Forecast Calls for Tropic Thunder

Ben Stiller is up to his old tricks again with his new film, Tropic Thunder, which comes out this Wednesday, August 13, is about to hit theaters across the country. The comedy, also starring Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., is about a group of actors who set out to make the biggest war film ever get involved in an actual war that’s being fought near their filming location.

Tropic Thunder is an homage to Hollywood war epics from “Platoon” and “Apocalypse Now” to “Saving Private Ryan” and “Rambo.” What will most certainly be the most talked about part of the film will be Downey Jr’s portrayal of Kirk Lazarus, in blackface.

Check out what The Oregonian has to say:

The comedy has garnered a lot of buzz in the last year because Robert Downey Jr. appears in it as an Australian actor so committed to his craft that he undergoes a procedure to have his skin turned brown to play an African American soldier.

Now, that is a lot to ask an audience to swallow in 2008, with an African American presidential candidate and older media stars getting fired and suspended for various racially insensitive faux pas. Blackface is a complicated bit of ancient Americana, and most folks are happy it’s gone the way of other dastardly forms of “entertainment.” So, it would seem to be a third rail of film comedy.

The thought behind this is that the award-winning Lazarus has actually undergone surgery to “be black” in an effort to pull off a more convincing portrayal of what is supposedly a character who existed in real life. To be sure that the film would not be considered too offensive, Stiller showed it to the NAACP for feedback, and several African American film journalists have reacted positively to Downey’s hilarious portrayal.

I’m sure that as always, Stiller will turn in a masterpiece and Tropic Thunder will be a box office success. Thoughts?

Issac Hayes, Known for Shaft and South Park, Dies at 65

The man most recently known as “Chef” on South Park, has died. Or as they would say on the show “Oh my god, they killed Chef. You bastards!”

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office says a family member found Hayes unresponsive near a treadmill earlier this afternoon. Hayes was pronounced dead about an hour later at Baptist East Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The cause of his death is not yet known.

In the early 1970s, Hayes got the world prepared for disco and for what became known as urban-contemporary music featuring singers such as Barry White.

From CNN:

Relatives found Hayes, 65, unconscious in his home next to a still-running treadmill, said Steve Shular, a spokesman for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Department.

Paramedics attempted to revive him and took him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 2 p.m., the sheriff’s department said.

No foul play is suspected, the agency said in a written statement.

Hayes was a longtime songwriter and arranger for Stax Records in Memphis, playing in the studio’s backup band and crafting tunes for artists such as Otis Redding and Sam and Dave in the 1960s.

He released his first solo album in 1967, and his 1969 follow-up, “Hot Buttered Soul,” became a platinum hit.

In 1971, the theme from “Shaft” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks and won an Academy Award for best original theme song. The song and the movie score also won Grammy awards for best original score and movie theme.

Truly a sad day in both the music and television industry for such a great talent. Issac Hayes will surely be missed.

Olympic Coach's Father In Law Killed in China

A Chinese man stabbed the in-laws of the U.S. Olympic men's volleyball coach, killing his father in law and injuring the other while they visited a Beijing tourist attraction on Saturday.

From the Associated Press:

The victims were Todd and Barbara Bachman, parents of former Olympian Elisabeth Bachman who is married to men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon. Bachman's father was killed.

The assailant also stabbed and injured a Chinese tour guide with the Americans. He then committed suicide by throwing himself off a 130-foot-high balcony of the ancient landmark the Americans were visiting, the 13th century Drum Tower, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Neither of the Bachman's were wearing US Olympic gear so it is believed that this was a random act of violence. This is definitely a very difficult and sad start to the Olympics for the Americans and my heart goes out to the entire Bachman family.

Is There a Kill Switch on the iPhone

Antone Gonsalves of InformationWeek has written a very interesting article for the publication about the discovery by a hacker that the iPhone can download a list of "unauthorized" applications and disable them.

From the article:

A hacker who discovered a mechanism on the iPhone that downloads a list of unauthorized applications from Apple has challenged speculation that the technology is an application "kill switch." Jonathan Zdziarski, author of the books iPhone Forensics and iPhone Open Application Development, said on his blog that there's no evidence to support the conspiracy theories that traveled throughout the blogging community as a result of his discovery.

"We do not know just how active this mechanism is," Zdziarski said. "It might vaporize applications. It might simply prevent them from using the GPS [global positioning system]. For all we know, it could trigger world war three, or it could cause some computer somewhere to spit out recipes for buttermilk pancakes."

Zdziarski discovered in the iPhone a cache that can hold a list of unauthorized applications and a URL to a page on Apple's servers. The URL is apparently used to download a new list from time to time.

PC World blogger Brennon Slattery has a very insightful blog posting on this as well.

From the blog:

As of today, iPhone tethering NetShare, movie listing generator BoxOffice, and the idiotic $1000 "I Am Rich" app-which did absolutely nothing-have vanished from the iTunes App Store without notice.

But to be clear, these applications have not been murdered by a mysterious Apple "kill switch." The so-called "kill switch" remains more mystery than anything else. Zdziarski confesses on research notes posted to his site he knows little about what the code he found does: "We do not know whether this mechanism is active, or what exactly it does."

Nevertheless iPhone developers are beginning to say "hey, wait a minute" as they ponder developing software under the influence of Apple's apparent fickle whims. Many are now asking questions about this "kill switch" wondering could their hard work vanish from iPhones at the flip of a switch?

Interestingly enough, as far as I have seen, Apple has yet to comment on this finding. With the iPhone being such a widely popular device, it will be interesting to see what develops from this finding, if anything. Thoughts?

Bernie Mac Dies

The New York Times is reporting this morning that stand up comedian, television and movie star Bernie Mac, 50, has died of pneumonia. Mac was the star of "The Bernie Mac Show" and also had starring roles in such films as "Bad Santa" and "Mr. 3000".

From the article:

Mr. Mac, an imposing stage presence with a line of scabrous insults, parlayed his success as a stand-up comedian onto the big screen in a string of comedies that cast him in cameo roles, usually as wily con men like Pastor Clever in “Friday” and Gin, the store detective in “Bad Santa.” He also excelled as short-tempered misanthropes, notably in his starring role as Stan Ross, the nation’s most hated baseball player, in “Mr. 3000.”

In 2001, the Fox network took a gamble with “The Bernie Mac Show,” an unconventional family comedy with Mr. Mac portraying a childless married comedian who reluctantly takes in his sister’s three youngsters when she goes into a drug-treatment program.

The irascible Mr. Mac made a different kind of TV dad, “more Ike Turner than Dr. Spock,” Chris Norris wrote in a 2002 profile for The New York Times Magazine. Mr. Mac’s special style of tough love — “I’m gonna bust your head ’til the white meat shows,” he warns his surly teenage neice — set the show apart from other family sitcoms and raised a few critical eyebrows, but audiences saw enough of the character’s soft center to find the show touching.

This is a sad loss for Hollywood as Mac was a great talent. It's amazing that with the advances in medicine today, pneumonia is still a common killer.

Babies born 8/8/08 at 8:08 are Both 8 pounds, 8 ounces

Talk about unbelieveable!

The Associated Press is reporting that Hailey Jo Hauer and Xander Jace Riniker were each born on August 8, 2008 at 8:08 a.m. weighing 8 pounds, 8 ounces!!!

From the article:

Xander, born at St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is the eighth grandchild for his mother's parents. And he's not the only one in his family with an unusual birthday: His 2-year-old brother, Kael, was born on 4/5/06.

Lindsey Hauer thought staff at Lake Region Hospital in Minnesota were joking when they told her the time of her daughter's birth. And then she got a call from the birthing suite noting Hailey's weight.

Time for those families to get a lottery ticket!!!

John Edwards Admits to Affair

John Edwards has admitted publicly that he had an affair with 42-year-old Rielle Hunter. Hunter's daughter, Frances Quinn Hunter, was born on February 27, and interestingly enough, no father's name is given on the birth certificate which was filed in California.

