tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38235079897538577302024-03-13T06:43:57.063-04:00big doofus blogIt's my blog. It's about stuff and things.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.comBlogger434125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-54562629301466566972014-01-04T11:16:00.001-05:002014-01-04T11:16:07.160-05:00Reflections on the New YearIt's...a new year.<br />
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Now that I have <b>that </b>out of the way, I'll move on to something more important--raising teenagers. Until recently I had three three of them in my home. However, a little over a month ago one of them hit the "roaring twenties." The other day my friend, Ryan, posted something on his Bookface page that really hit me...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">I have learned through my experience that our relationship with our parents go through many stages... adoration, rebellion, separation, acceptance and finally back to adoration. the middle two stages are the toughest for the parents... but when you finally get to the final stage, the relationship and bond you have with your parents is much stronger because of the middle stages. I am thankful for my parents...</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">and am sorry for the stress and pain I caused them as I SLOWLY progressed through the stages. I love them both very much and wish they lived closer. I just hope my kids respect and love me as much as I love and respect my parents.</span></blockquote>
I'm not sure if there's a source for his stages, but it sure makes sense to me when I reflect on my own experiences growing up. I can only hope that I'll experience the same thing with my own kids. If they ever said anything like this to me, I'd probably start crying.<br />
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My oldest is clearly entering a new stage in his life. In some ways he's finally starting to grow up and it's encouraging. I think that he actually sees that some of the things we have been telling him all of his life may make sense after all. Go figure. However, he's picked up some bad habits and he has a highly addictive personality. I can only pray that he'll be able to work through it.<br />
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My middle child has everything figured out in life and has very little need for our guidance (my eyes are rolling as I write this). She says what's on her mind regardless of whether or not she took the time to think through the consequences of uttering it. She was a pretty easy-going child so this has been somewhat of a surprise. Will she emerge from these stages? Will she ever be a real friend again to her mother? It's heart-breaking.<br />
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Then there's the little one. 15 years old and still a dream come true. I was the youngest of three and I think I was pretty easy on my parents. I wonder if she will turn out the same.<br />
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So, are these stages a guarantee? If they are, I can continue to deal with the difficulties I face each day. And since I'm only human, I cannot help but wonder what I did to screw them up so much? I have faith in a mighty God, but it gets challenged each and every day.<br />
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I'm not sure if anyone still reads this blog since I neglected it for so long, but I'd love to hear what you have to say.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-38543619159487601402013-12-27T16:53:00.001-05:002013-12-27T16:53:07.225-05:00Waiting for the PunchlineThe girls were watching some show today and I just happened to walk by and notice the name of the guy on the right.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwSeflYhzuM/Ur32l6VX11I/AAAAAAAABR8/6pXEEUVBNGM/s1600/Young-Riddle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wwSeflYhzuM/Ur32l6VX11I/AAAAAAAABR8/6pXEEUVBNGM/s320/Young-Riddle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
According to the show, Young Riddle is a piano teacher. I think he missed his calling.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-86675667632349990562013-12-26T11:59:00.001-05:002013-12-27T13:12:45.939-05:00Surprised by Christmas 2013I've got the blog bug again. Facebook just doesn't do it for me anymore. I'd like to reconnect with some of my blogging friends from the past and make a few new ones. So, let me start out by saying that I just had the best Christmas in a long, long time (maybe ever). As the parent of two teens and a twenty-year-old (who is much like a teenager) I wasn't expecting it to happen this year. I got up around 7:45 thinking that the kids would be up around 10:30 or 11:00. I expected the twenty-year-old to complain and then figure out a way to get out of the house before noon. But it didn't happen. We had my wife's parents over and even Our 90-year-old grandma for a home made brunch and it went off without a hitch. The in-laws came back over later to play games and...it was fun. However, what REALLY struck me was that we never left the living room and kitchen. We spent the entire day TOGETHER in the same room. Maybe some of the fog from the teen parenting years is starting to lift. We'll see.<br />
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I hope to hear from someone that might have found my blog again. Merry Christmas!Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-87608195209411625822011-08-12T10:17:00.002-04:002011-08-12T10:25:41.036-04:00Trade Publication SalespeopleI'm the marketing & pr manager for a decent sized company in the Midwest. We're not a Midwestern company as our sales are literally worldwide, but with the greatest concentration still in North America. Anyway, I get a LOT of calls from trade publication (i.e. magazine) salespeople who want me to advertise with them. I've been in my particular industry for over ten years now. Practically no one reads trade publications in our industry so there's little reason for print advertising. Furthermore, their electronic advertising also tends to be pretty worthless. I KNOW this based on my experience and we choose to market in much more creative and effective ways. But it doesn't matter to the salesperson who is convinced that his/her magazine is the "perfect fit" for my company. They're just doing their job and I totally understand. However, when I tell them that I'm not interested I don't feel as if I owe them any explanation--especially when I took the time to call them back (after they called three times in two days) and it just so happens that I was lucky enough to get their voice mail.
