Missed opportunity...

So I am hanging with a friend of a friend and she tells me she does not eat hamburger. I said just hamburger? She said well anything beef.

I nodded.

She proceed to tell me she was not a vegetarian as she likes foods that oink, or swim, even cluck just not moo.

I nodded.

She said that she used to eat hamburgers with mustard - and steak with A1 sauce. She realized she was only doing this because she liked the condiments but not the main item.

I nodded, but then got puzzled to why? So I asked the question ... Did you grow up with a cow?

She looked puzzled, nearly taken aback, perhaps even offended. She said what kind of question is that, did I grow up with a cow?!?

In my mind, I am thinking that perhaps she grew up on a farm, perhaps raising cattle and grew attached to the emotion of a cow and could not see one slaughtered for food.

She looked at me and then said, is that a pick up line?

Now, I am taken aback, puzzled ... but I responded, well, actually yes, it is .... this line used to work on the 4H circuit but I can tell by your reaction that I am not succeeding today.

She now was trying to figure out if I was being truthful or was being sarcastic. Anyone who knows me, knows what frame of mind I was in ... she later told me that beef taste like her coat. I have to wonder, if her coat taste like chicken.

Sit right back

Yesterday I went to the "lake" ... the one every one refers to but it never really is the same place because we have a gazillion lakes in Northeast Indiana.

I was at Lake Wawasee floating on the SS Lilypad. It was simply a gorgeous day - blue skies, puffy white clouds and a nice breeze. Speaking of breezes, consumed a few island breezes ... and oh-mylanta, trust me the sun toasted me on the outside and the breezes toasted me on the inside.

The cruise was a three hour adventure and we were one of the first groups on the boat ... and we took the only cushioned seats and solid table on the top of the boat. Where we would befriend a bevvy of babes who drank five to one me ... at least.

There was more alcohol on the ground than in my stomach I do believe ... as the wind gusts would come up and over the top so would go our cups of beverage! Oh well, you will have that ...

anyway it was a perfect day with friends and I can't imagine having more fun at any other Lake ... but you just never know! The music was everything from Jimmy Buffet, to some rockin country to some rockin rock! All and all, it was a fabulous way to kick off the summer!

Special Ed for phone dialing.

Okay, I am thinking some people need to have a license to use a phone. Perhaps there is a skills test, a language equivalency - but something to remove the crazy people from using a phone. Even simple manners would be helpful.

Here is what happened ... around 10 pm ... when I am already asleep for an hour because I sleep before most kids get home from the movies ... I get a phone call from (insert stupid) lady ... she asks for Kyle.

I explain there is no Kyle here ... she says how about Ken ... no, sorry there is no Ken either. She apologized (so she showed some common sense for drunk dialing). It was not ten seconds later (thanks to the handy redial button on her phone) she calls back ...

Ken?

No, there is no Ken here ... who are you trying to reach? Ken, Kyle perhaps Kris she responds and the chuckles. Well, this sets off my ignorant intolerance button. I firmly said, Lady! there is no one here by that name! She responds, well this number came up on my caller ID. I said that is impossible because I have not dialed my phone in days. She simply laughed.

I thought, you are one silly stupid bitch and hung up the phone.

Anyway, guess who is still up? Me. Once I wake up I can't fall back asleep. So thanks 459.8512.

Survey Says ...

Recently I read a survey of what foods people despise ... some of them were a surprise while others I embrace the idea!

I am pretty much a "man of the grocery store" ... not much in there do I not enjoy. I love to cook, I love to eat out and really food is more important to me than most of my worldly possessions.

