Peep My Snaps...

Thursday, March 27, 2008

four score and 3 months ago i stumbled upon snap.com. i started using it and received many rave reviews from some of ya'll readers out there. i wrote in to the folks at snap.com to tell them how great i thought it was, and they featured me in their monthly newsletter, as seen in the photo above. in case you haven't noticed the little gems that appear when you mouse over links on my page, here's the deal:

i installed a nice little tool on this site called snap shots that enhances links with visual previews of the destination site, interactive excerpts of wikipedia articles, myspace profiles, imdb profiles and amazon products, display inline videos, rss, mp3s, photos, stock charts and more.

sometimes snap shots bring you the information you need, without your having to leave the site, while other times it lets you "look ahead," before deciding if you want to follow a link or not.

should you, for some reason, decide this is the most obnoxious thing you've ever seen, just click the options icon in the upper right corner of the snap shot and opt-out.

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Furby's & Fair Trade Island Coconut...

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

i remember the days when i worked in the toy department of the now defunct service merchandise department store, when the hot toy of the season would hit the shelves. the original tickle me elmo, sleep and snore ernie and furby's come to mind. people would line up for hours outside, often in the freezing cold, waiting to get in to try and score one of those toys. oftentimes, there would be 500+ people waiting for a shipment of only a few dozen toys. the mad rush was always comical, unlike the phonecalls and harassing customers that would pester us for information on when more would arrive. a scene that's been recreated in the arnold schwarzenegger film 'jingle all the way' and on this youtube video of crazies in search of phantom menace action figures.

i can only imagine that the good folks at my beloved green mountain coffee roasters feel quite the same feelings about the yearly arrival of their fair trade island coconut coffee; which to my pleasure is available now. i find myself stalking their website from new years on, waiting to see if it's available yet. once it hits their site, i can only imagine the mad rush that i, as well as every other coffee lover lucky to know about it, cause upon their ordering department. it's classified as 'seasonal,' so you have to get it while it's hot.

i know, i know, coconut coffee? yes, coconut coffee. trust me on this. i heard the same doubting comments from many of you on my post about green mountain's fair trade wild mountain blueberry coffee, until you ordered it, and quickly changed your tune. and if you don't want to go on my advice alone, go check out the feedback from the beggars on their website; demanding it to be "available all year," "extend it's availability," and "listen to your customers, make it a regular offering." this is one of my recent favorite reviews "I did, I will, I do, buy again and again."

besides the coffee that they offer, reading the comments on the seasonal coffees on their site is a regular form of entertainment for me whenever i browse gmcr. they claim that while indulging in a cup of this divine brew, you'll "Be transported to your own private island paradise with our Fair Trade Island Coconut... it's one sweet destination!" trust me when i tell you, they're NOT lying!

when you go to place your order, don't forget about my other favorites too, wild mountain blueberry and lake & lodge!

and what's all this talk about fair trade? many of green mountain coffee roasters' offerings are fair trade certified. fair trade certification empowers farmers and farm workers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. so buying these products not only makes your belly happy, but it helps our world's farmers and the environment; so everybody's happy! read more about fair trade HERE.

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Ich laufe auf keinem Schlaf, und bin als Hölle besorgt...

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Unrelated to the masses,
Torn in twenty pieces,
Candy coated personalities,
Thin like Reese's.

I'm full up to the brim,
All the while my whole world's in a spin.
It's seems neverending, un-comprehending,
All my credit's declined, no more spending.

My life seems shattered,
As i stand here tattered.

Forget about that curbside prophet
with his hand in his pocket,
My rocket's never going to come...

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Dear Jesus, Welcome Back...

Monday, March 24, 2008

in between nibbles of carrots and rabbit hooves during dinner last night, on easter of course, my mom cut open a potato and suddenly beams of light blinded me from across the table. jesus himself left a sign in our boiled potatoes, as if to say "this is the most divine potato you shall ever consume." in actuality, it was the dryest potato i'd ever eaten, but i sucked it up and ate it because it was from jesus. my mom of course, having seen the virgin mary on french toast for sale on the internet, said "oh take a picture, we can sell it on ebay!" i quietly responded by slicing the potato cross in half and plopped it into my mouth.

thank you jesus, i hope you enjoyed your visit back to your homeland of mexico to visit your family, but i sure am glad to have you back tending to our gardens! the potatoes could use a little work though...

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Happy Easter II...

Sunday, March 23, 2008


i'm beginning to think that i'll never post another 'happy [insert holiday here]' blog again, that doesn't include an awesome video from jay and leah. it's taken a lot out of me to hold off until easter was actually here to post this video. so enjoy, don't eat too many eggs and have a happy easter!

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My Demopublican Status...

Saturday, March 22, 2008

i spent an hour of my day today filling out a 150 question 'test' to narrow down my political views and pinpoint my 'political status' as the test called it. after 150 questions, i would have thought my analysis would have been a little more indepth than what i received, but here it is, in all it's glory; my 'libertarian' biography.

libertarians support maximum liberty in both personal and economic matters. they advocate a much smaller government; one that is limited to protecting individuals from coercion and violence. libertarians tend to embrace individual responsibility, oppose government bureaucracy and taxes, promote private charity, tolerate diverse lifestyles, support the free market, and defend civil liberties.

signs that you too may also be a libertarian:
-if you think 99% of politicians give the rest of them a bad name.
-if you think taxes are ridiculously high.
-if you think that the problem with civil servants is that too many of them are neither civil nor servants.
-if someone asks you to take a urine test and you feel like telling them you'll give them a taste test.
-if you think that there are way too many laws about way too many things.
-if you believe in the bill of rights.
-if you believe that no one should go to jail for smoking flowers.
-if you believe that just about everything should be bought and sold on an open market except politicians.
-if you your glad you don’t get all the government you pay for.
-if you think the u.s. constitution is the only contract with america you need.
-if you think the only gun permit you need is the second amendment.
-if the only way you can tell a left winger from a right winger is by which one of their hands is in which one of your pockets.
-if you think the left is too left and the right is just plain wrong.
-if you think polluters should pay for the environmental damage they cause.

