My friend Connie sent this to me and IT WORKS!
Locked your keys in your car???? If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys (with fob) are at home, call someone on your mobile phone. Hold your mobile phone about a foot from your car door and have the other person at your home press the unlock button of your key fob (clicker), holding it very near the phone on their end. Your car doors will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object you could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other “remote” for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk!).
Monday, October 03, 2005
Saturday, October 01, 2005
Dubya as a Speechifier
Thanks to the Drunken Lagomorph for reminding us of this video that emerged during the last election. Ol' Dubya "dissasembles" before our very eyes.
Wicked - Riding High on Hype
David and I and three of the folks David works with saw the Stephen Schwartz-Winnie Holzman musical Wicked last night. Not that I thought it stunk. It didn't. But, I don't understand the hysterical hype this mediocre at best musical is receiving.
I know, I know... How do my credentials stack up against all those professional critics who just get really giddy writing about this play that, some have said, will change the face of the American musical theater forever? Well, I really don't have any credentials. I just know what I like.
I don't know if it was more the inadequacies of the traveling production that caused my disappointment or just the play itself which capialized on so many trite, overused themes that have been there, done that many, many, many times before through the voice of more talented writers and composers.
I couldn't understand a word that was sung by either of the female leads. The orchestra consisted of about five or six musicians: three brass, maybe a clarinet?, percussion and electronics. No strings. The sets were cheap, amateurish even. The choreography was unimaginative. And, the story line was, well--how do I say this so it won't offend that many people? The story line was goofy.
Yes, I know. At the conclusion of the too long play, the Buell Theater at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts erupted in a standing, screaming ovation. Except for me and a couple others, the crowd loved the damned thing.
I guess there's something wrong with me. (But, then, we all know that already. :-] )
As they say, go figure!
By the way, you really ought to check out the above link. You can even buy Wicked karaoke, for Christ's sake.
I know, I know... How do my credentials stack up against all those professional critics who just get really giddy writing about this play that, some have said, will change the face of the American musical theater forever? Well, I really don't have any credentials. I just know what I like.
I don't know if it was more the inadequacies of the traveling production that caused my disappointment or just the play itself which capialized on so many trite, overused themes that have been there, done that many, many, many times before through the voice of more talented writers and composers.
I couldn't understand a word that was sung by either of the female leads. The orchestra consisted of about five or six musicians: three brass, maybe a clarinet?, percussion and electronics. No strings. The sets were cheap, amateurish even. The choreography was unimaginative. And, the story line was, well--how do I say this so it won't offend that many people? The story line was goofy.
Yes, I know. At the conclusion of the too long play, the Buell Theater at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts erupted in a standing, screaming ovation. Except for me and a couple others, the crowd loved the damned thing.
I guess there's something wrong with me. (But, then, we all know that already. :-] )
As they say, go figure!
By the way, you really ought to check out the above link. You can even buy Wicked karaoke, for Christ's sake.
Thursday, September 29, 2005
Hickenlooper - Just Stupid?
This from the Rocky Mountain News this morning, reports that Denver's Mayor John Hickenlooper is "...sick and tired..." of the conflict and controversy that traditionally--since, at least, 1991-- surrounds Denver's Columbus Day parade. The Great Hick, in a letter to both the Italian folk and the protester folk, wonders why we all can't just get along; he urges both groups to seek alternative celebrations of their heritage.
What has occurred, however, is that the LEGALLY SANCTIONED parade through the streets of Denver has seen an attempt by the protester folk to deny the First Amendment rights of the Italians by blocking their path, hurling obscenities and other matters of substance at the marchers.
Okay. Fact: The Italian folk traditionally apply for a permit to have their little parade through the streets of downtown Denver on Columbus day. Their parade is legal. Their parade celebrates the First Amendment rights of all Americans.
Fact: Russell Means and Glenn Morris and Ward Churchill and other "ethnic" folk (although I do believe Ward Churchill is full of crap with his assertion that he is part Native American) traditionally attempt to deny the Italian folk's First Amendment right to express their pride in their heritage which, incidentally, isn't so much about Columbus as it is about their ancestor's trek from the Old Country to the fabulous promise of America.
