OMG

Quicky update -

The last few weeks have been hell but I do believe I see the light at the end of the tunnel. I've been battling a leaking basement, a heating issue and slow services. You know you're in trouble when it takes weeks to even find out if high speed internet is available!

Anywho, it's been interesting and I have lots of photos to share, but unable to photo share at present as I just got internet service and haven't the required software to upload photos here. You'll just have to wait until I'm not here but there.

Be teased!

Hope y'all have a fabulous weekend!

Here (And There)

Heads up! I'm going to be here and there the rest of this week, and won't have internet access, because I found a home in the exact location of those WV mountains as was desired. Right on top of those ski slopes, baby! Well, not literally on top of a ski slope, but just a few minute's drive away.

My brother is leaning toward moving close to the same area soon as well (yes, our mom is calling on a daily basis now with suitable applications of mother's guilt). He's been in South Carolina for awhile now due to work, so it'll be schweet to be able to spend lots more time with him. We've always kept in touch really well, but we've not been able to get much family time in since he ran off to live with the Army and I ran off to live with the beach (nearly eighteen years ago). Our ideas of what we'll do while there is a little different, though.

He's thinking grab a six pack and fishing poles, climbing those mountains (and God knows what else) while I'm thinking more along the lines of hiking (way different than climbing), getting terrific photos and working in tons of writing while snowed in as well as pursuing the design degree (not getting any younger here ya know). Considering the home is in an area that is difficult to navigate in winter, I'm sure I'll be happy to see him when he shows up (even if he's trying to get me to go bear hunting instead of skiing).

In short, while he envisions a mountanous getaway from the stresses of life, I envision him out there helping me shovel my driveway. Ha! Hey, he'd be a whole lot smarter if he read my blog, now wouldn't he? Mmhm.

Anyhow, this brings me to my point (yes, I do have one). Since I landed the house before it's actually time to move (I'm not moving until the uber-teen is good and ready and that's not until spring), I'm going to have to go there some to keep check on the place. So, I'm leaving in the morning to take a few things, stock up on a few things and do all those things we who enjoy electric, heat (and internet) have to do and will be away the rest of the week.

I'm totally running off to become a snow bunny, hooray!

I'll be sure to have some photos to share when I get back. Until then, I give you Fox, helping me study for a test last week.



Yeah, studying has the same effect on me.



Have a terrific rest of the week! :)

From Around The Web

CNN-

"Listening to the irrational and hysterical response of conservatives to the presidential candidacy of Sen. John McCain would be laughable if it wasn't so serious.

During a debate Tuesday on CNN's "The Situation Room," conservative radio talk show host Glenn Beck said that the Republican Party has lost its soul, and McCain is indicative of that problem. He even said that if Sen. Hillary Clinton is the nominee, he will ignore McCain and cast a ballot for her.

Now, how silly is that?"

"This, folks, is bordering on the irrational."

"...vowed to destroy McCain because he doesn't carry their water on every issue. Most issues? Yes. But they require their politicians to assume a fetal position, not to have a backbone and stand up to them when needed."

"McCain is a guy who is fiercely pro-life."

"The guy is a fiscal conservative..."

"He is strong on the military and being a former Vietnam prisoner of war..."

"Folks, McCain is a pragmatic leader trying to solve a difficult situation."

Guardian Unlimited-

"Romney has consistently moved right on issues that matter to conservative activists and McCain, who prides himself on being a "maverick", has moved the other way. In 2005, his ACU score was 80%. In 2006, the last year for which ratings are available, it fell to 65%. Moreover, his McCain-Feingold campaign finance bill makes it difficult for interested non-profits to advertise such inconvenient facts during the primary or general elections.

A look at a politician's supporters can also be instructive. In California, the high-spending, socially liberal, environmentally-friendly governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has endorsed McCain. In Virginia, state delegate David Albo, author of the hated "abuser fees" that tacked thousands of dollars onto routine speeding tickets, serves on the McCain steering committee. In Florida, he was endorsed by governor Charlie Crist, whose heavy-handed approach to regulating the insurance industry has led some observers to label him a "socialist".

"...opposition to McCain makes good philosophical sense."

"McCain's conservatism is much closer to an imperialistic Toryism than Reaganism. He opposes congressman-earmarked spending because he thinks it's unseemly and undermines trust in government. More populist and libertarian-minded conservatives tend to believe trust in government is the problem."

Forbes

"Social conservatives, traditionally those voters who are pro-life and opposed to same-sex marriage, should be able to rest easy with McCain. The Arizona senator is a strict constructionist, and has promised he would appoint like-minded judges to the Supreme Court and other benches.

