Tuesday, February 22, 2005

Reason #2415 Why I Shouldn't Drink Mt.Dew!
Go ahead and try to listen to 4 minutes of Pete!
1. I was trying to bring up a couple interesting topics in just 4 minutes, and
2. I had Mountain Dew with lunch! (they didn't have Diet Rockstar!)
So I'm talking real fast, but I didn't want to re-record, plus it's kind of funny.
Tell me what you think!
this is an audio post - click to play


Until next time,
PAC

Sunday, February 20, 2005

So Just What is Tacky These Days?

I found this story I wrote in my notes from a couple years ago when my office was in a hotel in Boulder, CO. It made me laugh so I thought I would share it with all of you!

An interesting situation happened to me recently, and it happened in the men's room. Now I will try not to be tacky while explaining it, but I went into the men's room, because that's what I do from time to time when nature calls, and went to the urinal, because that's where I do it. Behind me in the sit down stall with the door open, a man is standing doing #1 and talking on his cell phone. In other words doing business while doing the business! I snicker a bit, and I probably say to myself "Now I've seen everything!", and move along with my process, although trying to listen in on what the conversation is about that is so important that it can't wait a two minute bathroom break.
Another gentleman walks in, and goes to the far urinal leaving the traditional one space in between, because he would be tacky to use the urninal right next to mine. He is astounded by what's happening in the stall behind us, and he says to me, "His he talking on his cell while going to the bathroom?" and I said "Sounds like it." And he responds with "Well that's pretty tacky isn't it?" and I said "Well?" in a kind of "to each his own" kind of way, and wasn't quite sure a grown man should use the word "tacky" in public.
So when Mr. Talker leaves his stall and goes to wash his hands, while still talking on the phone, the man next to me yells from his urinal "That's Tacky!"
The first guy doesn't acknowledge him and continues his conversation on the phone, while continuing to wash his hands, and at this point is actually displaying some talent. I am now in an uncomfortable position, so I get done and wash my hands quick and get out, while the second guy finishes and while washing his hands says to the guy again, "That's Tacky!", while the guy is still talking on his phone. I bolt out the door at this point, because I'm about to bust out laughing. There is something about a potentially confrontational situation that I find funny. But it left me with a little bit of a dilema.
What is less tactful?
Talking and doing business on the cell phone while going to the bathroom, or yelling at someone and telling them they're being tacky while they're going to the bathroom, when he is going to the bathroom!
As I get older, I seem to be more forgiving to a person doing a tacky act, than to a person who cries foul at a tacky act. I was willing to laugh off the first guy, but with the second guy, I actually wanted to take the first guys cell phone and beat the crap out of the second guy, OR while I'm going to the bathroom, and when the second guy yells "That's Tacky", I quickly turn to him and "WHOOPS!"
Now that would be tacky!

Thursday, February 17, 2005

One Sport Down - One Going Down in Flames!

Thank you National Hockey League(NHL), for finally doing the right thing and doing what you had planned to do all along. Cancel your season. In case you hadn't noticed there hasn't been any hockey this year. Did you miss it? No, neither did I. Two reasons, one there is still hockey in my town (ON Wisonsin! GO Badgers!) if I wanted to see it, and two I've been following English Football, which is pretty much like hockey, just played on a bigger field, with more players, no ice, no sticks, just as much scoring, better fans sitting in the stands drinking beer and singing songs, and players getting red carded (kicked out of the game) for nailing a guy in the back of the head (just like they do in Hockey!). So there is nothing to miss. So long NHL, you're not missed and even if you come back no one will notice.
Next up:Juiceball-- I'm sorry, I mean Baseball.
Baseball isn't going away, but with the steroids controversy, and all the talk shows, interviews, opinions, Sportcenters, and Behind the Lines, you may not even know the games are being played!
For the record, the controversy isn't that some star players were taking steroids and in the process some long standing records were or will be broken. It's the culture of the whole league that has allowed a player using steroids to flourish. With two expansions, moving a crappy American League team making them a crappy National League team, and at least 16 new stadiums, with the exception of Seattle all seeing increases in home runs. A player in these conditions shouldn't need steroids to hit 30 or more home runs, but why settle for 30 or 35 when with a little juice you can hit 50 or 60, get more bucks ($$$) and more babes! Should be a fun season. And who knows maybe the games will be good too.

