Courageous Tax Day Freebies! 2015

Most of us know how taxing "Tax Day" can be!

It's "punfully" painful!

You work all year long to earn money and then Uncle Sam, (and most likely your State), makes you hustle through the paperwork shuffle to make sure you have paid him what you owe.  If you have overpaid, guess what?  You get a refund!  Yippie! Hallelujah!  No interest or consideration for allowing them the benefit of using your money for up to an entire year.  However, if you happen to owe....  Don't be late paying because they will hound you and penalize you to no end.   And if you cheat or evade...  You can end up in jail.  Just ask Al Capone.

You know what I say...?  Tax rates aside, It's probably a pretty good system we have here in the U.S. all things considered.  Let's just get rid of some of the red tape and bureaucracy. At least we have representation right? Just ask those "Tea Party" guys about representation.  And I don't mean the current ones.  I'm talking about those courageous guys who dumped all of that tea into the water in Boston a couple hundred years ago.  Now that was a Courageous move.  Started a war I think.

Anyway, enough of my rambling.


 Here's a pleasant twist on Tax Day...  In honor of our struggles, many businesses are offering  Free or Discounted stuff today.

Here are a few of my favorites:

1. McDonald's -  Some participating McDonald's will give you a Quarter Pounder or Big Mac for a penny with the purchase of the same.
2. Sonny's BBQ- Offering Half-priced IRS- (get it?) Irresistible Ribs Special.
3. Kona Ice.  Kona Ice will be offering FREE shaved ice on Wednesday, April 15th.  How about that to help you CHILL OUT!  Find the truck nearest you by tweeting at: @konaIce.
4. Office Depot- Get rid of that junk.  Office Depot offers a pretty good special.  In fact, you may want to plan accordingly in case they offer it next year.  From now until April 25th, customers can bring in up to two pounds of documents to shred for free in any Office Depot/OfficeMax store location. Follow this link and look for the coupon: Officedepot.com/tax  You can also try this direct link:   http://www.officedepot.com/fm/files/od/promo/2015/w7/tax/shreddingc.pdf  .  I know 2 pounds may not seem like a lot but it's certainly a step in the right direction so get out there and Shred those old tax documents it's time to make room for some new junk!

And my ultimate favorite:

Hard Rock Cafe - Talk about ending on a high note.  Hard Rock is offering free Burgers to those willing to take their issues with "Tax Day" to the stage and Sing for their Supper!  This April 15th, guests who visit select Hard Rock Cafe locations across the country and sing a song on the cafe stage will receive a free Local Legendary Burger.

I'm sure this will be quite entertaining. Naturally, please confirm that these promotions still exist before you rush in with expectations of free or discounted goods.  And please leave any other suggestions or leads to "Tax Day" deals in my comment box!  Thanks.

Happy Tax Day!

Unfortunately, I won't have time to get anything today.  I'll be working on my taxes until the bitter end!

LOL.  Just kidding!  It's Martini Time!

I Love "The New Yorker"

I know many of you are fans of  The New Yorker as well but have you ever read through the Borowitz Report?  It's a satirical news column by Andy Borowitz (photo below)

Andy is a New York Times best selling author and comedian.  He has published two recent best-selling books:  "The 50 Funniest American Writers," and a memoir, "An Unexpected Twist."  

If you're bored today (like I am) and you're looking for some comic relief from today's news, I'd like to point you in his direction.  He penned a story today that really made me laugh...  think.... and then feel horribly sorry for the state of political affairs in the US.  Here's the headline:

Iran Offers to Mediate Talks Between Republicans and Obama!

And here's a teaser:  Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, made the offer one day after Iran received what he called a “worrisome letter” from Republican leaders, which suggested to him that “the relationship between Republicans and Obama has deteriorated dangerously.”

“Tensions between these two historic enemies have been high in recent years, but we believe they are now at a boiling point,” Khamenei said. “As a result, Iran feels it must offer itself as a peacemaker." 

Click Here for the entire story:  

High five to you Andy for bringing comic relief to what I find to be a very embarrassing and precarious political situation.  Imagine if members of Congress had written a similar letter to Saddam Hussein, Fidel Castro, Osama Bin Laden, or Adolph Hitler?  Yuck!  