We’ll find out in the next few hours whether Romney’s Last Stand will work. Although many conservatives may subscribe to his rhetoric by day’s end, they may not be able to do anything about it. A McCain win could mean trouble for rallying the base, which may struggle with the choice of supporting him or of staying at home in November. I suspect, however, that by November, McCain’s team will have a number of prominent Republicans talking up his conservative record, and that--rather than open the door to the Democratic challenger--the conservatives will back McCain."

Coulter

"On the litmus test issues of our time, only partially excluding Iraq, McCain is a liberal.

-- He excoriated Samuel Alito as too "conservative."

-- He promoted amnesty for 20 million illegal immigrants.

-- He abridged citizens' free speech (in favor of the media) with McCain-Feingold.

-- He hysterically opposes waterboarding terrorists and wants to shut down Guantanamo.

Can I take a breath now?

-- He denounced the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

-- He opposes ANWR and supports the global warming cult, even posturing with fellow mountebank Arnold Schwarzenegger in front of solar panels."

McCain uses the boilerplate language of all Republicans in saying he will appoint "strict constructionists." This is supposed to end all discussion of the courts. But if he's picking strict constructionists, he will have to appoint judges who will commit to overturning McCain-Feingold.

That could be our litmus test: Will you hold President McCain's signature legislation restricting speech unconstitutional?"

"I'm not a lawyer -- oh wait, yes, I am -- but Republicans were proposing to amend the Constitution, a process the Constitution specifically describes.

It's like saying it's antithetical to the core philosophy of Republicans to require presidents to be at least 35 years old. It's in the Constitution! And Republicans -- other than the ones who voted for McCain-Feingold -- support the Constitution. You might say it's part of our core philosophy."

CNSNews.com -

European interest in the U.S. presidential election campaign may be at unprecedented levels as Super Tuesday arrives, and Democratic candidate Sen. Barack Obama is the evident favorite among media and political commentators.

Across the continent, major foreign-language newspapers are carrying special sections and Web sites dedicated to the campaign.

"There has never been a presidential race quite like this in the history of the United States," declared Michael Tomasky in Britain's liberal Guardian. "It has genuinely impressive candidates. It has a grand theme. It's really, meaningfully, about something." [emphasis mine]

I Have Questions

I keep reading the statement, "If you don't vote.." or "If you throw your vote away.." (code for don't vote for whoever the collective we think you should vote for), "...you do not get to complain or opine for however many years the collective we decide!"

I need more information.

While I understand perfectly the notion that one renders themself inconsequential when they do not exercise their right to vote at all, (and there are reasons other than national presidential election to vote anyhow), I don't really get why a vote cast with principled personal conviction is considered trash.

Moreover, I don't really get how it is that those who choose to "throw their vote away" will lose the ability to complain and/or opine.

Who will come around to find out for sure who we all voted for? If we freely admit we didn't "make our vote count", who will shut us up? How will they shut us up?

If the collective "they" all cast votes that result in catastrophe, do "they" then magically lose the ability to *&^%&, whine and complain?

I think that's a pretty ignorant statement to make, as there is absolutely no intention or method I've seen for anyone to actually back it up, yet I keep reading these words from seemingly intelligent individuals (again and again). If the collective "they" really have these special shut up powers, I want to know why the hell they weren't used on Michael Moore a long time ago. Rosie O'Donnel? Senator Biden? C'mon!

If you have this power and haven't already used it for the betterment of mankind - you shut up.

I guess this is where "they" say, "Oh yeah? Make me!" and I either don't have the will or the way to back it up. Don't I feel stupid.

Update - Perhaps this would be a great topic for a Sunday Retarded Argument?

Update II - Speaking of stupid...

The Ugly Truth

I have absolutely no idea what I could possibly say about the current political landscape (except **&^ %^$& ^%$#^ >.< !!!), so thought I'd play around with some photos in photoshop to entertain. Most of you likely remember the B. Walters/H. Clinton kissy/smoochy photoshop job of the past... Like that, only McCain instead of Walters. It's fun and funny, "cos it's true".

This is where I search photos and using Adobe photoshop's clone tool, mesh them together in ridiculously friendly situations - like casting ridiculously dreamy looks toward one another in a hugely exaggerated show of the ugly truth; The man who will most likely be "our guy" next November, is one of "them".

That's not all that funny really, but sometimes... ya just gotta try to find the humor. When there is none, make some up.

Well, what I came across when searching for Clinton and McCain photos isn't a bit funny. I'm not too sure what it is. I didn't even get a chance to photoshop the darn thing!



Just when you thought the truth couldn't possibly get any uglier.

Update : Yeah, that's still not funny. You go here for funny!

(And here for sobering enlightenment.)

F34R /\/\3H

(H/T - SYLG)

Yeah, baby!

What military aircraft are you? F/A-22 Raptor You are an F/A-22. You are technologically inclined, and though you've never been tested in combat, your very name is feared. You like noise, but prefer not to pollute any more than you have to. And you can move with the best.

Click Here to Take This Quiz Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.