why.If so called news networks actually spent as much time on the benefits of universal health care as they did debating the dead issue of president Obama's birth certificate,most people would soon start realizing the benefit of such a plan.Maybe actually writing or calling their congressmen and women.Which may sway enough elected officials to vote to pass the health care plan.

Keeping Obama in power.

What the networks and the politicians of the Big Business party are seeing is their own demise....unless they can propaganda-ize the masses into thinking their way.

So while they are 'mis'-leading the American republic,let me give them a sage piece of advice from one of their own early leaders:You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time.

I suggest instead of trying to mislead the people,rather,to become true advocates of the masses.

An example:How can you preach against international organizations like the U.N. as being anti-American in nature when you push the agendas of international corporations in the name of Big Business?

This suggests that you care little(if at all)for America and only for the companies that line your pockets via $$$ grubbing lobbyists.

This puts you on the wrong side of history.This shows that you are more interested in maintaining your power and money than you are for caring for American.

The disarming fact that you think that your plan appears be working should be scaring the hell out of you.Alarms in your heads should be going off.You can't fool all the people all the time.

Just why are you trying to fool all the people?

These words should resounding in your head.Why are you trying to 'mislead' the people?

Unless you wake up to the truth,you will get your answer.You will be left behind as America moves forward...birth certificate or not.

The Christian Message Of 'Fight Club'

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...I know I am breaking the first two rules of Fight Club by talking about Fight Club,but isn't the philosophy behind Fight Club: to expose the hypocrisy of such mindless laws,rules and regulations that run our lives?!?

Fight Club is one of my favorite movies.Yes,I have friends that point out that 'Fight Club' is exactly the mindless media hype that it is supposed to to be ridiculing and rallying against{the ultimate 'Life Of Brian',"Be yourself,"group chant-as one of my friends so politely put it}.But,I don't believe shouting Lisa Simpson's famous quote,'How rebellious in a conformist sort of way,"does the movie any justice.

I see 'Fight Club' in a different sort of way.I see it as exposing Christian thoughts and ideals to those whom choose to ignore or not accept them.

A prime example of this anti-God thinking is to ask,"Why would God allow pain and suffering to exist?"

'Fight Club',the movie addresses this point quite poignantly.A main character, Tyler Durden states,"Listen to me! You have to consider the possibility that God does not like you. He never wanted you. In all probability, he hates you. This is not the worst thing that can happen."

Thus explaining away the ideology of God,the rest of the movie preaches why the way of suffering is the most direct route to total enlightenment.

Not buying into the repression of the 'social norms',and rebelling against the media hyped rules of oppression and slavery,are great 'Fight Club' themes.Those with even very little knowledge of the teachings of Jesus' can see similar messages spread throughout his gospels.

You must suffer for your life to have any meaning.You must stay the course and remain true to your core beliefs.Yet,you must be willing to grow in your assumptions and be able to change them as needed.You must treat people equally.That you must even be willing to die for your cause.These are not just strong 'Fight Club' ideals,but ideas that seem to mimic Christian ideology quite well,thank you.

Yes,'Fight Club' can be accused of taking the,'Because you'll buy anything,' Wall-Street message to John Lennon quasi-religious levels,but I feel that 'Fight Club' flies above the level of the agnosticism of all that's media.

'Fight Club' gives to those to whom the media tells to,'work jobs you hate so you can buy shit we don't need,' a fighting chance.

So even if you obey the frist rule of ,'Fight Club'...The word will spread.

http://wechoosethemoon.org/

Suzi & Sam's Wedding And The Foggy Mountain Breakdown...

I love weddings.I simply love them.While some people say that they are going out of fashion,I find them incredibly romantic.There is just something about celebrating love before God and family that is just so joyous.Suzi and Sam's wedding was certainly no exception.
From the rehearsal dinner(70's style fashions and plenty of beer),to the beautiful service,to the kick butt reception(I danced like a fool and drank way too much beer..as did almost everyone else),it was such a fun and wunderful celebration.
Great luck on your fantastic voyage Sam and Suzi:-)
I was going to write more about my niece,Suzi and her fiancee,Sam's wunderful wedding,but I am tired.A third of the way home from their Bethany,W.V. wedding,our Ford Windstar's transmission blew a leak and went kaput.The van had to be towed home(122 miles),and my sister Nora(whom lives in Columbus)drove two hours to pick us up,and take us to her house.We found the rest of our way home by Robyn getting our car via the tow truck guy and coming back to Columbus to pick the rest of us up at Nora's.Whoo...I'm beat...so is everyone us..