The Los Angeles Times has a full timeline of the John Edwards-Rielle Hunter affair.

This announcement by Edwards could be an enormous blow to the Democratic Party, and possible Democratic nominee Barack Obama. Although Edwards is not in the running for the Democratic nomination, conclusions could be drawn by voters and could swing many key undecided voters to the side of Republican nominee John McCain.

From the Associated Press:

Former presidential candidate John Edwards, who won nationwide praise and sympathy as he campaigned side by side with his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, admitted in shame Friday he had had an affair with a woman who produced videos as he prepared to launch his campaign.

Acknowledging a sex scandal he had dismissed as "tabloid trash" only last month, Edwards said he had told his wife and family long ago, but "I had hoped that it would never become public."

After the story broke Friday, Edwards released a statement that said, "In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my mistake, and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my family, I did not tell the public."

"I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices," he said. "With my family, I took responsibility for my actions in 2006, and today I take full responsibility publicly."

What is it with politicians and affairs. Do they think that they won't get caught? Don't they realize that they have cameras following them 24/7? We all remember the drama of Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Did he think that his wife Hillary would not find out? Obviously not. Either that, or they don't care.

This will not have an effect on my vote but I'm left to wonder if it will have an effect on others. Thoughts?

Facebook Responds to Security Threat

Michael Arrington of TechCrunch has followed up on yesterday’s post with an update on the Facebook worm with a response from Facebook’s head of security, Max Kelly.

From TechCrunch:

Facebook head of security Max Kelly, a former FBI computer forensics examiner, wrote a blog post tonight addressing the worm attacks on Facebook we wrote about earlier today. His advice to Facebook users: report suspected malware, and try not to share your password with anyone. Kelly also says Facebook blocked the ability to link to the malicious website from anywhere on Facebook, although a black list approach like this is a never ending battle.

Thanks Max for that great advice! At least Facebook is taking the initiative to get this taken care of, although attacks such as these tend to be an ongoing battle in today’s society.

Security firms have warned that social networks such as Facebook and MySpace are breeding grounds for security attacks becuase they have massive user bases, numerous outside developers working on the Web sites and lots of ways to spread malware to unwitting users. The worm was first flagged by security firm Sophos, just days after another one had been discovered by Kaspersky Labs.

Sugarland Founder Sues Band

I guess that it was only a matter of time until this happened.

According to the Associated Press, Kiersten Hall is suing the two current members of the group Sugarland for $1.5 million.

From the article:

According to a lawsuit filed late last month in U.S. District Court in Atlanta, Kristen Hall was to get a cut of the group’s profits even after she left in 2005 for a solo career. Hall says in the lawsuit that she has been excluded from the group’s profits since she left.

CMT also has an interesting blog on the lawsuit.

You have to wonder what is going through the minds of Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush right now. The band has achieved so much in such a short amount of time. I was surprised when Hall left the band in early 2006 as they were just seeming to increase steadily in popularity at that time. Their songs have since been in heavy rotation not only on the radio, but on GAC and CMT as well. They have won numerous industry awards, Nettles has performed with the likes of Bon Jovi and their newest album, “Love On the Inside” just came out last month.

Time will tell how this plays out. My feeling is that if you wanted to receive a cut of the band’s profits, you never should have left in the first place. Thoughts?

Worms Invade Facebook!

Interesting posting by Michael Arrington on TechCrunch today about a new worm virus which is targeting Facebook members’ comment walls.

From the posting:

The worm spreads when a compromised user’s account is used to send message to others with a title such as “LOL. You’ve been catched on hidden cam, yo:” and a link to a random URL. The linked website is a YouTube-like page that shows a video player along with what looks like a standard browser message to update your Flash installation. Clicking on the button begins a malware installation of a file called “codecsetup.exe.” We didn’t go so far as to install the software, but our guess is that it zombies your computer, installs a keylogger, and other fun stuff.

CNET also has an article on this topic which gives some more detailed information.

Sophos, a security software and research firm, has warned that social network Facebook is the battleground for a new malware attack targeting members’ comment “walls”. Sophos says that this is probably not the same as a social-network worm that Kaspersky Labs flagged last week.

Green Bay Legend Brett Favre Traded to the Jets

It’s hard to believe that I am even saying these words: Brett Favre, quarterback of the New York Jets. It still has not sunk in. The trade, which took place last night, had been anticipated, but until it was made official, no one really believed that Brett Favre could play for anyone but the Green Bay Packers, could he? Rachel Nichols of ESPN made it official last night.

The New York Times has a great article about the state of mind of Packers fans, 24 hours after what will probably go down as the biggest trade in Packers history.

From the Times:

Only a small number of Packers fans turned out at Lambeau on Thursday, when the players lifted weights and watched film but did not practice. There were no sign-waving protestors waiting for Packers General Manager Ted Thompson when he left the complex via the loading dock at about 2:30 p.m., driving a blue Cadillac Escalade and wearing a baseball cap.

Reminders of Favre are everywhere. A fan whose backyard borders Lombardi Avenue across from the stadium has this painted in green and gold on his fence: “Hawk Eyes His Prey, Victory Not Favre Away.”

And now, life without Favre begins in Green Bay. The question remains, was this in Favre’s best interest? The jury is still out.

In my opinion, Favre should have stayed in Mississippi and retired as a Packer. Coming back, while it may be what he wants, may not be the best for his legacy. He will arguably go down as the greatest player in Packer history, but he did not RETIRE as a Packer. He could come back this season, throw for a couple dozen touchdowns, a couple thousand yards, and take the Jets to the playoffs. Or he could not. Remember, he is going to a team which has had trouble winning, much less making the playoffs over the past decade.

He is also playing in New York now. And the media, and the town, will only expect him to win. A lot of pressure for a quarterback who has seen his best days in the past.

I wish Brett the best of luck. He’s going to need it in New York!

Trailer Choir: They're Off The Hillbilly Hook!

If you have not heard of them yet, you soon will. The band is called Trailer Choir and they are currently opening for Toby Keith on his current tour with Montgomery Gentry. Their first hit is called "Off The Hillbilly Hook" and it can be found on the new sound track for the movie Beer for my Horses.

CMT has a great posting today which includes the Unplugged at Studio 330 performance of "Rockin' The Beer Gut".

If you get the chance, check out this band and the album. I have this feeling we're going to be seeing a lot more of Trailer Choir in the future!

Nashville Star Crowns a Champion

After weeks of competition, Melissa Lawson, a 32-year-old working mother of five from Arlington, Texas, was named the winner of Nashville Star during last nights season finale on NBC.

From the Associated Press:

Melissa Lawson beat fellow finalist Gabe Garcia on Monday night for the title on the country music reality series. Shawn Mayer came in third.

Lawson wins a record contract after performing in Nashville for 11 weeks.

The series has launched the careers of Miranda Lambert, Buddy Jewell and Chris Young. It switched to NBC this year after five seasons on cable's USA Network.

In winning the competition, Lawson received the grand prize package of a Warner Brothers record deal, a special performance at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games on August 12 and a brand new Toyota Tundra.

As clouds of confetti blew through the theater, Lawson debuted her new single, “What If It All Goes Right”, which is produced by Nashville Star judge John Rich. The song is scheduled to hit country radio this morning and will most certainly get routine airplay.

Many felt that Gabe Garcia was the front runner going into the show. I can say that I too believed that Garcia would win the competition and believe that in the long run, will have the better country music career. Although Lawson is a talented singer and a heartwarming story, the curse of Nashville Star will more than likely be her downfall.

Look back at past winners and tell me where their careers have gone. You notice on many of the reality talent shows that in most cases, the runners up and others tend to be the bigger stars. Only time will tell how Lawson's career will play out but I only wish for the best for her and her family. I also hope to hear from Gabe Garcia and Shawn Mayer shortly. They obviously have the talent to make it, the question is, will they succeed?