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<br />So, if you're out there, slightly annoying sales guy, please don't take it personally that I have zero interest in spending money on your dumb magazine that no one reads. And I don't have to tell you why because I know that no matter what I say you will have a stupid response. I cannot win with you and I don't want to waste my time trying to explain it.
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<br />I'd rather waste my time ranting about it on a blog that I have not utilized in nearly a year. Now go take on your day.
<br />Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-33360508749907584252011-08-12T10:16:00.004-04:002011-08-12T10:17:49.000-04:00No, I'm Serious...This blog still existsIt's been nearly a year since my last post. How pathetic. Honestly, I don't have time to do this blog, but I cannot let it die. So, here goes another attempt to revive it. If you're reading this, please let me know. I'll try to get back and check some of the blogs that I used to frequent as well.
<br />Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-10792006594450462892010-12-07T19:49:00.003-05:002010-12-07T19:53:02.174-05:00But wait, there's more!Believe it or not, I still haven't given up on this blog idea. I don't want to lose the momentum I've got. Not only are there still mainly stupid things out there that I need to document, I also have many pointless things to contribute to the world. My 44 readers have been deprived for so long that I can only hope they will take me back.<br /><br />These days I'm mainly dealing with the intricacies of raising a 17-year-old boy who is convinced that he knows everything there is to know and that I'm "out to get him." Perhaps some of you have experienced this as well. I'm interested to hear what you have to say.<br /><br />Cheers,<br /><br />Big DoofusBig Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-15593430529980500992010-07-14T12:12:00.012-04:002010-07-14T13:51:13.159-04:00Closed Captioned for the Hearing Impaired Swill DrinkersThere are two HUGE beer companies in America: Anheuser Busch (i.e. Budweiser) and Miller-Coors. They are fighting for every piece of the market in this country (and the world, but that's another matter). One way to gain new customers would be to create beers that actually taste good. We can only assume that they've written this idea off as a bad idea. The other way is to come up with all kids of gimmicks on the beer cans and bottles to trick you into thinking that there's something good about a bad beer. <a href="http://bigdoofus.blogspot.com/2008/04/latest-innovations-in-beer.html">I've posted on this subject before</a> and I'll probably do it again.<br /><br />Such is the case with a recent commercial for Coors Light. The message is that the swill in the bottle still tastes like the swill that it is. However, you can now tell when your swill is cold without ever having to open your case. We all know that beverages in the refrigerator stay cooler when you put a layer of cardboard around them, right? No, but I digress.<br /><br />Aside from the fact that this is just another lame attempt to get Americans to buy more swill, I wonder what the deaf community thinks about it. Normally I have the closed captions turned off on my TV, but my old set likes to turn them on for me randomly. Take a look at the captions created for this commercial in the following screen shots. Note that these are horrible pictures because you can see me in the reflection of the glass. But they're still hilarious:<br /><br />Let's get started. The first actual words are from the wife (I assume!) trying to seduce her husband. I believe she asks, "Do you like what you see?" However, the deaf community understands it as, "YOU LIHAT YOE?"<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3ih3Dt5-I/AAAAAAAABPA/ivprPJGf9Eg/s1600/1st+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 293px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3ih3Dt5-I/AAAAAAAABPA/ivprPJGf9Eg/s400/1st+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493796191804975074" border="0" /></a><br />The man doesn't notice his wife and instead is intrigued with the swill (what a moron). He replies with, "Yeah. When did Coors Light get these new windows?" which is concisely translated as "WHEN Coorsht GET THNE!" It's apparently an exclamation in the hearing impaired community...and they left out an "i" in "Coorsht." :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iea2avxI/AAAAAAAABO4/TpI74WDRWPs/s1600/2nd+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 286px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iea2avxI/AAAAAAAABO4/TpI74WDRWPs/s400/2nd+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493796132693393170" border="0" /></a><br />The wife is not sure what the husband is asking and he reiterates, "Windows." Sadly, the deaf community is left with, "WINDOWHANK Y." Maybe there's some truth here. Is the husband passing up on "HANKY" for watered down beer with windows? Hmmm.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3ibgltCSI/AAAAAAAABOw/tb7A5DkK8AQ/s1600/3rd+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3ibgltCSI/AAAAAAAABOw/tb7A5DkK8AQ/s400/3rd+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493796082694293794" border="0" /></a><br />The announcer (or "Annou") comes on and says, "Introducing the new Coors Light..." and the closed caption readers get "INTRODG THE Coors t" --whatever.