Top Droppers for September

Just want to give thanks to my top droppers for the month of September. I really appreciate your drops.

1. Where the Long Tail Ends
2. Enfotainer- Enfotain Your Mind
3. Fish Hook and More
4. Snapshotcap
5. writing to survive
6. What the Bald Guy needs to know about sports
7. MamaFlo's Place
8. Confessions of a Fitness Diva
9. Bobbie Dawn
10. Orange Derange

I also want to acknowledge Norma Jean for being my biggest advertiser this month.

Finally, I am grateful to everyone that drops in, reads, comments, or just drops. You keep coming and I'll keep writing!

Mystery Man

Cork

If you've read some of my earlier blogs, you'll recall that I have a thing for sandals. Well, yesterday, the little woman and I went shopping as another way of getting her out of the funk she's been in since Friday.

She is well aware of my love of open toed sandals and such. I swear, she was trying to mess with my head, because every pair of shoes she tried on was an open toed sandal of some sort.

What made it even worse, was that the cork one for some reason drove me to the point of almost picking her up, going home, and...well...use your imagination!

So, on top of the other obsessions I have discovered, I guess you can add cork sandals to the list. She did get a nice pair that she says are some of the most comfortable shoes she's ever worn.

Oh well, at least I didn't start jingling keys in my pocket (see my previous blog entitled "The strange man and the mannequin")

Economic Recovery Plan

I received this in a forward this morning, and thought I'd share...

The Birk Economic Recovery Plan

I'm against the $85,000,000,000.00 bailout of AIG.

Instead, I'm in favor of giving $85,000,000,000 to America in
a "We Deserve it Dividend".

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000
bona fide U.S. Citizens 18+.

Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman
and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up..

So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.

My plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a
We Deserve It Dividend.

Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.

Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.

But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife have $595,000.00.

What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads
Put away money for college - it'll be there
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs
Invest in the market - capital drives growth
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else

Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks
who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company
that is cutting back. and of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.

If we're going to re-distribute wealth let's really do it...instead of
trickling out a puny $1000.00 ( 'vote buy' ) economic incentive that is
being
proposed by one of our candidates for President.

If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every
adult U S Citizen 18+!

As for AIG.

* Liquidate it.

* Sell off its parts.

* Let American General go back to being American General.

* Sell off the real estate.

* Let the private sector bargain hunters cut it up and clean it up.

Here's my rationale. We deserve it and AIG doesn't.

Sure it's a crazy idea that can 'never work.'

But can you imagine the Coast-To-Coast Block Party!

How do you spell Economic Boom?

I trust my fellow adult Americans to know how to use the $85 Billion
We Deserve It Dividend more than I do the geniuses at AIG or in Washington
DC.

And remember, The Birk plan only really costs $59.5 Billion because
$25.5 Billion is returned instantly in taxes to Uncle Sam.

Ahhh...I feel so much better getting that off my chest.

Kindest personal regards,


T. J. Birkenmeier, A Creative Guy & Citizen of the Republic

Shame this can't actually happen. Couldn't well use some extra cash in our pockets? Of course, it makes too much sense to actually work, but we can all dream, can't we?

The Boss at the Super Bowl?

Remember in the not so distant past when the Super Bowl halftime act was someone relevant? Then came "Nipplegate" and the NFL freaked out and got all conservative with their choices of halftime entertainment.

It seems since that fateful day, the NFL has been so scared to book anyone under 50. Not to take anything away from these acts. I mean, Prince was the act a couple years ago, and rocked the house. There is a reason these older acts have lasted this long, and are even considered. It's because they know how to make a hit and perform. However, the fact remains that none of them are in their prime anymore.

It should be noted that the average football fan could care less about the halftime show unless it was a bunch of half naked girls out there doing a strip tease or something along those lines.

However, I do care for the halftime show. I have no qualm with seeing older acts, but I think in today's world, and to bring in ratings, there needs to be a newer act headlining. I mean, one year Brittany Spears, N'Sync, and Aerosmith performed at the big game. If memory serves me right, Britany was the headlining act. Fast forward that to today. Replace N'Sync with some boy band that's out there now (if there are any left), and I guarantee you Aerosmith would be the headliners. Nothing wrong with that, though, I love Aerosmith. I'm just saying.

I remember being so disappointed a few years back when the big game was held in Detroit, and there was no mention of Motown! If they wanted to keep with their parade of old fogey acts, they could have brought out Stevie Wonder. I guarantee he would have brought down the house but instead they had some country act. Don't quote me on that.

This year, they have chosen Bruce Springsteen as the halftime entertainment for the game down in Tampa, FL. I have tremendous respect and admiration for The Boss, but how many people under the age of 25 even know who he is? If not for some Springsteen songs I played in high school band, I probably wouldn't know who he is, either. I realize he has a great resume behind him and all, but given the choice between Springsteen and say...Leona Lewis, I'd have chosen Leona. Much easier on the eyes, and she's relevant to today's crowd.

I may end up being proven wrong, though. Bruce may put on a good show. It just seems that the NFL is still scared of something and they need to stop cowering and grown their balls back!

Things could be worse...they could have chosen Miley Cyrus or the Jonas Bros.

Busty-ed

A coworker of mine who recently had a baby was talking about her engorged breasts and breastfeeding at lunch today. Granted she's not exactly flat chested normally, so you can imagine what most guys (students and teachers alike) have been reacting too. Sad, but true!

My friendship with this woman got me to thinking, almost all of my female friends are rather well endowed. I think this may be subconcious, buit then again, it might not be.

It makes me wonder, though. Why are all my friends of the female persuasion so busty? I mean, it's one thing for my girlfridns to have such dimensions. I mean look at my last 3. Currently I';m with a woman who is 5'4" and has DDs, before her I was with a girl that was 4'11" and in an B cup(she was well proportioned and they looked bigger on her), and before her I was with someone that was 5'10" and went back and forth between C and D every week. Not quite sure what that was about. Like I siad, these are all women I've dated, though, so for them to have large bustlines is an added bonus, however with friends there is no such benefit.

