Mr. Miyagi Reincarnated As A Rockies Fan?!

   Could it be true??

   I swear the guy I saw walking out of the parking garage in downtown Denver today was Pat Morita.

   Or maybe not..

Drinking My Beer On Draft

   Yummm!

   It is cool, carbonated, and refreshing. Though not terribly flavorful (it is a blonde ale, afterall), it is good. And I have 10 gallons of it readily available!

A Bit Of A Reach

   In this morning's Denver Post, in the business section, there is an article about a pro-life group that has been making the claim that a parallel exists between the construction company that is presently building a new Planned Parenthood facility and those that constructed Nazi gas chambers.

   On top of this, they have been protesting in front of the construction company's executives' homes.

   My response to these protesters would be to tell them to instead of listening to the Vatican teach their kids to use contraceptives. That would cut down abortions considerably. Let's be clear here - I think you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who is literally pro-abortion. We're all pro-life - it is just that some of us believe people should have control over their own bodies. If the religious right would get off their high horse and acknowledge that despite their best efforts people are still going to have sex whether the Bible says to or not, and therefore sex education is important, we could really reduce the number of situations that actually lead to abortion becoming an option.

Is Las Vegas The Only Major U.S. City Not On a Body Of Water?

   Is Las Vegas the only major U.S. city not located on a body of water of some sort (river, lake, ocean)?

   I don't know what got me thinking about this but since originally running through the cities in my mind I have since paid Google maps a visit and it looks like there are a couple more that jump out - Dallas and Atlanta.

   Any others I am missing??

Nice Snippet, Jackass!

   This reminds me of McCain's dissection and ineffective excerpting of Mitt Romney's words in the debate at the Reagan library during the Republican primary.

   Mr. Senator, taking quotes completely out of context and then clinging to them after the last supporter in the audience realizes you're wrong is not a show of strength, it is a show of inflexibility and desperation. And frankly it reminds me of the guy you are trying to succeed which is definitely not good for your chances at becoming the White House's next resident.

Colorado Trending Blue?

   I would love to see this hold true all the way through November!

   However it ends up turning out, it will be exciting to be a part of a true swing state in such an important election!

Good Craft Brew Everywhere You Turn

   I was in Omaha for a few days this week and while there was intent on paying a visit to the Upstream Brewing Company. Unfortunately I didn't pull that off, but I had a pleasantly surprising consolation in finding both Nebraska Brewing's Nut Brown Ale and Boulevard Brewing's Pale Ale on tap at the bar in my hotel.

   Both were tasty and considering that it was in the high 80s and severely muggy, they may have just saved my life! :)

A Sobering Statistic

   Just another quick installment from the "grim state of our economy department."

   In an article in Newsweek it was stated that in the first quarter of 2008, 36% of national foreclosures were in CA due to adjustable-rate loans.

   Not good. Not good at all.

Seven Words On His Headstone

   What a loss the comedy world has suffered with the death of George Carlin.

   Though never a dedicated fan of his, what I had heard from him over the years was always funny and intelligent. Unlike a lot of other comics, his use of profanity always fit in to what he was talking about.

   Plus he drew a lot of attention to topics that others were afraid to even mention.

   Rest in peace, you funny motherfucker! :)

This Year's Ralph Nader...For the Right

    Bob Barr's Libertarian Party presidential candidacy is widely considered a significant threat to John McCain's hopes in November.

   Though I do agree with many of the principles of the Libertarians I am sold on Obama as a true agent of change in Washington so I am going to sit back and watch the Republicans have to contend with what the Democrats have had to multiple times when Ralph Nader has jumped into the fray.

An Alternate Take On Green Practices

   Last month's (yes, I'm lagging on my periodicals reading!)Wired (6/2008) has some very counter-intuitive "inconvenient truths" regarding "green" practices.

   The two topics that were the most surprising to me:

      1) Living in the desert, with your A/C on constantly, is more green than living in New England where you have to run your heating oil-powered heat all winter.

      2) Organics are actually less-green than food grown/raised with the help of chemicals.

   Of course, there is an opinion piece rebutting the article, but it is still definitely food for thought. Yes, the bad pun was intended.

This Is Garbage!

   Nice work, congress..Here's to your continued complicity in the surveillance of your constituents.