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iYDpPnXI/AAAAAAAABOo/FLxSCZWDqDI/s1600/4th+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 287px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iYDpPnXI/AAAAAAAABOo/FLxSCZWDqDI/s400/4th+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493796023384907122" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. Announcer goes on about the "New Cold Activation Window," otherwise known as the "1d Action WI, HANK Y" which must be shorthand for "WINDOWHANKY."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iV6hqWII/AAAAAAAABOg/ooa_xu-bAok/s1600/5th+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 281px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iV6hqWII/AAAAAAAABOg/ooa_xu-bAok/s400/5th+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493795986577447042" border="0" /></a><br />"Now you can see your beer is cold before..." turns into, "YOU CAE YOURR ISD BEFOOU BUYrs t." Wait a minute. I figured it out. The Closed Caption guy or gal may have had one too many swills. Let this be a lesson to you all. Don't drink and write closed captions for the hearing impaired community!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iSlW4biI/AAAAAAAABOY/d2yMPxMT4IQ/s1600/6th+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 279px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iSlW4biI/AAAAAAAABOY/d2yMPxMT4IQ/s400/6th+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493795929355480610" border="0" /></a><br />Mr. Clueless just now realizes there are lit candles in his room. "This is a fire hazard," he notes while putting out a candle with his swill bottle. Which equals, "THIS IFIRE HD." It's an Apple iFire in High Def.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iPpAh79I/AAAAAAAABOQ/Tt7ZQvQWFgw/s1600/7th+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iPpAh79I/AAAAAAAABOQ/Tt7ZQvQWFgw/s400/7th+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493795878795866066" border="0" /></a><br />The announcer is back with, "Frost brewed Coors Light," which is flawlessly recorded as "RR FRBREWEDrs Ligrs t." Isn't a <a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Napoleon_Dynamite">Ligr a cross between a lion and a tiger, bred for it's skills in magic</a>?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iND43Z_I/AAAAAAAABOI/7sjxCuABAsw/s1600/8th+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iND43Z_I/AAAAAAAABOI/7sjxCuABAsw/s400/8th+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493795834471868402" border="0" /></a><br />"The World's Most Refreshing Beer," is reduced to "THRLD'S REGREG BE."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iJsTidBI/AAAAAAAABOA/VxUyYy-e95g/s1600/9th+screen.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 289px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iJsTidBI/AAAAAAAABOA/VxUyYy-e95g/s400/9th+screen.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493795776601682962" border="0" /></a><br />And just so you know. I've seen this commercial several times on the air since I originally recorded it and the closed captions are the same.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TD3iDG4o2zI/AAAAAAAABN4/67s0ACALD0s/s1600/1st+screen.JPG"><br /></a>Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-51012684754302609372010-07-10T11:25:00.015-04:002010-07-10T15:02:13.653-04:00Stupid Adults Getting in the Way - a TV PostWe watch a little TV in our home with the kids. As parents we keep a close eye on what the kids view and <span style="font-weight: bold;">we encourage them to think critically about the shows they enjoy</span>. Subsequently, I've been thinking about some of this stuff for a while and decided to share it with anyone who cares to read it and comment.<br /><br />Gone are the days when kids programming was limited to Saturday mornings. You can catch kid-geared television 24 hours a day thanks to cable tv, satellite and the interwebs. The two most popular networks for our kids (ages 11, 13 and 16) are Nickelodeon and Disney Channel. I watch all the shows my kids watch, so I have a pretty decent grasp on what's going on--despite the fact that I'm a stupid parent (see below).<br /><br />Over the past few years, I began to notice some consistent, and somewhat disturbing themes with regards to the shows we watch. Primarily, parents are usually not married or even in the picture. Often when they are, they are portrayed as goofy, stupid and out of touch with reality. "Reality" is a universe where kids are in the center. Parents, if they exist, are usually in the background or getting in the way. Most adults--especially those in any position of authority--are ignorant and/or overly intrusive. Work is not something to aspire to unless it has to do with fulfilling a personal (and in my opinion, selfish) dream. This usually takes the form of fame via television shows, web shows, fashion magazines or being a teen singing sensation. The stars of the shows are often launching real-life singing / teen idol careers at the same time. It's all part of the networks' plans to create a teen/tween marketing windfall.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advent</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">ures </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDjAD3-ZErI/AAAAAAAABNw/VPpe_Z4ZUxY/s1600/neutron.