Aschwin Wildeboer, of Spain by way of Holland I think, or maybe Germany. He finished in like 6th place in the 100 Backstroke final, but I still thought the ladies would enjoy.
Anna Pavlova. Yes she is Russian, yes she is a gymnast, and thankfully, she is legal (1987).
If you did not stay up until 11pm EST last night, you surely missed something special. And easily, the picture of the day for Day 4. I just wish I could share the video.
I had said all day to Mrs Duck, all I want to see tonight is the relay, see I am right sometimes.
I am not a fool, if I am going to go for some hot men and women to show off, I will have to make sure that they are swimmers and that they are medalists. 
Stephanie Rice, gold medalist in the 400 IM, from Australia
Kajima, Gold Medalist in the backstroke
At least I think it is day 3, with this whole time zone nonsense, I think it could actually be day 6 and I do not even know it.
What I love about this picture, if the reaction of the President's daughter Barbara Jr. I know we have all had one of the moments when it comes to our parents
I figured, all these beautiful athletic bodies needed a showcase somewhere, so let us start the Olympics after dark sexy picture posts. You know Sparky Duck, he likes skin and he likes being an equal opportunity person.
So, enjoy Anna Ivanovic and Rafael Nadal, you can decided who is who
The neat thing about this picture is that Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic is married to Matt Emmons of the United States. Even neater, they are both shooting competitors. Even more cosmically neat, Katerina started dating Matt after the 2004 Olympics in Athens, because she was impressed about the way that Matt handled himself after blowing an almost insurrmountable lead in the rifle competition after he shot at the wrong target.
Sparky's Hut has the silver medal picture, IMHO.
Assailant Stabs to Death the Father in Law of US Volleyball Coach
Not the way to wake up and eat your Frosted Flakes and sip on the coffee. And the true problem, about the awful tragedy part of it, is the fact that since it is China, we will probably never know why the whackjob did it. Because if you do not think that the Chinese government is going to sweep that under the rug, I have a bridge to sell you in Philadelphia.
Over on Sparky's Photo Hut, we will feature my runner up choice, but for now, let us enjoy some photographic genius from Sports Illustrated<.
Technically, the Olympics have already begun. There are way too many soccer games that need to be played before these 3 weeks are up, so some of the preliminaries in that sport have already begun. But, usually I am really into this thing. But, it is in China, and I have not necessarily agreed with that fact. Way way way too many things can go wrong there, with a chance for the eyes of the world to be on such a secretive place. So I call it Olympic Cold instead of Olympic Fever.
I will be into the Track and Field, Swimming and some of the gymnastics, after a while, it does find itself becoming old. Too much Badminton and Volleyball, not enough Boxing. Plus, NBC presents it like a TV show, not a sport.
Plus, the first test of the smog and weather in China comes quickly. The Cycling Road Race will be held this weekend, and when the US Cycling team showed up wearing masks already, that does not give us an auspicious start.
"I think it is the most disgraceful, objectionable video I have ever seen in my entire life"-Mrs Duck.
It was about 12:00 AM, when we watched the tape of the Action News, when they played a slight snippet of "The One" video. I was calm and cool, half in the bag actually. Mrs Duck went apoleptic in her disgust and anger towards it. In fact, Cardinals Rigali, McCarrick and Bevilacqua will be expecting emails from her just because she was so insulted. She was up until 2 am because she was pissed.
So that may explain my little fraud post from last night, but truly, if you watch this ad, how can you not think it maybe crossing the church/state political line.
and by the way JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD!!!
JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD
JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD
JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUDJOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD
JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD
JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD
JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUDJOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD
JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD
JOHN McCAIN IS A FRAUD
Since it is 8/2 I will just say it 10 times tonight.
If you are a slugger, like Ken Griffey Jr, who has not really tasted the playoffs since you were really a Junior in Seattle, you would think the Phillies would be high on your list of teams to get traded to. Nice small ballpark to hit in, and you have to be a better outfielder defensively, even gimpy, then Burrell or Dobbs.
Yet, you find yourself with the White Sox, for two players that are being traded for the 2nd time in 2 years and a boat load of cash. The WSox are clinging to a lead in a weak division and possibly 3rd or 4th in the Wild Card chase. Not exactly a lock for that ring is it?
Though here inlies the true problem, when it comes to money, the Phillies and the Eagles have the same mindset. Don't spend it.
One of the benefits of the other office I was helping out in the last few weeks, was the fact that the talent that walked past the window was smokey at best. Sundresses and tank tops and things bouncing all over the place as they left the community pool. A fringe benefit.
Now that I am back at regular office *trying not to grit my teeth* the sights are a bit lacking. And one of the crazy things about the people walking outside my window, is that a majority of the hot ones are MILFs. Google that if you don't know.
Now of course, I am just looking, not touching, which of course makes it a spectator sport, but still I wonder, what does Milfdom say about the neighborhood I work in.
I am an Action News guy. I do not stray too often from the local news station that I watch, even though I find myself watching more of the regular primetime shows on other stations. Give me Jim Gardner 7 days a week, so I do not know a whole heck of a lot about Alycia Lane and Larry Mendte then just some fleeting glances or the occasional 15 minute overage because of Tivo.
But, Miss Lane was always good for some blogger fodder, after the Rich Eisen incident and then followed by the cop slapping in NYC incident, and my opinion of Larry Mendte has always been that he is a big phony. Now dont get me wrong, Mendte did alot of great things for Alex's Lemonade Stand after the big buildup by the drive of the stallion Afleet Alex and his 2 great Triple Crown Races, but in the end, he always struck me as someone that was just trying to imitate a news anchor in New York of the 90s and not his own person.
However, you do not see Chuck Scarborough getting indicted on Federal Charges all the time do you?
