Random Opinions and/or Observations

Here is another edition of the things rattling around in my head….

• Winter has finally arrived here in New England. Several feet of it to be exact. I enjoy the stuff, and even look forward to accumulative storms. Not sure how much longer though, as it is getting tougher on the body and my snowblower is getting older, so it seems more repairs and soreness.
• It has been 4 months since my mom has gotten a HDTV, no matter how I explain it to her, she doesn't get it. Even wrote the channels she watches regularly in one inch high letters on a special made card, to help her navigate the incoming signal and she still can not operate it.
• Stil laughing and having fun with deflate-gate, that is the gift that keeps on giving. Poor NE fans truly believe that the NFL is just picking on them unfairly. Check in with Marshown Lynch, he will set you straight. How does one get fined for a gesture and then have the NFL sell a photograph of the action for a profit? Or how does one get fined for wearing a unapproved hat by the NFL, while a certain QB from the other team can wears his name apparel (also unapproved) and no one says a word? Yes the Patriots are being signaled out…

Enough for now...

Lessons from the Post Season in the NFL

Ok, so here is what I have learned so far during the post season in the NFL:

1. Aaron Rogers likes his balls inflated.
2. Tom Brady likes his balls soft and squishy for better grip, no word from Giselle on this as of yet.
3. The Colts investigate others' balls.
4. Dez Bryant has issues holding onto his balls.
5. Peyton Manning likes the new smell and Papa John's delivers.
6. Marshawn Lynch will not talk about his balls, which may be a good thing.
7. The Detroit Lions balls may have been interfered with, but no one is sure.
8. Vince Wilfork has big balls and rescues people from accidents.
9. Cam Newton plays with his balls even when hurt.
10. And the NFL has no balls, just ask Ray Rice, and Adrian Peterson.

Afternoon Adventures: I Survived Cabela's

What to do on a chilly Saturday afternoon in CT….

It was suggested that my daughter and I venture to Cabela's- the redneck mecca in the woods and wilderness of East Hartford.

I know I shouldn't pre judge, and all that visit the holy see of hunting are not simple country folk. I like the outdoors and appreciate having the proper clothing and equipment to confront the elements. I am more of a LL Bean, REI, and/or an EMS guy, and they have excellent warrantee policies for their products. Most of what I have seen of Cabela's worn by other people come in several versions of camo accented with safety orange or pink.

Cabela's did impress me with their large display of stuffed animals and we did enjoy seeing the collection of deer, elk, moose, bears, snakes, ermine, birds, big cats, coyotes, and wolves. Also the live aquarium with native fish was cool. My daughter impressed a few older gentlemen with how fast she could identify the various trophy size swimmers.

I was also impressed with the wide selection of non camo apparel, but for the same price I can get LL Bean and have the guarantee. We didn't purchase anything, she wanted either a camouflaged hunting blind or a portable ice fishing hut for the back yard. I said no.

We checked out the eatery there and I was interested in having some wild boar or elk, but the Maeve was not interested, so we scooted over to a local noodle shop for some Pho.

Of course the day would not have been complete without a pit stop on the way home at Munson's.

More Opinions (Observations)

Here is another edition of assorted opinions and/or observations.

• Facebook is suggesting I add more friends and has offered a list of suggested people. I looked at my page and saw that I have not added any new friends in a while, so FB is probably worried that I am not socializing enough. Thanks for looking out for me.
• Last weekend Dallas advanced because of a call (or lack of) by the officials, this week they are dispatched by a call reversal. Karma I guess, especially since Dez Byrant should have been flagged last week for entering the field of play arguing another flag without a helmet on- a clear violation, and now has a call go against him. 
• The weather today is a mix and area schools have cancelled (gambled). Good for safety of all, tough for the kids if they are in school come late June. If I knew I was going to be off today, I would have stayed up and watched the Golden Globes. I heard that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler were funny (again). (I still think that Ricky Gervais, is still the best host of any awards show)
• It is interesting watching everyone show support for those slain at the hands of some extremists. That the world thinks these 'poor' cartoonists gave their life because they voiced their 'freedom of speech.' While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, certain prejudices come with consequences. Your bad mouthing is your right, but why the shock when you receive retaliation? I feel sorry for those that lost their lives and the families who had to bury a loved one. Once again Karma.
• I am also puzzled, but not surprised, by all the support the US is showing the French. The same country that openly shunned the US when we supposedly went after the extremists in 2003. We even changed the name of a popular food item because of it. Yes, I get the 'turn the other cheek' forgiveness, but where is that with the Muslims and Islamic religion? We can forgive the French, but continue our xenophobic ways with the rest? Glad I am agnostic and have a stronger moral base then the rest of the world.