Actor Morgan Freeman in Serious Condition Following Car Accident

Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman has been injured in car accident in Mississippi and is in serious condition in a hospital in Memphis, Tennessee.

The Associated Press is reporting that Freeman was in a wreck shortly before midnight Sunday and paramedics had to use the jaws of life to extract him from the vehicle.

Freeman is my all-time favorite actor from such films as Driving Miss Daisy, Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, Gone Baby Gone, The Bucket List and most recently, The Dark Knight. Known for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice, Freeman has become one of Hollywood's most popular and respected actors. My prayers are out to Freeman, his family and his fans.

Cheech And Chong to Reunite For 2008 Comedy Tour

That's right! Cheech and Chong are going on tour again for the first time since 1981.

According to the Reuters article:

"Cheech & Chong: Light Up America ..." will hit 22 cities in the United States starting with Philadelphia on September 12 and ending in Denver, Colorado, on December 20. In between they will play Los Angeles, Miami, Washington, D.C. and other places. Cheech joked that the pair had considered calling the show the "Womb to Tomb" tour, to highlight the broad age range of fans."

Go out and get your tickets! This is surely a show not to be missed!

Here's the list of shows:

    September 12         Tower Theatre               Philadelphia, PA

    September 13         Warner Theatre              Washington, DC

    September 19         Murat Center                Indianapolis, IN

    September 20         Fillmore State              Detroit, MI

    September 26         Tabernacle                  Atlanta, GA

    September 27         Fillmore Jackie Gleason     Miami, FL

    October 24           Westbury Theatre            Westbury, NY

    October 25           Orpheum Theatre             Minneapolis, MN

    October 31           Verizon Wireless            Houston, TX

    November 1           Majestic Theatre            Dallas, TX

    November 7           Chevrolet Theatre           Wallingford, CT

    November 8           Rosemont Theatre            Rosemont, IL

    November 14          Dodge Theatre               Phoenix, AZ

    November 15          Austin Music Hall           Austin, TX

    November 21          Memorial Auditorium         Sacramento, CA

    November 22          Berkeley Community Theatre  Berkley, CA

    November 28          Copley Symphony Hall        San Diego, CA

    November 29          Paramount Theatre           Seattle, WA

    November 30          San Jose PAC                San Jose, CA

    December 6           Gibson Amphitheater         Los Angeles, CA

    December 12          Orpheum Theatre             Boston, MA

    December 13          Borgata Music Box           Atlantic City, NJ

    December 19          Silver Legacy Casino        Reno, NV

    December 20          Paramount Theatre           Denver, CO

Concert Review: Carrie Underwood

Ok. It's my hope and goal that I will stop drooling by the end of this review of last nights Carrie Underwood concert.

First of all, I must thank my sister in law Katie and her boyfriend Shaun for allowing me to go to this show at Konocti Harbor. Unfortunately, they were not able to attend with the tickets that they won from Ken & Corey on 95.7 The Wolf so I made the 2 1/2 hour journey to Clearlake instead.

The night began with up and coming singer Fisher Stevenson of Big Machine Records (Taylor Swift). Although he played a short set, of which most songs were ballads, the man has potential. He has a great voice and an equally great back up band. Loved the songs "On Loan", "Lay Your Love Down" and "Learning To Live Without You". It was also nice that his wife and baby were able to attend the show. He said that he lives in Davis so right on!

Following the opening act, it was time for Ms. Carrie Underwood. Pardon me as I wipe the drool from my chin once again.

It's been a couple years since she came on the scene winning American Idol and she has taken the country music scene by storm! Last night proved that she has the talent and the voice to dominate the country charts for years to come. She has a stage presence which brings the crowd to life and did not let us down.

The set list included a mix of her classic hits as well as a few new tracks. The audience was definitely into the show and was singing along with every word (especially the four pre-teen girls in front of us who were dressed in Carrie Underwood clothes head to toe).

Songs during the set included: Wasted, Twisted, All-American Girl, So Small, Jesus Take the Wheel, Last Name and a great rendition of Don't Forget to Remember Me.

Carrie had some fun with the audience: "If you feel like singing - sing," she told the crowd of over 4,000. "If you feel like dancing - dance. And if you feel like kissing the person beside you just make sure it's OK with them first".

It seemed like everything was going right for the crowd, and for Carrie. And then she swallowed a bug. I'll admit, this is the first time I have seen this happen during a show. She seemed pretty grossed out by the whole thing, but she laughed and had a good time with it. A fan even pointed out to her that it was a firefly, not just a bug. Only in Lake County!

For the encore, Carrie and her band performed a great rendition of Guns N Roses' Paradise City. This may have been the highlight of the night as the music was loud and the crowd was even louder. The night concluded with crowd favorite "Before He Cheats". I would be willing to bet that everyone in attendance was singing every word to this song.

Overall, a great show! I had never seen Carrie in concert before but I would love to go again. The scenery was beautiful with the amphitheater located right on the shores of Clearlake. The only thing more beautiful than the sunset over the lake would probably be Carrie herself. Wow! The word beautiful is hardly an accurate description!

Concert Review: Toby Keith/Montgomery Gentry "Biggest and Baddest Tour"

Shoreline Amphitheater: July 25, 2008

Perfect night, perfect crowd, perfect show!

The night kicked off with Trailer Choir. If you have never heard of this band, you soon will. Not only will they be on the soundtrack of the new Toby Keith movie, Beer for my Horses, they play some great music. "Off the Hillbilly Hook" and "Rockin' The Beer Gut" completed a short, but fun set. You should be able to catch their music on CMT and GAC so keep a look out for them.

Carter's Chord was up next. This was unfortunately the time when nature called and I answered. From what I could hear, they were talented (sounded like a young She Daisy).

The act which I was most looking forward to was Montgomery Gentry. I had seen them on two previous occasions and have yet to be disappointed. While they played a great set at this show, i was saddened to have them walk off stage before playing my two favorite songs, Speed and Lonely and Gone. I always thought those were staples of their set and was really looking forward to hearing them on this night.

I won't complain though. With so many hits, it was hard to find anything really wrong with the set. Montgomery Gentry are showmen and they know how to work the crowd. Back When I Knew it All, Hillbilly Shoes, Hell Yeah, Something to be Proud Of and My Town were all included as well as a new song called Long Line of Losers. This is going to be a hit for sure.

Overall, a great show and a great introduction to the main event of the evening: Toby Keith!

The last time I saw Toby Keith live was at the Petaluma Fair nearly 10 years ago. I can say that while his songs have changed, his stage presence has not. He had the audience eating out of his hand all night long. With no new recent album, Toby filled a set with a long line of greatest hits that would have made any fan happy. I Wanna Talk About Me, Shoulda Been a Cowboy, Beer for my Horses, How Do You Like Me Now, I Love This Bar, A Little Less Talk (And A Lot More Action), Who's Your Daddy, Whiskey Girl, She's A Hottie, As Good As I Once Was...The list goes on and on. Hit after hit played for over 1 1/2 hours. Let's not forget a great cover of Ted Nugent's Stranglehold! Yeah!

A funny moment during the set occurred when Toby was joking around with a guy in the front row who paid "$15 for a beer". Toby said "man you got F&^%#d!" over and over again. Seriously, the price of food and drinks is getting out of hand. But then again, I wonder when the last time Toby Keith had to pay for a beer was!

The night ended with two patriotic classics: American Soldier and Courtesy of the Red White and Blue. Great finale. The audience was pumped during the final song which always gets an audience singing every word. Three soldiers were brought up on stage who the crowd saluted. Great moment, great concert!

When the tour comes to your town, make sure to get your tickets. This is not a show to miss!

Richard Simmons...Congressman? Talk About Sweating "with" the Oldies...

You think I'm joking...but I'm not....completely...

