tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-113244802024-03-13T15:57:17.799-05:00Midspan of the PoplarI got the name from a traffic report. We'll see what happens.Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-6964180975386822212010-02-22T15:10:00.002-06:002010-02-22T15:19:30.465-06:00Thank you!A big "THANK YOU" goes out to those that made the "Mouse Races" fundraiser for Young People's Theatre a success. It was overwhelming to how many businesses and individuals so generously donated prizes and money to help the Young People's Theatre in their time of need.<br /><br />While I'm not sure what the final outcome was for the evening in terms of dollars, I do know a good time was had by everyone who attended and a lot of funds were raised. The next step, of course, will be to attend one of the upcoming performances of Disney's Beauty and the Beast in March at St. Charles Community College. I will be posting specifics later but the shows will be at 7PM on March 19, 20, 26 & 27 and at 2PM on March 20, 21, 27 and 28.<br /><br />We hope to see you there!Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-83061480509011473972010-02-10T17:56:00.004-06:002010-02-17T14:51:33.045-06:00Weasel Stomping Week Again!It seems as if it was only yesterday... Yes, it's that time of year again when the University of Meat-chicken takes on my beloved UN-Omaha Mavericks. This year, I think we have the firepower to really take it to them. Dean Blais will have the boys primed and ready to go.<br /><br />In case you don't understand the this deep seated hatred for the Meat-chicken hockey team, watch the video as my friend, Rick explains...<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BES5UwHlIB0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BES5UwHlIB0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><br />Here is the play he was describing:<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GH6tKUSQqs0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GH6tKUSQqs0&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&color1=0x5d1719&color2=0xcd311b&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;"><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">UNLEASH THE FURY!</span><br /></span></span>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-62838066021338190082010-01-31T14:09:00.007-06:002010-02-09T16:49:21.890-06:00Beauty vs. Beast: Save the YPT from the Economy<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie_Fz1wIYRiN1gl4rtB6_f5p_t7-yDcahdB6v9Jl9p3gToBGBN7RINoc_XJ34jxBIAzFO8ps5cjbqhK_wzpe3gOB9YofB7vfqfDK3x7v4oJ6wQdwbjtLH3LyT8d09YXQSppBBEQ/s1600-h/YPT20.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 188px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5433003558251836354" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiie_Fz1wIYRiN1gl4rtB6_f5p_t7-yDcahdB6v9Jl9p3gToBGBN7RINoc_XJ34jxBIAzFO8ps5cjbqhK_wzpe3gOB9YofB7vfqfDK3x7v4oJ6wQdwbjtLH3LyT8d09YXQSppBBEQ/s320/YPT20.jpg" /></a> <div><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Let me start by saying I may not be the best person to put this story forward. I have been around Young Peoples’ Theatre of St. Charles for only the last three years. The program is celebrating its 20<sup>th</sup> year and is now affiliated with St. Charles Community College. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">There are many youth theater programs but this one is special. They take the time to teach each child and help them develop their skills. At the same time every child feel like a star because they find small ways to give them a special moment on stage, even when they are part of the chorus. The children’s ages range from 8-18 so there's a wide variety of maturity levels. </span></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">There's a reason I feel the need to express this. Each Saturday, there is a parent meeting to discuss what is going on with the current production. The crew, sets, costumes, marketing, are handled by parent volunteers, so there are many people that help make the shows successful. Many of us spend upwards of 50 hours per show, not including duties during performances. At yesterday’s meeting we were discussing a "Mouse Races" fundraiser we were planning for February 20th. This one is pretty large in its scope. Many people almost came to tears when hearing about the way funding has all but dried up. Unless this fundraiser is huge a success, the program will be forced to change things in any number of ways. One would be to charge higher fees for each child. which are currently at $100-150 per show, this will allow fewer low-income families to participate and put a larger burden on families with multiple children involved. They will also consider smaller shows with fewer children, cutting back from three shows per year to one or two or worse, eliminate the program. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">In my limited time around the YPT program, I have seen many of the children mature, not just on stage but off stage as well. Being part of a team environment does wonders for these young people. Many of the high school graduates of the program, have gone on to college scholarships in theater. Most make special trips back each year to watch the performances and encourage the younger children. The YPT program is true gem of our community.</span></span></p><br /><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"><o:p><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></o:p></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Some ways you can help: The most fun would be to attend the <a href="http://www.home.earthlink.net/~randav2/YPT/mouse_race_flyer.doc">"Mouse Races"</a> event on February 20th or if you prefer, donate prizes for that event. Email me at <a href="mailto:randav2@gmail.com">randav2@gmail.com</a> and I can help with that. You can also make a direct donation at the main webpage for the program <a href="http://www.stchas.edu/divisions/ccd/cce/ypt.shtml">here.</a> And of course, buy tickets for the upcoming performances of Beauty and Beast. I'm sure we will be able to sell-out all eight shows with your help. A very deeply talented cast will make this one of the best amateur productions in St. Charles this year. </span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"></span></p><p style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">Thanks for your help!</span></p></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-51002162580718155982010-01-11T07:52:00.009-06:002010-01-11T08:27:38.282-06:00Triplets Separated at Birth?<div align="left"><br />I ran across these three photos in different places recently. I noticed a striking similarity. Were these three separated at birth?