Black Friday

No thank you!   I'll just wait for Cyber Monday!

Don't Worry! Be happy!

OK...according to Buzzfeed, here are some simple ways to make your life happier.   I need to jump on a bunch of these!

1. Write out a quick list of what you are grateful for at the end of every day.  
   Everyday...I'm grateful for my family and to be alive!
2. Try to share what made you happy on a given day with close friends and family.  
   Rum & Tonic!
3. Surround yourself with the color blue.  
   It's called my 1990 XJS Convertible in powder blue!
4. Fit meditation into your schedule.  
   I meditate about money!
5. Spend your money on others.  
   AKA...your kids!
6. Devise a workout schedule, even if it is only something quick.  
   I live in a 3 story townhouse.   Enough said!
7. Make sure you’re living in the moment.
   (see response to #1)!
8. Make sure to stay plenty hydrated.
   (see response to #2)
9. Get a good night’s rest.  
   (see response to #2)
10. Treat yourself to time outside.  
    With today's windchill factor, it was 9 degrees out side!
11. Set yourself achievable goals.  
    (see response to #1...aka Be Alive!)
12. Try your best to smile.
    (see response to #2)
13. Listen to your favorite upbeat songs.  
    "Don't Worry...be Happy!"   Thank you Bob Marley!
14. And finally, spend less time on Facebook.  
    I ain't on Facebook!   I'm here!

Still not convinced?   Check out the detailed sources of each of these suggestions over at Buzzfeed!

The Day America Lost its Innocence

I was in high school and just finished 8th period history class.   All hell broke lose in the hallways and we were all in a state of shock and thought it was just a rumor!   Got home and turn on the TV and saw this.   I still get choked up watching it.

Historic Level of Obstruction by the Rethuglicans

Feb 14 - First-ever filibuster of Chuck Hagel as Pentagon chief.
July 17 - Head of Consumer Watchdog confirmed after a two year battle.
Oct 31 - Mel Watt becomes the first sitting member of congress to be denied confirmation since the Civil War!
Oct 31 thru Nov 18 - All 3 DC court of appeals nominees blocked!

Source: The Washington Post

Why all this obstruction by the Rethuglicans and Teabagistan?  
Here's why!

Pipcorn is still Poppin'!

Just ask Oprah!   Pipcorn was one of her favorite things back in 2012 and it's back again in 2013!

"One of my favorite snacks is popcorn sprinkled with truffle oil, so I'm thrilled that Sabatino has created this dream kit.   It contains Pipcorn (hulless popcorn, one of last year's Favorite Things), black and white truffle oils, and truffle salt."

Check out Pipcorn at this years' Oprah's Favorite Things!

Veterans Day

I'm a veteran...not by choice!   Trust me!   I've expressed my opinion about the insanity of war before.   In spite of that, I was really moved this morning watching Aaron Mankin on the Today show.   Actually had me drop a few tears to think what these young men have endured.   If you have some spare change, please consider donating to these two noteworthy organizations highlighted below.

UCLA Operation Mend
Healing the wounds of war!   Donate here!

UCLA Operation Mend is a groundbreaking program that provides returning military personnel with severe facial and other medical injuries access to the nation's top plastic and reconstructive surgeons, as well as comprehensive medical and mental-health support for the wounded and their families.

Operation Mend started with facial reconstruction.   The program has since expanded in order to optimize healing-body, mind, and spirit. In addition to plastic and reconstructive surgery, mental-health support (for warriors and their families), orthopaedic reconstruction for severely damaged limbs, urologic treatment, otolaryngological care, the examination and treatment of reproductive issues, repair of airways, and design of new prosthetic ears are provided.

Stand Up for Heroes!
Donate at the Bob Woodruff Foundation

Injured vets and their families face unique challenges that require innovative solutions. Finding counseling, a job, or just new meaning and purpose.

1% of American citizens serve in the military. But 99% benefit. Our cause is bigger than politics. It’s about helping veterans and their families return home to a community and nation fully prepared to help them. Not just today, or tomorrow, but for the long haul. Just 1% serves. It’s time to repay that loyalty. It’s time to stand up for our heroes.

Bill Maher on Christian Values

Out of the mouths of babes....