I read recently in our neighborhood newspaper (I live in an old Denver neighborhood that was originally occupied by LEGAL Italian immigrants) that when the Italian kids would--amongst themselves as they played in the front yards of their modest homes--start conversing in Italian, a parent would inevitably burst through the front door of the house and admonish the children to speak English. "We're American, now," the parent would scold. "Speak English."
Well, Hickenlooper believes that the Italians are equally to blame for the conflict which surrounds the Columbus day parade imbroglio caused by the likes of Ward Churchill and Russell Means and Glenn Morris and other gosh, I really need to get my face on t.v., ethnic folk who traditionally attempt to subvert the right of the Italian folk to celebrate the holiday.
Vincent Carroll, an editorial writer for the News, provided this response to Hickenlooper's ridiculous assertions which reads, in part:
With the exception of a few lines, however, the letter promotes the grotesque fiction that the "volatile situations" of the past few years are equally the fault of the parade organizers and those who try to shut it down. In fact, those "volatile situations" are solely the fault of protesters who do not believe in free speech, do not respect the Constitution, and who elevate their political agenda above the rights of everyone else.
However much Hickenlooper deplores the parade, he should at least be able to acknowledge that much.
What has occurred, however, is that the LEGALLY SANCTIONED parade through the streets of Denver has seen an attempt by the protester folk to deny the First Amendment rights of the Italians by blocking their path, hurling obscenities and other matters of substance at the marchers.
Okay. Fact: The Italian folk traditionally apply for a permit to have their little parade through the streets of downtown Denver on Columbus day. Their parade is legal. Their parade celebrates the First Amendment rights of all Americans.
Fact: Russell Means and Glenn Morris and Ward Churchill and other "ethnic" folk (although I do believe Ward Churchill is full of crap with his assertion that he is part Native American) traditionally attempt to deny the Italian folk's First Amendment right to express their pride in their heritage which, incidentally, isn't so much about Columbus as it is about their ancestor's trek from the Old Country to the fabulous promise of America.
I read recently in our neighborhood newspaper (I live in an old Denver neighborhood that was originally occupied by LEGAL Italian immigrants) that when the Italian kids would--amongst themselves as they played in the front yards of their modest homes--start conversing in Italian, a parent would inevitably burst through the front door of the house and admonish the children to speak English. "We're American, now," the parent would scold. "Speak English."
Well, Hickenlooper believes that the Italians are equally to blame for the conflict which surrounds the Columbus day parade imbroglio caused by the likes of Ward Churchill and Russell Means and Glenn Morris and other gosh, I really need to get my face on t.v., ethnic folk who traditionally attempt to subvert the right of the Italian folk to celebrate the holiday.
Vincent Carroll, an editorial writer for the News, provided this response to Hickenlooper's ridiculous assertions which reads, in part:
With the exception of a few lines, however, the letter promotes the grotesque fiction that the "volatile situations" of the past few years are equally the fault of the parade organizers and those who try to shut it down. In fact, those "volatile situations" are solely the fault of protesters who do not believe in free speech, do not respect the Constitution, and who elevate their political agenda above the rights of everyone else.
However much Hickenlooper deplores the parade, he should at least be able to acknowledge that much.
Congressman David Dreier - Closeted Gay Neocon Rises in the Ranks
This from AlterNet this morning is a good read on the ascension of closeted gay Congressman David Dreier within the leadership of the Republican majority in the House of Representatives.
Wonder how James Dobson of Focus on the Family views this curious game of musical chairs engendered by the indictment of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay for campaign sleaze?
I, like many of my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, generally respect any person's decision to remain in the closet. But, quoting from the AlterNet piece:
Is it right to out a closeted gay politician? Doug Ireland follows the openly gay Democratic Congressman Barney Frank's (D-Mass.) rule: "Outing is only acceptable when a person uses their power or notoriety to hurt gay people."
