A Recap of 2012 in Four Minutes!

"A Nigger on a Horse!"

One down and six more movies to go...but the list is growing!   Saw "Django Unchained" on Thursday...and thus the title of this entry.   Those of you who have seen the movie will get the point!   Yes...I'm sure that the title of this entry will not sit well with a lot of folks...but I've expressed my opinion/thoughts about the "N word" before.   On the other hand, if I'm driving through Mississippi and pulled over by a state trooper, and referred to as a nigger...we got a whole 'nother story to tell!   But I digress!

I can't begin to tell you how much I enjoyed this movie!   I cringed at all the bloodshed and horrific violence and man's inhumanity to man!.   I often hid my eyes from some of the more violent scenes! But then again, I laughed out loud, along with the audience, at Mr. Tarantino's play on his unique sense of humor.   I even laughed out loud during some of the more violent scenes, but then again, I shed a tear or two and often smiled a lot at some of the more subtle nuances that many black folks can relate to or have experienced.

All the performances were amazing.   Samuel Jackson may go down in history as the most vile "Negro" depicted in the movies.   As the saying goes..."nobody will do it to you like your own"!   I'm disappointed that he wasn't nominated for a Golden Globes or perhaps a SAG Award...but there's always the Oscars!

Epilog:
Lifelong friends were visiting and wanted to see "Django Unchained."   The Mrs. didn't go with us (my two daughters and son-in-law) last week...so she and the visiting friends went to see it today!   I decided to go along as well and see it again.   I enjoyed it as much...if not even more so than the first time!   Different town...different audience (we were the only black folks in the theater)...but the audience's reaction was practically the same as last week!   My biggest disappointment is to learn that Samuel L. Jackson has not been nominated for any awards!   IMHO...he stole the show!

UPDATE:
Check out my latest entry "Unchaining...Django Unchained"

Add another "IST" to add to the List!

I get a call from my oncologist (cancer dude).   Based on my most recent blood tests, he's somewhat concerned about my sugar levels.   "Nothing to be alarmed about...just a little bit elevated."   "But to be on the safe side...I'd like you to see an endocrinologist (diabetes person)."   "And while you're at it...make an appointment with this nutritionist!"   Just another "IST" to add to my list.   So here's the latest recap on my ever growing "ist" list!

• oncologist...cancer dude
• urologist...kidney & urinary dude
• internist...I used to refer to this person as my doctor!
• cardiologist...heart dude
• gastroentologist...stomach dude
• allergist...allergy guy
• dermatologist...skin guy
• nutritionist...am I eating right?
• endocrinologist...diabetes person
• orthopedioligist...bone & muscle dude

Hopefully...there will be no more additions to my "IST" list!

Newtown, Connecticut & the 2nd Amendment

The 2nd Amendment:   (as ratified by the States and authenticated by Thomas Jefferson, Secretary of State)

"A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

I was curious to find our what kind of “arms” I had the right to bear (back then), if I was a part of the “militia” against any possible form of tyranny.   Also note...no mention of hunting...and what exactly is the definition of a "free state" anyway?

This whole 2nd Amendment thing goes back to the 18th century!   1791 to be specific!   It was part of the Bill of Rights.   As I said before...f*ck the 2nd Amendment!   Below are images of some of the “arms” (pistols & rifles) available in the 18th century.

Okay...I can dig this!   If Americans could only buy the "arms" depicted above NOW...I'd be cool with that!   But they can't NOW and then again...I would have been a slave back then.   Walmart didn’t exist.   I would not have been able to order these “arms” “online”.   There was no online!   Hell...there was no radio!   Not even the telegraph!   There were no Glocks and no AR  15s!

I just don’t understand it and never will!   But Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of the NRA, has the answer!   According to Mr. LaPierre...“The only way to stop a bad guy with a gun, is a good guy with a gun.”

America...the so-called "greatest country on earth" has 5% of the world's population and 50% of the guns!   Go figure!

If you're watching this...the world didn't end!

The (NON) End of the World!

Google's - Year in Review! Awesome!

Dear Aunt Helene

Dear Aunt Helene,

There's good news and bad news.   The bad news...we missed your memorial service today.   We tried.   We really did.   We got up early...endured all the rush hour traffic from Stamford to the upper east side of New York City.   It took us just under an hour and a half to get there.   We had good intentions...but we missed it!

The good news...once we arrived...we were informed that we were a day too early!   I knew it was to be on the 19th...but somehow I thought today was the 19th!   Go figure...perhaps old age!   On a positive note...they could have told us that we were a day too late!

So, since we were in Manhattan, we decided to try and make the best of it.   Hey, let's go to the MOMA (Metropolitan Museum of Art)!   Okay...that works!   Get back in the car and drive from 72nd & York to 53rd and First.   Park the car there because it's cheaper to park further east/west of midtown Manhattan...versus for example 5th Avenue.   Walk the six or so Manhattan city blocks to the MOMA...only to find out that the MOMA is closed on Tuesdays!

Okay...let's walk back to the car.   As we arrived back at Park Avenue, we looked south and said..isn't that the Waldorf Astoria down there?   Yes it is!   How cool to go there and get a cup of coffee!   Lets do it!   We walk in at 11:05AM.   Lobby level "cafe" closed at 11:00AM!

We laughed at our circumstances!   What else could go wrong!   I announce that we can't come to NYC without a Sabrett hotdog (look for the yellow and blue umbrella).   We leave the Waldorf and walk the six or so blocks back to the parking lot.   No yellow/blue umbrellas anywhere in sight.   We are determined to end this journey on a high note.   We get in the car...drive around...and finally see a blue & yellow umbrella at 59th and Third (next to Bloomingdales)!   I bought two and inhaled them!

