Thursday Random Thoughts 12-10-2009

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-Miley Cyrus' song "Party in the USA" actually hurts my ears. I used to like her music a little bit but this one almost sounds like it was recorded in a tunnel and then run through a synthesizer or voice changer. she kind of sounds like Max Headroom (remember him?) Gimme Taylor Swift any day.

-What kind of socks do preppy pirates wear? Arrrrrglye.

-Sweet! 10,930 text messages last month... A new record! I want to thank Facebook and Twitter for helping me to achieve this honor... but I bet I can break it next month.

-I am actually a little bit surprised that so many people have voted in the poll that they have artificial trees fro Christmas. I know it's not a large sampling but I figured that more people would prefer "live" or "real" Christmas trees but know the artificial trees are kicking butt in the poll. See that you learn something every day.

- I made the mistake of trying to take my two and a half year old to Concord Mills to do some Christmas shopping on Saturday. I won't do that again.

-Oh Man Butter Rum Life-Savers sure are yummy!

-As much as huge terrible news stories are exactly that, terrible they do tend to captivate and hold our public attention. I know someone who is hoping and praying that something big comes along soon. Tiger Woods. Because I have heard it said that the only person in America glad to see 911 happen was Congressman Gary Condit. Remember him?

-BTW, if you are a celebrity who has a mistress or two and it's gonna come out anyway you might want to just go ahead and get it out in the open while Tiger is hogging the spotlight. Odds are good you won't get as much attention. Just a helpful tip.

-Newly installed Charlotte North Carolina Mayor Anthony Foxx was a classmate of mine at West Charlotte High School. He was a year ahead of me. It's not like I hung out with him or anything but he is a good guy and will be a solid leader for Charlotte. How scary is it that somebody my age is the mayor though?

- Why do they call it a "perm" or "permanent" if you are just going to have to get it re-done in about a month or two?

-Looking forward to getting home this afternoon because my copy of the new Jimmy Buffett album "Buffett Hotel" should be waiting for me. Great album with new songs including a great one called "A lot to drink about." I have heard most of the songs on satellite radio but am really looking forward to listening to it in its entirety.

- Walk to 100 update: So far 15.2 miles down and 84.8 to go. My progress has been slowed by the weather but I am plugging on. I will reach my goal of 100 miles by April the 14th.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 12/3/2009

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-It still amazes me that someone would name their kid Blanket.

-I am probably the last person in the world to realize this but my goodness the Beyonce video for "Single Ladies" is amazingly hot!

- I guarantee that if myself and another guy were discussing a woman's chest in the way that two female co-workers were discussing Taylor Lautner's chest in New Moon the other day we would be written up for sexual harassment. The words drool and bite were each said at least twice.

-It's been awhile since anyone has heard anything about OJ Simpson. Something tells me that the Brown and Goldman families both said they were thankful that the Juice is finally behind bars when they sat down for Thanksgiving dinner.

-Interesting Stat Counter note of the week: Our blog was actually linked to the Huffington Post this week for our blog post on Celebrity body parts that you may or may not want. Pretty sweet! We got a few hits from it including one from Saudi Arabia.

-While driving through the state of Maryland the other day I was reminded that for some reason that state just smells bad. Kind of like lower South Carolina. Yuck, glad I don't live there.

-While changing my son's diaper recently I realized exactly how much of a sponge he has become. Apparently he has been spending too much time with his 6 year old cousin because he
was chanting something that sounded strangely like "Yo Ho Ho, I'll kick your butt!" over and over again.

- Have you ever wondered why they call it Miracle Whip?

-I don't like Adam Lambert as a singer or performer. I never have and probably won't. I also have nothing against homosexuals or gay marriage but hey Adam don't try and say that because I say that I don't like your singing or performances that I'm prejudiced or homophobic. People still have the right to like or dislike whatever they want to in this country. Get over yourself, you are only trying to sell your album anyway.

-It's been getting dangerous recently to see what people are willing to do just to land a gig on a reality show. First we had the whole Balloon Boy fiasco and now we have these idiots gate crashing at the White House. This craze has gone past silly and has gotten downright serious. I hope they make an example of these idiots and that the Secret Service takes the clue and tightens up their security as well.

-Oh Tiger Tiger Tiger, you have really stepped in it this time. Not that it's right but you have to realize that as a high profile person that the second things go south people will turn on you and sell you out for a few bucks from TMZ or the National Enquirer. You know better than this and I hope you work things out with your wife. Make this a valuable lesson and also hire yourself some better PR people.... And don't leave voice mails and text messages for hoochies either.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 11/19/2009

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-To continue my trend from last week about women on children's programming who I think are hot when my son is watching. I really like the singer Laurie Berkner from Noggin/Nick Jr. Anyone else watch their child's TV programs because you think one of their performers is hot?

-I have recently rediscovered by love of Orange Soda that I have had since I was a child at summer camp. Man is it good yummy stuff. Trying to lose some weight so I have to limit my intake to a couple of cans a week.


-My son thinks that lima beans are little pieces of soap. When he eats them he will play with them and pretend like he is washing his hands. He even calls them "slippery" after the bar of soap on Blues Clues.

-Apparently the hot new must have toy for this year is something called Zhu Zhu Pets. I guess the concept it that they are pet hamsters for kids who can't take care of a real hamster. Except these hamsters drive cars and ride roller coasters and other crazy stuff in their little cages. Apparently they are hot and hard to get including selling for way to much on E-Bay and other places. Watch out because your kids may soon be asking for them. Didn't the recession put companies that make silly stuff like this out of business?

-I am looking forward to the movie "Little Fockers" coming out in 2010. I loved all the other movies in the series and even though I am not a huge Ben Stiller fan I bet this one will be just as funny as the others.

-After my rotten football weekend last week I was redeemed this past weekend by all my teams winning! Speaking of which the Carolina Panthers are playing at home against Miami tonight and my wife is going to the game for girls night out. I am staying home with Patrick and it will be boys night at home! I have a funny feeling there is Totinos frozen pizza in our future cause I don't get to make it very often!