</div><br /><div align="left">You decide:<br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYx4d1RWwFa1iUnilaPTPKdhMd6FwNHYbb0yt0EsT5g5BgjTyPokibsD47rXVqCcYSl4mbBofZ49OyPQ88v4upLogeIhwfi-HkJB6c_LmvljJr31lJn6pXwtdgThycQb0cqBZNw/s1600-h/Triplets.png"><img style="WIDTH: 469px; HEIGHT: 136px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425485564862992434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYYx4d1RWwFa1iUnilaPTPKdhMd6FwNHYbb0yt0EsT5g5BgjTyPokibsD47rXVqCcYSl4mbBofZ49OyPQ88v4upLogeIhwfi-HkJB6c_LmvljJr31lJn6pXwtdgThycQb0cqBZNw/s320/Triplets.png" /></a><br /><p align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmYcMtmaNTMKcXs_zMENh-tvNN5aN_p1Bns6r22CfArAvQCA4BNtuo1JtQ4mQRrebF1rfzP7e40he18rNDPqD23qzQqheEwtxe4LTCVp4G1yKFpzDehx8BQyHy_pDP0fckPZfrA/s1600-h/richard_reid.jpg"></a></p>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-13816930267606600922009-12-22T10:14:00.002-06:002009-12-22T10:17:11.847-06:00Beautiful (and funny) Christmas SongThanks to my friend, Jason at jasonblogz.com for sharing this video. As I told him, this song really makes me miss my Dad. He loved Christmas and that made it infectious.<br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/fCNvZqpa-7Q&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/fCNvZqpa-7Q&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-17511017259205780182009-12-15T17:45:00.003-06:002009-12-15T17:52:50.641-06:00LOCAL YOUTHS TO PERFORM “SCROOGE, THE STINGIEST MAN IN TOWN”<div><a href="http://stchas.edu/press/09-11-13%20YPT%20Scrooge.shtml">LOCAL YOUTHS TO PERFORM “SCROOGE, THE STINGIEST MAN IN TOWN”<br />DEC. 18-20 AT SCC<br /></a><a href="http://www.stchas.edu/divisions/ccd/cce/images/Stingiest-Man.jpg"><img style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 219px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 117px" alt="" src="http://www.stchas.edu/divisions/ccd/cce/images/Stingiest-Man.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />I had the pleasure of watching rehearsals this week and this will be a terrific performance. Well-cast with great music, singing, dancing, talented acting well-designed sets and snow.<br /><br />This is very good production for all ages. An easy to follow and fun to watch musical version of Dickens' classic tale.<br /><br />The show will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Dec. 18-19, and at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19-20. Tickets are $7 general admission and $6 for children and seniors. The campus is located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville.<br /><br />Cast members from St. Peters include: Jennifer Brown, Nicole Cuneo, Mallory Degenhardt, Will Distl, Andrew Henke, Jessica Kahn, Connor Larabee, Samantha Taplin, and Sarah York. Cast members from St. Charles include: Zac Cary, Drew Crask, Jordan Dunahue, Annie Gardner, Charlie Gardner, Sean Gundersen, Tate Gundersen, Kayla Kochan, Emma Koehler, and Amelia Martin. Cast members from O’Fallon include: Alia Aaron, Sylvia Buso, Jake Condilerre, Mikayla Evans, Jacob Feldt, Grayson Jostes, Becca Krauss, Annie Marion, Nick Noto, and Ali Pinkerton. Cast members from Dardenne Prairie include: Troyer Coultas, Daniel Maasen, James Maasen, and Patricia Villegas. Additional cast members include Allison Engelage of Lake St. Louis, Sarah Engelskirchen of Wentzville, and Eddy Hahn of Winfield.<br /><br />The Young People’s Theatre is a performing arts program by kids and their families for kids and their families produced by the SCC Corporate and Community Development Division. This year, Young People’s Theatre is celebrating 20 years.<br /><br />For more information or tickets, contact the SCC Division of Corporate and Community Development at 636-922-8233, or visit the YPT Web site at www.stchas.edu/ypt. </div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-64364414441895771842009-12-09T18:23:00.002-06:002009-12-09T18:26:10.165-06:00PARSE THAT!!!It's always good to see a former UNO Mav do well in the NHL. Here's Scott Parse doing his best Bobby Orr imitation.<br /><br /><iframe width="480" height="289" frameborder="0" src="http://www.nhl.tv/team/embed.jsp?hlp=8471386&event=L.A75"></iframe>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-80844591835233728432009-10-11T14:11:00.004-05:002009-10-11T14:24:26.519-05:00LOCAL YOUTHS TO PERFORM ORIGINAL SHOW<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEjooKx4FOCfOlQod_SpRerMngs_fnkxFFA4Eyuf9CyxqT5ndYoWNdIFeJ42NFdb1YFHRqSBSwW7vuRv5De7en406bPzBckzL68lLqwv2c3QLHMKFesLrd6CL3n54hqVCAb3q0A/s1600-h/halloweencast.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 175px; height: 115px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizEjooKx4FOCfOlQod_SpRerMngs_fnkxFFA4Eyuf9CyxqT5ndYoWNdIFeJ42NFdb1YFHRqSBSwW7vuRv5De7en406bPzBckzL68lLqwv2c3QLHMKFesLrd6CL3n54hqVCAb3q0A/s200/halloweencast.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391424591940464210" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br />LOCAL YOUTHS TO PERFORM ORIGINAL SHOW “HALLOWEEN: THE MUSICAL” OCT. 16-18 AT SCC</span><br /><br />The Young People’s Theatre of St. Charles Community College will present the original production of “Halloween: The Musical” Oct. 16-18 in the Donald D. Shook Fine Arts Building theater on the SCC campus.<br /><br />“Halloween: The Musical” was written by Sean Andrews, YPT assistant director and choreographer. The thrills and chills of Halloween come to life in this upbeat musical celebration for the whole family.<br /><br />The show will be performed at 7 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 16-17, and at 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 17-18. Tickets are $7 general admission and $6 for children and seniors. The campus is located at 4601 Mid Rivers Mall Drive in Cottleville.<br /><br />Cast members from St. Peters include: Cadence Bippen, Carlin Bippen, Jennifer Brown, Mallory Degenhardt, Jenni Fischer, Allie Hammond, Jessica Kahn, Rachel York, and Sarah York. Cast members from St. Charles include: Zac Cary, Jennifer Ferry, Annie Gardner, <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xdFQ2Cwystq2uoltMs2wgafaBM8OgkFcJy2oDkcm4VzmYJ8NBI1Em2zzs_fMELdHTKqO1AeDXU2vMcEhD-OEQ91s6W7KA3K68xFz5FXFkcaS9Wyc-Fn4-iCXIRoWdvNLG9BpwA/s1600-h/halloween.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 184px; height: 102px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5xdFQ2Cwystq2uoltMs2wgafaBM8OgkFcJy2oDkcm4VzmYJ8NBI1Em2zzs_fMELdHTKqO1AeDXU2vMcEhD-OEQ91s6W7KA3K68xFz5FXFkcaS9Wyc-Fn4-iCXIRoWdvNLG9BpwA/s200/halloween.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5391424795775561058" border="0" /></a>Ali Gibbs, Madi Gibbs, Kelly Gleeson, Sean Gundersen, Tate Gundersen, Kayla Kochan, Amelia Martin, Ellen Modglin, Angel Moore, Nicole Porter, Kelsey Quargnenti, Claire Sanford, Corinne Wilger, and Cidney Woodson. Cast members from O’Fallon include: Alia Aaron, Joelle Aaron, Allie Call, Mikayla Evans, Emily Feldt, Crosby Jones, Grayson Jostes, Becca Krauss, Nick Noto, Allie Pinkerton, Riley Reedy, and Brooke Villhard. Cast members from Dardenne Prairie include: Katie Amrhein, Troyer Coultas, Sydney Thomas, and Emma Troxell. Additional cast members include Ben Stanley of Cottleville and Sarah Engelskirchen of Wenzville.