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New Photoshoot...

Friday, March 21, 2008

it's been awhile since i've taken new photos. it was beautiful outside today, so i setup an interesting contraption with an old window to get these photos. a few 'doctored' ones are in the slideshow too.

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I Can't Seem To Get It Right Today...

Thursday, March 20, 2008

lyrics from my song of the week, 'can't seem to get it right today' by joe purdy. my favorite line, that i'm overusing to the best of my ability.

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Happy Easter I...

Wednesday, March 19, 2008


jayvideo has done it again! jay and leah's creativity in simplicity never ceases to amaze me. this is the first installment of two easter video's they recently made. be sure to stop by their site to check them out @ www.jaygrandin.com, and on myspace HERE. so happy easter a little early.

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What I Know About Life...

i took this photo in paris some 9 years ago, but it recently became important again. for s.t.

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National Biodiesel Day...

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

in theory, we should celebrate today. celebrate the natural fuel that is not only better for our environment, but the fuel that also helps to eat up the carbon-dioxide emitted by our other forms of fuel. the fuel that will help our country become less dependent on arab fuel, and ultimately the fuel that when put to good use, will make george w. bush go broke.

like i said, in theory, we should celebrate biodiesel for all of it's good traits. but at what cost to the u.s. economy? farmers all over the country are doing better than ever; able to charge top prices for crops. agricultural equipment companies such as john deere and caterpillar have seen record setting jumps in their stock prices because of biodiesel; two of the very few stocks that have continued to hold their ground during the recent market drop. not only is it helping those companies maintain in the market, but it's being shown that john deere equipment is even benefiting from being run on biodiesel, helping their engines last up to 40% longer. the ease of producing biodiesel is also helping farmers become more self-sufficient, by keeping a portion of their own crops for fueling their equipment, lowering their overhead. indeed a much needed break for farmers after years of struggling and depending on the governemnt to stay afloat.

but the cost to the rest of us? supply and demand is a bitch. in the first three months of the current year, we have all seen the ever-inflating prices at the supermarket. everything from flour to pasta, eggs to milk, chicken to beef. and god forbid you're one of those that prefers soymilk over regular milk, the recent jump in soy prices, (america's #1 cashcrop) has caused the price of a half-gallon of soymilk to jump to nearly $5 in some markets!!! three years ago the united states was exporting 60% of it's soybeans to third world countries; today that number has dropped to 18%! a disturbing fact that goes to show how our economic crisis is further depressing some economies overseas. the biggest shock to me is the cost of pasta; i fondly recall the days when you could pick up 4 pounds of pasta for $3, the other day in the supermarket it was $1.29 for a 14 oz. box. what a deal. 2oz. less for more money. (sarcasm implied)

it certainly doesn't seem that there is any end in site, at least in the very near future. our country's economy is sliding ever so slowly into the bowels of the septic system; the rich continue to get richer and the poor? poorer. i don't want to go off on a rant, but the other day i saw a report on cnbc about how this is the first time in u.s. history that being at war hasn't provided a boost in our economy. but i guess that's what happens when you're involved in a war that we have no business being involved in. thatnks again to all you folks that voted for bush. i'll leave it at that.

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Operation Plunder Shed...

with the completion of 'project mayhem' (the bedroom remodel) behind us at casa de moldovanyi, it was only a matter of time before a new project was started. surprisingly, not only was it started, but damn near complete before pops heads off to nicaragua for his spanish language adventure. here are the pictures, as the shed stands today. tomorrow, the door that we just picked up at lowes will be installed, and the tar-paper stapled. the siding will have to come later, but the load-in will be such a relief. mounds of tools piled on the porch will find their new home in the shed that's damn near half the size of the house. dubbed 'operation plunder shed,' because i was sure the roof was going to collapse during the building of it, it has turned out to be quite the masterpiece. i fear the project awaiting me, once the world traveler returns from the wilds of nicaragua, but i'm sure there will be one.

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Every Guy's Worst Nightmare...

Monday, March 17, 2008

[be sure to check out the links below!]

the above is a copy of my shopping list from today. as if having to go to wal-mart isn't enough of a nightmare, my list was not just mine, but every guy's worst nightmare. assuming the cashier at wal-mart could read, which is highly doubtful, they'd have felt bad for me thinking that i'm going home to a woman with her period, either myself or my woman has the sh*ts, and one or both of us has an itch somewhere better not to mention. i thought i'd have an easy out by going to the 'self-checkout,' but no dice; it was closed. bastards. and to make matters worse, i also had to wait in a line for about 20 minutes, because up in these parts, even on st. patty's day wal-mart is the place to be.

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Happy St. Patty's Day II...


i bet you didn't know it, that yes, i am the lord of the dance. you gotta love jibjab greetings! happy st. patty's, again.