Simmons spoke to the House Education and Labor Committee today about expanding physical education in public schools to combat childhood obesity. Simmons described his approach to the hearing, stating, "I want to have the respect of a congressman, I want to talk like a congressman, and maybe, someday, I'll be a congressman."

Here's what the Washington Post had to say:

This could be the most high-energy week Congress has seen in a very, very long time. The man who is arguably America's most famous fitness icon of all time is coming to Capitol Hill to shake things up -- literally.

And while he still has his loud helium balloon-like voice and big hair, unfortunately, Simmons is hinting he won't be wearing his signature short shorts and tank top at the hearing.

Simmons won't say whether he's leaning toward Barack Obama or John McCain in the 2008 presidential race. His publicist, Tom Estey, says Simmons is "undecided."

Hey, maybe instead of an Obama/McCain town hall meeting, we can have a dance off with Richard Simmons. That would make for interesting television.

Woman Finds 8-Foot Snake in Her Washing Machine

Ok, I HATE snakes. Let me start with this. I've always had this fear that someday a snake will find its way up through our pipes or something and make its way into the house. (Maybe watching Snakes on a Plane didn't help with this fear).

Anyways, take a look at this article from the Associated Press which demonstrates that my fears aren't crazy. They could happen!

From the article:

A woman got the shock of her life when she found an 8-foot snake mixed in with clothes in her washing machine. The snake, identified as a reticulated python, somehow got into the water pipes of Mara Ranger's 1800s-era farmhouse and slithered into the machine.

Once out of the machine, the angry snake wrapped itself around Burton's hand, cutting off the blood flow. Burton then wrestled the scaly reptile into a plastic bag, tied it shut and brought it to Lewiston.

Ok, I guess Maine is out of my future vacation plans.

Should Mandatory Drug Tests be Required for Welfare Check Recipients?

Ok, we have all seen the email that has been going around for quite some time:

Subject: Urine test

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay
my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as they see fit. In order
to get that paycheck. I am required to pass a random urine test, which I
have no problem with.

What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my tax money to people who
don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to
get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to earn it for them?

Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their
feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone to simply sit on
their ass. Could you imagine how much money the state would save if people
had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

Pass it on, if you agree."

I can agree that every job I have ever been at, I have had to take a drug test before starting the job to ensure that I am not a drug user. I have no problem taking this test since I know that there will be no issue of my passing the test or not.

I look at this email and I have to think to myself, how come a large portion of the money that I "give away" to taxes is given to those who are not required to pass a drug test? I guess this never crossed my mind until I had a discussion with some close friends about this issue just this past week.

The Associated Press wrote about this topic in January when legislation was discussed in Kentucky.

So the question remains, why shouldn't someone be asked to pass a simple drug test in order to get a welfare check? I don't have any issues at all with the government or others helping people get help or especially finding a job. In fact, I wish that I could spend more of my time helping people find work. I think this would be a contribution to society that I could feel good about, while helping others at the same time.

What I do have a problem with is the possibility that my taxes might be helping someone out who spends all day sitting on their couch, abusing drugs, and not looking for work while I spend 8-11 hours a day at work so that I can support my wife and two kids. Yes, life isn't fair but we all have to work together to make the best of it.

I do want to make it VERY clear that I do not believe that all people who are given welfare checks are drug users. This is not true at all! I know that when I was younger, our family struggled through difficult circumstances and we were given hand outs from others who knew that we were in need.

Unfortunately, there is a percentage of recipients who abuse the system and are making it more difficult for those who truly are in need of the check because they are not able to find, or are qualified, for a job. The question does remain though, imagine how much money the government could save by instituting these drug tests?

Thoughts?

Girl Scouts Growing Marijuana? Pot Bust in Indiana

Hey, at least we finally know why those girl scout cookies are so addicting and taste so good!

The Associated Press is reporting that according to court documents and a girl scout official, police have found thousands of marijuana plants being grown in a remote part of a Girl Scout camp in Indiana.

From the article:

Police found the hidden marijuana farm with plants in various stages of cultivation in a wooded swampy area of Kosciusko County, according to documents filed Monday in U.S. District Court in South Bend. Some of the plants were growing on land belonging to a local resident, while the bulk - about 5,000 plants - were growing on camp land. State troopers in an airplane spotted the plots.

Can't trust those girl scouts anymore I guess!!! :)

The House that Josh Built: Home Run Derby Thoughts...

They may have to change the name of the new stadium in the Bronx to: The House that Josh Built. 28 home runs in the first round. 3 home runs over 500 feet. Josh Hamilton may be the one that everyone is talking about today but don't forget that it was Justin Morneau who took home the trophy. (By the way, please check my posting yesterday and you'll see who correctly predicted the finals and the winner).

Morneau may have won but the story coming out of Yankee Stadium was Hamilton's record shattering first round. At one point, Hamilton homered on 13 consecutive swings! Hamilton finished with 13 more home runs than Morneau and led Morneau 32-17 after the first two rounds. But rules state that the participants start even in the final round. But no one will soon forget the amazing display which was put on by "The Natural".

From the article:

In between his many first-round drives, Hamilton signed autographs for players' kids and clowned around with teammates. Former A's outfielder Milton Bradley, now with Texas, mopped Hamilton's brow and adjusted his cap after one blast, and another time, Bradley came to Hamilton with a camera, and snapped the two of them together at the plate.

In a true measure of his accomplishment, the crowd of 53,716 chanted, "Hamilton, Hamilton," with increasing volume as he battered balls around the stadium, hitting three more than 500 feet. One was measured at 518.

According to published reports, in 2006, when Hamilton had just completed a partial season of Single-A ball in the Tampa Bay Rays' farm system, he said he had a dream that he was being interviewed after the Home Run Derby in New York. At the time, he had no idea Yankee Stadium would be hosting it or that he would be ever be a featured participant.

Hamilton hit 19 home runs with Cincinnati last season and then was traded to Texas in a deal that brought the Reds pitcher Edinson Volquez. I'd say this was a pretty good trade for both sides with the seasons that each are having so far.

Here's a List of Past Winners of the Home Run Derby:

Year	Player	Team	HR	SIte
2007	Vladimir Guerrero	L.A. (AL)	17	AT&T Park, San Fransico
2006	Ryan Howard	Phil.	23	PNC Park, Pittsburgh
2005	Bobby Abreu	Phil.	41	Comerica Park, Detroit
2004	Miguel Tejada	Balt.	27	Minute Maid Park, Houston
2003	Garret Anderson	Ana.	22	U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago
2002	Jason Giambi	Yanks	24	Miller Park, Milwaukee
2001	Luis Gonzalez	Ariz.	16	Safeco Field, Seattle
2000	Sammy Sosa	Chi. (NL)	26	Turner Field, Atlanta
1999	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Sea.	16	Fenway Park, Boston
1998	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Sea.	19	Coors Field, Denver
1997	Tino Martinez	Yanks	16	Jacobs Field, Cleveland
1996	Barry Bonds	S.F.	17	Veterans Stadium, Philadelphia
1995	Frank Thomas	Chi. (AL)	15	The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas
1994	Ken Griffey, Jr.	Sea.	7	Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh
1993	Juan González	Texas	7	Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore
1992	Mark McGwire	Oak.	12	Jack Murphy Stadium, San Diego
1991	Cal Ripken, Jr.	Balt.	12	SkyDome, Toronto
1990	Ryne Sandberg	Chi. (NL)	3	Wrigley Field, Chicago
1989	Eric Davis	Cin.	3	Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim
1988	Rained out			Riverfront Stadium, Cincinnati
1987	Andre Dawson	Chi. (NL)	4	Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum Oak.
1986	Darryl Strawberry	Mets	4	Houston Astrodome
	(tie) Wally Joyner	Calif.	4
1985	Dave Parker	Cin.	6	Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis

It's Home Run Derby Day!! (And No AROD???)

