Chuck at ComicCon

I got hooked on this show LATE into the run last season and was wise enough to TiVo the whole season on a recommendation from my sister and caught up on it during the strike.

15 Year College Reunion Recollections

This last weekend was my 15 year college reunion at Marquette in Milwaukee, WI.

Random Thoughts:

• I know how my kids feel when we have guests come to the house. They're so excited and don't know how to process it, so they'll yell "HIDE!!!" even when people are coming to see them. THAT'S how I felt when Rob and Matt were en route to pick me up on Friday.
• Rob needs to shave that hair under his lip. He's got a handsome face and he shouldn't hide it, unless he has his heart set on playing Cyndi Lauper's dad (Captain Lou Albano) in her next video.
• Matt has a great sense of humor and has balls the size of church bells. His brown eye was winking at that lady by the statue.
• I closed Wolski's (pretty much).
• I didn't think it was possible, but Devin and Jen are even more fun to be around now than when we were in college.
• I can't drink like I used to, and that's OK and no I'm not angry about it (or anything else).
• Trinity in Milwaukee rocks. Their Bailey's Battered French Toast was fantastic!
• Amber is quite the dish (no wonder the girls wanted to try her cherry chapstick). She and Jeff are great together.
• I realized I dress like an old man when a 50 year old complemented me on my shirt (he was wearing the same one).
• Pete Berzins was great to talk to and he and Nicole are great couple.
• Lakefront Brewery has the best tours, even if you don't get into one.
• My RA from Sophomore year at Mashuda is a State Representative in Michigan. If you live in the "Fightin' 79th" District of Michigan, vote for John Proos. http://johnproos.com/index.php
• Jeff is A LOT of fun to hang with at the bar. He takes tremendous pride in making sure all his friends are taken care of.
• The bartender who put on "Beat It" at around 12:30 AM at Murph's deserves a raise.
• I married very well. Much like my relationship with my family, I'm pretty sure my friends like Brooke better than me and I'm fine with that because they LOVE her.
• Rob's blanket apology to anyone he may have offended the night before with his actions.
• Skipping out at Real Chili never gets old. No, not me, but someone I know did.
• Water Street Brewery has the coolest chef in town because he hates the Red Wings and bought me a beer because of my Blackhawks shirt.
• I'm so very lucky to have such wonderful people let me hang out with them and call them my friends.

Peace!

Sometimes the Best Answer is the Simplest

True

The Brave Democrats in Congress...Working for YOU!!!

It's no wonder these clowns have an approval rating smaller than my shoe size.

I guess if they don't think they can win a debate, they'll make sure they can't HAVE a debate.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121685595088379073.html?mod=opinion_main_review_and_outlooks

There Isn't ONE Mirror He Doesn't Like

I saw this on the Opinion Pages of the Chicago Tribune today at lunch. He pretty much hits the nail on the head with Barack. I love Irwin Stelzer's parallel with Moses...tee hee!

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0721krauthammerjul21,0,687996,print.story

Article 62 of the Bro Code

"How I Met Your Mother" is one of my favorite shows, and Barney is one of my favorite characters. To the right is a jpeg of two pages of his "Bro Code" and I'd LOVE to read the rest of it.

Is the Starbucks Near YOU Closing????

Find Out!

I didn’t see Fortuna on there (my beautiful bride's home town), but I don’t know if their “Fortuna” location is actually IN Fortuna or in a neighboring suburb of that burgeoning megalopolis (there are THREE stoplights there now).

http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/info-STARBUCKS_080718.html

I saw some ink on this over the weekend in the Chicago Tribune. When Starbucks announced they were shuttering some stores, a NUMBER of leftist elites laughed and said it couldn’t happen to a better corporation (even though they provide valuable medical benefits to part time employees), NOW they’re screaming because Starbucks is pulling out of their less profitable locales and MANY of them are in towns/cities that are undergoing redevelopment and re-gentrification.

SUCKED!!!!

Yeah, and I'm as crazy as this guy below: Just give his family and child the damn Oscar already.

I thought he was REALLY good. I think because he died you’ve got a LOT of people in Hollywood who are interested in honoring his (brief) body of work. I think because it made SILLY money over the weekend, it actually might work against that groundswell. That said, the LOTR: Return of the King made buckets o’ cash and I think won Best Picture. Still, this is a “comic book” movie.

