Things Other People Love That I Just Don't Get

Stolen shamelessly from Scenic Overlook, who stole it from others. Pass it on.

1. Politics (being overly attached and fanatical about)
2. Religion (again....)
3. Baseball, Hockey, Rugby, Tennis
4. Diet Soda
5. Aerosmith, Rolling Stones, The Dead, and rap
6. Video games
7. Children
8. "Good" beer
9. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peas, cauliflower, squash, etc
10. Harry Potter
11. Following "reality" stars that contribute nothing to the world
12. Shooting
13. Cats
14. Desserts
15. Perfume
16. White wine
17. Going to live events
18. Hummus
19. Bill and Hillary
20. Apple Computers (not the iPhone of course!)

To be blunt,

are there more assholes in the world these days? Or is it just my life experience? Sure seems that in the past few years I've encountered more people that are just JERKS. I mean flat out jackasses. They mostly hide behind the protection of email, a faceless tool that seems to bring out the worst of people. Maybe I dwell on them, and it's good story telling, or maybe not. In the past month alone I can think of these examples:

1. While at a restaurant, late so it was near empty, I asked a guy "so how was the steak?". He just stared at me, didn't answer. Oh yes, he heard me. He was spooky. And he wanted another Espresso. I had visions of him going on a killing spree.
2. RE: The lady in my neighborhood that followed me home to yell at me for "driving too fast"
3. A pinball parts customer of mine who was griping about their order taking so long. It had been 4-5 days and they picked Ground shipping (or didn't pick Priority). He said he didn't see the option, and I told him that it did default to the cheapest method, to get this: You know, I tried to make nice with you and now you call me cheap. NO more emails. I will not buy from you ever again. and I will tell all the people i know not to also. You are a JACKASS. You dont insult the customer. If they are not here by friday I will get my money back. I should have never waited this long. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
   I WILL NOT OPEN ANYMORE MAILS FROM YOU SO DONT EVEN SEND THEM.
   LOOK FOR A PAYPAL COMPLAINT ON FRIDAY IF THEY DO NOT SHOW UP.
4. Last week, I bought $200 worth of parts for my business via the Internet. The guy sent me a PayPal payment request, for which I paid. For some reason, the payment didn't include what I was buying, and you would have thought it was the end of the world. I got a nasty immature email back stating since I didn't say what it was for, they'd send pictures of what they spent it on. Excuse me? I explained what it was for, included a copy of the invoice I showed as having the info, and said I was a little shocked at their email. I thought I'd get an apology. What I've gotten, and still getting, are long emails telling me what a jerk I am. Quotes are: "Be as unprofessional as you like and lay it off on anyone that makes you feel comfortable. While you're feeling all superior on next week, don't for get to look in your mailbox."  and "When things get screwed up and no one can find you, you want to blame others. I know, you're really a comedian. This has all been a joke and I should be laughing."  and " I can have any attitude that I like. Your over inflated need for special attention not withstanding, so I gave you some." and "You decided that you could treat people at great distances from you like monkey poop and they would just love it." And mostly what I've said to this person is that I'm shocked at being treated this way, and told him many times I paid the invoice I was sent. This is from the owner of this small company. I'm still amazed.
5. Three+ years ago, a jerk in KC basically stole a pinball machine from me. The other day he felt compelled to email me with a link to pictures of how he restored it. 

That's just my thought of the moment. I guess though, I've said it before, will say it again: I hate people. 

No humor... at all

Went to Del Taco for lunch today. It's Taco-Bell like, but better.

Bob the Shift Manager took our order:

Boy, lose that "F" and you're in for some trouble!!!

Silence.......... more silence.........receipt given.......

I wonder if he spit in my food.

Weird people

I post on Craigslist that I buy pinball machines..... I often get an email back. Sometimes, I just wonder.

Unedited:

Do you work on them? 
Yes, but I don't do service calls, too many factors
No a freind of mine used to work on them back in the 60s and 70s he really enjoyed it 
Wasn't me. You looking for someone? I know a guy named Alan would fit  that bill 
No you misunderstood me. My freind used to repair pin balls back in the 50s and sixtys. I really likes it I thought if you need some tech advice he probably would be some great help. He still talks foundly of it. Hes retired and he would love to work on a pin ball machine again I am sure 
(Me trying to be nice again)   I'm not very good at EM games at all! I've got a Royal Flush I'm  working  on right now that won't start properly. 
And what does that have to do with pin ball machines? I was talking about pinball machines you been sippin the bong water again? 