Okay...since we're in Manhattan and on our way back to Stamford, Connecticut...lets take a journey through the Bronx (to show my daughter & son-in-law) where I grew up.   Drove by 1339 Prospect Avenue, Junior High School 127 & James Monroe High School.

Now we're homeward bound!   On I95 northbound and just crossing the New York/Connecticut border (Byram). Car seems to be hesitating?   What's happening?  We're out of gas!

Dear Aunt Helene!

• NO memorial
• NO MOMA
• NO Waldolf coffee
• NO Gas!

But I did have my Sabrett hotdogs...with mustard and onions!   And we all agreed that if you knew what happened to us today...you would have had a really great laugh!

We love you!   Rest in peace!   You deserve it!

The Central Park Five!

I've got to see this.   I need to add it to my holiday movie list.

F*ck the 2nd Amendment and the NRA!

We are the most armed country in the world!   On average, 34 people are killed every day in this United States of America!   I'm saddened by this fact and today's tragedy in my home state.   I'm disgusted by our lack of any meaningful action to reduce gun violence in this country.   We can't wait much longer!   We need to act now!

Bryan Fischer...Bat Sh*ttery!

"God didn't stop school shooting because he's a gentleman who doesn't go where he's not wanted."

McCain, Graham & the Benghazi bullsh*t!

"I just think it's appalling what happened here. Appalling.   I think there are many aspects to this which...are just completely fabricated and unfair, and just not the right way to treat someone who has dedicated her life to serving the United States."

Former Secretary of State - Madeleine Albright [Source]

Obama is a secret socialist!!!

Lindsey Graham...the "People" freed the slaves!

“Is it possible for three people to genuinely love each other and want to share their lives together?   Is it OK to have three people marry each other?”

“If the people” wanted same-sex marriage, they would pass a constitutional amendment legalizing it, just as the people decided to pass an amendment to ban slavery"

"Can — can I suggest this?   Slavery was outlawed by a Constitutional amendment.   Go watch “Lincoln,” a great movie.   The people decided.   The question for us is who should decide these things?   Should it be a handful of judges or should it be the people themselves?   And I come out on the side of the people themselves.   Different people will look at it differently.   But slavery was outlawed by a Constitutional amendment.   If you want to propose a Constitutional amendment legalizing same-sex marriage and it passes, that’s the law of the land."

At the movies..."Lincoln" & "Skyfall"!

I don't go as often as I'd like.   I had a double header weekend though!  "Skyfall" and "Lincoln" are two incredible films.

I think "Skyfall" is ranks high among the best of the Bond films...total entertainment.   Then there's "Lincoln"...absolutely awesome.   Daniel Day Lewis will certainly be included in the Academy Award's Best Actor category.   This movie ought to be required viewing for every American. A complete history lesson in just over 2 hours!   It was just awesome.

Prior to these two...I can't remember the last time I went to the movies, but that's about to change!   I plan to spend part of the Xmas holiday at the local cinema.   Here's the line-up!

• Life of Pi
• Argo
• Zero Dark Thirty
• Les Miserables
• Django Unchained
• Flight
• The Impossible

UPDATE:
Saw "Django Unchained", "Argo" and "Life of Pi".   All were amazing, enjoyable and entertaining!  Still high on my "to see" list is "Zero Dark Thirty" and "The Impossible".   Back in the late winter of 1988, my wife and children vacationed on that very same beach in Phucket, Thailand!

Right Wing Tea-bagging Nutjob!

"The most important thing everyone has to understand is my voice is not going to be lost.   We’ve gotten a lot of opportunities, a lot of offers, and we’re going to make sure we continue to have that platform. [...] I’m a warrior and I’m a statesman and I’m a servant of this republic.   I’m not going away just because of a congressional race where he seems to have to cheat to beat me."

"Look, you know, God closes a door so that he can open up greater doors.   I will continue to, you know, stand up and fight for this country.   That’s my goal.   I have two daughters, 19 and 16, and I want to make sure that they grow up in a great America that provides them all the opportunities that it provided to their mother and father.   And always remember, Abraham Lincoln only served one term in Congress, too."

Dear Mr. "Tea-bagging" West,
Abe Lincoln would have never gone this low to try to win an election!   Mr. West, you ain't no Abe Lincoln!   And thankfully, you ain't gonna be no Congressman either!

Happy Birthday Terry!

Gone...but not forgotten!

Jim DeMint...Good Bye & Good Riddance!

Mr. DeMint is was among the most conservative members of the Senate.   This tea party-aligned self-described "citizen legislator" pushed for a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution.   He strongly opposed abortion rights and same-sex marriage, and called the national health care law and the bail out of Wall Street "unconstitutional power grabs" by the government.   Mr. DeMint, Mr. Cantor, Mr. Ryan and my favorite buddy, Newt Gingrich, were determined to undermine the Presidency of Barack Obama!

Although Mr. DeMint is gone...he’s planning to head up the Heritage Foundation...a conservative think tank.   As an aside, South Carolina's senior senator, Lindsey Graham (my other buddy), is also up for reelection in 2014, as is Gov. Nikki Haley.   That means the state will have two Senate races and a governor's race in the 2014 cycle.   I don’t live in South Carolina...but I have a few friends that live there!   I need to call these folks.

But there’s already talk that Governor Nikki Haley is considering this Allen West-like buffoon, Tim Scott, to replace DeMint.

Where do they find these people?

Benghazi...The Budget...& Lindsey Graham!

