Creepy Santas

Cloudy - Hi 64 Lo 52 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 62 Lo 33 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Windy - Hi 24 Lo 9 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Santa Claus Is Back In Town, Elvis Presley

Ramble:
It was a strange week... so, no post today... besides, we have a ton of things to accomplish today so this needs to be short. Friday night Michael and I traveled up to Clifton Mill. We have wanted to go there for quite some time. The mill was built in 1802 by a Revolutionary War soldier--- it still stands and is still in operation. The buildings on the property are all original-- including this incredible log cabin. The 3,600,000 lights were spectacular. A computer synchronized light show was very cool. The miniature village was my favorite part... especially the Frisch's Big Boy and the Drive In Movie. One of the things we were looking forward to was seeing the Santa Claus Museum- The family collection of various antique Santa's... some dating back to the 1800's... All I can say... is although interesting... I was pretty creeped out... the volume of noise... all the creepy and dirty Kris Kringles.... and then... there was the "docent" that sat there silently... You'll see her in one of the quick videos I shot... So, to all those planning 2009 Halloween Haunted Houses... consider a Santa Room...









Have a great week everyone!

Hey Buddy, Can You Spare Me the Change?

Sunny - Hi 95 Lo 75 for Baghdad, Iraq
Sunny - Hi 94 Lo 59 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Mostly Sunny - Hi 79 Lo 55 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Time To Change, The Brady Kids

I discovered during Michelle Obama's speech at the Democrat National Convention that she and I have something in common. It is an embarrassing malady that I don't like to discuss much, but like Michelle, I can pretty much recite nearly every episode of the Brady Bunch by heart. Knowing this reminded me of the episode in which the Peter's voice was changing...

Ramble:

How long has the election campaign been going? Two years? Well, thankfully we are down to one more month of this...

I thought I would compile a list of Presidential Campaign Slogans.

1976 Jimmy Carter: A Leader, For Change
1980 Jimmy Carter: ??
1984 Walter Mondale: America Needs a Change
1988 Michael Dukakis: Competence Not Ideology
1992: Bill Clinton: It's Time to Change America, he also used For People, for a Change
1996 Bill Clinton: Building a bridge to the 21st Century
2000 Al Gore: Prosperity and Progress or Prosperity for America's families
2004 John Kerry: Change Starts Here or Let America be America again
2008 Barack Obama: Change We Can Believe In

Let me contrast those with Republican Presidential Campaign Slogans:

1976 Gerald Ford: He's Making Us Proud Again
1980 Ronald Reagan: Morning In America
1984: Ronald Reagan: It's Morning Again in America
1988 George Bush: Kinder Gentler Nation
1996 Bob Dole: A Better Man for a Better America
2000: George W. Bush: Compassionate Conservatism
2004: George W. Bush: Yes, America Can!
2008 John McCain: Country First

One point of observation is the contrast in attitude-- There is an optimism, a can do attitude in the Republican slogans whereas the Democrat slogans are.... not.

Back in 1964 Ronald Reagan understood intrinsically the importance of this country and the importance of her people and what we must do as a nation. "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done."

And in his second inaugural address, Ronald Reagan explained quite nicely, "We are creating a nation once again vibrant, robust, and alive. There are many mountains yet to climb. We will not rest until every American enjoys the fullness of freedom, dignity, and opportunity as our birthright. It is our birthright as citizens of this great republic."

Ronald Reagan never spoke of handouts and redistribution of wealth cloaked in the word change. Instead he described a place where we worked to enjoy the freedoms and the countless opportunities this country has to offer. In the work, we find the satisfaction and appreciation for all that we have and in the work we realize what other opportunities are out there.

So... Just a suggestion to any and all Democrat Presidential Nominee Wannabees of the Future... Please, I beg you... try super duper hard to refrain from using the word, "CHANGE". Y'all have been trying to change for a real long long time. Quite frankly, change for the sake of change doesn't mean anything. Really. It doesn't.

Have a great week everyone!

Empty Calories

Sunny - Hi 114 Lo 90 for Baghdad, Iraq
Isolated Thunderstorms - Hi 103 Lo 76 for Qandahar, Afghanistan
Isolated Thunderstorms - Hi 90 Lo 74 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Dancing Queen, Abba -----> this links to an Abba blog........... I had no idea there was that much to blog about Abba...

When I'm feeling blue... nothing makes me smile more than ABBA... I don't know when their tunes became so catchy... I'm not even sure when and how I learned all the words to all their songs... Is there some sort of mechanism in the brain that switches over to "dork" at a certain age and then all of a sudden you like crap music and Abba suddenly becomes one of your all time favorite bands?? Yes... yes, I have admitted here in this forum on prior occasions that I am a closet ABBA fan... deal with it. We all have our crosses to bear...

