They come back, don't they? My son and I left early for Sam Houston State. There were lots of errands to do; old dad was huffin' and puffin' emptying both cars. College teens were whistling while carrying 200 lb trunks on their shoulders; I'm dragging a suitcase. With wheels. Then a trip over to the … Continue reading Twas the Night After College
Tag: IRS
Twas the Night Before College
I took my son out to his grandmother's for brunch this morning; sort of a send-off for him as he heads off o college for the first time. He's sort of getting organized, but not very quickly. I'm starting to wonder if he's going to finish packing today. 😛 We leave at 7:00am in two … Continue reading Twas the Night Before College
Patch Needs a Walker
Do they make walkers for dogs? Patch needs something to help him get around. Alex noticed Patch was limping a little last night; I said we'll just watch to see if it gets worse. This morning, it's much worse. He's limping on all four legs. If there was a way to limp with is neck … Continue reading Patch Needs a Walker
Bark Park
Patch & I went for a little outing this morning. He knew I was heading out as I was putting on my tennis shoes; as I headed downstairs, Patch raced ahead and checked the hall coat closet to see if I was getting a leash. Puppy joy! Not just any leash, but the short brown … Continue reading Bark Park
Personalized Stamps
This is such a neat idea. I hardly ever mail real letters anymore; I used to order 100-stamp rolls at a time, but now I still have a whole bunch of 33 cent stamps. I bought a bunch of 1 cent stamps, used them all up, and now have some 4 cent stamps. It'll be … Continue reading Personalized Stamps
Limited Government
I'm waiting for the major media to catch up on the Swift Boat Veteran stories. It's all over the conservative blogs, and just now starting to reach the liberal blogs. The left needed some time to catch up, and they're researching the background of the swift boat veterans. That's a good thing, by the way … Continue reading Limited Government
Swift Boat Veterans Not Amused
The reporter that said veteran George Elliott has recanted his affidavit yesterday has also written the Kerry-Edwards campaign book. George Elliott denies he ever recanted his story and says the reporter made the whole thing up. None of that, apparently, was newsworthy; the only news story I could find is from CNN that basically says … Continue reading Swift Boat Veterans Not Amused
Vending Machine Wars, Part III
First they forced me to buy sunflower seeds against my will. Then they developed chemical weapons and forced me to buy pink sissy lemonade. Today, though, I declare a victory in the battle against vending machines! The Coke machine here is an odd one - it has a clear glass front with faux icicles to … Continue reading Vending Machine Wars, Part III
Do Not Chew on Cinderella's Head
I really enjoy The Bleat. If I had brain cells that remembered important things instead of, say, how to sing in spoonerisms, I'd probably remember that I've said that before. I really enjoy The Bleat. But instead of remembering that I've already said that, instead, it's a vague "deja-vue" sort of feeling. Update: I wrote … Continue reading Do Not Chew on Cinderella's Head
The Purple Heart Hunter
I blogged last night about Swift Boat Veterans and their opinion that John Kerry is unfit for command. They have a book coming out next month, "Unfit for Command," that describes their impression of Kerry, including a description of the first Purple Heart. Other veterans on Kerry's boat that night maintain that there was no … Continue reading The Purple Heart Hunter
Yet Another Reason to Vote Republican
The Drudge Report says that Republicans will push for the elimination of the IRS at the RNC Convention. A domestic centerpiece of the Bush/GOP agenda for a second Bush term is getting rid of the Internal Revenue Service, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned. Ah, now there's a dream come true. I spend at least 2 … Continue reading Yet Another Reason to Vote Republican
Higher Paying Jobs
I had a conversation with a good neighbor and friend tonight, and one of the topics was job growth. Here in Houston, the job market has been terrible, and it's apparent some jobs in some industries are not coming back. But I think this is looking at the economy through a pinhole - the US … Continue reading Higher Paying Jobs
USAToday: "I DON'T GET IT"
USAToday tried to think outside the box, but it didn't last long. They hired right-winger Ann Coulter to cover the Democrats, and Michael Moore *shudder* to cover the Democrats. Ann Coulter went first, wrote a scathing, sarcastic, classic Coulter article. USA Today basically said, "I DON'T GET IT IS THIS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY" and … Continue reading USAToday: "I DON'T GET IT"
Democratic National Convention
This just in: John Kerry plans to accept the nomination. *zzzzz* I've barely discussed the Democratic National Convention. And do you know why? That's right. It's B-O-R-I-N-G. The only thing remotely interesting was Teresa Heinz telling a reporter to shove it. I was hoping for something interesting to happen: John Kerry announces a new "Principles … Continue reading Democratic National Convention
Patch & His New Doggy Door
