A "shocking" video

The actions and views expressed in this video do not represent the values of the blog author. It is intended solely for comic relief.

911 or 411?

Courtesy of my sister. Enjoy!

Grauman's Chinese Theater

A few weeks ago I spent a week on business out in LA. I know what you're thinking, I'm not a real Marine. While everyone else is getting shipped off to Iraq, I'm soaking in the sun in SoCal on the taxpayer's dime. Maybe you're right, but I really was just following orders... really. And I had to sit through absolutely boring meetings all day while there were killer waves to be surfed. Anyway, on one of my free evenings I headed over to Grauman's Chinese Theater. You know, the one where the movie stars put their hands in the wet cement. I snapped a few shots to share of some of my favorite actors.

"Sid - There are not enough words", John Wayne: Jan 25, 1950. (Sid Grauman is the Owner)

Will Smith, "Change the World": 12-10-07.

"Thank you Sid", Jimmy Stewart: Fri, 13 1948. (Jimmy is a family favorite)



Nicholas Cage: Aug, 11 2001. (Me and Nick seem to have the same shoe size)


Harrison Ford: 6-3-92. (The scoundrel himself)

Tom Hanks: 7/23/98. (I didn't notice it until just now, but Adam Sandler's block is right above his)

Obama or Palin?

Never before have I seen so much attention been directed toward a Vice Presidential candidate. Most of the time it seems people don't even know who the vice presidential nominee is. To most people they are just the name below the Presidential nominee's name on those campaign signs. I'm sure there were some people who saw those "Bush-Cheney '04" signs and just thought Bush was remarried to someone named Cheney. "Who are you voting for? I'm voting for George W. Bush-Cheney!" It's a good thing Obama didn't pick Hillary for his running mate. Think of the confusion that would have been: "Obama-Rodam-Clinton '08". You know someone would ask, "what is the third person running for?"

I know I said I didn't like political jokes, but did anyone see the Saturday Night Live sketch last week with Tina Fay and Amy Poehler? That was funny, I don't care who you are.

The Epitome of "No Common Sense"

Last May Destiny Phaneuf (13) and Rachel Brown (14) of Lebanon, Maine decided to skip school in lieu of a sunny day. They decided to spend the day sunbathing with headphones on and proceeded to fall asleep. The place they decided to catch some rays, however, was a railroad trestle. I can't make this stuff up. You can read the full story here: http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2008/05/28/police_chief_2_girls_struck_by_train_in_lebanon_maine/

As I was scratching my head trying to wrap my brain around how anyone could even think this could be a good idea, the reality hit me, "wait an minute... did that say there were on a.... " Yes indeed, they were on a train trestle. Not just train tracks... a train trestle. As if laying their life in harms way wasn't careless enough, they decided to funnel it right to their location with no chance for escape.

My favorite part of the article was what the non-profit safety organization had to say, "the tragedy underscores the inherent danger of trespassing on private railroad property." Really? That is what this tragedy underscores? Darn, if they'd only been sunbathing on a public railroad trestle maybe they would have all of their appendages.

The Henry Half Way House

My wife and I love animals. We have pets instead of kids. And we have always had a soft spot in our hearts for animals who needs homes. Many times we have taken in dogs and cats, fostered them, and found homes for them. We often joke we are a half way house for pets. Our current project include two kittens who were abandoned in a dumpster.

Playing in the dog's food bowls

Got Milk?

at around 2 weeks old they could fit in the palm of your hand

This is a permanent member of our family. Her name is Brigitta who is a German Shepherd. We didn't tell the kitty he wasn't going to get any milk from her. He soon found out for himself.

Brigitta has a sister who belongs to a friend of ours, but often comes to visit us. I sometimes can't tell them a part, and certainly not in this picture.

There were actually 4 abandoned kittens, but we only took 2. Another friend took the other 2.

