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Budget Talk

2011-12-15T08:51:00.003-06:00

This rather brilliantly cuts through all the political doublespeak we get...........

U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000
Fed budget: $3,820,000,000,000
New debt: $1,650,000,000,000
National debt: $14,271,000,000,000*
Recent budget cuts: $38,500,000,000
(Check the US Debt Clock for exact amounts)

Let's now remove 8 zeros and pretend it's a household budget:
Annual family income: $21,700
Money the family spent: $38,200
New debt on the credit card: $16,500
Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710
Total budget cuts: $385
Got It ?????

Lesson # 2:

Here's another way to look at the Debt Ceiling:
Let's say, You come home from work and find there has been a sewer backup in your neighborhood....your home has sewage all the way up to your ceilings.

What do you think you should do?
Raise the ceilings, or pump out the sludge?

Your choice is coming November 2012

Tebow, Well Said

2011-11-29T20:25:00.001-06:00

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made

2011-10-22T12:29:00.001-05:00

Like the Changes?

2011-10-05T13:42:00.001-05:00

Truth Brings a 180

2011-10-05T13:10:00.000-05:00

from 180movie.com.

Nero in the White House

2011-09-05T10:50:00.001-05:00

Mychal Massie writes truth. One day, maybe the democrats will finally stop using the race card after hearing continual complaints from same skin color. Herman Cain(also a black American if you aren't aware) also speaks out against the ignorant ones who claim to know what the tea party's goals are. See Cain's response here. Enjoy what Mychal wrote below.

Three significant historical events have been eclipsed by Obama: 1) Jimmy Carter will no longer be looked upon as the worst president in American history; 2) Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton will no longer be recognized as the greatest liars in presidential history; 3) Clinton's stain on Monica's dress, and what that did to the White House in general and the office of the president specifically, will forever pale in comparison to the stain and stench of Obama.

I need not spend much time on the failure of Obama as president. His tenure has been a failure on every measurable level. So much so, in fact, that some of the staunchest, most respected liberal Democrats and Democratic supporters have not only openly criticized him – some even more harshly than this essayist – but they have called for him to step down.

Richard Nixon's words "I am not a crook," punctuated with his involvement in Watergate, and Bill Clinton's finger-wagging as he told one of the most pathetic lies in presidential history, in the aftermath of Obama, will be viewed as mere prevarications.

Mr. Nixon and Clinton lied to save their backsides. Although, I would argue there are no plausible explanations for doing what they did, I could entertain arguments pursuant to understanding their rationales for lying. But in the case of Obama, he lies because he is a liar. He doesn't only lie to cover his misdeeds – he lies to get his way. He lies to belittle others and to make himself look presentable at their expense. He lies about his faith, his associations, his mother, his father and his wife. He lies and bullies to keep his background secret. His lying is congenital and compounded by socio-psychological factors of his life.

Never in my life, inside or outside of politics, have I witnessed such dishonesty in a political leader. He is the most mendacious political figure I have ever witnessed. Even by the low standards of his presidential predecessors, his narcissistic, contumacious arrogance is unequalled. Using Obama as the bar, Nero would have to be elevated to sainthood.

As the stock markets were crashing, taking with them the remaining life saving of untold tens of thousands, Obama was hosting his own birthday celebration, which was an event of epicurean splendidness. The shamelessness of the event was that it was not a state dinner to welcome foreign dignitaries, nor was it to honor an American accomplishment – it was to honor the Pharaoh, Barack Hussein Obama. The event's sole purpose was for the Pharaoh to have his loyal subjects swill wine, indulge in gluttony and behavior unfit to take place on the property of taxpayers, as they suffer. It was of a magnitude comparable to that of Tyco CEO Dennis Kozlowski's $2 million birthday extravaganza for its pure lack of respect for the people.

Permit me to digress momentarily. The U.S. Capitol and the White House were built with the intent of bringing awe and respect to America and her people. They were also built with the intent of being the greatest of equalizers. I can tell you, having personally been to both, there is a moment of awe and humility associated with being in the presence of the history of those buildings. They are to be honored and inscribed into our national psyche, not treated as a Saturday night house party at Chicago's Cabrini-Green.

The people of America own that home Obama and his wife continue to debase with their pan-ghetto behavior. It is clear that Obama and family view themselves as royalty, but they're not. They are employees of "we the people," who are suffering because of his failed policies. What message does this behavior send to those who today are suffering as never before?

What message does it send to all Americans who are struggling? Has anyone stopped to think what the stock market downturn forebodes for those 80 million baby boomers who will be retiring in the next period of years? Is there a snowball's chance in the Sahara that every news program on the air would applaud this behavior if it were George W. Bush? To that point, do you remember the media thrashing Bush took for having a barbecue at the White House?

Like Nero – who was only slightly less debaucherous than Caligula – with wine on his lips Obama treated "we the people" the way Caligula treated those over whom he lorded.

Many in America wanted to be proud when the first person of color was elected president, but instead, they have been witness to a congenital liar, a woman who has been ashamed of America her entire life, failed policies, intimidation and a commonality hitherto not witnessed in political leaders. He and his wife view their life at our expense as an entitlement – while America's people go homeless, hungry and unemployed.

What's That in the Background?

2011-08-22T10:56:00.000-05:00

All I want for Christmas is free Obama money!
The above link takes you to a nice explanation of the picture below, but the skinny on it:
Lady complaining about the inability to pay for her heating bill...but the sorry thing she didn't think about was checking what was behind her in the picture. Later on she denied this was her living room, even though she claimed it was her house here. Maybe instead of hopping on the free obama money train, try updating the basic priorities. A huge flat screen doesn't seem to fit with them.

Watch: mayor crushes illegally parked car

2011-08-03T10:08:00.000-05:00

I enjoyed this. Lithuanian official runs over a misparked Benz with a troop carrier.

The Pups' New Home

2011-07-20T15:55:00.000-05:00

It's been almost a month since moving from an apartment to a house. We all love the extra space, but I sort of tossed myself back into the routine of yard work. There are lots of undergrowth that needs to be cleaned up, and the weekly debris pickup by the city is clearly getting its money's worth(On the first week they had to make a second trip due to me filling up their truck). Plus, as the first pictures shows, the fence needs a little fixing. But...Polly & Penny now have a yard to call their own and bark it up even more for no reason.

Trail Master

2011-07-12T15:01:00.003-05:00

Trail Master

One Small Step for Pups

Shannon & I took the pups on a hike at the Oak Mountain State Park. The pups were not expecting hours of hiking or the multitude of ticks that we had to yank out for a couple days.

The sleep afterwards was easy for Penny & Polly

Yes, this is change!

2011-05-02T17:08:00.000-05:00

Some of you will appreciate this and some of you will not.
I do not apologize for reposting this simply because all of it is true.

If any other of our presidents had doubled the national debt, which had taken more than two centuries to accumulate, in one year, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had then proposed to double the debt again within 10 years, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had criticized a state law that he admitted he never even read, would you think that he is just an ignorant hot head?

If any other of our presidents joined the country of Mexico and sued a state in the United States to force that state to continue to allow illegal immigration, would you question his patriotism and wonder whose side he was on?

If any other of our presidents had pronounced the Marine Corps like Marine Corps, would you think him an idiot?

