Sunday, December 13, 2009

...hungry...sleepy...smelly...on level 6....

The video game gender debate has been going on for years now, fueled mainly by complaints that the video game industry continues to make games that primarily appeal to males (woo hoo for that!). Perhaps it's not the fault of the video game industry, but a result of a psychological tendency.

A new study reports that men's brains are more responsive to video games than women's.

According to MRI scans, the zones of the brain associated with reward and addiction are much more active in men's brains when they played a simple video game. Last year, there was an effort to get the American Medical Association to classify video game addiction as an official disorder -- perhaps these folks now have some more evidence to support that claim.

So why does it seem like guys like video games more than women? I'm sure there are plenty of women who like to blow stuff up and battle pixilated monsters or throw a 90-yard bomb. But, it's mainly a guy thing. So why is that?

That's what Fumiko Hoeft wanted to figure out. She's a researcher with the Stanford School of Medicine. She arranged a pretty cool experiment. She got 22 Stanford undergrads -- 11 men and 11 women -- to play a video game inside an MRI scanner, a machine that allows scientists to see what's happening inside the body.

As the young gamers were in the MRI machine happily playing away, Fumiko took a look at what was happening inside their brains. "What happened was that both men and women showed activation in regions that are related to the reward and addiction circuitry, but what was interesting was that there was significant difference in the amount of activation and the amount of coherence, how they were moving together."

Specifically, men's brains were much more active. And it wasn't because the game was particularly violent. If fact, it was pretty boring -- just clicking a bunch of balls bouncing off a wall at the middle of the screen.

Researchers designed this video game with a specific "gain-loss" component, which is a fancy way of saying that players have to nuke the red dot before it gets too close to the wall. If you nuke the dot, you gain territory; the space on the left gets bigger. That's the mission. If the ball hits the line before you nuke it, you lose territory. Researchers didn't explain this goal to the players. They wanted their natural instincts to take over. Many would argue men, by nature, are more territorial.

Men got more of a "reward" feeling than their female counterparts, and when the participants played a video game that had no territorial aspect, there was no difference in men's and women's brain activation. While this is obviously a new area of research and a small sampling, researchers say the gender differences may help explain why males are more attracted to video games and more likely to become "hooked" on them than females. It's also interesting to note that the computer games that are popular with males are territory and aggression-type games.

But the object of the game was telling. By clicking the balls in a certain way, the players could gain or lose territory. And men were significantly more hyped up by this challenge.

So in the end, Fumiko's point isn't that men like video games more than women (or men are smarter). That probably depends on the game. It's about how males seem to be more hard-wired than women are to get excited about claiming and conquering territory. Maybe that's why so many video games are about war and mowing down wave after wave of enemies. They're designed to appeal to the 'cave man' conqueror in men.

I should probably call in sick tomorrow...I am only on level 6 right now....

Sunday, December 6, 2009

...excuse me....Merry Christmas!.....

We can't say Merry Christmas anymore..?

" . . . every idiot who goes about with 'Merry Christmas' on his lips, should be boiled with his own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through his heart." Sound familiar? Anyone who had the pleasure of reading Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" or have seen the many versions of it on television or in the theatres will recognize this quote from Scrooge himself. The word "Christmas" has more venom in today's society then a angry rattlesnake on a hot summer day. The question we have to ask ourselves is WHY?

To give an example; an atheist organization put a sign celebrating winter solstice next to a Nativity scene at the Legislative Building in Olympia, Washington. The sign reads "religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds." This organization claims the sign is important for atheists to see their viewpoints validated alongside everyone else's.

That's it...let's make sure EVERYONE is covered. All people are happy. Obama would be so proud of such a 'socialist' view...

When you see Christmas lights on houses in shapes of Santa Claus, snowmen, and other Christmas icons, not "Holiday', not "Winter Festival" but Christmas icons, what do you think of? You think of Christmas even if you do not believe in Christmas. These are the symbols of love. Why is it so wrong for Christians to display symbols of love one month of the year?

Again, the battle begins over Christmas. Those who think they are politically correct call it the "Holiday Season." Christmas was originally meant to celebrate Christ's birth. He came to this world to be crucified and rose in victory to save anyone from the consequences of sin who believes on His name and accepts Him as their personal Savior.

Liberals would not want Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to be changed to Black Liberty Day, they want to celebrate the holiday to honor Mr. King, which I certainly respect, and I don't believe that he himself would want to change the meaning of the Christmas Season, as he was a fine Christian man.

Oh, I apologize...does Martin Luther King fall under "Kwanzaa …a unique African American celebration with focus on the traditional African values of family, community responsibility, commerce, and self-improvement?"

Kwanzaa, a fake "African" holiday that was contrived in 1966 by Ron Karenga (born Ron Everett) who was a Black Panther that was kicked out of that violent racist club, and he then created the United Slaves Organization that was the Panther's rival and was worse than the Black Panthers.

What bothers me most about Kwanzaa is that duped people and the Gov't (US Postal Kwanzaa stamps) are starting to give legitimacy to this racist 'holiday' without acknowledging it's background and purpose. It is not a 'holiday' which all people can celebrate; it is a holiday for Blacks to separate themselves from the rest of America.

So next time someone says "Happy Kwanzaa" just remember they are talking about a fake holiday created by a Marxist Racist Black criminal in the '60s to lead Blacks away from the 'white man's' Christmas.

And I am supposed to be PC by not saying Merry Christmas? Not going to happen....Merry Christmas!

Monday, November 30, 2009

a wedge or 9-iron?.....

Tiger Woods has cancelled plans to attend his own golf tournament in southern California because of injuries he suffered near his Florida home early Friday, the pro golfer said in a statement today.

"I am extremely disappointed that I will not be at my tournament this week," Woods said of the Chevron World Challenge in Thousand Oaks, California. "I am certain it will be an outstanding event and I'm very sorry that I can't be there." He also canceled a Tuesday news conference for the start of the tournament, which helps raise money for Tiger Woods Foundation programs.

As Tiger Wreck Watch 2009 lurches into its fourth day with little new information, fans and media are combing over every element of this case. There's brick wall after brick wall in this story, but one of the largest and most well-fortified is this: just who is Elin Nordegren Woods, anyway?

If you were to design the perfect wife for a privacy-hungry superstar like Tiger Woods, she'd look a whole lot like Elin -- low-key, accustomed to celebrity, and, from all appearances on the golf course, totally devoted to her husband's career. But does that change behind closed doors?

Which is what makes the current questions about her recent behavior -- why did she smash a window in Tiger's Escalade? Is she responsible for his injuries? Did she beat his ass with a wedge or 9-iron?

"The only person responsible for the accident is me," Woods said. "My wife, Elin, acted courageously when she saw I was hurt and in trouble. She was the first person to help me. Any other assertion is absolutely false." (As he flinched when she walked into the room).

Tiger Woods has shot down rumours his wife Elin was trying to attack him before the car crash outside their house, saying she "acted courageously" and "was the first person to help me". (OK Tiger...we get it, she was there first...but did she hit you?)

Who is Elin Nordegren Woods?  The facts about her: She grew up in Stockholm, and while she did some modeling in her teens, the idea that she was a "Swedish supermodel" is one of those urban legends. But she was around the world of golf long before she met Woods, serving as the nanny to golfer Jesper Parnevik. She met Tiger at the 2001 British Open, and it wasn't exactly a romantic introduction for the ages.

According to SI, Tiger was so nervous about asking her out that he had a friend do it for him. Initially, she declined. But Woods persisted, she relented, and they married in a lavish $1.5 million ceremony in Barbados. That wedding was the stuff of tabloid heaven, with Hootie and the Blowfish as the house band and Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley in attendance.

Being married to the world's richest athlete (now one billion dollars) apparently has done little to change Elin's public persona. We don't see her doing reality shows, we don't see her on the covers of magazines every month, and aside from releasing some photos, she doesn't parade around her children seeking publicity. It's refreshing, really, to see someone in the limelight apparently unconcerned with the fame-hungry world of modern celebrity.

What's certain is that the Woods camp would love a mulligan on many elements of this case, and the image that's been created -- or, more accurately, not created -- of Elin up until Nov. 27 may very well be at the top of that list.

Have we finally found someone that can beat Tiger?

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Turning green ....

Sustainable design, also referred to as green design, eco-design, or design for the environment, is the art of designing physical objects, the built environment, and services to comply with the principles of economic, social, and ecological sustainability. It ranges from the microcosm of designing small objects for everyday use, to designing buildings, cities, and the earth's physical surface. It is a growing trend within the fields of architecture, construction, and landscape design.

Interior design is usually associated with aesthetics. It is the final construction step that carries out the personality of the business owners and senior management. It even makes it easier for people to decipher what function the structure serves. Hospitals are for white-painted walls. Wide see-through windows are for museums. A lot of interior design features make what a building is. And what makes this profession a further appealing endeavor is the new approach it currently performs the green design.

