Sunday Schedule

Go read Fausta today... especially this post. All those jobs saved or created by The One and his merry minions? I'm pretty sure they're all government jobs, and we're headed towards a government that's larger and better compensated than the private sector.

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Success at work usually leads to problems at home? Well, we know that failure at work can lead to problems at home. Sooooo... we should all be shooting for happy mediocrity?

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Of all of the things he's done or hasn't done so far, President Chicken Little waiting until now to come up with this cockamamie commission that won't even have results to vote on until November, for cripe's sake, is the one that most displays the disconnect between himself and the entire working (and out-of-work) public.

Dood! People want solutions nine months ago, NOT nine month from now.

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Another disconnected Dem that really doesn't get that the voters in Illinois do not want tax increases is finally getting bitten in the butt in the polls.

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Professor Jacobson's preview of Chicken Little's upcoming State of the Union Address is almost, but not quite on target.

I actually think it's going to be as pleasant on the ears and as palatable to watch as this version of the same familiar ditty:

As the Princess Mom used to tell me, "It's not what you say; it's how you say it." Amen.

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Giggle of the Day:

see more Lolcats and funny pictures

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En Route to the Magic Kingdom

There's absolutely nothing in the world that's guaranteed to make me smile more than to see the shining eyes of a princess-mad four-year-old who's spellbound by seeing all of her heroines at once* at Disney On Ice -- Let's Celebrate!

The original chatterbox didn't make a peep through the entire first number, after which she applauded wildly.

TMBCITW, Sainted SIL and I had a wonderful time, too, but it was all about the magic in that little girl's eyes.

(Of course I bought the girls some over-priced swag. Of course I loaded them up with junk from the dessert cart and sno-cones with extra syrup. I'm their Auntie -- it's my job to spoil them rotten.)

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*With one notable exception -- Where in the heck was Princess Aurora? How do you have a show where Maleficent makes an appearance, but Sleeping Beauty doesn't??? We're experts on Disney Princesses in this family, and we notice when one goes missing.

On the Radio...

Swiped from my favorite slightly crumpled Cripple.

Drive-Bys

I know Old Crankypants was a stone atheist, but I'm convinced he was surprised as hell to find himself hanging around in the ether after all.

Why?

Jan 19 2010

"My bagder's [sic] gonna unleash hell on your ass. Badgertastic!"

"No, not the cats. Don't trust them. Their eyes. Their eyes. They know too much."

"Just look at yourself. Yeah, now look at me. You don't stand a chance. It must suck to be you, I'm sure."

Robbie is whispering in the ear of the Sleep Talkin' Man every once in a while.

And that makes me smile.
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Why do I read Roissy? Sometimes he'll post something that just makes me grin. Like this. Brutally honest... but funny.
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I have Contagion on the brain. I can't figure out why, though...
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The Daily Douche Bag:

A Georgia woman is in jail after police say she forced her son to kill his pet hamster with a hammer as punishment for bad grades.

Lynn Middlebrooks Geter is an incredible Douche Bag.
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I am very happy to hear that my favorite Grouchy Old Cripple is healing fast. Geeze! He survives a bunch of drunken Jawja Blown-Eyes helping his own alcohol-fueled crippledy self down the stairway to Hell along side the Chatahoochee, but gets knocked upside the head when he's actually doing something relatively safely?

Yeah, he's another atheist, but I prayed for his recovery anyway. (He had to get better! He's the only blodger, Blown-Eyed or Blown Star, who brings me three bottle of wine to every blodgemeet. And he lets me sing harmony on occasion.)



Smooches, Denny!
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Great Reader is still on hiatus, so I'll say it for him: "It's Friday! Let's Dance!"



I don't know about you, but my toes are tapping!

Pay No Attention...

... to that Man* behind the curtain!

Fausta is furious that the DDfDDDB** has inserted himself into Haiti with a team bringing doctors and medical supplies to do... what exactly?

According to Saint Elizabeth:

Edwards' wife Elizabeth told the Charlotte Observer that "whatever the naysayers say is the truth is, John actually cares about poverty issues."

Right. The poverty issue he cares most about is hanging onto his law license, and by throwing up more smoke and mirrors and "good deeds" he's hoping like hell that the media won't notice that not only did he suborn the perjury of a campaign aid, not only did he bribe the mother of his illegitimate child with campaign funds, but he also allegedly attempted pervert justice by falsifying DNA evidence in anticipation of a paternity suit and 20/20 will be airing the interview with the aide he begged to do his dirty work shortly.

Oh, yeah... and he's attempting to curry the favor of the White House, too:

A senior administration official told CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder that Edwards, who visited Haiti a year ago, had informed the Obama White House that he wanted to go to Haiti and help out before the trip.

"I am told that this declaration was met with silence," Ambinder told CBSNews.com.

Does this guy not get that he's political poison?

Then again, he's a Democrat who doesn't get it. Maybe Obama should find an unassigned Czar title and invite him aboard the S.S. Clusterf*ck that is Team Obama...
_____

*Weasel

**Dumpster-Diving for Diaper DNA Douche Bag

Whoa, Nelly!

