I Have Issues

2011-03-05T20:20:00.000-08:00

I love coffee... I've gone through some coffee changes over the years. I used to like it really sweet, with cream and sugar. Then, I evolved and decided that only Iced Coffee was worthy. Damn Dunkin Donuts... 2 bucks a day adds up... Then suddenly I decided the Iced Coffee fad was over. That's right, you heard me... I decided, ME... So back to hot coffee... but can you add French Vanilla, Cream and Sugar. Ok... so it sounds squirelly but delicious. Then damn Dunkin Donuts again... 2 bucks a day adds up... So I started participating in the office coffee... BBBLLLEECCCCHHHHHH... at first... I think they were only adding 2 scoups per 12 cups... might as well drink dirty water... But it got better... Now we have a guy in the office who makes great coffee... Let's just say we've given him a name... He's the Coffee... uh... Guy... That's not really his name... but anyway... So it's so good I've changed the entire way I drink coffee... Now I don't even put in cream and sugar in it... Straight black savor the taste... mmm mmm good... So yesterday my wife brings home a thing of Dunkin Donuts Strawberry Shortcake flavored coffee... I protested how ridiculous it was that she would bring home that kind of flavored coffee... Now... Damn Dunkin Donuts...

2008-06-28T00:48:00.000-07:00

The Handshake…

Ahhhhhh, the handshake. It’s taken for granted. A lot can be said from it. The limp fish, the firm grasp, the shaker, the over shaker, the holder, the jive-er, and last but not least the almost high five yet sideways slap the hand together and shake once then release handshake.

I like that one the best… the almost high five yet sideways slap the hand together and shake once then release handshake I mean. It says “hey, I haven’t seen you in a while… how the heck are ya!”. But it has to be just right. You have to meet with the arm extended out just right. If it isn’t right, the hand webs might not meet and the fleshy part of the palms might not slap together like a thunder clap. Woe to them whose thumbs collide as they slap hands, or if one person’s thumb slaps into the web. Then, shake once, release… What a great feeling when it all goes down the right way. When you get it right, it really says to your friend “hey I have missed you and I’m am super happy to see you again!”. If it doesn’t go down right, a feeling comes over you like you just noticed your friend forgot to shave half his face, but don’t want to say anything because no one else has. That’s just awful.

Sometimes you might anticipate the motion too much. Just the other day I found myself approaching with reserve, picking out the spot in the air where the hands would make contact, turning my body in such a manner that the timing was just right. I reached back, opened my hand, then KA-SLAP!!! Perfection… shake once… done.

Ahhhhh, it’s all in the handshake.

2008-01-22T19:25:00.000-08:00

Matchmaker...

This is kinda interesting. Check this out and share with me your findings... If you show me yours I'll show you mine!!!

2008-01-16T01:27:00.000-08:00

I need fresh material from a new perspective... Xanthan_Gum?

2008-01-09T00:32:00.001-08:00

Ever wondered what I do all night on my days off...? Probably not. Well... I play this silly little game called DesertCombat. It's a nice stress relief... Anyway, here is a link to the blog for it...

www.ea117dcfanfavorites.blogspot.com

2007-10-02T19:51:00.001-07:00

I'm A Little Miffed...

Ok... I'm a little miffed. I was hoping that someone, anyone, would post on the one about my lizard Honda.

Someone read it right...? Mom? Xanthan Gum? Anyone?

I meant to add this after the post. I know my wife read it (but she didn't post on it... shame shame) and she gave me a lizard picture that I have hanging on my computer desk to remind me. Here it is...

Chuckwalla... what's that...

2007-09-09T15:20:00.000-07:00

Love it, hate it, want it, can't believe it?

I want your opinion...

(Mom you can be anonymous if you want to!!!)

2007-03-28T19:26:00.000-07:00

Meet Honda. No, he's not the Geico lizard, but he's just as cool. This is a picture of Honda after a very long, very stressful trip. Yes, I spent more than an hour with him, so I feel that I have the right to judge his mood and well being.

So why was his trip so stressful? Well, that's a good question. The point is though, he stuck around to get photographed.

So, let's talk about some other things for a bit... and we'll come back to Honda. You also want to know where he got his name too, right?

Let's give a few examples of what I learned from Honda.

