Wednesday, April 29, 2009

100 Days

I don't care what political affiliation you may label yourself, you have to admit that President Barack Obama has accomplished more in his first 100 days in office, than any other President in our history.

Check out this article in the Miami Herald.

I admit that I was impressed with Mr. Obama when he first made an appearance on the political horizon as an Illinois legislator. Then when he became a candidate for President, I thought he was a bit young and inexperienced. I waffled on whom I might cast my ballot for. But after a great deal of thought (and I mean a great deal of thought), I realized that Barack Obama was the right individual for the job NOW.

I'm glad I made this decision. He has proven his worth and mettle to me. I truly have never been as content with any President as I am with this man, his family, and his convictions. I do disagree with his decision on Iraq and Afghanistan, but for the most part, I am content with his actions to this point.

He has shown that he is willing to work with all the political parties, but some ignore this and continue to work on their unfortunate agendas.

This is OUR country, and we all have to be willing to work for what is best for the United States. That's what UNITED represents.

Right now, we need to work on healing and fixing our country. If we don't, it will continue to break and the end result may be that it will fall apart. The fall of the Roman Empire come to my mind.

I just pray very reverently that God will bless our country and our leader, and guide him and protect him.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Give the Gift of Life - Become an Organ Donor!

Sisters - April May & Melissa Roche

Earlier this year, my friend, Melissa Roche was facing the end of her life, as her liver was failing. Fortunately, her younger sister, April was found to be an exact match as a donor.

April unselfishly contributed part of her healthy liver for Melissa, to permit her to recover and live a healthier life. So off to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota they went for the procedure. The scenario was not without cost, as they held a fund-raiser in Lowell, Michigan on Saturday (April 25).

One does not have to be a relative to be an Organ Donor. If you would like to sign up to be an Organ Donor, or wish to get more information, go to the Gift of Life site HERE.

My Bride and I have been registered Organ Donors for many years, which is notated on our Michigan Drivers Licenses with a little red heart. We have also made it known to our family members that we are donors - this is very important, as time is of the essence when organs are to be donated.

If you aren't already a donor, please consider this Gift of Life to others.

Thank you.

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Saturday, April 25, 2009

1968 Chevy Camaro

I miss this car. It was my first car when I got back from Vietnam. A Metallic Blue 1968 Chevrolet Camaro SS 350 with "Four-On-The Floor."

Get the Puck Going!



Thursday, April 23, 2009

A Visit to the Doctors Office

Over the course of more than half a century, I have had the opportunity to visit medicos of all kinds, for various ailments and afflictions, just as we all do. But it has taken me all this time to realize that patients are assigned specific appointment times . . . when we are supposed to be present, but the doctor is NOT?

Rarely do we show up on time, or even early, and are whisked off into the various cubicles and cubbyholes of examination rooms as in Bing-Bang-Boom!

No. It is come in, check in, read through ALL the out-dated, and time-worn magazines, and WAIT, and WAIT, and WAIT! Then, we are escorted through a maze of hallways into a small, airtight room with (usually) no windows, but brightly illuminated by several banks of blindingly, high-intensity florescent fixtures.

Then, we WAIT some more. Oh, look, another small batch of out-dated magazines, which are castoffs from the large waiting room.

Time goes by much more slowly in this chamber, than in the outside world.

Finally, some rumbling and fumbling out in the hallway, the door knob rattles . . . and in comes . . . . the nurse to ask some rather obscure questions.

Back to intensely watching the second hand on the clock or my watch. Wonderful, I have a digital watch with no second hand. Darn, I wish I had brought my auto owners manual, I could have planned my next overhaul.

Ah, Ha! A knock on the door . . . . and it's . . . . my Doctor.

We have a few seconds of cordial conversation, he/she checks the notes, makes a brief comment, asks how I'm doing, "Good." Here's the latest info on my situation. See you in several months, here is a prescription, hands me a sheet of paper with a thousand little checkboxes, says "Get dressed and see the nurse, Good-Bye."

Maybe three minutes have elapsed. My insurance company is billed several hundred dollars (must be $50 per word uttered), and I am sent on my merry way, only to experience the same process all over again in several months from now.

This is just the office visit. When I have to actually have a 'procedure' in the hospital . . . . that is an all together entirely different episode.

