This is long, but I beg you to watch it:
Cruz nailed it. We are living in Orwellian times.
We now need to ask ourselves why this is being done. Scary.
Thursday, June 30, 2016
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
Lambeau Fais Do-Do
These arrived in the mail today:
Come Labor Day weekend, there should be one big ass dance party going down in Green Bay. I'm hoping we'll be full with friends and family as we get together for this historic game.
Fall can't get here fast enough.
Come Labor Day weekend, there should be one big ass dance party going down in Green Bay. I'm hoping we'll be full with friends and family as we get together for this historic game.
Fall can't get here fast enough.
Tuesday, June 28, 2016
The First Mile is the Worst Mile
I've been progressing on my running and have my conditioning back to the 5 mile range. I've taken it slow, and by and large, have reached that level without too much trauma. That being said, mornings are horrible. The cracks and creaks that come from my legs the first thing in the morning would make a bowl of Rice Krispies jealous. It takes a good long while to get the body warmed up.
I always start my runs with a five minute warm up walk, and while that seems to help, by the time the warm up is over and the running part starts, my body is complaining loudly. Right about a half mile in, I'm usually thinking about walking, and doubting my ability to complete my planned distance.
Then, at just over a mile, things just kick in. This groove starts, I speed up, I feel better, and I just kind of find a zone. By mile three the famed "runner's high" usually kicks in, and by the time I finish, the doubts and aches of the first mile are long forgotten.
It is a weird process, and even though it works that way nearly every time, I still struggle with that first mile.
Just like many things that are hard in life, the beginning is where one needs to be strong. It will, and does, get easier.
I always start my runs with a five minute warm up walk, and while that seems to help, by the time the warm up is over and the running part starts, my body is complaining loudly. Right about a half mile in, I'm usually thinking about walking, and doubting my ability to complete my planned distance.
Then, at just over a mile, things just kick in. This groove starts, I speed up, I feel better, and I just kind of find a zone. By mile three the famed "runner's high" usually kicks in, and by the time I finish, the doubts and aches of the first mile are long forgotten.
It is a weird process, and even though it works that way nearly every time, I still struggle with that first mile.
Just like many things that are hard in life, the beginning is where one needs to be strong. It will, and does, get easier.
Monday, June 27, 2016
Anniversary of an Odyssey
A year ago last week I started a new position and a new life in Park City, UT. Unbeknownst to me, my move was a bad one. I won't get into the gory details, but the company had made a move right before I got there which made me incredibly expendable. I was treated horribly, and suffered a lot out there on my own.
Without the support system of my wife and family, it was brutal. Likewise, my situation made me question myself - my judgement, my skills, and my worth. It was a lonely nightmare. Looking back on it now, it is clear to me that the company did not know what to do with me, so they pushed me to quit. Crappy circumstances all around.
In my first weekend there, I went for a hike up a mountain to clear my head. It was only two miles, but it was 2,000 vertical feet, and I was left gasping.
Here was my reward at the top:
At the mountain top I was exhausted, but inspired, and I broke out into the longest session of prayer that I ever had. I asked God to just put me where He wanted me, and I'd oblige. If that was Utah, OK. But it didn't feel right, so if His plans were for something different for me, I'd listen, have faith, and walk the path. I just needed the nudge.
In short order, I got my answer, and things quickly feel into place for a very clear path back to the Midwest.
I think about that hike a lot, especially at mass when the reading involves climbing of a mountain (which happens a lot there). That's where so many have gone to get closer to and converse with God.
I don't count myself in the company of those Bible greats by any stretch. All I know is that when I climbed my mountain, He heard me, and He answered me.
Without the support system of my wife and family, it was brutal. Likewise, my situation made me question myself - my judgement, my skills, and my worth. It was a lonely nightmare. Looking back on it now, it is clear to me that the company did not know what to do with me, so they pushed me to quit. Crappy circumstances all around.
In my first weekend there, I went for a hike up a mountain to clear my head. It was only two miles, but it was 2,000 vertical feet, and I was left gasping.
Here was my reward at the top:
At the mountain top I was exhausted, but inspired, and I broke out into the longest session of prayer that I ever had. I asked God to just put me where He wanted me, and I'd oblige. If that was Utah, OK. But it didn't feel right, so if His plans were for something different for me, I'd listen, have faith, and walk the path. I just needed the nudge.
In short order, I got my answer, and things quickly feel into place for a very clear path back to the Midwest.