I've been thinking a little bit more about the ABC article about John Edwards' admission of his illegitimate child's paternity, but, more importantly, the allegations of his former staffer that Edwards was not only allegedly suborning perjury, but also allegedly conspiring to falsify DNA evidence in anticipation of a paternity suit against him.

Yeah, I'm outraged on one level because he's a douche bag...

... but I'm outraged on another level because it seems that only ABC is pointing out that: 1) his public acknowledgement of paternity happened so close to the airing of his former campaign aide's interview on 20/20 that it can only have been done to throw up a smoke screen; and, 2) the rest of the mainstream media has seemingly paid no attention to the fact that an officer of the court has been accused of alleged illegal behavior that should have his brothers and sisters in the legal profession shouting from the rafters for him to be brought before the bar for professional ethics violations.

I ask you, where is the outrage?

Drive-Bys

The Daily Douche Bag:

Just when you thought John Edwards couldn't possibly be any douchier, he goes and out-douches himself. Again:

In an excerpt from his upcoming interview with ABC News's Bob Woodruff, Young alleges that Edwards asked him to arrange a fake a paternity test.

"Get a doctor to fake the DNA results," Young said Edwards told him. "And he asked me ... to steal a diaper from the baby so he could secretly do a DNA test to find out if this [was] indeed his child."

Seriously? This guy is a contender for Douche Bag of the Decade... and the decade has only just begun. C'mon -- he's a Dumpster-Diving for Diaper DNA Douche Bag... and you can't sink much lower than that.

There is, however, one more shining example of parenting douche baggery in today's Chicago Tribune:

Police allege that the suspect's father and brother tried to bribe the victim's father, the target of the shooting, not to cooperate so that authorities would be forced to drop the shooting charges. The victim's father alerted police, who eventually arrested Vincente and Hector Herrera.

Gives you a warm, fuzzy feeling, no? Yes, the Herrara boys are all douche bags.
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Quite possibly the funniest positive restaurant review I've read in a while:

The thought kept crossing my mind: Why have you been shopping at Aldi, trying to decide between 75 percent lean garbage and 80 percent lean garbage?

Oh, yeah, I remember. The money thing.

The O'Neil's burger is actually 75 percent Kobe, with the rest consisting of chopped up bits of regular steak, mostly of the skirt variety.

I asked Chef Martin Rebollar how come, and he said something about different kinds of beef fat in combination blah blah blah chef stuff flavor profile blah blah more chef stuff. Then he smiled and turned around and cooked a flat pink thing.*

Go read the entire thing. You'll be drooling in between guffaws.
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Jerry Philipson wants to know if Obama can change and save his presidency.

Hmmmmm....

Obama says he "gets it" after Scott Brown's stunning victory in Massachusetts -- that the voting public is angry and frustrated.

Oh, really?

He hasn't given up on that massive pile of steaming dung that is his Health Care Plan; he's simply giving Congress time to regroup and resharpen their knives... and their pencils.

He doesn't get that the people who are voting with their feet in Tea Parties are against more and bigger government, yet the Sage One rolls out two new tee-riffic new initiatives:

• He wants to nationalize student lending; and,
• He is trying to bypass the states and nationalize education funding.

He's having a public hissy fit because McCain/Feingold was overturned by the Supremes. Ooo! The Horror! First Amendment rights are actually upheld!

Where was I? Oh, yeah -- that hopey/changey thing. Nope. We can hope, but he won't change.

P.S. -- We're pissed about lack of jobs and he's worried about nationalizing student lending and nationalizing education and whatever other empire building stuff he can come up with and McCain/Feingold getting folded, spindled and mutilated by the Supremes? NO. He doesn't get it.
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Giggle of the Day:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures
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NEW Giggle of the Day?

When an aide informed Pelosi of Brown’s win around 9 p.m. Tuesday, the speaker summoned her leadership team to her office at the Capitol, ejected her staff and attacked her options as if her career depended on it.

It does. Yay!

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*Yes, that "pink thing" reminded me of the Princess Mom and the infamous Pineapple Ham Loaf.

Quick Stop

Oh, for crap's sake, you people in the media just don't get it, do you?

1. Health care reform is not popular. We want it. We just don't want that piece of crap the House and Senate tried to cram down our throats.

2. The stimulus and TARP bailouts are not popular. Okay, I'll give you that one. Let crappy businesses fail, and let people who can't afford the home YOU think they should own, but THEY can't afford, go back to renting... like me (who actually could afford to buy, but chooses to live more frugally).

3. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are not popular. Pick one. Commit. Fucking win one.

But, hey? What do I know?

Shining a Spotlight

If Scott Brown has two people in the internet world who he should thank heartily for his success yesterday, they are Sissy Willis and William A. Jacobson.

Just saying.

And when the next election rolls around in Illinois, I'm looking to them for technology and inspiration.

Don't kid yourself that the far left or the far right have gotten the message. They haven't.

We've got another election coming up, and I've got news for ALL the candidates:

1. I really, really, REALLY HATE attack ads. Unless you've got proof positive that your opponent has broken a law, I don't want to hear what a scum-bag you think he or she is.
   