A handful of years ago I transitioned to a new job. I also had a new baby girl. I also bought a new house. All this at the same time, sorta. If you know me, I handle new stress and changes really well... right... I handle new changes about as well as Republicans in a Democratically controlled House and Senate (I threw that one in for you Kev!). So here I am, in my new job, trying to pull it off. I have found that in most of my life for me anyway that doing something is more about projecting that I can do something as opposed to actually knowing how to do it. So of course, everyone and everything is out to get me and I come down with a cold. Miserable. I'm tough though, unless you ask my wife, then you know I'm a complete baby that falls apart when I'm sick. Anyway, I digress. So I'm sick with this new job. Ok... Then I have to figure out how I'm going to swing the selling of one house and the buying of another. Oh God crisis! You would have thought my world was ended. I really did think that I would just fall apart. I saw the end of the tunnel, going back to my old job with my tail between my legs and the cackles of "you couldn't hack it". So just about the time I'm crying shame about this new job and new house, I got a wake up call... literally.

After falling asleep of what I thought was a rough day, I awoke to my son telling me that mommy needed me. I ran to my daughter's room. My wife was calm but I knew it was serious. My daughter had a medical issue. I won't go into the details, but seven days later, all spent in a hospital, she was ok.

Why tell you all this? Well, after sitting in the hospital looking at my little girl, I figured out that I sure had it good. Good job, a job at all! And with decent pay (some of my co-workers will disagree, with fair reason but the point is that it is decent pay). The fact that I actually, at one time even if for a few days, owned two houses. Some people live in a box and I'm stressed about moving into a house? But then on top of that, I'm worried about all of this stupid stuff and my daughter lays there in a hospital bed, her status beyond my control. God has a funny way of putting things into perspective.

That experience helped me pass this perspective on to other family members and friends.

Take for example one of my family members. For anonymity we will call her... mom. I wouldn't want to give out which member it is, would I?

Mom called me one morning upset because her car broke down. I drove over to meet her, and to let her borrow my car. Her car was broke beyond economical repair. She was stressed as this meant new car. I then began to detail to her all the things that occurred and the way and timing they occurred. I have an extra car that I don't need for her to borrow. I was on leave from work, which meant I was available to meet with her, to shop for a new car with her, and to take her to get a new car. She had pre-saved for this possibility so it wouldn't be a complete set back. When we choose her new car we calculated gas usage and found that it actually helped assist on the monthly cost. She also had to make several long trips after buying it, which made us all feel better with a new car. After discussing this with her, she had a different perspective and realized that she wasn't looking at it in the right perspective at first.

Of course, less than a month later some idiot hit her brand new car. I don't know who was more mad, her or me. But alas... it's just a car and I had to be reminded of what could have happened... by my mom of all people (are we still calling that anonymous family member mom?). She said it could have been worse, she could have gotten injured. Looks like she learned to look at it the right way... I guess I had forgotten.

I've forgotten a lot lately, which brings me back to Honda. Remember Honda? The lizard? Please, don't argue his species with me, just roll with it for now.

So I've been forgetting how lucky I am a lot lately. One weekend I worked nearly night and day, and then drove a ways to a family member's funeral. On the way home a friend called and wanted me to come over. Momma cat was away, it was time to play (Michelle you know our play is tame by all standards... at ease!). I decided to go, because I know my friend Josh would drop everything to come see me after a long day as well.

I got in my car, my Honda, and began to drive. Yes, I speed. It was dark and there were stretches of dark road. Suddenly movement across the bottom of the windshield. Must be a leaf. Then a patch of light in the road way. As the light moved over the car at 80 MPH (ok, I'm lying, but the speed is irrelevant past 65...) there he was. His little head bobbed as his hands gripped the sides of my wipers. He kept his chin just above the view of the hood. I can't imagine what he was thinking. Possibly the scene from 2001 A Space Odyssey as Dave is going through that LSD themed crossover into a new dimension? Or maybe the feeling one gets while jumping into hyper drive on the Millennium Falcon with the stars whizzing by? That's not the only things that would be whizzing if it were me! Anyway, I found myself chastising this little creature every time he would look upward above the hood. He had two choices, hold on or fly off! Did he give up? Did he let loose? No, he held on with determination. I pulled into my friend's driveway, and let him crawl up my sleeve. I took him over to a plant, and poof, he went from a small town, small neighborhood, small house to the big house, big neighborhood, big town. Think of the fun he'll have now!