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Happy St. Patty's Day I...


a st. patty's day gem from jayvideo. the video is called "Misunderstood Holidays: St. Patrick's Day." have a great one, i'll spend the day boiling meat products for a traditional mc-dinner, all the while attempting to feel irish by getting wasted on dark beer...

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Roadkill Raccoon...

Sunday, March 16, 2008

another gem i wrote from my high school days. taking 'expressions' by storm with the pen name 'satisfaction guaranteed.' (if you can't read it, click on the picture to enlarge!)

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I Think It's Time To Expose My Heart...

Saturday, March 15, 2008

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EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

Friday, March 14, 2008

***DISCLAIMER: it has always been my 'political policy' not to shove my political views down anyone else's throat, and i expect the same from others. because of that, i don't really talk politics with many people, and if somehow i get dragged into a conversation containing the like, i often do my best to excuse myself from the conversation as soon as humanly possible. i've found that there are very few people that share my opinion that politics can only be successfully discussed by parties involved, should everyone be willing to really listen and rebut calmly and with respect for others' opinions. the famous french philosopher voltaire once said, and i wholeheartedly agree, that "i may not agree with what you have to say, but i'll defend to the death, your right to say it." so this my friends, is merely my opinion on a topic that i seldom speak of, but am extremely passionate about, for reasons you will understand by the end of this post.


i've been toiling over writing this since the emails rolled in about the footer i started using on all of my posts back in january; the footer by which this post is titled. honestly, it was my way of subliminaly supporting my political perspective. early on in the political race, when myspace & mtv had an interactive debate with the candidates, i came to the conclusion (again, in my opinion) that none of the republican candidates have what it's going to take to turn around our country. not that i could form that opinion of mccain, because he was far to busy to even show up; as he has been absent for the rallying of young voters across the country throughout the campaign. i do not, nor have i ever voted based on party lines, as i declare myself a 'demopublican.' i feel that most voters in this country are too easily swayed by the leftwing, rightwing garble; and although i have declared myself a democrat for voting purposes, i have voted for republicans during elections of the past, be it state or national. i don't plan on voting for the next president based on the labels stating black, white, male or female; so why would i vote based on the label of democrat or republican?

early on, after making the determination that i would support 'any democrat 2008,' i started thinking... wouldn't it be the perfect, like finding the 'golden ticket' in a wonka bar to have two of the most qualified and capable people, who have ever run for office, to run together to represent the democratic party, and ultimately our country in 2008. that's where the title comes in.


now although the golden ticket that i found in my wonka bar says clinton/obama '08, i'd be just as happy had it said obama/clinton '08. for as i said earlier, hillary clinton and barack obama have what it takes to clean up washington and help the world gain back the respect that this great country of ours has lost in the last seven and a half years.

EXPERIENCE+change=2008
hillary clinton prides herself on experience. she no doubt has experiences that will help her to lead our country. she has been criticized for voting for the war in iraq, but has since supported the withdrawl of our troops; lest we not forget about the false 'weapons of mass destruction.' she's against the ban of same-sex marriage. since her days as first lady she has supported healthcare reform. environmental groups score her in the high 90's for supporting environmental reform. she supports reforms in education, and strongly believes in making it more affordable for more people. she believes in women having a choice. [reference]

experience+CHANGE=2008
barack obama preaches the need for change in our government in our country. a change that he has the ability and passion to bring about. he has voted against the war in iraq since the beginning. he supports civil unions & gay equality. he supports affordable, high-quality healthcare. he is also scored in the high 90's by environmental groups. he opposes education vouchers and supports educational reform. he also supports a women's right to choose. [reference]


they are much more alike than they pretend to be. the cut-throat mudslinging that has gone on regarding these and several other issues has only made them seem undesirable. in this week's issue of u.s. news and world report, there is an article about obama, and how his campaign needs to "fight back harder against hillary," in order to show that he has what it takes to face mccain in the general election. ahh the politics of politics.

the WARMONGER
let's look for a minute in the other direction, at the warmonger, john mccain. he not only supports bush's efforts in the war, he believes we should send more troops to the frontlines. he constantly flip-flops on the issue of gay marriage and equality. environmetal groups give him a score of 50, out of 100, for his support of their issues. he supports education vouchers, which would take money out of public schools, and does not support the efforts of the national education association. he supports the national right-to-life committee and does not support planned parenthood. is this what our country really needs? more of what we already have in george w. bush? i don't think so. [reference]


at this time in our country's history, when more young people are voting than ever before and when less and less americans are actively seeking a change in their current status; we all need to make a conscious effort to inform ourselves about the candidates that can really make the change. charisma and statistics will only go so far. i challenge you to help bring about change in the great united states of america. forget about black and white; male and female. vote on the issues. vote on what is important to you. vote to help make our country a better place to live, vote to bring back the american dream. the next few weeks will determine things for clinton and obama. i can only hope that regardless of the outcome at the democratic national convention, that the candidate that emerges, lives up to their platform. that they have the balls to make things happen, and turn our country around. until then, celebrate your freedom and pray for experience & change in 2008.

"I cannot say whether things will get better if we change;
what I can say is they must change if they are to get better."
~Georg Christoph Lichtenberg

CHOOSE OR LOSE.
DECLARE YOURSELF.
VOTE 411.