The whole movie was very good, but it’s REALLY FRIGGIN’ DARK. There were a handful of scenes that if they’d extended the action a split second longer, it would have gotten an R. I think it might have deserved one regardless. I did turn into my sister more than once (she’s VERY CONCERNED about kids attending movies they shouldn’t), marveling at all the AWFUL parents who brought their youngin’s. When we were walking out, we were behind a guy with FIVE kids, three of them had to be between the ages of 8 and 4. Some well intentioned older woman waiting in line to see the movie after us bent over and asked the boys “So, how did you like it?” and unsolicited I responded (loudly), “It’s totally not appropriate for kids that age.” And she responded “Really????” and I said, “Yes, it’s PG-13 for a REASON!” I don’t even think I broke stride.

Strong efforts from all the actors involved and plenty of screen time for all the characters. The only MINOR quibble is it sounded like Bale was gargling razor blades when he talked as Batman and he did that QUITE a bit, particularly in the final third of the film. Assuming they make another, THAT one will be even be darker still.

Bunk and HOOEY!!!!

Man-made Global Warming (seemingly incontrovertable even earlier this year) may be like the Loch Ness Monster or Big-Foot, complete fabrications to gin up money for those who stand to profit off the panic and doomsayers (paging Mr. Gore).

http://www.dailytech.com/Myth+of+Consensus+Explodes+APS+Opens+Global+Warming+Debate/article12403.htm

I'm not saying the planet isn't warming (and I'm not saying it is), but it's highly egotistical to assume that it's man-made and not just a natural cycle.

Despite what I like to think, I don't make the sun rise in the East and set in the West everyday either.

Skidoosh!

Obama Ain't Funny

Other than Americans who oppose oppressive tax rates and a government who is powerful enough to give you everything (and also powerful enough to take it all away), do you know who else should be shaking their boots? Talk show hosts and comedians.

I don't find the New Yorker Cover funny in any way and I think it's in poor taste, but the linked article is pretty good.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/07/15/america/15humor.php

Just Drill, Baby!!!

Thank you W for lifting the Presidential ban. No, I don't believe for one second that new exploration will occur any time soon, but the important thing is you've done your part. Now it's up to our friends in Congress. Based on their quotes in the attached link, it's little wonder to me that their approval ratings aren't even in double digits right now.

I'm happy political points are made while I'm paying $4.25 a gallon.

Hit the link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=a362RHmsy71s&refer=worldwide

Dog Sense

Have you ever heard that a dog 'knows' when an earthquake is about to hit?

Have you ever heard that a dog can 'sense' when a tornado is stirring up, even 20 miles away? Do you remember hearing that before the December tsunami struck Southeast Asia, dogs started running frantically away from the seashore, at breakneck speed?

Do you know that dogs can detect cancer and other serious illnesses and danger of fire? Somehow they always know when they can 'go for a ride' before you even ask, and how do those dogs and cats get home from hundreds of miles away?

I'm a firm believer that animals - and especially dogs - have keen insights into the truth. And you can't tell me that dogs can't sense a potentially terrible disaster well in advance.Simply said, a dog just KNOWS when something isn't right... when impending doom is upon us... they'll always try to warn us!

Hallejulah and Pass the Ammunition

I guess Marvel Studios isn't do dumb after all. Hit the link: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/marvel-locks-in-jon-favreau-for-iron-man-2/

AMEN!

A silly (but VERY TRUE) e-mail missive forwarded to me by my missus which proposes a new Bill of Rights:


'We the sensible people of the United States, in an attempt to help everyone get along, restore some semblance of justice, avoid more riots, keep our nation safe, promote positive behavior, and secure the blessings of debt-free liberty to ourselves and our great-great-great-grandchildren, hereby try one more time to ordain and establish some common sense guidelines for the terminally whiny, guilt ridden, delusional, and other constant bed-wetters.
We hold these truths to be self evident: that a whole lot of people are confused by the Bill of Rights and are so dim they require a Bill of NON-Rights.

ARTICLE I: You do NOT have the right to a new car, big screen TV, or any other form of wealth. More power to you if you can legally acquire them, but no one is guaranteeing anything.

ARTICLE II: You do not have the right to never be offended. This country is based on freedom, and that means freedom for everyone -- not just you!
You may leave the room, turn the channel, express a different opinion, etc.; but the world is full of idiots, and probably always will be.

ARTICLE III: You do not have the right to be free from harm. If you stick a screwdriver in your eye, learn to be more careful; do not expect the tool manufacturer to make you and all your relatives independently wealthy.

ARTICLE IV: You do not have the right to free food and housing. Americans are the most charitable people to be found, and will gladly help anyone in need, but we are quickly growing weary of subsidizing generation after generation of professional couch potatoes who achieve nothing more than the creation of another generation of professional couch potatoes . (This one is my pet peeve...get an education and go to work....don't expect everyone else to take care of you!)

