Monday, January 31, 2011

Monday nothings

Weatherman said cold weather is on the way -- brrrrrrr
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I have surely mentioned in the past that I have 5 wire-hair dachshunds. The two newest, Oscar and Bruno - chocolate boys - are coming up on their 2 year birthdays. They are so cute. Oscar walks around with a ball in his mouth. He owns maybe 10 different balls - and is an equal opportunity ball chaser. Any ball is a good ball. I am the chief bottle washer and ball thrower around here.
Bruno is much more quiet even though he has an evil streak. All of sudden, he will get up - walk over to Oscar - take Oscar's throw ball in his mouth - walk over to some isolated spot and just lay down on the ball...disinterested in playing. Oscar starts his chirping noises until someone - big people size - gets involved to retrieve the ball.

You know how little boy dogs lift a back leg when discharging? Bruno is just now getting that process down. He will hike a leg and teeter back and forth until he loses his balance trying to act like a big boy. He is getting better.
My wife told me that she let the 3 boy dogs out together the other morning. The three wandered the back yard until Fritz (the elder) sidled up to the concrete birdbath and let flow. Oscar lined up right behind him waiting and Bruno pulled in behind Oscar waiting. It was a conga line 3 deep waiting for a fresh turn at the birdbath. Fritz usually will return and re-spray when the little boys have completed their mission. Our girl dogs have no interest in this adventure at all. They are such good dogs.
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It has been simply beautiful (weather wise) here in Corsicana these past few days. Gorgeous-Gorgeous-Gorgeous. I sat out on the back porch rocker today and read my newspapers. Not a breeze bothered me. Of course, little Oscar demanded my attention since he needed me to throw his ball - and throw his ball - and throw his...well you get the idea.
Finally I tired of the game - went into the house - dug out several rawhide chew type sticks and distributed 'em to the mutts. They do love me (and my chew sticks).

1. From the newspaper the last few days: The AKC decreed the Labrador as America's favorite dog followed closely by the German shepherd. Yorkies were 3; beagles were 4th; and golden retrievers 5th. Obviously these people have never had a wire-haired dachshund.
The article also said 3 new breeds have been recognized. I wrote a stone about one of these a while back - the Mexican breed Xoloitzcuintli - comes in hairy or hairless varieties. ( shoh-loh-eets-KWEEN-tlee ) known as the Xolo (SHOH-loh). I just found that interesting. Just in case you care, the other 2 added were the Norwegian Lundehund and the Entlebucher Mountain Dog.

2. Been reading about a guy named Robert Burton who gave $3 mil plus to UCONN - He wants his money back because he was not consulted when they hired their new football coach. The newspaper article was long and cited many things Burton had said and done - You can find it online I am so sure. The arrogant rich guy. Jerk.

3. Little town near here HUBBARD just hired a new AD and football coach. His name is CRAIG Horn. Actually that is worthless info unless your name is Horn or your father is that guy. I suppose Hubbard folks care some. What caught my eye was the names of his 4 sons. At times I wonder what people are thinking.
So Craig and his lovely wife had 4 boys: C.J. age 11, CAHL age 9, COLT age 6, and COLDYN age 4. The named their kids after a Jeep, Crow sound, pistol, and a cough medicine. C'mon Folks !! Crimineee !!! Wait, that name is probably being saved for their 5th kid (hope it is a girl).
I think - yes I do at times - I think that if my name were Horn, I would have named my kids: French, English, Blatty, Shoe, or - as a real stretch here now - when one's name must be listed Last Name First, First Name Last:
Horn, Ontha Cobb

4. Short article - typed just as it appeared in my paper:
" Washington -- The U.S. government says candy imported from Pakistan called Toxic Waste Nuclear Sludge is not safe to eat. Who would have guessed? "