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDjAD3-ZErI/AAAAAAAABNw/VPpe_Z4ZUxY/s200/neutron.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492350918376100530" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">of Jimmy Neutron (Nickelodeon)</span><br />This show is no longer in production, but it's one we all watched quite a bit and still do thanks to re-runs. Both of Jimmy's parents actually exist in this show and play a significant role. However, Jimmy is MUCH smarter than his parents, who are displayed as being somewhat out of touch. The dad is a hilarious character, but a bit of a buffoon. He has some sort of a boring job and the mother is a stay-at-home-mom. That's a blast from the past compared to other shows, but it's consistent with the theme they seem to be going for.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Spongebob Squa</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi_3bK4GDI/AAAAAAAABNo/HzCfXB6uxAU/s1600/spongebob.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi_3bK4GDI/AAAAAAAABNo/HzCfXB6uxAU/s200/spongebob.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492350704485406770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">repants </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">(Nickelodeon)</span><br />There really are no parents in this program. Spongebob lives on his own, as does his best friend Patrick. They are basically big kids who manage to survive in the world. Patrick is unemployed and lives under a rock. Spongebob and Squidward work at the Krusty Krab. Squidward hates the job and their boss, Mr. Krabs, is obsessed with money. To his credit, Spongebob likes his job and works hard at it. I should point out that we LOVE this show.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">iCarly</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(Nickel</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi-u-p2mwI/AAAAAAAABNA/Zp9OO7_Gz04/s1600/icarly.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi-u-p2mwI/AAAAAAAABNA/Zp9OO7_Gz04/s200/icarly.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492349459880123138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">odeon)</span><br />This show is a guilty pleasure for our family. It's very well produced and quite funny. However, Carly's parents are not in the picture. She lives with her brother who manages to keep a really cool apartment in Seattle by occasionally working on sculptures. Their father decided to leave them on their own rather than take care of them. He expects perfection out of his kids and I guess he just decided it was easier to let them raise each other. Sam is Carly's best friend. We never see her parents and only hear about her mother, who is portrayed as incredibly irresponsible. Freddie is the nerdy boy who lives with his mother. She is portrayed as overprotective and a bit nutty. Miranda Cosgrove, who stars as iCarly, just released a CD with a video that is prominently played on the Nickelodeon networks.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">True Jackson, V</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi_m-w9p6I/AAAAAAAABNg/0-QJ8CjENas/s1600/true-jackson.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi_m-w9p6I/AAAAAAAABNg/0-QJ8CjENas/s200/true-jackson.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492350421982619554" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">P</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">(Nickelodeon)</span><br />True's fashion sense is so amazing that she got a job as an editor for a leading fashion magazine in the big city. This happens all the time, right? Do people still read magazines? Anyway, it's assumed that she lives at home with both parents. The mother has appeared in at least one episode (or maybe ONLY one), but the father is MIA. Most of the adults in this show are a bit dopey. Keke Palmer (True Jackson) has also launched a singing career with at least one CD.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sonny With a Chan</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi_JA1MozI/AAAAAAAABNQ/xqfqXQihafs/s1600/sonny.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi_JA1MozI/AAAAAAAABNQ/xqfqXQihafs/s200/sonny.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492349907141174066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">ce (Disney)</span><br />Sonny stars in a TV show. She spends most of her time on the set, but she DOES live with her mother in an apartment. There is no dad in the picture. The mom (Nancy McKeon from "Facts of Life") seems to be loving and helpful whenever she's called upon--about four episodes according to <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001529/">imdb.com</a>. Demi Lovato (Sonny) also has a musical career. Are you picking up the theme here? Some of you remember The Monkees. It's the show that started all of this.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Hannah Mont</span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi-6u6R-8I/AAAAAAAABNI/RMwvS56eOs4/s1600/montana.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi-6u6R-8I/AAAAAAAABNI/RMwvS56eOs4/s200/montana.