This has me baffled. Going back to a previous blog about Oedipus, bot my mother and sister, I believe are of average bust size. Can't really say for sure, it's not like I sit there and stare at them. That would just be too weird!

Oh well, just something I needed to get off my...*AHEM* chest. (sorry for the bad pun)

I really should rename this blog something along the lines of boobs, since I believe this is the 3rd or 4th blog regarding busts.

Gone Emo?

The little woman came home Friday and was not in a good mood. Apparently, some of her coworkers went out to a bar that night. Let me rephrase that, they were inviting everyon in her office, but her. So, that depressed her and had her thinking she had no friends and no one to confide in, etc.

I know what you're about to say, "She has you!" Well, here's the thing, what if she wants to talk about me? Or girl stuff? It's just a different scene, y'know?

So, Saturday, she was feeling a little better, but decided to go and chop off her parts of her hair and giver herself bangs. Then last night, she started crying about how she missed her hair and the ability to put it in a bun!

*SIGH* What's next? Redecoratin the house? Going emo? Guess I'll just have to wait and see. Hope this all passes soon. Damn those people in her office!

Musical Monday 5

This week's edition oif musical Monday takes a bit on the dark side. Enjoy Metallica's "Enter Sandman"!

Eye Candy vol 6

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A note to my entrecard droppers

I just wanted to drop a few lines to apologize to my entrecard droppers. Usually I get back to you within the span of 24 hrs. However, for some reason this morning I got penalized or received an invalid message for every drop. Some sites did allow me to drop., but not enough to say so. Some site, the card would show, but the banner was justa yellow bar. On top of that, the page site itself was laoading a bit slow. At first, I was thinking it was my comp, but no other sites were slowed.

I have heard that Entrecard was having some issues, though, so I attirbute them to that. They eveb refnded my 915 penalized credits. Hopefully this won't happen again. **KNOCKS ON WOOD**

Out of State penalty?

I was looking at some grad school info this morning and I noticed the fees, most specifically, the out of state fee. Now, more than likely this will get waived, as it does for many students, but has anyone really stopped to think what the point of an out of state fee is?

I don't know about you, but it seems as if they want to penalize and make you pay extra for going out of state! WTF?!? What genius thought this up? If I want to go to school outs ode of my state, that's my business. I shouldn't be forced to stay in state just because of some outlandish fee. Trust me, it is outlandish!

Of course, this may all be for naught, as I may stay in state and get my Master's from my alma mater. Time will tell. I know that I'm not exactly a fan of out of state fees. lol If I ever ran for president (don't hold your breath waiting for that), that would be one of the first things I'd get rid of. It's pointless other than to keep people in state (which doesn't work too well, btw...lol)

Remember when?: Chapter 2

When did we become so soft and paranoid in this country? It seems as if there's nothing we can do without raising the ire of someone or some group.

Here a few examples:

Before the mid 80s or so, a man could compliment a female co-worker without fear of being sued for sexual harassment. Nowadays, that is not the case. If a man is even suspected of looking at a woman wrong, it results in his being sued and eventually fired?

**Note: I mean nonsexual compliments, such as "You look pretty.", "Nice dress", "You have pretty eyes", etc. Ok, those were lame, but you get the idea.**

I'm not sure when this started, but when I was in school and we did something bad, the principal could use a paddle on us. Nowadays, at least down here, bad behavior is punished by a counseling session. Yes, you read right, a counseling session. This may be different in other parts of the country.

As a little boy, I didn't participate in sports, but I had friends that did. Back in those days, the winners won and the losers lost. Nowadays, the winners still win, but the losers are given the same, if not better, treatment. I understand getting credit for playing the game and doing your best and whatnot, but you lost! Go home, practice, and come back another time. Why do we feel the need to placate little egos. It's not like they're going to be scarred for life. Do junior high, high school, college, or professional athletes break down and cry when they lose? No! Younger children are no different. just smaller versions. At this rate, I can see a future Super Bowl where the winner gets the Lombardi Trophy and the loser gets like part of Ft. Know, just so they don't run off crying to mom!

Let's look at television now.

Up until recently, you could see products such as Coke, Nike, McDonald's, etc. Now, they either make up some sort of parody on such name, or they blur out the images. No doubt this is due to money, but still...do they really need that much money, that they need to be paid for showing their products on air? With reality TV, it's worse, because they have no control, so they just tape over the stuff.

In the 50s and 60s language wasn't a problem on TV. Somewhere in the 70s or 80s, people started using stringer language. Now, they all of a sudden want to go back. I'm of the belief that one way or the other, you're going to hear said language, so just let it go. We'd all be much happier!

Remember when TV was actually scripted? What about when there was more on than just the 50 gazillion spin offs of CSI and Law and Order as well as other dramas. Does anyone else besides me recall sitcoms? What about afternoon cartoons? Yeah, those days seem to be long gone. It's all about drama and reality these days. None of it is good (reality that is).

Movies have just gone downhill

Am I the only one to notice that the quality of movies has gone down? I mean, when was the last time you saw a movie that was an original idea? Just last night, I was reading about all these remakes that are scheduled to be made. On top of that we have all these comic book, TV show, and musicals that are being spewed forth nothing wrong with those, just making a point). I blame this all on reality TV taking away people's imagination. It's only going to get worse until reality tv goes away.

Finally, the stuff we eat

There's a commercial that comes on where a family is eating corn on the cob and it has a stick of butter on it. That scene would never happen these days because we're so paranoid of cholesterol, heart disease, and everything else under the sun. Fact is, people ate stuff like that back then, and they turned out just fine as well as living long lives. Just because America has become fat, they want to blame it on the food, when in fact its due to the sedentary lifestyle and stress levels we thrust upon ourselves, not the food!

Remember when we could actually walk down the street? What about leaving the door unlocked? How about leaving your car windows down? Yeah, those days need to come back, but people are so paranoid now about their stuff getting stolen, chances they won't. If you're hat paranoid, then don't leave the stuff in there. It's as simple as that!

Remember when?

