Union Pacific Railroad Celebrates 150 years by showing off Steam Engine

I never was much into trains.  I like riding them and watching them go by which is very cool, but it was never a hobby of mine like it is to some.

The Union Pacific Railroad is celebrating it’s 150th anniversary this year by showing off one of the last known steam engines in existence in our country: UP 844.  It was built in the 1940s.  If you aren’t into trains, seeing a steam engine will change your mind – they are definitely much different than a regular locomotive you would see now.  the whistles are louder, and they are much much taller.  very very cool.

It came into Little Rock, Arkansas two weeks ago so I had a chance to see it come into the Union Pacific yard than which was pretty cool.  It was there for two weeks and left this morning on it’s way to San Antonio, Texas.  It made a short 30 minute stop in Pine Bluff, Arkansas this morning after leaving the Little Rock yard.  We chased it for quite a ways to try and get great footage of it running down the track which was pretty cool.  We probably followed it for a good 2 hours or so.  Very very neat.  Included in this post are some photos I took the day it arrived in Little Rock. 

There is a 27 minute video available of it but unfortunately couldn’t post the whole thing to facebook, but you can see the 19minute video by clicking the following image:

 

If you want to see the full video just let me know and I will send you a disc with it.

 

                       

     

baby boomer things compared to modern day

As an amateur film-maker and videographer I have a desire for having an antique 8mm home movie camera. They aren't worth anything apparently but are really cool to own. I first had a desire for these things when I heard that when Steven Spielberg and George Lucas and numerous other baby boom film makers had one when they were kids or used there parents' and made little amateur home made films with them and sparked there interest and curiosity for film making. Both Steven Spielberg and George Lucas would build little tiny sets out of there toys and shoot film of it. I did that once with my mom's camcorder when I was about 12 years old with a hot wheel's set, lol.  That was back in 1992, lol.

I'd love to find me a home movie camera that still works with some actual working film and make one decent film with it - and than play it on a projector, so I can have that cool nostalgic experience of shooting a home movie. I plan on bidding on a few of these items someday on EBay, but I saved the search so I can bid on something another time, I guess I haven’t bid on any yet since I really don’t know what to look for.  but I'd like to get one that is completely operational and find some actual film for it (found some listed on eBay one time) that is still good and somehow find someone who could develop it. And if I could just make one great film with it - I do have an idea for one. I'd be using a vintage camera - why not shoot a vintage film somehow. That'd be really neat

This is why baby boom nostalgia fascinates me more than anything of my own generation - all the cool looking things and the real artistic talent showed before I was even born. That's one thing that bugs me enough to depress me sometimes - I missed out on seeing a lot of great things when they first were out because I was born late, there's no art in car design anymore, no art in film and no art in buildings. No art in writing no art in music anymore. Seem like in the baby boom era and earlier people were artistic in what they did - kids even had real imaginations which lead them to true greatness and made something of themselves when they got older. I really don't see that now. We have become a society of people who don't care and hustle hustle hustle - screw creativity just get it done. A society of not how great it sound or look or be but how fast it gets done.

I bought a CD today, it was a compilation of different artists covering Buddy Holly songs titled “Listen To Me”.  It came out last year.  I first read about it in Goldmine Magazine when it first came out.  When you turn the CD over, on the back it says "benefiting the next generation of music's greats" - I guess the CD was made for a benefit. But where are these greats? Pop radio used to be where true art was played even - Beatles, Motown, Stax, blues stuff - all played on pop radio back in the day. What's on it now? Britney spears, lady gaga, hip hop, some alternative rock. And guess what? It all sounds alike and recorded the same way. And most singers' voices have a recording feature called "auto-tune" used on them, and the music is all synthesized. Even the lyrics aren't even creative anymore. I have nothing against the new stuff, I like it too but that music just doesn’t excite me like the older stuff.  I miss the songwriting of the George Gershwins, Cole Porters, and Irving Berlins. I have a feeling that in 20 or 30 years that type of stuff will be forgotten.

I see old neighborhoods, old parts of towns like we saw today when we stopped in downtown Pine Bluff, Arkansas to view the steam train when it stopped there this morning and it just makes me think "wow, look how things looked back than" - I see places like towns along route 66 and it just amazes me also.

Keep Branson, Missouri in your prayers!

My mom and I drove up to Branson this afternoon and I had a chance to see a lot more than I saw the last couple of times I went up.

All of 76 is finally open again but a part of the road there you have to drive in the turning lane - it's all a mess. The shopping center where mazzio's pizza is is gone but it left mazzio's. Guess it wasn't too hungry for pizza, lol. And it looked like the worse damage was done in that little area, so no wander it was blocked off for a few days, lol. - it's a major mess.

Also went by the store I work at to pay my respects but a construction guy wouldn't let me near the building said the city said it's unsafe and could fall at anytime. When it's done I think it'll be the best looking store in the region!

We also drove down by the landing. Hilton is now boarded up where the windows were blown out and drove to the neighborhood my ex-wife and I lived. Some trailers were destroyed while some (including the one her and I lived in) just looked like it got shook up really bad. But the neighborhood itself is a mess of damage and debris. And the Branson landing didn't look too bad. We walked a ways of it, not much damage at all. Looked like most of the damage there was done to the condos.

I Think if nothing is going on the weekend of march 23-25, I will try to see if I can help somewhere in the cleanup.  Maybe some other weekends also,  I'm not sure how much yet, but also plan to donate some amount of money. Even if it's just $10 or $20.

Some people will not be working anytime soon in Branson because of this tornado, including myself and all my co-workers.

The health store by mazios (one of mom's favorite places to shop while in Branson) is completely gone, 2 gift shops near Walgreens there have sides and a wall gone etc. Right before the beginning of the tourist season to start kicking into high gear. Be sure to keep us all in prayer.

This will also be a definite year to see Branson shows. I'm sure they will put on special shows to say hey, we survived and will stand strong!

The haygoods and grand country jubilee did shows the day after the tornado to say Hey, Branson still going strong - we're not closed we are open. Just remodeling! I even heard the haygoods recorded a song as a reminder of this and proceeds of it will go to benefit the relief efforts. Guess you can get it at the theater they play at.

And I'm sure when our store re-opens we'll have a grand opening blowout special!

Tornado Hits Branson, Missouri

If you don’t know already, there was a tornado that hit Branson, MO last night at about 2 in the morning.  Most of the damage done was on highway 76 (the strip there).  I work at Jubilee Foods there on the strip and luckily I was off today so haven’t had a chance to see what it looks like at this point but as soon as I’m able to I will be driving up there to see what it looks like.  A recent picture I saw on facebook showed the shape of the roof which looked severely damaged.  could be another couple of weeks or months before I go back to work.