<br /><br />The Young People’s Theatre is a performing arts program by kids and their families for kids and their families produced by the SCC Corporate and Community Development Division. This year, Young People’s Theatre is celebrating 20 years.<br /><br />For more information or tickets, contact the SCC Division of Corporate and Community Development at 636-922-8233, or visit the YPT Web site at <a href="http://www.stchas.edu/ypt">www.stchas.edu/ypt</a>.<br /><br />St. Charles Community College is a public, comprehensive two-year community college with associate degrees and certificate programs in the arts, business, sciences, and career-technical fields. SCC provides workforce training and community-based personal and professional development as well as cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. For more information, visit <a href="http://www.stchas.edu/">www.stchas.edu</a>.Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-51997149719139334732009-09-17T11:46:00.000-05:002009-09-17T11:46:15.211-05:00Lessons to be taken to heart for the Tea Party<a href="http://crooksandliars.com/node/31244#one">10 Lessons for Tea Baggers | Crooks and Liars</a>: "'If you want to live like a Republican, vote Democratic.'"<br /><br />Please quit acting like lunatics and come back to earth. We miss you guys.Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-2786472892794074322009-09-14T12:51:00.001-05:002009-09-14T12:51:02.006-05:00Andrew Sullivan is Right!Wisdom from a believer in small government:<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/09/dissent-of-the-day-3.html">Dissent Of The Day - The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan</a><br /><br />Shared via <a href="http://addthis.com">AddThis</a><br />Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-5988406546598394262009-09-02T19:43:00.001-05:002009-09-02T19:43:30.200-05:00Health Care Rally in Mercer Island, WA<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>My fellow blogger and friend Jason, of jasonblogz.com attends a healthcare rally. Not bad for using a cell phone camera.<br/><br/>Question, Jason: Do they say IN Mercer Island on ON Mercer Island?<br/><br/><br/><div class='youtube-video'><object width='425' height='344'><param value='http://www.youtube.com/v/xNKKKrf2j9o&hl=en&fs=1&' name='movie'> </param><param value='true' name='allowFullScreen'> </param><param value='always' name='allowscriptaccess'> </param><embed t='' src='http://www.youtube.com/v/xNKKKrf2j9o&hl=en&fs=1&'> </embed> </object></div><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=58825952-87c0-889c-968e-7e9e5213ff1b' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div><br /><br /><p class='scribefire-powered'>Powered by <a href='http://www.scribefire.com/'>ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-74552043672034409042009-09-01T12:59:00.003-05:002009-09-01T13:02:25.898-05:00It's Really This Simple. REALLY! It is....<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div class="youtube-video"><object height="274" width="420"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kk1kL4hqcGs&hl=en&fs=1&" name="movie"> <param value="true" name="allowFullScreen"> <param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"> <embed allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Kk1kL4hqcGs&hl=en&fs=1&" height="274" width="420"></embed> </object></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="scribefire-powered">Powered by <a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div> <br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=508ec4d6-aed9-8ab2-95c0-d28f6b70e02e" alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img"></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-87770426905971207552009-08-01T18:24:00.000-05:002009-08-01T18:26:15.684-05:00Hall of Shame<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>If you are a Democrat and live in one of their districts, I strongly urge you to vote for anyone who runs against these Congressmen in their primary. They are Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee who voted against the health care bill. At least write them and let them know you are disappointed in them. As members of the Democratic party they need to be held accountable:<br/><br/> <span id='lw_1249148211_21' class='yshortcuts' style='background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;'>John Barrow</span> of Georgia<br/><span id='lw_1249148211_22' class='yshortcuts' style='border-bottom: 1px dashed rgb(0, 102, 204); background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;'>Rick Boucher</span> of Virginia<br/><span id='lw_1249148211_23' class='yshortcuts' style='background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;'>Jim Matheson</span> of Utah<br/><span id='lw_1249148211_24' class='yshortcuts' style='background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;'>Charlie Melancon</span> of Louisiana<br/><span id='lw_1249148211_25' class='yshortcuts' style='background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; cursor: pointer; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;'>Bart Stupak</span> of Michigan<br/><br/><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=3a69b7b0-672a-8160-bef6-8c508e66fb48' alt='' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div><br /><br /><p class='scribefire-powered'>Powered by <a href='http://www.scribefire.com/'>ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-89732504300775757752009-07-31T11:34:00.001-05:002009-07-31T11:37:24.575-05:00Anthony Weiner: My New Hero.<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">I don't know if the idea was fully his, but it was brilliant. I'd like to find out if anyone voted in favor of his amendment.<br /><br />Here's a link to <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dc/2009/07/put-up-or-shut-up.html" target="_blank">Michael McAuliff's blog</a> on the subject.<br /><br />And this was Rachel Maddows interview with Weiner last night:<br /><br /><div class="youtube-video"><object height="265" width="325"><param value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lz5hG8LqxTI" name="movie"> <param value="transparent" name="wmode"> <embed wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lz5hG8LqxTI" height="355" width="425"></embed> </object></div><br /><br />Nice Move!