Hydration.....

When did it become so important in life to be fully hydrated that everyone needs to carry around a water bottle? I had a great and funny time discussing this with a friend this morning. He is a teacher and in the past few years....the nurse has told him that it would be OK if children had water bottles in the class...we need them hydrated. REALLY....they can't wait 50 minutes to get a drink. He tells me....that they are not drinking from them anyway....they play around with them and distract the class...no kidding...they are not thirsty!

My family is in on this deal too. I cannot count the times that we needed to hold up so one of the kids got their water bottle. At least for the majority of times they use a reusable water bottle. Of course that won't due for my wife and I......we crack open the bottle and hydrate away.

We are too much, we Americans...

St Louis Gets Chris Long.....Very Cool

I think we hit a home run with Chris Long.  Son of Howie Long, Chris' story is pretty cool.  After the draft and a little bit of partying he comes to his new home town.  The press is on him....he hasn't slept in 24 hours and he comes off sounding like a pro!

He tells everyone one that his first choice was St Louis and he is overjoyed with being able to play with the Rams.  By the Way.......was Howie there to guide his son??....No , he stayed away...he didn't need to take some of his kid's big day away.  Nice Howie...but it must of killed you to stay away.  So.....maybe the kid would of said that to any town that would of drafted him.....we will never know...He came in humble and happy and complimented his way into the fan's hearts.

Welcome Chris!

Great TV This weekend....Cool

I did not get to watch much TV over the weekend. In fact I probably only watched a few hours. But what I did catch was great television. The first thing I saw was an old movie. IT was that crummy TV time....8:40 pm You don't feel like doing anything else for the day.....and all the shows and movies have already started. I usually bug into the food channel for 20 minutes of....food. Anyway, I just so happened to click on the public channel and a movie caught my eye. It was "The Apartment"
It was a 1960 black and white movies. It started Fred Macmurray, Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. I looked it up this morning....it won 5 Oscars.

Fred MacMurray.....when he is scolding Jack lemmon....close your eye's...it could o0f been a scene out of My Three Sons....scolding Chip!

Jack Lemmon...as always in my opinion....over acts. But this was the best I seen of him. I also like him when he plays an old crabby guy in other movies.

Lastly....Shirley MacLaine...one that I have never liked in a movie....she was not only great...but a real knockout for the 60's....


Then no tube until late Sunday afternoon. I was going to see if I could catch 60 minutes. I very rarely watch 60 minutes anymore....Church is at 5:30...but since I went to early Mass this week...I was able to indulge in my old ways.

So I turn on CBS and of course it is delayed by whatever sport happens to be running on CBS Sunday. It happens to be the Byron Nelson Championship....the what?...anyway...two guys that I never heard of our duking it out in the playoffs of this round. In the few minutes of it that I watched....Adam Scott birdied the third playoff hole to win the match. Not juts birdied it.....he sunk a 49 foot Putt.




Lastly....60 Minutes...Absolutely a great story on Antonin Scalia.. watch the video below if you missed the story. This guy is GREAT! Like his views or not....you cannot dislike the man!

http://60minutes.yahoo.com/

Treat Veterens well...that would be cool!

My brother and dad are veterens. Both saw no action and came home in one piece. I know few if any veterens. It must be the age...When I grew up it was was peacetime for most of it. My freinds today have kids.....but most are too young to be involved in the Armed Service. Why do I start this way......just to let you know that I don't have a dog in this hunt.

On talk radio today they were discussing suicide of our servicemen that have served in the Iraq war. I then see in the paper this morning an article about the same issue. Funny how the radio was stating 1,800...the caller 6,200 and the paper 12,000. Who knows....that's the Govenment for you.....we could ask themn to find out. They would then build a agency with 3,000 people to scurry around and spend oddles of our money telling us what we already know....TAKE CARE OF OUR VETS!

These guys and gals have put there lives on hold....or they have selected a lifestyle ....that both keep our country safe. Most of us would not want to be in their shoes...or should I say boots....But they do. I am sure for many different reasons...but they still cover all of America's backs.

They should have the best medical treatment....PERIOD.

God Bless America.

Our Superstar is almost there!

My partner and I have been sponsoring an Olympic hopeful for the past few years. Sarah Haskins Over the weekend she came one step closer to being chosen for the Olympic team. My partner tells me that, mathematically, it would need to be a miracle for her not to make it. Over the years we have take photos of her and posted them on our site. Stop in and buy some patch cables or view her photos.

