I don't know

Am I back to square one? Do I have to go back to the drawing board? Who the heck really knows....

Third Night I Cook

Tonight is the third night in a row I cook.

First night was simple. Burgers and fries on the grill.

Night number 2 was a little more challenging. El Capitan marinated some churasco style meat and asked me to grill it for him. Medium, still red in the middle.

Night number 3. I am totally on my own here and most challenging. Mom wants ribs. I asked her how do you want to marinade them. She said, "Get creative." I did.

1 rack is marinading in a smoke seasoning.
2 racks are marinating in Mojo.
2 1/2 racks are rubbed with blackened seasoning and some cajun powder.

They are gonna hit the grill in about 10 minutes. Can't wait till they are done to see how my experimenting turns out.

Dale Earnhardt Jr is a whiney, crying little bitch

During the Coca Cola 600 post race interviews, I coulda sworn I heard Jr. start to blame teammate Michael Waltrip! Jr ran into the back of Mikey and Jr didn't take 100% of the blame.

Dale Jr said, "He either moved up or took his natural line through the front straightaway and I was right there on him. Next thing I know he is spinning around in front of me."

He later added, "...if you're not in the race car, you don't know what the hell's going on out there, so I can't expect anyone to understand what exactly was going on at that moment and time, and how we all came together and wrecked."

His choice of words. Using "He" moved up, took "His" natural line, "he" is spinning around. Then saying "we" all came together.

Come on Jr! You ran up on and basically over your teammate. You need to take 100% blame for that. Mikey was in front of you and you should have the courtesy to give him plenty of racing room. If your car was faster then you need to have the patience to wait for the room to pass.

So who else thinks Dale Earnhardt Jr is a whiney, crying little bitch?

I hate Darrell Waltrip

How many of you cannot wait until Alan Bestwick, Benny Parsons, and Wally Dallenbach take over in the broadcast booth for the second half of the NASCAR season? Anyone know exactly what race that is?

Whenever Darrell opens his mouth, all I can think is Who the fuck cares, shut the fuck up!! Darrell, no one but you thinks Boogity, Boogity, Boogity is funny. Just like you drove way longer than you should have, you are continuing to work in the broadcast booth much longer than you should have. You do not add anything to the broadcast. Telling me that "there will be comer's and go'ers during the race. What matters is who leads that last lap." No fucken' shit Sherlock! Yes obviously you stupid fuck. The leader of the last lap wins the race you mindless, and pointless shithead. So yes, that is the most important part of the race to lead. Geez. Just like John Madden's brilliant observations, "If you don't score more points than your opponent, you're just not gonna win the game."

You, your comments, your person, are detrimental to the sport of NASCAR. Why haven't you been fined and docked some points? Oh yeah, now I remember. It's because YOU ARE NOT A DRIVER ANYMORE!!!!! Stop talking as if you still drive.

Anyone want to buy me a present?

I love donuts! Especially Krispy Kremes. But I also love racin'. And would love to have one of these donuts on my Ford.

Spring Cleaning?

Our dryer busted up a couple weeks back. The service guy came out and said parts on back order, it will be awhile.

Laundry has been piling up, and up, and up. And we have practically used every open spot of the house as a clothsline. In case you are not from South Florida, it is VERY humid down here. Hang a dry towel outside on any given day. It will not rain, but come back a handful of hours later and that towel is moist.

Today, I have had just about enough. I decided I am doing all of my laundry. I even took the time to sweep AND to vacuum. I am going to mop next...

I did my first load and realized I can't wash anymore. I have no where else inside the house to hang any more clothes. So looks like I am going to spend my Memorial Day weekend doing laundry.

What a contrast from last year's. Spent the weekend in Key Largo. A couple days at The Sandbar in Holiday Isle's Tiki Bar. Fishing for dolphin.

Glutton

I am such a glutton! Today for lunch I splurged. Not only did I have some Papa John's Pizza. But I also had a little bit of Chop Chop, some chicken and bacon, and some chocolate ice cream. The word FAT came to mind.

So, after work we play a little tennis. Someone, not me, made a mistake and mentioned going for a beer. 4 Amber Bocks, wings, AND ribs later... we are leaving Flannigan's in the Grove.

I get home and the folks had ordered Pizza Hut. Half of a large Sausage pizza was sitting there, on the dinner table... I swear it called my name. I heard it say, "Eat Me" when I peaked into the box. I could not resist. I had a couple slices. Maybe even 3.

I was able to walk away. But about 30 minutes later... 3, maybe 4 more slices. I suck. I had lost about 2 or 3 pounds this week. I guess I gained it all back tonight.