What's my point. I don't know. I think I might disappoint you, my faithful readers that made it this far on this post. But here's the thing. This little lizard was comfortable, had his thing sunbathing in the day and sleeping at night on the top of the Honda's wiper. Suddenly he was whirled around at 80 or so miles an hour. It could have easily been the end for him. It would have been so easy to just let go, but he held on. He stuck it out. When he got to his destination he had a whole new look at things. New plants, new house, new trees, new everything. A new perspective. For some reason I looked at this and was reminded that no matter how bad things get, no matter how rough the road (or drive) seems, no matter how fast seems to be flying by... just hold on. The road doesn't go on forever, and eventually it will get back to normal... oh and hope someone doesn't turn on the wipers...

Oh... did I mention there was a chick lizard checking him out after he got settled in at his new pad... See, things are already looking up for him...

2006-12-19T21:17:00.000-08:00

I debated this one... Many of you know the dog that is in the picture on my blog. Some do not. Those who do not will only know the pictures.

I really wanted to share this. In my head it makes sense, but if you have read any of my other stuff you know that what's in my head isn't always quite right.

I had to sit down and write this. A lot of you know the therapy that comes with writing. I guess that's what this whole blog is about.

A year ago something happened that I still haven't quite gotten over. So here it is... This was pretty much free flow with no corrections, so please go easy on the critique. Also, please review my request afterward...

there is a dark spot on Anderson
there is a stain that won't go away
a dim reminder of a cold December day
I could have had some patience
I could have had restraint
but all I could think about was sitting down to my plate.

I opened the door and out she ran
she just couldn't wait
do you blame her, it had been all day
I enjoyed the house of mouse
after working hours away
If I knew what was to come, I would have changed my way.

I yelled and cursed her as she ran away
I didn't care at that point it had been like that every day
I sat down my food and heard her barking
I felt something just wasn't right
I ran out the door and called for her
and then felt the coldness of the night.

There she was across the street
barking at the neighbor
I was angry with her, this was not the way she was supposed to act
my dogs were always obnoxious
I swore that would change
little did I know it would

As soon as I yelled for her I saw out the corner of my eye
It was coming, it wouldn't see her
Certainly she would run full speed
she always ran fast when I called
I saw the distance closing in
I knew right then it was too late.

I couldn’t do anything
as your backside continued to run
Your face showed an expression
It was too late, I knew it was done.
Big dog tried to protect you as the neighbor walked up to see what was wrong
But I cursed her too and fell to the ground clutching her collar.

I sat with you on the side of my van and talked to you and tried to tell you I was sorry
I cried, I wept, I frowned
I felt the soft hair of your ears
And remembered them when they flopped when you were young
The time came, it was time to go
I drove you to your last destination, and walked you through the doors

They were expecting us, there wasn’t much commotion
They gave me a moment with you and I said my good byes
I had to fill out the forms, and it had been a long time since I wrote your name
Piper Mexican Sun goddess of all Chihuahuas
You had the last laugh, as the nurse came back through the door
“She has a faint heartbeat”

One year later, my heart still has a part missing
Goodbye Piper…

This picture is probably the last picture I ever took of her.

So here is what I want to know... Do you have a pet in your life that you really miss, or am I the only one with this issue...? I mean, its just a dog right?

2006-10-08T12:36:00.000-07:00

I'm getting a little tired of having to post these type of things... There are websites for this... not mine. But lately, these are the only issues I've been having... and I'm sick of it...

http://www.theledger.com/static/flash_video/20061004_matt_williams/index2.html

May you rest in peace Deputy Matt Williams...

2006-08-14T20:57:00.000-07:00

Please take a moment and remember a fallen friend.

Please take the time to view and post a reflection at DFC Michael Callin ODMP Reflections.

That is all...

Thanks Scott for the photos.

2006-08-03T20:06:00.000-07:00

I'm so angry right now. I don't even know if I should post this. I'm afraid I might come off a little mixed up. I might say something I might regret. Here... Read this...

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orange/orl-locmdeputy02080206aug02,0,2243296.story?coll=orl-home-headlines

Yeah that's right. More violence... no, I mean... more senseless violence against my friends... my co-workers... people I know for crying out loud.
See here's the thing. The freakin media mixed with the public is driving me nuts. You thought I had issues before.

I tried avoiding watching the news because its no longer the facts. It's all about the things that makes the news. Even if its the things that aren't news. Ok, well maybe it is news, but it ain't worth reporting folks. For instance. Well... Let me back up for a minute.

Michael Callin.

