Friday Morning Quarterback

Maybe more later on the promised fast food reviews, but the news of the day warrant my attention.

The news came down in a hurry. The wires were trying as fast as they can to keep up with the Internet. And the rest of us waited for someone, other than TMZ, to make it official.

That didn't stop people around the world to begin posting their memorials on Facebook and Twitter. The news feeds were buzzing, and causing Web sites to load slowly.

And then the TV stations went on full-time campouts at the hospital, outside the rented house, at Neverland and at the Jackson family compound.

Michael Jackson was dead. And the world reacted.

A lot of people commented on this being similar to when Elvis Presley died, and I'd have to agree. But when Elvis died, there was no Twitter. There was no Facebook. No text messages or cell phones or tabloid Web sites posting photos. No instant access to the latest news and gossip.

And no jackasses posting news about other celebrities being "dead."

TMZ was out in front of the story. And every other news organization looked at that and waited for someone else to make it official. The hospital, a member of the family or another "reputable" news organization.

But I think we have to start to acknowledge something us in the mainstream media are reticent to admit: TMZ -- for all its tabloid, in-your-face, gotcha reporting -- is a legitimate enough news organization that can break real news.

I think back to an interview TMZ's Managing Editor (and face) Harvey Levin did on KROQ with Kevin and Bean. He was talking about the fiasco surrounding Nadya Suleman, and even he was amazed at the crush of people swarming around her when she brought the first of the octuplets home. He spoke as a journalist, not as someone wanting to exploit someone to the masses.

These people have the sources. They have the freedom to write, and write quickly. They aren't tied down by old school ethics (you know, little things such as paying for information and not becoming a part of their own story). And they aren't burdened by some wannabe corporate climbing editor who is covering their own ass or waiting to take the credit for the success that someone else provided.

Meanwhile, as the word became official, TV news devolved into time filling reporting out at the aforementioned hot spots. And fill time they did.

I had the live feed from CBS running on my computer, hoping to hear any eventual press conference. And as we waited, we went to reporters who were grasping at anything.

The reporter at Jackson's rental house was screaming at any car that drove up. He was in full tabloid mode, trying to get whomever was in that car to talk, even before knowing who it was. And screaming at the cops, or anyone else, who went into the house. And people passing by the neighborhood. Great stuff.

Then there was the reporter sent out to Hollywood. The one who went to the Michael Jackson star on the Walk of Fame ... the one for the talk radio host. Seems the one for Little Michael was covered over by the premiere of "Bruno."

Fans were there, too. Singing. Badly (thus prompting my Facebook status update). And there were the parents who loved Michael and passed their love to their children. And oh the sadness. And the singing. And the love. And the really annoying SINGING. And the reporter didn't help, because he was egging them on.

Back at the hospital, reporters were mobbing each other, waiting for a press conference. Then there was the stampede to a new news conference location. And the questions of when it was going to start. And the stalling. And the talking about what they know ... which wasn't much.

Meanwhile, I sat at my computer, trying to balance the breaking Jackson news with the rest of the news we were reporting. And the NBA Draft. Oh, and Farrah Fawcett dying as well.

But I actually had two thoughts about Jackson, and tried to hold them in because, well they weren't politically correct or sensitive to the death of someone who meant something to so many people.

First, the happiest person in the nation about Jackson's death had to be Governor Mark Sanford. He went from being the most talked about person in America to an almost forgotten entity. His story went from the front page to a brief in most every paper in the nation.

On the other end of the spectrum is Phil Anschutz, and his entertainment corporation AEG. They just lost 50 dates of concerts at one of their signature venues. That's a lot of revenue that just went down the drain. Think of all the preparations that already went into the shows. The merchandise alone probably cost them in the millions. And it's not like you can go out and still sell it.

And that was day one. You know this story will still be going all weekend. Prepare yourself for at least another three days of news reports and retrospectives.

Meanwhile, in the sports world

The US Men's Soccer team will play for the Confederations Cup championship on Sunday after shocking Spain, the world's top team, in the semifinals.
I didn't get a chance to watch either the US wins over Egypt or Spain. I've forgotten the games were on, and was probably watching "Spongebob Squarepants."
After the Egypt win, my reaction was "No f'ing way." Not because the US beat Egypt, because the US should beat the Egypts of the world. But because of the paired result (Brazil's 3-0 win over Italy) that allowed the US into the semifinals.
Quick aside to the so-called sports experts on TV: How do you want to break a 3-way tie in a soccer tournament? You can't go with head-to-head, since they all beat each other. And you can't go back to head-to-head once you've eliminated a team on goal differential. So what's next? What stat are you going to use to break that tie? Huh? I'm waiting.
OK, back to the US. Watching the highlights and breakdowns of the victory over Spain, I kept waiting for the voice over to change to those of the instant coffee hidden camera commercials of the 70s and 80s.
We've secretly replaced the Gatorade of the US soccer team with one with added elements to allow them to play with more heart and guts. Let's see if they can tell the difference.
Before these two impressive wins, I think there was a bit of panic amongst the people who follow soccer in this country. There were calls for coach Bob Bradley to be fired.
But a few lineup changes, most of which were obviously necessary, and an added "never-say-die" attitude, and the US is playing for a FIFA championship. I don't think it gets Bradley off the hook in the long term, but it likely gets him a pass to the World Cup.
Which has become part of the problem. We're supposed to go to the World Cup now. There's no danger of the US not making the World Cup any more. There needs to be progress shown in international play (outside of the region).
And while it's obvious that the skill level is still lacking, the US needs to play with guts and heart and a "never-say-die" attitude if they're ever going to go on to greater things on the world soccer stage.
Enjoy Sunday's final, because it'll be a historic, and probably, once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. An American team playing in a FIFA final.
(And how weird is it to hear the announcers in the Brazil-South Africa game say the winner has the right to play the US in the final. Absolutely bizarre.)

