Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Spread the word




I dunno who decided they had to start promoting Christmas shopping in August (yep, that's when it started here with the decoration stuff), but they should have a stick shoved up their _ _ _ and be ridden out of town on a rail.

This whole thing all came about because everyone wants an edge, a head start on the competition. The retailers are so huge and freakin' margins on merchandise are so low that the only way to profit is to be first. Well, that is so wrong on so many levels because that's not what the holiday is supposed to be about.

The marketing folks of the world should be ashamed of themselves for what they have done to the psyche of the average citizen. The very idea that someone should feel guilty for not giving gifts to the verge of bankruptcy is appalling. We've been blackmailed by retailers. We're being told that if we don't shop the economy is going to turn to shit. Ummm, guess what? Christmas may turn out to be the next real estate bubble, only with consumer credit instead of mortgages. Think, "What's in your wallet?"

Folks, it's okay to save. It's okay to spend for necessities (even give them as gifts). And it's okay to wait until the Monday after Thanksgiving.

So jump on the bandwagon with me and join Suldog, who explains it better'n me, in the campaign to take back Thanksgiving because it comes first.

Friday, October 26, 2012

How about that...


That's baseball for ya
It'll mess up your expectations at almost any time
At least at the major league level
That's because it's those little things that make the difference
Like backing up the cut-off man and making a perfect throw to the plate
Like having a bunt roll along the third base line and coming to a complete stop before rolling foul
Like loading the bases with no one out, so even a double play scores a run
Like remembering that the game is fun ...no matter what

The Giants have a saying that is all inclusive, meaning their fans are a part of what is happening, too
"Together we're Giant"
You watch and you can see it

Cincinnati thought they had things pretty well sewed up ...guess what!
St Louis thought they had things pretty well sewed up ...guess what!
The so-called experts picked Detroit before the Series ever started
Who's hedging now?
It's far from over
Anything can happen
It's the little things
I'm going to enjoy this anyway

Thursday, October 25, 2012

One thousand


That's how many posts there are on this blog now.



...and that's what Pablo Sandoval is batting in the World Series so far!!!



Tuesday, October 23, 2012

I rest my case


The ninth inning was a perfect example why the baseball season goes too far into the fall
Even on the West Coast we're susceptible to rain this time of year
I'm sure glad nobody got hurt
Nobody wants rain during the playoffs, particularly since all games must be played to the full nine innings
That, and those presidential debates lose some audience
Anybody know what the score on that was?

Monday, October 22, 2012

I'm just gonna bask


It's glorious
There is still at least one more game ...barring some kind of natural disaster, which, given history, isn't out of the question
The two guys at the end of the alphabet pitched a couple of gems, maybe even their best games?
Now it's down to one game to determine who plays at least four more
The calendar in my head says this should be all over
So does the weatherman
As I watched the wrap-up on Comcast last evening, they were pulling the tarp over the field
When there are potential rain-outs in SF the season's gone too long
That said, another sign the season's too long is there are holiday shopping ads
I'm not gonna use the C word yet

Friday, October 19, 2012

My printer is low on mayo





...and that has absolutely nothing to do do with this post ...really!


I mentioned somewhere over on the left I refrain from the gratuitous use of expletives. There are plenty of other everyday words to enhance speech or writing.




Not that an occasional (not daily ...or even weekly) sprinkling of a spicy word doesn't enhance a phrase. It does, and when used sparingly, like some herbs and spices, is quite effective, even attention grabbing. I'm fairly certain the use of a certain F word has found its way into the everyday speech of many, many young (and not so young) folks. While I don't necessarily find it offensive (I've been know to speak it a time or two), I certainly find it quite disturbing to hear it (and/or see it) coming from otherwise civil, so-called educated, individuals. It's not just limited to the f-bomb, though it's most common. Ironically, when I was in the military I didn't hear such language as often.

It's just not necessary... and when it slips into regular conversation, it can be quite embarassing. Just ask Tom Hanks and Elizabeth Vargas.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Er... uh!








This is for all the grandfathers out there. Last week, I took my grandchildren to a restaurant. My six-year-old grand-son asked if he could say grace.

As we bowed our heads he said, "God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Grandpa gets us ice cream for dessert. And liberty and justice for all! Amen!"

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, "That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!"

Hearing this, my grand-son burst into tears and asked me, "Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?"

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.

He winked at my grand-son and said, "I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer."

"Really?" my grand-son asked.

"Cross my heart," the man replied.

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), "Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes."

Naturally, I bought my grand-children ice cream at the end of the meal.

My grandson stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman.

With a big smile he told her, "Here, this is for you.Shove it up your ass you grouchy old bitch! "



Touches the heart doesn't it?

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Samplings


i wish there was a slap button on Facebook

When going through airport customs and you are asked “do you have any firearms with you?” do not reply “what do you need?”

I wonder if deaf schizophrenic people hear voices…



Teach a child to be polite and courteous and, when he grows up, he'll never be able to merge his car onto the freeway

Monday, October 15, 2012




So... when did this become all about polls? 
Something's not right about the political process ...besides the complete polarization of the the two major parties, I mean


Sunday, October 14, 2012

Food for thought ...





Mowed the lawn today and after doing so, sat down and had a couple of nice cold beers.
The day was really quite beautiful, and the brew facilitated some deep thinking on various topics.
I thought about an age old question: Is giving birth more painful than getting kicked in the nuts?
Women always maintain that giving birth is way more painful than a guy getting kicked in the nuts. Well, after another beer and some heavy deductive thinking, I have come up with the answer to that question.
Getting kicked in the nuts is more painful than having a baby and here is the reason for my conclusion:
A year or so after giving birth, a woman will often say, "It might be nice to have another child."
On the other hand, you never hear a guy say, "You know, I think I would like another kick in the nuts."
I rest my case.


Monday, October 8, 2012

Friday, October 5, 2012

Monday, October 1, 2012


Robin gifted me this

...and this, too!

Robyn gifted me this

Apryl presented this one

Bacon

Bacon
from Uncle Skip

An award

An award
From A Daft Scots Lass

"...you magnificent ba$tard!"

"...you magnificent ba$tard!"
from Ol' AF Sarge

Put it back where it started!!!

copy this

copy this
stick it anywhere

set things right