ARTICLE V: You do not have the right to free health care. That would be nice, but from the looks of public housing, we're just not interested in public health care.

ARTICLE VI: You do not have the right to physically harm other people. If you kidnap, rape, inten tionally maim, or kill someone, don't be surprise d if the rest of us want to see you fry in the electric chair.

ARTICLE VII: You do not have the right to the possessions of others! If you rob, cheat, or coerce away the goods or services of other citizens, don't be surprised if the rest of us get together and lock you away in a place where you still won't have the right to a big screen color TV or a life of leisure.

ARTICLE VIII: You do not have the right to a job. All of us sure want you
to have a job, and will gladly help you along in hard times, but we expect you to take advantage of the opportunities of education and vocational training laid before you to make yourself useful. (AMEN!)

ARTICLE IX: You do not have the right to happiness. Being an American means that you have the right to PURSUE happiness, which by the way, is a lot easier if you are unencumbered by an over abundance of idiotic laws created by those of you who were confused by the Bill of Rights.

ARTICLE X: This is an English speaking country. We don't care where you are from, English is our language. Learn it or go back to wherever you came from! (Lastly....)

ARTICLE XI: You do not have the right to change our country's history or heritage. This country was founded on the belief in one true God. And yet, you are given the freedom to believe in any religion, any faith, or no faith at all; with no fear of persecution. The phrase IN GOD WE TRUST is part of our heritage and history, and if you are uncomfortable with it, TOUGH!

HAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!

I'm seeing this opening weekend. For added web-fun, hit me: http://www.whysoserious.com/

Or, just hit this for a new trailer: http://www.traileraddict.com/trailer/the-dark-knight/trailer-e

THANK YOU JIM HENDRY!!!

While I'll miss the goofy grin of Sean Gallagher, I'm happy as can be (after missing on Sabathia) that Jim Hendry is pulling the strings for the Cubs. I don't care WHAT he said, this was his Winston Wolfe persona taking care of the "Bonnie Situation" (if you don't know what I'm talking about, rent "Pulp Fiction". You're welcome). Something Andy McPhail (McFail) would NEVER have done.

No, I'm not printing my World Series Tickets yet, but we've matched the top end of the Brewers situation. With Rich Harden coming over, we now have our "Ben Sheets" in that when the guy is healthy, he's one of the best in the bigs, the trick is "when the guy is healthy" part. Buster Olney on ESPN compared him to an older Mark Prior. I see that. When he's on the bump, it's magic.

Oh, and when the Brewers added Sabathia, they got their "Big Z". I love our chances, our bullpen is better than theirs and our hitting more consistent, and kicking the ball around the field is something they do now and we did (A LOT) last year.

My buddy Geoff beat me to the punch with his spot on assessment of the impotence in the realm of political intercourse going on in the Congress with their now SINGLE DIGIT approval rating. This isn't golf folks where the low score wins. See Geoff's blog here: http://prayersforwah.blogspot.com/.

Lastly, my darling sister corrected my blog protocol by insisting I pass along the kudos to her source for the Home Depot tip from earlier. My original post has been corrected. Thanks again Sis!

She also has an idea about Entertainment Weekly scaling back their publishing by asking subscribers to hit their website. I think she may be right on the money with this one.

Your Carbon Ration Card Is Coming

I'm mildly suspicious of the global warming hoo-ha that's been buzzing for the last year or so. Yes, I love Mother Earth, yes, I'm against wasteful practices, yes, I'm for reducing energy bills (because I'm cheap), and YES I'm for energy independence, but I've been curious about what Al Gore has been up to.

Here's part of it: http://online.wsj.com/public/article_print/SB121538804508931123.html

The guy (Al Gore) is now universally loved by the left and he passes up a run at the White House. It's because he didn't want to limit himself.

Did you know you're not supposed to throw out those curly-q bulbs when you're done with them? They have mercury in them (yes the stuff we used to chase over our work benches in High School Chemistry class with Mr. Powers). You know if they break, you're not supposed to vacuum them up? Dealing with those things are like dealing with "Happy Fun Ball" from the old SNL days. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7358768984043835546

I have nothing really against even those bulbs, but the way they were rolled out with so little information (or even a PLAN) about how to dispose of them is just terrible. It'll be a news story in six months about how dangerous they are to your family if they break, and if it's not, it'll be a tragic news story in 20 years about how our groundwater is laced with mercury because EVERYONE threw them away when they burnt out.

I'm Awesome

I scooped ESPN by like a half hour on the story below. They're lazy.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3475667

Oh, and the coolest image I could find that exemplifies the greatness of America on our birthday weekend:

I pulled that from Ariania Huffington's site, I remember when she was a conservative too.