Alycia was actually wronged on this one, and not in the wrong, not that it will get her her job back with KYW. But now at least she is not that anchorwoman who sent bikini pictures around to the dude from the NFL Network.
Listen to the voice and you would never think that the voice is actually a woman, not a man. But, it really is a close to classic song, that deserves its due. Plus, who doesnt love the Thomas Crown Affair?
Sinnerman-Nina Simone
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to?
Oh, sinner man, where you gonna run to all on that day?
Run to the moon, "Moon won't you hide me?"
Run to the sea, "Sea won't you hide me?"
Run to the sun, "Sun won't you hide me all on that day?"
Lord says, "Sinner man, the moon'll be a bleeding."
Lord says, "Sinner man, the sea'll be a sinking."
Lord says, "Sinner man, the sun'll be a freezin' all on that day!"
Run to the Lord, "Lord won't you hide me?"
Run to the Lord, "Lord won't you hide me?"
Run, run, "Lord won't you hide me all on that day?"
Lord says "Sinner man, you should've been a praying."
Lord says "Sinner man, you should've been a praying."
Lord says "Sinner man, you should've been a praying all on that day."
I love the summer. I love the feeling of the warm air as it surrounds you. I love wearing less clothes, plus I love the fact that there are women out there who wear less clothes (I'm married, I am not dead). But, I one thing I do not love is the fact that the weekends become filled with so much stuff going on. The winter at least allows you to have a down day because it is so dark so early. Summer gets the social calendar filled so quickly, that you blink and the weekend is over.
Not that I am saying that I do not enjoy friends and family and stuff to do, but sometimes you need the chance to get you brain to focus and right now it seems like its bounce bounce bounce. Of course, I am just whining here, not the best thing for a duck to do.
By the way, did I wake up in the early 90s? Is Greg Norman really winning the British Open Championship again?
But yesterday, after frying ourselves in the heat of the sun, at a christening party that we decided not to swim at, all I could look forward to when coming home was playing my new baseball simulation game, OOTP 9.
And not only did I look forward to it, I was actually excited when replaying the Red Sox vs Yankees from this season, I actually got excited when Jason Varitek hit a walk off grand slam homerun. Lets remember, this is a computer game, not an actual game!
Yes, good ole Sparky is a blogger jumping on the McCain is too old bandwagon. Apparently, Senator McCain has been telling a story for the last 35 years that when he was held as a POW, he gave the name of the Green Bay Packers O-Line as his copatriots when captured. Admirable, trust me, beyond anything that I could ever do, being a POW.
Except when you use that history as a political talking point. Like this past week, where he said he used the Steelers O-Line as his fellow soldiers code names. Lets guess, shall we, where he made this statement? A prize for the first blogger that says Pittsburgh.
But, apparently, the honorable senator just sort of forgot.
Now, the distance, as per mapquest, between Green Bay Wisconsin and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania is 665 miles, give or take. Sort of a great distance to forget, but hey, they both have shitty winters.
Lets look at the Packer O-Line
LT Bob Skoronski 29 7 0
Green Bay Packers / 5th / 56th pick / 1956
LG Fuzzy Thurston 30 5 0
Philadelphia Eagles / 5th / 54th pick / 1956
C Jim Ringo*+ 32 10 14
Green Bay Packers / 7th / 79th pick / 1953
RG Jerry Kramer*+ 27 5 0
Green Bay Packers / 4th / 39th pick / 1958
RT Forrest Gregg*+
Looking really quick, I myself have certainly heard of Jerry Kramer, Forrest Gregg and Jim Ringo. Kramer and Gregg are football Icons.
And on to 1963 Pittsburgh
LT Charlie Bradshaw* 27 5 0 1 fumble recovered
Los Angeles Rams / 8th / 94th pick / 1957
LG Mike Sandusky 28 6 0 2 fumbles recovered
San Francisco 49ers / 4th / 46th pick / 1957
C Buzz Nutter 32 9 0
Washington Redskins / 12th / 136th pick / 1953
RG Ray Lemek 29 6 0
Washington Redskins / 19th / 227th pick / 1956
RT Dan James
Charlie Bradshaw has the same name as a really famous Steeler, who will come around about 15 years in the future and Sandusky is a town in Ohio. But, nope no reall hall of famers here.
The Packers went 11-2 and the Steelers went 7-4. Yep memorable I am sure to the Steel City.
I hate when my favorite sport is dragged into this bullshit, and then I hate more when it is kinda laughable.
Never really was a big Tony Snow fan. I always thought that he had been a kind of mouthpiece for the current administration and all there faults before he became the Press Secretary. But he always seemed to be a jovial guy, someone you could have a good conversation with as long as it was not about politics. And 53 is way too young.
Things that would have been blog worthy, except for the fact that I have been too damned tired to post them.
1.It is never good when one of your office underlings says to you "I am bored" is it?
2.I have not watched OLTL for two good weeks, and except for the fact that I have no idea who the hell this guy is that is saying he is Sayed father, everything else falls into line.
3.Jesse Jackson, jealous or getting senial, discuss
4.Alan Webb has been a contender for the Olympic Gold medal in the mile for 12 years. When he finishes fifth in the Olympic Trials, you realize what the media does to some athletes.
5.Bill O'Reilly is a moron.
6.The Palmetto State is calling to me. I just have to hold on for another 7 or 8 months or so and we can possibly restart our lives. Maybe
7.The Puppy should be named Kobie
8. I guess the laws of the United States apply to everyone here, besides Karl Rove
Now, its the 800 meters which means any of these guys will be lucky to get a bronze medal, but for one school/track team to get 1 2 3 in the trials, with one of them diving his body across the finish to get the A standard time is amazing. The first video is amatuer, but gets the excitement #2 does a fine job of showing the race!
