Monday, April 11, 2011

Day 100/101

Weekend of April 09/10:

Federal employees, military families breathe sigh of relief
And I was one of them!!  My pay has yet to reflect that the shutdown didn't happen, though.  I'm still showing only 1/2 pay coming, as are others.

Cleveland airport terminal, planes evacuated after screening glitch
"A little bit of inconvenience"???  Are they kidding??  Have you ever had YOUR flight delayed a couple of hours for something stupid?  I have.  Ended up getting stuck overnight in Denver because of it.  NOT fun!

Women Dem. senators angry family planning funds part of negotiations
I might be really off, but it seems to me like the last sticking point of the gov't shutdown was due to debate over funding abortions/women's health, depending on which perspective you take.  Abortion has often been debated over whether it should be a federal or state-based issue, so proposing to allow each state to choose where their money goes doesn't surprise me.  I'd just like to know what these women had against that particular option.

Trump talks birthers, White House adviser predicts his failure
Dude!  I said it before, and I'll say it again. If there was anything, ANYTHING, to be found regarding Obama not being born in the U.S., then Hillary's camp would have found it back in 08.  They had the big guns out against him.  If they didn't find anything, then there's nothing to be found.  Plus, this article claims that Obama DID release a copy of his Birth Certificate.  If he did, then what's the damn debate???

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Day 99

Friday, April 8


Big surprise for hard-luck couple
I always enjoy reading stories like this, especially on a day like today.

Food or rent? Soldier's wife fears gov't shutdown
My family was also interviewed by a local news channel about being a military family in the throws of a military shutdown.  We had already seen what our pay was going to be, and were less than thrilled, considering the shutdown hadn't even been official yet!

Author of pedophilia book pleads no contest, gets probation
I hope he rots in hell.

Day 98

Thursday, April 7

Jurors begin deliberations in Barry Bonds' perjury trial
I don't think the question is whether he committed perjury, it's whether they can prove it in court. 

Search continues for survivors of boat wreck
I hadn't heard about this either.  200 people???  I guess the Gov't shutdown overshadowed all.

Senator urges lawmakers to give up pay if there's a shutdown
I applaud him for his offer.  I doubt others will follow, as if they couldn't afford it.  Poor, poor senators.

Day 97

Wednesday, April 6

FAA reports another sleeping air traffic controller
Again????  Criminy Christmas, people!  And this one was on PURPOSE!!



New York City lawmaker proposes fast-food toy ban
Didn't New York try something like this already?  I would have sworn they had.


Suspect arrested in Alabama college shooting
I must have been out of the loop.  I hadn't heard about this.

Day 96

Tuesday, April 5

Justin Bieber sets his mom's hair on fire on stage
Not that I care, but you know this is going to be remembered throughout the year. 

Cultures clash as Oklahoma's Hispanic population surges
As a Hispanic that lives in Oklahoma, I have a specific interest in this article.  I moved there from L.A. for college.  I stayed because I liked the way that people cared about eachother, instead of trying to shoot eachother over stupid stuff.  Being Hispanic had absolutely nothing to do with it.


Teen pregnancy rate lowest in two decades
Things that make you go, "Hmmm..."

Day 95

Monday, April 4

Obama launches re-election bid
I wonder if he's going to stick to his "I'd rather be a really good one-term president than a mediocre two-term president" statement.  How many of you feel he's been a "really good" president so far?

Email spamming company gets hacked
I once worked for an internet company as their in-house spammer.  Yeah, I was "that guy".  As such, this sort of article interests me.  Looks like Grandma Gums is gonna have to be more careful with their incoming emails.

Pay attention! Airlines stretch to make safety fun
Oy.  Just....  Oy.

Is it just me, or does he look alot older nowdays?

Day 94

Sunday, April 3:

Colorado wildfire spreads near Fort Collins

Some relatives of 9/11 victims object to repository plan
Ok, can someone please explain what their objection is?  The story somewhat confused me.  Is it that they don't want the remains left as part of the memorial or something?

Saturday, April 9, 2011

Day 93

I appreciate your patience throughout my absence.  Not only did taxes get the best of my time, but work started getting alot heavier since we were going to be affected by the potential government shutdown.  Now that THAT'S over (yeah, RIGHT!!), I'll try to play catch-up on here.

April 2

Large hole discovered in Southwest Airlines flight

I have to admit, when this happened, I didn't hear about it until the following week.  I've been on plenty of flights in my time.  If this had happened to me, I'd probably have needed a change of shorts after we landed.  Then, I'd be a rich man! 

Charlie Sheen booed in Detroit

You pay money (good money, at that!) to see a show that you have no idea about, and you're surprised when it isn't what you wanted???  Morons.

