Went from being sick to being in the mountains to being back home spilling ink again. Was hardly disconnected this weekend. My phone connection was on and off, but the house in which we stayed had wifi. Still, I took the opportunity to unplug, not counting Rambles (http://sumocats.blogspot.com/). Got some catching up to do, but at first glance, it looks like I haven't missed much. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
My plan to join Twitter (http://sumocat.blogspot.com/2009/09/starting-twitter-account-anonymously.html) in order to enter contests has taken its first step towards the goal of winning fabulous prizes, and I could not have picked a move appropriate first contest if I tried. Posted the contest details at GBM (http://www.gottabemobile.com/2009/09/18/tweet-to-win-an-apple-tablet-maybe-if-it-exists/). Tell me it's not perfectly ridiculous and appropriate as my first Twitter contest entry. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
"I am sick of the monkey fightin' birthers in the monkey fightin' way!"
"It's the one that says 'Bad Monkey Fighter!"
"Jedi lightsaber. The very best there is. When you absolutely, positively got to kill all the dissent in the room, accept no substitutes." [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
No, my exact words when I saw Kanye West storm the stage to protest Taylor Swift's win over Beyonce at the MTV VMA's were "What a f---ing jackass." President Obama's reaction (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/14/obama-kanye-is-a-jackass_n_286623.html) was a bit more diplomatic, leaving off the adjective. Still, I like to think he and I were on the same page on this. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
With the runaway popularity of Twitter (http://twitter.com/), it's getting tougher for me to stay away from the micro-blogging service, particularly with companies using it to give away stuff. Don't see much point in cutting myself out of that action just because I have no other use for twitter.
However, I have no intention of weaving it into my normal blogging either, so I'll be trying something new with it: anonymity. Twitter is for throwaway, short published messages anyway, so I'm treating it that way. No identity. No particular purpose. Just random throwaway comments. And the occasional contest entry. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
When you ask a neocon why they think Bush was a good president, they'll usually claim he kept us safe. Certainly VP Cheney has used that line many times. Of course, that metric only works if you exclude the first eight months of his presidency. Point out that omission and they'll pin it on Clinton. Yet somehow the current problems are all Obama's fault.
I don't know. Just seems odd to me that anyone would credit Bush with keeping us sate when the worst attack in U.S. history occurred during his term. Normally when you analyze someone's job performance, you start at the beginning. Measure it that way and Obama has kept us safe longer than Bush did. Oh, but I suppose Bush gets credit for that, which is fine since it should also mean he gets blame for the huge, vast mess he left behind. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Reading through the transcript of President Obama's speech, I have concluded that his path to reform is evolution, not revolution. On one hand, I think we need reform to go further. On the other, I recognize the path forward must be taken step-by-step.
I agree with setting up an insurance marketplace to bring insurance providers and customers together. I agree with establishing a non-profit insurance provider as an option. I foresee some controversy over mandating that everyone obtain basic coverage, but the flip side is that it means universal coverage.
I think the President presented a strong outline for reform, giving enough leeway to all sides to contribute and take credit for the bill's success. Still, it remains to be seen whether that opportunity is worth it to those who stand to gain politically if reform fails. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Read a tip today about using an alternate pen grip for added comfort while writing (which I posted on GBM (http://www.gottabemobile.com/2009/09/08/improve-your-handwriting-release-your-death-grip/)). Giving it a try here. Might need a bit more practice, but it is comfortable. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Reading through a back issue of JSA, it struck me that if President Obama was a superhero, he'd be Mr. Terrific (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mister_Terrific_%28Michael_Holt%29).
Mr. Terrific is the African-American leader of the JSA, the premiere superhero team. He's a phenomenal athlete, the smartest man in the room, and champion of fair play. More importantly, he's cool. The man has no super powers but he can take charge of those who do and be completely in control. If Barack Obama was a superhero, that would be him. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
Having dumped my walking routine in favor of a weather-independent free weight and motion regimen, I'm now bolstering that with sessions at the gym along with my lovely wife. And as the one with gym equipment familiarity and general ability to figure things out, I demoed a lot of stuff the first day and paid the price with strain in my front thigh muscles. My own fault for going past my body weight on the leg press, but no pain, no gain.
BTW, the gym we joined is Fitness First (http://www.fitnessfirstclubs.com/). It's a local chain, no-frills (i.e., no pool, no track, no towels), but all we really want is access to the equipment so it suits us Sine. Unless you need a pool, track or sports courts, it's an excellent deal. [+/-] Hide/Show Text [+/-] Hide/Show Text