-AED (defibrillator) update from last week. So my floor the 4th has two of these devises just in case someone has a heart attack while at work. (If there happens to be someone around qualified to shock your heart back into action) I went down and took a look at the second floor and there were none. No AEDs. Apparently it's safer to work on the second floor and my life is more at risk on the 4th. I am sure some actuary has it all figured out. However I have an ace up my sleeve... They are moving me to the second floor after the 1st of the year... BOO YAH !!

-Jay Leno had a line the other night that made me laugh out loud in bed and made me worry that I would wake my wife up. He was talking about this Twilight movie coming out and the character Bella. Apparently she was dating a vampire and broke up with him only to start dating a werewolf. Leno says something like, "Bella really needs to get her money back from Match.com because she is having some bad luck! People are giving Jay a hard time about that show but I like it.

-Why does my "personalized" Google News page pick an article about Dancing with the stars as their top recommended story for me? Never watch and can't stand that show. Obviously Google doesn't know me as well as they think they do. And that is probably a good thing.

-Google's second recommended story for me was something about Robert Pattinson and New Moon. STRIKE TWO !!

- Taco Bell Sauce can make just about any leftover lunch meal just a little bit better. Yum!

-Walk to 100 miles update. 11.2 miles down 88.8 to go. Weather and meetings have hampered my efforts recently. But I will plug on!

-My son had a great line the other day. We were in the car and he didn't want to be in his car seat and was saying he wanted out. My wife says, "No. It's the law" His response, "I'm Patrick Little and I don't need law!" This kid is too smart for a 2 and a half year old!

-Stat Counter stat of the week. Long time readers will remember a spat that we had with a 17 year old kid named Anniken McFly over a blog post from 2008 Mt. Cat made about Keanu Reeves. Well this Anniken McFly put our blog post on his website and we still get hits from it including this week. I just don't understand how someone can be that convinced that Keanu Reeves is a great actor.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 11/12/2009

Stuff I have been thinking about:

- I have never before in my life been to a full military funeral. It's always been one of those things that I have seen on TV or in the movies but never attended. On Saturday I was honored to attend the services for Retired Col. Clifford Crews in Jacksonville Florida. The burial included the playing of reveille, taps, and a 21 gun salute much as pictured to the right here. It was a very moving service and something that I think everyone should experience at some point in their life.

-Several odd things happened to me on my trip this weekend involving the music on the radio. Oddity #1 - When I got out of the car Friday night at the hotel the last song I heard was Shania Twain "That don't impress me much" The next morning I get back on the road after fueling back up and the very next song that comes on was Shania Twain "That don't impress me much." Weird. Oddity # 2 Between 5:30 and 6:15 am Saturday morning on two separate radio stations I heard the song "If I Can't Have You (I Don't Want Nobody Baby)" by Yvonne Elliman. I am familiar with this song but the odds of hearing it twice in an hour on my drive have to be pretty long. Is that song making some sort of comeback? Oddity # 3 The exact same thing happened later with the song "She's Come Undone" by the Guess Who. There are some odd radio stations in coastal SC and Ga.

-I drove across this really cool bridge on my trip to Jacksonville Florida Saturday morning. I like like bridges and this one is really awesome. The Napoleon Bonaparte Broward bridge on Rte 9A (pictured here) is an engineering masterpiece and it's new and in great shape unlike the bridges in New York that I drive over from time to time. If you are ever in the Jacksonville area you have to drive over it.

-Who knew that the term Rock and Roll was a euphemism for sex? I didn't I guess I really do learn something new everyday. It may not be valuable information but at least I learn something.

-So I have decided to try and get in a little bit better shape and along with going back the gym and eating a little bit better and smaller portions I have decided to get back into my walking. During my lunch hour after I eat I am going walking. I am trying to do between a mile and a mile and a half per day. My goal is to walk 100 miles during the Charlotte Bobcats season which averages out to less than a mile per workday (but I built in days off like yesterday for weather) So far I am 7.8 miles down and 92.2 to go.

-Is anyone else really getting tired of Jimmy Football? He is starting to make me want to throw things at the TV.

-I am already tired of hearing all the hype over the new Twilight movie and it hasn't even come out yet.... Hey Robert Pattinson just remember who it was who gave you your start and made you famous. Harry Potter !!

-I have noticed that our office has installed not just one but two automated external defibrillator or AEDs on the walls here. Now I understand the principle that having these may save a life someday and I'm all for it but installing two of them? And that's just on my floor. I am quite sure that if I go down and look there are probably 2 on each floor. Does anyone else have defibrillators on the walls at their work (non-medical workers of course)? Isn't there something subtly there saying that "be careful working here can give you a heart attack"?

-Am I a bad Dad because when I watch Sesame Street with my son I always check to see if Leela is on that episode because I think she is hot?

-Now I am no fan of country music (although I do like Taylor Swift) and certainly didn't watch the CMA Awards last night but there was a lot of twitter chat about this singer (or group) named Lady Antebellum. I was wondering if this was country music's answer to Lady Gaga.

-What a miserable football weekend I had last weekend. Not only did all the teams that I pull for end up losing, but they did it in the worst possible ways. Each of the three teams I pull for managed to lose a lead and end up being beaten handily by the opposition. Hoping for better luck this weekend for the AL Brown Wonders, The FSU Seminoles (taking Patrick to his first Seminoles game on Saturday) and Carolina Panthers.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 7/24/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-Am I the only one who isn't really all that excited about the Olympics?

-Speaking of China and the Olympics. I heard on the news this past weekend that China recently decided to tell drivers who could and who couldn't drive to control pollution during the games. Ummmm why don't y'all try that trick the rest of the year too. China your pollution sucks.

-Odd or interesting search note of the week. Someone from the Ukraine found out blog by searching the rock group Trixter... I bet they are glad they didn't go to Rocklahoma either!

-Madame Tussaud's of London unveiled the Amy Winehouse statue yesterday as seen here to the left. Anyone else not able to tell the difference between the real and the wax Winehouse?

