Yes. This is how I feel every year about this time!

There is nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.  ---Erma Bombeck

I love the build up to Christmas up to the point where I go to bed on Christmas Eve but the next day, the realization hits me that it's all over.  The carols, the lights, the message of the Savior and his love for use centered around his birth, the food, watching Christmas movies with family, and the time spent with loved ones comes to a screeching halt on that day. While we can still do some of the activities we did during the Christmas season such as thinking about the Savior it won't be the same again until just after Thanksgiving next year.  Sometimes, like Elmo from Sesame Street, I wish we could experience the Christmas season every day.  Winter seems a little colder, a little more bleak without all the trappings of the Christmas season.

No Room at the Inn and No Well to Draw Water From

Well first there was no room at the inn for Mary to give birth and now I find out that there was no well for her to get water from to quench her thirst.  Really, where was Bethleham's Legal Aid Lawyers that first Christmas.  If there was ever a reason to have a lawsuit this was it.

Some might ask how I know there was no well for the that first Christmas.  That's an excellent question.  I learned this from my local newspaper, the Hanford Sentinel when it provided a lovely Holiday Song Book with the Newspaper this week.  When I opened it up not only did I find some lovely sheet music for holiday songs but I also learned something too!  There was no water in Bethleham.  Don't believe me?  It's true!!

The song I learned this from is called, The First Nowell.  You can even find it here online:  The First Nowell which is where the newspaper got it.  It's odd singing a Christmas song talking about the lack of water resources in Bethleham but I guess it makes us appreciate the difficulties Mary and Joseph faced a little bit more this holiday season.

Happy Chrismahannakwanzica!

Yes, it's hard to believe another year is nearly over.  There is nothing I dread more as the year winds down than the constant playing of asinine holiday music non stop starting the day after Halloween.  And the music that is considered classics today is simply horrible stuff.  Take the John Denver Christmas Classic "Please Daddy, Don't Get Drunk this Christmas".  Are you fracking kidding me?!?!?!?!



Yea, it's songs like the above that will drive someone to drink or even take their own life.  I rarely revel or celebrate in the death of someone else but when John Denver died you have to wonder if someone wasn't trying on purpose to put a stop to this madness!!!

Speaking of bad holiday songs, if I have to listen to the Wham "classic" Last Christmas one more time I'm going to officially claim I never lived in the 80s.  Seriously dudes!!  Watch the fracking video to see what I'm talking about!!



All this song does is remind me of those girls in high school that played those head games.  One minute they are into you and the next they are with some other guy and then a minute after that they are back into you again.  Yea, let's celebrate that in a Christmas song!!!

And what about those stupid dogs barking to the tune of Jingle Bells.  All that song makes me want to do is abuse animals.  Yet the radio station plays it year after year after year.  I think they should use this one in Guantanamo Bay.  I usually love Doctor Dimento but he crossed the line with this one!



Even Bob Geldof admits now that he hates his own Christmas song, "Do They Know It's Christmas."  When the writer of a song that is way overplayed during the holidays hates it, maybe it's time to stop playing it.  Geldof Hates His Own Christmas Song .  Special thanks to Joel Catherder Waldron for sharing that article with me.  Makes me hate Geldof a little less this holiday season!

So thank you recording community for prostituting yourselves for the sake of making a quick buck every holiday season by creating and selling this crapolla!  May you all be punished by getting stuck and in an elevator for 10 hours and forced to listen to your own song on a continuous loop over and over and over again!

The Wedding

Recently I attending a wedding and reception for a guy I home teach.  The bride and groom both live in a retirement trailer park and are getting up there in years.  I was the best man.  It was funny as I was constantly getting asked if I was the groom's grandson.

It was a lot of fun but one particularly funny thing was going into the restroom and finding these cool Hanoi Jane Urinal Targets.  We were on the local military base at the Officer's Club.  I guess they are still upset with Jane Fonda after all these years.  I started laughing hysterically and had my wife come into the men's room just to see them.  Someone was pretty inventive to come up with these and start a business. 

I Miss Ronald Reagan

Amazing the difference a few years make.  Where is the next Ronald Reagan when we need him.

Happy Halloween

Hopefully your pumpkin patch was the most sincere!  This is my first attempt at fancy carving of pumpkins.  Those pros on T.V. and the internet make it look a lot easier than it is.

Public Safety is Our Number One Priority!

Thanks to your government, safety is our number one priority.  To explain some of those wacky safety pictures I offer you the following:  Homeland Security Safety Picture Guide

Be sure to look at the guide (above link) in case an emergency happens.

Your government is always concerned about your safety.  The following Civil Defense Film, while a little dated, still contains important information that may keep you alive in an emergency. 

By understanding the illustrations of emergency behavior and viewing the video, you should be well prepared in the event of an emergency.