Dear Mr. Graham,
I’m addicted to the Sunday news “talk shows”   You name them and I’m there. “Face the Nation”, “Meet the Press”, "This Week" with George S....I’m there!   They are what prompted me to write this entry.   I saw you on several of last Sunday's shows and I was screaming at the T.V.!   Tim Russert (R.I.P.) would have nailed you to the wall!   I wanted to throw up!   Mr. Graham…you disgust me!

You pass judgment on U.N Ambassador Sharon Rice, and the attack on Benghazi, but where were you when the Bush Administration got warning of a potential attack on the United States by Osama Bin Laden?   Did you claim that Condoleezza mislead the American public back then?   You were silent then!   Why didn’t you subject Condoleezza to the same sh*t you are casting upon Ambassador Sharon Rice?   We lost almost 3,000 lives back then...and the Bush administration was forewarned...but not a word from you or your cohorts!   Not a f*cking word!

Then there’s the infamous budget cliff!   You bitched...and continue to bitch about the deficit…but you (and your cohorts) gave President Bush carte blanche to put TWO wars on a credit card along with a prescription drug program!   You didn’t bitch back then...but you’re bitching now about the deficit!   You and your likes signed up for this deficit!   I just don’t understand it.   Equally as scary is that I don’t understand how a good portion of the American electorate subscribe to your bullsh*t!   Or that of Mr. Cantor, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Boehner or the other bullsh*ters!   Did I mention that Mr. Cantor (along with Vice Presidential candidate, Paul Ryan) and South Carolina Senator, Jim DeMint (pictured above by your side) met with several other Republican thugs to pledge to do whatever they could do to undermine (and destroy) President Obama’s presidency?  

I’m really sick of all of you thugs…but I’m equally disgusted that the Americans that you serve don’t see you for who you are!   You sicken me!   You and your like...really do!

• You have an "A" rating by the NRA and a "B" rating by the Gun Owners of America, indicating a strong pro-gun stance.
• You opposed President Barack Obama's health reform legislation
• In 1996 you voted for the Defense of Marriage Act
• You were for a climate change act, then you were against it…because of the Democrats stance on immigration? Help me understand this!

Did I mention...you disgust me!

5 16 22 23 29 Powerball = 6

Well I didn't win.   If I did...I wouldn't be posting on this blog...that's for sure!   Good news...I had all the numbers!   Bad news...they were not on the same ticket, much less the same line!   And the Powerball number (6) wasn't even in the Powerball position!

Two 22s and two 23s!   Three 29s!   Payout...zilch!   Nada!

1 in 175,000,000

Okay...so here’s a different perspective on the odds of winning tonight’s $550 MILLION Powerball.   Heard this from a Microsoft statistician on this morning’s news.  Take 175 million pennies.   Put an “X” on one of those pennies.

Now lay the pennies side by side.   If you live in New York City, start to place the pennies somewhere in midtown Manhattan.   Somewhere along the line...when you come to the “X” marked penny...make sure it is not face up...but rather faced down towards the ground!   When you’re finished laying down all the pennies...you should be somewhere in Chicago!

Chicago is about 790 miles from midtown Manhattan and a penny is about 3/4 inches in diameter.   You do the math!

Okay…now that you’ve laid out all the pennies...go back to Manhattan and have a friend get in a car (without you)...and tell them to drive to Chicago.   Tell them that somewhere during their trip...they should stop the car and pick up a penny.   If there’s an “X” on it…they just won a half a BILLION dollars!

I ain’t driving to Chicago...but I still dropped a few bucks on tonight’s drawing.   As the saying goes...”You gotta be in it to win it!"   Forget the odds and who has 175 million pennies anyway!   Hell, come to think of it, if I had 175 million pennies...I wouldn't need to win this! I can be quite happy with $1,750,000!

Personalities and other pearls of wisdom

Personalities of some folks that I know are really different from what I consider the norm.   They’re just out there!

I think (know?) they don’t realize how different they really are and it’s difficult (or a waste of time) to discuss/confront them about their difference/personalities.   Forget about the possibility of change.   The degree of difficulty increases with age.   Actually I think most folks are fully “baked” sometime during their teenage years.   I’ve seen some that are “half baked” at 5 years old! Trust me...I’m fully baked, but I can’t remember at what age that happened!

Other random pearls of wisdom:

• If you don’t have anything nice to say...don’t say anything at all.
• The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
• As my grandfather used to say...”rich or poor it’s good to have money.”
• All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten.
• ”A son is a son until he takes a wife…a daughter is a daughter for the rest of your life.”   I must confess, I don’t have a son...but I do have 2 fantastic daughters...so I’m a little prejudiced here.
• If you’re new to investing and have a little money or a lot of money to invest (like tonight's 500 million Powerball)...the first book you need to read is “The Coffee House Investor”.
• Saw the movie “Lincoln” this weekend.   Every American should be required to see this movie.   Or better yet...buy the book. I will!

Oprah is Pimpin' the Pipcorn from Pipsnacks!

Here's a video of the founders of Pipsnacks, Jeff & Jen Martin, as they appeared on Oprah's televised "Favorite Things" show.   Audio/video quality isn't the greatest...but you'll get to see all the excitement in this

once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Jeff & Jen were included in a few other spots on the show!   I also recorded this via my cable provider's DVR.   Now I just need to figure out how to copy onto a DVD and edit!   That's my next task!

"Things"...the Game!

After a great Thanksgiving Day dinner and dessert...the young folks suggested we play "Things".   We've play it before...but I needed a refresher!   Let the games begin!   We had a bunch of laughs, but this one really cracked everyone up!

Things your dog would say?   The answers...