-I heard on the radio the other day that there is actually a bank manager that as a part of the plan if the branch gets robbed keeps trash bags and playing cards in the bank vault at all times. If the employees are forced to strip and get in the vault during a robbery they have trash bags to dress with and they can play cards to pass the time until the police open the vault. Now talk about preparing ahead of time for the worst case scenario!

-If you have ever had a teenager come to your door and try and sell you a magazine subscription by saying they are trying to earn money for college or some similar story you have to read this article by Craig Malisow from the Houston Press. It is a terrible tale of how magazine clearing houses lure troubled teens into driving across country with the promise of money and travel only to teach them to lie for sales, treat them like slaves, give them very little money, and keep them in service by having independent managers give them drugs and alcohol. It's a really terrible situation that the publishers they sell for refuse to accept any responsibility for especially when these kids are killed or commit crimes against those they are trying to sell to. Please read the article when you get a chance and never NEVER buy magazines from a door to door person who you do not personally know. Here is another article from the NY Times about the same thing. It's just a terrible situation.

-According to this article on charlotte.com Rudy Giuliani's son Andrew is suing Duke University saying he was wrongfully kicked off the golf team. Apparently Duke is cutting the size if it's golf team in half and he was one of the ones cut. This is the best part: "The lawsuit claims the coach ruined Giuliani's dream of becoming a professional golfer." BWWAHAHAHAHAA! This is the same kid that was all over the press in 1994 for running around the stage and pumping his fist while Giuliani was trying to give a speech for his inauguration! Good Grief destroying his dream of being a professional golfer. He ought to just feel lucky he got into Duke. That was probably a favor to his dad though.

-This week's Tuesday word game made the Enduring Legacy website which is operated by the people who are behind the whole movement to name that sewage treatment center after W. It made it under the blogosphere links to site.

-Anyone notice that you haven't heard much about the Tour De France this year? Kind of funny that when an American isn't in contention that you don't hear that much about it. Can anyone name the leader without looking it up? I sure can't.

-It looks like the poll is pretty decisive that we need to take a new picture of Doc and the Mt. Cat for our blog. I wish we could go to Lincoln center as several have suggested but it's not in the cards for this trip. We are going to have to take it at Shea stadium. There is a little bonus. We may have a fellow US people blogger that meets us there... Plus I heard from another US people blogger yesterday who may be swinging through NC on a trip this summer and wants to hang out! I think getting to meet other bloggers will be so much fun!

-Sorry to have such a short list of random thoughts this week but I have a lot going on in my little world right now and my head is kind of cluttered. I really need that vacation coming up next week.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 7/17/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-I want to know when things switched over to kids wearing bicycle helmets? When I was a kid not only did I not wear a helmet but I am not even sure they made them for kids. The only bike helmets we saw were in the Tour De France. Now it's even illegal for some kids not to wear a helmet. I am not complaining about the safety aspect I am just wondering when things changed? I guess safety wasn't as important when I was a kid.

-It's a pretty big day for me. I have finally decided that I am going to purchase an I-pod and get this digital music thing going on.

-It's pretty sad that Anhieser-Busch is being bought by a Belgian company. American icons are going by the wayside. Heck I even read last week that the Chrysler building in New York City was being sold to investors from the middle east. I bet that next you are going to tell me that Chevrolet is going belly up.... Whoops too late.

-I got sent this really cool site by a reader named Kelly. The link gives 100 different links to various time wasting games and sites to check out while you are at work. It's pretty cool and I suggest you check it out!

-Odd or interesting search note of the week. We actually had someone find our blog be searching "Rocklahoma bikini" I bet they were disappointed.... On second thought, maybe not.

-Yesterday was our annual "day out" at work. I spent the day with about 60 co-workeers out on the lake on a charter yacht hanging out, relaxing, having a few beers, and basically enjoying not working. It was nice. A lot of folks liked my idea of doing this every Wednesday however I don't think it will happen.

-A big thank you to Kaitlyn from Mailboat records who re-sent my Jimmy Buffett Live at Wrigley Field CD after it got lost in the mail. (maybe it was on the Mailboat...LOL) Well she found out blog by clicking on the link in my e-mail. Hi Kaitlyn, Thank you. The CDs came in the mail yesterday!

-The following 2 news articles appeared right next to each other on charlotte.com last Friday... "Drought update: No change locally" and then followed by "More rain on the way today" Seriously will this drought ever end? Even though it rains all the time we are still considered to be too dry. It's actually been nice so far this summer. Yeesh.

-The second half of the baseball season starts today. Let's Go Mets we are only a half game back. Don't look now Yankee fans but the Mets have a better shot right now of winning their division that you guys do.

-Oh an BTW I was just joking about the I-Pod.... I ain't buying one of those wretched things. In my mind they are right up there with the video game Rock Band. I was just trying to get Mt. Cat all excited.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 7/10/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-Does anyone else think that history may be repeating itself? Madonna who has long tried to tie herself to Marilyn Monroe seems to be trying to position herself just as Marilyn did by being involved with the best baseball player of their generation. She is being creative in it by claiming that they are only "Kaballah buddies" Is that what they call it these days? (Oh yeah and where did that groin pull come from A-Rod?)

-Speaking of baseball, I can't wait until August 7th. Not only am I going with my whole family to see the Mets in their final season at Shea Stadium and taking my son to his first major league ball game but I am going to get a chance to hang out with the Mt. Cat for the first time in over a year. I am looking forward to seeing you Vin! Anyone else in the NY City area on August 7th is welcome to come and hang out with us for the 12:10 pm matinee game against the Padres.

-Odd or interesting search note of the week: This weeks government search of our blog came from the State Department in Washington DC. What were they searching? The name Jim James Astley. Not sure who that is but maybe they were a bit off on the first name and kept getting Rick Rolled at other sites.

-Hey Rev. Jesse Jackson... How about SHUT IT!... you aren't helping things - AND by the way you couldn't do it even if you tried, Sincerely Barack Obama. P.S. - That's not change we can believe in.