What is it with Twilight?

I mean really, who wants to watch movie after movie of this.  The only ones who I think would enjoy this are 11-13 year old boy scouts.

That's Cool History!!!!

EPIC FAIL or Tyrone Goes Shopping!

As many of my readers know, our business was burglarized a couple months ago.  They caught two of them and recovered about 1/4 of our stuff because the idiot called his ex girlfriend multiple times using one of our stolen cell phones.  The ex girlfriend ratted him out fast when questioned by the cops.  So I enjoy hearing about those who break into businesses getting caught or even better, what happens in this video.  So without further delay, here is "Tyrone Goes Shopping".



What this guy needs is some hope and change.....

Cake Dissaster Blog

Ever have a wedding cake dissaster?  Then this blog is for you! Cake Wrecks Blog

The Lord of the Engagement Rings

Sometimes you come across something so funny it will make milk shoot out of your nose.  Such is the case with this BYU Divine Comedy Production of THE LORD OF THE ENGAGEMENT RINGS












Be sure to check out their website for some other really clever videos:  http://www.divinecomedy.net/videos/

Sorry In N Out, I Found A Better Burger.....

I feel like I've cheated on my girl friend or something but it's true, I've found a better burger.  For years I've been exclusive with In N Out's Animal Style Cheeseburgers, Animal Style Fries, and Neopolitan Milk Shakes.  Alas, I strayed once and that was all it took.

For the record I hate fast food burgers.  In N Out was my one exception to the rule.  The grilled onions, special sauce, and cheese had won me over.  But then my brother took me to Danny's Donut House and Mexican Food in Caruthers, CA. 

Their burgers are fantastic and unlike In N Out their fries don't have to be slathered in cheese, sauce, and grilled onions to make them good.  I don't know why Danny's is better.  I think the meat quality is a little bit better which is hard to say since In N Out is the gold standard for quality.  I think what really sets them apart is the home made hamburger buns they use.  They are the best hamburger buns I have ever had.  There is also the portion size.  The burgers are huge as you can see in the pictures.

They also load the burgers up with several tomatos, lettuce, onions, and pickles.  No skimping on anything with this burger!

In fact, everything is good at this place.  The mexican food is great and the donuts are also great.  I particularly like the apple fritters.  I don't normally eat donuts and by normally I mean that I never eat donuts.  The staff at Danny's Donuts is also super friendly.  Their dining room is surprisingly big, the resturant is very clean, and overall it is a great experience every time I go.

Danny's has ruined me to eating burgers anywhere else.  I can't make them at home as good as Danny's.  Even when In N Out was king I could still occassionally eat a burger at another resturant.  Not anymore.  There are no other burgers besides Danny's.  I have a real problem now.

Danny's is not a short drive away but I find myself making the drive a couple times each month.  Did I mention I think I have a problem?  Their real ice cream chocolate shakes are also really good.  Also, their fountain drinks aren't overloaded with ice and they fill them to the very top of the cup. 

I'm stressing right now because the burgers are so good and I want one right now!!!!!

This is the first time I've had pictures taken of me eating anything so you can be assured that I really do have a problem.  Is there a support group out there for someone addicted to Danny's Donuts?

Look at the size of that burger!

Thank's Danny's for my new massive weight gain! 

MTC Mail Room Blog

Came across this new funny blog about the crazy stuff that happens at the MTC mail room.  Check it out!  MTC Going Postal Blog

The Story of How Bobcat Lost His Tail

As the Cubmaster of a Cub Scout Pack it is my job to award each boy their ranks at our monthly pack meeting.  This month is the first time we have two new Cub Scouts receiving their Bobcat Badge and officially marking their entry into the pack.  In the old days, we would turn the new Cub Scouts upside down and pin their badge on them but times have changed and that no longer is done for safety reasons.

I still wanted to make this an interesting and memorable experience for the new Cub Scouts and looked online for some of the Bobcat advancement ceremonies.  None of them looked that exciting to me.  As I was digging around in my collection of outdoor stuff I came across an old, furry Bobcat tail and an old arrow from my archery gear that no longer hand much feathers left on it.  I thought to myself how I might use these two items to come up with a ceremony for the Cub Scouts.  That is when this story began to come into my mind.  I modeled it along the lines of the stories written by Rudyard Kipling that explained in fanciful stories how the various animals received certain physical attributes.  I'm still fiddling with it a little but this is about the third draft of it and I wanted to share it with you all.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

How the Bobcat Lost His Tail


By Jason Orton

Many years ago, the Chief Scout wanted to start scouting for younger boys and created the cub scouts. He asked his good friend, Rudyard Kipling, if he could use the story of the Jungle Book as the guide for the new Cub Scout program. The author quickly agreed and the cub scouts began with the story of the Jungle Book.