It is Memorial Weekend. This time last year, I had plotted this weekend - from start to finish. Now, not having a girl to make plans with, my weekend is 100% open. I guess the gym and a couple bike rides await. I should be start training for the Duathalon.

:-)

That's all I am posting tonight... just a :-)

Pepsi 400, Happy July 2nd

I used to have a racing buddy. However life situations have put her in Tampa and with a new beau. When she lived in Miami, her and I used to watch the NASCAR races together.

Last year we went to the Pepsi 400 in Daytona. I had a great time. It rained for what seemed an eternity, the race delayed for hours. We made the best of it, finding a somewhat dry spot under the Lund tower along the Super Stretch.

Our plan to drive to Daytona and back in one day was foiled by the 4 or 5 hour rain delay. We left Daytona after midnight, thinking we could stay awake for the 5 hour drive back. We didn't have a place to stay, and knew we would not be able to find a vacancy.

The rest area about an hour and a half south of Daytona was our refuge. We found a parking spot. Put the seat down and passed out. We woke up at 6:30 or so as the sun came up. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. The foggy mist broke up the sun's rays. I peeked my head up to look at the rest of the parking to find it over flowing with other race fans who had also spent the night with us sleeping in their cars. It was an adventure I will never forget.

I am going to miss going to the Pepsi 400 this year. A night race in Daytona. The fans, special paint schemes, the sparks, the racing, the "Big One," and the post race fireworks. I am still hoping for a miracle, but I am not going to be placing any bets. You never know what life can throw your way and maybe I will be in Daytona for that July 2nd race. But I won't bet on it.

The Update to the Chase

Before you continue, please read this first.

When I posted last, I mentioned how She had just IM'd me. She told me she was actually reading my blog. Yes even the latest entry.

I am too honest sometimes. Yes it gets me in trouble. I always vow to learn from my past mistakes but my filter doesn't seem to learn. No matter how many times I say the wrong thing, it never learns to catch everything. It's like my mouth can think faster than my brain. Before I know it, I am thinking "Oh I shouldn't have said that."

Well even after reading my blog and that latest entry, She still continued to chat. I think we actually even had a good conversation. And we even made plans for a date!

I am not sure I will continue this line of posts since it is becoming a little too private. And really, how many of you truly care about this sorta stuff?

Should I Continue?

I have been chatting with a match.com girl now for a few weeks. She seems super cool and we seem to have plenty in common. I have been wanting to meet this chick now for about 2, maybe 3 weeks. We have made plans but, for some reason, they have fallen through. Sometimes because of me, sometimes because of her.

I called her Monday and left her a voicemail. I haven't heard from her since. No phone call, no IM, no Email. Should I even continue?

I really do like this girl. I found joy in just hearing her voice on the other end of the line. I know it sounds crazy since we never met, but I was getting a very good vibe. Plus I have had problems opening up my heart to girls, something about "Once bitten, twice shy." I normally would keep myself reserved and shielded to not have my heart broken again.

I've been making a strong effort to not continue hiding from my feelings. And with every new girl I have met, I have been more and more ready to receive love. With this girl, I was ready.

And just as I write this sentence, she IM's me... she says hello.. so I guess the chase is still on?

I will continue the post afterwards with any updates...

No Penalties for Harvick, Nemechek - NASCAR getting the picture?

The fans love it. It adds excitement to any sport. Players just going out there and doing their jobs is, well, boring. You want their personalities to come out. You want to see them smile and applaud and cheer and grunt and scream and cry.

Tell me who doesn't enjoy Roger Clemens post game interviews when one gets away from him? Or seeing Lou Pinella throw a tirade? Who didn't laugh when then Knicks head coach Van Gumby clung like a rag doll to Alonzo Mourning's leg? The fans love this sorta stuff.

Additionally, the league does not have to always step in during these scenarios. A lot of it is handled under a gentlemen's agreement on the field. You hit a homer off of Clemens, you'd better now show him up. Your next time up at bat may find you ducking out of the way of a 90mph fastball into the earhole. In baseball, it's understood, you plunk my guy for no reason then I plunk yours.

NASCAR apparently has lost sight of this. They fine drivers money AND championship points if they peform any acts detrimental to the sport. Yes that vague language is exactly how it is stated in the rule book. If you ask me, Brian Vickers should be fined for bumping Mike Bliss, and spinning him during the final 100 yards of the Nextel Open. That got him a spot for the All-Star race. Then going on to finish 3rd. His actions were detrimental to the sport, especially Mike Bliss. NASCAR should fine him and make him share his winnings with Mike Bliss.

