Public Restrooms

The other night, my wife and I went to a movie and then dinner. The movie was "Must Love Dogs" with John Kusack. It wasn't quite what I expected nor as good. It was a cross between "You've Got Mail" and "Serendipity", also staring John Kusack.

Alas, I digress. Back to the story. While at dinner, I found myself needing to use the restroom. So I circumnavigated the restaurant to find my intended destination and opened the door and searched for the urinal. When I found it, I was puzzled by what I saw. It was an ordinary urinal with all the standard features that one would expect one to have and appeared to be in working order. What made this one stand out from others that I have used and seen was the fact that bottom of the urnial was just below my waist. I am not a short guy. I am just over 6ft tall. So, in order for me to use this urnial in the intended manner, I would have to stand on my tippy toes and pee in an upwardly direction...not a normal practice for me. In other words, it was mounted so high on the wall, that I would have to have been at least 6in. taller to use it properly. They could have mounted it lower and still accomidate taller people. I don't quite understand the reasoning behind the positioning of it, but I didn't feel the urge to ask.

Why can't they just use the ones that go all the way to the floor. That way it can be reached by guys of different heighths, peeing styles and mental capacities and not force to use the toilet in the stall which should not be used for stand-up urinating in a public application because of possible collateral damage so to speak and rendering it useless for sitdown missions.

This is One Man's Opinion

Generators

Every year, when a major hurrican is about to hit the coast of the United States, the news media is there giving us wall to wall coverage. We have all seen the "brave" weatherman (or just the guy that drew the short straw) in a yellow rain suit standing out in the storm with his microphone in had trying to describe what it is like in 60+mph wind and rain.

Before it hits, they cover the evacuation operations and show people boarding up windows preparing for the storm. They interview people who are leaving, asking them where they are going and if they are afraid their house will be damaged when they get back.

But one thing I hear every time, one comment from a citizen that occours every time a hurrican hits. Even last year when four hit Florida in a row. I don't understand this comment. Maybe it is because I do not live there and live where things like this or other natural disasters do not occur.

The comment that bothers me is when someone says that they had to drive to the next town to find a generator or that there was a rush at the hardware store to buy generators. What, they didn't buy one the last four times? Or did they buy one, but need a different one for this particular hurricane. What happened to the one they bought the last hurricane? I would think that if you lived where the treat of hurrican is always there, people would already have a generator or a plan of escape.

I am not going to say these people are stupid, but come on. Every time, the news goes through the same old story, same lines, same consultants. And when they talk to people in the path of the hurricane, it is the same story every time. I had to search everywhere for a generator.

Well, there it is. I am watching Fox News and there is the weather man standing in the rain trying to describe how hard the rain is falling and how hard the wind is. His rain suit is yellow. I don't know why it bothers me. Maybe because it seems just so stupid. It is a HURRICANE! Of course the wind is blowing. Of course it is raining. Of course the waves are pounding.

Ok. That is enough of my ranging

This is One Man's Opinion

Bathing Suits

This 4th of July, pretty much like every 4th of July, my oldest brother is having a pool party. Standard stuff. Meat on the grill, chips, beans and varied other dishes and desserts.

We all go the standard email invite, but for some odd reason this morning when I read it while printing out directions, I noticed a comment at the end of the email.

...don't forget bathing suits.

Maybe it is because I didn't have a good night's sleep or maybe I am just odd, but a bathing suit. A bathing suit for swimming? If you wear a bathing suit to go swimming, what do you wear to go bathing? A swim suit? I know, I am beating a dead horse. Every standup comic has probably tackled this question already.

I should stop trying to figure this out or I will give myself a headache.

This is One Man's Opinion.

PS. What about a woman's pants suit? Why can't they call it just a suit like men do. Do women have other kinds of suits that don't involve pants?

Perfect

If this story related to the Surpreme Court's decision on property rights is true, it would be perfect justice.

This is One Man's Opinion

Wierd Dream

Yesterday morning I had a wierd dream. As with most of my dreams, I most of it I can't really remember, but for a small portion.