If any other of our presidents had put 87,000 workers out of work by arbitrarily placing a moratorium on offshore oil drilling on companies that have one of the best safety records of any industry because one foreign company had an accident, would you have agreed?

If any other of our presidents had used a forged document as the basis of the moratorium that would render 87000 American workers unemployed would you support him?

If any other of our presidents had been the first President to need a Teleprompter installed to be able to get through a press conference, would you have laughed and said this is more proof of how inept he is on his own and is really controlled by smarter men behind the scenes?

If any other of our presidents had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to take his First Lady to a play in NYC, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had reduced your retirement plan holdings of GM stock by 90% and given the unions a majority stake in GM, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had made a joke at the expense of the Special Olympics, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had given Gordon Brown a set of inexpensive and incorrectly formatted DVDs, when Gordon Brown had given him a thoughtful and historically significant gift, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had given the Queen of England an iPod containing videos of his speeches, would you have thought it a proud moment for America?

If any other of our presidents had bowed to the King of Saudi Arabia, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had visited Austria and made reference to the nonexistent "Austrian language," would you have brushed it off as a minor slip?

If any other of our presidents had filled his cabinet and circle of advisers with people who cannot seem to keep current in their income taxes, would you have approved?

If any other of our presidents had stated that there were 57 states in the United States, wouldn't you have had second thoughts about his capabilities?

If any other of our presidents would have flown all the way to Denmark to make a five minute speech about how the Olympics would benefit him walking out his front door in his home town, would you not have thought he was a self important, conceited, egotistical jerk?

If any other of our presidents had been so Spanish illiterate as to refer to "Cinco de Cuatro" in front of the Mexican ambassador when it was the 5th of May (Cinco de Mayo), and continued to flub it when he tried again, wouldn't you have winced in embarrassment?

If any other of our presidents had burned 9,000 gallons of jet fuel to go plant a single tree on Earth Day, would you have concluded he's a hypocrite?

If any other of our presidents' administrations had okayed Air Force One flying low over millions of people followed by a jet fighter in downtown Manhattan causing widespread panic, would you have wondered whether they actually get what happened on 9-11?

If any other of our presidents had failed to send relief aid to flood victims throughout the Midwest with more people killed or made homeless than in New Orleans, would you want it made into a major ongoing political issue with claims of racism and incompetence?

If any other of our presidents had created the position of 32 Czars who report directly to him, bypassing the House and Senate on much of what is happening in America, would you have ever approved?

If any other of our presidents had ordered the firing of the CEO of a major corporation, even though he had no constitutional authority to do so, would you have approved?
So, tell me again, what is it about Obama that makes him so brilliant and impressive? Can't think of anything? Don't worry. He's done all this in 21 months -- so you have that much time to come up with an answer.

AND HE DOESN'T GET CREDIT FOR TAKING OUT BIN LADEN!!!

Every statement and action in this email is factual and directly attributable to Barrack Hussein Obama. Every bumble is a matter of record and completely verifiable.

Flying Silver Carp

2011-04-13T22:13:00.000-05:00

My dad gets the credit finding this video. If you don't get a good laugh out of this then you need to check your pulse. Enjoy.

Obama's Beach Party!

2011-04-13T11:59:00.000-05:00

Kick back with Andrew Klavan and enjoy the roaring, soaring, constitution ignoring days of Obama's Recovery Summer. It's sunny. It's funny. But I'm out of work honey. With unemployment over 9%, what isn't there to love? At least it isn't the grim old days of George W. Bush when unemployment was below 6%. Enjoy the show!

Snow Dogs

2011-03-17T11:44:00.000-05:00

Polly & Penny had their first winter storm when we visited China Grove in December. Here they are learning what cold toes feels like.

We All Must Sacrifice

2011-03-17T11:29:00.000-05:00

I got this in an email recently, and it helps us normal citizens understand the scale that Obama is attempting to pull in front of Americans. It's a complete joke to think this is actually progress. Oh, and he went on another vacation, just a week after the devastation in Japan. If you didn't know, Air Force One costs more than $180,000 per hour to operate. So how is he helping out this country's situation or any other country?

Enjoy this email:
The President ordered the cabinet to cut a whopping $100 million from the $3.5 trillion federal budget!

I'm so impressed by this sacrifice that I have decided to do the same thing with my personal budget. I spend about $2000 a month on groceries, household expenses, medicine, utilities, etc, but it's time to get out the budget cutting ax, go line by line through my expenses, and cut back!

I'm going to cut my spending at exactly the same ratio -1/35,000 of my total budget. After doing the math, it looks like instead of spending $2000 a month; I'm going to have to cut that number by six cents!

Yes, I'm going to have to get by with $1999.94, but that's what sacrifice is all about. I'll just have to do without some things, that are, frankly, luxuries. (Did the pres actually think no one would do the math?)

- John Q. Taxpayer

Polly vs Laser

2011-03-01T10:48:00.000-06:00

Polly is over 10 pounds now. Penny, the runt, is three pounds shy of Polly. Enjoy the magic of a laser and a curious pup.

Muslim Student's True Opinion

2010-12-08T10:09:00.000-06:00

Neoconservative thinker David Horowitz was put on the spot by a Muslim student during a speech at the University of California San Diego. His comeback revealed her true goal.

Religion of peace? No way!

It's Not About The Lame Parties!

2010-11-05T11:39:00.001-05:00

This is America...back and forth, back and forth. The country is lost, period.

More even...it's not about what party you right your name beside, it's about right & wrong, which most choose to ignore based on their wallet's contents (or lack of contents).

Three Things About Islam

2010-09-17T17:33:00.000-05:00

Are they peaceful, no.

Free Healthcare with No Responsibility? No Surprise.

2010-09-17T11:20:00.010-05:00

Dear Sirs:

During my last night’s shift in the ER, I had the pleasure of evaluating a patient with a shiny new gold tooth, multiple elaborate tattoos, a very expensive brand of tennis shoes and a new cellular telephone equipped with her favorite R&B; tune for a ring tone.

Glancing over the chart, one could not help noticing her payer status: Medicaid.

She smokes more than one costly pack of cigarettes every day and, somehow, still has money to buy beer. And our President expects me to pay for this woman’s health care?

Our nation’s health care crisis is not a shortage of quality hospitals, doctors or nurses. It is a crisis of culture – a culture in which it is perfectly acceptable to spend money on vices while refusing to take care of one’s self or, heaven forbid, purchase health insurance.

A culture that thinks I can do whatever I want to because someone else will always take care of me.

Doctor Roger Starner Jones is a seventh generation Mississippian and his extracurricular interests are golf, hunting, fishing and college football. He specializes in emergency medicine at The University of Mississippi medical Center.
This Letter to the Editor, written by Doctor Jones about health care in America, is from the August 29th edition of Jackson, Mississippi’s newspaper, the Clarion Ledger.

McDonald's targeted in US health ad

2010-09-14T21:19:00.000-05:00

I really wish more videos like this would come out. 'I was lovin' it' is a nice ending to the ad along with the McD' arches.

It is an image to sap the flabbiest of appetites. An overweight, middle-aged man lies dead on a mortuary trolley, with a woman weeping over his body. The corpse's cold hand still clutches a half-eaten McDonald's hamburger.