-Woo Hoo only two weeks until Carolina Panthers training camp starts !! I am already looking forward to the season. I no longer have season tickets but we usually go to several games each year. So far the only one I am scheduled to go to is against the hated Atlanta Falcons but I am sure as the season goes on I will end up going to more games. That's another great thing about the Panthers is there are always tickets to be had to games. I am so pumped up for this season!!

-I told anyone who would listen 12 freakin' years ago that the parents didn't murder JonBenet Ramsey. Now they finally get around to DNA testing. Now how about you go catch the real damn killer!!!

- I love ole Huey Lewis, but did anyone else see him drop the mic last week on the 4th during his performance on "A Capitol Fourth" while he was singing Power of Love? I thought it was hilarious. Well at least we know that he wasn't lip-syncing

-Speaking of "A Capitol Fourth" this show keeps going downhill every year. Taylor Hicks got second billing behind Huey Lewis and the News. Yeesh... and I thought Jason Alexander doing a cabaret version of "I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy" a few years ago was rock bottom. Apparently not.

-On a final note those who know me are aware that I really struggle with change. Especially big life changes. I tend to get some serious anxiety and become distracted. I am in the middle of going through a serious life change right now that I am not able to fill you guys in on right now so bear with me if I seem distracted or something and I promise I will tell you all about it when I am able to.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 7/3/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-Odd or interesting search note of the week. I have it on pretty good authority that my old friend Jennifer Wilbanks may have found our blog last week by googling herself. I am not going to say how or why but I am pretty sure on this one.... Hi Jennifer stop in and make a comment or two. We love to have new readers.

-I am sorry but I saw the commercial for the new Will Farrell movie "Step Brothers" this weekend and that movie looks really stupid. I think it's time for someone to tell Will that this silly ass formula he has been using for these movies is old and played out and really hasn't been funny since possibly Old School and certainly since Talladega nights..

-Is it just me or does the blogger world seem very flat during the summer months?Posting seems to be way down and certainly our visitor count has gone way down since Memorial Day. Does this happen every summer or have you all just gotten tired of us?

-Horror of all horrors!!! There has been a rules change to the annual 4th of July hot dog eating contest at Nathan's Famous in Coney Island NY. The length of the contest is being cut by 2 full minutes. I sure hope this doesn't hurt the Champ Joey Chestnut's performance. He needs to crush Kobyashi again this year. Stay tuned

-After last weeks random thoughts where I mentioned the "WTF" license plates in NC what did I end up behind on my way home from work that afternoon? Yep a WTF license plate. I took a picture of him with my cell phone cam but I can't get it off there so you will just have to take my word for it.

-Tomorrow on the 4th Patrick is going to ride in the annual kid's bike parade over in my parents neighborhood. Well actually he is going to get pulled in his wagon by Daddy. I get to play the proud papa and I am looking forward to it. Look for pictures coming soon.

-Check out the new feature here on YJKOBT. It's the 'US People Required Reading' list. It's over there on the right hand side of the page. It takes you guys our friends blogs and shows links to the last 5 most recently updated postings. Check it out!

- I also want to thank Sassy Mamma Bear for naming Mt. Cat and I the Blue Ribbon Bloggers for July. This is a great award and we hope to live up to our reputation this month. Please visit Mrs. Penelope at The Cafe whenever you get a chance!

-While doing our monthly audit for May follow up calls my supervisor gave me a call. Normally I am at 100% compliance for these follow ups but for some reason my percentage slipped to 90% in May. he called me to ask if I was off work or if something happened on May 20th because he found two follows that weren't done until May 21st. I have no idea why or how I could have possibly missed any calls or follow ups on May 20th do you?

-Yesterday when I was driving home I heard the great tune on the radio that contains the following line. "I wish I was in Tijuana, eating barbecued iguana" Real quick without looking it up can anyone name the song and group on this one? (Not you Mt. Cat I know you know it)

-On a bit of a sad note I know some of you read yesterday that my cat Josette has gone missing. Here is a picture of her to the left. Josette is a bit of a tortured soul. She tries to be sweet but she was taken away from her mommy too soon and raised by me. At the time had no idea what to do with a cat so I tried to teach her to hunt and defend herself. I guess I did it a bit too well because she will go from sweet to attack cat in the blink of an eye. Just ask Mt. Cat who thought he was on great terms with her only to have the vicious claws of death (the total opposite of the jaws of life) turned on him. I hope that nothing has happened to her but I fear that it has. I have not seen her since last Thursday night or Friday morning. She has never been gone longer than overnight before. I miss you Josette and hope that you are well.

-Enjoy your 4th and if you have time check back tomorrow morning for a special Independence Day posting and the rest of the weekend for a couple of special things that I have found.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 6/26/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-Odd or interesting search not of the week. This is no joke. Someone at the Pentagon in Washington DC actually found our blog by searching "Ass Clown Cereal" This is easily my favorite search ever to find our blog. I had to print off the report to save it for posterity. Ladies and gentleman our tax dollars at work!

-My wife and son are up in NY for a week visiting her folks and going to her cousin's HS graduation. Let me just tell you guys that I really miss them. Yes I love having a little time to myself but after one night it's enough. I wish I was with them. Have fun you guys and just know that I love and miss ya'll and can't wait until ya'll get home.

-Here is an interesting tidbit about George Carlin that you probably won't hear anywhere else. Earlier I posted about my hobby of tracking my one dollar bills by using the currency tracking website wheresgeorge.com. Well it seems that the founder and publisher of the website was contacted by George Carlin in 2002 after her found the website by googling himself. He was interested in the concept of money tracking, joined up, and tracked his money just like do. George Carlin was a "Georger" and we shared the same hobby. Kinda cool!

-The 10,000 or so people in NC who have the letter combination 'WTF' as the beginning of their license plates are all being sent a letter saying that they can turn the plate in for free and be issued a new one... Why is this a big deal? Because NC switched over to a new color combination (and an ugly one at that) in January and 'WTF' was the randomly generated very first 3 letter combination to be issued. Yes folks text messaging is taking over the world when the letters 'WTF' can be construed as vulgar on a license plate.

-For those of you who may or may not care reggae singer Sean Kingston was the guest dancer this week on Yo Gabba Gabba.

