Friday, October 31, 2008

Keeping an eye out

Welcome to Friday Photo, a new feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

Taffy’s so relaxed

dogs 033Not really! I’m making sure the boys don’t get in trouble!

Oh, my bad.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Lady doesn’t check where she taps, calls CNN to complain

Here we go…

CNN reported on Tuesday that a person from Beaumont called to say that his mother was not sure the electronic touch screen machine accurately was recording her preference for Sen. Barack Obama.

"She went to punch the selection for Obama and it flipped to McCain," the caller told CNN.

Jefferson County clerk Carolyn Guidry told the news channel that she was aware of the problems voters were having with the electronic touch screen machines, but that the number of reported problems was small.

[...]

Guidry called the touch screens "density sensitive," meaning machines will record were pressure is applied, which may be a different spot on the screen than where a voter believes he or she has touched.

How the hell can you not be sure? Even if you didn’t happen to notice that the wrong one was checked off on the machines we use, you have to go through a confirmation page for all the elections before the machines will allow you to cast your ballot. If you’re still unsure who you voted for after all that then maybe you shouldn't be voting.

People are so stupid…

I guess I should blog about the trip to Fort Worth

Allergies have been kicking my ass the past few days, sorry I haven’t gotten back to y’all.

Friday was an experience. I came out during the day to make a quick run to Wal-Mart to get something for the trip when I notice I have a flat tire. I aired up the tire and went to Discount Tire, which was insanely backed up, and thus required me to wait two and a half hours to get the work done. Turned out to be a nail in the tire in a spot they couldn’t patch.

These kind of things are fairly common after hurricanes since everybody piles up their debris at the curb for pick-up, so no huge thing (besides the wait).

Finally got out of Beaumont about 6 and got into Fort Worth a little after midnight. Went straight to bed.

Next morning was the stuff we came for. We rented a U-Haul and went to my aunt’s apartment. Because of some stuff going on with her ex-husband at the time she rented the place, she got a third-floor apartment and our job was to move the bed and couch out of there.

Tons of fun, right?

Oh, it was! Especially since the mattress and couch were made out of fabric that was near impossible to get a good grip on.

Remind me to never get a third floor apartment.

Then we unloaded the stuff at her house and returned the truck. After grabbing lunch at Spring Creek Barbecue, we cleaned up and relaxed for a while before heading to the Stars game.

Instead of making the hour’s drive to Dallas, we decided to take the TRE, a commuter train running between Dallas and Fort Worth that stops right at the American Airlines Center on game days.

It was way easier than driving.

We got to the AAC just about the time they opened the doors and went to find our seats.

  AAC Nosebleeds
  Cell phone picture I sent to Utteril. Click here for more

They were so high up that calling them the nosebleeds doesn’t do justice to how high they are.

We were literally in the back row of the building, but the view was still really good.

It was a really exciting game, with the Stars losing 6-5 in overtime. I still believe that a team should never score five goals and lose, but that’s what happened.

The train ride really paid off for leaving, as we got to watch all the people fighting traffic as we sat comfortably in our seats heading towards Fort Worth.

Saturday we took my aunt out to lunch at Massey’s and then had an uneventful trip home.

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Arr, Maitey!

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

Would I FAIL as a pirate?

You Are 35% Pirate
Ahoy matey! Ye can think o' yerself as a swashbuckler in trainin'.
If ye study hard an 'do what the captain tells ye, ye may be gettin' part o' the booty.
Get to work on yer pillagin', swordfightin', an' drinkin'.
Ye dasn't want to end up in Davy Jones' locker, so make sure ye pipe down when the captain be around.

So, yes, I would fail as a pirate. Now anyway…

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

Friday, October 24, 2008

FAIL of the day

Hope I don’t see this on the interstate this evening going up to Fort Worth!

fail owned pwned pictures
see more pwn and owned pictures

The whole gang

Welcome to Friday Photo, a new feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

I managed to snag the whole gang in one

dogs 025

Don’t ask me what they’re doing…

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Looks like I’ll be seeing some hockey this season after all

I’m going up to Fort Worth tomorrow to help my aunt (the wonderful one that took us in TWICE) move stuff from the apartment she rented to her house.

It’s the least I can do for her dealing with us.

The best part of the trip, however, will have nothing to do with my aunt.

My cousin and I are going to see the Stars play the Washington Capitals at the AAC.

I’ve never been to an NHL game before, so I’m really looking forward to it.

I’ll take some pictures from the experience, but nothing like the ones I did for Wildcatters games. Never mind that they won’t allow me to bring my Rebel inside (the AAC doesn’t allow long lenses), but we’ll be sitting in the nosebleeds taking advantage of the $15 seat promotion that they have going on.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

If I could ask Roger Goodell anything …

  remote-control
  Free photos for websites - FreeDigitalPhotos.net

… I’d ask him about these crazy TV rules the league has.

