I'm guilty. I admit it. These days I seem to prefer movies that are "made for kids". You'll notice the quotation marks. That's because the really good "kids" movies have a lot of stuff in there for the "used-to-be-kids" like me. There is so much crap out there that passes itself off as entertainment, but it all tends to look like sex, violence, and dirty jokes. What's left after you throw those into the bin are some pretty good kids films that entertain me every time I watch. I'd like to list a few for you here.
Cats Don't Dance: I included this one first for the sole reason that I watched it again yesterday. Anyone who has any knowledge of the heyday of Hollywood and the old MGM musicals will love this. Scott Bakula does the speaking and singing voice of Danny, the "song and dance cat". He is paired up with Jasmine Guy, who does the speaking voice of his love interest / antagonist Sawyer, and Natalie Cole does the singing voice. Interestingly, the dance routines relied on a very special technical adviser: Gene Kelly in the last bit of work he did before he died. This is just a joyful and fun movie that people should give a chance. I never get tired of it.
Flushed Away: Not going to go into as much detail on this one. Let's just say Hugh Jackman as a rat (watch for him deciding if he should wear a Wolverine costume at the beginning...HA!) who gets flushed down the toilet...hence the title. Toads, puns galore, and singing slugs. What more could you ask?
Others to watch without my detailed reviews:
The Emperor's New Groove
MegaMind
Cars
Shrek
Nonanimated
Support Your Local Sheriff (James Garner could do comedy...that's for sure)
There are certainly more to add...but it's Monday, and I don't have a lot of time. I may amend this list in the comments section, and readers (all 2 of you, I think), are welcome to add your own ideas.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Apple (and Jobs) - Love it or Hate It
With the announcement of Steve Jobs' retirement from Apple, I thought it appropriate to discuss an observation I have made about Apple products: There is no middle ground.
I'll bet that if you asked 100 people their feelings about Apple products, there would only be about 5 that hover in the "no opinion" category. The rest would be either "love" or "hate". I think I can understand why.
For many years, Mac users had the image of being bearded, suspender-wearing "better than you" types who had the money to pay for what PC users claimed was a worse product. That was, of course, an image. How many schools had their first computer labs consist of all Apple products? Mine did.
Fast forward to what I like to call the "wholesale change in thinking". No, it wasn't the clamshell, bright-colored iBook laptop or the all-in-one iMac with no CD drive. What changed everything was the iPod. (That and iTunes.) How many people just HAD to have one once they became the be-all and end-all of mp3 players? No other player came close to the style, the ease of use, the ease of downloading, etc., etc. Once folks had their iPod, then the iMac or iBook wasn't that big a leap. As Microsoft released ever-buggier operating systems and the MacOS became sleeker and virtually uncrashable, the tide turned. Fast forward again to the introduction of the iPad. Honestly now...how many of you made jokes about the name when it was first announced? Honestly, I said! And yet...HP had to pull its version of the tablet after a bit more than a month because it just couldn't compare to the iPad2.
The tide has turned, and yet the battle goes on. But this time, the battle isn't between Microsoft and Apple. No, Microsoft has been virtually vanquished (which no one thought would happen). Instead, the new battle is Apple vs. Google. Who is winning? I have no idea, but the same "us vs. them" attitude is on display in this new battle. Apple users swear by their products, while Android users revile Apple. Frankly, I can see the positives in both systems. I'm an Apple user, and I really love how all of the products just simply work; no muss, no fuss...they just work together. That's what I like. My friend loves his Android products because he can customize them however he wants. That's cool. More power to him. Despite those differences, we are, indeed, friends.
Still...I see him leering over my iPad2. A year from now?
He will be assimilated...
I'll bet that if you asked 100 people their feelings about Apple products, there would only be about 5 that hover in the "no opinion" category. The rest would be either "love" or "hate". I think I can understand why.
For many years, Mac users had the image of being bearded, suspender-wearing "better than you" types who had the money to pay for what PC users claimed was a worse product. That was, of course, an image. How many schools had their first computer labs consist of all Apple products? Mine did.