It this particular instance, I remember being at my parents house and hearing a crash, like a car accident. So, as I do in real life, I ran out to the corner to see if indeed it was a car accident. When I ran out of the house, my father (who passed away two years ago), wearing pajamas and a robe was out by the mailbox and started running along with me. Knowing that he was not in good health, I told him to stop and I would investigate and return and let him know what I found out. So he did.

When I reached the corner, I saw no accident, but I did see some debris in the middle of the road which appeard to be large pieces of glass that were smoothe.

The street, unlike in real life, on one side had small shops and stores and on the other side were houses. There were numerous people walking and standing. In the front yards of the houses were what appeared to be yard sales. So I went and looked around.

Then the alarm went off and of course, I lost it.

I have heard people try and explain to me what certain things in dreams are supposed to mean and that you can learn to change your dreams as they happen. I have always had the opinion that what happens in a dream has no meaning in real life.

I had dreams when I was married to my first wife that she left me for another, and that is what happened in real life.

I had a dream that my current wife had a baby, and a few days later she communicated to me that she was pregnant.

But, I also, as everyone has, have had things happen in my dreams that never ended up happening and thankfully so. I wouldn't want to be trapped in my parents house with a giant dinosaur right outside or going in their back yard and getting shot at by WWII Japaneese troops.

This is One Man's Dreams

Strange Coincidence

Tuesday morning, I woke up thinking about the late '70s Sci-Fi movie "Logan's Run" . I don't know why, but it stuck in my mind for a few hours. I haven't seen it in a few years and was thinking maybe looking for it at the used book store.

Later that night about 11pm, I, to my amazment, saw the the beginning scene of "Logan's Run". I couldn't believe it. So, I just had to stay up till 1am watching it.

Crazy. Did I in some way, by thinking of the movie, cause it to be shown? Or was it just a crazy coincidence?

I don't know. But, this has happened with other movies in the past. Talking about a movie with my wife or relative or friend and then the next day see it on TV. I wonder if this has happened to others.

Maybe I have special powers.

This is One Man's Opinion

Shopping at the Mall

Today we took the kids to the mall to escape the heat. Overall the outing went without any problems. They got to see the puppies at the pet store and play at the child play area.

During our trip through the mall, my wife and 9yr old daughter went into to one of those bath and body stores with all that smell good stuff. I stayed outside with the stroller and the other three kids. As I stood there waiting for them to come out, I looked around and didn't see a store near by for me to go in.

I think it should be manditory that in malls, across from all the women friendly stores, there should be a guy friendly store. Like across from this bed and bath store they should have to put a Radio Shack, a store that sells tools, or computer store. That way, guys wouldn't have to go in the women friendly store or stand outside looking stupid. I don't know. Just something I thought of while standing outside looking stupid.

This is One Man's Opinion.

Things I Just Read About

I saw this article on the Drudge Report. "Scientists" are always coming out with some study that shows one food or another causes cancer. I am sure that they could find that in the refining process oatmeal becomes cancer causing.

A real important news alert! Tom Cruise proposes to Katie Holms! What a joke. This whole romance thing between them is a joke. There is no way they will end up getting married. It is a match made in Hollywood, meaning that if they do get married it will be for a very short time and the whole thing played out in the tabloids.

A must read letter from a soldier in Iraq.

This is One Man's Opinion

Sean Penn, Reporter

I read an article in Editor and Publisher where Sean Penn was in Iran interviewing their presidential frontrunner.

I guess since he can't get a job as an actor he decided to try another job he is unqualified for...newspaper reporter. I guess that shows how low their hiring standards are.

Then again, nothing surprising from a town like San Francisco.

Cheapskate

The moral of the story: Before you buy a mop, make sure it fits in your bucket.

A while back, I decided I needed a new mop. The model I am currently using, just doesn't do a good job and I have to bend over too much. So, being poor and a cheapskate, I decided to look for one at the 99 cents store.

Well, I found one that seemed like it would work, so I purchased it and went home, excited, to use the new mop.