   
2. I want to know what YOU believe in.
   
   
3. I want to know what differentiates YOU from the rest of the crowd.
   
   
4. I want to know when and where you've actually created legislature or where YOUR actions have made a difference.
   
   
5. I want to know what new legislation you think you'll propose and why.
   
   
6. I want to know what current legislation you oppose... AND WHY.
   
   
7. I want to know how long you propose to serve, and why.

I understand why Drudge asked if Brown will be running for president in the next election, but the fact of the matter is, the more important question is why the Dems didn't get just how pissed off the voting base is with them before this.

We've got three more years of President Chicken Little and his band of headless chickens who may be able to party, but will never have a clue.

Grab your own medulla oblongata. Stand up for what and who you know is right. Raise a stink when you believe you're seeing something wrong. Link to your evidence. Stand by your candidate.

Politics are changing, even as you read this. And that's an entirely beautiful thing.

Back To Work

Now that Scott Brown has been elected, I hope the GOP in office make it their business to refute the premise that everyone hates health care reform.

In fact, most of us truly desire health care reform, just not that gargantuan pile of crap that the Dems are trying to ram through with zero transparency, and at a huge cost to everyone.

It's time for the boys and girls in the GOP roll up their sleeves and fix the current health care mess, one issue at a time before adding anything additional to the mix, and do it in a true bipartisan manner in the clear light of day.

If nothing else, Brown's victory in Massachusetts should be a message not only to the Dems, but also to the GOP that the voting public is not happy and are ready, willing and demonstrably able to select new representation if their elected representatives at every level don't pay attention.

Brown's victory is the beginning of the journey, not the end, by any stretch of the imagination.

In The Passing Lane

Final Update:

From Scott Brown's acceptance speech:

It all started with me, my truck, and a few dedicated volunteers. It ended with Air Force One making an emergency run to Logan. I didn’t mind when President Obama came here and criticized me – that happens in campaigns. But when he criticized my truck, that’s where I draw the line.

We had the machine scared and scrambling, and for them it is just the beginning of an election year filled with surprises. They will be challenged again and again across this country. When there’s trouble in Massachusetts, there’s trouble everywhere – and now they know it.

To everyone who believed and participated in the "Truck Bomb," a personal and heartfelt thank you!

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Update: The hits just keep on coming, so I'm moving this up to the top!
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I can't vote in Massachusetts so I can't join the voter bomb, but I sure can show my enthusiasm for Scott Brown, who appears to be pulling ahead in the polls.

How, you may ask?

Inspired by Mrs. Who, I think it's time for a little Truck Bomb to blow the doors right off the Coakley campaign (which of course blames Bush for the whole darned thing heading south). Got a pick up truck song that's a particular fave? Or a photo? Or a story? Post 'em at your blog and either drop a link in my comments or email me. I know you can do it!

Here's mine:



Go, Scott, go! Keep on truckin'!


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Update:

McGeehee is on board!

Allen sends a multi-artist truck bomb!

Fausta saddles up!

LL sends a rather blue truck bomb!

God bless Mrs. Who:

Lordy, I'm showing my country roots, but how about this song, too:

http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/reed-jerry/east-bound-and-down-19138.html

The first verse especially could reflect Scott Brown's run for office:

East bound and down, loaded up and truckin'
a'we gonna do what they say can't be done
We've got a long why to go and a short time to get there
I'm east bound just watch ol'Bandit run

Joan of Argghh! is Willin'!

God bless Pammy and her Buffet Bomb!

John Ruberry, the Marathon Pundit, is Willin' to believe Brown can go the distance!

I almost forgot -- Pamibe was ahead of us all!

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Update: Welcome friends of Sissy Willis! I may live in Illinois now, but I was born at Mount Auburn Hospital, and my Massachusetts roots run deep. I believe in Scott Brown, and hope you do, too.

Whether or not you've got a blog, you're welcome to join in the Truck Bomb in support of Scott Brown. Drop your story or link to YouTube video in the comments, or email me your truck photos. The more the merrier here!

If you're from MA, I certainly hope you turn out to vote tomorrow.
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More Truck Bombs!

Miss Nancy sends best wishes from the Great State of Texas!

Pamibe is Truckin' for Scott again!

Patti chimes in!

Kerrcarto is da bomb!

Harper sends more Texas bombitty goodness!

My Barstool Blog Son's computer is on the fritz, but he sent a request for this little gem:



That's a BIG 10-4!

Diamond Dave sends a Truck Bomb from outer space. Rock on!

Woot!

Congratulations Scott Brown! Congratulations Massachusetts!

Looking Both Ways

Whatever the election results in Massachusetts, the state of my birth has energized and exhilarated me with this election like no other election I can remember. Win, lose or draw, the Bay State has given notice to Capital Hill that the voting public is not happy.

Massachusetts, I salute you!

Say What?

Ummmm... actually I believe the folks on Capital Hill like this version of that saying better:

We’ll cross that bridge when we throw her off of it.

And you?
_____

Thanks, Mr. Jacobsen!

Say What?

“Now everything that gets done in the Senate will have the imprimatur of bipartisanship,” another administration official said. “The benefits of that will accrue to the president and the Democratic Senate. It adds to the pressure on Republicans to participate in the process in a meaningful way, which so far they have refused to do.” [Emphasis mine]

Pretty hard to participate when you're locked out of all the discussions. Seems to me it's not the Republicans who are refusing.