This made the wolves and the bears very happy for they would be honored with two Cub Scout ranks being named after them. The story of the wolf and bear was well told in the Jungle book. Akaela, the leader of the wolf pack knew that the boys would see the wolf badge and remember the importance of working together in the pack and being loyal.

Baloo, the old bear, was also very excited because he knew the bear badge would remind boys of the lessons and skills he taught them about the world they lived in just like he had taught Mowgli when he was a man cub in the pack.

But one animal was worried. For some unknown reason the bobcat had been chosen for the very first rank in cub scouting to mark each boy’s official entry into the pack. Bobcats read lots of books and knew that bobcats were not in the original Jungle Book story and they worried what lessons they could teach the young cub scouts.


The leader of all the Bobcats, coincidentally named Bob, decided to visit the Chief Scout to ask him in person what he could give to help teach the boys a valuable lesson about the pack.


Bob knew this was going to be an important meeting so he decided to make sure he was ready to meet with the Chief Scout. He spent several hours cleaning his fur and pulling out the stickers and burrs from his long tail because, at this time, Bob and the other bobcats still had long tails and not the short bobbed tail you see them wearing today.


Bob the Bobcat got up early the next morning for the long journey to visit the Chief Scout. About mid day as he was walking past a stream surrounded by thick brush he heard a cry for help. It was a very soft cry from deep inside the thick brush. Bob the bobcat carefully walked to the edge of the brush and asked, “Who are you and why do you need help.”


A relieved voice came from the brush, “Oh thank you, thank you, thank you for hearing my cry for help and stopping. I am an old Arrow lost by an Indian hunter long ago and have been forgotten many years in this brush. Please help me get out so that I may be useful again.


“I cannot,” replied Bob the Bobcat. “I have no time to help you for I am on my way to visit the Chief Scout to discuss something of great importance to all of my bobcat family. If I am late I may miss him for he is very busy leading all the scouts.”


The old arrow began to sob for he had been alone so long in the brush and Bob the Bobcat was the first creature who had stopped to talk to him in a very long time. Hearing the arrow cry, Bob the Bobcat just couldn’t leave the poor old Arrow behind and proceeded to crawl into the thick brush.


The brush was much thicker inside than on the outside. Bobcat worried about his newly cleaned fur and about all the stickers and burrs that were being stuck to his beautiful long tail. He had to pull and push his way through the thick brush that pulled horribly at his hair and tail. Sometimes he would have to stop and go backwards so that he could untangle himself from the brush. He soon found the old arrow, picked him up carefully in his mouth, and made his way back out.

When they were free of the brush, the old arrow let out a cry of anguish for he now was able to see that although he was still strait and true, his beautiful feather fletching that helped him fly in the air was nearly all gone. Bob the bobcat told him not to worry that perhaps the chief scout could fix him.


Then Bob began to clean the burrs and stickers out of his fur and cried out in anguish also for most of his beautiful tail was missing. In his struggle through the brush to save the old arrow he had lost his tail. He looked back to the brush and could see it sadly hanging from where it had gotten caught.

Bob began to cry with huge tears coming down his furry face. How could he visit the Chief Scout without his tail? Would cub scouts still want his picture on their badge without his beautiful tail? What could they learn from him now that his tail was no longer attached? But the old arrow told Bob that if the Chief Scout could fix an old arrow he could certainly put the tail back on Bob.


Bob stopped crying. At least he could get his tail back on even if the cub scouts didn’t want or need him anymore. So he carefully got his old tail and picked it up along with the old arrow and continued the journey to see the Chief Scout.


It took many weeks to make the journey in which time Bob and the old arrow had many adventures which are written down elsewhere. Bob and that old arrow talked for many hours along the journey and became fast friends during their time together.

Just before sunset, many months after starting the journey, the two arrived at the lodge of the Chief Scout who was just ending his long day’s work. Quietly, Bob approached the Chief Scout and set the arrow and the large piece of his tail at the Chief Scout’s feet. The Chief Scout was surprised to see the two there and asked them to explain. Bob told the Chief Scout why he had come and about their long journey together. He told the Chief Scout that he would understand if the cub scouts no longer wanted him because he had lost his tail but that he hoped that the Chief Scout could fix both of them so that they could be useful once again.


A tear formed in the corner of the Chief Scout’s eye. He lovingly picked up Bob and scratched behind his ears.

“Bob, you have done so well on your journey. The cub scouts do need you on their first badge, even more now than ever. You sacrificed a part of yourself to help another in need. This will teach the cubs a great lesson about helping others, for even when it is not easy we should be willing to help those in need. Your new, short tail will help them remember this lesson."