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

Taxes taxes taxes!!

Hello, all!

I apologize for the lack of postings as of late.  As the subject of this post suggests, I've been focusing on taxes lately.  I should be done soon, and I'll be able to post here more often (hopefully daily, as I originally planned) at that point. 

Thanks for being patient!

Friday, April 1, 2011

Day 92: April Fish!!!

'Motion-controlled' e-mail and other April Fools' Web pranks

I look forward to Google and ThinkGeek's pranks every year!!

Day 91

Orca that killed trainer returns to Sea World show

I wonder how many people watching this show realized that they were enjoying watching that same whale that killed that trainer lady.  And, if they had realized it, if they still would have watched. 
I wonder if I would want to watch.

Will you commute via 'personal rapid transit?'

Seriously... who wouldn't think this was cool at first???

Day 90

BP loses laptop with private info on 13,000 people
Dang!  Did that flight tower guy get another high-profile job already??



Speaking of flight tower shenanigans...
Controller, airline crew suspended over incident in Florida skies
Apparently there was a small plane that wasn't responding to flight controller radio communications.  So they sent a nearby Southwest Airlines flight to see if they could see into this small planes cockpit.  The FAA flipped their lid.  They say those two planes had to be 3 miles apart, horizontally.   Both planes landed safely.  It didn't say why the smaller plane wasn't responding, though.

Geraldine Ferraro dies
Technically, she died last Saturday, March 26th.  Not much to say about her.  

Day 89

Hole in US Airways plane was caused by a bulletYup!  A bullet.   ZOINKS!


California town calls in FBI to help investigate cross burning
Why do I suddenly picture the Criminal Minds crew stepping off of a charter plane in LAX?

But, seriously, folks.  I'd be willing to wager that this wasn't due to the perpetrators necessarily hating one race over another.  But rather, I suspect this is more like someone wanting to send a message to those individuals specifically.  Don't ask me why I feel this way, it's just a gut feeling.

Day 88

Obama makes a speech on his military force in Libya

I would love nothing more than to comment on this.  However, seeing as I'm currently property of the United States Federal Government (read:  I'm in the Army), it would behoove me to keep my mouth shut on this.  For now.  So, in the interim, I will simply note that the speech was made for future reference, and I will also allow you to make YOUR comments on what was said.

NATO: Libya mission will be to protect, not arm
NATO says, "Hey, America!  You're not the world's police!  WE are!"

Pilot finds hole in plane's fuselage
If memory serves, there was a later article that identified it as being from a bullet.  Yikes!!

Day 87

President focuses on needs of Latino students

I remember a time in my life when such an article would have thrown me in an angry fit.  As an American of Latino descent, I remember when I was still in school.  To me, being Latino was of no consequence of my academic career.  I could have been born with Mexican hair, a Chinese face, an African torso, and European legs... and my ability to study math or science would be no damn different.  I didn't choose to be Latino.  No one chooses their national descent.  So no one should be judged one way or another on it. 

Now that I've gained a few years of knowledge and understanding since then, I can accept the idea that students can come to the United States not knowing much more than a few words of English.  In order to be able to properly learn in school, either the classes now have to cater to their language... or they have to be taught how to acclimate themselves to our school system, so as to have a level playing field.  Ok, now THAT makes sense!

But, if you think about it, that's not because of their heritage.  That's because of the linguistics of their previous geography.  They could have been born Chinese and raised in Mexico, and they'd likely have a similar issue.  I'm just sayin'.

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Weekend edition: Days 85 and 86

Newt Gingrich says he's not a hypocrit for wanting to run for Prez

Not many remember ol' Newt.  Just to sum up, he was congressman when Clinton was President.  He participated in his impeachment process, and was also found to have cheated on his wife.  I guess.. I guess the GOP doesn't have any better options?  Maybe?  I don't know. Politically speaking, it just seems awfully risky to pick him against Obama on re-election, so if they are going to choose him, they must not have anything better. 

Kirstie Alley slams George Lopez for pig joke

Oh, come on!  You call that a slam?  Lopez made a joke, Alley joked back.  Obviously using their comedian skills towards eachother.  It wasn't like Rosie O'Donnell and Donald Trump a few years ago.  Give me a break.

Deadly Egyptian cobra missing from Bronx Zoo

I guess that air control tower guy that fell asleep got a new job... and blew it again!

Friday, March 25, 2011

Day 84

Friday, March 25:

OMG! Oxford English Dictionary adds new words

For whatever reason, the dictionary is adding "FYI, "OMG" and "LOL" to its vast listings.   Does that mean it's technically allowed in high school essays?