For Goddesses sake, my mom told me about this race, obviously its exciting
And because it is the 4th of July and I live in the good ole USA, I can actually say that yes, naysayers, the Dixie Chicks are actually a country music band.
Happy 4th or Happy Canada Day (soon or in the past)
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Maybe ya need a little inspiration to get going, or to clean that grill, or to open your next bottle of vodka. Whatever it is, I hope I help. 1.James Earl Jones in Field of Dreams 2.Scent of a Woman 3.George C Scott was Patton 4.A Few Good Men 5.Remember the Titans-Defense 6.The American President-Press Conference 7.Good Will Hunting, The NSA Speech 8.Dogma-In the Boardroom 9.The Wedding Crashers 10-Freedom from Braveheart 11.Spiderpig 12.Tiny Dancer from Almost Famous 13.Pulp Fiction Hamburgers |
And then I talked to my home office and all the annoyances and drama and covert conspiracy operations washed over the phone. I should not have bothered, I would have enjoyed my Friday night, since I am not working anymore this week.
Its been an interesting past couple of days, mostly in the evenings, listening to Mrs Duck as she rants and rants about work. Shortly, I believe she is going to revert into Daffy Duck, stuttering and spit all over the place as she discusses the lack of work effort, gumption, or even activity that her supervisors show. If the building is not metaphorically on fire, things don't get done. And for the type A personality that my wife is, that is not a healthy situation.
I just nod complacently and listen to her bend my ear, mostly because this is the same song and dance that has been played for months now, plus my normal place, since I am still helping out somewhere else, has many of the same qualities. So I can commiserate, but not fix. What I can fix her is a nice stiff drink.
From the great Guy Fieri, the first Next Food Network Star who actually has made it big. Highly entertaining, and a good cook too.
3/4-ounce vodka
3/4-ounce melon
3/4-ounce peach schnapps
Splash orange juice
Splash grenadine
Ginger ale
In a bucket glass, fill with ice, add liquids, shake, and serve.
Sparky's Notes
I was using a shot glass to measure, so it was one shot of melon, peach schnapps and vodka. A splash of OJ and grenadine, shake with ice and serve.
I have given my fair share to Presidential politics this past year, giving my small little amounts to both John Edwards and Barack Obama, hoping that I backed the right horse when it comes to the Presidency.
Now, though, I will be throwing my small measly weekly change into the local political ring, since I got a nice little message from Rep Patrick Murphy. It was not a personalized message or anything, there was no mention of my wedding anniversary or me helping out in a different office. So its obvious that the Murphy people do not read this blog. However, I will not let that deter me from sharing with my faithful readers.
Dear Supporter,
Over Memorial Day weekend, the right-wing, pro-war group Freedom's Watch blanketed my district with phone calls questioning my commitment to the welfare of American soldiers.
The call was insulting and inaccurate, but sadly, not surprising.
This type of baseless attack is typical of groups like Freedom's Watch, since they have unlimited funding and answer to no one. Using lies to viciously smear public servants is the sole reason these groups exist – they do the dirty work for the same old, status quo style of Washington politics that I am trying to change.
It's a simple formula that has worked before. In 2004, outside groups spent millions of dollars "swift boating" and broadcasting lies about John Kerry. With lots of money and a fabricated message, they distorted the service of a decorated war veteran. Now it looks like they're going to try the same dirty tricks in my district and they're starting early.
That's why I'm writing you today. I want to send these groups a message but I need your help. When candidates across the country file their financial reports on June 30, these fringe groups will use the fundraising numbers to identify those they view as "vulnerable" and decide where and how to empty their war chest. Using the same old underhanded tactics, they will descend on these districts to vilify anyone who stands up to President Bush and fights for change.
If we make a strong showing on June 30, we can send a clear message to those groups: stay out. If we can post a large enough number, we might just convince those on the far-right to take their millions elsewhere. Please, join me today and let these folks know you're not going to stand for their divisive and damaging political games.
Thank you for your continued support,
Patrick J. Murphy
When, I was little, I would play arcade games that made little to no sense. Really, who is Pac-Man and why would I want him to be eating up ghosts. And Galactica? Please, there is no way I am a space pilot.
But, as I got older, the games also matured and while Donkey Kong was all about animal conservation and at least in Zelda, I was attempting to save a princess and a kingdom. And now adays we play games that have high minded goals like defeating terrorists in Las Vegas or getting Northwestern back to the Rose Bowl.
There are still games that make no sense though and that is what I have found in Dead or Alive Extreme 2. Visually stunning, it has no real goal in mind. Obstensibly, its about a resort where scantily clad pixelated women play party games and interact with each other to try and find and keep the correct volleyball partner. But in the end it is just an excuse to see chicks naked.
Gameplay was fairly simple to figure out, it was a game that you could pretty much just pick up and with a little bit of practice, get the hang of, but even after 2 hours of playing, I could not ascertain what the real point was. I guess to get my character that i controlled and then other characters as close to naked as possible.
I can see who the game was angled towards, hormonal young men, except for the fact that the game is rated M for Mature, which means it should be harder for the girlfriendless types to get and by the time you are 18, you should be able to find other ways of stimulating your mind.
Overall, I would say pass, and just try to figure out Rainbow 6 Vegas a little bit more. Now thats a game that needs practice.
The Songbird was nice last week, seeing that my brain was full of porridge and figured I needed some blogging help. So, she reached out and tagged me with the 6 boring/quirky things about me meme. What a fine desert friend! So, this feathery blogger obliged, even though it was later then need be.
) Link to the person who tagged me.
2) Mention the rules.
3) Tell six quirky yet boring, unspectacular details about myself.
4) Tag 6 other bloggers by linking to them.