I think about that hike a lot, especially at mass when the reading involves climbing of a mountain (which happens a lot there). That's where so many have gone to get closer to and converse with God.
I don't count myself in the company of those Bible greats by any stretch. All I know is that when I climbed my mountain, He heard me, and He answered me.
Saturday, June 25, 2016
Saturday Song Share: Aimee Mann - That's Just What You Are
Nice background vocals from Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook from Squeeze:
Friday, June 24, 2016
Penn and Teller on the Second Amendment
There is currently a lot of parsing of the Second Amendment, claiming not only is it outdated, but that it technically doesn't apply to individuals.
I could attempt to explain, but this clarification from the great Penn and Teller does so in a method which is far more pithy and effective than I could muster.
I could attempt to explain, but this clarification from the great Penn and Teller does so in a method which is far more pithy and effective than I could muster.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Losing Coach
I lost my old high school football coach yesterday. It sounds like he fell, struck his head, fell into a coma, and passed away.
I wouldn't be honest if I said he was a great football coach. He wasn't. I remember one game we were playing against a rival, and my job as fullback on our bread and butter play was to take out the opposing team's end. And we ran our bread and butter play over, and over, and over.
This game, we continued to run it to just one side. On that side was the best defensive end I had played against in my career. He was flat out kicking my ass, and dropping our trailing running back for either a loss or no gain on every play.
After a series, I headed to the bench and suggested maybe we should run the play to the other side. I was admonished - "What's the matter, can't handle it? Not tough enough?" I think the attempt was motivation.
We continued to run to one side, I continued to get my ass kicked, and the end ultimately was named all-state (I wasn't the only one he ate alive).
That's just one of many times where, as a football coach, I expected better. I guess my expectations were that way due to how he was off the field.
Simply put, how he was off the field was a gem. It didn't matter who you were - jock, burn out, motorhead, geek - Coach treated you like you mattered. He treated kids that way because to him they did matter. I learned a lot from him on how we should treat each other, and how every individual has something about them that makes them special.
Yeah, I regret some of the football - yet to this day. But I'll remain forever thankful for the life lessons.
Bye, Coach. Thank you.
I wouldn't be honest if I said he was a great football coach. He wasn't. I remember one game we were playing against a rival, and my job as fullback on our bread and butter play was to take out the opposing team's end. And we ran our bread and butter play over, and over, and over.
This game, we continued to run it to just one side. On that side was the best defensive end I had played against in my career. He was flat out kicking my ass, and dropping our trailing running back for either a loss or no gain on every play.
After a series, I headed to the bench and suggested maybe we should run the play to the other side. I was admonished - "What's the matter, can't handle it? Not tough enough?" I think the attempt was motivation.
We continued to run to one side, I continued to get my ass kicked, and the end ultimately was named all-state (I wasn't the only one he ate alive).
That's just one of many times where, as a football coach, I expected better. I guess my expectations were that way due to how he was off the field.
Simply put, how he was off the field was a gem. It didn't matter who you were - jock, burn out, motorhead, geek - Coach treated you like you mattered. He treated kids that way because to him they did matter. I learned a lot from him on how we should treat each other, and how every individual has something about them that makes them special.
Yeah, I regret some of the football - yet to this day. But I'll remain forever thankful for the life lessons.
Bye, Coach. Thank you.
Monday, June 20, 2016
Why Do I Need an AR?
In the rush to blame a firearm platform for killing 49 innocent people a week ago, a good question is being asked: why do I "need" an AR? It's not much good for hunting (unless one is killing coyotes, then you can't find much better), and other platforms can be used effectively for home defense. Why in the world would I need a "weapon of mass destruction" or a "military firearm?"
Beyond the coyote example, I'll tell you exactly why I have one. We're only one generation removed from people in the west kicking in your door, taking your stuff, raping your wife, and murdering you. Jews all over the world still remember that very thing happening to them in their lifetimes.
Before that period, such activity was commonplace throughout the entirety of human history. One was either armed, or a victim.
Oh, I know folks will counter with "that's why we have police and/or the military. You already have ample protection." Yeah, they'll protect me. The government would never use its resources against its people. You know, like siccing the IRS on political enemies and whatnot...
In this world there are three kinds of animals: sheep - the unarmed, innocent, and easily slaughtered. Sheepdogs - those in the military, out to protect the sheep. Wolves - those that seek to prey on the sheep.