Last year, when they had the Colts-Patriots game that EVERYBODY wanted to see, we had to miss it because the Texans were on the road playing the Raiders. Apparently there’s some rule that the main markets around a team have to show that team when they’re on the road. Since Beaumont’s considered a main market for the Texans, we were screwed.

Fast forward to today. Today’s a single game on FOX and both the Cowboys and Texans are on there. I’m not sure about the Cowboys, but the Texans are definitely at home.

Not that it matters, since this isn’t considered a Cowboys market.

Take a guess which game the local FOX affiliate picks.

Yea, the Cowboys.

They did this once last year too.

And not because the game was blacked out here. The Texans have sold out every game in their history, even when they went 2-14, so that’s not the issue.

If you look at the NFL TV map for FOX today, you’ll see that places like Cincinnati, San Diego, Miami, and Buffalo are getting to watch the Texans game.

Personally, I think it’s a load of crap that K T Cat can watch my team play but I can’t.

Here’s my question: How in the world can it make any sense at all for us to not be able to watch our team at home when we’ve been forced, under NFL television rules, to watch our team when they’re on the road?

Try to not think about that too long, your head might overheat and explode.

At least our CBS affiliate is good about picking the Texans when they’re on there and FOX only gets a chance to fuck this up two or three times a year.

But it’s two or three times too many if you ask me.

Just about sums it up…

Obama Pictures and McCain Pictures

from PunditKitchen (click image for full size)

Seriously, what was the point of them? Because I don’t know.

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Probably the strangest quiz I’ve ever taken

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

I’ve always wanted to do one or two of the more “womanly” quizzes for this, but never could find one that would fit.

Well, I found one.

You Should Call Your Boobs
Superman & Wonder Woman

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

Friday, October 17, 2008

Having fun

Welcome to Friday Photo, a new feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

Well hey there, Petey!

dogs 021I just love this backyard!

This is from the same set of pictures where I caught that great one of Bruiser running.

Monday, October 13, 2008

The credit crisis broken down into three sentences

dunnam Dr. Maxie Dunnam was speaking at our church last night.

He mentioned a husband that was getting after his wife for spending too much money. He told her something to the tune of “It’s not economically sound to spend money that we don’t have yet.” She responded “Yea, but, if you don’t get the money you still end up with something to show for it.”

Dunnam made an off-hand comment that “that’s what got us into this mess we’re in now” after saying that.

So true.

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Is it fall yet? I don’t know, but I know this about it…

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

Your Autumn Test Results
You are a energetic, warm, optimistic person. You approach everything with a lot of enthusiasm.

When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy.

You tend to be afraid of change. You are never ready for things to be different.

You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones.

Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine.

You are nostalgic. You can't truly appreciate something until it has come and gone.

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

Friday, October 10, 2008

Hey, there’s a tree leaning against your house!

Ike damage 009Welcome to Friday Photo, a new feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

This week, a picture I took for our insurance adjuster (whenever he comes) of the tree that’s leaning against the side of our house, pinching off the freon line from the air conditioner.

Thankfully, the tree guy we hired is due to be here Monday to start getting it hauled off.

Technorati Tags:

LOLceleb of the day

Right about now, I couldn’t agree with this one more.

Gary Cole
more lol celebs!

You know, someone like Fred Thompson… Yea… that’d be great.

Oh, and remember: next Friday... is Hawaiian shirt day. So, you know, if you want to, go ahead and wear a Hawaiian shirt and jeans.

Thursday, October 09, 2008

Lawmakers looking to ‘rescue’ a different sort of institution

utmb logoThis time, it’s an institution that’s worth rescuing:

Key state lawmakers said Wednesday they will devise a rescue plan to prevent massive layoffs at the University of Texas Medical Branch, which suffered $709 million in damage caused by Hurricane Ike.

Before legislators intervened Monday, leaders of the state's oldest medical school and the largest employer on Galveston Island were contemplating a one-third reduction in its work force of 12,000.

I really do think that rebuilding UTMB and keeping them from cutting a third of their staff is admirable and should be done.

But there’s one thing about it that I do wonder…

Ike 004
MICHAEL AMADOR, TxDOT

 

TxDOT crews clear I-45 approaching the Galveston Causeway.

 

Should we be rebuilding UTMB in Galveston or somewhere inland.

I know, I know, I know. The school’s always been in Galveston and that it pre-dates the 1900 hurricane.

I also know that it would cost a hell of a lot more to take a facility like they have and build everything brand new inland enough that storms aren’t a major concern than it would to repair what is there now.

It just seems like the smarter investment would be to move the largest medical school in Texas to Houston, where you wouldn’t have to worry about pouring $709 billion (or more) into repairs the next time an Ike happens.

And Galveston being where it is, there *will* be a next time.