I have to thank my lucky stars that I have been trained for such scenarios by the U.S. Government - Military Service, you may know it as "Hurry Up and Wait." So I voluntarily call for appointments to join small groups of other humans to sit and wait and watch dust slowly fall upon our patient heads. OH! I think I now know where the medical profession came up with the word for people who come and congregate in their offices . . . . PATIENTS!

Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Epilogue: OK, maybe I've elaborated a bit more than the actual scenario. This doesn't usually happen to me as I have a wonderful physician; but as I sat and waited recently in another medical office, the previous thought pattern developed, and I had to share. I had nothing else to do, but to think. Voila! Todays post! But, hasn't it happened to YOU?

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Sunday, April 19, 2009

Vietnam - Eddie Adams

This book was a birthday gift to me from my wonderful wife. It is a great gift for two obvious reasons: 1) I was in Vietnam with the U.S. Army, and 2) I am a photographer.

I will treasure it for as long as I live, and will pass it on to my daughter when I graduate to the great photo studio in the sky. I've already skimmed through the book looking at all the pictures, but it contains much more than images, it has many comments as well.

If you are old enough to remember Vietnam, or had the opportunity to serve in-country, then you should check it out at your local library, or just buy it for your own personal collection.

Here is a description of the contents:

"After the whole history of Vietnam is written, it'll just be our photos." -Eddie Adams to Nick Ut (author of the 1973 Pulitzer Prizewinning photo of the napalmed girl running)



The first book by one of the world's legendary photojournalists, Eddie Adams: Vietnam is a long-awaited landmark. Adams' 1968 Pulitzer Prizewinning photograph cemented his reputation in the public eye and stands forever as an icon for the brutality of our last century: the image of Nguyen Ngoc Loan, police chief of Saigon, firing a bullet at the head of a Vietcong prisoner. Adams' image fueled antiwar sentiment that ultimately changed the course of history.



Adams' life in the headlines took him to the remotest corners of this troubled, beautiful planet compiling a historic record of the days of our lives. His forty-five-year career covered thirteen wars and amassed some five hundred photojournalism awards. He was a man to whom Clint Eastwood said, "Good shot;" Fidel Castro said, "Let's go duck hunting;" and the Pope said, "You've got three minutes." This is the man behind the Pulitzer Prizewinning picture that changed the world in 1968.



Through astonishing never-before-seen pictures, articles written by Adams, pages from journals, and other artifacts, one great journalist's experience of the war is told in gripping detail.



Edited by Alyssa Adams, with an essay by AP Bureau Chief Hal Buell, and contributions by Peter Arnett, Tom Brokaw, David Halberstam, George Esper, David Kennerly, Dirck Halstead, Tom Curley, Kerry Kennedy, and more, this is a classic of modern history and photography.



About the Author
Adams joined A.P. in 1962. He then worked for Time from 1972-1976, and returned to The A.P. as a special correspondent, covering the Vietnamese boat people. Those pictures, influenced the government decide to admit 200,000 South Vietnamese refugees to the United States.His 45-year career covered thirteen wars and amassed some 500 photojournalism awards.

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Saturday, April 18, 2009

Birthday Greetings

A special birthday greeting from my favorite soft drink company, prompted me to think about the recent flurry of messages in my inbox from various web sites and commercial establishments. Now I have free products or discounts for all sorts of items for me to claim within the next two weeks.

This is O.K. as I am accustomed to getting discounts due to my age. I've been a proud card-carrying member of AARP for 13 years now, and I LIKE THE DISCOUNTS!

I've waited all my life to become a Senior Citizen, and to claim the significance and respect I so rightly deserve! Of course, the downside of this is the fact that there is a limited window of opportunity for me to continue receiving these benefits. It expires at my death. Darn, there is always a catch.

Anyway, I'm going to enjoy it while I can. After all, the Cranky Old Guy's slogan is . . ."If it's FREE, it's for ME!"

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Friday, April 17, 2009

Newspapers ARE Needed!

Most everywhere we look, there are newspapers cutting back on publication days, reducing staff or closing down altogether. The Grand Rapids Press (as yet) is not one of those according to publisher Dan Gaydou in a speech this week.

It is alleged by some of those other newspapers that the internet has played a significant role in their demise. This may be true. As I have stated previously, I get most of my news intermittently throughout the day by checking various links on the World Wide Web. There are many 'news' sites out there, some of which I wouldn't base any important decisions or opinions on with the result of their content.