Thanks to Robin B for this. Check out her blog here

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO SURVIVED the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s!!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while they were pregnant. They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and didn’t get tested for diabetes. Then after that trauma, we were put to sleep on our tummies in baby cribs covered with bright colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors, or cabinets and when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention the risks we took hitchhiking. As infants & children, we would ride in cars with no car seats, booster seats, seat belts, or air bags. Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle. We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE actually died from this. We ate cupcakes, white bread, and real butter and drank Kool-aid made with sugar, but we weren’t overweight because, WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING! We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we were back when the streetlights came on. No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem. We did not have Playstations, Nintendo’s, X-boxes. No video games at all, no 150 channels on cable, no video movies or DVD’s, no surround-sound or CD’s, no cell phones, no personal computer! No Internet or chat rooms…… WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them! We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live in us forever. We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays, made up games with sticks and tennis balls and, although we were told it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes. We rode bikes or walked to a friend’s house and knocked on the door or rang the bell, or just walked in and talked to them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who didn’t had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!! The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard of. They actually sided with the law!

These generations have produced some of the best risk-takers, problem solvers, and inventors ever! The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas. We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

If YOU are one of them…

CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated so much of our lives for our own good. While you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how brave (and lucky) their parents were. Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn’t it?!

This also goes for those of us that were raised in the 80s as well. *SIGH* I miss those days. When did we become such a soft, paranoid society?

Look for part 2 of this blog coming later today.

All my exes live in....Colorado?

If you're not as well versed in music as I am, then you probably didn't get the title reference. It's from an old song "All My Exes Live in TExas". However, for me, that is not the case.

It seems that all my exes are migrating to Colorado. Specifically the Denver area. I just find this weird, but in the back of my mind, I'm wondering if this is some sort of planned conspiracy.

Of course, my ex-fiancee is from CO, so she's excused from said conspiracy, but at the same time, she may be the mastermind behind it all...lol

I can say, it is beautiful country up there.

When did blogging become all about money?

I was just doing my entrecard dropping for the day. I tend to drop on everyone that dropped on me the day before. Didn't make it all the way through, though. Got up to 300 before I finished. Not sure if that's good or bad.

While I was dropping, I noticed that there are quite a few blogs directed at making money. I don't know about you, but I don't blog to make money. If I wanted to do that, I'd go work for a newspaper or something. How can someone blog for money? More importantly, why? Isn't blogging supposed to be a fun way of getting your thoughts and opinions out there. It seems that in this culture now, we are obsessed with money. Everything comes back to the "almighty dollar". For shame!

So, if someone can enlighten me on this subjext, I'm all ears..er...eyes!

The strange man and the mannequin

Some people are just sick! Sick, I tell you!

As a guy, I'm not one to be excited about going shopping, but I will go an be supportive and give my opinion and what not. No big. Tonight, the lil lady and I went to Lane Bryant so she could use her coupn before it expired and becuse she had a bad day at work. I'll never explain how shopping makes women feel better, but whatever.

Anyway, while she was in the dressing room, I was wandering around the store killing time. I came across another guy looking at a manequin. At first I thought nothing of it, but then I noticed some movements in his pockets. Now, my initial reaction is that he was just playing with his keys. THat's what I do, but I was wrong. He had his keys on his belt loop.

Judging by the creepy smile and his fixation on the manneqin, I can only assume he was masturbating! That's right, this sick man was doing that right there in the middle of the store!

Good Lord man, get a room or some help, or both!

Watermelon

Today is my niece's birthday. She's a full 5 yrs old! Wow! Has it been that long? Anyway, I'm reminded of a funny story from when she was a little baby and I thought I'd share it with you guys.

My sister and her husband went to Jamaica for their second honeymoon/5 yr anniversary and left my nice and nephew with my parents. (I was taking summer courses at the time, so this all from what my mother has told me)

One day, they all went to the grocery store. After buying everything, they went to the car and unpacked everything. My mom, being in such a rush and not really paying attention, grabbed the watermelon and strapped it in the car seat. Then, with my niece still in the buggy, she rolled it back to the store. Then, she got in the car and drove off.

She got to the end of the parking lot before she realized she had left her. Why my nephew didn't say anything, I don't know.

Looking back she laughs at the situation, but at the time she said she was a bundle of nerves. I know I would be. Even though it was only a short while, anything could have happened to her. She was just a baby.

Thank goodness nothing did. My niece is 5 years old now...but she doesn't like watermelon...lmao

Let this be a lesson to you...never buy watermelon when you have a baby with you....lmao

Hateful people

Living in the south, you come to expect certain behaviors from people that wouldn't happen elsewhere. Tonight was no exception.

I went to pick up my pizza from Pizza Hut. While I was waiting, I noticed some of the people sitting around the dining room. The booth closest to me had this very stereotypical looking redneck looking group of guys. They seemed to be fixated on this nice couple sitting across the room near the window.

At first I was thinking, they were just uncomfortable with their PDA, but then it turns out the couple received their order before the rednecks. Whether this was true or not is not to my knowledge, but all hell broke loose!

The guys got up, walked towards the table and cornered the African American guy. One of them started eating their pizza. I think I saw another spit in their beverages. I'm not sure what was said, but the couple got up, said something to the manager and left.

Next thing I know, a whole slew of police officers come in and escort the guys out of the restaurant. I know it's not good to assume, but I can only assume this was some sort of race crime.

How pathetic is that? This couple couldn't even enjoy their date because of some closed minded racists who don't approve of the mixing of races. They were just looking for an excuse to start some stuff.

I for one, don't care about such things. If you turn us all inside out, we're all pink...except those that have black insides from smoke or something...lol

We like to say that we're a progressive country, and that race relations have come along way. Sure, they have, but there are still those stuck in the old ways and pass their ignorance down to their children. It's a sad cycle.

This was just a sad scene. Being in an interracial relationship myself, I hope that I don't have to deal with this kind of thing in the future. I may be a calm guy, but in this circumstance, I don't know if I'd be able to contain my anger.