Like hell will I be a sheep. I may not have the training of a sheepdog, but I've got his teeth, and if the wolves ever come, I'm going to use those teeth.
Beyond the coyote example, I'll tell you exactly why I have one. We're only one generation removed from people in the west kicking in your door, taking your stuff, raping your wife, and murdering you. Jews all over the world still remember that very thing happening to them in their lifetimes.
Before that period, such activity was commonplace throughout the entirety of human history. One was either armed, or a victim.
Oh, I know folks will counter with "that's why we have police and/or the military. You already have ample protection." Yeah, they'll protect me. The government would never use its resources against its people. You know, like siccing the IRS on political enemies and whatnot...
In this world there are three kinds of animals: sheep - the unarmed, innocent, and easily slaughtered. Sheepdogs - those in the military, out to protect the sheep. Wolves - those that seek to prey on the sheep.
Like hell will I be a sheep. I may not have the training of a sheepdog, but I've got his teeth, and if the wolves ever come, I'm going to use those teeth.
Sunday, June 19, 2016
A Family's FTD Story
The average time it takes for diagnosis of FTD from the onset of symptoms is 3.6 years.
FTD is the #1 dementia for those under 60.
Here is one family's story:
FTD is the #1 dementia for those under 60.
Here is one family's story:
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Saturday Song Share: Billy Gibbons - La Grange
From Live from Darryl's House, a damn fine version of the ZZ Top classic
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Ban Hate Speech to Keep Us Safe
In the days since the Orlando atrocity, there have been massive cries for a ban on guns. If only guns were not so easy to acquire, we wouldn't suffer attacks from terrorists bent on jihad.
Unfortunately, we're only hearing one side of the equation.
If this piece of excrement in Florida had not had easy and unfettered access to jihadi propaganda and hate speech, he never would have been motivated to buy the gun and carry out his mass murder in the first place. Without the hate and propaganda, all of those people would be alive today.
We have the technology capable of shutting down sites with hate speech, of identifying those who still look for means to engage with it, and of rounding those folks up. It all exists, and we could do it tomorrow.
Funny, but nobody is advocating for that.
Why is that? I'm pretty sure it has to do with the slippery slope. Once the government starts banning speech and chipping away at the First Amendment, it will continue. Do we really want our government in charge of what is and is not offensive?
The EXACT same thing applies to the Second Amendment. Yet cowards such as Rolling Stone hide behind their protections of the First to attack the Second. Irony, anyone?
Tell you what - you can take away my gun rights the minute you're willing to give up your free speech rights.
Deal?
Unfortunately, we're only hearing one side of the equation.
If this piece of excrement in Florida had not had easy and unfettered access to jihadi propaganda and hate speech, he never would have been motivated to buy the gun and carry out his mass murder in the first place. Without the hate and propaganda, all of those people would be alive today.
We have the technology capable of shutting down sites with hate speech, of identifying those who still look for means to engage with it, and of rounding those folks up. It all exists, and we could do it tomorrow.
Funny, but nobody is advocating for that.
Why is that? I'm pretty sure it has to do with the slippery slope. Once the government starts banning speech and chipping away at the First Amendment, it will continue. Do we really want our government in charge of what is and is not offensive?
The EXACT same thing applies to the Second Amendment. Yet cowards such as Rolling Stone hide behind their protections of the First to attack the Second. Irony, anyone?
Tell you what - you can take away my gun rights the minute you're willing to give up your free speech rights.
Deal?
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Orlando Imam Warns - Don't Rush to Judgement
In a rambling statement, this Islam apologist wants you to know that the media should not sensationalize the story (how the hell could that happen?) and that we need to do something about mass shootings, which happen all the time.
See, it's not an Islam problem, it's a mass shooting problem. If only we finally did something about guns.
See, it's not an Islam problem, it's a mass shooting problem. If only we finally did something about guns.
Monday, June 13, 2016
Islam Murders LGBT, Left Dutifully Blames Anyone but Islam
Islam hates homosexuals. In a couple of countries - countries - homosexuals are routinely shoved off of buildings. Those that survive the fall are stoned to death by a gleeful, waiting crowd.
This is Islam. That's how they treat homosexuals. Is that all of Islam? No. But where are the cries within Islam that stand up to the butcher of gays, or women, or Christians, or Atheists, or anyone that is not Muslim for that matter? There are no such cries. Just silence.