Shaq off to Cleveland, eh? It makes sense for all the parties involved.
Shaq gets to play with LeBron and take a shot at the one more title, and LeBron gets an experienced hand to clog up the middle to give him a real shot to finally get his hands on the Larry O'Brien Trophy.
But can this partnership really work? Can Shaq take the role of second (or third) banana on a team that has been anointed a favorite to make the NBA Finals? And more importantly, can he stay healthy to play the nearly 100 games it will take to get to next June's finals?
And how important is it now for Cleveland to get that title NOW? You've got one year with Shaq (though, you gotta think he won't go quietly into retirement after this year) and LeBron together before LeBron be can take his ball and leave.
And what of LeBron? How will a title for him be looked at in history when he had to have Shaq with him to win it? Obviously, Shaq's legacy is complete already, winning all the titles he has with the support of Kobe and Wade.
But Kobe's won one now without him. Will LeBron be able to win one without Shaq if he's able to win one with him? That question will haunt him if he isn't able to.
That's about all you'll get out of me about the NBA. Enjoy the draft.

Yes, Tuesday was a happy day in this household, as Luc Robitaille was named to the Hockey Hall of Fame.
With all the potential people who could have been named, there was that little seed of doubt amongst the national media types. But for us Southern California hockey fans, there was no doubt.
Lucky was a great ambassador for the game in the area besides being one of the greatest left wings to ever play the game. The fans love him, and he's loved the fans right back.
There's a reason ours is not the only Luc born to Southern California parents in the past 20 years or so.
Now, if we can only get a statue of Luc at Staples Center...

Thus ends the first day of double posting on this blog. And, hey, I even have a new fast food item (or maybe two by later tonight) to talk about for Friday. Hope I have the energy to write it...

The Ballad of South Carolina

(Not perfectly to the tune of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina")

Don't cry for me South Carolina
I only went to Argentina
It wasn't a big deal
All I needed was a quick feel
To clear my head
And now I've lost my cred

Who knew those e-mails were public
You'd think I'd keep them private
After all, I scolded Clinton
Yet I was stroking a new kitten
Never mind my transgressions
Even though my state was in session

I guess I'm just another Republican
Out seeking higher poll numbers
And some would say I found them
At the end of a shorter hem
I never thought I'd change
But turns out I'm human
And wanted to search the range

I've spent my career
Preaching to others steer clear
Of sin and seduction
But like my colleagues
I've fallen off my steed
And broke my promise
To you great people
I've broke my promise
And ended up as another Republican creep

Laugh out loud

I've been feeling a bit old recently.

Not old as in put-me-in-a-home old. Just outdated old. Nostalgic for the things that have come before.

Those of you paying attention to my status updates on Facebook may have noticed a pattern of movie quotes. Some of you were right on with the references. For others, however, the quotes didn't resonate the way they do for me.

Maybe it's because my moviegoing experiences of late have been ... pretty much nonexistent. And with a 2-year-old, sitting inside a theater is going to be a non-starter, and a drive-in will be a little more challenging than it was when he was a baby.

But even in the past few years, I can't really think of a whole lot of movies, comedies especially, that have inspired the love and affection that many of the films that we grew up with.

And most of all, the lines.

Maybe it's just the repeated viewings. Maybe it's just me getting older. But I'd like to think that comedies should provide those moments that keep you laughing over and over. And lines that you quote over and over.

Part of the problem, I know, is that many of my younger co-workers haven't EVEN seen any of the classic comedies of the 70s and 80s. No "Caddyshack." No "Blazing Saddles." Not even "Airplane." All movies that have shaped our lives.

Think to the more recent big-time comedies that you've seen in the past five or so years. How many have featured that great monologue? How many have had that one indelible line that you repeat over and over and becomes a part of the entire pop culture?

Many will point to "Napoleon Dynamite." That's great. Haven't seen it. Should have, probably, but haven't been able to work up the energy for it. And where's Jon Hader these days, by the way?

Me, the one film I can think of is "The 40-Year-Old Virgin." And there are two parts from it that stand out: Steve Carell yelling "Ohhhhhhh.... Kelly Clarkson!" in pain during the chest waxing scene. And, the other was Paul Rudd and Seth Rogen riffing: "You know how I know you're gay?"

And that came in an era when there were some pretty good comedies to see. From "Wedding Crashers" to "Knocked Up" to "Superbad," we got some very good, funny comedies. But other than "McLovin," how many of those films generated something memorable that permeated the entire pop culture public?

Before that, I have to go back to "American Pie" and "This one time, at band camp ..." for another line that I can remember becoming that memorable.

There's no more Rodney Dangerfield's telling his golfing partner, "I hear this place is restricted, Wang, so don't tell 'em you're Jewish, okay?" No Leslie Nielsen's staring up saying "Nice beaver." No Gene Wilder's finishing a pep talk with "You know, morons."

Hell, Bill Murray has a whole wing of great movie quotes. Between his roles in "Caddyshack," "Ghostbusters," and "Stripes," the man has a litany of lines that are repeated to this day. How many people still scream "IT'S IN THE HOLE!" after a golf shot? How about "That's the FACT, Jack!" from "Stripes?"

Today, it seems, everyone goes for the easy laugh. The fart joke. Bad language for bad language's sake. It's lazy comedy. But it generates laughs, so they continue to do it. And it disappointed me to see that "Year One" was reviewed as nothing more than one long fart joke, especially with the people on board on that movie.

I hear good things about "The Hangover," so I'm really looking forward to see it, and very hopeful for it to join in some of the classics.

And Lord (or whatever your Deity) knows, we can all use a good laugh about now.