5) Go to each person’s blog and leave a comment that lets them know they’ve been tagged.
And now, I am sure, more then you ever wanted to know...
1-I feel a little bit guilty when I am playing my Xbox 360. Not because it is childish or immature, but because it is set up in the living room and it bores the heck out of Mrs Duck. So I feel like I am kicking her out of her relaxation zone.
2-I twirl my hair when I am tired or bored. Not exactly something that odd, except for the fact that I find myself doing it at work.
3-I collect horse racing glasses. Now there is nothing wrong with the Kentucky Derby or the Preakness, plenty of people collect those. But I have searched EBay for glasses from the Blue Grass Stakes and the Travers. Not exactly big name races. Mrs Duck is not amused.
4-I love to cook, but hate to grill. I have a fear that the propane will somehow get loose and I will explode in a firey blast of gas and hamburger.
5-I just do not get the appeal of the TV Show, Lost.
6-I used to feel bad for stuffed animals, especially the last ones on a shelf, so I would buy them so they did not feel all alone.
6a-I still do #6 occasionally now if my mood is just right.
There, six more reasons why yours truly should probably be committed. And now, who to tag, who to tag.
a-Dragon
b-Sognatrice
c-SaS
d-Ali
e-Jeff
f-One Gal
Its 11:58 and still Sunday
Today, of course, was the first real Meet The Press without Tim Russert. And I honestly hope that until thy decide on one of the young turks or turkettes to replace him, that Brian Williams and Tom Brokaw switch off and share duties on one of the most important political shows on TV. At least until the election, because both sides, Republican and Democratic, are going to do there best spin jobs and these two anchors have the gravitas to say hey hold on a moment.
Today, it was Senator Joe Biden of Delaware and Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina that graced us with there presence at 10:30 am Philadelphia time. And, it was not that bad a program. Biden was Biden, which means he said some smart witty things and also sort of stumbled and bumbled a bit as he spoke. Classic Biden. Senator Graham had a pretty clean show, smartly letting Biden take up alot of the hot air.
Until (and you knew there had to be an until, its the Sparky Duck blog) the discussion turned to drilling for oil off the coasts of the United States. Now, I am not sure if Biden's point about land in the ocean already leased and not used by oil companies already not being drilled, why do they need more, point was spot on. It sounded a bit like a talking point that could be skewered eventually. But Senator Graham botched one moment for sure. Briam Williams brought up two quotes from two South Carolina newspapers that pointed the Senator, and co chairman of McCains national committee, towards being against the drilling off the shores of the United States. Specifically because tourism would probably suffer, which besides tobacco and two major Universities, is one of the biggest money makers for the Palmetto state. To quote Williams, "so Senator Graham, what changed your mind?" 4 dollars a gallon, so speaketh Mr Graham.
Does anyone realize how short sighted an answer that was? How the logic is all askew? Sure, approve drilling off the coast, the oil companies get what they want and then gas prices reduce. Until, the oil companies or maybe a pharmaceutical, or heck dairy farmers what something else, and then they race the price on the commodity to get something else they want. Senator Graham kind of just said that the government is held hostage to prices and corporations. This was smart how??
Of work today, so my brain is mush. Nothing really witty to say here. Hell I am stunned I am awake.
So, there is this brewhaha from the a stronghold on Hillary Clinton supporters, who are so hurt by the media's treatment of there candidate and the entire inevitability of Hillary Clinton that was flushed down the toilet, that they will ignore every single thing about John McCain, because he is not black and he is not the person that stole there thunder.
So, while John McCain has no ties to this quote, and the fact that this is a quote from the 80s, when Clayton Williams lost to Ann Richards, lets still focus on the fact that as on 11 PM eastern time, McCain did not give the money back, that Clayton raised for him.
I shall put the quote in big bold colorful letters...
"Claytie" Williams made about women and rape nearly 20 years ago. While running unsuccessfully against Ann Richards for governor, the Texan was overheard comparing rape to the weather: "As long as it's inevitable, you might as well lie back and enjoy it."
Unfortunately, technology screwed me today, since my phone beeped to let me know that Tiger Woods had defeated Rocco Mediate in a 19 hole playoff today. I did my best to stay away from any news, keeping the radio off and not skipping off to the Action News website to make sure Philadelphia had not imploded today, and yet, I could not avoid it.
So while Mrs Duck and I half watch our TiVo, there is a part of me that is glad to know. Because, the Duck Family was pulling for Mediate, not only because he was born in Pennsylvania, but because he was a normal guy.
Subway told us a story while we were at the Heritage. He was outside his shop, setting up for the morning, when he saw Rocco Mediate having a conversation about what wine to buy across the parking lot in Hilton Head. I've done that, you've done that, we have all done that, which is why Rocco was just a regular guy.
So to see him lose in Sudden Death, without knowing it ahead of time might have ruined my night.
Ok, maybe I am not like Mickelson, since he went to college on a golf scholarship in Arizona and has won millions upon millions of dollars. Sparky on the other hand had to pay to go Delaware and is still buying powerball tickets. Yes, the title is an overstatement.
Yet for one brief moment, Phil and I were alike. Mickelson hit a 9 on a hole on the back nine, which was a quadruple bogey I think. I hit 9's all the time!! Phil and I are simpatico. Just remind me not to compare bank books.
As of 7:30, it was still Rocco Mediate, though Tiger and Davis Love III were in the US Open hunt.
When I go to another office, sometimes it feels like a little vacation. The trauma of having to deal with the inner workings and dramatic wanderings of my staff can be taxing. Hence, when I do not have to deal with it, its a blessing, even when I have to deal marginally with the dramatic wanderings of another staff. Plus, I actually had things to do, which meant I did not have to look busy. A nice touch. Who knows how long this working vacation will last, but I will try and enjoy it while I can.