<br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="scribefire-powered">Powered by <a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div><br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=77c4e608-7856-8671-bd79-a3c3c06708e2" alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" /></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-2756054083284065962009-07-05T18:48:00.006-05:002009-07-05T19:17:50.483-05:00My Early Endorsement<span style="font-family:sans-serif;">Just a quick note:<br /><br />I am going on record as endorsing Alaska Governor <a class="zem_slink" href="http://gov.state.ak.us/" title="Sarah Palin" rel="homepage">Sarah Palin</a> and Missouri State Representative <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynthia_L._Davis" title="Cynthia L. Davis" rel="wikipedia">Cynthia Davis</a> as the Republican Presidential ticket in 2012. Please, please, please, Republicans, listen to me on this one.....<br /><br /></span><img src="file:///C:/Users/Randy/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot-6.png" alt="" /><br /><table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr align="center"><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/2CsvPdiDaA6JmeRhpblJWw?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/_2o4bW0yJcIk/SlE7FZY5R1I/AAAAAAAACEA/cuZQpFvrrBY/s144/PalinDavis.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family: arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11px; text-align: center;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/randav2/BloggerPictures?feat=embedwebsite">Blogger Pictures</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=80c454d1-b837-4eab-8c74-d61c20adb623" /><span class="zem-script pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-62419538213111888552009-07-04T12:14:00.002-05:002009-07-04T12:20:51.328-05:00Domaine de Couron Côtes du Rhône Villages 2007<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWAqO1o0JvwX1fD1Ych5pqxQkVlPHu-s1a-K9kTSnHFOU1HsH4IQIbkBZ24VU6oRY4-rVnPGvX6ogStsf1cCAEzqz4sWMZmrwAGBVxM564vxOIhAhVJZtlLPUm9m8hMEpfnF50Q/s1600-h/logo_couron.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; float: right; clear: both;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVWAqO1o0JvwX1fD1Ych5pqxQkVlPHu-s1a-K9kTSnHFOU1HsH4IQIbkBZ24VU6oRY4-rVnPGvX6ogStsf1cCAEzqz4sWMZmrwAGBVxM564vxOIhAhVJZtlLPUm9m8hMEpfnF50Q/s320/logo_couron.jpg" border="0" /></a> Last night my house guest uncorked a wine that was recommended by a trusted advisor at <a href="http://www.winemerchantltd.com/" target="_blank">The Wine Merchant</a> in Clayton. My house guest is a founding member of the <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">W</span>ednesday <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">I</span>nstitute of <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">N</span>eighborhood <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">O</span>enophiles, so I usually trust him. He informed me that the price was about $15 (or so). This is the blurb I posted on <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.snooth.com/wine/domaine-de-couron-cotes-du-rhone-villages-2007/" title="Snooth" rel="homepage">Snooth</a>:<br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">Based on the price I was not prepared for this wine. Right off the bat, it was velvety on the tongue. Then the fruit forward flavor came bursting through. Black fruit and leather were easy to discern. Nice balance with a little complexity. Not a lot of finish, but at this price, I wasn't expecting that. The nose was amazing, though. I kept avoiding finishing the glass because I wanted to keep smelling. This will become one my "house" reds. myRating 4/5</blockquote>I'm guessing that food-wise, this would be very versatile. If anyone is looking for a good, inexpensive wine that will pair nicely with a variety of cheeses, or even a good BBQ-grilled chicken or pork. This will work. Last night I didn't pair it with anything and it was terrific on it's own.<div style="clear: both; text-align: right;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-origin: padding; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div> <div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=0a9344c1-1115-46fd-8ae7-389b95448374" /><span class="zem-script pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-92011013523001306532009-07-01T11:10:00.006-05:002009-07-01T12:04:49.318-05:00Patriotism<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eO9Et6UGzMnAyhoMumSvmXgTytZcs2yGI7ReghO4crz7bHJTozvVgplfUc6bw07WZDdtaxsqoP3i3X08lQz8UKrjXxmQZ7o94ZyoZPCHUQcp8YGqWbykEj_h-So3IGn5BDymZw/s1600-h/fireworks02.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 142px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3eO9Et6UGzMnAyhoMumSvmXgTytZcs2yGI7ReghO4crz7bHJTozvVgplfUc6bw07WZDdtaxsqoP3i3X08lQz8UKrjXxmQZ7o94ZyoZPCHUQcp8YGqWbykEj_h-So3IGn5BDymZw/s200/fireworks02.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5353529847553737906" border="0" /></a><br /><div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><span style="font-family:sans-serif;">Typically, I delete the "patriotic" emails I get from well-meaning friends and relatives. They don't read my blog so they may not be aware of how left-leaning I really am. It amazes me that the right-wing writers of these things always seem to assume they are the only ones who love their country. Today I received one of these from my mom's email address, and with July 4th around the corner, I decided to have some fun. <span><br /><br /><br /><br />Below is the email with my commentary in red:<br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">YES, I'M A BAD AMERICAN</blockquote><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I Am the Liberal-Progressives Worst Nightmare.</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I Am the Liberal-Progressive, YOUR worst nightmare. </span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I am an American.</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I am an American, too. So far we're in agreement?</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I am a Master Mason and believe in God.</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I am a master out-of-work sales professional and believe in people.</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I ride Harley Davidson Motorcycles and believe in American products.</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I drive a Ford Focus and applaud the fact that you ride a Harley Davidson. It helps with our energy dependence on foreign countries. Do you drive it year round? If you do, it's nice that you live somewhere where the climate is warmer. Of course, before long we all will, unless we start driving vehicles with better mileage and using mass transit.</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some Liberal governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican!</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I am a proud American taxpayer, who helps pay for roads, bridges, schools, law enforcement and those less fortunate than myself.I also pay the salary and medical expenses for the brave men and women of our armed forces who defend my liberty. A true patriot is happy to pay for these things. </span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Me, too, I guess. Just remember, though, if you touch your feelings too often people will begin to talk. </span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American.