Young guy. First met him when he worked as a dispatcher for our agency. Man, I thought he was just a little smarty pants. He came out of work one day with that grin, revin the engine on his car just being a normal kid. I remember thinking, boy you better be lucky I work with you. Now, keep in mind, he wasn't doing anything wrong, but being 10 years older than him, I wasn't impressed by his youth. I was to find out with time, that Mike was just a happy go lucky guy. Always with a smile, always in a good mood.

Then he became a full sworn man in green. I started to realize what a good kid, no wait, man, this Michael Callin was. It didn't matter if he was listening to people joking around or getting his butt chewed, he still had a grin on his face. He loved his job. I began to notice other things about him too.

He was a good man. I never met his wife. I know, though, that he was truly in love. When he was on my squad, I could see the sparkle in his eyes when he was talking to her on the phone, and this was before they were married. He wasn't afraid to tell you who he was either. You knew he was a God fearing man, and he wasn't ashamed of that. I lost track of him after time, he went to other squads as did I.

I remember two days before it all came down around us. I heard him on the radio out in Bithlo. He was on a perimeter for some run of the mill something or the other. You wouldn't know it though. He was Johnny on the spot. I thought... that sounds like Mike... but he's in Motors now? and what's heing doing in Bithlo!!! I thought... good ole Mike... still sounds like he's a first day deputy. Loves his job.

So two days later I'm on the phone with our dispatch asking for some information. The dispatcher seemed a little preoccupied. I didn't mind, they work hard and are usually busy and understaffed. I called back and the dispatcher apologized for the disconnect and said "can I call you back, one of ours got hit". I quickly said "yes, yes, go, no problem" and hung up. As this was happening someone was trying to chime in on the other line but I didn't answer. Then it hit me. One of ours got hit. I dialed my coworker curious about the call I missed. He said, "Mike Callin got hit, do you know him?". Memories flashed through my mind. Now this is what I thought of. A good man, a man of God, a family man... certainly nothing will happen to him. He will be fine, just some broken bones, back on his feet, no problems. Then reality struck me. Where is he? I then went to the hospital.

I began to learn of the incident details and began to think the worst. I am a reality person. No sugar please, I will take it black. We stayed at the hospital through then night. Each update progressively worse. I remember praying, "God, I know he might not be able to continue as a deputy... but that only means you have plans for him, a pastor, a youth leader, a counselor, a..." All of you that know about the bigger picture know what I'm talking about. Then, toward the end of the night... it just didn't feel very positive.

That night in the hospital was surreal. I think we all knew how bad it was. We all tried to "deal". In our cop ways we made light of things, talked about everything, tried to keep our minds off of the here and now. It didn't work. I still didn't sleep that night. Well, ok, two hours.
The next day I know I tried not to think about the reality of it all. I tried to work, but it just didn't, well, work. I finally said wat eva, and went to the hospital. As we waited for more doctors to check on Mike, I think we all knew but wouldn't admit, that things weren't going our way.

When they gathered us ALL outside, I didn't like the feeling. Our boss spoke, and gave us the news. I just stood there. Then I cried. But mainly, I just stood there. Then I clinched some of my fellow brothers and sisters and held them tight. It's getting to the point now you need to, or you will wish you would later. I wish I would have called Mike on the radio the night I heard him, to congratulate him on being with Motors. But I didn't. Strange regrets come to mind. Then it began to really sink in. Then the anger hit. Then I thought about what happened over the last few days.

Some stupid JACKASS has nothing better to do with his life and do what, run over a GOOD MAN for NO REASON... That same JACKASS has been arrested many many other times and is still out on the street... taking the life of an innocent man.

Jesus can forgive that man. Right now I'm having a hard time doing that.

Last week I talked to Mike's dad, and told him what a good son he has raised. He is Dave, he is.

I told you this would be a little mixed up. I know by now only a couple people read this, so, it is like a stress relief for me anyway. But if you do read this... Please take a moment to go here:

http://www.odmp.org/officer.php?oid=18417

And then take the time to thank a good and Godly man for his service to the community by posting a line or two. It will be the best few minutes you spend on the internet.

Now... the thing that really set me off... why I have major issues about the media and the public... This is how bad things have gotten in our society.They were interviewing people that were "inconvenienced" who couldn't get through in traffic after the JACKASS ran a Deputy over. They were talking about how expensive the manhunt was for the "alledged" killer.

