You Say Goodbye, and I Say Hello...

To use a cliché, “another year has come and gone”.

2012 was thought of a possible ending to life we know. Like ‘Y2k”, many believed that cataclysmic or transformative events would occur this year in December. For me, that date was October 14^th around 7:15 in the evening coming down the mountains of Western NC into SC.

We’ve all had gains and losses this year. Things, people, or circumstances pull us in many directions. I refuse to believe that many things are ordained or destined; not that I don’t believe in destiny. I believe we all can accomplish greater things than we already do and be better than even we ourselves believe we can be.  Looking back into the past can be interesting. I’ve heard that we should learn from the past so we not repeat the same mistakes. How’s THAT working out for us?  I’ve heard that history will teach us nothing. Sting even sang a song about it…

If we seek solace in the prisons of the distant past

Security in human systems we're told will always always last

Emotions are the sail and blind faith is the mast

Without a breath of real freedom we're getting nowhere fast

If God is dead and an actor plays his part

His words of fear will find their way to a place in your heart

Without the voice of reason every faith is its own curse

Without freedom from the past things can only get worse

Do you agree with that?

Here I go dipping my toe into the mire… The below are things I took note of this year.  

It’s by no means complete.

January

January 8 – The great Pittsburgh Steelers were “Tebowed” in overtime 29-23 during the AFC Wildcard game ruining Elvis’ birthday.

January 20- Etta James dies.

January 22  - ‘JoePa’- Penn State football coach Joe Paterno passes away. His legacy , for right or wrong, tarnished by his role or non role in the investigation of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky. (See JUNE)

February

February 1 – At least 79 people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured after a soccer game in Port Said, Egypt.

February 3 Actor Ben Gazzara dies

February 5 – Giants beat the Patriots in Super Bowl 46.

February 6 – The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II marks the 60th anniversary of her accession to the thrones of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, and the 60th anniversary of her becoming Head of the Commonwealth.

February 11 – Whitney Houston dies

February 27 – Arab Spring: As a result of ongoing protests, Yemeni President Ali Something or Another is succeeded by Vice President Al-Something or another.

February 29 – Davy Jones of 'The Monkeys' dies

March

March 9 - A judge sentenced former South Carolina Lt. Gov. Ken Ard to five years probation, 300 hours of community service and to pay a $5,000 fine Friday afternoon after Ard admitted campaign ethics violations.

March 13 – After 244 years since its first publication, the Encyclopedia Britannica discontinues its print edition.

March 22 – The Atlanta Braves announced that Chipper Jones would retire following the 2012 season, after 19 Major League seasons with the team

March 23 – Earl Scruggs passes away

April

April 2 – The United States Supreme Court upholds strip searches for new inmates at the country’s jails in a 5-4 vote.

April 7 – newsman Mike Wallace signs off from Earth (dies)

April 8 – The anniversary of my 46^th year breathing AND Easter!

April 18 – Dick Clark will never broadcast another rockin' New Year (deadski)

April 19 – The Band’s Levon Helm  dies

April 26 – The Indianapolis Colts pick Andrew Luck as the 1^st pick of the 2012 NFL Draft. The Steelers chose to shore up the offensive line drafter 2 linemen,

May

May 2 - One of the biggest cycling events in the country, USA Cycling Pro Championships announces it’s leaving Greenville, SC and moving to Chattanooga, Tn. During its stay, Greenville transformed its downtown and surrounding areas to a more “bike friendly” town.

May 8 – Maurice Sendak author of “Where the Wild Things Are” dies.

May 9 – Vidal Sassoon passes away.

May 10 – Auto designer Carroll Shelby is dead

May 17 – Donna Summer passes away.

May 20 – Robin Gibb of the Bee Gee’s continues a dark month for disco fans dying on this date.

June

June 5–6 – The century's second and last solar transit of Venus occurs. The next pair is predicted to occur in 2117 and 2125

June 5 – Author Ray Bradbury assumes room temperature (dies)

June 17 – Rodney King dies (insert your own funny quip here)

June 22 – Former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is found guilty on 45 of the 48 charges of child rape , molestation, etc after an arrest on the charges in 2011.

June 24  Shenzhou 9, a Chinese spacecraft carrying three Chinese astronauts, including the first-ever female one, docked manually with an orbiting module Tiangong 1, first time as the country, making them as the third country, after the United States and Russia, to successfully perform the mission.

June 26 – “Chick flick” director and screenwriter Nora Ephron dies

June 24 Lonesome George, the last known individual of the Pinta Island Tortoise subspecies, dies at a Galapagos National Park, thus making the subspecies extinct.

June 28 - In a 5-4 vote, the Supreme Court upheld the core elements of Obama’s much-debated health care overhaul, which even he embraced as “Obamacare.”

July

July 3- a VERY sad day because Andy Griffith dies.

July 4 – Happy Birthday America!!

July 4 – CERN announces the discovery of a new particle with properties consistent with the Higgs boson after experiments at the Large Hadron Collider.

July 8 – Ernest Borgnine dies- arrrgh!                         