I personally hear about the content of the G.R. Press from my wife, who updates me on news items we are both interested in. As a result, I consider myself to be well-read and completely informed due to my wide coverage of the news from many reliable sources, both print and electronic.

What I do not want to see, as I have stated before, is the complete disappearance of newspapers or magazines. These organizations (presently) have both the staff and resources to keep the public informed and advised as to what is occurring in all forms of government and business. They have taken it upon themselves to be our watchdogs as to what affects and effects us as citizens.

We cannot afford to see these outlets fail. Despite my lack of actually reading the printed version of the G.R. Press, I do not plan on letting our subscription lapse. I urge you to follow this path . . . do not stop supporting your local news outlet, keep your subscription current.

The lack of an observant press could be our downfall.

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Thursday, April 16, 2009

Taxes . . . I couldn't have said it better

Today, I'm posting the text of Jack Lessenbery's broadcast on Michigan Public Radio from yesterday (tax day). I couldn't have said it better.

Essay: Taxing Concerns - 4.15.09

Michigan Radio's Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry offers his thoughts on everyone's favorite subject: taxes...


If you are sophisticated about matters of race and class, you know there are two types of people in this country. Those who did their taxes weeks ago, and those who are going to be rushing to the post office at a quarter to midnight tonight.


I did my taxes last month. That is, I paid someone to do them for me. Long ago, I figured out that procrastination was its own worst punishment, and the best thing is to do everything you absolutely have to do right away. That frees your time up to do something more pleasant and frees your mind of guilt.


Now I’ll tell you something even weirder about me. I like paying taxes. That’s right. Oh, don’t get me wrong. I wish I had more of my own money to buy stuff with.


But I have no problem with paying taxes. Talking about money has replaced talking about sex as the new taboo, and I am about to break it. My wife and I paid somewhat more than $40,000 in federal income taxes last year, and I feel good about that.


This is a pretty wonderful country, and I like to contribute my bit to it. That doesn’t mean I approve of everything the government does. I think every cent spent on the Iraq war is wasted, and I wish the feds would spend it on rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure instead. But I don’t mind paying taxes, and regard those who whine about them as obnoxiously selfish.


The fact that we are so anti-tax stems in part from years of politicians unscrupulously telling us that taxation was theft.


We’ve been led to believe that we can have our highly expensive layer cake and get away with not paying for it, too.


My own views are classic conservative ones, taken from that paragon of Republican rectitude, U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes. “I like to pay taxes,“ he said. “They are the price we pay for civilized society.“ When the average person thinks of where their tax money goes, they think of bloated bureaucrats.


If you are on the right, you may think of your dollars going to undeserving welfare recipients. If you are on the left, you may think of money being used to torture people in secret CIA prisons.


In fact, the federal income tax is why we have an interstate highway system. Without taxes, we could drive on dirt roads and go to the bathroom in the back yard. As for education, mama could handle that while daddy fends off the vigilantes.


This year, to try and keep services up and ward off economic collapse, our government will spend more than a trillion dollars more than it collects. Much of the shortfall will be borrowed from places like Communist China. I think we should pay for more of it instead.


This is our country, and we’ve never thought much of freeloaders. On this tax day, it might make sense to realize that it is only right to pay to finance the lifestyle we have come to enjoy.

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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

I'm Calling it - Now!

I always get sucked into watching this program every year as my lovely wife enjoys watching the auditions and gets hooked on some of the subsequent talent "sent" to Hollywood.

This year has appeared to me to have the best crop of contenders more so than any previous season. So much so, that at first it seemed it might be a tough choice as to who might be the top pick . . . but not for long.

Adam Lambert has out-paced all the candidates for this season. With just seven left as of today, I'm ready to call it . . .

ADAM LAMBERT will be the next American Idol!

His talent, his stage presence and his ability to make almost any song 'his own' outshines the competition. I can see a very long and successful career for him. I foresee him even surpassing other music greats such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and maybe even the Beatles soloists.

Last week's performance of "Mad World" blew me away, and now we cannot wait to hear his next song presentation.

As much as I like "Michigan's Own" Matt Giraud and young Allison Iraheta, Adam has jetted into first place and will stay there. I am no longer interested in watching anyone else on the show, just give me Adam and his rendition of any piece of music. American Idol was completely boring last night with the exception of Adam's performance of "Born To Be Wild" which in my mind is exactly an excellent description of his life.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Cadbury Eggs

I have several holidays that I enjoy each year, but being a chocolate addict, I really look forward to Easter . . . Cadbury Eggs!