</blockquote><br /><small><small><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><big><big>It's your right to do so! I don't, however, think you need a nuclear weapon or an assault rifle to defend your property, or to hunt deer for that matter.</big></big></span></small></small><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything. Get over it!</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">You and the other people whining about it, are the only ones saying it does.</span><br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, do it in English.</span></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">More importantly, just be smart enough to get the order right and give the correct change. If you must count it back in spanish, that's OK as long as you can count. Most of the english speaking kids can't.</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Agreed! My muslim friends pray five or six times a day, but they don't try to make me pray with them. What nice people they are.</span><br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">My heroes are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and Willie G. Davidson that makes the awesome Harley Davidson Motorcycles.</span></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">My heroes are <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein" title="Albert Einstein" rel="wikipedia">Albert Einstein</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Reich" title="Robert Reich" rel="wikipedia">Robert Reich</a>, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Gates" title="Bill Gates" rel="wikipedia">Bill Gates</a> (for his philanthropic endeavors), Ghandi, teachers, US soldiers, our founding fathers, and my parents.</span><br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I don't hate the rich. I don't pity the poor.</span></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I do pity those less fortunate than my self and want to help them. The government has a large reach and ability to help on a massive scale so I'm glad our tax dollars help them out. I'm really glad right now because of my out-of-work status.<br />I don't hate the "rich". I despise the "irresponsible, greedy rich" who have preyed on others and ruined our economy, rather than making their money ethically.</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Wrestling? Really? You felt the need to throw that in there?</span><br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I've never owned a slave, or was a slave, I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you! So, shut up already.</span></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">As a proud American, I think we have to learn from the past mistakes of our country and be proud of the fact that we have moved forward together. That's where teachers come in.</span><br /><blockquote><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country! This is AMERICA .We like it the way it is! If you were born here and don't like it you are free to move to any Socialist country that will have you.</span></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Me too! I like it the way it is. What I love is the way we have freedom to change. Since I'm from "here" and don't have anywhere to "go back to", if I don't like something, I have the right to seek change. If enough people agree with me, it gets changed. There's always recourse to the law, as well. Democracy is a beautiful thing. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I'm sure there were people who thought segregation was just fine "the way it is" at one time. We changed that.</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> If YOU don't like it here, I hear Somalia is looking for some rugged individualists who know how to use a gun.</span><br /><br /><blockquote style="font-weight: bold;">I want to know which church is it exactly where the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesse_Jackson" title="Jesse Jackson" rel="wikipedia">Reverend Jesse Jackson</a> preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution. Can I get an AMEN on that one?</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">He became an ordained Baptist minister in 1968. His civil rights efforts took up so much of his time that preaching was put aside. He did play an important role in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">He actually helped solve a lot of problems during the civil rights era and deserves respect for that. I think even his biggest fans know he has been marginalized in recent years. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Income in 2001 was $120,000 salary plus travel expenses from his charitable organizations. Not much different from the heads of a lot of mega charities. I'm sure other income comes from speaking engagements, etc. But of course you can find this information pretty readily on the internet if you could bothered with the truth.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>I also think the cops have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are. And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my drivers license.</blockquote></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">When the data shows that the rates of being pulled over are as skewed as they are, then something is wrong. I do believe most police are good about not profiling. Although it's not pretty, I don't mind my picture on my driver's license either. It actually looks a little better than the one on my profile. </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>I think it's good.... And I'm proud that 'God' is written on my money.</blockquote></span><br /><small><small><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><big><big>Yeah, we need to pray that the people who hold all the money do the right thing with it. Also please note, it doesn't say Jesus anywhere so it could refer to Brahman, if you are of that religion.</big></big></span></small></small><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.</blockquote></span><br /><small><small><small><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><big><big><big>Agreed! But what's too stupid? Non- college degree holders? Non-newspaper readers? If you watch Fox News Network are your voting privileges automatically revoked? Maybe if you can pass the citizenship test that our naturalized citizens do, then you can vote? I'm ALL for that.</big></big></big></span></small></small></small><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> </span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making 'donations' to their cause.</blockquote></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Free market at work!