July 12 - 250 statewide candidates, who were tossed off primary and general election ballots for failing to file their financial disclosure forms properly,  were told they had until July 20^th to have their petitions in to run, 250 candidates statewide were tossed off primary and general election ballots for failing to file their financial disclosure forms properly

July 16  Author Stephen Covey is dead

July 20 - A gunman, dressed in tactical clothing, set off tear gas grenades and shot into the audience with multiple firearms, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others during a midnight screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises. He was arrested and faces charges.

July 23 – Shuttle Astronaut Sally Ride dies.

July 27 – August 12 – The 2012 Summer Olympics are held in London, England, United Kingdom with a ROCKIN’ concert!!

July 30–31 – In the worst power outage in world history, the 2012 India blackouts leave 620 million people without power. Customer service centers in the US go nuts.

July 31 – Gore Vidal dies.

July 31 - "Gangnam Style" a pop single by the South Korean musician PSY is released. At around 15:50 hrs UTC on December 21, 2012,  "Gangnam Style" will become the first video in the history of the Internet to be viewed more than a billion times, and it is the most watched video on YouTube.

August

August 6 – Curiosity, the Mars Science Laboratory mission's rover, successfully lands on Mars.

August 6 – Here on Earth  Marvin Hamlisch is dead, dead, dead.

August 15 – ‘stainless Steel Rat’ author Harry Harrison dies

August 19 – Tony Scott inexplicably jumps off a bridge in LA and kills himself.

August 20 – The lovely Phyllis Diller passes away

August 25 – my lovely wife’s birthday.

August 25 – Astronaut Neil Armstrong dies

August 27 - 88-year-old Frances Patterson, known locally as “Hubba Hubba” peacefully passes away

August 31  Researchers successfully perform the first implantation of an early prototype bionic eye with 24 electrodes.

September

September 3 – big man Michael Clarke Duncan passes away.

September 3 – The right reverend Sun Myung Moon meets whatever maker he believed in.

September 7 – Canada officially cuts diplomatic ties with Iran by closing its embassy in Tehran and ordered the expulsion of Iranian diplomats from Ottawa, over support for Syria, nuclear plans and human rights abuses.

September 8 – My 16^th wedding anniversary

September 11 – An assault in Benghazi, widely blamed on a group with suspected links to al-Qaida kills U.S. Ambassador Chris Stephens and three other Americans. Controversy erupts over initial official explanations by those within the US government.

September 25 crooner Andy Williams dies

October

October 14 – Boom

October 14- Austrian skydiver Felix Baumgartner becomes the first person to break the sound barrier without any machine assistance during a record space dive out of the Red Bull Stratos helium-filled balloon from 24 miles (39 kilometers) over Roswell, New Mexico in the United States.

October 17 – Dutch “actress” and 80’s pubescent film hero Sylvia Kristel dies

October 21 – George McGovern dies.

October 29 – Hurricane Sandy hits the northeast. A great concert to benefit the people will ensue.

November

November 6  – running only on the “I ain’t Obama” platform, Mitt Romney easily loses the US Presidential election.

November 6 - Maine, Maryland and Washington became the first states to legalize gay marriage via popular vote.

November 6  Voters in Colorado, Washington State, and Massachusetts pass “pot” legalization laws

November 14 – 21 – Israel launches Operation Pillar of Defense against the Palestinian-governed Gaza Strip, killing Hamas military chief Ahmed Jabari. In the following week 140 Palestinians and five Israelis are killed in an ensuing cycle of violence. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is announced by Egyptian Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton after the week-long escalation in hostilities in Southern Israel and the Gaza Strip.

November 20^th – SC Governor Nikki Haley blames outdated computers and security flaws at the state’s Department of Revenue allowed international hackers to steal 3.8 million tax records, the governor said. She announced that the agency’s director, James Etter, would resign at the end of the year.  It’s revealed on Dec 24^th that another state website was hacked – this time with no information loss.

November 23 – Larry Hagman dies

November 29 – The UN General Assembly approves a motion granting Palestine non-member observer state status.

December

December 3 – John Thomas’ 5 year anniversary with Greenville County EMS quietly passes by

December 3 – Kate Middleton officially announces she’s “knocked up” in Britain.

December 5 – Jazz guru Dave Brubeck passes away

December 5 – I regain full eye sight- call into work to see when I can come back!!

December 6 - founding member of the Senate Tea Party Caucus and SC Senator Jim DeMint announces will resign from office at the end of the year to head the right wing Heritage Foundation. Charleston Rep Tim Scott replaces him.

December 9 – British broadcaster and astronomer Patrick Moore passes away.

December 11 =  Beatles inspiration Ravi Shankar dies

December 14 - 20-year-old Adam Lanza killed 20 first-graders and six educators at the Sandy Hook Elementary School on Dec. 14. He also killed his mother in their Newtown home before going on the rampage and then committing suicide

December 24 – Jack Klugman and Charles Durning both die on this day

December 25 Happy (observed) Birthday Jesus!

December 27 – General Norman Schwartzkof dies

December 30 – The mighty Pittsburgh Steelers finish their season 8-8 after beating the lowly Cleveland Browns. They will be sitting at home during this season’s playoffs.

December 30 - Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was hospitalized Sunday after doctors discovered a blood clot during a follow-up exam related to a concussion she suffered this month.