Fast forward to what I like to call the "wholesale change in thinking". No, it wasn't the clamshell, bright-colored iBook laptop or the all-in-one iMac with no CD drive. What changed everything was the iPod. (That and iTunes.) How many people just HAD to have one once they became the be-all and end-all of mp3 players? No other player came close to the style, the ease of use, the ease of downloading, etc., etc. Once folks had their iPod, then the iMac or iBook wasn't that big a leap. As Microsoft released ever-buggier operating systems and the MacOS became sleeker and virtually uncrashable, the tide turned. Fast forward again to the introduction of the iPad. Honestly now...how many of you made jokes about the name when it was first announced? Honestly, I said! And yet...HP had to pull its version of the tablet after a bit more than a month because it just couldn't compare to the iPad2.
The tide has turned, and yet the battle goes on. But this time, the battle isn't between Microsoft and Apple. No, Microsoft has been virtually vanquished (which no one thought would happen). Instead, the new battle is Apple vs. Google. Who is winning? I have no idea, but the same "us vs. them" attitude is on display in this new battle. Apple users swear by their products, while Android users revile Apple. Frankly, I can see the positives in both systems. I'm an Apple user, and I really love how all of the products just simply work; no muss, no fuss...they just work together. That's what I like. My friend loves his Android products because he can customize them however he wants. That's cool. More power to him. Despite those differences, we are, indeed, friends.
Still...I see him leering over my iPad2. A year from now?
He will be assimilated...
Monday, August 22, 2011
Movies vs. Television: My Entertainment Dollars
As a typical resident of the United States, and not one of the upper 2% who have the vast majority of wealth, I have a limited budget for entertainment. And let's face it, there are literally hundreds of forms of recreation just begging (symbolically and literally) for my money. Some of this entertainment is not in my "moral wheelhouse", so we can discount that right off the bat. (Sorry strip clubs...you're out.) Other forms are not in my physical realm or in the realm that I consider sane, so things like bungee and BASE jumping are gone, too.
I have friends and relatives who go for rock climbing. Good for them. I'm sure it's jolly good exercise. I'll pass.
For the sake of this blog entry, I have decided to limit the fields of entertainment to two, with a surprise third entry at the end. Let's begin with the cinema or, to put it in normal language, the movies. There is a huge glut of films to choose from. Some of these are rated "R", and these fall out of my moral wheelhouse as well, so let's just eliminate those. What's left? Violence, sex, stupidity (see Hollywood Hot Tub for example), and children's films (which may also include violence, sex, and stupidity, but of a different sort). Frankly, the stuff out there right now doesn't thrill me. I have trouble laying out over $10 for something that isn't worth my time and effort to go see. Cars 2? Cute, but I can see that on DVD. I'm in no rush to go out to see it with a bunch of screaming kids. Captain America? Meh. I might see that on DVD, but it feels like another "super American soldier" kind of flick (see GI Joe). How about the new film, The Help? Chick flick, for sure. Brownie points from the wife if I go see it, but the man card goes right in the bin. Still, I wouldn't mind seeing it, but I find myself in the same boat with this one as others; I can watch it on DVD 4 months from now and be just as happy with my choice.
Let's move to television, then. Here's where I find some quality stuff that I like. Granted, there is crap out there, too. (Jersey Shore...take a bow...off a cliff) And yet, if you have read my blog before, you'll know that I sing the praises of shows like Doctor Who, Top Gear, Leverage, Eureka (r.i.p.), and Psych. Good fun, and well-written shows are worth it to me. And yet, I am paying Comcast / Xfinity / XMen / XRay about $150 per month for television and internet! I am beginning to doubt my sanity and conservative spending ways! This is why it is a choice between movies and television, and not choosing both of them. Television is no longer 3 channels plus UHF for free. It costs money - every month.
So here's the third option, and mock me if you will: video games. I know, I know...childish and wasteful of precious time. But aren't movies and television in the same category? Let' s imagine that one buys a PlayStation system for around $250. If you buy a game for $60, that seems like a lot of money. But ask yourself how many hours of play you can get for $60! You get 4 hours of bowling for the same price. 5 theater tickets run more than $60. Video games begin to seem like a bargain!
In the end, there is one final option: read a book. Some say that readers like Kindle have ruined the book industry. I disagree. If it makes reading convenient and enjoyable, so be it. Just make sure that authors get paid for their work. We can save a few trees while still getting people involved in good stories.
Just leave the Harlequin Romances alone.
I have friends and relatives who go for rock climbing. Good for them. I'm sure it's jolly good exercise. I'll pass.