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>Get a Job and do your part!</blockquote></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I'm trying but the last administration saw fit to let Wall Street bring down our economy. We will be back on our feet soon. I am a hopeful, hard-working American who believes in our country.</span><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents.</span></blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I believe any good parenting, one or two. I do think more is better, hence the village. There would be fewer single parents if our children were taught all methods of birth control in our schools. There are studies that show this is true, but it is easier to remain ignorant and complain about single mothers.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>I believe 'illegal' is illegal no matter what the lawyers think.</blockquote></span><br /><small><small><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><big><big>What the hell are you talking about? You lost me there. I believe an 'elephant' is an elephant no matter what the zoologist thinks? I think lawyers and judges are well-educated enough to understand the law.</big></big></span></small></small><br /><br /><blockquote style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in AMERICA !</blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Try to sell that to the local Irish neighborhood or to the Sons of Italy hall in Little Italy. Hope you bring that firearm of yours.</span><br /><blockquote><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.</span></blockquote><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">No, not a BAD American, just intolerant. I really want to share my country with you but you won't accept it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><blockquote>We want our country back!</blockquote></span><br /><big style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Trust me, after the last eight years I know EXACTLY how you feel.</span></big></span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><p class="technorati-tags"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/patriotism">patriotism</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/humor">humor</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/bad%20american">bad american</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/liberal">liberal</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/progressive">progressive</a>, <a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/"></a></span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/"><br /><br /></a></span><p class="scribefire-powered"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><a rel="tag" href="http://technorati.com/tag/">Powered by </a><a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</span></p></div> <div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=27c846b1-6809-422b-a4bc-16bc437799b0" /><span class="zem-script pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-86693287356590478782009-06-27T16:11:00.003-05:002009-06-27T16:18:56.653-05:00Chocolate Pie<object width="500" height="405"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mpHxaL-POb8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mpHxaL-POb8&hl=en&fs=1&color1=0x234900&color2=0x4e9e00&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="500" height="405"></embed></object><br /><br />Some of my son's theater group friends are bored with summer already. When they get bored, this is the kind of thing they do. Not your typical teenagers are they?<br /><br />What a talented group of kids. I'm happy this is the kind of friends he hangs out with.Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-90038305829674440352009-06-26T11:45:00.003-05:002009-06-26T12:27:45.926-05:00A Big Whoohooo in College Hockey<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Kevin Pates of the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/" title="Duluth News Tribune" rel="homepage">Duluth News Tribune</a> is reporting that it's a <a href="http://www.areavoices.com/rinkandrun/?blog=54238" target="_blank">done deal</a>. According to him, <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.bemidjistate.edu/" title="Bemidji State University" rel="homepage">Bemidji State University</a> and the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=41.2595805556,-96.0050527778&spn=1.0,1.0&q=41.2595805556,-96.0050527778%20%28University%20of%20Nebraska%20at%20Omaha%29&t=h" title="University of Nebraska at Omaha" rel="geolocation">University of Nebraska-Omaha</a> will join the WCHA (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Collegiate_Hockey_Association" title="Western Collegiate Hockey Association" rel="wikipedia">Western Collegiate Hockey Association</a>) starting in 2010 and 2011.<br /><br />Seemingly confirming the report, the WCHA has posted a <a href="http://www.wcha.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/062609aaa.html" target="_blank">media alert</a> on their website announcing a press conference at 5pm CT today. The subject will be expansion.<br /><br />This is very exciting news and good for college hockey in general. It is expected that the University of <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alabama-Huntsville_Chargers_ice_hockey" title="Alabama-Huntsville Chargers ice hockey" rel="wikipedia">Alabama-Huntsville</a> will now be admitted into the CCHA (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Collegiate_Hockey_Association" title="Central Collegiate Hockey Association" rel="wikipedia">Central Collegiate Hockey Association</a>) to replace the departing UNO. All of the teams in the CHA (<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/College_Hockey_America" title="College Hockey America" rel="wikipedia">College Hockey America</a>) now have a new conference alignment after the league disbands at the close of this season. Conference alignment is necessary for most smaller schools to keep playing the sport. This move will allow Bemidji State and UAH to continue their programs in the future.<br /><br />It's a very happy day in the college hockey world! Can't wait to hear the details.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="scribefire-powered">Powered by <a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=60925d87-fb82-4dff-b21e-42fa1848acbd" /><span class="zem-script pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-45790942594698852402009-06-24T15:05:00.001-05:002009-06-24T15:09:51.907-05:00Obama Asks the Logical Question<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Our "Spock in Chief" had a most logical moment at his press conference yesterday. But because I didn't see anyone else cover it on the news last night, I thought I'd share it here. <br><br>Obama was answering a question from reporter, David Jackson, about the "public option" part of his health care plan. He outlined why he thought it was important. Jackson followed up with, "Won't it drive private insurer's out of business?"