Sometimes I get these incredible feelings about the future. I see things happening as a consequence of this weak economy. I am neither an expert on the subject, nor I pretend to be. Let us say I try to see it in a logical way and that I have the virtue, among all my mistakes, of directing my instincts instead of letting them flow on a mere emotional basis. In other words, I think. Excuse me for my arrogance.
Given that introduction and without further adieu (ado?), like it is routinely said, here are my PREDICTABLE PREDICTIONS:
1. Gas will hit the $4.00 a gallon average price before Labor Day
2. The remaining of 2008 will bring more foreclosures to the point of
creating an economical chaos in the country. Various Banks will lay off
thousands of employees, which will cause a domino reaction in other
related fields, thus contributing to a dramatic increase in the
unemployment rate. At least to 7%, although we will be told that
it is no more than 5%.
3. All food products will average a 15% increase, at least through May
2009, with Milk, vegetables and fruits suffering the highest hike to
about 25%
4. The following stores will be either reducing their presence or going out
of business in the next 9 to 12 months:
Albertson's Supermarkets
Miami Subs
Gateway Personal Computers
Blockbusters
Carvel Ice Cream Parlors
Bealls
Best Buy
Joann's Craft Stores
Little Caesar Pizzerias
5. Most USA airlines will be charging extra for window and aisle seats.
Duh!
I have more in my list but enough with depressing news. Now some
good predictions, although totally unrelated to the economy, or should
I say...Precisely because they have nothing to do with the economy?:
1. There will be no major hurricanes to worry about in Florida from June
through December 2008
2. The housing market will begin its recuperation around April of 2010.
It will be a gradual improvement, which will reach its zenith sometime
during 2014. However this recovery at its highest point will be at
least 5% below the overinflated house market we experienced before
we started the plunge.
3. At least 50 % of our troops in Iraq will start the return home in the fall
of 2009. That in itself is a victory, although no one can define what is
victory in that war/invasion.
4. Both the Miami Heat and the New York Knicks will be in contention
for the playoffs during the 2008-2009 season. Laugh all you want.
5. This one is more believable...The Yankees will finally win it all in
2008. Sorry Mets fans!
6. I, therefore predict that Yankees fans are now liking me; while Mets
fans think I am an asshole. I can take it.
We now come to the end of my predictions with a Grand Finale...
I predict that no matter how bad Obama or Hillary may perform during their mandate, either one will make us forget George W. Bush. Thank God! (Yes, I am discarding McCain. Please! You didn't think I was going to predict he would be our next President!)
THE END
Friday, April 18, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
DEEP THOUGHTS
I am aware that George Carlin is the master of "quotes", thus I will not even attempt to come close, but here are some of my "deep thoughts".
1. If the Market drops 300 points, why are those morons up there
applauding at closing time?
2. If Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation is now considered useless and no
longer adviced (The latest report says that only CPR should be applied
to victims)...can someone caught giving mouth to mouth be sued for
sexual harassment?
3. If the excuse given by the big oil companies on their profits is that they
are looking for the welfare of their share holders...should we make
those shareholders pay $5.00 for a gallon of gas and reduce the rest of
the citizens cost to $3.00/gal.?
4. If an item costs $999.99...why do we get a rebate after purchase of
$50.00, and not of $49.99?
5. If most basketball games are won in the last 3 minutes....why don't
we just turn the TV on to watch say...only the last 5 minutes?
6. If a razor blade is so good that it can last forever (TV commercial tells
us "you don't need to buy another one ever!")...why do they tell you
"You get the second one for free?"
7. If the doctor prescribes a medicine for dizziness...why does the label
indicates "warning, it may cause drowsiness".
8. If the newest photo cameras are called "Digital"...what did we use to
press the button on the old cameras? Was it not a finger, also known as
a digit?
9. If we are worried about security in our country...why do we keep all our
forces in other countries?
and...
10 If we only use our feet in 2 isolated occasions (field goal and
punting) during a Football game...why do we call it "FOOTball" and
why do we call it SOCCER when we use our feet most of the times?
Also...do we throw a bowl down the alley or is it a ball?
Alright, alright, Carlin has nothing to fear from me, but I just wanted to share these thoughts with the 2 or 3 persons who read my blogs.
