I learned something new on Monday. Scratch that, I had something I had thought to be true for a while proven to me on Monday. Meteorologists don't really know what they are doing. Tell me a profession where you can be wrong half of the time, if not more, and not get fired?! The local news is entirely weather driven, I mean, Storm Team 13, First Warning Weather and Storm Center are pretty much all you see on newscasts around here, and let's be honest, that much talk about the weather is not really necessary. Tell us once, maybe twice, not every 3 minutes. That's a bit redundant. Besides, you usually aren't right, and when you do give us something useful, it's usually just showing "sky cams" of the snow falling, which you didn't predict correctly in the first place!
Anyways, now that it has been snowing for several days straight, I have shoveled a solid foot of fluffy white crap out of our driveway once, and will have to shovel another 4 or so inches this evening. I recently sent a letter to Mother Nature, letting her know that I am totally over her. Her only way to make things up to me will be to give us a good summer, and even still, I'm not sure that will work 100%. Here is a copy of said letter...
Dear Mother Nature,
You can stop all this snow you have been dumping on us lately. My snow blower is broken, I don't have a plow (or a truck for that matter), and my ergonomic shovel is the most useless piece of crap ever (seriously, who invented that thing?). After shoveling most of my "day off" on Monday, I have another night of shoveling in front of me, and that just isn't nice. You are so not cool, we are in a fight.
Regretfully yours,
Mark
I'm not sure if the letter will help, but it was nice to at least let her know how I was feeling. She may just spit more snow at me while laughing, but remember this Mother Nature, I'm very nice to you. I think you should take your anger out on Scott Brown and his big truck! I'm just saying...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Friday, January 15, 2010
Longest...Week...Ever...
After a week of increased feelings of a cold coming on, as well as decreased levels in our bank account, I'm excited we are staring at a three day weekend. I have spent nearly every night since last Sunday working until around 11 getting financials done for a couple of clients, not to mention the three lunch breaks that were spent working for another client, on top of putting together a bunch of schedules and reports for the auditors at the office. It's been a crazy work week.
On top of that, our furnace crapped out on Sunday and set us back a decent amount to get it running again. On a good note, I now know the ins and outs of a furnace, and am able to clean it myself now, which will save us a decent amount of money each year. We also had a friend of ours pass away on Sunday, as you may have read in my last post. Another fun note (sarcasm...) from this week is that Kerrigan sprained her ankle jumping off a tall snowbank at school. She's been hopping around the house for a couple of days now, but seems to be getting better as time goes by. She's more like her father every day, willing to try anything people dare her to.
So, in honor of having such a mentally draining week, I'm going to rip on some things, I figure making fun of other stuff will make me feel better. Here we go...
1. Pat Robertson, the whacky, outspoken, televangelist claims that Haiti's 1791 Slave Rebellion is to blame for the massive earthquake that occurred on January 12th. He says that Haiti made a pact with the devil to get out from under French control, and they have been cursed ever since. Rush Limbaugh, the radio host and conservative political commentator, claims that the earthquake benefits President Obama because it makes him look "compassionate" and "humanitarian", while at the same time bolstering his standing in both the "light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country." He added: "We've already donated to Haiti. It's called the U.S. income tax." Guys, come on, didn't your mothers teach you that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all? In other words, shut the hell up, morons.
2. Facebook statusi (that is the plural, right?!) asking me to repost something if I believe in it. To the person/people who started this, please stop. I obviously support our troops. We have all had someone, friend or family, that has had cancer. Just because we don't post something doesn't mean we don't care or aren't thinking about them on a regular basis. I would rather see people post something like this... "Put this as your status if you have eaten your own boogers or pissed in a swimming pool. ♥♥♥ The majority won't put it on, because unlike cancer, eating boogers or pissing in a pool is taboo. ♥♥♥ Break the silence. ♥♥♥ In honor of all pool pissers and booger munchers, you are loved too."
3. Brett Favre, Kobe Byrant, Lebron James and Eli Manning - I just don't like you guys. Never will. Don't even try to convince me.
