A Few Things

I haven't bought any songs yet but I've looked through Apple's iTunes Store and it does look very promising and it's causing quite a stir. It seems some confidential details of the music service have been leaked to the public. It's an interesting read if you download music.

Palestinians living in Bagdad are not having an easy time of it now that Saddam is not paying their rent. It's funny how all the Arab nations rally around the Palestinians when it comes to driving Israel into the sea but want absolutely nothing to do with them otherwise. The Palestinians would be so much better off if they made friends with the Israelis and lived, learned and worked with them. And the Israelis would welcome it. Palestinians lucky enough to live in Israel have been treated so much better than Palestinians living anywhere else, especially Arab countries.

Scientists in Europe are searching for the so-called "God Particle." What they are doing is interesting, smashing protons and using particle detectors to find the collision of sub-atomic quarks. The article says, "Every second, it will generate a volume of data equivalent to all the information handled by the world's telecom companies in a year." That's remarkable. Also remarkable: the price, the size and the power.

They want so desperately to prove creation without a creator. The end of the article backs that up. " Although Dr Cashmore and his colleagues cringe when they hear anyone talk of the God particle, they are effusive on its possible discovery.

"What the Higgs does is give you a mechanism for generating a mass. It would be spectacularly good to find the Higgs," he said. "To get the mechanism or the underlying theory how this will work would be an enormous step forward. But let's leave God out of it."

They are also very sure of themselves. For instance, they know, seemingly precisely, how old the universe is. You see, astronomers have seen back to 300,000 years after the big bang, they say they can go back further.

"The astronomers are rather limited; they can only go back about 300,000 years after the big bang. It is only at that point that electromagnetic waves, and lightwaves propagate. We can go back further."

I don't know if they are right or not about the age of the universe. They may be right. I know better than to blindly believe someone just because this world has bestowed on them a scientific degree. The religion of science (I know they hate that, but that's what it's become) is as full of politics as any other government, religion or club. I do believe it's a little much to say, confidently, they can go back to about 300,000 years after the big bang.

What I know is this. Very simply, Genesis 1:1 says "God created the heaven and the earth." And Genesis 1:2 says (properly translated from Hebrew) "And the earth became without form and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters." The amount of time between those two verses could be billions of years, it doesn't say. God creates perfection, not chaos. Something happened to the earth after verse 1:1 to cause a great destruction on the earth. The creation verses of Genesis do not describe the creation of the universe or the earth, they describe the re-creation.

That's all I'm gonna say about it (applause here). For further info go here.

Some Commentaries

These are from Neal Boortz and they are all worth reading if you're an American.

Racism defined ... again

America is a police state

Regulatory absurdity!

The Newest "Terrorist State"

There Will Not Be Peace In The Middle East

Not as long as there are human beings in charge over there. If you ever read a headline that says "Peace in the Middle East", get away from there as fast as you can because a truly horrific war is about to begin.

Written after reading this: The two faces of Arab terror

Odd News

The Underpants Bandit had his head in the right place.

Shhh, Just keep rolling.

I only have eyes for you...no...no, really! Trust me.

Last Beetle

It seems, after nearly 70 years, VW will cease production of the old style, aircooled VW Beetle (yes, they still make them) at the Puebla, Mexico plant at the end of July. I can find no news links yet but here's one from the DrudgeReport (it won't last long).

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday Mom! (slightly late, sorry) June 4 in history

And happy birthday to Joshua (today, I forgot that too) June 5 in history

Find out what happened in history on your birthday. This is much more detailed than the above links but you can't link directly to a specific day.

I got a package for the kids from Mom today - Thank you. They are some really nice books, I know they will love them, when they get home to see them. (James: tonight, Joshua: I don't know, maybe tomorrow.) They went to Grandma's house.

News You Can Use

It's not fainting goats but I'd like to see them in action: Self-milking cows boost dairy farm production. The Cow Milking Union is up in arms.

Welcome to the Hotel California: Basil Fawlty-style hotel owner 'locked up guests'.

Why the world needs Martha Stewart: Women's mag triggers oven explosions.

Woman thought she could not be arrested at home. You're only safe at home in baseball lady, not police chases.

Will it have glass floors? Hotel and art gallery to be built over mountain gorge.

Beer ice cream launched. Available now in 6 and 12 packs; kegs available later this year.

He wasn't wearing a helmut: Naked motorcyclist crashes after bee sting

Burden Of Proof On Saddam

That hasn't changed. WMDs: Don't Change the Ground Rules

Eco BS

Steisand is suing an eco-activist for posting photos of her estate online. Michelle Malkin goes into the details here. Wanna see what the fuss is about? Here it is.

What a bunch of crap.

Barry Manilow Broke his Nose

File this under strange but true. He bumped into a wall in his house and passed out for 4 hours.

"I veered left instead of right and slammed into the wall," said Manilow, 59.

He needs surgery to correct his nose. How bizarre is that. Maybe he passed out first.

Tax Cuts or Welfare?

I'm not sure why people don't understand this, I think they just don't want to. Ignorance pays.

The new tax bill exempts another three million-plus low-income workers from any federal tax liability whatsoever, so you'd think the nation's class warriors would be pleased. But instead we are all now being treated to their outrage because the law doesn't go further and "cut" income taxes for those who don't pay them.

Fainting Goats

You just can't make this stuff up. Quoting the site:

"Fainting goats?" you ask. "This must be a joke!"

"No," I reply, "they are definitely real." Fainting goats are a slightly smaller version of the standard goat, who, believe it or not, thanks to a genetic condition called myotonia congenita, actually seem to faint when they are startled.

If America Is Destroyed, It Will Be Done Legally

Dennis Prager is absolutely right, our legal system is killing us.

Send Your Bank's Name, Account Number...

Learn the finer points of stealing millions using only your email account. Join the 3rd Annual Nigerian Email Conference.

Playtime

Here's something else to play with online. First, take a look at what you can create and play with at the PuppetTool Zoo. You can drag the animals around with your mouse. If you catch a mosquito, it dies. If you're too rough with the rhinoceros beetle, it explodes. You can create you own animations with the online tool, if you have time to figure it out: PuppetTool

Did You Know...

Scorpions can crawl on the ceiling? Yes they can. I was sitting on the sofa with Irma and James looked up and said "Look, a bug!" I looked up and said "Holy shit!, a scorpion!" Then James began repeating what I said and Irma smacked me. I have no idea what it was doing or how it got up there. Since it's a vaulted ceiling I had to stand on the arm of the sofa with a broom to get it down and crushed it and flushed it. It's time to poison the environment with some serious spraying again. Oh yes it is! The funny thing is we've been bug free this year except for these scorpions. It's the second one I've found in the house but we've seen a few outside, previous years I saw only dead ones.

Finding Nemo

I took James to see Finding Nemo today. It's the first time he's been to the movies. Before the movie even started he was saying he had to get out of there. He watched it mostly but kept saying he wanted to go and kept getting up. At one point he took his ring off (Irma just put it on him this morning) and dropped it on the ground. We found it. He did enjoy it though and laughed a few times and I saw him hiding his face from me in the sad part. When we got home he said he wanted to see it again. I liked it, it was pretty good and I don't like cartoons.

They Want It All

Disney raises ticket prices again.

Some People Have Alot of Free Time

Good for a laugh: The Real Hussein

June 1, Hurricane Season Is Upon Us

National Hurricane Center: No active tropical systems at this time.

The History Buff

You'll find some historic recordings on this page. Very interesting. Some of these I had never heard before.

Cool Honda commercial

This is a pretty cool commercial, it was all done as you see it. There is one spot, when the tires are going uphill, that bothers me though. You can see the second tire on the ramp speed up, then keep going after it hits the other tire. Something fishy there.

Here's an article that explains the uphill tires. Or so they say.

"They do so because inside they have been weighted with bolts and screws which have been positioned with fingertip care so that the slightest kiss of kinetic energy pushes them over, onward and, yes, upward."