Coming Soon: 24 Hours of Pledge Drives!

The NHL may have company soon. PBS is struggling to find new revenue sources, it's President will not seek another term, is losing some corporate grants, and now has to rely on a Republican Congress for Government grants, which some Republicans consider PBS to be too liberal and elitist.
Bummer! Click Here for full story!
I don't mind PBS, but I also get a least a hundred other channels that show such things as English Football, Old Game Shows (Match Game!), constant News & Opinion, just the weather, video games, old National Geographic shows, BBC programs, Military programs, music videos (rap,classic rock, R&B, Hits, and not mention at least 30 other audio only music channels), college sports, sports news only, Poker, traveling, A Leopard eating a Zebra, Chef cooking against another chef, Old Sitcoms, Cartoons, Way too many Children's programs, People pretending to do a Newscast, Stand Up Comedy,Fashion, Home Shopping, Infomercials, City Government, National Government, God gets two channels, and a channel named after a greeting card!
Even if most of these channels have commercials, WOW! I have a little thing called Tivo that makes them go away. So I apologize if I have very little sympathy for the struggles of PBS. But I wish them luck, and look forward to their begging and pleading-- I'm sorry pledge drives.

Comments & Prime Minister Withdrawel Symptoms and a Follow up

There is no Prime Ministers Questions this week in the U.K. and has I mentioned in a previous post I find them most entertaining. Thanks to "apples" for her suggestion in her comment that Australia's is also entertaining, and what I've read about their Prime Minister John Howard I would think so. I did a search and couldn't find a broadcast archive, so if someone knows one please email the link to me or use the comments, because they're always welcome as well!
And It's Here!

To all those loyal readers Lime Coke is Here!
Details to come!

That's all I have today,
Until Next time,
PAC

Friday, February 11, 2005

An Apology!

I want to take this moment on my website to apologize.
I'm really really, very sorry.
To my loyal readers, people passing by, to my co-workers, my family, my kitties and once again ALL my ex-girlfriends. I am truly very sorry.
When I wrote to other blogs I spoke the truth, and anyone who says something else or is writing a book on it, is delusional.
So once again let me say just how sorry I am, and that someday and I will actually be able to tell you why!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you Jason Giambi, I was having a bad day yesterday, and if this whole situation wasn't so very, very, very, VERY sad, I would laugh my ____ off! Like I said yesterday with the Readers Digest article, unless you really have something to say or something to get off you chest, don't bother! I've got plenty of things to worry about. Like what kind of sports I might watch this weekend, Auto racing is back with the Bud Shootout(nah, kind of like Pre-Season Football), The Pebble Beach Golf Tournament(maybe if it's in Hi Def, and once again need a nap), Plenty of College Basketball(Not unless I really have to, and there's nothing on the Food Network, although I might check on the Wisconsin/Illinois game), College Hockey!(maybe because it's the only Hockey there is, and it's between the two places I've lived in the last two years(Wisconsin/Denver)),WAIT the NFL isn't over yet, there's the Pro Bowl(yick, Preseason Football is better! Arena Football is better!)! Plus a million other things I need to do. So don't waste my time, with maybe, or I can't tell you right now.
Thank you,
Have a fabulous weekend,
until next time,
PAC

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Just Babbling!
Just a couple thoughts for today that hopefully won't turn into a full fledged rant. I'm a little antsy, I feel like I could write a novel right now, and I have plenty of energy, since I've had two diet Rockstars!! However when I start typing my thoughts get cluttered, well think of this way. Picture a funnel, and at the top are all my thoughts, but what's coming out is a single slow little stream. But I'm plugging away!
Okay,
I got a email from my brother the other day after he read my last post on Truth and where is it, and how when someone says one thing, right there is someone that says something else or that their wrong. So my smart alec brother after reading what I said, said - YOUR WRONG!!!
And by the way the way the hits just keep on coming. First someone says Philadelphia Eagles Quarterback Donovan McNabb was puking, and couldn't call plays during the last drive in the Super Bowl, and like clockwork, he comes right back and says "Liar, Liar Pants on Fire!".