This young lady is the sweetest kid you would want to meet. She is positive and very humble. We are all very excited to see Sarah realize her dream.

Go Haskins...Go USA!!!

Hillary takes Pennsylvania....cool

55% to 45% is a convincing victory???? I guess if 45% of the vote does not want you....it's ok. Well it's better the the Gore/Bush debacle! I guess the prtesidential race will look the same. It's amazing to me how even the side are!

Hillary was on track to raise an additional 10 million within 24 hours of winning PA. 24 hours....10 million....where were these same supporters when she was ijn the red....yup in the red....when she entered Tuesday's contest. Fairweather friends....

Next Up...Guam Caucuses...didn't know that the 51st state was going to vote!!

Then it's Indiana....more of Ohio and North Carolina....Hillary will need that southern accent again.... They are both on May 6th. I bet that will go one for each...time will tell.

Big Day Tomorrow COOL

OK liberals.....I mean democrats......tomorrow should be the day.....I am praying for Hillary....I know Hillary!!

I think Osama...oh I mean Barack is a harder candidate to beat.

GO HILLARY........Get out there and vote Central PA.


It's amazing, you would not even think McCain is in the race. I cannot wait until the mud starts to sling!!

Refinance your car? Not Cool

OK.....here we go again.....I just heard a commercial about refinancing your car. The pitch was .....refinance and pay a lower monthly rate....get 1% cash back when you refinance. I cannot believe that the credit has gotten so loose already that this type of nonesense is happening.

Refinance your car?????.....what is the average monthly car payment....200-305....if it's higher...and you need to refinance, you should not of bought it to begin with. What idiot is going to take a 48 or 60 month contract that they have for let's say 250 and refinance it into a longer contract to get the payment down to 225 and get 300 bucks at closing.....who????...the same idiots that took out arms that after one year went up by 10%.

And who are the banks taking this crappy credit paper. Refinancing a home is one thing....it's not a depreciating asset. A car??? Loses money every day you own it. Why would anybody want to have a payment on an item that's life expectancy is shorter then the loan.....

I hope that this next financial gem falls on it's face.....it won't though.....as PT Barnum put it.... "a sucker is born every minute".

Parade Magazine...Robert Downey Junior...not cool

I mistakenly looked over the Sunday edition of Parade....there on the cover is Robert Downey Junior. I could not even get through the story. What a schmuck. I really could care less that this dope (ironic name calling) has been in and out of rehab, in and out of jail and now has seen the light. What kills me is that most anyone else that had done these self destructing events, would not be so loved by their field of "expertise" Most people would be fired....not to return. BTW what did this guy ever accomplish?????? Chaplin? That's his biggest score???? Come on...the only people that watched that were the same dopes that watched My Left Foot. Seriosly, he must have some serious connections to keep resurecting in the field.

On another note....check out this video. See how aware you are of your surroundings.

Movie review....Ben Stein is cool

Brought the family to see Ben Stein's Expelled last night. The theater was about 75% full and most guests were my age or older. My 10 and 12 year old were bored and e movies was way over their heads. Cripes it was almost over my heads. But my other two braniac kids understood it.

It was a very good watch. Since I listen to crazy right wing radio I am very aware of all the Rights views of the drive by media, the left elites...blah blah blah. But when you watch this movie and start to understand the hate that is involved in the main issue of the movie....it' scary.

The movie is a long sarcastic version of 60 minutes. Ben goes about showing how the main stream academics not only do not want intelligent design to be taught, but they want to eliminate any thought of it. OK...what the hell is intelligent design??? It's the belief that their is intelligence in the design of the world....yeah...we still hide it.....OK It's God...can you believe it! So the other side ...the people who believe in Darwinism....are atheist and think intelligent design has NO place in any discussion. When you listen to these folks talk about how stupid the mere thought that God is involved.....hear their hate for others...it's crazy.

The movie was a great conversation starter with my teenagers. My oldest kept saying "are these people on crack" she made me laugh.

So go check it out.

BTW GO CARDINALS!

Earthquake in the Midwest...no damage...cool

A 5.2 quake hit at 4:37 this morning. Tons of after shocks including a 4.5. So far no one was hurt and minimal if any damage. It happened out in the countryside of Illinois. I didn't hear or feel a thing....but my 15 year old was awaken as her bed shook and my wife was awakened by it. A lot of my co-workers felt their houses shake....5.2 is pretty big....in fact..