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492349661812489154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">a</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">na (D</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">isney</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">)</span><br />Everyone knows about Hannah Montana / Miley Cyrus. If you DON'T know about her, congratulations. She's a teen singing sensation (that doesn't assume she is talented) in the show and in real life. She lives with her Achey Breaky dad. There is no mother in the picture. I believe that she died while Hannah was young. Correct me if I'm wrong. <a href="http://bigdoofus.blogspot.com/2009/11/cycle-of-female-child-star.html">I've blogged about her before.</a> In real life she's on her way to gaining respect as an adult by...there's no nice way to say it. Let the pole dancing video speak for itself.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">The Wizard</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">s of </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi_WxY-57I/AAAAAAAABNY/ir75YKoVN28/s1600/wizards.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDi_WxY-57I/AAAAAAAABNY/ir75YKoVN28/s200/wizards.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492350143514470322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Waverly Place (Disney)</span><br />This show is an exception in that the Russo family actually lives together. The parents play an important part in the lives of their kids. Of course, they are all witches and warlocks who have the ability to do just about anything they want and choose to be as normal as possible. It's sort of like Bewithced for those of you who remember. Here's another shocker...Selena Gomez, who plays the main character on the show (Alex Russo) has a singing career of her own. I finally decided that we needed to pull the plug on this show. It wasn't a popular decision at home, but I'll stick with it.<br /><br />Don't get me wrong. I'm really not swearing off all tv. We watch a lot of these shows together and they are all well-produced. Some of them are laugh-out-loud funny. I just want to teach my kids to think critically. I firmly believe that once they can do this they will see the world, and their place in it, for what it really is. I'm curious to know what the rest of you think.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-62311518195789313982010-07-06T13:21:00.008-04:002010-07-06T14:54:32.945-04:00Real Life Cutters!I'm sure my kids are sick of hearing me talk about courtesy when it comes to driving. Plus, I've already used up oodles of keystrokes and blog electrons on the subject. In particular, my <a href="http://bigdoofus.blogspot.com/2007/12/stop-driving-like-idiot.html">Stop Driving Like an Idiot post</a> from December of 2007 came to mind the other day when something sad (and yet funny) happened to me.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDNoNiTKSaI/AAAAAAAABM0/RuCY22gkIWQ/s1600/idiot-driving.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 151px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TDNoNiTKSaI/AAAAAAAABM0/RuCY22gkIWQ/s200/idiot-driving.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490846952449526178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />If you didn't click over to the link (and why bother, really), you only need to read this part:<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">7. Don't Cut</span> - This goes back to grade school, folks. You don't cut in line just because you can get away with it. Imagine that you're in the check out lane of a grocery store and you see a little space between two people ahead of you. Would you simply shove your way into the space with your cart and ignore the others around you? Sometimes, things happen and you have to find your way onto a lane (see #5). When that happens, use your signal and be considerate.</blockquote>Well, we were talking about that very subject on Saturday morning in the car and a few hours later we found ourselves approaching the checkout lady at Wal-mart. We were to be the next in line behind someone who was seconds away from leaving. Lo and behold, from out of nowhere an elderly man <span style="font-weight: bold;">JUMPED IN LINE AHEAD OF HIS</span>--just like I described in the post a few years ago. He really did it! All we could do was laugh and walk over to the next lane where no one was waiting. I may have made some comment to my wife about it out loud so he could hear me and feel like a tool.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Oh, and I suppose I should point out that I plan on a regular return to blogging. Blogging frees my mind and allows me to record some of the strange things that happen in my life. I welcome your comments and I'll be sure to look some of you up as well. </span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://misssniz.blogspot.com/">My wife</a><span style="font-style: italic;"> has also promised to jump back into the blogosphere.</span>Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-77703594339274935192010-06-25T16:01:00.003-04:002010-06-25T16:05:04.469-04:00Look, Mom and Dad...I'm in the Newspaper!Somewhere, there are some mighty proud parents at home, <a href="http://www.indystar.com/article/20100625/BUSINESS/100625004/Pokemon-masters-battle-at-Downtown-convention">reading the newspaper right now</a>...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TCULoew8W1I/AAAAAAAABMs/iqc3nxcLazc/s1600/pokemon-creepy.PNG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 230px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TCULoew8W1I/AAAAAAAABMs/iqc3nxcLazc/s400/pokemon-creepy.