The list of the 20 most hated foods:

1. Liver (uggh, the smell is toxic)

2. Lima Beans (yummy with mashed potatoes)

3. Mayonnaise (perfect with turkey)

4. Mushrooms (stuff'em with sausage or like Deb prepares them!)

5. Eggs (yummo, one of my favorites)

6. Okra (think the word is kinda funny)

7. Beets (if you have tried my friend Tammy's beets then this would not have made the list)

8. Brussel Spouts (perfect slung with a rubber band)

9. Tuna (this is the way to my heart, make a tuna casserole)

10. Gelatin (gotta love jello!)

11. Sour Cream (can take it or leave it)

12. Pea Soup (I will hurl if I see this mess in a bowl)

13. Oysters (deep fry about anything and it will be good!)

14. Peas (like them on a salad, or with a nice hunk o beef)

15. Raisins (super in my bowl of bran!)

16. Cooked Carrots (cook them in rootbeer and you have a delightful dish!)

17. Onions (again deep fry them!)

18. Cilantro (love the smell)

19. Maple syrup (on my pancakes baby cooked on my new Griddle!)

20. Blueberries (what about muffins or pancakes!)

Well, I am not a fan of the scallop either because it hates me ... death by crazy round fish!

Anyway, what is your list of foods that you would not eat!?!

6 months and counting!

Well, it may be hard to believe, but I am just about 6 months away from the Holiday Open House. Though the picture may show the boat on its side ... I do attest to make certain that we stay above water but you are responsible for how much you drink!

This is a major undertaking of course -- when you consider that the celebration will have over 250 invites sent out by mail.

The theme will allow for me to capitalize on the newly remodeled kitchen (I am having faith that it will be done by December haha ... or we could be celebrating by the dumpster in my driveway - this would mean no one gets to park in the driveway haha)

So, the theme is a Cruise ... A Carboribbean Cruise at that! The home of the 33 foot food buffet. I will have live music, a few surprises, the annual 7 day weather forecast, and the shots for shirts competition.

I will be featured, I do believe, in the latest issue of Fort Wayne Magazine on planning an event ... there is a series in the magazine and I gave some helpful tidbits to making a party an event! For me, the planning of the Cruise will take much time to work on menu, the activities and the final touches which will make it memorable.

If you want to be added to the guest list (and you are not the crazy person who comments about death by dumbness, then drop me a line).

All Aboard!

Only my good side ...

Growing up Carbo, when I was in fifth grade, I was in my first commercial. It was funny because most kids do not get to be in a commercial so I thought I was really special.

So when I returned to school after summer break, I was beaming to tell people. My best friend, Amy, who I have known since I was 9, was beaming too and I thought you just wait until I share what I did this summer. Girls go first ... She spouted that she was in a commercial for Fred Toenges shoes!

I thought no way! This was my moment how could we both have done the same thing this summer that was not going to the "lake" or Cedar Point. Well, I shared that I was in a commercial and it was for a restaurant.

So, we both celebrated as being the two kids who were on television (one may have thought we were in Grease ... um, because that was about the same time too) nonetheless, it was a real cool moment.

Flash foward today ... a very dear friend of mine is shooting a regional commercial (meaning those in Indiana will see it) and the need for extras/volunteers is what she is seeking. Somehow, I am a tad too recognizable to be in it (guess my 1978 commercial caught the eyes of all the local producer haha) but this is a great opportunity for you to hear lights action camera!

So if you would like to know more ... you can contact Heather at PUNCH Films, 740.6851 or heather@punchfilms.com with a head shot. They also need an adorable girl who is 5 or 6 for the commercial ... so she can go back to school and tell all her friends like I did nearly 20 years ago!

One more puff, sugar!

Recently I read the report that Amy Winehouse collapsed due to (fill in the blank) and was taken to the hospital or medical ward in the hospital.

This person released an album that was fresh for its time, however since the release of the album, she had smacked, bit, hit, drunk dialed more than anyone in a life time. Mind you she is 24 and now has been diagnosed as having emphysema.

So this may have been brought about by the crack-cocaine she smoked. Hmm, really!?! One report even went so far to name her a diva. What!?! She released one album. She has been arrested for drug possessions, even went as far as being caught singing racially tinged songs. Yeah, that is a true diva. I can see Aretha Franklin doing that or Karen Carpenter or Tina Turner!

Anyway, if I had my deathpool up and running I would write that name twice. We lost a talent like George Carlin today and we have the opportunity to watch Amy just (not so) slowly burn away her life.