Weirdo.....

speling inkorecklee is kool -NAUGHT!

I've always been a little annoyed by the butchering of words especially in businesses or web sites, things like Cheez Fries, Quik-E Mart, EZ Wash and things like that that save 1 or 2 letters and make it terrible to look up in your GPS. "No, that's Cheese with a Z... and no E". Oh oh oh!!! No wonder!

Bad but I'm getting used to it is the Text Speak. UR instead of You are, cya instead of see ya, fine I guess. There's something to be said about typing with your thumb.

What I don't get and will not accept is the combination of the two plus the added bonus of laziness to capitalize and spell check. Most PCs these days as well as even cell phones have SPELL CHECK in them, why some people think something like the following is cool versus what I see, and that's a lack of education and pure stupidity. The following is an actual ad:

unusual pinball machine - $200 (in galt)

Location: its n galt

its an odd looking pinball machine that realy works. surprized the shit out of me. it has some lititure writing on the back side of it but, unfortinitly its in japanies and i dont no japanies writing. oh well not my problem anymore. it could b your problem if u r interested. check out the pic and gimme a call or email me. i just want it gone. price maybe nagociable if ur REALY interrested.. 209639XXXX jeff

(In case you want a count of errors, I counted about 40)

It hit me today for the first time

I got a 1099 form in the mail for about $32 bucks. This is for the measly piddly ass interest I earned by keeping my money in a bank that uses my savings to invest in their own stuff. A 1099 form so that I can pay the government a third. Why? My statement isn't "why is this fair?", my question is "Why is this legal?". When someone takes something away from you without asking or reason, it's stealing. I already earned the money and paid a fee for doing so, why am I being punished for saving? You.. You with the face. You over there. You got your money and you spent it. On a new car, a smokin' hot TV, a house you couldn't afford, or whatever. Enjoy it? I bet you did. Pay the government anything? NOPE! You spent it.

Here's another. I got a 1099 from the state of Kansas for my TAX REFUND! They treat that as income? I overpay, they keep it interest free, then give it back to me. Anyone see the problem here?? Not to mention that if you file more than 2 years late, it's "THE LAW" that they get to keep it. Crooks.

Local Chickens, good eatin

 

Truth in advertising, if Todd was in charge:

I'm trying to hone my advertising skills, but I'm not sure this industry is for me. The below is one I thought "I could do better than that!", But I'm not sure I succeeded. She kinda looks like she's in bliss, but seriously, these face masks are kinda a slap in the face, cool and shocking! Smells good though. Minty!

Here's my attempt, like I said.. Not sure this is for me:

Some people look at the cloulds and see Mickey Mouse

I look at what my dog made and see PENIS!

And then, it chews THIS. What's up with my dog?

NY Resolution followup, Part 1

1. The weigh in officially topped in at 210, clothes on, full belly, hadn't pooped, but I'm making it easy on myself.
2. The Perfect Storm is halfway through
5. Sold a game already, and have 54 items on eBay
8. This counts as a blog entry

New Year's Resolution

Yup, I'm going to do it. And I'm going to be OH SO BORING about it:

1. Lose 10-15 pounds by mid year and keep it off. This doesn't mean exercise or drink less beer.
   
2. Read more books. For me, 20 is a good number. I'll keep track. Book in progress counts.
   
3. Bitch less. HA HA, just kidding.
4. Start riding my bike again.
   
5. Cut down on the clutter. Easy to say, so let's say I'll sell 40 games this year, and list 500 items on eBay.
   
6. Get my taxes done on time.... OH GOD! I'm kidding again! I'm so funny
7. Put in backyard grass. Sounds easy, but it's got 10 projects that have to happen first.
   
8. Blog more.
9. Add 50 new items (that I already have) to my web site.
10. Drop my lousy 401K investment company and do it myself.
11. Organize my CD and DVD library.
12. And finally? Patent something. That's right. PATENT something....
    

Isn't it getting a little ridiculous?

