Politics, random thoughts and all else aside...

Shocking isn't it. Granted I take a political stance with the right on most topics I think with what has happened this weekend down in Louisiana and Mississippi with Hurricane Katrina kind of brings us all back to Earth and back to a level playing field. With all the tragedy and horrible things that happened, it's nice to see Americans becoming united for this one.

I can't belief it myself. I am posting something from a liberal blog. The following was posted this morning. This is useful information that should help anyone regarding the relief effort or who are in need of help from Hurricane Katrina. The was posted by Bastard at Bring It On:

Wednesday, August 31, 2005

Politics Aside - Hurricane Assistance Information

Paul from Wizbang has asked, as bloggers, to put our Monday morning quarter-backing to the side and compile as much information as possible so that people affected by the hurricane (like himself) don't have to spend hours looking for information. So, here is a list of information that might be helpful if you have been directly affected by Hurricane Katrina. I will keep updating this list as I compile more information. If you find information that you think might be useful leave the information in the comment section and I will add it to the list. Paul has some good tips on what people will be looking for so head over to Wizbang to get some ideas for what to help with.

For starters the Network For Good website is jam packed with donating information and information for the victims.

IMPORTANT: If you are trying to locate a loved one the American Red Cross maintains a database to help you find family. Contact your local American Red Cross chapter for information. Do not contact the chapter in the disaster area.

Evacuees can call the American Red Cross’ information line at 1-866-GET-INFO for information regarding emergency assistance and public safety information and road closures. In addition, Louisiana residents can call the Louisiana State Police at 800-469-4828 to check on roadways that are open and safe for travel in less impacted areas.

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FEMA: The Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals

• For use ONLY by people in designated federal disaster areas.
• Be prepared to give your Social Security number, describe your losses, provide financial information, and give directions to the damaged property.
• What You Can Do If You're Having Trouble Getting Through
• If you get a busy signal, try to call in the evening after 6:00 p.m. or on the weekends when call volumes tend to be lighter.

Tips for Applying for Federal Disaster Assistance

People who lose their jobs due to the disaster may apply for Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) which provides weekly benefits to individuals who are unemployed and not eligible for regular Unemployment Insurance compensation. You can call 1-800-621-FEMA (TTY: 1-800-462-7585) or the local unemployment office for information.

Disaster Unemployment Assistance From the Department of Labor

• Louisiana – To file a claim, individuals may report in person to the nearest Job Center. For general information and locations of Job Centers, you can visit Louisiana Works Department of Labor website at http://www.laworks.net or call (225) 342-2937.
• Mississippi – Unemployed individuals must file their claim in person at the nearest local WIN Job & Claims Center. Individuals will need their Social Security card, or a Driver's License, and the names and addresses for the places he/she worked during the past 18 months. A listing of WIN Job and Claims Centers can be obtained on Mississippi Employment Security website at http://mdes.ms.gov. For convenience, individuals may complete an online registration form, print it and take it to a WIN Job & Claims Center.

FEMA can provide disaster housing assistance to those whose homes are damaged or destroyed. To apply for assistance, all you have to do is call the special toll free telephone number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) and register. Specially trained operators at one of FEMA's National Processing Service Centers will process your application.

This is some of the information off of FEMA's web site. They have a great FAQ's section if you need to find out more information such as I Don't Have Any (or enough) Insurance?, What About My Pets?, Apply for Disaster Assistance?

Disaster Recovery A Guide to Financial Issues

Mississippi Insurance Commissioner - What To Do After A Hurricane Hits

USDA, Natural Disaster Assistance - Hurricane Assistance

Alabama Emergency Management Agency

Mississippi Emergency Management Agency

Louisiana Emergency Management Agency

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Louisiana State Information

Louisiana State Police

LSP Hotline 1-800-469-4828 for 911 emergencies only. Do not call for road closures.

Report Roadway Emergencies: Dial *LSP (*577) on your cell phone to report roadway emergencies.