Some progress pictures

Since the project began a month ago ... the addition has been ... added... the room has been framed and the windows have been added.

Pickin' up a lil' sumpin'

Yesterday I went to the Covington Art Fair - I went between the two storms!

My intentions were not to buy anything actually however that only lasted half way around the circle ... traffic was low, the weather was decent (while I was there but the skies broke open as soon as I got home), and people were not buying (but maybe I inspired them!)

Anyway, what I bought was a stainless steel background with a copper inlay metal that was heated, stained and made to look just like my hand blown glass that I bought in Italy. What are the chances?!?

So, this was the newest entry into the house

State of the Carbo Estate (or is it Compound)

Okay, the house is coming along despite some surprise mistakes ... but that is another post (oh, wait, I already did that post ... now I have wall that was taken out by mistake...hmm, that happens everyday doesn't it?)

I have seen the first cabinet front and I am rocked by how sleek and cool it is. So, it is on to matching the rest of the stuff up ... my two walls which are not either travertine marble or granite/onyx/marble will be painted a color called "toasty" which sounds warm but not burnt eh! The ceilings will be Spanish laced (wish the word was Italian laced but it is not). Oh, before you write the hate mail ... I am not anti-Spanish just that my home is having an Italian theme ...

I need to get a painting commissioned for the dining section of the kitchen. I intend to use some of my pictures from Italy on the walls by the windows which now overlook the mini forest of trees. The picture above is the table I will have ... but not the chairs or any of the crazy decor.

As this room evolves the rest of the house must follow suit. So the entrance of my house is getting a "freshening up" as the marble cabinet which was along the wall, will now be on the staircase side giving me back another wall for art. I am re-using my Terry Ratliff from the living room to be moved to the entrance. It is a great piece and I think this will be the ideal spot for it.

The formal sitting room is now being transformed into a conversation pit with overstuffed leather chairs and a terrazzo table as the center piece. Think Oprah set but no cameras. I regain a new wall for art with this plan and I am hoping to find this in Ann Arbor next month.

My wall of fame is getting a shot in the arm as it not only will be finally complete (uggh, work in progress for a year) but the picture frames will be enclosed in a shelving system which will allow perfect symmetry! Yeah for me ... more structure.

Lower level ... well, now that the almost new carpet will be replaced with new carpet ... I will make the bar room flow into the music room with more ease now. My walls are a darker brown color while the ceiling is a very lite blue. The leather sofa from the upper level will make its way down as will the chase lounge that is off the master suite. Another terrazzo table will round out the room which will host the juke box and a bar top table.

So I feel by recycling some of the items and infusing something new (that may just look old) will create the ideal place for Clyde to call it a night.

Things I think or things I know ...

I have always found the combined names of two people to make one as being totally odd ... Brangelina for example ... but then I think that it works for Hillary and Bill Clinton ... Hillbilly!

I thought I believed bumper stickers to be a waste toward the resale of your automobile ... I have since learned that the more bumper stickers on your car the more rage you drive with ... So the "My child is an honor role student" and "Proud Parent" driver is more apt to run you off the road then then the "Jesus take the wheel" driver.

I thought that when I ate Italian food again that I would forget the April adventure to Italy ... Well, today I ate at Casa's and thought ... Oh my - how horrible is our Italian food in America in contrast to the mother land! I had fettuccine alla carbonara ... not a good rendition of the classic meal.

I thought this week would never conclude ... remodeling, rebuilding is stressful ... luckily for me, nothing will happen at the house until Monday. I think I will clean up a bit!

I thought that I could not be inspired much beyond the level I have achieved... I was wrong. Yesterday I attended an award ceremony where my mentor of nearly 20 years received recognition for her grand work for an agency and in the community as a volunteer. I have to tell you it has inspired me to do more, longer and with more zest than any other point in my life.

So ... I am wondering what are your thoughts?

Fixin a batch of woop-ass

So the past couple days I have had to deal with home construction matters ... e-gad.

