That's Comforting!

George W. has stated that the US is not heading for a recession! Bush said, "I don't think we're headed to recession. But no question, we're in a slowdown." Now isn't that just comforting! This, coming from the same guy that was so surprised when a reporter informed the President that gas prices are projected to reach $4.00 a gallon in the US. "Wait, what did you just say? You're predicting $4 a gallon gasoline?" This was Bush's response! Get your head out of the sand, Mr. President! Does George know that Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke is just saying RECESSION without saying RECESSION!

George W. has been in another world ever since he has been president. I'm sure he was in another world, his own, long before that too! He is so out of touch with reality and what is really going on at home and abroad that it is scary. Thank God the US has not had another 911. God only knows how George W. would respond to that.

I pray for January 2009 to hurry up so we can have a new start!

My New Year's Resolution

Call it luck. Call it fate. Call it Karma. Call it God's Will. I'm not sure exactly why, but I have had a pretty good life. I have never gone hungry. I have never been seriously ill. I may never have been rich, but then I have never gone without either. I also realize not everyone has it as easy as I have.

I watch the television and see numerous times those less fortunate. Some suffer disease. Some have a disability. Some are depressed and lonely. So this year, I want to do more for those who maybe don't have it as easy as I do. I have been feeling compelled to do and give as a way to say "thanks" to whomever/whatever for the good life that I have had.

My New Year's Resolution: Do for others more this year!

Gosh, Those 37 Years Went By Fast ( ;-))

I hear it all the time: "That stinks having your birthday the day after Christmas!" But really it doesn't stink. It's actually quite nice; wake up one day, it's Christmas; wake up the next, it's my birthday! Like 2 holidays, one after the other. Sure, most of my family and friends give me 2 gifts on the same day: "Merry Christmas! Happy Birthday!" I am not complaining! My friends and family probably are: "Damn! We have to buy Karl 2 gifts!"

But then I never told anyone they had to buy me anything. I mean that! I appreciate anything anyone gets me, but I really do not need to get gifts. I have everything I need. When I'm asked, "What do you want for Christmas/your birthday?" I reply with a simple, "Whatever you want to get me!" What I really want, none of my family or friends can get me: a new car, maybe a 42 inch HDTV, maybe a Rolex. I have really come to realize it is better to give than to receive.

I had a wonderful Christmas and birthday, all within 2 days! I only hope that I have made someone else's Christmas as happy as mine.

Why Can’t Everyday Be Christmas?

Driving in my car the other day, listening to some Christmas music and really feeling the excitement this time of the year brings, I began to think that a good part of the joy and happiness of the season is due to us being constantly told it is the time of the season to feel good. Starting in about October, television commercials, radio announcements, songs and the like bombard us with the “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” attitude. That in turn creates an excitement and anticipation within our being. If that’s all it takes to make us feel so good, mind enticement, why not just do it all year round?

But if the constant reminder of the need to feel good happened everyday a couple of things would happen. Firstly, it would become old quickly. The uniqueness would become the mundane, the routine. It would lose its effect. Secondly, I don’t think we could physically keep up the pace. Some really do go all out and become exhausted by the holiday preparation.

But if one can become so happy by just telling oneself to do so, why can’t that occur everyday? Why can’t the kindness that happens at Christmas happen everyday?

It's Beginning To Look Alot Like.................

CHRISTMAST!

The home is getting there. The gifts are just about all bought and wrapped. Soon it will be Christmas Day!

Bush At It Still

Last week the International Atomic Energey Agency (IAEA) reported that Iran is not using nuclear technology for weapons, but energy purposes only, and the US confirmed this stating Iran halted its nuclear weapons program in 2003. This conclusion will most likely shaped how the Bush Administration deals with Iran in the last year (THANK GOD) of its reign.

The next day, Bush was pounding his pulpit showing his hand on how he will deal with Iran. "Iran was dangerous. Iran is dangerous and Iran will be dangerous if they have the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon," Mr. Bush said. "Iran had a hidden, covert nuclear weapons program. What's to say they couldn't start another covert nuclear weapons program?" Mr. Bush said that as long as Iran has the "knowledge" on how to make a nuclear weapon, they are a threat to the US. Get that: THE KNOWLEDGE. Bush did not indicate they also needed the desire and tools necessary. Any high school student can go on the Internet and get THE KNOWLEDGE to build a nuclear weapon, but are they are threat to the US?

