Bold move

Saw an "earn extra income" flier on one of the Porche's here at work. LOL.

Higher

"Although I would like the world to change, it helps me to appreciate those nights and those dreams.

"But my friend, I'd sacrifice all those nights if I could make the earth and my dreams the same.

"The only difference is to let love replace all our hate."

Higher, Creed

Foreclosure? Everybodys doing it.

There have been more than 250,000 foreclosures in the US for the last four months in a row.

Economic freefall?

"The US economy lost 20,000 a day [in January, 2009]" - marketplace.org

Proud to be American?

Something tells me the demand for Statue of Liberty Costumes is up right now.

Between those and the cheesy Quicken commercials with the stuffy, money-green, "dead presidents" cracking tired tax jokes like "your deduction needs a diaper change" I'm super proud of my American-ness these days.

Monetize everything!

(You might as well, because I am... But you likely didn't notice given how "cleverly" I've positioned ads on this website!)

Unexpress Checkout

Point-of-Sale systems hate me.

I try to do my duty as a consumer and deal with the anti-care, "self-checkout" robots, built mysteriously similar to "one-armed bandit" style casino games.

... Except, at casinos, there's a chance you might get money back.

My most-awkward problem with any transaction these days is navigating the credit-card scanner/pin-number-entry/would-you-like-to-donate-$2-to-the-march-of-dimes/please-swipe-your-card-at-any-time teminals.

First, I swipe the card too soon (though it says to swipe anytime).

Then I press the wrong button to declare a credit transaction, not debit one (so I have to start over).

Then, I decline the offer for a donation or enrollment in some "loyalty" program.

Finally, I have to successfully find the "OK" button to authorize the amount to be charged (which I usually get wrong because I've said "no" to everything else I've been asked (or pitched) in the preceeding 5 minute transaction.

And then I can sign the receipt, apologize to the 9 people in line behind me, and leave.

Quickly.

Superbowl Commercials

I have always respected smart, super-witty commercials that tell a good/funny/serious story without resorting to sex/money/violence/shock to get their point across.

Apparently, I don't watch enough "regular TV" because the commercials airing right now during the Superbowl use all of the latter to get attention, but fail to deliver any of the former.

Easy Tonight

You were wrong
You were right
You are gone... Tonight

You were free
So alive
You were wrong
You were right

You were down
You could see
You wore hearts for me

You were sharp
Sharp as knives
You were wrong
You were right

Shot down said you never had the chance
Took a ride on a suicide romance
Could have sworn there was somebody home
To facilitate the great unknown
Woman, I aint going to meet you anywhere
Dont know where Im going yet
But I sure am getting there

Shotgun fire anybody home
I got two dimes in the telephone
Alright
Its not easy tonight

--
"Easy Tonight" by Five for Fighting

Wisconsin is Colder Than You

65 above zero:
Floridians turn on the heat.
People in Wisconsin plant gardens.

60 above zero:
Californians shiver uncontrollably.
People in Wisconsin sunbathe.

50 above zero:
Italian & English cars won't start.
People in Wisconsin drive with the windows down.

40 above zero:
Georgians don coats, thermal underwear, gloves, wool hats.
People in Wisconsin throw on a flannel shirt.

35 above zero:
New York landlords finally turn up the heat.
People in Wisconsin have the last cookout before it gets cold.

20 above Zero
People in Miami all die.
Wisconsinites close the windows.

Zero:
Californians fly away to Mexico .
People in Wisconsin get out their winter coats.

10 below zero:
Hollywood disintegrates.
The Girl Scouts in Wisconsin are selling cookies door to door.

20 below zero:
Washington DC runs out of hot air.
People in Wisconsin let the dogs sleep indoors.

30 below zero:
Santa Claus abandons the North Pole.
Wisconsinites get upset because they can't start the Snowblower.

40 below zero:
ALL atomic motion stops.
People in Wisconsin start saying...'Cold enough fer ya?'

50 below zero:
You know what freezes over.
Wisconsin public schools will open 2 hours late

Razor Blades

Price of razor blades makes me think Gillette isn't in a recession.