It's been stated many times before - silence is acquiescence.
Hence, when a gay bar gets shot up by a jihadist, how in the world can anyone be surprised? And yet leftist will blame Trump, or guns, or Christians, or homophobia, or any other leftist boogeyman instead of placing this deed where it belongs - at the door of Islam.
I'll bears repeating - Islam hates homosexuals. Islam is the cause of death for more homosexuals worldwide than any other malady. Yet the left protects it and does all it can to offer cover and excuses for it.
How many more of our gay brothers and sisters will need to die at the hands of Islam before we wake up?
This is Islam. That's how they treat homosexuals. Is that all of Islam? No. But where are the cries within Islam that stand up to the butcher of gays, or women, or Christians, or Atheists, or anyone that is not Muslim for that matter? There are no such cries. Just silence.
It's been stated many times before - silence is acquiescence.
Hence, when a gay bar gets shot up by a jihadist, how in the world can anyone be surprised? And yet leftist will blame Trump, or guns, or Christians, or homophobia, or any other leftist boogeyman instead of placing this deed where it belongs - at the door of Islam.
I'll bears repeating - Islam hates homosexuals. Islam is the cause of death for more homosexuals worldwide than any other malady. Yet the left protects it and does all it can to offer cover and excuses for it.
How many more of our gay brothers and sisters will need to die at the hands of Islam before we wake up?
Saturday, June 11, 2016
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Chicago Gun Violence and Obama Cognitive Dissonace
An edited version of the below video is making the rounds on Lefty websites, and is being hailed as Obama "schooling" ignorant gun owners and NRA members. Indeed, the edited version does look pretty compelling as Obama eloquently invokes the standard talking points (really, who couldn't be for something as common-sense as "common-sense gun control"?)
Unfortunately, those edits always leave out the end of the questioner's question. It's a question about Chicago, Obama's hometown, and America's gun murder capital. It is also a place with the strongest anti-gun laws in the nation.
Here is the full unedited version:
Was it just me, or did the President fail to answer anything around the Chicago situation?
Surprised?
Unfortunately, those edits always leave out the end of the questioner's question. It's a question about Chicago, Obama's hometown, and America's gun murder capital. It is also a place with the strongest anti-gun laws in the nation.
Here is the full unedited version:
Was it just me, or did the President fail to answer anything around the Chicago situation?
Surprised?
Wednesday, June 8, 2016
Wisconsin Leads Nation in Binge Drinking
In a recent study performed by 24/7 Wall Street, the top metro areas for binge drinking were identified across the US. To identify the U.S. cities with the highest and lowest excessive drinking rates, the group reviewed the percentage of adults who report binge or heavy drinking across a total of 381 metro areas.
Here are the top 10:
Appleton, WI
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI
Green Bay, WI
Madison, WI
Fargo, ND
La Crosse, WI
Fon Du Lac, WI
Ames, IA
Eau Claire, WI
Mankato, MN
The top three are within 60 miles of each other in the Fox Valley of NE Wisconsin. That's a lot of schweel in one small area.
Considering I work in Appleton and live in Green Bay, there's a whole lot of drinking going on.
I wonder if they conducted this study after the Packers got knocked out of the playoffs? That'd explain a lot...
Here are the top 10:
Appleton, WI
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI
Green Bay, WI
Madison, WI
Fargo, ND
La Crosse, WI
Fon Du Lac, WI
Ames, IA
Eau Claire, WI
Mankato, MN
The top three are within 60 miles of each other in the Fox Valley of NE Wisconsin. That's a lot of schweel in one small area.
Considering I work in Appleton and live in Green Bay, there's a whole lot of drinking going on.
I wonder if they conducted this study after the Packers got knocked out of the playoffs? That'd explain a lot...
Tuesday, June 7, 2016
Big Papi - Pinata Crusher
Perhaps the worst error any Minnesota team has ever made was letting David Ortiz go. He had the sweetest of swings, and parlayed it to great fame in Boston. The rest is legend.
So now that retirement is neigh, what does he do? This might work:
So now that retirement is neigh, what does he do? This might work:
Monday, June 6, 2016
New Family Members
My wife lost her long-time cat to a stroke last summer, and ever since she's been pining for a new feline friend. She's waited, patently, for the schedule to free up, and for "kitten season" to arrive. Since we're now done with our travels, she's been on the hunt for a new buddy.