December 31 -  Among the host of general manager and head coach firings in the NFL, the Philadelphia Eagles officially fire 14 year Head Coach Andy Reid. The Bears fire Lovie Smith after 9 seasons

December 31 – South Carolina AP reporter Jim Davenport succumbs to cancer and passes away just 2 months after receiving the state’s highest honor, the Order of the Palmetto for his years of service and reporting in the state’s capital.

December 31 – Lord of The Rings Oscar winner Michael Hopkins killed in a rafting accident

December 31 -  The Tigers lose the Chik-Fil-A Bowl in Tampa Florida.

What do YOU remember the most about 2012? Post below or email me.

Happy New Year!!
John

I May Have To Watch This tonight...

Apparently, the surviving members of Nirvana are re-uniting tonight (12-12-12) for a benefit concert for victims of Hurricane Sandy...

from http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/paul-mccartney-subbing-kurt-cobain-nirvana-reunites-article-1.1218363

During the 12-12-12 benefit concert, Paul McCartney will sit in for the late Kirk Cobain. For me, this is SO cool!!!! I remember the Live Aid celebration concert a few years ago when Sir Paul sang 'Sgt Pepper' with U2 and Bono -that was freaking amazing.

Back From The Dead/ Big Changes Suggested For the NFL

* A BIG thank you for those who overwhelmed me with their kindness and generosity during the past 2 months after my accident. I am humbled and grateful.

* Feels kinda weird to wish anyone a 'happy' Pearl Harbor day today (12/7).

* Joss Whedon submitted his outline for the sequel to Marvel’s $1.5 billion blockbuster "The Avengers."

* Dan Ackroyd insists Ghostbusters 3 is still in development, but admits those involved should hurry up and decide as soon as possible. Read the interview HERE

Meanwhile while catching up on some reading after no being able to read, I came across this on Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/roger-goodell-talks-chiefs-eliminating-kickoffs-player-safety-164839047--nfl.html). An article in Time magazine features Commissioner Goodell talking about a possible plan to eliminate kickoffs altogether.


TIME sat in on meeting between Goodell and Rich McKay, head of the NFL's powerful competition committee. Goodell brought up a proposal promoted by Greg Schiano, coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: after a touchdown or field goal, instead of kicking off, a team would get the ball on its own 30-yard line, where it's fourth-and-15. The options are either to go for it and try to retain possession, or punt. If you go for it and fall short, the opposing team would take over with good field position. In essence, punts would replace kickoffs, and punts are less susceptible to violent collisions than kickoffs.

"It's a much different end of the play…It's an off-the-wall idea," Goodell said. "It's different and makes you think differently. It did me."

While the new rule moving the ball down so far to eliminate 80% of kick off returns is settling in, I feel this proposal would radically change the game too much. I mean, it would be unlikely, but feasible for a team to have the ball all the time during one of the halves of the game. Though one could argue with the onside kick off rule, that can be done anyway..

What say you?

KATE!

kinda weird

I LOVE This Spot

Undecided Voter

So have you voted in the "Who won last night's debate?" poll yet? Can you guess the predictable results depending where you see the poll? BTW, I actually AGREE with this video form SNL

http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/undecided-voter/1418227/

Do This Year's Presidential Debates Matter?

Twas the night before the October 3rd Presidential debate
and all the through the nation
a feeling of deja vu is rampant
and in my opinion, a definite lack of elation...

I know, I could do better...

I'm so tired of the election already.
In my opinion, this debate is merely an exercise
a ghost of what the US used to be.

They USED to matter, I suppose.

Watching video of the Nixon/ Kennedy debates are interesting.
That's back when there were only 3 networks and it was pretty much a litmus test on how we here in the US would observe our potential candidates in a challenge or perceived confrontation.

Now they are horribly predictable: down to the specific phrases and counterpoints. Though ideologically miles apart, seemingly, they both are a caricature of each other. Take the daily appearances they make- they BOTH are dressed and presented similarly. Down to the matching white , rolled up long sleeve shirts and nearly identical suits and ties. Google "Obama Romney" in Google images and see what you find- it's creepy!

In the name of civility, both candidates will smile as they attempt to jab one another and their political party.

Both candidates will cite the same rhetoric and half truths that we have heard all year or even longer.

Nothing new will be revealed.I promise you. Expect both candidates to make a minor gaffe or two and even laugh about it.

Overall, it's going to be quite the non event.

And think, both candidates have spent WEEKS preparing for this. BOTH candidates' spokespeople have repeatedly told the press to expect to be underwhelmed.

We're WAY ahead of ya there, guys...

Batman: The Dark Knight Rises Dec 4 DVD Details

from: http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2012/09/28/warner-bros-offers-details-for-dark-knight-rises-blu-ray-dvd/

Warner Bros. Offers Details For
Dark Knight Rises Blu-ray & DVD

Friday, September 28th, 2012 at 8:45am by Kevin Melrose

One of the most-anticipated releases of the year, the Blu-ray is jam-packed with bonus features, including: a Batmobile documentary (spotlighting all five vehicles); “Ending the Knight,” a look at how Christopher Nolan and his team created the ending to the big-screen trilogy; trailers; and art galleries. The DVD boasts “The Journey of Bruce Wayne” featurette. Notably absent is any director commentary, which probably shouldn’t come as a surprise.

