http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21471941/
I hate this... so much. There are so many good things there (elimination of the AMT) and so many bad things. Do you know what 4% of 200K is? $8000. That's how much EXTRA someone who makes $200,001 will pay than someone who makes $199,999. Ridiculous. I hate this... so much.
By the way, my wife and I do not make more than $200,000... but may in the future. BASTA!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Reunion Madness
So, fun times were had by all those I spoke to after the 10 year Mechburg reunion.
Highlights included:
(1) Realizing (and I say this with all due respect and humility), I was one of the more successful Mechburg graduates in attendance.
(2) Realizing (and I say this with no respect or humility), I am still one of the more intelligent Mechburg graduates from 1997. This includes my friend Steve, who, for some reason, got so drunk he tackled another friend's wife, compared the weight of said friend's wife with my wife's weight, and then spilled ice on my wife (at which time, it was time to go).
(3) Watching people not recognize Joe. This may have been my number one favorite thing. The guy is the same person as he was in high school, perhaps more world-wizened, but otherwise basically the same. He just looks different. But, seriously, so much fun.
(4) Watching an old flame try to avoid me and my wife and play games that she played in high school/college (a/k/a "I'll ignore Nick and then maybe he'll fawn over me"). And me not caring or playing in return. And then the interaction between her and my wife. Priceless. Let's just say, I thank the lord that I'm with who I'm with.
(5) Watching the curmumdeonly Guadeloupe work the room like Bill Clinton. He really needs to run for office. "Dude, I don't want to go to the damn reunion." Sure, Andrew, sure... whatever you say buddy.
(6) Talking to a girl from school who I didn't remember except that I knew she ran track in high school and she was short and skinny... in high school. She was about my size and played the same rugby position as me. Oh, and she said something about how her fiancee hooked up with someone on her rugby team... wow, that was uncomfortable.
(7) Let me put it this way... there's a girl from my class who has posed naked. She was there. And we weren't being coy about identifying her.
Anyway, it was a great time. Good to see people I haven't seen in years. Even my wife had a great time.
Highlights included:
(1) Realizing (and I say this with all due respect and humility), I was one of the more successful Mechburg graduates in attendance.
(2) Realizing (and I say this with no respect or humility), I am still one of the more intelligent Mechburg graduates from 1997. This includes my friend Steve, who, for some reason, got so drunk he tackled another friend's wife, compared the weight of said friend's wife with my wife's weight, and then spilled ice on my wife (at which time, it was time to go).
(3) Watching people not recognize Joe. This may have been my number one favorite thing. The guy is the same person as he was in high school, perhaps more world-wizened, but otherwise basically the same. He just looks different. But, seriously, so much fun.
(4) Watching an old flame try to avoid me and my wife and play games that she played in high school/college (a/k/a "I'll ignore Nick and then maybe he'll fawn over me"). And me not caring or playing in return. And then the interaction between her and my wife. Priceless. Let's just say, I thank the lord that I'm with who I'm with.
(5) Watching the curmumdeonly Guadeloupe work the room like Bill Clinton. He really needs to run for office. "Dude, I don't want to go to the damn reunion." Sure, Andrew, sure... whatever you say buddy.
(6) Talking to a girl from school who I didn't remember except that I knew she ran track in high school and she was short and skinny... in high school. She was about my size and played the same rugby position as me. Oh, and she said something about how her fiancee hooked up with someone on her rugby team... wow, that was uncomfortable.
(7) Let me put it this way... there's a girl from my class who has posed naked. She was there. And we weren't being coy about identifying her.
Anyway, it was a great time. Good to see people I haven't seen in years. Even my wife had a great time.
Friday, October 19, 2007
They Need to Make This Movie!!!
Exclamation points indicate emphasis.
So, go to this link:
http://halo3.msn.com
And enjoy the wonderfulness that is Halo. Let me tell you, between the ridiculously spine-tingling advertisement for Halo 3 and this short length movie, Halo is rising in my book. If anything, they need to do a TV show. I read that the Halo movie got cut for going over budget ($136 million). Do they have any idea that if they just use the story in the games, the movie will be chock full of goodness? Stupid Hollywood.