For the sake of this blog entry, I have decided to limit the fields of entertainment to two, with a surprise third entry at the end. Let's begin with the cinema or, to put it in normal language, the movies. There is a huge glut of films to choose from. Some of these are rated "R", and these fall out of my moral wheelhouse as well, so let's just eliminate those. What's left? Violence, sex, stupidity (see Hollywood Hot Tub for example), and children's films (which may also include violence, sex, and stupidity, but of a different sort). Frankly, the stuff out there right now doesn't thrill me. I have trouble laying out over $10 for something that isn't worth my time and effort to go see. Cars 2? Cute, but I can see that on DVD. I'm in no rush to go out to see it with a bunch of screaming kids. Captain America? Meh. I might see that on DVD, but it feels like another "super American soldier" kind of flick (see GI Joe). How about the new film, The Help? Chick flick, for sure. Brownie points from the wife if I go see it, but the man card goes right in the bin. Still, I wouldn't mind seeing it, but I find myself in the same boat with this one as others; I can watch it on DVD 4 months from now and be just as happy with my choice.
Let's move to television, then. Here's where I find some quality stuff that I like. Granted, there is crap out there, too. (Jersey Shore...take a bow...off a cliff) And yet, if you have read my blog before, you'll know that I sing the praises of shows like Doctor Who, Top Gear, Leverage, Eureka (r.i.p.), and Psych. Good fun, and well-written shows are worth it to me. And yet, I am paying Comcast / Xfinity / XMen / XRay about $150 per month for television and internet! I am beginning to doubt my sanity and conservative spending ways! This is why it is a choice between movies and television, and not choosing both of them. Television is no longer 3 channels plus UHF for free. It costs money - every month.
So here's the third option, and mock me if you will: video games. I know, I know...childish and wasteful of precious time. But aren't movies and television in the same category? Let' s imagine that one buys a PlayStation system for around $250. If you buy a game for $60, that seems like a lot of money. But ask yourself how many hours of play you can get for $60! You get 4 hours of bowling for the same price. 5 theater tickets run more than $60. Video games begin to seem like a bargain!
In the end, there is one final option: read a book. Some say that readers like Kindle have ruined the book industry. I disagree. If it makes reading convenient and enjoyable, so be it. Just make sure that authors get paid for their work. We can save a few trees while still getting people involved in good stories.
Just leave the Harlequin Romances alone.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Who Made Compromise a Dirty Word?
As an outsider on matters political, I can only stare in wonder at the rubbish coming out of politicians mouths these days, especially on the right wing. A recent quote attributed to one Republican candidate is, "I don't compromise." And yet this candidate claims alliance with the ideals of the men who founded the United States. It's sad that history gets twisted and forgotten in the midst of political campaigns. If those same founders of the U.S. had not been willing to compromise, these candidates would probably not be running for office.
After the Articles of Confederation were accepted as the "law of the land", the U.S. floundered. These initial efforts gave quite a bit of power to the states rather than the Federal Government. As such, nothing was stable. The new country was left in a daze. It took compromise on all sides to create a new constitution. Yes, the same Constitution that the right wingers look to as the "be-all, end-all", even though they ignore it whenever convenient.
Today, the left looks weak as they try to compromise to get things done, and the right refuses. It is as though the past doesn't matter, and the Republicans want to keep trying to pound that square peg into the round hole until one or the other shatters. Relatively harmless when talking about a wooden block; dangerous when running a country.
Whenever I have to meet with others to make decisions as a group, the first thing we do is look to the rules to see what they say. Then, we discuss matters, allowing all sides to have their say. Finally, we decide, and the minority goes along with the decision of the majority, representing a united front. However, by the time the vote is taken, all sides have been heard, and all views are considered compared to the rules, the needs of the whole, and the wisest course to take. Things get done and compromise isn't seen as negative. We don't compromise when it comes to the standards we have to follow. We compromise when the views of others are taken into account as important.
Our rule book in this case is the Bible. We will not compromise on that. However, where there is room for discussion, we discuss.
Government officials, you have your rule books. If the rules need changing, there is a method in place for changing the rules. If they don't, then look to the best interests of everyone rather than just your "followers" and those that throw money at your campaign. The so-called leaders of this country are a laughing-stock for the rest of the world. The reason is simple: the vocal minority have made the word "compromise" synonymous with "surrender". It just isn't so.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Funny Stuff, and Another Annoyed Eureka Fan
There's nothing out there in the movies that stirs within me the desire to go out, fight the crowds, buy a ticket, and fight through the retching that comes with seeing some of the terrible films out there today. Thus, I turn to television and Netflix to provide me with light entertainment. I would like to touch on a few programs that have filled me with either a) whimsy and happiness, b) "meh", c) "blah", or d) sadness.