The Bride and Groom

Myself with Ms.Brunner,and my wife,Robyn.

Yesterday,at a Democratic dinner,I had the honor of meeting The Ohio Secretary Of State,Ms.Jennifer Brunner.She was the person most responsible for making sure that all the polling stations in Ohio ran fairly and smoothly during the last presidential election...no small feat if you remember the big mess that her predecessor made in the previous election.She is a recent recipient of the prestigious 'Profiles In Courage' award.She is planning on running for the U.S.Senate when George Voinovich vacates his seat in 2011.I hope she does well,and gets the seat.She is doing a great job as Secretary Of State and would make a fine Senator for the state of Ohio.

Happy Forth Of July

The New Screen Door and Other Various Ramblings....

When our front storm door finally went kaplooie,Robyn came up with the keen idea of replacing it with just a screen door.It was a little larger than our storm door so I had to do some fancy finagling to make it fit(for me,anyways).Somehow I managed to get it up.I was going to put a spring loader closer on it...but we decided that we liked that sound of the door slapping shut.Robyn was the real player in this episode.She painted the whole front door area...and it really looks sharp.

Nice job,dear.

My taste in beer is slightly askew,me thinks.I am the only one I know that actually likes the taste of the new Bud Light & Clamato{sort of like spicy V~8 juice} concoction called,'Chelada'.I just can't drink enough of it.It goes down so deliciously smooth...Mmmm...good stuff.I can not see why(or how)no one else likes it...I sure do.

I believe that Michael Jackson's downfall began when he bought-some say stole-the publishing rights to the Beatle's catalogue.Urban legend has it that while recording a song with Paul McCarthy that Paul told him how much he(Paul)was going to bid and Michael simply outbid him.I don't know how much truth there is to this story,but it does seem that Jacko went wacko soon afterwords.

Anyway...new news reports state that Michael may have given them back.

More than Neverland,Michael Jackson's life story seems more like something out of a Grimm's Fairytale.A cautionary tale for sure.

Wilco has a new album called,'Wilco-The Album'.There is even a song called,'Wilco-The Song'.Since they called the new recording an 'album',I got the grandiose thought of purchasing the actual Lp.Smart move,Ex-Lax..while the cd has been out for over a week,I still don't have the Lp:-(

Wilco is one of my favorite groups.Both,'Hotel Foxtrot' and 'A Ghost Is Born' are fantastic albums.Some of the best music of the decade.Well,all of their cd's are good,really.Those two are just both,just classics.

Cleveland Browns wide receiver Donte' Stallworth is getting thirty days in jail for his drunk driving accident that killed 59-year-old Mario Reyes.

Meanwhile,the man that stole Lance Armstrong's time trial bike is getting 'three years in jail'!

Maybe it is comparing apples and oranges,but...I guess it pays to be a professional athlete.

Anyway,I hope that you are having a very nice summer.Good luck all.

Happy 'Father's Day' To me...

Hi,Every one.I had a great Father's day.I woke up to a great breakfast...cheese omelet with rehydrated morale mushrooms.Next,came the gifts...a Uof T hoodie;a coffee cup made by Tido,and 'Grand Torino'...just an excellent movie.



Off to Columbus ...a nice treat of overpaying for coffee at Starbucks..there isn't one anywhere near us,so it was worth it.











We went to see,'Up' in 3-D...
...just one fantastic movie..totally awesome.

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*And finally,we went to 'BD's Mongolian BBQ for supper....yum,yum,yum...one super-duper Father's Day.Thanks family.

HEY...









...Thanks for showing me that when you disagree with someone that you shun them,and throw your relationship with them away.

That makes it perfectly acceptable for me to do this...













...'F' You,Olive Garden!

I come to your place for overpriced somewhat generic Italian food,not to be preached right-wing political mumbo-jumbo.

David Letterman's joke fits well within the politically acceptable humor standards of today's comedy.