If you’re interested in volunteer clean-up efforts go to http://www.volunteer.branson.org.  There are also 2 facebook pages “Branson recovery” and “Branson tornado info” which have posted current information about the clean-up efforts.  I’ll keep you posted when I know anything also.

The space race just stinks anymore

I was watching one of my favorite movies recently.  “Apollo 13” which stars Tom Hanks about the mission to the moon for a 3rd time but instead ended up being a get the crew home safe mission.  It’s one of my all-time favorite films.

Watching it got me to thinking, whatever happened to the space race and exploring new territories? It just sucks now-a-days.  Yes, they’ll send probes up there and people up there to do tests and fix things, but it’s just not the same as it was when we went to the moon.  That was an important event in American and human history.  Kennedy pushed us to go to the moon before the 1960s were out – not because it was easy but because it was hard, and sure enough we got there!  so much left in that mass universe to explore yet ever since than, nothing has been of major importance in space exploration.

I’m all for more space exploration!  I would love to go to mars and to the further ends of the universe.

Paul McCartney’s voice sure fits the Great American Songbook

I recently had a chance to listen to Paul McCartney’s new CD “Kisses On The Bottom.”  For those of you that don’t know, it’s the first CD he ever recorded of songs from the Great American Songbook (songs from the 30s-50s usually recorded by Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra, etc.  and written by the likes of George Gershwin, Cole porter, etc.). 

In my opinion, it is probably the best album he put out in the last 10 years.  it has 14 tracks, and 2 are originals.  The originals are written in the style of the Great American Songbook.  Of the 2 originals, “My Valentine” is the best, in fact I think it’s the best recording on the whole album.  Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder and Diana Krall are also featured on this album.  Great Great album!!  definitely worth the buy. “The Glory of Love” is my most favorite non-original recording.

Sometimes over the last 10 years you can tell in his voice that he’s getting older, I definitely don’t sense it on this record.  Hopefully he will do more albums like this.  Several artists have put out Great American Songbook records in the last decade, I never cared too much for Rod Stewart’s though maybe it’s because I’m not a big Rod Stewart fan? I don’t know.  I have a  copy of Brian Wilson’s “Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin” which was released a year ago.  That’s a great album also.    I can definitely see Paul McCartney putting out another such album.  His voice is perfect for the genre.

Where to go if you want to read articles on my old blog

I can’t say I had a “real” official blog before I created this one earlier this month because I never had the desire to have a blog before, however when I used to use MySpace constantly I used to have a blog there, but it wasn’t what I would call an “official” blog.  I thought about posting some of the stuff on there on here, but I thought since it was all old news and nothing really current that there’d be no point in it.  But if you want to read any of those articles it’s located at http://www.myspace.com/mikeirvan67/blog

54th Annual Grammy Awards Review

A couple of the performances I was anxious to see were good performances but weren't great performances but overall I thought the show was pretty good, and I thought what they did at the end was pretty cool - and also different and unexpected for the Grammys. Normally they close out with the last award and roll credits but instead they close out with Paul McCartney and his band doing golden slumbers/carry that weight/you never give me your money/the end. One medley popularized from the Abbey Road album by the Beatles that he does a lot during his live shows. One type of performance I've always enjoyed is when during a concert of various artists you have the variety of artists get onstage to play, that I always thought was very cool - and they did it at the Grammys for the first time (that I’m aware of at least) when Bruce Springsteen, Dave Grohl, and Joe Walsh got onstage to close out "The end" very very cool.

I thought the beach boys tribute could have been done better but it still was pretty amazing and really amazing to see Brian Wilson play with the Beach Boys again. And the Glen Campbell tribute could have been better but also still was amazing. I was expecting him to come onstage with a 100% sequined jacket like you normally see him in when he does “Rhinestone Cowboy”, but instead he wears a shirt with a few sequins lol. And I wander if towards the end where he seemed a little lost if he was pretending or not.

Paul McCartney’s first performance was interesting and I never thought he would ever team up with Joe Walsh. That's an interesting pair-up, and Joe Walsh is one of my all-time favorite guitarists. Paul does look much more tired than he did a few years ago, in my opinion.

Jennifer Hudson's Whitney Houston tribute was really amazing, especially after I heard that she broke down numerous times during rehearsals she did remarkably well on it.

The dance tribute to Don Cornelius was interesting but I guess I don't understand deadmau5, lol. The mouse head is an interesting gimmick - but I thought that guy would dance around or something but instead just basically stood there but the Chris Brown and Foo Fighters part of the performance was pretty cool.

Bruno Mars - I don't know much about his music but this year and last year at the Grammys he has performed songs that are very 60s/70s soulful like which I think is great!! And this year he did a James Brown type move which was really cool. I am not sure what his musical background is, but if he's bringing back 60s/70s style soul that is amazing!!!! We need more artists like that!!

Bruce Springsteen - great great song! Very very inspirational. Great performance too. “We Take Care Of Our Own” is probably one of the best songs he’s put out in years and should be considered a modern anthem for America and it’s hard economic times right now.

After seeing the Grammys this year there are 3 albums I will definitely have to buy: Adele's "21" - I don't buy very many modern pop albums anymore but that one I think would definitely be worth it; Bruce Springsteen's new album - not sure what it's called or when it'll be out yet, but I'll definitely be looking for it; and Paul McCartney's new album that he made in tribute to the American standards era of music. Can't remember the name of it, but I'll be looking for it. It's about time he paid homage to songs by George Gershwin, etc..

Taylor Swift “Mean” speculation

There has been a lot of speculation since her performance at this year’s Grammy awards as to what she sang towards the end of her song “Mean”.  I work in Branson, Missouri and someone who writes for the local free paper there even thinks she sang “Branson.” – This someone who writes for that paper I also don’t think is the brightest either.  Some of his articles I have noticed he’ll give song titles the wrong titles, etc. If he was very bright he would know you could look up just about anything on the internet, including song lyrics and he posted about Taylor Swift’s song in his column thinking she actually sang “Branson” when she did not.  It sounds like it, but if you do your homework you will find out she didn’t. So this writer’s column goes on to defend some Branson stars and celebrities. 