Jon plus Kate equals Hate

Everyone happy now? We just got to see a marriage disintegrate on national television.

Obviously, it was something that was going to happen in the long run. When you marry young and mature, you change, as these two certainly had. And having the kids only served to delay what was going to inevitably happen.

Jon got tired of being bossed around by the hot blond who said yes to him. And then there were the kids and then there was the commitments and the ... One day, he had to wake up and wonder where all those great years of partying he was supposed to do went.

And Kate, always with her bossing him around. Always putting him down. He looked like the little kid who was constantly being talked down to by his mom. This was going to happen to these two people ... eventually. He needed to grow up and she needed to ease up. And neither one of them wanted to give the other the satisfaction of making those changes.

But, there we were, in our tabloid world, pushing it along. Making it happen. He's out at some bar. She's in New York getting a haircut. He's sneaking out with some women. She's dating a bodyguard.

We were intruding into their private lives to the point that they became more infamous than Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears or Paris Hilton.

I know, what private lives? How can they have a private life when they were the ones who signed up for the TV series? But it's one thing to sign away your privacy, it's another to have everyone up in your business to the point that people were. These people had cars driving by their house like it was a tourist attraction.

Writing the three infamous names above, reminded me of something. We really haven't seen much out of those three lately. They've faded into a sort of obscurity lately. Behaving, well, almost normally.

And maybe that's why there's become this fascination with this ordinary couple with eight children. All the other tabloid favorites have packed up their toys and gone home (for now). Britney's not out flashing her hooch, Paris isn't banging some guy with a night vision camera and Lindsay's not driving down PCH hitting other cars (or breaking up with her girlfriend or throwing a tantrum on a set or ...).

So, now, another eight children will be faced with growing up in broken homes. With parents who won't speak to each other, other than to find out what time to pick them up, or grouse about their latest "mistake" raising their children. And, better yet, WE'RE STILL GOING TO FILM IT AND SEE IT ON OUR TV'S EVERY WEEK.

Some of my friends and former classmates on Facebook are going through the mess of a divorce with children. I watched as my niece and nephews dealt with their mom and dad splitting up. It's hell. And that's without cameras following them around, and the piles and piles of money that they got for being on a cable "reality" show.

In the end, those eight children are going to be stuck between two warring adults, who will one day, very likely ask them to make a choice: Mommy or Daddy.

And TLC will be there. Jumping up and down at the little ratings machine they've got on their hands. With advertisers galore wanting to get their products in front of the eyeballs that tune in each week to see the real life soap operas playing out in front of them. The same one that is playing out in communities across the country every day.

But since it's on TV, it can't be real. It can't really affect them.

And yet, more and more, it does. By continuing to watch, you're outright supporting the divorce. You're outright supporting that it's OK for the tabloids to splash every detail about people's lives on the cover of their magazine. Because it's anyone else's business but your own.

I have no desire to see this train wreck. We see enough of them every day across the world. Ones that have a lot more bearing on our day-to-day lives than a couple of young 30-somethings who got married too young, had a whole gaggle of children and then realized that they weren't right for each other, leaving said gaggle in the middle of what will be a very, VERY messy divorce hearing.

I for one won't be watching.

Hello Monday

So, yeah it's been a few days. And since I am on my cell phone while my car gets a tune, I'm going to keep it brief.

So, what's been going on out there in the world?

Oh yeah, big game-changing protests in Iran. And everyone has been all atwitter. I say good for the people of Iran. Glad they finally want to stand up against the double standard of a government built around religious ideals.

The same ideals that said stop protesting peacefully (mostly) or we'll respond with violence.

If history has taught us nothing through the years, it's that when you are responding with violence, you are usually in the wrong and trying to hold on to what little shred of power you have.

Look at the civil rights movements here in the U.S. People trying to hold on to the status quo were willing to take the fight to the peaceful marchers. Tell me there is no parallel.

Quick Interactive Question: What reality/documentary style series on TV is your favorite? Which one are almost ashamed to admit watching/have watched.

More thought for tomorrow when I'll be back at a full size keyboard.

Monday's Random Thoughts

ANNOYING BARBIE: Please make her go away.
Sarah Palin has worn out her welcome on my TV, Internet and wire services. Isn't there something she needs to be doing in Alaska?
The whole flap with David Letterman is just a distraction from the real things that need to be done in this country. Instead of worrying about health care reform or job creation, we're discussing the merits of a joke on a late night television show.
The joke, which I didn't see delivered, was marginal at best. It was an easy shot at a couple of easy targets. Let's face it, the joke was just as much a jab at Alex Rodriguez as it was at Bristol Palin.
But no, she's contorted it to be all about HER, to help play to her easily outraged base. The people who think that President Obama's a God-hating, socialist-leaning, cream puff who isn't going to protect America from a terrorist attack.
The same people who normally would look at a teen aged, single parent and judge them as a slut. A waste of space. A drain on society. But since it's Sarah's little girl, everything's OK, because she's going to make sure that all the other teens NEVER have sex and make the same mistake as her daughter.
It's that sort of double standard that the people making noise about the Republican party revel in. Don't judge us by our ACTIONS, judge us by what we SAY. And it's that act that's getting old.
More importantly, its those "acts" that are blockading real reform. Reform that many in the Republican party say they want and need to stay viable.
It's just another example of over-reactionary politics. Over a JOKE. You going to outlaw jokes next? Just because something says something marginally funny doesn't mean they really believe it. It's exaggeration. It's going for a laugh. It's FUNNY.
And if we can't laugh, then what do we really have?

RING-A-DING: Well, one week in, and I'm hooked.
My new phone is every bit the device I was looking for. Solid phone (after all, that's what it's SUPPOSED to do). The music player is great (keeping me from having to get a MP3 player). The texting with the QWERTY keyboard is great (and big enough for my big fingers). And the video/touch screens are beautiful.
Well worth the purchase price. Of course, ask me again in a year (when I soured on my last phone).