I know her link is on the sidebar, but I need to give a shout out to a nice blog As the Law Books Close, which would be a good title for a Soap Opera(my title would be "As The Blood Flows").
First my website is on her sidebar as a "must read", and that's very nice(thank you!), but she wrote a very good post about what she is going to do for Valentines Day, which kind of goes with some things I wrote on the mighty subject of "Love".
Which you can review HERE!
She has a very healthy attitude about spending it with herself(which she could be crying uncontrollably and eating a half gallon of Cookies N' Cream Ice Cream while writing it!).

This struck me while reading the new Readers Digest on a possible new clue, by using digital technology that may prove a shooter at the grassy knoll in the JFK murder.
Hmmmm, here's a thought. How about use the technology, test it out, make a conclusion, and then tell me if it worked or not!
Just a thought,

That's all I have today,
Have wonderful day,
Until next time,
PAC

Wednesday, February 09, 2005

Eight Words with two Meanings
I received this in an email, and I thought I would share them with everybody!
Enjoy,
PAC

1. THINGY (thing-ee) n.
Female...... Any part under a car's hood.
Male..... The strap fastener on a woman's bra.

2. VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj.
Female.... Fully opening up one's self emotionally to another.
Male.... Playing football without a cup.

3. COMMUNICATION (ko-myoo-ni-kay-shon) n.
Female... The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's partner.
Male... Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys.

4. COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n.
Female.... A desire to get married and raise a family.
Male...... Trying not to hit on other women while out with this one.

5. ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n.
Female.... A good movie, concert, play or book.
Male...... Anything that can be done while drinking beer.

6. FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n.
Female.... An embarrassing by-product of indigestion.
Male...... A source of entertainment, self-expression, male bonding.

7. MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n.
Female...... The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve.
Male.. Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it.

8. REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n.
Female.... A device for changing from one TV channel to another.
Male... A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes.

Monday, February 07, 2005

The Truth!!! It's Out There Somewhere!

It's inevitable isn't it. One person says one thing, another is right there to say "No, it isn't." They will go on & on, and others will get on board for one side or the other and make their case, and hopefully some common ground is met and life goes on. But there's someone that asks "Well, which is it?", and nobody knows for sure, that's when such phrases as "Well, it's somewhere in the middle" come into existence. Is that good enough though? Was one right? Was one wrong? Were they both a little right? And what doesn't get noticed enough in my opinion is Were they both wrong?
That's the common practice I've noticed in both houses of the U.S. Congress, and somewhat in other countries as well. I weekly watch the Prime Ministers questions from the U.K., it's informative and very entertaining(I used to watch the Canadian one as well, it just wasn't as entertaining). I'm waiting for the day when Prime Minister Tony Blair answers one of Michael Howard's(the leader of the opposition party)questions by replying "Michael, you ingnorant slut!" It gets pretty dicey sometimes, but being British it remains mostly civil. I'm not taking sides but there is something to what Mr. Howard says every week when is he asks a question, Mr. Blair goes right into rhetoric, and how his government has created two million jobs since they have been in office and so on and so forth, which Mr. Howard always replies "Once again, he hasn't answered the question!". This goes on and on, and the observer(being me in this case) is forced to ask or ponder, "Which is it?". Just because one asks a question, and doesn't get a firm answer, has he successfully relayed an alternative that 1. Makes sense, and 2. has somehow proved the other side wrong!
This thought process came to me this morning when I was looking at the funny papers, and on the news that former baseball player Jose Canseco will reveal in his new book that not only did he take steroids but helped others take them, and witnessed others take them, and he names names. Which immediately drew quotes from some players and their former manager to say it's a bunch of rubbish and it's not true. So which is it? Can it all be lies? I actually give Canseco a little credit for completing it, he said about three years ago he was going to write the book and name names, and wasn't taken very seriously, especially when he stated that about 80% of players were on steroids. However when test results were revealed by the league it was more like 7%. But is that the truth?
I recently read "The Da Vinci Code", and within a work of fiction it stated a number of things about Jesus, and some people got upset. But these things weren't true were they? It's just fiction isn't it? Or is it? Or was the truth layered around a fictional story to make it more understandable? And now there are books for both sides of the debate. So, which is it? Do we really want to know? Can we accept such a truth and still have faith? We used to believe the Sun revolved around us, why was it so hard to accept that. Doesn't look any different to us does it, and think of what we learned from that, and our place in the universe.
Are we so entrenched in belief or faith in one side or another that we cannot accept what maybe true!
To me, I don't need the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, but I don't want to be completely lied to, in order to join or choose a side, and if I have a question try to give me an honest answer, and not I can't answer that because it goes against my faith. And to my religous friends please do a little better job of answering some questions than by answering "I may be wrong, but what if I'm right!".
I saw that twice from the TV services yesterday, plus I've heard it before.
We can all do better, and this truth is out there somewhere.
But are we really looking for it, and will we accept it if we find it? Will we do it together, or keep taking sides!
How about that for a Monday!
Hope you a had great weekend and cograts to the Patriots! They are best team (aren't they?)!
That's all I have today,
Until next time,
PAC