A hard-hitting US television commercial bankrolled by a Washington-based medical group has infuriated McDonald's by taking an unusually direct shot at the world's biggest fast-food chain this week, using a scene filmed in a mortuary followed by a shot of the brand's golden arches logo and a strapline declaring: "I was lovin' it."

The line is a provocative twist on McDonald's long-standing advertising slogan, "I'm lovin' it" and a voiceover intones: "High cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart attacks. Tonight, make it vegetarian."

The commercial, bankrolled by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), goes further than most non-profit advertising and has drawn an angry reaction from both the Chicago-based hamburger multinational and the broader restaurant industry.

The National Restaurant Association criticised it as "irresponsible" and said it was an attempt to scare the public with a "limited" view of nutrition. A McDonald's spokesman said: "This commercial is outrageous, misleading and unfair to all consumers. McDonald's trusts our customers to put such outlandish propaganda in perspective, and to make food and lifestyle choices that are right for them."

The commercial, to be aired initially in the Washington area but potentially in further US cities, comes amid an increasingly lively debate in the US about healthy eating. The first lady, Michelle Obama, has made nutrition a signature issue and is leading a campaign to encourage physical fitness and improved diets – particularly among American children, a third of whom are overweight.

The recession has hardly helped the healthy eating cause. McDonald's has enjoyed a relatively prosperous financial crisis as diners opt for its affordable offerings in place of more expensive high-street restaurants. Its global profits for the six months to June were up 12% to $2.3bn, powered by sales rises both in the United States and Britain.

The PCRM's director of nutrition education, Susan Levin, made no apologies for singling out the golden arches: "McDonald's is one of the biggest fast-food chains in the world. Its name and its golden arches are instantly recognisable. We feel we're making a point about all fast food when we talk about McDonald's."

The Only Great Start to Your Morning

2010-09-12T19:21:00.000-05:00

The next time you're on your way to Japan, make sure you give this a try. If you want the taste of drinking pancake batter without the health side effects of drinking pancake batter, then Japanese food manufacturer Morinaga has what you're looking for. On September 8, the company released a drink they call Hotcake Milkshake, which is basically a canned drink that tastes like a fresh pancake breakfast.

It costs about $1.40 and each can contains 10 ounces of the milkshake drink, which tastes like a pancake, but doesn’t have any of the nutritional benefits of the pancake. Apparently, the Morinaga pancake mix is a Japanese tradition, like Bisquick or Aunt Jemima in the States.

This is just a way for the Japanese to get their pancake on without having to bake flapjacks in the morning before heading out to catch the bullet train. If you want food on the go, there’s no solution like a canned sandwich washed down with a canned pancake milkshake! Sound yummy?

Everything You Need to Know About Fast Food

2010-08-15T09:14:00.000-05:00

The saddest fact in all of this: The daily average calorie intake for Americans is 3760

Crazy McNugget Lady

2010-08-09T22:28:00.001-05:00

Everyone should have learned their lesson by now: STOP EATING AT MCDONALDS!!!

TOLEDO, OH (WABC) -- Surveillance showed Melodi Dushane jumping out of her car at the drive-thru window of a McDonalds in Toledo, Ohio.

Dushane flew into a rage after being told she couldn't have McNuggets.
She reached through the window and struck the worker in the face several times.
The worker fought back, but Dushane wouldn't give up.
After the window was forced shut, Dushane smashed the glass with an object she grabbed from her car.
She took off, but was later arrested. [I like that last part]

Dear Yellow Pages...

2010-06-24T10:01:00.001-05:00

When is the last time you really used a phone book?

Facebook in Real Life

2010-06-16T12:05:00.001-05:00

This is entirely true and sad all at the same time. I love the "hide" moment when Jim gets annoyed by the Facebook addict girl. The Hide feature is my favorite for not allowing everyone to get too open with their lives. I mean really...do you need to post hundreds of the same photo or tell the whole world what you're doing every hour?

Enjoy.

New Pledge of Allegiance

2010-06-04T19:50:00.000-05:00

I like how something as simple as pointing out plenty of things that are wrong with this country is poetic and speaks truth at the same time. Enjoy below.
NEW School prayer(...by a 15 kid in Arizona):

Now I sit me down in school
Where praying is against the rule
For this great nation under God
Finds mention of Him very odd.

If scripture now the class recites,
It violates the Bill of Rights.
And anytime my head I bow
Becomes a Federal matter now.

Our hair can be purple, orange or green,
That's no offense; it's a freedom scene..
The law is specific, the law is precise.
Prayers spoken aloud are a serious vice.

For praying in a public hall
Might offend someone with no faith at all..
In silence alone we must meditate,
God's name is prohibited by the state.

We're allowed to cuss and dress like freaks,
And pierce our noses, tongues and cheeks...
They've outlawed guns, but FIRST the Bible.
To quote the Good Book makes me liable.
We can elect a pregnant Senior Queen,
And the 'unwed daddy,' our Senior King.
It's 'inappropriate' to teach right from wrong,
We're taught that such 'judgments' do not belong..

We can get our condoms and birth controls,
Study witchcraft, vampires and totem poles..
But the Ten Commandments are not allowed,
No word of God must reach this crowd.

It's scary here I must confess,
When chaos reigns the school's a mess.
So, Lord, this silent plea I make:
Should I be shot; My soul please take!
Amen

The 80-Ounce Beer Belly

2010-03-30T14:43:00.000-05:00

How sad is this invention? Here are some of the selling points listed on Amazon's site for the Beer Belly:

Polyurethane bladder looks like a beer belly when worn under clothing
Includes bladder and adjustable neoprene sling with custom-shaped pouch
Holds up to 80 ounces of any hot or cold beverage
Fits users up to 6 feet 8 inches tall and up to 40-inch waist
Easy to clean

Don't worry females! There's a version for you too! Links to these horrible inventions below.

-80 Ounce Beer Belly
-The Wine Rack

Border Closing Taken Too Far?

2010-03-22T11:22:00.000-05:00

Does this really happen every single day at the border of India & Pakistan? The special walk make it more official? All this just to close two gates for the day?

Pepsi Removing Sugary Drinks from Schools...Keep Going!

2010-03-18T13:56:00.001-05:00

This move by Pepsi or any future deal by that other evil drink corporation only eliminates one small place where children can continue to increase the obesity percentage. Parents who don't think second about how many bottles little Timmy & Susie gulps down everyday will still fill up their lunch-box/book-bag when the schools are vacated from Pepsi's stockpile of carbonated sugar syrup.
Next move: Parents get graphically educated on what this stuff does to your child's body over time. Step in and make changes for you first then your family. See the current worldwide percentages for obesity by country...Guess who is at the top!

Read more:
- Is Pepsi's Removal of Sodas from Schools Just a Publicity Stunt?
- Soda Makers Claim War on Sugary Drinks in Schools Is Won

Affecting Your Healthcare:
Extra weight increases the risk of diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancer and other health problems. Americans who are obese cost the country an estimated $147 billion in weight-related medical bills in 2008...
Overall, about 31.7% of kids are obese or overweight, compared with 29% in 1999... - from USAToday.com

Paul Tripp: What Makes Bad Language Bad?