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Superior Stupidity...

the headline reads: "Woman sits on toilet for 2 years; Sheriff Whipple to the rescue"

MARCH 12, 2008 - NESS CITY, Kan. - Authorities are considering charges in the bizarre case of a woman who sat on her boyfriend's toilet for two years - so long that her body was stuck to the seat by the time the boyfriend finally called police.

Ness County Sheriff Bryan Whipple said it appeared the 35-year-old Ness City woman's skin had grown around the seat. She initially refused emergency medical services but was finally convinced by responders and her boyfriend that she needed to be checked out at a hospital.

"We pried the toilet seat off with a pry bar and the seat went with her to the hospital," Whipple said. "The hospital removed it."

Whipple said investigators planned to present their report Wednesday to the county attorney, who will determine whether any charges should be filed against the woman's 36-year-old boyfriend.

"She was not glued. She was not tied. She was just physically stuck by her body," Whipple said. "It is hard to imagine. I still have a hard time imagining it myself."

He told investigators he brought his girlfriend food and water, and asked her every day to come out of the bathroom.

"And her reply would be, 'Maybe tomorrow," Whipple said. "According to him, she did not want to leave the bathroom."

The boyfriend called police on Feb. 27 to report that "there was something wrong with his girlfriend," Whipple said, adding that he never explained why it took him two years to call.

Police found the clothed woman sitting on the toilet, her sweat pants down to her mid-thigh. She was "somewhat disoriented," and her legs looked like they had atrophied, Whipple said.

"She said that she didn't need any help, that she was OK and did not want to leave," he said.

She was reported in fair condition at a hospital in Wichita, about 150 miles southeast of Ness City. Whipple said she has refused to cooperate with medical providers or law enforcement investigators.

Authorities said they did not know if she was mentally or physically disabled.

Police have declined to release the couple's names, but the house where authorities say the incident happened is listed in public records as the residence of Kory McFarren. No one answered his home phone number.

The case has been the buzz in Ness City, said James Ellis, a neighbor.

"I don't think anybody can make any sense out of it," he said.

Ellis said he had known the woman since she was a child but that he had not seen her for at least six years.

He said she had a tough childhood after her mother died at a young age and apparently was usually kept inside the house as she grew up. At one time the woman worked for a long-term care facility, he said, but he did not know what kind of work she did there.

"It really doesn't surprise me," Ellis said of the bathroom incident. "What surprises me is somebody wasn't called in a bit earlier."


maybe it's just me, but if my girlfriend went into the bathroom, and two DAYS later wouldn't come out, i would probably get her some professional help. this idiot, and her family, let her rot in the bathroom for two years and never thought anything of it.

i'd have loved to been a fly on the wall in that house at any point during those two years. 'oh honey, i know you're takin' a sh*t, but what kind of dressing do you want on your salad? no, don't come out, it's ok, i'll bring it to you.' i hope they had a second bathroom in their trailer, or that could have caused some uncomfortable situations with visitors...

that makes me think of something else, what about the loser boyfriend? didn't he ever have company? i don't know, but twenty bucks says this article was incorrect is saying she worked at a nursing home; i bet they both worked at wal-mart. that stupidity level is always available there, ALWAYS!


EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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A Good Leader...

after about 20 re-writes of the much anticipated 'EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008' blog, i think it's ready. one more edit, and it'll be up. watch for it tonight my dear readers, at which time you'll understand the delay...

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Forward...

Thursday, March 13, 2008

'forward'

when did you run away?
how is it far from here?
only look back when the future's not so clear.
wandering around the room, everything's in it's space,
i'm the only thing that doesn't fit in this place.
who am i supposed to be?
falling while i'm standing still,
do i deal so willingly with the fact i've lost the will?
my sad song saves me, my down days feel right,
i dream of a day i'll know what keeps me up at night.

forward, forward, forward, i go, forward,
forward, forward, forward...

steady as i don't go, thrown into i don't know,
can i ever let myself, just let myself go?
floating down the stairs, no one knows i'm near,
i shout at the shadows, don't let me catch you here!
lingering on the porch, breathing til i'm bored,
caught between a prison gate and a wide-open door.
pushing from within, everything's not fine,
tonight i'm gonna take back, take back what's mine.
i'm gonna take back what's mine.

you'll never find me here,
forward...
...forward...
...you'll never find me here...


these amazing lyrics are from the song 'forward' by dane cook. yes, dane cook. i'm having trouble myself believing it myself; i just can't seem to figure out how to take it. i've been able to confirm, via itunes and dane cook's myspace, that it is indeed him. but why? i get that he's got a few comedy songs out there as of late, but there is nothing funny about this song. it mirrors such an emotional situation. is it from one of the soundtracks to one of his movies? i've been searching all over the place to try and find the answer. this is the first time ever that neither google nor wikipedia have been able to help me, which has even caused me to reach out to yahoo answers. (which i hate.) more on my hatred of yahoo answers later...

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Today's Reason to Drink: March 13, 2008...

in 1781, william herschel discovered uranus today.

if that doesn't call for a toast, i don't know what does...

thanks again to my igoogle gadget for this one...

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It's Time For Me To Fly...