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486804511101836114" border="0" /></a>Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-55327163673593031622010-06-10T09:44:00.003-04:002010-06-10T10:27:36.219-04:00A Meme Response<a href="http://boardinginbedlam.blogspot.com/">Arby</a> tagged me last month and I'm just now getting around to a reply. It's simple. All I have to do is repost the first post ever from my blog. Here it is...<br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">November 29, 2006</span><br />The next time you make a trip to a restaurant or even a fast food establishment, tell the person helping you that you want your order served, "granny style" and then slip the waiter a $20 bill.<br /></blockquote>That's a typical post from me today. It sort of goes back to my pre-blog days with <a href="http://dailyjournal.tripod.com/">The Daily Journal (TDJ)</a>. TDJ was a blog long before there were blogs. So, if I want to get really specific, I could post my first entry on TDJ. I didn't write <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> first entry as that belonged to <a href="http://uvulapie.blogspot.com/">Jason</a>. However, I wrote the second entry and it looked like this...<br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight: bold;">June 7, 1998</span><br />If I could be anyone in the world, I would be Miss America. Imagine all of that good will you could share with folks all over the country. Sure, they'd be staring at my breasts and trying to peek up my dress, but I'd still be spreading good will, and that's all that really matters when you're Miss America like me.<br /></blockquote>I'm supposed to pass this on, so I'll ask any of my followers to re-post their first entry as well. And just to make it fun, if you choose to do it, you need to change the subject of the post to an armadillo wearing a parka. Be sure to send me a comment if you posted. Cheers!Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-28565628884497142922010-05-28T14:28:00.004-04:002010-05-28T14:32:13.736-04:00Pictures of Pitchers 1 (or pichers of pichers)If you visit baseball web sites a lot (like me) then you're used to seeing pictures of grown men making silly faces while wearing baseball hats. For some unknown reason, the powers that be like to display pictures of baseball players when they are contorting their faces. When you throw a hard ball at speeds between 90-100 mph, you're bound to look a little goofy. I thought I'd share an installment today. Enjoy.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TAAL-ehBejI/AAAAAAAABMk/43GmW7S9F8Y/s1600/pictures-of-pitchers-1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 123px; height: 309px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/TAAL-ehBejI/AAAAAAAABMk/43GmW7S9F8Y/s400/pictures-of-pitchers-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476390314853890610" border="0" /></a>My favorite is the one in the middle. It looks like he's doing his squirrel impersonation. Nicely done.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-29785520707532492812010-05-26T09:21:00.002-04:002010-05-26T09:25:42.986-04:00What happens on the "STURDY STATION2"?Perhaps Rubbermaid should have thought twice before naming their infant changing station "Sturdy Station2." I snapped a picture of this one at the QDoba on 96th Street in Indianapolis. I don't usually condone vandalism, regardless of how minor it may be, but I might have done this, too.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S_0gi7RNIBI/AAAAAAAABMc/x6XtMhiIQdY/s1600/sTURDy-station2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S_0gi7RNIBI/AAAAAAAABMc/x6XtMhiIQdY/s400/sTURDy-station2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475568506349887506" border="0" /></a><br />Simply removing the "S" and the "Y" on "STURDY" provides an even more appropriate name for a changing station. If you've ever had your little ones in a public place and relied on one of these, you know just what I mean.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-41553442725192520962010-05-21T09:00:00.004-04:002010-05-21T09:05:39.274-04:00From the FAIL! FileWhile planning out a future trip to a Reds baseball game and Ikea using Google Maps, I noticed something strange about the Public Library of Cincinnati...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S_aEsZISOXI/AAAAAAAABMU/pMBjap9FcTg/s1600/cincy-library-FAIL.PNG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S_aEsZISOXI/AAAAAAAABMU/pMBjap9FcTg/s400/cincy-library-FAIL.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5473708295310162290" border="0" /></a>...it's in Kentucky!<br /><br />There's something else silly about it, but I'm still trying to figure it out.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-78043034527455510882010-05-12T14:01:00.002-04:002010-05-12T14:03:37.233-04:00Who's Guilty of Using "Spicy Photos?"Another gem from today's <span style="font-style: italic;">Indianapolis Star</span>. It seems like the newspaper might be guilty as well...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S-rtSOV4cnI/AAAAAAAABMM/Q0RAnXgdYqE/s1600/usa+pics.PNG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S-rtSOV4cnI/AAAAAAAABMM/Q0RAnXgdYqE/s400/usa+pics.