Green interior design is a post-construction step that is most likely similar to other ecological construction tasks. The materials used are eco-friendly. The techniques and principles used are inclined to answer to sustainable business practices. However, green interior designing is much keener in details as it involves specified furniture and fixtures, wall paint and paper, door and window treatments and other space features, complete with the entire finishes and textures.

Turning green does not deprive you of stylish ways to design. Currently, natural material furniture, energy-saving and cost-effective appliances, non-toxic paint and other green products are actually more elegant looking. Designing green does not compromise style.

Interior designers are beginning to address environmental issues as they acknowledge the importance of sustainable interior design. While some interior designers are using environmentally sustainable design criteria in their design solutions, research that investigates how they apply it as a component for design problems has not been done. Knowing the state of practice will provide a base to develop education strategies for sustainable interior design. Interior design educators can identify less frequently applied components of sustainable design and develop teaching methods to improve the understanding of specific components.

Governments, communities and industry are all working to prevent pollution and overconsumption from ruining the planet and the natural resources we all rely on like oceans and forests. To support this, there is an urgent need to make all industrial products and processes 'sustainable' good for people, profits and the planet....think about it next time.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

"I hate to lose more than I love to win."

Face it!...I am a Denver Bronco fan....I cannot help myself. We just lost number four-in-a-row. "I hate to lose more than I love to win."

I've been having a raging internal debate (with myself) lately about what's more important for a Bronco fan -- the love/passion for winning or the "never say die" mentality of a comeback artist. I've asked some good friends who are true competitors which is more important to them, and the margin is definitely tilted towards the "hate to lose" end of the spectrum. And, for those that know me, I daresay I'd be considered one who hates to lose.

In the world of ‘The Broncos’ and our new coach, I think I've reduced it to this: if you're born with unbelievable talent and grace, you have the luxury of loving to win. Things kind of fall into place, you have a knack for being in the right place at the right time, and winning is expected. Don't misunderstand -- those that love to win work as hard as anyone, and make their luck. But there is a subtle distinction between expecting to win and refusing to lose. I'll get back to that in a second.

If you don't have the talent and grace of those chosen few, you must have a mentality of hating to lose in order to win. You have to overcome soooooo many obstacles, so many naysayers, so much negative and contradictory feedback, so many gatekeepers that keep you from decision-makers that it is only through sleepless nights, torn and crumpled piles of paper, 99 misses for every 100 swings, and screaming in the mirror that you will find the path. It requires undying passion and relentless head-against-the-wall sessions that only those that hate to lose more than anything can make it through.

But in a pinch, I'd rather have those that hate to lose on my side. Watch any movie, any sporting event; read any book on the history of warfare; ask any CEO. Those that hate to lose have a grimace, a grunt, an expression on their face (with sweat flying no doubt) that says it all: "I'm not done yet! This isn't over!" Those that love to win are pleasant to be around; they're gracious, wonderful people. And I've never met anyone who loved to win who didn't work as hard as the other guy (or even harder).

But, when push comes to shove, I've ultimately concluded that those who love to win are not as hungry as those who hate to lose. And hunger, my friends, is what ‘being a Bronco fan’ is all about.

I am a Bronco fan: "I'm not done yet! This isn't over!"

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

"The nature of terrorism is changing"

Let's be honest (even though the media and our President cannot be), the idiot that killed "our" soldiers, on "our" land is a terrorist! What was going through the mind of Army Major Nidal Makek Hasan as he fired hundreds of rounds into innocent soldiers and civilians at Ft. Hood, TX?

If you read most of the reports circulating through various media sources, Hasan was “stressed” and harassed” by his fellow soldiers. He was having “anxiety attacks” out of fear he would be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan (Allahu Akbar doesn't like it when Muslims harm Muslims). But that didn't stop him from taking tax money..."our" money to go to school.

So how is it that Americans are getting most of the real reporting on this tragedy from the British media rather than our own? It is the British that discovered his ties to Anwar-al-Awake, a radical Yemeni-American cleric with al-Qaeda ties! Please don’t tell me Interpol knew all this and the CIA didn’t!

Many American media services “dismiss” this dialog between the two as studies Major Hasan was conducting on U.S. Muslim soldiers and their emotions serving with the army.

If one is to believe the version being presented by most news sources at this time, Hasan was a lonely soldier who had a personal “meltdown” because of his fear of deployment to a war zone. He was a Palestinian immigrant with just a healthy conscious. The media must think I am an idiot.

Nowhere other than a very few American experts and the British media is it being told about eye witness accounts to his bizarre behavior for many months before the massacre.

And why is that? Could it be that those who favor “political correctness” are reaching for the “victim card” rather than the very possible answer of organized terrorism within our own military? General George Casey, the Army chief of staff, was on the Sunday talk shows warning against “jumping to conclusions.”

Yet, here is a man in a responsible position, a Muslim and a track record for religious radicalism, proclaimed “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” as he opened fire on scores of innocent and unarmed people.Remember... it was Osama Ben-Laden who referred to Americans after the “Black Hawk Down” incident in Somalia as “the soft part of our struggle.”

Will we as Americans dismiss this act of terrorism as just another criminal act? Will Hasan be judged by the media and have an “O.J. trial”? How long will this country stand by and allow this to happen?

Is there even one “apologizer” for this murderer who doesn’t think that people who want nothing more than to disrupt American lives and kill us are smiling? The reaction thus far can only ignite their efforts to pursue even more outrageous behavior elsewhere.

And if you were them and you’ve already penetrated and destroyed our landmarks and the military in their beds, what’s there to stop them more outrageous targets with more “experts” begging us to forgive their troubled souls. Give me a break! Those people laying dead on the floor were the victims...not this idiot with a gun. It is almost as if it is "trendy" to root for the Muslims...no matter what they do (shhhh! yelling “Allahu Akbar” – “God is great” before you fire-off a few hundred rounds does not mean you are a terrorist).

After another deadly attack on American citizens on U.S. soil, authorities are busy reassuring Muslims that they have nothing to fear – from Americans!

--Some Muslims fear backlash after rampage: In the wake of Fort Hood tragedy, U.S. authorities try to assure that faithful steps are being taken to keep Muslim followers safe.--

I’m just waiting for some PhD to come on a talk show and call critics of Major Nidal Malik Hasan racists....because isn't that what we do when we "don't like the way we are being addressed?"

No wonder Muslims are so confused and torn. Referencing the Koran:

1. If you don't believe, "you are condemned to hell" (Koran 9:49, 9:68, 9:73)

2. If you don't believe, "your head is cut off" (Koran 8:12, 47:4)

3. If you don't believe, "you're set on fire" (Koran 33:64, 48:13, 76:4)

4. If you don't believe, "burning oil is burned down your throat." (Koran 18:29, 44:43-46)

They are not sure if this is scripture or a horror movie...this sounds like something Clive Barker wrote. This is what Hasan read outloud at a medical conference (and was then promoted to Major).

"The nature of terrorism is changing"

Monday, November 2, 2009

Why is Sandy such a bitch?

The Sandy River originates high on the slopes of Mt. Hood, located about 50 miles east of Portland, Oregon. The headwaters are beneath Reid and Sandy Glaciers at 6000 feet in elevation. (Hint: The water NEVER warms-up). 

From there the river flows due west through the Hoodland Corridor. It cascades past the communities of Welches, Brightwood, and Sandy, then turns north to enter the Columbia River near Troutdale, which is 10 miles east of Portland, Oregon.

The Sandy River is a geological product of the same dramatic forces that shaped the rest of the West Coast of North America. The river drops swiftly through rugged canyons. It has deep boulder-studded pools with clean, gray gravel bars often shaded by tall, wet green trees.

The character of the river is unpredictable. A few inches of water can change the holds. Twenty feet of water can change the whole river bed to the point that your favorite drift is now on the other side of the canyon.

The river bottom experiences terrific bed load shifts. Because of this, the aggregate never has a chance to compress and remains soft and very permeable.

Now that we have a history lesson about the river....why doesn't everyone know the history before they try to "walk or swim" across it? 

ANOTHER man is missing in the Sandy! This weekend claimed a 55-year-old man on a fishing trip (trying to walk on logs across the river...to get to a better spot). He slipped and was swept under the current...never to be seen again.  The Sandy River can be deceptively tranquil at first glance. A closer look, however, shows these currents are moving fast.

The missing man was wearing waders in the 48-degree water. Though waders keep an angler dry, the rubberized pants also quickly fill-up and drag someone down - like an anchor.

While its waters seem calm and gentle, there's a violent current that lies below the water's surface of the Sandy. We see it early in the Spring when the temperature first reaches 80-degrees...someone drowns. Later (every Summer) when the water reaches 54-degress...someone drowns.

Please people! Learn from history.

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'....(she can act)

I loved the 'Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen'...but I have some questions.

In "Transformers," there was this giant battle in the middle of downtown Los Angeles -- excuse me, Mission City -- that was witnessed by thousands of people at the very least. But somehow the government was able to cover up the whole thing, and now the existence of alien robots is just an internet rumor? How did they do it? Pay off everyone who was there and quickly fix millions of dollars in damage? Also, didn't Keller (Jon Voight) go on TV and tell everyone we were being attacked by "a technological civilization far superior to our own"?