I really, really, really enjoy savoring the flavor of each and every bite. Even now as I type, I am salivating for a luscious Cadbury Egg (It's 7:37 a.m.).

But where can you get them say, in August? Where? Huh?

If you know, please tell me. I beg of you. Help support my craving . . . please!

Oh, sorry. I sound like a blithering idiot. Chocolate does that to me, sorry!

(I'll share!)

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Monday, April 13, 2009

Miscellaenous Crankings . . .

Pirates . . . Don't Mess with the U.S. They should be blown out of the water - literally! Armed Marines should be posted to every American ship sailing in those waters. Eventually they will get the message.

Donald Trump . . . Your "Apprentice" program was fine when you had young, aggressive smart kids on it. Now that you've fallen to a new low with some egotisical 'celebrities' that think they are smarter - it sucks! Time to Dump Trump!

Republican Conservatives . . . Cease the verbage on how you think the country should be run. You had your chance and blew it! SHUT UP! President Obama has done more for this country in less than 100 days than any other President!

Auto Companies . . . Change or goodbye! If you can't see the handwriting on the wall as to the future of transportation, and how to properly manage a company, then you deserve to fail.

Banks & Wall Street . . . Get your Dad-Gum act together! Stop being so damn greedy and SERVE your customers, or we will invest in the Bank of Sealy Posturepedic!

Iraq & Afghanistan . . . Get your country in order - we're not gonna' stick around forever. If you can't straighten up, then shoot each other off the face of the map!

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Sunday, April 12, 2009

Thank You, Jesus!

Thank You, Jesus . . . For Redeeming Me from Sin!

I have accepted you as My Personal Savior, and am celebrating 32 years of Grace with You! I continue to pray for your everlasting blessings for all my family and friends.

May God Bless You All!

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Saturday, April 11, 2009

Recycle Meds / Drugs / Bottles

A thought struck me today as I gathered up all my drugs I take each day, and there are many, I'm sad to say.

When I looked in my medicine cabinet and saw a group of drugs I no longer take, I thought why isn't there a resource available where we could take excess or leftover pills to be distributed to individuals who can't afford some of those prescriptions. Rather than toss them away, they could be used to help others, as long as the drugs are not out of date.

We are advised NOT to flush them down the toilet, as sewage treatment plants are unable to filter all the chemicals out of the water before sending it into streams and rivers.

I'm sure that there are people who need these prescriptions and cannot afford them. Why not establish some agency to handle this recycling?

And while we are at it, why not have drug store take back the pill bottles, to be recycled and used again?

Why Not?

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Friday, April 10, 2009

Printer Ink Refils - DON'T DO IT!

You can see these kits being offered everywhere today - "Easy to use!" "Save Money - Do it yourself!"

There are stores where you can take your cartridges to have them refilled, and even Walgreens is now offering this service.

DON'T DO IT!


From personal experience I can attest that the grief you might endure is not worth the alleged savings you might obtain. Let it be known that I am not discounting the quality of service that any commercial enterprise may offer, I am stating that in every case I encountered, it created more of a problem that it was worth!

Yes, you will save money! However, the quality of the ink I used was far less then what I would expect. Plus in one instance, the quality of the work was so poor, it gummed up my printer so bad, I was unable to clean it. I finally discarded the unit entirely.

I now stick with OEM ink from my printer's manufacturer, but I purchase it from a locally -owned discount office supply store. I am completely satisfied with this solution.

Regarding issues with ink jet printers . . . they are priced so affordably, that it is NOT worth the cost to repair them. Just buy a new one! BUT, dispose of them properly - make sure any computer equipment you discard is recycled and will not end up in a landfill.

By the way, the same can be said in some cases for laser printer cartridges. Don't do it yourself, it can be a disaster. There are reliable local sources for recharged laser printer cartridges, and if you find a source (as I did) stick with them. They will stand behind their products.

Caveat Emptor!

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Thursday, April 9, 2009

Pirates of the . . .

Normally I'm not in favor of being the World's police force, but the scenario off the coast of Somalia is starting to enrage me. Pirates now have attempted to take over a ship crewed by Americans. This situation also outraged even my normally calm and sensible spouse.