-I am really wondering why anyone really cares what the hell anyone cares what Don Imus is talking about and saying these days. I mean who cares? Why does it have to be news any time the issue of race comes up? Get over it people. It's not news!! He is getting exactly what he wants when he says and does stuff like this latest thing. It's just Publicity for his show on the farm channel or whatever it's on. Anyone who thinks differently has not followed his career in the past.

-Let me give an official welcome back to NC to my sister who is moving back here from Georgia this weekend. It will certainly be good to be closer to you and my nephews. Welcome back Sis!

-Give this quick article a read. HA! For some reason I find it hilarious that a school would go on lock down because a Ninja was spotted nearby....

-Did anyone else know that JFK airport in New York City was actually called Idewild airport before President Kennedy was assassinated?

-Instead of worrying about Imus how about pointing the finger at real racial things being thrown about in politics these days. Including comments by 'has been' Green party candidate Ralph Nader who in addition to costing Al Gore the Presidency in 2000 has now been saying things like Barack Obama is using "white guilt" to garner votes. "He wants to appeal to white guilt. You appeal to white guilt not by coming on as a black is beautiful, black is powerful. Basically he's coming on as someone who is not going to threaten the white power structure, whether it's corporate or whether it's simply oligarchic. And they love it. Whites just eat it up." He also states that Obama (who is of course Harvard educated) censors himself and "talks white." in order to be electable. Friends and neighbors THAT is the type of racism and race baiting or seeking to use black verses white issues for political gain that we really should be worrying about in this country today. The thing is I don't think that old Ralphie even realizes he is being racist, just as Geraldine Ferraro had no clue what she was talking about and why people were offended at her comments during the primary campaign saying that Obama was advantaged because he was African-American. If you don't understand it either then you just don't get it and a lot of times people who haven't walked a mile in the shoes of someone who is black in America don't and never will.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 6/19/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

- I heard about this guy Chris Colson who lost over 90 pounds eating just McDonald's food two times a day... Now I am not saying this guy is lying but it does seem a bit far fetched to me. Supposedly he was supposed to be on Good Morning America today. I bet he ends up being the Jared Fogle of Micky D's

-I have a little celebration of sorts to let you guys know about. Today, June 19, 2008 makes one year to the day since I had my last cigarette. I quit due to the inspiration of my son and am so glad that I did.

-We are thinking about installing invisible fencing in our backyard to contain our black lab so he is not having to run around on a leash. Has anyone else had good (or bad) experiences with invisible fencing?

-Odd or interesting search note of the week: Someone from Kingston, Jamaica found our blog by searching, "I want to know how to freestyles dancing apple jacks"... Huh ???? Nope I am not kidding.

-I am sorry but I just don't get MMA or Ultimate fighting championship.

-I had TGI Friday's "chimichurri sliders" for lunch yesterday. They are mini cheeseburgers with garlic herb topping on them. Let me tell you this... They are FANTASTIC! I highly recommend them. Plus they were inexpensive too.


-I heard Paul Simon's "You can call me Al" on the radio the other day. I love that song even though I never really got the meaning of the song. I hadn't heard it in a while and it made me think of that silly video with Chevy Chase. Remember that?

-Odd or interesting search note of the week #2. We have been getting a bunch of hits and visitors based on my new commercial crush Stephanie Courtney. Thank you to everyone who seems to like her. However one particular one stood out. Someone from ESPN headquarters in Bristol, Connecticut found our blog searching for Stephanie Courtney naked. Uhhh aren't you guys supposed to be reporting on sports?

-Those of you who know me understand that I really get into politics. I even majored in political science in college. This past Friday one of "my guys" Tim Russert passed away while preparing for his weekly broadcast of Meet the Press. Since then I have learned much more about his personal and family side concerning how great he was outside of his reporting on NBC. This makes me respect him even more. I will miss you Tim but not nearly as much as your friends and family will. yesterday I watched and was moved by much of the coverage from his memorial service. At the end his friend and favorite musician Bruce Springsteen came on live via satellite from Europe and dedicated then sang "Thunder Road" to Tim's memory and his son Luke. I will never listen to that song the same way again. Very moving.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 6/12/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-First off make sure that you don't forget Father's Day this Sunday (as if yesterday's post wasn't hint enough).... Make sure you all take care of Dad on Sunday.

-Did you guys read about that "Unicorn Deer" that they discovered in Italy?Kind of cool! (pictured to the right)

-Monday I took the day off from work because my Father in Law was here to help me with shingle repairs on our house. I can tell you this much, our roof is waaaaay up there. I actually slipped one time because I was sweating. Now I am not one to be afraid of heights but I sure do have a healthy respect for those who do that for a living. I don't want to go up there again any time soon.

-Oh just in case you still believe those rumors that Barack Obama wasn't born in the United States here is a link to his birth certificate. No you aren't being Rick rolled either G.

-How about those pictures of the luxury houses that were swept away in Wisconsin when that dam broke? Wow! The news said that the water, " just made it's own river through people's backyards" Well DUH!... let this be a lesson to anyone who doesn't understand. "Don't mess with rapidly moving water, it will win. I promise"

-I read the other day that they are going to make a "Smurfs" movie. I know today's kids who didn't grow up on the smurfs like we did will love them. Yay, the Smurfs are making a comeback. In addition to cartoon images the movie is supposed to have "live action" as well. I wonder who they will get to play Gargamel?

-What is the worst possible time to have a heart attack? I think if you were playing charades and your team members are really bad guessers.

-Odd or interesting search note of the week. We got dozens of visitors this past week who were searching for "Taco Bell feed bags"

-In a sure sign that the apocalypse is upon us NASCAR legend and North Carolina's own "The King" Richard Petty just sold a majority share of his family's 50+ year old racing business to a group of investors from Boston. There is something just wrong about that if you ask me.

-I like the fact that board games are kicking video games butt in our little poll this week. That makes me smile.