Python Boy

I really don't know what to say about this, it's bizarre. Please, do not try this at home. Really, do not allow children to play with large constrictors. Supervised or unsupervised, never. Even if he is the son of a dragon. They are so much stronger than you can possibly imagine and you never know when one simple movement or smell could set off an instinctive chain of events that cannot be broken until it is complete. The feeding instinct of a snake is very strong and like a computer program, once you hit enter it does each job in turn until it's done and there is no control-alt-delete on a snake. Boom-boom-boom. The finished product is a dead animal.

Speaking of Animals

Polar bear attacks submarine.

More animals

Funny Cats. I think it's a clip from Planet's Funniest Animals on Animal Planet.

I got the link from Karen, thank you Karen.

I found some funny animal pictures on this page too.

Irma Update

Irma has been staying with her Mother while she recovers. She had to got to the doctor Thursday morning so I had to go get her after work. I thought to take her van so I got in it Wednesday night and put my wallet in the dash pocket but noticed there wasn't much gas and I didn't want to stop that night so I decided to take my car instead. I left work at 7 am and got up there around 7:35 am. That's when I noticed I didn't have my wallet with me. Grrrr. James was happy to see me and immediately stated his intentions of going to the pool. No James, not now. I-4 was almost a parking lot going back to Kissimmee but we got to the doctor early (9:45) and believe it or not she went right in to see him. I started to read a magazine but fell asleep and dropped it, scaring another patient. Oh well. She came out soon after, it was a really fast appointment, and we went home and I made her some coffee and went to bed. The good news is, she is doing great. Her Mother came and picked her up in the evening, so I have to go back tomorrow to pick her up again. I'm getting some sleep first! She'll stay home Friday night since I'm not working.

On the Highway to Third-World Status

Ilana Mercer writes Downsizing jobs, outsourcing lives

The trend is growing.

The Threat Among Us by Cal Thomas.

One of the advantages our enemies have over the United States is that too many Americans don't take them seriously. We prefer the short-term comfort that denial brings.

Michelle is right: Myth of the Muslim hate-crime epidemic

I work for, talk with, and interact with Muslims everyday. I have for many years. There's a large Muslim population here. They are doctors, dentists, nurses, store owners/employees, hotel owners/employees, students, and friends, you name it. Never, never, never have I heard a single instance of a hate crime. I haven't heard of anyone being harrassed in any way. They are a part of the community and they are much more concerned with getting the tourists back here in large numbers again so business will go back to normal than they are with hate crimes. I've sensed a little fear of the possibility of problems, especially right after 9/11, but nothing happened. And life goes on.

That being said, they are a large and growing population. And secretive, you are not allowed into their services if you are not a member. And it is not inconceivable that at a point in the future when Muslims start becoming a majority, if trends continue, that they will be voting with other Muslims for the America they want. Don't lose any sleep over it, it's not an evil plot and it's a long way off, but it's something to be aware of. Every religion wishes the whole country shared their views, but most religions are not growing so fast.

Photos From Space

Check out this site: The Gateway to Astronaut Photography of Earth. There are alot of great photos to look at. I was looking at the photo of Abilene, TX, since I lived there for a year, trying to find the apartment I lived in. I can't remember enough to figure it out exactly but I can see the general area. It was on S. Clack (Las Brisas Apts). It was interesting to see Dyess Air Force Base since I worked there and have been on that tarmac many times. I was there when they introduced the B1 Bomber. It did some flyovers and parked for everyone to get a good look.

Mt. Everest

This is a cool site with a 360 degree view from the summit of Mt. Everest.

Other 360 degree panoramas are available at Panoramas.dk.

Here's one that has views of ground zero 10 days after.

The Man Behind The Wall

This guy spent 20 years living inside a wall cavity to escape Saddam Hussein. How do you live 20 years in a wall and not go crazy? It might have been a good movie if not so incredibly boring.

Back To The Pool

I took James back to the pool Monday and he just loved it. Surprise. He met a 4 year old girl and a 5 year old boy to play with. We stayed about a hour and a half, he would have stayed longer. I can see it now, everytime we go to Grandma's house he'll be bugging me to go the pool.

America Unmade

Diane Alden is sounding the alarm that America is destroying itself from the inside. Is anyone listening?

He maintained, "Government leaders and others believed for much of the '90s that the country was undergoing a transition from a manufacturing-based economy to a knowledge-based one."

"Then the [tech] bubble burst, and we began to learn a very hard lesson and that is there's only a few ways to create wealth," he said. "You have to either farm something, mine something or manufacture something. The bubble burst. Unfortunately, our policy makers are acting as if it had not."

Unfortunately, however, there are still too many in Congress who still think taxes and regulations don't drive business out. They need to get a grip before they destroy this country.

Her article is too long, no one will read it. Who wants to think about such things anyway, just keep watching TV, our elected officials will take care of us. Never fear.

Perhaps Roger is right, we are Amusing Ourselves to Death.

The Swimming Pool

I took James for a walk to the pool at his grandmothers house and he wanted to go in so bad. I let him go ahead and play on the steps. That kid loves the water. Their were some older kids playing with a football in the pool and James kept telling them to throw him the ball. They started to play with him. James was standing on the side of the pool with me right there holding him and they were throwing the ball back and forth. He was laughing so hard. I don't think he really gets the age difference. He thinks he can just play with anyone he wants. Usually he does. He cried and carried on when it was time to go and he kept wanting to go back the rest of the day. Another day James, another day.

Mac OS X vs. Windows XP

I found a site that compares the 2 operating systems, in great detail, I might add. It looks like it does a pretty good job, too. You have to really be interested in this to read through it all though or you can cheat and read the final score. You can see it here.

The Hospital

The operation went well Friday morning and I spent the morning eating breakfast first, then reading .pdf books and playing solitaire. No internet access. The breakfast was terrible, undercooked, powdered scrambled eggs. Tabasco to the rescue. Irma got to her room at noon, still pretty drugged up. I brought some DVD's and watched some movies, Irma mostly slept. I went to the cafeteria for lunch but decided against it. It's very telling that some of the unhealthiest food you can eat is sold in the hospital. They don't even pretend to have healthy food there. I went to Long John Silver's, not much of a step up but Irma didn't want me to be gone long.

I stayed the night with her, sleeping in the most uncomfortable chair available. The hospital here in Kissimmee doesn't seem to have much security. I could pretty much walk around anywhere I wanted and no one would ever question me, except perhaps ICU and the maternity ward. When I visited my father in the hospital in Kearny, NJ, we could only go up 2 at a time with a pass, which a security gaurd checked and no cameras. I finally talked them into letting me bring the camcorder to show my father pictures of James, who was less than a year old. I think they only let me because he was dying. Even the nurse upstairs said something about the camera and I assured her I wasn't taking any pictures. I took pictures anyway, screw them. My fathers dying and I'm not allowed to take pictures? They're not trying to hide anything are they? This was prior to 9/11.

They let Irma come home today, I was so happy. It's good to be home. She has some pills for pain but she's walking around and doing great. Her mother came over and they decided to go to her house for the night. The idea was to take Joshua and leave me with James but James didn't like the idea and persuaded them to take him too. You should have seen the smile on his face when he buckled up! Bugger. I'll be going over tomorrow for lunch, maybe Abner will come too. In the meantime I'm gonna get me some restful sleep tonight.

Toe Socks

In the hospital Irma wanted me to put some socks on her and when I took them out they were toe socks. Freaky! At one point she got up and put on some sandals and the little toe was sticking out the side like it was broken, that just freaks me out. When I got home and had a chance to read some blogs I found some mention of toe socks at Aged and Confused and Yellow Jeep Girl.