Oh by the way....  here's the latest news:  

Kim Jong-un Feels Snubbed by Absence of Letter from Republicans!  The North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un said on Tuesday that he feels “snubbed” by the decision of forty-seven Republican senators to write a letter to Iran but not to him, the official North Korean news agency reported.

In an unusually forthcoming interview with the Korean Central News Agency (K.C.N.A.), Kim said it was “hurtful” that the Republicans would send a letter to one of the United States’ most longstanding enemies while “totally snubbing” another.

Follow this link for the entire story.

Enjoy!

"License And Registration Please" Fast Police Cars - Courageous or Dumb?

So who do you think has the fastest police cars?  Texas?  Nevada?  Califoria?  Italy?  Germany?


I had no idea until I saw this......

Did he say 267 MPH and zero to 60 MPH in 2.5 seconds?

When I was a young child, I remember my relatives and parents bragging about an older cousin who had the fastest car in the county.  Naturally, in order to hold that claim, he had to race it a few times.  People would come from all over the state to race him.  I'm sure money was involved and perhaps "pink slips" but no one really focused on that aspect of the story.  The emphasis of the story was that the police would see him racing and lay chase.  After following him a few times, they realized their cars were no match for his so they would just head over and wait for him at my grandmother's house where he lived. Fortunately, it was a small rural county and my Grandmother was well-known and highly respected so my cousin generally got away with a ticket and some harsh words.  I can imagine my Grandmother in her very gentle manner, offering the law officers coffee, tea, or a slice of peach or apple pie which she always seemed to have cooling somewhere in the kitchen......

Something to be said for living in small rural towns I guess.

Just my opinion of course, but I'm thinking 267 MPH is a bit excessive.  If a criminal is driving that fast, I think it's time to call in the helicopters and/or wait for him to crash (or in the case of Los Angeles, - run into a traffic jam).

Cars that fast need to be on the track!

I'm glad they use them to bridge the gap with the local populace and to improve public relations.

Alabama Shakes - Another Shooting Star!

What do you get when you take a bit of Led Zeppelin, add some Otis Redding, pinch off a little AC/DC, throw in a dash of Bob Seger, and put it all in a shaker with a splash of cayenne and ice?

You get 

A volatile mixture of Alabama Shakes!

"Hold On- Lyrics"

Bless my heart, bless my soul.
Didn't think I'd make it to 22 years old.
There must be someone up above sayin',
"Come on, Brittany, you got to come on up.
You got to hold on...
Hey, you got to hold on..."

So, bless my heart and bless yours too.
I don't know where I'm gonna go
Don't know what I'm gonna do.
There must be somebody up above sayin',
"Come on, Brittany, you got to come on now!
You got to hold on...
Hey, you got to hold on..."

"Yeah! You got to wait!
Yeah! You got to wait!"
But I don't wanna wait!
No, I don't wanna wait...

So, bless my heart and bless my mind.
I got so much to do, I ain't got much time
So, must be someone up above saying,
"Come on, girl! Yeah, you got to get back up!
You got to hold on...
Yeah, you got to hold on..."

"Yeah! You got to wait!"
I don't wanna wait!
But I don't wanna wait!
No, I don't wanna wait!

You got to hold on...
You got to hold on...
You got to hold on...
You got to hold on...

The band hails from northern Alabama - a town called Athens! If the Greeks only knew!
The band was formed in 2009 when lead singer-guitarist Brittany Howard and bassist Zac Cockrell began meeting after school to write songs.  They subsequently added guitarist Heath Fogg, keyboard player Ben Tanner, and drummer Steve Johnson.  In 2011, Alabama Shakes released the four song EP Alabama Shakes, which gained widespread media attention.  This led to an invitation to play at the CMJ Music Marathon industry showcase in New York which caught the eye of Jon Pareles of the New York Times who praised the singing of Brittany Howard, comparing her to "Janis Joplin.".  The rest has been nothing short of stellar to include three nominations for the 2013 Grammy Awards: Best New Artist, Best Rock Performance for "Hold On."

Expect more from these guys!


Funky!

"In The Air Tonight.... Naturally 7"

I was lucky enough to catch Naturally 7 in concert about a year ago.  I was captivated by their sound and stimulated by their harmony.  Here's a great rendition of an awesome and powerful song made famous by the one and only Phil Collins!