I’m not a big fan of most of the shows in Branson.  Yes, some people in Branson are legends in there own right (Mickey Gilley, Andy Williams, Oak Ridge Boys, etc.), and there are some that are great performers and truly and honestly care and there are some others who are just wannabes and jerks and are downright rude at places they go to, and in my opinion can be considered legends in their own minds and I wouldn’t even let my dog go see them.  Yes, they are a lot of talented individuals I do agree – however they let there talents go to their heads and think they are some sort of God because of their talents.

If this writer would have researched the song lyrics to “Mean” on the internet, he would have found out that the actual lyric is “Washed Up And Ranting” and not “Washed Up In Branson”.  The night of the Grammy performance, there was talk about this speculation on the KY3 website and facebook page also. 

I’m not a fan of Taylor Swift’s, I do like her songs but won’t rush out to buy her albums.  However, I do feel people need to get there facts straight before they write a complete article about something, especially if they are a daily columnist.  If you don’t do your own homework you will make yourself look very ignorant.

I have also included the lyrics I have found on the internet (and seeing them on 3 other sites have confirmed the actual lyric) and the referred video in this article for you to decide for yourself what she really said.

“MEAN” by Taylor Swift (lyrics found on elyrics.net)

You, with your words like knives and swords and weapons that you use against me
You have knocked me off my feet again got me feeling like I'm nothing
You, with your voice like nails on a chalkboard, calling me out when I'm wounded
You, pickin' on the weaker man

Well, you can take me down with just one single blow
But you don't know what you don't know

Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

You, with your switching sides and your walk-by lies and your humiliation
You, have pointed out my flaws again as if I don't already see them
I'll walk with my head down trying to block you out 'cause I'll never impress you
I just wanna feel okay again

I'll bet you got pushed around, somebody made you cold
But the cycle ends right now 'cause you can't lead me down that road
And you don't know what you don't know

Someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
Someday I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

And I can see you years from now in a bar, talking over a football game
With that same big loud opinion but nobody's listening
Washed up and ranting about the same old bitter things
Drunk and grumbling on about how I can't sing

But all you are is mean
All you are is mean and a liar and pathetic and alone in life
And mean, and mean, and mean, and mean

But someday I'll be living in a big old city
And all you're ever gonna be is mean, yeah
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

Someday, I'll be, living in a big old city
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
Someday, I'll be big enough so you can't hit me
(Why you gotta be so mean?)
And all you're ever gonna be is mean

Why you gotta be so mean?

The greatest performance of our National Anthem ever recorded

In 1991 Whitney Houston performed The Star Spangled Banner for Superbowl XXV.  Enjoy her performance of it!  The greatest performance of it I have ever heard!

I Will Always Love You

In remembrance of Whitney Houston’s life, I have been playing her songs for the last couple of hours.  “I Will Always Love You” recently played, and listening to that song now, it can be interpreted a completely different way.  It’s about saying goodbye to someone you love.  Now it can be interpreted to say goodbye to her fans.

Dolly Parton written it in 1973, but Whitney made it so much better.  according to Wikipedia, Whitney was originally supposed to record “What Becomes of The Broken Hearted” originally by Jimmy Ruffin for the soundtrack to “The Bodyguard” but the song was already featured in “Fried Green Tomatoes.” Thank God for “Fried Green Tomatoes” lol.  I don’t think the soundtrack for “The Bodyguard” would be a smash if it weren’t for “I Will Always Love You”

“I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU” written by Dolly Parton

If I should stay,
I would only be in your way.
So I'll go, but I know
I'll think of you ev'ry step of the way.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
You, my darling you. Hmm.

Bittersweet memories
that is all I'm taking with me.
So, goodbye. Please, don't cry.
We both know I'm not what you, you need.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.

(Instrumental solo)
 
I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you've dreamed of.
And I wish to you, joy and happiness.
But above all this, I wish you love.

And I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I will always love you.
I, I will always love you.

You, darling, I love you.
Ooh, I'll always, I'll always love you.

Whitney Houston: 08/09/1963–02/11/2012 RIP

On my way home I heard the sad and shocking news, and with me being an amateur musicologist it has affected me a little bit also even though I wasn’t a big fan of hers, I always have enjoyed her songs.  She had a very amazing voice.  I was 12 when I first heard her records.  “I Will Always Love You” was the first song of hers I remember ever hearing, and after listening to songs from soundtrack to “The Bodyguard” I just had to have it, so at the age of 12 I had the soundtrack on cassette.  That song being my most favorite one on the album.  I heard Dolly Parton’s original some years later, but still liked Whitney’s version much better.

I also loved her hit from 1991 “I’m Your Baby Tonight” and her rendition for the Super Bowl one year of our national anthem.  I also loved “One Moment In Time” – a song she did during the Olympics back in the 1980s.  Another tragedy in the music industry, she will greatly be missed.

Whitney, we will always love you.

No To Mitt Romney

I’m a conservative, and he claims to be one too but after a 28 minute video I watched about him a couple weeks ago I have came to the conclusion that I honestly think he is the Anti-Christ prophesied in the book of revelation.  We all think Obama is bad?  Romney’s a lot worse!  This guy took a lot of jobs from the people that had jobs with companies that Bain Capital had bought, and than sold the companies to places overseas and such causing a lot of people to lose their jobs!  If this yahoo becomes the next president there will be no more jobs.  We’ll all be homeless and fighting in the streets. That is also prophesied.  I know to some I may just seem paranoid, but I’m just trying to be prepared because I do believe in God and I am a strong believer that the end is near.

I know a lot of you are against Newt Gingrich because of his immoralities, but hey – nobody’s perfect.  You have to look at how the guy might be as a leader.  And in all the debates, he’s had some pretty good answers and he sure does know how to tell the scum-sucking journalists where to stick it!

Oh, and one other thing while we’re on the topic of being conservative (and I’m sure I’ll probably bring it up other times also on this blog) – I got in an argument that went back and forth for 3 days with someone online before I decided to just bite my tongue, and listening to a lot of Andrew Wilkow on Sirius XM has confirmed that if you’re libertarian or conservative you get accused of being racist and child haters, etc.  Excuse me???  I’m racist because I refuse to learn Spanish and refuse to cater to hispanics in the United States of America??  I’m a child hater because I feel these lazy people on welfare and food stamps who are capable of working can’t get off there lazy butts?? I don’t want to see America's children starve either but it don’t mean we give the government the right to enable the parents to be this way. it’s called take the kid away from the parent!! it’s called set stricter guidelines for welfare! if a person applies for it, fine but they’re cut off after so long.  And since when is not being able to speak English A DISABILITY???  I ought to go to Mexico and say “no habla espanol me want your disability check” lol.  oh, I guess that makes me racist talking like this.  yea, if that makes me so racist than how come I have no problem with them as a whole and no problem with them being here as long as they learn the culture and the language? racists don’t like them period.  get a clue!!  seem like the liberals and democrats are very very very confused!! lol.  ok, stepping off my soap box for now lol.  goodnight, everybody!