John McCain was not on the Today show today, saying that getting the troops out was not really important, was he?
Oh wait, maybe he did, as seen here with Matt Lauer.
Nothing like the former veteran standing up for the Brotherhood of Brothers. Lets never mind that a poll came out today that said 63% of the countries Latinos would vote for Obama, even though McCain is more on there side with immigration.
Mrs Duck and I went away this weekend in celebration of our 2 year anniversary and hot damn, we almost dropped in the street from the heat. Its about 85 now, with an 80% humidity and its not that much more comfortable then it was last night.
But, there is no such thing as global warming. Nevermind the fact that houses in Wisconsin and Iowa are falling into rivers that never existed before. Nevermind that its 100 on June 9th, and it is not even summer.
Life was good, but goddamn it was hot this weekend
On he one hand, I have never seen a Triple Crown winner. Yes, techinically I was alive for a few of them, including Seattle Slew and Secratariat, but I did not see them with my own eyes. So, the Big Brown story would be a good one. Its what horse racing needs in America and the horse is really a sweet, beautiful horse.
On the other hand, I have a nice little hatred for Rick Dutrow. I think he is a bit too arrogant for what a horse trainer should be, and I also think he maybe a cheater. I certainly would not put the pain killers/steroids rumors past him at all, because in the end he is a businessman and he also has a Daddy Complex.
So, where do I go? Smarty Jones and Real Quiet (sidenote, I adore Real Quiet, I mean, I will be sad when he finally passes, adore him) were more deserving Triple Crown winners. Yet, Big Brown is the man of 2008 horses and really, would you want a Japanese trained horse to take another feather away? I think not. So, I will be in front of a TV at 5:30 or so tomorrow, rooting but not. If Icabad Crane manages to come through, this Duck will be alot happier.
On a side note, I will be donating 10% of whatever I win tomorrow to the Another Chance for Horses ranch, because these animals are beautiful and do not deserve to be on the auction block for Asian Cuisine.
At lunchtime today, I made some of my typical stops. I do not actually eat during lunch, but even if I have no place to really go, I find an excuse to get out of the office so I can not be called back for one reason or another. The quarter tank of gas wasted is worth the sanity.
I made one of my usual stops, a place I go to at least once a week, which will remain nameless. Lets just say there are Celtic fans. Anyway, as I was browsing about, the manager/shift supervisor/shift person in charge gathered some of her workers around. First mistake on there part, talking too loudly.
They go on to say, the periwinkles are non negotiable. I was very disappointed yesterday that the periwinkles were not completed and that we were not able to periwinkle. That is unacceptable and it will not happen again today. (Periwinkle replaces the real word, just so I don't get anyone in any kind of trouble.) As I turn to leave the establishment, Head Person has disappeared into an office and the rest of the staff is rolling there eyes and laughing.
In my opinion two mistakes here. Number one, yes the periwinkles will get done, but they will not get done with any gusto. It will be more like I am doing this because they are making me and no value will come out of the time spent. Plus, customers dont really want periwinkles, they want to get in and out and off on the rest of there errands, chores, tasks, napping. Why do businesses insist on slowing them down. Plus, giving your underlings a bit of a dress down in public, not the best idea.
And now I am off to go yell about some periwinkles!
We live in an apartment complex that is run by a well known development company, whose name sounds alot like the second word in the title to this post. Its really not an apartment, more of a townhome, but we still rent. And trust me, the rent is not cheap, especially for the size of the place.
And of course, this spring has been like a monsoon, raining almost every other day in one way or another. I was thinking the other night, man when was the last time these gutters were cleaned out. I was thinking this because the pool of water on my sidewalk and the waterfall cascade outside my living room window from where one of the gutters on the roof was clogged up, while pretty, was not exactly the kind of thing you wanted to look out on. Now, this duck is not going up on the roof, firstly because I do not have wings or a ladder that can get me up there, but secondly, the townhome association takes care of things out side, not little old me.
So, imagine my double chagrin when Mrs Duck mentioned to our neighbors that she was going to go down to the office to tell them to clean out the gutters and our neighbors just laughed and laughed, like she was a cuter version of Letterman. Oh and also imagine my double chagrin as we now sit in a tornado watch until 8 pm tonight. Anyone for surfing??
***Its Our Anniversary, so this is a repost, but I figure good people need some credit***
Ok, this review was all mine. Mrs Duck always said that the DJ's were my job for the reception and that would mean I have to go all the way by finishing up with the review. As some of you may know from all my posts about it, Music is a very important thing in my life. I always thought I could be a wedding DJ, except for the fact that my voice sounds like Mickey Mouse when it goes through the microphone. But, I could never ever do as good a job as Synergetic Sounds did.
From the first meeting up until the start of the reception, they were extremely professional. Jason Weldon was our MC and Dan was the one behind the turntables, at least I think he was. The best part about Synergetic is that you have as much or as little control as you want. I had a healthy list of requests that I wished to hear, and they played everyone of them that they could find. Plus they were able to read the crowd. I had requested Poison by Bell Biv Devoe and also some Kayne West. The dj's were able to realize that if the dance floor is filled when you hear some BBD and Kayne, then the crowd would love Hip Hop Hooray! And they were right, it was one of the best dance portions of the night.
Plus, they were able to dig up things. Chasing Cars had just been featured on Grey's Anatomy a few weeks before and we both fell in love with it once we heard it. But, it had not even hit the airwaves. One of the last songs played before the dance floor was opened up? Chasing Cars. It just made me smile, well, smile more then I had been since it was our wedding day finally.
