You're kinda, sorta, basically, pretty much always on my mind. -- psacake.com

Stop me if you heard this one

Once upon a time, I worked for a large Boston teaching hospital which was bought by an HCO south of them. Ok... it was Providence.. but that's still south.

Then I worked for a smallish internet type company that was bought by Conglomo.com based in Georgia. For those of you geographically challenged, GA is south of MA.

Next (currently) I worked for an even smaller company that merged with, was aquired by, whatever, a slighty bigger company in south Florida.

Anyone else see a pattern?

Anyway, we had the opportunity to go to SFLA for the company Christmas party. They had record rainfall the 3 days we were there.. it was fabulous. Still at first glance we didn't think it was the worst place in the world. Then we talked to the people that lived there. School systems = CRAPPY, house prices = Boston prices, heat = HOT. The capper was going out to dinner. GOOD LORD. Sol, Morty, Edna, Bambi (yes, Bambi) et. al. (party of 8 next to us). I couldn't live there. And just to set the wife off, our departing flight was late (strike 1) because the plane was late arriving from NY. Strike 2 was the 55 wheelchairs needed to get these people off the plane. And strike 3 was a woman with her yippy little dog that she let pee on the carpet in the airport. Nice.. real nice. I'm better than you, I'm entitled to do whatever the hell I want. It was super. If go once a year for the Christmas party.. that will probably be enough.

Company names left out on purpose!

Answers

Kind of taken from LBF who answered questions from BFAM, they made me think a little, thought I'd answer them too. So here goes:

1. If you had to join a military service (at your current age and stage in life) which service would you choose and why?
The Marines. Go big or don't go at all.

2. Faced with the thoughts of a country like North Korea or Iran having the capability to strike the US with a Nuclear weapon, and the need for a third front (one of those two places) would you support a draft?
Being the parent of 2 boys, this is a little tough, but I'll say yes. And even go a step further and say that it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world to require all the young men and women to do 2 years worth of service to their country.

3. Do Aliens really exist or are all those people in New Mexico just crack jobs?
Crack jobs. I have to think that if Aliens did exist, they wouldn't fly light years to just stop by. And why just New Mexico? Don't they have the internet? There are much better places in this country to visit if you've been traveling for a long time.

4. JFK conspiracy or again just a lone crack job?
Lone crack job with exceptional luck. This thing about this one boys and girls. If we were able to pull this off, aren't there other presidents in our history that this would have "benefited" as well?

5. You have one bullet and amnesty to assassinate one world leader who would it be?
Can I have the Lee Harvey Oswald magic bullet and get the 2 for 1 Special? Kim Jong Il, Hu Jintao, China, and since your being generous Omar al-Bashir, Sudan, mostly so we don't have to see Carter in Darfur on ER again.

6. If you had the chance to visit any world leader for one day where would you go and what would you want to discuss.
This is a tough one. You didn't say living or dead.. so I'll go with Ronald Reagan, and I'll mostly just listen, because I think he's probably got some really good stories.

What They Said:

LBF says Yep.. on 12/27/2006
Those were some pretty tuff questions for sure.

1 Comments | Perm-a-link | 12/22/2006

How Cool Would It Be If...

More rollover options. Cellphone minutes and vacation days are fine. But let us bank other stuff too. Politeness? I let you cut yesterday, today you wait. Crunches? Did 'em for a month, taking the next 6 off. Sleep?! OHHH....

A 10 percent discount when you do self checkout. C'mon, if we're making less work for the people who actually get paid to work there, you could throw us a bone.

Tollbooths that double as recycle centers. Empties are worth a nickel!

Countdown clocks on a movie screens. What time does the movie really start?

The Shaving Shack. Just like a care wash: Lie down and cruise through the steam, warm lather, and soothing emollient. The women can use it too.

Something that can set snow on fire. No more shovels or snowblowers. Just light a match and -- poof! -- the driveway is clear.

Add your own ideas...

What They Said:

LBF says Countdown clocks on 12/14/2006
RantUser says UPCHUCK on 12/21/2006
Pour gasoline on the snow, it will melt and you can light it on fire.
That whole shaving thing could get ugly if the machine makes an error and thinks you want the womens treatment and your a MAN!
I love the count down clock, but your brother would miss singing the snack song.

