j's Place

PU DONG to L.A.

2007-02-10T17:27:00.000-02:00

PU DONG to L.A.

Ahhhhhhhh back in this blessed country. Well I made it back from China again and again I made it back with a sickness. Trip went great until my last day. I woke up ill and only got worse on the way home. After 23 hrs of travel I was down to my last Alka-Seltzer cold plus. All I can say is I was lucky to make it home....I woke up with a 102 degree and thanking God I could go to the doctor. I would have been screwed in China with out that steroid and antibiotic shot. I am still recovering 4 days later but should be back up to speed on Monday.

TYLER TINKOFF'S

2007-02-09T17:48:00.000-02:00

TYLER TINKOFF'S

U.S. cyclist Tyler Hamilton, cycles before the start of the second stage of Etoile de Besseges race between Nimes and Saint-Ambroix, near Nimes, southwestern France, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2007. Hamilton returned to his first stage race Wednesday after a two-year doping ban, finishing deep in the pack. The Olympic gold medalist was 66th in the first stage of the Etoile de Bessages race between Pezenas and Palavas-les-Flots in southern France, 11 seconds behind stage winner Angelo Furlan of Italy.

I for one am glad to see Tyler back in the saddle. I really hope he is up for it. He has always been one of my favorite riders. Well liked by all, modest, and probably the highest pain threshold in the pack. Got to love a good ole American boy.... well he was sentenced two years for a doping violation..., which he denies...but was unable to prove. Who knows maybe he was clean.... well I assume he is now so good Luck Tyler and hope to see you in the Tour again!

EXCELLENT POINT

2007-01-07T02:39:00.000-02:00

EXCELLENT POINT

"So I Married a Tooth Fairy..."

2006-12-16T18:31:00.000-02:00

"So I Married a Tooth Fairy..."

In case your wondering....Lynn and Josie participated in the Annual City of Chelsea Christmas Parade. We had a blast last year, so this year she dressed as the tooth fairy. She threw tooth paste while the rest of her staff threw taffy and jawbrakers.

HO,HO

2006-12-14T15:32:00.000-02:00

This is a self portrait of Jim Kemp (my former boss.) He drew this card in 2000 for his employee gifts. I have asked him for some more work, so I could post it, but he stays busy so no luck yet. Maybe if enough people leave comments I can use that as a public outcry for his work! Maybe pressure him…..hahaha. Hopefully there will be more Kemp art in the future. Until them Merry Christmas and …. HO, HO!

Wicked!!

2006-12-14T14:06:00.000-02:00

Wicked!!

This is one Bad Ass GUN!!!!!

I ripped this post from JIMSMASH!!!

NOT MY JOB

2006-12-14T12:47:00.000-02:00

NOT MY JOB

Award goes to..."Street-Line painter man"

Spider-Station

2006-12-14T12:18:00.000-02:00

Spider-Station

Does this bug anyone as much as it does me? I have to assume the creator of the Playstation logo was well aware they were using the EXACT same font as the spider-man logo. With that said.....WHY? This happens allot with movie logo's and I have never understood why. Alien’s green gets ripped off quite a bit and I hate it every single time. It’s pretty pathetic to think that one products image was consciously linked to another products image for the sake of marketing. For the life of me I can think of no other reason and I refuse to accept that it’s just coincidence. How could it be?

Bama Search Committee

2006-12-13T13:47:00.000-02:00

OFF TO CHINA

2006-11-30T13:12:00.000-02:00

OFF TO CHINA

Well it’s that time again. I am headed to China for the 9th time. Well I think it’s the 9th time, I have lost track. I am only going to be gone for 8 days so that means I get the full affect of jet lag. I will be flying in to Shanghai and then traveling to Wujang City (1.5 hr drive) for 2 days, then back and forth to Hongzhou a couple times. They are about a three hour drive apart. I will take some photos for later post.

TOTAL RECALL

2006-11-29T23:59:00.000-02:00

TOTAL RECALL

This is cool. The technology, called backscatter, has been around for several years but has not been widely used in the U.S. as an anti-terrorism tool because of privacy concerns. It’s basically like the full body scanner in the movie “Total Recall.” I remember watching that thinking this would be awesome in reality. Looks like its going to be a reality (here is the article.) They are going to install one of these in the Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, Az. It will be up and running by Christmas. The top picture is from teh 1990 film "Total Recall." The bottom picture is from the Backscatter machine.

HEAVY DOWN

2006-11-29T14:01:00.000-02:00

Heavy Down

This is today’s (yesterday’s now) play list......Heavy Down tempo TUNES. Heavy = audibly darker, nothing really cheery sounding. Down = nothing to high energy.

(click image to read)

Mr. PEEPS

2006-11-28T12:03:00.000-02:00

Mr. PEEPS

Well, month number three is just around the corner so its time for a new profile pic. Please join me in welcoming Mr. Peeps to j’s Place.

When I look at him the first thing I see is two eyes floating with a little wry grin between them. I think there is something humorous about him as well, like there is a joke that I am missing. I am not real sure what the flat line and arrow are all about but I think it adds a sense of curiosity (actual size ½” x ¾” on lined note pad paper.)