Ultrex Nonstick Cookware Really Stands Up

Yesterday I left my frypan on the stove after cooking and forgot to turn it off. Smoke filled the house and I thought the pot was ruined. It already had a slight accumulation of black around the edges and now almost the entire bottom was covered with burnt crust. Since it's nonstick I figured if it doesn't come off with the sponge it's a gonner. What the hell, I used a brillo pad on it and it took off the burnt coating but the Ultrex coating was unharmed, almost as good as new. I couldn't believe it, nonstick pans don't stand up to brillo pads. Way to go Ultrex! I guess that demonstration they do with the drill sander is true. I got them from HSN. I would definitely buy them again.

Irma

Tomorrow Irma is going to have an operation. I have to get her to the hospital by 6am. I have to stay with her all day and now she is saying it may be all night as well. I hate hospitals. Her mother will be watching the kids. I'm bored just thinking about it, I hope they let you use a computer in there. She's gonna be home from work for a month afterward. No doubt she'll be wanting breakfast in bed every day, she's so spoiled.

Motor Oil Bible

I've added a link to the Motor Oil Bible because it's easily worth every penny of the 10 bucks it costs. It's full of information the oil companies don't want you to know. If your car is a keeper for whatever reason, you need this information. A free version is available.

Kids Are So Helpful

The lawn needed mowing and the weather was nice, cloudy and not so hot. So I let the kids ride their bikes and play in the yard while I mowed. I'm keeping an eye on them but I lose sight of them for a few seconds every pass. Joshua is supposed to be keeping a sharp eye on James. So, I come around the corner and James is headed for the road and Joshua is nowhere in sight. I grabbed James and went looking for Mr. Helpful. He was in the house getting a drink. From there he went to his room for the afternoon. I still had to mow so I just did the front while watching James and then told him to come with me and sit and watch me mow the back. He's not much for sitting still and was soon playing with the hose but I let him because it kept him occupied the whole time and he was never out of my sight, so it worked out OK. Joshua fell asleep. James took two baths, which he loved.

People Are Still Watching CNN?

CNN 'backpedals' on gun story: Admits it misled viewers in comparing different types of weapons. Gotta love CNN!



Japan - Soon To Become A Nuclear Superpower?

HTML 4

Yesterday James found a huge book I have on HTML and decided it was his favorite thing for the day. He carried it all over and read it regularly (it says "doggy, doggy, doggy"). This is a big, thick book, I wouldn't be surprised if it weighed 5 pounds. At naptime he insisted it had to be in the crib with him and at one point he was using it as a pillow. I thought he was sleeping but as soon as I got comfortable he popped up and announced he "woke up!" Kids! I made him lay down again and he fell asleep soon after. I got up at 2 and went to his room, he was still asleep. I tried to wake him and told him to get up so we could go pick up Joshua, but he wouldn't get up. I picked up the book and that did it! "Give me my book!" At least he didn't insist on taking it in the car.

We The People Of Europe...

Melbourne

We went to Abner's house in Palm Bay and had a barbecue. That was great. We met Miss Pauline, the woman Abner lives with (not that way). She is native to Florida and told us how it was way back when. She lived on a farm in Hialeah and had 65 cows to milk every morning starting at 2:30am before going to school. Hey, you can't walk to school 6 miles, uphill, in 3 feet of snow in Florida! Actually it was quite an education and I cannot imagine living here with no air conditioning. She amazed me with her knowledge of snakes (that's rare!). She knows what she's talking about and when she was young she used to go see Bill Haast of Miami Serpentarium fame and he would teach them (the kids who would go with her) all about the snakes.

She also has what is most likely the largest and most diverse private collection of seashells in Florida. She's been collecting them since she was a child and she has some amazing shells! Most of her collection were collected in Florida and I'll tell you what, you can spend a lifetime looking these days and you won't find most of the beautiful shells she has that she collected long ago. With dredging, pollution, dying reefs, and who knows what else, most of what you find are very common and mostly broken shells these days. She also has some egg casings from a conch. I had no idea there were egg casings. They develop inside them and come out a hole when they are ready. Her casings were dried, of course, but still had the little shells inside and they would fall out as you shook it. They are so tiny. I took some pictures of a small part of her collection and you can see them here. You'll have to sign up with Ofoto if you're not already, but it's free.

We went to Melbourne beach afterward and James just loved it. It was such a beautiful day, it didn't rain at all, although it looked like it might be coming. You couldn't ask for better.

What's The Point Of Having Caller ID?

70 to 80% of the calls I get say "unknown caller" or "out of area" and occasionally "blocked."

It's not smart enough to return long distance calls because it doesn't add the "1."

It's over $8.00 a month = Sprint is stealing money for a service that doesn't even work as advertised.

James Wants To Go To The Beach

Today we're gonna go over to the Melbourne area to visit Abner and go to the beach. James has been talking about going to the beach since we got back from Panama City Beach. I'll take some pictures. It's been a long time since we've gone over to Melbourne and it seems like it's gonna be a beautiful day. Joshua is with his grandmother, I didn't get the story because I don't speak spanish but I think he's going on a day cruise with them. I heard them talking about it but I didn't ask what was going on. Too busy eating.

Chiller Theater

You can see the six fingered hand from the opening of Chiller Theater (from WPIX, NY) over at A Small Victory. Unfortunately it doesn't work on my Mac (something about the compression), I'll check it out on the Windows machine when I get home. I used to love watching that at my Grandparents house in Kearny, NJ. I searched the net for another copy but couldn't find any. I did find the older Chiller Theater opening they used before the six fingered hand and you can find that here.

I found some interesting things while searching. These came from the Dr. San Guinary Weblab. Dr. San Guinary was a host of Creature Feature in Omaha, NE, I believe, I'm really not familiar with the show.

This is a short audio clip of the Dr. saying Roll that movie. (.au)

The following videos need QuickTime.

Here is a video blooper of the Dr. introducing "The Attack of the 50 ft. Woman." It was a little too "adult" for air in those days. Funny.

This one is the Dr. with Jerry Lewis at his telethon. Very funny.

There's more where that came from, if you like those go check out the website.

They Got It Wrong Again

The Wednesday night news said the eclipse would start at around 11:15 and continue past midnight. So when I got out of my car here at work at 10:50, imagine my surprise to see only a quarter moon. They were only off by about an hour.

Wildflower

I was walking with James the other morning and noticed a very beautiful flower on the side of the road. I wanted to take a picture but didn't have the camera, so I decided to come back later in the afternoon to get the picture. Later, when I went back all the flowers were closed up. I guess it gets too hot for them too. I had to wait till the next morning to get the pictures and I believe it was worth the wait. What do you think?

Reflections

My driveway is long, curved and narrow and alot of people have trouble backing out without going off the driveway. I'm used to it and it's no problem for me, even at night, but when it's raining and dark, the driveway disappears and it's hard to keep from falling off. So, I decided to put some reflectors along the driveway in strategic places. Well, about the second time down the drive after installing them, in broad daylight, I ran one of them over.

"Dear Kofi:
Now that we have conquered and occupied Iraq, may we please have permission to govern it for one year?" Signed: the US and Britain.

Viva la world community

And in related news...

UN And Globalism Condemned In The Bible

Kids Are Cruel

So I used the blower today to clean off the porch and driveway. They were nice and clean. Add 2 kids playing outside and a father going inside for a minute. Come back outside and...

James practically filled the porch with leaves while Joshua watched. I have no idea how he got so many leaves, it must have taken a few trips (or Joshua helped and won't admit it). A little later he found some clay pots Irma had laying around and he started throwing them up in the air and watching them crash down on the driveway. He got 3 before I could stop him. So we all had a cleaning party and swept it all up. Just as we got it all cleaned up, James says "Here Dad", I look and he's about to throw a pot in my direction. I'm about 15 feet away saying "Noooooo!" He threw it and it bounced off the driveway in front of me. It was plastic!

P.S.

While blowing the leaves I blew a fire ant hill away. That was fun, although it probably just pissed them off and they will regather and take over my entire property. If there ever was an example of a creature that deserved to be wiped off the face of the earth, it's fire ants. Fire ant lovers and appologists need only sit on any lawn in Florida for 5 or 10 minutes to be in complete agreement.