Louisiana Citizen Awareness and Disaster Evacuation Guide

Evacuees can register children for school in Lafayette Parish

Shelter Information:
Red Cross- 1(866)-GET-INFO (438-4636)
Special Needs Shelter Information
Triage Phone Numbers:
Alexandria: 800-841-5778 Shreveport: 800-841-5776
Baton Rouge: 800-349-1372 Monroe: 866-280-7287
Houma/Thibodaux: 800-228-9409 Slidell/Hammond: 866-280-7724
Lafayette: 800-901-3210 Lake Charles: 866-280-2711

Equine Shelter/Evacuation Site Information

Locations for Animal Evacuation:

Alexandria - Large & Small 318-442-4222 (all vet clinics will accept)

Lamar Dixon - Gonzales - Large Animals

Shreveport - LSU-S (pets only, no livestock)

West Monroe - Ike Hamilton Coliseum

Louisiana Hotel Information 1-800-99-GUMBO

Emergency Shelter Information Points:
Tourist Welcome Center, US 65 & 84, 1401 Carter St. (US 84), Vidalia, LA
Tourist Welcome Center, TA Truck Stop, Tallulah Exit (Hwy 65 & I 20)
Paragon Casino, 711 Paragon Place, Marksville LA
Sammy's Truck Stop, I-49, Exit 53, 3601 LA 115W, Bunkie, LA
Med Express Office, 7525 US 71, Alexandria, LA
P.E. Gym, LSU- Shreveport, One University Place, Shreveport, LA
Pickering High School, 180 Lebleu Rd., Leesville, LA
Mowad Civic Center, 5th & 10th St., 1 Block off US 165, Oakdale, LA

Offices of Emergency Preparedness
Orleans Parish	504-565-7200
Jefferson Parish	504-349-5360
St.Bernard Parish	504-278-4268
St.Tammany Parish	985-898-2323
Lafourche Parish	504-446-8427
Assumption Parish	985-369-7386
St.Charles Parish	985-783-5050
St.John Parish	985-652-2222
St James Parish	225-562-2364
Plaquemine Parish	504-297-5500
Tangipohoa Parish	985-748-9602
Terrebonne Parish	985-873-6357
Washington Parish	985-732-5200
St.Mary Parish	504-385-2600
Orleans City Departments Phone Numbers
Office Of Emergency Preparedness	504-565-7200
Mayor's Public Advocacy Office	504-565-7115
Mayor's Communications Office	504-565-6580
New Orleans Police Department	504-821-2222
New Orleans Fire Department	504-565-7800
Public Works Department	504-565-6844
Park & Parkway Department	504-286-2100
Sewerage & Water Board	504-585-2000
Hurricane Evacuation Shelter Coordinator	504-565-7208
Human Relations Commission	504-565-7916
Emergency Numbers
Southeast La. Red Cross	504-587-1500
New Orleans Public Advocacy	504-565-7115
New Orleans Human Relations Commission	504-565-7918
New Orleans Council on Aging	504-821-4121
American Red Cross	1-888-737-1997
For police, fire, and medical emergencies call 911.

Is it a hairball or is it feline asthma?

Our cat, Daisy Snowshoe (aka Kitten) has feline asthma.

One of our cats, Daisy had been trying to hack something up for a few days. Sounded like the rest of the cats we have. Thank God for the pergo-type floors as well. Nothing like waking up in the morning and entering a dark kitchen and seeing a hairy goop on the floor. We'd been giving her Laxatone for a couple days. The stuff works great for the other cats. This one was different though. She was not getting better. This morning we noticed she was struggling to breath. She was really making labored attempts at breathing. She seemed fine though. She raided my cereal bowl. Chattered like her half Siamese breed does. She just looked like she was having some trouble breathing. At 5pm, we decided to take her to the vet. I know, Sunday, wow... nice vet visit bill. We weighed it out though. On one hand we'd save 60 bucks by waiting until tomorrow but if something was wrong, we wouldn't have noticed with the high vet bill.

Turns out it was the best thing to go tonight. We went into the examination room quite quickly. The examine seemed normal until the vet scooped up the cat and hurried off. Daisy was having asthma attacks. The vet noticed that her gums were blue. She immediately gave her a shot to clear her lungs and then put her in an oxygen chamber. I was sorta shocked. I couldn't believe a cat could get asthma. It happens!