I think on the bride and grooms wedding day, they should be treated like kings and queens of the ball. Jason and Dan helped to make sure that was possible, making sure that we enjoyed the music, had any requests or checking the volume. Plus, they were both just really nice guys. Plus, we had a ban on line dances and hokey party favors, and they followed up with that ban, no questions asked. Even turning down a cute little 8 year old nephew. Now thats what I call customer service :)
In the end, Synergetic Sounds would be a company that I highly reccomend, and have done so time and time again when anyone asks questions about our DJs.
Love I get so lost, sometimes
days pass and this emptiness fills my heart
when I want to run away
I drive off in my car
but whichever way I go
I come back to the place you are
All my instincts, they return
and the grand façade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside
In your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light
the heat I see in your eyes
Love, I don't like to see so much pain
so much wasted and this moment keeps slipping away
I get so tired of working so hard for out survival
I look to the time with you to keep me awake and alive
And all my instincts, they return
and the grand façade, so soon will burn
without a noise, without my pride
I reach out from the inside
In your eyes
the light the heat
in your eyes
I am complete
in your eyes
I see the doorway to a thousand churches
in your eyes
the resolution of all the fruitless searches
in your eyes
I see the light and the heat
in your eyes
oh, I want to be that complete
I want to touch the light,
the heat I see in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes
in your eyes in your eyes
Happy Anniversary Baby
All aboard the Poetry Train.
I would just tell Hillary and all her crazy supporters in Florida especially, would just go away. Because the way she has been acting in the last few hours or so is as close to an embarrassment as you can get. Rules in fact are RULES.
Though I did enjoy hearing Harold Ickes say the word ass
You know it is never good when you rent a game and then send it back the same day you rent it. Unfortunately, that happened in my experience with Fight Night 3.
I play video games so I can live through the little pixels on the screen. I can not shoot the ball like Lebron James, can't throw a pitch like Curt Schilling and I certainly can not punch like Roy Jones Jr. I am not coordinated nor am I exactly that athletic.
And guess what, as you play the EA Sports boxing feature, you need to have some coordination. Call it the Wii Effect. Now games actually want you to have some sort of skills when you press buttons, or you will be just throwing right uppercuts. Guess what my experience was in Fight Night 3 training mode, lots and lots of uppercuts. If I can not complete training, I certainly can not think about even starting an exhibition. Forget about a career mode. So, Fight Night 3 was just too frustrating, too much timing involved.
The graphics were brillant, beads of sweat and blood spew everywhere, but when I feel the need to slap Madden football in so I can throw like Favre, you know a game is not meant for some folks.
There are so many choices today, its like a quiet storm.
A-John McCain, who in response to some protestors in Colorado said " I will never surrender in Iraq". Nothing like keeping your cool, since you know it is not something that is necessary in being the leader of the free world.
B-Phil Gramm-The financial/mortgage advisor to the McCain campaign, but he was also on the payroll of UBS, a financial institution out of Switzerland that has gotten itself all mucked up in the sub prime mortgage mess. I would think being associated to the troubled finances of banks would make you incapable of helping to steer the political plan on how to fix troubled finances.
C-Joe Lieberman-who is so in touch with his own beliefs in the Jewish faith, that he will appear at a speaking engagement, with Pastor John Hagee, who last week reinforced his idea that the Jewish people were actually the cause of Hitler. I guess the pocketbook gets tight when you are an independant.
D-Warren Christopher-whose mealy mouthed, weak stance in regards to the recount in 2000 has gotten us into this mess in the first place.
I personally vote for C, just because I think my political hatred for this man is at a white hot level
Now this is something that I kind of agree with, since I can almost never tell the difference between Grey Goose or Stoli or Smirinoff, especially after the 3rd or 4th drink, but the Consumerist told a story about a Businessweek reporter who had a fun blind taste test of a bunch of vodkas. How does one get this job exactly?
Pass the Lairds would you!
Isidro Del Prado was a 2 time Olympian from the Phillippines, in the 200 and 400 meter races. He still holds the national record for the Phillippines in the 400 meters and his son is now also a well known high school runner within the Phillippines..JPG)
Or maybe its a wing. But, no matter. Here is the story.
Our Anniversary is coming up, only 10 days away or so. And while, there is not much of a plan, I still needs some ideas. So of course, I look to my blogger friends for advice. I have a grand plan, I need the details.
Ya see, my plan is to get one thing from each place that we visited on our Honeymoon. So, thats one thing from San Diego, one or two things from Hawaii and one thing from Seattle. Now, I have an idea in mind for Seattle, but now I have a problem with the rest of them. Coconuts and smoked salmon are not going to cut it.
So, all my blogger friends, how could you help. And please, lets remember that I am on a semi limited budget and cutting it close for shipping.
And now, to get noticed, I will link a few folks because I figure they would just notice a link.
LADY JANE SCARLETT
STARRLIGHT
KAILANI
DRAGON
HYPERION
CHRISTIE O
DESERT SONGBIRD
and of course anyone with a romantic bone in there body
Not only are they making sure I can not watch any Philadelphia Sport team unless they are on public channels. And not only are they in the running for worst company in the universe. And, they have also ruined the Philadelphia skyline with a monstrosity of a building.
But now, they are apparently competing with Trading Spaces.
Comcast digs up your patio...
Rocking and rolling in this feathered friends house, though at least it is not having anything to do with personal life, or my future political career, but I just got another ticket to a roller coaster, collectable in the not to close future, but not off in the far far distance either.
I know, I am vague, there are times when I need to be vague, and it is probably not even bad news overall. But, I have to be as wiggly as a gummy worm and as peppy as Mary Lou Retton. Joy!