Too darn cute

The dog on the right is Layla. She is our first adopted. The black dog in the lower left is pepper... another one of our guests. As you can see, we weren't the only ones who took an interest in the kittens.

This is Ian. He is our English Setter.... he's homely.

The kittens were found in an empty motor oil box. Their names all came from something on that box. This little guy's name is Bar Code.

And her name is Dex

Finally, we have Chandler. She actually was taken by a friend of ours who found her abandoned as well. We ended up being the permanent recipients of her. I was never a cat person until I met her.

Luckily, we have already found a home for the kittens. They are actually going there today. I can't say I'm sorry to see them go. Our house is a little crazy right now with 6 animals.... as if 4 isn't.

Oh the animosity

Who are the biggest rivals of all time? Is it the Bears and the Lions? The Cardinals and Cubs? Army and Navy? As passionate of contenders as they are, I don't think anyone can top the Republicans and Democrats. People hold this rivalry on a completely different level. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. It is the way it should be. The political dealing of your government effect everyone, and everyone should pay attention and be involved. However, is there really a need for this extreme hatred that everyone seems to have?
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People plaster the back of their cars with bumper stickers with the most derogatory statements against President Bush. Anne Coulter writes books with titles like, "If Democrats had any brains they'd be Republicans". The Democratic party feels it's necessary to humiliate a teen age girl for her illegitimate child in hopes to push Obama ahead a few percentiles in the polls. And Rudy Guliani gives speeches like he did at the RNC that start out with, "look at the cute little black man thinking he can be president", and turn to, "this dude is an incompetent idiot who can't make up his own mind." Anytime someone gets a microphone, whether it be on the radio, television or most recently at the VMAs, someone has something to say about politics. More often than not, sadly, they use their time to spout hateful derogatory comments that only further divide this country.
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I understand people have different political views. I know I have my opinions on people and issues. There is nothing more important to democracy than to have everyone contribute to their opinions. Is it necessary and productive though, to speak your opinions in a manner that can only be described as hateful? Why does everyone view the other side as ignorant people who do not have any care for patriotism and is going to run the country into the ground?
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I have been purposefully trying to keep my political affiliation confidential thus far. For those of you who know me, I might not have been able to fool you. Hopefully for those of you who do not know me, for reasons of an un-biased opinion, still haven't figured out what I am. Well, I'm going to tell you anyway. I am an American. That's all you need to know. I will not blindly vote for a democrat or republican just because he is a democrat or a republican. I will vote for a democrat or a republican because I believe he/she is the best person for the job. I believe every party truly wants the best for America. It's just all in how you look at it. Republicans think American citizens should take care of themselves, Democrats think the government should take care of American citizens and the Libertarians don't care how citizens take care of themselves just so long as no one is killing each other.
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I have never contributed to Clinton or Bush jokes. And I will not contribute to McCain and Obama jokes. If you ever do catch me speaking unacceptably against anyone (because I am not perfect), please gently make it aware to me. There are people I disagree with, but that does not make it acceptable to demean them.

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Here is an idea, how about we all support our President? Notice I did not say "agree with and love". If you disagree with whoever is president, how about you have a little faith that he will listen to the desires of the people. I am 100% in favor of you voicing your opinion in a constructive way. However when you voice it in a non-constructive way, all it does is make the other side mad at you. It does not invoke their desire to work with you. And is that not the goal of our government to have multiples sides of the spectrum working with, not against, each other to act as a checks and balance system?

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One person I would like to say that I have been very impressed with is Vice President nominee Joe Biden. Though he's only been in the spotlight a few weeks, he has displayed a very respectful campaign. He openly declared his disappointment in the Democrat's attack on Governor Palin's daughter, and graciously took her speech at the RNC in stride. Instead of retaliating with defensive justifications and offensive attacks, he commended her on a good speech and declared her a worthy opponent. If Senator Biden becomes Vice President Biden, I hope he can influence people in Washington in a positive way.