5. I heard that the Super Bowl folks have sold all 3,000 tickets for the people to stand outside the stadium in the cold and watch TV monitors while over spending on food and drinks. $200 a pop for tickets. This next Super Bowl tidbit is amazing to me:
Estimated food sales will include: 12 TONS of Ultimate Nachos, 5 TONS of cheese steak, 8,000 LBS of hot dogs, 800 GALS of ketchup (yuk), 1250 GALS of wine , 15,625 GALS of soft drinks, 8K GALS of bottled water (so dumb), 160 TONS of ice and 5,000 LBS of popped corn.
There is so much to say about all that. So much. Won't, but could/should.
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Enough of the newspaper. I thought I'd tell you my favorite TV shows right now. First of all, there is Pawn Stars. Sure, a lot of this show is staged but I find it interesting what comes through the door. Recently (right after Christmas), I went to Corsicana's 2 pawn shops just to look. They are NOTHING like the one on TV.
Of course, there is the other pawn shop show: Hardcore Pawn. Now there is a dysfunctional family. Brother Jim thinks this show is all faked for ratings. I just wonder. They are so stupid regarding their personal lives. Who would want that reputation being broadcast to all of America much less the signal being zoomed out into space for aliens to watch?
Now, American Pickers is sorta of interest too. I'm sure there will be a copy cat version any day now. The shows about going to storage sheds and bidding on the contents -- there are 3 diff shows covering that storyline lately - not to forget the Auction Kings fiasco. Take these shows and add all the poker shows and WWII specials - life is grand.
Coming this Friday, the show about tracing ancestors.
y'all take care now - and don't forget to stock up on supplies for the Super Bowl. I know that my house will be prepared for the entire experience (that my friends was an effort at sarcasm).
m3/Mtz

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Yosemite's Frazil Ice

got this email forwarded from a friend: truly interesting. I am going to look for the other episodes. mtz

YOSEMITE'S FRAZIL ICE
It is hard to imagine that Yosemite is only 60 miles from Fresno --
where it never ever snows and rarely gets below 32 F in the dead of winter.
This is an incredible video! It only happens in March and April.
I have never seen a creek come to a complete stop like this before and start up again someplace else.
It's like a lava flow. Turn on your sound.
Now just enjoy .........................
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=9V9p4mFEYXc&vq=medium#t=15

Friday, January 21, 2011

just stuff


Before I forget - interesting (to me) items for the day.

1. just read in the paper: Super Bowl at Jerrydome -- the seats inside are expensive, as you probably knew. There is an area OUTSIDE of the stadium with big screens for people who cannot get inside. It is sorta party area...you are at the game but not really. Today the NFL agreed that everyone in that area would be counted as "at the game" as it applies to attendance records.
Now, the kicker. YOU can buy a ticket to stand outside the stadium and pay massive parking fees and overpay for refreshment - all for only $200. The country group Reckless Kelly will make an appearance. You give Jerry $200 and you can STAND outside the stadium and watch TV. Man, where do I get in line?

Okay, forgot - the $200 tickets are only sold in blocks of 4 = $800

2. The Dallas paper obit page sometimes talk about people of importance - or lesser importance. I suppose they pick this info up off the AP wire. I'm gonna summarize the one for today. Georgia Carroll Kyser, 91 died. At the State Fair there is a Woman's Bldg. On the bldg is a statue of a young lady, semi-nude. This lady (at age 16) was the model for the statue, from the neck up only -- this was for the 1936 Texas Centennial Celebration. Parents divorce at her age 16 - she grad from Woodrow Wilson HS. Dallas at 17 - aunt took her to NY City and met a modeling agency - 3 days later she was photographed for the cover of Redbook, she did this 9 times in her life in addition to Vogue, cosmo, Ladies Home J, & others.
Next she signed for Warner Brothers - 14 films, friends with Lucille Ball, Jimmy Stewart, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Alan Ladd, Dinah Shore & Edgar Bergen. Dated Mickey Rooney, Jimmy Stewart, and Howard Hughes. In 1943 she was featured vocalist for the Kay Kyser band - they eloped to Las Vegas in 1944 -- (this is what caught my eye). They moved to Chapel Hill, N. Car & she got a degree in studio art from UNC. That's pretty much it. Left her money to UNC ETC.
I thought that was interesting - some of your eyes have started to glaze over.

3. Tonight, the Corsicana Swing Orch performed for the organizational banquet of the Race for Life (Cancer). About 90 folks were there in peach t-shirts doing skits and giving their own cancer survivor testimony. We played about 45 minutes and went home. A good time was had by all.
4. had another guy come up to me at a gas station tonight and ask about the Marauder - it's amazing. It was built in 2003; thassss 8 yrs ago.

5. last thing. I was talking to a guy who works for the state. Seems he got Wednesday off because it is a state holiday....Confederate Veterans Day. Now, what I don't know is: True or False? Am I being put on? If it is true, wonder why we never hear about it. Just wondering. I can remember people telling me things before to make fun of me. Remember once, I was new to a town and the kids told me we had a new student named Merle Norman. This was years ago & I had never heard of Merle Norman anythings.
later
mtz

Friday, January 14, 2011

observational stone

this is a stone with observations:

1st of all, my wife and I - individually - have received offers to receive a new credit card from Chase four times - each - during the past 6 days. In a week!!! That is both of us received 4 offers each to shred and trash. That would be 8 total offers in one week. I rarely get credit card offers - guess I am not worthy. But this seems excessive from just one company. I couldn't even tell you what credit limit they are offering. Who cares? Go Dave Ramsey.