1. If the Market drops 300 points, why are those morons up there
applauding at closing time?
2. If Mouth to Mouth Resuscitation is now considered useless and no
longer adviced (The latest report says that only CPR should be applied
to victims)...can someone caught giving mouth to mouth be sued for
sexual harassment?
3. If the excuse given by the big oil companies on their profits is that they
are looking for the welfare of their share holders...should we make
those shareholders pay $5.00 for a gallon of gas and reduce the rest of
the citizens cost to $3.00/gal.?
4. If an item costs $999.99...why do we get a rebate after purchase of
$50.00, and not of $49.99?
5. If most basketball games are won in the last 3 minutes....why don't
we just turn the TV on to watch say...only the last 5 minutes?
6. If a razor blade is so good that it can last forever (TV commercial tells
us "you don't need to buy another one ever!")...why do they tell you
"You get the second one for free?"
7. If the doctor prescribes a medicine for dizziness...why does the label
indicates "warning, it may cause drowsiness".
8. If the newest photo cameras are called "Digital"...what did we use to
press the button on the old cameras? Was it not a finger, also known as
a digit?
9. If we are worried about security in our country...why do we keep all our
forces in other countries?
and...
10 If we only use our feet in 2 isolated occasions (field goal and
punting) during a Football game...why do we call it "FOOTball" and
why do we call it SOCCER when we use our feet most of the times?
Also...do we throw a bowl down the alley or is it a ball?
Alright, alright, Carlin has nothing to fear from me, but I just wanted to share these thoughts with the 2 or 3 persons who read my blogs.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
AND NOW...TV HOME INTERIOR DECORATING SHOWS!
I finally succumbed to this plague! They are all over, at all times, in every channel! Credit goes to HGTV for being the first one.
These decorating shows are the revenge provided by television to sports programs widows. Actually, in my humble opinion, they have gone overboard. I personally like the ones where they take a mediocre to bad kitchen and convert it into a super deluxe room with major new appliances, all the latest models in features and expensive stainless steel. Granite counters, complete new wooden cabinets, and a center island, fully equipped. Additionally, a tiled backsplash and wooden laminated floors. All that for only $35,000. My question is this: If you own a home with an original kitchen needing all those changes, isn't that because you could not afford a house with a kitchen as the new one to begin with? Where were you hiding those $35K? Or a few years ago you found out about a new type of fuel for your car that costs much less than gas and no one else knows?
Here is another one of the unlikely unbelievable things in those programs...They are running out of time! They only have less than 2 hours before the make-believe surprised owner gets back to the house, and they still have not even cut the wood for the new wall to wall unit, plus
someone is half way through a non-personality non-character painting on a 8 x 6 canvas that also needs framing. Miracle! Just before the bell rings
the last nail is in place, all paintings are hanging in the right place, and the customary basket or bowl shines proud on the living room table with real fruit! Wow! what a team of decorators!
How about the one where two couples exchange homes for a day to convert each other's home into something unrecognizable, with the help of decorators, of course. Fortunately they only destroy one room of their homes. This one gets worse when one of the decorators, who wears black all the time and high heels during her "performance", decides to glue toilet paper and brown bags onto the walls, with an even all over sprinkle of pheasant feathers for the final touch. That's classy my friends!
But the best of these shows is how much you learn. First you learn that you cannot give a shit (oops, sorry) about your place; then you learn that with only $35,000 you previously robbed from a Bank you can change your kitchen; and finally, you also learn that with a few key words you may sound like you are also a decorator! DECADENT, FAUX, STRESSED and VINTAGE being the 4 cardinal words of decoration.
I would write more about this, but there is a soccer game on GOLTV in half an hour and I need to get ready for it!
These decorating shows are the revenge provided by television to sports programs widows. Actually, in my humble opinion, they have gone overboard. I personally like the ones where they take a mediocre to bad kitchen and convert it into a super deluxe room with major new appliances, all the latest models in features and expensive stainless steel. Granite counters, complete new wooden cabinets, and a center island, fully equipped. Additionally, a tiled backsplash and wooden laminated floors. All that for only $35,000. My question is this: If you own a home with an original kitchen needing all those changes, isn't that because you could not afford a house with a kitchen as the new one to begin with? Where were you hiding those $35K? Or a few years ago you found out about a new type of fuel for your car that costs much less than gas and no one else knows?