The largest earthquake in the US outside of Alaska was in 1811 in New Madrid Missouri. That's a good trivia question for you. Most think California is home to the earthquake, when in fact Alaska is. 12 out of the top 13 largest earthquakes took place in Alaska. #7 on the list was the one in Missouri. It happened again in New Madrid in 1812, but was only a 7.8!!!!!! making it #20 on the list.

There is your US news and facts for the day.....go ahead and have a great Friday.

Such a cool song

Casting Crowns do this really great song....Who am I

The really cool part are the lyrics

Casting Crowns - Who Am I Lyrics

Who am I?
That the Lord of all the earth,
Would care to know my name,
Would care to feel my hurt.
Who am I?
That the bright and morning star,
Would choose to light the way,
For my ever wondering heart.

Not because of who I am.
But because of what you've done.
Not because of what I've done.
But because of who you are.

Chorus:
I am a flower quickly fading,
Here today and gone tomorrow.
A wave tossed in the ocean,
A vapor in the wind.
Still you hear me when I'm calling,
Lord you catch me when I'm falling,
And you told me who I am.
I am yours.
I am yours.

Who am I?
That the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love
And watch me rise again
Who am I?
That the voice that calm the sea,
Would call out through the rain,
And calm the storm in me.


This really puts things into perspective.

Cool.

$3.69 a gallon....that is so not cool

Just filled up the car....$3.69 a gallon....OK it was premiium...the car instructions states you need 93 octane.....whatever

3.69...3.69.....WOW...I feel like I am in europe. I remember paying less then a buck and europe was always 3-4 bucks....It's crazy. This along with rising prices on all the basics is a starnge thing. It's a place where this economy has not been for a very long time. My belief is that it will get worse before it gets better.

Buckle up.

Obama does not want to answer the question....not cool

When asked if Life begins at conception, Obama stumbles around for his answer and then says "this is something I have not come to a firm resolution on"

Well we know that he sat in the pews for twenty years and didn't hear the pastor say that America is a terrible place....so it only goes to show ya , that he probably wasn't listening when the Christian faith unequivaclbely states that life starts at conception.

You see, the rub is this....if you believe that life begins at conception....then abortion is murder...oops isn't there a commandment about that....maybe he missed this too.

If you do not believe in life at conception....then you have to pick a date.....come on pick one,...could it be the second before birth and the "fetus" takes it's first breath? OHHHHNOOOOO they will say....partial birth abortion is wrong....ok...pick the date....makes no sense

Obama is a scary candidate.....He is as liberal as they come.

Here he is:

Taxes...my favorite rant....cool

This week will not go down as one of my favorites.....I turn 47 and I have to pay taxes....

Qouting Fortune Magaizine 4/14/2008

In 2005:

40% of Americans by income had an effective tax rate that's negative.
Their householeds received more money through the income tax system, largely from the earned income tax credit.

That means only 60% of Americans pay any income tax at all.

50% of Americans pay 97% of all the taxes.

The top 10% of American earners pay 70% of all the taxes in the US.
quick math....40% of Americans pay 27% of the taxes

And the Famous 1% of American Earners pay 40% of all income taxes.
quick math again the 2-10 percenters paid 30% of all taxes

Now that's a lot of math....but it comes down to..... a very few are paying the way for many.

BTW to be in the 1% club.....your invome needs to be $365,000 a year.

Now that we have some facts....I will be ranting later on.....

Dr. Phil is not cool

I was listening to the news this morning. The story started.....Dr. Phil and staff help people in need....or some crazy teaser... Anyway, I guess that they paid bail for a girl to get out of jail after she was caught on You Tube beating a classmate. At first I thought that's odd....why would they care....such a simpleton I am. Then they go to explain that his show regularly helps out potential guests of the show in their time of need. Fox news caught him
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,351022,00.html
and I guess they then said it was wrong and that she would not appear on their show.

What a bunch of creepy scumbags. I do not watch the lowest common denominator of the race on these idiotic shows. It's crazy that these people get up there and tell there life stories on national TV and act like nit wits.....but the scumbags are the people enabling this behavior. These people have problems, social, money mental....the list can go on.....and these creeps prey on these types so the rest of us can watch this crap. We are in a sad state of affairs in our country.

Shame on you Dr. Phil.....doctor yeah right.....