4. To all you fools out there that find it necessary to try to blow up a plane, are you kidding me?! Trust me, your god does not want you to kill innocent people, and anyone who is trying to convince you otherwise is off his freaking rocker. Oh, you have been promised endless amounts of beautiful virgins when you get to heaven. Let me tell you something buddy, that is not, I repeat, not going to happen. Why don't you do us all a favor and quit with the whole war nonsense. It's going to end badly for everyone, and what good does that do?
5. To the dimwitted Wal-Mart employee in Auburn that wrote a bomb threat on the stall wall yesterday, your plan to get the night off didn't work, did it? Haha. Now, of course, I am drawing my own conclusions, and I have no evidence to back up my statement, but come on. A bomb threat is written on a bathroom stall last evening at the Wal-Mart in Auburn, Maine. Really?! Why would anyone put a bomb there? I'm certain it was some chick who just met a dude online and didn't want to be at work because she wanted to find out more about the guy (who, mind you, is probably not at all who he says he is, cuz that's what internet stalkers do). Next time, just find someone to work for you, it's a whole lot easier, and you won't get into any trouble for doing it.
Wow, I'm feeling better already! I'm just saying...
On top of that, our furnace crapped out on Sunday and set us back a decent amount to get it running again. On a good note, I now know the ins and outs of a furnace, and am able to clean it myself now, which will save us a decent amount of money each year. We also had a friend of ours pass away on Sunday, as you may have read in my last post. Another fun note (sarcasm...) from this week is that Kerrigan sprained her ankle jumping off a tall snowbank at school. She's been hopping around the house for a couple of days now, but seems to be getting better as time goes by. She's more like her father every day, willing to try anything people dare her to.
So, in honor of having such a mentally draining week, I'm going to rip on some things, I figure making fun of other stuff will make me feel better. Here we go...
1. Pat Robertson, the whacky, outspoken, televangelist claims that Haiti's 1791 Slave Rebellion is to blame for the massive earthquake that occurred on January 12th. He says that Haiti made a pact with the devil to get out from under French control, and they have been cursed ever since. Rush Limbaugh, the radio host and conservative political commentator, claims that the earthquake benefits President Obama because it makes him look "compassionate" and "humanitarian", while at the same time bolstering his standing in both the "light-skinned and dark-skinned black community in this country." He added: "We've already donated to Haiti. It's called the U.S. income tax." Guys, come on, didn't your mothers teach you that if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all? In other words, shut the hell up, morons.
2. Facebook statusi (that is the plural, right?!) asking me to repost something if I believe in it. To the person/people who started this, please stop. I obviously support our troops. We have all had someone, friend or family, that has had cancer. Just because we don't post something doesn't mean we don't care or aren't thinking about them on a regular basis. I would rather see people post something like this... "Put this as your status if you have eaten your own boogers or pissed in a swimming pool. ♥♥♥ The majority won't put it on, because unlike cancer, eating boogers or pissing in a pool is taboo. ♥♥♥ Break the silence. ♥♥♥ In honor of all pool pissers and booger munchers, you are loved too."
3. Brett Favre, Kobe Byrant, Lebron James and Eli Manning - I just don't like you guys. Never will. Don't even try to convince me.
4. To all you fools out there that find it necessary to try to blow up a plane, are you kidding me?! Trust me, your god does not want you to kill innocent people, and anyone who is trying to convince you otherwise is off his freaking rocker. Oh, you have been promised endless amounts of beautiful virgins when you get to heaven. Let me tell you something buddy, that is not, I repeat, not going to happen. Why don't you do us all a favor and quit with the whole war nonsense. It's going to end badly for everyone, and what good does that do?