Hispanic population exceeds 50 million, firmly nation's No. 2 group
It reminds me of a Paul Rodriguez joke from over 20 years ago.  "You're in America now!  Speak Spanish!!!"  Now, if the Muslim community starts to focus on us... oops, did I just say that?   ;)

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Day 83

Thursday, March 24

Disney Cruise employee missing off Mexico

The report doesn't say whether they suspect foul play, nor do they identify the missing person.  The FBI has no jurisdiction because they were off the coast of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico when he went missing. 

Anyone wonder why I haven't been on a cruise before? 

Reagan air traffic controller fell asleep

Hehe... oops.

Day 82

Elizabeth Taylor dies at 79
News reports are giving two different dates for her death... March 22 and 23.  I heard about it on the 23rd, so I post it on the 23rd.  Married 8 times, 7 different husbands.  Was quoted as saying, ""I am a very committed wife, and I should be committed too -- for being married so many times." Holds the Guinness Book of World Records title for most costume changes in one movie:  65, as Cleopatra in the 1963 movie of the same title.

Day 81

Housing market continues to suffer

Economy is up... economy is down.  Either way, I have a house that's been on the market for over 2 years straight.  This STINKS!  This is TOTAL B.S.!!

Day 80

Kindle to add page numbers

I've never owned a Kindle.  I don't have time to read books on a regular enough basis to own one.  But... I just can't imagine needing page numbers if the thing can keep track of where I last left off.  Seems useless to me.  But, again, what do I know?


AT&T buys T-Mobile
I avoided going with AT&T for a reason... and now this!  Dang, maybe I'll have to go back to Sprint now.  Great.



Gadhafi's momentum stopped
 Don't you just love propaganda?  Yeah, like I really believe this.  We've barely even started, and I'm supposed to believe this "we're winning!!" tripe.  It's just begun, folks.  Mark my words.

Day 79

New club drug could leave users incontinent

Well, if I find myself deployed for a week at a time, and end up outside the wire shooting bad guys, maybe this'll come in handy.  After all, there usually aren't bathrooms out in the desert.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Day 78

U.S. attacks Libya

Much like the quake in Japan, this wasn't something I could ignore.  Additionally, I'm in the U.S. Army right now.  Obama said he wasn't going to send ground troops... but he's the President!  He can (and has!!) change his mind whenever he pleases.  Obviously, I'll be keeping a VERY close eye on this one.

Woman impaled by toilet paper holder

I'll leave the jokes to you.  Snrk!!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Day 75

Why the NRA won't talk gun control with Obama

Part "Meetings won't do any good; Obama's men won't listen" and part "If I can't get what I want, then I won't play the game, but I'll still complain when the game doesn't go the way I want."  If the administration in charge feels a certain way, ya gots ta play ball if ya wants to get anywhere.  I tip my hat to their sticking to their guns (pun intended) with not simply spinning their wheels and only wanting to do things that create productive outcomes.  Yet, let's face the fact that this is the way things are done, and they're probably not going to change anything this way.  I hope their ready to lie in the bed that they make. 

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Day 74

Cocaine found in NASA

File this under "News Shuffled To The Back Due To Japan's News".  Not much to comment on this.  I mean, NASA is huge.  Their main focus is now changing at the command of the President.  Lots of stress, so it doesn't surprise me.  Am I condoning it?  Hell no!  I guess it's just a long way of saying that I don't want this to be forgotten due to all the rest of the news everyone is focusing on.

Also...

Saudi Troops sent to Bahrain

Yep, things are getting heavier out there.  My sergeant may have been right when he said that may be our next place to get deployed to.  Sigh... I guess we'll just see.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Day 73

Iago no longer the Aflac duck

Comedians often quote an industry-wide formula:  "Pain + time = comedy", sometimes first attributed to Carol Burnett.  I guess, when Tweeting about Japan, he forgot the time part.  Jokes like "I was talking to my Japanese real estate agent. I said 'is there a school in this area.' She said 'not now, but just wait.'" or "Japan called me. They said 'maybe those jokes are a hit in the U.S., but over here, they're all sinking.'" might be funny to some (or even most!), but they're still too close to inappropriate for a major corporation to sit by and do nothing about.  He walked a fine line... and tripped.


Nuclear reactor in Japan leaking radiation

Somewhere in Washington, Obama is secretly glad he now has another excuse that the American public will stand behind to NOT build anymore nuclear reactors for the energy crisis.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Day 72

Yes, I know I skipped a day.  So sue me.

Democratic senators greeted by cheering crowds in Wisconsin

I'm still baffled a bit by all of this. 