I swept the kitchen floor, filled the bucket with warm water and cleaner and excitedly put the mop in the bucket. Just then, I realized that the mop was wider than the bucket I had. My heart sank. All those dreams I had of using a different mop just flushed down the drain. Well, not to worry too much, I could just get a wider bucket...wrong. In the process of trying to get the mop in the bucket, I broke the bottom part off with a snap!

There went 99 cents of my hard earned money! Next time, I am going to measure the mop first.

This is One Man's Opinion!

Star Wars Question

For Chirstmas I recieved the box set of the first Star Wars Trilogy. While I have seen all many times, I sometimes see things that don't make sense that I have not noticed before.

For instance, in "A New Hope", the first Star Wars movie, towards the end of the movie when Luke is in his X-wing fighter in the trench preparing to destroy the Death Star, Darth Vader is hot on his tail. Luke, with no Jedi training, turns off his targeting computer and uses the Force to fire his torpedos. Meanwhile, Vader, a powerful trained Jedi master of the dark side of the Force, has to rely on the targeting computer in his fighter to fire on Luke and others.

That doesn't make much sense to me. Was it a laps in story continuity or purposeful by Lucas?

I believe it was sloppy writing/direction. I still like the movie though and will continue to watch it many more times.

This is One Man's Opinion

Former Presidents Join Forces

I saw a clip on the news this morning about former President Bush and former President Clinton have joined forces to solict private donations to aid areas devastated by the tsunami in the Indian Ocean.

They showed Bush Sr. speak about how it feels good to give and feels good to help out.

I have a problem with that. Give because it makes you feel good? You give because it is the right thing to do. I believe that people should live their life, as much as possible, doing things because it is the right thing to do, not because it makes us feel good.

I think a lot of the "Hollywood" types give because it makes them feel good...possibly out of guilt for having so much money...and becasue it makes them look good to others and the media.

This is One Man's Opinion

One of Many...

A must read

This is one of many similar voices that we will never hear about in the mainstream media.

I read another story I really wish I had the link to, but don't. It was about a soldier in Iraq who was in a situation where he and his men were wounded and one killed by a terrorist who pretended to be dead and blew himself up and the soldiers around him. The soldier in charge was getting medical attention when the medic said that he had been shot in his arm. The soldier informed the medic that he had that since the day before and treated it himself so he could continue on with his men.

Another story was a letter from a son to his father that said when his unit was going through the town house to house clearing out the terrorists, they found stacks of blankets in the houses with notes saying for the US forces that the blankets and things were for them and many of the notes thanked them for what they were doing and wished them well.

What you do hear about is how a Marine made a split second decision in a combat situation believing he was saving his live and those of his buddies and is villified for it.

It makes me sick how people spit on the military when they have never picked up a weapon, left their friends and loved ones to stand in the line of fire to defend others while risking their lives.

There was a picture in the media of a battle worn soldier having a smoke. People complained that it should not have been shown because he was smoking and it would send the wrong message to young people. Give me a break. The just spend how many days dodging bullits and who knows what else, watching his buddies get wounded and killed and he takes a smoke break and people have a fit. Unbeliveable

I Don't Get It!

I don't understand all this outpouring of sympathy and sadness for the death of a murderer and a terrorist and all around dirt bag. I personally am happy that he finally has taken a dirt nap. I wish he would have taken one years ago.

I guy at my work was offended that I was happy with his death. HE said that Israel and the United States were the real terrorists. But, what could I expect from an extreme liberal who hates this country.

I couldn't believe when my wife told me that at least one of the TV stations was going to broadcast Arafat's funeral. I just don't get it. He was an evil, ruthless, murdering thug and all these people are shedding tears for him.

They should all be happy that he is worm food. Now maybe there might be a chance for peace. Although I don't think that the palastinians should have anything.

This is just one man's opinion...but should be many peoples opinion.

I am back!

Let me start of by saying that after about two months I finally have internet again. I am sorry that I haven't posted since then, but it couldn't be helped.