Some people can be so hateful!

Maybe I'm not as much of a good guy as I think I am

I consider myself a really good guy. I'm one of those rare breed that will hold the door open for anyone, pull out the chair for a lady, etc.

Today, however, I'm not so sure I'm as good of a guy. I got home and this guy was walking down the street. I thought nothing of it. I figured he was just out for a some air or headed somewhere else. He comes up to me and asks if he can use my phone because his truck won't start, he's lost his phone, and he needs to get to work.

The guy didn't look like a thug or anything. Just a little dirty, but he works construction, what do you expect? All he wanted to do was use the phone. He even offered to pay for it.

I didn't want to be rude, and I live in a pretty safe neighborhood, but I just wasn't comfortable letting him in my house. If I would have had my cell on me, he could have used it, but I had left it here at the house this morning.

I feel bad. I mean, by not letting this guy use the phone to call his boss, I may have cost him his job, which may drive him to a life of crime or suicide. How can I live with myself after that? Think I'll go see if he's still out there and let him use my cell. At least I'll have peace of mind that way.

Musical Monday 4

This week's Musical Monday is a little different. I bring you the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. WE could all use a little culture, and the man is a genius. Without the classics such as this, none of the music we enjoy today would have even been possible. Enjoy Mozart's Symphony #40 in G minor mvt 1.

Eye Candy vol 5

Female Hottie: Alyssa Milano


Alyssa is one of the few child actresses to not fall prey to drugs and alcohol. She's known best for her roles in Who's the Boss and Charmed. she literally got hot in front of our very eyes!

Male Hottie:Daniel Radcliffe


Here you go ladies! Harry Potter is all grown up!

Random hottie from a movie or TV show seen this week: Rosario Dawson


With a slew of movie credits to her name and the beauty of a goddess, is it any wonder she's on here this week? Look for her to make a return in the future!

MILF: Lori Loughlin


Remember when she was married to Uncle Jessie on Full House? Now she has two of her own children and a role on the new 90210. Looking at those abs, can you believe she has 2 kids?

Classic/retro hottie: Lucille Ball


A classic beauty from the golden age of comedy. Known more for her physical comedy and I Love Lucy show, not to mention her red hair. Her beauty is often overlooked, but not by me!

Make him go away!!!!

The past few days I've been listening to LaunchCast on yahoo. Mostly becuse I'm too lazy to move my external hard drive around with the laptop, so it's still hooked up to the nearly fried desktop.

I understand that they need to advertise every now and then. I'm fine with that and all, but it seems like they only paid the free credit report company becuse all they play is that one commercial with the guy singing.

I'll admit, when it first came out last year or so, I thought it was a cute idea and even a but catchy, but after you hear it 50 gazillion times in one setting, it becomes as annoying as listening to those political pundits bash Obama, McCain, Palin, Biden, liberals, conservatives, independents, and each other!

I think one of two things need to be done. Yahoo needs to invest in some other advretisers, or this guy needs to go away for a bit.

**no sooner than i hit post did a radio shack ad come up...lol**

What kind of blogger are you?

Thanks to Empty Streets for finding this. I'm a link blogger. What are you?

You Are a Link Blogger!

Your blog is more about cool links than thoughtful posts. Better to be entertaining and brief than longwinded and boring! If a new meme or crazy story is making the rounds, you're the first to blog about it. People look to you to see what's new and cool.

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

Voting on looks?

A friend of mine and I were talking about who we were voting for since neither of us have 100% committed to one or the other. During our discussion, my friend said probably the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Not sure if he was being serious or not, but he said that he was voting for McCain/Palin becuse he likes to look at Sarah Palin? In other words, he's basing his vote for the next president based on the attractivenss of his vice president.

I guess he's forgotten that being vice-president means you all but disappear unless needed and she'll never be in the same place as McCain due to security reasons. Boy, I tell you, some people just don't think!

I hope he was joking. Not to make it sound like I'm against the Republican nominees, but these are just some repugnant reasons to vote for someone!

Stubborn dress codes

These stories are ridiculous. I don't know what has become of them, but I do hope that they have been allowed to return to school.

Eyeliner = Witchcraft & Devil Worship

Sunday August 31, 2008

Thanks to reader Christine in West Virginia for sending this one along. In an move oddly reminiscent of last year's Florida goth wear debacle, a high school principal has suspended four teenage boys for violating the dress code by wearing eyeliner. I kid you not. Eyeliner.


The students, who all attend Hedgesville High School, were told by the principal that eyeliner on males is a symbol of "gangs, violence and drug use." In fact, principal Don Dellinger said that certain markings done with eyeliner actually represent "satanic worship, witchcraft or gang membership," or at least, that's what the school policy says. One has to wonder who exactly wrote the school policy, and if it was laid out maybe a hundred years ago.


Derek Rose, one of the suspended students, likes to wear red and black eyeliner. His mom, Sharon Carpenter-Rose, says she doesn't get why this is even an issue. "You know, it's eyeliner," she said. "I wear eyeliner. It doesn't make any sense to me." In fact, there's nothing in the school policy about makeup at all, and no girls have been suspended for wearing eyeliner. Derek and the other three boys say they'll continue to wear eyeliner, even though they've been sent home from school.


Hedgesville High School seems to have a pretty good track record - they recently won an award for academic achievement, and their demographic information indicates that they're slightly above the state average when it comes to graduation rates. It would be a shame to see something as ridiculous as an eyeliner rule bring division to this school and community.


Do students need to have a good environment to learn in? Yes. Are some things disruptive? Yes. Is eyeliner on a sixteen year old boy something worth suspending him over? Not hardly. I doubt that there are other kids saying, "I can't focus in math class because Derek's eyeliner is distracting me." Don't get me wrong, I'm all in favor of enforcing a dress code when it's needed. But this is not only silly, but it's also inconsistent. Girls can wear eyeliner but boys can't. If you're going to ban makeup because it's distracting to others (whatever the heck that means), then ban it for everyone. Don't go and make up some piddly excuse about how eyeliner means you have "satanic worship and witchcraft" in the school. Then again, that brings us to another point -- if you have Satanists and witches in your school, guess what? They're allowed to be Satanists and witches, and they're entitled to an education too.