As was the case with The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight Rises offers a limited-edition set, this time featuring a broken cowl (below). Warner Bros. also announced the Dec. 4 release of “The Dark Knight Trilogy Limited Edition Giftset,” which includes all three of Nolan’s films and a collectible book that delves into their production. Another box set, “The Dark Knight Trilogy Ultimate Collector’s Edition” will arrive sometime in 2013.

Suggested retail for the Giftset is set at $52.99. The Dark Knight Rises Blu-ray combo pack is set at $35.99, and $39.99 for the Limited Edition Bat Cowl set. The DVD is $28.98. You can see a breakdown of the bonus features below.
The film, which has grossed more than $1 billion worldwide, stars Christian Bale as Batman, Anne Hathaway as Selina Kyle, Tom Hardy as Bane, Marion Cotillard as Miranda Tale, Michael Caine as Alfred, Gary Oldman as Commissioner Gordon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Officer John Blake and Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox.



Blu-ray Combo Pack:

• “The Batmobile” Documentary: Witness all five Batmobiles together for the first time in history. Dive deep into every aspect of the most awe-inspiring weapon in Batman’s arsenal as you journey through the birth and evolution of this technological marvel and cultural icon. (01:00)
• Ending the Knight: A comprehensive look into how Director Christopher Nolan and his production team made The Dark Knight Rises the epic conclusion to the Dark Knight legend.
• Production
• The Prologue: High-Altitude Hijacking
• Return to the Batcave
• Beneath Gotham
• The Bat
• Batman vs Bane
• Armory Accepted
• Gameday Destruction
• Demolishing a City Street
• The Pit
• The Chant
• The War on Wall Street
• Race to the Reactor
• Characters
• The Journey of Bruce Wayne
• Gotham’s Reckoning
• A Girls Gotta Eat
• Reflections
• Shadows & Light in Large Format
• The End of A Legend
• Trailers
• Art Galleries
• UltraViolet: Instantly stream and download films to compatible devices

DVD:

• The Journey of Bruce Wayne
• UltraViolet: Instantly stream and download films to compatible devices

The Dark Knight Rises -- My Thoughts (Non spoiler version)

picture from http://www.a2-m3.com/2012/07/10/13-minutes-of-the-dark-knight-rises-sneak-peek/

I think this is one of those cases where I expected too much from a movie. It’s staggering that I have been a fan of the character and mythos for 41 years. Regardless of what you’re about the read,  I strongly urge you to go and see the movie. It will be well worth your movie dollar and something to talk about and enjoy despite the unfortunate events at the midnight premiere in Colorado. At the end of the movie, many in the audience with me clapped and cheered. My prediction is this will be a big movie, but come nowhere close to ‘The Avengers” in box office or magnitude. That hurts me a little to write as Batman is my favorite character.

For me, what I took from this movie is that Chris Nolan wanted to have his cake and eat it too; a huge, big, goodie filled multi layered cake with lots of decoration and icing. Especially at the end of the movie. The movie suffers a little in order for him to accomplish this. I expected MUCH better from he and his brother, who with David Goyer, wrote the screenplay. In regards to the previous 2 movies, I found this movie to be sloppy in parts. This installment has much more action than the previous 2. And in my opinion, it kind of needed it. Nolan crammed a lot into this movie. To me, it didn’t seem like a nearly 3 hour movie

The story basically is a continuation of the 2^nd movie 8 years after the events of Dent’s death.  It turns out, there are tremendous consequences as a result of the scheme Gordon and Batman concocted to frame Batman for Dent’s death so the city could have a hero (in Dent) and overcome crime for the most part. Nolan does a good job tying the previous 2 movies into this one not letting you forget what has led up to this tale. A glaring observation to me was The Joker is the only thing from the prior 2 movies that’s not referenced either in dialogue or flashbacks. My opinion is how could they have left him out and included nearly EVERY character and aspect of the first 2 movies? I think I know why, but still, to me it was an obvious omission regardless of the reason.

Anne Hathaway was a much better Catwoman than I thought she’d be. I was wrong about her as the Catwoman character. Her injection into the story felt rushed to me. It could and should have been allowed to develop.  Tom Hardy was believable as Bane. Like Catwoman, I felt rushed to believe he was the bad guy. Michael Caine did an extraordinary job as Alfred. Unfortunately, he’s only in the 1^st quarter of the movie, and appears briefly at the end. Cillian Murphy’s appearance is also very brief and obviously gratuitous to me. He is more wasted and irrelevant than his cameo in the 2^nd one.  All the supporting cast did a great job; Gary Oldham, Mathew Modine, Morgan Freeman, my Pittsburgh Steelers as the Gotham Knights- hahaha!  Despite my negative laden feelings and thoughts about the movie, the acting was spot on.  2 major characters from the Batman mythos appear in this movie. One was kind of expected; one I didn’t think about but SHOULD have known.  

The end of the movie. Well, here’s where I believe Nolan failed – the movie to me had two endings and you’ll understand it when you see it. There’s a predictable scene at the end of the movie involving Gordon-Levitt’s John Blake character that made me groan loudly.

 I’d give this movie 6.5 out of 10. Even though I don’t like cake, I didn’t entirely not enjoy this experience.





Coffee Ad

http://vintage-ads.livejournal.com/3607660.html

1652 coffee advertisement-- yep, 1652!


click on the link to read the ad-
the ad reads...