Bob was now smiling from ear to ear but then he looked down at his friend the old arrow and asked the Chief Scout if he could do anything to make him useful again. The chief scout picked up the arrow and noticed that while old and worn he was still just as strait and true as the first day he had been fired from the bow.

He held up the old arrow as the sun began to set and noticed how the sun and its rays seemed to connect with that old arrow making something special, and new.

He then looked at the old arrow with a new tear in his eye and said, “Old Arrow, you have served many years faithfully and although you are old and worn with the sun’s rays you can serve as a symbol for our cub scouts to learn from as well. As the last award a cub scout can earn, the Arrow of Light will remind the cub scouts of important lessons of being strait and true. Being honest and true to your word is one of the most important lessons a cub scout can learn.

When combined with the Rays of the setting sun you will be an Arrow of Light to symbolize the ending of a boy’s journey in cub scouting. But just as the sun sets it also is destined to rise again so you will also symbolize the journey of the Cub Scout into Boy Scout. The very first badge a Cub Scout will wear as a Boy Scout will also be the Arrow of Light to remind him to be strait and true.”

Both Bob and the old arrow thanked the Chief Scout for making them whole and useful once again and each shed a silent tear as the Chief Scout walked back into his lodge. The two fast friends then began the long journey home having more adventures along the way.


When they arrived home, the other bobcats listened to the story and were so happy about the lesson that they could teach the cubs that they all removed their long tails to match Bob’s. All of their descendants to this very day have short tails that they wear proudly knowing cub scouts are reminded to help others even when it’s not easy because of Bob’s example and sacrifice.


The old arrow was happy now but wanted the sun on him every day to warm his old frame and remind him of his importance to cub scouts so he asked Bob hang him from a tree branch. Now the old arrow could see the sun rise and set each day and be reminded how cub scouts are strait and true because of his example. Next to the old arrow on the same tree branch hung the missing piece of bobcat’s tail. This way the two old friends could be together forever reminding cub scouts of their great adventure and the lessons they each can learn in scouting.

Eagle Court of Honor

Last night I had the wonderful opportunity to attend an Eagle Court of Honor for a fine young man who had achieved this great milestone in his life.  For those of you that may not know, Eagle Scout is the highest rank in Boy Scouting and is extremely challenging to reach.  Only a couple out of every 100 scouts achieve this rank.  To earn the rank of Eagle a scout must earn 21 merit badges.  He must also plan and lead the completion of a  major service project.  Both my brother and myself are Eagle Scouts.  We also have several friends that have made this milestone.

This is the second Eagle Court of Honor I have attended this year which is significant as it is the 100th Anniversary of the Founding of the Boy Scouts of America.  I currently serve as the Cubmaster in the same chartering organzation that charters the Boy Scout Troop which this young man was in.  Having my own cub scout son has also contributed to my renewed interest in Scouting, it's great legacy, and the great good it does in helping mold boys into men.

At the court of honor we were fortunate to hear a wonderful story re-told by our Assistant District Commissioner.  This story originally appeared in an article written by a long time supporter of the scouting program, Thomas S. Monson, in the LDS publication "Ensign" in November 1982.  A link to the full article is here:  Thomas S. Monson Article

Here is the portion of the story as retold at the court of Honor which was originally told by Thomas S. Monson:

Several years ago a group of men, leaders of Scouts, assembled in the mountains near Sacramento for Wood Badge training. This experience, where men camp out and live as do the Scouts they teach, is a most interesting one. They cook and then eat—burned eggs! They hike the rugged trails which age invariably makes more steep. They sleep on rocky ground. They gaze again at heaven’s galaxies.
This group provided its own reward. After days of being deprived, they feasted on a delicious meal prepared by a professional chef who joined them at the end of their endurance trail. Tired, hungry, a bit bruised after their renewal experience, one asked the chef why he was always smiling and why each year he returned at his own expense to cook the traditional meal for Scouting’s leaders in that area. He placed aside the skillet, wiped his hands on the white apron which graced his rotund figure, and told the men this experience. Dimitrious began:
“I was born and grew to boyhood in a small village in Greece. My life was a happy one until World War II. Then came the invasion and occupation of my country by the Nazis. The freedom-loving men of the village resented the invaders and engaged in acts of sabotage to show their resentment.
“One night, after the men had destroyed a hydroelectric dam, the villagers celebrated the achievement and then retired to their homes.”
Dimitrious continued: “Very early in the morning, as I lay upon my bed, I was awakened by the noise of many trucks entering the village. I heard the sound of soldiers’ boots, the rap at the door, and the command for every boy and man to assemble at once on the village square. I had time only to slip into my trousers, buckle my belt, and join the others. There, under the glaring lights of a dozen trucks, and before the muzzles of a hundred guns, we stood. The Nazis vented their wrath, told of the destruction of the dam, and announced a drastic penalty: every fifth man or boy was to be summarily shot. A sergeant made the fateful count, and the first group was designated and executed.”
Dimitrious spoke more deliberately to the Scouters as he said: “Then came the row in which I was standing. To my horror, I could see that I would be the final person designated for execution. The soldier stood before me, the angry headlights dimming my vision. He gazed intently at the buckle of my belt. It carried on it the Scout insignia. I had earned the belt buckle as a Boy Scout for knowing the Oath and the Law of Scouting. The tall soldier pointed at the belt buckle, then raised his right hand in the Scout sign. I shall never forget the words he spoke to me: ‘Run, boy, run!’ I ran. I lived. Today I serve Scouting, that boys may still dream dreams and live to fulfill them.” (As told by Peter W. Hummel.)
Dimitrious reached into his pocket and produced that same belt buckle. The emblem of Scouting still shone brightly. Not a word was spoken. Every man wept. A commitment to Scouting was renewed.