Friday, February 04, 2005

It's a Tragedy!

The grogginess of waking up this morning was shaken off by my favorite sin of ESPN when the anchor announced that New England Patriots Quarterback Tom Brady suffered a "personal tragedy" with the death of his grandmother at age 94! I repeat AGE 94!!!
Folks that's an accomplishment, not a tragedy! Sure it's a bummer, and there's a time of reflection, and grief, but I'm sure Tom will be okay. But how does the Mighty ESPN and other reporters share his grief, by shoving a bunch of microphones in his face and demanding a comment. Hello, what do think he's going to say. The only reason I can think of people wanting to know this, is if he went out on a limb and went nuts and said, "It's about time the old bag went, my mother has been waiting for her inheritance for years, now I can count the days until she goes!"
No, that's not going to happen so leave it alone. My disdain of this kind of reporting goes back to when John Lennon was killed, and somebody found Paul McCartney and asked him how he fealt. Paul looked at him, and you can tell he's holding it all in, and said "Yeah, it's kind of a bummer isn't it!" Now looking at the words it sounds kind of vain, but Paul looked at the reporter and saying with his expression, "How could this Mother$%&*# ask me this right now!" That was a tragedy, here's another one, A Rural Wisconsin man kills his wife, very young daughter and teenage step-son, because GOD asked him to bring his family to heaven! Once again forgetting about the loosely translated fifth commandment of "Thou Shall Not Kill", and also I think someone famous said "Thou Shall Not Be Lead Into Temptation", and I'm only assuming that includes God. I maybe going to extremes but ESPN should choose their words a little more carefully when trying to fill in the blanks and make a story while we're still waiting for this "Game" to start.

Life is SO GOOD!
Now that we have the tragedy out of the way, we should not forget that by and large life is pretty good, and the State in which I presently live is pretty good too.
The State of Wisconsin announced it's new slogan to attract those poor pitiful souls of State's like -- Illinois(thanks for raising the price of those TOLLS!)!
Wisconsin --- Life's So Good!
It's not the best (Escape to Wisconsin is still the best), but it's not bad either.
But there's too many people who think life sucks, and they only way they can express their "freedom" is by complaining, which is a simplifcation, because what their really doing is b#$%ing, moaning, and whining! And they think it should be changed.
Wisconsin is a good state, and if you need a reminder that life IS pretty good overall, this is a good place to visit, so you can experience that reminder. (I will be expecting a greater return on my State tax return for the plug!).

Well folks have a good weekend enjoying the good life, and all the best if you are experiencing a tragedy! Enjoy the game Sunday! And when I return Monday, I will be a year older, and after the some of the events of this week, I hopefully will be a littler wiser as well.
Until next time,
PAC

Thursday, February 03, 2005

Always Look On the Bright Side of Life!

With my birthday coming my best friend was taking me, and another friend of mine who also has a birthday coming up to the Wisconsin Badger Basketball game. Along for the ride also was one of my best friend's clients. I get done with work early and head over to TGI Fridays to meet them. I'm looking forward to a good time, and on the way my best friend gives me a call and let's me know about the customer, that he's a really cool guy, but really doesn't need to know our whole sorted past. Typical stuff from him , but a good point.