<br><br>President Spock answered with, "If private insurers say that the marketplace provides the best quality health care, if they tell us that they're offering a good deal, then why is it that the <span style="font-style: italic;">government</span>, which they say <span style="font-style: italic;">can't run anything</span>, suddenly is going to drive them out of business? That's not logical." He then went on to acknowledge that, yes there would need to be discussion about the specific form such a plan would take. He was then quick to add, "Just conceptually, the notion that all these insurance companies who say they are giving consumers the best possible deal, that they can't compete against a public plan as one option, with consumers making the decision (as to) what's the best deal, that defies logic."<br><br>After I picked myself up off the floor from laughing at the way he pummeled all the free-market cheerleaders with their own arguments, I realized something more. The public option as discussed would need to cover all the uninsured, underinsured and uninsurable. I'm thinking that it's something that the private companies would be happy to see. Those are the high-risk consumers aren't they? That should free them up to make more profits. <br><br>We need more Vulcans. <br><br><br /><br /><p class="scribefire-powered">Powered by <a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=3826ccaa-1b72-42ff-9c65-177804e1ec62"><span class="zem-script pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-6784148481535782012009-06-22T11:40:00.003-05:002009-06-22T12:01:31.917-05:00Leisure Travel Entering a Deep Hole?<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><table style="width: auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/6EM0Tdq63R3u0Uw-bk6JuA?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_2o4bW0yJcIk/Sj-zdLuXO6I/AAAAAAAAB5Q/3wEKyD1QevA/s144/downward_trend.jpg"></a></td><td>Earlier this morning I got an email asking me to take a leisure travel survey. As someone who spent sixteen years working for <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.marriott.com/" title="Marriott International" rel="homepage">Marriott</a>, I was curious about what the questions would be.</td></tr></tbody></table><br />I went through several pages of questions about favorite vacations destinations, activities while on vacation, household income, and ages of my family. Then we got to questions about future vacations. You know, "How likely are you to take a trip to destination A in the next two years?" "How likely are you to travel to that destination in the next five years?" As I answered these questions it suddenly occurred to me: vacation destinations are likely to see decreased business, not just for the duration of the current downturn, but for a long time to come. Why did I come to this conclusion? Let's use my case as an example.<br /><br />My wife and I had planned to take a 10th anniversary trip to Europe next year. Most likely going to Spain and Portugal for two weeks. I am currently unemployed, for about six months now, so that requires that we think about changing our plans and downsizing.<br /><br />Maybe we go to New Orleans instead. We could drive. Maybe we could come up with discounted hotel rooms through some of the connections I still have. Otherwise, maybe a vacation home rental somewhere through <a href="http://www.vrbo.com/" target="_blank">vrbo.com</a>, which is fast becoming one of favorite websites. We could drive and save money on dining by making some of our own meals.<br /><br />The lack of disposable income in many households is a bad thing for the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tourism" title="Tourism" rel="wikipedia">travel industry</a>. Until the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unemployment" title="Unemployment" rel="wikipedia">unemployment rate</a> comes back down, it's not going to get any better for airlines, hotels, restaurants and transportation providers in destination areas. Nothing new here. I think we all understand this.<br /><br />Here's the kicker. I was thinking that if I got a job tomorrow, we would still be able to go to Europe next year. But it hit me, I probably won't have enough vacation time to make that happen. When I left Marriott, I had nearly five weeks of paid-time-off per year. Using a couple of weeks in one chunk was not a problem. It will probably take <span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">five years</span> to get back to the level where my wife and I can take a long vacation again.<br /><br />With more and more people losing jobs, their vacation time will also be "reset" when they are finally able to find another. It's going to take five years into a full recovery before the leisure travel industry gets back to the levels from a couple of years ago.<br /><br />In the meantime, keep your eyes open, we should see some pretty good deals. Don't expect a lot of extras or particularly great service for some time to come. This is going to be long and painful in my former industry.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="scribefire-powered">Powered by <a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=ccf7c06b-5838-47f5-a27d-9c1ef3ae02b9"><span class="zem-script pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-10063841003107236132009-06-17T11:15:00.001-05:002009-06-17T11:30:11.835-05:00Pentagon Takes Bugging To A Whole New Level<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><br /><table style="width:auto;"><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/mTRQzs2atDyM6kotBzE38A?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_2o4bW0yJcIk/SjkSt6XkB7I/AAAAAAAABtk/Gc48xctbzwc/s144/104836.jpg" /></a></td><td>OK, I like good spy stuff as much as the next guy. According to Wired Magazine the Pentagon is ready to deploy <a href="http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/06/pentagon-wants-cyborg-insects-to-sniff-wmd-offer-wi-fi/" target="_blank">WMD-sniffing moths</a>.<br /><br />During testing the insects were 100% accurate when WMD's were hidden inside of bright lights.