 

If you're bored, check out youtube for more of their sound.  

Enjoy!

When Is National Doughnut (Donut) Day? Free Donuts!

National Doughnut Day is celebrated the first Friday of June each year.  That's June 6, 2014 this year. This tradition stems from the Doughnut Day event established by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the men and women who served doughnuts to soldiers during World War I.  So this is actually a - no joke -patriotic day.  Most American Donut shops will be offering free donuts throughout the day!  If you find a shop that isn't offering free donuts, walk in and ask them why they are being unpatriotic!  Demand a Donut and declare that it is your patriotic right!

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will be offering a Free Doughnut at most (if not all) of their locations.

I couldn't wait....   So I bought a box yesterday.  

A few of them were casualties and didn't make it home!

Sacrifices have to be made!

If you can't make it to a doughnut shop today, or just want to try your luck making some at home, here are a few great recipes:

Mom's Raise Doughnuts

Crispy and Creamy Doughnuts

Bon Appetit!

Creative Ideas, Food Replicators and 3-D Printing

Call me .....   "Late to the Picnic."  I really can't believe my eyes sometimes.  Advancements in technology continue to surprise, engage, and impress me.  And remember, I'm supposed to be a forward thinker.  The latest piece of technology to WOW me is an item that's actually been around for a few years.  The 3D Printer.  Now many of you are quite familiar with 3D printing, or additive manufacturing, and you surely have a great understanding of the potential of these devices and technology.  Others of you are wondering..  "What's with all of the hype? My inkjet printer works fine.  Why would I even consider an upgrade?  Cartridges cost too much already."

So here's the deal...    I have always been a fan of the series  Star Trek (all versions).  I wouldn't exactly consider myself a "Trekkie" but I do like the concept and franchise.  Over the years, many things have captured my attention from the show but at the top of my list  are two items I've always longed especially for:

The "Holodeck" and the "Replicator."

In short, the Holodeck is a simulated reality area where crew members could venture to explore and experience practically any virtual reality experience imaginable.  Imagine walking into this virtual recreational paradise and saying "Make me the Captain of a Pirate ship." You then spend the next few days Pirating, pillaging, swash buckling, and yelling Argh!  You get the drift.

The Replicator, also referred to as the "Food Replicator" was a device used to build or create virtually anything you wanted.  Usually a food related item.  See below...

 

So advance now to the year 2014 and the modern day version of what could have been considered to be only science fiction fantasy.  Arrive at a time when human body organs are being printed from the patient's own cells,  guns and aerospace equipment are being constructed  to meet very specific standards, and an practically an entire motor vehicle (Urbee 2),  all are being produced utilizing  3D printers and CAD technology.  

Wow.  This is crazy.  I've got to get one of the printers in my office.  In the meantime, can someone print me up some BBQ Ribs, French Fries, and a Very Cold Beer?

And after that, Please fix me up with the perfect sunset and a soft pillow!

Want more?  See - Nursing homes in Germany serve up 3D printed food.

Or -  3D printing Food, helmets and more at CES 2014

Thinking ahead -  How much does the ink cost?  Is this a good investment?

Google 101 - A new trick?

File this under - "You learn something new everyday."  

Isn't Google great?  You just type in what you want and poof....  literally thousands of links appear, usually pointing you in the direction of something close to what you're looking for.  Remember when you had to go to the library and use the "Dewey Decimal System in a Card Catalog?"  That was light years ago.

Now, you can look up that same information 1000 times faster at a touch of a keystroke without even leaving your bedroom.  What progress.  Even better, I learned something the other day that has made using Google even more efficient for me.  Some of you tech/Google savvy people will read what I'm about to say and think... "boy is this guy dumb."  You smart folks can now press the fast forward button and move to the front of the classroom where the geniuses sit.  I'll explain where I'm going with this to everyone else by highlighting a real life story below.

