I Miss the Communists

I think the biggest problem with America is not Universal Health Care, or the 1%.

Its that we don't have the USSR to focus against. I know, gentle reader that you will point out China, how they subsidize our debt and really have America by the short hairs.

But come on. We're Americans. We love when people (even communists shhh!) give us money. And why should we be afraid of them? They aren't threatening to reign down nuclear fire on us. They have pandas.

How could they be evil 'Yellow Reds'? Evil people don't have pandas. Or goldfish.

No, the Chinese are harmless.

America needs some kind of big, evil menace that they can point too and say 'See - We're not that'. Don't be like that, and we can be awesome together'.

The big menace we have now is terrorism. And 'asymmetrical' enemies that come with terrorism. But - these are all people painted as 'misguided', or idiots. And they all live in caves right? And Homeland Security and the Patriot Act have been working, right? So I don't think we're really worried about terrorists. At least not anymore or less than we are about spiders, or the Bogey Man.

And you can't really point to terrorists without pointing to, or very near to someone who's Muslim or Islamic. And we don't want to offend anyone; we're not bigots. So you can't really "rail" against them. Where's the parade of terrorists surrounded by tanks and nuclear bombs and stern looking leaders? Terrorists just won't work to focus America.

No - We need some kind of arch enemy super power with radical leaders who shout angry things, are easily characterized on SNL, and who easily distinguished as 'different' from us. And it would help if we could think they were godless or evil.

Maybe America doesn't have that kind of foe anymore, but at least we can be that for the rest of the world.

You're welcome World.

Holiday Shopping Online

When I was little, my sister and I used to sit at our Grandmother's kitchen table with the J.C. Penny's catalog, a pencil and paper, and the knowledge that Santa Claus was going to get our letters. In school, every year, there was a Santa's Workshop where we would take our saved money and buy Christmas gifts for our parents, friends and family. Nothing too exotic - I distinctly remember "rabbit's foot" key-chains being a popular choice.

Needless to say - christmas shopping has changed quite a bit for me!

But I hate going to the mall, and I hate wrapping gifts. A few years ago, I started to do ALL of my Christmas shopping online. And I love it.

Most orders are shipped free and there's the option of having it gift wrapped as well. And its convenient.

Whether I'm just getting home from work and I only have a few minutes to shop, or it's a lazy weekend and I don't want to get out of my bathrobe- no worries!

And most times, as a reward to me, I often indulge in an eBook. I mean, I've been good too, right?

Another good way to go, is to buy gift cards. Many people say that they don't like buying gift cards because it feels impersonal. But isn't it the thought that counts? The thought that you are giving a gift that can BE any gift. And it allows the one you're shopping for the freedom to indulge themselves with a purchase they wouldn't ordinarily make, all because of you.

Do yourself a favor this holiday season and simplify your shopping!

RR #6 - Home Decor and Interior Design

Four walls, a floor, and a ceiling. That's pretty much any room, any where.

But what distinguishes that generic room and makes it a place where you want to spend your time?

You do.

It's how you decorate that room that brings it to life and expresses who you are, where you've been, and where you want to go.

Have a penchant for the historic? Maybe you'd like to display this World Map on your wall, and compliment it with this Solid Brass Sextant as a discussion piece to help tie the room together. All the while, lighting and cooling the room with this pewter finish ceiling fan.

Or do you feel like expressing yourself with a bit of quiet charm yet with some exotic elements lurking just beneath the surface? Something that hints at just a little bit, a smidgeon, a taste of thrilling adventure? All while this fan whispers seductively about the mystery and excitement to come.

And just as much as you define a room by how you decorate and display, others in your family or home will define their space in a similar way.

Is there someone in your home preparing for the Zombie Apocalypse? Or a devotee of the Twilight series?

Whatever your tastes, don't be afraid to push the limits on expressing yourself through your surroundings!

Random Review #5 - Star Wars 7

 When I first saw that there was likely going to be a Star Wars 7, I couldn't believe it. 

All the buzz is about The Walt Disney Company acquiring Lucasfilm for just over 4 billion in cash and stocks.

But a new Star Wars? There is already a plethora of published fiction concerning the post 'Return of the Jedi' Star Wars universe. Most notably, the 'Thrawn" series written by Timothy Zahn (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, and The Last Command).

Disney/Lucasfilm has stated that the film would be 'an original story'.