There are two pieces of the Allspark cube left: the military has one under lock and key, and Sam discovers another. The Decepticons steal one and bring Megatron back to life. But when Sam (Shia LaBeouf) wants to bring back Optimus, he has to find the Matrix of Leadership on the other side of the globe. Why not use the other piece? Mikaela (Megan Fox) has it in her backpack the whole time. It brought his kitchen appliances to life, why can't it do the same for Optimus?

Speaking of Megatron's rebirth, when the Decepticons venture deep into the ocean to revive him, the Navy crew tracking them reads five contacts. When they get down there, they tear apart one of the robots for parts to rebuild Megatron. Then as they rise to the surface, the same Navy guys say they spot six contacts. The little "Doctor" robot popped out down there, but he's about a third of the size of a person. Would he have shown up on sonar?

That reminds me: even if I were to forgive the Doctor's German accent -- and director Michael Bay is asking me to forgive a lot of ridiculous accents -- why would a robot need glasses? He has little lenses that flip in front of his mechanical eyes. Couldn't he just get his eyes adjusted? You'd think with all the laser guns, someone could perform a Lasik procedure.

Apparently, Transformers can look like people now. How? And how is it that even though the robo-girl (Isabel Lucas) is made of metal, she can still straddle Sam without crushing him. And if Bumblebee knows something's wrong with her, why does he spit antifreeze at her instead of telling Sam? Yes, his voicebox is broken, but wasn't it fixed at the end of the last movie?

The Fallen is the last of the Primes, since they all sacrificed themselves to stop him from destroying the sun. But then he says that Optimus is a descendant of the Primes. First, Transformers have kids? And second, how could he descend from them if they were all dead? And if the Fallen could only be destroyed by a Prime, why didn't the originals just gang up on him back in the day? And what makes Optimus so special, anyway? Megatron beat him earlier, but all it takes is a few spare parts from creaky old Jetfire for him to take out the Fallen?

Sam, Mikaela, and Simmons (John Turturro) go to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington D.C. to find Jetfire. Then they walk out the back onto a wide open field with old planes and mountains in the distance. When did the National Mall start to look so much like to Tucson, Arizona?

The geography is just as bad when they go to Egypt. The stone city of Petra in Jordan is over 250 miles away, over mountainous terrain, with few paved roads and the Israeli border between them, so how can they drive from one to the other in a couple of hours. And the Pyramids are said to be shooting distance from the Mediterranean, but they are actually well over 80 miles inland. Even if the Navy ship had a secret rail gun, and even if the captain would take an order to fire from a former agent of a government branch that no longer exists (over a walkie-talkie that inexplicably starts working again), how could it hit a moving target from that distance?

Sam briefly dies and goes to Robot Heaven. Robot Heaven?!?!

Where does Sam's bandage come from? What about his extra sock? Why does Sam's roommate not contribute anything at all? What was the Fallen doing for those thousands of years Megatron was frozen in ice? How does one satellite receive transmissions from everywhere on the planet? Why does Wheelie hump Mikaela's leg? Why do we have to see John Turturro's thong? Why are robots who join together to become Devastator also seen fighting the Army at the same time? Why does the government want only our military fighting Decepticons when our weapons seem unable to make so much as a dent on any of them? Why did the ancient Egyptians build a pyramid around the sun-destroying machines instead of just breaking it? Why is the Matrix of Leadership bigger in the Fallen's hand than in Sam's? And how do Mikaela's pants stay so clean?

Which leads me to the next point. She is the best actress I have ever seen on the screen....no really!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Tough Initiation to 'Six and Zero'

When the Denver Broncos replaced long-serving head coach Mike Shanahan with 33-year-old Josh McDaniels, eyebrows were raised at the choice of a rookie to take charge of an underachieving team and a difficult locker room, honestly I thought Pat Bowlen (owner) just "lost it." I loved Shanahan (when he was winning).

McDaniels had a tough initiation as head coach when a dispute over a potential trade for Jay Cutler became a media soap opera in the off-season and ended with the disaffected quarter-back leaving for Chicago.  McDaniels' intended replacement, former New England back-up quarterback Matt Cassel, eventually joined Kansas City, leaving the coach with the much less-fancied Kyle Orton from Chicago.

McDaniels then had to handle a tricky situation with wide-receiver Brandon Marshall, whom he suspended for two pre-season games after being unhappy with his attitude in training.

The quarterback change, just one part of a major overhaul of the roster, has worked out well so far, with the steady but unspectacular Orton fitting neatly into Denver's offense.  Marshall's return to the team has seen him score four touchdowns in the last three games, including two against the Patriots.

But the biggest change has been the creation of a defense which is currently the second best in the NFL and which has helped produce six wins that open up the real chance of a first play-off place since 2005.

Experienced cornerback Champ Bailey places the credit for the team's turnaround from their 8-8 record last season firmly with McDaniels and the changes he has made.  "I tell you what, just being under Josh McDaniels for a few months now, he's a guy that is going to have you as prepared as you can be for a game and that's something that throughout my 11 years I haven't had a lot of."

"I've had some great coaches including Shanahan, but he's (McDaniels) definitely one of a kind in the way that he approaches the game," he said before Monday's clash.  "With the guys we brought in and the guys that were left here, we got rid of a lot of bad apples and we brought in a lot of good ones and I think that that was the key to really getting this thing turned around," he said.

And last week, the highly symbolic win over Belichick's Patriots saw McDaniels celebrate in a manner unthinkable for his famously dour mentor -- racing to the home fans and punching the air and screaming in delight.  Such outbursts are rare for NFL coaches, but McDaniels, whose father Thom built a reputation as a college coach in Ohio, is hardly bashful about letting his enthusiasm for the game pour out.

But that is EXACTLY what this team needs....


Shanahan who?

Thursday, October 15, 2009

An autobiography--'The Perfect Dog’- by Mr. B

Hello, my name is Dillan Hall--writing under the name of Mr. 'B'--and this is co-authored by my papa....

Description & Appearance:
I am a Maltipoo. A what? A hybrid dog crossed from a Maltese and a Poodle. This cross gives me a smooth silky wavy coat and I am a well-proportioned dog with impressive agility. (Oh, and I like to eat)...

I can make a great therapy dog and have an uncanny instinct to gravitate towards an ill or needy person, whether a child or an adult. The size of a Malitipoo will vary depending on its pedigree but generally malitipoos are between 5 and 12 lbs. (It's none of your business what I weigh)....

Temperament: I am very personable, playful, bright and spunky. I enjoy romping around with other pets, cats or dogs, but very much prefer to chase my own toys. Much like my Maltese heritage, I am bounding with energy and love a ‘good’ game of chase. And like my Poodle heritage, I am much, much smarter than you will ever be…. and pick up obedience tasks easily. (and I really like to eat).....

I am very gentle natured and not very mischievous. Housebreaking is not a long arduous chore (and I prefer a clean pee-pad). Smart and capable, I am always eager to learn new tricks. Of course, I make a great companion dog and do well with children (if I have to…but I prefer my mama and papa only).

Health: I am very healthy benefiting from gene mixing and avoiding many of the hereditary health problems such as Luxating Patella and White Shaker Dog Syndrome Maltese and Poodles purebreds occasionally exhibit. (I like to eat).....

I will enjoy a long life of 12-15 years….or longer.

Care & Grooming: I would do well in an apartment but do enjoy the occasional walk or romp at the park…I do love my multi-story home…I love running up the steps. I love toys....I love toys....

I DO NOT shed (yuck!), making me a great hypoallergenic breed. I have a full coat of hair that should be trimmed monthly to keep my hair from matting. Regular brushing will keep my coat clean and tangle free. The occasional bath is necessary as I am not afraid to get my paws a little dirty. I dislike haircuts.

Books from my reading list: 1) The Dog's Mind--Understanding Your Dog's Behavior by Bruce Fogle  2) Think Dog--An Owner's Guide to Canine Psychology by John Fisher  3) Don't Shoot the Dog!--The New Art of Teaching and Training by Karen Pryor

My favorite song: 1) I love my dog by Cat Stevens

“So, I love my dog as much as I love you,
But you may fade, my dog will always come through.
I love my dog, Baby, I love my dog. Na, na, na...”

(That’s all I can remember…)

History:  As a hybrid breed, my history is short. Generally, Maltipoo breeders aim to breed one generation of Maltipoo from purebred Yorkshire terrier and Poodle parents. This is to take advantage of hybrid vigor and the Heterosis effect which results in a healthier, more vigorous dog with a reduced chance of genetic disease. Pure breeds and inbreeds often carry genetic disease.

Heterosis is the phenomenon where crossing two inbred lines can yield a offspring with superior genetic constitution. This increased health and vigor does not create a superior breed, but the advantages obtained from it are what produce hybrid vigor. This goal in this scenario is not to create a new breed, but to create a happy and healthy pet.