And David Dreier's record fully qualifies him for public exposure. Ireland writes:
He opposed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would have banned discrimination against gay people in hiring; voted for the gay-bashing Defense of Marriage Act; voted for banning adoption by gay and lesbian couples in the District of Columbia (3,000 miles away from Dreier's district); voted to allow federally funded charities to discriminate against gays in employment, even where local laws prohibit such bias; and voted against the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
The AlterNet piece also reports:
It is widely assumed that Dreier's partner is none other than his chief of staff, Brad Smith. Janice Nelson, Dreier's Democratic opponent in 1998 and 2000, was aware that Dreier and Smith were living together at the time, saying, "Brad was like an invisible presence. They really have the routine down slick." As Byrne of Raw Story discovered, Smith makes $156,000 a year -- only $400 less than Andrew Card, who runs George Bush's shop in the White House. It's also been reported that Dreier and Smith traveled to 25 countries together using taxpayer funds. Doug Ireland provided a corollary to this kind of arrangement: "New Jersey Democratic Governor Jim McGreevey was recently forced to resign when it was about to become public that he had put his boyfriend on the public payroll at a salary slightly less than the one which Dreier pays Smith."
No, just become someone shares my sexuality, it is not okeydokey for them to celebrate their hypocrisy, their sleaze, their Roy Cohn mentality, their demagoguery within the safe clutch of the Republican party.
Wonder how James Dobson of Focus on the Family views this curious game of musical chairs engendered by the indictment of House Majority Leader Tom DeLay for campaign sleaze?
I, like many of my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, generally respect any person's decision to remain in the closet. But, quoting from the AlterNet piece:
Is it right to out a closeted gay politician? Doug Ireland follows the openly gay Democratic Congressman Barney Frank's (D-Mass.) rule: "Outing is only acceptable when a person uses their power or notoriety to hurt gay people."
And David Dreier's record fully qualifies him for public exposure. Ireland writes:
He opposed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which would have banned discrimination against gay people in hiring; voted for the gay-bashing Defense of Marriage Act; voted for banning adoption by gay and lesbian couples in the District of Columbia (3,000 miles away from Dreier's district); voted to allow federally funded charities to discriminate against gays in employment, even where local laws prohibit such bias; and voted against the Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
The AlterNet piece also reports:
It is widely assumed that Dreier's partner is none other than his chief of staff, Brad Smith. Janice Nelson, Dreier's Democratic opponent in 1998 and 2000, was aware that Dreier and Smith were living together at the time, saying, "Brad was like an invisible presence. They really have the routine down slick." As Byrne of Raw Story discovered, Smith makes $156,000 a year -- only $400 less than Andrew Card, who runs George Bush's shop in the White House. It's also been reported that Dreier and Smith traveled to 25 countries together using taxpayer funds. Doug Ireland provided a corollary to this kind of arrangement: "New Jersey Democratic Governor Jim McGreevey was recently forced to resign when it was about to become public that he had put his boyfriend on the public payroll at a salary slightly less than the one which Dreier pays Smith."
No, just become someone shares my sexuality, it is not okeydokey for them to celebrate their hypocrisy, their sleaze, their Roy Cohn mentality, their demagoguery within the safe clutch of the Republican party.
Tuesday, September 27, 2005
Dumbyer and Dumbyer
Dubya has asked us all to start conserving gas by driving less. This from the NY Times provides the details.
Um, let me see now... I do believe Dubya--after having learned the lessons of Katrina--is making his seventh trip to the Gulf...the in-charge President, the visible President, the goofball fratboy who demands bedtime stories from Karl Rove and a little shot of, oh, say Jim Beam before he nods off; yes, Dubya is heading down to the Gulf again in Air Force One which, I heard today, costs about $6,000 an hour to operate (all that fuel, personnel, etc.).
Let's conserve folks. Yeah. Right!
Um, let me see now... I do believe Dubya--after having learned the lessons of Katrina--is making his seventh trip to the Gulf...the in-charge President, the visible President, the goofball fratboy who demands bedtime stories from Karl Rove and a little shot of, oh, say Jim Beam before he nods off; yes, Dubya is heading down to the Gulf again in Air Force One which, I heard today, costs about $6,000 an hour to operate (all that fuel, personnel, etc.).
Let's conserve folks. Yeah. Right!
Monday, September 26, 2005
Coors Field - Just Before Dusk
This was Saturday. Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants. (WE WON!!!)
Sweet Melisa Smiles
For your Monday... A Sweet Melissa smile. Note the maple leaves on the grass. I think we're actually going to have a real fall this year.
Sunday, September 25, 2005
Aspens changing
David and I took his parents to Central City today to do a little gambling. On the way back, we stopped and took some shots of the Aspens turning color. In about a week, they'll be even more beautiful, giving us reds and oranges and yellows.