NASCAR understands that we want to see more than just the on track stuff. They have shows like NASCAR Nation and NASCAR Drivers: 360. They also have NASCAR This Morning, Trackside, Victory Lane, and NASCAR Nextel Cup Live. All of these shows let us capture more about our drivers. But when the same driver takes it upon himself to let his emotions show during a race he is penalized.

NASCAR did get it right this time around. During a restart in the All-Star race, Nemechek and Harvick ended up together. No one knows for sure what happened but it was a racing incident. Some drivers had tires some didn't, so some spun on the restart and the accordion affect, and about half the field was wrecking. After the melee, Harvick had a few choice words for Nemechek. He also asked him to check his HANS device to make sure it was ok. I was loving it. Some shoving, some throwing of equipment, some name calling. I was, of course, screaming for more. You could tell both drivers knew that NASCAR's heavy hand was waiting to swat at them and stick them with a fine if their actions were detrimental to the sport.

However, it seems that this time they are not going to fine the drivers. I guess that the format of the All-Star race breeds these kinds of actions. It's a winner take all sort of race. The difference between first and second place is about $700,000. 1 Million dollars goes to the winner and about $300,000 goes to the first loser. Drivers will claw their way to the front for all the money that is at stake. Thefore, at least for this one night, racing clean is actually what is detrimental to the sport.

Today

Today was a down sort of day. I slept in this morning. I woke up around 10am, maybe 10:30. I realized a call was never returned last night. I watched the NASCAR All-Star race that my loyal TIVO had recorded for me, and followed that with the California episode of NASCAR Drivers: 360.

I tossed the idea around. Should I call or wait and see. I told myself, grab the bull by the "horns" and call. I did. Voicemail was left. I took a nap. Woke up and watched Friday's episode of The Practice, again thanks to my trusty TIVO. Hours later, still no return call.

Our schedules never match up... Today I had nothing to do and could have met her whenever she wished. I guess I will have to wait for another.

Darrell Waltrip must be in bed with Hendrick

Did anyone watch the Nextel Open last night? Mike Bliss had the win. About 100 yards from the finish, Hendrick driver Brian Vickers taps the back bumper of Bliss causing him to spin. Vickers won.

Darrel Waltrip, not once, said that was dirty. Darrel, you stupid biased idiot, that WAS a dirty move. I've heard DW rip into other drivers for doing the very same thing. Yet, this Hendrick driver gets a free pass? Vickers could not get around Bliss. He just wasn't fast enough to get inside of his quarter panel. Vickers tapped Bliss not once, but TWICE. That's inexcusable. Once is a mistake, twice is on purpose.

And for those who would call this a racing incident? Sorry Darrel, it wasn't. If Vickers had his quarter panel and he slid up, or Bliss slid down, then OK. But Vickers tapped the back bumper twice to cause Bliss' spin. If you are going to be a commentator then you must do so equally and with fairness to all drivers.

Are we ever going to meet?

As I lie here, I wonder....

Will our schedules ever not be so hectic that we could actually meet? It seems that every time one of us is available, the other is not.

Do I really want to go to this wedding that is getting in the way of meeting Her?

Do I really have to go buy the bride a card?

Should I go get something to eat so I am not starving during the ceremony?

What if my suit does not fit?

Tour of the Gables in 30:45! [updated]

Wow, if you saw the post from earlier this morning you would have assumed that my time would be a personal worst. However, after running the Tour of the Gables in 30 minutes and 45 seconds, I must admit that it's a personal best! My current goal is to break 30 minutes. If I shave 15 seconds from each mile, just 15 little seconds, it means I can come in below the 30 minute mark. Things are good... and will be even better if I finally get to meet one of the girls from match.com today.

[updated]
I just checked the results page. I am in the Male 5K Run Age Group: 30 - 34. I came in 51st out of 63 who were in that group. Not too bad. The fastest person in our group completed the race in a lightning fast 16 minutes and 8 seconds. I ran each mile at an average of 9 minutes 54 seconds. The winner's pace was 5 minutes 12 seconds per mile. A 5 minute mile... can you imagine ever running that fast?

Tour of the Gables 5k starts in 1 hour

It's race morning, about 6:30am. I haven't left to the race yet. The Baptist Hospital Tour of the Gables 5k starts in 1 hour. I am not ready for today. I haven't trained in about 2 weeks. Luckily our time to beat is 33 minutes. I personally wanted to beat 30 minutes. But no training and after the debauchery last night, there's no way.

Yes there are butterflies. I am also dehydrated already, I can tell by the hang over. I am going to have to stop and pick up some Gatorade before arriving at the race.

This is gonna suck arse!

