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A CYNICAL LOOK AT THE DAILY GRIND

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

DAYTONA OR BUST


I work hard.

And like most people who care about their jobs, I work during my time off because my name is attached to the final result, and I want it to be the best it can be.

So, when I read an opinion piece written by an Oregon guy ticked off over the welfare system, I had to share his logic.

Here's what Leonard Wilson of Riddle had to say:

"I have a job. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as they see
fit.

"In order for me to get that paycheck, I have to pass random urine tests, which I have no problem with. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to those who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to earn it for them?


"I have no problem helping people get back on their feet. I do have a problem with helping them sit on their butt.

"Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?"

On that note, I'm going on vacation. I'll be back March 8, but will be posting
random blogs to document my road trip to Florida.

Keep checking back to see what's in store for this Charles Kuralt wanna-be.

Tuesday, February 27, 2007

WORSHIPING FALSE IDOLS


It's a sad state of affairs when we want to know more about the nude pictures on the Internet of an American Idol hopeful than an upcoming documentary that claims to prove the existence of Jesus' tomb.

It seems the controversial film wasn't high on the list for newscasters this morning as the media preferred to lead with the continuing Antonella Barba nude scandal instead.

Those more interested in this young woman's lapse of judgment than the claim that, if proved true, would shake the foundation of Christianity, need their heads examined.

Sometimes the news judgment of some TV and radio news producers make me embarrassed to say I'm in journalism.

Check out the CNN story.

Monday, February 26, 2007

GOING AROUND, COMING AROUND


I hate crowds.

At the grocery store this weekend, I accidentally ran into a woman with my cart at the meat counter. She was livid.

I mean, it wasn't like I decided she needed some skin taken off her heel.

She made a big deal anyway, standing in the middle of the aisle expounding about how people should watch where they're going and not be in such a hurry.

All I could do was apologize and say "How's the chicken legs look today?"

She went off in a huff.

As I was coming out of the store, I saw her backing out of her parking space. She collided with another car also backing out.

Wow, rear-ended twice in an hour.

Guess it just wasn't her day.

Friday, February 23, 2007

SHIFTING SANDS


Life is a lot like the shore.

Sometimes its beaches are filled with happiness as smiling people bask in the warmth of the sun and frolic in the cool water.

Sometimes its lonely dunes are filled only with turbulent waves rushing onto the shore.

Making a stupid analogy like this is not difficult.

Riding out life's shifting sands is.

Keeping the faith that the laughter will return after turbulent times is even more difficult.

Then again, maybe the simple answer is Xanax.

Thursday, February 22, 2007

STOPLESS BLOGGING


Actress Jennifer Aniston is suing a blogger for posting a stolen picture on his blog site of her topless.

The picture was allegedly "misappropriated and illegally copied" during production or post-production of the 2006 romantic comedy hit "The Break-Up," in which the Hollywood actress starred, according to the Associated Press.

Aniston also just settle a lawsuit with a celebrity photographer for taking pictures with a telephoto lens of her naked while she was inside her home.


Oh, the trials and tribulations of being hounded by the press!

These topless girls have the same problem, except I can assure you the pictures were obtained legally.

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

FROM THE FRYING PAN INTO THE FIRE


It might be nightie night for three transplant patients who got organs from an HIV-positive donor in Italy.

The infected kidneys and liver were implanted "due to tragic human error" after an expert testing the organs accidentally wrote negative on the report instead of positive.

Oops! Hopefully, the organ donation program won't be hurt by this.

Imagine getting that news coming out of anesthesia.

There may be no escaping "when it's your time, it's your time."

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

JUST LIKE RIDING A BIKE


After reading a couple of the nasty comments posted for yesterday's blog, I was going to shamelessly put up another picture of my granddaughter wearing a shirt that sported "Little Devil" on the front.

Instead, I'll shamelessly post a picture of my Valentine's present from Spud.

Because couples who play together, stay together, Spud and I share a love for motorcycling. Almost every year in March we attend Daytona Bike Week, and last year, the itch to ride again got the best of me.


So Spud, the loving man he is, went out and bought me a Harley that's almost identical to the one I sold eight years ago after I decided there are too many crazies on New Jersey roads not to have protective metal around you.