But, my goodness, Senator Obama really brought it tonight in Iowa, especially in comparison to the sort of please keep me around speech from Senator Clinton. I have a toast all set for when the Beaver State ends this nonsense in my book. 12 minutes to go
11:20
And now Pat Buchanan has insulted Oregon, by first calling it Or E Gone and then saying it is the spotted owl state. Now I have to keep telling myself that Pat Buchanan is a freaking idiot.
This could be one of the final chances for Senator Clinton to get out in front of an audience of supporters and give a victory speech, as the fiasco that the Democratic Party calls Primary season, winds its way towards Kentucky and Oregon. And yes, Senator Clinton can still finagle a way to sneak into the presidential nomination, but unless you really count Puerto Rico as a contest, Kentucky could be her last confetti and balloon moment until the whole carnival gets to Denver.
The reason for this is after probably getting a comfortable 10 to 15 point win in the Bluegrass state, the voters of Oregon will start the "Na Na Na" singing to Senator Clinton, giving Senator Obama a comfortable win in one of the liberalist states on the map. And while she will win Puerto Rico, he will end up getting Montana and Idaho, or Montana and a Dakota, or whatever two Big Sky states that are left to vote on June 5th and the math will still show her behind. Plus really, when was the last time Senator Clinton had 80,000 people showing up to see her at a rally? 
Though she did get a tour of Makers Mark, which is something I would sure like to do someday.
On a side note, if this was a discussion about college football instead of politics, a game between the University of Kentucky and either of the big time football schools in Oregon would be an exciting one.
Now, this is an excellent song, a lot of emotion and feeling put into the lyrics as well as the performance. Of course, the emotion is hatred and depression, but it still strikes a chord. So, as this Duck jumps back on the Poetry Train, lets make it a pissed off train. All hail Blue October.
"Hate Me"
(If you're sleeping are you dreaming
If your dreaming are you dreaming of me?
I can't believe you actually picked me.)
(”Hi Justin, this is your mother, and it's 2:33 on Monday afternoon.
I was just calling to see how you ware doing.
You sounded really uptight last night.
It made me a little nervous, and a l... and... well... it made me nervous, it sounded like you were nervous, too.
I just wanted to make sure you were really OK,
And wanted to see if you were checking in on your medication.
You know I love you, and...
Take care honey
I know you're under a lot of pressure.
See ya. Bye bye”)
I have to block out thoughts of you so I don’t lose my head
They crawl in like a cockroach leaving babies in my bed
Dropping little reels of tape to remind me that I’m alone
Playing movies in my head that make a porno feel like home
There's a burning in my pride, a nervous bleeding in my brain
An ounce of peace is all I want for you. Will you never call again?
And will you never say that you love me just to put it in my face?
And will you never try to reach me?
It is I that wanted space
Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didn't do for you
Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you
I’m sober now for 3 whole months it’s one accomplishment that you helped me with
The one thing that always tore us apart is the one thing I won’t touch again
In a sick way I want to thank you for holding my head up late at night
While I was busy waging wars on myself, you were trying to stop the fight
You never doubted my warped opinions on things like suicidal hate
You made me compliment myself when it was way too hard to take
So I’ll drive so fucking far away that I never cross your mind
And do whatever it takes in your heart to leave me behind
Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didn’t do for you
Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you
And with a sad heart I say bye to you and wave
Kicking shadows on the street for every mistake that I had made
And like a baby boy I never was a man
Until I saw your blue eyes cry and I held your face in my hand
And then I fell down yelling “Make it go away!”
Just make a smile come back and shine just like it used to be
And then she whispered “How can you do this to me?”
Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things I didn’t do for you
Hate me in ways
Yeah ways hard to swallow
Hate me so you can finally see what’s good for you
For you
For you
For you
[Children voices:]
If you're sleeping, are you dreaming,
if you're dreaming are you dreaming of me.
I can't believe you actually picked me
[Girl:] Hey Justin! [x12]
Jump on the Poetry Train!!!
Everyone and there grandmother will be wagering on Big Brown tomorrow at the Preakness down in Maryland. Its kind of a no brainer pick that will not win you much money. And, I even agree with it. But, there is one other thing that I also do when it comes to the big race at Pimlico, look for the local talent.
For Maryland Breeders, this has to be the Super Bowl of races for them, so this year I know I will be laying a few bucks down on Ichabad Crane, at least to place or show. He is trained out of the Fair Hill Training Center, which for me is about as local as you can get. Plus, apparently, he has a pretty good record in the races that he has run in his career. While I have not done all of my research yet, I will save that for after work tomorrow, I can say without a question that I think Ichabod can hit the board and score, especially with some nice odds. Might be worth some milk money.
This is actually a post idea that I got from a comment on my Kentucky Derby review post of last week. Good ole Hyperion asked a darn fine question. Plus, I think I am going to cross post this post on the Monkey Barn, just to hear what Hyperion thinks.
Hyperion said...
I'm not a big horse racing guy, but I have been watching the Triple Crown religiously for 20 years. I'm curious what the best horse and horse races you have seen.
The best duels were with Easy Goer and Sunday Silence, late '80s I think. The best horse, hands-down, was Point Given. To this day I can't figure out why he lost the Derby (his only loss ever, I believe). Just didn't want to win that one. Man, did he dominate in the Preakness and Belmont
Now, I am not trying to be insulting, though I am sure this post is going to come out that way to some folks, but West Virginia is not a bell weather state when it comes to the national election in November.
A few thoughts on the Mountaineer state. Back when I was in high school, before I had even taken the SATs seriously, I got a good middling number. Now, I had not taken any sort of prep courses, nor had I even gotten a good nights sleep before test one. Yet, when I applied to all my colleges over the summer, the University of West Virginia was the first school to send me an acceptance letter. Before my senior year even started. Ask any kid in the northeast if you know of a good safety school that is not an instate school and they will say West Virginia.
And of course, there is the fact that Country Roads by John "freaking" Denver is one of the songs that the state is best known for. Good song, but still.