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470445594738193010" border="0" /></a>Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-45739417400177564482010-05-07T11:24:00.002-04:002010-05-07T11:26:36.694-04:00Coincidence?Anyone else find this "coincidence" of the airport body scanners (i.e. the ones that let security workers see your ENTIRE body) headline paired with the cheerleaders picture to be odd?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S-QxHZn4JZI/AAAAAAAABME/LdJ6N7Yskmg/s1600/headline-with-image.PNG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 270px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S-QxHZn4JZI/AAAAAAAABME/LdJ6N7Yskmg/s400/headline-with-image.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468549850741613970" border="0" /></a>Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-23531992831410091192010-05-05T12:45:00.003-04:002010-05-05T12:53:31.824-04:00Removed from Email ListI get a TON of emails at work, so I actually take the time to unsubscribe from email lists that I don't wish to be a part of--usually I never signed up for them in the first place, but that's another story. Anyway, I unsubscribed from one such list today and got the following result...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S-Gic4rNdfI/AAAAAAAABL8/brhrQbjjz-g/s1600/unsubscribe-irony.PNG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 251px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S-Gic4rNdfI/AAAAAAAABL8/brhrQbjjz-g/s400/unsubscribe-irony.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467830039738152434" border="0" /></a><br />Irony, anyone?Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-92171529002710758802010-05-04T10:36:00.005-04:002010-05-04T17:22:10.819-04:00Something Unexpected HappenedUsually I reserve this blog for important updates on the random silliness that I see in the world around me. However, today I wish to reflect on something a little more important and personal. Enjoy (or, stop reading--whatever works for you).<br /><br />You may have figured out that I have three children. Just yesterday I was sitting in the living room looking out at our modest little backyard that sits in front of a giant cornfield (yes, I live in Indiana). There were my two "little" girls, ages 11 and 13, jumping and playing on the <a href="http://misssniz.blogspot.com/2010/04/trampolines-tear-making-age-determining.html">trampoline</a>. You could tell by the looks on their faces that not only were they having fun...they love each other and enjoy one another's company. Yet, these two are SO different. Bird (13) is sporty and spunky with tomboy tendencies. She wants to be a fashion designer. Snip (11 1/2) is the girly-girl ballerina who wants to nurture everyone and start being a mother today. It seems like just a year ago they were getting on each others nerves, picking at each other and not wanting to do things together. It honestly brings tears to my eyes to see them together. God has blessed me with two lovely daughters and the blessing seems doubled when I see them together.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-1539493496814634692010-05-03T12:38:00.003-04:002010-05-03T12:57:31.971-04:00America: The Story of P. DiddyLast night the wife and I were watching a very interesting series on <span style="font-style: italic;">The History Channel</span> called, America: The Story of Us. In a nut shell they would follow a time line through the major events of American History and then focus on specific events and people. One minute we'd be watching a re-enactment of the expansion of the Midwest or the Erie Canal (etc.) and the next we'd hear from real-life experts including history professors, researchers, scientists and Sean "P. Diddy" Combs... That's right. I'd get to hear what Sean "P. Diddy Combs" has to say about the subject. While we're at it, throw in Sheryl Crow and a host of other celebrities.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S97_oKgJ0JI/AAAAAAAABLs/jKs1UQUltFE/s1600/America-story-of-us.PNG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 186px; height: 129px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S97_oKgJ0JI/AAAAAAAABLs/jKs1UQUltFE/s400/America-story-of-us.PNG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467088063153426578" border="0" /></a>Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-88003374221241670742010-04-26T09:25:00.004-04:002010-04-26T09:32:42.090-04:00Dance of the Dogs (or...Featuring the Dogs)Here's a great example of what three little girls can do with their ballet training, music, stuffed dogs and a crowd...<br /><br /><object width="445" height="364"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/wtmf6nwXUq4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/wtmf6nwXUq4&hl=en_US&fs=1&rel=0&border=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="445" height="364"></embed></object><br /><br />My daughter, Izzi, is in this video with my niece, Eva. They are better known on this blog as "Snip and Snap." In addition, their little buddy "Lids" is also featured.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-86644137661518448502010-04-21T08:49:00.003-04:002010-04-21T09:09:16.614-04:00Behold, the SITEHAWKI posted this on Facebook the other day and decided I'd put it on the blog, too. The Facebook entry reads like this...<br /><h3 style="text-align: center;" class="GenericStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span id="id_4bcef5078cf645d88a5c2">FACT: If you are selling or leasing commercial property using a company called "<span class="highlight">SITEHAWK</span>" and an actual hawk lands on your <span class="highlight">SITEHAWK</span> sign you will have success in thirty days or less. Look it up.