I know I said I'd never ride again, but because women have the prerogative, I changed my mind.

You should never say never, anyway.

Monday, February 19, 2007

IT'S MY PARTY


Ex-Hubby turned 60!

We all decided to celebrate his milestone with a dinner party at a swanky restaurant and got a great table in the corner by the windows.

I wanted to document the occasion with a few pictures because, at 60, you never know how much time you have left.

What happened was, after two glasses of wine, I got a little carried away.


Even though I was facing the windows most of the time while taking the pictures, Darling Daughter's husband got bent out of shape that the flash was annoying other diners.

I think it was because grandson Parker seemed a bit freaked out that his Nana had a camera growing out of her face.


In any case, pushy broad that I am, I ignored Son-in-law and took a mere 75 pictures.

And, if anyone sitting near us had a problem with the flash, they didn't say so.

In fact, we were having so much fun they all joined in singing Happy Birthday to Grandpa Wee Wee!

Friday, February 16, 2007

POCKET CHANGE? HARDLY


Used to be that greeting cards did not cost more than the gift they accompanied.

Now, because of soaring prices, they often ARE the gift.

Card prices floored me this Valentine's Day as I was trying to choose a couple for my man from me and the perma-pups.


Some cards that sang tunes such as "How deep is your love?" when you opened them went for a whopping $15.

All I could think of was "How deep are your pockets?"

Thursday, February 15, 2007

LUCY IN THE SKY



There are ice diamonds everywhere!

It's a shimmering scene out there.


Of course, there also are many downed trees, power outages, icy roads, freezing temperatures and unhappy people who have to get to and from work in the mess.


It might be a good idea just to focus on the beauty of this crystallized world on a sunny day while it lasts.


If you're in a warmer climate and can't see this firsthand, here are a few pictures because soon it will be gone.


Enjoy!

Wednesday, February 14, 2007

IN THE STINK


"Look what the cat brought in!"

At least that's what the subject said on an e-mail from Tom of Brick who sent me these photos of a cat that adopted six skunk babies. Looks likes the pictures originally came from FunPics Web site.


Hopefully, this little kitty will brighten Valentine's Day for those of you without love in your life, and teach the rest of us it's not a good idea to stink where you eat!



Today and every day treat your spouse or significant other with respect and remember that most relationships are just small wars where you sleep with the enemy.

Tuesday, February 13, 2007

A NEW LOW IN ADVERTISING


(WIZMARK PHOTO)

They're interactive urinal wafers.

Actually, Wizmark, the company that manufacturers the talking urinal wafers, calls them communicators.

Nice change.

Why something you wouldn't dare to eat is called a wafer in the first place is a mystery to me.

In any case, they're here ... talking up a storm in men's restrooms.

They advertise everything from beer products to sports to tools to cars, and now hand out "don't drink and drive" public-service messages. Some even have flashing lights to entertain their captive audience.

Too bad we don't have urinals at home.
Just think what great stuff you could say to your husband in a recorded message there without him escaping to the garage.

And you'd never have to worry about the toilet seat again.

Monday, February 12, 2007

STINGING SITUATION


Honeybees are in trouble.

They're suffering from colony collapse disorder.

Some beekeepers have reported losing up to 50 percent of their colonies. One colony can hold up to 60,000 bees.

On top of that, for the past couple of years bees have been plagued by a tiny parasitic bug called the varroa mite, which devastated most wild honeybee populations.

Researchers have no idea what's causing this latest aliment that has killed hundreds of thousands of the insects that pollinate plants.

One study noted that three-quarters of all flowering plants, including most food crops and some that provide fiber, drugs and fuel, rely on pollinators for fertilization.

This is not beeswax, nor is it the bees knees.

And, I predict most of us will be suffering from collapsing wallet disorder with the price of honey on the rise.

Friday, February 09, 2007

ACHY, BREAKY ...


Can you die from a broken heart?

I'd say that's what took Anna Nicole Smith yesterday.

The 39-year-old blond bombshell just gave up (most likely with the help of a few drugs) after the death of her son in September.