I think it is time for these ships' crews to arm themselves and shoot the Bast**ds! I am also quite pleased that the Navy has sent one of our warships to the area to resolve the issue.

"Don't Mess with the U.S." Our navy ought to take a fighting stance with these criminals and deter their ideas of piracy once and for all.

Sink their ships and talk later!

Time to set an example!

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Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Imports - only when we NEED them!

The press reports on Blueberry imports has me a bit confused.

Why are we importing these items into the United States when we grow these products on our home soil? With the economy in turmoil, one would think that we want to keep our home-grown goods in the marketplace for our local farmers to generate income, not for foreign farmers to keep our money in their country.

What's wrong with this picture? We grow it or make it - we should buy it, and keep the $$$$$ here! Oh, sure, there is the argument that one can save money on lower-priced imports, but right now we need to keep our country fiscally sound, not those outside our borders.

Now is the time to BUY LOCAL! Keep our farmers and businesses profitable - the money stays LOCAL - here in our economy - the economy here grows - this money is in return spent or invested HERE! Is my thought process off kilter?

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Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Internet Radio Player

The internet is such a multiple resource that I am finding new uses for it everyday. I had been using iTunes as my base for playing music from 'radio stations' on the web - until yesterday.

"Radio Sure" is a very small application that has over 12,000 'stations' for you to pick from. It is easy to use and very straight-forward. I'm delighted with this program. It also offers the opportunity to record the audio stream.

If you want to listen to 'radio' on your computer, this is the application for it. Check our Radio Sure here.

Now the next step is for a similar application for my cell phone. Hmmmmm.

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Monday, April 6, 2009

April 6, 1968



Republic of Vietnam

Company A
15th Engineer Battalion
9th Infantry Division
U.S. Army
Dong Tam, Vietnam

Rest In Peace, My Friend

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Saturday, April 4, 2009

Guns, and violence

I was raised in a common-sense household where my dad and both my grandfathers were hunters; not the avid, hard core type, just the average sporting-type hunter. The guns were hung in the house on racks, but not on public display. I learned how to shoot at an early age, and went both bird and deer hunting before I was a teenager. Target practice with a rifle and a pistol was a regular part of my life. I learned early on to have a great respect for guns.

In high school, weapons training was a part of classes, as it was a military academy. This sharpened my skills. Then when I entered the Army, it became a part of daily life, especially in Vietnam. So I have had these weapons of human destruction around most of my lifetime.

I don't drive a pickup truck (although I would like to), and I don't display any guns in the house, nor do I hunt any more. But I firmly believe in the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, the right to keep and bear arms.

My wife and I have for years discussed the idea of taking gun classes together, along the lines of ballroom dancing classes. I definitely can shoot better than I can dance!

When I came back from Vietnam in April 1968, I was so paranoid that it wasn't more then a week that I went out and bought a handgun from a local sporting guns store. I owned it for more than 20 years until it was sold to another individual.

My experience with guns has not driven me to use them for any reason other than for sport.

April is my month of birth, and it is also a month of shame of America. 20 years ago we mourned the death of the victims at the Columbine High School shooting, 2 years ago it was the shootings at Virginia Tech, and yesterday, it was the shooting of innocent persons in Binghampton, New York. This is such a tragedy.

But what can be done to prevent this from occurring again, how do we stop armed robberies, how do we stop drive-by shootings, how do we keep family members from killing each other with handguns? Do we eliminate weapons with bullets altogether? Do we end the sale of firearms completely? Do we prevent the ownership of handguns and rifles?

I do not believe this is the solution. Do you remember the slogan from several years ago . . . "Guns do not kill people, people do." This is true! Banning guns won't solve the problem. Training in the respect for guns will help. Background checks for the purchase of guns will help. Licensing for gun owners will help. BUT IT WILL NOT STOP THE PROBLEM! I'm sorry to say that in our society where guns are 'freely' available, it will continue to be a problem.

I do not endorse any method to prevent citizens the legitimate right to own and use guns. I DO endorse the tightening of regulations for gun ownership and purchase, including the requirement for gun purchase to include a curriculum of gun safety and use. I also DO endorse the complete ban on automatic weapons, and I don't mean just to deactivate the auto firing mechanism. No one needs to have an automatic weapon - NO ONE needs an automatic weapon! Do I have to say it again? If you want an automatic weapon, purchase a facsimile.