   You should be ashamed of yourselves and not expect to be re-elected.

So It's All Crazy Talk, Is It?!

   Is it so outlandish to consider that Nebraska Republican Senator Chuck Hagel may yet get an invite to be Obama's running mate?!

   I have to be honest - I considered it waaaay out there to suggest.

   But this gives me some hope that the longshot pairing is at least remotely possible. Hagel's words sure don't sound like he'd turn down the offer if he received it!

If You Like Paying A Ton At The Pump Skip This Post

   Otherwise, take a look at this.

   That fucking criminal in the White House is getting more and more cavalier as his stay in power comes to an end.

   Despicable, I tell you..

I'm Waiting For Obama To Weigh In On This..

   John McCain today made a bold promise to help pave the way for the construction of 45 new nuclear power plants by 2030, something I am also convinced needs to happen if we have a snowball's chance in hell of weaning ourselves off of Middle East oil.

   While I don't agree with his focus on clean coal and I totally disagree with his attacks on Barack Obama detailed in this article I am very curious to see what Obama's response to this is.

He's Still Rather Intelligent For A Guy That Doesn't Believe In Evolution!

   Good ole Mike Huckabee is back in the public eye and making some intelligent statements.

   I also have to say I love his choice of words when asked about potentially becoming McCain's running mate!

Love Is Good!

   Remind me again why this is bad?!

   I'm still waiting for a coherent (non-religious) argument against allowing gay marriage.

Not So Crazy After All?!

   Apparently at least one person in the mainstream media agrees with me!

Tiger Is Amazing!

   Winning the U.S. Open is tough enough, but doing it on one leg following an 18-hole playoff is incredible.

   I have to say I root against Tiger most of the time because I want to see other guys win but damn, what a charge!!

Happy Father's Day

   I had a very nice one spent with my family and I hope all you fathers out there did as well!

Live Every Day With Passion

   With the sad, premature passing of Tim Russert yesterday, at age 58, I've spent a lot of time thinking about how fleeting life is.

   A very close friend of mine's father passed away suddenly several years ago at age 57, just as he prepared for retirement, and this reminds me totally of what I felt like then.

   Hug your kids, your spouse, your friends, whomever. Realize that most things are not worth getting upset about. Treat everyone you interact with with respect and kindness. Because you never know who the last person you'll see before you go is.

   Sleep well and wake up on Father's Day with a new sense of the wonder of another day's worth of life. Do not take it for granted.

Is There Hybrid Hope On The Horizon?

   "Big Three Automakers Get Plug-In Funding From Feds". This gives me hope.

Apple Air

   Guy Kawasaki is another guy with a lot of great insight (and quotes) on diverse topics.

   
The quote, about halfway down the page,, regarding a theoretical Apple jet, is great!

Warren Buffett is Awesome

   I've long maintained that Warren Buffett is a truly awesome guy. Which is what makes the fact that he also happens to be the wealthiest person in the world even cooler.

   Tim Ferriss is also a cool guy. His book is great, as is his post detailing his visit to Omaha for a chance to ask a question of The Oracle.

PC Strikes Again..

   Will the ridiculousness ever end?

   I really doubt it.

   Today it is "differently abled."

   When your car or home alarm is "off" is it differently abled? I've always considered them "disabled" in this state.

   I've always thought that "disabilities" were the reason you don't go under the knife at the hands of a blind surgeon or put your musical career in the hands of a deaf music critic?

   So whatever happened to "disabled" and "handicapped?" Did they become offensive? It seems to me that they are pretty accurate in describing situations such as blindness or deafness. Consider:

   (From Merriam-Webster)

      handicapped = having a physical or mental disability

      disabled = incapacitated by illness or injury; also : physically or mentally impaired in a way that substantially limits activity especially in relation to employment or education

      incapacitate = to deprive of capacity or natural power

   So what gives? I still maintain that if you're being honest, calling someone disabled is stating the facts. It doesn't mean they're a bad person or incapable of doing something that an "able-bodied" person can. In fact, I would argue that a blind music critic or a deaf surgeon might be superiorly-abled, in their particular fields, to those of us that can both see and hear. But in situations where a certain sense or functionality is required, and you lack that ability, you are clearly disadvantaged, or hampered, or handicapped, or even disabled.