You could have heard a pin drop in that crowded room where the Eagle Court of Honor had taken place.  It is truly an honor to be associated with such a fine program as scouting, to rub shoulders with some of the finest men and boys in the world, and to see my own son's enthusiasm for a program that has given me so much in my life.

Obama's Warm Reception at the 100th Anniversary Scout Jamboree

What a wonderful reception for the President's pre-recorded message at the 2010 National Jamboree celebrating scouting's 100th anniversary.  I'm sure he regrets blowing off the Jamboree to go hang out with the women of "The View".

Tom Cruise on Home Teaching

I think home teaching is an important Priesthood responsibility but it isn't easy.   After hearing Tom Cruise's zeal for home teaching I think I can do better at it.

I Like Guns

I've found a long lost brother, someone who really understands me.

Stuff My Kids Ruined

I can't have nice things.  It is this way because I have small children.  Last night as I was getting ready for bed I noticed that one of the little heathens took a cup of yogurt and threw it at the back door and then smeared it all over.  The half empty container lay on the carpet in a puddle of pink goo.

We recently got a couch off of Craigs list.  I don't have any desire to get a nice new one for them to destroy.  Same goes for our ancient carpet that looks simply horrible.  Why get new carpet for them to destroy.  I just hope the house holds up long enough to get them to adulthood so that we can then begin the process of fixing it.  I used to have all sorts of great plans for the house and was going room to room painting and making things nice.  Why paint when they will just use markers and crayons to ruin a couple days of work in a matter of moments.

I used to think I was alone in this madness until I found this website:  Sh$* My Kids Ruined

17+ Pages and growing of pictures of other stuff ruined by kids.  Enjoy

John Moses Browning

John Moses Browning was probably the greatest firearms designer in the history of the world.  Here's a documentary I watched on the BYU channel recently that tells about his life and his creations.  The video is hosted by the late, great Fess Parker who was a proud supporter of the NRA and the second amendment.  The video is put out by the LDS Lives series on the BYU channel.  It's an older documentary but it's a winner!
John Browning Video

Clever Missionary Play on Super Mario Brothers

This movie is sure to be a winner!

Jack Bauer Interogates Santa

I'm a junkie when it comes to Fox's series 24 and will really miss it after the final episode in a few weeks.  Kiefer Southerland has done a fantastic job portraying Jack Bauer.  Jack Bauer is the type of guy that I hope makes up a chunk of our government agents that protect us every day.  He's tenacious and hates coruption.  He's relentless in trying to stop the bad guys.  In the end though, he just wants to be left alone with his loved ones.  His patriotism is only matched by his compassion for the victims of evil.  This video clip of one of his interrogations tells the story of Jack Bauer.

A Tale of Two Americas

Sometimes it is too easy to focus on the bad in our country.  We see the media splashed with the celebrities acting badly, politicians acting in their own self interest to gain power, and greedy Wallstreet thieves stealing money from people.  But that really isn't America.  The media would like you to think they are but normal folks are doing the good work each day that really is what this country is all about.  Click on the link and enjoy a few minutes of inspiring stories about people who are making a difference in the lives of others with no expectation of reward, without government funding, and without any fanfare.  This is what makes America great.