I hope you like him......he worked hard to make the doodle cut so be nice.

R.I.P. Issac

2006-11-27T14:44:00.000-02:00

R.I.P. Issac

World track cycling champion Issac Galvez died Saturday night after crashing against the railing during the next-to-last day of the Madison competition, event organizer Rob Discart said. Galvez, who raced for the Caisse d'Epargne team, was pronounced dead on arrival at the hospital, Discart told VRT radio (full story.)

YAO THAT HURT!!!

2006-11-27T02:45:00.000-02:00

“YAO THAT HURT!!!”

I was nodding off in bed the other night watching sports center when I was awakened by a video of 5’-9” Nate Robinson blocking 7’-6” Yao Ming. Watch the whole clip and check out the graphic of both players’ feet at the time of the block.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

2006-11-26T03:09:00.000-02:00

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

(click HERE for turkey anthem)

THIS JUST IN

2006-11-26T02:57:00.000-02:00

THIS JUST IN

It looks like we might get a satirical news program, in the vein of “The Daily Show," with out having to lean to the left to enjoy it. Fox is currently in talks with a group that produced a pilot called “This Just In” which aims at poking fun at some of the “Sacred Cows,” on the left which frequently get omitted from the punch lines on other shows (read article here.)

Best Tops

2006-11-22T15:30:00.000-02:00

Best Tops

This is my current desktop. Its winter...and I like the penguins...thats why.

(click image....then right click to set as your desktop)

SEGREGATION

2006-11-20T13:28:00.000-02:00

Segregation in Alabama

Basso Agreed!!

2006-11-17T16:37:00.000-02:00

Basso Agreed!!

Discovery Channel and Ivan Basso confirmed Friday that under the terms of their contract, the Italian rider has agreed to provide a DNA sample if this is requested in a national judicial or disciplinary investigation.

"There has never been a DNA issue," Johan Bruyneel said. "Ivan agreed through his lawyer even before we signed to give a sample. He just wanted to make sure that the guarantees provided by the law would be respected."

So I guess those upset pro-tour managers can take a pill!!! Looks like they get there DNA if they want it.

REUSABLE

2006-11-17T15:05:00.000-02:00

REUSABLE

A friend of mine in china sent these to me. I though they were some pretty good ideas. Reminds me of a "reusable" project I once had in school. Chop sticks and votive were my favorites. Thanks Leeanne!!

AUBURN FIGHT SONG

2006-11-16T12:09:00.000-02:00

WAR EAGLE

(The Auburn Fight Song)

(click here to listen)

War...Eagle, fly down the field, Ever to conquer, never to yield.

War...Eagle fearless and true. Fight on, you Orange and Blue.

Go! Go! Go!

On to vic'try, strike up the band,

Give 'em hell, give 'em hell.

Stand up and yell, Hey!

War...Eagle, win for Auburn,Power of Dixie Land!

BAMA FRIENDS

2006-11-16T11:47:00.000-02:00

To my BAMA Friends and Family:

I love you guys......Just NOT this weekend!! Oh....and fear the thumb.....and WAR DAMN EAGLE!

JimSmash GPK Post

2006-11-15T12:00:00.000-02:00

THANKS JIMSMASH!!!

For the memories....I loved me some Garbage Pall Kids and JimSmash brought it all back in a flood of emotion. I could not hold back the tears. Please go see JimSmash GPK Post Here, he has a link to all the GPK cards...so check it out!!! Go see all of JimSmash Here!!!

HACK

2006-11-14T12:37:00.000-02:00

HACK

OH yea this lab is TOP NOTCH!!! Let’s ruin a career based on this labs findings……

A hacker stole data from computers at the French anti-doping lab where tests are being challenged by American cyclist Floyd Landis, police said Tuesday. The complaint was lodged by French Anti-Doping Agency president Pierre Bordry on Nov. 7.

"Intruders penetrated the lab's information systems and used material taken inside in order to denigrate the lab," Bordry told France Info radio Tuesday.

According to sports daily L'Equipe, a hacker accessed data and sent out letters to the IOC and WADA with the aim of discrediting the lab by calling into question its reliability.(Full article)

Well I would have to say “GOOD QUESTION!!!” This place is about at secure as a nurse’s station in elementary school!! GIVE ME A BREAK!

ISIS

2006-11-13T19:43:00.000-02:00

ISIS

In The Absence Of Truth

Heavy, down tempo, metal……ahhhh…. just the way I like it. I have just recently (6 months or so) started listing to ISIS (band info.) I have been looking for this type of band for a while. I wondered where all the heavy instrumental stuff was. Where was the blanket of dark sound I could wrap myself in? I found just that in ISIS.

Their new album “In The Absence Of Truth” was released on the Ipecac label October 31st. It’s easily as good as “Panopticon,” their 2004 release. If anything, it's a bit smoother. The transitions from ambient to driving metal are seamless and flowing. Lyrics are still few and far between, as well as indecipherable. The traditional growling vocals are still there but are highlighted with traditional clean vocals on a couple of tracks. The clean vocal is something I had not heard on the previous two albums, at least not to this extent, and it helps add to the over all depth of the album. Guitars and drums remain simple and heavy through out. The average track length is around 7 minutes and total playing time is 1 hour. There is a type of sensory deprivation I get when listening to ISIS and I think that’s the reason I want more (Buy Here.)