Until next time…..

Check One Off the Unconscious Bucket List

I had my semi-annual eye exam this morning. When I left the house it was just a gentle flurry and the roads were still visible. As I drove, the precipitation turned into almost white out conditions, and the visibility dropped to about 50 yards and everything was coated in a slick white blanket. It was an eight minute drive.

My eye exam included having my eyes dilated and as they were putting the drops into my orbs, the synapsis in my brain connected and I realized that I was going to have to drive home…...with my eyes dilate…....in a snow storm.

Now being snow blind is not officially on my bucket list, and I would not go out of my way to get snow blindness. It certainly made the drive home a little bit more white knuckled (to be honest, everything was white) then it needed to be.

I made it home with incident (or accident).

I now know that I can handle being snow blind and function. I guess it is some kind of skill test and I can now add this to my toolbox.

Feeling adventurous, what else can I try?

Gas and Taxes- An Opera in Three Parts

This piece came out of a post a dear friend put up briefly on Facebook, from watching gas prices plummet, and a news article recently published in the local rag. My intent is to enlighten one and all with my observations and knowledge gained from reading (along with my education). I do not have a degree in economics (science and engineering were much more challenging), and the few classes I did take in that field both at the undergrad and grad level, I angered and or upset the professors and received a lower grade because of it. They do not like people that can do higher ordinal math, understand logic, and ask questions (both obvious and not so obvious).

Part I-

So the other day a friend posted , an non-fact checked meme about the "hidden" taxes that came into affect the 1st of this year due to the American Care Act. That the top wage earners were going to have to pay more in taxes to help offset the "higher premiums" of health care. In reality, premiums have dropped according to GPO numbers, and I have also personally witnessed these lower premium prices. It continued on to say that the top wage earners are paying around 35% of their salary in taxes, and that it is jumping to just under 40% with these "hidden" increases. This applies to top step salary earning an adjusted gross income of $388k or more. While in reality once again they actually pay just 18% of their salary in taxes (Kiplinger). Also most at this level take their salary in company stock and that does not go as salary and they pay even less, but that is a different kettle of fish. The meme also stated that it was closing loopholes in capital gains, and increasing the amount taxed in this category. I sure hope that part is true and it is about fucking time.

Part II-

The article I read in the local rag is about a report that is now required by the State of Connecticut and released by the end of the year about who in the state pays the largest share in taxes. I was not surprised when it turned out to be the poorest majority with 27% of their income going to taxes. the middle income earners drop to about 15%, and the wealthiest pay less than 8% of their income. So enough of that bullshit that the rich support the government and let the poor ride their coat tails.

Part III-

Now lets look at the the falling gas prices. This is good for everyone, so of course the fiscal conservatives want to raise fuel taxes, to keep prices higher. The say the taxes generated by lower fuel costs is cutting into the tax revenue and they are correct since some of those taxes are based on percentages of the base cost of the fuel. Lower cost equates into lower percentage of tax equates into lower tax revenue. What they are not seeing is this is a tax break for everyone, which is what they preach will build a stable economy. The problem is, this is a tax break for everyone, just not the rich and the corporations, and that hurts the campaign funds. So they, the fucktards now in charge, want to raise the taxes in the name of infrastructure repair, and give those tax breaks solely to the monied, leaving the burden once again on the lower income workers at the pumps.