A Tale of Two Americas Video

Chicago Politicians Are Stupid

Chicago Pols Want National Guard to Fight Violent Crime

There should be no violent crime in Chicago.  The city banned handguns and is currently fighting in the Supreme Court to keep that ban.  They've had it for years yet the shootings keep happening.  Illinois is one of only two states that does not allow for any sort of concealed carry of handguns by law abiding citizens.  So why do they need the National Guard.  Simple, the crooks know that there is no one that can stop them.  The police have no obligation or requirement to protect the public as confirmed by the court case Warren vs. District of Columbia.  Warren vs DC Info  There are too few cops to do the job anyway.  Criminals are basically lazy and cowards.  They choose the weakest to prey on.  Women, children, the infirm, the weak, the small, and the elderly.  They choose locations that offer the easiest pickings.  Dark areas, off the beaten path where they won't be seen.  They want victims that can't fight back because it is easier.  So naturally crime is high in areas where the average, law abiding citizen is stripped of any means to protect themselves.  The criminal doesn't care that there is a ban on firearms.  He welcomes it because he doesn't care about the ban but he knows that the law abiding will follow the rules.  It makes the criminal's job easier.  Ever wonder why places like gun stores, shooting ranges, police stations, or Texas are almost never the locations of mass shootings in the last 10 years but gun free places like schools, malls, churches, office buildings and other places where guns are prohibited seem to get all the mass murders?  Simple, those gun free zones make for easy targets.  Like Lions on the plains of Africa, the predators that would kill our families and friends go to where the easiest prey can be found.  Where they can do their evil without fear of any meaningful resistance.  Gun bans are a criminals best friend.

Frack You Liberal Facists!

Students Sent Home For Wearing American Flag T Shirt

Five Morgan Hill, CA High School Students were sent home for wearing American Flag T Shirts to school.  Of course no students who wore Mexican Flag shirts were sent home or asked to turn them inside out. 

I love this quote:  "I think they should apologize cause it is a Mexican Heritage Day," Annicia Nunez, a Live Oak High student, said. "We don't deserve to be get disrespected like that. We wouldn't do that on Fourth of July."

Are you fracking kidding me?!?!?!? This is the United States of America dumba*&!  Or maybe it's not anymore.  In my opinion the school principal should be ejected from his job immediately.  I'm sick and tired of this liberal facist crapola!

I Love De-Motivational Posters

I love De-Motivational posters and the websites that allow you to make your own.  These are a few of my favorites from http://verydemotivational.com/  I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

The Glass is Half Empty or The Glass is Half Full. You Have a Choice.

Same words, just read in a different order.

Ninjas and Air Guitar

Anyone who lived through the 80s remembers that there were two things that were extremely popular.  Air guitar and Ninjas.  Now someone figured out that if you armed ninjas with real guitars it would be extremely awsome!  I do miss the 80s sometimes except for the super huge cell phones and the leader of Russian who spilled the Cherry CoolAid on his head causing a permanent stain.

I Love Ghost Towns

I love ghost towns. There is something mysterious about visiting old places where people used to live their lives and where suddenly they are found no longer.  People's hopes and dreams abandonded to the ravages of time and the weather.  At some point the reason people lived in the town dissappeared and so did the people.  Sometimes a key employer closed up shop causing people to move to find work to support themselves and their families.  In other cases where natural resources were involved, there simply weren't enough left to support the town anymore.

California has its fair share of old ghost towns.  Some have been turned into tourist attractions such as Calico, Columbia, and Bodie (pictured here).  Most ghost towns are associated with the old west when mining towns sprung up and went away as fast the miners could move from one place to another.  Others dissapeared as the railroads bypassed old cattle towns.

While commonly associated with the old west, ghost towns are still around in modern times.  In the United States we have a few modern examples.  Gary, Indiana has turned into a crumbling ghost town as the steel industry left.  Centralia, Pennsylvania became a ghost town  due to an underground coal fire that caused residents to have to leave.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Centralia,_Pennsylvania

Detroit, Michigan is beginning to turn into a ghost town as blocks of houses and businesses sit abandoned.

Other cities around the world have become ghost towns due to dissasters, bankrupt investors, and even war.  Check out this interesting blog I found on some of the most amazing ghost towns in the world today:  http://www.oddee.com/item_96462.aspx

And for those in California with a love of gold rush and old west history, here's a neat web site with information on their history and locations that you can visit today:  http://www.ghosttowns.com/states/ca/ca.html

There are literally hundreds of ghost towns in California, some not too far off the main road, that you can visit.  So load up the family and explore history through a visit to a ghost town.

Senior Moment Blues by Buck Miner

I was talking on the Ham Radio the other day to a guy named Buck (K6RFE).  Seemed like a nice fellow and at the end of our conversation he asked me if I had a computer.  Seemed like a funny question but I answered in the affirmative.  He said I should type "Senior Moment Blues" in.  Well I did and I was treated to Buck singing this song.  It's a riot.  For all of those who have Senior Moments and those of us destined to have one or more in the future......

Disney Update!!!

After the previous blog posting on our Disneyland experience and a letter by my wife, Disney contacted us and asked us to send in our old ticket stubs.  I guess they confirmed with their maintenance records our account and sent us brand new tickets plus a parking voucher with their apologies.  So Disney is out of Pluto's Dog House.