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

[click picture to enlarge]

i've found that buying a musician's entire album has become more and more difficult for me to do over the years. albums that are completely listenable are few and far between, but when you do find one, it usually makes up for lost time. albums like dave matthews band's 'under the table and dreaming,' zach macko & far north's 'songs from my room,' and gavin degraw's 'chariot' are a few of my most notable listenable albums of all time. recently though, i've been lucky enough to add a new band to that list, the words of which their song 'fly' are on the photo above. cipes and the people is an awesome band that brings reggae back into the current music scene. whether or not reggae is your thing, you can't deny the rythym and lyrics that greg cipes brings to the tunes. i haven't listened to much else in the past week, since getting the album on itunes. it's worth so much more than the $9.99 it costs for the 18 track album titled 'conscious revolution.' the lyrics strike such a chord with me, causing be to believe that it truly is "the music that unifies everyone and everything." -greg cipes

check out the cipes and the people website HERE.
or the cipes and the people myspace page HERE.

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Time To Fly...

crosby, stills, nash & young, just a song before i go...

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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The Grass Is Green: Change The World...

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

[click picture to enlarge]

'change the world' by womanzsoul

may you live in a small house
on a large lot, in a tiny town
may you smile and laugh
with rarely a frown
may your problems be sparse
with solutions in sight
may you always sleep peacefully
every night
may your blessings be bountiful
and your fears be few
may you change the world
before it changes you
and on those days when you blink and think
that it only hurts when you breathe
try to do as little damage as you can
live the hand that you're dealt
remember where you first began
always remember how it felt
to heal from your ordeals
and feel only what is real
know that we are sometimes exposed
by the things that we conceal
may you always be happy
with a love that completes you
may you change the world
before it changes you


a friend of my mom's wrote this in her blog. i thought that it was awesome and beyond worthy of a post. so here it is. you can also check out the rest of her blog HERE.

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Busy As A...

...sloth.

recently i've found myself annoyed by how busy my friends seem. putting aside the possibility that they are avoiding me, some are so on the go that they barely have time to tell me they do not have time to talk. every phone call, no matter how short, seems to be interrupted by several others. that is, of course, if i actually get them on the other end of the phone. i'm currently faced with 'cellular difficulties' that make me feel entitled to having someone answer my phone calls, when i actually have service. entitled, i am not.

i consider my life to be somewhat filled, but not very fulfilling as of late. i am almost embarrassed to admit this, i don't feel that i have time to read novels, catch a movie or play, or have the occasional long lunch with a friend.

in our busy, busy world, i sometimes feel as if i am the odd one out. although those who are overworked and overwhelmed complain ceaselessly, it is often with an undertone of boastfulness; the hidden message is that i’m so busy because i’m so important. i suppose i've been included in that group before, but despise it now that i'm on the other end.

now i realize that busyness is not an absolute: everyone has a different threshold. i have one friend for whom more than one social engagement a weekend is just too much; others love to party, party, party. and most people would trade in bored and stagnant for a little stress if they were engaged in doing something they loved.

i am also aware that there are many who have no options; who must work exhausting hours simply to survive. i was one of them once. but i am speaking about those who choose to keep up a frenetic pace that seems largely self-imposed, unnecessary — and unenjoyable. right now i'm in search of a balance, finding the right job, that i will enjoy, yet leave me the time to have a life. it's a tough balance to find in my industry of choice.

dr. edward hallowell, a psychiatrist and author of “crazybusy: overstretched, overbooked and about to snap” writes about how he knew he had crossed into the dark side from busy to crazy busy when he got mad at a rotary phone while staying at a vacation house. i find that i get aggravated easier than usual lately. is it because i'm too busy? more like not busy enough.

“what a fool i had become,” he writes. “i had become a man in a hurry even when i had no need to hurry.”

according to dr. hallowell, there are many overlapping reasons why we all fall into the trap of being overly busy. a few are:

-it is so easy with cellphones a touch away.
-it is a kind of high.
-it is a status symbol.
-we’re afraid we’ll be left out if we slow down.
-we avoid dealing with life’s really big issues — death, global warming, aids, terrorism — by running from task to task.
-we do not know how not to be busy.
-not only are we constantly occupied, but we, as Americans, are also famous for not knowing how to be unoccupied.

we work our asses off to earn vacation time, and are then hesitant, or just not able to actually take it. when included as part of a salary, you might as well have worked that time for free. boy do i know about that. even when i was on 'vacation,' my cellphone still rang off the hook, and constant email monitoring was a necessary evil, as to not fall too far behind. ironic isn't it? taking a vacation not to relax, but to catch up?

of course, it is not just in the work force that people are madly busy. many people i know, are also so socially busy, that a night hanging out, doing nothing, and 'talking about people we hate,' must be planned weeks in advance. i've always said that spontaneity is one of my best and worst attributes, but it is slowly becoming a smaller and smaller part of my life. i think that the desire for control that has led people to lose it.

you can feel like a tin can surrounded by a circle of a hundred powerful magnets,” he writes. “many people are excessively busy because they allow themselves to respond to every magnet: tracking too much data, processing too much information, answering to too many people, taking on too many tasks — all in the sense that this is the way they must live in order to keep up and stay in control. but it’s the magnets that have the control.”

one way to wrestle back control is to take a hard look at our priorities, he said, “to decide what matters.” this does not necessarily mean big career changes or moving from manhattan to rural vermont. (something i tried, unsuccessfully to regain control, moving from new jersey to north carolina.) it can also be figuring out in small, but significant ways how to scale down frantic to manageable. because it's all about balance. balance with work, friends, relationships and life in general. something i yearn so strongly to find.

we can long for the days when we didn’t spend as much time tapping on our cellphones as talking one-on-one, and engaging in intelligent conversation; when cellphones were not the background noise of daily life.

but instead of bemoaning technology, it is time to make it a tool of good rather than evil.

often, small changes can be amazingly simple. for example, one woman took back some of her time, dr. hallowell said, by making a seemingly minor but crucial shift in her workplace: “she put her computer behind her instead of in front of her, so she had to swivel around to use it. to use the computer — to write, to do e-mail, go to google, whatever — she had to make a conscious decision to do so. this is huge.”

other times it can take a little training.