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO TO MARRY?
You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff.   Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming.   Alan, age 10
No person really decides before they grow up who they're going to marry.   God decides it all way before, and you get to find out later who you're stuck with.   Kristen, age 10

WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?
Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then.   Camille, age 10

HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?
You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids.   Derrick, age 8

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?
Both don't want any more kids.   Lori, age 8

WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?
When they're rich.   Pam, age 7
The law says you have to be eighteen, so I wouldn't want to mess with that.   Curt, age 7
The rule goes like this: If you kiss someone, then you should marry them and have kids with them.   It's the right thing to do.   Howard, age 8

IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?
It's better for girls to be single but not for boys.   Boys need someone to clean up after them.   Anita, age 9

HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?
There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?   Kelvin, age 8

And the #1 Favorite is........
HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?
Tell your wife that she looks pretty, even if she looks like a truck.   Ricky, age 10

Rafael Cruz: Evolution Is A Communist Lie

This is Ted Cruz's dad!   The apple doesn't fall too far from the tree!

Once a cook! Now a Chef!

OK...everyone who knows him...knows this boy can cook!   He's one of my sons-in-law and he can cook his *ss off!   I'm talking serious eats here folks!   Now the boy has gone to this exclusive culinary academy in London, and among other things, threw these desserts together!   Goodbye cook!   Hello Chef!

Iced praline and white chocolate parfait, tempura fig beignet, cardamom and port syrup.

Grilled pineapple, yogurt crackle ice cream, black pepper and pine nut tuille, aged balsamic, toasted pine nuts.

Hope to visit my "chef" son-in-law and my daughter in London next spring and I will make sure that he has these on the table!

Trick or Treat!

Taking Flight! & Ripping you off!

"In recent years, carriers around the world, especially in the U.S. and Europe, have added or raised fees for everything from checking bags to printing out boarding passes.   It has added to the bottom line of nearly every airline in the world."

ps...I don't check bags!

Source: CNBC

The Old Homestead!

Well...the old homestead in North Stamford is back on the market again.   It was a great home for almost nine years.   That's a far cry from my fourth floor walk up growing up in the south Bronx!   That's for sure!

Current owners are asking $799K for it...but they bought it for over $900K (not from me)!   Back in 1989, I paid far less than what they're asking for but still took a big loss when we sold it in 1997.   Maybe that's when the stress really originated!   See below for more stress!

Stress can kill you! It almost did!

Looking back through the years from 2003 thru 2010...I would call those years the epicenter of my stress years!   We're talking about going to the roof...and jumping off!

• In 2003 my contract with a former Fortune 50 company was unexpectedly terminated a few weeks after I was diagnosed with cancer!
• From 2003 thru 2010 I had a few engagements/jobs I hated!   I did enjoy one...but all the rest....I just couldn't handle the politics and the bullsh*t!
• At the end of 2009, my 401K was less than half of what it was in 2005 and I'm talking big bucks people!
• Our current residence, back then, was valued at much less than what we paid for it.
• In 2010, we had to do a "short sale" on our planned retirement condo/home in Florida.   I/we lost more big bucks...almost 2/3rds of what we orignally paid for it!
• My stomach's cancer resurrected itself in 2012.
• There's a whole lotta sh*t that I can go on forever about...but...

Sh*t happens, and all in all...I'm very fortunate,   I need to keep reminding myself about how fortunate I am.

Feet...meet ocean!

Ocean...meet feet!

Here it is October 18th and this is the first time these two have met each other this year!   For me, as a beach freak, this is pathetic...October 18th!!!   Where was I all this summer?   Obviously, I wasn't at the ocean.   Trying to make up for the delay by sharing some quality time with great friends on Singer Island, Florida.

GOP's Terrorist Teabaggers!

Source

Bridegroom - An American Love Story

I stumbled across this during my daily ventures into the blog-o-sphere. It really touched me.   The complete documentary will be aired on Oprah Winfrey's OWN network on October 27th at 9PM.   I'll be there to check it out!

Here's the original YouTube video that started a Kickstarter campaign and made this happen!   As you can see, this has had over 4 million views.

Negotiate Obamacare? WTF!

I watched this one on Sunday and big Kudos to Bob Schieffer!

Financial Illiteracy in America!