Maybe they will do an 'Old Republic' film set in the distant past of Episode 1. Maybe they will take a page from (or two) from Star Trek and jump into the distant future in a way similar to Star Trek: The Next Generation, or just reboot the series altogether like J.J. Abrams did.

I am definitely looking forward to the film - It could be huge. Fantastic. Awesome.

Or it could just totally suck and ruin the franchise...

RR 3 Baby Supplies

My daughter is just over 4 now and my wife and I were reminiscing the other day about what a wild five years its been!

With Hurricane Sandy ravaging the north east, and reports of all sorts of shortages, the days before the hurricane remind me of how we felt before the baby came. We stocked up on all sorts of supplies, (thanks to the baby shower gifts) equipment, and even preparing a 'special room'.

We had no idea what we would need, or what to expect (despite the almost mandatory What to Expect books) and so we just stocked up, tried to listen to what everyone had to say, did our Lamaze classes (he he he, ho ho ho, he he he) packed a suitcase and thought we were ready.

And then about 4 weeks before the due date, at 3am - ish, BAM. There goes the water, and with it rational thought. I think I remember going to the hospital, to the special 'mommy to be' parking area, but really what I remember is my wife getting prepped for the C-section (long story, but we knew this was the route we were going...), her getting rushed in, having a mask strapped to my ears - blur - and the doc shows me her uterus. I think to myself as I don't pass out, Dude - you need to put that back in there I think... - Blur - We have a daughter!!

And my wife totally didn't expect "breast feeding"... Oh, we were aware of 'nipple confusion', latching, and all of that. She had a coach in the hospital; all good. See, the problem was this, she thought it was going to be "Baby. Boob. Do it. Done" (her words, not mine). Apparently though, there was/is cracking, soreness, and I'm sure a dozen other things that happened nipple-wise that I couldn't begin to imagine. She used this, or something similar. Let me tell you, in case you don't know, 'nipple butter' is not at all what it sounds like.

And stock up on diapers and wipes. The worst realization, when faced with a fully loaded diaper, is that you are out of the needed matériel. And when you do face that fully loaded diaper, be prepared. And be quick. You don't want to go into situation, lose track of what's going on or get thrown off your game plan. THAT gets you peed on.

And there about a million different types of bottles, formulas, and nipples (of varying flows). This will really be up to you and yours to decide. We went with glass bottles and the matching brand of nipples, starting low flow and graduating as needed to higher flows. We went glass because my wife said so. Something to do with sterilization and less germs.

What was the biggest surprise for you? How prepared did you think you were, and how prepared were you really? Leave a post!

 

Random Review 2 - Star Trek Reboot

 

With the new Star Trek Into Darkness release looming in May 2013, I can't resist the urge to say how much I'm looking forward to seeing it. I don't think they've produced anything 'Star Trek' I haven't liked but the re-brand seemed to strike new levels of poignancy, humor, and even romance never before seen in the franchise. 

I think they did a great job with linking the 'old' with the 'new'. I mean, what Trekkie wouldn't buy off on a 'time travel back to a parallel universe' plot twist?

And an introduction sequence to James T Kirk featuring Sabotage by the Beastie Boys... Fantastic. And the image of driving a 1960's Corvette off the cliff (the idea being that the old 60's style star trek is going bye-bye...) AND wrapping in a William Shatner pronunciation of the word that was ... unique? Great. You only need to hear the first 2-5 seconds of the video below to hear it for yourself but it's humorous to hang around until 28-ish seconds.

 

Anyway - looking forward to it!

Random Review #1: The Kindle

  

My Store

I was extremely hesitant at first, to put myself into any type of eBook. I always enjoyed the feel of an actual book. Holding a device to read off just felt unnatural. The I decided to give it a try.

My eBook choice was the Kindle. I also purchased the cover for both the reading light, and to protect the device. The best part about the cover actually turned out to be the 'feel' of the Kindle in the cover. It felt just like an actually book. I can't wait to try the Kindle Fire HD too!

It was very easy to set up an account, make my first purchase, and start reading.

If you're looking for a basic e Reader, your best bet would be to try an first, if you have a smart phone.

I have only used the iPhone app. I found it to be very convenient to use. There is a ton of media to choose from at Amazon.

A personal favorite of mine is the 'Wheel of Time' series by Robert Jordan and Brian Sanderson.



All of these items can be found in the 'Kindle' section of 'My Store' up above.

If you enjoyed the review, please like or share it. Thanks!

Have fun!