So, go to this link:
http://halo3.msn.com
And enjoy the wonderfulness that is Halo. Let me tell you, between the ridiculously spine-tingling advertisement for Halo 3 and this short length movie, Halo is rising in my book. If anything, they need to do a TV show. I read that the Halo movie got cut for going over budget ($136 million). Do they have any idea that if they just use the story in the games, the movie will be chock full of goodness? Stupid Hollywood.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
What Kind of Music is This?
I've been trying to figure out if these bands are rock, folk, some combination of the two, maybe punk, maybe emo (blech)... Maybe YOU can help!
Modest Mouse (emo?), The Killers (garage rock), Wolfmother (arena rock?), Smog (industrial metal?), Kings of Leon (emo?). I don't know.
The problem (and by problem, I do not mean to liken this to, say, the war in Iraq) is this - I really have gotten into these bands lately (adult rock? adult alternative) and I guess my music tastes have evolved somewhat. Let's go through history with a sampling of my favorite bands:
(1) Pre-High School - Genesis, Eric Clapton, Doors, Led Zeppelin, basically whatever my parents' listened to (yes, my parents have good taste in music)
(2) 9th/10th grade - Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre, Pearl Jam - grunge and rap. What a combo
(3) 11th/12th grade - Korn, Helmet, Clutch, Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Dr. Octagon (and his ilk), White Zombie, Rage against the Machine - heavier metal, rap, electronica (or whatever it's called). Influence by friends (the metal by Joe and Guadalupe, the electronica by 2Pure) takes precedence here. I still listen to most of this.
(4) College - Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Tool, and all the metal and rap groups listed above. I stopped with the electronica nonsense. Listened to more "college" music. Got very much into songs, rather than bands and/or albums. Things like the Thong Song and that song with the lyrics "North Carolina, c'mon and raise up, take your shirt off, twist it round your hand, spin it like a helicopter." This is when I learned that I am actually a good dancer.
(5) Law school - Tool, Lloyd Banks, and a bunch of bands you've never heard of. With the evolution of my younger brother's band and music tastes, I got into some other stuff. Like punk, like folk. Interesting stuff. My roommate in law school was in to rap music (specifically Eminem, 50 Cent, and Lloyd Banks... which necessitated my liking that music... I could write a book on my lawschool roommate, but suffice it to say, he was from Allentown, wore Sean Jean, drank a ton of beer, and was like #3 in his law school class... very interesting guy). Anyway, I digress...
(6) Post-Law school - Queen, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Alkaline Trio, those bands I listed first, Led Zeppelin, 90s rock, Pearl Jam, Clutch, some others. This is very eclectic... thanks to Yahoo Music, which, really, I should get money for plugging so much. I'm just listening to everything theses days.
After reading all that nonsense, what is the point? I think my point is that the bands I listen to now are similar to what I've listened to my whole life. I don't listen to much rap anymore, excepting Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang, Lloyd Banks, Snoop, and the old school kind of rap. I hate any new "poppy" music. I listen to classic rock (but my tastes there lie with Zeppelin, Queen, Clapton/Cream, Genesis... that's about it). I love the industrial metal/bluesy rock (Clutch, Tool, et. al.). I also like the weird-rock that comes out now and again (The Killers, Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, Alkaline Trio, etc.). So, the point is that my tastes in music have not really evolved (I would argue that is because I had great taste in music to begin with), except that I've gotten rid of a lot of the bunk I used to listen to (like Petey Pablo and Dr. Octagon). It's always interesting to talk about the music tastes of people. My brother is a great example (he's obsessed with folksy rock and punk). Another great example is my wife (Beatles, Police... that's about it). Not sure if there's a place where you can go, input some names of bands, and then the place determines what kind of person you are. THAT would be interesting.
Modest Mouse (emo?), The Killers (garage rock), Wolfmother (arena rock?), Smog (industrial metal?), Kings of Leon (emo?). I don't know.