NEW KIT

2006-11-13T12:52:00.000-02:00

NEW KIT

Check out Basso in his new Team Discovery Kit. That didn’t take long! I am sure the Disco crew was eager to reap the benefits of the Basso signing (publicity, publicity, publicity.) So here he is, in Disco Blue but much to the chagrin of other pro tour team managers. The managers were hoping to collectively force (full story) all the riders implicated in Operación Puerto to submit blood samples for DNA testing. The plan was to cross reference the results to those from the bags of blood that were discovered in Operación Puerto. Team Discovery signing Basso as soon as the charges were dropped erased thier hopes of forced submission to DNA testing.

Former T-Mobile team manager Olaf Ludwig comments:
"Discovery regards dropping the legal proceedings as the same thing as being cleared," Ludwig told the Berlin Kurier daily. "What's left of a code of honor among team managers is questionable - the dumb one here is CSC (Basso’s Former Team) boss Bjarne Riis, who dissolved his contract with Basso."

Discovery Team Manager Bill Stapleton’s remarks: "I think he's been exonerated," Bill Stapleton said. "The ProTour required we wait until there was a decision. Now it's time to move on."

Quick Facts:

Operación Puerto - Spanish police uncovered a major doping network run by Madrid-based sports doctor Eufemio Fuentes at the end of May, allegedly implicating a host of top names in the sport, including former Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich and Italy's Ivan Basso, as well as team managers.
Blood doping - The practice of illicitly boosting the number of red blood cells (RBCs) in the circulation in order to enhance athletic performance. RBCs from a compatible donor (or the athlete themselves) are harvested, concentrated and then transfused into the athlete’s circulation prior to competition.

MEGA!!!!

2006-11-12T23:52:00.000-02:00

MEGA!!!!

I thought this video really captures the scale of the Mega-ramp. Oh, the whole video just happens to be set to "Orion" from Metalica's "Master of Puppets." So... its worth listening to, if nothing else.

“FAT SQUIRREL”

2006-11-12T23:13:00.000-02:00

Wild Life Cholesterol At All Time High!!

House and Senate approve bill banning trans fats and high calorie garbage. The bill, referred to as “Fat Squirrel,” will lower wild life cholesterol by 0.00345% by the year 2020.

I think that’s Dominos......

GO GIRL!!!

2006-11-10T16:35:00.000-02:00

GO GIRL!!!

The SI.com Cheerleader of the Week is .....

Auburn's Krista Klumpp -- a senior from Smiths Station, Ala. -- is a Radio, Television and Film major and a second generation Auburn cheerleader. When not rooting on the Tigers, Krista likes to watch The Price is Right and cheer for the Yankees.

Not only is Krista a dedicated Auburn cheerleader but her great grandfather invented Velveeta Cheese!!!!

Name: Krista KlumppBirth Date: July 7, 1985

Hometown: Smiths Station, Ala.

School: Auburn UniversityYear: SeniorMajor: Radio, Television and Film

1. In 10 years, I'll likely be: In the field of Sports Broadcasting and starting a family.

2. Why I love Auburn: Auburn, to me, is a family tradition. My grandfather attended Auburn University, as well as both my parents and my older sister. My mother was a former Cheerleader at Auburn during the late 70's. At Auburn, we are all a part of the "Auburn Family". We also known for having the best traditions in the country, including Tiger Walk, Rolling Toomer's Corner and War Eagle.

3. Movies I can't live without: Sister Act II and Sweet Home Alabama

4. Music I can't live without: I listen to all types of music. My favorite singers are Mariah Carey and Kelly Clarkson.

5. TV shows I can't live without: The Price is Right and Desperate Housewives

6. One misconception about cheerleaders: "We are not just Cheerleaders". As Auburn Cheerleaders not only do we cheer at Auburn Football games we also cheer at Men's and Women's Basketball games, Volleyball games and Gymnastics meets. In addition to cheering for Auburn athletic events, we are heavily involved in and around our community. On average, we make 4-5 appearances per week at local elementary schools, retirement homes and alumni club events.

7. My favorite sport is: Football and Baseball

8. My favorite teams are: Auburn (of course), the Atlanta Falcons and the New York Yankees.

9. I like to spend my weekends: After cheering for Auburn and Rolling Toomer's Corner, I like to tailgate with my family and friends. After church on Sundays, I finish homework and rest up for the week ahead.

10. Strange and unusual fact about me: My great grandfather invented Velveeta Cheese.

11. My friends would be surprised to know that: My ultimate dream job would be to become a Game Show Host.

12. If I Had More Time I Would: Sleep ... and I've always wanted to learn to play the piano.

13. Favorite Foods: Pretzels and Sour Cream

14. Five People I'd Like To Have Dinner With (Living or Dead): Bob Barker, President George W. Bush, Bo Jackson, Oprah Winfrey, and Michael Vick.