• "Can I please hump your leg?"   Woof!   Woof!
• "Do you really think I understand what you're saying."
• "I need to sh*t!"
• "What the f**ck?"
• "You gotta be kidding me!"
• "They got that sex move from me!"
• "Man...you cut my balls off...I should cut yours off!"

Helene Lightbourne: 8/22/1916 - 11/19/2012

She was the prototype for the "Energizer Bunny"...even at the age of 92...before her 1st stroke!   Always on the move...always helping where she could.   Always smiling.   Her laugh was infectious.   In all of her years, I never saw her mad or unhappy!   She brought joy to everyone who knew her.   She was short in stature (well under 5 feet tall and with a shoe size of four and a half) but was she a giant in heart and soul.   She had a heart of gold!

If you looked up the word "angel" in the dictionary...you'd see a picture of Aunt Helene!   When I was a youngster, she was Christmas!   When I needed help (without asking)...she was always there.   She was a renaissance woman way ahead of her time.

If there's a heaven...Aunt Helene is in the penthouse suite!   So on this Thanksgiving eve...if some asked me what I'm thankful for...my answer would be Aunt Helene!   I think everyone she touched would have the same answer!   If there were more Aunt Helenes in this world...the world would truly be a better place!   Rest in peace Aunt Helene...you deserve it!

Magnifing Glass versus the Command & Plus Key?

Old School versus New School!

Before posting the entry below (Education and the Electorate), I couldn't read the small font below the image detailing the source of that data.   I asked the Mrs. where was our trusty magnifying glass (it's really powerful & awesome).   She handed me the magnifying glass and left the room.   Upon her return she saw me looking at the screen of my new MacBook Retina Pro via said magnifying glass and started laughing!

What's so funny I asked?   She then hit the command key and the plus (+) key on the keyboard and...BAM!   The unreadable font was enlarged enough for me to read!   She repeated this a few times and it even got bigger and bigger!

Damn!   That's known as "old school" (me) versus "new school" (her).   I'm definitely "old school" and have a lot to learn...but it was a good laugh!   A really good laugh!

Education and the Electorate!

And this was posted on FOX Business News no less!   Not surprised by the list of the least educated!   Just the usual suspects!

2nd Largest Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Sunday, November 18th!   Dozens of balloons, dozens of marching bands!  Several thousand spectators!   Stamford, Connecticut's Thanksgiving Parade...2nd only to Macy's!   Awesome!

The Forever...Ongoing Israeli/Palestinian Conflict!

There’s something really haunting about this picture of an injured young man near Gaza City.   It just grabbed me.   I don’t know if it’s his eyes or the bloodied hand or just his look of despair/helplessness.   The photo, taken by Tyler Hicks, was on the front page of today’s New York Times.   To me, it’s testimony to the insanity of war (even though this is referred to as the Israeli/Palestinian “conflict”).   This conflict was going on way before I was born (over sixty years ago)…and will probably continue long after I’ve died!   Quite honestly…I’m really sick of it all!   I really am!

Dear Mr. Romney…I’m still waiting for my gift!

Mitt Romney said Wednesday that his loss to President Obama was due in large part to his rival's strategy of giving "gifts" during his first term to three groups that were pivotal in the results of last week's election: African Americans, Latinos and young voters.

According to Romney..."The Obama campaign was following the old playbook of giving a lot of stuff to groups that they hoped they could get to vote for them and be motivated to go out to the polls, specifically the African American community, the Hispanic community and young people," Romney told hundreds of donors during a telephone town hall Wednesday.   "In each case they were very generous in what they gave to those groups."

The Catholic Church had the Big Bucks of Hatred!

“Taking up where the Mormons left off in 2008, the Catholic Church – and its affiliate, the Knights of Columbus – have made considerable investments in the marriage fights in Minnesota, Maryland, Washington State and Maine this election cycle – spending nearly $2 million. In addition, a close ally of the Church and past co-conspirator, the National Organization for Marriage, spent more than $5.2 million this cycle.   Final campaign figures for Maryland and Maine will be available by the end of the month.

Marriage equality opponents across the four states raised $11.3 million. The Catholic Church’s contributions make up 17 percent of that total figure.   When you add in the contributions of Church ally NOM, the reality of the coordinated effort becomes clear: the Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus and NOM are responsible for funding nearly 65 percent of all anti-equality efforts in Minnesota, Maryland, Washington State and Maine.”
Source: Human Rights Campaign

Money can't buy me love!

Source:   The Daily Beast

Four bucks? You gotta be kiddin’ me!

Last Thursday I offered to help my buddies at Pipsnacks.   Their headquarters is located in Englewood, New Jersey.   Englewood is about a 45 minute drive for me via the Saw Mill River Parkway.   Whenever I venture to New Jersey from Connecticut, my preferred route is:

• I95 south and connect to the Hutchison River Parkway in Mamaroneck
• Take the “Hutch” to the Cross County Parkway to the Saw Mill River Parkway
• Saw Mill crosses the Henry Hudson Bridge
• Proceed on the Saw Mill to the George Washington Bridge (“The GW”)
• Cross the GW and Bingo...New Jersey!

After driving about a half an hour, I approached the Henry Hudson Bridge (pictured above).   It was about a mile away.   I leaned over and opened the glove compartment to retrieve my EZPass (toll payment gizmo).   I dug and dug and dug.   Damn near crashed the car digging!   No EZPass!