The Vertue of the COFFEE Drink.

First publiquely made and sold in England, by Pasqua Rosée.
THE Grain or Berry called Coffee, groweth upon little Trees, only in the Deserts of Arabia.

It is brought from thence, and drunk generally throughout all the Grand Seigniors Dominions.

It is a simple innocent thing, composed into a drink, by being dryed in an Oven, and ground to Powder, and boiled up with Spring water, and about half a pint of it to be drunk, fasting an hour before and not Eating an hour after, and to be taken as hot as possibly can be endured; the which will never fetch the skin off the mouth, or raise any Blisters, by reason of that Heat.

The Turks drink at meals and other times, is usually Water, and their Dyet consists much of Fruit, the Crudities whereof are very much corrected by this Drink.

The quality of this Drink is cold and Dry; and though it be a Dryer, yet it neither heats, nor inflames more than hot Posset.

It forcloseth the Orifice of the Stomack, and fortifies the heat with- [missing text] its very good to help digestion, and therefore of great use to be [missing text] bout 3 or 4 a Clock afternoon, as well as in the morning.quickens the Spirits, and makes the Heart Lightsome. It is good against sore Eys, and the better if you hold your Head o'er it, and take in the Steem that way.

It supresseth Fumes exceedingly, and therefore good against the Head-ach, and will very much stop any Defluxion of Rheumas, that distil from the Head upon the Stomach, and so prevent and help Consumptions and the Cough of the Lungs.

It is excellent to prevent and cure the Dropsy, Gout, and Scurvy.

It is known by experience to be better then any other Drying Drink for People in years, or Children that have any running humors upon them, as the Kings Evil. &c.

It is very good to prevent Mis-carryings in Child-bearing Women.

It is a most excellent Remedy against the Spleen, Hypocondriack Winds, or the like.

It will prevent Drowsiness, and make one fit for Busines, if one have occasion to Watch, and therefore you are not to drink of it after Supper, unless you intend to be watchful, for it will hinder sleep for 3 or 4 hours.

It is observed that in Turkey, where this is generally drunk, that they are not troubled with the Stone, Gout, Dropsie, or Scurvy, and that their Skins are exceeding cleer and white.

It is neither Laxative nor Restringent.

Made and Sold in St. Michaels Alley in Cornhill, by Pasqua Rosee, at the Signe of his own Head.

GREAT STORY!!

Make-A-Wish Brings Six-Year-Old Zachary Face To Face With Hellboy

Father's Day 2012

Given my past, I'm fortunate to have two special "fathers" out there, whether they wanted to be or not. Last year, after building up the courage to actually look for him,  I found out my biological father had died in March of 2001 up near Asheville, NC. I was amazed how profound this affected me after putting so much behind me over the last 40 something years of my life. How could I feel loss of something I first lost around 5 years old? Truly incredible. Being of Christian faith, I now see God had other plans, for some reason that I'll never understand. But today, I know that I am fortunate.

Terry Ducker - has been so much more than a dad to me whether he knows or not. Always there helping me to see how things actually are in his view. We disagree on some things, but agree on so much more. He sometimes changes my perceptions and challenging me to reaffirm what I believe in or think I know.  I really try not to dwell on things we disagree on.I am truly thankful he's in my life. He's rebounding from a terrible stroke last year. It's hard to sit back and honor his wishes to do things for himself. It's hard for me to see him get so upset over too many things I don't think he should get so upset over, but that's one of the things we disagree on. I don't want to disrespect him. I'm thankful and fortunate he allowed a snot nosed 7th or 8th grader into his home and became a bad influence on his oldest son, one of my best friends, and adopt the rest of his kids as my own siblings. They are so incredible to me. Not many people grow up in a perfect family. All families have dysfunction. It's how we live through these imperfections and unhappiness that makes us strong and tests our character. We have to take the positives and love and the good times and memories and lessons learned to forge personal armor against life's more unfair than fair predicaments, imperfections and unhappiness. To me, a father steers his children through these waters the best he can. Sometimes north isn't always true when navigating life. Terry Ducker was and continues to be a very valuable, needed compass to me.

Joe Self is probably one of the most moral people I've ever encountered in my 46+ years on this planet. It is very unfortunate I don't make more time to at the very least call or stop by and say 'hello' to him. If there is a 'phrase' dictionary out there, for the phrase 'walks it like he talks it', he would be the FIRST example or definition. He would also be the first to shy away from such compliments. My 'brother from another mother' Terry Self is one of the luckiest people I know because of his father. Terry is probably one of the few people who will actually acknowledge this. Joe Self allowed gave me sanctuary more than a couple of times in my life when I was more than down only luck. They way he lived his life and took care of his family and myself at times was a no nonsense, caring, and instructional to me. He did not judge me for the predicament I was in at the time. He seemingly added more hours to the day for his son and at times for me. I'll never forget taking time to pass a football around with Terry and I in a field at Donaldson Center close to where he lived at the time. He can laugh at himself which is rare for many people. Only until recently did he hang up the cleats and baseball glove to stop playing softball for church. A church he used to preach at and still looked upon as many people's pastor. To me he's a firm believer of 'free will'. He won't beat you over the head with Christianity or the Bible, he'll simply show you or expose you to the truth and what path may be the best for you and allow you to make the choice to take it or not. You may not like what he says and it may contradict what you feel inside, but my experience is that he's  dead on target. He'll be there for you at anytime of day or night. He's a calm voice of reason is emotional chaos. Joe Self is one of the few people out there you can actually believe it when he tells you 'everything's going to be alright'. 