5. To the dimwitted Wal-Mart employee in Auburn that wrote a bomb threat on the stall wall yesterday, your plan to get the night off didn't work, did it? Haha. Now, of course, I am drawing my own conclusions, and I have no evidence to back up my statement, but come on. A bomb threat is written on a bathroom stall last evening at the Wal-Mart in Auburn, Maine. Really?! Why would anyone put a bomb there? I'm certain it was some chick who just met a dude online and didn't want to be at work because she wanted to find out more about the guy (who, mind you, is probably not at all who he says he is, cuz that's what internet stalkers do). Next time, just find someone to work for you, it's a whole lot easier, and you won't get into any trouble for doing it.
Wow, I'm feeling better already! I'm just saying...
Monday, January 11, 2010
May the duck quack on...
For those of you that were at the Marcole nuptials, you most likely remember Art Ducko posing for photo after photo with nearly all the guests in attendance. For anyone who follows my blog, you have surely seen comments from Art Ducko, always perfectly articulating his thoughts in response to the topic du jour. Well, the man behind Art Ducko passed away on Saturday, leaving behind many wonderful friends and even more lasting memories.
Nichole and I had only begun to scratch the surface in terms of getting to know Petro, but we both agree, there wasn't a kinder soul out there. I'll never forget the day we met him, sipping a PBR at the Juke Joint below Buck's Naked BBQ in Freeport, grooving to the IGYB. It was as if he had known us our whole lives the way he came up to us. He was a fan of music, photography, life, but above all else, people. He instantly became a dear friend to anyone that ever met him, and I consider myself extremely fortunate to fall into that category.
Here's hoping Petro is grooving with Jerry Garcia as we speak! I'm just saying...
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Last post of 2009...
Another year in the books in just a few more hours. Hard to believe it's almost 2010! I remember, as a kid, thinking we would have flying cars and all our meals would be in liquid form by now. I thought we would all have our own personal transportation device that would bring us from point A to point B in a split second. I pictured a much more futuristic, science fiction like world. Boy was I wrong! Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining at all, I like driving my Jetta through the snow and having to spend 30 plus minutes preparing a meal, oh, and that 35 minute commute each way too! Oh well...
With the new year brings those lovely resolutions. You know what I'm talking about, that thing you say you are going to do, and you never end up doing it, then the next year you swear you will do it this time, and you don't again. Yeah, new years resolutions are fun! Well, this year, I'm sticking to mine, come hell or high water! There are a handful of things I want to see happen in my life, and I'm going to see to it that they do, in fact, happen.
1. Get my lazy, lethargic, damn near whale like ass to the gym. I am going to frequent the Pineland YMCA so much they are going to give me my own locker and gym towel with my name embroidered on it. Having not played much soccer lately, oh, and having eaten my weight in Christmas treats over the past couple of weeks, I am in desperate need of some physical activity. I can't wait to get rid of this damn beer belly and see if I can actually possess those elusive six pack abs.
2. Get some projects done around the house. There are a handful of things that I want/need to get done around the homestead. We have enjoyed ourselves a good amount over the past couple of summers, and projects have been pushed aside. Well, I'm officially ready to get to work. There is talk of a mini Marcole in the not too distant future, so I would like to get a few things done in anticipation of that.
3. Move forward on a few business ventures we have been discussing internally at the ranch. We have a few ideas we have been toying with, and I would like to see us further pursue them, and maybe even see them come to fruition over the coming year. One of which is making more beer!
4. Get more involved in our local politics and town happenings. I love our little town of New Gloucester, and I would like nothing more than to become a bigger part of the community, whether it be as a town representative or something simple like being a part of the sports and recreation committee through the town.
I feel that all of my resolutions will make me a better man, father, husband and will move me closer to accomplishing some of my personal goals. 2010 is no longer the future, it's the here and now, and I will do what I can to make the most of it, even if we don't have flying cars! What about all of you? Any major changes you are contemplating taking on? Whatever you are planning, I wish you nothing but luck! Here's wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year! Thanks again for reading, reacting and responding, I freaking love doing this! I'm just saying...