Oh well...I’ll just go to the “CASH” lane.   The sign says $4.00!   Are you sh*tting me!   Four bucks!   I cross this bridge several times a year.   Since I always use my “automatic EZPass gizmo” to pay for bridge tolls...I never bothered to check the price of the toll!   At first I was ticked off because I couldn’t find my EZPass.   Then I was really ticked off about the price of the toll!   Time to re-route my trips to New Jersey!

I remember when the toll was 10 cents!   Yes…10 cents!   But then again, the GW was only a buck back then!   It now costs 12 bucks!   I know that was years ago...but still!   Four bucks!

(Henry Hudson Bridge photo via opus1ny)

Pat Buchanan…White America Died!

I really hope this is a hoax and a lie.   I really do!

"White America died last night.   Obama's reelection killed it.   Our 200 plus year history as a Western nation is over.   We're a Socialist Latin American country now.   Venezuela without the oil."

Maureen Dowd...Romney as President?

"Romney and Tea Party loonies dismissed half the country as chattel and moochers who did not belong in their “traditional” America.   But the more they insulted the president with birther cracks, the more they tried to force chastity belts on women, and the more they made Hispanics, blacks and gays feel like the help, the more these groups burned to prove that, knitted together, they could give the dead-enders of white male domination the boot.

The election about the economy also sounded the death knell for the Republican culture wars.

Romney was still running in an illusory country where husbands told wives how to vote, and the wives who worked had better get home in time to cook dinner.   But in the real country, many wives were urging husbands not to vote for a Brylcreemed boss out of a ’50s boardroom whose party was helping to revive a 50-year-old debate over contraception.

Just like the Bushes before him, Romney tried to portray himself as more American than his Democratic opponent."

Check out Ms. Dowd's full article in the New York Times!

Red State Socialism

I know this is based on 2005 data and the 2004 election results...but still...very interesting.   No?   Several of these "so called" red states went blue in 2008 as well as this year (Iowa, Virginia, OHIO!!!...and finally...FLORIDA!!!, etc)...but still...very interesting.   No?

Germany voted for Barack Obama!

I think you can find the German opinions here.

You say Popcorn...Readers Digest says PIPCORN!

A writer from Readers Digest endorsement:

"So what exactly is Pipcorn?   Basically, it’s mini-popcorn supercharged with flavor and a very delicate hull (translation: no more awkward popcorn hunks in your teeth).   It’s also vegan, gluten-free, popped in extra virgin olive oil and easier to digest than typical popcorn.   But most importantly, after you chomp down on Rosemary Pipcorn or one of their specialty flavors like Lemon Pesto, that alluring bag of White Cheddar Popcorn?   Pffft, Smartfood, seduce me no more!"

Check out the full endorsement here!

Florida...a swing state has swung! Finally!

Today’s official conformation that President elect Barack Hussein Obama has won Florida, adds to his wins in eight of the nine swing states, losing only North Carolina to Mitt Romney.   In addition to Florida, the President dominated in Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Virginia, Colorado and Nevada. The final electoral results…332 for the President and 206 for Mr. Romney!   I’m a happy camper!

Me & Oprah! Pimpin' the Pipcorn!

Okay!   The few of you that follow my blog know I'm pumped about Pipcorn.   As you may already know...so is Oprah.   Pipcorn, the creation of Jen & Jeff Martin, was selected as one of Oprah's favorite things.   Check out Jen & Jeff on Oprah's show airing on Sunday, November 18th at 8:00PM.

Jen & Jeff got their start at Smorgasburg located in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, New York.   The men behind Smorgasburg, Jonathan Butler and Eric Demby, were featured in the "Metropolitan" section of the Sunday New York TImes (October 27th).

5 minutes & 27 seconds of Awesomeness!

Dear Mr. President,
I love you! You're and amazing man and a regular guy!   Enough said!

Good news...bad news

Bad news first!
Michele F*ckin' Bachmann!   You gotta be kiddin' me!

Good news!
Four more years!   Yeah baby!

Thank you Iowa & Ohio!

Damn!   Can't believe it!   I'm happy America!   All of you may not be...but I am!

The 47% and Two Americas

Candidate Mitt Romney wrote off 47% of the American population.   He pretty much said that he really doesn't give a sh*t about them...yet the red states still think he should be President.   This really sickens me.   It's 11:00PM tonight (EST)! I can't go to sleep until I see/hear the Ohio/Iowa results!  

Nate Silver...I hope you're correct!

I certainly hope Mr. Silver is correct!   If Mr. Romney and his buddy Mr. Ryan win...I'm leaving the country!   Seriously.

Obama gets emotional during final rally

Sarah Palin: Vote like Jesus would!

I'm hoping that when this is over...Ms. Palin will fade into our past.

PIPCORN! One of Oprah's favorite things!

OK folks!   Yep!   Read that title once again!   And again!   And once again!

I've told many of you about Pipcorn (and the brother-sister team of Jeff and Jen) before.   Jeff and Jen are part of my extended family.   The dozen or so of you that follow my blog also know about Pipcorn.   Check out their website.   Check out Oprah's website.

Pipcorn has been selected as one of Oprah Winfrey's favorite things.   Check out page 92 of the December issue of O magazine!   Still don't believe it.   Jeff and Jen are expected to appear on Oprah's "favorite things" show on Sunday, November 18th at 8PM!!!   That's channel 180 on Cabelvision here in Connecticut!   Latest update…their PIPCORN will appear on ABC's "Good Morning America Show" tomorrow morning!

Go buy some Pipcorn!   How cool is this!   My head is about to explode!

Forget all the Bullsh*t!