15. Favorite Activity: Water Sports

16. Next Risk I Want To Take: To become Miss USA

17. Every Woman Should Have: A Credit Card and Mascara

18. Places I Want To Visit And Why: I've always wanted to visit Hawaii to learn how to surf and hula dance.

HELP WANTED

2006-11-10T12:04:00.000-02:00

HELP WANTED

North Korean Army seeks Munitions Specialist – Must be highly self motivated. Steady hand a plus. People skills not required. Excellent health and benefits package after first 90 days.

WHY SPORT?

2006-11-10T03:45:00.000-02:00

WHY SPORT?

I watched Rutgers (15) defeat Louisville (3) last night. Man what a game (click here for recap.) It was their first victory over a ranked team since 1988. Louisville also represented the highest ranked team they have ever defeated. Rutgers has had a football program for 137 years! Needless to say it could have been their biggest win ever. Fans stormed the field with 3 seconds left to play and the view from the blimp camera was awesome. It was like a reverse damn breaking with people flooding the field from all sides at once. The players, coaches and security had to force the fans off the field, reversing the tide of humanity. The students retreated to just outside of the end zones and side lines to from a human fence. The distant blimp camera view captured the mass of it all. I noticed something from this view I had never noticed from lower, in stadium, cameras. Maybe it was just the length of time the camera stayed on the field, I’m not sure, but I saw an energy I just hadn’t seen before. Anyway…..it got me thinking about sport in general. Why do I and so many people love it so much? Why do we get so swept away by a sport, even when we are not playing it ourselves? Why do we get so excited? Well….what ever that reason is, I like it. Below are the four reasons I find sport so compelling.

Sport is:

Honest - Rules define the game, break the rules and you are no longer playing the game and cannot achieve victory.

Blind - No race, No creed, No heritage, No gender, No age. The only requirement is you must play to win.

Sport has:

Spirit - It can possess a crowd of thousands to rush a field and embrace. It can insight a crowd to trample itself. It can make your day or ruin it. It can drive you, to push your body and mind, to places it could never go with out it. It can raise the hope of an entire country.

Purpose - There is an end. Victory is achievable on any day against any foe. The result is definite and undeniable.

I GOT YOUR HIDDEN RIGHT HERE!!!!

2006-11-09T19:28:00.000-02:00

I GOT YOUR HIDDEN RIGHT HERE!!!!

Well this is by far my biggest pet peeve. I respect all of these artists. However, I can not for the life of me figure out why you would put a hidden track on your CD. Oh that’s right! It’s a surprise for all the attentive listeners…..it’s a BONUS! Yea… a bonus pain in my ass!! It breaks my concentration at work when everything goes silent. I can’t put these tracks in any mix! If I do I have to make the effort and forward to the next track. I never get to enjoy the “BONUS” because I am not going to sit through up to ten minutes of silence for that little snippet of tunes. At least some artist put the music on its own track, but still, encased by silence. LAME!…PEOPLE…LAME!. Not to mention after the very first time it was done it was unoriginal. It kills me, these artist are some of my favorites….how could they go so terribly wrong!! Idiocy from my music collection documented below:

Beck
“Midnight Vultures”
TRACK 11 - Debra (5:33-12:40 BLANK AS HELL)

Nirvana
“Nevermind”
TRACK 12 - Something In The Way (3:45 – 13:52 10 QUITE FRIKIN
MINUTES)

Blue October
“History for Sale”
TRACK 12 - Amazing (4:59 – 10:04 BLANKARINO)

Hurt
“Vol.I”
TRACK 11 - House Carpenter (6:45 – 8:30 YEP NOT A SOUND)

Cold
“Year Of The Spider”
Track 12 – Kill The Music Industry (2:55 – 16:08 SHHHHHHHH)

Joss Stone
“Mind, Body, and Soul”
TRACK 14 - Sleep Like A Child (5:08 – 15:27 SILENCE) here is a twist…..the “untitled hidden Track” (track 15) is its own track?? So track 14 just has a lame ass 10+ minute dead spot.

Nonpoint
“To The Pain”
TRACK 15 - Bonus Track (0 – 9:21 NADA PEEP ) ahhhhh more originality……this is also its own track with a lame ass 9+ minute dead silence at the beginning of the track

KORN
“Follow the Leader”
TRACK 13 - My Gift ToYou (7:10 – 9:14 BLANKY BLANK BLANK)

Tool
“Undertow”
TRACKS 10-98 (each 1 sec. of NOTHINGNESS) On a note of originality it’s the only CD I have with 99 tracks; total playing time 69 min. hehehe.

Wikipedia explanation for this stupid idea!!!

For Comprehensive Hidden Track Lists http://www.hiddensongs.com/

Rolling Toomer's Corner

2006-11-09T18:32:00.000-02:00

Rolling Toomer's Corner

After Auburn victories, students and fans converge on an old town landmark, the drugstore at Toomer's Corner, and completely toilet paper the entire area in celebration.

VOTE HERE for greatest college football tradition.

DISCO BASSO!!!

2006-11-09T13:11:00.000-02:00

DISCO BASSO!!!