The deliberate cross breeding of the Maltese and Poodle creates a wonderful new crossbreed (me!!). I share the qualities of both pure breeds. Did I mention already? I am extremely intelligent, eager to please, and very loyal to my family.

p.s. I like to eat!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

How the heck did he blow that call?!

During last week's playoff game at the $1.5 billion dollar Yankee Stadium, Joe Mauer of the Minnesota Twins hit an 11th-inning fly ball down the left-field line that landed clearly fair, a foot inside the line. As millions looked on, umpire Phil Cuzzi, who was standing just 10 feet away, fixed his eyes on the spot and gave his signal: Foul.

Phil Cuzzi knows what you were thinking. He was standing right there, barely 10 feet away, with an unobstructed view. He saw the ball curve down the left-field line and bounce. He is an umpire with decades of experience, working at the highest level in his sport. How the heck did he miss that call?!

Cuzzi had called it foul, negating a leadoff double, and he spent much of the next 24 hours trying to figure out what happened. Part of it, he thinks, was playing an unnatural position - baseball only uses umpires along the outfield foul lines in the postseason and for the All-Star Game.

"We're not used to playing that far down the line,” Cuzzi said. "The instant the ball is hit, we usually start running. I think I may have been looking too closely at it. I never had a feel for where the left fielder was on the play." (In other words, he was too close to the ball to make a call).

“Phil Cuzzi saw the ball as foul, called what he saw,” said the umpire crew chief, Tim Tschida, who acknowledged that the call was wrong after seeing a replay. “There’s a guy sitting over in the umpire’s dressing room right now that feels horrible.”

Not as horrible as my mom now feels for whipping my ass back in 1972 after the Southeastern USA Regional All-Star tournament. That's when I yelled out in total disbelief (for being called out) after clearly beating a throw to first base on an attempted bunt single, “What the &*#@ is wrong with you ump... you are blind as a bat!"

(See mom...it's true...they really are blind)...I knew I was safe on that call....

Monday, October 12, 2009

Hey! Those socks are cool....

I am still surprised that the Bengals are sitting atop their division with wins over the Steelers and Ravens. That’s crazy talk. If not for that miracle reception in Week 1 by Denver, the Bengals would be the undefeated team everyone was talking about instead of the Broncos.

Speaking of Denver, the Broncos took it to overtime against New England, where Tom Brady has never lost, but the coin toss went in Denver’s favor.

I have to say that the Broncos are legit now that they have beaten two shaky but worthy opponents, the Patriots and the Cowboys. But those throwback uniforms are not legit (especially the socks).

I’m impressed with Josh McDaniels and his Hulk-scream celebration after the game while Bill Belichick looked like a lost puppy in the middle of the field, but I don’t expect this team to go undefeated much longer. They’re scraping by in too many games so far to keep it up. So let me enjoy it for awhile.

A 98-yard drive to tie the game in the fourth quarter (sure, a taunting penalty and a great offensive line helped), and then the drive in overtime to beat the Patriots and one of the all-time franchise quarterbacks, Tom Brady. But Orton was a bit lucky. He almost threw an interception on the play before the winning field goal.

The Broncos are 5-0. The last time they started like that was in 1998, and they won the Super Bowl. So Orton might have a chance to show if he's a franchise quarterback. Right now, you'd still have to say that Orton is to Cutler as Cutler was to Elway. Maybe in February Orton will show otherwise.

But those uniforms! Ah, the 1960s. Back when every color except for white, black, mustard yellow, and maroon hadn't been invented yet. When players' helmets looked like Herbie the Love Bug. When everyone looked like the original Wolverine costume. The great thing about the 1960s is that it is not the 1960s right now.

The Denver defense was fantastic, shutting down – and shutting out – the Patriots high powered offense in the second half. Although they gave up a season high 17 points in the first half, as has been the case all season, they righted the ship at half-time and took control.

The Broncos continued to surprise the skeptical pundits – This is fun!

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Side effects may include...

Commercials that advertise prescription medicines on TV are my pet peeve. Doctors should be prescribing the drugs people need without the rest of the world being subjected to these irritating commercials. I’m sure many others agree with me. Chances are you've seen more prescription drug commercials than you can count — Viagra, Cymbalta, Celebrex, and Yaz are just a few that I can name from memory. Oh yeah, Yaz!

Yaz, a birth control pill may be linked to several serious side effects such as strokes, blood clots and heart attacks, has been the subject of a misleading marketing campaign. Deceptive Yaz commercials prompted the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to issue Bayer a warning letter, and the company was forced to correct its false advertising. Unfortunately, the correction came too late for many women who had believed Bayer's false Yaz promises. When I was younger, you used a rubber and guess what? No side effects.

The ads are pervasive and influential and pharmaceutical companies know that. From 1997 to 2005, drug companies tripled their spending in television ad campaigns from $1.3 billion to $4.2 billion. In 2008 that number bumped up even further to $5.6 billion.

Though the ads do inform consumers of what's available to them, health advocates say they present drugs and symptoms in very general terms and can confuse consumers into thinking they have something they don't. A national study found that one-third of all Americans have asked for a drug they saw on a commercial and of those that asked, 82 percent were given a prescription of some sort. Let's ask Michael Jackson how well that went for him...oh yeah, it KILLED him.

Only the United States and New Zealand allow pharmaceutical companies to advertise their medications directly to consumers, according to the FDA.

And don't forget. Side effects may include: Allergic skin reactions, including hives, blurred vision and vision changes, drowsiness, dry mouth, fluttery heartbeat, headache, high body temperature, mental confusion (especially in the elderly), nausea, nervousness, painful or difficult urination.

Rapid heartbeat, vertigo, vomiting, abdominal pain, chest pain, constipation, cough, diarrhea, dizziness, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, gas, heartburn, inflammation of nasal passages, muscle aching or weakness, possible involvement in formation of stomach ulcers and bleeding, rash, small amounts of blood in stool, stomach or intestinal discomfort.

Tiredness, impaired coordination, irritability, memory impairment, lightheadedness, joint pain, trouble sleeping (insomnia), anxiety, abnormal involuntary movements, decreased or increased sexual drive, depression, confusion, muscle twitching, weakness, fainting, numbness, increased or decreased salivation, stomach pain, upper respiratory tract infection, ringing in the ears, fast heartbeat, chest pain, sweating, change in appetite, weight loss or gain, menstrual disorders, sexual dysfunction, water retention, accidental injury, back pain, bone/joint pain.

Cases of life-threatening liver failure have been reported. As well as, malaise, muscle ache, pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site, signs of severe allergic reactions, ringing in the ears, difficulty breathing, and swelling of the throat. Gastrointestinal symptoms (such as abdominal cramps and bloating), breakthrough bleeding, spotting, change in menstrual flow, amenorrhea, temporary infertility after discontinuation of treatment, edema, melasma that may persist, breast changes (tenderness, enlargement, secretion),change in weight or appetite, migraine, mood changes (including depression).

Gallbladder disease, hepatic adenomas, benign liver tumor. Dizziness, flushing, headache, indigestion, runny or stuffy nose, body pain, abnormalities in thinking, decreased libido, runny nose, sore throat. Constipation, cough, vaginal itching or burning, increased vaginal discharge, stomach discomfort, cramps, skin rash, headache. abdominal cramps, bloating, breast enlargement, breast tenderness and secretions, change in amount of cervical secretion, changes in vaginal bleeding patterns, chorea (irregular, rapid, jerky movements, usually affecting the face and limbs), depression, enlargement of benign tumors, excessive hairiness.

Hair loss, inability to use contact lenses, reduced ability to tolerate carbohydrates, spotty darkening of the skin, especially around the face, skin eruptions (especially on the legs and arms) with bleeding, skin irritation, skin redness and scaling, vaginal yeast infection, yellow eyes and skin, hepatitis, light headedness, inflammation of the esophagus, burning/tingling/prickly sensation on the skin, cold/warm sensation, neck/throat/jaw pain, increased blood sugar, unusual taste in the mouth, nipple soreness , swelling of the face, extremities, eyes, lips, tongue, delirium, difficulty in swallowing or breathing, irregular and unpredictable bleeding, vaginitis (inflammation of the vagina), weight gain, acne, viral infections such as colds, sore throat, sinus infection, mood swings, pain at the site of insertion.

More serious side effects may include: coughing blood, or sudden shortness of breath (possible clot in the lung); persistent pain in the calf (possible clot in the leg); crushing chest pain or heaviness in the chest (possible heart attack); sudden severe headache or vomiting, numbness in an arm or leg (possible stroke); sudden partial or complete blindness (possible clot in the eye); yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice), especially with fever, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, or light colored bowel movements (possible liver problems); severe pain, swelling, or tenderness in the abdomen (possibly indicating an ectopic pregnancy, a ruptured or twisted ovarian follicle, or gallbladder or liver problems); breast lumps; difficulty sleeping, weakness, lack of energy, tiredness, or sadness (possible severe depression); heavy vaginal bleeding.