The problem (and by problem, I do not mean to liken this to, say, the war in Iraq) is this - I really have gotten into these bands lately (adult rock? adult alternative) and I guess my music tastes have evolved somewhat. Let's go through history with a sampling of my favorite bands:
(1) Pre-High School - Genesis, Eric Clapton, Doors, Led Zeppelin, basically whatever my parents' listened to (yes, my parents have good taste in music)
(2) 9th/10th grade - Snoop Dog and Dr. Dre, Pearl Jam - grunge and rap. What a combo
(3) 11th/12th grade - Korn, Helmet, Clutch, Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang Clan, Prodigy, Chemical Brothers, Dr. Octagon (and his ilk), White Zombie, Rage against the Machine - heavier metal, rap, electronica (or whatever it's called). Influence by friends (the metal by Joe and Guadalupe, the electronica by 2Pure) takes precedence here. I still listen to most of this.
(4) College - Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, Tool, and all the metal and rap groups listed above. I stopped with the electronica nonsense. Listened to more "college" music. Got very much into songs, rather than bands and/or albums. Things like the Thong Song and that song with the lyrics "North Carolina, c'mon and raise up, take your shirt off, twist it round your hand, spin it like a helicopter." This is when I learned that I am actually a good dancer.
(5) Law school - Tool, Lloyd Banks, and a bunch of bands you've never heard of. With the evolution of my younger brother's band and music tastes, I got into some other stuff. Like punk, like folk. Interesting stuff. My roommate in law school was in to rap music (specifically Eminem, 50 Cent, and Lloyd Banks... which necessitated my liking that music... I could write a book on my lawschool roommate, but suffice it to say, he was from Allentown, wore Sean Jean, drank a ton of beer, and was like #3 in his law school class... very interesting guy). Anyway, I digress...
(6) Post-Law school - Queen, Tool, A Perfect Circle, Alkaline Trio, those bands I listed first, Led Zeppelin, 90s rock, Pearl Jam, Clutch, some others. This is very eclectic... thanks to Yahoo Music, which, really, I should get money for plugging so much. I'm just listening to everything theses days.
After reading all that nonsense, what is the point? I think my point is that the bands I listen to now are similar to what I've listened to my whole life. I don't listen to much rap anymore, excepting Cypress Hill, Wu-Tang, Lloyd Banks, Snoop, and the old school kind of rap. I hate any new "poppy" music. I listen to classic rock (but my tastes there lie with Zeppelin, Queen, Clapton/Cream, Genesis... that's about it). I love the industrial metal/bluesy rock (Clutch, Tool, et. al.). I also like the weird-rock that comes out now and again (The Killers, Kings of Leon, Modest Mouse, Alkaline Trio, etc.). So, the point is that my tastes in music have not really evolved (I would argue that is because I had great taste in music to begin with), except that I've gotten rid of a lot of the bunk I used to listen to (like Petey Pablo and Dr. Octagon). It's always interesting to talk about the music tastes of people. My brother is a great example (he's obsessed with folksy rock and punk). Another great example is my wife (Beatles, Police... that's about it). Not sure if there's a place where you can go, input some names of bands, and then the place determines what kind of person you are. THAT would be interesting.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
See, This is What I'm Talking About
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21272238/
The article tries to ascertain what is middle class? For example, middle class is considered a couple that makes about $100,000 a year. In case you didn't realize, the Democrats are mandating tax increases for persons making more than about $150,000 a year (see my proof in previous postings). So, are the Dems advocating raising taxes on the middle class? Of course not, they only want to raise taxes on the rich. Please.
This is why I do not understand why people in the middle class (or anyone for that matter) falls for the half-truths of the Democratic Party. They want to raise taxes on the middle class, not cut them. I guess it depends on how you define middle class. I guess "middle class" as defined by one party based on the 1950s definition. Gotta love politics.
The article tries to ascertain what is middle class? For example, middle class is considered a couple that makes about $100,000 a year. In case you didn't realize, the Democrats are mandating tax increases for persons making more than about $150,000 a year (see my proof in previous postings). So, are the Dems advocating raising taxes on the middle class? Of course not, they only want to raise taxes on the rich. Please.
This is why I do not understand why people in the middle class (or anyone for that matter) falls for the half-truths of the Democratic Party. They want to raise taxes on the middle class, not cut them. I guess it depends on how you define middle class. I guess "middle class" as defined by one party based on the 1950s definition. Gotta love politics.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Irish Music and Stephen King
No, they are not related (that I know of).