   Let's stop mincing words.

A Case Of The Mondays?

   Yes, I think I have a case of the Mondays. Please kill me now. Or at least knock me out until dawn on Tuesday.

Donation to Obama campaign

   So I finally made good to my promise to make a donation to Barack Obama's campaign. Though I have voted in every election I've been legally able to since turning 18, this is the first time I have donated to a campaign. This is how convinced I am that Obama means a better future for our country.

   I continue to state without hesitation that I respect John McCain tremendously for his patriotism and service to our country but I also state without hesitation that he is dead wrong on Iraq. That enough is reason for me to feel VERY strongly that Obama needs to be elected in order to start turning this wayward ship around.

   If you agree with me, please consider donating - if you donate via this link another donor will match your donation, doubling the effectiveness of your donation!

Would It Kill You To Flush?!

   OK, time for the next installment of "Observations From The Men's Room."

   You know what really pisses me off (bad pun intended!)?

   The guys that just can't seem to trouble themselves with flushing the urinal after they drain the vein. Have some fucking compassion for those who piss after you..

Eureka Moments?

   Do you ever get an idea you HAVE to work on? Where it makes everything else fade out, even important things like eating and sleeping?

   Man, I love those times..Though it does make it difficult to drag your ass out of bed the next morning!

Are You Kidding Me??!

   What I could really use for Father's Day this year is a smooth shave. I'm thinking that a razor with a little something special might help accomplish this goal. Oh, here's one - "The nickel-plated brass handle is wrapped with 200-year-old leather salvaged from the shipwreck of the Metta Catharina"

   Uhhhh..can you say "snooty?!"

A Memo to Senator Obama

   In the 6/2/2008 issue of Newsweek, Evan Thomas wrote an interesting piece entitled "A Memo to Senator Obama."

   In it he lays out his tips for Obama to improve his chance of success against McCain in the general election. Lots of good points are made, among them the fact that he should be talking more about being the son of an (effectively) single, white, mom.

   But the section I found the most interesting, because it is something I personally feel very strongly about, describes Obama's past suggestions that affirmative action be changed from racially-based to socioeconomically based, citing his private-school-educated daughters as those who don't need an admissions break at college.

   This is a super atypical Democratic position to hold, particularly for someone running for President, and precisely the kind of thing I cite when I argue about how Obama may well change the face of Washington by taking positions that are not left or right, Democratic or Republican, but just correct.

Congratulations Are In Order!

   My sincere congratulations go out to Sen. Barack Obama tonight for the completion of a primary campaign for the ages.

   Maintaining his class and dignity throughout, he defeated the woman who from the start of the campaign was convinced it was her turn to walk to the podium and claim her prize.

   I will be making a donation to Obama's general election campaign shortly and will do whatever I can to ensure that he carries my purple county and purple state in November. We have to take this country back from those who have abused it for eight long years.

Vice President Sack O' Shit

   Is it time for this fucking idiot to go home yet???

   I love how a guy from Wyoming is cracking on West Virginia for being a backwards place. Oh but wait, that is not fair to the people of Wyoming. He is really from the country of Halliburton - a military industrial complex that has so much gravitational pull that it can generate its own atmosphere.

There Is Just Not Enough Time In The Day

   To do all of the things I want to. I continue to struggle with accepting the fact that not everything I want to accomplish in a 24 hour period is going to get done.

   The hardest part of this, for me, is that when inspiration and motivation occur at the same miraculous moment I want to drop everything and get crackin'. Unfortunately this frequently arrives at a time that is inconvenient, like at work. In that case all I can do is take notes to try to get me back to that place the next opportunity I have to work on my own stuff and then in the meantime try to channel that enthusiasm into the tasks at hand.

July 1st Will Be a Good Day!

   Incredibly I just discovered today that Gov. Ritter, here in Colorado, in May signed into law a bill allowing liquor stores to be open for business on Sundays. This goes into effect July 1st and I am delighted!!

   The law banning this practice was an old blue law that was destined for revocation once enough of us Californians invaded!

   What this means is that our superior craft beer selection will now be available 7 days a week which is tremendous! I think Christmas Day remains as the sole day we'll have to plan ahead for.