Ramble:

I'm not interested in blogging tonight. But, let me share this with you... There is a guy at work... I don't care for him. I think he is under qualified for the job he has been given. In addition to that... well... he kinda looks like a caveman... so whenever he walks by I play the song Remind Me by Royksopp. Is that mean and childish?




Have a great week everyone!

Proof Positive

This is proof positive that Ozzy Osbourne sold his soul to the devil....

Click on the box to be taken to this horrid (and I mean that in the most sincere way) video. Changing the video is my gift to you.

Watch Videos:

Winter Wonderland (Ozzy Osbourne & Jessica Simpson) Video Codes by Video Code Zone

The Genius of Infomercials... (kill me now)

Mostly sunny - Hi 106 Lo 78 for Baghdad, Iraq
Mostly sunny - Hi 73 Lo 53 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: American Music, Violent Femmes

Ramble:

I have a confession. It's one I'm not very proud of. [taking deep breath...]

I'm a sucker for infomercials. There... I said it... er uh... wrote it..

Several years ago, I was in a car accident that left me bedridden for 8 weeks. When that happened, I discovered the wonderful world of QVC... I bought Michael a KitchenAid mixer... when I called, QVC put me on air... I was a freakin' celebrity just for being a "first timer"! As for other purchases I made from my medical bed in the family room... that's between me, Visa and Federal Express...Thankfully, I eventually went back to work and never looked back... but the seed was planted........ [deep sigh]

A few years later, I developed insomnia... Now, dear readers, this is the genius of infomercials. Insomnia for me, is a goofy thing. I wake up and flip on the television... since I really don't want to be awake, I don't raid the fridge, definitely no caffeine... just a bit of a stupor... complete faculties are not there... The producers of infomercials depend on this to hock their stuff...

But then... a song... a song I hadn't heard in ages catches my attention. I pause on the channel... wow... another great song... I LOVE that one.... and another one!... and another... OH-MY-GAWD! Awwww... and the hostess is such a cute girl and she likes this older music... OH-MY-GOSH-- Greg Brady is the host of this show! I had forgotten how cool the song by Rupert Holmes was. ...if you like pina coladas and gettin' caught in the rain... YEAH!!
Greg then reminds me, "... and who can forget this classic?"
...in the jungle... the mighty jungle the lion sleeps tonight...
"Oh yes!", the pretty young hostess belches... "but don't forget this classic by Maureen McGovern..."
...torn between two lovers... feelin' like a fool...
But wait!! OH CRUD!! I only have 30 minutes after the broadcast to get free shipping!! I race for my purse, I dial the 800 number and get a surly operator...
"Yes, I'd like to order the 70's Music Explosion CD's!!"
The surly operator then responds with a monotone, "blah blah blah, blah blah blah. For an additional $9.95 you can receive Love Songs of the 70's, a retail value of $19.95."
"Uh...no, thanks I just want the 37 CD's."
"Very well, Ms. S, let me put you on hold while we process your order."
"Great!"
.:: hold music, with an infomercial for Love Songs of the Frenchy French ::.
"Ma'am, thank you for holding. Your order is being processed. Is there anything else I can help you with? We currently have Love Songs of the Frenchy French on sale for the low price of 4 easy payments of $29.95."

"No thank you."
"Thank you, let me put you on hold while we finalize your order."
.:: on hold, listening to more audio infomercials ::.
"Ma'am, thank you for holding. May I interest you in Best of the Boy Bands?"
"Uhhhhhhhhh............No.....no....thank..... you......."
"Very well, then, is there anything else I can assist you with?"
"Yes... do you have a confirmation number for me?"
"Why, of course... blah blah blah."
"Is there anything else?"
"No. I think I have everything."
"Very well, then Ma'am. Please expect your order to arrive in 5-7 weeks. Your account will be billed $149.97 upon shipment. Thank you for shopping with us." [click]

Still in a bit of a sleep stupor... I'm really too tired to protest or react quickly to the transaction... I finally decide to try and go to sleep...

The next morning, not sure if it was a dream... I don't give the purchase a second thought... In fact, in a matter of a day... the whole incident has been forgotten... 5-7 weeks delivery, my friends is no stinkin' accident...

So, Michael and I were up late a few weekends ago... and I believe we actually did order 70's Music Explosion... Again... at 4 o'clock in the morning... the song list looks fantastic... take a gander and let me know what you think... In any event, I'll let you know what I think of the collection in what I guess will be 3-5 weeks...

Last night I watched three infomercials back to back--- Classic Soft Rock hosted by yes... you guessed it Air Supply... and the other one was Lifetime of Romance and for the life of me... I can not remember who hosted this one... but of course the best one was hosted by Peter Noone (of Herman's Hermits) and another cute 20 something hostess... The Classic 60's Collection. Now... I don't believe I purchased anything.. but I guess we'll find out in 5-7 weeks.
So... the moral to the story? I dunno... I'm sure I'll get insomnia again and no doubt I will be suckered into another mass purchase...