Here is another one of the unlikely unbelievable things in those programs...They are running out of time! They only have less than 2 hours before the make-believe surprised owner gets back to the house, and they still have not even cut the wood for the new wall to wall unit, plus
someone is half way through a non-personality non-character painting on a 8 x 6 canvas that also needs framing. Miracle! Just before the bell rings
the last nail is in place, all paintings are hanging in the right place, and the customary basket or bowl shines proud on the living room table with real fruit! Wow! what a team of decorators!
How about the one where two couples exchange homes for a day to convert each other's home into something unrecognizable, with the help of decorators, of course. Fortunately they only destroy one room of their homes. This one gets worse when one of the decorators, who wears black all the time and high heels during her "performance", decides to glue toilet paper and brown bags onto the walls, with an even all over sprinkle of pheasant feathers for the final touch. That's classy my friends!
But the best of these shows is how much you learn. First you learn that you cannot give a shit (oops, sorry) about your place; then you learn that with only $35,000 you previously robbed from a Bank you can change your kitchen; and finally, you also learn that with a few key words you may sound like you are also a decorator! DECADENT, FAUX, STRESSED and VINTAGE being the 4 cardinal words of decoration.
I would write more about this, but there is a soccer game on GOLTV in half an hour and I need to get ready for it!
THREE WRONGS MAKE A BIG WRONG
I had threatened that my next blog would deal with TV Home Decorating Shows, but I also had the wit to claim I reserved the right to change my mind. SO I am (so in capital letters has a double meaning which you will find out at the end of this blog).
Michigan and Florida are ignored by the Democratic Party. Over two million people who took their time to cast their ballot will probably not be counted because The National Democratic Party is punishing both States or both Democratic candidates. They are being " punished " because both States moved their primaries ahead of scheduled time. Are they really punishing the two democratic candidates or are they punishing us, the voters? After all, the right to vote is an undeniable right of any American citizen and we are being deprived of it. Yes, we voted, but the Democratic party considers our vote Null and Void, like a bad check.
This action only proves one thing to me: WE DON'T COUNT. All these political machines are controlled by laws that were thought of without taking the voter into consideration, like anything else most laws are concocted for.
While this saga of allowing our votes to count, or agreeing into a Primary re-do, or a mail-in vote, or doing nothing at all and maintaining a "status-quo" is taking its toll in time and in candidates efforts to map their strategies for the next States Primaries, John McCain, Bush's self assigned temporary Middle East Ambassador now, is telling us that Iran is training Al-Qaeda to send them back to Iraq to continue terrorism. Fortunately for him, Senator Lieberman (the Democratic traitor) whispered to his ear that Iranians are Shiites, and Shiites do not train their enemies the Sunnis (Al-Qaeda terrorists are Sunnis). McCain corrected himself after his pursuit to confuse more the issues, in order to confuse us. One must conclude that the only experience he has in this war (invasion) is probably the same he had in Vietnam, where the poor guy spent 5 miserable years as a prisoner of war, tortured and alien to the combat field. He survived that, thank God, and he made it to the US Senate, showing good judgement in most of his contributions, including being against the war, until he decided he wanted to run for President. He will not survive this coming election if he keeps showing us his ignorance about the Middle East, being comfortable with a 100-year war (invasion) in Iraq.
And the third wrong...Darth Cheney, founder of the Dark Side, was asked
how he felt about the majority of US citizens finding the war in Iraq to be a gross mistake, not worth fighting. His answer to that question was: SO? which translates into: WHO GIVES A DAMN ABOUT ANYONE,
AS LONG AS I, MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE AND OWNER OF A GIFT BOAT BY THE SULTAN OF OMAN CAN GO FISHING WHILE OUR TROOPS ARE DYING FOR THE WRONG CAUSE.
There are many more WRONGS in the current political scenario we are all engulfed in, but it would take exactly 8 years to tell them all.