One of the best aspects of All Star week is the annual Home Run Derby (4 p.m. PT, tonight on ESPN). With the All Star Game being played at Yankee Stadium this year, with that short porch in right field, it could be a great show this year.

Last year's champion, Vladamir Guerrero, won't be participating but there are 8 top stars who will be taking a crack at winning this year's event. Here's a list of those who will be playing this year:

Lance Berkman
Chase Utley
Ryan Braun
Evan Longoria
Dan Uggla
Grady Sizemore
Justin Morneau
Josh Hamilton

This should be a good one. I don't really believe that there is a favorite in this year's event and it should be wide open. The man who should be the favorite is Alex Rodriguez but he has chosen not to play. I'm not sure why he would choose not to participate in this year's event. It is the final season of Yankee Stadium, he's arguably the best player on the Yankees and he would draw a ratings bonanza.

From ESPN:

According to a source with knowledge of the Derby's inner workings, baseball wanted A-Rod to do more than just take a few hacks in this Derby. It wanted him to be the centerpiece of this Derby. And why not? This is his town. Those are his No. 4 train riders hanging out in those bleachers. And this is a historic week in the life of Yankee Stadium -- a ballpark whose very existence stands as a testimonial to the power of the long ball.

A-Rod told The New York Times last month that he didn't want to take part in this Derby because "it sets your swing back about three weeks." But we'd like to know exactly what he bases that on.

Whatever, A-Rod. If it really hurts your swing that much, how come you hit four homers in the first four games after the break when you last played in 2002.This is something you should do for baseball and for the fans. Baseball needs more good stories, rather than bad.

As for my pick: I think it will come down to the Natural Josh Hamilton and Justin Morneau for this year's title with Morneau winning. I have to go with Morneau in the finals but don't be surprised if Sizemore or Braun show up in their place. Thoughts anyone? Let me know your predictions!!!

Look Out World, Here Come Desk Rage

You knew it was bound to happen. It appears that "desk rage" is taking over the American workplace. I don't see it much in the public relations field, but I can say that when I was in retail, you could see the anger in my co-workers.

From Reuters:

Nearly half of U.S. workers in America report yelling and verbal abuse on the job, with roughly a quarter saying it has driven them to tears, research has shown.

Other research showed one-sixth of workers reported anger at work has led to property damage, while a tenth reported physical violence and fear their workplace might not be safe.

Desk rage extends across industry and class lines, from top white-collar jobs to gritty blue-collar work, and companies pay dearly in terms of lost productivity, sagging morale and higher absenteeism.

It's amazing to think how prevalent this is in our society but with tough economic times and societal changes, I guess this is to be expected. What ever happened to road rage! Thoughts?

Underdogs Longoria, Hart Selected to All Star Game by Fans

Fan voting is over and the underdogs have prevailed. It was announced yesterday that Tampa Bay Rays 3B Evan Longoria and Milwaukee Brewers Outfielder Corey Hart have been selected by the fans to play in the 2008 All Star Game at Yankee Stadium next Tuesday.

Longoria beat out Jason Giambi and Jermaine Dye in the American League while Hart was voted over bigger name stars David Wright and Carlos Lee.

From the Associated Press:

Longoria received 9 million votes for the AL spot and was followed by Jermaine Dye of the Chicago White Sox, Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees, Brian Roberts of Baltimore and Jose Guillen of Kansas City.

Hart got 8 million votes and was followed by the New York Mets' David Wright, Philadelphia's Pat Burrell, San Francisco's Aaron Rowand and Houston's Carlos Lee.

Major League Baseball said a record 47.8 million votes were cast, more than double last year's 23.1 million.

As much as I love Corey Hart, I'm very surprised to see David Wright and Carlos Lee left off the roster. Both Wright and Lee are having great seasons and should be included in this year's lineup. It makes it fair to allow a player from every team play, but at the cost of leaving a much better player off the roster, it kind of defeats the purpose of the "All Star" game. Thoughts?

***UPDATE***

Colorado Rockies manager Clint Hurdle, also manager of the National League All Star team, has announced that David Wright will replace injured Alfonso Soriano on the team.

Man Dies From Too Much Work

No joke. According to the Associated Press, a 45 year old man in Japan has died from working too many hours.

From the article:

The man who died was aged 45 and had been under severe pressure as the lead engineer in developing a hybrid version of Toyota's blockbuster Camry line, said Mikio Mizuno, the lawyer representing his wife. The man's identity is being withheld at the request of his family, who continue to live in Toyota City where the company is based.

In the two months up to his death, the man averaged more than 80 hours of overtime per month, according to Mizuno.

He regularly worked nights and weekends, was frequently sent abroad and was grappling with shipping a model for the pivotal North American International Auto Show in Detroit when he died of ischemic heart disease in January 2006. The man's daughter found his body at their home the day before he was to leave for the United States.

Talk about no work/life balance!!

Senate Passes Wiretapping Bill: Phone Companies Given Immunity

The New York Times is reporting that the Senate gave final approval today to broaden government spy powers and providing immunity for the phone companies that took part in secret wiretapping.

From the article:

The plan, approved by a vote of 69 to 28, marked one of Mr. Bush’s most hard-won legislative victories in a Democratic-led Congress where he has had little success of late. Both houses, controlled by Democrats, approved what amounted to the biggest restructuring of federal surveillance law in 30 years, giving the government more latitude to eavesdrop on targets abroad and at home who are suspected of links to terrorism.

The surveillance plan, which Mr. Bush is expected to sign into law quickly, was the product of months of negotiations between the White House and Democratic and Republican leaders, earning the grudging support of some leading Democrats.

Interestingly enough, Hillary Clinton voted no on this bill whereas Barack Obama voted yes. John McCain is jumping on this opportunity as he is claiming that Obama is once again flip-flopping on an issue.

I'm still not convinced that wiretapping is a good idea. Yes, I want our nation to be safe from terrorist threats, but doesn't this go just a little too far? Thoughts?

Stripper Claims She Slept With Alex Rodriguez

Well, at least we now know what that huge Yankee contract pays for!!!

Fox News is reporting that Candice Houlihan, a former Boston stripper, has come forward saying that she slept with "A-Rod" twice during a Yankee/Red Sox series in the summer of 2004.

It appears that the two met on the night when Rodriguez was ejected from a game in which he brawled with Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek. Reports say that following the game, the two met up at the Ritz-Carlton hotel, matched shots and then proceeded to his room where they had sex and talked all night.

From the article:

"He introduced himself, asked me who I was, and if I wanted to meet up for drinks later. I was like, 'Hell, yeah!'"

Then she and A-Rod, 32, went back to his suite at the Ritz Carlton hotel and had sex, she says.

Houlihan, a source told the paper, felt guilty when she found out Cynthia Rodriguez, 35, was pregnant with the couple's first child.

"She realized his wife was having a baby, so that put a damper on any thoughts she had," the source said.

But they got together again three months later, according to Houlihan.

This latest allegation comes on the heals of Rodriguez's recent divorce announcement and rumors of an affair with Madonna.

Things just seem to keep getting worse for Rodriguez, but if these allegations prove to be true, he'll have no one to blame but himself.

Warriors to Sign Corey Maggette

Well, just a week after losing Baron Davis to the Los Angeles Clippers, it seems the Golden State Warriors have taken a player back from them in signing Corey Maggette to a five-year contract worth approximately $50 million, according to the Associated Press.

From the article:

The person, speaking on condition of anonymity because the deal can’t be announced until Wednesday at the earliest, confirmed Maggette will leave the Los Angeles Clippers for a lucrative long-term deal with the fast-paced Warriors, who outbid several suitors for the former Duke star.

Maggette, a 6-foot-6 swingman who led Los Angeles in scoring last season, should fit splendidly into Golden State coach Don Nelson’s pell-mell style of play. He averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season for the moribund Clippers, finishing slightly off his career highs in all three categories.