I went to high school in the early and mid-90s. During that time, there were quite a few guys who were into the whole goth scene. They had eyeliner and black nail polish...the whole sh-bang. Nothing was said back then, other than some funny looks. Granted, that was a different time, but it still doesn't change the fact this is one of the stupidest things I've ever heard in my life. Why can't a student be allowed to wear eyeliner? I know it's not the most normal thing in the word, but it is a form of expression. Saying they can't wear eyeliner, in my opinion, is like telling us we can't blog.

I would imagine there are a few devil worshippers in that mix, but not all of them. That would be lumping them all together in one big group. It's like saying all white people that live in the south are member of the KKK. This school board needs to calm down, let the kids go back to school and forget this ever happened. It would be a whole lot less of a headache.

As if that wasn't bad enough, read this one:

The mother of a 14-year-old high school student wants her son back at school after he was suspended for long hair that doesn't comply with the dress code.

Claudius Benson, a ninth grader at Old Redford Academy in southwest Detroit, hasn't had a haircut in 10 years because of his religious beliefs.

"This is not about a haircut, it's about our deeply held spiritual beliefs," Alecha Benson, Claudius' mother, told FOX News.com. "These are strongly held religious beliefs that we have had in practice for much of my son's life."

The school won't allow a religious exemption that would permit Benson to return to school.

"Right now, my son is really anxious to return to school," Alecha Benson said.

Claudius Benson's hair has not been cut since he was 4 years old because of the family's interpretation of Old Testament scriptures that prevent the cutting of his hair.

The Michigan American Civil Liberties Union sued the public charter preparatory high school Tuesday after the family complained that Claudius Benson was suspended from school three days after enrolling for violating the dress code. Benson remains suspended pending permanent expulsion.

"There was no other option but to vindicate his rights through a lawsuit," said Michael Steinberg, legal director of the ACLU Michigan chapter.

"Plaintiff wears long hair in keeping with his family's religious beliefs which are grounded in The Old Testament, and which demand compliance with various scriptural laws, including a passage in the Book of Leviticus that he and his family interpret as forbidding the cutting of hair," according to the complaint.

The Old Redford Academy "reserves the right to counsel, reprimand and even dismiss a student if the student does not cooperate or comply with the school standards."

"Hair must be neatly groomed in a close-cropped hair cut. Hair must be evenly shaped. (Braids twists, dreadlocks, etc., are unacceptable)," according to the school's dress code.

The school stands behind its dress code but will consider the Benson family's request.

“Anytime somebody looks for an exemption to our dress code police, we’re going to take a good, hard look at it to make sure it’s an appropriate request,” said Joseph Urban, an attorney representing Old Redford Academy. "We need to examine whether he is in fact asking for a religious exemption and what he's asserting for the religious exemption."

A school security guard escorted Claudius Benson to a meeting with a school administrator on Sept. 6 — the third day of school — where he was given a suspension form, according to the complaint.

Alecha Benson appealed to the school's board of directors on Sept. 11, explaining that her son's hair could not be cut because of religious beliefs. Claudius Benson remains on suspension.

Alecha Benson said she asked the ACLU for help because a board won't fully review the matter until Oct. 10, which would leave her son out of school for more than a month.

The school is allowing Claudius Benson to complete homework assignments at home but school policy provides a "0" grade on them since he is on suspension, Alecha Benson said.

The ACLU wants the school to declare its action unconstitutional and to allow Claudius Benson back on campus with the suspension removed from his school record.

It seems since late summer, I've been hearing more and more stories about students getting suspended/expelled because of their hair. I'm not sure which is worse, the eyeliner or the hair.

What is the big deal? It's just hair! Is having long hair going to stop someone who is sitting half across the room from concentrating on Geometry? No...well, unless it has some kind of funky smell or something, but that's a special circumstance. These school boards need to get the stick out of their asses, stop being so damn stubborn, and use some common sense.

Hair is just hair! Do these school not realize the bad press they're getting because they are denying a student their education because of a haircut? How's it going to look when they get ready to go to college and someone asks them why they were suspended/expelled? Not all colleges do the interview process and all the student to explain. Some just see the blemish and move on. So, these schools may cost them entrance into their dream college. One must wonder, how is it they can live with themselves knowing that they can do that much damage because they're stuck in their ways!

Closet Oedipus

It's amazing what you can discover about yourself that you didn't even know through a harmless little survey that friends post as myspace bulletins. Take for instance this weekend, there was a question that asked if your significant other was similar to your parents. It got me to thinking, and fact of the matter she does have some parallels, as do many of my exes.

This brought to mind the story of Oedipus, who had an unhealthy infatuation on his mother (that's the extremely watered down version of the story...lol) I don't think I have any more love for my mother than the next guy, although I am a mommy's boy. Yeah, I said it, wanna fight about it?

I think that perhaps I may be subconsciously trying to find a woman similar to her, though. Not every girl I've been with have had said similarities, but the ones that have lasted do. The one's that don't, I have noticed, didn't workout because they weren't very loving.

Top top all that off, the girl I'm currently dating and my ex-fiancee are both similar in build to my mother. Maybe I am looking to be with my mother without being with her, or perhaps its just coincidence. Who knows, right? It's just interesting that a harmless little question on a myspace survey caused such deep thought.

One more thing...a girl I had the hugest crush on in high school, and came this close to asking out, but didn't because she was so close to my best friend (it was a mystery...and still is, what that relationship was about)...she looked like my mom's best friend...and now she really looks like her. Even scarier, they have the same first name! As far as I know, they have no relation, though. How odd, huh?

It finally happened

It's official, MTV is totally departing from their musical roots. I read just a little while ago that they will be cancelling TRL. No date has been set for the last episode and they are saying that FNMTV will basically take its place, but it's not coming back until mid-November.

So, I guess it finally happened. MTV has been doing all they can to not show videos and by cancelling TRL, they can achieve their goal of showing nothing but the same reruns of their crappy reality shows.