Michigan and Florida are ignored by the Democratic Party. Over two million people who took their time to cast their ballot will probably not be counted because The National Democratic Party is punishing both States or both Democratic candidates. They are being " punished " because both States moved their primaries ahead of scheduled time. Are they really punishing the two democratic candidates or are they punishing us, the voters? After all, the right to vote is an undeniable right of any American citizen and we are being deprived of it. Yes, we voted, but the Democratic party considers our vote Null and Void, like a bad check.
This action only proves one thing to me: WE DON'T COUNT. All these political machines are controlled by laws that were thought of without taking the voter into consideration, like anything else most laws are concocted for.
While this saga of allowing our votes to count, or agreeing into a Primary re-do, or a mail-in vote, or doing nothing at all and maintaining a "status-quo" is taking its toll in time and in candidates efforts to map their strategies for the next States Primaries, John McCain, Bush's self assigned temporary Middle East Ambassador now, is telling us that Iran is training Al-Qaeda to send them back to Iraq to continue terrorism. Fortunately for him, Senator Lieberman (the Democratic traitor) whispered to his ear that Iranians are Shiites, and Shiites do not train their enemies the Sunnis (Al-Qaeda terrorists are Sunnis). McCain corrected himself after his pursuit to confuse more the issues, in order to confuse us. One must conclude that the only experience he has in this war (invasion) is probably the same he had in Vietnam, where the poor guy spent 5 miserable years as a prisoner of war, tortured and alien to the combat field. He survived that, thank God, and he made it to the US Senate, showing good judgement in most of his contributions, including being against the war, until he decided he wanted to run for President. He will not survive this coming election if he keeps showing us his ignorance about the Middle East, being comfortable with a 100-year war (invasion) in Iraq.
And the third wrong...Darth Cheney, founder of the Dark Side, was asked
how he felt about the majority of US citizens finding the war in Iraq to be a gross mistake, not worth fighting. His answer to that question was: SO? which translates into: WHO GIVES A DAMN ABOUT ANYONE,
AS LONG AS I, MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE AND OWNER OF A GIFT BOAT BY THE SULTAN OF OMAN CAN GO FISHING WHILE OUR TROOPS ARE DYING FOR THE WRONG CAUSE.
There are many more WRONGS in the current political scenario we are all engulfed in, but it would take exactly 8 years to tell them all.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
BLOGGING
This is probably the most ridiculous of all my "How ridiculous is this" blogs. It's about blogging, just the way I've been doing for the past year.
Why do we blog? Some do it to communicate with the entire Internet, others to share their thoughts with a bunch of people, including friends and family; and me...well...I do it to get in touch with my children, my second cousin Lisa, and very few close friends. It started with a larger goal, as I included other members of my family, such as cousins, distant friends, and even ex wives. But I soon realized that I was being too presumptuous, expecting all of them to comment on my writings, thus I have given up on them already to just concentrate on my children, Lisa, and a couple of friends. Pretty soon I will have to give up on at least one friend, and perhaps one child. They are either very busy or my blogs bore them. I would like to think that it is the
former. I hope so, for beeing busy will be easier for me to digest than to have someone yawn on my behalf.
However, in the "remote" event that my blogs are so boring, I from now on will write for 3 persons only. My son, who loves this type of conversation and has himself a very interesting blog under the name of " THE BLOGRUNNER", Lisa, and myself. I do get a good feeling when I write. It is therapy without a therapist. Writing comes in second after my golf on Wednesdays, which is the best mind absenteeism device created.
I am also writing this because I am sure that I will only get 2 comments maximum. It is a way to prove my point.
So... is this a ridiculous subject or what?
My next blog will deal with TV Decoration Programs. Be afraid. Be very afraid!
PS:
The blogger deserves the right to change his mind
Thursday, March 13, 2008
HYPOCRISY
Abundant and overflowing. We have plenty of it in our government among politicians. If I am not mistaken, and why should I be? I listen very carefully to all TV commentators, poll specialists, Delegates analyzers, statisticians, and all I do is come up with realistic conclusions in what they say.