Let's start with one that produces some laughs, and that is the British series "The Thin Blue Line" starring Rowan Atkinson. A bit risque' at times (as much of British tv can be), but for those who only know Mr. Atkinson as Mr. Bean, it is well worth watching. He is the star, but the rest of the cast definitely adds to the show. It is well worth your time, as is the BlackAdder series.
Next, a "meh" goes to "Alphas". I really couldn't get into the series. I felt as though I was watching a dysfunctional mix of "Heroes" and "The A-Team". Sorry SyFy, but you didn't capture me with this one.
Here's a "blah" for you. It's a show that tries to pick up where M*A*S*H left off, but without the comedy, character development, or plot that makes it worth watching. It is called "Combat Hospital". My son likes it, but I've seen it a few times and I have to say that I would rather watch Alan Alda's later years in his series where he got all preachy. No...I didn't like those either, but that's the point.
Here comes the sad part. It has just been announced that the fantastic Eureka is being cancelled by SyFy. They say it is too expensive, but will allow the show to finish its fifth season and have a concluding episode. Once again, the station that used to be SciFi network has moved away from its initial demographic and chooses so-called reality programs and idiot tv instead of good, interesting, and imaginative plotlines, dialogue, and great acting. I tweeted one of the V-Ps of programming for USA Network - where the majority of excellent programs can be found these days - and asked him the chances of his network picking up the show. His response? Since both networks are owned by the same company, it isn't going to happen. Pity. It would have been great alongside Psych and Burn Notice. Eureka has been nothing short of excellent, and the actors, especially Colin Ferguson, have been top-notch. So, a big "bleah" to SyFy, who has canceled the only show I watch on their formerly good network, and a fond farewell to Eureka. Here's hoping that Colin Ferguson lands on his feet and gets another series that spotlights his enjoyable personality and talent.
One more thing...Top Gear and Doctor Who come back soon. Yay BBC America!
Let's start with one that produces some laughs, and that is the British series "The Thin Blue Line" starring Rowan Atkinson. A bit risque' at times (as much of British tv can be), but for those who only know Mr. Atkinson as Mr. Bean, it is well worth watching. He is the star, but the rest of the cast definitely adds to the show. It is well worth your time, as is the BlackAdder series.
Next, a "meh" goes to "Alphas". I really couldn't get into the series. I felt as though I was watching a dysfunctional mix of "Heroes" and "The A-Team". Sorry SyFy, but you didn't capture me with this one.
Here's a "blah" for you. It's a show that tries to pick up where M*A*S*H left off, but without the comedy, character development, or plot that makes it worth watching. It is called "Combat Hospital". My son likes it, but I've seen it a few times and I have to say that I would rather watch Alan Alda's later years in his series where he got all preachy. No...I didn't like those either, but that's the point.
Here comes the sad part. It has just been announced that the fantastic Eureka is being cancelled by SyFy. They say it is too expensive, but will allow the show to finish its fifth season and have a concluding episode. Once again, the station that used to be SciFi network has moved away from its initial demographic and chooses so-called reality programs and idiot tv instead of good, interesting, and imaginative plotlines, dialogue, and great acting. I tweeted one of the V-Ps of programming for USA Network - where the majority of excellent programs can be found these days - and asked him the chances of his network picking up the show. His response? Since both networks are owned by the same company, it isn't going to happen. Pity. It would have been great alongside Psych and Burn Notice. Eureka has been nothing short of excellent, and the actors, especially Colin Ferguson, have been top-notch. So, a big "bleah" to SyFy, who has canceled the only show I watch on their formerly good network, and a fond farewell to Eureka. Here's hoping that Colin Ferguson lands on his feet and gets another series that spotlights his enjoyable personality and talent.
One more thing...Top Gear and Doctor Who come back soon. Yay BBC America!
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
That's a Riot...but not funny.