2010-03-16T14:04:00.004-05:00

I appreciate what is stated here in the following video. It's straight forward & biblical. Enjoy.

Doritos Tablet: The Alternative to the iPad

2010-03-09T13:15:00.001-06:00

Yummy!

Obama - Leading the Unhealthy American Way(video)

2010-03-03T08:57:00.002-06:00

Obama - Leading the Unhealthy American Way

2010-03-03T08:54:00.001-06:00

Maybe another way to connect with Americans? Possibly another stab at winning back some of his lost popularity with the widely unaccepted government health reform bill? Who knows...
Well for one, he jokingly asks that no one tell the first lady.

"I don't want any lectures about my cholesterol," he told the press. "Don't tell Michelle."

Keep up the oblivious work, Mr. Obama, of driving more citizens into your rapidly expanding health bill.

How to Fix Our Economy

2010-02-18T09:03:00.000-06:00

There recently was an article in the St. Petersburg Fl. Times. The Business Section asked readers for ideas on: "How Would You Fix the Economy?" This guy possibly nailed it:

Dear Mr. President,

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy. Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following plan. You can call it the "Patriotic Retirement Plan."

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the work force. Pay them $1 million apiece severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1• They MUST retire. Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2• They MUST buy a new American CAR. Forty million cars ordered – Auto Industry fixed.

3• They MUST either buy a house or pay off their mortgage – Housing Crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!!

P.S. If more money is needed, have all members in Congress pay their taxes..
Mr. President, while you're at it, make Congress retire on Social Security and Medicare. I'll bet both programs would be fixed pronto!

Be Courageous, President Barack Obama

2010-02-05T07:58:00.001-06:00

iPad Parody

2010-01-28T10:50:00.001-06:00

How many notebooks can you buy for $500 and get the same functionality as the iPad?

The New Apple iPad...Another Letdown

2010-01-28T07:55:00.016-06:00

Sure, Apple makes truckloads of money each year with their "new" technology, but for the drones to just sit back & say this new tablet is revolutionary is plain naive. Yes the original iPhone & its 3G versions are great & innovative from their first release dates, but this new device cannot cover or replace what you already have in a phone or netbook. Look a little deeper...

It has too much of an overlap. It can't take place of your phone/laptop/netbook or whatever portable computer you use. Why? Where is the multitasking with the new processor (which might be nVidia's second generation Tegra chip)? Where is at least one camera for video conferencing? It can't take place of your phone...simply because it's not a phone. Yes it might become a possibility to make calls from this device using a VoIP application(like the one available just last night) but I can't see this actually being held up either someone's head or used through a Bluetooth device.

The only big selling point with the larger screen size is being an e-book reader. The transition between pages makes it look & feel like you're turn the pages. Some productivity applications will be nice but who knows yet how frustrating work will be with the lack of physical keyboard?

So, what is the new iPad then? Combine the two things below:

It seems that they've made another "device" to add to everyone's collection who are doing just fine with what they have already. This device is just an iPod Touch placed on the lame All-American diet of McDonald's making an overweight oversized Ipod with less features. You'll pay a minimum of $500 for the 16GB version & a maximum of $830 for a 64GB version with 3G. That's all before the cost of accessories that should come with it...a $40 VGA cable, camera kit for reading images, then the overpriced keyboard dock.

Apple should be aiming higher than what they provided yesterday to avoid any chance of being over shadowed by a much more capable device. Their only chance of delivering on their promise of a useful device is to come through with features that we don't know of yet or applications that will only be feasible on the large screen of the iPad. Basing it on yesterday's showing, it's not worth the price.

If you want to branch out from the large corporation holding you in to their standard, check out something like MSI's 10" tablet coming this year. They showed it off at CES recently. Specifications will be optional to the consumer...how it should be.

[For more information, read Engadget's full editorial on their take from yesterday's offerings from Apple's event]

Wasteful Pelosi! New Administration Please!

2010-01-22T13:07:00.002-06:00

Cafferty explains just how lame house speaker Pelosi is along with congressmen in wasting more money that the USA doesn't have to spend. By the way, this is CNN...not Fox News.

You Know What I'm Saying?

2010-01-22T07:07:00.001-06:00

Be declarative!

Sal Avoids Purry Duty

2010-01-20T07:03:00.003-06:00

Boston, Jan 10 - Have you ever heard a cat receiving a jury call? A cat called for jury duty sounds quite unnatural but it is true. It has happened with a Boston cat, named Sal Esposito. In a recent report the owners of the cat, Anna Esposito and Guy Esposito stated that their cat has been summoned for performing a jury duty in March. The couple had been extremely surprised when they received the letter in the name of their cat and wondered how this thing happened.

After considering several facts, they realized that they had entered the name of their cat during the census. The feline was listed as a family member but not as an animal. They insisted that they had categorized Sal Esposito as pet cat and never expected that the call for jury duty would come in his name. The surprised couple tried to save their cat from the jury duty and tried to get exemption. However, as per the last report, the cat has not yet been granted any kind of exemption and if the issue is not sorted out before the scheduled date, then the owner of the cat would have to take it to the Suffolk County Court to perform its duty.

A feline called for a jury duty is quite strange and media sources tried to contact the officials to know their comment in this case. However, the officials have not yet made any comment on the issue. Therefore, the reason for this mistake is not yet clear. If the cat is not disqualified from the list then it would have to visit the court for performing his duty.

Engagement Snaps

2010-01-13T08:48:00.003-06:00

This past weekend, Shannon & Company traveled with me to China Grove to set in place many details for our special date, May 22nd. On Sunday afternoon before we headed back to Fayettenam, I asked Shan's mom to shoot some pictures for me to edit later. Check them out...

Giving is Glorious

2009-12-23T11:32:00.003-06:00

What happens when an unbelievable offer of $10000 risk free money is actually genuine?

- The Honest $10000 SPAM

I prefer to see something like this happen any day of the year in place of the drama caused by our over-the-top capitalistic society & its anti truth "Santa" agenda. Celebrate Jesus this Christmas. It's the Holy-Day!

Brown Fat Revelations? ...Excercise Still Works

2009-12-21T13:15:00.004-06:00

Brown Fat Revelations May Lead to New Weight Loss Drugs - another article to prove that more & more people are just looking the easy way out of attempting to be healthy(and thanks for your part in contributing to higher & higher health insurance cost). Sure, there are unlimited things still to learn in science, but at least start with a baby step by taking a walk outside.

--article by Popular Mechanics

The (Last and Next) Decade in Gadgets

2009-12-21T09:11:00.001-06:00

Pretty enjoyable article concerning the future suggestions & trends of technology.

The (Last and Next) Decade in Gadgets by Popular Mechanics

Ringing of The Bells...Muppets Style

2009-12-11T14:02:00.002-06:00

It's been a busy month & nothing has been posted. Please enjoy the Muppets singing a nice short carol. Oh, and have a Merry Christmas...without being offended by "Merry Christmas."

Cop's 911 Call after Trying Marijuana Brownies

2009-11-16T08:39:00.001-06:00

Watch as the news reporters get a good laugh after hearing the nonsense coming from the cop calling 911. It's uncontrollable.