Google AdSense

I actually think Google AdSense is a great idea, that’s why I use it.  How it works is you allow Google to show ads on your website or blog and every time some one clicks on the ad, you get paid.  the catch is that it tracks IP addresses so I couldn’t just click on the ads constantly on my blog unfortunately, lol. 

A couple years ago I had it on my personal website I used to have.  I got rid of that website a couple years ago because I was paying $100 a year to have the domain and have it hosted and no one was visiting and what was the purpose of having a website when what I was trying to accomplish with it I was able to accomplish with many of the free social network services that were starting to spring up all over online a couple of years ago? So I got rid of it and joined MySpace, Facebook and Twitter lol.  Didn’t see any real purpose of AdSense since than.  I didn’t even realize I was still subscribed to it until I created my blog last weekend, lol.  Great!!  Now this poor, middle class worker trying to make a name for himself could make a little bit extra money again with it, lol.  In fact, I think my AdSense ads are on the right side of the screen and possibly somewhere below this article, lol.

Just found out about “Windows Live Writer”

Hello, everybody.  I created my blog just a few days ago and have been trying to search for a program the last couple of days that allows me to post to it without even having to login to blogger.  Through my search, I found a program that was already installed on my computer called “Windows Live Writer.”  Apparently it’s automatically installed with windows 7, but if you don’t have it and you need a great free blog creation tool, just download “windows live essentials” on live.com.

I decided to create a blog a few days ago because I decided I wanted more of an online presence, and more of a way to try to connect with those I share common interests and beliefs and interests in, so I felt a blog was the best way.

I spent the last couple of hours fiddling with the features of blogger and tweaking the look of my blog until I got it looking like I wanted it.  I saw some cool ways my blog could look, but I decided to go with the much more simple approach.  I have learned as an amateur web designer that no matter how cool it might look, doesn’t make it great on the eyes when trying to read it, and even some of the simple dynamic looks blogger offered, still looked a bit cluttered.  I decided this simple approach looked much better, lol.  there was even a feature where I can post a picture behind the title, I thought hey, that could be cool.  after seeing that I said “nope.” – scrapped it, lol.

In the beginning, I wasn’t even sure what I was going to call it.  I originally called it “mike’s libertarian musings” – but than thought “no, I’m not just going to talk about libertarianism on here.” So I called it “Mike’s Daily Musings.” Yesterday I decided I didn’t like that title.  I needed to be more creative than that.  So I thought, “Why not give it a name like a newspaper?” lol.  So there you have it, folks: “The Daily Mikeirvan.”  Kind of catchy, I think. Lol.   

I even figured out how to get my blog posts to automatically be shown on twitter and facebook since for some reason blogger don’t do that like youtube does. Hopefully now I’ll get even more visitors here, lol. 

Through this I’ll probably share some of my videos I have on youtube also that I think everyone might enjoy like my anti-sopa video or my bob dylan parody “singing through my nose.” lol. 

Superbowl XLVI Halftime Show Performance

I recently was able to finally watch Madonna's halftime show performance from this year's superbowl.  I can't say i'm a big fan of Madonna's.  I never cared for her live, but I do love her songs.

I, for the most part thought the halftime show was pretty neat this year. LMFAO's cameo was pretty good and the gymnastic guys did there part very well. They must have rehearsed/practiced for quite a while to get there parts down well and keep them on those wires as well as they did - especially the one who had to sit on the wire a certain way and hold himslef up for a period of time like he did. And the end where she disappeared and the words 'world peace' appear was really cool.

 

I'm not a big fan of hers to see her live but I do love her songs. And I did enjoy the halftime show performance this year. I usually enjoy that every year. Always lots of neat surprises plus sometimes the outfits and sets look cool - one of the guys in the black eyed peas last year had his suit lit up and than they had slash on last year. That was very cool.

 

I think what would make a great superbowl halftime show, and it would be very different than what they did in the last 20 some-odd years (seem like for 20 or 30 years now they try to find different artists who are popular to play the halftime show, but in the beginning they had a variety of performers including school bands I heard) - what would make a great halftime show and would be different is this: last season on America's Got Talent there was a dance group, I wish I could remember the name of the group, but they had lights on there costumes that lit up as they danced to songs. Very very cool, and in the dark it looks very neat. That I think would make a great halftime show performance I think. Or even the other dance group they had on that show - the silhouettes. Sillhouettes were very inspirationational, and during these hard economic times in America, we need to see more inspirational acts on TV. They'd make a great halftime show performance also.

The Best Superbowl XLVI ADs, IMO

These are the best Superbowl ads during this year's superbowl, in my opinion.  There was a lot of great ones I thought during this year's super bowl but I'd be here all day posting every single one I liked so here's the best ones I think!

It seems the advertising agencies get their most creative during the superbowl. lol.  Enjoy!

This ad is for the Kia Optima.  very great commercial and it stars a famous rock band!!

This ad is for M&Ms. and the female M&M thinks the guys in the ad are rude for snickering because they think she's naked when she's really not.  very funny!  lol.

Jerry Seinfeld wants the first new model Acura NSX to roll off the line, unfortunately he's #2, so he does what he can to "pay off" the guy who's first in line.  very funny cameo towards the end.  enjoy!

I really enjoyed this ad.  It was very funny and also very cute.  This baby's brother is teasing him because the older brother don't want to give him or grandma any doritos.  so grandma slingshots him to the big brother to steal the doritos, very cute.  lol.

 This ad is for Chrysler and stars Clint Eastwood (one of my favorite actors of all-time, btw).  It's somewhat patriotic which makes it great.  basically saying lets bring the car manufacturing back to america.  Great inspirational ad during hard economic times.

This ad is for the Honda CR-V starring Matthew Broderick.  When i first saw it, I didn't see the title of the ad but picked up the references right away, lol.  it's "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" - lol. the whole movie parodied into a 1 minute and 10 second spot starring the star from the actual film.  very funny!

A guy drives in an apocolyptic world in his chevy truck.  when he sees his friends he gets out and asks where there other buddy is at, the other buddy didn't make it because he drove a ford.  And only during the superbowl will see an ad with another product featured in it - want a twinkie? lmao.