A quick one today. I've been reading about the riots going on in London right now. It supposedly started because of a police officer shooting someone. It's understandable that someone would get upset about that, and if it was an unjustified shooting, then that should come out in court. But those people who are rioting right now are not doing it for that reason. Get real. They are doing it because they are a bunch of lawless thugs, trying to get something for nothing by taking advantage of the insanity and looting stores, or are just trying to be violent without much fear of recourse.
I'm all for freedoms; freedom of belief, freedom of speech, etc. I am not, however, a believer in the freedom to riot and commit violent acts.
It's one of those times where I look at the news, shake my head, and wonder why society would tolerate actions like this. Government officials who remain on vacation instead of taking action are committing a criminal act in their own right; it is called criminal negligence.
My new definitions: London Rioters - thugs and idiots who should be punished to the full extent of the law. British Politicians responsible for security - idiots who should be removed from their jobs immediately. British Police - brave and under-appreciated.
Final definition: Anyone who thinks the rioters have the right to do what they are doing - mouth-breather who should shut up and use his or her brains for a change.
I'm all for freedoms; freedom of belief, freedom of speech, etc. I am not, however, a believer in the freedom to riot and commit violent acts.
It's one of those times where I look at the news, shake my head, and wonder why society would tolerate actions like this. Government officials who remain on vacation instead of taking action are committing a criminal act in their own right; it is called criminal negligence.
My new definitions: London Rioters - thugs and idiots who should be punished to the full extent of the law. British Politicians responsible for security - idiots who should be removed from their jobs immediately. British Police - brave and under-appreciated.
Final definition: Anyone who thinks the rioters have the right to do what they are doing - mouth-breather who should shut up and use his or her brains for a change.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Flying the Friendly Skies...of Southwest?
I never post ahead of time when I have to travel; I'm neurotic that way. This last weekend, however, my family and I had to fly from Sacramento to Ontario, California, and I was not looking forward to the trip. There are just so many things that stink about air travel - parking, TSA agents getting familiar with body parts, long waits and delayed flights, crowded and uncomfortable planes, waiting for baggage, getting your rental car, etc., etc., etc., ad nauseum - that I had no hopes for a good trip.
Still, as negative and nasty as I can be, I have to give credit where it is due. And based on this trip, a lot of credit is due. I'll take it in chronological order, rather than best to worst.
1) Sacramento "International" Airport - Parking in the garage across from the Southwest terminal was a snap. Second floor of the parking garage, easy to get to the terminal. Nice.
2) Southwest Airlines check in - I had checked in online the day before, so when I got to the counter, I just had to plug in the confirmation number, check my bags (which didn't cost extra - thanks SWA), and head to security. Very fast, very neat, and they got me on my way without a hitch.
3) TSA. Yes....you read that right. The agents at the security checkpoint were professional and helpful. You know something? If you read the rules and cooperate, they appreciate it and things go quickly. It's the idiots who don't put their metal items in the bin or who whine and complain that make it bad for everyone. Yes, there are bad agents out there who seem to get a kick out of frisking babies, but on this trip, all was fast and professional. Nice job, folks.
4) Sac "International" food court...to a point. Nice selection, but does anyone else feel completely gouged by the time you pay for a small snack? Ouch.
5) Southwest gate and flight. So easy. Boarded on time. Got my seat. Got my beverage. Arrived on time. Got off quickly. What more do you want?
6) Ontario baggage claim. 15 minutes and out of there. Nice.
7) Budget Car Rental at Ontario International. Got a great deal on my rental car. Ended up with a pristine Toyota Camry that drove great and was perfect for our needs. At the counter and away to my hotel in about 15 minutes total. Again...nice.
8) Hampton Inn - Even though they didn't particularly choose to be so close to our meeting place...3 minute drive? Fantastic. Room was clean, free breakfast was very nice. Only complaints: thin walls, peanut-sized swimming pool, exercise room with no weights. And yet, I was there to sleep. I wasn't there for a spa package.
9) Tokai Sushi in Corona, CA - All you can eat for $22. They didn't limit you to 2 pieces at a time, either. Good food, plenty of it, nice wait staff. Made for a fun evening, even if they did have to wheel me out because I ate too much.
10) Budget Rental returns: Took 10 minutes with a friendly staff member. On our way in a hurry. Only complaint is that the signs in Ontario leading you to the rental return area stink. Get better signage, city of Ontario. And make it fast!
11) Southwest check-in again. See above.
12) TSA - Again...see above.