Damnit!!!!

This is going to haunt my beloved Cubbies: http://blogs.jsonline.com/brewers/

Sabathia going to the Beermakers absolutely sucks. We needed him to slot between Z and Dempster for our post season rotation. Don't the Brewers know that it's been 100 years for us and THIS IS OUR YEAR?!?!??! I hate it when other teams don't follow the obvious story lines.

Who's left to go get who'd be worth trading top prospects for? Rich Harden of the A's or Bedard from Seattle might qualify. AJ Burnett said he'd come to Chicago, but his numbers are awfully similar to Lilly's (not a bad thing, just not a WOW pitcher who could carry us a little in the post season).

Had an enjoyable day today with mi familia at Hurricane Harbor at Six Flags. I kind of pissed and moaned about going. It's a holiday weekend, sunny and 85 degrees out and I'd assumed all of Park City would be there. It was a little crowded, and my 7 year old and 5 year old sons got QUITE an eyeful from all the skin they saw, but it was a pretty enjoyable day. Brooke was right about going and I'm glad we went. Cameron almost lost his trunks about a dozen times in the wave pool. I'd hike them up for him, and two waves later he's practically bare-assed again. It was hilarious.

I saw a NUMBER of stupid things in the paper today:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/chi-oped0704pledgejul06,0,2987262.story

Is it Time to Retire the Pledge of Allegiance? Why? As my sister and Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, DFA pointed out correctly, America is "the greatest, best country God has ever given man on the face of the Earth". Why NOT pledge allegiance to It's flag? So WHAT that the Pledge itself was started out to sell flags? Too many people are putting their individualism above the good of the group. I know that sounds vaguely Socialistic or Communistic, but I think it's more like "all for one and one for all" rather than the more fashionable "all for me".

Starbucks is hurting.

http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN0437926720080706?feedType=RSS&feedName=domesticNews&rpc=22&sp=true

I don't particularly care much about this (but it may be a BUY opportunity for their stock), as the market is speaking and their popularity is waning. I'm not getting the schadenfreude going on out there about this. I sure as hell don't have time to lay about in a coffee house and peruse the paper or shoot the breeze with whomever is in there. But taking delight in the downturn of this commercial giant is just crazy. Sure, I'd like to be rewarded for my business as a loyal customer (I'm not really one at Starbucks), but expecting free WiFi while I sip a latte? Who are these people? They're nuts.

The Cubs took two of three from the Cardinals and I had just as many hits as Jim Edmonds did. I guess LaRussa still has his number.

Happy Independence Day!!!!!

Oh, wait, that was yesterday? Sorry. I wonder if Hallmark makes "Happy Belated Birthday" cards you can give to the greatest country on the planet?

I went to a wonderful cookout yesterday at my sisters. I had the best time running around the park with my oldest son Ethan, my brother in law Sean, my niece Shannon, and my future brother in law Rich. We played catch with an Aerobie (I hadn't played with one of these in YEARS and that's a shame), it was SO much fun.

My brother in law Sean is generally on the other side of the political spectrum than yours truly (hell, MOST of my family is at least a little LEFT of me), but it was really nice that we agreed our Country should be migrating toward nuclear power. The cost of doing it these days is substantially higher than if we'd done it during the 70's (when France did it), but most of the safety issues since then have been ironed out and with recycling of much of the waste generated, it just makes sense.

Nice to get a win last night to start the series with the Cardinals. It was awfully classy of them to give Jim Edmonds a standing O at his first at bat. Too bad he didn't do much yesterday at the dish. He'll have to hit a couple HR's today to make up for yesterday, which the Porembski Hitmen sorely need (my fantasy baseball team).

One of my sisters was kind enough to tip me off to this (courtesy of www.everydaycheapskate.com):

Home Depot offers free Kids Workshops on the first Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon, at all Home Depot stores. Kids ages 5 to 12 get to make fun projects like toolboxes, fire trucks and mail organizers as well as other more educational projects like a birdhouse, bughouse and even a Declaration of Independence frame kit. Each kid also receives a kid-sized orange apron like the Home Depot associates wear in the stores and an achievement pin. Go to www.homedepot.com and type 'kids workshops' in the search box, to find the schedule for the Home Depot closest to you.

I took the boys after swimming lessons today and we built birdhouses. We had so much fun and it was FREE!!!!! Something tells me we'll be going back on August First to build flag holders, and every first of the month thereafter. THANKS FRANCINE!!!!

So, Here We Go...

My first post to my blog and I'm speechless. Lots of yardwork to do today before our cookout at my sister's place in Gurnee, and then the Cubs game tonight in St. Louis.