 This ad is for Bud Light.  A guy gets a "rescue dog" (a dog that is rescued from animal cruelty).  the dog's name is "Weego" - and the dog is trained to deliver bud light to people when he hears his name. so what do you think will happen when some one says "here we go" or "and here we go" not realizing he hears them say it?  lmao.  very funny and very cute.  enjoy!  lol.

This one is for the new Chevy Sonic.  Very cool stunts in this ad.  My favorite part is towards the end you see the chevy logo underneath the car.  very neat!

This ad is very funny for the new Audi.  A vampire is on his way to a vampire party and his headlights are so bright that they imitate daylight, and, well, we all know that vampires and daylight just don't mix.  lmao.

Sir Elton John is a king in this pepsi spot and he won't allow just anybody to have a pepsi.  Very funny and the funniest part is the cameo at the very end, lol.  Hilarious!!

This one's for coke featuring the famous Coca-Cola bear mascot.  His buddies throw him a coke and he does what he can to catch it, and he's in the north pole so of course he'll probably slip on some ice to catch it.  lol.  very cute.


I hope you enjoyed these ads as much as I have.  There were 50 I downloaded.  38 minutes worth.  There were probably more than that, but 50 were only shown on the website I downloaded them from.  Of that 50, these I thought were the greatest ones.

Superbowl Sunday

For those of you that has the priviledge to know me, you would know I'm not much into sports at all.  You know me as one to make fun of sports for the most part, lol.  However, I will watch the superbowl and I do enjoy it but I mainly watch it for the halftime show and the commercials.  I spent the last 30 minutes or so downloading the commercials from this year and I can't wait to watch them.  I will probably share my favorite ones on here, twitter, and Facebook, so be on the lookout, lol.

My alltime favorite superbowl commercial has got to be one from a few years ago for budlight.  this couple drives by this hitch-hiker with an ax. the man wants to pick him up, the woman don't though, lol. "no, don't stop!" "but he's got bud-light!" "but he's got an axe!!" - lol.  too too funny!  lmao.

first blog

Hello.  I'm 32 and I'm new to the blogging scene. I don't know very much about the blogging scene, so I really don't know where to start on typing this.  I don't even know for sure what to call my blog.  I began to call it "mike's Libertarian musings" but I doubt I'd be posting my politcal views all the time, lol. 

I am libertarian.  I beleive in as little government as possible.  I believe that we have the God given right to eat what we want and live how we want and that government needs to stay out of our business.  The progressive movement is a joke, and I am a firm believer that if you're able to work than you need to get off your lazy ass and get to work.  I shouldn't have to pay for you to sit on your lazy ass if you can work!  I'm ok with some taxes but most taxes we need to have abolished!  Income taxes is definitely a joke.

Forget the hustle and bustle. Slow down and just enjoy life!

I'm 30 years old.  I grew up in the 80s and 90s, and all I can remember is the hustle and bustle of life.  How's that famous Aerosmith line go? "Life's a Journey, Not a Destination"?  All I ever really seen in my life were fast paced chain store corporate businesses.  Only people you meet are one that don't seem to care about life and just want to get from point A to Point B as fast as they can and get things done as fast as they can.

It really saddens me how this world is so fast paced, and there's no wonder why so many people are in search of nostalgic America.  Things were so slow paced back in the days of my parents and grand parents.  They didn't have no freeway system, no corporation America, and they sure didn't have any internet.  nor did they worry or feel they needed something faster.  in a way, they were more creative and smarter for that because they were able to sit and figure things out.

Today I traveled along Route 66 from Rolla, Missouri to Springfield, Missouri and even though we really didn't see many Route 66 attractions the old road we travelled on runs along I44, and we'd be on this slow paced road and you would look to your left or right and you'd see the fast paced I44.  A lot of places along the old mother road are now out of business because of losing business after 66 was decomissioned in the 1980s before historians developed route 66 associatians to help preserve the old road and it's landmarks.  that is why today a lot of the original road is hard to find.  a lot of what we saw today said it's the old route, which it is but it's been so updated due to progress that it was very hard in some areas to get that whole route 66/nostalgia feel.

 
What amazes me about the old road is it's so windy and so curvy that you don't know what's going to await you in the next turn.  Making the drive an adventure.  You don't know what or who you will run into.  Back than people didn't care about corporations and politics to make a living, they opened up small mom-and-pop shops and motels and treated customers friendly and with respect and that's how you treated people.  they also didn't make you feel rushed!

I miss the days of yesteryear. The days I never got to experience but would do anything in the world to just experience it for a day!  how slow paced things were, the architecture from back than.  how enjoyable life just seemed to be.

Today we saw some cars in an old junk yard, and normally since they are in a junk yard i wouldn't have enjoyed them but today was different.  I saw those cars and the first thing I could think of was the stories they could tell.  We also came across an old gas station along the old road, apparently it went out of business in the 1970s because it was at 29 cents a gallon! and the building was all falling down, but the stories that place could tell.

What an amazing adventure!  Next time we go along route 66 we plan on starting in Springfield and working our way to Tulsa.  that would be really really amazing!

Tell Me About Yourself–The Survey

This was a survey I took on MySpace.  Hopefully you all will enjoy reading it.

TELL ME ABOUT YOURSELF - The Survey

Name: Mike

Birthday: January 8th, 1980, Yes - the same day as Elvis' but not the same year.

Birthplace: Portland, Oregon

Current Location: Harrison, AR (Batavia area) by way of Fort Smith, AR & Phoenix, AZ - also lived in Branson, MO for a while

Eye Color:   Hazel

Hair Color:   Brown

Height:   5'8"

Right Handed or Left Handed:   Right

Your Heritage:   Not for sure.  I know I got some indian in me, and I think my mom's side is from England.

Your Weakness:  My biggest weakness is rejection - so I'm not comfortable with meeting new people by myself.

Your Fears:  My biggest fear is just like my weakness: rejection.

Your Perfect Pizza: Canadian Bacon and Pineapple. Maybe with some extra cheese.

Goal You Would Like To Achieve This Year:   Get out of debt, and get my divorce finalized and move out of my parents' house.

Thoughts First Waking Up:   No, I don't want to wake up!

Your Best Physical Feature:   Are you kidding me?

Your Bedtime:   whenever I feel like falling asleep.

Pepsi or Coke:   Pepsi

McDonalds or Burger King:   Burger King!