-TV during the summer sure does stink. Most of the good shows are in re-runs but there are a few shows that run during summer with new episodes. Law and Order Criminal Intent is one. The Closer is another. What other good shows are out there and what are you watching this summer on TV? (and please don't say the Bill Engvall show)

-Once again just as soon as we get all the processes and workflow set into place here with my work so things are running smoothly for about three months they have to frickkin' go and CHANGE IT ALL AGAIN. GRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 6/5/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-First of all tomorrow is my son Patrick's First Birthday... Happy Birthday Kiddo I love you more than you will ever know!! (Wow where did the past year go?)

-Congrats to Barack Obama on locking up the Democratic nomination for President. Now let's move on the the big fight.

-Did you guys hear about the guy who invented the Pringles Can? This is no joke he died recently and as his last request had his ashes buried in.... yep a Pringles Can. He was very proud of his invention.

-On this day in 1992 the US Post Office announced that the young Elvis stamp beat out the old fat Elvis stamp for popularity after a huge nationwide voting campaign. For any fans of John Boy and Billy's character 'Mad Max' out there I also wonder if the Post Office didn't have anything better to do like "I DON'T KNOW - DELIVER THE MAIL!!!" rather than conduct surveys about Elvis.

-I made turkey Manwiches the other night for the family and man were they good but for some reason Patrick didn't seem to like them. You should have seen the classic look on his face when he spit it out!

-And the award for the most unfortunate name of the year has to go to Mr. Harry Kopenis of Kingston, Pa. who along with his wheelchair bound friend Kevin Lamb helped capture a 21-year-old female who tried to rob Kopenis of $100 at an ATM machine in Kingston, Pa., Monday, June 2, 2008. Kopenis tackled the woman in the bank parking lot after she took his money and, with the help of Lamb, who was in a motorized wheel-chair, subdued the woman until the police arrived. He is a hero but still gets the unfortunate name award. I personally love any story involving Sr. Citizen vigilante justice.

-I was just reminded that the hot dog eating contest at Nathan's in Coney island on July the 4th is rapidly approaching. I sure hope that Joey Chestnut is able to defend his title this year over the dreaded Kobayashi. They are holding a regional qualifying contest here at Concord Mills next weekend and the winner gets a spot in the contest... I could never do it but it sure would be fun to watch.

-Charlotte NC just hired a new police chief, a guy named Rodney Monroe. He seems like a nice enough guy but there have been reports that his college degree from Virgina Commonwealth University has been called into question. Maybe he didn't do enough class hours to qualify. Whatever... what I think is great about this story is the name of the anonymous tipster who ratted him out to a Virginia TV station... Harry Potter. LOL!

-Odd or interesting search note of the week. Someone from London England found our blog by searching the following words: Jerky Boys Egyptian Magician Mountain Cat. Vin will like this one!

-Think that the mortgage crisis isn't hitting everyone? I read yesterday that Ed McMahon's multi million dollar mansion is in foreclosure. I feel bad for him but his first mistake was living on the same street as Brittney Spears.

-I am very VERY sad to report that one of my heroes has really let me down. Jimmy Buffett has caved. He is endorsing the very evil and future music killing video game Rock Band. He is even going as far as having freakin' Rock Band contests in the parking lot before concerts where the winners will be featured on the big screen during the show. He even has specially recorded versions of "Margaritaville," "Volcano" and "Cheeseburger in Paradise." for the P-heads to play... This is very very disappointing to me. They even made up a 'down island' logo for the Rock Band image as seen here... *Shakes head in Sorrow* Brother Jimmy... you are killing me over here. (But that doesn't mean that the SAT radio won't be turned to Channel 31 tonight at 8 pm..because ya'll know it will be. It's the resumption of the 'Year of We're Still Here' Tour. I can't miss Brother Jimmy, Peter Mayer and Robert G.)

-Doc

Ooooh, I can't forget... Everyone wish Absolutgator (this blogs rare but profound contributor) a Happy Birthday!

Thursday Random Thoughts 5/29/2008

Stuff I have been thinking about:

- I forgot to mention last week that we used some of our "Economic Stimulus" check to get a new lawn mower. OK we did our part to help the economy. Oh and the lawn mower is sweet! I am so glad to get rid of the self-propelled mower that I was using because it was hurting my back. I am happy to have a push mower again.

-I keep having the funny feeling that we have gone too long without a real major news story. When I say major I mean MAJOR. I have a bad feeling that we are due for one soon.

-I was flipping stations on the radio in my car yesterday morning and caught a little bit of the John Boy and Billy show. They were doing a parody song of the Oak Ridge Boys' 'Elvira.' It was called 'Obama' and oh my gosh it was hilarious. I can't remember all of it but the hook was, "to get rid of Chelsea's Mama, go Obama. Yeaaah!" LOL!

-OK, here is the wrap up on "The longest Day of the year." It was a big success. My wife, son, and I discovered that Radio Margaritaville was running replays of live Buffett concerts all weekend long so we hung out on the back deck listening to Brother Jimmy on the SAT radio and chilling with a few Landsharks. (Jimmy Buffett's own beer - I think it's better than Corona) We had some friends come over to pitch horseshoes, watch the race, and grill out. The menu included: chips & dip, grilled flank steak, buffalo chicken bites, BBQ chicken, shrimp kabobs, vegetable kabobs, twice baked potatoes, and other yummy stuff. It was great and yes as promised here are the pictures of the jets flying over our house during the pre-race fly over. (For some reason it won't let you click on them for close ups)



-The most classic line of this past weekend was by one of my wife's good friends. On Monday we went to a cook out at their house and they have a two year old who is becoming quite demanding or "high maintenance" as she calls him. In addition to other things he apparently has to have all of his food cut up in just the proper way. At one point mom was heard to say in exasperation, "Son, I am NOT cutting up Cool-Whip" I couldn't help it I had to bust out laughing.

-Did you know that gasoline is only twelve cents a gallon in Venezuela?

-When you get some time I want to you check out ...And the pursuit of Happiness. It's a good blog read of course but the reason I am highlighting it here is that she is going to be having a "Guess that tattoo" contest next week starting Monday I think. Check it out!

