The $35,000 Blog Comment!

Look up in the sky, it's a bird, it's a plane, .....






No, it's the NBA and they've got a fine for you Dwight Howard!


Say it isn't so!

I'm a little late to the party but let me pile on anyway. I was scrolling through my Blackberry today looking for a distraction from the "Helter Skelter" stock market ride and I rolled across this story about Dwight Howard being fined for a Blog comment.

I had to read the story twice - and I couldn't believe it either time. Yes, the "freakishly big" Dwight Howard, who plays basketball for the Orlando Magic and sometimes doubles as Superman, was fined $35,000 for a comment he made on his own Blog! I guess he's not too big for the NBA to beat up.

Here's part of the comment:

"Ya’ll know that that series against Charlotte drove me crazy. I mean it was almost comical at times how I was getting fouls called on me. There was nothing I could do our there and I felt like I couldn’t even move without getting that whistle blown on me.

I’m not looking to say anything to get myself in trouble with the league, but I just don’t see other star players getting called for fouls the way I get them. No star player in the league is outta games the way I am. I even talked to Pat Ewing about his career and he said he never had foul trouble like what I’m going through.

I gotta say this is the most frustrating stretch of my career. I’ve never been through four games in a row like that. But hey, we won the series and we’re moving on. I’m so so so hoping that things will be different next series against ATL or Milwaukee."

(Follow this link to read all of Dwight's comments on his Blog: click here:)



Wow. I don't quite know what to say about this event. Frankly, I didn't find his comments that offensive.

But get this; this was the second fine on Howard for comments he made on his Blog. Back in November he was fined $15,000 for similar comments he made on his Blog.

Just goes to show you, Blogging can be an expensive habit!

After all of that, here's some light entertainment for your viewing pleasure.

Now watch as Dwight Howard Dunks on a 12 foot rim.

Quotable Quotes!

If you've ever been to Paris, perhaps you've strolled by a bronze and marble sculpture by Auguste Rodin held in the Musée Rodin. It depicts a man in sober meditation seeming to be engaged in a powerful internal struggle. The piece was originally named The Poet, and it's said that Rodin based his theme on The Divine Comedy by Dante and The Thinker was originally meant to depict Dante in front of the Gates of Hell, pondering his great poem.

Rodin made a first small plaster version around 1880. The first large-scale bronze cast was finished in 1902, but not presented to the public until 1904. It became the property of the city of Paris – thanks to a subscription organized by Rodin admirers – and was put in front of the Panthéon in 1906. In 1922, it was moved to the Hôtel Biron, which was transformed into a Rodin Museum.

Unlike any other piece, this work of Rodin seems to epitomize what I consider to be "true intellect." Without question, It stands as an icon of unadulterated deep thinking.

But what exactly is "True Intellect" and what constitutes "Deep Thinking?"

I've recently wondered if there is really any "True Intellect" left in this world.

Until now!

I'm here to tell you that Uncle Jed Clampett (from the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies) is now the "Big Cheese" of thinkers in my book!

Yes, they always raved about Jethro Bodine being the smart one in the family and having a sixth-grade education and all but a few days ago I heard Uncle Jed say something that made me stop in my tracks and take notice. Jethro was in his usual excited state and just about to run off half-cocked to do something destructively stupid when Uncle Jed hit him with the "Quotable Quote" .........

"Now Jethro, Don't Commence A'Swimmin' Until You Hit The Water!"

I tell you, I had to stop what I was doing and sit down and ponder this complex literal masterpiece. Wow, I was stymied! I'm not nearly as quick as good ole Jethro. But after a few minutes of deep intellectual thought myself, I was able to come up with the true meaning of this statement.

Uncle Jed was trying to tell Jethro to "slow down.... Don't put your cart ahead of your horses... Or hold your horses. " In other words, "Don't get ahead of yourself. Timing is everything!"

Cosmic Thinking uncle Jed. I'll be using that phrase a lot in the near future!



Timing Is Everything!

Mexico - The Ugly!

The Good The Bad And The Ugly!



I'm sure you're all familiar with the movie "The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly." Some of you, like me, have seen the movie countless times. It's certainly one of my favorite spaghetti western movies. There's a lot to enjoy. I think the acting is good, the story is well told, and the music score that accompanies the action, is great.

Did you know this?

The main theme to Sergio Leone's film The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, was originally composed by Ennio Morricone but a follow-up version by Hugo Montenegro went on to reach #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and spent four weeks atop the UK Singles Chart in 1968. It sold over one and a quarter million copies, and was awarded a gold disc!

