| Yard signs |
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| 05:56pm 14/10/2008 |
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Is anyone else finding it prohibitively difficult to get a yard sign?
I went down the the Republican 5th district HQ to buy some yard signs. I'd get them for upwards of four candidates. I'd pay $10 a pop or whatever. More for one of those awesome huge ones. But the guy says they don't sell them, they give them out in exchange for making 25 phone calls. The phone calls seem to be short surveys on how people are voting. I'd assume it helps them narrow down their call lists closer to the election or whatever, but damn. I really don't want to do that. Can't I just give them money? It seems kind of ridiculous. At least say "$25 for a sign, or 25 phone calls." That at least seems reasonable.
Is every republican district doing this, or just mine?
Is the Dem party making all you Democrats do this too? |
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have a drink |
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| *also politics rage!* |
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| 03:39pm 25/09/2008 |
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But I'm not going to put it behind a cut because no one reads this anyway.
But I'm posting, because otherwise I'll spam my wife's comments page with common sense.
This whole thing with McCain suspending his election to go back to Washington to DO HIS JOB is creating odd reactions around the intertubes. First, liberals are responding by thinking that McCain, by asking to postpone the debate, is saying he's not ready yet. This is the guy who wanted ten debates! Not just regular, scripted, 30-second response rebates. 10 town hall debates where the candidates face actual voters. Obama shitted his pants and said no.
So we're in a finnancial crisis and McCain suspends his campaign to go to washington to broker a deal.
Lie One - It's a political ploy.
Truth - No, it's HIS JOB. He's a senator. So's Obama and Biden, by the way. Really, the only one who has a legitimate excuse for not going is Palin. And even if it is a political ploy in some way, who cares? It's HIS JOB. The fact that it didn't occur to Obama to do the same thing, either through sense of duty or politics, is telling.
Lie Two - Congress doesn't need McCain.
Truth - Only four Republicans were on board with the bailout, because Republicans don't like bailing out failed companies. And also because Michelle Malkin is yelling at them. McCain, thinking there needs to be some sort of deal that, hopefully, negotiates good terms for the American taxpayer, was sent for in order to broker a deal, which he's doing.
Obama thinks his job is running for president. That's it. He doesn't believe he's a senator. He's only voted for half the bills. He's voted present more than probably anyone else there. It apparently didn't occur to him to go back to Washington to do HIS JOB. He would only go back if he thought he "could be helpful." Well, Mr Obama. If you don't think you can be helpful in a financial crisis, than what the fuck good are you? Why are you running for president? Why should anyone vote for you?
To Democrats: Please, consider what you're getting with Barack Obama. Clearly you'll have noticed that Obama doesn't campaign with anyone else. Have you ever seen him hold up the hand of Al Frankin or any other democrat up for election/re-election? No. He doesn't help others. He doesn't consult others. He's every bit the unilateralist and egotist that you accuse Bush of being. It didn't even occur to him to go back to washington and lead his party so they might come out impressive in this mess. It didn't occur to him to guide his party to not being the most unpopular congress ever. He doesn't care about Democrats. He cares about making himself president.
And here's a little tidbit. McCain might not show up to the debate, depending on how long this deal takes. But SENATOR Obama plans to show up anyway, and if McCain doesn't, then Obama will turn the debate into a 90 minute town hall (now he wants a townhall!) with the audience, that just happens to get worldwide news coverage.
You stay classy, Barack! |
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| Heimie's Haberdashery - A Manly Review |
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| 08:37pm 05/04/2008 |
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I finally got to see Heimie's Haberdashery today. For those who've never heard of it, check out the link. Heimie's is one of the few real mens stores left in the whole entire country. They sell all manner of hats, suits, shirts, ties, and accessories for today's man on the move. Actually, for yesterday's man on the move, because again, this store is from a bygone era.
You'll just have to see it yourself, but I'll mention some pros and cons.
Pros
Excellent sales staff. I was expecting stodgy old men, but most of the salesmen were bright, young, attentive gentlemen. They were wearing suits with vests and watch chains. One was helping me choose a new hat. Ever since my favorite was unabashedly stolen from me, I've been looking for a new one. I was hoping there would be some hat guru there who would know exactly what I needed. No such luck on that, but the salesman was knowledgeable. I was looking for a fedora but he mentioned that they had limited stock because they were out of season. Who knew fedoras had a season, right? So he was showing me some straw hats. I've never really been keen on them, but honestly, I really liked one, and I might go back when I have some more disposable income, or maybe right before our vacation to San Diego. That would be a great time to get a summer hat.