We hung around the vet for a while. The vet came back with these cool xrays to show us the diagnosis. (I have more on my photo blog) What an amazing feat of technology. She pin pointed the expanded airways and what she called "donuts" in her lungs from the asthma attack. I was still in disbelief. It was more shocking than the bill which was $500 bucks! It doesn't matter though. We really love Daisy. She is the funniest cat we have because she talks back. She's sassy, loves to play and loves her little life. We were able to bring her home tonight. I thought it would be a good thing to post this because there is nothing on the net that referenced asthma with hairballs. It's a scary thing. She could have been in some real serious trouble if we had not taken care of her. We had to get her an asthma inhaler just like a human being. They have a feline adapter for it so you can juice her when she is hacking. Unbelievable!

I wanted to write and post the photos tonight because I think it makes blogging sort of more real when I see stories like this. I also thought it was cool that vet gave me the xrays on disk. They were so going on the blog...

Here's a very informative link on feline asthma.

I am one heartless bastard...

I am sorry, but I have been laughing at this photo for days.

Hey Cindy, when you are done sweating your ass off on the side of the road in Texas with your new found liberal popularity, and make up with your soon to be ex husband, and actually have some heart for your sick mother, and stopped trashing your son's heroism and good name, just maybe, I might have one tiny bit of compassion for you.

Give up, Bush will not see you.

Thanks to Ottman for the inspiration of this post.

Number 1 on Yahoo!

I finally made it.

Since the liberals are all about coming clean and telling the truth today...

I thought I'd repost some thoughts on Kerry that I wrote here on May 7th, 98 days ago. My email box has still yet to receive a response back from Kerry:

Hiding from the Truth
I noticed on quite a few weblogs like, http://polipundit.com/ there is a tag that goes to Kerry's appearance on NBC's "Meet The Press" where Kerry stated, "Yes I will" when Tim Russert asked if he'd sign SF-180 releasing his military records to the public so we can all see what a Great American War Hero he was. As of the time of this post it has been 97 days and he has not signed it.

So....

I decided I'd email him. What the heck right? It's a free country right? I just wanted to know where he is at with this and if he signed it. A harmless question asked by an inquiring, curious American Citizen. I mean, what's wrong with that right?

Here is what I wrote:

John:

Hey, I was wondering... I noticed quite a few weblogs have this tag that links to a transcript from NBC's "Meet The Press". On that transcript, it states the following:

MR. RUSSERT: Many people who’ve been criticizing you have said: Senator, if you would just do one thing and that is sign Form 180, which would allow historians and journalists complete access to all your military records. Thus far, you have gotten the records, released them through your campaign. They say you should not be the filter. Sign Form 180 and let the historians…

SEN. KERRY: I’d be happy to put the records out. We put all the records out that I had been sent by the military. Then at the last moment, they sent some more stuff, which had some things that weren’t even relevant to the record. So when we get–I’m going to sit down with them and make sure that they are clear and I am clear as to what is in the record and what isn’t in the record and we’ll put it out. I have no problem with that.

MR. RUSSERT: Would you sign Form 180?

SEN. KERRY: But everything, Tim…

MR. RUSSERT: Would you sign Form 180?

SEN. KERRY: Yes, I will.

So John, where are you at with this?

Thanks a bunch,

Steve

You can send John an email with your concern here.

In my favorite movie, Dirty Harry, there is a scene where Harry is getting a hot dog and these dudes are robbing a bank. So Harry asks the guy behind the counter if there is exhaust coming from the tailpipe of the white Ford across the street. The guy says yes and Harry asked the guy to call the police and say there is a bank robbery in progress. Harry goes out and blows some dudes away, the white Ford accelerates toward Harry, a fire hydrant is ran over and the white car flies in the air. Harry is out, with the Magnum blazin' all blowing people away. He finally corners one guy, who is in arm's reach for a gun and gives the famous "I know what your thinking, Did he fire 5 shots or 6? Seeing this here is a 44 Magnum the most powerful hand gun that can blow your head clean off, you gotta ask yourself one question... Do I feel lucky? Well, do ya punk?"

Personally, when I read John Kerry's statements on "Meet The Press" I feel like the guy on the ground in the movie cornered by Dirty Harry. Because the guy totally gives into Harry, a smart move, for sure. But then the guy ask's Harry a question with this statement: "Hey man, I got's to know"

Senator Kerry: Hey man, I got's to know.

Anyone else got's to know???

What's up with that?