</td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial,sans-serif; font-size:11px; text-align:right">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/randav2/MidspanOfThePoplar02?feat=embedwebsite">Midspan of the Poplar</a></td></tr></table><br /><br /><br /><p class="scribefire-powered">Powered by <a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-82935753791167901092009-06-12T11:58:00.008-05:002009-06-17T09:07:17.837-05:00A Very Impressive Hire at UNO<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div style="float: right;" class="zemanta-image" align="right"><a title="Non-free, could qualify as fair use" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:WCHA.jpg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/aa/WCHA.jpg" style="width: 185px; height: 56px;"></a><br><small>Image via <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:WCHA.jpg">Wikipedia</a></small></div><p margin="10">I didn't realize Trev Alberts and Mike Kemp were this serious. The new hockey coach at the University of Nebraska-Omaha is <a href="http://omaha.com/article/20090612/SPORTS03/306139804" target="_blank">Dean Blais</a>. <a class="zem_slink" href="http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=39.9280555556,-77.6955555556&spn=0.01,0.01&q=39.9280555556,-77.6955555556%20%28WCHA%29&t=h" title="WCHA" rel="geolocation">WCHA</a> entry, anyone?<br><br><br><br></p><br /><br /><p class="scribefire-powered">Powered by <a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=2257d58c-9950-4ba9-aeeb-e5d513aef570"><span class="zem-script pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-24301846737810807042009-06-09T11:55:00.005-05:002009-06-11T10:05:30.172-05:00Limbaugh Claims that 83% of Americans are Nobodies<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><div style="float: left;" class="zemanta-image"><p class="zemanta-img zemanta-action-dragged" style="margin: 3em; float: left; display: block; width: 175px;"><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chevrolet-Volt-DC.jpg"><img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Chevrolet-Volt-DC.jpg/300px-Chevrolet-Volt-DC.jpg" alt="Chevrolet Volt photographed at the Washington ..." style="border: medium none ; display: block; width: 171px; height: 103px;"></a><span class="zemanta-img-attribution">Image via <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chevrolet-Volt-DC.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></p><br /><small><a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Chevrolet-Volt-DC.jpg"><br /></a></small></div>Rush Limbaugh must be back on the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxycodone" title="Oxycodone" rel="wikipedia">Oxycontin</a> again.<br /><br />Limbaugh stated on his show that, "nobody wants to support an Obama company." He cited a poll that shows that 17% of Americans back the idea to boycott a government-supported <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.gm.com" title="General Motors" rel="homepage">General Motors</a>. I guess that means the other 83% are nobodies.<br /><br />When did GM become an "Obama company" anyway? Last time I checked, we all own a piece now. Any input on running the company will largely come from congress, not the President.<br /><br />By the way, I'd love to see an IQ level on that 17%. That idea would be like an ice cream shop partner going down the street to <a class="zem_slink" href="http://www.benjerry.com/" title="Ben & Jerry's" rel="homepage">Ben & Jerry's</a> to get his "<a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocky_road" title="Rocky road" rel="wikipedia">Rocky Road</a>" fix, because he is having a disagreement with the other partner. Do they think at <span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-style: italic;">all</span></span> before they take these stances?<br /><br />If anything it makes me <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">more</span> likely to consider a GM product. GM's gamble on the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrolet_Volt" title="Chevrolet Volt" rel="wikipedia">Chevy Volt</a> has largely brought them to this point financially, but it was the right direction for the company to go. The future of GM lies with that vehicle and the public's acceptance of it. I should be in the market for a car about the time Volt hits the market and I will consider it over the <a class="zem_slink" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Prius" title="Toyota Prius" rel="wikipedia">Prius</a> I was considering before.<br /><br />But who cares about my opinion, I'm a nobody.<br /><br /><br /><br /><p class="scribefire-powered">Powered by <a href="http://www.scribefire.com/">ScribeFire</a>.</p></div> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="margin-top: 10px; height: 15px;" class="zemanta-pixie"><img style="border: medium none ; float: right;" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=84feb56e-6473-4f27-bab3-1420a598b229"><span class="zem-script pretty-attribution"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://static.zemanta.com/readside/loader.js" defer="defer"></script></span></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11324480.post-14208868969582409402009-06-04T16:52:00.000-05:002009-06-04T16:53:35.335-05:00Twitter, Meet Windows Mobile!<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'>I've recently discovered the joys of Twitter. I actually joined about a year ago but just didn't "get it". I had installed an application on my Windows Mobile phone that allowed me to "tweet" directly from the "Today Screen" of my phone. The problem was that it seemed to drain my battery very quickly. Having to twitter by opening explorer and signing in, just seemed to defeat the purpose of micro-blogging in 140 characters or less. So I gave up.<br/><br/><p><img border='2' align='left' frame='border' src='http://www.trinketsoftware.com/Images/Twikini06.gif' style='max-width: 800px; width: 165px; height: 165px;'/>I came back to twitter recently and started looking around for a new app that would work from my Windows Mobile phone. At the suggestion of a fellow "twitterer" (or is it "tweeter"), I checked-out Trinket Software's "Twinkini". Am I ever impressed! The interface is extremely simple to set up and even easier to use.It allows you to quickly tweet, reply, retweet, and direct message. It does add a quick way to switch between accounts if you have more than one.</p><br/><p><img align='right' src='http://www.trinketsoftware.com/Images/Twikini03.gif' style='max-width: 800px; width: 197px; height: 197px;'/>Twinkini also has a location function which can be used with other apps to make it easier to find other tweeters near you. This can make it easier to find your local tweeters and connect with them. You can also easily view user profiles, and mark your favorites. The interface seems to work in near-real-time.<br/></p><p> Starting at $4.95 this app is a steal. You can find out more information and download Twinkini at <a href='http://www.trinketsoftware.com/Twikini' target='_blank'><b>http://www.trinketsoftware.com/Twikini</b></a></p><br/><br/><div class='zemanta-pixie'><img src='http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=547a3cd0-0a2d-898c-8575-34b1e84e5b0c' class='zemanta-pixie-img'/></div><br /><br /><p class='scribefire-powered'>Powered by <a href='http://www.scribefire.com/'>ScribeFire</a>.</p></div>Randy Davidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13004502771097081597noreply@blogger.com0