I got news for you people... if you felt "inconvenienced" because you had to wait an hour in traffic... think about how "inconvenienced" the Callin family will be for the next... let's say, REST OF THEIR LIVES. And to the media putting a price tag to the capture of the "alledged" killer... I don't even want to go down this path of dealing with why you think it's important to address the cost. And their ain't no alledged to it. I'm tired of that. Someones dead folks, it ain't an allegation... it's fact. And that someone was a good man.

Mike... I don't know how you kept smiling. But you did. I can only hope to take a little from you, to remember you for those things, to want to be a Godly man like you were.

Say a prayer tonight. Hug your family, your kids if you got 'em. When you do, remember there is a father, a mother, a sister and a wife that won't be able to hug one man who was just trying to make a difference.

2006-05-03T16:36:00.000-07:00

I was talking to my wife the other day... Ok... Stop there. I know to some of you it might seem unusual to hold complete conversations with their significant other, but it happens. Hey, its an issue...

Anyway... I made the comment that I would probably cry if David Gilmour were to die (he's in the band Pink Floyd for those of you that don't know). Right now she is still working out the details on how she is going to use this information in divorce proceedings to prove my insanity.

So... I want to know... Other than family and friends, who would you cry about if they died?

Please don't tell me I'm the only one with this issue...

2006-04-20T19:04:00.000-07:00

Recently a deputy in Florida was shot by a drug dealer while he was trying to apprehend the drug dealer. The deputy was left paralyzed, and was almost killed. The trial for the drug dealer ended in a hung jury. The jury decided that maybe another officer shot the deputy. That might be an argument if the deputy died and couldn't testify. But the deputy is alive, and testified to the fact that he saw the drug dealer point the gun at him, shoot, and was shot. It's a sad society we live in where a jury doesn't believe a deputy on the stand... now in a wheelchair. But I'm not the only one with issues like this, thank God. Here is an email that is circulating around Florida...

I was so pissed as I was driving home from school tonight and learned that the jury was dead locked in the trial where the drug dealer shot the deputy. I am taking a few minutes to bitch to someone other than you people who don't really have much choice since you have already read this, but I would hope some others will speak out in whatever manner you feel appropriate. It was a knee jerk reaction, but I sat down and briefly jotted down my thoughts and posted an editorial on the Sentinel's web site. I will continue to do the same everywhere I can find a place to post it. I wish I could write a little more scathing / direct message, but I'm afraid it won't get printed as they review submissions and decide what to post, big surprise...

Scott

My post from earlier ...

This is a very sad day for this country, our law enforcement officers and the entire criminal justice system. I was not on that jury, I didn't hear the testimony but I do know the facts. A worthless drug dealer stuck a gun in the face of a sworn law enforcement officer, doing his job trying to serve and protect the citizens of a County in Florida. That worthless human being drug dealer pulled the trigger and tried to kill the deputy. The deputy saw this happen with his own eyes. How is it conceivable that any jury anywhere could not draw the conclusion that the drug dealer with the gun was attempting to kill the deputy?? This is a complete travesty and truly makes me question the very system which is supposed to protect us. There is so much more that needs to be said about this, I only hope my fellow citizens will have the tenacity to say what needs to be said at a very important time such as this. Thankfully, the deputy is alive and able to testify on his own behalf. It appears a jury is not capable of comprehending what that drug dealer is capable of doing to a law enforcement officer, not to mention an every day citizen.

Yeah, I got issues... and so should you...

2006-02-16T16:36:00.000-08:00

I gotta share this... You might think I have issues... but an entire company? This actually happened to me a couple years ago but I kept the email around for entertainment value. You see... I had cable TV forever, and it was never really very good. It made me feel like I had no choice. A friend of mine has a Satellite TV business. He turned me on to it. I didn't really think I could ever afford it. Well, I did some math and figured out it is actually cheaper. So, after the last straw with the cable company I switched. But I didn't just drop them like that. I actually tried to reconcile, to see if they cared. They didn't. After not having my phone calls returned and my emails returned, I sent them this. I know this is long, but I broke the key board typing it! Since they would never respond to my complaint emails, I figured I would label it something they thought was positive. So, the subject line read "THANK YOU".

Enjoy!