I've been wearing wrong size shoes

For the longest time I have worn size 13 shoes. I recently went to Footworks and the salesperson told me my sneakers looked too small. He checked and he was right. He told me to try a size 14. That was a month or two ago. I went this past weekend to buy shoes and I looked for size 14s. After trying them on I wondered, is this what a comfortable shoe is supposed to feel like?

I can't believe that all this time I had been wearing a shoe one size too small! I wonder what else I am wearing that is one size too small and I have no idea.

I made it to a search engine!!

Woo Hoo! I checked my website stats today and I noticed that someone actually came to my site from the results of a Yahoo search! I am thrilled! I had submitted my URL to a handful of search engines and been waiting and waiting. I am still not on Google but I am on Yahoo.

What do you think I did next? That's right! I went to Yahoo and searched for my site and I FOUND IT! With this exposure the traffic should be rolling in now. Then with increased traffic, there's better chances someone clicks a Google Ad. Since I began displaying the ads on my site on May 5th, I have 59 pennies in my account. That's right folks, 59 shiny pennies. U.S. American pennies. The kind that are good for legal tender anywhere in these United States.

So now the next thought that comes to mind. What can I purchase for 59 cents?

1) Can of soda?
Nope those are 65 to 75 cents now.

2) Bag of chips?
Nope, 75 cents.

3) Candy bar?
Negative. Well maybe.

4) How 'bout chewing gum?
Maybe a small pack of juicy fruit.

Looks like I am not gonna be able be buy shit.

It's not easy being opinionated, why am I so damn happy!

I thought blogging would be easy for me. I am a very opinionated person. My friends always complain about my complaining. Today I realized that I had not posted in a couple of days. Also realized that some of my entries were fluff. Like who the hell cares about my PB&J for dinner? What I also realized is that I have been a happier person lately.

No I haven't met anyone or gotten a little action or anything of the sort. To be honest, I actually did meet someone I liked. However she told me a couple days later she had met someone else. Which is cool. The first time in a long time a girl has been honest with me. I actually thanked her for her honesty. I even added that we could be friends! Yes, I can hear all my male friends gasping and saying NO ED!! You can't be friends with a chick! But truth is, I can be.

So I get turned down and I am still happy. I don't know why. I should be sad right? Who knows? Maybe it's because I am still chatting with another couple girls I've met on Match.com. These girls also seem really cool and they look really cute too. I have not met either of them yet so there is no telling. But cool and cute is a dangerous combination for me. Those girls that posses both cuteness and coolness can usually hold me in the palm of their hands.

I can only figure that my happiness is keeping my bitching at bay. That's the only explanation I can come up with. Diane, Kim, and Shannon all know me very well. If any of them read this I am sure they will agree.

Grocery Store Wars | Join the Organic Rebellion

This is Great! And so creative... Everything from Obi Wan Cannoli and Chewbroccoli, you'll be sure to laugh!

Grocery Store Wars | Join the Organic Rebellion

Nascar Drivers: 360 - Message to Kurt Busch, "She's in it for the money."

I finally queued up the TIVO and watched the premier episode for the 2005 season of Nascar Drivers: 360. The first episode from Daytona featured Rusty Wallace, Kasey Kahne, and Kurt Busch.

This is a reality sort of show where a camera crew follows the drivers around doing their day to day activities, promotional engagements, getting ready for races, or just having fun.

During some of the segments, they have the players in a "confessional" sort of interview. You've all seen this before. Plain background, medium shot of the talent, as they talk to the camera about what is happening and their thoughts.

Well, Eva Bryan is one of those players. She is Kurt Busch's girlfriend. If you have not seen her, she is... Well let me put it this way. You would not expect geeky trophy headed robotic Kurt Busch to be able to land such a mermaid if not for the fact he is a race car driver. And after hearing her comments during her interview, I don't believe that to be true. What I believe is that she is with him because he is the NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion. If he was not the champ, I don't think she would still would have stuck around.

In a way I feel bad for Kurt. I rooted for him at Homestead and was thrilled that one of the Roush boys brought home a second consecutive championship. I don't feel that bad because as Jay Mohr put it, Kurt Busch wrote a check and the bank bounced. So things are not all bad for him. Lets hope that he gets a pre-nup and protects his millions. Did anyone else watch this episode and get the same feeling about Eva?

What a fun weekend! Howl at the Moon Tonight!

On Friday, I coached the Youth Flag Football time. Then I went to Monty's in Coconut Grove. I already went to the Doral Ale House today for lunch. I get a call that they need another player for softball. Sometime into the second game, Kim calls me. They are going to Howl at the Moon up at Beachplace! Yippee! Now if I could only grow the testicular fortitude to actually try and pick up a chick the evening would be complete.