They also had a nice selection of ties, some personal grooming supplies, and even toothpick cases.
Lastly, there's an on-site barber with an awesome waxed mustache. He was nice, though I half expected him to speak in an old-timey accent.
Cons
While the selection is better than pretty much anywhere else in the state, I was expecting maybe a bit more of everything. *shrug*
Also, while they stocked some high quality shaving cream, they didn't really have a shaving section, which means that there's really no place but the internet that I can go for good, but not outrageously priced shaving supplies. Crabtree & Evelyn, and Ampersand just don't do it for me.
I also didn't find any Dopp bags, which surprised me as it's a very gentlemanly thing. But luckily I've got one of my own.
The best thing about it was that you could tell that it was a real, honest to goodness store. This is what these salesmen did not just for a job, but probably for a career. I'm guessing they actually pay very well (could be wrong though). It's so sad at how we've let go of service in favor of cheapness and convenience. You just can't go into a WalMart after having gone to Heimie's. I've been having real issues with quality of service lately, and especially at privately owned small businesses, where the service has been completely inadequate. So it's certainly nice to see things done correctly.
It really makes me want to buy the storefront next to the local cigar shop and open a Haberdashery of my own. I'd concentrate more on personal grooming and accessories, than clothing (keeping the hats, of course). It probably wouldn't play very well here in the lower-middle income 'burbs though. But it would be nice to try to drag some locals back to being gentlemen, kicking and screaming if I had to. |
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1 mai tai - have a drink |
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| The Art of Shaving |
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| 01:07pm 28/03/2008 |
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Today was a special day for manliness, because my shaving brush and shaving mug arrived in the mail. Unfortunately, I wasn't entirely please.
The brush was okay. I was forced to get the small one due to money constraints, but that's okay. The brush performed well for what it was.
The mug was disappointing. It was bigger than I thought it would be, and just seemed too big for shaving. Too cumbersome. It also seemed very fragile. Too fragile for bathroom use. Also, it came with free soap, but they sent almond scented soap. WTF? What kind of man wants to smell like almonds?
Luckily I had a small coffee mug and Burt's Bees Shaving Cream.
I ran into two other problems though. One, the shaving soap didn't really lather well, and although I don't need a big white beard of shaving cream on my face, I'd like a better lather. Second, the mug I was using was too small. The brush kept clinking and it was annoying. So I might use the bigger mug anyway. Maybe I should have got the wooden shaving bowl. Oh well.
It's a process. Wish me luck. |
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3 mai tais - have a drink |
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| Worst... Runaway... EVER |
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| 03:47pm 27/03/2008 |
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So I put Sophie, my basset, outside today. Usually I just take her into the backyard on a leash, but she's been doing this thing lately where she'll wake me up to take her outside, then not have to go to the bathroom. So, I usually just put her in the neighbor's fenced yard. They're cool with it, and it gets Sophie out of my hair for an hour.
So an hour and a half goes by and I'm not hearing Sophie bark or anything, which is kind of unusual. I go to check on her, and she's gone. When I put her in there I did not notice that the neighbors left their deck gate open.
Great, Sophie on the run.
So I pack up the bebee in the car and drive around the neighborhood. I don't find her. I run into some kid on a bike and ask if he's seen her, and he says she was just down the street by the yellow house. Good. I check. Maybe I should have asked him to be more specific, though, because I got no clue what he was talking about and there's no Sophie. The kids in this neighborhood are morons. Seriously. I hate them all.
An hour goes by and I give up, figuring she'll just come home when she's hungry. I break the news to Tipper via gmail, and she tells me she tried to call me. Apparently the police had already arrested my dog.
Sigh...
My dog is the most pathetic thing ever. Tons of dogs run around on this block, crapping in people's yards, etc, and never get caught. The one time Sophie wanders, she gets put in the clinker.
I go to the police station and fill out the paperwork, and pay a boarding fee. The officer was going to ticket me for having a dog at large, but was nice enough to not do that. He also could have ticketed me for not having a license her, but he just made me promise I would in a couple weeks. Then I had to go to Camden Pet Hospital to pick her up.