Basso joins Team Discovery Channel. Oh man…..this is pretty exciting. Basso was the only man to hang with Lance in the mountains a couple years ago. He did not get to race Le Tour this year because of Operation Puerto, which was a complete travesty, considering there was no merit to the allegations and he and everyone else involved has since been cleared. Lance is still involved with Team Discovery and has a knack for building a winning team around a great talent. I see some really great things for the American Discovery Channel team in 07. GO DISCO!!!!!

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- Two weeks after being cleared of doping accusations, Giro d'Italia champion Ivan Basso signed a two-year contract to ride for Lance Armstrong's former Discovery Channel cycling team.

"I am very excited to have Ivan as a part of the team," said Bill Stapleton, general manager of the Discovery team. "During Lance's final Tours, Ivan pushed Lance to a new level and we expect great things from him in 2007."

Basso finished third in the 2004 Tour de France and was second in 2005 behind Armstrong. Basso left his Danish team, CSC, three weeks ago. Basso will begin training with Discovery in December in Austin and Stapleton said he considers him the team leader for the 2007 Tour de France. (Entire article here)

Basso’s results:

2006 – Team CSC
Stages 5 (TTT), 8, 16, 20 and Overall – 2006 Giro d'Italia.
Azzurri d'Italia classification
Stage 2 and overall – Critérium International
Stage 2B – Circuit de la Sarthe

2005 – Team CSC
Stages 17 and 18 – 2005 Giro d'Italia
Stages 1, 2, 3, 5 and overall – Post Danmark Rundt
2nd Overall – Tour de France

2004 – Team CSC
Stage 12 and 3rd overall, Tour de France
Giro dell'Emilia
Grand Prix Jyske Bank

2003 – Fassa Bortolo
7th overall – Tour de France

2002 – Fassa Bortolo
11th overall – Tour de France
White jersey best young rider classification

2001 – Fassa Bortolo
Stage 1 – Tour Méditerranéen
Stage 5 – Bicicleta Vasca
Stage 5 – Österreich Rundfahrt

2000 – Amica Chips
Stages 1 and 3B – Regio Tour

1999 – Riso Scotti-Vinavil

1998 – Amateur

F#CK IT!!

2006-11-08T12:28:00.000-02:00

F#CK IT!!!

Well, profanities are now allowed in news interviews. This is complete and utter SH&T!! Are you kidding me!!!…….we must now brace ourselves for a litany of profanity laced interviews. This also means that, if you have children in the room, you can no longer guage what language they are exposed to. You know when this gets out people are going to absolutly expliot it. I mean really…why allow this!!! Whats the point! I can’t think of a single one. We all know you can’t controll live interviews. People subcontiously know cursing is not allowed so the interiews generally stay clean. With this briliant move the muzzles are off! And for what…..

(Drudge Link view here)

"MAKE HIM STAND"

2006-11-06T01:52:00.000-02:00

"MAKE HIM STAND"

Saddam during his trial.

Saddam had refused to stand for the verdict and had to be lifted to his feet by two court bailiffs.

"Make him stand," the judge ordered as the former president stayed seated.

He then stood in silence and waited for his fate to be announced to the world.

Saddam was convicted of ordering the deaths of 148 Shia men and teenage boys in the town of Dujail in 1982. The killings followed a failed assassination attempt against him and were intended to act as a grim warning to others not to oppose him.

I grabbed these four lines from an article (click to view article) linked to Drudge. I felt these words and his actions frame what happened today very well. Saddam Hussein was a brutal dictator, who not even on the day of his verdict, would stand and hold himself accountable. I think there is a chance the prayers of many Iraq's were answered today. He will be held accountable...

SOUTH PARK SEC

2006-11-03T11:54:00.000-02:00

SOUTH PARK SEC

Thanks Brian....great pic!

(click image for better view)

GAME TIME!!!

2006-11-01T00:31:00.001-02:00

GAME TIME!!!
Oh....Yea!!! the 2006-2007 season started today. Can I get a HELL YEA!!!! from the NBA Fans?

PREGNANCY Q & A

2006-10-30T16:36:00.000-02:00

PREGNANCY

Q & A

Q: Should I have a baby after 35?

A: No, 35 children is enough.

Q: I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?

A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Q: What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?

A: Childbirth.

Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.

A: So what's your question?

Q: My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?

A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Q: When is the best time to get an epidural?

A: Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Q: Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?

A: Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?

A: Yes, pregnancy.

Q: Do I have to have a baby shower?

A: Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Q: Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?

A: When the kids are in college.

**thanks uncle Larry .....and yes that is a pregnant Barbie**

MOST DANGEROUS!!!

2006-10-30T12:55:00.000-02:00

MOST DANGEROUS!!!

“Don’t be rollin up in the Ham…..cus we be bus’n caps!!!”