Campaign Stop

Jonathan Tobin suggests that there were no exit polls set up in Massachusetts because no one anticipated there'd be a need for them.

That may be true, but I actually think that works in Scott Brown's favor. Why? Because there's no disincentive to show up to vote based on skewed early exit polls.

Fingers crossed!
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Liveblogging the election here. Fascinating!

Drive-Bys

Hold on to your hats, kids, because if Obama Care passes, I'm afraid we're in for not only mandatory insurance, but mandatory care:

An influential advisory panel says school-aged youngsters and teens should be screened for obesity and sent to intensive behavior treatment if they need to lose weight — a move that could transform how doctors deal with overweight children.

Governmental parenting. Nice.

But wait!

The task force is the same group of government-appointed but independent experts whose new mammogram advice startled many women in November. That guidance — that most women don't need routine mammograms until age 50 — is at odds with the American Cancer Society and several doctor groups.

Just so you know who's looking out for your and yours...
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Wildly Non-PC Giggle of the Day:


see more Political Pictures

Sorry, but it made me laugh.
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Speaking of things that made me laugh, feminists may not like him, by this Roissy guy occasionally nails us gals right where we live:

Please set aside your woefully inadequate male logic when attempting to predict the direction of a woman’s rationalization hamster. That little critter will always razzle dazzle your feeble efforts. You must think like the hamster if you want to influence the hamster. Be the hamster. The wheel is waiting.

You may not think that's funny... but I do. (And ask any woman who's ever really liked bad boys, he's right on the money in that post. Sad, but true.)

PSA

The Anchoress has a long list of great agencies if you're looking to donate towards earthquake relief in Haiti.

If you'd rather take a longer view and donate not only for immediate relief, but towards future rebuilding efforts, go here.

Whichever you choose, if your company has pledged matching funds, be sure and ask if those matching funds are on top of funds set annually, or if they come out of those regular funds. Local agencies are already hurting, and I'd hate to see funds diverted from services that are badly needed here, too.

Ultimately, you have to do what you feel is right, but an educated choice will do more good than an impulsive one.

Drive-Bys

Great Reader is still on hiatus, so I'm declaring, "It's Friday! Let's Dance!" This little toe-tapper has been rattling around my brain box from the moment I got up this morning:



Want to join the dance party? Throw up a post at your site and add a link in the comments here.
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I think I found a girlfriend for Donald Mills:

grandma: You need to tell that brother of yours to get bigger pants. That boy’s drawers are like a cheap hotel-there’s no ballroom.

Well?
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I believe Adam and El Capitan must be meeting out there in dreamland:

"Butt cheeks ahoy! There she blows!"

"You can't be a pirate if you don't have a beard. I said so. MY boat, MY rules."

"We haven't got a plank. Just fucking jump."

Heh.
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I guess if you want to be more equal than others, you need to join a union:

Big Labor got some big love from President Obama and congressional Democrats yesterday after they agreed to exempt union workers from the whopping “Cadillac tax” on high-cost health-care plans until 2018.

The sweetheart deal, hammered out behind closed doors, will save union employees at least $60 billion over the years involved, while others won't be as lucky -- they'll have to cough up almost $90 billion.

The 40 percent excise tax on what have come to be called "Cadillac" health-care plans would exempt collective-bargaining contracts covering government employees and other union members until Jan. 1, 2018.

Would someone please explain to me just how this is constitutional?

And about that transparency thing? It's so not working for me.

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Daily Douche Bags:

Danny Glover is a douche bag. Rush Limbaugh is a cagey douche bag. Anyone who even has to ask the following question is a douche bag:

Perhaps the most important is whether the state should establish specialized nursing home wards or even separate facilities for the most dangerous residents -- those with violent backgrounds who pose a threat to others. Sullivan's group and many advocates say Illinois must stop mixing dangerous and vulnerable residents.

The issue "still perplexes us and is something for which we need additional discussion," Gelder said. "This is one of the central issues in the concerns about keeping people safe,"

Yes, indeedy -- Gelder is a douche bag.
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I don't know about you, but I'd rather bake a pie than a cake; thus, I found this tip very interesting:

Freezing your lard and butter ahead of time and using a box grater to shred it into the floured mixing bowl effortlessly ends in the sort of coarse, crumbly, flake-inducing dough that is generally considered the platonic ideal. Just grate, moisten, give a quick stir and a light knead, cover in plastic and chill for 30 minutes.

Cool!
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My favorite actor, Brian Dennehy, is in town for a run at the Goodman Theatre. Anybody interested in joining me? (It'd be worth it just to see me go all girly over just being in the same room with the fabulous Dennehy. He blows my skirt up. Trust me.)
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Add Jimmy Kimmel to the list of people whom I never thought I'd find myself respecting as a result of the Conan/Leno/NBC mess. But I do now.
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Happy weekend, all!

Drive-Bys

Notorious P.I.G.s.

Ugh.
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I've never been a Conan O'Brien fan. I think his humor is sophomoric, at best.

However, I've really come to respect Conan tremendously in the past couple of days. If this comes true, I'll be very sorry to hear it.