Priapism, or an erection that won't go away, is an uncommon but serious side effect . If you get an erection that lasts more than 4 hours, you should get medical help right away. If any of these events occur, seek immediate medical attention.

Can you say over-medicated?

Monday, October 5, 2009

Thank you Lord!! (That I am not a Raider fan)

Raiders...you really, really suck!

The Oakland Raiders offense has been nearly unwatchable for the first four games. They have not been able to run or pass the ball with any effective consistency. If this offense is causing flashbacks to the 2006 Art Shell-Tom Walsh debacle, that is because this team is on pace to be even more inoffensive than that benchmark of ineptitude.

Through four games, the Raiders have yet to break the 1000 yards mark for total offense, having only gained 834 yards. Their 208.5 yards per game average is good for dead last in the league, trailing the Kansas City Chiefs by 38 yards.

Yards are nice, but it is points that are the true aim of an offense. The Raiders are 30th in points scored, ahead of only the St Louis Rams and the Carolina Panthers. However, the Raiders only have a five point lead over the Panthers, despite having played in one more game.

The passing game has gained a woeful 479 yards, which is dead last in the league. That is 42 yards less than the Minnesota Vikings that have only played three games. In fact, five other teams have only played in five games are ahead of the Raiders in total passing yardage.

What of that running game that was supposed to set the league on fire? The Raiders have the 25th ranked rushing attack in terms of total yards. To give some perspective on that ranking, four of the teams behind them in total rushing yards have played one less game. They are 27th in yards per game on the ground.

Good job Raiders. You have a big, strong, black, not that bright, expensive, overweight, 39% QB rated, big arm, poor work ethic, smart ass for the cornerstone of your franchise....but he can still throw the ball 80 yards in the air...on his knees.


Sad! Please, face the facts. Russell is another Ryan Leaf. Good news though. You can always move back to L.A.

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Broncos 4-0 (wow!!)

A daunting schedule released in April that includes eight of the past nine Super Bowl champions, doesn't look so horrible. The Broncos overcame a sluggish first half and rallied to beat the Dallas Cowboys 17-10 Sunday at Invesco Field at Mile High.

The victory kept the Broncos (4-0) in the same unbeaten ranks as the Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints as winners the first four weeks. The Minnesota Vikings (3-0) host Green Bay on Monday night. Two other unbeatens -- Baltimore and the New York Jets -- lost for the first time today.

The Broncos defense again proved as stifling against the NFL's top rushing team as it did in Denver's first three games.

Denver held Dallas to just 74 yards rushing and stopped the Cowboys on a fourth-and-goal from the Denver 2 when Tony Romo's pass was batted down by Champ Bailey.

Denver never led until Kyle Orton connected with a cross-field throw that Brandon Marshall plucked over the reach of Dallas cornerback Terrance Newman. Marshall then cut toward the middle of the field before reversing to the right and avoiding several Cowboys tacklers before scoring on a 49-yard jaunt with 1:46 left.

The Broncos' next four games are Sunday at home against New England, then Oct. 19 at San Diego, Nov. 1 at Baltimore and Nov. 9 against the defending Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers....(ouch!).

But Sunday the Broncos' defense proved they are for real. Especially on Dallas' last drive to try to tie the score. Romo escaped from the Broncos' defensive pressure on fourth and 3 at the Dallas 27 to complete a 53-yard pass to Sam Hurd to the Broncos' 20. Only a Brian Dawkins tackle saved the tying touchdown.

Dallas moved the ball to the 2 (and honestly I thought we would cave). After Romo downed the ball to stop the clock, Denver denied two passes into the end zone by Romo, the last swatted away by Bailey.  The Denver defense responded time after time and kept the score close when the Broncos' offense sputtered in the first half. Denver, which finished with 337 yards, had just 104 yards in the first half. Dallas had 184 yards in the first half, but had only 132 total yards in the second half.

The Broncos defense must have heard Troy Aikman before Dallas' final drive. The former Cowboys quarterback and Pro Football Hall of Famer said, "I don't know if (the Broncos) are a great defense; maybe they are. But I do know that great defenses close people out, and here is their opportunity"

Now, even with a daunting schedule ahead, the Broncos have an opportunity to surprise even more NFL experts if they can continue to stay unbeaten. We are still unbeaten...so please shut the hell up and let me enjoy this for awhile!

Remaining Schedule

5 Sun Oct.11 VS. NEW ENGLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High
6 Mon Oct.19 at San Diego Qualcomm Stadium
7 BYE WEEK
8 Sun Nov. 1 at Baltimore M&T Bank Stadium

9 Mon Nov. 9 VS. PITTSBURGH INVESCO Field at Mile High
10 Sun Nov.15 at Washington FedEx Field
11 Sun Nov.22 VS. SAN DIEGO INVESCO Field at Mile High
12 Thu Nov.26 VS. NEW YORK INVESCO Field at Mile High
13 Sun Dec. 6 at Kansas City Arrowhead Stadium
14 Sun Dec.13 at Indianapolis Lucas Oil Stadium
15 Sun Dec.20 VS. OAKLAND INVESCO Field at Mile High
16 Sun Dec.27 at Philadelphia Lincoln Financial Field
17 Sun Jan. 3 VS. KANSAS CITY INVESCO Field at Mile High

Monday, September 28, 2009

Theodore Roosevelt never said 'yes we can'

Theodore Roosevelt Accomplishments

President Theodore Roosevelt was surely one of the greatest United States presidents. He was a man of many accomplishments. Teddy Roosevelt was a volunteer Rough Rider in the Spanish-American War. Before becoming president, he was Secretary of the Navy. Roosevelt was a published author.  What many people may not know about Theodore Roosevelt is the deep gratitude we owe him. Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to seriously think about saving some of the beauty of the United States for future generations. With Roosevelt in office, more than 200 million acres of land in the United States was conserved.

Theodore Roosevelt the Conservationist--Passenger pigeons became extinct about the time of Roosevelt's presidency. Roosevelt then established the first National Bird Preserve in Florida in 1903. This was the start of the Wildlife Refuge System in the United States. This would be the first of many acts by President Roosevelt to conserve land and important historical and archaeological sites throughout the United States.

The United States Forest Service was established while Teddy Roosevelt was president. Many national parks and preserves were set up by President Roosevelt. Some of the areas that President Roosevelt placed under protection were the Grand Canyon, Crater Lake National Park, and the Mesa Verde National Park.

Theodore Roosevelt's Antiquities Act--Theodore Roosevelt also passed the Antiquities Act in 1906. This act allowed presidents to preserve sites as national monuments without needing approval of Congress. The very first national monument established by Theodore Roosevelt was the Devil's Tower in Wyoming. This act also allowed Theodore Roosevelt to protect the Grand Canyon after failing to make it a national park. Since the Antiquities Act was passed, it has been implemented more than 100 times.

Tell me more!

---The Teddy Bear is named after Teddy Roosevelt. While hunting in Mississippi during his presidency, a few of the men in Roosevelt's party treed a small black bear and summoned Roosevelt so that he could take the shot. Roosevelt decided that killing the young, trapped bear was not sporting, and spared it. A New York toymaker heard the story, and asked Roosevelt's permission before styling a child's stuffed toy bear as the "Teddy Bear". Roosevelt gave his permission, noting that he did not expect many sales.

---Roosevelt had a photographic memory. He could read a page in the time it took anyone else to read a sentence.

---In 1912, Maxwell House coffee once asked the President what he thought of their product. He responded: "It’s good to the last drop". Sound familiar?

---He was the first President to ride in an airplane. He flew for four minutes in a plane built by the Wright Brothers on October 11, 1910.

---Once while preparing to give a speech on October 14, 1912 in the Milwaukee during a campaign, a crazed man attempted to assassinate Roosevelt, and shot him with a pistol at nearly point blank range. Roosevelt declared "it will take more than that to kill a bull moose!" and finished the lengthy speech before visiting a hospital. Even though the bullet entered his lung, he still gave the speech!

---Oddly, Roosevelt's wife and mother died on the same day, February 14, 1884.

---After Roosevelt retired from politics, he led an expedition in South America to find the source of a river known as "the River of Doubt". Most of the party died, and Roosevelt caught the fever yet survived. The river is now named "Rio Roosevelt."

---Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace prize in 1906 for his role of peacemaker in the Russo-Japanese War. Although an aggressive president when it came to military matters, he is the only president to have been awarded the honor while President of the United States andthe first American to ever win the award.

---After he left office in 1909, Roosevelt went on an African safari that netted many of the specimens that now stock the Smithsonian Institute.

---Roosevelt welcomed "the strenuous life"--engaging in daunting physical tests and venturing into hostile locations, even though, taking inflation into account, he was likely the richest president in history due to his family's estate.

---Most of the original National Parks and the National Park system were created by Roosevelt.

---Roosevelt was the first to dub the executive mansion "The White House".

---Roosevelt authored over 25 books.