1. St. Louis
2. Detroit
3. Flint, Mich.
4. Compton, Calif.
5. Camden, N.J.
6. Birmingham, Ala.
17. Atlanta

22. Little Rock, Ark.
73. Montgomery, Ala.
93. Huntsville, Ala.
143. Mobile, Ala.
146. Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Without further ado... I give you the 6th most dangerous city in the whole U.S. of A. The HAM!!! That’s right Birmingham, Alabama is #6……I knew that I had bars on my windows and a security alarm for some reason. This list only reflects the cities that report their crime. Click Here for the entire list in reverse order from least to greatest crime rate. On that note….Why in the hell would you put out a list in reverse order? Who cares which city is safest…jeez!! Notice my list is reverse of thier reverse list…..mmmmm…hmmmm

I actually found a fired round on my back porch when I moved in 4 years ago. It was just the bullet. My guess was a shot fired in the air and it landed on my back porch. Grrreeat…..(story snagged from DRUDGE)

Lil' man

2006-10-29T00:02:00.000-02:00

Lil' man.....

It's time for a new profile pic. So I give you "Lil' man." He started out as a small 5 point star and turned in to a little man. Out of all the doodles I have drawn, this is the only one that makes me smile. His actual size it about 3/8" square. He was drawn probably 5 yrs ago in black ink on cheap lined note pad paper with a BIC micro fine tip(.5mm) uni-ball rollerball pen. My old boss Jim Kemp, who does killer illustrations I might add, will draw with nothing else. This was the finest tipped pen he could find that would still draw a solid dark line. It’s also cheap and readily available.

Ahhhhhh...

2006-10-28T16:47:00.000-02:00

Ahhhhhhh……

I almost had this template looking the way I wanted. But….alas, in order to have more control over it, I had to start over. So….I may screw it up before I get it just the way I like it. NO laughing in the mean time!!!

Le Tour

2006-10-27T18:19:00.000-02:00

Le Tour…..

Oh yea……the 2007 Tour De France route has been released. Now all we have to do is count the days till the worlds toughest race gets underway. I can’t wait……

The route
Running from Saturday July 7th to Sunday July 29th 2007, the 94th Tour de France will be made up of a prologue and 20 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,550 kilometres. This will be the first time the tour comes to London and the first time the tour will begin anywhere in Britain.

These 20 stages have the following profiles
+ 11 flat stages
+ 6 mountain stages
+ 1 medium mountain stage
+ 2 individual time-trial stages

Distinctive aspects of the race
+ 3 mountain finishes
+ 2 rest days
+ 117 kilometres of individual time-trials (including the prologue)
+ 21 Category 1, Category 2 and highest level passes will be climbed

12 new stop-over towns
+ London
+ Canterbury
+ Waregem
+ Villers-Cotterêts
+ Joigny
+ Chablis
+ Semur-en-Auxois
+ Tignes
+ Tallard
+ Mazamet
+ Cognac
+ Marcoussis
Complete 07 Tour Info (click image for better view)

LOGIC...

2006-10-27T18:06:00.000-02:00

LOGIC…

I am certainly not an expert on DJs, but Logic is not your typical DJ. He works with many jazz musicians and seamlessly incorporates his skills into the music. He is very talented and has earned the respect of numerous top notch jazz musicians. It was Logic’s work with Medeski, Martin, and Wood on “Combustication” (release 1996) that first opened my ears to DJs. Since then I have discovered a few other DJs, but that’s for another post.

In 1998 two years after his work on “Combustication,” Logic released his first solo work “Project Logic.” Three years after that came “Anomaly.” I did not even know “Anomaly” existed until I looked up the release date for “Project Logic.” So… I get to hear a new DJ Logic album in the near future….yea!!!! His newest release on July 11th, 2006 was “Zen of Logic.” It’s slammed full of guest jazz musicians just like his first release and is easily as good. Listed below are some exerts that I snagged from his Jambase.com bio. I thought they summed up how unique his work is and might push you music lovers to give him a listen.
(LISTEN and PURCHASE here)

“Logic's not just a skilled DJ, he's also a talented all-around musician. Eschewing flashy scratching displays, he fronts chunky hip-hop beat slinging, knob-twisting dub, and chaotic sound sculpting -- sonic trademarks that've made him the man to call when jazz cats want to tap into the hip-hop zeitgeist. The results - both on the album and in concert - favor multi-textured grooves over highflying solos.” – URB

“Logic toured with MMW and recorded with them on their Blue Note album, Combustication. A big break for the DJ, his work with MMW made him a sensation in the jazz, jam band and hip-hop worlds, leading to work with jazz musicians like Graham Haynes, Don Byron, John Scofield, Joshua Redman and Christian McBride; jam bands like the Allman Brothers and Phish; and hip-hop masterminds like Prince Paul, Ursula Rucker, and Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson from the Roots…..” (FULL biography)

Coming in HOT!!!

2006-10-27T15:41:00.000-02:00

Coming in HOT!!!!!

This is as close as I will ever get to a street bike again....sniff..sniffff........WHAAAAAAA!!!!!

Happy Halloween!!!

2006-10-26T23:00:00.000-02:00

Happy Halloween!!!

My criterion for a good pumpkin is simple. It must look like a pumpkin, not a sculpture. I have many pics of intricately sculpted pumpkins. Don’t get me wrong. They’re pretty cool but, not the real deal. A perfect pumpkin must be carved. Here are my top 5 “punkin’ pics.”

Enjoy these pumpkin innovations!