While it is a sad day that they will be cancelling TRL, I cannot say that I am fully saddened. When I was in college, I would come back to the dorm flip on the TV (after they finally gave us MTV) and watch it. However, since then they have mutated the show so much that it's basically a talk show with video snippets forced in. On top of that, MTV keeps moving the show around to where a person can't find it. Last I checked it was coming on at 10 AM (Central time). A time when most people are at school or work. It seems like they've been trying to kill the show. In a statement by MTV's program director, it is said that this isn't the end and that it will be back at some point, but its just time to move on. Translation, we're tired of showing videos and want to show more top model marathons!

FNMTV, while being a good video show, is not the same as TRL, nor is it what it was advertised to be. They said it was supposed to all videos, yet when it aired, I was disappointed that it was nothing more than a bunch of screaming fans, pointless (and clueless) commentators, and live performances that are beyond sub-par. The videos that they play are the full thing, which is good, but for a how that is supposed to be all about them, they show very few of them. In the span of an hour, you would expect to see more than just 3 vids!

So, I guess the age of seeing videos is all but gone. VH1 still shows vids early in the morning/late at night, and has an actual countdown show. I can say that most of the videos I've watched in the past 4 or5 yrs I've watched on Vh1, MTV2, or youtube. I've said it before and I'll say it again. MTV just isn't what it used to be. It's only worth watching if you're into crappy reality (like The Hills).

Finally, if MTV is going to cancel the last remnants of the days when they were actually relevant and lived up to their name, then they might as well stop with the VMAs. I believe I'm on record as saying that its pointless to have an awards show for videos when you don't even play them! Seems a bit pointless if you ask me. Only time will tell what happens, but I have a feeling that MTV won't be calling itself MTV much longer. Especially since they have no music left on the station.

Kudos MTV for being so anti-music videos. You people are true geniuses!

Musical Monday 3

Today is Monday, we all have to go back to work, so hopefully this will raise some of your spirits!

Enjoy some jazz this week. Let's "Sing, Sing, Sing" with Benny Goodman.


This is the song from those Chips Ahoy commercials from not too long ago.

Politicalism?

For the longest time in this country we have had to deal with racism and sexism. Neither of which have gone away, no matter how much we say they have. There are still those that are swtuck in ther ways and have passed down their closed mindedness to their children.

Well, this afternoon, I was wathing a rerun of one of those pundits on one of those news networks. He said that conservatives are a minority and liberals are taking over the country or something like that.

I've been tryingto keep up with politics involiving the upcoming Preseditial race this year, because its important (and so I can actually understand political jokes...lol) I've noticed that liberals and conservatives are at each others throats the way blacks and whites were before the Civil rights movement.

It's quite sad! Just because a person has different views than another person on a certain issue, they shoukd not be treated like they have the Black Plague or something. This is a free country and all, but I seriosuly doubt that our forefathers had in mind us ready to go into an all out war over our political beliefs.

No wonder both parties are in disarray 99% of the time. They're too busy fighting the other. Not to mention the pundits fueling the fire with their unnecessary two cents and blaming of the media.

I guess instead of racism or sexism, you can call it politicalism!

Eye Candy vol 4

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Big Breasts Are Out Of Style?

A friend of mine posted this the other day and I thought I'd share both it and my thoughts on it.

Vogue Magazine UK says "Big Breasts Are Out of Style"


BOOBS are out of fashion. And flat chests are back. Or so came the decree from UK Vogue this week.

Golly! I guess that means I'll be packing up mine for a few seasons and storing them in one of those vacuum-seal storage bags they flog on Mornings with Kerri-Anne - so the moths don't get to them.

Of course, boobs have never really been in fashion in high-end fashion cliques. They kind of get in the way of the clothes.

That said, there does appear to be some evidence of a broad-based breast-lash going on.

Word from the Spring fashion shows overseas is that next season will be all about the "boy look" and the bandeau top, which, as any woman who's wriggled into one knows, serves primarily to plaster boobage back and under the armpits to create a bulbous androgynous form.

Fashion types are suddenly in a tizzy over minimiser bras, while flat-chested celebs are embracing some time in the limelight (which leaves me with a colourful image of Keira Knightley slinking out from the shadows of Jessica Simpson's pneumatic bosom to reclaim her four square-inches on the red carpet).

Poisonous gossip website TMZ pays homage to them this week with a bunch of gratuitous A-cup slideshows.

And I have it on good authority from my hairdresser (and aren't hairdressers the most accurate source for anything happening at street level!?) that everyone (read her clients and their friends and their friends) is talking about getting their breast implants removed.

"It's hot," she tells me.

Yes, washboard is definitely the new cleavage.

But here's the interesting thing. This about-face happens every time there's an economic downturn.

When economic bubbles burst, so does the buoyancy of women's breasts.

In the recession of the 1920s, fashion - and, hence, the idealised female form - reverted to a straight up and down "flapper" look.

In the '50s, a time of unbridled capitalist growth, breasts were big and highly sexualised.

Ditto in the '80s. Then came the '90s recession and with it the heroin chic look.

And, of course, the past decade of booming growth and rampant spending has galloped along hand in hand with a 300 per cent increase in breast enlargements in the US (the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons says Australian figures are much the same).

Economists have previously referred to a "lipstick indicator" to describe how a recession is often flagged by an increase in lipstick sales (women replace their usual splurges with a relatively inexpensive gloss indulgence).

Interestingly a chat with David Jones CEO Mark McInnes revealed lipstick sales have spiked.

As someone inappropriately suggested this week (and it was not Reserve Bank boss Glenn Stevens), perhaps we could now refer to a "breast barometer" of economic prosperity.

I can't help but notice implicit in this whole phenomenon is the idea that abundant breasts are a crass symbol of over-consumption and that, in the face of economic belt-tightening, they become threatening - and must be banished.

A journo in the UK's Telegraph newspaper wrote this week, "Currently flesh is de'classe".