Deadliest Catch

After watching a few of the Deadliest Catch episodes, I have a serious problem with anyone who eats Alaskan King Crab, ofilio crab, or snow crab, or any other crab these men risk their lives for.

Eating their catch only perpetuates the killing of these fishermen. We make a fuss about killing a dolphin when catching tuna. Such a stink was raised that Americans began to only purchase Dolphin safe tuna. How come these same Americans don't raise a stink about the killing of humans when catching the crabs? And why don't they petition for Fishermen Safe Crab?

This is just another example of what little value we place on human life.

ComCast rolls out Video On Demand

I see that Comcast has rolled out Video On Demand. It seems to be a rather neat idea. You browse through a menu of movies and shows, select what you want to watch, and in about 5 seconds it begins playing on your TV.

I just perused the menus. My first thoughts weren't good. The menu is too granular. It is divided up into too many sub menus. Some menus were even empty. Additionally there wasn't a Full Listing option. You have to go granular menu by granular menu to find a show you want to watch.

The free shows and free movies were nothing to write home about. The free movies were older movies. The free shows were also older. I guess since they are free you really can't expect too much. I did not check the premium selections because I am not about paying money. Now between my TIVO and VOD, there should be enough TV to watch.

I am a little drunk at the moment

I went to Monty's, Coconut Grove. Drank enough beer and I am slightly affected by that at the moment... I am thinking about the couple, maybe two or three girls I am chatting with from Match.com. Things are good....

I just ate a PB&J for dinner

I was hungry but trying to not eat since I had such a big lunch today. I gave in and had a delicous and yummy peanut butter and jelly with a cold glass of milk. It took me back to when I was a kid.

I Hate Compaq and their Rude Service

---

I received a call this morning from Compaq. They pretend to be following up on the phone call I made into Tech Support the other day.

"Did you receive the replacement?"

"Did it fix the problem?"

etc...

Then here comes the rudeness...

"Do you know how to ship a package?"

I replied very short and just as rude back to her.

"Of course I do and I already did"

The amount of hate I have for Compaq is immeasurable. I have to deal with them on a daily basis and each time it's like pulling teeth.

Higher Fares is Miami-Dade's Answer to Increase Ridership

This will be a quick post. Miami-Dade has been trying to increase ridership on the county's mass transit system. They recently announced that they are raising the fares to ride. They want us to use the system more but yet they make it more expensive to ride. Tell me again how this will entice me into using it?

I Ran!

I did it! I almost didn't do it. The alarm went off at 5am and I said NO WAY. Thanks to Diane and her introducing me to the Snoozerator, I was able to snooze uninterrupted for 24 minutes. A couple years back, she informed me that Sony makes alarm radio's with a variable snooze. Each tap of the snooze bar adds 8 minutes. So at 5am, snooze snooze snooze and I got me an extra 24 minutes of sleep.

The alarm now goes up at 5:24am. That's when I remembered my commitment to myself. That's when I began insulting myself. "Get up you fat piece of shit, come on sloth! You complain about not being happy about your belly then don't do anything about it? GET UP!" Then I said, "Alright already geez you can be mean! I'm getting up! Man a ballbuster you are."

I drove over to Tamiami Park. FIU is literally across the street. I like running there because there is lots of grass and it's less pounding on the body. And so I ran, I ran so far away. I just ran. I ran all night and day. I couldn't get away.

Sorry, I broke into song there. I want to credit Flock of Seagulls for that. Wow, I am giddy. I guess the endorphins are the body's very own happy drug. Another 5k or 3.1 miles. This time in 31 minutes and change. I am approaching that 30 minute mark. Yay for me!

Only 2 days

I am a sloth. I was all saying how unhappy I am with my belly. I ran Thursday, I ran Saturday. I should have run today, on Monday. I didn't. I need to stay on this. I only ran 2 days! I want to go to sleep already so I can be up early tomorrow morning and go for a jog. But Who's Line is it Anyway? is on and I can't turn it off!!! Maybe I can jog tomorrow morning and again tomorrow night. That would be spectacular!

Murder Legalized in Florida Starting October 1, 2005

Yes, that is right. A new "Self-Defense" law will go into effect that allows people to start shooting wherever they happen to be, whenever they happen to feel threatened.

Starting Oct. 1, any person who is confronted has no "duty to retreat," and "has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm...."

The new law is so slack and so poorly written that even if you imagine that your life or property are in danger, you have the right to open fire. Did you catch that, PROPERTY. The name of the bill is the "Protection of Persons and Property Bill." Now you can legally shoot someone for leaving a shopping cart in the parking lot. "But your Honor, I imagined the shopping cart the Defendent was pushing could have scratched my car."