"Everything is fixable" is my motto ... but I was thinking how much fixin' do we have to do? Well, first a bank of electrical panels were put on the wrong wall ... so they are being moved. Then my cabinet maker wanted to extort money to put the counter top on ... so that has been remedied. Then the plumber cut a hot pressure line and soaked my carpet in the lower level - and left it for me to ... that has been addressed too.

The deranged blog reader has maintained a low profile ... perhaps the IP tracking system has stopped this or is it the police intervention ... either way it appears this is at bay (for the moment). Trust me, I will prosecute to the full exent of the law or whatever Guido will do without my knowledge

My volunteer life ... I am between gigs as YLNI has concluded and I am awaiting where I will land next. Perhaps the break will do me well.

Anyway, on the horizon, I have Covington Art Fair this weekend ... Hoagland Days are this weekend ... Ribfest and Blues is this weekend ... so there are options to hang with friends or even soak up the rays of the television as I still need to watch the last four episodes of Lost.

So, I am back ... can't say better because I have never been a good boy :)

I simply do not have anything to say ...

Sorry

One bad apple ...

As a blog writer, I do find it amazing that anything I can write could really stir up much controversy. I think the discussion about my Republican beliefs and how that was not in line with Kelty as the candidate for Mayor may have sparked a powder keg with someone.

Within the past month I have received a series of odd anonymous postings that I have not put in front of the eyes of the blogger world, but I have retained them for a very specific reason so I won't forget what someone thought about me and my writing.

When a person talks about death ... when a person talks about planning my funeral ... when a person talks about the Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana ...when a person talks about why I should not buy an oven or celebrate my birthday I have to wonder how mentally off this (almost) anonymous writer may be.

There is legal recourse which can be taken -

I can not imagine if my blog took on big debatable topics ... bigger than the ice cream I ate at Atz or the type of counter top I have in my house.

Someone needs help ... needs to get a true grip on life and find other sources of dealing with the pent of anger ... This serves as putting this person on notice ... I won't back down from talking about a boat ride I took or a television show I watched ... so take necessary precautions to reap the benefits of your own threats.

Let the music play ... or not!

So many things happening yesterday ... I could only take in so much ... what I did not get to do:

Attend something rap-related at Headwater's Park ... I was at Halls by the river dining with some friends and the ca-thud music that was being orated was not only unlike the music I would listen to, but it was border line troubling.

Attending the benefit concert -- have not heard how much was raised by the home schooled children, but I am sure it was something worth leaving the house to see.

Attending the home auction - damn what a jam packed day ... house up for sale and then a concert all in the same day ... why can't things be spread out. The house did not sell, it sold for $115,000 according to one report I heard. So, perhaps this will happen again.

What I did get to accomplish yesterday ... I bought four over stuffed chairs and a table base for the new living room. Three stores and three purchases at them will make for a fun eclectic but synchronized room.

I had dinner with friends in the gazebo on the river bank. It was not buggy, the water did not smell and no dead bodies washed up on the shore line. There were boat rides (which I did not participate in either).

All and all I got to see and do many of the things I wanted to do ... but there were still some things I should have squeezed in but time just did not allow it or I was afraid I would be run down by someone.

Creamy delights!

Yesterday some friends and I went to Atz Ice Cream to celebrate and rejoice!

- We were blessed to know more about the stellar kids who have been home schooled and have played for Laura Bush ... this came unsolicited from an elderly couple that had the keenest of hearing aides. Well, the lady did ... the guy no so much. He kept wishing a happy birthday to us ... and I extended the same sediment to him. Even though I kept saying it was not our birthday.

- We toasted that the CM of C has doubled in readership as obvious from yesterday's blog that shook up the underground world of, what one person coined, K-dog's fundraising efforts. I have never had so many comments posted on the blog let alone those who emailed. Thanks for reading and always remember, spend money like you don't have it ... lie about a lie you know the truth to ... and remember it is a Christian world for some and the values and ethics are not always universally applied.

- We toasted to some success of my business and also the new door that has opened as one door closes, thankfully. It was a big day yesterday and I am pumped about the future!