Wilderness of Stars and Galaxies

It's just interesting to see the images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Very interesting.

Hubble's deep view shows cosmic violence

HubbleSite


"any real grasp of the numbers of stars out there is beyond any human comprehension."

Melting at the Park

Saturday we went to the Kissimmee lakefront park and let the kids play on the playground for a while. Our friend, Abner, came with us. They had a great time and I took some video of them. The playground is covered by a huge tarp to protect from too much sun but it was so hot. We walked down by the water and almost melted in the sun. They have a new area with spraying water for the kids to play in and that is a great idea. There were alot of kids in there. It's way too hot to spend much time outside. I have no idea how people work outside in this sun. We came home and enjoyed the air conditioning and a cold beer.

Oops

For some reason I thought I was supposed to work tonight. I was wrong. I had slept in the evening so I couldn't go back to sleep right away. James came out here (living room) 3 times so far. First, he was looking for his mommy. I took him back to bed, but he got up again after about 10 minutes. This time he wanted to take his vitamins and play. I took him to lay down with Irma. A little while later he got up again and just wanted to play with his toys. I let him play a little while thinking he would get sleepy again. He wasn't getting sleepy. I took him back to bed with Irma and said if he didn't go to sleep I would put him in the crib and I haven't heard from him since. Now I want to go to bed but there's no room left. I'm still glad I'm off.

Hurricane hunter

This morning I heard on the news that they were opening a P3 Hurricane Hunter aircraft to the public at Orlando Executive Airport, so I thought I'd take James to see it because he loves airplanes. Once we found it we had a great time. We went to the airport entrance but the airplane was in the back of the airport at a different unmarked entrance. They were all prepared with maps and didn't even wait for me to ask, she knew what I was looking for, so apparently, everyone was doing the same thing. It would have been nice if the news let us know where it really was since I went way out of my way to get there and as it turns out where I needed to go was much closer to home.

There was a bus to take us from the parking lot to the aircraft and James loved the ride. It was his first time in a bus and he wanted to ride again. The plane had a steep stair (ladder) to get in but James took to it like a pro. He had fun sitting in the seats and looking out the windows. The crew gave him a patch and some stickers. We went back down and had a look around outside and took some pictures. After a little while James started running to the ladder again and I caught him at the bottom. I let him go back up, since he doesn't get to see many airplanes and he started acting like he worked there. He knew his way around and knew what he wanted to see. I took a few more pictures and headed out to pick up Joshua from school. He had alot of fun and wants to do it again. I put the pictures on my website, you can see them here, along with various other photos I've taken lately.

There is one kind of funny thing I noticed after looking over the pictures. The plane was full of electronics, all kinds of test equipment, radar, computers (Gateway), you know. James thought some of the radar screens were TVs, but I corrected him. But, in one of the pictures you can see a TV guide so I guess they can check out Surviver on the way to the hurricane. See for yourself.

What is an Artificial Blueberry?

I saw some blueberry pancakes in Publix today and bought a box because it's been a long time since I've had them and suddenly started craving them (comfort food). I used to pick wild blueberries when I was a kid. Anyway, I got home and made some (yes, they were good), but noticed it said the blueberries were artificial. What the hell is an artificial blueberry? Couldn't they just use freeze dried? Next time I'll buy frozen blueberries and add them myself. What is it about "mankind" that we think we can improve our food with artificial and synthetic ingredients?

Hot, Hot, Hot

James loves to play outside and he bugs me constantly to go out. Thursday I let him play outside earlier than usual, right after Irma went to work. We found a frog and he had so much fun chasing it around. Eventually it hopped up on a tree and climbed out of reach. Now it was time to ride his bike. He wanted to ride down the road and see the cows. It was so hot! The sun is so bright you can't even look up normally, I wish I hadn't lost my sunglasses. This is all before 10am. Finally he had his fill and I chased him home (he wanted me to get him). We had fun though. You just can't spend too long out there without some shade and drinks.

Fare Thee Well

Check out this online National Obituary Archive. I found my father and grandfather on the first try but didn't have much luck beyond that.

Bizarre Human Rights Commission

Baghdad Bob is Back

Now he's writing error: 404 pages because, apparently, the US forces won't arrest him. The 404 page is pretty funny.

Saddam Never Was

As the logic goes, since we can't find him now, he must never have been. Or is that just chemical weapons?

Failure to Find Saddam Proves He Never Existed

CNN is Irrelevant

It's very telling that Fox News and MSNBC are showing the President's speech and CNN is showing "The Royal Report" and commercials. 'Nuff said.

On Overeating

I went to my mother-in-laws house today and as usual she kept giving me more and more food. First some pancakes, then chicken stew and rice. Now I'm full but she wants to give me more. She brings me a bowl of farina. I tried. There was no chance of eating more. I'm still full. I feel like a snake, eating a huge meal and not eating again for a few days. She means well, I just can't eat that much anymore. Ever since I've been taking Seasilver I can't eat so much anymore. I believe it's because your body tends to crave food when it needs nutrients and the Seasilver takes care of that for you. Amazing stuff. Powerful.

New E-Book and Free Sample

Here's a useful resource that outlines step by step instructions on how to build your own online business in 30 days. I found it really helpful, and it can help you the same way it helped me. Click Here for more info.

Download a free sample here.

Spiders

Yesterday I saw a spider I'd never seen before. It was grey, hairy, with a couple of orange spots on the back. I took some pictures of it and it reared up to try to scare me away even though it was only about 3/8 in. long. A little later James was showing me a dragonfly. I thought it was strange because it was not flying away, but I couldn't see it too well because it was behind a pipe on the side of the house. Upon closer examination I realized it was being held by a larger version of the same spider I saw earlier. I tried to get a picture but couldn't quite get a good view.

New European Army To Be Formed Soon!

Starter From Hell

I had no trouble getting the oil pan tightened up, the engine mounts lined up without a glitch, and the exhaust system went together smoothly. One more thing to do and only two bolts. But no, the starter just didn't want to go back in the car. I had about a foot and a half of space under the car to work in and the starter feels like it weighs 50 pounds, luckily I did not drop it on my head but I got hit with the stupid bolts more times than I'd like to admit. It took longer to get the starter in than everything else I did to it Monday. I was very close to just burning the car. Very close.

Forget Saddam, Get the Americans for War Crimes

Iraqis target Gen. Franks for war crimes trial

Isaiah 59:14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter.

Our Western Mob

Bad Oil Pump

I spent most of Sunday changing the oil pump on my car. What a mess! First disconnect the exhaust system, then remove the engine mount bolts, now lift the engine up about 3 inches so the oil pan can be removed, barely. Oh, remove the starter, too. I got the new oil pump in and the pan back on but I ran out of time to finish. A few hours were spent driving to the store to get some tools I needed. I was gonna get a pizza too but I couldn't find a place open, go figure. I really don't want to do this again. Why can't they make it easier to work on these things?

Hi Daddy!

When I was under the car working I heard a noise coming from the window and a few seconds later James comes walking over and says "Hi Daddy!" "Hi James, how did you get outside? Did you climb out the window?" Mom came and got him and I think he spent a little time in the crib. He does love being outside.

Globalism And The New Babylon

"Indeed, on the second day of September, 1945, just following the surrender of the Japanese nation on the battleship Missouri, I formally cautioned as follows:

"Men since the beginning of time have sought peace. Various methods through the ages have been attempted to devise an international process to prevent or settle disputes between nations. From the very start workable methods were found in so far as individual citizens were concerned, but the mechanics of an instrumentality of larger international scope have never been successful.

"Military alliances, balances of power, leagues of nations, all in turn failed, leaving the only path to be by way of the crucible of war. The utter destructiveness of war now blocks out this alternative. We have had our last chance. If we will not devise some greater and more equitable system, our Armageddon will be at our door. The problem basically is theological and involves a spiritual recrudescence, an improvement of human character that will synchronize with our almost matchless advances in science, art, literature, and all material and cultural developments of the past two thousand years. It must be of the spirit if we are to save the flesh." -- General Douglas MacArthur

JetBlue Airlines Doing Well

JetBlue airlines is doing so well it's buying 65 new aircraft with an option for 50 more. Great news for an American company right? One problem, they're buying French Airbus aircraft.