Well... Here's some more proof that France hates the US. A French report came out today in their daily mag, L'Equipe detailing Lance Armstrong supposed doping for the 1999 Tour de France. I am not going into details about what they have said, but you can read about it yourself. It's kind of disgusting really. Especially the part where the lab, separate from L'Equipe indicates that:

Separately, the lab said it could not confirm that the positive results were Armstrong's. It noted that the samples were anonymous, bearing only a six-digit number to identify the rider, and could not be matched with the name of any one cyclist.

The rest of the article is complete bullshit because the Frenchy-mag has been targetting Armstrong for years because he beat them at their race. Why didn't France just ban him? Oh that's right... Because he didn't do anything wrong. But, because one sample fails, it's got to be his.

This post is now about heroes. We all have them in life and in history. They're sportsmen, historic political leaders, fireman, policman, US Miltary fighting over seas, public servants, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends teachers, coaches, musicians, actors, and any all people whom I haven't mentioned that qualify as a heroes. Anyone however defined as a hero has a weakness. That weakness, no matter how faint or how intense is the jealousy of others. Some are never bothered about their heroism because many never hear about the speculation from the jaded opinion of others. Other heroes are so great, that any hint of a flaw sends an absolute wrecking ball out to smash their popularity into public ridicule. The problem here is that Lance, as heroic as he is, can not have an absolute win. He cannot climb this mountain because these French imbeciles are only intent on bring him down to nothing. Lance has too much power for them. Lance has what they can never have. It is only shear jealousy that motivates a magazine like L'Equipe. We has humans beings, as residents of the world, need to say no to this garbage. What more must this man over come? The 7 tours over the Pyrrenees, multi-organ cancer, and a death bed seem much easier than the freaking liberal media.

I'm just a soul whose intentions are good...

Gold star for any of you that name the song that line comes from.

Today is August 18th. I drove to work and I worked and I drove home.

In between all that, I paid $2.73 a gallon for gas for a $45 tank fill, had triple Venti Mocha, thought it was hilariously funny that Jim Rome referred to Terrill Owens as "to" instead of T.O. I saw numerous entrepenuers who were quite friendly. Had lunch that had fries made from sweet potatos. (Not so good) I realized 11 hours was too long to be away from home and that the dog probably had it "tied in a knot" if a female dog could ever do so. (Thanks to Katie for watching the dog stack the log cabins) The dog freaking hates me but will bow and beg and pretty much be a total spazz when I have a milkbone in my hand. Today is day 5 of Kristen being away. The mail is stacked high, so are the dishes and OH CRAP THE PLANTS!!!....

I am back... I figured tonight I needed to update my blog solely for the entertainment of others (myself) and that I'd just sit back, set a timer and start typing until it ends. Unfortunately that timer is a figment of my imagination. (You did visualize it too) If it was, I'd set it for 5 minutes. The homemade burritos for dinner took 2 minutes to make. 1 minute to stuff the tortillas and 1 to nuke them into oblivion. Our microwave is so cool, I just never use it.

I downloaded "The Animals" Greatest Hits (hint: my idea for the title of this post) the other night off of "I-tunes" (Just 50 bucks for 5 clicks and 5 albums worth of music is on your I-Pod in 6 minutes tops) Freaking technology. Making it easier to shop and spend money. I think I-Tunes should have an icon featuring a degenerate with numerous facial piercings so it is reminiscent of what it was like to go to a conventional music store like Tower Records. They can blast gansta rap too while it's downloading. Last downloads: The Animals, Travis, System of a Down (I lost their second album to a thief), Mike Ness (Under the Influences) and my own personal attempts at covering songs with my guitar. They sound good and I thought about putting my own music onto a Podcast here at "Steve's Blog" but I think the lawyers would linch me.

The last thing this country needs right now is Cindy Sheehan. I think that statement says it all. Say what you please but that's the truth. The news about her is deafening.