For example: Geraldine Ferraro, recently crucified by all for saying that the main reason why Obama is winning primaries and caucuses is because he is black. First of all let me clear the air by saying that yes he is black. And second he is an incredible demagogue, a very smart politician and above all a very good candidate to change this country around from the mess Bush and Associates got us in. That said...80 to 90% of black votes have been going to him in most primaries. while the general white vote has also been very favorable, although way below the black vote, but enough to make him so successful. Ms. Ferraro did not say anything against Mr. Obama. She just formulated an opinion, hers. Not the conventional hypocritical politically correct opinion. She was definitely, within the realm of stinky political base, incorrect. Did she do it because after we reach a certain age we say whatever we feel like? After all we've been accommodating to standards set by others all our lives. This time she wanted to be herself, honest and outspoken. Did not work Ms. Ferraro! You can't be yourself when you are a public figure, and especially if you are involved in a candidate's campaign. You need to remain silence and never ever express your true feelings, especially if they may incite the opposition. You gave them an excuse to keep exploiting the already over exploited issue on one-way racism. We cannot be blind to the fact that there is racism in this country, and that there is also prejudice against woman and senior citizens. But those subjects need to remain mute in the political arena, where the truth is only a good lie covered with sweet chocolate.
I challenge anyone to convince me that 90% of a certain population, black or white, young or old, man or woman, does not affect an election. That is what Geraldine Ferraro meant. There was not an iota of racism in her comment, just the truth. The truth always hurt, although most of the times it is needed. Not this time, unfortunately.
Ah, in case you think I am a racist or discriminate against anyone, if Obama becomes the Democratic candidate to oppose RoboCain (I could not resist) I will vote for him, but like Geraldine Ferraro, I am staying firm with my comments, for integrity and principles should always prevail over fear and convenience. Besides, I would rather call Obama at 3 am than waking up McCain. I understand he's got a short fuse. And calling Mrs. Hillary Clinton might give Mr. Clinton an opportunity to reciprocate...
For example: Geraldine Ferraro, recently crucified by all for saying that the main reason why Obama is winning primaries and caucuses is because he is black. First of all let me clear the air by saying that yes he is black. And second he is an incredible demagogue, a very smart politician and above all a very good candidate to change this country around from the mess Bush and Associates got us in. That said...80 to 90% of black votes have been going to him in most primaries. while the general white vote has also been very favorable, although way below the black vote, but enough to make him so successful. Ms. Ferraro did not say anything against Mr. Obama. She just formulated an opinion, hers. Not the conventional hypocritical politically correct opinion. She was definitely, within the realm of stinky political base, incorrect. Did she do it because after we reach a certain age we say whatever we feel like? After all we've been accommodating to standards set by others all our lives. This time she wanted to be herself, honest and outspoken. Did not work Ms. Ferraro! You can't be yourself when you are a public figure, and especially if you are involved in a candidate's campaign. You need to remain silence and never ever express your true feelings, especially if they may incite the opposition. You gave them an excuse to keep exploiting the already over exploited issue on one-way racism. We cannot be blind to the fact that there is racism in this country, and that there is also prejudice against woman and senior citizens. But those subjects need to remain mute in the political arena, where the truth is only a good lie covered with sweet chocolate.
I challenge anyone to convince me that 90% of a certain population, black or white, young or old, man or woman, does not affect an election. That is what Geraldine Ferraro meant. There was not an iota of racism in her comment, just the truth. The truth always hurt, although most of the times it is needed. Not this time, unfortunately.
Ah, in case you think I am a racist or discriminate against anyone, if Obama becomes the Democratic candidate to oppose RoboCain (I could not resist) I will vote for him, but like Geraldine Ferraro, I am staying firm with my comments, for integrity and principles should always prevail over fear and convenience. Besides, I would rather call Obama at 3 am than waking up McCain. I understand he's got a short fuse. And calling Mrs. Hillary Clinton might give Mr. Clinton an opportunity to reciprocate...
Thursday, March 6, 2008
COUROPHOBIA OR COULTERPHOBIA?
They are two very similar words and they probably mean the same thing.
Courophobia is the fear to clowns. Coulterphobia is the fear to Ann Coulter.
Clowns use a lot of make up to hide their real identity. Ann Coulter too, although the make up is inside.
Clowns make people laugh with their stupid acts. Coulter makes people laugh with her stupid comments. Deep inside we dislike both clowns and Coulter, because they are not who they really are. Many clowns are usually sad people in their normal lives. Coulter hides her sadness with her insults and demeaning comments.
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