Disney Dud!!!

Well we got the free tickets for helping clean up some trees in Fresno last month and decided to make the trip down.  I was fighting a cold and feeling a bit under the weather but we still decided to go.  This by far was the worst trip to Disneyland I have ever been on.

When we got there we decided to head towards the Indiana Jones Ride.  It is a favorite of my wife and I and our older kids were excited to ride on it.  As we were getting in line some Disney employees told us to go back because the ride was broken.

No big deal.  Next we went on the Pirates of the Caribean Ride.  The changes they made for the movie were not too bad and actually made the ride a little more interesting.

Then we headed over to the haunted mansion ride.  It broke down while we were on it.  It didn't make the younger kids happy to be stuck in the ride for a few minutes.

I then took the little kids on the Winnie the Pooh ride while the wife got a fast pass for splash mountain.  Then we went to lunch.

We like to eat at the Blue Bayou resturant.  It is the nice place inside the Pirates of the Carribean ride.  We figured out in the past that if we eat the fast food in the park we pay almost as much as if we eat in this nice sit down place.  We made our reservations in advance and sat down for lunch.  Low and behold the prices have jumped by nearly 1/3 since last time.  That and the kids menu was stripped.  It used to have things like spighetti and chicken nuggets for the kids.  That was gone but now they could get a nice broiled Salmon or baked chicken breast.  Salmon on a kids menu?  The only thing that was even for kids on that menu was the Mac and Cheese which all the kids ordered.  We ordered the Monte Cristo sandwhich which in the past has always been a winner.  Except this time the portions are about half what they used to be.  1/3 more, half portions, and a crummy kids menu.  We won't be going back to what has been a traditional part of our Disney visit again!!!!  Also, the Pirate ride broke down for about an hour while we were eating. 

After lunch the wife and older kid rode Splash Mountain then they all rode the spinning rocket ride in Tomorrow Land.  Due to my cold I was feeling pretty poorly so they drove me to the hotel where I slept for about three hours.

On their way back to the park they were riding the tram from the parking to the park when a Lesbian couple in the seat in front of them looked back at my kids and then decided to do a full on make out session with the wife and kids trapped on the tram.  Before anyone accuses me of being homophobic I don't want my kids to be subject to hetero couples pawing and slobbering all over each other.  My wife tried to distract the kids but really people, do you need to subject a two year old, a six year old, and a nine year old to that kind of show.  Thanks for that!!!!!

Well back in the park and off to the Buzz Lightyear Ride which also broke down while they were on it.  Does Disney even do maintenance anymore?  Finally it started again and next up was the Roger Rabbit Ride.  My oldest daughter went on that one by herself because the younger kids were nervous.  If you had been trapped already on two rides you might be a little nervous also.  Guess what, the Roger Rabbit ride broke down also....for 45 minutes.  So my wife waited for the oldest daughter trying to entertain kids for 45 minutes.  She asked the ride people a couple of times if they would let her off and they kept assuring her it would only be a few more minutes.  So five rides broke down that day, four with us on them.  Add to that the major construction re-vamp on Tom Sawyer Island, the boats, and the Paddle Wheeler and the park got really crowded on what was left.  Oh an the Tarzan tree house was also closed even though that wasn't listed on their list of closed attractions.

I think the villians are running Disney right now.

The next day we went to Universal Studios Hollywood and the difference was night and day.  Universal has a deal going on where if you buy one day they automatically upgrade you to annual passes.  Plus my wife purchased our tickets in advance online and they came with some extra tickets to bring friends along and included free parking with the annual pass.  All for less money than the evil mouse with his broken rides is charging.  We get there and everything is working and they have a meal deal right now.  About $20 for adults and $15 for kids all you can eat as many times as you want.  Well theme park food isn't cheap anyway but for the at least two meals we would be eating this would more than cover it.  You are limited to about six different resturants in the park but the selection is huge.  Panda Express, Pizza Hut Express, and Mels Diner are all included along with a couple other places.  If you have kids like mine that are always hungry this is a real deal.  We ate lunch, a mid afternoon snack, dinner, and an after dinner snack which we mostly took home.

While Universal has fewer rides oriented to little kids there was still plenty to do that interested them.  They also have a kid swap for parents of small children and an area in each ride with a kids movie playing and are to play in while one parent rides the ride.  This greatly sped things up and gave the wife and I a chance to ride the big kid rides.  The Studio tour tram ride was a big hit with the kids as well.

The staff seemed friendlier there too and because all the shows and rides were operational, there were not the long lines.  Even without the year long passes we now I have would definitely return to Universal.  Disney,  err it's going to be a while before I go back there!

Worst Movie Ever

I love this book.  It is one of my favorites from when I was a kid and I read it to my own children all the time.  The older ones know it word for word and the younger children can say some of the lines.  It is a magical story that plays on fantasy and imagination.