I went to a "neighborhood meeting" on traffic reduction in my ancient neighborhood. We had it at the elementary school nearby. The school looked very old but had a lot of new shiny stuff in it. Dude, their flag had only 48 stars. I found that at nearly 32, I am the youngest person in my 'hood that gives a rat's ass about traffic. I never knew speed bumps, landscaping and stop signs posed such a threat. This neighbor down the street complained about white and orange sports cars getting sideways on his corner. I think the neighbors were fighting to make this a gated community but I was not exactly sure. It was funny, old ladies knew the exact speed people travelled when cutting through the 'hood which was always 100mph. The actual clocked speed is 37 but I digress. I stood up and suggested that we use the city's money to install numerous pay phones and billboards for AAA to advertise on. After that we all purchase bullet proof tires which would be paid for by AAA's advertising. Once we had them all installed, we'd sprinkle nails and schrapnel throughout the neighborhood streets. It would be rough and loud for a couple of weeks but once the tow trucks cleared them all out, the neighborhood would be clear of traffic. (That sounded funnier last night) I only went to the meeting for one reason: Liberals are fun to watch. I watched how they volunteered to water plants in the newly constructed planters filled with species of plants that thrive naturally in the area and how they formed commitees on pollution and environmental impacts of the asphalt used to contruct the speed bumps, the percentage of non-renewable fuels used in the heavy equipment to make those speed bumps, and the micro-organisms that make up the little world under the street. Number one reason why they were against speed bumps? Public Transit using the streets would have more wear and tear. Yet they don't see the value in stopping the teenager blasting is stereo in his Honda Civic, with the primered fenders and fiberglass wings and what not from speeding through but showed more concern for the sick, old and poor that had no choice but to use the Public Transit. I seriously got visions of old people standing in the rain at a bus stop waiting patiently for a bus that had a busted rear axle around the corner that they couldn't see. Damn these people are passionate. Truth be told, my neighborhood, voted 77% for Kerry in the last election leaving 20% of us voting for Bush. 3% voted for Nader? How the hell did that happen? On the way back I noticed those stupid "Bush Lied" notices stuck on every Volvo. We get to have an election for the proposed traffic calming measures. Unfortunately the city council can override us. Freaking bureaucracies...

And that right there is how most of these posts are written. I cut the fluff from the beginning and start rambling.

Observations Part 21: Mass Chaos at the Homestead

And no I am not talking about the cry baby down at the Bush ranch in Texas. I am talking about my own house.

Kristen left me on Sunday. Not for real, but for business. I mean, she's gonna come back. You see she is a middle school teacher and is trained to teach other middle school teachers this new, fangled reading program for middle school kids that don't know how to read to good(ha, ha). She loves it and it pays as well as Summer School but with less effort. Plus she gets to travel to Downtown Oakland.

It's the first time she's really left for work somewhere this long. She left Sunday and will return Friday evening so I have been left to fend for myself around here. And this my friends is where the craziness has begun. It's Tuesday night, day three and look out!

I am big boy. I lived by myself for quite a while before we were married. I had my notoriously unsuccessful stint in LA trying to make it in the music business. And my bachelor pad around the corner from Original Pete's on J street. I can feed and take care of myself. I can cook. I can iron and wash my own clothes. The chaos comes from the others that live here: THE PETS!!!

We have 4 cats: Abbey, Jack, Daisy (aka Kitten) and Flea. We have a dog: Trisha (we did not name her) We have box turtle: Hobbes. And we have a fish: Fish.

Things I have noticed so far this week without Kristen:

1. The cats can poop a lot.
2. The Dog is not pooping as much as you think she should.
3. We have 3 litter boxes.
4. The garbage can in the kitchen is entirely too small for the Hefty Cinch Sacks
5. The dishes in the sink do not disappear only to miraculously re-appear in the cupboard clean like they did before she left.
6. The dog is an attention whore
7. So is Abbey, Jack and well, Kitten
8. The bed is empty. Not just without Kristen. Like there are no cats either. Normally all six of us are piled in together. They seem to be afraid
9. No ambient sounds of painful chick music on the CD player. (Elliot Smith, Noe Venable, Tori Amos, etc)
10. Someone leaves all the lights on and doesn't shut them off.
11. The pets eat the expensive IAMs food because Jack has that urinary tract disorder.
12. The cats puke a lot.
13. The dog hates me.
14. I can't find my belt, wallet, and keys as easily as before
15. The mail box is way outside and was crammed full of crap we don't need.
16. Tomorrow is garbage day and it is hard to get the can out with my truck in the driveway.
17. Oops...
18. I forgot to water the plants.
19. We're about out of Frosted Mini Wheats
20. Our cat Abbey is a clinger.
21. There will be a mess to clean when she gets back.
22. Wait! There better not be a mess to clean when she gets back.