"We believe today's release is positive on all fronts," Chase said. "We have been worried about cost execution at JetBlue, but the last two quarters clearly demonstrate that JetBlue is delivering."

No Mr. Chase, it is not positive on all fronts. If you would have thought of more than your immediate bottom line and bought American aircraft, then it would have been positive on all fronts. French aircraft?

On The Smoking Gun

If I were the dictator of Iraq before the American liberation I would have made damn sure their were no weapons of mass destruction for the Americans to find in order to hurt their credibility. But Iraq was not just a normal country with weapons of mass destruction, it was a truly evil and sick "hell" for it's people and regardless of its weapon status needed what it got. Where's the 'smoking gun?'

Letter to Janeane Garofalo

Rachel Lucas wrote a letter to Janeane, who desperately needs to wake up and face reality.

Tariq Aziz Surrendering?

Tariq Aziz is reportedly "talking to U.S. officials about conditions for a surrender." How about this codition, you surrender like a man and we won't come and hunt you down like a dog. What is this "condition" crap? They do have some big kahunas over there don't they?

I Woke Up

Latley when I put James for a nap, he stays in bed for a while, playing with a toy or something, then he'll get out of the crib and come to me saying, "I woke up!" All without sleeping at all. Yes, he goes right back to bed!

Today, for the first time ever, he just walked out here and told me there was a monster. A monster, outside his window.

CNN Again

Ever since CNN fessed up about keeping quiet about the evils in Iraq I have cut down on my news watching tremendously. It was not a conscious decision, I just don't feel like watching anymore. I used to keep CNN on almost all night unless something good was on another channel but I can't watch it anymore. I'll put Fox News on a few times a day for a few minutes but that's about it, just enough to keep an eye on world events.

I was reminded of this when I read Silence of the CNN Lambs.

To Whom It May Concern

I've been listening to the new Lisa Marie Presley CD. Not too shabby. I like it.

You can read an interview here.

Government Scrools

If you can't say anything nice... My kids don't go to government scrools (screwels?) because I'm not gonna beat my head against a wall till it's a bloody pulp. I'd rather just walk around it.

Here are a couple of items I found about the nonsense going on in them:

Zero tolerance or zero common sense? by Phyllis Schlafly

Red Pencils, Low Marks by Gary Rosen

How about a picture

Here's a picture of a Volkswagen we saw while wandering the backroads of Osceola county. I don't know if it's for sale but it looks like it would make a great restoration. I really like the color.



This is a picture of James after he opened a card his Grandmother sent him. He loves to get money!

The Weekend

I spent most of Saturday sleeping (kind of) on the sofa so I can know what the kids were up to. Luckily they mostly watched TV, in fact they spent alot of time with Irma in the bedroom. At one point I got up and everyone was sleeping. A lazy day I guess.

Sunday I tried to sleep but the kids were too restless and I went to bed when Irma got up but a few hours later she decided I needed to wake up so I could watch the kids. She was out back working in the yard. I got up and took James to the flea market to get a hydraulic jack (to replace the oil pump and crushed oil pan in my car) and some rats and mice (for the snakes). There were a couple of little puppies James fell in love with and he tried to help the girl catch the mice (he has no fear of mice). When I got back the kids played outside and we cleaned up the back of the house with the pressure washer. Actually Irma did it while I watched the kids. It came out good.

Memory Gaps

That stupid nursery rhyme lawsuit is making news again. How is this even making it into the courts? It's so ridiculous. But I did notice something in there that I have personal experience with.

Fuller, who has epilepsy, said she was so unnerved by the nursery rhyme that her hands trembled during the trip and she has experienced "unexplained memory gaps" about the flight ever since.

Fuller also maintains that the nursery rhyme incident caused her to be bedridden for three days because she suffered a "grand mal seizure." However, Fuller said she could not medically verify the incident because as a result of lacking health insurance, she did not seek medical help for the seizure.

The woman has epilepsy. And she has experienced "unexplained memory gaps." Well, let me explain the memory gaps, since I have had someone very close to me with epilepsy. An epileptic seizure can range from the "grand mal" seizure that everyone hears about to a barely perceptable staring. If you aren't paying attention and know about them you may not even notice the person is having one. During these seizures the person has no awareness of what is going on around them and so will have no memory of that time period - memory gap. It is not even a little bit unusual for someone with epilepsy to have memory gaps and they may not be aware they even had a seizure.

There is not always an obvious reason for a seizure but they can easily be triggered by any kind of flashing light source, it could be seeing certain movements such as looking out a car window (or plane), a passing train, truck or traffic, flashing on the TV, or from a strobe or similar light. I've never known a seizure to be brought on by being upset, but who knows, it's possible.

A grand mal seizure looks scary but once you are used to them it is not that big a deal. For someone with a history of them no medical attention is necessary, just protect from injury and wait. When it's over the person will rest a short while, maybe 30 minutes. 3 days is taking it too far, only someone completely unfamiliar with epilepsy would believe that one. A person with epilepsy deals with it. They have a seizure, they get on with their life. That's my experience. Of course, some people will always believe they are victims.

Say It Isn't So!

Baghdad Bob committed suicide? It's just as well, amusing as he was he was also an evil MF'er and the world is a better place with out him. They better see the body though.

Driving with James

Joshua had a doctors appointment Thursday but James didn't fall sleep this time. No. This is what it was like: "Dad, look a truck!" "Another one!" "There's two of em" "A school bus!" "Daddy, a garbage truck!" "Where's more trucks?" After a few miles of this, I asked "James, do you like trucks?" "Yeah!"

These Cats Are Really Getting On My Nerves

We saw a cat in the yard and it looked like it was eating something. James always wants to get the cats so I took him out, knowing it would run away, and found out it was eating a legless lizard. It was half eaten and still squirming. It's the second time I found a half eaten one. I caught a cat stalking a squirrel too. I don't know what I'm gonna do yet but I want these cats out of here. They are killing the wildlife which I like having around and the cats don't belong here. Is there any way to chase cats away so they won't come back, without killing them? I don't think they have owners or perhaps their loving owners are letting their cute little cats "freedom" to go kill all the local wildlife. Somebody with less patience than me is gonna end up shooting them.

Irma took me to see a friends new house and on her street I noticed one of the neighbors has a pit bull they let run loose. If I lived on or near that street I could never let my son play outside without me with him and I'd have a concealed weapon (with permit, of course) on me at all times. Any kind of large dog, I don't care. I love dogs but people need to be responsible and realize strangers or neighbors don't know your dog as well as you and have to constantly be on guard on their own property when your dog drops by. Nobody should feel threatened on their own property. Fence it in your yard if you need it for protection, just make damn sure it can't get out. I lived in an apartment and a neighbor had a large dog that would come running up to me barking and carrying on when I would leave my place. She would just laugh it off but I don't think she realized how close she was to a dead dog. Ha Ha. "Leash, I have a leash." (in her hand, not on the dog) Some people shouldn't own dogs.

Are We There Yet?

James couldn't quite stay awake while we were driving into Kissimmee. I heard him say, "Daddy, my eyes are broken." He's a funny guy.

"Victory in Iraq" -- Does Any Credit Go To God?

Master/Slave or Father/Son

Here's an interesting comparison between Cristianity/Judaism and Islam by The Disaffected Muslim

Tax Time

Time to complain about the our tax system again.

Our outrageous tax system

Russia -- leading the way

This Tax Day, Go Flat

This country NEEDS a flat tax. Please.

Tax Day

Ten Worst Tax Laws


A Couple From James S. Robbins

Ambassadors of Terror

Why Baghdad Fell

Zen and the Art of Pressure Washing

Today I pressure washed the driveway and front porch. I don't like the soap dispenser because it's not pressurized and it runs out too fast. Next time I'll just use a bucket and a brush to put on the soap. Everything looks cleaner now, I'm so glad to have a pressure washer. I think tomorrow I'll do the back of the house.