Well, what an adventure.
Everyone was very nice, but people were wondering about the wicked stitches she's got across the head. They wouldn't believe me when I said she got into an axe fight, so I just told them she had a minor surgery.
The end. |
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| 04:15pm 21/03/2008 |
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Shit... um... okay, sorry about that. |
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| Oh, shit! |
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| 04:14pm 21/03/2008 |
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I just realized, that was a post.
Sorry about that. Sorry about posting. |
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| OMGsrry! |
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| 04:13pm 21/03/2008 |
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I have just been informed that today in a worldwide LJ strike day, and I'm a scab for posting, so I just wanted to apologize and show my solidarity to the movement by NOT posting. |
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| The Art of Manliness Continues... |
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| 03:00pm 21/03/2008 |
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Some of you may recall that this journal started to document my progression along the path of true American manliness. I have strayed from that focus, but I shall not forget it.
For instance, I have started drinking the manliest drink I know, Hamm's Beer.
Bam. Take that, pussies. Hamm's beer.
I might have to try some Grain Belt, but really, it doesn't get much manlier than Hamm's. And it tastes surprisingly good. Surprising since a six pack of Hamm's doesn't cost much more than a six pack of soda. See, the wife makes fun of me because I like pink, froo-froo, girly raspberry mocha coffee, and it's true. I can rarely down a cup of straight black coffee, but she drinks thick, brown, European beer that has body and taste. Now does it get any more girly than emulating Europeans? I think not? Hamm's = America (properly pronounced Ah-MER-Ka)
Also, I have created a Man List. It is a list of all the manly goals I wish to accomplish. I shall not share this now, but perhaps later. For now content yourself with the Hamm's. |
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| Thanks, Anna! |
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| 04:41pm 29/02/2008 |
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The Movie Of Your Life Is A Black Comedy
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In your life, things are so twisted that you just have to laugh.
You may end up insane, but you'll have fun on the way to the asylum.
Your best movie matches: Being John Malkovich, The Royal Tenenbaums, American Psycho
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1 mai tai - have a drink |
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| Uh oh. Someone's going to get fired. |
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| 01:00pm 24/02/2008 |
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Here's a little lesson in lie detection for you. Here's a story i just read.
An artist killed herself after aborting her twins when she was eight weeks pregnant, leaving a note saying: "I should never have had an abortion. I see now I would have been a good mum."
Emma Beck was found hanging at her home in Helston, Cornwall, on Feb 1 2007. She was declared dead early the following day - her 31st birthday.
Her suicide note read: "I told everyone I didn't want to do it, even at the hospital. I was frightened, now it is too late. I died when my babies died. I want to be with my babies: they need me, no-one else does." The inquest at Truro City Hall heard that Miss Beck had split up with her boyfriend, referred to as "Ben" after he "reacted badly" to the pregnancy. She saw her GP before the termination, but missed an appointment at a hospital in Penzance. She then cancelled, but later turned up to an appointment at a clinic at Royal Cornwall Hospital in Treliske. The counsellor was on holiday so a doctor referred Miss Beck to a pregnancy counselling telephone service eight days before carrying out the abortion when she was eight weeks pregnant, the inquest heard. The coroner, Dr Emma Carlyon, ordered that the identities of the doctor who performed the abortion and her lead consultant be kept secret. The inquest heard that Sylvia Beck, the victim's mother, wrote to the hospital after her daughter's death, saying: "I want to know why she was not given the opportunity to see a counsellor. "She was only going ahead with the abortion because her boyfriend did not want the twins. "I believe this is what led Emma to take her own life - she could not live with what she had done." The doctor said: "I discussed Emma's situation with her, and wrote on the form, 'Unsupported, lives alone, ex-partner aware'. "It is normal practice to give a woman the number for telephone counselling when a counsellor is not available. "I am satisfied that everything was done to make sure that Emma consented to the operation. She added: "We have since appointed more counsellors so there is more holiday cover." Katie Gibbs, Miss Beck's GP, told the hearing: "She was extremely distressed by the abortion procedure, and I didn't think she ever came to terms with it. "She had a long history of anxiety and depression. Despite my best efforts, she was not willing to see a counsellor after the termination." Her boss at the clinic, said: "The time that can be given to a woman by a counsellor is limited in a busy hospital. "I am satisfied everything was done to make sure Emma was consenting to surgery. I don't feel there was any gap in the counselling service. "There were lots of individuals who would be alert to any doubts. The comments made by Emma's mother are not about a doctor I recognise." Mrs Beck told the court: "Emma was considered a talented artist, and sold a number of paintings. "She was pleased when she became pregnant, but Ben reacted badly to the news." Recording a verdict of suicide, Dr Carlyon said: "It is clear that a termination can have a profound effect on a woman's life. "But I am reassured by the evidence of the doctors here." ----------------------------------------
Did you find the mistake?