I actually thought it was getting better. Seems like saying "Merry Christmas" wasn't offending as many people. The word 'fat' is still in our vocabulary, a little surprised there after being challenged in court by the OBESE people. 'Retarded' has gone the way of the dodo, being joined soon I predict with friends Moron, Imbecile and Idiot. That's going to be a tough one to swallow, and I'm fighting for the rights of the idiots everywhere to call them what they are!!

I'm tired, really tired, of other people telling me what's offensive. Never have liked it when people tell me what to do, just cause they think they can. If I'm offended, so be it, don't TELL me I am. How I feel when I use a word or hear a word is none of your damn business, let alone something you really know. Words are words.

Fat actually is no longer politically correct, I kid you not that the accepted phrase is "Enlarged physical condition caused by a completely natural genetically-induced hormone imbalance or too much fast food which is not your fault, is it?". Can you believe that? OK, I added the last part, but "completely natural"? Come on. I'm fat cause I eat too much, don't exercise, and drink beer. It's not a hormone imbalance.

I kid you not that the following words are ones you're not supposed to use any more: Bum, Crazy, Criminal, Failure, Fairy, Founding Fathers (too sexist), Garbage man, Ghetto, Handicapped, Illegal Alien, Janitor, Midget, Psycho, Secretary, and Trailer Park (it's a mobile home community). You have now been educated.

Here's the latest though, and give me a break. Just give me a break. It's "Nerd" and "Geek". Yup. Some fucking college professor on the East coast has determined for you and me that: "using terms like nerd and geek "perpetuate the stereotype" that nerds are "socially inept" and geeks are people with a "special expertise." They are so damaging that he believes that "much like racial epithets, he says, they should be avoided."

Good Lord! I'm a nerd and I'm proud!

Here's a question for ya, Christmas cards

Do you ever ponder about Christmas cards? Some people don't send them, that's fine. If you know who they are, it doesn't matter I guess. Just a question to think about: Do you track who reciprocates with Christmas cards?

Mentally or otherwise? Do you care? Does it bother you when you get left out? Ever say anything like "Er... didja get my card?". Can you help but take note of receiving one from someone a week later, often after Christmas, and feel like you mighta been forgotten? Do you take note of who sends and who doesn't, and adjust accordingly? Does it mean anything ya think? Is this all sounding too vain?

Nearly every year, BG's card comes first. It's almost a given. I like that. There are a handful of old friends that always send cards, even though we may not have talked in years. Relatives are pretty predictable, those that do, those that don't, those that are late. I'm used to it.

How about the "family update" letters? Like them? Hate them? Some of them are amazing in how people change. Usually it seems to be finding God, and having children. Ever get insulted by one in an indirect way? I have, this year as a matter of fact. They don't even know it.

How about the photo cards of just the kids? Or the dog? Well, those are great but I'd like to see how my friends look. If anything, I like the family ones the best. The WHOLE family.

The worst? Cards from my investment company. Stop spending my money on this crap your secretary signs and concentrate on my future, idiots. It bugs me knowing those cards are an expense that are somehow paid for by me, the customer. My company has 20,000 brokers, I'm going to guess each has an average of 100 customers, that's a few million bucks or more spent on cards and postage. Oh, and a card stuck on my trash can, just a friendly reminder that Ann Landers suggested tipping in 1962, this to the same jerks that won't take all my trash if it's "too much" or "too heavy", charge me for an extra can, and make messes I have to go clean up in the street. Think again trash can man.

Ah Bacon, my nemesis.... You've bested me THIS time!

Yeah, well... What can I say. Bacon was forgotten on the stove, burning, and I grabbed the pan and wasn't careful, maybe slipped a little and all the grease came to introduce itself to my hand. Hurts. Hurts bad. I was up all night, and today a week later, it still stings. Not really thrilled to be marked for life now, but what can I say. I still like you bacon... And your brother Ham.

Christmas is pardoned!

I'm so relieved!

An Alaska senator says the U.S. Postal Service is resuming a program allowing volunteers to respond to letters sent to Santa Claus in care of the North Pole, Alaska, post office.

Republican U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski said Friday that Deputy Postmaster General Pat Donahoe told her in a phone call the agency has reconsidered its decision to not allow volunteers to answer the letters.