“e-mails put other people’s priorities in your lives." and although the emphasis is on work, to a lesser extent we all see it at home in the form of the friend who constantly sends out the group messages or passes on every joke and lame story or chain letter. people seem to use the 'reply all' button far too frequently.

i particularly like some of the codes you can use to avoid having to reply, though i don't see them much anymore, such as NRN, for no reply needed, and NTN, for no thanks needed. i never thought I would accuse people of being overly polite, but perhaps we can cut a wee bit back on the e-mails that say “thanks!” i know i sent it, if you didn't take the time to read it, then that's your problem.

the trouble with writing about busyness, or my current lack of it, is that, like focusing on dieting or budgeting, i am now way too aware of how i spend or waste each moment. it's exhausting; and if i didn’t need to rush off, i might just lie down to power-nap...

EXPERIENCE+aCHANGEneededsoon=2008

[photo by arseni]

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Happy Johnny Appleseed Day...

"The story of Johnny Appleseed closely follows the life of many ascetic Saints, especially Saint Francis of Assisi.

Contrary to the popular tale, Johnny Appleseed did not wander through the countryside throwing apple seeds randomly but rather he carefully planted orchards and, in the process, became wealthy.

He gave away money and land as fast as he received them and was known for his austere physical discipline.

Legend has it that he would not build a fire at night for fear that a bug might fly into it."

let's toast to johnny with a stiff appletini! oh happy day!

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

[oil on canvas painting by joe mcfadden]

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Christian Siriano, Fierce?

Sunday, March 09, 2008


fierce [fîrs] -adjective
1) having a savage and violent nature; ferocious.
2) extremely severe or violent; terrible.
3) extremely intense or ardent: fierce loyalty.
4) strenuously active or resolute: a fierce attempt to escape.
5) informal Very difficult or unpleasant: a fierce exam.
6) savage or threatening in appearance.
[dictionary.com]

at first i thought this kid was obnoxious. i didn't really watch 'project runway,' except when it re-ran at 3am and there was nothing else on tv. it was not until he actually won, and my friend johanna changed her profile picture on myspace to a picture of 'ferocia coutura,' that i actually paid him any mind. i didn't even recognize the picture of him and had to ask her who it was. she got a little upset that i was clueless to his identity, and so i youtubed him. that's where i found this video. long story short, i love to hate him. he's so over the top obnoxious, and for that reason, and that reason only, i love him. he overkills on his 'signature' words and phrases like fierce, fabulous and ferocious; he uses the word tranny to describe things that are just like him, over the top. he even shortens some of his signatures to create his own terms, like 'feroch.' (i do that often too.) his usage of these words may not be correct according to the dictionary, but they are sure to become part of pop-culture. all hail ferocia coutura, NOT really that fierce (except maybe his flock of seagulls hair).

i'm sorry that the site has been looking more like a vlog lately, but since the completion of 'project mayhem,' i've been busy with 'operation plunder-shed.' more on that soon...

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Can't Touch This...


if you are incredibly busy, and can't afford to spend the whole 3:34 on watching this entire video, then just fast-forward it to 2:50. the whole video is pretty funny but the 'can't touch this' dance at 2:50 is hysterical! justin was the surprise guest, dressed as a gingerbread man for christmas on the ellen degeneres show. it's almost three months later, and i still can't stop watching it; it's as bad as my obsession with the e*trade baby commercials!

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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The Adventures of Snoop & Kate...

Saturday, March 08, 2008


my friend electa was jealous of the video that i made for mike and jill of their twins, and although she's expecting, right now her dogs is as much as i can do. i am, however, secretly planning on taping her birth and posting it on youtube, but we'll see how that works out. maybe i'll develop a scalpel-cam so when i'm in the delivery room, she won't suspect a thing. this will have to do for now.

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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What Does It Mean To Be From Maine?

Friday, March 07, 2008

[click picture to enlarge]

***Sausage Queen said...
Awesome truth here...I have to get the dries up slices behind the herring...lol. BUT the thing i miss the most? POLAND SPRING WATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There is only one store here in Florida that sells it and its way expensive. SO SAD.
8:22 PM
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***spleeness said...
You know what's awesome water, Dannon's "Spring!" water and man, it's as good as Evian but super cheap.
I almost forgot about "spk" - lol. I remember working in a deli in NJ, those sandwhiches were so popular for bkfst! great post!
10:16 PM
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***TONY a.k.a. i sWEAT bUTTER said...
is it possible to be the queen of TWO breakfast meats???
poland spring... what it means to be from maine. maine's a looong way from 'the retirement state.' the cost is all shipping.
and for the record while 'spring!' is delish, i think evian tastes like pond water. panna is my first choice of agua...
11:23 PM
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somehow the string of comments following the post 'thc, spk...' turned into one about bottled water preferences. mostly because, as you can see, the sausage queen of deerfield beach has to pay top dollar for crisp, clean?!? poland spring water in florida. ms. spleeness enjoys the equally pricey evian, which normally, because of my feelings about the french, i would boycot like, i don't know, a clown or a doll with freckles. but after reviewing this ad, i've changed my opinion on a few things: 1) i really didn't need to know what it meant to be from maine, and 2) je suis assoiffé vous le joli français, peux j'ayez s'il vous plaît cette bouteille d'eau maintenant? (i'm thirsty you lovely frenchman, may i please have that bottle of water now?)