2 Comments | Perm-a-link | 12/12/2006

The Sporting Life

Your career numbers...
Sport average guy played as a kid: baseball
Sport he wishes he played: football (uh no)
Distance the average guy can throw a football: 50 yards
Distance he can drive a golf ball: 200 yards
Speed at which he can throw a baseball: 65mph
What today Little League pitcher clocks in at: 60mph
Number of men who admired and respected their Little League coach: 1 in 2
Number who thought he was an idiot: 1 in 8
Hours of televised sporst the average guy will watch in his lifetime: 2,885
Number of men with a favorite chair for watching sports on TV: 1 in 2
Number who are superstitious enough to believe their actions can affect the outcome of a game: 1 in 5
Number who yell at the tv when there is a bad call: 8 in 10
Number who throw something at the TV: 1 in 3
Odds the average guy will attend at least one pro sporting event this year: 1 in 2
What he's mostl likely to see: baseball
Number of men who have bought a ticket from a scalper: 1 in 2
Chances it'll be counterfeit: less than 1%
Activity the average guy considers to be less of a real sport than horse racing, car racing or volleyball: professional bowling

What They Said:

RantUser says Testin on 3/28/2007
Testing comments remotely

1 Comments | Perm-a-link | 12/11/2006

FDR Pearl Harbor Speech

To the Congress of the United States
Yesterday, Dec. 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy - the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with the government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleagues delivered to the Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. While this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. Very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu.

Yesterday, the Japanese government also launched an attack against Malaya.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Hong Kong.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked Guam.

Last night, Japanese forces attacked the Philippine Islands.

Last night, the Japanese attacked Wake Island.

This morning, the Japanese attacked Midway Island.

Japan has, therefore, undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As commander in chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us.

No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounding determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, Dec. 7, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire.

0 Comments | Perm-a-link | 12/7/2006

Thought for the day

It's the Christmas season, and I shouldn't have to say it.. but.. think about this:

Keep your good deeds anonymous. Give expecting nothing.

0 Comments | Perm-a-link | 12/5/2006

Are You Experienced?

Some of the things I know now that I didn't know at 25.

You're better off buying two pairs to high quality dress shoes instead of 4 pairs of cheap ones.

People appreciate the smallest acts of consideration

Depth isn't everything. The shallows hold wonders for women!

The guys with big offices are just as unsure as you are

Gaining just a pound of year, does indeed add up

Most guys take too few risks, not too many

Strange car noises don't just go away

Fortunately, life is not fair

Your father was not as dumb as you once thought

Intelligence is a myth; competence is real

Doing nothing is often a brilliant move

It's not as important as you think it is

Your life is defined by that to which you give your attention

Given human frailty, you've got to think like a hero just to be a decent human being

Your kids pay attention more than you think

What They Said:

BBS says No Your Dad on 12/4/2006
You're right, your father is not as dumb as I once thought, However I wonder about my kids father...

1 Comments | Perm-a-link | 12/4/2006

Jon Carry

WACKY IN KHAKI: A group of sharp-witted soldiers gives Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry a Memorable rebuke for his so-called "joke" advice to students to study or else end up "stuck in Iraq."

[NY Post]

What They Said:

JK says Owned on 11/2/2006
enevi says vote! on 11/6/2006
enevi says think your numbers are off on 11/6/2006
not sure, but i thought i posted to the nov 2 entry...

3 Comments | Perm-a-link | 11/2/2006

Deval "do all" Patrick

How much trouble will we be in after next week?

"So it�s not this idea that people earn what they earn and have no responsibility for the Commonwealth. We have a responsibility, in addition to personal responsibility, to take charge of shared responsibility"

[The Boston Globe]

If you'd like to read more about socialism, click here

Here is an idea, how about I earn the money, I get to keep it. How's that?

If only the real estate market wasn't in the toilet.

What They Said:

RantUser says Deval "do all" Patrick on 10/31/2006
enevi says vote! on 11/6/2006
enevi says vote! on 11/6/2006
<a href="http://www.christy2006.com" target="_blank">Christy 2006</a>. Because the 2-party system just isn't working.

3 Comments | Perm-a-link | 10/31/2006

Random Randomness

Now that the month is almost over.. I figured I'd actually post something.

A new book called They Never Said That debunks some famous phrases that were never actually said by those that supposedly coined them. "Hundreds of pithy remarks from 'Let them eat cake' to 'Elementary, my dear Watson', turn out to be adaptations of comments that were more clumsy or more boring -- or which were never said by those thought to have coined them."

Nike hightops for sale. Price: $8500. Sneakers are the new wine.

Great photos of the Space Shuttle launch taken from a chase plane.

Let's say, like Steve Wynn, you've punched a hole in your Picasso. Here's how to fix it.

And for you Boston Sports Fans.. 20 years ago, The Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Celtics in the NBA Finals. The Red Sox in the World Series. And the Bruins still suck.

0 Comments | Perm-a-link | 10/27/2006

2007? Already?