March 26, 2008

Recession and Commerce

So, again, I find that the daily barrage of news that we are in a recession seem to run counter to what people are doing. This time around it is on the national level. Picture three talking head pundits arguing about what people should do with their money. The consensus leaned on sitting on your money. Don't take risks. One even went so far to argue that, in the short term at least, many should not spend needlessly on big ticket items. It was really a bit of doom and gloom.
Then the commercial break comes. First is the etrade baby (he cracks me up!) touting how easy it is to invest. Then, next is the guy who puts his social security number everywhere, and tells you how he can protect your identity. This is followed by ads for a flat screen television, a luxury car, and a travel website.
It really made me wonder: Which is more persuasive? Are we more swayed by "experts" or by advertisers?

March 20, 2008

Now We Are Two!

Chase enjoying a morning birthday cupcake!Chase turns two today. It is a sort of sad/happy moment. He is no longer a baby. He really hasn't been for awhile now, but this milestone is usually the delineation between baby and toddler. That is the sad part.
The happy part is he is growing and developing daily before our eyes! He is a cross between a tape recorder and dictator. I realize that you have to be careful what you say in front of him, but the real problem is that the rest of the world does not. Going shopping has taken on a new aspect. And usually the people with vulgar language have kids of their own! That is messed up!
The fun part is still getting him to control his emotions. And I know that will take much more time and patience. The little dictator becomes indignant if you try to do something he does not want you to do. Last week, Kat borrowed a Laurie Berkner DVD from the library. He loves music of all sorts. (He will stop what he is doing to listen to the themesong of whatever TV show is on. He then goes back to business when it ends.) So, one night while Kat was at a rehearal, I put it in. I tried to get him to dance with me, and began moving in the geeky/awkard way that I dance. He commanded, "No dance, Daddy!" But I didn't listen. That is when he went nuclear and screamed! Then he started crying and said, "No dance!" When I stopped, he pointed to the couch and said, "Daddy, sit here!" I did as I was commanded.
This week he is moving up to a new class. It is much larger and has more kids. So far, he is not adjusting as well as he had in the past to the change. But this will not last long. Most dictators love new worlds to conquer. And more people to rule!

March 15, 2008

Mostly Cloudy

I found a great widget to create a Label Cloud. I added it to my Daily Photo blog. But, I had a little trouble adding it to this one. If I had any idea what I was actually doing, it would have gone much smoother.
I also went through and added labels to my previous posts. In some cases, it was like reading my own posts for the first time. Time does give you a more critical eye. And side note: I gave 2 posts the same title. One would think Blogger would have an alert that you are duplicating.
Anywho, let me know what you think!

March 13, 2008

S - IALD

Do you know how frustrating it is to always be the smartest person in the room, day after day?

Actually, no. You don't.

March 10, 2008

Dumb, Stupid Dubber

Okay, Dubber is not dumb or stupid. I am simply tranferring my angst and anger! Dumb, stupid tests...
Why do I torture myself? Just because there is a kooky test or puzzle, doesn't mean I have to click on it. It doesn't even mean I have to finish it!
Yet, here is the result of my nerd test:

NerdTests.com says I'm a Cool Nerd King.  What are you?  Click here!

Now I have always known, deep down inside, was a geek that would sit and read just about every comic book ever made by DC Comics, (Only Spider-man ever garnered my attention at Marvel.) all the while the old Buck Rogers and Battlestar Galactica tv series would be playing in the background. Still, I managed to satiate that urge with "real" books and Star Wars. Little did I realize that by doing so, I unwittingly created a rather balanced inner child.
Then this Nerd Test! This damnable scourge has now revealed this to the world! It has unleashed the child in the same manner a young Wart managed to pull the sword Excalibur from the stone!
Yes, I am your Cool Nerd King! Bow before me, ye awkward Dorks! Kneal and kiss my ring, ye nerds!
Trust well that I will be a benevolent ruler. We shall discuss how R2-D2 is the true main character of "Star Wars"! We shall argue as to which is faster, Superman or The Flash! But never, will I impose upon you the remake of "Bionic Woman", unless of course you find her hawt!

Our first order of business for the Round Table: "The Blair Witch Project" is a modern retelling of "Hansel and Gretel". Discuss!

March 07, 2008

I Aspire To Be Neal Boortz

Neal Boortz gets to rant and rave for 4 hours on our local radio station. He covers the gamut from national topics to the issues of everyday life and imparts his opinion with intelligence and common sense.
I came across his Top Ten Thoughts for 2008, and had to share.
Number 10. Life is sexually transmitted.
Number 9. Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
Number 8. Men have two emotions: Hungry and Horny. If you see him without an erection, make him a sandwich.
Number 7. Give a person a fish and you feed them for a day; teach a person to use the Internet and they won't bother you for weeks.
Number 6. Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Number 5. Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.
Number 4. All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.
Number 3. Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200.00 and a substantial tax Cut saves you $0.30?
Number 2. In the '60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world Is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.
AND THE NUMBER 1 THOUGHT FOR 2008: 'Life is like a jar of jalapeƱos. What you do today, might burn your a$$ tomorrow'.

I think Number 6 is my favorite. *giggle*
Oh, and John, you should really like him. He's a Texas A&M grad and (former) lawyer.

March 05, 2008

Resolution Redux

I had planned on checking out how my resolutions were going on the first of this month. I was too caught up in my R2-D2 post to really put any thought on them. Be that as it may, here is a snapshot on my progress:

1. Exercise more. As I stated, vague enough. I try to do some kind of exercise a week, and, since I did nothing before, this one is a lock.
2. Eat healthier. This has been an issue the past couple of weeks. With a nasty virus attack, I have not been back to normal in the G.I. tract. Without gory details, it really does not matter what I eat. (Sonic onion rings Sunday night! *drool*) Within 3 or 4 hours, well, you get the idea. *Bonus:* I dropped 20 pounds!
3. Enjoy more wines. Salud! Still not a red fan, though.
4. Write 500 words a day. I really only average about 250 to 300. Still, each day I gain!
5. Post one photo a day on Orlando Daily Photo. I have missed a few days so far. Daily posting is a tough thing. In 8 months, I have posted over 215 pictures. That means going out and finding something to shoot and posting. It has been very time consuming. Especially with an almost 2 year-old. Still, it has been very fun and very rewarding.
6. Post at least 6 times a month on this blog. So far, so good!

Now, I know these were too easily attainable. They were more about creating the habits and maintaining discipline. I knew with Chase, I have to do better health-wise and hold myself accountable, as later I will have to do the same with him. And I want to be the example.