U.S. Troops Make Video Parody

My brother served for a year in the Middle East and I know from him that during the "down times" soldiers are always looking for a way to keep themselves occupied. I discovered this video today and completely enjoyed it. I really don't "get" Lady Gaga, but it's nice to see troops using their down time to create Art, even if it is parody. Pray for these men.

Keep Your Eye On the Ball and Not the Hand That Moves It

GM is playing the video below all over the place. I've seen it on broadcast tv, cable tv, in a pop-up internet advertisement, and heard it as an ad on the radio. It's a really slick and well-made ad. However, it's also mostly lies.



Early last year GM received an $8 billion loan from the federal government. In addition, it also received nearly $59 billion in TARP funds. GM is operating in the red right now, so essentially what they did was take part of the TARP funds they received and used those to "payback" the loan they received. Make no mistake GM is in trouble, but with the U.S. and Canadian federal governments owning more than 50% of the company, expect to see lots more slick advertising like this to make you believe all is well.

March 2010: Media Consumed

Books Read
*Young Jesus Chronicles by Spencer Smith & Mark Penta
*Children at Play: A Cul de Sac Collection by Richard Thompson
The Skinny on Willpower by Jim Randel
Three Frenchmen and a Goat by John Goldsmith
Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith
* The Complete Peanuts 1973-1974 by Charles Schulz
+The Dark Tower: Treachery by Robin Furth, Peter David, et al.
Cosmic by Frank Cottrell Boyce
+The Dark Tower: The Fall of Gilead by Robin Furth, Peter David, et al.
+Heroes: Volume Two by Various
*14 Years of Loyal Service in a Fabric-Covered Box by Scott Adams

* = denotes a collection of comic strips
+ = denotes a graphic novel or trade paperback of comics

The best book I've read all year, so far, is Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Written by the guy who wrote Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and the creator of an entire new sub-genre of literature, the book is fascinating not only because it's a great fictional story, but because the amount of research that went into the book to make the real historical people, events, places, and writings match up with the fictional world that is created. I learned more about Abe Lincoln and his associates reading that book than I did the rest of my life.

Cosmic is a great young adult novel written by the man who wrote the book Millions. It's a great little story and I highly recommend it, too. Three Frenchmen and a Goat is a self-published work that still remains as the authoritative volume about the DeMoulin Brothers Company and their early history manufacturing fraternal initiation devices.

I was really excited to read the latest collection of comics in The Gunslinger comic series as well as finishing off the 1973-1974 collection of "Peanuts" strips. One of these days I'm going to actually go back and read King's entire Gunslinger storyline as well as get and read all of the "Peanuts" reprint books.

Movies Watched For the 1st Time
A Perfect Getaway
Tinkerbell and the Lost Treasure
Alice in Wonderland (2010)
The Crazies (2010)
Shutter Island
How to Train Your Dragon

Of the movies I watched for the first time this month, there weren't any that I thought were terrible. A Perfect Getaway is a good yarn with Steve Zahn in a role he doesn't usually get to play. I thought was a good continuation/reviving of the original stories by Lewis Carroll. The Crazies was chilling. Shutter Island was a great adaptation of the book (and it's one movie that the book and movie are almost identical) and How to Train Your Dragon was much better than I expected it to be.

Interesting Facts About Food

Here are some interesting facts I learned today from reading the book 1,001 Facts That Will Scare the S**t Out of You.

*According to government and industry estimates, almost 40% of bottled water is ordinary tap water, often with no additional treatment.

*Red-colored grocery items like fruit punch and strawberry yogurt are often dyed with carmine, which is made from ground-up cochineal beetles. For some, carmine can case severe allergic reactions and can even lead to anaphylactic shock.

The Muppets and "Stand By Me"

"Stand By Me" is my favorite song of all time. I'm also a huge fan of the Muppets. I came across this video today and loved it. It's hilarious. The Muppets are back and it's good to see.

This Would Sell Millions

Came across this video today. Thanks to Jack Hager for posting it on his site.

Watch This Movie.