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

photo as previously posted on www.worth1000.com.

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A DIVINE Cup of Java...

today, my cup runneth over. several times... not onto the counter top, or the floor, or the kitchen sink; but quite happily into my gullet. today i had a vision, or perhaps more appropriately, an epiphany; that i was sitting in the passenger seat of a red monte carlo, listening to 'fool in the rain' by led zeppelin, watching the sun set at brenton point (just past the mansions on ocean drive) in newport, rhode island, with my old friend karbo.

what brought this on you might ask? the most DIVINE of things. not JUST a tune, (which by the way, 'fool in the rain' always takes me to another time and place, and makes me think of several different people, for several different reasons) but because i had THE most SPECTACULAR cup of coffee that i've had in a long time. those trips to brenton point almost always included a 'thermos of love,' which is really what brought this on.

i know i always shamelessly plug green mountain coffee roasters, and i'm doing it AGAIN. their whole bean lake & lodge blend, ground to perfection by yours truly and brewed in a french press, was, and is, TO DIE FOR. i can't really say much more about it, but there are very few things in life that can instantly transport you somewhere else in time. my java did it for me today. and i appreciated every second of it.

**a little extra tidbit: although typically i agree that 'the french are a**holes,' i must admit they did get one thing right, and that's the french press. probably the simplest brewing method, but by far the most delish.

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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The Plan Was To Insert A Witty Line...

i was back and forth about whether or not to post this picture, because my original intent was to make an off-color comment about the 'reject china' sign... i had decided against it, until i saw the sign at the top of the building. buttermarket? I'M IN! i took this picture on my trip through europe, in england i think. isn't it great that you can buy butter, 'modern alarms,' and reject china all in one place? that's my kind of mall!

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Thanks For All The Comments...

Thursday, March 06, 2008

thank you for all the comments being posted recently, they are much appreciated...

and for all of you 'email commentor's' out there, i'm still appreciating you...

keep 'em coming! and as always, THANK YOU FOR READING!

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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THC, SPK...

if you're not from jersey, and by jersey, i mean north jersey, you probably have no idea what 'thc, spk' means. during the two times in my life that i have moved away from new jersey, to rhode island and north carolina, thc is what i missed the most. and for all you secret agents lurking around my blog, i'm not talking about tetrahydrocannabinol (the drug in marijuana), i'm talking about TAYLOR HAM, EGG & CHEESE!

the spk (salt, pepper, ketchup) is sometimes assumed, depending on where you are ordering it from. i often remember sneaking out of high school at lunch to go to the olde towne deli to cop one of the most delicious sandwiches ever. or often taking a "short cut" to the deli in lake reality (miles out of the way) on the way to school to enjoy this delicious breakfast treat. it's a staple in jersey breakfast joints and our beloved diners. with or without the egg, it's still a thc.

in the 51st state of south jersey the pineys call it 'pork roll.' for the record, it's taylor ham, get it right. it's served on another jersey breakfast staple, the 'hard roll.' like a kaiser roll, but not. on those days when money is tight, you can usually score a 'buttered roll' and a coffee for a buck at the most DIVINE of places.

i've found it difficult, if not impossible to score taylor ham outside of jersey. most people have never even heard of it before. perhaps it's because it was invented in new jersey, by john taylor, in trenton. my friend electa out in arizona can get it, for somewhere around $560/lb. UNACCEPTABLE. i'll never live in arizona. in north carolina you can buy dried up slices in a box, hidden behind the pickled herring in the dairy section. in rhode island, if you even bother asking for it in the store, you're told that you're 'wicked retarded.'

there's something special to be said about a meat that's labeled 'tangy.' out of jersey? order some HERE.

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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The Dalmation Is Getting Married!

yes, it's true. the 1st of my guy friends is getting married. april 12 is d-day! i'm looking forward to it, as frank and i have been friends since the summer before 1st grade. i'll be sure to take plenty of pictures and update after the wedding. (for the record, that is me in the picture with frank, i was a baked potato. see the pat of butter on my head? don't hate.)

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Declare Yourself A Demopublican...

Wednesday, March 05, 2008

a little boy asks his dad, "what is politics?"

his dad says, "well son, let me try to explain it this way...

i am the head of the family, so you could call me the 'president.'

your mother is the administrator of the money, so we could call her 'the government.'

we are here to take care of your needs, so we will call you 'the people.'

your nanny, we will consider her 'the working class.'

and your baby brother, we will call him 'the future.'

now think about that and see if it makes sense."

so the little boy goes off to bed thinking about what his dad had explained.

later that night, the young boy hears his baby brother crying, so he gets up to check on him. he finds that the baby has severely soiled his diaper.

so the little boy goes to his parent's room and finds his mother asleep. not wanting to wake her, he goes to the nanny's room. finding the door locked, he peeks in the keyhole and sees his father in bed with the nanny. he gives up and goes back to bed.

the next morning, the little boy says to his father, "dad, i think i understand the concept of politics now."

the father says, "good son, tell me in your own words what you think politics is all about."

the little boy replies, "the president is screwing the working class while the government is sound asleep. the people are being ignored and the future is in deep shit."

it's funny where we find the truth. 'from the mouth of babes' if this is true...

remember:
EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008
(the 'explanation blog' is taking longer than expected, but i promise it'll be worth the wait!)