With Baron Davis' departure, the Warriors had salary cap room available to add a high-scoring player to help fill the void left by Davis and Michael Pietrus, who is expected to sign with the Orlando Magic today. Maggette has been a Clipper since 2000, but he and teammate Elton Brand opted out of the final years of their contracts this week. Brand is expected to sign with the Philadelphia 76ers as early as today.

I think that the signing of Maggette will benefit the Warriors greatly as losing Davis was an enormous blow to the team's offense. Hopefully the Warriors will continue to look for another free agent to fill the final holes which have been made in the offseason. With a lineup of Maggette, Monta Ellis, Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington, the Warriors still have the fire power to contend in the Western Conference, but need another player or two to find themselves in the upper echelon.

A's Trade Rich Harden to Chicago Cubs

It's a sad day here in the Bay Area. According to the Associated Press, Billy Beane has once again made a blockbuster trade, where the players with the big names will be leaving Oakland. The deal, announced this afternoon will send both Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin to the Chicago Cubs.

From the article:

The Chicago Cubs acquired pitcher Rich Harden from the Oakland Athletics in a six-player trade on Tuesday, a day after the rival Milwaukee Brewers landed CC Sabathia. The Cubs received the right-handed Harden and righty Chad Gaudin for pitcher Sean Gallagher, outfielders Matt Murton and Eric Patterson, and minor leaguer Josh Donaldson.

Harden, eligible to be a free agent after the 2009 season, is 5-1 with a 2.34 ERA in 13 starts this season. He's scheduled to $4.75 million this season.

Chicago also received Gaudin, who was 5-3 win a 3.59 ERA in 26 games — including six starts. Last season, he was a starter all season and went 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA.

Beane typically knows what he is doing so I will once again trust his judgment in this trade. Harden has been injured so many times that he has been far from reliable. Harden has not made 30 starts in a season since 2004, when he made 31. He has only started 16 games combined over the past two seasons while suffering from both back and arm problems.

But if he remains healthy, he has just possibly given the Cubs what they need to win their first World Series in 100 years!

Keeping a Food Diary Leads to Extra Weight Loss

Imagine that! According to a new study, if you keep a diary of what you eat each day, you can actually lose more weight! This will be good for those of us who need to drop a few extra pounds for summer.

From the article:

In the study, which is in the August issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, they followed almost 1,700 men and women who were either overweight or obese. The average weight was 212 pounds. The participants attended 20 weekly group meetings and were encouraged to eat about 500 fewer calories a day, to engage in moderate intensity physical activity 30 minutes or more a day, and to follow the low-fat, low-sodium DASH dietary plan, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables and low-fat dairy foods.

Participants in the study were asked to record daily food intake and their total exercise minutes. After 20 weeks, the total average loss was approximately 13 pounds. It may take a bit of extra work taking notes of what you eat during the day but the benefits seem to be very positive.

To learn more about a food diary to analyze eating habits, visit the American Academy of Family Physicians.

CC Sabathia Traded to the Milwaukee Brewers

The rumors finally were confirmed Monday as reigning American League Cy Young award winner C.C. Sabathia has been dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers for four prospects including Matt LaPorta, Milwaukee's top prospect. Also included in the deal are Zach Jackson, a Class AAA left-hander and Rob Bryson, a Class A right-hander.

It is expected that Sabathia will remain with the Brewers for the remainder of the season before testing the free agent waters after the season. Sabathia rejected a four-year, $72 million offer from the Cleveland Indians prior to the season.

The Brewers began the Sabathia era on Monday only 3 1/2 games behind the Cubs and a percentage point ahead of St. Louis for the National League Wild Card.

This should make for a great 1-2 punch in Milwaukee with Sabathia joining Ben Sheets in the rotation. Unfortunately for the Brewers, the rest of the rotation is only mediocre at best. The offense will have to continue to step up if they want to contend with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.

The Brewers have two ways of winning this year: Either by winning the National League Central Division, or by securing the wild-card slot. Right now, the Cubs appear to be the favorites in both the National League Central and as the National League representative in the World Series but this trade has definitely helped the Brewers.

Only time will tell but at least Milwaukee is making a run at the division title this year. If their pitching staff holds up (hint hint Ben Sheets hint hint) the Brewers find themselves with a great chance to end their long playoff drought this season.

More Airline Fees: Alaska Airlines, United, Delta, American Airlines...What Are You Thinking???

Well, the airline industry is once again trying to bleed every last penny out of their customers. I know that the major carriers are struggling to make money right now but come on.

On my recent flight home from Portland, Oregon, I was charged $25 for a second checked bag and found out that an additional bag would be over $100!!! Talk about bringing in extra revenue.

Check out this Los Angeles Times article:

United Airlines will begin charging $15 for the first piece of checked luggage, becoming the second major U.S. airline to impose a fee for a service that has long been included in the fare.

The luggage charge for coach-class passengers on the nation's second-largest carrier was quickly matched by US Airways, raising the prospect that the other two big carriers, Delta Air Lines and Continental Airlines, would follow suit.

No. 1 carrier American Airlines initiated the controversial charge last month, citing the need to generate extra revenue to help offset the fast-rising cost of fuel.

Thank god we still have Southwest Airlines!!! This is the airline of choice of the common man and a personal favorite of mine.

From the article:

Southwest Airlines is the only carrier that has publicly balked at -- and ridiculed -- the fee.

Other airlines are raising base fares dramatically and some will soon begin charging for drinks and snacks on flights.

There's no way I'm dishing out $3-4 for a cup of orange juice and a bag of peanuts. Anybody else want to?

Beware: MySpace and Facebook Profiles Can Ruin a Career

Another example of the power of social media. Beware those of you job seekers out there who may have a provocative MySpace or Facebook page. Recent studies are showing that more and more recruiters and companies are looking at candidates social networking sites during the hiring process.

From the article:

The majority of executive recruiters — a whopping 83.2 percent — use search engines to learn more about candidates, and nearly half of these recruiters have eliminated candidates because of something questionable they uncovered — three times as many as in 2005, according to a recent survey of 100 executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet, a job-search and recruiting network.

Factors in eliminating candidates range from criminal convictions, inappropriate pictures on MySpace or Facebook, hobbies listed such as “I like to drink,” and weird personal habits, according to the ExecuNet survey data.

Same Sex Marriage in California: A Statement from San Jose Bishop Patrick J. McGrath

San Jose, California Bishop Patrick J. McGrath has issued a statement discussing same-sex marriage in California. I found this statement in the Queen of Apostles Church weekly flier which we picked up this morning.

From the statement:

The Church cannot approve of redefining marriage, which has a unique place in God's creation "a faithful, exclusive and lifelong union between one man and one woman joined in an intimate partnership of life and love- a union instituted by God for the mutual fulfillment of the husband and wife as well as for the procreation and education of children." The meaning of marriage is deeply rooted in history and culture and has been shaped considerably by Christian tradition.

I call upon all people of good will to respect the dignity of every person and to protect the sanctity of marriage. Let us ask God to guide us in the same mutual respect and civil discourse that is fundamental in a free and democratic society.

I understand that within the church, marriage is considered to be a sacred union between a man and a woman but it's great to see that prejudice is alive and well in 2008! Come on! Can we get past this already. What is this, 1958?

All I am asking is that you open your eyes and minds. Although it has been a long time coming, times are changing in this country. I'm not just talking about gay rights, I'm talking about civil rights, segregation and everything else we have had to watch happen in this country over the years. I'm hoping someday that my kids can live in a world free from us having to separate certain people from others. I never want to have to explain to either of them why someone is treated different than another because of their color, sexual orientation or religious beliefs.

Whether or not I approve or disapprove of same sex marriage in California is of no consequence. We have the right to agree and we have the right to disagree. I'm choosing to disagree with the Catholic Church on this issue (and many others but that's an entirely different discussion all together).