1.  If the Wisconsin public was so supportive of the D's in that state, why did they vote so many R's in to begin with?? 
2.  Is the state truly as broke as the governor claims, or are they full of baloney like others allege? 
3.  Did the governor really avoid meeting with teacher representatives over 10 times months before the bill hit the state senate, thus preventing discussions before all of this made national news? 
4.  Why are the teachers so clingy to collective bargaining when changes most likely need to be made in order to prevent lay offs? 
5.  If D's are supposedly so against fillibusters and what they accomplish, how does their leaving the state not equate to one in and of itself?
6.  If I left my job (i.e. went on strike) on account of principal, does that not mean I just abandoned my job?  Especially if my job was intended to discuss such issues and represent those that voted me in??
     6.a.  Does leaving when things aren't going my way not seem the same as a child's "I'm leaving and taking my ball with me!" attitude?


Hmmm......

Friday, March 11, 2011

Day 70

Earthquake in Japan

Of course I'd post about this.  Largest Japan has ever experienced.  Ever.  8.9.  Heard on the radio that it was the 4th strongest in world history.  Tsunami that followed may very well have created more havoc and death than the quake that generated it.  So many people are pointing to biblical scripture as predicting all these disasters.  Actor Michael McKean tweeted:  "Has anyone asked Pat Robertson why the Japanese had this coming?"

I can only imagine how this will also affect our economy.  Call me harsh, but it's what I believe lots of us are wondering, but just don't necessarily want to come out and ask.  It's the white elephant I'm not willing to ignore.

Day 69

$50 spending limit on debit cards coming soon

If you didn't see this coming when the federal government got involved with bank fees, then you were either not paying attention, didn't care, or were a fool.  Banks aren't in business to lose money.  They're almost as clever as casinos when it comes to making money.  If a fee is lowered one place, it's raised somewhere else.  Force them to lower a bunch of them, and they make it all somewhere else... and probably even more than before.  Cut the fee a bank earns with every debit card transaction, and they'll just force you to make more transactions! 

Maybe I should just stuff all my money in my mattress again.

Day 68

Emotions fly at controversial hearing on Muslim Americans

This is going to be something I expect to be pondering over for a very long time.  I mean, these hearings most certainly do smack of McCarthy-like attitudes, and I thought so even before I read it in this article.  Yet, America is now dealing with a whole new type of foe, with new rules and new methods never before dealt with on a national level.  I've never believed that the ends justify the means, but I also believe we might have to rely on unorthodox avenues if we are to protect ourselves from those that seek to destroy us.  This is walking a fine line, and, as a nation, we must tread carefully.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Day 67

http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/03/08/japan.quake/index.html?hpt=T2

Japan has another earthquake, 7.2 on the scale, but 8.8 miles below the Earth's surface.  No significant damage, but tsunami of 0.5 meters expected.  That's a tsunami?? 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/03/08/wisconsin.budget.emails/index.html?iref=NS1

So, is Wisconsin broke, or aren't they?  I guess that's the main detail going forward, and we may never truly know.  After all, stats can be twisted to say anything you like.

Monday, March 7, 2011

2011 Retrospective, Day 66

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/03/07/supreme-court-rejects-appeal-from-birther-advocate/?hpt=T2

I don't remember who, nor how long ago it was, but I  recall someone once saying something that made alot of sense in regards to Obama's citizenship and birth in Hawaii.  It's that, had there been anything to be found, anything at all, you can bet your sweet bippy that it would have been found back when the heavy guns were being sent out against him, before he won the Democratic Primary.  You remember, back when Hilary and all of her people were looking for ANYthing and EVERYthing they could use against him.  Had there been something to find, it would have been found.  By them.  Guaranteed.  I have absolutely no doubt.  How can you?

A work-in-progress

I guess this blog will always be a work-in-progress.  The more and more I think of it, the more I think I'm going to end up using this as a method to see one of my ideas from years ago come to life.  I had often wanted to make a diary of sorts that will document daily current events to help look back at the year come December 31.  Of course, this was first thought up years ago, before jibjab started doing their year in review animations. 

I don't know.  I guess we'll just have to see.  Just like I said before.  But, if I'm going to do what I just described, I guess I better start!

Sunday, March 6, 2011

The name Hindu Stuntmen

Someone just asked me where the name Hindu Stuntmen came from.  Another friend of mine used to belong to a music group called that back when I was a kid.  The name stuck in my head, so I used it.  That's all.

Just an idea

I've come to several ideas to talk about, but I'm not sure which one I'll choose. Maybe about trying to do 100 pushups, or something like when a friend of mine challenged my belief in God.  It's pretty weird, I know.

I guess we'll see.  Mostly it'll just be about whatever's on my mind.