I never thought I'd say the words, but Conan is a class act, and he certainly doesn't deserve this.
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$73 million? I guess I'd better buy a ticket...
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Giggle of the Day:


see more Engrish

(And in my head I can hear, "Houston, we have a promble!")
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Why do I love Mrs. Who?

No thanks, I’ll take my hormone replacement therapy from Jack. Daniels, that is. And I’ll let my ass take care of itself.

A woman after my own heart!
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So I found another time-waster that had me in absolute stitches today:

Jan 12 2010

"I'm making pillows. Burn them slowly, keeps them fluffy! Mmmmmm, pillows."

"Potato bags. I can't find my potato bags. I need them! [desperately] Who's got my potato bags? Oh, fuck it! I'll have to use something else."

"Dogs' scrotums. They stretch."

"Pork chops are most satisfying. Mmmmmmm. Dangle them from the ceiling."

Wife's note: After we listened to the recording, Adam turned to me and said, "I've never had pork chops."

Go visit Sleep Talkin' Man and view the hilarity. You'll be hooked, I promise!

(As for me, I'm thinking I really need this tee shirt. Although they're all funny...)
_____

Who's a douche bag? Pat Robertson is a douche bag. Wallace "Gator" Bradley is a douche bag. William F. Galvin is a douche bag. Barney Franks is an even bigger douche bag.

Douche bags: Collect 'em all.
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Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day:


see more dog and puppy pictures

Jazz paws!
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Why do I love Plumcake? Because she is fierce and fabulous. Ka-ching.
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Fourteen shades of wrong. And this, in a nutshell, is the crazy kind of economic thought process that has drifted from the Left Coast to the U.S. capital.
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A bus driver after my own heart. Bravo!
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How'd you like to explain this headline to St. Peter when you meet him at the Pearly Gates?

Fatal gunplay in Maine sex dungeon leads to trial

Yeesh.
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You'd have to have grown up in Chicago for this to be meaningful, but Maurice Lenell cookies are going to be available online again! Yay!

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Yep. When it comes to a choice between style and substance, I'll take substance every time.

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And you know Chicken Little's got a problem when even Jane Hamsher has turned to the dark side.

Driving Distracted

The ultimate in time wastage may be found here. Seriously, don't go there unless you want to be sucked into the vortex for the entire day.

Examples:

This site makes People of Walmart look well dressed.

Three little quotes from Crazy Things Parents Say:

Mom: what’s a/s/l?
Me: age. sex. location.
Mom: Oh. 42, sporadic, at home.
Me: Oh gross.

Mom: You did so bad in school the Super Nintendo called to speak to me!
Me: You mean superintendent?
Mom: That’s what I said!

And this little gem, which I swear my BlogDaddy submitted in reference to his first wife (that "Sally" name is a lie):

We’ll cross that bridge when we throw her off of it.

Then again, it could be me he's talking about, especially if he's pissed at my politics...

Anyhoodle... gotta run!

_____

Speaking of my BlogDaddy, for the love of all that's holy, don't tell him about this. That's gotta be the ultimate in geek pr()n!

World Tour

Where are today's visitors checking in from?

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Singapore
• Malaysia
• Germany
• Norway
• France
• Australia
• Canada
• Netherlands
• Bulgaria
• Romania
• Israel
• Russian Federation
• Spain
  
• Sweden
• Thailand

Cool!

Cash Box

Instapundit, Sisu and my political blog crush William A. Jacobson have all jumped on the Scott Brown bandwagon. Me, too!

Join the Money Bomb here. Even $5 helps.

If Massachusetts can vote in a fiscal conservative, any state can!

Don't think it'll happen?

The response continues to be overwhelmingly positive from the phone calls. I was told the response rate, which they track, and I can tell you that based on what I heard, I have every reason to believe that Rasmussen and PPP have a good understanding of how independents are breaking. Of course, I don't claim to have seen a representative statewide sample, but what I saw is consistent.

Anecdotally, there was a little more resistance in the heavily Democratic area, than I saw in the other town or on Saturday. But still, the overall numbers were very positive.

C'mon. MLK is not the only man who ever had a dream. Help Scott get to the $1 million mark. It's not that far away!

(And although I live in Illinois, I was born in Bean Town.)

_____

Oh, the (in)humanity! Where's Oliver Stone when you need him?

Drive-Bys

This is so wrong on so many levels I can't begin to tell you.

As many of you know, the Princess Mom finally succumbed not to lung cancer, which she'd had for years, but to brain cancer when the lung cancer metastasized. I'd have given anything to give her the comfort and relief a joint or a bowl or a bong or an Alice B. Toklas brownie would have given her.

In this case, the poor woman had a prescription from her doctor in a state where medical marijuana is legal, AND had a permit from the state -- but her landlord is still evicting her.

Spread the word: Do Not Rent from Gardner Group of Michigan. Not at that property. Not at any of their properties.

What leeann says goes double for me.
_____

Traveling via CTA's elevated train system any time soon? You might want to keep this in mind:

Before someone gets hurt, and before the myth that it's unsafe to ride the CTA becomes reality, it's time to pick up your cell phone, CTA riders. Dial 911 and report crime on the transit system to the Chicago Police Department.

And do it while the perpetrators are in the act. Any criminal activity can also be reported to the Chicago Police Department's mass transit unit at 312-745-4485, or to the CTA at 312-664-7200.