• forget your religious views (Mormon, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, whatever!)
• forget your political affiliation (Republican, Democrat, Independent, Teabagger)
• forget your position on gay rights/marriage equality, etc.
• forget pro-choice versus right to life
• forget liberal versus conservative versus moderate
• forget your race/ethnicity
• forget your position on immigration
• forget your age (boomer, gen Xer, etc.)
• forget where you live (red state versus blue state)
• forget whether you’re a dove or a hawk!
• forget whether or not you’re a fan of Donald Trump

Forget all the above!   All that aside…how can anyone vote for someone who;

1. Will not share more than one or two years of tax returns with the American public?
2. Has bank accounts in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands? (tax shelters?)
3. Pays 13 or 14% taxes? (even if that’s legal)

Again, forget all my “forgets”.   Given the three reasons above, I can’t understand why anyone would want, much let trust, much less vote for Mitt Romney to be President of the United States!   I’m dumbfounded!

Rockaway Queens, New York City

Good advice from the Republican Candidate

Newt Gingrich..."The Snake"...Paul Ryan too!

I've written about this before.   It makes me want to throw up.   On the night of President Obama's inauguration, Newt, Paul Ryan, Eric Cantor and the usual suspects got together and pledged to do whatever they could do to sabatogue the Obama Presidency!   Like I said, it makes me sick!

According to the DailyKos...rather than risk "splitting the Republican Party" Paul Ryan and 11 other GOP Congressmen vowed to sabotage the US Economy.

Why this snake Gingrich is even interviewed on television without the commentators hammering him on this...or hammering Ryan on this drives me nuts!

Black folk! Lincoln freed the slaves! Vote Republican!

This is too stupid to even comment on!

Did Romney cheat during the 1st debate?

One of the rules of the Presidential Debate Committee is that the candidates must not bring anything to put on the podium; there is nothing allowed there except for the pen and pad already placed there by the committee, to allow the candidates to take notes during the debate.   Watch this video carefully!

Stick it to Romney!

There's a whole website dedicated to this!   Check out gum elections and the video below!

Gum Election NYC 2012 from Don Yorty on Vimeo.

In the midst of Hurricane Sandy!

Carry on soldier!   Carry on...

Hurricane Sandy's aftermath!

For me, it was a simple request.   Let there be light.   Hurricane Sandy hit on Monday.   We lost power at 6:59PM.   The wind was blowing, the rain came, and then the wind blew some more, and more and more!   We had the flashlights (not enough AA batteries) and many candles.

It didn’t take long before I started to go nuts.   No TV, no internet, no e-mail, no nothing!   I was starving and deprived of information.   Yeah...we had the transistor radio.   But within hours, listening to the reported weather conditions, flooding, etc., versus watching it happen live...was driving me crazy.

Just short of two days later, at 2:00PM on Wednesday (Happy Halloween)...BAM!   Electricity is restored.   Nirvana!   With the power restored, I instantly went to get my TV fix and saw the devastation that Sandy wrought.   I was shocked and could not believe all the devastation.

I was extremely lucky.   I only lost a few hundred dollars worth of thawed food. Others lost their lives.   They lost their loved ones.   They lost their homes.   They lost everything!   Manhattan looks like Venice!   The New Jersey shore is gone!   Death and destruction that affected 18 states...most notably the East coast.   Like I said, I’m extremely fortunate.   All I lost was some food and that’s it.

The images above were taken from the weather.com.   I think they're amazing.   There are hundreds more.  Awesome images!

Pipalicious Pipcorn from Pipsnacks!

People!   Things continue to pop at Pipsnacks!   First product out of the chute was Pipcorn.   They launched the business at Smorgasburg in Brooklyn back in April.   My grandson can give you his endorsement!

Now they're going bigtime. You can order Pipcorn at fab.com!   Awesome!

America and Blacks!

Racial attitudes have not improved in the four years since the United States elected its first black president, an Associated Press poll finds, as a slight majority of Americans now express prejudice toward blacks whether they recognize those feelings or not.

Full story at the Washington Post.

The calm before Frankenstorm!

Below is a picture of my street (my home is just to the right of the partially hidden tree on the immediate right).   I took this photo about 6 hours ago...during the calm.   Notice the overhead wires on the upper left? They go all the way down past the highrise in the center!   I hope they're intact after hurricane/storm "Sandy".   Why are these wires not underground is still a question I need to have Connecticut Light & Power answer!

Okay...they claim that all hell is going to break lose!   Connecticut's Governor, Dannel Malloy, is even hinting that this may be the worst storm in Connecticut's history!

• Mandatory evacuation from Stamford, Connecticut zones 1 and 2 (dark green & light green areas in the above map).
• My home (townhouse is the red dot)!
• NYC's Mayor Bloomberg has shut down the Subway system effective 7PM.
• NYC buses will stop operating at 9PM!
• The New York Stock Exchange will be closed tomorrow (Monday).
• Prediction is that at 12:01AM on Tuesday morning Stamford will experience MAJOR flooding!
• All the patio furniture is now indoors.
• Rum...tonic...and extra ICE are on the premises!

If you don't hear from me anytime soon...it's because I've lost power!

21 countries prefer President Obama over Mitt Romney!

Read it here from the Washington Post or here from BBC World News!

The New York Times endorses the President too!

So does Morgan Freeman!   So what scares me?   I think it's a tight race and most folks from the "Red" states don't read the New York Times or The New Yorker magazine!   And...they won't vote for a Muslim, nigger from Kenya!   They just won't!

from the New York Times:
“President Obama has shown a firm commitment to using government to help foster growth.   He has formed sensible budget policies that are not dedicated to protecting the powerful, and has worked to save the social safety net to protect the powerless.   Mr. Obama has impressive achievements despite the implacable wall of refusal erected by Congressional Republicans so intent on stopping him that they risked pushing the nation into depression, held its credit rating hostage, and hobbled economic recovery.

Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, has gotten this far with a guile that allows him to say whatever he thinks an audience wants to hear.   But he has tied himself to the ultraconservative forces that control the Republican Party and embraced their policies, including reckless budget cuts and 30-year-old, discredited trickle-down ideas.   Voters may still be confused about Mr. Romney’s true identity, but they know the Republican Party, and a Romney administration would reflect its agenda.   Mr. Romney’s choice of Representative Paul Ryan as his running mate says volumes about that.”

Read the full New York Times endorsement here!

The New Yorker endorses President Obama!

"The choice is clear.   The Romney-Ryan ticket represents a constricted and backward-looking vision of America: the privatization of the public good.   In contrast, the sort of public investment championed by Obama—and exemplified by both the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Affordable Care Act—takes to heart the old civil-rights motto “Lifting as we climb.”   That effort cannot, by itself, reverse the rise of inequality that has been under way for at least three decades.   But we’ve already seen the future that Romney represents, and it doesn’t work.

The reelection of Barack Obama is a matter of great urgency.   Not only are we in broad agreement with his policy directions; we also see in him what is absent in Mitt Romney—a first-rate political temperament and a deep sense of fairness and integrity.   A two-term Obama Administration will leave an enduringly positive imprint on political life.   It will bolster the ideal of good governance and a social vision that tempers individualism with a concern for community.   Every Presidential election involves a contest over the idea of America.   Obama’s America—one that progresses, however falteringly, toward social justice, tolerance, and equality—represents the future that this country deserves."

Read the full endorsement here at The New Yorker.   Awesome!

Bill Clinton explains Romney's tax cut!

Mr. Romney...I still need some explanations...some answers!   As President CLinton said at the Democratic National Convention...it's about arithmetic!   It scares the hell out of me that this race is so close...depending on which polls you believe!

Brandon Stanton’s Humans of New York

Saw this guy (the photographer) on the Today Show this morning.

Decided to go check out his blog.   Hours later...I had to stop...hours!   It’s addictive, creative and really awesome!   Just added Brandon's genius to my "Worth a Visit" list.  Check this out!

From Brandon Stanton’s blog:
My name is Brandon and I began Humans of New York in the summer of 2010.   HONY resulted from an idea that I had to construct a photographic census of New York City.   I thought it would be really cool to create an exhaustive catalogue of the city’s inhabitants, so I set out to photograph 10,000 New Yorkers and plot their photos on a map.   I worked for several months with this goal in mind.   But somewhere along the way, HONY began to take on a much different character.   I started collecting quotes and short stories from the people I met, and began including these snippets alongside the photographs.   Taken together, these portraits and captions became the subject of a vibrant blog, which over the past two years has gained hundreds of thousands of followers.   With over 300,000 collective followers on Facebook and Tumblr, HONY provides a worldwide audience with daily glimpses into the lives of strangers in New York City.

Don’t blame me! I voted for McGovern!

At the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami Beach, Florida, George McGovern delivered his acceptance speech as the Democratic Presidential nominee.   His speech was delayed for several hours that night as delegates fought over the party platform.   He eventually accepted the nomination around 2 am.

I stayed up that night to watch McGoverns's acceptance speech.   I didn’t get to bed until 3AM that night/morning!   I had high hopes back then.

  This was the second time that I voted for the President of the United States and I voted for George McGovern.   I actually thought he had a shot at this.   Unfortunately (at least for me) Nixon won by a landslide!   Nixon took every state except Massachusetts (and the District of Columbia).   I was in a state of shock…but Watergate eventually proved me right!

Rest in Peace George McGovern.

The Homecoming Journey

Didn’t plan to attend this year...but Dubuque beckoned once again.   Rick and I had orchestrated some awesome Homecoming re-unions for our fraternity brothers for the past two years.   Basically...we were spent and hadn’t planned to organize, nor attend, this years’ festivities.

Then there was an exchange of e-mails with a few other brothers.   Low and behold, Chico, another brother who had missed the previous two years and who we hadn’t seen in decades, said he planned to attend this year!   At that point, both Rick and I fell off the fence and signed up to attend Homecoming once again.   Who knew when we’d see Chico again???

So began the journey to the University of Dubuque via Omaha Nebraska and Manchester, Iowa!   But it wasn’t just Chico!   It was hanging once again with Rick!   It was the Grimmer and Steve and many others...and the surprise icing on the cake was Gary!   Gary was in a snowmobile accident earlier this year.   He was in a coma for 30+ days...but he made it back for Homecoming.   He still has a long journey back to full recovery...but he was there!   It was awesome!

It was a journey that provided cherished moments and makes me happy to know that these guys are not just my fraternity brothers...but equally if not more importantly...they are my friends...my best friends!

Romney versus Romney! He debates himself! Twice!

I think that half (if not more) of the forty some-odd percent of the Romney supporters are not supporters at all.   They just can’t bear the thought of four more years of a Muslim, Kenyan, nigger in the White House!   Give me one solid reason that any intelligent person would vote for Romney.   Why?   I just don’t understand.

Romney - Round 1

In my 6+ decades on the face of this earth I have never witnessed such hatred and vitriol hurled at the President of the United States.   Never!

Romney - Round 2

OK…I do understand!   Almost half of Americans prefer a Mormon over a Muslim nigger!   It’s that simple!   Can I get an amen!

God is against Obama too!

God does NOT want you to vote for President Obama!   Perhaps the Rethuglicans put these black folks up to it?   Nah!   They all look like stock photos to me!   I’m certain of it!