Aria (Fat lady singing)

Do you not think it is better for the economy as a whole to leave the money into every one's hands. When I was filling up today at the local Quikie-mart, I asked the guy at the register what he thought of the lower prices at the pump. He replied great, his sales of coffee and what not has gone up. Consumer spending is what drives a healthy economy, not lining the pockets of the rich. And their is tax on those sales, that will offset the taxes lost on the lower fuel prices, so it is a wash if you ask me.

So I hope I have made you stop and ponder. 

Facebook Privacy

It is that time of year again when all the social paranoids on Facebook post the annual privacy rights paste on their Facebook wall denying Zuckerberg and company the use of anything they post on their walls.

You know it reads like this….

Due to the fact that Facebook has chosen to involve software that will allow the theft of my personal information, I state: at this date of January 4, 2015, in response to the new guidelines of Facebook, pursuant to articles L.111, 112 and 113 of the code of intellectual property, I declare that my rights are attached to all my personal data drawings, paintings, photos, video, texts etc. published on my profile and my page. For commercial use of the foregoing my written consent is required at all times. 

Those who read this text can do a copy/paste on their Facebook wall. This will allow them to place themselves under the protection of copyright. By this statement, I tell Facebook that it is strictly forbidden to disclose, copy, distribute, broadcast, or take any other action against me on the basis of this profile and or its content. The actions mentioned above also apply to employees, students, agents and or other personnel under the direction of Facebook. 

The content of my profile contains private information. The violation of my privacy is punishable by law (UCC 1-308 1-308 1-103 and the Rome Statute).

Facebook is now an open capital entity. All members are invited to publish a notice of this kind, or if they prefer, you can copy and paste this version.

If you have not published this statement at least once, you tacitly allow the use of elements such as your photos as well as the information contained in the profile update.

Relax people, I am sure that the half billion cat photos and the several million duck faces are exactly the things Zuckerberg is looking to pilfer without your permission and/or consent and use for his own. It is not like any of you have posted your bank accounts or exposed the nuclear launch codes.

Also, just because a company becomes publicly traded, it does not automatically exposes your private information. A lot of commercial banks are publicly traded and if the board of directors changes, your information is not made public, you are thinking of Home Depot, Target, or JP Morgan Chase, and those were hacked.

Opinions

I like to opine about a lot of things, from politics to sports to anything really. So here a few vignettes of some things I want to share my thoughts on….

• I recently saw the new movie "Annie" with my daughter. I was pleasantly surprised that I liked the movie a lot. Good production, great cast, and some of the cast members even surprised me. In particularly, Cameron Diaz. She is not known for her acting, even though that is the career she has chosen and is paid very well to do. Ms. Diaz does a great job both with her character and singing in this film. Not since 'Something About Mary' have I truly enjoyed anything she has done. 
• What has happened to officiating in the NHL? The Dallas/Detroit game crew were horrible (unless you are a 'Boys fan). They had the call right and decided to reverse it without any kind of booth review. Raises some questions of how much Goodale loves Jerry Jones and wants his team in the playoffs. Also no additional flag (and no fine as of yet) on Dez Byrant for coming onto the field without a helmet and arguing the call before it was reversed. Good luck to Green Bay next weekend, who have a history of calls being called wrong against them. The Officials are 1-0 against Detroit and may go 2-0 with a second victory over GB.
• I just watched the new Amazon Prime show 'Transparent' starring Jeffrey Tambor. Brilliant show and very funny. I highly recommend this and is definitely worth the time. Maura/Morton (Tambor's character) is a retired prof who finally decides to face his transgender issues and comes out to his family. Funny thing is, he is the one with the least amount of issues, his kids are a mess. Does contain a lot of adult content and not recommended for young children and even teenagers without a mature understanding of the issues involved.
• I finally broke down and now have a smart phone, like some of the features, and have no clue on the rest. I feel like a luddite in many ways playing catch up with the rest of society. I still do not have a Twitter account or use Instagram and do not plan on them anytime soon, sorry folks.