And I was not at all surprised to read on Monday that the head of Australia's most prestigious fashion school has described the way women have been dressing as "trashy" and all about luring blokes.

He advocates a return to more sophisticated designs, which I read to mean that women should be covering up. And, he added, only men are capable of creating such a demure look. Oh really?

I don't know what's more repugnant. Being told to store my boobs for the winter if I want to fit into the latest boy designs. Or being told by a man I can't dress myself.

Hopefully, for this recession, we'll all defiantly thrust our best asset forward regardless of how much the ass falls out of the market.

Or, as one blogger commented yesterday, we could just "keep our fingers crossed for the day inverted and tertiary nipples become the hottest new accessories".

I don't know how true this is, but I hope it's just someone overreacting. I am a man who prefers big breasts. I know I like things in the past and, but the '20s aren't exactly my fav era for the reason all the women look like boys in drag. Women are meant to have curves. Just because the US (and world) economies are going to hell in a hand basket, doesn't mean females need to sacrifice what God gave them.

As far as I'm concerned boobs will never go out of style!

Go Away Jessica!!!!

There was a time when I actually loved Jessica Simpson. This was during the time when she was married to Nick Lachey,though. Since that show went off the air and she divorced him, my feelings for her have changed so drastically that I can barely stomach her!

I'm a Dallas Cowboys fan and proud of it, but listening to her talk here you'd think she was gonna be out there on the field. She may be in love with Tony Romo and vice versa, but I'm not so sure. It seems that it's more of a PR thing. Before she started dating Tony, her career was kaput, then all of a sudden she's back? WTF?!? Tell me that something isn't funny about that.

On top of all this, the games she showed up to last season were all losses for my beloved Cowboys, including (and don't quote me on this) the playoff game against the Giants. Jessica still has a hot body, but sh needs to stay away from Cowboy games. Heaven forbid she's there Monday night and they lose. She'll be even more hated than she is now!

Why can't she just go away?

New ideas?

Remember back in the day when people actually came up with their own ideas? It appears that those days are long gone. I just read that they're going to reboot the Robocop franchise as well as making a new Ghostbusters. These are just more entries in the long line of movies that some director, producer, or studio feels just HAS to be remade.

My question is, why can't anyone come up with their own ideas anymore? Comic book movies are ok, but why does Hollywood seem hellbent on remaking everything from the 80s? What is it, were the originals not good enough?

Not just the 80s, but they also seem to be delving into old TV shows alot more. Sometimes they work, and sometimes they don't.

I blame reality TV! Yes, you heard me, "reality" TV! It has robbed us of imagination and its starting to affect network executives and those that write the screenplays and such. It just seems that no one can come up with anything on their own anymore.

*SIGH* Yet another reason I long for the good old days!

A few things

I've got a few things on my mind that I just have to get out there.

First off, who is it that put it into the heads of the "stars" of MTVs The Hills that they are stars? I've watched a few episodes. It suks beyond all imagination. The idea that these idiots think they're stars and actually have talent befuddles me. Maybe one or two of them can hav a career as a supporting role in TV or movies, but none of them will be starring in anything anytime soon. Yet, they seem to think they're God's gift to Hollywood and that everyone should bow down to them when they walk down the carpet. Also, they think they can sing! I've never heard anything so wretched!!!!

People bitch too much! Gustav came through here last week, and people around here are pissed becuse the media was here during the hurricane and as soon as they found out the levees didn't break and there was no flooding, they hightailed it. It's not that big of a deal. Some wind damgae and the power being out is all that happened. New Orleans had much more devastation 3 yrs ago. However, I do feel the frustration of the pople around here, it's like they don't even acknowedge anything actually happened!

Enough with the music on people's blogs. One of the blogs that I normally drop on blogged about this as well, but I'm going to follow her lead and stop dropping if you have music that plays. It's annoying, especiall if I don't care for it. On top of that, if I can't find your card upon first glance, you can forget getting a drop from me. It's pointless to hide it among all the other useless crap you may or may not have on your blog. Ugh!!! What do you people think when you do this stuff?

I've mentioned in previous blogs that I have a thing for sandals. I was reading someone's blog the other day and they were talking about how flip flops disgusted them. I have to agree with them. I don't find them disgusting, but I believe flip flops should stay in the shower. If you must wear open toes shoes, then wear some flat sandals or something. Also, don't wear sock with sandals! That's just plain repugnant!

If you're going to have your windows open, then don't walk around naked! I would probably not be saying this if it was say Halle Berry or Denise Richards, but I looked out my window last night and this...how should I say this politely...rather "healthy" woman walked back and forth by the window. I'm the first person to give kudos to a woman for being proud of her body and not being stick thin. Also, I'm not exaclty in the best shape of my life, but there are somethings that should just not be seen by the world. It was rather disgusting!

Blackout issues

As some of you may know, last week the power was out around here. It finally came back on Saturday. Since then, some of the electronics have been having some issues.

The microwave clock seems to be bit dim. This could just be the way I'm looking at it, though.

My desktop was working perfectly fine before the outage, and now it's saying it can't start windows because it can't find it or its corrupt. Thank goodness for the laptop. Oh, did I mention, that the hard drive was making clicking noises? From what I've heard, that's a sign that it's nearing its end. Poor thing. I wish I could find a way to at least access the files on there before they get lost forever, though. I've talked to some of my computer geek friends about it and they're going to get back to me. Anyone else out there have any ideas/suggestions?

The microwave is no big, the comp is, though, but the next one is just annoying. My television is acting funky. I thought it was something to do with the remote, but the controls on the set won't even work. The menu screen comes up on its own and then any control over it is shot to hell. However, after a few monotonous button pressing things get back to normal...for a little while. Then it starts again. Oh, and unplugging it and plugging it back in doesn't help. Oy! Another issue that wasn't had before the blackout. Anyone got any ideas what's up with the TV? I'm stumped! It's annoying the piss out of me!

VMA's...what a bore!!!!