I'd like to stop rambling now and wish both of these guys as well as all the other dads out there a very Happy Father's Day...

Heeeeee's Baaaaaaack!!

Recently stories are beginning to surface on how Bill Clinton may be setting himself and/or his wife up for political office in 2016. Bill Clinton's recent remarks concerning the Romney campaign (tepid support for Romney' and his brief tenure at Bain Capital) and his support for the Bush tax cuts (until next year, at least) have Democrats scratching their heads. Republican sycophants are licking their lips at the free mud they can now sling at Obama using Clinton's words. The NY Post ran a story over the weekend concerning Bill Clinton's supposed posturing and positioning at an event where Clinton praised NY Governor Andrew Cuomo suggesting, like his recent remarks, indicates he's positioning himself for something like the Secretary of State job should Hilary Clinton not run for President. Then of course, there are the countless blogs and news stories questioning Clinton's loyalty to the left with headlines declaring he's crazy or crazy like a fox. Hmmmm. What do you think?



On a more humorous note, Zimbio.com is running what I consider to be a hit piece on the right boasting that Britney Spears, Jessica Simpson, Matthew McConaughey, Freddie Prinze Jr., rapper 50 Cent, Vince Vaughn, Adam Sandler, Joan Rivers, and Shannen Doherty are all proud Republicans.

PROMETHEUS : A Short, Quick Review



What a spectacular film. Yes it’s very familiar for the most part and yes it’s somewhat predictable in areas. This movie is a high quality effort in so many areas.

The Nostromo, Ellen Ripley and Ash have been replaced with Prometheus, Elisabeth Shaw and David. The female actress playing Shaw does a good job, but she’s no Sigourney Weaver. That being written, her character (Shaw) goes through a lot in this film and endures much more than Ripley did in the ‘Alien’ movie. Michael Fassbender excels in this movie and steals in, in my opinion. His ‘David’, like many other sci-fi humanoid robots, endeavors to be human. Much like ST:TNG’s Data. Fassbender show me what it would have been like if “they” had cast Patrick Stewart as Data instead of Brent Spiner. Charlize Theron adds weight to the characters as a supporting actress in my opinion. The Watchmen’s Patrick Wilson plays Elisabeth Shaw’s religious father.


Sorry for the tangent.

As with Alien, Prometheus is as much horror as it is science fiction, which is a compliment. Not your usual sci-fi horror that’s been released over the years. Most of these fail. Prometheus does have it’s faults. Among them are minor plot issues, and those annoying philosophical discussions about the beginning of mankind and humanity. I can see how it can be argued that Prometheus isn’t all that original when compared to ‘Alien’. I think there’s enough difference that makes this movie stand on it’s on.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will no doubt take notice of the film’s special effects. To me, one of the best quality special effects I’ve seen in a very long time- absolutely brilliant. The 3-D version may actually be worth the extra cost of your movie ticket. There will be (are) negative reviews about this film. I think it’s one of those great summer movies you HAVE to see in a theater.

Hot Enuff Fer Ya?

RE: The new "Prometheus" movie- WOW! I was so surprised. I'm a fan of the 'Alien' movies, this movie surpassed my expectations in many ways. Michael Fassbender (Magneto in X-Men 1st Class) is going to be the newest 'it' actor I predict.

What's up with all the cannibal stories lately?

A womern at a Missouri Wal-Mart was being detained at the store’s loss prevention room and decided to cook up some meth while waiting for the cops…

In case you haven’t heard, we’ve got an electoral MESS here in SC. It’s overwhelming to me trying to sort it all out.

Here’s a picture of your favorite MST3K robots in Lego version!!

So Donald Trump is going to sue Miss Pennsylvania for saying the Miss America pageant is rigged?

Police in Nashville Tennessee say former Fleetwood Mac bassist Bob Welch died from a self inflicted gunshot wound..

DC Comics will rehash an old marketing idea when it releases “Issue #0” of many of the company’s current comic books in order to explain to new reader’s (and those of us who aren’t so new) these character’s ‘NEW” origins. Last year, DC rebooted it’s lineup by introducing a storyline that reshaped the DC universe and introducing an alternate “Earth 2” universe. Don’t get me started on this….

Check out these Ewok made-to-order dresses!!

AMC has released the first image of English actor David Morrissey as the fan-favorite villain The Governor from the upcoming third season of "The Walking Dead."

Samuel L. Jackson has been cast as Pat Novak, a charismatic media mogul and a powerful force in the next Robocop movie; allegedly a reboot.

And finally, I saw Bill Murray on the Late Show with David Letterman last night. He looked real good. Was dismissive about Ghostbusters 3. He said he didn't have as much fun filming Ghostbusters 2 and that it was real hard ot capture the magic in the first one. He said he's seen many scripts over the years and didn't like any of them. Dave reviewed a list of Murray's prior movies. WOW!! Too many great films- along with some stinkers in my opinion. I've heard and read that Murray is not the friendliest person to people he doesn't know and is a bit of an eccentric. Along with other not so family friendly adjectives. He's still one of my favorite all-time movie guys and comedians.