> To whom it may concern:
>
> Thank you for being rude to me when I would call.
>
> Thank you for being rude to me when I would go to your
> East Orlando Office.
>
> Thank you for hiring rude customer service employees
> such as Ms. Ortiz at the East Orlando office.
>
> Thank you for not caring about customer retention.
>
> Thank you for dropping the Sunshine Network.
>
> Thank you for having the attitude "we are your only
> choice".
>
> Thank you for the time spent waiting for your service
> techs to respond to install, or repair service, with
> no explaination of their delay.
>
> Thank you for charging an arm and a leg for redundant
> entertainment packages.
>
> Thank you for having fuzzing channels in the 60s and
> 70s area of the dial.
>
> But thank you most of all for not responding to my
> last email, showing you truly do not care what your
> customers think, or feel.
>
> Without the above mentioned problems, I would have
> never discovered the truly wonderful world of
> satellite TV reception. I haven't sat in front of my
> TV this long since my parents pushed away the black
> and white TV and plugged in the color TV back when I
> was a kid!!!!
>
> Very Sincere,
> Former customer, Michael xxxxxxxxx
> Former Account number xxxxxxx-xx
>
> PS You still owe me money as I had paid in advance for
> your service.

By the way, give them credit. They did give me the money they owed me! I love satellite! So, did I have issues, or did the cable company?

2005-12-09T19:58:00.000-08:00

Christmas in Mt. Dora

No commentary here, just a couple nice pics of downtown Mt. Dora for Christmas!

2005-12-08T18:34:00.000-08:00

What the #$%^ is wrong with some people. I have issues about how crazy things are getting. I told you from the get go that I might post some political stuff so BACK OFF!

So all along I listen to Michael Savage. (Does that make me a freak?) He's always talking about how we need to take care of the terrorists and all that jazz. One would think he would be supportive when law enforcement acts on something.

So where am I going with this. Well, this guy is on a plane right. He starts talking about having a bomb, acting weird and not paying attention to commands. So an Air Marshal identifies himself, tries to reason with the guy and he runs and make furtitive movements. The Air Marshal does what he's supposed to and stops the threat. Enough said. Unfortunately the guy paid with his life, but its just that, unfortunate.

So back to Savage. He says "why couldn't the guy tackle him?" He also makes comments about having all the passengers come out with their hands up saying "so now their all terrorists?". I pulled a Savage on Savage. I couldn't take it anymore. I turned the channel. Ok, lets see. Hey lets tackle the guy, he sets off a bomb and boom. Now the whiners will say "why didn't they stop him by any means?" I'm so sick of these people who can sit in their high ivory towers and try to think of what should have been done when in reality you have sometimes seconds to act. As far as pulling out everyone with their hands in the air, who knows, maybe there are others involved. Let's take cautious measures until we are sure! What is it going to hurt? Maybe their arms get tired? I would much rather have that then someone with their hands in their pockets pushing the button of a bomb! In a post 911 world if you get on any mass transit system or in any packed facility and even mumble the words bomb you are an idiot. If you act like this guy did, expect a visit from Mr. Lead.

And then there's pretty face. The liberal bucking for the driver's seat on that idiot network. You might know her as Katie Couric. I heard someone sum her up today and I wish I could remember who said it and exactly how it was said. Something along the lines "if you waded through the ocean of her intelligence you wouldn't even get your feet wet". So true. So she wants to know why the Air Marshals had to shoot the guy. Her interview today said, "Should Air Marshals shoot to kill". Thank God for Tony Kuklinski, a former Air Marshal that she interviewed. Katie thinks that they should have shot a limb or something other than shooting to kill. Hey Katie, THEY STOP TO SHOOT THE THREAT!!! I wonder if Katie has ever shot at a small target? Maybe a bouncing target? Oh, and lets add human beings behind that small bouncing target. You think she could hit it? You think she would feel comfortable if even the best trained cop shot at that bouncing small target with her standing even near it down range? I wonder if she wonders this. She tries to snow ball the Air Marshal and wonders why they couldn't just wound him. Thank God he clearly articulates that they shoot to stop the action and explains about how the intensity can limit accuracy and stray rounds could happen. Then she again says "shouldn't they be taught to shoot at specific locations on a body?" I boiled again. Tony tries to tell her its unrealistic but I don't think she gets it. This ain't the MOVIES Katie!!! Thank GOD for people like Tony Kuklinski. Poor guy had to put up with her.

And then there are the people that said they should fire warning shots. Ok... Let's think about this a minute. If a cop gives you lawful commands and you ignore him... your an idiot. If a cop gives you lawful commands, and has to pull out a gun, and you ignore him, you better have a good life insurance policy. You just better hope the policy doesn't have an idiot clause... Cause that's what you'd be, an idiot. I AM SO SICK OF THE MEDIA CAUSING COPS TO HAVE TO BEG PEOPLE TO DO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO!