With the new year brings those lovely resolutions. You know what I'm talking about, that thing you say you are going to do, and you never end up doing it, then the next year you swear you will do it this time, and you don't again. Yeah, new years resolutions are fun! Well, this year, I'm sticking to mine, come hell or high water! There are a handful of things I want to see happen in my life, and I'm going to see to it that they do, in fact, happen.
1. Get my lazy, lethargic, damn near whale like ass to the gym. I am going to frequent the Pineland YMCA so much they are going to give me my own locker and gym towel with my name embroidered on it. Having not played much soccer lately, oh, and having eaten my weight in Christmas treats over the past couple of weeks, I am in desperate need of some physical activity. I can't wait to get rid of this damn beer belly and see if I can actually possess those elusive six pack abs.
2. Get some projects done around the house. There are a handful of things that I want/need to get done around the homestead. We have enjoyed ourselves a good amount over the past couple of summers, and projects have been pushed aside. Well, I'm officially ready to get to work. There is talk of a mini Marcole in the not too distant future, so I would like to get a few things done in anticipation of that.
3. Move forward on a few business ventures we have been discussing internally at the ranch. We have a few ideas we have been toying with, and I would like to see us further pursue them, and maybe even see them come to fruition over the coming year. One of which is making more beer!
4. Get more involved in our local politics and town happenings. I love our little town of New Gloucester, and I would like nothing more than to become a bigger part of the community, whether it be as a town representative or something simple like being a part of the sports and recreation committee through the town.
I feel that all of my resolutions will make me a better man, father, husband and will move me closer to accomplishing some of my personal goals. 2010 is no longer the future, it's the here and now, and I will do what I can to make the most of it, even if we don't have flying cars! What about all of you? Any major changes you are contemplating taking on? Whatever you are planning, I wish you nothing but luck! Here's wishing you all a safe and Happy New Year! Thanks again for reading, reacting and responding, I freaking love doing this! I'm just saying...
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
What to do... What to do...
With New Years Eve coming at us tomorrow night, Nichole and I have been trying to determine what it is we are going to do this year. There are so many options out there, with many places doing something different in the surrounding areas. The following is a list of some of our thoughts, but what will we decide upon?
The Awesome at The Asylum - Our favorite 80's cover band will surely be rocking, one might even say "kicking it old school", at The Asylum tomorrow night, and there isn't any better way to usher in 2010 then with songs over 20 years old, right?!
NYE in NYC - What better way to usher in the new year than with about a million of our closest friends in the freezing cold to see a ball drop! I love going to Times Square, don't get me wrong, but I can rig a ball to drop in my living room at midnight where I could host 15 of my actual friends and we wouldn't have to poop in a freezing port-a-potty while freezing our tits off! Just a thought...
Clash of the Titans at Empire Dine and Dance - It's the 80's vs the 90's in a battle royale on music supremacy. George Michael, Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton and Stone Temple Pilots. Don't need nothing but a good time, and it don't get better than that, well, except for the whole Michael Bolton part I guess...
PT's Showplace (formerly Platinum Plus) - Couples night at the local titty bar. Is there a better way to enjoy the last night of 2009 then with your lady friend and some dancing strippers? I think not. Head on in, drop a couple benjamins, hit up the champagne room and get a few lap dances. Now your 2009 is complete!
Dave Rowe, and others, playing at Bull Feeney's - We always enjoy Dave Rowe and his humorous sets when we check him out at Bull Feeney's. Now add that to a bar crammed full of 21 year olds home from college, drinking to the point of alcohol poisoning with noise makers and elevated levels of both testosterone and randiness, and you have a recipe fit to make Mark cut himself! Been there as both a patron and an employee, and let me tell you something (picture that said in full on Fire Marshall Bill voice), it ain't worth it. Love ya Dave, have fun, see you a different night!
Dinner at Gritty's in Auburn then home for sweatpants and couch time - Lame, yet rather exciting at the same time. Doesn't cost much cash, you don't wake up hungover, and you can wear elastic waistband pants all night! Plus, there is that whole waking up in your own bed next to your lover lover, as opposed to waking up on a friends floor, most likely under the dining room table, in the fetal position, right next to a random, just like last year. Do you really want to start the new year out next to another random you just slept with, trying to chew off your right arm so you can climb out from under the table and do the walk of shame back to your car?!