My friend, Joel Hager, made a movie not long ago. It's a documentary about some very talented people recording an album in an old grain silo. The film is fairly short (a little over an hour) and looks gorgeous, so even if you don't enjoy watching documentaries you might actually enjoy this because it is short and the visual images are so beautiful. I think everyone should check it out. Also, if you like the movie you should buy the album.

Go here:

http://www.stukenbergsucks.com/index.php?pg=store

The oPad

Came across this video today. Provides an excellent analogy of the iPad and health care in the U.S.A.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN VAMPIRE HUNTER

I read this book last month. I have to say it was one of the most enjoyable reads I've had in a long time. There's a movie version coming out in 2011. Enjoy.

Wait Times Under the Health Care Bill

I posted this video last year, but with things being on the edge of the precipice I thought it would be good to post again.

Health Care and the Fate of the Republic

This Sunday the U.S. House of Representatives will convene (other than times of war--when has Congress ever been specifically called together on a Sunday?) and "vote" on whether or not the U.S. Senate's version of health care reform should be "deemed" worthy as passing. Though this maneuver is often done, it's supposed to be for something small, e.g. a few words of difference between two bills. This procedure of "deeming" has never been used and was never intended to be used for a piece of major legislation. This process will allow Representatives to "vote" for the bill without actually voting for anything.

Should the procedure pass this Sunday, I fear it will be the beginning of the end of our Republic. Should the procedure pass, I think it will be used time and time and time again in the future by whatever party that has the majority. I don't believe the procedure is Constitutional in this matter, but I have very little faith left in the judicial system to believe that it will be overturned and ruled unconstitutional and even if it is, the damage done will be tremendous. I haven't had time to read the entire bill (it's over 2,000 pages long), but I do know that there are lots and lots and lots of new taxes. For instance, do you ever buy soda, juice, or flavored water from a vending machine? As part of this bill beverages (except for water, I believe, though I'm not sure because the language is a bit confusing) sold in vending machines will have a tax levied on them. Those things typically cost between $.50-$1.00 now but if this current health care package passes those things will cost between $1-$2 more.

Those in support of the bill say that according to the Congressional Budget Office, this bill will reduce the federal deficit $130 billion in the first decade, and by by $1.2 trillion in the second. This makes no sense whatsoever. You cannot create a massive entitlement program and expect it to actually reduce the deficit. Every single entitlement program the government has ever offered has only further increased the federal deficit and debt. Even those Congresspeople in support of the legislation say that the initial cost to just start the new program will be around $1 trillion. Let's see, it'll cost $1 trillion dollars just to start but in ten years if everything goes right, it'll cut $130 billion from the deficit. You don't have to be very good in math to see the numbers do not add up. The U.S. has already been warned that our AAA credit rating is in jeopardy (unless we stop our reckless spending) and this health care overhaul will only add to that. I don't have any children right now, but when I do, I don't want them to have to speak Chinese because that's the national language.

I've been working as a temporary office employee for over 20 months. There isn't much chance the company I work at will bring me on as a regular employee. However, there is a chance. Should this pass, I won't ever have a chance of being a regular employee. Several smaller businesses have already gone on the record as stating if the health care package passes, they will be making all of their employees contract workers. What that means is that all of those workers will be like me, they will be working on their own without any sense of job security or any benefits (no insurance or perks) and in some cases it will mean a pay cut. Let me tell you something, though I'm thankful to have a job, being a contracted worker doesn't allow one to make much gains in ones financial situation. I've been poor and living near the poverty line most of my life. Should this health care legislation pass on Sunday, I'm afraid there are going to be a lot more people who will be living like me. They say that misery likes company, but not me. I'd rather not have others experience any of the misery I've known. Unfortunately, Congress seems to think you should.

The U.S.'s AAA Credit Rating and Health Care

Today (Monday, Mar. 15, 2010), Moody's Investors Services, an institution that despite having come under criticism in recent years (most notably for firing analysts at the company that had warned of the 2007 housing market collapse and promoting those responsible for helping to bring about the collapse) has a tremendous amount of influence in the financial world, released a report stating that the U.S. and Britain are in greater danger of loosing their AAA rating with than Germany or France. Should the U.S. lose its AAA rating, interest rates on outstanding debt would skyrocket, making it even more difficult to pay down the debt and stop deficit spending.