Mr. Bush somehow feels compelled to change the Middle East. He believes it is his destiny and duty to reshape the Middle East. Many are concerned about Bush's involvement in the Middle East, including me. Every American as well should be concerned. It was only a little over a month ago that Bush talked of World War III. I don't know about you, but I would like to never see a WWW III. There is enough strife in the world as it is.

Home Sweet Home..........Almost!

Settlement was Friday and the moving truck already loaded, began moving shortly thereafter. As my mortgage guy stated at closing: "It's almost anti climatic!" And indeed it was. Paper pushed in front of me from the left by the mortgage guy and papers pushed at me from the right by the title lady. Then, about 45 minutes later, the previous owner handed me the keys, and it was off I went, indebted up to my you-know-what! A home owner again! I shall truly see if as everyone has said, "It's better than giving it to the landlord!"

Things are however coming along well. The boxes are slowly getting unpacked and home sweet home is becoming just that. I must say so far the condo has been much quieter than the apartment. No kids running around so far. Only a small dog(s) or cat(s) that I heard rolling around on the floor yesterday morning, and the sounds of someone above me walking this morning. Also an occasional flush!

Time will tell!

Give It A Try

Last week I went into my local liquor store and was kindly greeted by an elderly gentleman. "May I help you?" he asked. After asking him where the 2007 beuajolais nouve was, he pointed out the cases stacked up in the front of the store. The wine expert told me to give it a try and "have fun with it. It is very fruity and has a hint of banana." So I bought a bottle of Georges Duboeuf Beuajolais Nouve, and I had "fun with it." I could smell the hint of banana and I certainly could taste it as well. I enjoyed it and would encourage you to try it as well.

Where's The Outrage?

A 19 year old gang rape victim in Saudi Arabia was sentenced to 6 months in prison and 200 lashes because she was with an unrelated male when they were attacked and the woman was gang raped. The woman was originally sentenced to 90 lashes but this was overturned when the rape victim appealed the sentence. Because the gang rape victim was in a car with a man who was not her relative she was guilty of Saudi Arabia's rigid Islamic law requiring segregation of the sexes. This victim was gang raped, and now "raped" by Saudi Islamic law!

Where is the outrage by the US over this incident. The Saudis are supposedly friends of the US. When is George W. going to speak out against this travesty? When is the US going to demand this sentence be overturned. George W. and the US certainly have not hesitated to insist that Pakistan allow Bhutto her freedom. The US has not hesitated telling Musharraf he must move forward with democratic reforms. Why has there been no response to Saudi Arabia by the Bush Administration?

Finally A Candidate That Admits His Humanity

Could it be that we finally have a presidential candidate who admits that he's human and that he's done some rather stupid stuff over the years? I am still very undecided as far as which democratic presidential candidate I support, but more and more, I like Barack Obama's positions and attitude. Today Obabma admitted that he has tried drugs and used alcohol in high school. Not the "smoked marijuana but didn't inhale" lie that some have used in the past. Not the "nope, not me" lie that others have given in the past, but an honest, open, "You know, I've made some bad decisions that I've actually written about. You know, got into drinking. I experimented with drugs..." Obama admitted to not only smoking pot, but doing a little cocaine in his earlier years. Some undoubtedly will see this as a weakness, but I myself see it as a strength. A strength in being honest, admitting one's youthful stupidity, and moving forward to be a productive member of society.

A Little Weekend Fun

Gay Pimp: Something for the fellas that like the fellas............

(Waring: Rated R-if you're under 17, leave; if you're sexually uptight, leave)

All Systems GO

Final approval was given last week on the mortgage, and Settlement has been set for Nov. 30th. So now timing is everything. I was hoping closing could be a bit earlier, but the Seller cannot do it before the 30th. That means I will have to pack up my stuff, load it on the truck on the 29th, and take it to Settlement on the 30th as I have to be out of my current apartment by the 30th as well. The crunch is on to pack stuff, but what do I pack and when? I still have to function for the next 2 weeks, so I cannot pack away everything. And then there's the utility companies that have to be informed so the switch can be made so I have lights, heat, and most importantly, cable and internet. I am very excited, but at the same time apprehensive about all that needs to be done as well as the new debt that I have incurred with the purchase of a home. I just keep looking at the tax writeoffs and hoping that makes it all worth it. As everyone has told me for the past 5+ years, now I will not be just giving my money (aka rent) to someone else. My philosophy has been "been there, done that" in respect to being a homeowner, and now I'm doing it again. I am hoping for the best!