And finally, it seems that John Edwards is going to get 6 or 7 % of the vote, even though he has suspended his campaign since the time the air was cold here in Philly. What that tells me is 2 things. One, there must be some really dedicated Edwards supporters, or there is a small sect of folks that will vote democratic, but they will only vote for the Democratic white guy.
Though, lets remember, even though Hillary is winning now by about 40%, she is only going to get a net of 10 delegates tonight.
***Sticky Post****
Another time where we here at Philly Transplant are going out to show some skin and raise a little money. Though, that last sentence does not sound that above board. In any case, its all a nice tie in, after seeing Forgetting Sarah Marshall< on Friday and with it being Mothers Day, raising funds for the Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
So, for every click on this page, featuring Mila Kunis, from now until midnight on Sunday, May 18th, I will donate a quarter to the Komen Foundation. So, everybody wins, even me, since doing a search for Mila Kunis pictures can be a lot of fun.
First words out of Mrs Duck's mouth, cute. I would think that right there would be a ringing endorsement. Especially since in most circles, this movie was a romantic comedy with lots and lots of testetosterone.
Jason Segal plays a music composer for a television show, a knock off of CSI Miami and he is dating the hot female star of the show Kristen Bell. Until she dumps him, while naked by the way. For the faint of heart, there is alot of Jason Segal naked in the first 20 minutes of the movie.
So, after some random sex with random chicks, Segal's character shoots off to Hawaii. Turns out Bell and her new boyfriend are there as well. The sexiness of Mila Kunis and the hijinks ensue.
The movie was actually a romantic comedy with some laughs for guys. Russell Brand, who plays Arliss Chris, Bell's new rock star beau, nearly stole the entire movie. He will be the one that I most pay attention to when I watch the movie on DVD, because I am sure he had some hilarious throw away lines that we missed. The only drawback character wise was Jonah Hill's Matthew character. A one trick pony that became old very quickly.
Overall, probably worth seeing in the theaters and definetly a video rental!
Philadelphia has been rocked again by the killing of another police officer. This time it was Sgt Stephen Liczbinski, after a bank robbery in Port Richmond. The Seargeant never stood a chance, as the suspect hopped out of a van and started shooting with an SKS. Sadness has again enveloped the City.
Today, there was a press conference about the banning of assault rifles within the city of Philadelphia, even though the Chinese made SKS is not techinally an assault rifle. New Commissioner Ramsey made a few fans today, including this feathery duck, with his response.
Officials acknowledged the federal assault weapons ban would not have included the gun that killed Liczbinski, as it came to the U.S. in 1992.
But Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey bristled when told that some gun-rights organizations dispute whether the SKS rifle qualifies as an assault weapon.
The gun inflicts wounds so devastating that it should be considered one, Ramsey said angrily.
"Then add it to the frickin' list!" he said to sustained applause from officials and other police officers at the news conference.
And when I say food, I mean money for votes. It is now 10:50, and my twitter prediction is coming quite true, though it is a hell of a lot closer then I thought it would be. Indiana is still too close to call, though I still do not see how Obama can win, unless Purdue University had record turnouts.
So, as we listen to Senator Clinton doing a fine job of now semi applying for the chance to take the second spot on the Obama Presidential Ticket, I have to wonder when she and Bubba will actually go away. When the heartlands of Indiana could not deliver a strong victory for you before the 11:00 news, you know you really kinda are cooked as a candidate.
Though, Senator Clinton is still asking for the loot, because Lexington, Louisville and Portland are going to be darned expensive to run negative campaign ads in.
On a side note, there goes Evan Bayh's hopes for VP
I made a slight mistake this weekend. I actually looked forward to something. In my past, I have found that looking forward to something small usually causes something to go awry. Lets look at the Super Bowl, when dammit I was rooting for the Patriots.
The Derby is something I usually do well on. In fact, the last 5 years, I have been spot on with the winner, though this year I was a tad off. Danged Pyro! But, also, I Twinspires let me down by allowing the site to go down 45 minutes before the Derby actually began.
I was all for Pyro and Visionaire, though I also put a sprinkle of money down for Eight Belles, because she was the only Filly, and Mrs Duck could be a bit of a sports fan. The race itself, up until the end was a tad dull, Big Brown was the class of the field, which is evidenced by the fact that none of the Derby horses are going to actually decide run against him in the Preakness. So overall, the race was not exciting.
Well, exciting in the fact that My Old Kentucky home was still an Extreme Home Makeover moment, and the race was the fastest 2 minutes in sports. Until...
Eight Belles pulled up after the finish. With hindsight being 20/20, the poor girl did seem to be laboring a bit at the end, though she still cleared all the other nags by a good 2 or 3 furlongs. So, to see Big Brown throw his jockey, you know it was not a good thing, because he was spooked by the falling of Eight Belles. My first words were of course, Oh Fuck. To see the black beauty laboring on the dirt, breathing heavily, obviously in distress, you knew the news would not be good. To see not one but two ambulances coming out to shield the crowd, the news just got worse.
There were a few idiots in the aftermath and the celebration. One, whoever is the CEO of Yum Brands. If they are busy putting a horse down about 50 feet away from you, you do not say what a great day it was with a big ass goofy smile on your face. #2 is the speechwriter for the Governor of Kentucky. One would think that you would be a voice for one of the 50 states in the Union, you may wanna run up and scribble something down for the Governor, just to say how sorry you were, etc etc. Finally, Rick Dutrow. I get the feeling that the rest of the horse racing community does not like you that much already, to begrudingly, finally say you felt a tad bit sorry for the owners of Eight Belles, who really almost beat your horse, is a tad slow.
For once, I may not be rooting for a Triple Crown.