13) Southwest gate and flight....see above. Even pushed away from gate five minutes early!
14) Sac "International" baggage claim. Crowded, but well-organized. We were out of there in a shot.
Thumbs down to:
1) Ontario airport food selection. A small bag of Jelly Bellies...$5. A slice of Round Table Pizza: $9. A bunch of restaurants closed at 6:30 p.m. Leaving my money in my wallet: priceless.
And a thumbs-down to one aspect of the trip in particular:
1) Sac "International" Parking fees: Okay, let's see if I can make this make sense. The fee is $15 daily along with hourly if not a full day. Arrived around 6 pm Thursday. Picked up car around 9 pm Sunday. That makes...3 full days and about 3 hours. That should be about $45 plus a little more. My cost: $60. Really?? Sixty bucks?? My flight cost around that much. Shame on you guys. That's a bit ridiculous.
All in all, it was a surprisingly easy trip. Kudos to the above agencies and companies for making it so.
Still, as negative and nasty as I can be, I have to give credit where it is due. And based on this trip, a lot of credit is due. I'll take it in chronological order, rather than best to worst.
1) Sacramento "International" Airport - Parking in the garage across from the Southwest terminal was a snap. Second floor of the parking garage, easy to get to the terminal. Nice.
2) Southwest Airlines check in - I had checked in online the day before, so when I got to the counter, I just had to plug in the confirmation number, check my bags (which didn't cost extra - thanks SWA), and head to security. Very fast, very neat, and they got me on my way without a hitch.
3) TSA. Yes....you read that right. The agents at the security checkpoint were professional and helpful. You know something? If you read the rules and cooperate, they appreciate it and things go quickly. It's the idiots who don't put their metal items in the bin or who whine and complain that make it bad for everyone. Yes, there are bad agents out there who seem to get a kick out of frisking babies, but on this trip, all was fast and professional. Nice job, folks.
4) Sac "International" food court...to a point. Nice selection, but does anyone else feel completely gouged by the time you pay for a small snack? Ouch.
5) Southwest gate and flight. So easy. Boarded on time. Got my seat. Got my beverage. Arrived on time. Got off quickly. What more do you want?
6) Ontario baggage claim. 15 minutes and out of there. Nice.
7) Budget Car Rental at Ontario International. Got a great deal on my rental car. Ended up with a pristine Toyota Camry that drove great and was perfect for our needs. At the counter and away to my hotel in about 15 minutes total. Again...nice.
8) Hampton Inn - Even though they didn't particularly choose to be so close to our meeting place...3 minute drive? Fantastic. Room was clean, free breakfast was very nice. Only complaints: thin walls, peanut-sized swimming pool, exercise room with no weights. And yet, I was there to sleep. I wasn't there for a spa package.
9) Tokai Sushi in Corona, CA - All you can eat for $22. They didn't limit you to 2 pieces at a time, either. Good food, plenty of it, nice wait staff. Made for a fun evening, even if they did have to wheel me out because I ate too much.
10) Budget Rental returns: Took 10 minutes with a friendly staff member. On our way in a hurry. Only complaint is that the signs in Ontario leading you to the rental return area stink. Get better signage, city of Ontario. And make it fast!
11) Southwest check-in again. See above.
12) TSA - Again...see above.
13) Southwest gate and flight....see above. Even pushed away from gate five minutes early!
14) Sac "International" baggage claim. Crowded, but well-organized. We were out of there in a shot.
Thumbs down to:
1) Ontario airport food selection. A small bag of Jelly Bellies...$5. A slice of Round Table Pizza: $9. A bunch of restaurants closed at 6:30 p.m. Leaving my money in my wallet: priceless.
And a thumbs-down to one aspect of the trip in particular:
1) Sac "International" Parking fees: Okay, let's see if I can make this make sense. The fee is $15 daily along with hourly if not a full day. Arrived around 6 pm Thursday. Picked up car around 9 pm Sunday. That makes...3 full days and about 3 hours. That should be about $45 plus a little more. My cost: $60. Really?? Sixty bucks?? My flight cost around that much. Shame on you guys. That's a bit ridiculous.
All in all, it was a surprisingly easy trip. Kudos to the above agencies and companies for making it so.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
A Quickie for Today
This is just a quickie for all those who say that humans are not affecting the climate...really?