Chocolate or Vanilla:   Chocolate

Cappuccino or Coffee:   cappuccino

Your Most Missed Memory: anything involving my ex-wife and girlfriend, and all the great times spent with friends.

Single or Group Dates: Would prefer single dates - but group dates can be fun too!

Budweiser or Miller: Miller, it's cheaper - but I'd prefer Budweiser.

Straight shots or mixed drinks: either, it doesn't matter to me.
Do you Smoke: occasionally, i don't like the taste, lol.  The last time was a peach cigar in August 2008 and before that was a cigarette in December 2005.

Do you Swear: do you really want to know?... Yes, unfortunately

Do you Sing: sort of, just not in public.  I don't think my singing is all that great
Do you play an instrument: I play guitar, and I dabbled a little bit of keyboards and harp (harmonica) - my musical playing talent isn't all that great I just play at home.

Do you like music: are you kidding me? I'm an aspiring Musicologist - I would actually like to teach music appreciation.

Do you Shower Daily: Yes, who doesn't?

Have you Been in Love: Most definitely.

Have you ever been divorced: I'm going through one now

Do you want to go to College: not sure.  I've always felt the best way to learn is from life, not from a classroom

Do you want to get Married:  I don't know if i want to get married again.  Right now I just want to live my life and have fun.

Do you believe in yourself:   I try to

Do you get Motion Sickness:   nope

Are you a Health Freak:   no way!!

Do you get along with your Parents:   I try to

Do you like Thunderstorms: It depends.  If I'm with that certain girl whose afraid of them it'll give us a reason to cuddle...

In the past month have you been on Drugs: no, unless you count Tylenol, lol.
Have you done an illegal substance: pot.  I wish the stuff were legal!

In the past month have you gone on a Date: no
In the past month have you gone to a Mall: yes, the first time in a few years and malls sure have changed over the last 10 years.  what is happening to all the great record shops?
In the past month have you eaten Sushi:   no, but i do enjoy some sushi
In the past month have you been on Stage: no. Because of my fears I get stage fright really bad, but I do love to "act" - and love to make little movies for YouTube so does YouTube count?

In the past month have you been Dumped: no, but have been before.  It's no fun at all, but I got over it.

In the past month have you gone Skinny Dipping: no, but I have - once with my ex at the lake and a few times by myself when i was a teenager, and I would love to again most definitely!  i love skinny dipping!
In the past month have you Stolen Anything: no - I don't care for stealing and I don't care for thieves
Ever been Drunk: Of course!

Ever been called a Tease: no

Ever been Beaten up: no

How do you want to Die:  I try not to think about death, lol

What do you want to be when you Grow Up: I'm 29, so I'm already grown up, lol.  But I would love to be a dad, a record collector, musicologist, film-maker or even a writer.

What country would you most like to Visit: Anywhere with all kinds of history like Greece, Italy, Japan, China, Russia - especially places full of music history like England, USA and Australia. Or anywhere in my country, the good ole USofA! Memphis and Nashville are great towns to visit with lots of music history, and I still would love to check out Clarksdale, MS - the home of the blues!!  Recently went to Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas and that was awesome!

Number of CDs I own: Are you kidding me? About 600 or so...

What do you look for in a girl: I hope she is someone I can relate to, and hopefully she can be as much into music as I am.  Hopefully she's a creative person, because I'm a sucker for creativity. But as long as she enjoys being with me and loves giving me attention, it really doesn't matter in the end what she's into.

Are you still a virgin: No.  I lost it to my ex when I was 24 when we were dating

Do you like sex: Are you kidding me?  Who doesn't?  I could have sex all day if I had the stamina for it!

Number of Piercings:   none, but thought of getting my ear pierced one time.

Number of Tattoos:   none

Number of things in my Past I Regret: I regret that I didn't take a different path after high school, but other than that nothing really.  Things in life happen for a reason.

What Is The Truth? I Want To Know And I Seek It

I was not brought up in a religious home, but I was brought up to believe in God, in fact every once in while when I was a little kid my mom would take us to church, not every Sunday but a lot of Sundays.  It wasn't until I was 16 when she started taking us to church every Sunday and we ended up participating in all the church activities than, and a few months later I started attending church on my own and she quit going but at that church I was that animals have no soul, and that the Mormon church and the catholic church were both cults and that you should stay away from cults.  Later on over the years, I learned that all of the religions of the world if they aren't a cult now they started out as a cult.  Think about it - what is one of the main traits of a cult?  The leader always says "They are God" - David Koresh, the leader of the Branch Dividians claimed to be God.  Who else claimed to be God?  Jesus Christ, as quoted from the bible, said "I am God in the flesh."

Christians are also taught that they are the only true religion, however all other religions of this world are taught that they are the only true religion also, so what is one to believe?
And I finished reading a book that is handed out be Jehovah's Witnesses, and I got even more confused.  They believe that according to the bible when a person dies there is no spirit because they return to dust on the ground, however if that is true than explain ghost sitings.  It is a well proven and well documented fact that ghosts exist.  It does state somewhere in the bible (not exactly sure where) to not contact the dead, that you really can't and when you think you do it's really the devil at work.  If you really can't, than how come we are able to see ghosts and how come some people claim to have spoken with loved ones beyond the grave?  If there are no spirit after death than how are we able to see ghosts?

Also, the church teaches you to stay away from the occult that it is devil worship.  According to the Wikipedia (I did some research of my own after I started reading Dan Brown's new book this morning) Occult doesn't mean devil worship at all - it just means hidden secret.

Also as Christians we are taught to not worship any idols because God is jealous, however I recently attended a Shabbat service (for those of you who don't know Shabbat is a service that Messianic Jews attend) and they worship the Torah!  It may be God's book, but they are worshipping the book during part of the service and not God which somewhat bugged me since we aren't supposed to be worshipping idols?

Religion has always really confused me.  I believe in God, however believing in God is like believing in Santa Claus.  Look at it this way: God supposedly created every thing you see, but who or what came before God?  He just didn't just show up one day, he had to come from somewhere, I mean think about it? Just like how would you think Santa Claus is able to visit all the houses in the world in one night?  It's impossible.  Even though a lot of the stories you read in the bible have proven to have actually happened, does God really exist?  Who is he and where did he come from?

Churches have also made me feel like a loser or a low-life because of the stuff I like to watch or listen to, however I never went out seeking to hurt anyone in any way shape or form, so why try to convince me that I'm a low-life piece of trash.