Of course, with government being what it is, that will never happen.

Oh well.

The proof is in the pudding

Apparently the Texas DPS wants you to prove that you’re here legally before issuing you a drivers’ license:

In a clampdown on illegal immigrants, the Texas Department of Public Safety has adopted a new policy requiring non-citizens to prove they are in this country legally before they can obtain or renew a driver's license.

Gov. Rick Perry applauded the change, which went into effect Oct. 1, as a way to strengthen the state's security.

"Texas is a great place to live and work, and while we welcome legally documented individuals to the Lone Star State, we must ensure that this privilege is not abused by those seeking to enter our country illegally," he said.

But Jim Harrington, director of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said the policy change is a bad idea because illegal immigrants are going to drive anyway.

"People have to drive to get to work. You want people to get (auto) insurance. They can't get insurance if they don't have a driver's license," he said.

I love the idea. If you’re illegal you don’t belong here. And you certainly don’t deserve a license.

Now, someone tell me, why the hell wasn’t a policy like this implemented sooner?

Monday, October 06, 2008

LOLdog of the day

I’m not really a drinking person, but I felt a heck of a lot like this when we were in Fort Worth for Ike:

dog
see more puppies

Sunday, October 05, 2008

An American Carol: Not bad, but could have been better

amarican carol poster

Yesterday afternoon I went and watched An American Carol, David Zucker’s new flick poking fun at Michael Moore.

Granted I’m on the side, politically, where i’d enjoy the movie. Then again, I’m all for poking fun at both sides of the asile, as I see both side’s flaws. Heck, I might even go see W when it comes out later this month.

Amyway. the movie started off as a laugh riot. Unfortunately, I found that as you got deeper into the movie the politics involved kind of killed the funny, which is the flick’s major weakness in my opinion.

I’d give it a 6 of 10, but go see it if it looks interesting to you.

Make your own me?

Welcome to Stupid Quiz Sunday, in which I'll take an online quiz that may or may not be stupid and post the results.

The Recipe For Justin
3 parts Giddiness
2 parts Pizzazz
1 part Power

Splash of Success

Finish off with whipped cream

Have you taken this quiz? Have a quiz you want me to take? Leave a link in the comments.

Friday, October 03, 2008

Really looking forward to Sunday

It’s not often that I blog about choir at church, but I’m doing it.

The piece we’re doing on Sunday (Hall Johnson’s Ain’t Got Time to Die) is a really awesome piece and I’m really looking forward to it.

I thought we knocked it out of the ballpark Wednesday night during rehearsal and if we can do that on Sunday morning we just might see the congregation’s jaws drop.

Not sure who’s performing it in this video, but they’re really good, so give it a listen if you want:

I hope we sound that good on Sunday!

Gnawed down to the bone

Welcome to Friday Photo, a new feature where I share photos that I've taken with the world.

Bruiser was working on a bone when I was shooting these:

dogs 008
So much fun!

They're rather silly about their bones. We'll give each one of them one of those and they'll fight over one of them.

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Thursday, October 02, 2008

Well that’s not where I put the house!

All I can say is wow:

A Lamar professor was amazed by what she found when she returned to the Bolivar Peninsula last week to check on her beach cabin.

Unlike many of the cabins in her neighborhood, Cissie Owen's beach home was still in one piece, but it wasn't where she expected to be.

Cissie Owen has to walk through a field, and over roofs, to get to her beach home.

"A neighbor found it Friday and called and sent a picture on my phone. That was a surprise," says Owen.

Amazing, isn't it?

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

The bailout: In response to K T Cat

K T Cat announced today that (he or she?) is against the bailout in any form.

I’ll admit that I don’t really get all the factors involved. I know I don’t.

I’ll admit that I’m weary of taking out credit, preferring to pay for things in cold hard cash-in-hand if at all possible.

But I know that it doesn’t always work that way.

I mean, after I’m established in Fort Worth (or wherever I end up in my “get the hell away from the coast” move) I’m probably going to want to buy a house with a fenced-in yard for Bruiser to run around in and all of that.

And, unless you’re rolling in dough, you have to take out a loan to do so.

The reason I support the bailout is because, without it, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do that. If I can’t do that, then most Americans won’t be able to. And that spells problems.

Sure it’s hot happening now. However, I keep hearing that it will begin to happen unless something’s done. Will it? I don’t know, I’m not smart enough to answer that. I do, however, think that this country should do everything in it’s power to prevent that from happening.

Of course, our politicians in Washington are more concerned with keeping their jobs than looking out for us and preventing that kind of disaster from happening. I didn’t vote for you to do what’s politically popular. I voted for you to do what’s right for this country, not throw it in the toilet so the big kitty cat can flush just because something’s unpopular.

Round and round it goes!

I’m not of the persuasion that says “don’t re-elect anybody.” but right now that might not be such a bad idea.