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...And I'll Say It Again...

Tuesday, March 04, 2008

i've said it before when i posted THIS, i'm not one to shove my political views down anyone's throat. i'll voice my opinion, and you can take it or leave it, but i saw this today for the first time and thought it would be appropriate as a precursor to the soon to be posted "EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008" blog. will.i.am has done it once again, and i encourage you to check out his site, www.dipdive.com. for he consistently takes the approach of information over endorsement, even when it comes to the response of the dirty mudslinging and mistruths...

ELECTION 2008 is NOT about republican or democrat. it's NOT about black or white. it's NOT about man or woman. it IS about our country regaining it's status. it IS about regaining our freedom. it IS about bringing our soldiers back home to their families, and honoring the ones that can never return because they lost their lives in the search of so called "weapons of mass destruction" and lies...

we hear about our borders NOT being secure, but even in our government's state of disarray, our country is still better than the land's of our foreign brothers and sisters. we were proud. we were powerful. we were free. we've taken it all for granted for too long. let US show our strength, our pride and our freedom to the world... let US not be divided any longer, let US show the world that YES, WE CAN!


NOW, MORE THAN EVER,

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Locked Up Emotions...

so sam, this is what i'm told in my horoscope... sound familiar? thanks again for the ear...

"Withdrawing from emotional situations doesn't necessarily indicate that you aren't willing to feel. It's just that you may believe that your involvement wouldn't necessarily add anything positive to the situation. It's a healthy practice to keep your reactions to yourself from time to time. Stay aware of your feelings, even if you choose not to share them." [www.tarot.com]

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Ode to the Toilet Seat Cover...

[she's praying to god that she doesn't catch some form of hepatitis]

at reststops and malls
from jersey to maine;

you see those machines
that drive you insane.

you think they're empty
or just plain don't work;

some people need them
it's just an old quirk.

they're made out of paper
or some plastic stuff;

some people think they
make the seat rough.

wipe off the seat
and give it a sheen;

pay twenty cents
and it'll keep you clean.

so from now on
when you go for a drive;

take a toilet seat cover
along for the ride.


i wrote this back in the day, when i was in high school, for the boonton high literary magazine 'expressions.' those were the days that i used the pen-name 'satisfaction guaranteed.' enjoy this throwback...

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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March 4, 2008...

it's march fourth, so march forth to your favorite local dive, and drink a heineken & a grand marnier on the rocks for me!

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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What Does It Mean?

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008. what does it mean? why do you include it in the end of every blog post? the emails have been flowing in since the beginning, and that question always finds it's way into the script... against my better judgement, i'm making an attempt to prepare a 'bipartisan' response that i'll post later on today. you've got questions, i've got answers. (sometimes.) be sure to come back to check it out...

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Sometimes People Get Me Wrong...

Monday, March 03, 2008

[click photo to enlarge]

...and the journey begins...

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Because I Can't Be With You...

amidst the cluster of my life, i'm faced with so many potential heartbreaks... i'm planning my trek, and hope to choose my path wisely... for my true life to begin...

the cranberries.

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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Just About Krauted Out...

Sunday, March 02, 2008

Ode to the Caboche

I wonder if the cabbage knows

He's much less lovely than a scented Rose;

Or does he squat in smug content,

A source of semi-noble nourishment;

Or if he pities her for her sins

The Rose who has no vitamins;

Perhaps the only thing his green heart knows-

Is the love-fire that lights from the gift of a Rose.


braised, stewed, slawed, stuffed or krauted, i've eaten more cabbage, prepared more ways, in the the last week than i have in my previous twenty-odd years combined. the glorious colewort is a huge part of hungarian culture, and my pops exploits it like britney does her offspring. and so it got me thinking...

just as the word f*ck can be used as a replacement in a wide array of grammatical categories, cabbage can be, in it's many forms, as well. it's tough leafy greens have many uses and descriptions. for example, it's essential in borscht, and what would cole slaw be without cabbage? cole? without the beloved cabbage, the german's couldn't have come up with sauerkraut, and the koreans', kimchi. in european folk medicine cabbage is essential for treating acute inflammation and some even claim it is effective in relieving painfully engorged breasts in breastfeeding women. cabbage has several famous relatives as well: broccoli, cauliflower and collard greens, just to name a few.

just like f*ck, cabbage has a more negative side as well. during world war II "kraut" (cabbage) was used as a racial slur to describe germans; and in hebrew, "rosh kruv" (cabbage head) is used as a derogatory term to imply stupidity. but again, just as f*ck has it's endearing qualities, cabbage does as well. in france the term "ma petite chou" is used as a term of endearment from a man to a woman, and means 'my little cabbage.'

and so, you see, there is a connection between f*ck and cabbage, and not just when proclaiming 'that f*cking cabbage gave me gas!' (which it often does, especially when consummed in it's boiled form.)

and with that, i say, you too should rejoice in the joys of cabbage!

[a special shout out to wikipedia, food network and dictionary.com for the info.]

EXPERIENCE+CHANGE=2008

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