Bill Maher tweets about the VP debates.

I still don't understand why no one ever asks Mr. Ryan where he was on the night of the President's inauguration? Reporters, debate moderators, political pundits...no one!

Obama is a communist!

A Muslim, socialist, born born in Kenya is now also a communist. She obviously gets her position from FAUX news.   Her response scares the hell out of me!

His American Dream!

Where was Obama? Ask Chris Matthews!

I'm not sure who was more disappointed with last night's debate ...me or Chris Matthews!   Obama...my dude...my main man...you let me down!   And 58 million people watched this!   What the f*ck were you thinking?  But I ain't givin' up.

The Debate in 100 Seconds!

If you haven't guessed...I'm really disappointed with this!   Almost as upset and disappointed as Chris Matthews (my favorite MSNBC dude)!

Same Love - Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

This is 7 minutes of pure genius.   Never heard of this dude before!

According to Wikipedia, Macklemore also has two gay uncles which influence his view on gay rights significantly.   Macklemore's support of marriage equality is explicitly expressed in Macklemore's single entitled "Same Love".

Tonight's Debate!

I think Romney won tonight!   I'm sad.   Dear President Obama...please stop looking down at your notes...look at Romney in the eye!   He punked you!   You don't need to be Presidential every day!   You let the moderator drive the debate...and Romney too!   Go after his throat!   I'm really disappointed with your performance...but I'll never give up on you!   You let Jim Lerher run away with this!   But my daughter watched this and I'm proud!

The Millennials...My Daughter & the Debates!

I'm encouraged!   I spoke to my youngest daughter tonight...and like I said...I'm encouraged!   I tried to bust her chops about what she was doing tonight.   Her response...we're going to watch the debate!   I thought she was trying to bust my chops and being sarcastic because she knows I'm nuts about this stuff!

I told her I'm concerned about her generation.   We live in Connecticut...and by all guesstimates...Obama will win.   But I told her it's more about just the Presidency here in Connecticut!   It's about the Senate!

It's a neck and neck race here for the Senate race...Linda McMahon (Mrs. WWE and a Republican) versus Chris Murphy (the Democrat). We cant afford to give the Senate to the Republicans.   They already own the House (Eric Cantor & John Boehner??)...and you see where they've gotten us!   They committed to fight the President on everything President Obama proposed!

The Challenge:
I asked my daughter to post a question on her Facebook page asking all her "Facebook buddies" if they were planning to watch the debate tonight.   I expect to get her response tomorrow and I'll post it here!   Did I mention that she's awesome!

She has already restored my faith!

Happy Anniversary Mr. President & Mrs. 1st Lady!

I'm watching the debate...but I had to post this!

Bill Clinton...The Secretary of Explanation!

Cayman Islands...a beautiful place...unbelievably clear ice blue Caribbean water.   I had the good fortune to vacation there...but I don't have an "offshore" account there!   I also had the good fortune to visit Zermatt, Switzerland too...but I don't have a Swiss account either!   I pay about 28% to 33% in income taxes (depending on any given year) from earned income! You're a multimilionare and pay 13 to 14% on capital gains?   I really don't think that's fair.   By the way...how did you amass over $100 Million in a 401K when the maximum yearly contribution for the rest of America is a contribution of $30K per year??? I'm confused...and I need answers.

I'm not complaining about your wealth.   I think it's awesome and I firmly believe that America is the land of opportunity.   But...between the (non) release of your taxes; Cayman Islands and Swiss Bank accounts...an the 401K account...I can't believe you are presidential...or that 46+ percent of the American electorate think you should be President!  

Romney's 47% versus Ryan's 30%...it's Sickening!

11 months ago…here’s what the Republican Vice Presidential candidate had to say!   This is the same person that met with Jim Demint, Eric Cantor, and Newt Gingrinch on the eve of President Obama’s inauguration and committed to defeat any, if not all of the President-Elects agenda to move this country FORWARD.   It makes me sick!   I want to throw up!   How can a VIce Presidential candidate say this sh*t!

According to Mr. Ryan…"Seventy percent of Americans want the American dream.   They believe in the American idea.   However 30 percent want their welfare state.   Before too long, we could become a society where the net majority of Americans are takers, not makers."

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly!

You gotta admit that “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” is a classic…not to mention “Million Dollar Baby”!   “”Grand Torino” was over the top!   But Clint...you went over the top at the RNC (Republican National Convention).   Talking to an empty chair and giving my boy some grief!

Yeah…I know that you later said...

“if Mitt Romney was stupid enough to ask me to be a part of the convention then they get what they got.“

So...nice try Clint, but...you really ticked off a bunch of us folks...and here's an e-mail I just received today!

Clint Eastwood has a movie coming out next week entitled, “Trouble With The Curve".   Yes, the same Clint Eastwood who tried to marginalize our President at the RNC a few weeks ago.   Now it's time to return the favor to Mr. Eastwood.

Make sure that you are not one of the people sitting in the audience watching this movie.   He used the empty chair to make his point, now we are going to use the empty seats at the theaters where this movie is being shown to make our point.   I have always liked Eastwood's movies until he pulled this stupid stunt and showed his true colors, "Black & White" Tea Party Member.

Make sure that you send this to everyone you know.   The message has to be sent.   The message: There will always be consequences as the result of your actions!   He just made my day!

PS.
I’m not big on forwarding “mass” e-mails, ie. “pass this prayer, etc.”.   So my contribution on this request...is to post this on my little spot here on the blog-o-sphere!   Clint…you screwed up…and no…I won’t be seeing “Trouble With The Curve”!