Well I get there, his client recognizes me, and it turns out to be my ex-girlfriends brothers brother in law. We have a good laugh at what a small world it is, and as the Long Island Ice Tea's keep coming, the night spirals downhill and he hears all of our horrid stories, and he tells the story of what really happened at a family wedding we were both at a year ago.
Anyway the Long Islands keep coming and it's getting close to game time. I must point out I didn't want Long Island's because at some point they give me a sour stomach, but my best friend was picking up the tab, I followed the rules.

Anyway, we head over to the Kohl Center, and we're laughing, honking the horn at other cars and acting "really" mature. We make it there, and just as we get there, I can't make it any further, it hits me, and hilarity ensues. It's really not worth reporting what happens next, and whatever you hear, it's probably true. Let's just put it this way, when I left the office I was wearing a nice button down shirt, with my Hillfinger pants, and came home with Bucky Badger boxer shorts, Wisconsin Pajama Bottoms and a nice Wisconsin T-shirt!
I only caught five minutes of the game, my first reaction was to runaway, call a cab and never face another soul as long as I live. But my best called on my cell phone, and when I got there they acted as a shield, and I got my senses back and everything was fine. Later on they toasted me at a bar(for water & food!) next to the stadium for hanging in there, but I provided another story to add to our legacy!
Just another sign that as I get another year older it's getting time to grow up!
Now I must point out I don't condone such behavior, the only point I'm trying to make is that humility can be a wonderful thing. It's not the end of the world, and if you have good friends, you can overcome lapses in judgment, and actually make someone's life. "Did I ever tell you about what happened to Pete at the Badger game!"
I just wanted to come "clean" with the story.
Have a Wonderful day, and stay away from TGIF Long Island Ice Teas!
Until Next Time,
PAC

Tuesday, February 01, 2005

Outdoors--OUT!
The big news here in Madison, a certain sports network, I won't mention their name but their intials are E S P N will not be back in town this year for their Outdoor games.
BUMMER!
I guess I will just go back to doing just about anything else!!!!!
I'm not bragging but ESPN has more to lose than Madison, they can go back to Lake Placid, NY or Reno, NV or find a new place, all they're going to do is spend four days in a city and edit the heck out of it, and show it for an hour over five days!
In the end nobody really cares, give me Sportscenter, and then give it to me for ten hours straight.
I went to the games one day last year, and it was fine, had some fun, watched some cute young girls log roll as they had Sponsor Me! on their butt, and that's nice. But I probably wouldn't of gone if there was admission, and I don't like how ESPN is trying to make it out like it's Madison's fault for them not returning. We'll get over it, come to think it, I just did,
Moving ON,

Weekend in "Review" & Comments!
Thanks to all for you comments over the weekend, I made it through without football for the most part, I did have some Arena football on in the background.
I also this weekend read the whole "The DaVinci Code"! (***1/2)
I'm probably a year too late to give a full review, and Pat Buchanan on McGlaughlin Group listed it as his "Lie of the Year" because it "probably damaged the faith of an awful lot of people. And I think it's by and large a big fraud, but it's a gigantic best-seller."
I don't why I've been leaving my deeper thoughts on other peoples blog, and not on my own, but here I go again.
I will say this about the book:
The answers we seek, are easier than the questions asked.
If your faith is hedging on some sort of "truth", you get that.
If your faith is sound, and you just want to see what kind of rubbish someone is writing. Your faith should be restored by the end, as long as you don't kill anyone over it.
If there is something you truly seek in life, your end isn't very far from your begining.
And finally if you need a good book to read on a weekend with no football you get that too!

One other thing from this weekend for all you who can't wait for Lime Coke. I tried the Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper (**).
A little disappointed, it tasted like the Old Diet Dr. Pepper that came in the blue can or bottle.(By the way if anyone has a photo of the old Diet Dr. Pepper could you email me, I couldn't fine one on google!)
I know the approach for Diet Dr. Pepper is to taste like the original, but I don't think this what they had in mind for this product. Oh well, Lime Coke is on the way to save the day!

That's all I have today,
Until Next time,
PAC

Radioaffliction Classics with The Bummin Cousins: Delightfully Weird Streaming!

The Bummin Cousins Peter A. Clay and Jim Reid are back with a wonderful podcast about the things found in Thrift Stores and Flea Markets. Cl...