I guess the law has its merits. Jehova's Witnesses can now be used as target practice when they enter your property. "Your Honor, not only was my property in danger but so was my soul! She said I would not be saved unless I accepted God. I wasn't about to change my beliefs in God, so I just had to open fire to save myself!"

So if there is anyone you want to get rid of, bring them to Florida in the winter and fire away.

Howstuffworks "How Lightsabers Work"

Just in case you are attacked by a Sith, you can know Howstuffworks "How Lightsabers Work"

chocolate monkey: The Barone Law Firm?

My friend, Melissa Barone, is currently a law student. She is upset that there is already a Barone Law Firm, where another very goblin looking Melissa Barone works! To make matters worse, there isn't one single attorney working at this law firm!

chocolate monkey: The Barone Law Firm?

NASCAR needs a Villian

NASCAR needs more bad guys. Remember when the NFL began penalizing players for celebrating too much? The NFL became the No Fun League. NASCAR is going down the same boring path. NASCAR fans tune in on Sundays to watch the racing, the speed, the excitement, and for the characters that make up the sport. I say characters because basically it's what they are. For about 30 Sundays and the occasional Saturday Night Race, these characters put on a show for us.

Kurt Busch is one of those characters. When he came on the scene, he was a hot head. He even came to blows with Jimmy Spencer. NASCAR spoke to him and he became the boring and robotic, no personality Kurt Busch. However, looks like last night at Darlington he went back to his old ways. He said some choice words to NASCAR and threw a water bottle an at official. I LOVE IT! The water bottle may have been over the line but that sort of emotion is why I love watching this sport.

More exciting is the soap opera between Michael Waltrip and Jeff Green. It started a month ago at Martinsville and continued last night. Green got into Waltrip at Martinsville spinning him out. It only took 8 laps into the Dodge Charger 500 at Darlington, for Green to get into the back of M. Waltrip's NAPA Chevy again causing him to spin out taking him out of contention. Later on lap 81, Waltrip let Green know how he felt about him. Waltrip tapped Green's back bumper repeatedly until Green's Cheerios Dodge spun around. I screamed YES, YOU GO MIKEY!!

My opinion is that more of these kinds of incidents will make the sport more colorful. Vanilla is boring. I like sprinkles, fudge, whip cream, and topping off my Sundays with a cherry.

Some Photo Art

I figured out how to get the URLs of the photos on Flickr. Well, I didn't figure it out, I read the FAQ. Now I need to figure out how to wrap text around a photo. I used a table on this post to rig it.

This photo was total and complete luck. I was on a boat and these parasailers just happened to float overhead. I didn't even have time to think, I just snapped. When I got home and transferred the file to my laptop I was very happy with the results.
	This photo was taken at the inagural Nextel NASCAR's Ford 400 down at Homestead-Miami Speedway, obviously just as the sun was setting.
	This was at Bahia Honda State Park in the Florida Keys. It was one of Travel Channels most beautiful beaches. This was the view from our camp site.
	These tiki huts were at the little private island that we were just about to dock in the first photo of the parasailers. The parasailers are actually the owners of the island.
These are the tires for Kasey Kahne's #9 UAW Dodge Dealer's Dodge. As many tires as you see here, they will most likely all be used during one race. These all lined up next to his pit stall at the Ford 400

Study Shows: Rap Music Not Meant for Love Songs

I was chatting with a new friend on IM and the topic of music came up. I made the observation that Country music was mostly about drinkin, partying, or falling in or out of love. She agreed but added that so is practically all the music on the radio. I said ok but RAP and Rock are not well suited for sappy love songs.

So I decided to write a RAP Love song, and in 5 seconds I came up with:

yo, to my bitch
she is a wondoful ho
i love dat hooka,
she loves to blo

Just imagine ladies, your man serenading you with this poetic love song.

Women's Beach Volleyball

I am watching AVP Women's Beach Volleyball...

Misty May and Kerry Walsh are playing Wacholder and Young. If you thought May and Walsh were hot, you haven't seen Wacholder and Young.

Girls looking like they look frolicking in the sand, jumping, diving, wearing bikinis...

Then Slo-Mo Replays...

What a WONDERFUL world we live in.

I'm not too happy with my Belly

If anyone read my post about the Miami Corporate run, then you know I completed the 5k in 33 minutes and 20 seconds. Friday at work was pretty good. I had the fastest time of the team and I was feeling proud.

Then I saw the photos... Not good. My belly was rather prominent. Problem is that I only see myself in the mirror from the front. I guess the mirror is 2D, so I don't see just how far out my belly projects our from the rest of my body. The photographers had caught me from different angles and Oh Boy...