</span></h3><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S870jcQ0-KI/AAAAAAAABLk/y0aRagpvc7U/s1600/sitehawk.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S870jcQ0-KI/AAAAAAAABLk/y0aRagpvc7U/s400/sitehawk.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462572287766362274" border="0" /></a><br />And to quote the late Paul Harvey, here's "the rest of the story..."<br /><br />I was coming back from lunch with some buddies from work and we looked over to see this sign. We've seen it quite a few times in the past, but the presence of the hawk caught our eye. This picture doesn't really do it justice as it was taken with a cell phone camera. The hawk (probably a red-tail) was impressive, to say the least. What are the chances of that happening? Perhaps it's not too much of a stretch since hawks are common here in Central Indiana. It might be like the late Tammy Faye Baker sitting on an Avon cosmetics sign.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-65096930421012414152010-04-20T11:36:00.003-04:002010-04-20T11:40:56.174-04:00Look Out CriminalsAccording to today's <span style="font-style: italic;">Indianapolis Star</span> the bad guys are going to have to pay close attention to some new anti-crime measures...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S83KdLDGi3I/AAAAAAAABLc/oR_7d9o1A9I/s1600/anti-crime-strategy.png"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S83KdLDGi3I/AAAAAAAABLc/oR_7d9o1A9I/s400/anti-crime-strategy.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462244525601098610" border="0" /></a><br />Just wait until some thug gets some warm spaghetti hurled at them. He or she will think twice before they break the law again.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-60607442840303829772010-04-16T12:41:00.006-04:002010-04-16T12:56:41.527-04:00What does she REALLY think about me?My youngest daughter, Izzi (often referred to as "Snip" in this blog) gave me a home-made card to open up while on the airplane as I was headed out west for a week-long business trip. It's a very sweet thing to get this kind of hand-crafted sentiment from such a cute little eleven-year-old girl. Per her instructions, I opened it up and read it while on the plane, cruising at an altitude of about 30,000 feet in the air.<br /><br />For your enjoyment, I've scanned the envelope of the card along with the front and inside (the best part). I also added a picture of my little Izabella ballerina so you can appreciate the source...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S8iVVhN6NOI/AAAAAAAABLU/evSQV7vvmVA/s1600/complete-card-w-pic.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S8iVVhN6NOI/AAAAAAAABLU/evSQV7vvmVA/s400/complete-card-w-pic.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460778745113228514" border="0" /></a>In case you didn't catch that, it reads as follows:<br /><blockquote><br />I love you very much. I hope you are safe. I don't want you to live but I have no choice. I love you sooo much. You are the Best Dad in the world.<br /><br />I Will Miss You.<br /><br />Izabella<br /></blockquote>Contrary to her wishes, I survived the trip.Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-33552711993210481842010-04-13T16:33:00.003-04:002010-04-13T16:37:48.556-04:00Strange HeadlineI just read the following headline from my local online newspaper:<br /><blockquote>Cops seek man with gun at Southside Taco Bell</blockquote>I'm not sure what the deal it, but apparently you can help out the police if you're a man and you have a gun. Just bring it to the Southside Taco Bell and see what you can do to help. Think outside the bun!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S8TWBZI3LNI/AAAAAAAABLM/VZXX-fqTx2A/s1600/taco-bell.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 206px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S8TWBZI3LNI/AAAAAAAABLM/VZXX-fqTx2A/s400/taco-bell.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459723967696153810" border="0" /></a>Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3823507989753857730.post-59711501167215674242010-04-12T11:54:00.003-04:002010-04-12T13:19:47.034-04:00When Harry met Harry...and HerryI work in a small offiice with two guys who are named, "Harry." What are the chances of that? Neither of them actually go by the name, "Harry," as they have adopted nicknames or using their initials as their first name. That probably makes sense. I only bring this up because of yet another bizarre dream I had the other night. Only recently have I begun to actually remember my dreams which gives me something to blog about. Anyway, in the dream I was looking at my birth certificate only to discover that my <span style="font-style: italic;">real</span> first name was...you guessed it..."Harry."<br /><br />Too bad Herry Monster from the Sesame Street of old was not in the dream.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S8NWHyQA7GI/AAAAAAAABLE/xj66QUlpGm8/s1600/herry.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_1Gvm7Ku2J8k/S8NWHyQA7GI/AAAAAAAABLE/xj66QUlpGm8/s400/herry.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459301865051188322" border="0" /></a>Big Doofus (Roger)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05999458545862082302noreply@blogger.com2