HAPPY NOW LAKER FAN? Thank goodness it's over.
The Lakers got their ring. Kobe got his legacy. And the fans in LA got to have their mini-riot.
I've never understood the need to destroy things to celebrate a championship. What's wrong with, I don't know, being happy with your fellow man? Quiet reflection? A little cry?
A team of guys who make more money than you in a two months than you earn in your lifetime win a championship, and you celebrate by setting mini-fires, tearing up landscaping and moshing?
Sigh.

Open Letters

Dear city of Moreno Valley:
Driving through your town is a big pain, thanks to your love of traffic signals (that you don't have synced).
But do you really have to make things worse by having construction on nearly ever main east-west/north-south roadway that leads to a freeway?
Seriously. In the two-plus years I've been a regular driver through the town, I can count on one hand the number of days I don't recall coming to, or going around, areas of road construction.
I know that some of them are not your fault, as they work to upgrade water pipelines through the city. But c'mon. The other day I dove onto a side street to get around a jam caused by construction on Cactus ... only to run into more road work. As I turned back to Cactus, I came upon the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen. First, there was the "END ROAD WORK" sign, followed by, not 10 yards away, a "ROAD WORK AHEAD" sign.
It was absurd.
About as absurd as the flashing arrow sign being placed across the busy intersection from where the lane actually ends (as it has been at Perris and Alessandro recently). The "LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD" sign is great, but the arrows give us no clue as to when it actually closes.
While we appreciate the fact that you're upgrading your infrastructure, and welcoming new businesses (the reason for the construction at Perris/Alessandro), isn't there a way to help the beleaguered drivers going through your city?
Sincerely, The angry guy yelling and pulling his hair out at every light that turns yellow just before he gets there.

Dear gas/oil companies:
"Summer blend?" "Increased demand?" "Market conditions?"
Uh-huh. Sure.
It was really, really nice of you to raise your prices by 40 cents in about two weeks recently. I love the fact that you get to do that and give us those excuses. Because if any other industry did it, there'd be riots.
You've got us by the balls, and you know it. We're so conditioned to paying whatever you charge, that you can change it at will and we'll keep coming.
How about easing up a bit on that profit expectation for a little bit longer? Take it in the shorts just like the rest of us, who've endured pay cuts, furloughs and layoffs.
Other businesses have. Stater Bros., for example, posted lower profits over a recent period ... but saw sales go up. It inspires loyalty in your customers when you make the effort to make things affordable for them when you sacrifice your bottom line.
Well, hope all your research and development helps you when the revolution comes ...
Sincerely, The guy who's looking forward to getting a hybrid or electric car

Dear Laker Fan:
I love your enthusiasm. I really do.
But let's talk about those car flags for a second.
They were all cute earlier this decade, and it's a nice way to show your team pride without putting a permanent sticker on your car, but there comes a point when enough IS enough.
And really, I have no problem if you want to put ONE on your car. Because you know when (if?) the LA Kings make a run to the playoffs, there'll be one in my car.
But two? Your car looks like it should have diplomatic plates and secret service riding along. And three (or more)? Forget about it. We got the point with the first one. You're a Laker fan. But if you're a big enough Laker fan to be sporting three flags now, shouldn't you just break down and get a cling for the back of your car or something? And why just break them out now? Why not drive with them all season?
In the meantime, go Lakers. Finish this thing off so Kobe can get his ring without Shaq and my nights can get quieter.
Sincerely, the guy who's just bitter because he hasn't had a reason to put a team flag in his car.

Dear Costco:
Why do you tease us so much?
You bring in a new product that we try and love ... only to not see it there the next time we're in one of your warehouses (sometimes, only a couple of days later).
I understand that's the nature of your business. And that you only have so much room for some of these items. But ... they're sooooo good.
Sigh. Better now.
Sincerely, the guy who bought three bags of apple chips before they disappeared again (and after the baked potato chips with pepper were replaced)

Dear Gary Bettman (and anyone else in the NHL front office):
You need to do something about this schedule.
Get new TV partners, shorten the regular season, shorten the time period of the playoffs. Anything. There is no excuse for you to have been in the position for the NBA to even have had a chance to finish before you did this week.
But that almost happened. The Lakers could have finished a sweep on Thursday before your Game 7 was played, and that would have been tragic.
Your regular season starts a good two- to three-weeks before the NBA's does. There is no good reason for you to still be playing at the same time.
Let's face facts. Your league needs all the coverage it can get in the MSM, and you can't finish before the more popular league? You're already fighting baseball and NASCAR for extra eyeballs, and you're taking on the Lakers? With your final games going head-to-head with the NBA Finals? Hell, a Denver-Orlando final would be getting more coverage than your storied championship.
I know you have a lot on your plate, what with the whole fight to keep the Coyotes in Phoenix (and out of Jim Balsillie's hands) and a 2009-10 season that will be interrupted by the Olympics (and BTW, shutting down the season for Canada in 2010, and not for Russia in 2014 is bad form, especially with all the Russian stars you promote). But let's find a way to finish this thing sooner. End of May would be nice.
Sincerely, someone tired of seeing the NHL taking a back seat

Lightning Round

Quick strikes of things that have been thundering around the brain...

Watching these NBA Playoffs, I've come up with a new slogan for the league. The NBA: Two tat minimum. Seriously. These guys have enough ink to print a newsletter. Guess Charles Barkley was right about choosing NBA athletes as role models.

Not that I have anything against tattoos. It's just not for me.

And not to worry Laker Fan. Kobe hits his free throws, and you win the game and are going for the sweep on Thursday. Everyone's entitled to a night where you don't get the breaks and bounces going your way.