For those who don't know. I used to weigh close to 300 pounds. Then through hard work and dedication I got down to 197 pounds. I have relaxed and little by little I have been gaining the weight back. As of Friday, I decided I am NOT going to let myself continue to get fatter and fatter. Today I woke up and went to Tamiami Park. I ran a 5k in 32 minutes and 23 seconds. I felt great after the run, came home and took a shower. I plan on doing this every other day. The running, I will still continue to shower daily.

But then like a total asshole, I ate a couple slices of left over pizza for lunch. So now I need to come up with a plan to not let my psychology get to me and tell myself that small salad and a light sandwhich is yummy and filling!I don't need to eat pizza, chicken wings, AND beer.

Today I said Fuscia

That's all I am reporting for now... I will keep you updated on any other words I vocalize before the night is over.

NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson is a Wuss

I know that Wuss is such a 3rd grade word to call someone but I am trying to keep this as clean as possible to not offend everyone. I only want to offend Jimmie Johnson fans. I think Jimmie is a great driver with lots of talent however he needs to learn how to point the finger at himself. In recent events, he has been the initial contact that has caused several wrecks. He was the initial catalyst for the 25 car pile-up at Talladega as well as the 2nd smaller incident. Yes, rubbin is racin. And when you rub, you eventually will wreck. Jimmie needs to stop blaming others. I have heard him blame Tony Stewart for break checking him going into the corner, Harvick for going across his bumper, M. Wallace getting loose, he even blamed stuff. Yes, in the 2nd Talladega wreck he said stuff was happening all around him. To avoid pointing the finger at himself, he has taken it as far as blaming "stuff." Just take it like a man and say you "got squirrelly and rubbed up on Mike Wallace, it's a racing incident, Sorry Mike you know I didn't want to wreck you."

His aggressive driving of late has been compared to that of the Late big Dale E. The HUGE difference is that Dale would just come out and say, "Yeah looks like I got into him didn't I?" Then give the camera a smug look like you knew he meant to get into him. Jimmie, fess up, take your medicine like a man, and if you even want, give a half sideways smirk to the camera so we all know you're kiddin.

Miami Corporate Run in 33:20!!

I just got home from the Mercedes Benz of Miami Corporate Run. It's a 5k run through Downtown Miami to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. The report this morning was that there were going to be 21,000 participants in this year's race. This does not count the people who just go there for the party.

I ran the entire race and I finished in 33 minutes and 20 seconds!! Slow in comparison to a real runner. But decent for an overweight guy who started training then fell ill and did not do anything for the past 2 weeks. And who also had 2 beers, half a cuban sandwich, tostitos with a hint of lime, salsa, AND hummus while he was waiting for the race to begin.

Florida Marlins Getting Screwed On Stadium Deal

The Florida Marlins plea for the 2 million dollar a year for 30 years tax break is in danger of not being approved. The Marlins want the money to fill the final gap they need to raise the funds needed to build their stadium. Florida's Legislature says that the Marlins already received this tax break back when Wayne Huizenga owned the team. They argue that it means they would be double dipping. Additionally, its been reported that Huizenga did not even spend the full tax rebate to upgrade the stadium but yet he still continues to receive the tax break. If I was the Legislature I would force Huizenga to return the money that he did not use for stadium upgrades. This tax break is ear marked for just that and if Huizenga is not using it as such, then he should forfeit and pay pack the extra money with a penalty. Then the Legislature could give that extra money and the remaining tax break to the now owners of the Marlins. The current owner, Loria, has done nothing but put a good product on the field. We should not punish him for what the past idiot Huizenga was able to con out of the State's Legislature.

Lets Embrace the N-Word

Maybe all of this tension over the N word can be quelched if we were to embrace it. Jeff Foxworthy has made a career out of embracing the R word. You know the one. If you are one then you can say it, but I aren't one so I can't. Foxworthy defines the word as having "A glorious absence of sophistication." He even goes off giving examples to test your level of sophistication. And if you pass his test then you just might be an R word.

Just as I am afraid to even write the N word, I am just as afraid to write the R word. Again, I may have to fire myself for using yet another racially charged word. I aren't one, so I am not allowed to use that word either. I could use the S word since I am of hispanic descent but I would be afraid that I may become physically harmed by another spic taking offense to that label. Maybe a black comedian can come up with his own tests to see if we just might be an N word? Imagine the laughts, imagine the money! Jeff Foxworthy proved that we all have an absence of sophistication and therefore we all just might be R words. Maybe the reason the black comedian hasn't come up with the N word test is because white people are afraid that maybe they have a little N in them? Imagine that, white people discover that they too are N words! The outrage and shock would be too much for them to handle.