On Tech note: We are going to running a special on HDMI Switches. I was wondering if any of you use this type of equipment. It would be for people that want to watch video from multiple soureces usung HDMI technology on a TV that has minimal HDMI input ports. Let me know. Thanks.

another test

stay with me
showmecables

Xerox loses suit on Discrimination??? I can't fit in cool

You have got to be kidding me! 12 million was just awarded to a class action group of ex-Xerox employees. Xerox has to pay 12 million...they did not say they were guilty of anything...they just settled.

I spent a decade at Xerox. It was a great ride and I am amazed that out of all the companies that would have to deal with this is Xerox. Xerox just is not minority friendly....they are pro-promote minorities for the sake of being a diverse workplace. They in fact make decisions that in lieu of good business decisions....at times...make those decisions that better there stance on helping minorities.

The copier business is an old white guy business. Xerox over the years has changed that dramatically. I didn't agree with the way they went about doing this....but the end result is that there are probably more minorities at good leveles of management then most fortune 100's. This is kinda like biting the hand that feeds you.

Just an example of what I mean. I had a team of 7 white old guys....yeah back then they seemed old....now they look like young guys....They had been with Xerox 15+ years. When one of them left the team...I wanted to promote the best person for the job....unique idea right? that would be the person who sold more then anyone else over a on period of time....I was told that my team did not meet EEOC guidelines that mother X wanted....I was told to promote a minority, who had less experience, less success and was not the best employee for the job. The person was just as "competent" and thus the best person for the job per Mother Xerox.

The story made me laugh....kinda ironic.....The X always was trying to push the envelope on being the most diverse employer......only to have it come back and bite them in the ass for 12 million. This must drive Anne crazy....she's the best by the way.

Here is a link to the story
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/manufacturing/2008-04-11-xerox-discrimination-suit_N.htm

Poor Bird.....not so cool

Well the sun is finally out in St. Louis.....someone left the door open to the front of the building and wouldn't you know it....a bird flew in. Next thing we know he is dive bombing across the office and heads straight into the expanse of windows we have....Bang....feathers fly and the bird is.....dead.

All I heard from my office was.....whoaaaaaa....BANG....ohhhhhh

Now the pity is over and the jokes begin....lunch is being served I just heard....

Back to the cables....

You think I rant......cool

I love rants.....I find humor in them especially when they rant on things I agree with.

Check out Jackie Mason on this rant.....it would be funny if it wasn't so true....scary

American Airlines....not too cool

I like American Airlines....with that said, they are now on the verge of taking a serious black eye.
900 flights will be cancelled today. I guess they need to check the MD80's wheel well to make sure the wires that have been in place SINCE 1980's are secure. The MD 80 has been around and flying for more then a decade....now...this week....we need to have all the planes in for the inspection?

It's all politics...the FAA which is basically the airlines lackey has been way to cozy with the airlines and allowing them to inspect themselves???? This is great....I have tried it with , my kids, my employees, contractors.....self inspection is wonderful.....NOT

Anyway, the FAA gets their underwear inspected and allof something they have to show that they actually mean what they say....and they come down on American for doing what they also did ...interpret the rules to their favor. Both are wrong....

So I hear on the news that American is finding it's cancelled passengers pillows and blankets.....I hope they are kidding me....here is where AA can make chicken soup out of chicken#%@%

Blame the whole incident on the GVT and then TAKE CARE of your customer. Like in the 1992 elections...."it's the economy stupid" Bush didn't get it....I hope AA does. If they get their customers Hotel rooms....communicate personally with customers to not let them get to the airport....feed them....yes all of these things, they are the ones that screwed up.....Do all this and they will have customers for life.

Apathay at the polls...not so cool

We had mayoral elections last night here in my town. We have over 35,000 residents and the total count for people voting for the two mayoral candidates????......below 5,000...less then 15%

I pretty much vote in every election. I do not vote on all the issues however. If I know nothing of the issue, I tend to leave it out. It's amazing to me that so few vote. Free country I guess.....but if you don't vote.....then don't complain.

Maybe we will get better service...that would be cool

Well the big "R" is upon us........recession.....shhhhhh no one wants to acknowledge the 800 pound gorilla in the room.