Love that we're going seven games in the Stanley Cup Finals. These two teams have put on a good show, and it deserves to have a climactic battle. Too bad the Penguins, my pre-series pick, have to go back to Detroit though. They haven't shown that they can win there, and a Game 7 is not the time you want to find out if you can.

Watching the news last night, and Fred Roggin dedicated a minute of his sportscast to tape of Manny Ramirez working out, and recounting what he said to reporters (not on camera) and five seconds to the score of the Stanley Cup Final ... that was broadcast on his own network. A goal highlight would have been nice.

A new iPhone? Look at the sheep run. Even in this economy, people are flocking to be the first to get the newest version. Of course, this coming from the guy who just got the newest touch screen offering from Verizon. I, at least, was eligible for an upgrade.

June gloom. So loving it. Rather have it than June "it's fricken hot out there."

Roger Penske buying Saturn is a coup for Saturn dealers and the car owners. This guy knows his business and won't take any excuses for it making a profit. And should provide customers with the type of cars they want breaking the bank. The only bummer is it'll probably end the use of OnStar in Saturns. Hope someone develops a similar service.

Stephen Colbert's episodes from Iraq so far this week have been amazing. He looks good with the haircut, and the golf club shout out to Bob Hope is perfect.

Adam Lambert admits his gay. The rest of the world reacts: "Duh."

Facebook institutes screen names. Yay. Just what we need on the service that was to hook up friends without hiding behind anonymous screen names ... is instituting screen names.

The New York Times and Boston Globe are fighting in public like fans of their American League baseball teams. We're beyond the point in journalism of petty fighting between papers. I know it's just business for the NYT, but c'mon boys, play nice ... it's not like the American public doesn't already hate us. Let's not give 'em another reason.

Comedy Central orders new episodes of "Futurama." Not a bad thing. It'll be good to see some new episodes instead of the reruns they plaster all over their late night programming. And it gives Matt Groening the outlet for his absurdist side that he can't always do with "The Simpsons."

Tuesday's Random Thoughts

TUNNEL VISION: I hate people.
Wait, not any of you. I know you. You're not people.
Unless...
No, seriously. People are the individuals in the world who think the rules don't apply to them. They're the ones who go out of their way to do stupid things. They're the ones who require companies to put safety instructions on boxes of toothpicks.
Some recent examples of "people" in action:

The postal carrier walking down Cerritos near James Madison Elementary in Anaheim. It's only one-lane residential-type area, but a pretty widely used street to get from one end of Anaheim to the other (all my Loara peeps out there know what I'm talking about). Anyway, the dude is two houses from the corner, and a light to cross the street, but he's standing, waiting for traffic to clear so he can jaywalk. And this example is something I see ALL the time in Moreno Valley. It's 10 more yards to the crosswalk. Make the effort.

Getting on the freeway to come home near Cal State Fullerton the other day. There are two lanes for the on-ramp, and both have the metered lights at the end. We pull up to the red light and stop. The car in the left lane sees the red light and just speeds right on.

The driver who sees the school bus on the side of the road, with its red lights flashing so the students can get off safely. And yet, because there's a whole extra lane worth of room, they zoom on by.

And, of course, there's the car behind me, tailing me in the carpool lane. When I'm doing 80. I finally relent and move to the fast lane so he can pass, and he follows, thinking he's going to pass me, then dives back around, glaring over at me with a scowl ... while on his cell phone.
What is it like to go through life that clueless? I mean, we all have brain fart moments where we do something stupid. But the people I'm talking about don't see it that way. They live in a tunnel vision world. The rest of us -- the responsible ones -- are for cleaning up the mess they leave behind, so they can do it again and again and again and ...
The worst part? There's not much we can do about them (legally, that is). Sigh.

SIX MONTHS: I'm getting a little tired of the constant bashing coming from Republicans over the performance of President Barack Obama.
I realize that most of us have a trial period of three months at our jobs, and we're given a review. But most of us aren't the President of the United States.
To declare the economic plan a "failure," as Newt Gingrich did the other day, after this short of a time period, seems to be jumping the gun to me.
After all, there's no training manual for fixing the mess he inherited. And it's certainly not Obama's job alone to do. He may be the figurehead leader, but there another 535 people in Congress who have to work together to make the changes needed to jump start our economy. And they tend to get along as well as Itchy and Scratchy.
The more people such as Gingrich talk, the more it sounds like sour grapes. Frankly, if things aren't going the way you want them to, get back into the game. Stop going on TV to talk about it, get yourself elected. Go help the process. And don't just scream that it has to be done this way or that way. Work together. This whole two-party petty bickering is getting more than tiresome.
Nothing is going to get fixed overnight. Or in just six months. And not everyone is going to like the way that we get there.
And things still aren't going well by next November, we can pick a whole bunch of new people who won't be able to get anything done in Washington.

THE DAY OFF: Really needed the Monday off. We had a rough weekend as far as getting to spend family time together. And you could really tell Luc needed time to be with his daddy (especially after the fit he threw when mommy left for work Monday morning).
During our time, we went shopping (daddy got his new toy ... errr ... phone). We went to the park to play. We got lunch. We visited Gina's dad (who is happiest when his grandson is around). And we went to visit my mom at the preschool she works at (where Luc got to run around and play, since all the other preschoolers are already out for the summer).
By the time we were done seeing grandma, he was tuckered out. He slept the entire trip home. And after a little rest at home, we met mommy and went to dinner. It was a much needed day together.
Today, Tuesday, we try to get back into routine. Some time at home before heading off to day care, while I get to go shopping. Before all the fun of work starts again tomorrow.

INTERACTIVE PORTION: What was the one show you "had to, had to" watch every day when you came home from school (or every Saturday morning)?