The Acceptance of My Workplace

2009-11-03T09:42:00.002-06:00

This is a good picture of what management thinks about innovative ideas at the workplace. Maybe, it's because they didn't think of them or just want to weigh you down until they make it their own idea. Anyway, pull the pin, because there is no other option.

Canton, NC Church Shows Its Ignorance

2009-11-02T14:15:00.002-06:00

The extremely narrowed view, such as this church, can turn away a lot of non-believers.

Read Pastor Sean's comment on this Bible Burning event...

Dating Fail: 911 as a Hotline?

2009-10-28T12:57:00.001-05:00

Know when you're acting in a desperate manner from now on please...

Fun-Fried Friday

2009-10-21T12:54:00.003-05:00

I'm pretty excited about this Friday, the 23rd. It'll be a couple of firsts for me...the NC state fair & seeing Jeremy Camp in concert. The family & Shan will show me around to all the redneck festivities, ultra-American fatty food items, and strange animal/people showcases. Then, it's off to see Tenth Avenue North & Jeremy Camp lead everyone in a worship concert. It's going to be exciting!

Man Arrested For Being Naked in Own Home

2009-10-21T12:45:00.003-05:00

How retarded is this...? You're at home minding your own business and a couple people trespass on your property, look in your house, then call to have you arrested. Does this make any sense?

...full article

Flickr-fied

2009-10-15T11:02:00.003-05:00

There's been plenty going on lately, so I've added plenty to the flickr photostream. Feel free to see'em all...especially ones such as this that make you smile and wonder what is going on.

Piano Stairs for Your Health

2009-10-08T10:35:00.002-05:00

Choose the healthier alternative to the escalator

Funktionide - The Robot Replacement for Human Contact

2009-10-07T13:14:00.000-05:00

This is just weird

Brian Regan This Friday

2009-09-24T14:45:00.002-05:00

I'm excited to see Brian Regan this Friday night with Shannon, Ab/Charlie & friends. The old Pop Tart stand up was enough to get the name stuck in memory.

Swine Flu Advice

2009-09-09T09:23:00.002-05:00

If you wake up looking like this, don't go to work...

Obama's Socialism Proven Wrong! (no surprise)

2009-09-01T14:42:00.006-05:00

As the late Adrian Rogers said, "You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before, but had once failed an entire class. That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK, we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan". All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A. After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B. The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy. As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little. The second test average was a D! No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F. The scores never increased as bickering, blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else. All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that! If Obama’s asinine ideologies and scrupulous plans are crammed down our throats, because our "leaders" in Congress/Senate will not stand up and be counted, then we will receive the same scenario as the class that all failed. No motivation = failure for all!

1 Gigabyte 20+ years ago

2009-08-28T08:24:00.003-05:00

This will tell you how fast technology has grown in that amount of time. That little SD card in the top right is the same space-wise...but much easier to stuff into your little point and shoot camera. That large contraption to the left is from 1987 and has the same whopping 1GB of storage.

The Geek Way of Rocking your Baby to Sleep

2009-08-26T12:43:00.000-05:00

Chicago Against Obama

2009-08-20T13:04:00.003-05:00

Right in Obama's back yard last week was a big stink concerning the big mess that's being displayed to the American people by our politicians. Here are just a few that I felt like reposting.

Should the motto "In God We Trust" be removed from U.S. currency?

2009-08-10T07:40:00.003-05:00

To cast your vote, visit MSNBC for the poll. Your options will be:
• Yes. It's a violation of the principle of separation of church and state.
• No. The motto has historical and patriotic significance and does nothing to establish a state religion.

Laser-Guided Doberman Attack

2009-08-06T10:07:00.000-05:00

Enjoy a good long laugh

Human Flypaper: Worst Anti-Burglary Device Ever

2009-07-28T12:58:00.003-05:00

The Human Flypaper is a super sticky mat that you leave just inside your doorway when you leave home. If a burglar succeeds in breaking in via your front door, he’ll step on the thing and will likely get stuck to it.

In theory, this might sound like a good idea, but in practice, we think the device might just have the opposite effect on the thief. Just try to imagine: If YOU would get stuck to something like this and would finally free yourself after struggling with it for a while, wouldn’t you feel venting your anger on the owner’s property, wrecking everything around you?

[note: I believe an escape competition would be interesting using this crappy idea]

Kentucky Travels

2009-07-24T23:11:00.003-05:00

This past week was a much needed vacation. Despite the small hill town of Cave City, the family & me had fun. We explored caves on foot & by boat, saw a racy but awesome performance put on by two talented actors in Red, White, and Tuna, and best for last...was out of work. There are many more pictures to be posted, but check out the flickr album of the vacation week. More will be added when the free time comes around.

Teen Girl Falls In Open Manhole While Texting

2009-07-14T21:34:00.001-05:00

And the laughing commences...now!

Sad but True T-shirt

2009-07-09T14:57:00.007-05:00

It's pretty sad where things are going in our government(our national deficit a literal "huge" joke, along with them owning corporations and ruining healthcare); but it just might mean we are getting out of here quicker too. I'm not in control...also glad our president isn't either. So, there really isn't anything to worry about.

note: maybe before long we'll go back to trading cattle & chickens for other stuff ;-)

iSaw - USB chainsaw

2009-07-08T10:52:00.001-05:00

I want one on my office desk to ward away the boss and others that we don't wander into our office.

Bing: The Easiet Way to Google since Yahoo!

2009-06-29T08:28:00.006-05:00

This hard hit towards Microsoft's new search engine technology is a much deserved hit. Google has ruled with its searched technology and supporting apps like Docs, Reader, Maps, etc. Enjoy the clever banter that College Humor throws constantly about why Bing is just reinventing the wheel that Google already has in place.

Alarm Clock For a Heavy Sleeper

2009-06-26T10:07:00.000-05:00

Find My iPhone Works: ...One Man's Story

2009-06-23T12:24:00.003-05:00

It's one of the coolest features that a cellphone can have on it. It's also one that you hope to never use. Well, Kevin had to. Even though he accidentally left his precious iPhone in a place of business, he was determined to get it back. After using the Mobile Me feature to track down to a more exact location, the iPhone thief was surprised he had been caught, but was forced to give up the phone. He was surprised how well the mapping worked and pinpointing the device. Read the complete story...

Babyglow Temperature Sensing Clothing...Because You're Dumber than Your Newborn

2009-06-18T07:22:00.003-05:00

The most gullible shopper on the planet has to be the first time parent. Well meaning consumers who at their core are scared senseless. Chris Ebejer knows this and has developed a line of Babyglow clothing for newborns meant to communicate changes in your baby's temperature -- the fabric turns white above 37-C or 98.6-F. Ebejer claims to have spent 6 years and more than a million dollars to perfect the fabric -- sure, even though similar, if not exactly the same tech has been around in novelty-Tees for the last 20 years. How much does a single bodysuit cost? Try £20 or about $33 per. Are you really going to trust this man with your treasure, be it carbon or gold?

Finally...Biltmore 2.0

2009-06-10T11:02:00.004-05:00

I have finally got around to finish editting pictures from the Mother's Day weekend daytrip to the Biltmore Estate with Abby & Mom. It was fun. We received a nice gloomy gift of rain while we were walking around the inside for the tour, which added to the effect given off by the huge house. When we were finished with the inside, the rain cleared up for the usual humid afternoon. As usual, Abby was up to no good! Check out the pictures on flickr.