Besides... the Hee Haw Collection looks fantastic!

h/t to That1Guy from Drunken Wisdom for the inspiration for today's post.

TimeLife
As Seen on TV

Blogs and Links to Check Out This Week:

Neddy's Palaver - She has some wonderful stuff on her blog... I equate her blog to a Norman Rockwell painting - Total Americana - Feel good stuff about being an American. I need to visit her more often. I've been away for too long.

Blogging the Revolution - While visiting Neddy, this link caught my attention. I suspect this blog also belongs to Neddy. Either way... To understand the present, we must understand the past.

Point Five - I like this guy. He has one of the best looking blogs around. He also started Victory Wing..(below). He did an expose on Michelle Malkin... check him out...

I have also joined a couple of blogrolls that can be found on the sidebar.
2996
Reject the UN
Victory Wing

Housekeeping:

In trying to keep up with all the blogs I enjoy reading, I have removed some from "Places I Go" that have been inactive. If I removed you inadvertantly, let me know and I'll put you back on my blogroll.

Have a great week everyone!

Keepin' It Light

Sunny Hi 112 Lo 83 for Baghdad, Iraq
Hazy Hi 87 Lo 61 for Northern KY, USA

Song of the week: Afternoon Delight as interpreted by Will Ferrell

This week I am keeping it light. I have for my own sanity kept the news to a minimum this past week. Visions of people being forced out of their homes in Gaza, the governor of my former home state "blah blah blahing" about having a higher standard of ethics, the $253,000,000.00 decision made against Merck & Co., Cindy Sheehan hype amidst all the memorial services and funerals that took place locally, etc, etc, etc is just more than I can handle. So, this week, I will just provide you with blips and blinks of things that have amused me over the past several days.



OK, this photo was taken when the decision was made in the Merck & Co. Vioxx decision. Are these lawyers emotional because they won a decision that "rights the world" or are they mentally computing 30% of $253,000,000.00? You decide.

OK... the weirdness has already started. Thanks to Angry in the Great White North I have found out that Christopher Walken is running for President in 2008... Is this a joke? You decide...

09 August, 2005
Actor Christopher Walken to run as Candidate in 2008 Presidential Race
For Immediate Release
New York - Early today, actor Christopher Walken, 62, held a private conference at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York in which he announced his intentions to run for the Presidency of the United States in the 2008 Election.

My caped crusader friend, Wonder Woman at A North American Patriot found this web site Grouchy Media. WW is an intelligent broad with a lot of spunk. She is well written and approaches topics thoughtfully. Spend some time with her, eh? Grouchy Media has some fantastic videos.... turn up the volume to listen to some thrash and take in the images. Powerful and uplifting. See the good works that our men and women in uniform are doing.

I find myself visiting Japan Window more and more. I am instantly drawn into the photographs. This is definitely a place I go to take in the sights of Japan as seen the the lens of this photographer.

By now, I'm guessing you are cursing me for choosing "Afternoon Delight" as the song of the week. Well, I figure this is one way you will be reminded to visit often (or not)...If I get enough comments, I may change the song... I must admit, this by far is one of the worst songs ever written and what is even worse is that it is so darned catchy.... By the way, whatever happened to Starland Vocal Band?

I really love movies. One of my favorite pastimes (which sadly, is happening less and less) is firing up the DVD and watching an old classic. Nothing beats seeing Jimmy Stewart in It's A Wonderful Life or Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffanys or Roman Holiday or Bette Davis in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? or Gary Cooper in High Noon. But then there are the more "recent" classics like The Princess Bride, Field of Dreams, Jaws, or the Lord of the Rings Movies. I just love movies! If it is a good enough movie I can enter and live in that world created by the director. Does that make sense? Something I have decided to do from time to time on this blog is list movies that I find appealing. I have already mentally come up with some categories: "Tear Jerker Chick Flicks", "Teenage Angst", "Feel Good Sports", "I'm Really Not a 15 Year Old Boy", "Fun with Holidays", "Musical Mania", "John Wayne Personified", etc...