If anything,Letterman should be accused of being late with this joke.

You ban Letterman.I ban you.

If you want to push your right wing political agenda,fine.But not with my $$$.

You will no longer get my business.

Capisci?

Drinking Schlitz

Yes,Schiltz.

I have been reading about the re-introduction of the 'older' formula of this classic beer for some time.

My memories of this brew began in the 1960's.It seemed like one of the only beers my family would drink at family reunions.

My own drinking experiences of it in the late '70's & early '80's were limited.Good times were had,but it got a low~end rep.I and most of my friends just didn't drink it all that much.

I haven't seen hide or hair of it in a long time.

But the hype,the news about the return of the 1960's formula peaked my interest.I wanted to taste the taste that my parents,aunts and uncles all tasted when they exclaimed,"Aaah,Schlitz,this is what beer should taste like."

So,I was pleasantly surprised when I found it in our local grocery store.I immediately bought and chilled a six pack.

I was hooked from the first sip.It is slightly heavier than your average beer(ie.Budweiser),yet has a very pleasant aftertaste similar to what you would experience in a high end beer,say,a Sam Adams.Love that aftertaste.

It is very drinkable..and by drinkable,I don't mean the modern term meaning,'no taste'...but just the opposite.Schlitz tastes good.Really good.'Schlitz tastes like beer should taste like'.

I introduced it to a buddy,Shane.Schlitz is all he will drink.

And,there is no headache afterwords either...not bad for a beer with some kick.

Am I a Schlitz drinker..?Yes,Yes I am.Damn straight I am.

HAPPY FLAG DAY,AMERICA !!!

While The Cat's Away...

While Robyn is off on her once in a lifetime 9 day vacation down at Siesta Key with three of her friends...I,too am having a grand time.I have been partying with friends and family...Buddies,graduation parties..you name it.

Siesta Key is con- sist- ently voted one of Ameri- ca's top beaches,so I know my beautiful wife is having the time of her life.The beach itself is as white as snow.Even in ninety degree heat you can walk on it in your bare piggies and it is as cool as can be.An the sunsets...WoW!

Don't even get me started on all the great places to eat.

Meanwhile,back at the ranch,Tyler was even home this weekend

(that's him with a graduation present that he made) to pick up the van

for his final week of school return.

The rest of the time has been all Andy,Adam(with Marissa),and Nikolas time.We have been having great fun.Eating out(pizza-wings,etc)

or at home(My famous homemade-light as air-pancakes;beer boiled hot dogs),and just having fun.

Yesterday,we played church softball...yes,I said we..I was re- cr uited because we were short.I went two for two and even scored the go ahead run(Presbo's 1st win:-).I ran like the six million dollar man(in slow motion),but sometimes it is better to be lucky than good....Oh Adam & Nik did great,too.

Tonight,we played Frisbee golf.The boys are really good..not me.It was a blast.

Tomorrow...Walleye and perch with the in-laws...

...This..ah-hem...is not even metioning the summer music mixes that I have been putting together,and...

...let's just say Robyn might be surprized to know that I have been really enjoying driving around in a new 2005 Dodge Stratus this week.

D-Day 2009

I am not a hero

I never claimed to be one

just being there doesn't make you one

does it?

just surviving

how

does that make me a hero?

Does dying make me one?

or living with the scars

or the fears?

I am no hero

in my nightmares

or when I panic

seeing the death

in it's quickness

that lives forever

cuz'

it's the fear

that keeps me in the tree

holding on for dear life

Finding Tido

Before I officially start this post,I want to give a big shot out to Mother Nature...this photo is of an upcoming storm this morning.

Since Tyler...affectionately called,'Tido',by his college pals,still has two weeks of school left,we decided to go south to Nelsonville to go visit him.
Tido showed us some of his art work...not for any of classes,mind you,just something he does on the side...all of these were done on any object that he could find lying around.He does them with just a can of spray paint.In the photograph,it loses most of it's three dimensionalism...but it still looks way cool...

Here is a pic with Adam and Tido......

....and here's another with him and Nikolas.

These are famous Nelsonville'Star' bricks.
They are the bricks that they used at Indy.

Adam,Tido,me and Nik.

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Adam,

Robyn,

Tido and Nikolas with Tido holding Millie.