First off, I feel silly calling it a "doggy door." I don't call Patch a "doggy," so why should I call the door something so silly sounding? I'm considering calling it the "Door of Doom for the Viscious 15 lb Canine." That sounds a lot more grown-up, though it doesn't roll off the tongue so … Continue reading Patch & His New Doggy Door
Al Qaeda Operative Arrested in McAllen, Texas
A South African woman, Farida Goolam Mohamed Ahmed, was picked up at the McAllen Miller International Airport on July 19, headed to New York. Authorities believe she is a high-level Al Qaeda operative. Government sources tell FederalNewsRadio.com that capturing this woman could be comparable to the arrest of Khalid Sheik Mohammed, the alleged mastermind of … Continue reading Al Qaeda Operative Arrested in McAllen, Texas
United Nations Abortion Funding
I penned an article for ChronicallyBiased tonight, but it doesn't look like it's going to get posted until tomorrow. Basically, the Houston Chronical had an editorial today that said Bush was going it along and refusing to give money to the UN that was already promised. Like a lot of liberal media lately, they left … Continue reading United Nations Abortion Funding
Teresa's a Wee Bit Stressed
Poor Teresa Heinz Kerry. She has millions and millions of dollars; she probably doesn't want the attention that running for First Lady brings. I'm sure she'd rather sit on the porch at Nantucket and enjoy champagne and brie. I know I would if I had her kind of money. Last night she snapped; right after … Continue reading Teresa's a Wee Bit Stressed
Star Wars: Episode III, "Revenge of the Sith"
Starwars.com revealed the title of the next Star Wars movie last night. The Sith are masters of the dark side of the Force and the sworn enemies of the Jedi. They were all but exterminated by the Jedi a thousand years ago, but the evil order continued in secrecy. They operated quietly, behind the scenes, … Continue reading Star Wars: Episode III, "Revenge of the Sith"
Paying the Ransom to Kidnappers
Michelle Malkin uncovers a story from Philippines Daily Tribune: The Malaysian government, Malacañang and the [Phillipine] Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) yesterday refused to confirm or deny reports that $6 million in ransom was paid out to the Iraqi kidnappers for the release of Filipino truck driver Angelo de la Cruz in time for President … Continue reading Paying the Ransom to Kidnappers
Buying a House?
Then take some advice from Jo at Spin the Moon. She understands what makes a good house - The first time we saw the house, it was horrible. The entryway and halls were sponge painted in purple, yellow and orange. The kitchen still had the avocado green, harvest gold, and burnt orange striped wallpaper leftover … Continue reading Buying a House?
Kerry Wants to Be Just like Bush
Kerry added a new twist to his criticisms of Bush. Now he says he believes in the pre-emptive strike, the part of Bush's foreign policy attacked most often. He says he would attack first if he had sound intelligence information found credible by American and their allies. Then he criticized Bush again for "going it … Continue reading Kerry Wants to Be Just like Bush
Tuition Increases Necessary
At the University of Michigan, students will have to pay 2.8% more in tuition next year to make ends meets. Even so, some class sizes will have to be increased. Some specialized courses will be cut back. 122 jobs will have to be cut, including 40 faculty. Travel funds are being decreased, library hours will … Continue reading Tuition Increases Necessary
Dale Earnhard, Jr.'s Politics
Liberal websites all over and gleefully reporting the news that Dale Earnhardt, Jr., took his crew to see Fahrenheit 9/11. *Every* source that I followed tacked back to one of these two places: Michael Moore claims Dale Earnhardt Jr. took his pit crew to see F9/11:Surfing through the dial I landed on the Fox broadcasting … Continue reading Dale Earnhard, Jr.'s Politics
Texas Teachers Comparatively Well-Paid
Today's Chronicle has a story from the Texas Classroom Teachers Association (TCTA, part of the ultra-liberal National Education Association) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT, a union group, part of the AFL-CIO). Of course, reading the article you'd have no idea the NEA and the AFL-CIO were involved. In fact, most Houston teachers would … Continue reading Texas Teachers Comparatively Well-Paid
Whoopi Learns Something New
Whoopi learns a lesson about Cause and Effect. Background: Kerry skips an intelligence briefing so he can do an interview with Larry King and then attend a $25,000 a plate fundraiser. Cause: At the fundraiser, Whoopi made crude, juvenile remarks; the New York Post said "she fired off a stream of vulgar sexual wordplays on … Continue reading Whoopi Learns Something New
College Orientation
I signed my son and me up for orientation at Sam Houston State University this week. It's a 2-day overnight trip, Thursday & Friday. When I read the agenda, they separate us within the first 30 minutes and I don't see my son again until the orientation is over. There's no agenda for what they … Continue reading College Orientation
Whole Lotta Huggin' Goin' On
SondraK shows the way to a political love story, complete with soundrack. That's a whole lotta huggin' in the first 3 days of JohnJohn campaigning together. Some poll must have suggested that the metrosexual vote was up for grabs. Teresa: "Wait for me, JohnJohn!"