Well...now we have Obama. Here is a partial transcript of (then) Sen. Barack Obama's remarks after he won the Democratic presidential primary in South Carolina.

“Don't tell me we can't change. Yes, we can. Yes, we can change. Yes, we can. Yes, we can heal this nation. Yes, we can seize our future. And as we leave this great state with a new wind at our backs and we take this journey across this great country, a country we love, with the message we carry from the plains of Iowa to the hills of New Hampshire, from the Nevada desert to the South Carolina coast, the same message we had when we were up and when we were down, that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we will hope.”

“And where we are met with cynicism and doubt and fear and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of the American people in three simple words -- yes, we can.”

Obama….please stop campaigning
…become a real President. Stop saying we can…and learn from the past...learn to do!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

What the hell happened?-part 4

"There are two things that I want you to make up your minds to: first, that you are going to have a good time as long as you live - I have no use for the sour-faced man - and next, that you are going to do something worthwhile, that you are going to work hard and do the things you set out to do."

- President Theodore Roosevelt
Talk to schoolchildren in Oyster Bay, Christmas-time 1898

Understanding Craftsmanship…’what happened to America?’

Earlier this year, on Independence Day, many Americans observed the 233rd anniversary of their country's independence. They drove to the lake or seaside, barbecued, drank, watched fireworks, or otherwise celebrated, but few contemplated the meaning of independence. For those that did, several questions presented themselves: What happened to America? What happened to her independence? What happened to the promise of this once great land?

In 1959 America was the envy of the world, a beacon of freedom. It was still rejoicing in its vibrant, post-war economy, its population had exploded due to the "baby boom," and its people were the freest in the world. It was a nation aware, and justifiably proud, of its accomplishments. It produced more than any other nation. It had large stable families in which men and women worked together to raise strong future adults.

America had industrial and political leaders that took pride in their social responsibilities. It had the lowest crime rate in the world, with a correspondingly low incarceration rate. It had shining cities that were the jewels of the world. Its infrastructure was second-to-none. It had the best healthcare system, an honest government, low taxes, and a booming economy. Its people were rightly proud of it and loyal to it. What happened in the intervening half century?

Today, America's decaying inner-cities are cesspools of crime and blight. Assault, muggings, robberies, home invasions, carjacking, rapes, and murders are the norm. Graffiti and decay are everywhere. Elderly people are afraid to venture out - day or night. The poverty rate is rising even faster than the tax rate that overburdens America's working class.

Diseases like tuberculosis, that had once been eradicated, have returned. New problems like AIDS and H1N1 pop-up semi-regularly. Ideas like civic duty, patriotism, religion, and freedom are openly scorned. Its healthcare system is failed and its education system is corrupt - focused on teaching "tolerance" and other socialist ideologies, rather than giving its students an education useful in the real world. Political and financial corruption are rife, its economy is dying. Its good-paying, manufacturing jobs are off-shored and unfettered mass immigration allows hostile, third-world invaders in to take the service jobs that can't be sent overseas. Those invaders are then given social welfare largely unavailable to the average American and taught to resent White America. Don't believe me? Then you are an idiot and in a coma.

White American women are having 1.3 children per each - the non-white replacement level is 2.8. Aggravating this problem is the facts that, increasing numbers of the children white women, are having, are non-white. White America is going extinct. This deplorable fact is frequently lauded by corporate and civic leaders alike. Even our 44th President is not black as they all mention...he is half-white but let's make sure we never mention that...white is bad now. Why? Even during his inauguration some idiot mentioned, "Now is the time for white to get it right." Kiss my ass! What a stupid statement. But that's America today, say anything...anytime you want...no responsibility!

World-weariness and civic indifference grow daily. Attacks on constitutionally protected freedoms are frequent. Increased substance abuse-especially abuse of prescription medications - abounds. The institution of family is ridiculed and subverted. Every kind of sexual deviancy is advanced as normal. Everyone, including children, are encouraged to be as promiscuous as they like. At the same time abortion and birth control are heavily promoted leading to a dangerous decline in our birthrates.

What the hell happened in just 50 years?

Who says the government schools and the welfare state don’t work? They work perfectly. They were designed to put the American people into a political coma, and that’s what they’ve done. The objective would never be framed that way. The politicians would say that the purpose was to create unity, patriotism, and gratitude toward those who “protect our freedom,” that is, the government. But in fact, the purpose was to induce a political coma, and it’s done so.

How else to explain that few people give a hoot that we were obviously lied into war by the president of the United States, the vice president, the secretary of state, the secretary of defense, and others, without a proper congressional declaration, and led to believe that Saddam Hussein was both willing and able to launch so-called weapons of mass destruction against us on 45 minutes’ notice?

How else to explain that hardly anyone notices that with respect to criminal suspects the Constitution has been all but consigned to the paper shredder, with American citizens and others being held indefinitely without charge and without the right to go before a judge to challenge such treatment?

How bizarre that for most people, sticking American flags on the car and front lawn is the highest sign of love for America, and questioning the president’s honor and veracity is the surest sign of treachery. After years of fruitless WMD searches in Iraq, the politically comatose are satisfied with their leaders’ and the media parrots’ inane responses: “We’ll find them eventually.” “We know Saddam Hussein had them back in 1988.” Or: “Hussein was the real weapon of mass destruction. Besides, we liberated the Iraqi people, didn’t we?” Didn't we? How many years has it been?

The question that takes the cake is, “Don’t you support the troops?” The non-comatose would know that to oppose sending Americans into unnecessary war is support. But that question is only supposed to change the subject. It’s the kind of thing the politically comatose say when threatened by the reality of facing responsibility.

Do you realize it has been eight years since Islamic terrorists flew hijacked planes into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon? It’s one of those defining moments in time when you’ll always remember where you were and what you were doing when you first heard the news. Do you remember how our nation responded in the days and weeks following 9-11? Although tragic, it was a time that made us all proud to be Americans.

Fast forward eight years to 2009 and we now have a country that thinks we shouldn’t be at war with Muslim extremists, and a country that elected a President named Barrack Hussein Obama and thinks that we should end this war. In 2001, Barrack Obama was unknown to most Americans outside of Chicago. What would you have thought, if on September 12, 2001, you somehow were able to peer into the future and see a newspaper from January 2009 with the following headline: Barrack Hussein Obama Sworn-In as 44th President of the United States. I know what I would have thought. The terrorists have won with a name like that.

So what happened between 2001 and 2009 that caused such a u-turn in the American psyche? Are we no longer the nation that fought for freedom from British oppression and defended Europe from Nazi and communist schemes to conquer the world? What happened to that America?

The truth isn’t pretty these days. But there it is. Look for yourself. If you can feel proud about it, I don’t understand you.

....enough said about America....

Friday, September 18, 2009

What the hell happened?-part 3

Understanding Craftsmanship…’what happened to America?’

So, what are the attributes of a craftsman? What makes a craftsman a craftsman? There are three basic attributes described herein:

1. Possesses the necessary knowledge and skills to perform the work

The craftsman is an expert in his field of endeavor; so much so that he could easily serve as an instructor in the subject matter. But the craftsman is also smart enough to know that education is not a onetime thing, that his world and field evolve as new tools and techniques are introduced. As such, the craftsman is a student of his profession and is constantly looking to improve himself. This is exercised through such things as continued education, routine certification, studying books and trade publications, and industrial groups. The craftsman willingly participates in trade groups, often at his own expense, in order to network with his peers.

It is Important to note that the craftsman does not need to be told he needs periodic training to sharpen his skills. Instead, he takes the personal initiative to stay on top of his game. Further, the craftsman has no problem with a periodic job review; in fact, he welcomes it for it might bring out a weakness in a skill he needs to sharpen.

2. Attention to detail

The craftsman understands and respects the process of building/delivering a product or service and is acutely aware of the penalties for cutting corners. Earlier (in part 2) we discussed the need for a methodology that specifies 5W+H. The craftsman is intimate with all details of his scope of work, so much so, he could probably write the methodology himself. Further, his intimacy of the work process means he can produce a reliable estimate of time and costs to perform the work.

Although many of the craftsman's tasks may be repetitive, it doesn't mean he easily falls into a rut. Instead, he is constantly looking for new tools and techniques to improve the work process. As such, he plays the role of Industrial Engineer who is normally charged with such a task.

The craftsman's attention to detail also means that he demonstrates patience in his work effort. Again, wary of cutting corners, the craftsman must possess such patience in order to produce the product the right way.

3. Views professional life as an extension of his personal life

The craftsman identifies with the end product which is where pride in workmanship comes from. In his mind, the craftsman has been charged with the responsibility of producing something, and wanting to satisfy the customer, puts forth his best effort to produce it. In other words, craftsmen take their work personally. This is a difficult trait to teach particularly in today's society where the focus is more on financial compensation than on the work product itself. It may sound naive, but the craftsman believes he will be suitably compensated for producing superior results.