Calls to the Postal Service were not immediately returned. (1-800-dicklesswusses was disconnected)

I really think this is for the good of the people

"Santa Claus" holds letters from children sent this year that the U.S. Postal Service says they will no longer deliver. Citing privacy concerns, postal officials say that generically addressed letters to "Santa Claus, North Pole" will no longer be forwarded to volunteers in the Alaska town as has been done for years.

Yup. Protecting YOU!

To give them a LITTLE TEENY amount of credit, they blame this on protecting the children from volunteer Santas that are sex offenders and MIGHT CONTACT A CHILD! Here's an idea: Screen for sex offenders!

Up next: No more eggs sold at Easter. Citing high cholesterol levels in test monkeys, there will be a ban starting two weeks before Happy Friday (previously know as "Good" Friday).

Redistibution of wealth, it's here!

So, I'm in a grumpy sarcastic mood. Today I got the PRIVILEGE of paying to register my business name, get my NV state license, resale tax license, city license (etc) to the tune of $450. Ask me what this gets me, go ahead. I know for a fact the first thing I'll get will be junk mail. I hope I'm wrong.

Then today, to the relief of many, the government has decided to extend "Cash for Clunkers" and hand out more of my money in the form of 2 billion dollars on top of the 1 billion we're already paying for, all basically giving money to people that can't afford a new car in the first place. This makes sense; give people that have a gas guzzler (they knew it was a gas guzzler) a so called rebate for a new car that will lose that much when it drive off the lot. Then destroy that old car, not utilizing any parts or anything.

...I knew what mileage my truck got when I bought it, It was my decisions, and I live with it, and pay for my gas....where's my money?!?!

Paraphrasing another blogger on this subject, Who pays for it?

1. You are, because it is your tax money that Obama is giving away.
2. You are, because when the loans taken out stop being paid, the bank will run to the government for another bailout . . . that you pay for with your taxes.
3. You are, because this will help put more used car dealers out of business, and they are either going to go to Washington for a bailout of their own or go on welfare.
   
4. You are, because the car loans from many banks will be bundled up by companies and then sold to pension funds and other unsuspecting fools. This is a repeat of the Housing Bubble, but this time it is cars, not houses.

It's sunny here, not a cloud in the sky...

Came to the realization today that they name fires around here. Kinda like hurricanes! I'm not sure if this is "The Red Rock Fire" or the "Trailer 1 Fire". It's not as original as naming a hurricane "Shanteel", the first one is by Red Rock, the 2nd was started by a dragging trailer that sparked up. Original huh? Closer than I thought, but we're in no danger, from the top of Hell Hill:

Eye problems, I guess I'm getting old

Man the past year has been rough on my eyes. About a year ago I started wearing glasses again, the first time in 15 years or so since I had LASIK surgery. I mainly wear them when driving, but as this year has gone on, I find myself wanting them more and more. I love the climate here for the most part, cool in the morning's and dry, but apparently the dryness can cause the pores in your eyelids to clog up and this morning, for about the 5th time since I moved here, I've awaken to puffed up and sore eyelids, due to a condition called chalazion, internal hordeolum or just a common eye stye. They hurt! Feels like a zit you can't pop. Fun!

And take a look at the monster below. Thankfully, it didn't hurt. Woke up to this awhile ago, after noticing a tiny little red mark next to my pupil that lasted a few days. This has happened twice, once after blowing my nose too hard! This attractive condition is known as a subconjunctival hemorrhage (thanks Internet!)

Frenchman's Lake Camping & Lakes Basin Rec Area hike

Of ALL things to forget on a camping trip, MY CAMERA!?!?!?! Thankfully Sue brought her, unfortunately there'd be a LOT more pics of my pups if I had brought my own. Regardless, pictures tell a better story than me blabbing, let me just say CA is just flat gorgeous. Pictures below can be enlarged.

Road TRIP! They all got along fine. Gear is on the trailer.

Spot picked, Good dogs.... Stay! That's Lucy and Dude in front.

One of many lakes

Stealth Swimmers

Todd, the pups and George

Wet all day!

They are pretty good trail dogs, they stay ahead, but not too far, and constantly come back. Next time I'm gonna strap a GPS to one of them, I bet they travel twice the distance.

One of the best pictures

Yes, that's snow! And it's not too far away!

See?!?!?!?!?!??!

That's all the pics I got, but it's making me want to go again SOON!