What a Long "Short" Week

You guys get the hyperlinks I add to my little blurbs, don’t you? You click on them to see a web version of the story? Just checking… 

Has it been hot enough for ya? So very warm and freaking muggy this may. I really hope everybody’s wrong about it being a long, hot Summer. And of course, like an idiot, I'm going camping next weekend for not one but 2 days and nights. I'm stupid, I know.

Just who is the major DC Comics character who is NOW gay? Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. Feh, I don’t care. I wonder if the re-introduction of the geriatric Alan Scott will include his vulnerability to wood….

OK, seriously, the character’s gayness doesn’t bother me. Batwoman is an openly lesbian superhero in the DC Universe, so no big deal. The thing that bothers me is writer James Robinson’s comment "He's going to be the leader of the team, this dynamic hero, he'll do anything to save people, the bravest man on the planet. Why not just make him gay as well?". I don’t know why that bothers me, it just does.  

Here’s another study (from Australia) touting the benefits of dark chocolate. I’m sure another liquor drink and/or beer a day study is coming soon!

I suppose by now you’ve heard about the plan up in NYC to ban sales of sodas larger than 16oz. The proposal is so convoluted. It excludes so much and is so myopic in nature. Check it out here. Many are seeing this as a way for NYC to get more revenue because while the proposal indicates you cant’ purchase certain sugary drinks over 16 oz, it doesn’t restrict buying more than one 16 oz drink. Ergo, sales tax on more than one purchase would be collected.  

Watch the newest trailer for The Expendables 2 movie HERE

Other movie news: "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," the sequel to 2011's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes," will be released on Memorial Day 2014, while the as-yet untitled sequel to last year's "X-Men: First Class" will mutate onto the big screen on July 18, 2014, Fox said Thursday. "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty," which will star Ben Stiller and Kristin Wiig, has been given a Christmas 2013 release date. “The Lone Ranger,” will change it’s release date from May 31, 2013 to July 3, 2013, trotting it out against “Despicable Me 2.”

There IS such a thing as “old people smell.

SO what is all the hub bub about the new Star Wars video game, 1313?

And finally, John Edwards walks. Is anyone surprised? I do feel justice was done, however, I rarely agree with this kind of justice. Our system isn’t perfect and to me, this is one of those times the lady was blind. I’m all for second chances and all, but John Edwards repentance, albeit sincere, is just a beginning of a very long road. To me, it seems that we as a society are getting tired of all of these public scumbags being so remorseful after getting caught with their pants down or hands in a cookie jar. Too many times, we see these humble speeches of regret as a form of damage control by skilled actors or con men(women). It’s hard to tell what kind of sincerity is being displayed or expressed. A part of me really wants to believe these people, no matter what they’ve done. That’s not excusing them or their misdeeds.

What say you?

Memorial Day 2k12



                                                         My Little Pony - in BACON!!

It always seems weird to greet or meet people by saying" Memorial Day. I understand the sentiment meant - which to me has nothing to do with remembering the ultimate sacrifices of those in the military. I dunno. ANY-WHO - here's some things I saw on the interweb this past week.

Rev Charles Worley of Providence Road Baptist just a couple of miles west of Lake Norman up above Charlotte, NC is dismissing the protests around his church Sunday and feels empowered by them. A few weeks ago, Worley stated during a sermon he believed homosexuals should be divided by their gender and placed into areas surrounded by an electrified fence with periodic food drops to live out their lives. That aspect of the sermon quickly became a viral video on You Tube. I suppose fat people will be his next target.

Wonder if Worley watches “The Big Bang Theory”? Jim Parsons has been outted. Supposedly he’s in a 10 year relationship. My question is, “was he ever “in” the closet?”. I mean, I LOVE the show and his character. To me, it’s a shrug of the shoulders. After watching several interviews with Parsons, Sheldon is more Jim Parsons than vice versa. I’d like to see Jim Parsons as a psychotic villain in something. He could pull that off very well. Perhaps even The Riddler?

Men In Black 3 dethroned this year’s summer movie-to-beat, The Avengers over the Memorial Day weekend. It brought in nearly $18 million alone Friday. This weekend is the 8^th best Memorial Day weekend ever box office money wise.

Gallabrae Highland Games - wow! Big fat kilt wearin’ strong dudes and the women who love them. Meat pies, throwin’ telephone poles and axes. Fancy car shows and border collies too! Lovely lasses dressed in tartan garb. What MORE could you ask for ?

Freedum Weekend Alooft down in Simpsonville.  Lots of local bands and near famous people performing. Including Eddie Money. Admission is free Memorial Day Monday.

The USA Cycling Championships are saying Goodbye to Greenville after several years of holding a leg of their national tour here. I know Greenville bike nuts will be gracious,, but I kind of wish they, the UCA Cycling guys, would hear a boo or two or a hundred for their decision to move this leg of their race to Chattanooga Tn for a few years.

Perhaps Greenville can draw thousands to the cities with events similar to THIS. Wait, they already have these at several local clubs..