In addition, it's time to jot down the badge numbers of CTA employees who don't think it's their job -- it's actually their duty -- to get involved.

CTA policy requires employees to tell the perpetrator to stop such behavior. If the individual persists, the employee is supposed to radio the control center, which will notify security or police, said CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney. CTA customers are encouraged to report crimes, including thefts, assaults and harassment, to CTA and the police, so officials can provide increased security where it is needed, Gaffney said.

Report employees who are not carrying out this duty to 888-968-7282 or send an e-mail with details, including the date, time, location and transit route, to: feedback@transitchicago.com.

And stay off your cell phones, BlackBerries and iPods, too. Thieves have gotten downright brazen and will walk right up and take it from you if you're not paying attention.
_____

Ummmmm... about that global warming thing?
_____

Quote of the Day, Part I:

“I am an automotive diagnostician,” Mr. Seyfer said. “We look for the root cause of problems. If we treat the symptoms, the problem always comes back. With health care, we are not treating the root cause: Why does it cost so much?”

Quote of the Day, Part II:

Ron Vaughn, who provides health insurance to his 60 employees at Argonaut Wine and Liquor near the state Capitol, said: “I’m a middle-of-the-road kind of guy. I want the Democrats out of my pocket and Republicans out of my bedroom. The one word I would use for what’s going on in Washington is embarrassing. I am embarrassed for Republicans and for Democrats. They started out on the right foot, but it’s degenerated.

“Republicans misled people and tried to scare seniors by putting out misinformation about death panels,” Mr. Vaughn said. “Then to pass a bill in the Senate, Democrats stooped to bartering for votes. It demeans the whole process.”

Yes, these people speak to me.
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Got a teenage daughter? Show her this. It's a lesson I wish I learned way before turning 40.

(And make sure she reads the Jag Carrao links. Those posts pack a powerful punch.)
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Quote of the Day, Part III (because Juliette rocks):

This is the deal: if you’re assisting in the redistribution of wealth to its “rightful owners,” you get a pass on telling an unflattering racial truth. If you’re “doing something to for black people,” you get to let a “racist” thought slip through your lips or out of your word processor. It’s why old Klansmen like Senator Robert Byrd can even use phrases like “white n*gger” and still sit in the US Senate.

You're allowed to "abuse" black people with one hand if you’re giving them things out of the other.

The truth hurts, doesn't it?
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The question is here. The answer is another question: "Fallout? What fallout?"

Sunday Schedule

So that No Pants Day thing I told you about yesterday? I did a little follow up follow up Google, and ran across this wonderful quote:

"Running around in your underwear is not considered indecent exposure," he said.

Oddly, it made me miss the Princess Mom, as I could clearly envision the stink-eye she'd have speared Officer Urqhart with when he uttered such silliness.

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Giggle of the Day (for Venomous Kate):

see more dog and puppy pictures

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For my gentlemen friends who don't understand the appeal of women's gymnastics:

Beauty. Flexibility. Precision muscular control. What's not to like?

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I wondered when the Bright Start fiasco was finally going to bite Alexi Giannoulias, who is running for Roland Burris' senate seat (formerly held by President Chicken Little), square in the tuchas. It's about time.

In typical Illinois Democratic party fashion, they put forth a candidate whose family owns a bank with a track record of questionable dealings, links to Tony Rezsko and who badly bungled the investments for the Illinois Bright Start program, leading many, many Illinois college students and their families to be told that the funds simply weren't there to pay their first semester of college in the 2009/2010 school year. And the Dems will certainly never understand that, especially in this day and age, the voting public does not want someone who is oblivious to fiscal responsibility.

I've gotta tell, there are a lot of people who aren't going to forget that by putting their hard-earned money into risky securities, Giannoulias lost $150 million of taxpayer savings that was specifically earmarked for college educations.

Go here, read about all the candidates, and then vote your conscience.

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Oh, yeah? Then show us how that's supposed to work, sir.

(I have a sneaking suspicion Chicken Little and I have a wildly different definition of "slightly".)

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My Barstool Blog Son has posted a dandy little YouTube video here. Lest you think I've flipped my wig, watch the whole thing.

Then do me a favor and drop Doug a comment. I'll kick him in the butt to install a site meter. In the meantime, he needs to know someone is out there. Thanks!

Rubber-Necking

More on that No Pants Day on the CTA deal:

As soon as the doors shut at the stop before yours, stand up and take your pants off and put them in your backpack. If you’d like to use a briefcase, purse, grocery bag, or whatever instead of a backpack that’s fine too. If anyone asks you why you’ve removed your pants, tell them that they were “getting uncomfortable” (or something along those lines.)

Exit the train at your assigned stop and stand on the platform, pantless. You will wait on the platform for the next train to arrive. Stay in the exact same place on the platform so you enter the next train in the same car as you exited the last train.

When you enter, act as you normally would. You do not know any of the other pantless riders. If questioned, tell folks that you “forgot to wear pants” and yes you are “a little cold.” Insist that it is a coincidence that others also forgot their pants. Be nice and friendly and normal.