- The wonderful thing about Atz ice cream is that the staff is specially trained. I had no idea. They are put through the riggers of being placed into a booth and forced to memorize the menu. There is a test! Well, this was funny (at least for me) because the booth by us was the training booth and the new server was working hard at memorizing the information. The test began and the instructor (aka another waitress) began to ask questions ... the new waitress began to give back the prices ... the trainer said "you don't need to memorize the prices" and the new waitress had that defeated look on her face and said without words "I wasted my time memorizing something I don't need to know!"

Anyway, the Mad Anthony, the peanut butter cup and the kiddie clown cone were a huge success but all of us at the table. A great way to spend a summer night - a Friday night ... in Fort Wayne.

Just odd and (hopefully) ends

So I am driving Clyde home from his day camp while listening to WOWO radio and you will never guess what I hear. No, really, You WILL NOT have to guess, because I will tell you...

The benefit concert for a dude (who I won't name because people may think I am obsessed with him) who won't, can't pay his own bills. OH MY-LANTA! I nearly drove us into a barricade.

Kills me ... has no money but can put an ad on the radio to ask for money from the public! What?!?

Then, it can be found on Indiananewscenter.com web page ... again a benefit concert. The legal defense fund needs our support ... I have to wonder did O.J. beg for money for his defense fund?

So I had to wonder ... what other legal defense fund are out there and wonder if perhaps loans could be taken granted ...

There is:

NAACP Legal Defense Fund

EarthJustice Legal Defense Fund

Animal Legal Defense Fund

Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund

Mexican-American Legal Defense Fund

Community Environment Legal Defense Fund

Asian-American Legal Defense Fund

Puerto Rican Legal Defense Fund

Home School Legal Defense Fund (they probably need one!)

So, as I did my research, I am not finding many "individual" legal defense funds ... they are groups, protected classes, masses of people ... I am simply astounded by this ... or is it appalled, maybe disgusted. Fed-up? Perhaps ... I am going to have a benefit concert for the prosecuting side .. more information to follow!

Oh and send all the hate email you want! There is a Journalist Legal Fund and trust me ... I would set up shop to get money from them since it is the most VOGUE thing one can do in Fort Wayne.

32 ... not a bad number!

Next Tuesday .... my favorite band will release another album ... After 40 years of being a group, they release their latest CD --- Chicago XXXII: Stone of Sisyphus.

I have heard a few sample tracks and find them to be sounding as "horn-e" as they have on every other CD - I love brass!

Anyway, just and FYI for other Chicago fans that were not planning on going to the store on Tuesday to purchase CD's ... this will be a reason to stop at Barnes and Noble or Target or Best Buy.

See you Tuesday in the check out line.

Lifted from the pages ...

The latest issue of Fort Wayne Woman Magazine is mapped out and ready to go to the press. My story made the cut, again, somehow, and I am very excited. My second career choice while roaming the Indiana college canvas was journalism. I have enjoyed writing and have found it be very therapeutic (more for those who read it and go into therapy than me ... but I digress)

Last issue, you saw the life of Sandy Thomson unfold over a dinner at Eddie Merlot. The upcoming July-August will unveil the life of .... (well, I can't tell you) but I will give a few hints.

First the picture captures a portion of the face of my interviewee.

We ate lunch at the Trolley Bar! (Did anyone see us dine there?)

She is a Fort Wayne notable - a leader within her family and within our community.

She is funny, engaging and a person on the move - up, Up, UP! You can pencil this in your day timer.

I was honored to sit across the table from someone who I see will be a fixture in Fort Wayne for many years to come.

The July - August issue will be out in about a month and I hope you buy a magazine (or seven). Fan mail is always appreciated too haha.

The forbidden fruit...

Okay, so I am not a big fruit and vegetable person --- perhaps in a stir fry or pickled in a watermelon with vodka or something ... but you would seldom see me sit down to a smorgasbord of fruits and vegetables.

Well, now I am craving a tomato! Got to have one, just need it sliced up with salt or with cheese perhaps even some extra virgin olive oil ... EVOO for you Rachel Ray fans.