Fee-Free Weekends In Our National Parks

2009-06-03T12:32:00.003-05:00

America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better this summer with three fee-free weekends at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees*.

Mark your calendars for fee-free weekends this summer:

• June 20-21, 2009 (Father’s Day weekend)

• July 18-19, 2009

• August 15-16, 2009

And to make the fun even more affordable, many national park concessioners are joining the National Park Service in welcoming visitors on this summer’s fee free weekends with the their own special offers.

Here’s a tip – many national parks never charge an entrance fee, so you can plan inexpensive visits year round!

For a list of family fun activities this summer, visit National Parks: The Place to Be for Family Fun.

*Fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees, and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Amazing Gymnast!

2009-05-28T08:24:00.001-05:00

Three Year-Old Girl Buys Earth Mover Online

2009-05-22T06:56:00.004-05:00

A New Zealand girl toddler, Pipi Quinlan, stunned her parents by buying a full-size excavating digger on an auction website. Forgetting to log off the computer could have cost the family 20,000 New Zealand dollars ($12,200 US), The Times reported Friday.

The small girl woke up earlier than her parents, and not wanting to disturb their slumber went to play with the computer. Without any idea on what she was doing, the girl soon found New Zealand’s online auction web site Trade Me which her mother had already logged on to. After a couple of clicks on pretty pictures, little Pipi placed a top bid for a Kobelco digger.

Mum Sarah Quinlan learned about her pricy purchase when she came to the computer to check the e-mails. "I saw an e-mail from TradeMe saying I had won an auction, and another e-mail from the seller saying something like 'I think you’ll love this digger'," The Times quoted the stunned mother as saying.

That she couldn’t remember having bought anything of the kind, Sarah Quinlan assumed it was a Lego digger for her kids. But when she saw the price – 20,000 New Zealand dollars ($12,200 US) she "got the shock of her life."

She asked her husband Reid what a Kobelco was and if he had bought a digger. But the answer was negative. The only other possible variants were the kids, one of them a boy aged 18 months. The parents realized it was Pipi, who uses the computer to play toddler games.

Reid and Sarah Quinlan had a talk with their small daughter having explained how her unawareness cost her family a huge sum of money, enough to buy 20,000 ice blocks. This impressive example made the girl realize her mistake. Sarah rushed to call TradeMe and the seller to tell them that a mistake had happened and refused the purchase.

After realizing that three-year-old Pipi was smarter than her parents thought, they now keep the computer logged off and out of her reach.

Same-Sex Marriages Creeps Closer

2009-05-21T08:11:00.003-05:00

It's been covered immensely and argued about everywhere, but eventually, the fact is that legallizing this abomination will happen. Read more in this article. I don't agree with what is said and facts discussed. However, the outcome is something that this sad nation is heading towards at a quick pace.

More Online Resources For Education

2009-05-04T12:14:00.006-05:00

Back in June of last year I posted some free online sites that have tons of free courses for a wide variety of curriculums. Well here are more to add to the list. Some have how-to walkthroughs videos, audio/pdf/video rss downloads, discussion groups, etc. and date back in the 90s. There is always more to learn...Enjoy the additions:

• Free-ED.net - A wide variety of courses that teach like a professor would...from Automotive, business, marketing, economics, computer studies, engineering, math/science, education, healthcare, etc. Free-ED has a lot to choose from.

• Berkeley.edu - Nothing beats free courses, especially from a prestigious school. There are dozens of courses to take provided each semester by either watching or listening.

• Princeton University - Stream all video archived lectures on the site for many different topics

• News University - Online courses for the training journalist are offered...many are live webinars that can hold you accountable for being there on-time to listen in. An abundance of topics for the industry are discussed and taught. If you don't see a topic that you're interested in, you can submit a proposal for that course to be posted.

• Culinary Courses - For that amazing cook/chef that is wanting to learn more and more, visit either the FoodNetwork.com's How-to section or Epicurious (For people who love to eat!). For each special recipe you can see others' tips and ideas on what to add or change...or, you can bring your ideas to the table to show everyone else. The walkthrough includes pictures, and of course the recipe.

Note: To see the resource article from last year, follow this link.

H1N1 Flu Tracker Update

2009-05-04T08:59:00.002-05:00

The recent post concerning the flu tracker has been moved due to high traffic volume. It has now been moved to http://flutracker.rhizalabs.com/ to bare the internet traffic. It also has more detail on each confirmed case. If the site doesn't load, try it again later. Apparently the new site is getting visited just as hard as the last outbreak map.

Tea Party Anyone?

2009-05-04T08:29:00.005-05:00

Most of these pictures were forwarded to me in an email last week. Enjoy the protests against our radically changing government. Visit this site to see the 10 Most Offensive Tea Party Signs.

Track Swine Flu Using Google Maps

2009-04-28T10:50:00.003-05:00

Since yesterday's total of outbreaks was only at two and now that total is growing everyday, keeping up with where it's moving to is pretty important. Hundreds of victims have died, mostly in Mexico, but since it is spreading fast it is very important to protect yourself and to monitor your own health. Use the link here to track the outbreaks on Google Maps.

Map Key:
• Pink markers are suspect
• Purple markers are confirmed
• Deaths lack a dot in marker
• Yellow markers are negative

Make Your Children Work for Their Keep

2009-04-27T10:39:00.003-05:00

After the birth of a child there's always the temptation to say, "Yes, it's cute, but what can it do?" Until recently the answer was simple 'lie there an cry," but now babies can be put on the payroll, so to speak, almost as soon as they're born.
Just dress your young one in Baby Mops and set him or her down on any hard wood or tile floor that needs clearing. You may at first need to get things started by calling to the infant from across the room, but pretty soon they'll be doing it all by themselves.
There's no child exploitation involved. The kid is doing what he does best anyway, crawling. But, with Baby Mops he's also learning responsibility and a health work ethic. Laugh a little already!

Amazing Beatbox Kid

2009-04-24T13:55:00.000-05:00

Wednesday Morning Humor: Game over. Geek wins.

2009-04-22T10:28:00.003-05:00

Michael Jordan having "retired," with $40 million in endorsements, makes $178,100 a day, working or not.

• If he sleeps 7 hours a night, he makes $52,000 every night while visions of sugarplums dance in his head.
• If he goes to see a movie, it'll cost him $7.00, but he'll make $18,550 while he’s there.
• If he decides to have a 5-minute egg, he'll make $618 while boiling it.
• He makes $7,415/hour more than minimum wage.
• If he wanted to save up for a new Acura NSX ($90,000) it would take him a whole 12 hours.
• If someone were to hand him his salary and endorsement money, they would have to do it at the rate of $200 every second.
• He'll probably pay around $200 for a nice round of golf, but will be reimbursed $33,390 for that round.
• He'll make about $19.60 while watching the 100-meter dash in the Olympics, and about $15,600 during the Boston Marathon.
• This year, he’ll make more than twice as much as all U.S. past presidents for all of their terms combined.

Amazing isn’t it?

However...If Jordan saves 100% of his income for the next 500 years, he'll still have less than Bill Gates has at this very moment.