Will Rogers

2006-10-25T12:12:00.000-02:00

Will Rogers Wisdom

Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash with Wylie Post in 1935, was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known. Enjoy the following quotes:

Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.

Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

There are two theories to arguing with a woman... neither works.

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

Always drink upstream from the herd.

If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.

There are three kinds of men: ones that learn by reading, few who learn by observation, and the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.

Lettin' the cat outta' the bag is a whole lot easier 'n puttin' it back.

After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him... The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.

More on Will Rogers.

NOT GUILTY

2006-10-19T17:45:00.000-02:00

NOT GUILTY

Ok...I'm sure many have heard that Floyd Landis tested positive for steroids in his recent Tour De France victory. This whole thing gets my blood boiling for many reasons. The first and most upsetting is the fact that the MEDIA has convicted him well before any proof to that effect. Second, this whole scenario clearly depicts the media's ability to negatively influence the public and their willingness to do so! Many Americans read that first head line, "Floyd Tested Positive!", and believed it or rather had no reason not too. The stories of athletes using drugs are old news now. So what's one more? That's it. Case closed. The majority of people won't look any further. To many people that was thei first and only impression of Floyd Landis. It's wrong and shameful to influence people of something you yourself do not KNOW to be true.

Now the good part...Floyd is fighting for his integrity. He was raised strict Mennonite until he was 18. This means not following the social norm is a way of life for him. He and his team released their defense last week for the world to read. My jaw dropped when I read it. I was amazed that this could happen and amazed that the lab that tested him could be considered competent. Below is only one example of the information contained in the Powerpoint presentation that outlined his defense. READ IT HERE or scan, because it won't take you long to come to a conclusion. Please comment, I would love to hear your thoughts.

WADA (World Anti-Doping Association) Rules
"Any forensic corrections that need to be made to the comment should be done with a single line through and the change should be initialed and dated by the individual making the change. No white out or erasure that obliterates the original entry is acceptable."[1] Ignorance is not an excuse: "All personnel should have thorough knowledge of their responsibilities including the security of the Laboratory, confidentiality of results, Laboratory Internal Chain of Custody protocols, and the standard operating procedures for any method that they perform."[2]

[1] WADA Laboratory Internal Chain of Custody. TD2003LCOC. (2003).
[2] WADA International Standard for Laboratories. 29, (2004),

Hide-N-Seek

2006-10-19T17:24:00.000-02:00

Hide-n-Seek

These two photos are identical, except for three small differences; just like in the old Highlight magazine. So, you have to find the three differences. I can only manage to find two. Let me know if you find all three. Good luck…it’s a tough one. “Click on the image above to see the two pictures”

BECK...Do it yourself!

2006-10-19T05:09:00.000-02:00

BECK….Do it yourself!

Beck’s new album, "The Information", has do-it-yourself cover art where owners can decorate the cover with stickers that come with the CD. Also, people can go to the Beck website and upload the their designs for the chance to have them included in the album cover sticker set for the second pressing. In an interview in Wired Magazine, they ask Beck, "Isn't all that repackaging just about making ways to sell more product?" Beck answers:

"I guess that's part of it, but for me it's more about giving the music legs, giving people new ways to experience it. There are so many ways to integrate technology into music; I can't wait to see how the opportunities end up being put to use."

"click image for a better view"

Well I hate to say it but I have only started listening to Beck in the last couple years. His 05 album “Guero” was recommended by a friend and DAMN!!! That was a good album. So when his latest album “The Information” came out I was more than eager to give it a listen.

ITS GOOD!!.....hahaha Like there was a question that it would not be. The man is talented and as with his last album "The Information" is full of refreshing changes, sounds, and grooves. So far it has not hit my as hard a “Guero” did but I'm still digging it.

BOTTOM LINE: If you Dig Beck…get it! If you liked “Guero”….get it! If you have not listened to beck…get “Guero”…then get it!

Rodney Mullen

2006-10-06T11:09:00.000-02:00


SICK!!! Thats all there is to say. Rodney is old school and a complete BadA$$ (i.e. MADD SKILLZS.) You don't see this stuff at x-games. Can I get an OMG from the SKATERS???

SEC LEADS NATION!!

2006-10-05T19:13:00.000-02:00

SEC LEADS NATION!!
With 266 Players on NFL Rosters

AUBURN (27)
Willie Anderson – Cincinnati

Rob Bironas – Tennessee

Ronnie Brown – Miami

Jason Campbell – Washington

Tim Carter – New York Giants

Karlos Dansby – Arizona

Stephen Davis – St. Louis

Heath Evans – New England

Wayne Gandy – Atlanta

Chris Gray – Seattle

Roderick Hood – Philadelphia

Jeno James – Miami

Rudi Johnson – Cincinnati

Spencer Johnson – Minnesota

Stanley McClover – Carolina

Marcus McNeill – San Diego

Mike Pucillo – Washington

Jay Ratliff – Dallas

Tony Richardson – Minnesota

Carlos Rogers – Washington

Kendall Simmons – Pittsburgh

Takeo Spikes – Buffalo

Dontarrious Thomas – Minnesota

Reggie Torbor – New York Giants

Marcus Washington – Washington

Willie Whitehead – New Orleans

Carnell Williams – Tampa Bay

For the rest of the SEC players and teams CLICK!!!