However the FDA says no. The agency warned consumers over the weekend to avoid certain raw red plum, red Roma and red round tomatoes and products containing them...

Yesterday at lunch my burger could not have a tomato! My lunch friend could not order the BLT ... the waitress even asked her what she wanted as her "T".

I am craving salsa too! Fresh not that can stuff ... I want to make my own... oh wait, I have NO kitchen.

It had always been said if you ate fruits and vegetables you would be healthy ... I think this was from PETA ... so now I am wondering if they are protesting tomato stands as well as fur coat retailers.

Anyway, I am going to go through backyards of people's homes to find a tomato on a vine. I just have to figure out who my one phone call may be if I get caught. Oh, and speaking of that ... I got a phone call message on my voice mail from Allen County Lock Up ... call from a "Jeff". I did not get the message and I don't know a Jeff (other than Burger Chef and Jeff). So I kinda feel bad that he wasted his only call to leave a voice message ... so Jeff is S.O.L.

House divided

Well, my home is the official site of construction in progress... half of the house is living space currently the other half is under deep construction.

The new kitchen is completely framed. The new windows will be installed today (ready for the first bird to fly into it). The entire kitchen is bare nothing to cook on or eat off of ... the official diet just began.

The cabinets are being custom made. They are a brownish-red smooth maple cabinet front. The goal is to have a 33 foot counter top without interruption. Clean, clear lines is the vision I have. There are three 9 foot tall glass cabinets which anchor both ends of the counter and one dead center.

I have my soapstone counters on order as well as a deep farmer's sink which will be hand created ... woohoo. Soapstone starts out a grey color and with mineral oil and time it will turn a deep black with veins of grey/white running through it ... my style is called venneta.

The faucet has been ordered and received confirmation it has been sent. It will be a wall faucet which I think is kinda cool. It is a brushed nickel.

Most of my lighting will be can lights - again without much interruption for the eye. I do have one light above the kitchen table. It is made of shell but it is not oceanic.

Anyway, this is the progress on the home. Only two and one half months more ... I ate pop tarts for breakfast and am wondering what my dinner may be ...

No parents left behind!!!

This past weekend many local high schools performed graduation ceremonies. Now many of the high school administrators, parents, guests are complaining.

I have not been to a graduation since my own high school graduation. I even skipped my college ceremony (luckily they sent it with the first alumni ask for support).

Over the years, I understand that the ceremony has not only become much more long, it also has turned into an episode of Jerry Springer. Whooping and hollering - even cussing or using racial slurs.

The air horns, the vocal screams got so bad that people were escorted out after their child's name was called.

I think we had 200 people graduate in the class of 86 from Carroll High School. The only noise made between names were other classmates going "who is that" or "I never saw that person". It seemed like our 200 name-calling event lasted for a couple hours. I could not imagine if there were 500 or 1,000.

My guess is that parents dreamt that if they make enough noise, they could leave as soon as their kids name was called ... but did not want to make a scene. Then they thought, oh yeah, if I make a scene, I can leave immediately. Thus, the creation of the parents processional.

Parents figure - if my kid won't be left behind neither will I ...

A tub of fun...

So, on Sunday, when most people are heading off to church or brunch or bonnet shopping (well, probably not as many bonnets sold due to blue laws ... ah get it Blue Bonnet haha) anyway - I logged onto Anne Cochran's web page ... and guess WHO is mentioned ... Yep!

Seems that Ms. Cochran enjoyed herself just as much (well probably not) as I did!

It pretty much made my day - so, if you want to see what she said you will need to go to her web page ... annecochran.com and click on "thoughts"

I love Sunday! By the way - IF you are a reader of this blog ... you need to buy an Anne CD! She is just simply amazing and you will be hooked when you hear her voice.

Survey says ...

Recently someone stated as a blog response ... that I was talking too much about Matt Kelty and his legal woes-fundraising-house selling-benefit concert- not going to jail-maybe going to jail-lost election...headline making news!

So, I did a search on the Fort Wayne newspaper's website to see if I had made too much of nothing...