Some of my closest friends are very highly religious and Christian and I try to listen to what they have to say, but I just get confused.  I don't know if it's because I'm so open minded or not, but when they talk about their beliefs and things I'm just lost.  There are times where I feel like I want to get involved with church again because it does help you be a better person - but if i do, I know it's not going to help my confusion any better, it's just going to make my confusion even worse.  I know that from my own personal experience.  I hear some agnostic people talk and atheists talk, and it's interesting hearing what they have to say but I don't want to convert to those beliefs out of fear.  Not a single one of us really knows the truth about God and Religion or Christianity.  We never really know the truth until we die.  If there really is a God and heaven and hell, I know I definitely wouldn't want to burn in hell and the bible states if you don't believe you will burn.  Of course the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that you won't burn as long as you believe, that the only people going to hell will be people who have truly showed sin after the second coming, that when you die you return to dust and you won't go to heaven or hell right yet, that after the 2nd coming you get a 2nd chance.  Like I said, not a single soul on this planet knows the truth until we die and I don't think a single person after death has come back to say what happened.  Yes, there are some who claim to have seen a white light and was told it wasn't there time and so they came back to life - but people are always in search of fame and fortune that they will say anything!  My dad told me how my uncle was pronounced dead from a drug overdose, but he came back to life and according to what my dad told me, my uncle didn't see no white light, no pearly gates, nothing.  So what does this tell you?

Another thing the bible and church teaches is to stay away from false prophets.  I don't know about all the other so-called prophets, but look at Nostradamus.  He supposedly predicted Hitler's coming, Napoleon's coming, JFK's assassination, etc. and if you read some of his work I could see how people have come to the conclusion that he predicted these events.  That would be some strange coincidence if he really didn't predict them.
In school, we're taught about how great our fore fathers were, and about their religious beliefs, etc.  However - one thing I never learned in school was the fact that our forefathers were freemasons.  We are also taught how they believed all men are created equal.  Explain this one to me than: if all men are created equal, than how come they had slaves and how come both women and slaves didn't have such rights - women and slaves weren't treated like people much back than, and if all men were created equal wouldn't they be treated just the same as our fore fathers wanted to be treated?  Also, we were taught that our fore fathers were Christians.  I recently found out that this isn't entirely accurate.  They believed in God, yes - but that didn't make them necessarily Christians.

On another note, in school we are taught that Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated John F. Kennedy.  If it's not the truth, should we really be learning it in school?  I learned over the years that Lee Harvey Oswald had nothing to do with the assassination of JFK.  He was just a patsy!  Yet, our history teachers teach us that he killed JFK.
Aliens - if aliens really did crash in Roswell in the 1940s, why is our own government trying to cover it up?  Our own government claims to cover up things for national security reasons. 

Another conspiracy: 911.  Did terrorists really destroy the twin towers and kill all those innocent people that day?  I don't really think so.  I saw this video about the 911 conspiracy and it's rather fascinating.  George Bush had a brother who owned part of the WTC building a few months before it's "demolition", and apparently underneath the building there was gold.  Also, how many magazine covers or newspaper photos do you see of a plane crashed into the pentagon?  You see the pentagon with a huge gaping hole and people scattered all over, but no plane and plus - the size of the gaping hole doesn't even look big enough to even fit a plane, but i don't think the plane crash mess would've been cleaned up that quickly so where the evidence of the plane at?  Someone in the WTC building that day also had stated hearing 4 or 5 more explosions when trying to escape the building - like someone had placed bombs in it to demolish it.

What in the world is our government afraid of?  The people want to know the truth, and we seek the truth so why can't they ever tell us.?  If they have proof that aliens exist and they told me I'd be like "cool, finally we know."  this isn't the movies where you see aliens out to terrorize us so we run!  and I already can't stand the government, and I'm for sure the government was who killed JFK so I would still be like "ok, so now we know the truth."  Is our own government thinking that if we know the truth that we will march in the streets and protest?  Hell, if we do - oh well!  Something else I recently learned about something our forefathers have written is this: if the current government is wrong, do whatever it takes to make it right.  So if our government is really hiding all of these truths from us we do have a right to protest and fight once we find all these truths!

I am somewhat of a conspiracy theorist.  Mainly because I seek the complete truth.  I have always been fascinated with mysteries and puzzles, and unfortunately my brain can't function and absorb things like scientists can.  But I am a firm believer that my mass confusion is a big cause of a lot of my problems.  I just want and seek the truth.

Guitarlington Weekend

On October 15, 2009 – October 18, 2009 I went with two very close friends of mine To Arlington, Texas to help one of them at the guitar show “Guitarlington." What an amazing weekend it was too!  We stayed at the La Quinta Inn which is right across the street from Six Flags Over Texas (we didn’t go there, but I got some video footage of there, and if I had $40 and more time, I would have loved to have gone into the park!)

During the guitar show, which was at the Arlington Convention Center, they also tried to break the record of the most guitarists playing the same song under one roof at the same time by trying to have 2000 guitarists play “Louie Louie.”  The record could’ve been a much better attempt though.  I wasn’t too thrilled of it because after a minute, it was over.

It wasn’t just guitars being bought and sold here.  Some one sold some records, there was even some saxophones on sale, and paintings of rock and roll stars (if you got $500) and also some rock and roll memorabilia including Beatles merchandise, real unused concert tickets from the 1950s – 1970s including an unused ticket to Woodstock!  There were also some books there about REM, The Beatles, and guitars!  I bought me a pin/necklace from there that’s of a lit-up guitar and I also bought some magnets to put on my car of different instruments and I also bought a “G” harp there.

While we were there we also went to Dealey Plaza in Dallas where JFK was assassinated by our own government on November 22, 1963 – not Lee Harvey Oswald!  That was very amazing too!  I learned more about the assassination that night than I ever thought I did, and I hope that I do live long enough to see the truth to Kennedy’s assassination come out.  Apparently that won’t be until 2029!  We all need to know the truth!

Overall, it was a very exciting and amazing weekend.  We saw lots of amazing guitars, bought a few, and we even sold a couple, and on top of that we learned more about why John Kennedy was assassinated which was very interesting!

If you are interested in the 1 hour Guitarlington video I made please contact me and let me know.  Cost will be $10.

The following are some pictures taken at the show:

Tut Campbell and Ben Ketcherside at our booth

 

Ben Ketcherside with the daughter of the founder of Mosrite Guitars

 

There Are Some Things In Life A Person Misses

There are some things in life a person misses.  I was on my way home from work tonight and I was thinking to myself about how much I miss being with my ex-wife and doing things with her after work when she decided to do things with me, or the times we went to Neosho, MO and stayed the night, and the times we went to Illinois by ourselves to visit her family.