Any Similarities?

Add a mustache to the photo below...........see the similarities?

Do Something With That, Tom!

What's with the new do, Tom? You've got to get rid of that look.

Has The Whole World Gone Friggin' Nuts?

Am I just getting older and going through the "WOE IS THE WORLD" syndrome ( you know the one where old people sit around and complain about all that's wrong with the world), or is the world really going crazy? Just look at some of the news from the past couple of weeks:

Philadelphia Police Charge Teen in Shooting of Two Officers Serving Warrant

Cops kill boy who brandished clothes iron

Cop: Teens Beheaded, Burned Man For Thrill

I just killed Jae-Leigh, dad told mother-in-law

20 years for family man who went on knifing rampage

What is it with all the killings? Why are people so hateful that killing is an everday occurrence? Makes no sense to me.

A Quick Preview of My New Place

On or before November 30th. More to come.........

Steve Irwin Was Psychic?

Steve Irwin, the Aussie Croc Hunter, was psychic according to his wife. Steve's wife, Terri, has revealed that Irwin predicted he would die at a young age. A psychic or a genius? My response: NO SHIT SHERLOCK!! How about I start a hobby of running across Rte. 322 shoeless during rush hour? Then I too can predict my early demise!

My New Friend

A few weeks ago while in New Hope, I found this little critter in a shop. I fell in love with him but didn't want to pay the asking price. So I left empty handed. My mind kept thinking about the little guy the entire way home, so I decided to find out a little about him. A google search for "glass octopus" led me to the site of Michael Hopko, an artist in Northern California. This guy and many other octopi, fish, and turtles are the creations of Mr. Hopko. The octopus was available through Mr. Hopko, but I decided to try my luck on E-Bay. I have never bought anything on E-Bay, but sure enough, I found Mr. Ocotpus. The seller, an art gallery in St. James, NY, listed an asking price. I made an offer $25.00 less. My offer was rejected, but I held firm. A couple days later I received an e-mail stating that if I wanted to resubmit my offer, the seller would accept it. I did, and the rest is history. Mr. Octopus came a few days ago and has a new home in Mays Landing.

Will Gore Warm Up His Supporters?

Al Gore has won the Nobel Peace Prize, sharing it with the U.N.'s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The former vice president said he would donate his half of the $1.5 million prize to The Alliance for Climate Protection, a U.S. organization founded by Gore that aims to persuade people to cut emissions and reduce global warming.

Does this mean that Gore will reconsider throwing his hat into the 2008 presidential race? Many are hopeful this will happen. An organization called draftgore.com is one of several trying to persuade Gore to run. The group ran a full-page ad in The New York Times on Wednesday described as "an open letter to Al Gore." Monica Friedlander, founder of www.draftgore.com, said after the Peace Prize was announced that it would now "be very difficult for him to say no."

I for one would like to see former Vice President Gore shake things up a bit and get into the race. I think he would bring with him something that is currently missing from the current democratic presidential candidates. We already know Gore's position on global warming and the environment, and some feel this is one of the greatest challenges for the very existence of mankind. Gore is a very strong supporter of those less fortunate than he. I checked on some of Gore's feelings on gay rights from his position in 2000. Gore supports "civil union" but not "gay marriage." He would fight to stop any discrimination against same-sex unions. Gore would eliminate "don't ask, don't tell." Perhaps he has evolved in some of his views since 2000, but that would be known more if Gore begins a run for the White House.

Mr. Gore, if you read this, GO FOR IT!

Finally, frost on the pumpkins! Well, that's not exactly frost on those pumpkins, but you get what I mean. I am sitting here at my computer and the temperature here in Mays Landing is 58 degrees F. WOW! Hard to believe that it wouldn't be until October 11th that the temperature would finally get out of the upper 70's to almost 90! I always thought global warming would be good because it would mean our NJ weather would become more Florida-like. However, I find the older I get (not that I'm getting old), the less I like the heat and humidity. I actually like cooler weather now. I am not yet ready for the snow and ice and anything below 50, but I'll take that over 90, hot and humid! We gotta stop global warming because I just might have to move to the Alaska if this keeps up! Believe me, I don't think there's too much to do there! (Where do the gay boys go to dance there)?