It didn't help that she was a media joke ever since she stripped her way out of Texas, became a Playboy centerfold and married a rich old man who forgot to take care of her in his will.


OK, so she made some bad choices, but she was fragile, like Marilyn ... a victim of too many stressful life events.

It's all too sad.

I was rooting for you, Anna, like many others who watched as you tried, time after time (even when you were fat), to pull yourself out of the muck and mire.

Hopefully, you're at peace now.

Thursday, February 08, 2007

LOVE AT LAST SIGHT?


(AP PHOTO)

Just in time for Valentine's Day!

Readers/bloggers Pete and Lynda of Springfield, who are getting married in June, were all agog over these "embraceable you" skeletons and e-mailed me right away to tell me so.

The 5,000- to 6,000-year-old skeletons (give or take a 1,000 years) were discovered during construction work for a factory 25 miles south of Verona, Italy, the city in which Shakespeare set "Romeo and Juliet."

The prehistoric couple, believed to be fairly young because they still had all their teeth, have archaeologists blubbering about strength of love and the deep sentiment of the rare find as compared to the scientific value.

I can't wait to find out if they are of the opposite sex or just a couple of female virgins sacrificed to their village's rain god.

Wednesday, February 07, 2007

SNIFFING OUT DANGER


I guess everyone knew this but me.

Some candles are toxic, especially those with paraffin, a petroleum based by-product of refined gasoline. When paraffin is burned, it releases carcinogenic toxins into the air.

Also, some candles have been confirmed to contain substantial quantities of lead in the wicks, which, if used often enough, can saturate your home with poisons.

On top of that, there are absolutely no standards, regulations or laws governing the manufacturing of candles. No agency regulates or oversees the candle industry, and any manufacturer can conceivably put whatever they wish into a candle and not have to label it.

I always thought the Ex was full of it when he said candles, plug-in air fresheners and deodorants can kill you.

I must have been using selective hearing ... as usual.

P.S. Love candles anyway and want to know what else you can do with them? Check out candle dance and nose man.

Tuesday, February 06, 2007

GOOD FOR THE GANDER BUT NOT THE GOOSE


Here's a little dilemma.

I have a friend who's a loving, kind and virtuous person, with a childlike innocence about her.

She recently was in the doctor's office waiting room and the TV was tuned to Dr. Phil. As it turned out, the husband of Dr Phil's couple-in-crisis was talking about how his wife should preform more oral sex on him.

Needless to say, my friend found this sexually explicit conversation very offensive, especially since she was stuck listening to it with two strange men in a public place.

This picture is the bloom of a Florida elephant-ear plant. It has been on display in public places.

To some it may look sexual. Others may view it as a beautiful, but unusual, flower. When I took it, I thought it was an unusual bloom that looked beautifully sensual.

So, who's to say?

Maybe my friend should have told the office manager to get the doctor to see her ASAP or she just might up-chuck on someone.

Monday, February 05, 2007

I THINK THAT I SHALL NEVER SEE


OK, I admit it. I'm a tree-hugger.

As a kid in Florida I was a tree-climber, which was difficult to do in palm trees. I learned real fast which trees weren't climbable. The sticky, picky pine trees also were tough getting up. Tougher coming down.

Then there were those with coconuts Mom warned us not to sit under.


These tree pictures were e-mailed to me by Tom of Brick. The trees were grown in Santa Cruz, Calif., by a man who never told anyone how he got them to take on these unusual shapes.

He must have been a very patient man.


They made me recall the "Tree" poem by Joyce Kilmer.
The poem's last line: "But only God can make a tree," gives one reason to pause, wouldn't you say?

Friday, February 02, 2007

HERE COMES THE JUDGE


Yesterday, I was out of town helping to judge the New York Press Association's annual newspaper contest.

We spent hours critiquing tons of entries in the categories of which we were in charge, trying to choose the winners according to contest guidelines.

Funny about contests. They're always a win-lose situation.

And everyone who enters (especially if they don't win) says the judging is "subjective."

Could be.

By the end of the day, all I wanted was to be subjected to an aspirin and a glass of wine.

P.S. On a somber (and sober) note ... Happy one-year anniversary in heaven, Mom. I really, really miss my biggest fan.