The present economy may create a class of HAVES and HAVE NOTS in our society. People are beginning to get desperate. This may result in more crime, and perhaps crime using guns.

So, in light of my previous comments, do I have a solution? NO, I DON'T!

Do I want the ability for me to have a gun to be restricted? NO!

Do I want crimes with guns to stop, YES!

If I don't have a solution, am I part of the problem? I don't know.

I just don't want legislators to go overboard in an attempt to rectify or circumvent future tragedies of gun possession.

What can I do?
  • I can pray.
  • I can support tighter, legitimate gun purchase and ownership.
  • I endorse a crackdown on illegal gun sales and possession.
  • I want to see mandatory licensing and training for the privilege of gun ownership.
  • I want to see a complete ban on automatic weapons.
Whether any of this will prevent crime or future tragedy, I don't know. But in a civilized society, there has to be a way.

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Friday, April 3, 2009

What was God Thinking?

Today as I rethink my earlier posting about Cob Webs, I began to wonder about two other organic items.

What purpose do Dust Bunnies or Tumbleweeds serve?

Now I think that some may question my sanity for even spending time on such a topic, but really, why do these two items exist? There is some reason, I believe, but I can't comprehend what that might be.

Yes, a great many tragic incidents occur which have greater importance in the grand scheme of things. But, questions such as the two I broach, have passed through my mind, and I thought it might be worth pondering.

Not that at anytime during my brief appearance on this earth will I discover the answer, but maybe at another time.

Although at the time of my eternal reward, I'm sure that I will be in such great awe of my Creator, that points such as these will be miniscule.

However, creative as my mind can be, I'm sure that I will end up pondering other useless points in the future.

This is one of the reasons God gave me a brain . . . . but I believe He thought it would be used for a better purpose.

I'll continue to try.

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Thursday, April 2, 2009

L O S T

Another flash-backy episode, with somewhat of a solution to young Ben's physical predicament. We also have surmised where Aaron is, now that Kate is back on the Island.

But what I found interesting is the final scene where Ben is suddenly an adult with John Locke sitting by his bed. In the same chamber are several other persons on beds. Have we discovered the Island's Life Regenerating Chamber?

Will some or all the the characters who have been killed off over all the episodes come back to life? Is this how Richard Alpert keeps his young looks? Will Claire and Jack's father be around again?

Apparently, anything can happen on the Island.

Should this life regenerating chamber be true, is this the basis to reincarnation?

Well, it is another 7 long days to 'the answer.'

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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Cobwebs - from "Cobs?"

(This IS an April Fools Day posting)

Cobwebs.

Where DO they come from?

I've never been able to spot any of those darn Cobs anywhere. Does bug spray work to kill the cobs? Would Terminex be able to terminate them?

I went to Wikipedia to see if they could explain it. Nope! Not to my satisfaction.

They are the bane of my existence. You see we have a vaulted ceiling in our living room with some great skylights, which spotlights these networks of thin, connected lines, high up in the ceiling. I am forced to grab this long expandable pole with a duster at the end, in order to eradicate the evidence of an alleged, dirty living space. When I finish, it may not even take a days span of time for the @#$%%^ things to reappear again.

WHEN DO THEY DO IT?

In the darkness of night?

AAAARRRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!

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Imagine . . .

(This is NOT an April Fool's posting)

Last night I had a dream, which is normal for me, but it involved the scenario that animals could speak - all animals could talk to us and communicate in a normal fashion as you and I do.

Imagine . . . the conversations. I truly got interested in this concept. Being a cat lover, I began to wonder If we would find out if these marvelous creatures are as aloof as they can appear to be, or if their 'love' for us is just an act to get attention?

It certainly would be scary if one encountered a predatory animal, like a large grizzly bear. Would you be able to talk your way out of being their main meal for the day?

I don't particularly like spiders. I would want to know why and how they appear in locations I would least expect them.

I could go on, but you can expand my list with some scenarios of your own.

But, really, wouldn't it be interesting. Would we really want to hear the comments from the squirrels in the trees this summer? Or the constant dreary cries of the Mourning Dove? Or, how about the never-ending chatter of crows.

Think of all the noise we would have about us, in addition to our own blabbering.

How quiet and peaceful would the forest be then?

Makes you stop and think about the next words out of your mouth, doesn't it?

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About Me

My photo
A retired former public relations practitioner, radio broadcaster, professional photographer, electronics geek and a Vietnam Vet.