But I digress....

You didn't come here to read about ancient music or movie history, you want to see and hear about the ugly parts of my Mexico adventure. Don't you?

I'm warning you, it could get a bit scandalous and border on pornographic.
(Now I've got you interested huh?)
But that's my disclaimer, so continue at your own risk!

The ugly story starts like this: "Don't Eat The Worm!"

And it continues in a place they call -Billygan's Island-

Billygan's Island - Cabo San Lucas

Billygan's Island is a Restaurant & Beach Club in Cabo San Lucas. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner on the sand at Medano beach. It's a lively and fun place and is a big attraction for the young and old alike. And guess what? Happy hour starts at Noon and runs until 7 PM.

Did I mention that it's a popular destination for college kids on Spring Break?

That's when it starts to get ugly!

Too much sun, too much tequila, too much mezcal, too little "drinking" experience = UGLY!

Too Much Worm!

Note: In the United States, the reputation of mezcal suffered from its association with college binges on cheap mass-produced bottles sold with the agave larvae at the bottom. It has not become as popular as tequila in the U.S., because of its smoky flavor. A number of bartenders, especially on the West Coast have been working to make mezcal cocktails, but the liquor’s smoky flavor makes this a challenge. There is one that combines the mezcal with agave nectar, yellow chartreuse, pastis, fresh oregano and lime juice. However, mezcal does not have a signature drink such as the margarita for tequila.

Oh well,

Mexico - The Bad!

Okay, some of you - namely Dickster1961 and MickisMorsels - called me out on the "Bad" Mexico post. To be fair, you both make a strong case. Yes, it's hard to complain about some things in life but trust me, when I put my whining hat on, I can go with the best of them. But thanks in part to you two, I'll try to be a little realistic! (grin) as I share the "Bad" parts of my trip to Mexico. If nothing else, maybe I can add some humor.

You know how I feel about sunsets.......

Here's a not so perfect one. The sun is obscured by the clouds. -Bad!

Okay, take a really nice beach and pack it with people! Too crowded! Bad!




Go all the way to Mexico and shop at Wal-Mart! Way Bad!


Guys with automatic weapons on the crowded beach - Puts me in a BAD mood!
(Unless of course, they are protecting "ME" from the BAD guys)

People on the Beach asking me if I want to buy trinkets.....

BAD Timing!

Going to Mexico and eating and drinking too much (and not getting sick)!

Not a Bad way to spend a week!

Mexico - The Good!

Here it is, the first post in the "Mexico - The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly" series.

Mexico the Good!

At first look, this could appear to be travelers from the Midwest lounging at a topless, or nude beach. But after closer inspection, it's easy to determine that it's merely a sea lion colony enjoying the morning sun on these rocks near Los Cabos.

That's Good!

I spent about a week traveling around Mexico and enjoying some of the fine hospitality of our neighbors to the south. No, I didn't spend any time with Carlos Slim Helu, the Mexican tycoon who beat out Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to become the wealthiest person on earth and nab the top spot on the 2010 Forbes list of the World's Billionaires! But I did see some great sites, eat good food, exercise a bit and unwind at tad. It was all good!

Slim's fortune has swelled to an estimated $53.5 billion, up $18.5 billion in 12 months. Shares of America Movil, of which Slim owns a $23 billion stake, were up 35% in a year. I didn't buy any America Movil (AMX) stock last year. That was bad......

Drinking margaritas on your balcony along the coast - Good!

Beautiful rock formations and clear water = Good!

Not getting Montezuma's Revenge! Way... Way... Good!

This natural stone arch is located at the southernmost tip of the Baja Peninsula. This is where the Pacific Ocean meets up with the sea of Cortes.

Lover's Beach in Los Cabos... What a "Good" name for a beach huh?


Sun splashed beaches and playing in the sand! Very Good!

I even found my own private get away spot.... More Good!

Next post - Mexico The BAD!

Mexico - Stay Tuned!

Here's some vintage video of James Taylor singing Mexico. This goes way back......

Many of you probably don't know (or can't remember) that JT once had long hair.

Anyway, I just spent a week traveling around Mexico.

I had a fabulous time and took lots of pictures......

So Stay Tuned!

I can't take your call right now, Please leave a message! - (A mentally twisted post!)