-What is the most embarrassing song that you really like? I will admit to mine. I love the Backstreet Boys song "I want it that way." My wife makes fun of me for it but I don't care.

-Did ya'll hear that the toilet on the International Space station is clogged up and they are having to rush supplies up there on the space shuttle to fix it? Does a certain scene from National Lampoon's Christmas vacation pop into any one's mind? LOL

-I read the other day that scientists are trying to come up with more environmentally friendly bombs. What the hell? yeah you read that right. Bombs that are more environmentally friendly. Look here if you are dropping a bomb on something you sure as heck aren't worried about it's condition after you blow it to smithereens. I wonder what they are going to call these things. Green bombs would be my guess. Yeesh.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 5/22/08

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-I haven't had baby back ribs in too long. I need to get some...soon.

-Thank goodness that David Cook won American Idol over David Archuleta. When Ryan announced the winner he said that Cook got 12 million more votes than Archuleta. In my opinion that gives the show back a little bit of the credibility it has been suffering from a lack of. BTW - Little Archuleta better be glad that the boxing on the finale was just a theme and not how they decided the winner because Cook would have pulverized that little punk.

-HA! I just read where that owner of the company "Lifelock" who gives out his real social security number in the commercials to show that his product will protect you from identity theft actually got his identity stolen by someone in Texas who got a payday advance loan for $500 and he never found out about it until the company called him trying to collect. Serves him right. Idiot.

-We don't go to the movies very often but this summer there are some good looking movies coming out. In addition to Indiana Jones my wife and I want to see Kung Fu Panda. That movie looks funny as heck.

-I am sorry if anyone else is in pain after Peachfest the other day. My carpel tunnel syndrome kicked up on me after all the typing... OUCH !

-Interesting search note of the week. Someone from Los Angeles actually reached our blog by searching the words: anteater, termites, fogger. Thanks to Leighann, Lu, and Anndi for that discussion about Heather Mills wooden leg. I luv ya'll.

-I think I need to buy Cool and the Gang's Greatest Hits. They are awesome.

-Congress was grilling oil company executives about gas prices the other day. Sure I understand supply and demand and the dollar's value and the factors that lead to the cost. However don't try and say that your profits aren't through the roof during this time. Now I am no socialist wanting you to give the gasoline away but please don't patronize us and play the "poor us" role in all of this. That makes us angry. If I had to bet I would say that someday when oil is not the vital fuel that it is today that you guys are going to be coming back before congress with your hat in your hand asking for a hand out and some help so that you don't go bankrupt. We will remind you of these record profits when you do.

-I heard the other day on the radio the other day that Angelina Jolie wants to name her twins Castor and Pollux. Without having to look it up does anyone else catch that reference? (Hopefully Knight does...LOL) If you do catch the reference what ironic name should Brangelina give their next child if it's a girl?

-I like Kid Rock pretty well however I hate that he is sampling Warren Zevon in his new song "All summer long" That song would be fine without "Werewolves of London's" hook in it. By the way, if you are not familiar with any of Zevon's work other than "Werewolves" you are missing out. Look up and listen to his song Excitable Boy. The social commentary contained within was way before it's time but is still relevant today. Also I think his duet with Bruce Springsteen called "Disorder in the House" shortly before his death in 2003 is one of the Top 10 best songs of this decade.

-Speaking of songs they were talking on the radio yesterday about "graduation" songs and how high school students have a graduation song every year. Did anyone have a graduation song? Did we have one Vin? I sure don't remember it if we did. Maybe I am just missing out on something here?

-This Sunday (the day before Memorial Day) is probably my favorite day of the entire year. I call this Sunday "The longest day of the year" referring to the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race run here in Concord, NC. Where when we go to the race we get there about 9 am and after the race and the traffic we are rarely home before 2 am even though we only live about 9 miles from the track. This year we aren't going however I still plan on tailgating on my back deck. Maybe I will take a picture of the fighter jets or stealth bomber as it flies right over my house for you guys!

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 5/15/08

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-Update from last weeks thoughts. The ebay situation we were having worked out fine. We got the baby play yards and they are great! We weren't screwed on ebay.

-On Monday Hillary Clinton told a group of supporters the following at Tudor's Biscuit World in Charleston, West Virginia: "A woman is like a tea bag. Yyou never know how strong she is until she is in hot water." Ummmm Hil, that might not have been the best simile to use there hon.


-I wonder what would happen if you tried to listen to Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon while watching "The Wiz"

-Interesting search note of the week. Someone from Metairie, La found our blog by searching "Annoying Nabisco Miss Mary Mack" It seems that someone out there agrees with me that the Nabisco ad is annoying.

-What do the following names have in common: Jacob, Logan, Aiden, Elijah, Gavin, Angel, Caleb, Luke, Landon, Aidan, Diego, Jason, Luis, Jeremiah, Wyatt, Xavier, Jesus, Bryan, Brian, Tristan, Liam, Carson, Ayden, Alejandro, Brody, Jesse, Vincent, Jake, Kaleb, and Preston?
All of these names were more popular boys baby names in 2007 than my son Patrick whose name came in 116th according to the Social Security Administration. In recent years the popularity of his name has really gone down. From the early 1970's until 1992 the name Patrick was consistently in the Top 30 names. In 1993 it started to slip further each year. In 2004 it fell to #100 and still continues to decline in popularity each year. It seems that my son will actually have a more unique name when he is in school than many of his more popularly named classmates. Funny, I always thought Patrick was a pretty popular name.

If you want to check out the list for yourself click here they have listings for the Top 1000 names each year for boys and girls. Some interesting stuff on there.

-I heard the song "Video Killed the radio star" by the Buggles yesterday. I still love that song for some reason.

-Does anyone else really love the smell of Pine-Sol ?

-This weeks most annoying TV commercial is anything that Billy Mays is hawking. that guy's voice drives me up the wall.

-I don't know if I mentioned this before but here is a fun fact. The lead singer of the group "Survivor" is also the singer for those Bud Light "Real Men of Genius" commercials.