I've taken to listening to Irish music, mostly for the bagpipes. Of course, Dropkick Murphy is in my regular rotation, but so is Van Morrison (who knew?) and Silly Wizard. Not so much rocking like Dropkick Murphy, but celtic to the core.
Stephen King... let's just say your great opus, The Dark Tower, is ending on quite a whimper. While it is not entirely fair to say, as I haven't finished the last book, you spent a lot of time developing a lot of plotlines and themes in the previous six books, but in this one you wrap things up in a rather slapdash (and extremely quick way). SPOILER ALERT. Why are you killing off two major characters (so far) within 100 pages of each other? I don't care about killing off these characters, in fact I like when writers unexpectedly do so. But, for the love of Roland, it seems to slapdash (I like that word today). Additionally, when you address the reader directly with phrases like "Would it surprise you to know..." it turns me off. Especially when you use that particular phrase at least three times. Tell the freaking story dude. My final gripe is this - develop some backstory. We need some sort of "origins" story or perhaps, like Tolkein, you can do another book describing the history of the world (but, please, make it better than Tolkein's).
I will spend the evening working, listening to Irish music, and reading the Dark Tower and trying not to put the book down before finishing.
One more thing... can I get some Greek music on Yahoo music??? I'm in an ethnic mood. All I can hear is Irish tunes and Punjabi MC... give me some Greek music!!!
I've taken to listening to Irish music, mostly for the bagpipes. Of course, Dropkick Murphy is in my regular rotation, but so is Van Morrison (who knew?) and Silly Wizard. Not so much rocking like Dropkick Murphy, but celtic to the core.
Stephen King... let's just say your great opus, The Dark Tower, is ending on quite a whimper. While it is not entirely fair to say, as I haven't finished the last book, you spent a lot of time developing a lot of plotlines and themes in the previous six books, but in this one you wrap things up in a rather slapdash (and extremely quick way). SPOILER ALERT. Why are you killing off two major characters (so far) within 100 pages of each other? I don't care about killing off these characters, in fact I like when writers unexpectedly do so. But, for the love of Roland, it seems to slapdash (I like that word today). Additionally, when you address the reader directly with phrases like "Would it surprise you to know..." it turns me off. Especially when you use that particular phrase at least three times. Tell the freaking story dude. My final gripe is this - develop some backstory. We need some sort of "origins" story or perhaps, like Tolkein, you can do another book describing the history of the world (but, please, make it better than Tolkein's).
I will spend the evening working, listening to Irish music, and reading the Dark Tower and trying not to put the book down before finishing.
One more thing... can I get some Greek music on Yahoo music??? I'm in an ethnic mood. All I can hear is Irish tunes and Punjabi MC... give me some Greek music!!!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Monday, October 08, 2007
More News You Can't Use
(1) I am going to the 10-year high school reunion. Maybe it will be a good time. Basically, it hinges on whether Guadalupe goes. If he goes, all is right with the world. I'm only partially kidding and I think Norris and I strong-armed him into going. Not sure if Keke is going (i.e. bringing her fiancee, who I have yet to meet).
(2) Runaways was okay. I don't mean to imply that I did not like the series. It just wasn't as good as I thought it would be.
(3) I'm waiting for the Dark Tower to come out in hardcover format, in which case I will purchase it and cherish it (once I've finished reading the actual series).
(4) I play Marvel: Ultimate Alliance as Spiderman, Iron Man, Hulk, and Wolverine (to be replaced by Daredevil). I also enjoyed the Marvel X-Men Legends games. Beat them a while ago, but they are quite fun.
(2) Runaways was okay. I don't mean to imply that I did not like the series. It just wasn't as good as I thought it would be.
(3) I'm waiting for the Dark Tower to come out in hardcover format, in which case I will purchase it and cherish it (once I've finished reading the actual series).
(4) I play Marvel: Ultimate Alliance as Spiderman, Iron Man, Hulk, and Wolverine (to be replaced by Daredevil). I also enjoyed the Marvel X-Men Legends games. Beat them a while ago, but they are quite fun.
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