The Bane of Bloggers

The most difficult thing about blogging is blogging.  My interest in sharing my thoughts with whomever wishes to read them waxes and wanes in semi-annual cycles.  Why is this?
First, who really cares what I have to say, let alone the millions of other bloggers in the blogosphere.  Do we really need more people “speaking their mind?”  Isn’t there too much of that already?  Don’t you have better things to do than read this?  I have better things to do than write this.

And what’s up with the term “blog” anyway?  I know it’s a contraction of the term “Web Log” but it sounds weird.  Say it out loud.  Now say it pushing from your gut.  It sounds like one is vomiting…and in a way one is.  Regurgitating bits of ones life  only partially digested up for the world to see.

Yes…I’m angry.  But this typing has helped me a little.  I guess blogging is worthwhile after all.

It Looks Like an Obama Nation

Five months ago, I pondered an electoral college tie this fall. While a long shot, I thought it was a viable possibility. Now that it is 2 weeks to the election…and the polls solidly in Obama’s favor it looks unlikely that there will be a tie this fall. So, what happened?

I have no idea. Well, actually that’s not true. I do have a few ideas about what has happened. My first theory involves the mass hypnosis of half our population by some subliminal messages, probably received by listening to NPR or watching Oprah. It is beyond me how half the voting population is ready to elect Sen. Obama. Promises of change, not specific change, just change are still all I have heard. Nothing concrete, other than the very real prospect of wealth re-distribution. Which, as a member of the “lower” class should sound good to me…but because I have a brain I understand the implications long term.

The federal government seems poised to make the largest power grab since the “New Deal.” Maybe we can call this the “Raw Deal.”

The Cap’n is BACK!

OK..OK..I know what you’re thinking.  Where has the captain of all things useless been?  Well, actually…I’ve been busy…or should I say lazy.  I apologize to all of my readers.  All “both of you.”  I’m really sorry Mom and Dad.

Now.  There’s a lot to talk about…the economy, the election, the destruction of the Dallas Cowboys…where should I begin?  I will do my best to talk about it all…and maybe, just maybe…make a little sense.

Electoral College Tie in the Fall

Today, I contemplated a possible scenario for this November’s General Election. What if Barack Obama and John McCain tie in the Electoral College at 269 each. We all know that the House of Representatives would decide the presidency, and that each state delegation would get one vote. So, 50 votes to determine the presidency.

You may ask why I think this is possible. Thanks to www.270towin.com’s iteractive map and the latest battleground polls from realclearpolitics.com, I can paint you the scenario.

At present Dems have: WA, OR, CA, IL, NY, DC, MD, DE, CT, RI, MA, VT, HI and ME for 175 electoral votes.

The Reps have ID, MT, WY, ND, SD, NE, KS, OK, TX, AZ, AK, LA, AR, IN, KY, TN, MS, AL, GA, SC, WV for 174 electoral votes.

Based on the battleground polls the following states should go to Obama: CO, NM, MN, IA, WI, MI, PA, and NJ

Leaving FL, NV, MO, NC, VA, NH, and OH for McCain.

269-269

What a scenario, but it’s a long way to November. Anything can happen.

Even more crazy is the fact that the House chooses the president, but the Senate will choose the VP. How cool is that? We could have President McCain and VP Obama.

Will I Ever…

Will I ever…feel older. You know what I mean–like an adult.  I’m 34 and still feel as though I’m a kid.  Well, my perspective has changed, but life itself goes on in much the same way as it always has.

When speaking with those older and wiser they do admit to me that age creeps up on you.  My grandmother tells me “it stinks to get old.”  Based on the number of physical pains she experiences I would agree.  But when does it finally “click” in our heads that we are adults.

I know that legally I am.  Younger people now call me sir. (I’m still not used to that.)  I just don’t feel any older.  I still enjoy playing tag, sports, capture the flag.  I can hear that mosquito ringtone adults aren’t supposed to be able to hear.  I like cartoons. “Tom and Jerry” “Looney Tunes” etc…

I’m not complaining–Just wondering.

 

 

The Last Castle

Thank you Alyce for letting me borrow your movie The Last Castle.  Frankly, I had never heard of the movie, but 5 minutes into it I was hooked.  What a great lesson on human nature, honor, duty, and bravery.  I recommend this film to anyone who has not seen it.  (WARNING–It is rated R for violence and language.  The F bomb is dropped quite a bit, but it is a prison movie, so….)

Enjoy the trailer.

Tombstone

I watched Tombstone (1993 starring Kurt Russell and Val Kilmer, among others) again the other night. I had forgotten how many good lines there are in that movie. Of course, we all remember “I’ll be your huckleberry.” and “You tell ‘em I’M coming… and hell’s coming with me, you hear?…. Hell’s coming with me!” But I think, my new favorite is a line Doc Holiday says after he and Wyatt charge across a creek to kill several of the cowboys. It goes…

Turkey Creek Jack Johnson: Why you doin’ this, Doc?
Doc Holliday: Because Wyatt Earp is my friend.
Turkey Creek Jack Johnson: Friend? Hell, I got lots of friends.
Doc Holliday: …I don’t.

Source http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108358/quotes

Friendship is a valuable thing. I want to be a good friend, but I kinda stink at relationships. At least, maintaining them. I know that if you want friends you must be a friend. It’s something I need to work on.

Are You Ready???

I am a huge Indiana Jones fan and I can’t wait for next week. In 6th grade I saw Raiders of the Lost Ark on laser disc. My dad rented the disc player (yes, you could do that) and the huge laser disc. It looked great on our wooden cabinet, 25″ Zenith television with the green colored screen.

Regardless, I was hooked and since Last Crusade came out I’ve been waiting for the 4th installment. And now, the day is almost here. So, I’ll be in line with my fedora, jacket, and whip (if security allows that) opening night.

Bologna Cake, The Redneck Treat

O.K.

Here is a recipe you’ve got to try if you wish to become a full fledged redneck.

It’s Bologna Cake aka Baloney Cake and if Rice O Roni is the San Francisco Treat, then Bologna Cake is the West Virginia treat. (No offense to you from WV, I just selected you because after all the inbred jokes you should be pretty thick skinned or jaded by now.)

You start with a pound and a half of bologna and have it sliced about 1/2 inch thick. You also need two 8 oz. containers of cream cheese. You place a slice of bologna on a plate and begin layering cream cheese and bologna in alternating layers. When all the bologna is used up you take the excess cream cheese and “ice” the monstrosity just created like you would any other cake. Chill and serve with crackers.

Who wants to make this? Sadly, I do. I’m curious to see what it tastes like. If you’ve had it let me know what you think.

Random Ranting

OK-here comes some mental diarrhea. I apologize for the purge.

My weekends are busier than my workweek…and I teach in a middle school.

I don’t like when drive thru workers cut me off when I’m ordering with statements like, “would you like anything else?” Well, if they would let me finish my order I would let them know.

Bob Barr is running for president. Seriously? What is he thinking. He has about as much of a chance of winning as Al Sharpton does becoming the head of the Mormon Church.

John Wayne was a better Davy Crockett than Fess Parker.

I am a rich, rich man. Not in money, but in family and friends.

I need to be a better witness for Christ.