You can wear fun underwear if you like, but nothing that screams out, “I wore this because I’m doing a silly stunt.” Wear two pairs of underwear if it makes you feel more comfortable. Don’t wear a thong or anything else that might offend people. Our aim is to make people laugh, not piss them off.

Tempting. Veeeeeeeeeeeery tempting.

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And, FYI...

Drive-Bys

Confused about all the candidates on the primary ballots in Illinois? Go here for questionnaires filled out by all the different candidates, and choose the ones who, in their own words, most closely align with your own values.

I know I'll be spending a lot of time at this page!

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Every single one of these Infomercials is ridiculous. This is my own particular favorite:

How about you?

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You'll never look at a soda fountain the same way again. I swear. (Eeeew!)

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Nice to see that Massachusetts Democrats respect their constituents' wishes. Think the Dems are going to lose seats in the current round of elections? Let 'em try a little more of this, and they'll be voted out in droves in the next round.

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Thought I'd mention that tomorrow is No Pants Day on the CTA in Chicago. (My back window looked out over Berger Park at one point in my life...)

Anyhow, just thought you'd like to know.

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Bus Fumes

Still think Islam is the religion of peace? Go read this... and then try and watch the video. I dare you.

And I dare you to believe it's a religion of peace after you're done.
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Ford, it all its idiocy, has decided to roll out a Tweeting car. Don't you think it might just be distracting to try and compose a message in 140 characters or less, even if both hands were still on the wheel and your eyes were still on the road???

Stupid. Just stupid.

Drive-Bys

I am a Snapdragon What Flower Are You?

"Mischief is your middle name, but your first is friend. You are quite the prankster that loves to make other people laugh."

Heh.
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Ear Worm of the Day:

How do you solve a problem like Sharia?

Now get this tune out of your head. (Hah! Fooled you!)
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Bwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahaha!!!! They probably heard about the weather here!
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Giggle of the Day:


see more Political Pictures
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This gave me a fit of the giggles. (And I've made a number of those kitchen boo-boos myself at one time or another.)
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If you're an Illinois resident, then here's a guy you should be paying more attention to: Jason Plummer. Why? He's running for Illinois Lt. Governor... and remember that that's how we got our current governor.

Marathon Pundit has two good posts here and here about why we should be giving Jason our consideration.

I don't know about you, but I'm throwing some campaign dollars his way. I like the way he thinks.
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Great Reader may be on hiatus... but... "It's Friday! Let's Dance!" in his honor...



Yeehaw!
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One more thing. If this doesn't bring a tear to your eye, you don't have a heart.

Drive-Bys

At the end of the night, my site meter looks like this:

But it's the stuff that I find early in the morning that makes up that "Unknown" section that's interesting. Just you wait and see!

Update:

See?

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Ooooh! Sixteen different kinds of French toast in the Chicago area, and all of them look scrumptious. Anybody up for trying some of these with me?
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High Five: I ordered this dress from b & lu yesterday... and it arrived today. I paid standard shipping and handling. These folks must really want my business!

(The dress is adorable, BTW. Now I'm going to have to find a sandy beach to wear it on...)

Update: Finally got around to trying it on. With one minor alteration needed (so you can't see all the way to my navel), it's going to be perfect -- cute, comfy and styling!
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Is this really a surprise? As far as I can tell, it's just a natural extension of the IRS's marriage tax rate. It's not gay marriage that's a threat to the institution of marriage; it's the government.
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I hope it's not snowing where you are, but if it is, let this be a very cautionary tale about driving too near semis in this weather.

Yeesh.

One more reason I'm glad I don't drive any more...
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Hey, Miss Nancy! Tuck this in your favorites for BlogHer 2010. Looks like very helpful stuff!
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One of the benefits of posting the music I heard in Ireland on YouTube is that I've actually made a new acquaintance or two along the way. US 231 is one of them:



Yep. I do love me a toe-tapper. (Thanks, Scott!)
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Later, kids. I'm off to hitch up my sled dogs and head home...

Rubber-Necking

Why is it that this reminds me of my Jawja Blown-Eyed Blodging Buddies?



Seriously, these kids should be honorary members of the group.

(A tip of the cap to those wacky guys at The Awesomer, which is not, despite what they say, just for guys!)
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Giggle of the Day:


see more Lolcats and funny pictures

Not this time, kiddo.

Deer in the Headlights

There was a day when all I wanted in a purse was a pocket for my cell phone, a pocket for my cigarettes and a zipper compartment for my lighter.

Then I found Shooz.

Then I bought myself a laptop computer.

Now, I'm juggling handbag lust with practical baggitude.

And they have this really adorable bag with enough girliness to make it sexy, and enough room to hold my laptop AND my Kindle.

My debit card is already groaning... but tomorrow, that naughty girl is MINE.

Now... I wonder if they have shoes that will compliment....

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Holy crap. When did I become such a GIRL???

Drive-Bys

Hmmm... I haven't done Blogthings in a while so...

You Are Fettuccine Alfredo

Compared to most people, you have rich and decadent tastes. If you can afford something, you'll go ahead and indulge yourself. You are a true foodie. No food is off the table for you. You're the type most likely to appreciate every aspect of a five star meal.

What Pasta Dish Are You?

Blogthings: 100's of Fun, Free Quizzes and 3 Stupid Ones

... and...