The fact is that somewhere I read that all are created equal. We can not pick and choose who is equal and who is not. That is not what America is all about. So Patrick J. McGrath, thank you for your thoughts on this issue. I will listen to what you have to say and I will choose to disagree with you. I am glad to see that the Church is still pushing their views on their parishioners. Some things will never change.

This just happens to be the issue at hand right now and I personally have no problems with gays being allowed to marry. If they want to be miserable too, please let them :)

Please feel free to leave your thoughts and comments.

Country Inn & Suites: You Have Disappointed Me

The Country Inn & Suites: Portland, Oregon (Portland Airport Location).

My friends, you have disappointed me! For the first three nights, you were one of the best hotels I have stayed at in years. Great service, great food and great rooms. The pool was wonderful and the hot tub was perfect.

Then came Thursday, July 3.

Now the fact that the power went out was not the biggest problem. The problem was that there was no plan in place for guests. No backup generator, no flashlights and no help.

Sure, we were able to get a hold of a flashlight at about 11:30 p.m. But by this time, the kids were scared of the dark and restless. There was no light or TV to help get the kids to bed and when the power finally came on at around 2:20 a.m., it was too late.

This followed up by an early morning fire alarm at just before 8 a.m. I can say that it would have been nice for the kids to have been able to sleep in. I know that neither of these are necessarily the fault of the hotel, but it is the way that it was handled which upsets me the most.

When I asked for a discount off of my bill upon check out yesterday morning, there was not even a hint of compassion from the staff. All I was asking for was a little money back for the issues that I had to deal with. I didn't want my entire stay comp'd. This would be inappropriate and wrong. But please, correct the misfortune which I had to deal with during the 12 hours which are what I will remember from my stay at the Country Inn & Suites, Portland Airport.

4th of July: Portland Style!

All I can say is WOW!

We did it in style this year on the 4th of July. With enough firepower to overthrow a small country, we lit up the night skies in Gresham, Oregon this year.

The day started off with a great BBQ and a lot of friends gathered for the festivities. But as the sun began to set, the real fun began. We'll skip the part where my 2 year old daughter stripped down to nothing at all and sang happy 5th birthday to a little boy at the party.

We had the entire street out watching our 3 1/2 hour extravaganza!!! There was beer, wine and fireworks. I'll try to put up some photos and video soon but I can safely say that no limbs were lost!!!

Thanks Brion for the fun!!!

Day 5 and 6: Keep on Truckin'

Only a few days left of vacation. We have really had a great time in Portland. It's hard to imagine that we ever left. The big difference between Portland and San Jose, people care about each other here. It's really nice to see. I'd love to bring this back with me but people in San Jose wouldn't understand, or have time to care.

Burgerville has been on the menu once a day here and I'll never be tired of the fries and Walla Walla Onion Rings!! By the way, THEY'RE BACK!!!

We went by Haggen and stocked up on Pumpkin and Cinnamon Bread. We'll be making the trip to Oregon City to pick up a few more loaves for the flight home and the people waiting for us there. Tomorrow is the big day! Fourth of July! We have enough firepower to defeat a small army. It should be a lot of fun out in Gresham!!!

We fly home in two days! It's hard to believe that the vacation is almost over already but the kids are getting restless and ready to go home. Caitlyn has been asking for grandma for a few days. She'll see her on Saturday! Well until later, everyone take care and have a great 4th!!!

Day 4: Back to Portland

We're back! Got settled into our hotel at the Country Inn & Suites Portland Airport. Very nice location close to the airport. It also has a very friendly staff, nice indoor heated pool and a great breakfast buffet! I strongly recommend.

We met up with Melissa's friend Emily and her three kids last night. Good times. Took the kids to the pool which was wonderful. They played around for 30 minutes then passed out and didn't wake up until 8:30 this morning. This gave us some much needed sleep!

Off to the old Haggen stomping grounds now!!! Should be interesting for sure!

Portland rocks!!

Vacation: Day 3 (Need some ZZZZ's)

Day 3 and the kids have decided that sleep is not an option. The 94 degrees, 95% humidity didn't help. I've never been in Seattle in weather like this! So last we had a really bad thunderstorm come through. Lots of thunder and lightning! Very cool!

Anyways, Caitlyn was up til after 11 and finally crashed after driving around the Puget Sound area for over an hour.

Today, we make the journey down to Portland. It should be a fairly easy 3 hour drive since the kids should be sleeping during their nap time. We'll see though. As long as we can listen to our music and not Caitlyn's "Sing a Long Favorites" I'll be happy.

We should be there by 4 but who knows with this crew. Tonight, we're hoping to meet up with some friends in town and maybe take a swim in the hotel pool. Thank god for air conditioning and indoor pools :)

Vacation: Day 2 (Reinjured)

This will be a short post as I'm back in my sling. All I did was try to catch a glass that was falling out of the fridge, turned my wrist, and I was on the floor in pain!

Shoulder again! Damn it!

Anyways, today was a trip to the Kitsap Mall and Costco. Costco pizza is the best by the way! It's currently 95 degrees in Seattle and hotter than hell!

Tomorrow we drive to Portland for 5 days. It'll still be hot, but can't wait! Very much looking forward to seeing old co workers at Haggen Food & Pharmacy and others we haven't seen in quite some time :)

Vacation: Day 1 (Portland to Poulsbo)

Well, I'm hoping to write a post for each day I'm in the Pacific Northwest. I can't guarantee I'll keep up but we'll see.

So I made my plane flight to Portland in time yesterday. Not a problem since security lines were not as bad as I thought on a Friday afternoon. I can say that the San Jose Airport construction is finally coming along! They still have a long way to go but you can notice the progress.

I ran into Garvin Thomas of NBC11 who was shooting a piece on airline travel and security. Always a nice guy and constant professional.

I gave up my assigned seat to a family who was not going to be able to sit together. It worked out great for me because the only seat they had for me was in 1st class. Nice!

I got into Portland around 5:50 pm and made my way to Hertz. I was lucky enough to get the car my wife had requested (a Mazda 5 which is basically a mini, minivan). If you have a family and have not checked out this vehicle, give it a test drive. We're contemplating purchasing one ourselves. Anyways, I was then off to Seattle. Well to be more precise, Poulsbo.

I made my stop at the usual exit 82, otherwise known as the "outlet mall exit" in Centralia. There I made a quick stop in at Burgerville for my usual, a Tillamook cheeseburger, large fries and the BEST vanilla milkshake. MMM MMM good! That would hold me over for the evening.

I was pleased to see that the Washington troopers were out in force last night. A guy in a Porsche thought he was all that and passed me so fast that I couldn't even see his license plate as he went past. Luckily 2 miles down the road I know that the trooper got it as he had been pulled over.

I got to the in laws house about 9 pm and was able to see Cailtyn and Johnny before they went to bed. They were VERY happy to see me. It had been 4 days!!! Oh, my wife was happy too.

Anyways, its been a good first 24 hours and we'll see what the rest of the week brings. I now have to run off to my favorite place to people watch, Wal-Mart!!! It seems that someone forgot his toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant and razors on his bathroom counter in San Jose.

Have a great weekend out there!!!

No Ice For You!!!!

Ok, so it's not as funny as when the Soup Nazi from Seinfeld says it, but I tried.

According to an article out today, for the first time in ever, the North Pole could be ice-free this summer. Ice-free??? How does the North Pole become ice-free??? While there has never been solid ground at the North Pole, it has always remained a giant block of ice throughout the year. But scientists have been watching the ice around the Arctic sea melt more and more each year and over time the amount of ice has gotten thinner and thinner.

From the article:

Several studies in recent years have predicted that the North Pole could be ice-free within a few decades. Alarm has ratcheted up every summer as the ice gets thinner and thinner. In a study released June 10, scientist said the rapid meltoff in the Arctic could threaten permafrost in continental soil elsewhere above the Arctic circle in a warm version of the snowball effect.