I also miss going to my ex girlfriend's house and doing things with her like going to Branson, or Springfield, or Fayetteville and spending time with her kids.

Now-A-Days, I just go home after work, and yes I am happier because there isn't any pressure in my life to make someone I'm living with happy, but a relationship gives you some fun activities whether it's playing games, going on a drive or to a movie, etc.  Right now, I feel like I want to be in a relationship because of the things I miss that a relationship provides, but than again I don't want to be in a relationship because I now am able to hang out with my close friends again, which I wasn't able to when I was in a relationship, and besides - the girl of my dreams doesn't even exist!  I met the girl of my dreams recently and she's married!  If only I can find me a girl just like her, which seems to be too hard to find these days.

A Little Depressed Right Now

I don't know why, but I seem to get this way after being on a long trip with some friends.  It's a feeling that sort of reminds me of how you feel when a relationship is over.  I don't know if me being a loner has anything to do with it or not, but I think about all the fun things over the last few days with the friends I was with, and I want to cry because I want to go back to that.  I loved being able to spend the last 4 days with Ben and Tut.  We had a lot of fun, but now tomorrow I got to go back to the real world and go back to work.

Last month when we went to St. Louis I felt the same way when getting back home.  I'm happy, but I guess i just feel depressed because it had to be over until the next trip.

I remember when I was in high school, and I was going to church camp I'd get home from church camp and feeling the same way.  a little depressed because of reflecting on the past week and the fun that was had.

i don't know if anyone else gets these sort of feelings, but i sure do.

You Have Just Been Punked!

We have been pranking each other from left to right all week this week at work, and I'm not much of a prankster because I know certain pranks can get you in trouble and I try not to do anything that will get me into trouble no matter how big or small the prank is.

It all really started a few weeks ago when my boss tried to sell me fake pot - it was really parsley, and I fell for it unfortunately.  Last Wednesday I come in after having two days off and they bring that up again, and i was upset because they made me feel and look really stupid, talking like I never smoked grass before, and one of my co-workers said that there's something on the shelf that looked like meth - which was really rock salt, so I was in on giving my boss the rock salt saying it was meth.  LOL!  That night I bought some powdered sugar and tried to give it to him the other day saying it was coke!  lol.

One of our other workers like to "sabotage" my lunch bag by putting trash in it.  The other day he put a zucchini in it, with a note saying "give this to your woman" - I wrote on the note "what woman? and quit sabotaging my lunch bag" and taped it to the desk in the prep room.  the next day I took a different zucchini and cut it in half with a note saying "here's your zucchini back, how do you like them apples?" - he got me back by saying "I really do like those apples" as he shoved a zucchini slice down my shirt.

That night I found a roll of double sided scotch tape and taped the door to the desk shut and stuck a couple of their clipboards onto it too, and another night I stuck 5 pieces of tape on the opening of the desk to where when the door to the desk was opened you saw the tape their.  lol.

The other day someone shrink wrapped my lunch bag so yesterday I tried to shrink wrap his umbrella but I was caught red-handed unfortunately.  And than he decided to wrap up my lunch bag and tape it to the ceiling in the cooler and spray cooking oil all over it. 

LOL.  so last night what did I do?  I took all of their managerial stuff, stuck it all in a trash bag and put it by the ice machine and taped a piece of shrink wrap across the desk.  I came in this afternoon and I saw 4 of my co-workers outside on their break and they mention that our boss was mad at me they he came in today and all of his stuff was gone, and couldn't do the order that the store owner had to go and get copies in order to do the order.  They all had me thinking the bag I put those books in was thrown away, and just to think I was about to jump in the dumpster to go hunting for that stuff!  I go out to the floor to put some freight up, and I come back and lo-and-behold the books are back where they belong!  they had me going for the whole first two hours I was at work today!  They all were in on it and all kept a straight face so well, that I thought I was really in trouble, and I thought my job was on the line.  Somebody (not really for sure who) also duct taped my car windshield, and also duct taped plastic to the hood of my car, and even put Vaseline on the door handle of my door.

I figured what could I do to top their prank?  What they all pulled on me today was the prank of all pranks.  and it was 4 of them involved, so what could I do?  some told me I couldn't top that.  Will, they are wrong.  After I clocked out at 8 this evening, I went and bought $23 worth of stuff for my plot of revenge, and spent probably 20 minutes or so setting it up.  I took their plastic they used on the hood of my car and taped it to the prep room table, hung a sign there saying "smell that - smell like sweet revenge, i give you all 5 days top this"; and than put a note under the plastic stating "it's sad it takes 4 of you to pull one on little old me, and it only takes just one me to top you - you have all just been punked" and than I also left my receipt for my merchandise there too so they see that the stuff i used was paid for, and also put the grape tape thing under it, hiding the red tape also; and than I taped 2 garbage bags to the desk, and put a sign above the desk stating "whos the punk now?"; and than sprayed cooking spray all over the trash bags on the desk and all over the plastic on the table, not missing one single spot!  and than I sprayed on the light switch and dipped the switch in some Vaseline.  and to top it off, i blocked both openings in the cooler.  Who is the real punk now?

And since I was in the mood, I decided to pull a fast one on one of my friend's cars who doesn't even work in the same department as me so he wasn't even involved in the prank my department pulled on me today.  but it's all in good fun though.  I'm off the next 5 days, I better watch my back when I come in Tuesday because there is no telling what they may have up their sleeves that I will just have to top!

Good times!

Here are the pictures of my prank:

Life Does Seem Much Better Single

You know, as much as I like the intimacy and passion (and something else I won't post here, lol) that a relationship does provide, I do find that I enjoy being single.  I can come and go as I please, and do what I want whenever I want to with no pressure or stress on anyone.  I can jump up at a moment's notice if a friend calls wanting to hang out without worrying if I'll make a girlfriend mad if I don't go see her instead.  I like to not really make plans and just do what I want at a moment's notice, and I definitely don't like asking for permission to do things, and when you are in a relationship you have to ask for permission a week or so in advance, which means planning on things, and like I stated I don't like plans unless they are plans for a trip or something of that sort.  Tonight after I left a buddy's house I was debating on whether or not to drive up to Best Buy in Branson because I needed a new tripod for my camcorder, I was debating to go there Wednesday before work or just go tonight since I had nothing better to do.  I went ahead and went and got me a better tripod than the last one I had.  Life is good!