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Tuesday, September 20, 2005
The Shame of Pork (As in Barrel)
Paul Campos, in the Rocky Mountain News this morning, provides a good read on the "business as usual" mentality of the U.S. Congress.
Paul provides, in part, that:
This is the story of two pieces of pork. The first is a sausage that Merlene Maten, a 73-year- old grandmother and church deaconess, is accused of stealing from a deli in a New Orleans suburb the day after Katrina struck.
The second piece of pork is in the process of being looted from the U.S. treasury. It's a $231 million slice of taxpayer money, which is going to be used to build Ketchikan, Alaska's infamous Bridge to Nowhere - a structure that will be nearly as long as the Golden Gate Bridge, and several hundred times less busy.
Ketchikan is a small town (pop. 8,000), with a tiny airport that handles seven commercial flights per day. The airport is on an island that's now reached by a seven-minute ferry ride. Ketchikan is also in the district of U.S. Rep. Don Young, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, which this summer spit out a $285 billion highway bill, packed with more than 6,000 "earmarked projects," some of which are just as outrageous as building a $300 million suspension bridge that will be used by a couple of hundred people daily (if users of the bridge were charged fees that covered its cost, they would have to pay more than $100 per trip. The ferry ride costs $6).
Paul provides, in part, that:
This is the story of two pieces of pork. The first is a sausage that Merlene Maten, a 73-year- old grandmother and church deaconess, is accused of stealing from a deli in a New Orleans suburb the day after Katrina struck.
The second piece of pork is in the process of being looted from the U.S. treasury. It's a $231 million slice of taxpayer money, which is going to be used to build Ketchikan, Alaska's infamous Bridge to Nowhere - a structure that will be nearly as long as the Golden Gate Bridge, and several hundred times less busy.
Ketchikan is a small town (pop. 8,000), with a tiny airport that handles seven commercial flights per day. The airport is on an island that's now reached by a seven-minute ferry ride. Ketchikan is also in the district of U.S. Rep. Don Young, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee, which this summer spit out a $285 billion highway bill, packed with more than 6,000 "earmarked projects," some of which are just as outrageous as building a $300 million suspension bridge that will be used by a couple of hundred people daily (if users of the bridge were charged fees that covered its cost, they would have to pay more than $100 per trip. The ferry ride costs $6).
Monday, September 19, 2005
Monsignor Clark - Hetero Highjinks From A Prince of the Catholic Church!
William F. Buckley, Jr., whose writing skills and power of logic I respect immenseley, provides this from his National Review magazine on the indiscretion of Monsignor Eugene Clark, lately prelate of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Manhattan.
National Debt
I've added the "U.S. National Debt Clock," site to my links sections.
Does it bother you that the US is now a debtor nation, owing roughly $7.9Trillion dollars to the People's Republic of China, South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia?
It bothers me. It bothers me a whole lot.
And, dare I ask, where is Dubya going to get the $200Million to rebuild New Orleans?
Um, I believe that $200Million will put us over the $8Trillion mark.
Democrats, where are you? Do you realize Dubya's spending has not been equaled even by Lyndon Baines Johnson who gave us Guns and Butter--neither of which succeeded?
Does it bother you that the US is now a debtor nation, owing roughly $7.9Trillion dollars to the People's Republic of China, South Korea, Japan and Saudi Arabia?
It bothers me. It bothers me a whole lot.
And, dare I ask, where is Dubya going to get the $200Million to rebuild New Orleans?
Um, I believe that $200Million will put us over the $8Trillion mark.
Democrats, where are you? Do you realize Dubya's spending has not been equaled even by Lyndon Baines Johnson who gave us Guns and Butter--neither of which succeeded?
Is Dubya Evil? From Bill Maher
Via Crooks and Liars, the video of Bill Maher's last HBO program is probably one of his best. If you've got the time, you should really, really take a look at the "New Rules," by Bill Maher video.
Sunday, September 18, 2005
This Morning on the Lake
David and I hiked about six miles through our neighborhood this morning, hitting both Rocky Mountain Park (Lake) and Berkeley Park (Lake). This is a shot of Berkeley Lake.
Saturday, September 17, 2005
Presidential I.Q.
Mr. President: "What are your feelings about Roe vs. Wade?"
The President: "Well, I really don't care how people get out of New Orleans!"
The President: "Well, I really don't care how people get out of New Orleans!"
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