Blogger Tip: Trackback Pings Redux
Let's go through an example of using a trackback, step by step. First, make a post on your own blog that talks about Chasing the Wind. "Michael said something interesting at "Chasing the Wind." If you're on Livejournal, at the bottom of the post you just made it says "Link." Click it, and that's your … Continue reading Blogger Tip: Trackback Pings Redux
Blogger Tip: Trackback Pings
Since blogger.com and livejournal.com don't support trackbacks directly, I thought some of you bloggers would be interested in this handy little tool. It's a manual trackback ping form courtesy of Wizbang. If you write on your blog about information you found on somebody else's blog, you can use this form to send a trackback ping. … Continue reading Blogger Tip: Trackback Pings
V.P. Candidate Edwards
Kerry finally settled on John Edwards for a running mate: "He has shown courage and conviction as a champion for middle class Americans and those struggling to reach the middle class," Kerry said of Edwards, a first-term senator and millionaire trial lawyer. I'm middle class, and I know of no millionaire trial lawyers that are … Continue reading V.P. Candidate Edwards
All Movied Out
I hope "movied" is a word. Saturday I went to see Spiderman 2. Excellent movie - my son tells me it dovetails nicely with the original Spiderman comic books. The movie did a good job at developing Toby McGuire's internal conflict. Special effects were very well done, but not overwhelming. This morning I woke up … Continue reading All Movied Out
Brender and Eddie
I dream vividly - often the dreams fade quicky, so don't try to ask me after I get to work what I dreamed last night. And by vividly, I don't mean bright colors, I mean an entire movie. Last night's movie included a soundtrack, and I scratched out the outline of the dream when I … Continue reading Brender and Eddie
Saddam and the Anti-Bush Crowd
My first thought when I saw this picture was, "Gadzooks, Dennis Miller looks terrible." It struck me as I read Saddam's defiance:"This is all theater. The real criminal is Bush," Saddam later said, turning on President Bush (news - web sites), whose forces invaded Iraq and overthrew him 15 months ago. "The real criminal is … Continue reading Saddam and the Anti-Bush Crowd
Scrappleface Satire
There's some funny stuff there this week. My favorite entries::: Publisher Revokes Hillary's Advance for Common Good (2004-07-01) -- In the same week that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-NY, told a San Francisco audience that future President John Forbes Kerry will take money away from wealthy Americans "on behalf of the common good", the former First … Continue reading Scrappleface Satire
Selected Quotes
Selected quotes from today's "The Federalist": Too many in the media act as if decency is a violation of the First Amendment." --Thomas Sowell"If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it's free." --P.J. O'Rourke "The courage of our military has brought us to this hopeful day … Continue reading Selected Quotes
God Bless Iraq and Her People
Direct from an Iraqi freedom lover. I truncated it a little for space, but you can read the rest of it at Iraq the Model:GO IRAQ GO.... It’s a great day for all the freedom lovers. No doubt is left now that we’re winning while the forces of darkness and evil are losing a key … Continue reading God Bless Iraq and Her People
No Camera Trade Today
I stopped by the Houston Camera Exchange and they gave me the bad news - around December, people stopped buying film cameras. Completely. They offered me $20 for my Minolta 400si. $20 for this? Bah. I'd rather get $20 fun out of running over it with a truck. I looked a digital cameras for a … Continue reading No Camera Trade Today
Out & About Today
I'm going to head over to the Houston Camera Exchange and see if they'll take my old Minolta Maxxum 400si film camera and exchange it for a fancy schmancy digital one. The old camera is fine, but film is rapidly becoming archaic. I only bought the Minolta in 1997 and it was fancy schmancy at … Continue reading Out & About Today
A Separate Morality
Today, Republican candidate Jack Ryan dropped out of the race for Senator in Illinois after allegations surfaced that he pressured his wife Jeri Ryan (yes, that Jeri Ryan who played Two of Two Seven of Nine on Star Trek: Voyager) into having sex with him in front of strangers. I can't help but noticing another … Continue reading A Separate Morality
New York Times Owes Bush an Apology
First, the New York Times calls for Bush to apologize to the American people for lying - that the 9/11 commission has debunked the President's assertion that there was a connection between Saddam Hussein and 9/11. Nevertheless, the Bush administration convinced a substantial majority of Americans before the war that Saddam Hussein was somehow linked … Continue reading New York Times Owes Bush an Apology
Clinton Supports War on Iraq
"I have repeatedly defended President Bush against the left on Iraq, even though I think he should have waited until the U.N. inspections were over," Clinton said in a Time magazine interview that will hit newsstands Monday, a day before the publication of his book "My Life." Clinton, who was interviewed Thursday, said he did … Continue reading Clinton Supports War on Iraq
Am I a Religious Whacko?