Lightning Round coming tomorrow.

Monday's Singular Thought

Some tired fingers from a long weekend of work, and a young boy who needs his daddy are getting me away from the computer today. Back again tomorrow.

Why am I doing this again?

I've been talking a little here and there about our upcoming vacation plans to Costa Rica, and trust me, I'm more than a little bit excited. It's going to be nice to get out of town for a while and be away from work. I'm pretty sure this will be my first two-week vacation since I became a working stiff (not counting the month I took off after Luc was born). 

But my enthusiasm is tempered some due to the fact that I'm doing something on this trip I swore I never wanted to do again: Traveling with my father-in-law. The man is guano-effin crazy. 

This is going to be a test of my patience that will be long and difficult, as I have experienced it once before. Back a few years ago, my sister-in-law got married in Vegas, and we traveled up with him and my other sister-in-law and her three kids. They met us in Ontario and we caravaned up to Sin City. And since we had more room, he traveled with us. We're barely on the freeway, and his shoes are off. He's taking advantage of our backseat and stretching out (without a seatbelt, I believe). He's grabbing his snacks out of the bag in the back (dried, candied pineapples). All that before we got through Devore. The seatbelt thing gets me the most, cause that's my ticket -- not his. To this day, whenever he gets in our car, I make a point of reminding him to get his seatbelt on and won't leave the confines of his apartment complex until it's on. 

So, we make it to Barstow, and stop at the McDonald's travel station so the rest of us can stretch our legs and use the bathroom. I lead a couple of the kids to the bathroom and relieve myself as well, then head back to find the rest of the family so we can hit the road again. Nooooooo. We can't. He's decided to start the party already and goes to the liquor store and buys some beers and some flavored vodka (or some such) and wants to sit down so everyone can drink. So, he pours for everyone (he's gotten used to me not drinking, thankfully, and I got a soda or water). Gina, who's supposed to pick up the driving, looks at me with her eyes saying "What do I do?" She has a small drink, and before he refills it, she tells him, "Dad, I'm going to be driving from here. I shouldn't have any more." Oh, that sent him into a tizzy, taking away her drink. But my sister-in-law, with no other licensed drivers (or him) in the car, it was OK for her to have at least one more. 

So, we finally get on the road again. The whole trip he's been bugging us to stop and take a picture of the Zzyzx sign. But we can't figure out a safe place to do so on the way there, so we venture on through to Baker, and made a quick stop, and I picked up the driving again. We make it through, finally, to Vegas, about 8:30 (we left in the 2-3:30 range, so a long trip for us) and no one's eaten. We're all hungry. So, we head to the hotel we found for the kids, Terribles, to get them checked in, and then we head to their restaurant to eat. After waiting 30 minutes for a table (cause the buffet had closed not 10 minutes or so before we got there), we grab my father-in-law and leave to get him to hotel. 

Now, we had a freebie thanks to that big Ralphs Club free trip fiasco, and were staying at a Residence Inn. Great room with a bed, kitchen and couch that turned into a bed. We could have had Gina's dad stay with us, but we opted for our privacy (and we hadn't seen our room until after we dropped him off, then went to the wrong Residence Inn, in the rain and wind). 

His hotel, meanwhile ... could barely be described as a hotel. It's a place called the Downtowner Motel. You want a visual? If you've seen the movie "The Cooler," imagine the place William H. Macy's character lives ... only worse. Shady might be the nicest way to describe it. But it was cheap, and fit into his price range. We left him Gina's cell phone (so we could be in touch easily) and headed to our room. 

The next day, we went and got him, and headed to the Sahara for the buffet lunch with the kids (it's one of our favorites for the price range). He didn't want to eat, saying something about his diet. So, we went on, and left him to the casino. We got done, and he realized he had forgotten a shirt, and we needed to go to Wal-Mart to get him one. This was my sister-in-law's first trip to Vegas, so we needed to lead her around town to and from places. So we would be going from our hotel (near the convention center) to Terribles, back downtown, and back. 

After struggling to find a Wal-Mart, we finally headed back to his hotel so he could get ready. Along the way, he was complaining about being hungry, and could we stop and get something. Sigh. We ran through a Carl's Jr., got him some food and were on our way. We gave him an artificially early time to be ready, and went on our way to get dressed. The early time worked. He was ready, and we made it back across town (in the 6 p.m. range) to Excalibur on time so he could walk his daughter down the aisle. 

After the wedding, it was time to celebrate. He and some of the other relatives (including my just married sister-in-law's Godmother from Costa Rica) sat around a bar and drank their dinner. And while the adults were doing that, I hung out with the kids (since their mother joined them as well). There's only so many laps you can make around some of those shops. We had planned to take them to M&M World that night, but it didn't happen. 

The next morning, we all were getting up early to make the drive to Victorville for a reception at one of my brother-in-law's relative's house. We made the trip over to his hotel and called. No answer. I went and knocked on the door. No answer. Call again. Nothing. Knock. Nothing. I finally went to the front desk and asked them to open up so we could check on him in case something happened to him. Nothing. Furious, we started pacing and grousing. When who should finally decide to saunter along. "Oh, were you waiting for me? I just went to get some coffee." GRRRRRR. 

OK, we figure we still have some time to get some food before we leave town, but can't figure out where, and end up at Denny's. Yay, Denny's. Where he doesn't eat again. And the kids really want to go check out M&M World. So we run through the MGM Grand, get over there, take the quick tour. Stop, see the lions, and drag him back to the car. Seriously. The man was dragging his feet so much it was beyond belief. 

We start hauling ass, trying to get to the reception that my sister-in-law planned herself. Even though he was asleep, we made the effort to slow enough to get a picture of the damned sign and finally got into Victorville about 8 p.m. After the party had pretty much broken up. 