Game over. Geek wins.
--Article borrowed from [GAS]

Susan Boyle - Britains Got Talent

2009-04-16T13:10:00.002-05:00

Just in case you missed the awesome performance by Susan Boyle on Britain's Got Talent, click below to see it. It is amazing.

Food Portion Sizes Study

2009-04-09T13:21:00.005-05:00

[ABC Note]Last year I posted an article on today's food portions compared to past portions...here is some more in depth information on why most Americans are blind into what they are eating:

Researchers from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill analyzed three government surveys taken over two decades and reviewed answers to the average portion size consumed for specific foods, such as snacks, desserts and soft drinks. They also looked at whether the eating was done at home or out.

"Between 1977 and 1996, food portion sizes increased both inside and outside the home for all categories except pizza," Samara Joy Nielsen and Barry M. Popkin write in the Journal of the American Medical Association. According to the study, Americans are eating per portion, on average:

* 93 more calories from salty snacks, such as potato chips, pretzels and popcorn.
* 49 more calories from soft drinks.
* 97 more calories from hamburgers.
* 68 more calories from French fries.
* 133 more calories from Mexican food, such as burritos, tacos, enchiladas.

"The most surprising result is the large portion-size increases for food consumed at home - a shift that indicates marked changes in eating behavior in general," the researchers reported.

Americans' waistlines are keeping up with the portion increase trend. Nearly 60 percent of the country is overweight, with the numbers growing, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Clearly the problem is that Americans are eating too much food," Popkin said. "The shifts in where we are eating, as well as the types of food and how much, are critical."

Food Portion Sizes - Distortion
Nutrition experts said the study confirmed what many thought: Americans aren't aware of how much they're eating.

"We're getting so used to eating out and used to (restaurants') portion sizes," said Lisa Drayer, a registered dietitian and director of nutrition services with Dietwatch.com. "We're getting a distorted view of what portion sizes are. We're not likely to make a distinction between restaurant sizes and real sizes when going home."

Food Portion Sizes - Effects of Supersizing
"An extra 10 calories per day translates to one pound gained per year," Drayer explained. "So you can see how all of these calorie increases combined can translate to weight gain over the long-term." The most important thing, according to Drayer, is to be able to eyeball portion sizes and know how much you are really eating. They key is to relate portion sizes to every day objects.

For example, the USDA food pyramid recommends an average American consume 5-7 servings of vegetables. But just what is a serving? Drayer says if you remember that a fruit serving looks like a tennis ball, you can get a better idea of what you're putting away at the table.

According to a 2002 American Dietetic Association survey, Americans tend to overestimate the recommended serving sizes for many foods. Fewer than half of the respondents accurately estimated the recommended serving sizes of pasta, meat or vegetables.

Food Portion Sizes - Supersizing Restaurant
Also, watch out for the "more is better" mentality, especially at fast food restaurants.

"We're often encouraged to buy larger-sized portions and 'value meals' because they provide a better value for our money," Drayer says. "But while these oversized portions may be good for our wallets, they are not necessarily good for our waistlines or our health."

Portion Control
What are other ways to avoid portion distortion? Here are some other tips to slim down portions at home, according to Drayer and the American Dietetic Association:

* Beware of unconscious eating. "This is where we're not aware of how much food we're putting in our mouths," Drayer said. "We snack more, we're eating by ourselves, in front of the TV or talking on the phone."
* Use smaller plates. You won't be tempted to fill up all the space of a big platter with extra food you don't need.
* Serve yourself what you would normally dish out, but then cut everything in half and save the rest for lunch the next day.
* "Kill the plate," or make whatever is left on the plate unavailable to nibble on, whether it's a napkin across the food, or, in an extreme move, pouring salt over the leftovers.

[ABC Note] Check out the book above, Mindless Eating, for reasons on why we eat like we do. It should clear our thoughts on food and change our eating habits.

Man Stabbed For Passing Wind

2009-04-09T12:52:00.005-05:00

Waco, Texas — A man was stabbed after causing a stink, literally, in a motel room while eating with a friend, police said. Five men from the Houston area were sharing a Waco motel room Tuesday night, and two were inside the room eating when one had a flatulence problem, Waco police Officer Steve Anderson said. One man was so upset about the gas that he threw a large knife at him, cutting his leg, and then stabbed him in the chest, Anderson said.

The 35-year-old man was transported to a Waco hospital, where he was treated for what appeared to be non-life threatening injuries, Anderson said.

Jose Braule Ramirez, 33, of Houston, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police said. He was arraigned Wednesday and was being held in the McLennan County Jail on $15,000 bond and placed on an immigration hold, according to jail records. He cannot be released, even if he posts bond, until authorities verify he is in the country legally.

A jail spokeswoman who declined to give her name said she was not allowed to release information on whether Ramirez had an attorney.

[ABC Note] It would probably be a good investment for the victim(stabbing, not gassed) to invest in the Under-Tec's "Under-Ease" underwear to knock out any future uncomfortable moment while company is nearby. If you are for some reason interested, you can visit the Under-Tec Website for more information. It's either that or make sure your friends leave their weapons at the door.

UNC Tarheels = 2009 NCAA Champs

2009-04-07T06:44:00.007-05:00

After all the speculation on who would run through the tournament and the criticism on the Heels choking in the long stretch with their "lazy" defense, they have silenced those critics...and senior Hansbrough now has a title ring to finish out his college career. The hard work paid off. Coach Williams stated in the after game conference that he would not of taken $10 million for that moment for Hansbrough. There were several records broken by the Tarheels during last night, including most first half points(55), largest deficit at the half(21), and most individual steals(8) by Ty Lawson. Sorry duke...not really.
Game articles:

The Stunning Consequences of Not Getting Enough Sleep

2009-04-02T13:53:00.003-05:00

Nothing feels worse than hearing your alarm clock ring in the morning when your body is screaming for a few extra hours of rest. Given the opportunity, who wouldn’t get more sleep? If I had a choice between a year of unlimited Easter candy and a year of unlimited sleep, I’d say “Bye-bye Cadbury” and “Hello, bed!”

Many people don’t get as much sleep as they should. Since the invention of the light bulb, people sleep about 500 hours per year less than they used to. Whether we’re kept awake by our partner’s snoring or we stay up too late watching TV, we wake up tired, groggy, and cranky. No wonder the coffee industry does so well. Unfortunately, sleep deprivation has some side effects and they can’t all be remedied with a little extra caffeine.

This Is Your Brain on Sleep

While the mechanism of sleep isn’t fully understood yet, doctors and scientists do know that it’s one of our body’s most important processes. Studies show that sleep is important for cellular renewal, helping to replace muscle tissue and dead cells throughout the body. Studies have also shown that sleep is a key time for the brain to process and archive information, including memories. Deep, restorative REM sleep, the kind associated with dreaming, seems to stimulate regions of the brain used in learning.

Every night without adequate rest is like adding to a sleep debt—eventually it will have to be repaid. Even after one sleepless night, we can feel the first effects of sleep deprivation—irritability, memory loss, and drowsiness. Continued sleep deprivation can result in trouble concentrating, blurry vision, impaired judgment, and even more severe mental effects. After just a few days without any sleep, people can begin to experience hallucinations, mania, and nausea. Luckily, if you repay your sleep debt right away, those effects vanish immediately.