Your Scent is Pumpkin Pie

Warm, comforting, and a bit old fashioned You've got what men want - believe it or not!

What's Your Girl Smell?

The First Rule of Blogthings Is: You Don't Talk About Blogthings

So there.
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The Princess Mom's motto was, "If there's a horizontal surface, I can fill it with collectibles!" Thus, Trampoline's Etsy Shop gets the Princess Mom Seal of Approval. (Truly some very cool stuff. I particularly like this reindeer print, this whole series of butterfly plates and this cool office supply grouping. Kim's got a terrific eye.)
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I'm also jonesing for at least two or three of these cool headbands... and I'd settle for just this one.
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Must. Stop. Visiting. Etsy...
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Is your mom still alive? If the answer is yes, here's 10 questions you might want to ask her.

If the answer is no, in retrospect, what question do you wish you'd asked?
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Quick Stop

Quote of the Day:

"paece out."

Heh.

Historic Markers

Well, poop. Two Chicago landmarks -- one is no longer, and one won't be for long.

Standee's was just a couple of blocks from where I used to live. A certified dump and my favorite greasy spoon, they served the best fried egg sandwich in the city, accompanied by a dandy cup of joe and my favorite waitress Julie, who knew just about everybody in the neighborhood. They just don't make joints like this any more. Geeze, I hate to hear this news.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Pump Room is getting a facelift and not, in my humble opinion, for the better. Back in my younger and stupider days when I was still doing the personal ads, this was one of my semi-regular hangouts for cocktails and dancing. It's an old Hollywood classic, the likes of which we'll never see again, dammit.

Update: Perzackly.

Speed Bump

Argggggggghhh! Someone in my office broke my mug from Dingle Pottery.

Once I get over being major-league peeved about this, I guess I'll have to book my next trip to Ireland to get myself another one.

So there.

(Dammit. I loved that mug. And the pictures just don't do justice to how lovely they are.)

Eye Spy

I'm off to see Dr. Hotshot, as I'm having some sort of allergic reaction that has had my eyelids and all around my eyes puffy and itchy for days.

Later, kids.
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I love Dr. Hotshot. She's blunt and she gets things done. Apparently I have some kind of contact dermatitis -- an allergic reaction to God knows what. She whipped of a scrip for a Medrol Dose Pack and made a quick phone call and shuttled me two blocks down the street to see a high flying dermatologist as a walk-in. (I'm convinced that if anyone else had made the request it would have taken me a month to get an appointment.) He gave me a topical steroid to use as well, concurred that it's an allergic reaction. So... I've got to go back and see both soon, but at least there's some relief in sight. And... with any luck... I won't resemble a Gorgon so much in a day or so.

Now I also need to find fragrance-free shampoo, conditioner and styling products, as those are the suspected culprits. Argh! Patch tests to come, once we get the evil itchy eyes cleared up. Stay tuned...

Wink and a Smile

Sent by Catfish, this just made my day.

Pull Over

Park yourself and read this thoughtful and thought-provoking post on the nature of male/female relationships in the U.S. today. The Futurist takes the basic premise of Kim du Toit's 2003 post entitled The Pussification Of The Western Male and ratchets up the arguments to a factor of 10.

While the tone is angry and will certainly grate on the modern feminine psyche (not the feminist psyche, which will reject it wholesale) like nails on a blackboard, when you look past the anger and into the basic arguments you'll find a great deal of truth there, too.

Like the original du Toit post, I suspect this post will set off a firestorm of self-defensive he said/she said squabbling across the internet. That's a shame. I hope, for the more enlightened thinkers among us, it provokes thoughtful and respectful discussion instead.

(A tip of the cap to the Instapundit.)

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Since I've already pointed you to one writer who serves up a healthy portion of controversial thought, I might as well also direct you to this post on San Francisco's cultural change over time as a harbinger of the direction we may be headed as a country, as well.

Drive-Bys

Giggle of the Day:

Captain Hamster

Found via leeann, who also makes me giggle on a regular basis.

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Mrs. Who discovered the source of Rush Limbaugh's recent chest pain problems:

I know what happened to him. He was walking in the hallway at his Hawaiian hotel, and thought he came upon Medusa. Wouldn’t that give you serious palpitations? Actually it was just Nancy Pelosi, sans makeup on her vacation. Limbaugh is fortunate that it wasn’t worse. It could have been Helen Thomas. With or without makeup.

Perish the thought!

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Target practice my marksman buddies can appreciate?

Fine-tuning can be achieved by learning to shoot out pebbles onto a metal target.

(A tip of the cap to the Instapundit for this eye-opening article on the future of feminism. BTW -- compare and contrast the aforegoing to this. Go ahead -- I dare you!)

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Seems I've once again been appointed to a cabinet-level position. Eat your heart out.

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Ear Worm of the Day:

It is cold outside.
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P.S. -- I made and started keeping my resolutions before New Year's and so far, so good with the not smoking. I'm learning to say "I quit" (in the both the present and past tenses) instead of "I'm in the process of quitting" (which indicates I haven't yet succeeded). Not one cigarette since 12/17/09, and I win again every morning when I get up and can say that I made it through another 24 hours. I'm already a success. Now I just have to keep up the good work, one day at a time.