If you've read through my Blog at all, you've probably noticed that I like to "kick it" a bit with the wonderfully talented Jane Turley over at The Witty Ways Of A Wayward Wife.  It's a wacky relationship, but we have our fun with each other.  So the other day while I was putting together my "TED" post, I remembered that Jane had written some time ago about the movie TED and included a video clip.   So being the dutiful Blogger that I am, I sauntered over to her blog to locate her post so that I could link to it.  That's when the trouble started.  When I arrived, I noticed that in her update to her blog layout, she had removed the "search box."  Egad!  Now I was forced to sift through hundreds of zany posts to find the one post I was looking for.  An hour later with pain in my side from laughing at all of her craziness, I decided to give up the search.  I completed my post without the associated link.  So here's what I learned today that would have helped me over a week ago:  You can actually direct Goggle to search within a website or domain even when there's no search engine box inside of the site.  Duh!  I know....  Again, for those of you who, like me, didn't know this.

Here's how you do it:

The Solution:  Open a google search box and Type "Site:" followed by the URL of the website you'd like to search.  Then add your search terms.  This allows you to search for terms within the website.

Here's what I should have done to find the post on Jane's site:

Typed  "site:www.janeturley.net ted"

and Bingo...  4 post would have appeared in the results.

Here's the one I wanted to link to: Trouble In The School Changing Rooms


So there you have it.  If you want to read more about Google secrets and shortcuts,

go to: 14 Google Search Tricks That Make Life A Whole Lot Easier.


Happy Googling!

Really Old Stuff!

Where's the mouse?

I know I'm getting up there in years, but this computer even looks really old to me!

And what are those...  Coasters?

Can you say Floppy Disk? 

 Okay, I guess really old stuff is all relative. I actually still remember Floppy Disks and probably have a few around the house still, but to these kids, this computer is archaic to say the least.

Some of you "old schoolers" will remember some of the nuances of these dinosaurs.  Like...  "You actually have to give it a command first."  And "You know what DOS is?"  And what about Syntax Error?  That phrase makes my skin crawl.  All that said, my favorite reality of this video.. the comment:

"There's no Internet!"

Where would we be today with "NO INTERNET?"

Thank goodness for Al Gore and his internet!  And for anyone who is still confused about whether Al Gore invented (or claimed to invent) the internet or not, here's a pretty good explanation:

Al Gore claims to invent the Internet???

Surf's Up?  Or Cowabunga Dude? 

 I love this photo.  I took it last month off of the southern coast of Cuba. It puts me in a laid-back peaceful mood. Makes me want to grab a colorful drink with an umbrella in it, put on some music with "Steel Drums" playing, put my feet up, and just chill!

I'm guessing it's the color blue partnered with the endless miles of - nothing!

But maybe there's more to it.

How does this photo make you  feel?  

When you've decided....

Go to:  5 Crazy Ways The Colors Red And Blue Control Your Life.

"Sometimes I Just Don't Know"

The likelihood that this could have happened 20 years ago and been seen and shared by over 13 Million people ...... Slim




.



The randomness of it all....  3 strangers, meet  in front of a grocery store.  There's  no drama, no violence, and no trouble.  Just a jam session caught on video by a complete stranger and shared across the internet.

Here's more of the story as seen on Jimmy Kimmel...


 



Isn't life great?

I'm certain that I just don't know!

So it was just one of those days.  A Friday.  Nothing really special about it.  The Friday before a long weekend....  sure, but other than that, it was an ordinary day.  I woke up, turned on the television and the channel happened to be on a premium station from the night before and there before my eyes.....

TED

Yes.. most of you are familiar with the movie from 2012 I'm sure.  It was on the part where Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis are in bed together and Ted runs in to join them and sings the "Thunder Song."  I'll admit  - I watched it for a bit before I switched to CNBC (a bad habit).  I kinda liked how they each had a different recall of the "how they met story."  The goofy dance crash story versus the suave "John Travolta - Saturday Night Fever" rendition.  Oh well, if you've seen the movie, you know the rest.  It gets lewd, vulgar, and funny at times.  A good pizza and beer movie.  

Here's the Trailer..  one of the cleaner versions of what's out there.

 

So anyway, here's where the story gets twisted and weird.  A few hours later as I'm driving around in my car fighting through the pre-holiday weekend traffic rush, somewhere between Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, I look up and there before my very eyes  

was   TED.

Fortunately, I had my trusted telephone at hand and I pulled it out and captured these photos. 