Short-Term Side Effects

Sleep deprivation doesn’t just cause mental deficits; our physical abilities are diminished too. Studies have demonstrated that not sleeping can reduce glucose metabolism by as much as 40 percent. We use stored glucose for energy and sleep deprivation can interfere with how the body stores and processes it. Sleep-deprived athletes also experience high levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, as well as lower levels of human growth hormone, which is important for muscle repair. The immune system is also thought to be maintained while asleep; people who don’t get enough sleep tend to be more susceptible to infections and have slower healing times.

Sleep deprivation also has an effect on how the brain stores information. A study at the University of Pennsylvania showed that mice who were taught a task and allowed to sleep afterward remembered what they had learned better than mice that didn’t sleep. Among school-aged children, those who get even one less hour of sleep than their peers have shown to perform more poorly on tests of memory and attention.

Some of the effects of short-term sleep deprivation can be very similar to the effects of being drunk. In 2000, researchers in New Zealand and Australia found that people who drive after being awake for seventeen to nineteen hours performed worse on tests than people with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent, almost the legal limit for drunk driving. In fact, the U.S. Department of Transportation reports that as many as 100,000 sleep-related auto accidents occur every year.

One study found that sleep-deprived medical interns working on the night shift were twice as likely to misinterpret patients’ test results. There is even evidence that sleep deprivation may have played a part in some major disasters, including the Exxon Valdez oil spill.

Long-Term Consequences

It’s easy to erase the short-term effects of sleep deprivation—get more sleep. However, when people don’t sleep well for weeks, months, or even years, it can have cumulative effects on their health. Sleep has shown to be important in regulating blood sugar levels and people who don’t sleep can become increasingly resistant to insulin. Long-term insulin resistance puts extra burdens on the pancreas to produce more, and eventually can result in type 2 diabetes.

Recent studies have also linked chronic sleep deprivation to obesity. Sleep has an important effect on the hormones ghrelin and leptin, which control hunger and appetite. When we don’t sleep, these hormones can go out of balance, causing us to eat more than we need. Heart disease, high blood pressure, and depression are other diseases that can result from long-term sleep deprivation.

Get Forty Winks … At Least

It’s common to feel a bit tired in the morning, but how do you know if you’re truly sleep-deprived? Sleep experts say that if you feel groggy or tired during the day, feel the urge to nap, or if you fall asleep within five minutes of lying down, you could possibly be sleep-deprived. Another symptom of severe sleep debt is the occurrence of “micro-sleeps,” short bursts of sleep that can happen without a person even realizing it.

Although most people think they need to sleep for eight hours a night, the amount actually varies from person to person; some are fine with five, others would do better with ten. If you feel like you need more sleep, simple lifestyle changes can help you get more. Missing a few hours of sleep on occasion isn’t the end of the world, because it’s easy to make up the sleep with no lasting side effects. Many people are psychologically adjusted to constantly feeling tired, and in the short-term, their bodies may be able to adjust too. But the long-term consequences of sleep deprivation should be enough to convince anyone to hit the sack.

Gmail's April Fools - Autopilot

2009-04-01T06:55:00.005-05:00

Expecting a new Google Labs feature for Gmail turned out to be a quick laugh. Gmail's autopilot is below:

What happens if a sender and recipient both have Autopilot on?

Two Gmail accounts can happily converse with each other for up to three messages each. Beyond that, our experiments have shown a significant decline in the quality ranking of Autopilot's responses and further messages may commit you to dinner parties or baby namings in which you have no interest.

Man Charged with DUI on Motorized Bar Stool

2009-03-31T09:20:00.006-05:00

Newark, NJ - Newark police say the man crashed earlier this month when he tried to make a U-turn on a city street. Neighbors heard what sounded like a lawnmower buzzing down Kelley Lane in Newark earlier this month. It turned out to be a motorized bar stool which police say a man crashed while drunk.

Kile Wygle, 28, is charged with driving a bar stool while under the influence of alcohol and driving with a suspended license. He's asked for a jury trial. Police say Wygle crashed his strange-looking contraption while trying to make a U-turn on March 4.

According to a report, Wygle told Officer Michael Trotter that his bar stool can reach speeds of 38 mph, but was only going 20 mph when he crashed. Wygle was treated for minor injuries at Licking Memorial Hospital where he joked with Trotter about drinking 15 beers before the crash. He refused the blood-alcohol test.

Ohio law prohibits anyone from operating a motorized vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. The law excludes wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
[...They should not let rednecks get ahold of any spare lawnmower engines to use for recreation purposes...just my opinion]

Awana Olympic Games

2009-03-30T11:26:00.004-05:00

This past Saturday, my church Berean Baptist, hosted the 2009 Awana Olympic Games. The team I was privileged to coach pulled a 2nd place, then I got to relax a bit a snap a ton of shots of the older TNT competition. Here are some pictures throughout the day below. The link above will take you to the rest of the pictures for the day.

Crazy Romanian Truck Driver

2009-03-17T11:01:00.001-05:00

Watch this awesome video...driver scares all silently and unknowingly while having a good dance.

Man Arrested for Putting Out Cigarette with Fire Extinguisher

2009-03-17T10:49:00.004-05:00

Tampa, Florida -- Frederick Crevoiserat asked his brother to put out his cigarette. The brother refused, so Crevoiserat sprayed him with a fire extinguisher, authorities said.

"He wouldn't put out the cigarette," Crevoiserat told deputies, according to his arrest report, "so I put it out for him."

When Pasco County deputies arrived to the apartment on Grand Boulevard in New Port Richey Thursday night, they heard the victim screaming and saw his arm still covered in white from the extinguisher.

Crevoiserat, 39, was arrested on charges of domestic battery and resisting an officer without violence, because he allegedly struggled when being handcuffed, according to the report. He is being held without bail at the county jail in Land O'Lakes.

Sleep Running Dog

2009-03-17T10:32:00.001-05:00

Poor Doggie...wakes up to find he isn't chasing the cat/rabbit/runaway biscuit, then runs into the wall. Funny every time.

Biltmore Estate Photos

2009-02-27T12:20:00.003-06:00

It's been close on two weeks and I'm still working on the pictures from my first trip to the Biltmore. There are still lots left to see and I will have them up soon...

Doggy vs. The Digital Kitteh

2009-02-24T07:59:00.000-06:00

Even pets know how to use a webcam...

Duke's Senior Night Ruined

2009-02-11T22:39:00.007-06:00

Oh the place where I watched the game was in uproar for the same reason as last year. UNC, again, spoiled Duke's senior night at Cameron Indoor...the toughest place to win a basketball game in the NCAA. Enjoy...yes this picture is from last year, but states all the necessary disrespect against Duke basketball.

Hungry, Hungry Kitteh!

2009-02-05T07:53:00.001-06:00

A Proper Food Power Tool

2009-02-04T13:12:00.003-06:00

No, it's not needed and no, it doesn't really have a real working saw, but who wouldn't want the Pizza Pro 3000 Circular Saw? For those of you who have the regular boring pizza cutter in the kitchen...pick up your pizza's next best friend, and be sure to make a saw noise whenever you're cutting through the next Digiorno.

Note: Don't attempt to use an actual circular saw for this. Blood is probably not the best topping on a pizza.