N-Bomb

Oklahoma Sooners Coach Larry Cochell resigns after using a racial slur. The racial slur he used was the N word. You know which word that is. The same word that people who are one can call each other but those who are not one cannot even say it in conversation. I am not one, and therefore I am even afraid to write this word down in this post in fear that I may have to fire myself for using a racial slur.

White Coach Cochell was praising black freshman outfielder, Joe Dunigan when he turned to a reporter and said, "there's no n----- in him." Coach Cochell later said, "There are honkies and white people. There are n------ and black people. Dunigan is a good black kid."

The Coach resigned and the University spin doctors are doing their magic. My question is why? Has anyone turned on the "Urban" radio stations lately? The Rap? The Hip Hop? Has anyone now watched MTV in the past, oh, 5 years? It seems that the N word is being used more and more and more and more amongst those that are to refer to themselves. Heck, stand within ear shot of any basketball court or football field and you will hear this word. Now a white person uses the same word and he has to resign? If this word is such a bad word, then it should not be spoken by anyone. There should not be a double standard. And mispronouncing the word by changing the ger at the end to a gga does not count. It is still the N word.

She is 13 for God's Sake, Let her abort!! [Updated]

This new debate about the pregnant 13 year old known as LG is really upsetting me. Here is the cliffnotes version of the story. She was under the state's care. The state "lost" the child, and while she was lost she becomes pregnant. LG came to her caseworker who then took her to a counselor to discuss options. LG decided to have an abortion. You can read more here.

Why is the government again trying to force their moral Christian views on the rest of us? Whatever happened to seperation of church and state? I hate that we are throwing away tax payer money trying to prevent LG from aborting. Abortion is legal. Remember Roe v Wade? And this 13 year old is essentially a rape victim. Being under aged, this would fall under statutory rape, wouldn't it? Why are they forcing this 13 year old to take this pregancy to full term and deliver?

More disturbing is that no one seems to care that DCF has lost yet another child. LG was under their care, under their supervision. Any parent that would lose their child PLUS then learn that the child became pregant while they were lost would be facing criminal charges for neglect. Why isn't the DCF?

[UPDATED Wednesday May 4th, 2005] Today's Miami Herald reported:

State ends battle; teen has abortion

The battle over whether a 13-year-old foster child could end her pregnancy ended Tuesday when the state decided not to continue its court challenge. [Full Article]

Diane to the Rescue!!

Diane heard my plight and she came to the rescue and offered up another free site tracker. You rock Diane! This one doesn't show me the little number on my site like site meter did but hey, beggers can't be choosers.

I am so Frustrated at the moment

So last night I am talking with my old pal and the webmistress of That All Jack. She was the one who tweaked my interest in this whole blogging thing. She was happy to hear that I finally got my very own Blog and told me that there were some cool add-ons such as Sitemeter. It is a free counter for the site that will let me know who many visitors have been to my blog. I am all inspired and I go to the site and create my account. I get the html code from them, and after a few tweaks to my template I am satisfied with the results. I am not happy mind you, just satisfied. I am having to deal with the constraints of the built in templates so you gotta live with what you got.

You've read this far and I assume you are asking yourself, "Why is Ed frustrated?" Well, Sitemeter emails you the password. You don't create one, they send you one via email. Looks like my email host, Go Daddy is blocking their emails! Ugh. Even though I added the sitemeter.com domain to my whitelist, GoDaddy has a global blacklist for everyone. That is why I am so frustrated. I may be wrong, but in dealing with this problem before GoDaddy has told me they use something similar to SpamHaus.org. Which means I am screwed since it is beyond my control. I emailed GoDaddy to see if they can unblock those emails. Lets home they can because right now I am one unhappy client.

First Place in NASCAR Fantasy League

Look folks! I am in first place in my NASCAR Fantasy Racing League! The best part is that the person who taught my ex-girlfriend, who she in turn taught me is in second. I have been in second place for all but the first week. And this week I move into first. It must suck to have the apprentice beating the master. HA HA HA.... I love it... :-D

Road Rage

Why does everyone always say that we must control the aggressive drivers and the road ragers? Why doesn't anyone ever try to find out why we have to swerve in and around you, why we honk, and why we become so angry?

Have you ever thought that maybe because you are doing 20 miles below the speed limit in the left lane is the cause? Have you ever thought it is because you are holding up traffic? Have you ever thought, hey let me move to the right lane so cars trying to maintain the speed limit won't have to swerve around me. Have you ever thought, hey the light is green, if I go then maybe the next 10 cars behind me can also make it through the light.

Before you point the finger at someone else and blame us, maybe, just MAYBE, you should see how you could improve your driving.