Years ago, Dick Butkus of the Chicago Bears (NFL) confounded sports writers who could never understand why Butkus played as hard as he did year-after-year for a losing football team. True, Dick loved the game, but beyond that, the sports writers didn't understand one thing about the seven time All-Pro linebacker: Butkus took his job personally. It was important to him that his opponents know that they had been tackled by the best player; as he said, "When they get up from the ground I want them to say 'it must have been Butkus that got me'." Dick Butkus was a craftsman.

The craftsman has a burning desire to produce a superior product/service because he sees it as a reflection of himself. As such, the lines delineating their personal life and professional life are blurred. This is a significant characteristic that clearly separates a craftsman from the average worker. The craftsman's work is his life. He does not shirk responsibility, but rather embraces it with confidence and embosses his name on the finished product. Conversely, making a work related mistake of any kind pains a true craftsman.

Job titles are normally inconsequential to the craftsman who is more interested in delivering a quality product/service enjoyed by the customer. Instead, the craftsman takes pleasure in being touted as the best in his craft. He appreciates recognition; when someone makes a compliment about a product, the craftsman views it as a personal compliment. This too runs contrary to today's corporate world where people desperately seek recognition through simple job titles. Want someone with an inflated ego? Give them a big title.

Want something done right? Call a craftsman.

....more to come......

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

What the hell happened?-part 2

Understanding Craftsmanship...'what happened to America?'

Some might say craftsmanship is a simple concept that we should intuitively know. Not true; most people today have no comprehension as to what makes up a good craftsman; they have either forgotten or it has simply passed them by.

Craftsmanship can be found in any field of endeavor imaginable, be it in the product sector or service industry. Craftsmanship, therefore, is universally applicable to any line of work.

Craftsmanship is not "workmanship", nor is it synonymous with quality, although the three concepts are closely related. Let's begin by giving "Craftsmanship" a definition: "The production and delivery of quality goods or services from highly skilled workmen."

Quality relates to the absence of errors or defects in the finished product or service. In other words, finished goods operate according to their specifications(customers get precisely what they ordered). Such products are normally durable and require minimal maintenance. Craftsmanship produces quality products. In the absence of craftsmen, a rigorous methodology or assembly line process is required to produce quality goods using workers without the expertise of craftsmen. Such processes detail "Who" is to perform "What" work, "When", "Where", "Why" and "How" (5W+H), thereby assuring a quality product or service is produced. Such is the underlying rationale of the ISO 9000 certification as used by many companies today. The point is quality is not the exclusive domain of the craftsman, as it once was when I was younger.

Craftsmanship is also a human trait. Some might argue a computer or industrial robot can produce quality products and are, therefore, craftsmen. However, we must remember these devices are programmed by human beings in accordance with the rules of the craftsman. As such, they are an extension or tool of the craftsman.

Craftsmanship can be found in either the overall work process or a section of it. For example, there are craftsmen who are intimate with all facets of building furniture, such as a table, a chair or desk, and can implement the product from start to finish. However, as products grow in complexity, it becomes difficult to find people suitably qualified to build them from the womb to the tomb.

Consider military weapons alone, such as the complicated ships, tanks, and airplanes we now use, with thousands or millions of parts to assemble. Such complexity makes it impossible for a single person to have the expertise to build the whole product. The same is true in the service sector where different types of expertise and capabilities may be required. In other words, craftsmen have a specific scope of work. The scope of work may relate to other types of craftsmen through a chain of work dependencies, e.g., Craftsmen A, B and C concentrate on separate sub-assemblies which are eventually joined into a single product....some also call that 'teamwork' (and that's another lost art in America, as well).

....more to come....next "Attributes of Craftsmanship"

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

What the hell happened?-part 1

When I got into the work force back in the mid-1970's it seemed everyone dressed in a suit and tie, drank black coffee, smoked their brains out, and worked their butts off.

Today, golf shirts have replaced suits, herbal tea and bottled water have replaced coffee, nobody is allowed to smoke, and rarely does anyone work beyond 5:00 pm. And when did the tide turn when I now need Rosetta Stone to order something to eat or get a software technician's help on the phone?

More importantly, we used to care about the work we produced; there was a sense of craftsmanship, regardless of the job.

When I was much younger I went on a tour of a Cincinnati company's machine-tool shop and watched how they could take a block of aluminum and convert it into a high-precision machine tool. It was a pleasure to watch them work, as it is to watch anyone who knows what they are doing, be it a waitress.....a programmer.....a laborer or a clerk.

Quality and service used to be considered paramount in this country. If it wasn't just right, you were expected to do it over again until you got it right. We cared about what we produced because it was a reflection of our personal character and integrity. But somewhere along the line we lost our way and craftsmanship has fallen by the wayside. Why? Probably because most employees no longer care.

In today's society, employees are acutely aware that it is difficult to be fired due to poor performance. They know they will still get paid and receive benefits, regardless of the amount of effort they put forth. Consequently, there is little to encourage people to perform better. Money isn't a motivating factor anymore. People now expect bonuses, raises and other perks to be paid out regardless of how well they perform during the year.

We've also become a nation content with doing small things. America used to be known as a powerhouse that could tackle large projects, such as building skyscrapers, designing innovative bridges and tunnels spanning substantial bodies of water, engineering transcontinental railroads and highway systems, conquering air and space travel, and defending freedom not just once but in two world wars. If you really wanted something done, you talked to the Americans and no one else. Now we get excited over iPods, cell phones, and other electronic trinkets.

Many believe Craftsmanship is in decline due to the general apathy found in today's society. Maybe.... I tend to believe it is due to an erosion of our moral values. Let me give you an example. My interest was piqued recently by an article describing the pervasiveness of cheating and plagiarism in our schools. It is not my intent to make a political statement here but many of the students mentioned in the article rationalized their cheating on the fact that one of our past Presidents cheated and lied under oath, and got away with it. They figured if it is okay for the Commander-in-Chief to act this way, it was an acceptable form of behavior.

Arnold Toynbee, the famed English historian, observed, "Civilizations die from suicide, not by murder." If the moral fabric of our society dies, our story is told as evidenced by other great civilizations that long preceded us. Our perspective needs to be realigned: Our personal and professional lives must be viewed as one. As Toynbee remarked, "The supreme accomplishment is to blur the line between work and play." By doing so, we identify more closely with our work and assume a greater pride in workmanship. We do not need to hear this from our boss, but rather from within. As strange as it may sound, I see Craftsmanship as being patriotic in nature; doing a good quality job is part of leading a good and honorable life and builds on the individual's esteem, the company he works for, and the country he lives in.

The biggest problem though is that we have forgotten how to manage people. The manager's primary goal is to create the proper work environment for employees to produce the desired work products. Simple right? This is different than a supervisory capacity that directs how each person performs the various tasks of a job. In fact, I encourage managers to manage more and supervise less. I cringe when I see a manager try to "micromanage" an organization.

Yes, people need to be trained in order to properly perform their work but following this; employees should be mature enough to supervise themselves. In the old days, management stressed discipline, accountability, and structure; three ugly words in today's workplace.

....end part 1....

Friday, September 4, 2009

Oregon's "Lame" Duck

EUGENE - At 1 p.m. Friday, six LeGarrette Blount jerseys hung untouched in the Duck Store at Autzen Stadium. Another adorned a mannequin.

An hour later, every No. 9 jersey - including eight youth sizes - were taken down and stored behind the desk, no longer for sale.

Blount's No. 9 jersey - priced at $60 for adult sizes and $42 for youth sizes - had been among the hottest sellers in the past two weeks as a Heisman hopeful. In fact, No. 9 was the only number made available for youth this season. Not for sale anymore....

Why? Well, unless you have been in a coma or locked-up in some ugly bastard’s shed out back…you would know that Oregon running back LeGarrette Blount demonstrated some Golden Gloves skill Thursday night and right now he might have a better shot at a career in boxing than one in the NFL. The Ducks suspended Blount for his senior season, ending on-field opportunities to further raise his once high stock. Now, he potentially has lowered his draft status from second-round talent to undraftable.

Prior transgressions don't help. Blount has been suspended by Oregon before and has had issues with grades and his weight. Plus, it's not as if Blount was considered a can't-miss prospect to begin with. A good senior season for Blount could have elevated his stock. But now he most likely will be limited to pre-draft workouts in order to impress NFL scouts. But those opportunities could be very limited.

Bye-bye! That was the decision announced Friday, 15 hours after the team's star running back melted down on national television, punching an opponent in the face, shoving his own teammates, charging Boise State fans and tarnishing the Ducks carefully cultivated brand by putting it squarely in the center of one of the year's most hotly debated and controversial sports stories.

Replays of Blount throwing punches at Boise State defensive end Byron Hout and teammate Garrett Embry, and his attempt to lay hands on Bronco Stadium fans have been aired countless times on television and viewed hundreds of thousands of times on the Internet since the Ducks' 19-8 loss to Boise State on Thursday night.