Most reports I've read and seen on the usual news source (Yahoo and Google News, ABC, NBC, CBN, the New York Times, etc.) have emphasized the part in the report where it's stated that, "the U.K. and the U.S. don't face an immediate threat to their AAA ratings because they are still able to service their debts." However, the report also states that the U.S. will face a huge amount of downward pressure on its AAA rating unless the country reduces its spiralling federal deficit.

It's not a coincidence that this report was released at the beginning of a work week where some in the U.S. Congress are trying to ram down a health care "reform" package through, despite major opposition from the U.S. people. The report from Moody's today was a warning to Congress. The company made a major mistake in 2007 and they don't want to make another. They know how much the health care package is going to cost, how it will skyrocket the debt and deficit, and damage the chances of any major recovery in the U.S. economy. Moody's gave Congress a warning today. Sadly, it doesn't seem that Congress is listening. Instead of being leaders who steward the Republic through troubled times, they are more interested in trying to leave a political "legacy" that will ultimately destroy not only the Republic, but their precious political legacies as well.

No one denies that health care in America has problems that need to be addressed. I've read a part of the legislation (about 300 pages worth of a bill that is over 2,000 pages long) and from what I've read and gathered, the current bill as it now stands before Congress does very little to address the real problems with health care in America.

If you haven't already contacted your Congress person, I plead with you to do so and give your opinion. Perhaps you think the legislation that Congress will be voting on very soon is a good thing. Then let your Representative know. This is still a republic and you're concerns still matter even if I might disagree with them. However, if you are like me and you believe that this legislation is not a good thing, please contact your Representative and let them know. The fate of our country, everything that the founders of our country were willing to sacrifice (their honor, lives, and fortunes) is at stake.

Ok Go--"This Too Shall Pass"

I recently was introduced to the band OK Go by my youngest brother. I like the music, but I like their music videos even better.  Below are two different music videos they've made for the same song.  The first version has the band as a part of a massive marching band.  The second is a giant Rube Goldberg device that was filmed without any cutting or editing in one shot. Simply amazing.

OK Go - This Too Shall Pass from OK Go on Vimeo.

February 2010: Media Consumed

Books Read
The Skinny On Success Jim Randel
*Star Trek: Countdown Mike Johnson & Tim Jones
The Skinny On Time Managment Jim Randel
*The Twilight Zone: The Big Tall Wish Mark Kneece & Chris Lie

* = denotes a graphic novel or TPB

I really enjoyed reading Star Trek: Countdown is a comic book prequel to 2009's Star Trek movie, but it's really the movie that Star Trek: Nemesis should have been.

Movies Viewed For the First Time
The Wolfman (2010)
The Hurt Locker

Both The Wolfman and The Hurt Locker were good movies. The Wolfman is the only 2010 movie release that's worth watching in theatres right now (other than Shutter Island). I found it be a really fun movie that did a pretty good job of updating the original Lon Chaney film. The only problem with the movie is Benicio Del Toro. The guy is a very talented actor, but he's terribly miscast in the movie. He just doesn't fit the part and there is absolutely no chemistry between him and any of the other actors in the film.

The Hurt Locker is looking to be the film that might beat Avatar in the Best Picture race for 2009's Oscars. It's a very good movie, too. The acting is superb, the directing solid, and the overall scenery and sets do a great job in helping to set the film's tone. The movie was made with a smaller budget and didn't do very well at the box office. It's garnering a lot of attention and is now available on DVD. However, as much as I enjoyed the film, it's not the best movie of 2009 either. It's worth seeing, but don't expect to be awed.

By the way, for those who want to know, the Real Best Picture of 2009 is Up. Pixar hit gold with that film. It's a completely original story that gives nods to famous actors and movies of the past and has a little bit of something for people of all ages. It's just as beautiful as Beauty and the Beast, but with a playful sense of wonder that is lacking in that movie. The first 15 minutes of the film are really a movie all of themselves, because it tells the life story of two people who love each other very much, all with the lead character of speaking a few words. Avatar will always be significant because of the technological breakthroughs the film developed, but the story and plot are rehashes of countless movies before. The Hurt Locker will probably be looked at as a how-to piece, as in how-to make a movie on a small budget that becomes an Oscar favorite. However, it is Up that will be looked upon and revered by movie lovers of every stripe and character for generations to come.