There could be a silver lining....when unemployment goes up....employers need not employ the lowest common denominator in the work force...They can actually employ and demand from their employees great service for their customers....

why the rant today...well, I just came from Dick's sporting goods. I bought a pair of sneakers, some goggles and a glove...it came to about $100 bucks. I get to the register to find "billy". Looks like Bill is fresh out of middle school. This is probably his first job. I hand him my stuff and he says "hey"....But it was under his breath. I could barely hear him. Then I pay and he hands me the bag and says..."here ya go" again barely audible. Little Billy should go to customer service 101....oh maybe he should go to good manors 101...Oh I am being to hard on little Billy....Get him to greet the customer and then thank the customer after the sale or get rid of him...cripes sake...if that was one of my kids I would rail them. It's the little things that make a company successful.

I guess this is one of the reasons I always use those electronic check outs when I can....no need for me to get aggravated by the pierced 20 something at the grocery store....


End of rant...back to selling stuff!

Great Title Game.....Cool

The happiest people last night were the networks and the NCAA. What a great finish to a great tournament. I was sad to see Memphis choke in the last few minutes. Self did a great job coaching his team. They knew that Memphis was weak in the free throws and they started the foul/free throw strategy early. I wanted Memphis......but a great game was better then a Memphis blowout.

Just goes to show that these are just kids playing out there and the pressure can get to them.

Chalmer's shot was unbelievable

http://sports.yahoo.com/sportsminute

Slow Start in April not so cool

With some key people out last week, I have been very lax with the blogging...only 3 post so far in April. I will need to step it up if this optimization thing is going to work.

Let's talk prices.....

My latest concern is prices for items you use every day. I have been reading over the past few month about prices of everyday items. The price if gas, bread, milk....everything has increased by a really fast rate. With the consumer consumption society we are living in, something is going to have to give. The Post had an article regarding this is issue on Sunday. They went on to point out some of the side effects of rising prices. They mentioned how people are starting to eat at home more. Local restaurants are seeing declines in dinner customers. Commuters are feeling the pinch....now that we all think that $2.89 is cheap for a gallon of gas. In fact my prices from my vendors have been raised over 50% in just two years. Businesses have finally started to move those increases to the end customer. Watch out more price increase coming.

Add onto that......many of the older baby boomers are now hitting an age where they are changing their portfolio mix to a more conservative approach. Moving dollars out of the market and into CD's or other fixed income assets. Well take a look at those rates....OK the fed has dropped the rates....but the banks have no yet sent them through to the consumer. Average CD is probably paying 3% down from 5% just a year ago.....higher prices...lower earnings

This is going to get worse before it gets better....time to buckle up and start to save for the winter Mr and Mrs. Grass Hopper.

Working to hard ....not so cool

I have had a few key people out this week. I have been wearing a few hats....one of which is not the blogger you know.

Just was checking my yahoo mail and saw this article
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080403/ap_on_re_us/smarter_than_the_smithsonian

This 5th grader sees an error at the Smithsonian.....how cool is that. I love smart little kids.

I hope to be back in the saddle tomorrow....full of thoughts on ....welll....whoi knows!!!

Shaking hands and kissing babies....cool Harry

This weekend my doorbell rang in the middle of the afternoon. There in the drizzle, was Harry Lemay. Harry is running for council member in ward three of my area. I guess I now know that I am Ward 3. Anyway, at first I was just gonna tell him thanks...see ya.....The games were on and I was in my favorite position ....horizontal on the couch. However....since all of you are depending on my knowledge of politics, I thought it my duty to cover the local scene.

I give credit to Harry, he was out there in the rain trying to whip up votes. I invited him in and spent 20-30 minutes asking him his views on the local issues.

There are not too many:
Do you want to expand commercial building in Wildwood?.....let's see...I think we need that Target store....I hate driving the THREE miles down the road to the other one. Not only do I want my cheap Chinese underwear....I WANT THEM NOW!!!!!!

Do you want to build a Taj Mahal for a local town hall?
My take is the only time you ever go to the town hall around here is to pay a parking/speeding ticket...go to the pokey, if they have a holding cell there...and lastly to plead with some bureaucrat to let you put that fence 3" closer to the street.....all activities that tend to pee you off. Not sure I want to be more pee'd off by seeing a building that is killing me in taxes.

I didn't agree with Harry on his two positions....but the way he went about it made me think that he would be able to work with the group for the betterment of Wildwood. Harry you have my vote.

I am still wondering what happen to the guys at Cousins Subs in Wisconsin that were reading my blog. You guys still there?