Do you really want to say that almost 7 billion (billion with a "b") human beings going about their daily lives using machinery, cars, exhaling, passing gas, etc., are not going to have some impact on the planet? Are you really saying that cutting down forests, draining rivers, and raising millions upon millions of cows, as well as paving everything in sight...doesn't change environments?
Hellloooo Southern U.S. and others!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14410932?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
To all of you...get a clue.
Do you really want to say that almost 7 billion (billion with a "b") human beings going about their daily lives using machinery, cars, exhaling, passing gas, etc., are not going to have some impact on the planet? Are you really saying that cutting down forests, draining rivers, and raising millions upon millions of cows, as well as paving everything in sight...doesn't change environments?
Hellloooo Southern U.S. and others!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14410932?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter
To all of you...get a clue.
Monday, August 01, 2011
Does Something Smell Back East?
Ever wonder why people hate politicians? Me either.
Just look at all the posturing and hubbub in D.C. and you'll get a clear indication why people don't trust anyone in the government. And the funny thing is, in a year you'll see the same time of people elected or re-elected.
It's sad how extremes on each side of the table seem to control the entire room. I'm sure that the vast majority of people find their beliefs somewhere in the middle of the road. The problem is that the far right and the far left have the biggest mouths, and the deepest individual pockets, and thus get the most attention.
I'm right down the middle...in that I don't support either side or, indeed, any side. I am a-political. I'm also apoplectic, annoyed, and aggravated. I'm just wondering why there is even such a big discussion about who should pay what and what should be cut. Shouldn't we just follow the guidelines in the Scriptures? (Right wing so-called Bible Thumpers take note.)
The Bible always called for taking care of widows and orphans. You can look at either "testament" and see that for yourselves. That also extends to the poor, the sick, and the mentally ill. Therefore, those are the people that should always be cared for...regardless. In a prosperous land, it is ridiculous and rotten that anyone should have to do without the basic necessities of life.
Beyond that...divvy up the rest as you see fit. I don't care. But if you drive, you need to pay for roads. If you prefer some form of protection, you had better pay for police and fire departments. (Getting the picture yet?) And as for taxes...I'm cool with those. But everyone...and I mean everyone, need to pay their fair share. That includes big corporations and rich fat cats. No loopholes. Pay for play. (And if you can make the tax forms a bit easier to use...thank you very much in advance.)
None of this will ever happen, of course. People are just too self-centered and greedy to ever change. Electors will keep voting in the one who is the best liar, rather than the one best-suited. And I...I will keep praying and working for the best government of all. Which one? Do you really have to ask? (see Matthew...chapter 6...verse 10...in whatever translation you prefer.)
Just look at all the posturing and hubbub in D.C. and you'll get a clear indication why people don't trust anyone in the government. And the funny thing is, in a year you'll see the same time of people elected or re-elected.
It's sad how extremes on each side of the table seem to control the entire room. I'm sure that the vast majority of people find their beliefs somewhere in the middle of the road. The problem is that the far right and the far left have the biggest mouths, and the deepest individual pockets, and thus get the most attention.
I'm right down the middle...in that I don't support either side or, indeed, any side. I am a-political. I'm also apoplectic, annoyed, and aggravated. I'm just wondering why there is even such a big discussion about who should pay what and what should be cut. Shouldn't we just follow the guidelines in the Scriptures? (Right wing so-called Bible Thumpers take note.)
The Bible always called for taking care of widows and orphans. You can look at either "testament" and see that for yourselves. That also extends to the poor, the sick, and the mentally ill. Therefore, those are the people that should always be cared for...regardless. In a prosperous land, it is ridiculous and rotten that anyone should have to do without the basic necessities of life.
Beyond that...divvy up the rest as you see fit. I don't care. But if you drive, you need to pay for roads. If you prefer some form of protection, you had better pay for police and fire departments. (Getting the picture yet?) And as for taxes...I'm cool with those. But everyone...and I mean everyone, need to pay their fair share. That includes big corporations and rich fat cats. No loopholes. Pay for play. (And if you can make the tax forms a bit easier to use...thank you very much in advance.)
None of this will ever happen, of course. People are just too self-centered and greedy to ever change. Electors will keep voting in the one who is the best liar, rather than the one best-suited. And I...I will keep praying and working for the best government of all. Which one? Do you really have to ask? (see Matthew...chapter 6...verse 10...in whatever translation you prefer.)
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