From Today's New York Times:
Even if we grade on a very generous curve, many Americans flunk when it comes to financial literacy.   Consider this three-item quiz:

• Suppose you had $100 in a savings account and the interest rate was 2 percent a year.   After five years, how much do you think you would have if you left the money to grow?   More than $102, exactly $102 or less than $102?
• Imagine that the interest rate on your savings account was 1 percent a year and that inflation was 2 percent.   After one year, would you be able to buy more than, the same as or less than you could today with the money?
• Do you think this statement is true or false: “Buying a single company stock usually provides a safer return than a stock mutual fund”?

Anyone with even a basic understanding of compound interest, inflation and diversification should know that the answers to these questions are “more than,” “less than” and “false.”   Yet in a survey of Americans over age 50 conducted by the economists Annamaria Lusardi of George Washington University and Olivia S. Mitchell of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, only a third could answer all three questions correctly.

More of this must read article is here at the N.Y Times!

The P.O.T.U.S. is a NIGGER!

OK folks...let's tell it like it is.   I'm sick of everyone skating around the issue.   I've been around since Eisenhower and I've never seen such animosity, disrespect and outright hatred for the President of the United States as I've seen with President Barrack Obama.   You can say or think what you want...but let's call a spade a spade!   (No pun intended)!

• He was born in Kenya!   Just ask Donald Trump!
• He's a Muslim!
• He's a liar!   Just ask Joe Wilson!
• He's a nigger! (not a niggah...but a NIGGER)!

Forget the fact that he has provided his birth certificate!   Forget the fact that he graduated from Columbia University and Harvard!

Did I mention he was the first black President of the Harvard Law Review!   Forget the fact the he's actually bi-racial.   Did I mention that Mitch McConnell's primary mission was to ensure that President Obama would serve only one term!   This is a man who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize!   In spite of all of that, one fact remains.   In the eyes of too many American Teabaggers and Rethuglicans...he's still just a nigger!   Sorry Oprah...but it is what it is!

The "Shutdown" according to Bachmann!

"I think the reason is because President Obama can’t wait to get Americans addicted to the crack cocaine of dependency on more government health care. Because, once they enroll millions of more individual Americans it will be virtually impossible for us to pull these benefits back from people."

Source: The Daily Banter

Sarah Palin (V.P. Candidate) & the "shutdown"!

"It’s beyond shameful to see Barack Obama disrespect and mistreat our World War II veterans so blatantly.   Obama’s political stunt to 'shut down' their memorial by barricade is to elicit an angry response to generate bad publicity for people the president uses in his continual blame game.   The difference is obvious.   There aren’t any World War I veterans alive today to mistreat in a shameful political stunt.   He’s deployed more guards to bar our World War II heroes from their memorial than he sent to Benghazi when our consulate was under attack.

The President is treating our veterans the same way he treated school kids when he cancelled their White House tours.   When times called for obvious government belt-tightening, he took it out on kids rather than look for anything that would affect him personally.   And while our vets are barricaded from the memorial they built with their heroism, the government 'slim down' won’t affect Obama’s golf game or his family’s White House chefs."

Source: Mrs. Palin's Facebook page

p.s.
47% of Americans that voted in 2008 thought that this woman was qualified (and worthy) to be the Vice President of the United States of America!   A heartbeat away from the presidency!   That alone scares the sh*t out of me!   I just don't get it and I never will!

I'm shutting down!

Members of Congress will have no dilemma about the future of their own finances this week because the 27th Amendment to the Constitution specifically stipulates that the salaries of the House and Senate cannot change until a congressional election has come and gone.   Members of both chambers currently make $174,000.   I don't know about you, but I don't make anything near that!   Let's shutdown congressional pay too!

I think we all need to SHUTDOWN at midnight and see where that takes us!   Ted Cruz gets $174K!   You gotta be kidding me!

A dream of Congress in the future

From CBS's Bob Scheiffer.   Bob...what a great dream!   Transcript here.

Awesome Political Ad!

Carl Sciortino, Jr. is a Democratic member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.   A graduate of Tufts University, Sciortino is one of seven openly LGBT members of the Massachusetts General Court.   The fact that he is openly gay...adds a really funny and human touch to this "coming out" ad!