So, as you can see, we have a variety of options in front of us, all of which offer a good time, or at least a good story the next day. What is everyone else doing? I know what we are really doing, and despite Nichole's best efforts, it isn't a trip to the strip club... I'm just saying...
The Awesome at The Asylum - Our favorite 80's cover band will surely be rocking, one might even say "kicking it old school", at The Asylum tomorrow night, and there isn't any better way to usher in 2010 then with songs over 20 years old, right?!
NYE in NYC - What better way to usher in the new year than with about a million of our closest friends in the freezing cold to see a ball drop! I love going to Times Square, don't get me wrong, but I can rig a ball to drop in my living room at midnight where I could host 15 of my actual friends and we wouldn't have to poop in a freezing port-a-potty while freezing our tits off! Just a thought...
Clash of the Titans at Empire Dine and Dance - It's the 80's vs the 90's in a battle royale on music supremacy. George Michael, Michael Jackson, Michael Bolton and Stone Temple Pilots. Don't need nothing but a good time, and it don't get better than that, well, except for the whole Michael Bolton part I guess...
PT's Showplace (formerly Platinum Plus) - Couples night at the local titty bar. Is there a better way to enjoy the last night of 2009 then with your lady friend and some dancing strippers? I think not. Head on in, drop a couple benjamins, hit up the champagne room and get a few lap dances. Now your 2009 is complete!
Dave Rowe, and others, playing at Bull Feeney's - We always enjoy Dave Rowe and his humorous sets when we check him out at Bull Feeney's. Now add that to a bar crammed full of 21 year olds home from college, drinking to the point of alcohol poisoning with noise makers and elevated levels of both testosterone and randiness, and you have a recipe fit to make Mark cut himself! Been there as both a patron and an employee, and let me tell you something (picture that said in full on Fire Marshall Bill voice), it ain't worth it. Love ya Dave, have fun, see you a different night!
Dinner at Gritty's in Auburn then home for sweatpants and couch time - Lame, yet rather exciting at the same time. Doesn't cost much cash, you don't wake up hungover, and you can wear elastic waistband pants all night! Plus, there is that whole waking up in your own bed next to your lover lover, as opposed to waking up on a friends floor, most likely under the dining room table, in the fetal position, right next to a random, just like last year. Do you really want to start the new year out next to another random you just slept with, trying to chew off your right arm so you can climb out from under the table and do the walk of shame back to your car?!
So, as you can see, we have a variety of options in front of us, all of which offer a good time, or at least a good story the next day. What is everyone else doing? I know what we are really doing, and despite Nichole's best efforts, it isn't a trip to the strip club... I'm just saying...
Monday, December 21, 2009
It's that time of year again, overeating time!
We always welcome lots of things this time of year. Family coming to visit, fluffy white snow and cold temperatures are a common thing around the holidays. The other thing we always find ourselves getting way into is indulging in sweets, treats and lots of good eats. We are out shopping, grabbing a quick bite on the go, or hitting up the holiday parties and checking out the snack spread. I thought I might share today a few of my favorite holiday treats, or some random snacks I'm digging recently, all of which you should definitely give a try...
Peanut Butter Balls - I have made these little balls of goodness for about 15 years now. Growing up, my mother would make them annually around the holidays, and I would pretty much hide the container in my room and eat them all. Once I got into high school she handed that torch down to me, and I started making them going forward at that point. They are awesome. Dude, chocolate and peanut butter, is there a better combination?
Chocolate Covered Bacon - OK, so maybe there is a better combination. I know what you may be thinking here, that sounds gross. Let me tell you something, you are mighty wrong! Tried my first strip of awesome, I mean bacon covered in chocolate, last week at Black Tie Bistro, a local eatery I frequent in Portland. The woman behind the counter could see a bit of the excitement in my face when I realized what it was I was looking at. I had one bite and now I am hooked! I'll be making some this evening if anyone wants to try some!