My sister-in-law is upset and heartbroken. I'm hungry, tired and upset (as is Gina). We all get a little to eat, but he's ready to leave within 20 minutes of arriving (did I mention he's a racist, too? My brother-in-law's family is of Mexican descent, and that's the worst to him). My other sister-in-law, seeing that we're about to pop a blood vessel, offers to take him the rest of the way home, and we graciously accept her offer. Before they leave, I sit down with my oldest nephew (a very smart, responsible kid) and I give him the directions. "No matter what you do when you come to that split, you stay on the 15," I tell him. "Don't listen to your grandfather. You stay on the 15 going south until you get here and then ..." 

Sure enough, I called my nephew (and Godson) and he said, yep, Grandpa wanted us to go the other way. He wanted them to take the 215 and go through San Bernardino. Now, sure, it would have connected them to the 91, but why go all that way around? 

Oh, and all those time he wouldn't eat? We found out later, when he complained to someone about the trip, that he didn't eat because no one offered to pay for him to eat at those places. Never said word one about not having any money to eat, and we probably would have been able to have paid for something for him. But he certainly had money to gamble. 

That was one weekend. This trip is going to be nine days. Luckily, we'll be surrounded by his family down there, and I think most of the relatives in our age group are going to be able to find ways for us to get away from him for some of that time. Because they've all had their experiences with their uncle. 

So, that's my past experience with my father-in-law. For more recent stories, as we prepare for this trip, you can check out Gina's new blog (it's also linked in the blogroll on the right "Flirting With Integrity") which is focusing on her experiences getting ready for this trip (and her life). 

Well, hope to be back Friday morning (but maybe without the food topic).

Lightning Round

Ya know ...

... The idea that a Chinese company is buying Hummer boggles my mind. Couldn't we have just gone back to GM building them for the government and stop selling them to the people who can't seem to handle them?

... That Conan kid is going to do just fine as host of the Tonight Show. In fact, I've watched more of the Tonight Show the first two nights of Conan's reign than I did for most of Jay Leno's.

... Dick Cheney coming out now, after he's left office, in favor of gay marriage, seems to be much ado about nothing. What was wrong for standing up for your right while you were the "second" most powerful man in the U.S.

... It was good to see Tom Hanks being funny on Conan. And him talking about In-N-Out at that hour is just wrong. Made me want one of their burgers.

... The way Will Farrell's been out promoting "Land of the Lost," I'm thinking he knows it needs all the help it can get.

... Can we have some jungle guide get Heidi and Spencer lost in the jungle -- for good?

... I can't think of many things better in the world than getting a foot massage.

... Seeing the trailers and previews for "Rock Band: The Beatles" makes me wish I could had the dexterity to play "Rock Band." (I had planned on embedding them, but they kept embedding other clips).

... I've seen Green Day perform "Know Your Enemy" on numerous talk/variety shows, and I think the fourth, touring guitarist has had more screen time than full-time band member Mike Dirnt. And at no point have I gotten tired of hearing the song.

... More disturbing: Jack In the Box commercial for the tropical smoothie with the woman talking about menopause or ... wait, there's nothing more disturbing than that.

... Anyone got any advice on getting a new cell phone? I'm due for my two-year upgrade, and not sure which direction to go. Still on Verizon, so no iPhone for me.

... It was great to see another Pac-10 team win the Women's College World Series on ESPN2 on Tuesday. But really ESPN? Reruns of poker outranked live coverage of a college championship game?

... The new season of Project Runway is finally going to hit the air soon, and sounds intriguing. But I still don't know that I have the energy to track it down on Lifetime.

... I'm not sure how the rest of this week will go, but I'm going to try to get something up Friday for sure.

MySpace Highlight

Before blogging here (or starting the Random Thoughts on Facebook), I was writing a blog using MySpace. It was pretty much the same stuff I've been writing here, but a lot less often, and usually more personal experience oriented.

So, in the first in a series of MySpace Highlights, we go back to March 26, 2008, for one I titled "HIPPA be damned":

Ever been a part of some one else’s conversation ... even when you really didn’t want to?

Obviously, in a world where just about everyone has a cell phone (Luc’s already been bugging us for one ... to chew on), it happens more and more often, and is often unavoidable. You just hope that you don’t have to hear what I did Wednesday.

I was sitting by the pharmacy at Rite Aid waiting for a prescription for the baby, when this woman walks up on the phone. She looks to be in hers mid-20s, early-30s, and she’s intently listening to the person on the other side of the call. The clerk acknowleges her, and in a voice you would use if you were at a loud house party, says "Pick Up." (Which was convenient, considering it was the pick-up counter.) The clerk asks her name. Continuing with the loud voice "AMBER."

"Your last name?"

"REDACTED." (to protect the not-so-innocent).

So the clerk goes on her way, looking for the prescriptions, when this comes out of the woman’s mouth, still at the same volume.

"That’s what happens in prison, mom."

My head snapped up pretty quick at that one. The clerk, who had her back to her, did a double take, and went into double time looking for her prescription.

Now, I was trying not to appear that I was listening, but she had my attention, that’s for sure. And I’m not sure of the accuracy of the order of the following conversation, but all was pretty much said in pretty much these words.

"Yes, mom. Things like that happen. There was a woman who was in there because she cut her baby’s weenie off."
"..." (other half of phone coversation)
"Because she wanted a girl mom. And this other woman, she put her baby in the oven and cooked it and served it to her husband."
"..."
"These things happen in there mom."
"..."
"When I was in prison, mom ..." (At this point, I think the pharmacy tech went into triple-time mode) "...there was a woman who had cut off her baby’s weenie because she wanted a girl."
"..."
"OK, well mom, I’ve got to go."