Oh, and let's not forget those saying the Air Marshals should have used a Taser. Ok... Let's think about this. Hmmmm... Bombs are usually set off by some type of electrical means. A taser if 50 thousands volts of electricity. Do I even need to finish this point? DO I?

Am I the only one that has issues with this? Our government recently gets blasted for having a bad report card from the "All Mighty 911 Commission" and then our government takes preventive measures and stops a lunatic talking about a bomb and gets second guessed on it? Come on...

Yeah I got issues with this... I hope you actually share this issue... One of the few times I hope you think like me. So... What do you think?

2005-12-06T19:15:00.000-08:00

I got issues. There's no way around them. So here's my latest. I have recently decided to grow a beard. I know. It seems impossible. But it it isn't.

So I have this sorta kinda beard. I like it. It makes me feel, well, different. I've been told I look homeless. It's possible. My wife has made threats. Apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it? But yet I digress. Must be the ADD...

I'm sitting at my office yesterday pulling on my beard and mustache. I get this tickle in my nose. I reach up and grab hold of a few and pull. I gotta do this. Some people get good looks, like a nice chisled jaw bone from their dads side. I got nose hair. So I grab a branch and pull... I kid you not this sucker was almost a half inch.

But this isn't the issue that I have. It took me a while to figure this out.

So I look at this thing and admire it. Sleek jet black, sturdy, almost like wire. I had to show people. How would I keep from losing it? I finally decided. I stuck the thing between my credit card and my license in my wallet. Between the static and the remains of the goo that binds I wouldn't lose it.

First person I showed... My wife...

And that was all it took...

I still have it. Oh yeah. But I don't think I should show it off. I want to, but remember that whole homeless thing? I kinda like it inside during the winter.

Like I said, I got issues.

2005-10-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Smelling issues... I have 'em. I have to smell everything. I'm not crazy or anything, I don't have any weird fetishes. I just have to smell.

I take off my shoes, I have to smell inside. I take off my socks, I have to smell. I pass gas... you guessed it... I have to smell. It's not that I enjoy the smells. I once passed gas and took a whiff, then took another just to confirm that it really did smell that bad.

My wife cringes when I smell things. She thinks I'm crazy. Maybe I am, I don't know.

Have you ever scratched under your arm and then smelled your hand? I have. I'm not that obvious though. I'll scratch with two fingers and then pretent to itch under my nose... But I'm not really itching my nose, I'm checkin' out the smell. That occasional itch from down under, you guessed it. I'm not proud. I'm not embarrased either.

Here's what's even worse. You know those cannisters of pepper spray? You guessed it, gotta smell it. I only do it once in one sitting though. Usually causes my snot to run and ruins smelling for a bit.

Most people look at the date of milk and go "ummm not today friend". I still have to smell it.

Listen folks I've tried to resist, but it doesn't work. I've walked away from it only to return. Bottom line, if it stinks, I've smelled it.

Like I said, I have issues.

2005-10-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of issues... but recently I have one that really set me off... I shared this with some co-workers, but they seemed uninterested... so I am sharing this with you...

So I'm in the line at the grocery and I have two boxes of microwave popcorn. My wife doesn't like the heavy butter so I get one box of light butter and one box of butter lovers... As usual, some bonehead in front of me needs a price check. So I'm stuck... I'm past the mags but not quite to checkout. I had nothing to do. So I read the popcorn boxes...

Did you know... The ingrediants in the light butter box contained... butter. The ingrediants in the butter lovers contained no butter. To add insult to injury, the light butter box contained soy, milk and egg... What the hell... If I wanted milk and egg I would eat breakfast... But the atrocities didn't stop there.

I looked at the Nutrition Facts, the RDA... There was a category for "popped" and for... are you ready for this... "unpopped". That means some poor bastard somewhere felt that it was necessary to add the "unpopped" RDA percentages. So did someone along the way crack open a bag and start eating the kernals and say, "I wonder how much of this #$%^ I gotta eat to meet the recommended daily allowance". Did they get sued and have to add it. Is there someone out there that is so anal that they felt it was necessary...?

Like I said... I have issues... The nice lady behind me didn't care, the cashier rushed me through when I tried to explain my issue, and my wife told me to take out the trash while rolling her eyes... Someone has to care...