The Count vs The Captain

Last night, Ro called me and asked me a very difficult question. What was my favorite cereal? What's my favorite sweet, and favorite healthy options? Ro has her own favorite healthy... and I can't remember the name of it specifically. But it was her sweet options that made me smile. What's Ro's favorite sweet cereal? Fruity Pebbles. oh and Frosted Flakes. And Fruit Loops. And Life. Oh, and about everything else.

My favorite healthy? Rice Krispies with Bananas. My favorite sweet? A broken up Hershey bar with chocolate milk poured over.... with some Nestle chocolate chips sprinkled on top.

What about you?

Money doesn't grow on trees you know

So the Washington Post had an article entitled: "How Else Would You Spend $320 Billion?"

As with most news articles, it is a little misleading... even if not intentional. The basic premise is that we've spent $320 Billion in Iraq*... That's $320,000,000,000. According to my own math (which might be correct) if you counted 1 number every second, it would take you 10,175 years to count to 320 Billion. Anyways the article talks about other ways that money could have been spent. The two biggest points that me missed are: a) that our national deficit is something like $8.3 Trillion so Iraq counts for like 4%. b) we didn't really have the money in the first place, we had to raise our debt ceiling in order to spend that. But all that aside it is still a heck of a lot of money spent on a incredibly questionable war, and it does make my more liberal half wonder what had happened if a president had borrowed all that money to fix problems here rather than well... this mess.

I'm not going to bother retyping the article, if anyone is interested I'm sure you'll click the link. Basically a 3-10 billion here and there, covering health care, education, research and technology and security would sure alleviate quite a few "issues."

In other money news, for those of you who haven't heard, my good friend Bill Gates has announced his pseudo-retirement. He's slowly pulling out of Microsoft and going to devote himself to his philanthropic work. So that's what the richest man in the world is doing... what about the rest of those richie-riches? How about Warren Buffett, the second richest man in the world? What's he doing? Giving away all his money to Bill Gates - Holy Crap. $30 Million to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Ok, so good news. Its the year 2010 and we have a new president, Iraq is fixed, and Bill Gates has cured world hunger, education, cancer and AIDS... And YOU just won the lottery. Provided you already paid all loans for your family and friends, what are you going to do with your money?

Me? I'm buying a nice Digital Video Camera, Production Team, and the Crystal Ballroom in Stauton. Josh and I's movie-of-our-lives will finally be made.

*by the way people, it's pronounced eh-rack (like the "i" in pit) not I-Rack. Same for eh-Ran.

I can't believe its not bitter.

Yeah, get it? Its a play on words... like the old can't believe it's not butter commercials. Just one letter different. Anyways here's what you missed:

Yesterday I was bragging to everyone that I got put on special assignment at The Buy. Working on the night crew, 60 hours in like 5 days. That's time and a half, PLUS no customers... it doesn't really get any better. I was way excited. Sure it was midnights, but who cares when I'm making decent money and don't have to put up with customers, right? Well it "would have been" awesome if it hadn't gotten taken away from me today. But I'm not bitter... know why? Cause I have a picture of Ro playing with a puppy.

SeeMakes everything better.

But as far as work is concerned, who needs that anyway. Who needs the extra money and vacation from customers? Not this kid, no sir. I've actually started going into The Buy on my days off in full regalia to help those lovely people out off the clock. But why would I do that? Because I love customers. I love it when they're mad at me because they have to buy anti-virus to protect their computer on the internet and they feel that its all a scam. I love it when they act like its Hank's Used Cars and they can just haggle to their hearts content just to end up throwing a fit, spending $959 instead of $999, and giving me a migrane. Totally worth it. And I love it when I ask Person A if they need anything, they shoot me down, I help Person B and then person A get pissy when I'm not right there at thier beck and call....

*deep breath*ok....

Time to go to work.

Has anyone mentioned you look like Butt today?

I've decided its never appropriate to tell someone they look like crap. I mean, if its a costuming choice, that's one thing, but typically its the: "Damn Rob, you look like shit today... are you feeling ok?" "Actually no, Not anymore! I mean I did until you told me how hideous I apparently look right now." Or even if you are sick: "Thanks... you really know how to cheer a fella' up."

When I was sick on Sunday/Monday I had to go to a 3 hour meeting at the Buy. During said period of time, not a person mentioned how crappy I'm sure I looked (unknown to me at the moment, I had quite a fever building up). I don't actually remember talking to anyone at that meeting, which should have struck someone as odd, but hey... I'm not bitter. ANYWHO!

Today I had people tell me twice that I wasn't looking so good and asked if everything was ok. So the last time most of these people saw me I was incredibly miserable and sick, and NOW apparently my appearance warrants a "you don't look so good." Bah! Fine! So apparently this morning I rolled out of the ugly side of the bed, I'll try to do better tomorrow.

And to everyone who scoffed when your mothers/teachers told you to cut up those six-pack rings.

Cartoon Recap

When did cartoons stop being taken for cartoons and more like actual films. I mean, the quality of cartoons have increased dramatically over the ages, and I'm very greatful of this. This little cartoon will show you just how far we've come (in more than one area). I should warn, this is an very old cartoon and has some, shall we say, Racial Stereotyping.



Now moving ahead just a bit we'll come to the less controversial, hotter, and more melodic cartoons where the characters had a bit more depth and people love them. Hot.



And now we have the works of Pixar that are bringing cartoons to a whole new level.



Seriously, Cars and The Incredibles were both quality movies. The reason for this little recap? I saw a review of Cars and the reviewer gave it only moderate scores because, get this, shallow depth of character. ITS A CARTOON!!! They're not shallow, they're 2D! Seriously, the review was talking about your 'typical hot headed athlete, grumpy cop, and out of place beautiful laywer.' Since when did we hold cartoons up to the same level as The English Patient (never saw). People, Cartoons are for kids... we are just lucky they are making them good enough that everyone else can enjoy now as well. And as of late, I'm glad Pixar picked up the slack from Disney who's really sucked it up since oh.... Lion King.

Euphemisms: Putting things politely.

So I've been sick. Yesterday I had a 101 temperature and various other unpleasant symptoms. It all started (Sat Night) with nausea at the movie theatre, incorrectly attributed to a bad batch of popcorn. And yesterday I slept more than a person ever really should. It was both the best and worst time to get sick, I had requested off work yesterday so that I could spend time with Ro. I hadn't seen her in 3 weeks so the last thing I wanted was to waste that time sleeping while she caught up on some episodes of Lost. But then again, I had the best nurse to take care of me that I could ever wish for.

I called off today, only being the second time I've ever done so, and work said it wasn't that big of a deal. The message I left my supervisor went as follows. "So the fever's gone and I'm feeling better however... I don't feel that control of certain bodily functions have achieved acceptable levels of stability. " I'll feel a little guilty if I'm totally better in like 4 hours, but right now I don't think work is doable.

Anyways, the Movie we saw Saturday night was Cars (trailer). It was great... I mean, it got Ro to snort on several occasions. Her favorite part was either flies (itty bitty mini vans with wings) or Guido, the little Italian car. Or about a hundred other parts. If you liked Shrek and other Pixar stuff, you'll love it. I give it two thumbs up. But for now I need to tend to my left over sickness... later.