I'm thinking....  Someone didn't appreciate TED's sense of humor and lackadaisical attitude.   

Poor TED

Oh well.  As they  say, "Hell Hath No Fury Like A Woman's Scorn!"

I think Mila did it.  

BTW, I learned a few things today as I created this post.  If you're not too bored with this story already, here's what I learned from IMDB:  

Seth MacFarlane who directed Ted, wrote the screen play, and did the voice of TED...

was born in the small New England town of Kent, Connecticut where he lived with his father (Ron), mother (Perry) and sister Rachael MacFarlane. He attended and studied animation at the Rhode Island School of Design and, after he graduated, he was hired by Hanna-Barbera Productions (Now called Cartoon Network Studios) working as an animator and writer on the TV series Johnny Bravo (1997) and Cow and Chicken(1995). He also worked for Walt Disney Animation as a writer on the TV series Jungle Cubs (1996). He created The Life of Larry (1995) which was originally supposed to be used as an in-between on MADtv (1995). Unfortunately the deal fell through but, a few months later, executives at FOX called him into their offices and gave him $50,000 to create a pilot for what would eventually become Family Guy (1999). On September 11, 2001, he was scheduled to return to Los Angeles on American Airlines Flight 11 after being a keynote speaker at his alma-mater in Rhode Island. Due to a mix-up by his travel agent, he was told that his flight was scheduled to depart at 8:15am but it really departed at 7:45am and he had arrived at Boston Logan Airport a few minutes after boarding was stopped on his flight and he was told he would have to wait for the next flight. At 8:45am, one hour after the departure of American Airlines Flight 11, it was hijacked by terrorists and crashed into One World Trade Center (North Tower) in New York City killing all on-board. He was able to contact his parents within 20 minutes of Flight 11 striking the first tower to tell them he was okay. He said that he thanked his travel agent for screwing up the departure time or he would have been on board.


But for a mix up by his travel agent (what is that by the way???)  There would be no Seth MacFarlane today and no Family Guy!

Nature's paradoxical Imperfection

Wow.

Is Nature perfect?  Can Nature be imperfect? Can we as humans judge something that we know and understand so little about? What is perfect?  What is Nature? Ponder those ideas for a few minutes but don't get too wrapped around the complexities of Nature, Paradoxes, or Perfection.  That's a jumble reserved for the likes of Haskell Curry.  Besides, thinking that deeply now about anything makes my brain hurt and it's not my intent to cause you or me any pain!

On a superficial note, about two years ago, I was walking in central London SW1, just Footsteps (shout out)  from Buckingham Palace and St. James' Park, when I spied this flower.  The color captivated me... Mango? Peach?  Hints of curry?  Yellow, red, and orange! Was it nature's intent for me to stop in my tracks and take notice? Is it nature's intent for me to stop what I'm doing right now and stare at this flower and reminisce of years, times, and experiences gone by?   Who knows?


I hope you find time today to stop and smell the flowers and enjoy my photo!  :)

Walking your dog? Watch where you step!

That brown mushy thing on the ground might just be worth a few million!   Well, not exactly what you were thinking huh? Yes, trending today in California is the story about one Northern California couple who just happened to be out out walking their dog on their property in California's Gold Country last year when they spotted something unusual on the ground.  They were on a trail they had walked nearly every day for years and they spotted a partially buried can and decided to pry it out of the earth with a help of a nearby stick.

"The can was unusually heavy, but nothing could have prepared them for what they would find when they pried the lid open: mixed in with dirt and stones, they could see the edges of numerous U.S. $20 gold pieces—a literal pot of gold!" an announcement from a Tiburon rare-coin agency representing the couple said Tuesday.Upon discovering the gold, the couple headed back out to the site to see if lightning could strike twice-- and it did, seven more times.  follow the link to see full story:  click here


What a story huh?  I'm sure the wheels are turning in your head right now wondering if there's a pot of gold buried in your back yard.  I think this story pulls at the many fantastical strings that many of us carry around.  This story tugs at visions of historical discovery, instant wealth, mystery, and for some the idea that this story is just simply too good to be true!  I happen to like it for all those reasons.  

Makes me wonder about all of those old rusty cans that I never bothered to explore while out walking and hiking.

Good luck out there......