I long for the days where my biggest concern was practicing my faith to the best of my ability. It wasn't that long ago - late 90's when I have have long drawn out discussions involving baptism - was full immersion really necessary? Can you truly baptize infants? Or discussing tithing - if your church … Continue reading Am I a Religious Whacko?
Spin the Moon
A blatant plug for a friend - one I go waay back with, all the way to high school two decades ago. She's bitten the bullet and started a blog this week at Spin the Moon. Remember your first days of blogging? I do, it was only 2 months ago and my memory isn't that … Continue reading Spin the Moon
Democrat Suicide Watch
Found this at "Blogs for Bush", but actually penned at "The Common Virtue". Imagine, for a moment if you will, that you are a liberal Democrat. Then imagine what it must have been like for them to wake up this morning and find every reason for their arguments against President Bush absolutely obliterated. The article … Continue reading Democrat Suicide Watch
Downing American Aircraft
The 9/11 Commission has released their criticism of the military's action the morning of 9/11. The biggest criticism is that US military fighter jets didn't shoot down unarmed civilian airliners fast enough. What a bunch of monkeys. Have we forgotten our pre-9/11 mindset? Hijackers typically diverted a flight, chanted a lot in front of cameras, … Continue reading Downing American Aircraft
Private 1st Class Glen
The following is from my brother this morning -It all happened so fast.... Glen’s recruiter picked him up for a final PT test on Monday. If he passed this test he would gain a rank to what is referred to as E3. I’ll have to do a little research but he will be Specialist 1st … Continue reading Private 1st Class Glen
I'm Just Beside Myself
Dear Chasing the Wind... Recently I've become involved with someone. He's trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. A real boy scout. I find I spend all my time with him, and I enjoy my his company very much. In fact, it's like dating myself. No, I don't mean … Continue reading I'm Just Beside Myself
Constitutional Dreaming
I've forgotten the first half of the dream already, so I'll have to pick it up in the middle. The first part had a train ride across town, avoiding traffic congestion, a little playing on the beach (I remember the houses had terraced beaches three stories high which I can't figure out how that would … Continue reading Constitutional Dreaming
Mechanical Investing
Once GoDaddy stops mucking about with my web hosting (I'm supposed to call back after 5pm; they won't look at it until then), then I'll start my conversion to WordPress. WordPress allows "categories", and this will be my first entry in the "Financial" section.It was my Stock Trading Day today. One Monday a month I … Continue reading Mechanical Investing
Ronald Reagan Has Died
Ronald Reagan was the first President I voted for in 1980; a civics high school project had us identify what values were important to us, then identify a candidate that most closely matched those values. I chose... George Bush Sr.That was in the Spring of 1980, and before the year was out, Reagan had chosen … Continue reading Ronald Reagan Has Died
More Jobs, More Jobs, More Jobs
From the Associated Press - WASHINGTON - U.S. employers hired almost a quarter-million new workers in May, swelling payrolls by nearly 1.2 million for the year so far in a jobs market steadily gaining steam ahead of November's presidential election. Hmm... 1.2 million, divided by 5 months so far this year... 240,000 jobs per month … Continue reading More Jobs, More Jobs, More Jobs
The Party's Over…
I would have posted sooner but I needed a nap.The first several pictures are Patch the Wonder Dog. Every time I said, "pizza," he's tilt his head the opposite way. Great fun.Then Alex's Graduation. There's an arrow to helpfully point him out. He's the one in red.Father and Son. Ah, I remember when I was … Continue reading The Party's Over…
High School Graduation Eve
'Twas the night before graduationand all through the housenot a creature was stirringwell except my son on the computerand Patch the wonder dog with his red, white, and blue bandanaYeah, yeah, I know the cadence isn't right, I'm bushed. It feels sort of like Christmas around here. The refrigerator is stuffed with deli hams and … Continue reading High School Graduation Eve
The Path Less Taken