Just about a month ago, two people were arrested for smuggling contraband into the California Rehabilitation Center in Norco. Investigators said the pair put 29.4 grams of marijuana, seven bundles of tobacco, and 11 cellular phones with chargers and manuals inside two deflated footballs. They used packing tape to tape the footballs closed and then threw them over the perimeter fence. A correctional officer saw the footballs come over the fence and alerted other officers who seized the items.

This is the first story I can recall reading that involves cell phones being smuggled into prisons. I guess I'm behind the times but clearly, it's a growing trend. Cell phones, which are illegal in most prisons, are now just as valuable as drugs, tobacco, and weapons. According to authorities, cell phones are now being used to commit many crimes, everything from drug deals to murder, from behind prison walls. In fact, in Arkansas, state prison inmates Charles Wilson and convicted murderers Calvin Adams, and Jeffrey Grinder plotted their recent escapes from the Cummins Unit by using contraband cell phones.

There are many ways of smuggling banned items into prisons but an increasingly common technique is for cons or visitors to hide contraband inside body cavities to escape detection.

Several men were recently caught smuggling cell phones into an El Salvador prison by concealing the items in their intestines.....

An x-ray of an attempt to smuggle a cellphone into an El Salvador prison through the intestinal track (AP photo)



And now, that trend has carried over into the mainstream culture. Many people have discovered that even when they don't have pockets, they can still carry their cell phones.
So now, I find myself looking at complete strangers and wondering just where they might be concealing their cell phones!

"Did you just Fart or is that your '@$$' phone ringing?"

"Honey! Where did you get that cool Ring tone?"

"Do you mind if I put you on Speakerphone? "

"I think we should have gotten the cell phone insurance plan!"

"Wait a second! I'm getting a Fax!"

"That's it! Next time you get to smuggle in the charger!"

Wow! That's gotta hurt!

A Little Change Is Good!

So many of you are thinking about how nice it would be to have a few extra coins banging around in your pockets, but what about another type of change? A change in your lifestyle? Granted, there are various extremes of change but let's just say I'm talking about something relatively minor. For example: Would you be willing to test the unknown and change your daily "life routine" and try something entirely different from what you're used to?





Or are you the type of person who eats the same food from the same restaurants, and takes the same route to work day after day and never upsets the wagon or tries anything new or different? You know the type..... You shop at the same places, talk to the same people, vacation at the same spot, hang out with the same group of friends, watch the same tired, corny, re-runs- year after year after year! Boring!

Well I'm not that guy! And a few weeks ago, I was offered a chance to change my routine a little bit. The offer involved a certain bit of risk and some uncertainty. I was offered a chance to change an element of the way I have operated for the past 10 plus years. Not a particularly big change but something that would probably impact me 4 - 6 times per month. It involved meeting and working with some new people. It involved a little bit of training and a very small financial investment. There were sure to be some positive benefits but there were several unknown factors as well. And the bottom line - It was completely optional. I could elect to change my routine or opt to keep things the same way with no identifiably penalty.

I carefully weighed the pros and cons of each option. I checked with a few colleagues who had already made the change and asked their opinions. The results were inconclusive. So ultimately, I had to rely on my gut feelings.

I decided to upset my apple cart! Move my own cheese. Change my routine!

Guess What?

I like it.... Sometimes a little change is Good!

What will you do when you're presented with the option to change something in your life?

A 7-year old boy saves his family!

Courageous Acts Must Be Noted!


"Bravery is the capacity to perform properly even when scared half to death."

***Omar Bradley ***

This true story is sure to touch you!


Carlos, a brave 7 year old second-grader in California, displayed courage and moxie when he took vital steps to protect and save his family from armed robbers. After learning that armed men had entered his home and were threatening his parents with guns, Carlos acted with the speed and precise thinking of an adult. He grabbed his younger 6-year old sister and fled to the bathroom where he locked the door and called 911.

Here's the story........

Carlos...

For your bravery, courage, and moxie, in a threatening time.... I salute you!

Godspeed!

I think Carlos deserves a few days out of school and a trip to Disneyland!

Lindsay Lohan sues Etrade for $100 Million

Please say it isn't so.....


Lindsay Lohan, who began her career as a child model at the age of three has launched a $100 million law suit against my favorite babies. Well, not really the babies (smile), but against Etrade discount brokerage.

The ad in question is the Etrade "Girlfriend" clip which first aired in last month's Super Bowl. In the ad, two babies are video chatting and discussing a missed date from the night before........

Here, check it out:

Lindsay, who has had substance abuse problems in the past, claims that the ad assaults her directly (my words). Stephanie Ovaidia, Lohan's lawyer said: "They're using her name as a parody of her life. Why didn't they use the name Susan? This is a subliminal message. Every body's talking about it and saying it's Lindsay Lohan."