Last summer saw a record melt of Arctic sea ice, which shrank to more than 30 percent below its average. Around the peak of the melt, in September, air temperatures over land in the western Arctic from August to October were more than 4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius) above the 1978-2006 average.

Can you say "Global Warming"??? Oh wait, I forgot, according to some politicians and other people out there, global warming doesn't exist....Wanna bet???

Blue Skies, Clean Air, Fireworks and Burgerville!

That's right! I'm on my way to the Pacific Northwest for a week's vacation starting tomorrow afternoon. It's time to see a few good friends and some family who we haven't seen in, oh, 7 months. With the prices to fly nowadays, more than twice a year is going to prove to be a major challenge with a family. Did everyone know that most airlines are now charging for more than one bag??? But I digress...

It'll be a fun 4th of July week that's for sure. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 90's most of the week in Portland. How often do you hear that? For the past week here in San Jose, we have been covered in a blanket of gray smoke. This week will surely be a welcome change.

One of the best parts of this vacation though will be daily trips to Burgerville. And when I say daily, I really mean daily. My debit card will have charges at least once a day and I'm sure to get a call from my bank making sure that my card hasn't been stolen!

I'll admit, I was a huge fan of Burgerville long before I left the Portland area. When my wife was pregnant with our first child, we found ourselves at Burgerville at least two to three times a week. Typically visiting Mama Rosa at the Beaverton location or across the river in Vancouver. I don't know exactly what it is about pregnancy, but every time she spotted that Burgerville sign, the car magically pulled into the drive thru.

Now I find them as a client and over the past year and a half, I have gained even more respect for this quick service restaurant chain who demonstrates constant leadership in sustainable business practices and a deep commitment to their employees, local communities and the environment. 100% wind power, cage-free eggs, an industry leading health care program, full recycling and composting programs and they turn their used trans fat free cooking oil into biodiesel fuel. What's not to love???

I'll start my trip tomorrow evening with a quick 3 hour drive from Portland to Seattle to meet up with my wife and two kids who have already been in the Pacific Northwest for 3 days. I used to do this drive every other weekend and I could pretty much do it on auto pilot. We'll see how the drive is this time, minus the rain.

Of course I'll be making my customary stop at the Burgerville restaurant in Centralia (the exact halfway point between Portland and Seattle) for a Tillamook cheeseburger, fries and a large vanilla milkshake. It has been far too long since I had a real ice cream milkshake. Sorry, In N Out Burger just doesn't cut it for me.

The plan is to spend a few days with my in laws in Poulsbo, Washington and then we'll be back on our way to Portland for 5 days in the Rose City. Since it has been so long since we have been there, I'm interested to see the reactions we get now that the kids have gotten older. Can't wait for that!

The 4th of July tradition will once again be in full force as my buddy has already stocked up on fireworks to entertain the entire neighborhood for an night of fun! Two years ago we almost burned down the place with enough firepower to take out a small country. This year will be a bit lower key with four total kids under 5 in our party. Then again, with an ex-marine in charge of the fireworks, who knows, right?

So now I'm off but like Arnold "I'll be back!" The time will go by too quickly but it should be fun.

The Slipper Fits: Fresno State Wins First NCAA Baseball Title

Congratulations Fresno State Bulldogs!!! A great postseason has capped off a Cinderella like fairy tale in one of the most improbable runs in College World Series history.

Steve Detwiler homered twice and drove in all six runs for Fresno State and starting pitcher Justin Wilson allowed five hits in eight innings to culminate Fresno State’s journey to its first ever title.

The team was believed to be a Top 25 team coming into the season, but the Bulldogs lost 12 of their first 20 games and looked as though they may finish dead last in their conference. The Bulldogs needed to win the Western Athletic Conference tournament just to make the final field of 64, fought off elimination in both the regionals and super regionals, and became the first #4 regional seed to reach the College World Series.

From ESPN:

Fresno State entered the NCAA tournament with a pedestrian 33-27 record and a No. 4 seed in the Long Beach Regional. Six weeks later, the Bulldogs have become the first regional 4-seed to win a national championship. They finished as the lowest-seeded team in college sports history to claim an NCAA team championship, staying alive with victories in six elimination games -- including two against Georgia.

"We've been through a lot, there's no doubt," Fresno State pitcher Jason Breckley said. "I'll admit, I thought we were going down a couple of times on that plane ride here. But it just makes everything that much sweeter with what we were able to accomplish."

"When we got to the regional, they told us that the only advantage a No. 4 team gets is getting dinner first," Fresno State right fielder Steve Detwiler said. "We all laughed about that at the time. But it's amazing. As much as we were underdogs out here, we just tried to go out and have fun."

This marks the third straight year a team from the West Coast has won the NCAA Title (Oregon State won each of the previous two years).

From the San Jose Mercury News:

"Pride is forever," Detwiler said. Wilson added, "It was pretty awesome. I can't believe it."

That pretty much sums it up. Congratulations Fresno State!!! One hell of a run!!! Someone call the BCS in football so they can see what a tournament is all about!

Grand Theft Auto...There's Theft in This Game?

Forrest Gump once said "Stupid is as stupid does".

Well check out this New York Times story about a lawsuit against the game Grand Theft Auto.

From the article:

Lawyers who sued the makers of the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas profess to be shocked, simply shocked, that few people who bought the game were offended by sex scenes buried in its software.

Any buyer upset about hidden sex in the violent game could file a claim under a settlement the lawyers struck with the game’s makers, Rockstar Games and its corporate parent, Take-Two Interactive. Of the millions of people who bought the San Andreas version after its release in 2004, exactly 2,676 filed claims.

Its true, sex sells! But the number of people who filed claims is not what is surprising to me. It's the stupidity of some people out there who actually purchased the game.

Check out more from the article:

For example, Brenda Stanhouse, who bought the game for her son, 15 years old at the time, said in a deposition that she did not know that a player in the game could “stomp to death innocent pedestrians.”

She also did not know that the game included prostitutes, that players could kill policemen or that “a player in the game can kill innocent pedestrians and steal money from them.”

“I’m aware that there is killing in the game,” Ms. Stanhouse said in the deposition. “I wasn’t aware of the stealing.”

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the name of the game is Grand Theft Auto, right??

The Great Toilet Paper Debate...

Ok, so my wife and I have had this debate for years and I want to hear answers from you: Which way should the toilet paper go, over or under?

I found a survey which was done by DemocraticUnderground.com on this and 77% of people said that toilet paper goes over the top but I still disagree. Prove me wrong. You tell me. Which way does it go???

No Death Penalty for Child Rape...

In a 5-4 vote on Wednesday, the Supreme Court struck down a law that allows execution for raping a child, ruling that it would violate the Constitution's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

From the article:

Not since 1964 has anyone been executed in the United States for a crime other than murder, and of about 3,300 inmates now on death row, only two are facing execution for an offense that did not involve a killing — and both of those inmates are in Louisiana. Patrick Kennedy, was sentenced to death for the rape of his 8-year-old stepdaughter and the other is Richard Davis, who was condemned for assaulting a 5-year-old girl.

Whether you are for or against the death penalty, cases like this are ones you need to watch. The Supreme Court has the power to make some of the most important decisions in our lives and it will be interesting to see what happens in the coming months with many more rulings to be rendered.

Personally, I see no wrong with executing a child rapist. At the very least, they need to be locked away from the public with no access to children or society for that matter. We are currently spending too much time and tax payer money locking up drug users and other petty criminals while over populated prisons are releasing murderers and other violent criminals. Does this make sense?

Here is an interesting quote from the 2007 Democratic Primary Debate at Howard University:

"We need diversion, like drug courts. Non-violent offenders should not be serving hard time in our prisons. They need to be diverted from our prison system. Ultimately we need an attorney general and a system of justice that truly does treat people equally, and that has not happened under this administration."
-Hillary Clinton

While I may not always agree with Senator Clinton, she does raise an interesting point. Thoughts?