Why do people come to Chasing the Wind? What answers are they seeking? What pheromone drives them buggy? What carrot moves their donkey?The first answer is simple - apparently, I'm a virtual babe magnet. I'm attracting women bloggers like buttered toast attracts cats. I dunno why, though I suspect it's the pretty colors. So subdued, … Continue reading The Path Less Taken
Cato Critique Misses Mark
I think I like 1/2 the articles at The Cato Institute. Some days they have excellent commentary on politics, other days I wonder if their hats are on too tight. Today was one of those days.In today's "Bush, Kerry, and Partisan Hypocrisy," David Boaz criticizes the hypocrisy of both parties. While I would agree that … Continue reading Cato Critique Misses Mark
A Tower of Coexistence
Beth of Obeyance gives some insight from a discussion with a Hindu friend about various religions getting along. It's probably one of the better analogies that I don't agree with. :)I have some nice friends of various faiths (or no faith at all) that I get along well with. We even discuss our faiths - … Continue reading A Tower of Coexistence
Better Background, But Not By Much
I spent the first couple of hours tonight trying to get WordPress up so I could see if I like it. I started at Livejournal.com, switched to Blogger.com, and now I wonder why I need Anything.com. I should be able to bypass any 3rd party blog host and post directly on Chasing the Wind. Since … Continue reading Better Background, But Not By Much
The Background Has to Go?
I've been blogging for.... um, about 2 weeks. Too much blogging. It's 1/2 hour after bedtime, and I'm still blogging. I like it. I do it too much. And I've learned a lot.I've learned I haven't picked the best tool for me. I started at Livejournal, didn't like it. I *do* like Dreamweaver, but it's … Continue reading The Background Has to Go?
Confused and Misguided Filmmaker Accepts Minor Award
Source: AP NewsOr at least that's how the headline should read. Michael Moore, routinely boo'd at any patriotic US function has found that going to France to criticize a sitting American in the midst of a war can win him a French award."Fahrenheit 9/11" won the top award at a festival that sharply divided Cannes … Continue reading Confused and Misguided Filmmaker Accepts Minor Award
Whee! My First Inbound Link!
Ok, it's such a little thing. I've been chatting away for most of this month, mostly by myself, like I'm suffering from from self-focused dementia. I don't want to wander aimlessly around the blogosphere asking for people to link to me 'cuz that smacks of desparation. Unless somebody links to me, though, the only people … Continue reading Whee! My First Inbound Link!
Chasing the Wind is on the rise!
I've added a link at the bottom to the TTLB Ecosystem. We grew from roughly 7500th most popular blog to #6454 in the first day, jumping from the "Insignificant Microbe", past "Multicellular Organism," "Wiggly Worm," "Crunchy Crustacean" and "Lowly Insect." Chasing the Wind is now a Slimy Mollusc! I want a tee shirt.
Patch and The Blustery Day
If you have a dog, you have to have a routine. Even if you change the routine, it's still a routine. Have to, because dogs love it.Patch, Mr. Brain of the Dog World, loves the morning routine. When I turn on the shower in the morning, his nose is in the shower. He blocks my … Continue reading Patch and The Blustery Day
It's Not About the Oil
This Iraqi on his blog shares a letter from an American soldier. The soldier writes, "I'm hopeful in helping the Iraqi people stabalize the security situation so you guys can get on with daily life and a future full of prosperity. I believe in our mission to restore Iraq, so much, that I am willing … Continue reading It's Not About the Oil
First, They'll Make Fast Food a Crime…
It's started already.
My First Blogger Entry….
I'm trying out Blogger.com (owned by Google) for 2 reasons. 1, it let's me publish on my site free (unlike Livejournal which requires a fee) and 2) I'm trying to get listed on Google. :)I must have stumbled onto Blogger at the right time - it's all over the news that Blogger was revamped. It … Continue reading My First Blogger Entry….
Vending machine drama
Ok, so one day last week, I stuck 65 cents into the machine to buy a bag of M&M's, which whirled and twirled and left the M&M's dangling from the shelf. Grr. So I put some more money in - I'll buy a bag for next week, I think. The machine whirls and twirls, the … Continue reading Vending machine drama