Lil' Smokies - These tiny hot dog like things are one of my absolute favorites, and my grandmother has prepared them for Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember. For some reason, I never think of making them any other time of the year, but I might have to start. Simple and tasty, what more can you ask for.
My mother's homemade cinnamon rolls - Holy crapstick these are good! She makes them a couple of times a year usually, but always around the holidays. These aren't the gooey, icing covered ones. These are the old school kind that are covered in cinnamon and sugar, and are so damn good it isn't even right. Can't wait to have some later this week!
Eggnog - In my opinion, nasty. Nichole would beg to differ though. This is a favorite of hers. I'm not sure why I have never liked it. Could be the heavy feeling when it sits in my stomach. Could be that I once drank some spoiled eggnog and threw up for two straight days. It could even be that I once drank it with a bunch of whiskey in it, didn't know that, and threw up for two straight days. I'm just not sure.
Tequila shots - What you ask?! Stevens family tradition is to celebrate holidays, birthday and togetherness with tequila shots. Not sure how this started, but we haven't missed a gathering in years. Sometimes it's only one shot, other times, depending on the crowd, it's more, possibly many more. For those in the family that refuse the tequila, I will have some of my homemade Kahlua on hand. Nothing screams family tradition like licking salt of your hand and the clanging of shot glasses!
What do you think of for treats around this time of year? Do you have traditional family foods you look forward to? Oh, and if anyone wants to hit the gym with me after all this imbibing, I'll be at the YMCA in New Gloucester starting January 1 until my body gets rid of the dickydo! I'm just saying...
Peanut Butter Balls - I have made these little balls of goodness for about 15 years now. Growing up, my mother would make them annually around the holidays, and I would pretty much hide the container in my room and eat them all. Once I got into high school she handed that torch down to me, and I started making them going forward at that point. They are awesome. Dude, chocolate and peanut butter, is there a better combination?
Chocolate Covered Bacon - OK, so maybe there is a better combination. I know what you may be thinking here, that sounds gross. Let me tell you something, you are mighty wrong! Tried my first strip of awesome, I mean bacon covered in chocolate, last week at Black Tie Bistro, a local eatery I frequent in Portland. The woman behind the counter could see a bit of the excitement in my face when I realized what it was I was looking at. I had one bite and now I am hooked! I'll be making some this evening if anyone wants to try some!
Lil' Smokies - These tiny hot dog like things are one of my absolute favorites, and my grandmother has prepared them for Christmas Eve for as long as I can remember. For some reason, I never think of making them any other time of the year, but I might have to start. Simple and tasty, what more can you ask for.
My mother's homemade cinnamon rolls - Holy crapstick these are good! She makes them a couple of times a year usually, but always around the holidays. These aren't the gooey, icing covered ones. These are the old school kind that are covered in cinnamon and sugar, and are so damn good it isn't even right. Can't wait to have some later this week!
Eggnog - In my opinion, nasty. Nichole would beg to differ though. This is a favorite of hers. I'm not sure why I have never liked it. Could be the heavy feeling when it sits in my stomach. Could be that I once drank some spoiled eggnog and threw up for two straight days. It could even be that I once drank it with a bunch of whiskey in it, didn't know that, and threw up for two straight days. I'm just not sure.
Tequila shots - What you ask?! Stevens family tradition is to celebrate holidays, birthday and togetherness with tequila shots. Not sure how this started, but we haven't missed a gathering in years. Sometimes it's only one shot, other times, depending on the crowd, it's more, possibly many more. For those in the family that refuse the tequila, I will have some of my homemade Kahlua on hand. Nothing screams family tradition like licking salt of your hand and the clanging of shot glasses!
What do you think of for treats around this time of year? Do you have traditional family foods you look forward to? Oh, and if anyone wants to hit the gym with me after all this imbibing, I'll be at the YMCA in New Gloucester starting January 1 until my body gets rid of the dickydo! I'm just saying...