Last night I watched the VMA's. As I've said before, the fact that MTV even attempts to keep this awards show going is beyond me. They don't show videos anymore, and whilst I was watching the categories, they seemed like it was a cardinal sin to show the videos so that people actually know what they haven't been shown. 25 years ago, no one would have ever thought this is what the VMAs would have come to. They should just have a crappy reality awards show. It would reflect their programming more.

Anyway, so, last year, the VMAs resembled more of an after party than an awards show, and while some people liked it, I didn't care for it. The highlights were the return of Alicia Keys, Chris Brown's performance, and of course Britney's train wreck opening. Oh, and Kanye's whining about not winning and Justin's clamoring for MTV to play more videos.

This year, they went back to a more conventional awards show format. None of the performances really stood out...well, Pink and Christina Aguilera's did, but the rest were just ho-hum. This is the VMA's people. Do something!!!!

This guy that hosted it, I can't think of his name right now, was pretty funny, but apparently he pissed off some of he more Christian people there with his negative talk about promise rings. This was mainly because he was making fun of the Jonas Brothers. This is the second time someone has made fun of the Jonas Brothers and has been scolded for it. WTF?!? What is this power those little boys have over everyone? They're not that impressive. Anyway, his remarks, struck a chord with Jordin because she made a statement about it before presenting an award.

Lil Wayne needs to learn what a belt is. I know that it's a style to wear pants low and all, but good grief, why do you have to have your pants hanging off your butt?

After about the first 15 min or so, I was waiting for that one big moment, be it an outstanding performance or surprise winner, or something else. Sadly, it didn't happen this year. They were just a big bore and waste of time.

However, as I mentioned last year's Britney performance, seeing her this year is like night and day, and she was the nights big winner. If there was something that will be remembered, that's what it'll be. The night that Britney reclaimed her spot in the pantheon of superstars with stellar careers and not a train wreck.

Before I forget, Jonah Hill opened the show with a skit with Britney. Funny stuff, but, if you know anything about the kid, he's always hung around Seth Rogen. Well, he looked like mini Seth last night. It was kind of creepy.

In summation, the show sucked, and there was no point for me to have even sat through the whole thing. Only reason I watched it was for Britney and Christina.

Musical Monday (back after an unscheduled abscence)

It's Musical Monday again. This is what I had planed to post last week, but Gustav obviously had other ideas...lol Enjoy!



Figure it was fitting since Michale had turned 50.

Eye Candy vol 3

Happy Sunday people! Here are this week's group of hotties!

Female Hottie of the Week: Megan Fox


We all know her from Transformers, but she also starred opposite Lindsey Lohan in Mean Girls. Even back then she was a hottie, and who can forget that stomach! --drools--

Male Hottie: Ryan Reynolds


Hope the ladies enjoy this one. I know him from Blade:Trinity, Two Guys, A Girl, and Pizza Place, and the upcoming Wolverine movie.

MILF: Christina Aguilera


Hands down one of the most beautiful and talented women in the business. She can sing rings around those manufactured singers out there nowadays, and as you can see, she's not an eye sore. She's a true MILF!!!

Random Hottie from a movie or TV show seen this week: Zooey Deschanel


I would wager that you're not too familiar with Zooey. Her sister plays Dr. Tempereance Brenan on Bones, though. She is most known for smaller roles, but has had a few big roles such as Tin Man, Elf, Bridge to Terrabithia, and Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. I think she hasa retro classic look, which makes her a hottie in my book!

Classic/retro hottie: Michelle Thomas


If you don't know who she is, then think about Family Matters. She played Urkel's girlfriend, Myra. She was also on Cosby show for a while as Theo's girlfriend. Sadly, in 98 she dies of cancer. Such a shame. She was a talented hottie. Wonder what would have come of her career? Isn't she beautiful?

The adventures of Gustav

Well, it's been a week since I last blogged. That can be blamed00% on hurricane Gustav. That bad boy came through Baton Rouge Monday, and while my house didn't suffer any damage, parts of the city were badly damaged. Not in the way New Orleans was during Katrina and Rita, but still pretty damaging.

As far as I'm concerned, nothing was damaged. Some trees had their branches blown off, and the complex had the roof of the carport blown off. It wasn't that bad. However, the lights went out at 9:30 Monday morning and didn't come back on until a little after 5 Saturday afternoon!

This was not a fun period, but I can say, I got to know some of my neighbors, do some thinking, and remember what times were like before Internet. I think everyone who reads this can remember those days. Some may even remember what the days were like before TV.

I'm big on the retro factor, as you may or may not know, and this week let me see what it was like to sit around listening to the radio. That's all there was to do! Without power, there was no cable or Internet, food in the fridge went bad, ice cream melted, etc. It wasn't a pleasant situation.

Now, just because it took nearly a week to get my power back, doesn't mean that the whole city is back up. As a matter of fact, it was said that some of the hardest hit places may be out for 14-21 days! I'm glad to have my lights back on, but I feel for them, especially those older people.

I was thinking I should've evacuated, but the little woman didn't want to, and people told me that when Katrina and Rita came through, the power was only out for a few hours. So, going by them, I decided tro stay, and ended up having to deal with a week of no power! I believe there's one out there in the Gulf deciding which way it wants to go. If it heads this way, I'm headed out! This is the reason I don't like living in south Louisiana!

Amazingly, people who you never see before, suddenly appear when they have no lights. This was the case. One of he neighbors, whom I never see, actually was out of her house most of the time. Granted, she does work in a hospital and has long hours, which explains why she's never seen...lol She's such a cutie and nice as can be. If I wasn't taken...lol

Listening to the radio, I have come to the conclusion, some people are stupid! The station had a program informing people about power, emergency supplies, schools, etc. Well, they specifically said, don't call asking about a specific neighborhood getting power. Well, what do you know, guess what they did? They called asking about their power! On top of that, they made it sound like the radio folks, who were doing it as a service, and not really getting paid extra for doing it, were in charge/responsible for the power. Ridiculous!

Well, I don't really have much else to say about my experience, so I'll cut this blog short right there. I appreciate all of you that read and/or drop. I promise I'll catch up soon enough!