The following is the number of stories that have been in the paper concerning the following people:

1348 - Barrack Obama

637 - Matt Kelty

539 - Hillary Clinton

495 - George Bush and/or George H. Bush

241 - Steve Shine

225 - John Crawford

107 - Lindsay Lohan

69 - Chancellor Michael Wartell

4 - Mark Carboni (me)

0 - Juice Newton

Hmm, perhaps he is running for President and we just don't know it yet! Go figure - rather look at the figures ...

Somewhere ...

Most likely, if you were any where in the Fort last evening you saw an awesome light storm, perhaps a mini snowball fight and winds which made the trees touch the ground in which they are rooted in ... at the end of the show - there was not fireworks, but there was a magnificent rainbow.

Very amateur photographer - Carbo - snapped this picture of the rainbow outside his front door.

The television coverage last evening was pretty decent too! Thanks to Sandy "Snow" Thomson - I knew exactly when my life was almost going to end ... luckily the trees were stronger than the wind.

I am such a freak about storms - I will be that one guy that you read about that local media will always refer to ... "never stand in front of a glass pane or window or exterior walls during the midst of warning - type weather". I was holding the dog (because he knew that he was suppose to take cover) watching the trees bend and flail around like a fish out of the water.

Anyway, I made it - the house is here (still under massive construction) and I viewed some stupid show called Ghost Whisper or something ---- that I was the person calling the television station stating ... go back to the weather and interrupt scheduled programming!

Checking in with the big guy ...

I have a friend who has departed on a spiritual quest ... and no, this is not an adventure to Crate and Barrel ... but many times it can be.

I have other friends who find themselves front and center in a church every Sunday.

I am one who believes that I should have a good spirit, but I am not good at organized religion. I did attend a Catholic college. I did take classes that (were intended) to teach me about the bible. I found them interesting, but never could wrap my head around stone tablets and water parting moments. Not saying that it is not true, but my mind I struggled with the realism that it happened that way ... guess too much reality TV that was not so real after all. Thank you Anna Nicole Smith.

Last evening, a couple of friends and I went to Henry's to have dinner or drinks or both, (you decide - election 2008). A friend has a magic 8 ball on her phone and we asked questions all night about our future - marriage, dating, death, true or false questions. If this magic ball has any ability to predict, my life is going to be no different today than yesterday. Which is not all bad I guess.

I think we all need something to believe in ... Matt Kelty still believes he is innocent (the rest of the city does not)... Hillary Clinton still believes she can be President (that she can do if she deals someone a bit of arsenic)... Many people still believe the ball park downtown will help our community (then there are those who can't imagine anything helping the city). Ye who has no faith will end up without an 8 ball on a Sunday with no where to go ...

Eating out ...review

Just the other day I ate lunch at Hall's Hollywood (the one that is located on Lima Road and Coliseum Blvd). I saw a banner outside that boasted the "Big Buster Platter" special. Well, the sign is announcing an upcoming special ... the sign got me in and of course I stayed in ...

I ordered the big buster platter, which comes with a salad, french fries and of course Hall's version of the Big Mac. My salad was a very wet salad --- I would have dressed it up to call it "Rain Forest Fresh" - I have never had a wet salad before ... the water clung to the lettuce and did not sit in the bottom of the bowl. It was a modern day miracle. There was fresh cheddar cheese shavings on and a big ole cucumber. It was not bad just wet.

My sandwich came and it was exactly as I remembered the sandwich to be ... jam packed full of sauce, flavor and a hamburger as thin as the Journal Gazette the day of a national holiday. My french fries were good but had a flavor that I could not pin point. I liked the flavor, it reminded of something but I could not distinguish what it was.

Lucky for me, or perhaps it was the overhearing of the neighboring booth, that ordered the lunch special of fried chicken. My fries tasted like fried chicken. Hmm, wonder how that happens!

Overall, it was a good lunch - a few things I would do different. The price was right though, I ate for under 8 bucks with a decent tip. So, I can't complain (anymore than I may have just did)

Strike up the Band

Well the times ... they are a changing ... Err, that is the Obama platform I think.