Now, for the good news. My wife gave birth by c-section to a baby girl on September 28, 2004. Of course I was by her side in the operating room. This is our third child together. Everythign went well even though we had an scare early on in her pregnancy about her fluid level being too low. Well, the doctor said that in doing the c-section, there was very little fluid as shown on the many ultrasounds.

The baby is now a month old now and doing fine, and as my sons did when they were babies, causing me a lack of sleep.

Those of you who have children can relate to this. No matter how I prepared for the delivery, I was very nervous during the procedure. And as with my sons, when I heard the baby cry for the first time, I started crying. There is no better sound in this world, than that of your baby's first cry.

Well, I have to get some sleep before she wakes again. I have been trying to share the early hour feedings because my wife has started work again and deserves to get some sleep. Besides, I don't mind falling asleep at the computer at my work. Just as long as the boss doesn't catch me.

Another Four

I am so glad that this election is finally over. No more political ads on tv and we don't have to listen to John F'in Kerry (Lurch)ever again. Maybe Michael Moor will crawl back under the rock where he came from or even better, move to France with all the other worthless trash.

To all those George Bush haters out there: HA HA! Losers!

This is one man's opinion. Wait, this is 54 million+ people's opinion.

Olympic Joke

I have read a few news articles about how this year's Olympics has a very low turnout. Not many people are going to the events. Maybe it is the fear of terrorist activity, maybe it was a holiday or something else.

I believe there are two reasons people are not going to see or watch on TV, the Olympic Games. First is, they keep adding stupid events, like badmitton. Whats up with that? Badmitton is not a sport. It is an activity. Just like golf. Next thing you know they will be adding golf as a new Olympic sport. There are too many stupid events, and the only show a few on TV.

Second, there is no more big rivalry. Since President Reagan ended the cold war, there is no East vs West, Capitalism vs Communisim, Good vs Evil. The classic struggle that attracted so many to the games in previous years is no longer there. And there are no heros of the games anymore either...like Bruce Jenner, Mark Spitz and others. No one really knows about these atheletes before the games.

This is one man's opinion.

Where are the Farms?

I work in an industrial area outside Phoenix. There is a major train line going through the area, lots of industrial buildings almost surrounded by farm land. When I drive to work I see these big signs posted on that farm land advertising it for sale for industrial or homes. It saddens me that to think of how the area looked when I was younger and my parents used to take us for drives and you could see mostly farms out there and now it is full of housing developments and industrial areas going up as fast as could be.

Is there going to be some point where there won't be enough farms to support our needs? Will someone step in before that happens? It is almost the same as in South American and Africa where they cut down the rain forest to make room for people and their cattle or farms. We are doing the same, but instead of farms and cattle, we are putting houses and factories.

It makes me sad to see the land being gobbled up in this way. But, where else are people going to live? Maybe in the future we will have a society like in the 70's movie 'Logan's Run'.

This is one man's opinion.

What?

Well, the other day I was watching the news and they said that a child was found floating at the bottom of the pool. I never really thought about it before, but that is an oxy moron. You can't float and be at the bottom of the pool.

I would think that the news media would be too smart to word it like that. But, to quote a famous person: 'oxy moron is as oxy moron does.'

This is one man's opinion.

Wash Me

While on the way home yesterday I happened to notice on the back of the car in front of me. Someone, in a random act of kindness designed to inform the owner of the vehicle that their car needed a cleaning, wrote with their finger on the dirty window, "wash me" along with a smiley face.

How thoughtful of them because the person that drives the car every day is mentally incapable of realizing that their car is dirty to the point of needing a cleaning.

That is one of the stupidest things. People who do this kind of thing should be beat down. They show their unworthyness of procreation.

"Look world! Look how stupid I am. I am going to write 'wash me' on a car window because I am such a helpful person."

Maybe it is dirty because the owner just doesn't give a shit. In any case, they don't need an aspiring rocket scientist to put their hands on their car to scribe a message to inform them or force them to wash the car.

These people should move to France along with all the other mental midgets.

This is one man's opinion.