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Top newsworthy stories of 2009...
Another year filled with interesting news stories is coming to an end. We saw some history unfold before our eyes, and there was also a buttload of bad news along the way. Here is my rundown on some of the top newsworthy stories of the past year, both local and national, and in no particular order...
10. New York Yankees win World Series - Not good news to me, but it was certainly the best team money could buy. Congrats NY on buying, I mean winning, your latest championship. Now if you could just sell those ridiculously high priced seats behind home plate. Then again, you need to pay for that team somehow, so I guess selling individual game tickets for $2000 or more makes perfect sense...
9. Bonny Eagle senior is denied his diploma during graduation - The principal at Bonny Eagle High School took her power a little too far when senior Justin Denney bowed and blew a kiss to his mother and flat out denied him his diploma, citing an agreement the senior class signed before graduation. She claims he was making a scene, I claim she was off her rocker. I would love to see her tarred and feathered in Monument Square during a busy Farmer's Market, sounds like justice to me!
8. Cash for Clunkers - The government decided to offer cash to people with "clunkers", or older, gas guzzling cars in an effort to ramp up new vehicle sales and help get companies like Ford and Chevy back on their feet. Well, it definitely helped Toyota sell the Prius, and it got a lot shitty cars off the road. Unfortunately for us, another program that didn't help us in any way, thus is life.
7. Airplane lands in the Hudson River - At takeoff the plane hit at least one bird, if not more, causing the plane to drop out of the sky and forced pilot Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger to save the full roster of 155 people on board. Sully instantly became a here, and rightfully so. He did a miraculous job landing an airplane in a river and ushered out the entire crew and all the passengers. I don't care who you are, that's pretty damned impressive!
6. Michael Jackson passes away - At first we were all wondering if it was some sort of odd publicity stunt. I mean, it is Wacko Jacko we are talking about here. He was famous for doing things nobody could understand. Then, when it was confirmed, I remember actually being sad. I have always been a huge fan of his music. The guy was an absolute talent behind the microphone, but a freaking whack job away from music. RIP Michael. We will keep the Thriller dance going in your absence!
5. Mainers vote against allowing same sex marriage - In a close vote, Mainers voted against a referendum that would have allowed same sex marriages in the state. Don't really want to go down this path again, as anyone that follows my blog knows how I feel about this. Still dumbfounded that this got overturned. Come on people...
4. H1N1 flu scares the poop out of everyone - Maybe not literally, but this has been, and continues to be a big scare. Its reach has been pretty spread out, including all over the state of Maine. At one point, my daughter's school had about 12% of the entire student population out sick. The spread seems to have slowed some recently.
3. Tiger Woods and his wandering penis - This story has more twists and turns then a roller coaster at Six Flags. The latest news is that Elin is filing for divorce and moving to Sweden. There is also word that there may be videos and pictures to go along with the text messages and voice mails. Oh Tiger, what the hell were you thinking?! You are the most high profile athlete in the entire world, did you not realize that dipping your manhood in every tramp across the globe would catch up with you?! And lets be honest, Elin beat him with a golf club. We all know it, and you know what, I can't say as though I blame her.
2. Recession, job losses and home foreclosures - It's been a pretty sucktastic year financially for the great US and A. Stock market plunged, housing industry fell into the crapper, jobs were lost at an alarming rate, vehicle sales dropped like a lead balloon and we all know somebody, possible even ourselves, that were affected by it. The unemployment rate is slowly decreasing, jobs are starting to open up, and the stock market has seen recent, albeit small, gains. Let's hope we are working our way out as they say we are.
1. Obama sworn in as first African American president of United States - Like him or not, heck, agree with him or not, this is still the top story of the year. Sadly, I wasn't sure our country was ready to accept an African American president. There is still a lot of racial tension in this country, for whatever reason, and I thought it would hurt Obama's chances. I was wrong, and I am proud to have been a part of such a historical moment in our great country's history. Now, don't jump ship now, he is just one year into trying to help one of the world's super powers get back in order, and that can't happen overnight. Black, white, old, young, Democrat or Republican, let us all work together to make our country a better place.