January 2010: Media Consumed

Books Read
*The Twilight Zone: Will the Real Martian Please Stand Up? Mark Kneece, et al.
+Tundra Chad Carpenter
**Midlife the Crisis Musical Bob & Jim Walton

* = denotes a graphic novel or TPB
+ = denotes a book that is a collection of comic strips
** = denotes a play

In all honesty, I didn't read anything that was completely outstanding in January.

Movies Watched For the First Time
Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel
Daybreakers
Avatar
Moon
The Book of Eli
Up in the Air
You Can't Take It With You
Santa Buddies

I enjoyed most of the movies I watched in January, but there were a few that I found disappointing. Daybreakers was pretty well done. The Book of Eli was a movie that took me completely by surprise; it's a really well done film that reminded me a lot of an updated version of The Pilgrim's Progress. Moon, starring Sam Rockwell and Sam Rockwell, is a rather simple movie that starts off slow but then gathers steam and doesn't stop until the end. Avatar was good and the effects are nothing short of amazing, but the movie doesn't deserve near the praise it's been lauded or money it's taken in; it's definitely not the best picture of 2009.

Up in the Air is kind of a simpler movie, too that was mostly filmed in and around St. Louis. However, I found it incredibly depressing in addition to be overrated, too. Beyond the acting, there's really not much there, especially the story. You Can't Take It With You won Frank Capra a Best Picture Oscar, but it's not as good as much of the rest of Capra's work.

Book Review: The Skinny on Time Management

THE SKINNY ON TIME MANAGEMENT is a part of “The Skinny On…” books from Rand Publishing. The series uses the unique format of using stick figure drawings to better illustrate and visualize key concepts and important information. Interspersed with these illustrations are quotes, cheesy jokes, and critical pieces of information that (as claimed in the book’s introduction) the author has culled from over 100 different sources.

This book is a bit different from other “The Skinny On…” books I have read because instead of following a story of one or two individuals, it is presented as being a two-part class than can be completed within an hour’s time. The first part of the book is devoted to forcing you the reader to evaluate how you use your time. It mainly focuses on awareness, goals, and choices.

The second part of the book focuses on what a person needs to do to actually make the most of one’s time. Specific time management strategies, such as utilizing one’s time and avoiding procrastination are discussed. What one needs to do in order to successfully implement these strategies, such as making to do lists or unplugging the television, are also given. I really liked how the author pointed out the myth of multi-tasking. People can multi-task, but when they do they loose efficiency and effectiveness in not just one area but all areas.

Much of what I read in THE SKINNY ON TIME MANAGEMENT is material I have already heard or read before and, therefore, didn’t really learn anything new. However, because of the unique format of the book, I enjoyed reading it. It wasn’t as entertaining as other titles I have read in the series, but it was still enjoyable and I read the entire book in about 40 minutes. My only complaint about the book is that unlike the other books I’ve read in the series, there is no bibliography given. I realize that the information is taken from a lot of different sources, but it would have been nice to see a bibliography.

THE SKINNY ON TIME MANAGEMENT is a very easy-to-read book and can be read in about an hour’s time. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to reading lots of self-help books about how to improve your time management skills, then I recommend THE SKINNY ON TIME MANAGEMENT. I particularly recommend it for high school and college students.

Book Review: THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS

Part of a relatively new book series from Rand Publishing, THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS takes information from over 60 different books and condenses it into an extremely easy-to-read format that can be read between an hour or two.

There’s a 1-page introduction followed by a 1-page note from the publisher. Then the stick man version of Jim Randel, the author, introduces himself and explains what the book is about and what you should be able to accomplish by reading it. Oh, yes, this book is filled with stick people illustrations. Stick people are one of the benchmarks of “The Skinny On…” books. They are used to tell a story that illustrates the main points of the lessons in the book. In THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS in addition to narrator stick person Jim, we follow Billy and Beth, a happily married couple who are both seeking a change in their careers. Billy wants to be a comedian and Beth wants to get into politics. Through the lessons learned in the book the reader sees how Billy and Beth approach their different dreams.