Let’s be honest! Good role models are hard to come by these days. Athletes, politicians, grade school teachers and even evangelical preachers are making more and more headlines for their ranks being filled with pimps, thugs, drug-abusers, alcoholic wife-beaters, common criminals and folks of any other socially deviant persuasion you can think of. Is a whole generation bound to be doomed because of this? Was Charles Barkley right when in a 1993 TV commercial he tried to inform America that parents should be the true role models for their children, rather than those in the limelight? Maybe, but at least it makes for interesting reading.

The Heisman Memorial Trophy Award (often known simply as the Heisman Trophy or the Heisman), named after the former college football coach John Heisman, is awarded annually by the Heisman Trophy Trust to the most outstanding player in collegiate football.

Mr. Blount you are not the most outstanding…you are an embarrassment to the game. Face it! Your mouth wrote a check that you could not cash….it was you who started this with how Boise State needed an 'ass-whippin.' You just thought you were good enough to get away with it…..proud of yourself now? Loser. Get it thru your head that it is NOT NORMAL to sucker-punch someone...oh wait! I forget...you had trouble with academics as well.

Sorry, I forgot that Oregon couldn't find a way to keep you involved in learning enough to meet NCAA standards (without cheating). So now, not only can you not play football and make it to the NFL...you are not bright enough to know what you did mister! Saying you are sorry in a press conference does not make it 'all better.' People are getting sick of this shit.

Perhaps more attention should be paid to the character of the players instead of the color of the uniforms Duck fans…(honestly…he couldn’t have been a starter in the SEC with Florida, 'Bama, Arkansas, Ole Miss....real teams).

Oh, and Oregon fans? It wasn't the referee's fault this time! Seems like that is always the excuse with Duck fans...boo hoo.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Carving Mr. Pinocchio's nose down to size...

Many years ago, Italian children’s author Carlo Collodi wrote a story about a wooden marionette, Pinocchio. This story comes to mind when people lie repeatedly – like Pinocchio, we imagine their noses growing as the lies get bigger. But what if you actually have worked for someone like this? What if every day, every week, throughout the year… and years….you watch as your boss begins to grow a nose? At first you think of it (of course) as a mistake until it happens again…and again…as you watch this boss “start to believe his own lies that he developed over the years.”

We have all seen someone tell little “white lies,” but what should you do if you watch his nose actually grow to legendary portions?

For me, I decided I could no longer “pretend” that he cannot control his “stretch of the truth” and this will be my final closure entry about his inability to tell the truth (as I have found since leaving that company, ALL who have dealt with Mr. Pinocchio are as disgruntled as well)...a day does not go by without someone asking me, "how in the hell did you put up with Mr. Pinocchio for so long?" Ensuring the fact that (although late) I made the perfect decision to move on with my life...after several months away from having my eye 'poked' by his growing nose...I am at a place I want to be....happy...

The story of my old boss goes something like this…….

It had been some time, since Mr. Pinocchio had become a real boy. And while initially he rejoiced in finding new life, soon enough life's troubles got to him. And so it came to be - that one night as Mr. Pinocchio sat desolate and alone staring at the sky, he caved in and summoned the Blue Fairy one more time..."Star shine star bright, the first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish, I might - have the wish I wish tonight!" And sure enough, a blue star glowed all the more blue and through a sliver of light appeared the Blue Fairy! "Tell me boy" - she said "Why do you look so sad?"

"I don't like being a real boy" he said. ‘There’s too much lie and deceit in people. And I find myself hurting again and again. I wish I went back to being just a wooden puppet - and never felt anything - never knew pain.' The fair lady smiled at his appeal and waved her wand as she turned him into a wooden boy and bent down and ruffled his hair, then waved her wand again to turn him back alive. And blew a soft breeze to straighten his hair, restore them back to once they were - once again.

"Tell me boy, would you rather be a puppet - or once more be a real boy!" Mr. Pinocchio remained silent for quite a while and pondered hard in his little mind. "Sure enough, I'd felt no pain. It would be nice not to feel pain." "‘But I really want a different wish because I cannot make up my mind and move forward in the same direction." ..."I don't know what I want anymore!" said the little man.

"I want my nose to grow when I lie or do anything bad. But not just mine, I wish everyone had a nose like mine that would grow and shrink with the deeds of the man." The Blue fairy smiled again. "Strange it is, that you see a gift in what I once punished you with - This I will grant you - Pinocchio my boy. From now on your nose will grow and shrink with every lie!"

And so Mr. Pinocchio slept relieved. He thought, at least the world would be simpler. Oh! Yes - it definitely would be. He had made the new rules of the world. For once a person's face, would tell you all there is to be. He would no longer be lied to and never would have to face deceit ever again in his little mind. At last, a person would be only as beautiful as he deserves to be!!! Wake up he did next day, and went on about his little day with much confidence and perky in his step. A friend he met, “Worker” was his name, they had promised each other to buy new shoes together - and exactly the same shoes - and wear it to school on the same day! The would be partners of sort in the little village.

But when Mr. Pinocchio saw his friend's shoes, they were old. "Ah! You have broken your promise to me Worker! You did not get your shoes", he said. And Worker replied - 'No, I did go to the shop. I did not like the new shoes. No I did not!’ And sure enough as Mr. Pinocchio had wanted, Worker's nose grew larger even as he saw. "Oh! Worker boy…. Let it be, I shall go on with my day without a friend - without thee!" "I no longer need you like I had intended before...you are worthless to me now."

And so Mr. Pinocchio went on. And every person he met, he expected him to lie. And he rejoiced in joy as he saw their noses a tad too big, ‘Oh yes, a tad too large... A very good friend the Blue Fairy has been. He thought! "I will have to thank her." And so he called her again and asked from the blue star, a favor once again. Once again through a sliver of blue light, the Blue Fairy came alive. "Finally, you look happy my boy! - Tell me how was your little day?" "Oh, I called to thank you - my fair lady.....everyone’s nose has grown long," he said.

"'Really!?'" - The fairy said. "To annoy you then, I should tell you, they are really not as you think. I set them straight, not a tad too long, not a tad too large!" Downcast and with a broken heart, Mr. Pinocchio asked, "Must you lie too. Why set them straight. Why not keep them large??"

"For all is not as it seems, my boy." she said.

"Did you know Worker's mother is sick? And with no money, the shoes, he could not buy. Walked he did all the way to the shop and then kept the money to tend to his mother. Buy shoes - he did not. Though tears in his eyes, there were to be. I loved him more, for what he did. Yes, he lied to you, but out of shame and not deceit. Had you bothered to ask, a good friend you might have been…."

Awful and ashamed Mr. Pinocchio felt now. 'Oh! Such a bad friend he was!'

"You seem to have noticed everyone's nose. You did not check yours? Did you not? - The fair lady asked." 'No, my lady I did not’ he said….as he saw with shock and horror, his own nose, had grown so very long, oh so large. "My lady, I did not do any wrong. I did not know about the Worker. How could I have known he did not deceive??? Tell me - why has only my nose grown large!!"

"You should have asked about Worker, he was your friend and was loyal to you for many, many years, Mr. Pinocchio. Instead you rejoiced in everyone's misery and delighted in their fall. Vengeance is never a virtue. It shall never be. It never was!" And so Mr. Pinocchio went completely silent as he realized what he had done. He did not know what to do. "Is there no one perfect? No one good - including me??" -he asked. "No, my dear" - The lady answered.

You see Mr. Pinocchio, "Like the fingers of your hand" - she said, "No one is powerful alone. But together as a hand, they are. Each one has its own purpose. Together you can build the world as it should be!" Then with a wave of her wand, she made Pinocchio's nose shrink back. Alas! A bit relieved he felt. He wasn't a bad boy he thought, not a bad boy after all......whew! He was thankful.....

"And sure I can make you of wood again. And sure you would never feel pain. But life as you have learned is strange and you will miss out on joy as well." "You are wise my lady. You know it all. But I get fooled by people's words and promises and believe them to be virtuous as they claim to be. I have been hurt many times only because I chose to believe!" - Mr. Pinocchio exclaimed. "In that you are right my boy. You should choose your friends carefully, in your case very, very carefully. But do not judge people - just so quickly. Do not always assume the worst in people without finding the truth. You know you are an evil thinker Mr. Pinocchio. The truth is often different - do not judge them - so hastily", the fair lady replied.

Mr. Pinocchio then sat back in his borrowed chair, folded his arms over his enormous belly, rolled his eyes into the back of his head and replied, “All people in the village love me and I am the most wonderful person…I am the closest to perfect as you will ever see Fairy!” “You should be happy to be able to grant me wishes!” "I am the best friend, the best boss, and best teacher of anyone available...you should see that clearly...all others do!" "People will be on a waiting list to work for me!" As he sits alone at his desk reading his emails......

And with that the Blue Fairy began to glow even more beautifully than ever before as she realized that sometimes she cannot save the ones that are not willing to save themselves (all the wishes in the world will not help this one)…this one has no clue what loyalty, friendship, and happiness is about outside his little shop....with sawdust on the floor....

Too charming and lovely to behold she was. She kissed Pinocchio on his wooden head and turned into a star once again.