Hence, when I got this text yesterday:
I thought it was to perhaps select one. Little did I know that when she said she'd be checking out "kitties" that meant she might be buying "kitties" plural.
Stupid me.
Hence, here are the latest editions to Casa YDP:
Hence, when I got this text yesterday:
I thought it was to perhaps select one. Little did I know that when she said she'd be checking out "kitties" that meant she might be buying "kitties" plural.
Stupid me.
Hence, here are the latest editions to Casa YDP:
No names have been given yet.
Pray for me.
Sunday, June 5, 2016
Hillary Rally Can't Say "Under God"
In the Democratic party, one better not utter the name of the Father.
Religion is for rubes, ignoramuses, and the Republican party. Unless, of course, if the religion is Islam. Then, if you want to invoke Allah, that's awesome
Religion is for rubes, ignoramuses, and the Republican party. Unless, of course, if the religion is Islam. Then, if you want to invoke Allah, that's awesome
Saturday, June 4, 2016
Saturday Song Share: Lyle Lovett and Rickie Lee Jones - North Dakota
You can sleep forever
and I'll still hold you then
and I'll still hold you then
Friday, June 3, 2016
Prevailing Opinion on Why Folks Aren't Working?
Over fishing last week, the prevailing opinion of our fishing crew was one of worry. The economy feels broken. So many are not working, and the tax base is crashing. In the meantime, government spending continues to increase at an unabated rate. Social Security, an option that is now on the horizon for some of us, is a known Ponzi scheme. It is already bankrupt, and as more Boomers pull on it, it will ultimate tip over.
In the middle of all of this is a youth base that finds it unnecessary to move out of mom and dad's house, much less become a productive member of society. In fact, in a recent article on the StarTribune about Millennials still living with their parents, the following was written in the comments:
We suggest you scale back. Try living in urban areas and abandon your cars. Scale back on your rent so you can take months off at a time. Enjoy your life and the people you know. Do not dread Sundays. Do not be a drone for the corporations and establishment. The government is trending towards providing more help and you will be taken care of when you 'retire' so do not buy into you must work 40 hours a week so you can have a good retirement that may never come. Also if you save up too much, you will be ineligible for less!
This comment received lots of "likes," and absolutely no dissent.
There is a lot here to tear apart, and I'll leave it up to the reader to do so. My closing points are 1) this explains how an avowed Socialist is pretty damned close to being President and 2) we're screwed. Royally, royally screwed. With no work ethic leading to no work leading to more government handouts leading to less taxes collected, it is only a matter of time before this house of cards collapses.
It used the be that the comment made above would garner shame and scorn. Now it is just simply a blueprint for life.
In the middle of all of this is a youth base that finds it unnecessary to move out of mom and dad's house, much less become a productive member of society. In fact, in a recent article on the StarTribune about Millennials still living with their parents, the following was written in the comments:
We suggest you scale back. Try living in urban areas and abandon your cars. Scale back on your rent so you can take months off at a time. Enjoy your life and the people you know. Do not dread Sundays. Do not be a drone for the corporations and establishment. The government is trending towards providing more help and you will be taken care of when you 'retire' so do not buy into you must work 40 hours a week so you can have a good retirement that may never come. Also if you save up too much, you will be ineligible for less!
This comment received lots of "likes," and absolutely no dissent.
There is a lot here to tear apart, and I'll leave it up to the reader to do so. My closing points are 1) this explains how an avowed Socialist is pretty damned close to being President and 2) we're screwed. Royally, royally screwed. With no work ethic leading to no work leading to more government handouts leading to less taxes collected, it is only a matter of time before this house of cards collapses.
It used the be that the comment made above would garner shame and scorn. Now it is just simply a blueprint for life.
Thursday, June 2, 2016
Pat Condell on Why Voting for Trump Makes Sense
As one considers the impending presidential election, it is hard to argue with logic like this:
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
Outrage Over a Dead Gorilla
This is astonishing to me. Are we so removed from the realities of life here in our First World that we fail to understand the differences between animal and human life? Likewise, where is the same kind of outrage for human suffering - starvation, torture, oppression, mutilation, human trafficking, sexual abuse, etc.? The kind that happens every day. The kind that is happening right bleeping now.
I guess it is easier to pen off some pompous "gorilla murder" outrage on Facebook over a latte rather than actually getting off of ones ass and doing something about making life better in a way that matters.
Talk about a sheltered world-view...