Rather than kick their feet up this Memorial Day weekend, the astronauts aboard the International Space Station will be unloading cargo from the first private spacecraft ever to visit the orbiting lab. Astronaut Don Pettit said the Dragon space capsule looks good and when he first entered it the experience was "Like the smell of a brand new car."

NASCAR continues to shoot itself in the foot in Charlotte NC. This weekend’s big race is touting new food options to “draw the fans”. They need more deep fried cupcakes and frozen beer slushies!! Don't get me wrong, I enjoy fruit cups and an occasional veggie burger. It just seems the folks at NASCAR continues to abandon it's core fans. I mean, NASCAR is struggling to be "green" and reduce it's carbon footprint. Seriously?! These cars get 3 miles a gallon. I guess it's OK to ignore the obvious as long as what you're doing is PC.

What’s up with the kids eating all of those little packets of dishwashing and laundry detergent in those clear dissolvable packets?

Speaking of eating. The Feds new “crack down” on Food Stamp (SNAP!) fraud is a joke.

I wonder if SNAP! (food stamps) will pay for paper grocery bags? Los Angeles has joined several smaller towns in the us in banning plastic grocery bags. Many grocery chains will begin charging as much as $.10 for each paper bag after a grace period. Those reusable grocery bags are also under fire for germ and bacterial concerns.

Tropical storm Beryl may bring some much needed rain to we here in the upstate on SC as it may or may not hit the Florida/Georgia/SC coast Memorial Day.  Funny, May 27- June 2^nd is National Hurricane Preparedness Week.

On Friday, Republican Kansas Governor Sam Brownback signed a bill aimed at keeping state courts and agencies from using Islamic or other non-U.S. laws when making decisions. Is this really a problem?

A Colorado man who was admitted to the hospital for a kidney stone received surprising news when the nurse came back with test results revealing he was actually a woman. I suppose this COULD happen.

And finally, click HERE for the amazing story of Eric Simons. He was given a badge while working a short stint at AOL's Imagine K12 incubator event for young education entrepreneurs. He really enjoyed his visit at AOL HQ. So much that he just stayed a couple of months, and his badge kept working. He used the company showers and gym, slept on the company sofas, and worked on his business plan until he was finally busted by a security guard after Thanksgiving.

HEY! It's ME!!!



Despite a wash out on getting together with my extended family, had a good weekend. Good Saturday night get together with Russell Landreth, the wifeage, and lots of prom people. Too many things in downtown GreenVegas this weekend. Armed Forces parade was Saturday- amazing turn out. The Greenville Drive home stand this weekend. The very delicious and great smelling Greek Festival. Greer has an awesome BBQ festival this weekend with WHOLE animals BBQ-ed and grilled. Apologies to my vegan friends, The BMW Charity Pro-Am with the awesome looking and newly engaged Holly Sonders. I miss Catherine Bell this year...

Other things this week....

Please keep Lana Kuykendall in your thoughts, prayers, and well wishes as she continues her fight for good health.

The SpaceX launch/ not a launch was freaking awesome despite not actually lifting off. The rockets fired and the clouds of exhaust enveloped the launchpad as the NASA guy counted down ending with the word "liftoff!" Yet the rocket carrying the Dragon space capsule remained on the launchpad. The computers cancelled the launch A HALF OF A SECOND before liftoff due to some issue with the #5 rocket. Mission specialists say they'll try again next week. I'm a fan of this and despite the setbacks hope this will prove a good thing.

The guy who was convicted in the Lockerbie plane bombing has FINALLY died. Are things better in that case now? Does everyone feel vindicated or justified? Sigh..

The Avengers movie continues it's havoc on the box office and box office records. At least until Spider Man and the nex Batman movie. The movie crossed $1.07 billion worldwide on Thursday to become the sixth biggest film ever and the largest Disney release in history. Freaking AWESOME action movie done right without a female thug singer on a boat. THIS WEEK

The reaper has been busy this week -
RIP Donna Summer, who blames 9/11 for her cancer.
RIP to 31 dates or the rest of the Van Halen 2012 tour.
RIP to Donald "Duck" Dunn and GoGo music creator Chuck Brown.

Saturday Night Live was actually pretty good this week. 69 year old Mick Jagger hosted this season's finale and was in nearly every skit. He performed a few Stones songs with Arcade Fire and The Foo Fighters backing him. The show ended with he and the rest of the cast singing a cool version of "Ruby Tuesday" as a goodbye to Kristen Wiig. Each cast member including producer Lorne Michaels, danced a few seconds with her during the song.

A Tennessee man needs help paying his 30 babies and 11 baby mamas.

Here's a story about how more is owed to student loans than credit card or auto loan debt.

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg made the news this week. HE GOT MARRIED SATURDAY!

The NAACP passed a resolution Saturday endorsing same-sex marriage as a civil right and opposing any efforts "to codify discrimination or hatred into the law. Amazing.

And finally, ALMOST finally. At least until the predictable rioting after a Zimmerman acquittal, facts and findings from the official police report! Pictures and xrays confirming the PRO Zimmerman side of George's injuries to the back of his face and head. Traces of THC was found to be in Martin's bloodstream and that he was shot less than 18 inches which would indicate a struggle. The official police report's findings side with the  Pro TRAYVON side stating Zimmerman should have just left Martin alone as he wasn't doing anything illegal and posed no threat to George Zimmerman. More to come!!