10. New York Yankees win World Series - Not good news to me, but it was certainly the best team money could buy. Congrats NY on buying, I mean winning, your latest championship. Now if you could just sell those ridiculously high priced seats behind home plate. Then again, you need to pay for that team somehow, so I guess selling individual game tickets for $2000 or more makes perfect sense...
9. Bonny Eagle senior is denied his diploma during graduation - The principal at Bonny Eagle High School took her power a little too far when senior Justin Denney bowed and blew a kiss to his mother and flat out denied him his diploma, citing an agreement the senior class signed before graduation. She claims he was making a scene, I claim she was off her rocker. I would love to see her tarred and feathered in Monument Square during a busy Farmer's Market, sounds like justice to me!
8. Cash for Clunkers - The government decided to offer cash to people with "clunkers", or older, gas guzzling cars in an effort to ramp up new vehicle sales and help get companies like Ford and Chevy back on their feet. Well, it definitely helped Toyota sell the Prius, and it got a lot shitty cars off the road. Unfortunately for us, another program that didn't help us in any way, thus is life.
7. Airplane lands in the Hudson River - At takeoff the plane hit at least one bird, if not more, causing the plane to drop out of the sky and forced pilot Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger to save the full roster of 155 people on board. Sully instantly became a here, and rightfully so. He did a miraculous job landing an airplane in a river and ushered out the entire crew and all the passengers. I don't care who you are, that's pretty damned impressive!
6. Michael Jackson passes away - At first we were all wondering if it was some sort of odd publicity stunt. I mean, it is Wacko Jacko we are talking about here. He was famous for doing things nobody could understand. Then, when it was confirmed, I remember actually being sad. I have always been a huge fan of his music. The guy was an absolute talent behind the microphone, but a freaking whack job away from music. RIP Michael. We will keep the Thriller dance going in your absence!
5. Mainers vote against allowing same sex marriage - In a close vote, Mainers voted against a referendum that would have allowed same sex marriages in the state. Don't really want to go down this path again, as anyone that follows my blog knows how I feel about this. Still dumbfounded that this got overturned. Come on people...
4. H1N1 flu scares the poop out of everyone - Maybe not literally, but this has been, and continues to be a big scare. Its reach has been pretty spread out, including all over the state of Maine. At one point, my daughter's school had about 12% of the entire student population out sick. The spread seems to have slowed some recently.
3. Tiger Woods and his wandering penis - This story has more twists and turns then a roller coaster at Six Flags. The latest news is that Elin is filing for divorce and moving to Sweden. There is also word that there may be videos and pictures to go along with the text messages and voice mails. Oh Tiger, what the hell were you thinking?! You are the most high profile athlete in the entire world, did you not realize that dipping your manhood in every tramp across the globe would catch up with you?! And lets be honest, Elin beat him with a golf club. We all know it, and you know what, I can't say as though I blame her.
2. Recession, job losses and home foreclosures - It's been a pretty sucktastic year financially for the great US and A. Stock market plunged, housing industry fell into the crapper, jobs were lost at an alarming rate, vehicle sales dropped like a lead balloon and we all know somebody, possible even ourselves, that were affected by it. The unemployment rate is slowly decreasing, jobs are starting to open up, and the stock market has seen recent, albeit small, gains. Let's hope we are working our way out as they say we are.
1. Obama sworn in as first African American president of United States - Like him or not, heck, agree with him or not, this is still the top story of the year. Sadly, I wasn't sure our country was ready to accept an African American president. There is still a lot of racial tension in this country, for whatever reason, and I thought it would hurt Obama's chances. I was wrong, and I am proud to have been a part of such a historical moment in our great country's history. Now, don't jump ship now, he is just one year into trying to help one of the world's super powers get back in order, and that can't happen overnight. Black, white, old, young, Democrat or Republican, let us all work together to make our country a better place.
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