-Last weekend I went to Village fest in downtown Kannapolis NC (I was doing research for our own upcoming fest of course) There was a native American booth there. They were selling art, craft and t-shirts. I just had to buy the T-shirt you see me wearing pictured to the right. This may be the best most clever T-shirt I have ever seen...

-Everyone make sure and wish AAA Apple Pie a Happy Birthday tomorrow!


-I actually saw this bumper sticker yesterday. 'Honk if Hillary Scares the Hell Out of You' The mini-van that it was on also had one of those 'W' stickers from 4 years ago. It was kind of old and faded... kind of like Bush's presidential policies.

-Speaking of politics, I saw the following headline yesterday, "Navy denies Chelsea Clinton access to firing range" Is that scary to anyone else or just me?

-The next two weekends are some of my favorite of the entire year. The races are in town this weekend (The All-Star Race) and next (The Coca-Cola 600) I love it... Add in Peachfest right in the middle and I am loving the month of May right now.


-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 5/8

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-I found myself in an unusual spot last weekend. I was in the drivers seat while my wife and a lady at Starbucks discussed the difference between coffees. Who the heck cares if it's half Colombian and half Guatemalan ??

-Reason # 632849 why David Archuleta shouldn't be the American Idol = Dude, the "American Idol" should not be from Utah.

-I heard the other day that when Barack Obama spoke in Charlotte last week he entered to Rick Astley's "Never gonna give you up." Apparently he is not familiar with Rick Rolling. I don't know why I find this so funny, but I do.

-Man, I really need a haircut.

-I wonder if Aunt Becky would kick my butt if I started a new blog called "Daddy Wants Tequila" ?

-Interesting search note of the week. For some reason in the last week we got a bunch of searches for "homeland security" and similar words that landed on What kind of Rush Are You. Not exactly sure why but they have been from Maryland, Texas, Indiana, Arizona, and California

-Reminder! If you didn't know this Sunday is Mother's Day. you all better do something nice for the Moms in your life.

-Is anyone else as excited about the new Indiana Jones movie as I am?

-Does anyone else think that Josef Fritzl, (Mugshot picture to the left) the Austrian man who is accused of keeping his own daughter as a sex slave for 24 years and fathering his own grandchildren looks like the Grinch?

- Lord help us all. My wife has discovered Craigslist. She wants to sell everything now that she has had some success with it. I now must hide everything that I don't want sold or risk another "cassette tapes" incident... LOL!

-Speaking of the Internet, I think that my wife and I may be in the process of being screwed out of an item we bought on Ebay for our son. We bought a sort of plastic play fence (like 2 of these) to keep him contained and since they are discontinued we got a good deal or so it seemed because we got 2 of them for $135. But since we payed for them we are getting no communication from the seller about being able to pick them up. I think we are getting screwed and I am not happy about it.

-What exactly is so interesting about A-Rod's wife? She pops up on the news every few months for something or another. Who cares?

-I am not making this up. I heard that Nintendo is developing a pole dancing game for the Wii... Yeesh, and I thought Guitar Hero was bad, now video games are going to inspire a whole new generation of strippers.

-Doc

Thursday Random Thoughts 5/1

Stuff I have been thinking about:

-The petting zoo that I posted about last week turned out to be nothing more than 3 rabbits and a goat. Not too exciting but Patrick enjoyed it.

- Jimmy Buffett played here Tuesday night and we hit a record low of 36... Coincidentally it was also April 29th back in 2000 that Absolutgator and I saw him and it was a record high of like 97 that day in Greensboro, NC...odd

- Something tells me that Wesley Snipes won't be receiving one of those "Economic stimulus" checks from the IRS.

-Check this out. People from the island of Lesbos are suing lesbians for stealing their name. I can't make this stuff up folks. Truth is indeed stranger than fiction.

-I have it on good authority that two regular readers of YJKOBT are having a "date" for lunch today. Probably as I am posting this. I am not at liberty to say who they are but I am not one of them.

-Did you guys hear about Roger Waters missing flying pig? The mystery has been solved.

-This weeks very annoying TV commercial is for the Nabisco 100 calorie packs where the ladies are in an elevator and start to play "patty cake" and sing Miss Mary Mack. Very annoying

-I thought about blogging about the man in Austria who kept his daughter locked in an underground dungeon for 24 years an fathered a number of his own grandchildren but since it's just the sickest thing I can imagine I can't bring myself to do it.... We try and keep it lighthearted around here and there is nothing lighthearted about that situation.

-If the movie "Baby Mamma" had been starring Brittney Spears would it have been titled "Throw Baby Mamma from the Trainwreck" instead?

-When I was a kid and watching cartoons was actually acceptable I always thought that Captain Cave Man was the coolest cartoon character.

-Interesting search note of the week: Someone from Ontario Canada found our blog by searching the following words. "Dancing with stars Mario boner" Uhhh thanks for that Apple... I think.

-I heard on the radio that there is a group of vegans who are trying to get all the barbecue restaurants in Baltimore to install "meat vents" to keep the smell of cooking barbecue meat from perforating the air in the restaurant. Ummmm, hey vegans... THAT'S THE POINT of a barbecue joint! And what are you doing in there anyway if you are a vegan?

-Note to the Reverend Jeremiah Wright....How about you SHUT IT dude... You ain't helping anything.

-Yesterday here at work we had a firedrill...I felt like I was back in 5th grade again.

-Does anyone else think that there is something not quite right about David Blaine?

-I hate hearing the voice menu that says "listen carefully because the options have recently changed" There is one place that I call frequently whose options recently changed back in 2006.. Change the voice menu already!!! Of course if they did than then the options would have recently changed.

- If there was any doubt that Paula Abdul is a fruitcake (or a drunk) then Tuesday's performance show should erase it. She couldn't even tell the difference between the dress rehearsal and the the live show. She tried to critique one of the contestants, Jason Castro on a song that really "hadn't happened" yet... Yeesh

- I am really looking forward to Peachfest on May 20th. We are going to have a lot of fun. You guys are gonna love the T-shirts. I have one of my best peeps working on them. They are gonna be great !!

-Doc