After his initial curiosity, James just played in the yard. I really thought he would want to try it but I guess not. I was almost done when he started telling me to turn it off. It was naptime anyway. He did help me fill in a couple of holes in the yard, actually he didn't want to stop doing that. He helped me mulch around the orange trees too. He went back to playing in the dirt again after that.

To Tell The Truth

Here's a collection of quotations from "Baghdad Bob," Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf.

The End of the World - Revisited

Walter Chronkite is hosting a 4 part show on armaggedon (Avoiding Armaggedon). He's says they will be exploring ways to stop it from happening. What exactly is he trying to stop? The return of Christ? Or is that not even a factor, just to stop mankind from destroying itself. Good luck. I wish as much as anyone for the world to live in peace. The problem is - on who's terms? Four problems we humans have to overcome: vanity, jealousy, lust and greed. Again, good luck.

As for the return of Christ, when the time comes there will be no stopping it. The nations of the world will try to fight Christ at His coming (Luke 19:14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a message after him, saying, We will not have this man to reign over us.) but they will be destroyed. That will be the war that brings, finally, REAL peace.

Doesn't Do Windows

A new version of Safari web browser has just been released. I'm going to get it now.

Goodbye to Florida's Oldest Theme Park

After 67 years of operation, Cypress Gardens has closed its gates for the last time (Sunday Apr. 13, 2003).

POWs Rescued

Old news by now but I wanted to say how happy I am that they've all been found safe. I hope they all get a heroes welcome.

And You Thought It Wasn't About The Oil

It may be all about oil, but for WHO?: It's All About Oil

Lazy Day

I slept for a few hours Sunday morning, and it was amazingly quiet in the house. I'm still not sure why, the kids were with Irma (in the house, which is why I'm surprised it was so quiet). James finally did come and wake me up. I mowed the lawn when I got up and pressure washed the front porch. Oh, I did the dishes and a load of laundry. We ate chinese, as usual. Thats all. I have to get soap to pressure wash the siding and some more mulch. And I still need a taller ladder.

The Black Knight Always Triumphs

This is hilarious: Super Al-Sahaf

America's Most Trusted Source of News

Apparently, CNN has been keeping secrets about Saddam's regime: The News We Kept to Ourselves. Then why, all this time, has CNN been downplaying the atrocities of that regime, questioning President Bush's policies, and acting like it's taking the moral high ground? 12 years! They knew first hand how vicious and evil they were and acted like Iraq was just another member of the UN, just another member of the world community. All in an effort to appear fair and impartial? They KNEW! They let thousands die rather than say anything about it. They should have pulled out and let the world in on it a long time ago. CNN's new motto: We tell the truth...unless manipulated by our source.

Every time I read that article I get madder. How many others knew and kept their mouth shut, yet spouting off about how evil George Bush is? What a sick world.

The Infidels are Committing Suicide by the Hundreds on the Gates of Baghdad

Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf has alot in common with Nancy Pelosi:

 As Mrs. Pelosi praised the troops, she also said their success was owed "in large measure" to former President Bill Clinton.
     "This best-trained, best-equipped, best-led force for peace in the history of the world was not invented in the last two years. This had a strong influence and strong support during the Clinton years," she said.

Clinton gutted our military and he wanted to cut it more. We have a strong military in spite of Bill Clinton. He was famous for his lack of support of our military. If not for Bill Clinton we could have fought the war in Iraq, Syria, Iran, North Korea, and France (joking) all at the same time with the same results.

Scott Ritter on the Childrens Prison

The prison in question is at the General Security Services headquarters, which was inspected by my team in Jan. 1998. It appeared to be a prison for children - toddlers up to pre-adolescents - whose only crime was to be the offspring of those who have spoken out politically against the regime of Saddam Hussein. It was a horrific scene. Actually I'm not going to describe what I saw there because what I saw was so horrible that it can be used by those who would want to promote war with Iraq, and right now I'm waging peace. Scott Ritter, Time Magazine

Another who KNEW first hand of the atrocities of Saddam Hussein and yet DEFENDED him.

Thanks to Andrew Sullivan and A Small Victory for pointing it out.

Get the POWs

So far no word on the POWs. I know it is a priority and they're using everything they have to find them...it's just frustrating to not hear anything. POWs: Critical Time

A Walk in the Park

Thousands of former Iraqi soldiers are walking from northern Iraq to their homes in southern Iraq with no provisions and in some cases no shoes or sandals. I can't find anything to link to yet, it's showing live on CNN.

What's Up, Katie?

Katie Couric says Saddam taken, "hopefully", to Syria. Hopefully?! To Syria?! Hopefully you'll go to Syria to meet up with him.

Better Late Than Never

Ed Koch talks about the The Anti-Americans

Also heard on CNN

Arabs from other countries who came to Iraq to help fight the US are going home, having been used as human shields. No link to be found as of yet.

Dr. Rummy

Sex tips from Donald Rumsfield.

A Monument to Poor Taste and Brash Self-Promotion

Golden luxury amid the poverty

Here's the best part:

A captured Iraqi colonel being held in one of the hangars listened in astonishment as his information minister praised Republican Guard soldiers for recapturing the airport.

He looked at his captors and, as he realised that what he had heard was palpably untrue, his eye filled with tears. Turning to a translator, he asked: "How long have they been lying like this?"

Smoking Guns

Other news agencies have picked up on the nuke story from a previous post. And some others. Freedom's Bell Rings & Iraq's Smoking Guns

The Art of Looting

Suddenly, the cheering, waving, dancing, jubilant crowds in the heart of Baghdad gave the lie to all the protests. They, the UN, Han Blix, the entire Islamic world, France, Germany, Russia and China were all wrong. Don't hold your breath hoping any of them will ever admit it.

Marines hold nuclear site

The only place I can find any word of this is here. You would think this would be headline news. Maybe it will turn out to be nothing but not having confirmation hasn't stopped them on other stories. It sure beats watching a statue fall over and over and over and over and over...

Brain Damage

"This is a tragedy and a bloody comedy. We cannot believe what we see. What happened? It seems that the Iraqis have given up Baghdad without a fight. Where is the Iraqi army? Have they evaporated?" said Walid Salem, a Ramallah shopkeeper.

Ali Jaddah, an engineer, said: "It's a day of shame. On this day Arabs have become slaves. The only man who dared to say 'no' to the Americans' face has vanished today. What is left is a bunch of bowing and scraping Arab leaders."

Ahmed, 35, a Cairo taxi driver, shook his head in disbelief at the toppling of Saddam's statue. "There is no way ordinary Iraqi citizens would have done that. Impossible! They are probably Kurds or Shias," he said.

All quotes from this article: Arabs in Shock, Denial at Toppling of Saddam

How about this one:

"It is irrelevant whether Saddam is dead or not. His memory will live on to inspire many Arabs to stand up against all the injustices committed by the U.S. and its friends in Israel," Belqees Hamood, a university student, said.

From: Arabs Watch Saddam's Demise in Disbelief

And not to forget all the sound bites I keep hearing from various people on CNN tonight. Yeah, the US wants to make Iraq our next state. We'll just add it to the long list of our previously colonized countries. We're colonizing and we can't stop!

Brain Damage

Meanwhile

Israeli-European relations must improve - Fischer

Brighthouse

I was interupted just as I began to post this and when I got back (3 checkins and a rollaway for one of them) I forgot what I was gonna post. It wasn't 30 seconds and I saw the commercial again! Brighthouse! I am so tired of those commercials already. I never liked Time Warner, a name change won't help. Just give me about 10 channels of my choice at a very reasonable price. I have no cable box, no fancy anything, just my TV and a cable and they charge me $55.00 a month. That's sick. The only reason I put up with it is because I don't pay it. If I did it would be disconnected today! Whenever I see the bill I threaten to disconnect it anyway on principal. I would love to have a cable modem but I refuse to give them any more money. Dial up works good enough for me anyway

More Saddam Statues

CNN just showed an attempt to use C-4 explosives to take a statue of Saddam down. It didn't quite work but it looked like his pants fell down. That was funny.