She'll be back on Friday. I think it will be pizza night again tomorrow.

My new favorite website

North Korean News Database

No longer will we Americans suffer the verbal wrath of Kim Jong Il through the "People's" DPRK North Korean News website that was entirely unsearchable and appears to have been made by a kindergartener on an Amiga.

Get this, this guy in California has put together this fine website to chronicle everything our little socialist friend, Kim, has had to say about Bush, the US, Japan and their cozy neighbors, the South Koreans.

You half-baked flunkey, your accusation against the DPRK is no more than barking at the moon!

The scariest part of the whole thing is the ease of how you can search for rhetoric through Geoff's website. He has easily categorized the data and has included "Fun" searches as well as a random insult generator. The Hall of Fame is fun especially the story about the mysterious wall that was NOT built by the South Koreans to keep the North out. Precise measurements, location, and length of the wall are given, though it is not even there!!

I recommend the RSS feeds Geoff has left for us. Kim Jong Il is one crazy bastard!!!

Jeb Bush, The Seminoles: Reverse Discrimination

I got home from work and I noticed something funny on Yahoo! News Page. This article found here, regarding the NCAA's problem with Florida State using the Seminoles as a mascot. The article states and I quote:

The governor said the Seminole Tribe of Florida supports the school's use of its name and NCAA officials had insulted the university and Seminole Indians by calling the nickname "hostile" and "abusive."

Jeb Bush is absolutely right when he says:

"I think they insult those people by telling them, 'No, no, you're not smart enough to understand this. You should be feeling really horrible about this.' It's ridiculous," Bush said.

And at the end Bush says the kicker we all wanted to hear:

"How politically correct can we get?" Bush asked. "The folks that make these decisions need to get out more often."

I can see where someone finds Indian names as offensive like the name the Washington Redskins. In fact, my old high school was the Redskins and now is called the "Mighty Reds" because of the name problem. I sorta agree with it but hey my old school is like 100 years old and they still use the indian. History is no longer sacred when a liberal goes out to an American Indian tribe and gets them to be offended so they can push their agenda. But when a tribe is actually honored with the privilege of having a sports team be called the Seminoles, why is it offensive? I can think of other "offensive" names:

The entire WNBA league team names. Names like the Shock or the Sting or the Mercury or the Storm. What? Are we shocked women can actually play in Detroit? Or the Mercury implying the league will fold quickly?

The Boston Celtics mascot is a drunken fighting Irish leperchaun that has sterotypical Irish features like the red hair, the black cap and always fighting. Notre Dame also has the fighting Irish implying that the Irish are violent people as well.

How about the Utah Jazz? Can you think of Jazz and Mormon in the same sentence and not see where someone could be offended.

The Islanders of the NHL, as in Pacific Islander. Those people don't even have ice!!

The Packers? The Rams? The Oilers? Those could be implied as derogatory gay names.

Dolphins and Seahawks, endangered species?

How about the Browns? Anyone find that offensive?

You won't hear or see anything about any of these names because the NCAA only has a problem with Florida State at this time using a name from a tribe who is more than proud that Florida State calls themselves the Seminoles. I agree with Brother Jeb on this one, crawl back into the hole you liberal bastard. We'll see if the ACLU steps in. They may want to challenge Duke University's name: The Blue Devils.

Of course, with Florida it's not offensive, however that's because its a winning team. Imagine the Cubs being called the Iroquois. The Chicago Iroquois, winner of the 1909 World Series and that's it. This year marks the Chicago Cub's 60th year since they won the National League Pennant. Does anyone find that offensive that the team is still there?

Observations Part 20: The Day of the Steve

Today freaking ruled!! Today was my last weekday vacation day and I have to go back to work Monday but wow.

Let me begin, trust me this gets good(for me anyway):

I start by waking up and browsing my computer. My wife had a class all day so I was free to do what ever. Not that I am on lock down or anything but you know what I mean. So, at about 10:30 AM I started to crave a burger. Not just any burger but the perfect burger. Something that really satisfies you. (Doh!, I just ripped off Harold and Kumar Go To White Castle)I started to think where was the best burger around. And I really got to thinking, I hadn't had a Fat Burger in a while. Problem, Fat Burger is nowhere to be found in Northern California. I probably had to settle on the road for something like In & Out.