NOW? NOW she needed to go? After having half a conversation like that at a pharmacy? For everyone to hear? NOW YOU HAVE TO GO? You couldn’t have finished this before you walked in? HIPPA be damned if you want to talk on the cell phone at the pharmacy counter.

Of course, I wasn’t able to recount everything she said (because I don’t carry notebooks with me any more). But she did mention that someone (it may have been her, I don’t remember) was serving at Chowchilla prison. The volume in her voice decreased only slightly through the conversation. And there’s no telling what this woman had done to earn her stay in the big house. But I was watching her body language and she was shaking in a way that didn’t appear to be voluntary, and may have been related to some sort of drug use.

So, consider yourself warned. Nowadays, it seems, you can’t avoid outside incidents of TMI.

Monday's Random Thoughts

SPORTS NIRVANA: Attention all sports fans. Please sing along:
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
Let's face it, rather than that one overlying event (such as March Madness or the Super Bowl or the Olympics), we have a convergence of just about every sport imaginable. And if they're not playing, they're still making news.
This weekend was one of that made me feel alive and happy to be able to have a varied love of all sports being played at every level. Let's break it down:

The College World Series started. Say what you will about the ping of the bat, but the road to Omaha is a wonder to watch, because you never know what's going to happen. You could get a game with nine home runs (as was my brother's first game in Georgia). Or you could get a 25-inning game -- the longest in NCAA history -- where a pitcher threw 13 innings in relief, 12 of those without allowing a hit. The college game is maddening and exciting at the same time. And it doesn't hurt my interest when Cal State Fullerton (NOT my alma mater) is still playing.

Professional baseball is in full swing. It's about now, as the weather warms up, that following the major leagues starts getting interesting. You've had the first two months, where every team mostly has its ups and downs, and you start getting a feel for who the real contenders are. And if the Angels don't do something with that bullpen soon ... Though, it was nice to get a comeback, walk-off win Sunday.

A little thing called the Stanley Cup Finals. And for all those Detroit fans who groused about having to play back-to-back games for openers, guess that really was an issue for your team. The only problem with the Red Wings winning those first two games is now we have the danger of the Cup being awarded on Versus, not NBC. The series will be shown on the obscure cable home of the NHL for Games 3 and 4, meaning that most of America might not see the final game (still not likely, gotta figure Pittsburgh wins at least one at home).

The NBA Finals are set to go. And, my apologies *snicker* to ABC for losing out on your dream match up. Guess you'll just have to settle for Disneyland vs. Disney World.

The king of clay, Rafael Nadal, lost at the French Open in tennis. This opens the door for Roger Federer to complete his career grand slam, which will put him atop many people's list as far as greatest player ever.

And even the sports I used to coach was on TV this weekend. The Women's College World Series is taking place in Oklahoma City (great complex, including a softball hall of fame, out there, BTW). Caught the last inning of a game on TV here at work. Actually, it was the last at-bat of the first game Sunday.
Didn't hear about it? It was only the ultimate dream-come-true moment for a ballplayer.
Two outs, bottom of the ninth (or, in this case, seventh), bases loaded. Down by three. Who didn't step up with their Whiffle ball and imagine that scenario? You always lived it out in your head, to the roar of your imaginary crowd.
A Florida player lived it. Opposite field, no less.
The announcers let the images from the field do their talking. The one dugout celebrating on the field. The other in disbelief, the emotions just overwhelming the players who were one out away from playing for a championship.
That's not considering the close finish at the NASCAR race and a playoff in the PGA.
A perfect day of sports. Something for everyone, and no waiting. It really helped, because ...

EARLIER IN THE DAY: Came the news that someone had gone into a church and killed a doctor, because he was a supporter of abortion rights.
Last time I checked, two wrongs, still do not make a right. And I'm no theological scholar, but I'm pretty sure that killing someone is still a sin. And killing someone in church? I'm thinking that earns you a FastPass for journey to hell ride in life.
And get off that "eye for an eye" Old Testament bandwagon. I think we all know the difference between right and wrong when it comes to another person's life. We're supposed to be the CIVILIZED society, especially, as some of the backwoods-redneck-racist bastards are wont to think, compared to the people in other countries who still allegedly do things like that.
We can go round-and-round over the whole abortion discussion again, but it just wears me out. Besides, earlier Sunday, my former co-worker Mike Rappaport beat me to the whole point, that seems to evade the pro-lifers out there:

I believe that as long as our laws and our society are the way they are, abortion needs to be safe and legal. That said, if a woman in my life became pregnant, I would do whatever I could to dissuade her from terminating her pregnancy.
Of course if I couldn't, the choice would be up to her. That's a choice I'm perfectly willing to let her make, as long as she understands that her actions have consequences and that she may have to justify herself before God at the end of her life.

So, hope the person who did this feels better about themselves. Because I'm pretty sure they're the only one.

RICH COAST: Yes, the trip is booked. The family has been notified. And in about a month, we'll be taking a vacation to Costa Rica.
And thankfully, the D-listers participating in "I'm a Celebrity ... Get Me Out of Here" will be gone.
We're going down for Gina's grandmother's 100th birthday. And it should be a blast. If we can survive the next month dealing with her dad's paranoia, nerves and grandstanding.
Ever since we've told him we're going to go, he's started making plans for us to do things while we're down there. Every time he goes for a visit, it's typically for a month, and he goes off to Honduras ... Panama ... Colombia ... the whole region.
We're going for a few days. We'd like to see the family.
Oh, there are a couple of things we might do. Thinking of getting a car and going to a hotel by the beach. Maybe something we want to do.
So, if you're into praying, say one for us. Not necessarily for a safe trip (though that would be nice, too), but that we get through it without having a meltdown over Gina's dad.

INTERACTIVE PORTION: Who's the one musical act (past or present) you'd break the bank to see live and in their prime just once?