Tragic

By now many have seen the video of the 747 taking off out of Bagram in which 7 lives were lost.  If you've been living on Mars, you can see it here.  We don't know what happened.  None of us were on board (obviously).  So the best things do is express regret, condolences, and sadness at the loss of life.  Anything else is, well...stupid.

Motivation Monday

A good friend posted this on Facebook.  I really like it so I stole it and using it on MM.

Idyllic Sunday

What a pleasant day!  My Sister-in-Law was in town from Iowa and we spend a very pleasant evening yesterday grilling fish tacos (of course) and catching up on family.  We don't always see eye-to-eye politically but I think with age and wisdom, we've both decided that's not a place to go.  So it was very nice to see her.

After dropping her off at the airport this morning we ventured down to little Italy for the annual Art Walk.  You can read about it here.  Lots of people, lots of art, a fun place to walk around.

We stopped in a little place called Davanti Enoteca for lunch.  Got a great table out in their back patio which was very charming.  Great service, great menu, great ambiance.  Their website is here if you're ever in Little Italy and looking for a place to eat.

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Don't know where this is but it sure looks like a nice place to spend an afternoon with my sweetie!

Back On The Bike

Broke my arm on New Years Eve.  You can read all the gory details here.  Got back on the bike today.  I have obviously been sitting on my butt for 4 months!  IT KICKED MY ASS!  But not to worry.  At least I'm back.

Gamble

Interestingly enough for the Chargers, their first round draft pick, tackle D.J. Fluker, wasn't the story. Although he's a massive guy who will be a great addition to the offensive line, it was all about their second round pick, Manti Te'o.  You can read about it here.  If you follow football, you know there is a bit of controversy surrounding him.  Off field baggage.  Finished the season getting blown out in the championship game.  Less than impressive Combine.  But...this guy is a playmaker.  He's definitely got the physical skills.  He's passionate.  He's a leader.  So for my money it's a great pick!  Go Chargers!!

This Wouldn't Suck...

Friday Funnies

This actually isn't too bad...

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Great Question

Wednesday's With Jimmy

Here we go again.  I'm not a freak about food but I try and eat as healthy as possible.  But every once in awhile I really need a cheeseburger.  And I live in somewhat of a paradise.  So...

Is That Steak Done?

Here's a little public service announcement from Mike's At The Beach.  If you spend a lot of time barbecuing, like we do here in SoCal you probably have had occasion to cook the steak too much or not enough.  But ran across this simple explanation of how to test for doneness.  You can read it here.
It's sort of ingenious.

Democrats and Gun Control

It's become a largely partisan issue.  Like everything else in our culture today, there doesn't seem to be any middle ground.  Or any bending from what is the generally accepted orthodoxy of whichever side you're on.

Saw this blog post and thought I'd share.  You can read it here.   It's essentially a liberal talking to his fellow democrats about gun control.  And it makes a lot of sense.  The post is long and you probably won't read the whole thing, so here are his six tips:

1. Stop sending mixed messages
2. You have to understand what you're regulating
3. Stop using children
4. Stop pretending background checks don't already exist
5. Treat the NRA as what they are:  other American citizens
6. Don't forget about us (meaning Democratic gun owners)

Losing Both Sides

It finally may be happening.  People seem to be recognizing the void in leadership coming out of the White House.  I came upon two articles from both ends of the spectrum in the last few days that say virtually the same thing...Obama's leadership capability is a disaster.  First that champion of the left, Maureen Dowd, writes about the disaster of the gun control loss here in a piece titled "No Bully in the Pulpit".  Stinging!  Here's a little sample:

Unfortunately, he still has not learned how to govern.

How is it that the president won the argument on gun safety with the public and lost the vote in the Senate? It’s because he doesn’t know how to work the system. And it’s clear now that he doesn’t want to learn, or to even hire some clever people who can tell him how to do it or do it for him.

It’s unbelievable that with 90 percent of Americans on his side, he could get only 54 votes in the Senate. It was a glaring example of his weakness in using leverage to get what he wants. No one on Capitol Hill is scared of him.

And from the other side, I ran across an article titled, "Obama couldn’t sell a candy bar to a fat kid".  Given my views I knew this would be my kind of article.  You can read it here.  And here's a sample from this one:

Projects were built, programs enacted, wars fought and frontiers breached because American presidents sold ideas to the American people. Appealing to our consciences, to our imaginations, to our pride, to our fears, to our virtues and faiths, past American presidents made their mark, reshaped the nation and forged their place in history by getting the American people behind their visions.  

Our current commander-in-chief is taking a different tack.

So both sides show evidence of recognizing that the King is not wearing any clothes.  Many are scratching their heads at the fact that we elected a guy to the most powerful position in the world that includes the title Commander in Chief and he has no executive experience.  None.  Zilch.  For him it's been on the job training and it's been a disaster.  The funny thing is that he could win over a lot of guys like me if he'd just lead.  If he'd just reach out.  Sit down and talk...negotiate...understand the other side.  Hell, I wasn't a huge fan of Bubba, but at least he led.  At least he recognized that he had to do what was right for the country...for the greatest good.  But for Obama it's all been about winning and losing...pitting one side against the other..,my way or the highway.  And it's been a disaster.  We'll be paying for this for a long time...

What Not To Say

Some like to revel in celebrities stubbing their toes in public.  And I have to admit, I find it sorta funny.  Of course I'm talking about Reese Witherspoon's obnoxious behavior when her husband was arrested for DUI.  You can read about it here.  Ouch!  Probably the absolute worst thing you could say to a policeman during a traffic stop is:

"Do you know my name?" the trooper recalled Witherspoon asking him. "I answered, 'No, I don't need to know your name.'  "You're about to find out who I am," she replied, the arrest report said.

Motivation Monday

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If The World Were a Village of 100 People

Stumbled on this little analysis and thought I'd share.  Pretty fascinating.  Don't know the source but most of them seem pretty credible.  Of course, you never know.  You can see the whole thing here, but I like this comparison the best.  If you have a college education, don't waste it!

Distortions

This cartoon captures a sentiment and frustration of many.  I think it's pretty accurate.

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