The song "Afternoon Delight" was featured in the movie Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy. This by far is one of the dumbest movies ever made and falls into the Category of "I'm Really Not a 15 Year Old Boy". When I am at work or with friends and the guys start talking about movies, I am able to pipe in and recite my favorite lines from such movies. I think most women find this disturbing. I find these movies hysterical. Yes, childish, yes cornball, yes dirty, but good grief they are funny! So in no particular order here is my top ten list of movies, category: I'm Really Not a 15 Year Old Boy

1 Monty Python and the Holy Grail-- I'm French. Why do think I have this outrageous accent, you silly king.

2 There's Something About Mary-- Those goofy bastards are just about the best thing I've got going in this... crazy world.
3 Airplane! --I am serious, and don't call me Shirley4 Stripes--We're soldiers, but we're American soldiers! We've been kicking ass for 200 years! 5 Blazing Saddles--I want rustlers, cutthroats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con-men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglars, horse thieves, bull-dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, ass-kickers, sh**-kickers, and Methodists!6 Raising Arizona-- The doctor explained that her insides were a rocky place, where my seed could find no perch
7 Office Space -- I love kung fu movies
8 Pee Wee's Big Adventure--tequila! "Paging PeeWee Herman"
9 Honeymoon in Vegas-- We're the Flying Elvises, Utah Chapter!
10 Anchorman, The Legend of Ron Burgundy-- I killed a guy with a trident

That's it. As I pulled the pics for these movies I thought of even more... History of the World Part I, The Rutles (All You Need is Cash), The Jerk!! (I can't believe I forgot that one), Night Shift (Michael Keaton, Henry Winkler, Shelley Long), Clerks, This is Spinal Tap (..but this one goes to eleven) Ah well...

Courtesy of JoAnna, a bit of a diversion for you to peruse. This is too cute... a little demented... go check out 30 Second Bunny Theatre at Angry Alien Productions. There you will find soon to be classics like, Jaws in 30 seconds (and re-enacted by bunnies)

Now, I must note, as a conservative, it can be extremely painful to go to the movies, listen to music, or watch television, read a book... etc... Inevitably, I end up "boycotting" someone for a period of time because he/she just had to open his/her mouth and say something ridiculous. With age (so some say) I have learned to take on Laura Ingraham's attitude of Shut Up and Sing. There are some that will forever be on my list of "not a dime will I spend".... but, for the rest...I have found Libertas A Forum for Conservative Thought on Film to be helpful.

Oh... and to Mr. Myripple, I haven't forgotten your blog, I'm simply ignoring you. I suggest you read my blog in its entirety and maybe you will understand that anger isn't the "American Epitaph as you claim. I'm still considering responding to your blog, but I think it is you that is angry without hope. Come to the other side... the right side and you will see that it is ok to be angry now and again... You'll also come to see that there are a lot of reasons to be hopeful and happy. In America, anything is possible with perserverance and a positive attitude.

Try this out...create your own conspiracy here.

Welcome back Otimaster! I hope you had a wonderful holiday!! I'm still waiting to get a translation on what Otimaster means...

I have added to the sidebar under "with humble appreciation" a direct link to Tribute, which originally was posted 7/3. There I have maintained a growing list of men and women that I owe thanks. I have added Casey Sheehan to this list.

I can't let this go without sharing my memory of this song... Afternoon Delight came out the summer of our Bicentennial. I was 11...My grandparents, mom, and brother piled into the car to go visit my Uncle Steve and cousin Chuck (Benjy back then) in Cherry Point, North Carolina where Uncle Steve was stationed (remember, he's a Marine). Anyway, between spats and who was on the wrong side of the seat..."stop touching me"... "Mom, tell Terry to knock it off"... this song came on every other song on every single station.... we would all stop talking and start singing... I'm not exaggerating... I swear... at least that's how I remember it... We DIDN'T KNOW what this song was about!!! Good grief....

Afternoon Delight

The Starland Vocal Band

Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight

gonna grab some afternoon delight.

My motto's always been; when it's right, it's right.

Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night.

When everything's a little clearer in the light of day.

And you know the night is always gonna be there any way.

Thinkin' of you's workin' up my appetite

looking forward to a little afternoon delight.

Rubbin' sticks and stones together makes the sparks ingite

and the thought of lovin'' you is getting so exciting.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.

Started out this morning feeling so polite

I always thought a fish could not be caught who wouldn't bite

But you've got some bait a waitin' and I think I might

try nibblin' a little afternoon delight.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight.

Please be waiting for me baby when I come around.

We could make a lot of lovin' 'for the sun goes down.

Sky rockets in flight. Afternoon delight. Afternoon delight...

And now a few pictures from last weekend...

This is my nephew Cory. He was stung for the first time just moments after this picture was taken. He is a cutie and he is all boy.

This is my nephew Caleb. He is by far one of the gentlest souls I have ever known. He is always very serious and whenever I have asked him for permission to take his picture, he is always serious. My grandfather and he look so much alike...


This is my niece Kamae. She is 7 and ready for adventure. She looks so much like me when I was her age...
This is mother and daughter watching tadpoles in the Maumee River. Mom is my other sister-in-law, Maria. She will be giving birth to niece #3 (for me) her 4th on September 2nd. I'm so lucky to have her as a sis in law. I couldn't ask for more. I have lucked out on the in laws.... I love them all and Maria is at the top of the list...

Have a great week everyone. Keep the faith, afterall this is America. We have the best of the best keeping watch over us...