The Movie on the other hand is terrible.  We rented it and I made it about half way through before I walked out of the room.  The movie ruined the magic and fantasy of the book.  The Max in the movie is a spoiled brat.  I would seriously consider child abuse on this kid.  His mother is pathetic and brings her boyfriend over to dinner which causes Max to act out.  She's drinking wine in the other room and he just wants some attention which he obviously doesn't get as a latchkey kid.  His sister is neglectful as well.  Dad?  Well he's off somewhere doing who knows what.

The wild things are stupid in this movie.  They look like rejects from HR Puffin Stuff and Sigmund the Sea Monster. 

Yea this movie is that bad.  I am mad that they ruined my favorite story book for children with this horrible movie.  I hope the creators of this horrible movie burn in heck because the other place is too good for them.  At least Sid and Marty Kroft made a decent Saturday morning television show back in the day.

I just don't want a repeat of that for a great book!

The Census Taker

With the census season here I thought it would be important to share this important message about the census.


http://www.movieweb.com/tv/TEioYjmoyqPnlr/HU2D6a4aSiEn52

This is so cool

This guy built an exact, working replica of R2D2 from Star Wars.  The video shows the process at super speed and some of the great charitable events he has had R2D2 attend.  Super cool!

I'm no expert, but.......

I don't know a lot about Tsunamis but with all the recent earthquake activity there has been more information in the news.  Last Saturday after the Chilean earthquake we even had a Tsunami alert for the coast of California, although the worst that happened here was some minor problems in southern California in a harbor or two when the water went out leaving some bouys in the mud.

So with my relative inexperience with Tsunamis and really not living anywhere near where one might cause me a problem, I was a little confused when I came across this picture of a Tsunami warning sign.  It would seem to me that the thing to do during a Tsunami would be to run away from the beach.  I realize that the beach is a great place and being from the state where the hit television show "Babewatch" was filmed, I can certainly understand the popularity of going to the beach but still, I don't think the sign should be advising people to run to the water.  But I'm no expert.....

Don't Talk to the Police

A law professor and police officer tell you why talking to the police is a bad idea.

Really, Really Bad Inventions

There are some things in life that don't need to be invented.  The Chia Pet is one of them.  Why would I want to grow grass on a novelty ceramic pot.  Someone obviously does because they sell enough of them to advertise.  But there are other inventions that have left me wondering aloud, "WHY!??!"

I remember a few years ago someone invented a harness with bottles on it so guys could "nurse" a baby.  I don't know any guy that would wear one of these.  The pet rock is another one that I cannot believe people bought.  It's a rock, go outside and get one if you really want one.  Please don't pay for a rock and call it a pet!!!  Also bad is toilet paper with people's pictures on each sheet.  Unless it is someone you dislike why would you do this.  Do you really want to wipe with a picture of your family?

Dolphin Free Tuna is another one that bothers me.  Do they mean to imply that the tuna I used to eat contained Dolphin?  I hear Dolphin is expensive so by purchasing Dolphin free tuna am I actually getting less value in each can?

Another one that I don't get is Bikini swimsuits for fat people.  Dude, do we really want to see that, ever???

Then there are just some inventions that seem reasonable but don't when you think that you could save the money and use something else.  The SHAMWOW looks cool but when I clean up spills or wash my car, I'd rather reach for an old towel I was going to throw out anyway.  I have kids and the last thing I want to do is wash out the SHAMWOW after using it to clean up throwup or worse.  And what if I spilled gasoline or something else flamable.  I don't think I want to throw that in the washing machine afterwards.

The Clapper was one of those inventions that looked cool but in reality, didn't perform as advertised.  When my wife and I were first married we got one.  Except the T.V. would turn itself off whenever there was a series of loud noises.  Then sometimes it wouldn't turn off at all which meant I had to get up anyway.  Yet someone made millions off The Clapper.

So what are some of the inventions or products that make you scratch your head?

Hitler Finds Out About the Election Results in MA

I love when people rewrite the subtitles for Hitler in this famous movie scene.  It is pure genius.  I've watched ones about Hitler being upset about Michael Jackson dieing, being banned from Xbox Live, and on archery.  Here's one that made me laugh out loud regarding his reaction to the recent election.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year Blog Fans!

Ever feel like you are having one of those days where everything goes wrong.  Now imagine if someone captured all of that on film and made a highlight reel for you to watch!  Maybe that's what the judgement is going to be like, a big blooper show.

When I was at the Bass Pro Shop in Vegas a while back they had on a blooper reel from professional fisherman Bill Dance.  I cannot tell you how many times I've gone into the great outdoors and felt just like this guy must feel on some days.  Enjoy!