Amos Lee

2006-10-04T22:02:00.000-02:00

AMOS LEE

“Supply and Demand”

For those of you who are Norah Jones fans... get ready to add Amos Lee to your CD changer. That is... if you don’t already have him in there. A year or so ago, I heard Amos Lee and was not surprised to learn that he opened for Norah Jones. His first album, “Amos Lee,” was released in 2005 and was an instant favorite for me and my wife. He has a rich soulful voice that never sounds anything but in control and warm. His style is a mix of folk, gospel, country and blues music, much like Norah Jones. His guitar is clean and simple. His lyrics are to the point and meaningful. I don’t know what to say other than he is the real deal. Excellent music anyway you cut it.

I grabbed "Supply and Demand" the instant I heard it was out. This album sounds like he picked up where he left off from his self titled debut. The production value might be a little higher, but nothing to the point of changing his sound. My biggest complaint from the first album was that... Dang It!...It's just not long enough! Well, he picked up where he left off there as well….both albums sport 11 tracks and a listening time of 36 and 37 min respectively. I guess that I should not expect any more, since this is typical for folk music. Shorter songs mean shorter albums. I am just happy that I can now listen to him for an hour straight.

Almost forgot to mention…….He is on the BLUE NOTE label….So, you know its good stuff. Oh, and you can check it out here http://www.amoslee.com/home.php

BOTTOM_LINE: Go get it, if you like Norah Jones…….or really good easy listening with a blues-folk sound.

BOY BEATEN!!

2006-10-04T14:03:00.000-02:00

BOY BEATEN!!

A very sad story with a happy ending.
Click on image to enlarge and read.

JIM SMASHERS!!!

2006-10-04T00:42:00.000-02:00

JIM SMASHERS!!!

Thanks for stopping by......and ya'll come back now you hear!

Click the photo its even prettier when its bigger!

MSMW

2006-10-04T00:07:00.000-02:00

MSMW

Since no one knows, I will clue everyone in….”Medeski, Martin, and Wood” is my FAVORITE band …well Jazz band….and is among my few all time favorites (all favorites being equal regardless of genre), which I will divulge in a later post I am sure. They just released there second album with John Scofield on Sept. 26th. The first was “A GO GO” released in 1998. This was a John Scofied album featuring MMW. The new album “OUTLOUDER” is a true collaboration between all four artists. Recorded in just under a week at Shacklyn, MMW's downtown Brooklyn studio this is the first release on MMW's independent label Indirecto Records. For more specifics and thoughts from the artist go to www.myspace.com/medeskiscofieldmartinandwood

This is an early review, but when I picked up “OUTLOUDER” I was expecting something different given the vibe of MMW’s last release “End of the World Party (just in case)”. Oh, I highly recommend “End of The World Part” if your interested in giving MMW a listen. Given my expectation I was .…mmmm….less than ecstatic upon listening for the first time. Since then I have listened a few more times. Every track on “A GO GO” was very listener friendly, which is logical since this is an improvisational album and the first was not. With that said, this album defiantly has tracks that are as friendly just not all of them. The sound on the album is jam up of course! It’s from MMW’s label. All in all I like the album, my minimal disappointment arrives in some of Scofields work on a few tracks. Some of his soloing just does not sound as fluid or as solid as I like. He has never been one of my favorite guitarists, so these parts leave me unsatisfied. There I said it……..not a Scofield fan. I feel Scofield just does not have the improvisational skills that Medeski, Martin and Wood have or maybe it’s just the way he chooses to phrase things.

BOTTOM_LINE: Good album but I do not like it as much as there first work together. Not in my top five MMW works.

ANY MMW FANS MUST COMMENT!!!!!.....pleeees?

DOODLE THIS...

2006-10-02T17:21:00.000-02:00

DOODLE THIS.....

Old doodle which has become my Profile Pic...... Actual size is about 1/2" Square on lined note pad and drawn with RED felt tip pin..............hence the BLEEEEDING!!!!!

ON YOUR MARK!!!

2006-10-02T16:56:00.000-02:00

ON YOUR MARK!!!

Lynn, Jim Kemp (former Boss), and I line up to start day 2 of our 150 mile adventure. With 75 miles in our legs from the day before we were not sure what to expect on our final 75 miles. The weather could not have been better for both days, with Sunday being the hotter of the two days. On Saturday we road 75 miles and averaged 18.7 mph for four hours. Then on Sunday the ride was 5 miles shorter and only totaled 70 miles. When I realized the ride was shorter I was a little disappointed.......But only for a second........Then I was very pleased to see the finish 15 minutes sooner than I or my legs expected. Amazingly Lynn and I managed to average 18.6 mph on the second day. This was much better than we expected considering we road the final 45 miles or so by ourselves. We managed to take a few photos from day 2 (forgot the camera on Saturday...oops). Click here for Photos!! We had a tremendous time and plan to do it again next year!!!

Lynn and I want to thank everyone that donated to fight MS. We raised over $600 and our team raised almost $75,000!!