#2 One of the things I don't like about writing a blog: if you have any class at all, you cannot talk about certain subjects or people especially if it might hurt someone or something. At times I just bubble up wanting to comment on something. Shoot Far -- I even shy away from politics.

#3 I keep waiting for the spouse to announce that she bought a pair of boots. YEE HAW cowboy type boots. Because we have those little copperheads around here, I have been after her to get something to wear as she works outside. Those little rascals could rise up and hit your ankle with little effort. I hate snakes. I also hate mayo, meatloaf, broccoli, and various other things.

#4 Something I have never seen. Our local paper, want ads, are advertising an auction sale of contents of 9 storage sheds. If you have seen the cable show, storage wars, you know the process. What I have not seen is - this adv. lists the owners and the address of the owners - or should I say previous owners - of these sheds plus a list of the contents.
Now, I think that is wrong. Listing the owners who failed to pay the rent, that is just plain rude - to me. Listing the contents of the sheds is wrong too. That cuts into the anticipation. Actually, some things are listed as "boxes." but it does make me wonder if all the great stuff has been removed. Or maybe a brother-in-law has been given first right of refusal. I'd give my brother-in-law first right of refusal, why wouldn't they cheat?
The auction will be January 29th at 8:30 a.m. Jarrod Dobitz has, or had a table, bar stools, bar stand, headboard, bed frame, & bike tires. That should warrant a bid of near $10.
Rowena Winfrey (must be Oprah's cousin, 2 times removed) has clothes, shoes, & boxes. Natasha Horn = drum set, movies, fur coat, mattresses (more than one), side table, toys, bookshelf, toddler bed set, rug.
Can you see this is going to be good. I am looking for someone who would like to go with me and make fun of the people who win the various sheds. "Hey Bubba, I see you won Natasha's shed- whut ya plannin tuh do wid all dem shoes?" He has a foot fetish.

# Last. took the motorhome in today and left it - brake recall from winnebago folks (called workhorse chassis). Had to buy gas for same - gadzooks, the cost of gasoline is getting out of sight again.


I lied: # really the Last. Got an email forward today. It showed this large younger type guy (his eyes were 2 different sizes in addition to other physical problems). Attached to his arm was this young, beautiful blond with a 24 carat smile. Gorgeous. The caption under the photo said:

"Can you believe it? This guy, Ade Taylor, wins $181 million in the lottery last Wednesday, and then finds the love of his life just 2 days later. Talk about LUCK!"

Well, maybe you had to have been there.



Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Colonoscopy fun

this will be a short stone - hopefully, it will not be too insensitive...

This morning we rose in the 5 o'clock variety - ate - put dogs in the dog pit - and headed for town. My wife had to check into the outpatient clinic by 7 a.m. for the colonoscopy . Now THERE is a word that needs the spelling checked.

We were there by 6:45 and into room #2 before 7. The bottom line is that she is in fine fiddle and doesn't have to go back for another 5 years - about the same time she renews her driver's license again. That's good. Me thinks I must endure the same process sometime this summer.

There were a couple of things that kept me awake sitting in that curtain enclosed cubicle. One was listening to the nurses and other staff explain the procedure over and over and over again to the waiting, hungry patients. Medical questions were asked and answered.

In room #1 was a guy- waiting -whose wife was at hand helping (as I was such a big help). We learned that he was born in 1939 - married at age 15 - and had been married for 67 years. And, my friends, in case you were unawares, that is what marriage is all about = 67 years to sit in a curtained cubicle waiting for some strange doctor to investigate your spouse's inards.

Side Bar: what makes a medical student choose this area of medicine? It makes you wonder about his upbringing and fetishes.

Now there was an older gent directly across from our carved out niche - his wife was present too.

The nurse asked, "Do you wear dentures?"
"Yes."
"Do you wear glasses?"
"Yes."
"Do you wear a hearing aide?"
"What?"
(later in the interview)
"Are you on medications?"
"No."
"Did you have anything to eat or drink this morning?"
"No."
"When was the last time you had an aspirin?"
"Uh, uh, I don't know...uh Bertha?" (his wife)
Wife: " Well, I don't really know....maybe 1994 or 95."
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They took the wife out at 9:15 (Regis and Kelley were on TV),
and she was returned by 9:40 - awake and in good cheer. We left about 10:15 and started looking for food and drink.