Let me point it out:
Th Mysterious Doctor says: "I am satisfied that everything was done to make sure that Emma consented to the operation."
The General Practitioner says: "I am satisfied everything was done to make sure Emma was consenting to surgery."
Hmmm... sounds a bit prepackaged, eh? Sounds a bit like an official position, doesn't it? Any cop will tell you that when people's stories are exactly alike, they're covering something up.
And this pisses me off as a pro-choice guy, because pro-choice means that you ALSO get to choose to HAVE a baby. I am really ridiculously sick of hospitals and the medical profession. They only hear what they want to hear. This person was obviously distressed when she had the abortion, and you really can't perform that kind of thing on someone who's not clear in their head about it. I get that most women would be ambivalant and distressed during an abortion, but if they even hint that they don't want it done, just step away and tell them to see a counselor on their own time. Geez. |
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| Winter winter go away. Come again some other day. |
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| 12:57pm 19/02/2008 |
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I'm done with this winter.
Actually, I'm done with every winter. I don't like the winter. One wonders why I am the most resistant of anyone I know to move away to a different city and clime. I really don't like winter. It's not that I'm scared of slipping on the ice. It's not that I hate driving in the snow. I not even that I dislike shoveling the driveway. I just don't like the cold. But I also don't like the hot. I have a very limited range of tolerance. Oh well.
So, we're hoping to get a mortgage on the house so we can fix her up. We want to make her pretty and fun to live in. Tipper's afraid that we'll make it so nice she won't want to move. I highly doubt that will happen. For one, I'm guessing she likes redecorating. Second, this house is okay for where we are now, but doesn't really meet our needs. We'd like one with sufficient rooms for clindrens, offices, and some kind of mother-in-law apartment for my mommy, if she actually ever wants to live with us, but who knows, because sometimes it seems like she'd be happier alone. She never actually tells me what she wants. I don't think she even tells herself what she wants. I wish she'd get into actual counseling. She goes to a group, and she see's some kind of social worker whatev, but I'd like to see her in an actual one-on-one therapy session with someone who's actually talented and will challenge her to grab the exact life she wants and will make her happy. And it's not that I think she's in dire need of therapy. It's just that I think most people would benefit from it. She needs to make a real connection with one other person on earth and unfortunately I don't have a lot of time, and we've been feeling distant from each other. Maybe I'll talk to her about it.
And the baby is whining, so I better go. |
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| Best. Job. Ever. |
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| 01:59pm 18/02/2008 |
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I left my job at Michaels. One, because I didn't get enough hours to make it worthwhile, especially when they cut my pay. Two, because there was too much work involved for the pay. Three, because I worked with some crazies. And four, customers fucking suck nut.
I got a new job working security at a facility my friend works at. This is the fucking dream job of my life. I sit in a box. That's it. I mean, I go on a round or two every shift, I've got to learn some emergency procedures so people don't die on the rare occasion that something happens (and all the procedures mostly amount to getting a hold of the Emergency Management Team) but yeah, basically I sit in a box with access to the intarwebs, and any books or homework I want. Fuck, yesterday I was building a prop lightsaber, AND I was getting paid 70cents more an hour to do it, than I was getting paid as MANAGER of the frame shop!
Win.
Pure win.
In Nora News:
In addition to scootching on her back, Nora has mastered 360 degree turns on her tummy, and is very proficient at rolling over. She is also primed to start crawling, via getting on all fours with her tummy off the floor for short periods of time. She is also in the early stages of babbling, inventing a brand new four-syllable word this morning, which I promptly forgot.
Nora has also earned a new nickname. In addition to Noraworm, when have also taken to calling her Obi-Baby Kenobi, when her hoodie is up. Say it fast. Obibabykenobi. Laughter ensues. |
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