I'll admit... When I first saw the ad, Lindsay Lohan's name didn't come to mind. I thought the ad was cute and the "milkaholic" thing was kid appropriate. Lohan's name didn't factor into my humor at all.

What do you think?

Let's see if Wolfman Jack's estate files a suit against Etrade next week for the howling thing!

Feeling Young Again!

Slowly but surely I'm coming out of my slump..... It's time to hit the road again with some short trips abroad. While I was packing today, I gave myself a little pep talk. I reminded myself that you feel as young as you can act!

Or is it - You can act as young as you feel?


Hmmm.... Don't hate me, my Alzheimer's is acting up again.





After watching this video a few times, I felt pretty young!

This was an impromptu performance at the Mayo clinic by this charming couple. I'm certain that Grandpa was feeling a bit frisky. Did you see the way he grabbed Grandma's bottom? Sneaky! Sneaky!

Creative Ads! Etrade does it again

If you watched the Super Bowl, you probably saw my little friends.

The Boys are back in town! Try not to laugh.....







You know I'm a big fan of these guys! Dad? Dad?

One of the best "Football" Speeches Ever!

Super Bowl XLIV is now in the history books and the "Who Dat? Nation" has stood and demanded their just recognition. So in honor of the New Orleans Saints victory, I'm running what I consider one of the best Hollywood football speeches ever! It's from the movie Any Given Sunday, directed by Oliver Stone and featuring Al Pacino.

Enjoy:

Time and Money!

It's been three weeks since my last post. 21 Days! Wow, where does the time go? I'll have to check, but that may be my longest break in posting since I started this blogging business. 2010 started out in a hurry - didn't it? Well, at least it did for me. It's hard for me to believe that we are already 1/12 of the way through the year. If this pace is any indication of how the rest of the year will go.... then in 11 more blinks, the year will be over! Last weekend, Taylor Swift won Album of the Year for Fearless and Beyoncé Knowles won a record-setting six awards, including Song of the Year, at the 52nd Grammy Awards. I'm so far behind, I'm still watching the show on TIVO. I had to watch the performance by Pink twice! (smile)


Avatar, the American science fiction epic film written and directed by James Cameron and starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana, has surpassed the 2 billion dollar mark in worldwide gross sales and continues to break other records; and I haven't seen it yet! (The truth is, I tried to see it one night but it was sold out. I saw The Tooth Fairy instead).

And get this: My Mother is even complaining that I don't call her enough!

Yep, the list of things that I've wanted to do but haven't gotten around to is long. Why? Partly because I've had my head buried in the sand working on several new projects but mostly because I'm simply not moving as fast as I used to. Yep... The truth hurts. As best as I can figure, I just don't seem to be moving as quickly in my forties as I did in my thirties and twenties. My goodness, what's gonna happen in my Fifties? Will I just come to a screeching halt? Should I pull out the cane and walker now? Fortunately, that's a few years out but maybe I should start getting mentally prepared.

Anyway, as you can see, I've been a bit reflective in the past few weeks. And during this time, I ran across a stash of cash from my travels. (photos below) Looks like a lot of money but really it's not. 1000 yen is about 10 bucks US these days if you're lucky. I generally just hold on to the excess money from my travels and spend it on my next trip back to the country. It's nice having the money when you land and not having to rush and convert money or hit the local ATM. It also seems to be a better alternative than paying the punitive exchange rates to convert back to the US dollar. They really try to get you in both directions... Going and Coming! Sometimes I end up holding on to money for a long time. In fact, there are a few countries that I have money from that no longer exist. That's holding on too long! Perhaps it would have been cheaper to pay the exchange fee in those cases. (At least now I have some pretty cool looking wrapping paper) But ultimately, I've always figured that if the Germans, Japanese, Chinese, Australians, or Canadians ever invade the United States, at least I could try to bribe them in their own currency.

Suffice to say, I still have some of the money left over from my travels. While the money is tangible - I can still use it now to trade for goods and services - The time I spent traveling has long passed. There's nothing left (really) but memories and some photos. I guess I've grown to appreciate the value of time a little more. It truly is precious! You can generally go out and make more money, even when you're older. But It's hard to go back and recreate time. I have no regrets!

My wish for all of you in 2010.... May you have ample Time and ample Money to do the things you desire!

Hold on.... It's gonna be a fast year!