Much of what I read in THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS is material I have already heard or read before. Therefore, I didn’t really learn anything new. However, because of the unique format of the book, I completely enjoyed reading it. It was very entertaining.

THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS is a very easy-to-read book and can be read in about an hour’s time. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to reading lots of self-help books about finding success, but who is trying to find some key things to help you realize your potential and discover success, then I recommend THE SKINNY ON SUCCESS.

Valentine's Day

"I get about as many Valentine's as a dog."
--Charlie Brown

I used to enjoy Valentine's Day. I used to get candy and little cards and it was like a bonus gift day between the celebrations of Christmas and the joy surrounding Easter. That lasted until 6th grade.

I went to school where K-8 classes are all held in the same building. It's a small school, but one with a very strong sense of community. From kindergarten until 5th grade we had to make Valentines boxes or bags and pass around Valentine's every year to everyone in the class. We also had Valentine's Day parties with lots of cookies and cakes and drinks.

In 6th grade that all stopped. Valentine cards were optional and instead of a party there was an "upper pod" dance held on Friday night. I didn't get any Valentines that year and I didn't get to dance with any girls at the dance.

For the longest time, I tried to be upbeat about Valentine's Day. I researched the history of the holiday and tried to keep the "true spirit" of the holiday alive. Until about my sophomore year in high school I bought gifts for my Mom. I'm not sure any of that helped how lonely I felt every year Valentine's Day came around. It got worse the older I got. I attended a few "Single Awareness Day" celebrations in college and just after. For the longest time, I meant what I said and I said what I meant that if I was ever in a relationship there really shouldn't be a reason to celebrate Valentine's Day because I would want to treat my partner that way every day of the year and not just on one particular one. Still, even though I know that most people don't know anything about St. Valentine and that the holiday itself was one that was kidnapped by card and candy companies to make up for the lull in sales between Christmas and Easter, I can't help but feeling alone on Valentine's Day.

I was semi-busy this year, but today was worse than in the past. My Dad always got my sister a card for my Mom, sister, and Grandma and every year he always had a special gift for my sister and Mom. Last Thursday I was thinking about that and decided I should get them something, too. I was in the middle of the candy aisle at Wal-Mart looking for something for my sister when I started crying. I couldn't help but think that I really shouldn't be doing this. My Dad was supposed to be doing that, not me. I love my sister, but she's Daddy's little girl. To me she's just my sister and my Mom is my mom. But, my Dad isn't here. He's gone on to his reward and I'm here trying to keep things together, trying to keep a bit of normalcy for my family. I am so inadequate. Of course, this is all on top of how alone this stupid holiday makes me feel, especially now since all of my close friends who care to be are involved in relationships are.

I hope that one day I can enjoy Valentine's Day again. But right now, I don't.

Men and Romance

Many people think men are less romantic than women. Yet men fall in love faster (because they are so visual); men tend to be more dependent on their girlfriends or wives for intimacy; men are over two times more likely to kill themselves when a relationship ends; and men show just as much activity in brain regions associated with romantic passion.
— Helen Fisher, Ph.D., anthropology professor at Rutgers University

Thanks to http://oryoucouldbiteyourtongue.blogspot.com/for first posting this.

THE SILO PROJECT in St. Louis

It's been over a year in development, but THE SILO PROJECT (the film and the album) are finally here. Two of the artists will be in St. Louis next weekend. Information listed below. If you're in the area, come on out!

Everett Thomas @ The Gramaphone in St. Louis

Type:	Music/Arts - Concert
Network:	Global

Date:	Saturday, February 20, 2010
Time:	7:30pm - 10:30pm
Location:	4243 Manchester Ave. Saint Louis , MO.

Description

Hey! I am having a cd release show here in St. Louis and i would love to see your face!

www.everettthomas.com
www.myspace.com/everettthomasmusic

Also playing are :
Liza Day : www.myspace.com/lizaday
Stukenberg : www.myspace.com/stukenberg
The Blind Nils : www.myspace.com/theblindnils