Speaking of him, now that he is in the driver's seat - he begins his search for a Vice President candidate. Low and behold, Hillary wants that too. No surprise that she wants that job also - when she has not given up the chance to be the President. Her campaign rolls on - without money and supporters tossing their name on the Obama bus.

It reminded me of an old Dolly Parton song where the lyrics stated she "won't play second fiddle in nobody's band!" I simply can not see Hillary being a Vice President. It is almost like Sonny and Cher or Captain and Tennille - the guys were so invisible because the female dominated the role.

I don't believe that a woman is not able to serve as a President or Vice President - it is more about the balance of the person's ego. So not a sexist, perhaps a realist. If anyone thought Chaney got too much press - for shooting people - or other matters, you ain't seen nothing yet with Hillary. I just would foresee Hillary sitting in the VP chair but taking on Presidential tasks (like pushing a button, or using the red phone ...)

Knowing that Bill plays the saxophone, I do now wonder, what instrument might she play!?! Watch out Steven Tyler - your role as lead singer for Aerosmith may be short lived - get out of rehab soon ... your foot may not be the only thing in trouble.

RIP

Well, nothing really revolutionary happened yesterday with the home remodel, nor in my life ... but the "three" deaths have happened....

Bo Diddley

Harvey Korman

and

Dr. Fredric J. Baur

Everyone has heard of the first two - perhaps have seen either one of them perform. But the last person is not from a soap opera, nor was he a local hometown hero. Dr. Baur invented the Pringles can ... not only did he create it he - he is now buried it in.

You just can't top that! Guess that is what they would coin a "death in a can"

Something trivial

Yesterday I finished up some packing and moving of the sun room. I attended a showing for a friend who passed away and the rest of the time I sat myself in front of the television.

I drifted off to sleep between episodes of Splash of Color and Design to Sell and 10 other programs which had the same theme but different titles. Not only are the television programs alike, so are the commercials. If you are having problem with your living room, bedroom, kitchen or simply selling your house it is very easy - if the walls are white or beige then you paint them red. If your house is red walled, then you paint it beige, with red carpet or red accents.

I heard about cars that are being given away with .99 gas for the first year ... I heard about medication that will stop your period so you will only have 4 per year ... Even about a pill or rather a medicated device that will stop you from becoming pregnant for five years - now mind you there are serious side effects, but still you can whore it up without getting pregnant. There is a big push by Rosetta Stone to help everyone learn another language... And Robin Hood steals candy from others ... and kept them for himself.

There was also a rash of candy bar commercials - which made me wonder - what are the top selling candy bars. Thanks to the Internet, I did find out my answer.

M&Ms $97 million
Hershey's Milk Chocolate $81 million
Reese's Peanut Butter Cups $54 million
Snickers $53 million
KitKat $38 million
Twix $33 million
York Peppermint Patty $25 million
Peter Paul Almond Joy $23 million
Butterfinger $22 million
Three Musketeers $ 19 million

Kind of interesting, maybe not, but when you consider that television yesterday was all about the same, this bit of trivia felt like something sent from the Dalai Lama.

He ain't going to roll over on this ...

Well, construction is moving right along. The new room has cement, it has been framed and the siding has all been removed.

I am happy, but someone does not share in this joy and that is Clyde! Oh-mylanta! He is having a hell of a time with the noise. He is very upset, he has found the house to be his personal "outside oasis".

He won't eat, he won't sleep and he is not a very pleasant pup. All three things which are totally out of context for him.

So this weekend, I have stayed closed to home to spend time with him. Also, there is no construction on the weekends. He is eating, he is sleeping (though not like he 19 hours a day like he did before) and he is somewhat moody, but not terrible.

It is funny how animals can become so emotional and sense things. He also had to go to the vet on Friday for his annual check up. His report card was good - he is a good weight, he is alert and healthy. The vet recommended since he is 7 years old, that he begin a "seniors diet". Also, recommended that he have his teeth professionally cleaned.

Uggh, I dreaded that but know that he needs to have it done. I have put it off for over a year. Oh, and by the way, the picture was taken a couple days before construction began.