I need to up date our bathroom this weekend and the Expo Center, a Home Depot company, is out in Roseville, about 30 minutes drive from Skip's. They have nice stuff and it runs the gambit on price. They had $16,000 marble bathtub. Holy Crap!
After the store, where I didn't purchase a thing and I headed off to the car to go back for In & Out.

Remember two weeks back when I bought the new Mac Mini? Well, I still am quite an avid guitar player and I really wanted to use this Garage Band program my mini has so I can record music and stuff. I freaking hate Guitar Center and I didn't want to deal with them. It was like not in the mood for a crappy cashier with an attitude who only worked at Guitar Center for the discount. Anyhow, Skip's has the coolest recording shop. I bought a M-Audio Fire Wire Solo. It uses a firewire to connect to the Mac. It's cool as all hell. It was $200 and Kristen was going to kill me. So I headed off for the Expo Center for her bathroom.

It was freaking amazing. What a place. To win like that and get a Fat Burger. I walked to the car bouncing the whole way. The burger was so good. That place was unbelievable! I cannot believe we have something like that so close. I finally was able to afford what I really wanted, I-Pod's for the car and home. I quickly headed down 80 to the mall to get those I-Pod's at the Apple Store. Kristen got a green one and I got a blue mini. 1000 songs a piece. Roughly 75 albums. Not bad!

As I left the Expo Center, the car indicated it was like 150 out. Sacramento is so hot in the summer. On the way to the freeway I saw a sign for the Indian Casino. I figured Kristen wouldn't come home until late and I was well free to do whatever. Why not? I could risk $40 on some Black Jack. Thunder Valley Casino is in Roseville right in the middle of nowhere on Hwy 65. This place is bigger than any single Vegas Casino sans hotel. Black Jack was an arm and a leg. $10 per hand!! Oh well. It went smooth. I got up like a hundred and then I fell down to just a $60 increase. So up $60 and well, I went off for some food. I passed a lonely dealer at the Three Card Poker table. I figured well, I did ok in Vegas so why not waste the $60. After all it was their money. Wrong! I got more of there money in roughly 7 hands. I left the table with $510 in chips. I really wanted the pink $500 chip but they woulldn't change it out. I had 5 $100 chips. I was the man. On the way to the cashier, I saw it. I couldn't believe my eyes, it was right freaking there next to one of those make-shift Starbucks: Fat Burger. A Northern Californian Fat Burger right here, right now in Sacramento. I got the Big Fat Deal with the Fat Fries. I nearly cried.

Back from Vacation

Vacationing in Tahoe 

Like you even cared that I was gone. I would have told ya all before I left but I was afraid some nutjob would have fire bombed my house without me in it!

I had fun. One stroke from beating 100. Shot my only 8 of the day on Wednesday on the 18th hole where I only needed a 7. Oh well, at least I get to try again. I did hit one birdie and I was no more than 3 over which was suprisingly good for me.

I got on Yahoo! this morning and noticed this.

I gotta hand it to the Brits, they don't take shit. I particularly love this part of it.

LONDON - Foreigners who preach hatred, sponsor violence or belong to extremist groups could be deported from Britain under strict new measures that Prime Minister
Tony Blair announced Friday, nearly a month after suicide bombers killed 52 people on London's transit system.

Membership in extremist Islamic groups such as Hizb-ut-Tahrir would become a crime under the new measures. The group, which advocates the creation of an Islamic state in Central Asia, already is outlawed in several countries.

And this my friends is the sole purpose of our Patriot Act. Only I wish it was as brutally honest and straight forward as what came out of Tony Blair in Britain today. Come here from another country and preach hatred and death to all Britains, you'll get one-way tickets back to your homeland. Period. Unfortunately, the US is a bit soft in this aspect with it's toleration of groups like the ACLU who advocate for our homeland terrorists and some of the left who cry foul thinking the Patriot Act is after them too, even though they our 5th generation Nebraskans who pay their taxes from an honest living, are members of the PTA and are honest law abiding citizens.

Going out to look for a British flag for my golf bag... It'd look great next to the American one.