My Fig Tree

The leaves on this tree were folding over in the wind. I didn't think anything of it, I would fold them back once in a while. The day after I fertilized it with Aggrand they straightened out and even though it was very windy Wednesday they stayed flat. Hmmm.

Don't cook tonight - call Chicken Delight

I am so craving some Chicken Delight right now. Somebody please send me a bucket. They have one in Trinidad, but not Florida!

"The Game is Over"

So says the Iraqi Ambassador to the United Nations. "The war is over." No links yet.

Of course, we know the hard part is ahead of us. We need to bring order to chaos.

Fun with James

Tuesday afternoon I decided to let Wolfgang wander about the yard while I did some work. James played with him (tortured him) almost the whole time. Actually, I was keeping a close eye on them, besides a little sand on his shell and some leaves held up to his mouth (he want's to eat it!) he made out OK. Wolfgang got a bath. And James too when we went inside. I cut down the other tree (weed) that was growing too close to the house.

James helped me water the new orange trees and the fig tree with some Aggrand fertilizer I bought to try out. It's alot different than I thought and I've never seen (or smelled) any fertilizer like it. It's definitely organic! We'll see how it works.

Napster/Blog Marriage

This is interesting from David Winer: Speech and Weblogs

---

After Saddam, Then What?

What Else Is New?

Iraqi president fate unclear after latest strike.

I Are Eating My Eggs

James is growing up fast. He's really talking up a storm now. I just gave him an omelet and he was sitting eating it, he said "Daddy, turn on the light." "OK baby, hows that?" I answered. "That better" says James. It might seem like nothing but it wasn't long ago he couldn't have managed that.

His new favorite answer when I ask him why he wants to do something is "Because I said so." Now he's sitting on the floor playing, singing, and talking to himself. He makes me happy.

Where's the bullet?

I'm watching the Iraqi information minister right now, he's on a rooftop, according to a BBC reporter he's a half mile from US Troops. Please, somebody shoot him right there on TV. Why do they let this comedy go on? He said US troops were poisoned and slaughtered. He said there are no US troops in Baghdad. Somebody shoot him, please.

They kicked out Al Jazeera and they still have the BBC in there asking questions - wow. The BBC must be the only western news agency in there.

Speaking of the information minister, this sounds just like him.

And this is a great interview with Colin Powell.

Did I Do That?

Satuday evening we spent at my inlaws. We had barbecue (Puerto Rican style) and watched a movie. We started watching "The Road to Perdition" but it was boring so we put on "The Lord of the Rings." It was the first time I'd seen it. It was actually alot better than I thought it would be but about half way through I started wishing it would end. It was good but
I was tired of watching. We stayed to the end. We got home late (1am or 2am actually, Daylight savings time) and I had to wake up with the chickens (kids) because Irma doesn't do that.

I couldn't sit around so I went outside and cut down a small tree I needed to get rid of because It was planted too close to the house. By that time Irma got up and after a while we went to eat (chinese) and went to Home Depot. She wanted to get paint for Joshua's room and I was interested in citrus trees. I found a tangerine tree and a valencia orange tree and bought them. I wanted to get a tall ladder but they cost too much. After that we went to get my hair cut and some shopping at Walmart. We got home around 6pm. After unloading the van I said I wasn't going to plant the trees, I figured I'd do it in the morning. I have to work tonight so usually I just go to bed. I was feeling so good though I decided to plant them.

I dug the holes with the help of Joshua and James. They helped me by throwing dirt on me, jumping in the hole while I'm trying to dig, turning on the water and having a water fight, you know, normal kid stuff. After the first, I said I was done but still felt good and decided to finish the other too. So now I have my two trees in the ground and I'm so happy about it. I wouldn't normally have done that. I bought a tangerine tree a few years ago and never got around to planting it, it finally died. We buy plants sometimes and they just stay in the pots forever. I've done more gardening in the past week than in the past two years! I love gardening but I never had the energy to do it. If this keeps up I'm gonna have a super landscape and garden.

When we came in we all got in trouble because we were filthy. We all had to do some serious washing. I managed to pack my cut finger with dirt, it hurt for a little while but I guess it went numb. I cleaned it good though. It's almost time to go to work so I have to get ready. I don't mean for this blog to become a commercial but I am very excited that I found what my body has apparently been missing because I've never been so productive in my life. I would get tired watching people who never stopped and couldn't imagine how they had the energy. It feels good, twice as much because I accomplished so much and because I just feel so much better from the Seasilver.

Ooowwww!!

A little while back I bought the Miracle Blade III knife set. It was at the local flea market and it seemed like a decent set of knives, better than I thought it would be. I meant to say this before, they are really good knives. I can't imagine why I would pay more for fancier knives now that I have this set. I am the type that would buy the high technology ceramic knives if I could afford them but at this point I don't know why I would. The Miracle Blades are great knives.

So, I was cleaning one this morning and sliced my finger open. Ouch! At first I thought it was just a knick but it had sliced deep, deeper than I like to look at. I washed it and put a bandaid on it. It looked like it might want a stich or two but I won't do that. A bandaid is good enough.

Before or After, Which is it?

Catching up on the news this morning I hear a reporter ask if Pfc. Jessica Lynch's broken bones happened before or after she was captured. The answer, to my amazement, is still, we don't know. Why can't they just ask her what happened? I'm sure they already did, so why can't we know? Also, I heard she wasn't shot, now I hear she was shot, twice.

If they don't want us to know, fine, just say that. But why don't the people in charge know? That is so frustrating.

Damn!

I got my Seasilver refill Tuesday after missing it for a couple of weeks. The past 3 days I spent the mornings outside trimming the trees and dragging the branches across the yard. I only stopped because I don't know what to do with all the branches, my trees need alot of work! Usually I'm so tired I just want to sit on the sofa and sleep with my eyes open watching James. What is this stuff?

While trimming one of the trees I found a huge treefrog sitting on a branch. It had sawdust all over it. I showed it to James and he got all excited and wanted to touch it. He knows it's a frog but he calls them "ribbits." I think I took it's shade away - it wasn't there today.

One tree looked a little rotten at the base of the trunk so I poked it with a stick and it became a cavernous hole! About 3/4's of the trunk is gone. I have to cut that one down, it's the one Irma wants to get rid of anyway. I'll have to cut it in pieces from the top down, it's pretty big, but not huge. Trees are HEAVY!

Are We Ready For This?

When one views the headlines of newspapers all over the Islamic world today; from Morocco, Tunisia, Yemen, Syria, Gaza, Egypt, Iran and many other countries; headlines which shout hideous lies such as "US Marines massacre helpless civilians," or "American soldiers shooting women and children," one must stand in begrudging admiration at the propensity for lying which is a part of the Islamic modus operandi. A few minutes listening to the Iraqi "Information Minister" who, as his country is being overrun says his soldiers have the coalition forces "surrounded," even daring to name various cities which have already fallen, so the citizens of Baghdad will believe the lie that "victory is at hand" for the brave Iraqi army.

Understanding this mindset is critical.

The coalition may succeed in changing a regime. It will never succeed in changing a religion. And, by its very tenets, that religion is combative, expansive, militant, and dedicated to the spread of Islam by whatever means necessary. A major tenet of Islam is JIHAD, or "Holy War," in an effort to bring the entire world under the Islamic religion. 

How To Have Your Croissant And Eat It Too

One Brave Man

Read the story of the man who risked his (and his family's) life informing the marines of the whereabouts of Pfc. Jessica Lynch here.

"I drew them a map. I drew them five maps," he said, plainly relishing his cloak-and-dagger missions into the heart of Saddam's terror network.