Well that is it for now, maybe I will start this as a regular posting. until next time….

My New Diet- Not a New Year's Resolution

Right before the start of the holidays, I had a follow-up appointment with my doctor to go over moving forward from my recent surgery for kidney stones. Lab results were in general good, with the exception of a few constituents in my blood and/or urine. Seems I have a high amount of NaCl (salt) in my urine, which can lead to the development of calcium stones, and this was the biggest concern at this time.

Our (mine actually) first course of action will be a change in diet, meaning cutting out salt and low sodium foods. The Doc says just doing the diet without adding or cutting anything else I am going to slim down. I guess that is good news, but with everything, there is a down side.

Not adding salt to anything is easy, just get rid of the salt shaker and spices and rubs that contain salt. Gone, no longer in the house. I now own everything Mrs. Dash makes (along with a few McCormick salt free spices). I was warned to stay away from salt substitutes, as they work that same way that salt does in the development of stones.

I survived the holidays watching what I ate, and avoiding the obvious high salt (chips, wings, pretzels, etc.) and high sodium foods (soups, anything canned, pepperoni, etc.).  While not watching anything too closely outside of that. Now with the holidays winding down and the new year starting, I have started to read labels and looking at sodium levels. What an eye opener this is…

Biggest surprise is the amount of sodium in tomato sauce, average 600mg per serving, and a serving is a mere two tablespoons. Who uses two tablespoons of sauce? So this equates to 1500mg plus in just one meal, that is like a day and half of sodium intake on a low sodium diet. So now I have to make my own sauce, no big deal, right? Over to the stewed/chopped/minced/crushed tomato section and we are still looking at 250-350mg per serving just in the tomatoes, and don't even think about getting them roasted, that will add another 100-150mg of sodium.  So now I have to start buying off-season imported tomatoes and prep my own for sauce.

I have been a sandwich for lunch guy for a very long time. It is easy, it is satisfying, and there is enough variety that it can never be boring. Without even looking, I am aware that deli meats are high in sodium; ham, turkey, salami, roast beef, doesn't matter, they are all high. So lunch will be interesting from here on out. Salads are easy, but a mess to carry everyday, so maybe I will just have to convert to eating yogurt, veggie sticks, and fruit along with some unsalted almonds. Oh joy….

I was surprised that peanut butter was not as high in sodium as I would have thought, regular Peter Pan creamy is just 150mg. I did find a no salt peanut butter with hot spices added that had less than 45mg of sodium per serving. Spread some on some toast the other morning and got a surprise, when they say 'hot', they actually mean 'HOT'. Can't wait to make some peanut butter cookies with these and "forget" to tell everyone. Also peanut butter and jelly maybe another option for lunches.

The biggest things I will miss will be asian food, pizza, sausage, popcorn, and potato chips. Giving up any and all fast foods will probably just be healthier for me no matter the salt and sodium content. Also it is tough already eating peas, potatoes, eggs, and other bland foods without salt. I have found some good news, in that I can still use fermented aminos (Dr. Bragg's) in place of soy sauce, and srirachi sauce is not that high in sodium.

I am sure this will not be the last time I write (blog), brag, and/or complain about this life changing diet, so look for future posts, maybe even recipes or meals that I find filling the need….

HBM Update 5- One Year

Today marks the one year date of starting a handle bar mustache. It has been fun and that fun will continue for a while. The comments still keep coming, and the care has become routine. Now lets see how much bigger it can get.

Still enjoying my own wax, and beard oil is still my favorite pampering. Slight trimming has become easier as that skill is honed. Not really looking forward to cold weather with it, wax issues- freezing and melting from the movement between extreme temperature differentials, along with sipping on hot drinks in a cold car- nobody likes a droopy HBM, especially me.

Maybe I will be brave enough to enter a competition this year, who knows….it would at least be fun to hang with others of the 'groomed facial persuasion.'

So Happy Birthday to my 'stache, and here's to a joyous year to all of you.