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One last bit. The doctor is from India or Pakistan or (appropriately) Uristan. Who knows? He had an accent, and his last name was Syed. I liked him. It seems he drives down from Dallas on M - W - F and performs the procedure ALL day long on three days. Nobody told us what he does on T T. I figure that means he is a Texas Tech TT fan and keeps those two days holy. In the beginning around 8:30, he had not arrived. The nurse told a patient, "You will be first today. The doctor is not here yet. I will know he is here when I see his eyes." later explanation said that he was not consistent showing up on time. I do think being late everyday does show consistency. It's just how you look at it.

With that I close.
m t z

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Monday is over

this day was filled with things that had to be done but bring in no revenue - plus one learning situation...and it all took ALL DAY!!!

1. Up early....well, 7:55
2. Headed to town and took the Marauder to the body shop. For those who missed that, an 87 yr old guy had a heart attack, rear ended a car behind us, traveled over 3 lanes to scrape down the right hand side of the Marauder as it sat in the right hand turn lane.
Here's a little tidbit: You can tell me if you think this is right or wrong.
The gent has State Farm Insurance.
We have State Farm Insurance.
He hit our car so the claim should be filed under his policy.
But, because they got someone to say the wreck happened because of his "heart attack," medical something-or-other, St Farm says they are not liable.
So, we had to file under our policy.
The car still gets fixed and paid for by State Farm; however, I do not get a rent car for the duration AND I have to pay a $100 deductible.
It just doesn't seem right to me.
Did he have a heart attack before or after the wreck? We all know this question cannot be answered cause he wasn't awake the whole time.
So, I lose $100.
Makes you thunk.

3. Our little Liesl has had a medical problem. How old am I anyway? I never knew about this - I might mention this particular subject is just a bit tasteless / questionable - Liesl was sitting beside me in my old brown chair. I lifted her and put my hand under her bottom to assist. Dachshunds have long backs and need support. She cried out.
I checked and found an area on her bottom (near the tail) that was sorta gooey and swollen. We watched her all weekend. Let us all remember here that children and dogs never get sick unless it is the weekend. Me thinks it is a wule.
In the morning we go to the body shop. Then we have to wait until 2:15 and journey back to town for the Vet. Yes, she has swollen Anal Glands. I say, "What?" It seems they have 2 glands, one on each side of the - the - the - aw, you know, the 0. Most of the dogs in the world drain naturally when they woo - poop - relieve. Not Liesle this time.
Some dogs don't drain properly all the time and the gland swells. Well, Liesl's swelled and broke on the outside leaving an extra gooey opening. What I learned is that people will massage this area on their dogs - regularly - and take care of the problem before it is a problem. How do you explain this to a dog as you start to massage?
I repeat: How old am I? We have never had a dog with this problem before. Why Now?

Liesl is on drugs. She seems a bit happy tonight.

4. Had a first encounter today. We are now paying our real estate taxes personally instead of any other method. I have never had to write checks for real estate property taxes before. They are high. Our Mildred ISD taxes are 50% more than the entire county taxes. I hope they have a bond issue soon so I can vote against it. I pay enough school taxes to buy more than one tuba -- or at least a hundred football helmets and personal gear. Go Eagles !! I have an investment in the Eagles.

That's enough for this evening. I have to get up and into town in the morning to buy some lottery tickets for the $290 million up for grabs. I have already spent the $290 mil on school taxes -- I have to, just have to win.
night all
mtz

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Bowl Games

Bowl Games are tradition. Yet, their names change with a turn of the dollar. Here is the test. Below is a list of the Bowl games as they are called today. The question is whether you can recite the traditional names and locations of these bowl games. I cannot. Some are really easy since they vary the name.
m3

p.s. I do not know the answers either.

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1. New Mexico Bowl
2. Udrove Humanitarian
3. R&L Carriers New Orleans
4. Beef 'O' Brady's
5. Maaco Las Vegas
6. San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia
7. Sheraton Hawaii
8. Little Caesars Pizza
9. Advocare V100 Independence
10. Champs Sports
11. Insight
12. Military Bowl presented by Northrop Grumman
13. Texas
14. Valero Alamo
15. Bell Helicopter Armed Forces
16. New Era Pinstripe
17. Franklin American Mortgage Music City
18. Bridgepoint Education Holiday
19. Meineke Car Care
20. Hyundai Sun
21. Autozone Liberty
22. Chick-Fil-A
23. Ticketcity
24. Outback
25. Capital One
26. Gator
27. Rose Bowl Presented by Vizio
28. Tostitos Fiesta
29. Discover Orange
30. Allstate Sugar
31. Godaddy.com
32. AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic
33. BBVA Compass
34. Kraft Fight Hunger
35. Tostitos BCS National Championship Game
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GO TECH !