Fedayeen raided his house the next day, he said, taking away all his possessions and even his car, a Russian-made Muscovitch Brazilia 680. He said a neighbor was shot and her body dragged through the streets just for waving at a U.S. helicopter.

"Very bad people," he said. "There is no kindness in my heart for them."

Twisting The Night Away

Michelle Malkin explores a liberals take on famous quotations: If liberals could edit history

Resurgence of European anti-Semitism

An old monster is rearing it's ugly head. Ronald Bailey says Let Jews leave Europe for America.

Here's a related article.

Shock and Awwww

Why such disappointment that the "shock and awe" campaign didn't pan out as expected: "Awwww"...What, no 'Shock and Awe'?

More anti-Semitism

Little Green Footballs posted a series of cartoons found on the Al Jazeera website.

I believe a mental illness may be involved here. Find the truth and teach and believe the opposite.

Heroes

Read this article on Pfc. Jessica Lynch. Wow, she's got the heart of a lion. We should all be proud we have soldiers like her serving, voluntarily, in our armed forces. No one should ever forget the sacrifices these soldiers are making for not only for their own country, but for the people of Iraq and, for that matter, the world. Neal Boortz hinted in Nealz Nuze (4/3) that she needed a new car, I hope he gets her whatever she wants and I'm happy to see her education will be paid for her. Now let's get the rest of the POWs and treat them the same way - they are all heroes.

I Thought This Guy Had More Sense

Jordan's King Abdullah II Wednesday described the U.S.-led war on Iraq as an "invasion" and the Iraqis killed by coalition forces as "martyrs."

Is he insane too? Are Arabs so blinded by their religion they can't see facts right in front of their faces?

He also rejected a new Iraqi government that would be imposed on the people, saying the "Iraqi people alone have the right to choose their leaders ... we cannot imagine that a people would accept a leadership imposed from outside and against its will."

I don't remember anyone saying they were going to impose a government on the Iraqi people. We're imposing a change of government, true, but they will have more choice in the type of government they will have than they did under Saddam. Is he saying Saddams government wasn't imposed on them? Since he went to an American university and lived here I would expect him to make a little more sense. Then again, perhaps that's why he thinks that way - our universities aren't exactly bastions of freedom themselves. I bet he believes the Iraqis voted 100% for Saddam too.

Here's the link.

Saddam's Friend

A Frenchman (Guy Milliere) says France is Not a Western Country Anymore. If true, there sure is alot we don't know about France.

"Europe's rightful place"

Americans are shocked by the behaviour of Europe lately - they don't seem to be making any sense. What's Europe up to? What's their gameplan?

Ugly Anti-Americanism In France And Germany -- Where Will It Lead?



Related: Berlin's New Anti-American Axis

Injustice For Arabs

I just heard a woman from the news organization Al Hayat. I didn't catch her name. I tried to access the website but it crashed my browser. Anyway, she said America is losing the war for the hearts of the Arab world because of our injustices, such as letting Israel have nuclear weapons but not Palestinians or Saddam. It's not fair that we let Israel have nuclear weapons. I'm beginning to think Arabs are from Pluto.

Maybe, it has something to do with the fact that the Arab world as a whole would like nothing more than to completely exterminate the Jews? After the atrocities of WW II the Jews were given a tiny piece of desert for a homeland. Ever since, the Arab world has been actively trying to push them into the sea. Of course Israel must protect itself and they do it well, very well. And they've turned that little piece of desert into an oasis. Israel is not interested in hurting anyone and would gladly live peaceably with the Arabs or anyone for that matter.

Arabs, on the other hand, have whipped themselves into a frenzy and taught their children for generations now that Israel, all of Israel, is occupied land stolen from the Arabs. As far as they are concerned Israel still doesn't exist. Since the end of WW II they have only taught their children hatred and death. All their energy is used up on hating Israel and they have done nothing to better themselves, instead blaming Israel for anything and everything that's wrong with them. They sacrifice their children and themselves on the alter of hatred. If any Palestinian got hold of a nuclear bomb they would strap it to themselves and head directly for Israel.

Saddam just wants to take over the entire Arab world and, I'm quite sure, beyond. He will do anything it takes and kill anyone who gets in his way. The most insane thing any Arab could possibly want is for Saddam to have nuclear weapons - yet that's what they want. Go figure.

I have heard a couple of Kuwaitis just recently who were very clear thinking and they see it like it is, one is a former ambassadour to the US, who's name I didn't catch, and the other is Saad Al-Ajmi, Former Kuwaiti Info Minister. It was refreshing to hear them.

Europe, Russia, and China side with the Arabs because it suits their needs at this time, not because the Arabs make sense. Once America is out of their way they won't put up with any crap from the Arab world either.

I'm Smoking And I Can't Stop

I just had a guy come to the door to get a room. He was smoking and wouldn't come in to register, he wanted me to check him in at the door. I told him he could put the cigarette on the ashtray and get it when he finished, it takes less than a minute.

Guest: "How 'bout I just give you my documents and you go fell everything out?"

Me: "You can't stop smoking for 2 seconds to come in here and register?"

Guest: "When ya gotta smoke, ya gotta smoke." Then he went to his car to finish and came back to register.

Rachel Lucas Dot Com

Here's a great rant: I still hate Al Gore.

Not Saddam's Words

Not only did Saddam not show for his speech, but these are not his words. It sounds more like Bin Laden than Saddam. While Saddam doesn't hesitate to use religion when it suits his needs, that speech sounds a little much for him. Saddam is not in control of Iraq anymore. That's my opinion.

Civilians Running A Checkpoint

We have signs posted in their language explaining they will be shot if they don't stop. I saw them putting one up, and it was huge. I think it's safe to say the civilians understand that. The security procedure is necessary given the very real threat of suicide bombers. I saw an episode of COPS where the officer made a traffic stop and the driver got out of the car and ran in a threatening manner toward the officer. The officer pulled his gun, OF COURSE. In this instance he did not shoot but if he had...too bad for the driver. You don't do that unless you have a deathwish.

Having said that, I don't think you can discount the distinct possibility that it was a suicide attack. What would be worse for the coalition - a suicide bomber killing maybe 1 or 2 soldiers or a suicide attack to make it look like the coalition is deliberately targeting civilians? Exactly.

On The Lighter Side

This blog always makes me laugh: SackShack

Peter Arnett Is An Ass

Here is an article by Peter himself (yes, someone hired him again) and he still believes the war is not working. It's obvious he just doesn't get it. He actually believes the crap he was saying on Iraqi TV and worse. And he can't believe he was fired! How out of touch with reality can you be?

"But whatever happens I will never stop reporting on the truth of this war whether I am in Baghdad or somewhere else in the Middle East - or even back in Washington."

Reporting the truth? You wouldn't know the truth if it bit you on the ass!

"I came to Baghdad with my crew because the Iraqi side needs to be heard too."

The Iraqi side? Saddam's regime has nothing to do with the Iraqi side. The Iraqis can't speak out about their side yet Peter or they and their families would be tortured, raped and killed. Do you mean Saddam's side needs to be heard? Sane people already hear Saddam's side in every scream, wail, moan, cry and howl from "his people" and we see it in every tear and drop of blood. Sane people know Saddam's side Peter. Perhaps you should decide to stay in Baghdad. You, Saddam, his sons, Tariq and the rest of the crew can all hold hands and sing "Give Peace a Chance" when the coalition comes to town and you can all face the same fate. Give peace a real chance.

Mona Charen writes of him also: Who's man in Baghdad?



French President Offers To Work With Vatican!




Anti-Americanism

Neal boortz calls a spade a spade: Phony Leftist Indignation

I Wanna Fly Like Birdie

I was carrying James to the mailbox and he looked up and said "I wanna fly" and he started flapping his arms."You wanna fly - like a birdie?" I asked. "Yeah!" I lifted him like I was gonna throw him up and he looked like he thought he could actually fly. I told him he can't really fly but I ran up the driveway with him and he held his arms out. He's too cute.