Sam's View

Career Path for a Republican Politician

2009-08-22T15:47:00.000-07:00

What Republicans Hate

2009-06-08T16:19:00.000-07:00

Five Worst Foods

2009-06-03T09:27:00.000-07:00

I was having my normal lunch of fried shrimp, fries and a coke when I ran across this article:

The Five Absolute Worst Foods
By Dr. Joseph Mercola
with Rachael Droege

There are no "bad" foods, right? Only food you should eat in moderation? Well, not really. The following foods are so bad for your body that I really can't see any reason to eat them. Not only do they have zero nutritional value, but they also give your body a healthy dose of toxins, which should make the idea of eating them really hard to swallow.

Doughnuts

Doughnuts are fried, full of sugar and white flour and most all varieties contain trans fat. Store-bought doughnuts are made up of about 35 percent to 40 percent trans fat.

An average doughnut will give you about 200 to 300 calories, mostly from sugar, and few other nutrients.

It's too bad that Americans view doughnuts as a breakfast food as, nutritionally speaking, eating a doughnut is one of the worst ways to start off your day. It will throw off your blood sugar and won't stay with you so you'll be hungry again soon. You are better off eating no breakfast at all, or better yet grabbing a quick glass of Whey Healthier.

Soda

One can of soda has about 10 teaspoons of sugar, 150 calories, 30 to 55 mg of caffeine, and is loaded with artificial food colors and sulphites. I can't think of any good reason to ever have it. The diet varieties are also problematic as they are filled with harmful artificial sweeteners like aspartame.

Studies have linked soda to osteoporosis, obesity, tooth decay and heart disease, yet the average American drinks an estimated 56 gallons of soft drinks each year. Plus, drinking all that sugar will likely suppress your appetite for healthy foods, which pave the way for nutrient deficiencies.

Soft drink consumption among children has almost doubled in the United States over the last decade, which is not surprising considering that most school hallways are lined with soda-filled vending machines.

Schools often make marketing deals with leading soft drink companies such as Coca-Cola from which they receive commissions--based on a percentage of sales at each school--and sometimes a lump-sum payment, in exchange for their students' health. School vending machines can increase the consumption of sweetened beverages by up to 50 or more cans of soda per student per year.

If you routinely drink soda--regular or diet--eliminating it from your diet is one of the simplest and most profound health improvements you can make.

French Fries (and Nearly All Commercially Fried Foods)

Potatoes are bad enough when consumed in their raw state, as their simple sugars are rapidly converted to glucose that raises insulin levels and can devastate your health. But when they are cooked in trans fat at high temperatures, all sorts of interesting and very unpleasant things occur.

Anything that is fried, even vegetables, has the issue of trans fat and the potent cancer-causing substance acrylamide.

Foods that are fried in vegetable oils like canola, soybean, safflower, corn, and other seed and nut oils are particularly problematic. These polyunsaturated fats easily become rancid when exposed to oxygen and produce large amounts of damaging free radicals in the body. They are also very susceptible to heat-induced damage from cooking. What is not commonly known is that these oils can actually cause aging, clotting, inflammation, cancer and weight gain. You can read the article "Secrets of the Edible Oil Industry" for more information.

It is theoretically possible to create a more "healthy" French fry if you cook it in a healthy fat like virgin coconut oil. Due to its high saturated fat content, coconut oil is extremely stable and is not damaged by the high temperatures of cooking. This is why coconut oil should be the only oil you use to cook with.

I am fond of telling patients that one French fry is worse for your health than one cigarette, so you may want to consider this before you order your next 'Biggie' order.

Chips

Most commercial chips, and this includes corn chips, potato chips, tortilla chips, you name it, are high in trans fat. Fortunately, some companies have caught on to the recent media blitz about the dangers of trans fat and have started to produce chips without trans fat.

However, the high temperatures used to cook them will potentially cause the formation of carcinogenic substances like acrylamide, and this risk remains even if the trans fat is removed.

Fried Non-Fish Seafood

This category represents the culmination of non-healthy aspects of food. Fried shrimp, clams, oysters, lobsters, and so on have all the issues of trans fat and acrylamide mentioned above, plus an added risk of mercury.

Seafood is loaded with toxic mercury and shellfish like shrimp and lobsters can be contaminated with parasites and resistant viruses that may not even be killed with high heat. These creatures, considered scavenger animals, consume foods that may be harmful for you.

Eating these foods gives you a quadruple dose of toxins--trans fat, acrylamide, mercury and possibly parasites or viruses--with every bite.

If you have a taste for seafood, there's an easy solution. It's best to avoid your local fish fry and try the only fish I now eat--the delicious wild red Alaskan salmon that was proven through independent lab testing to be free of harmful levels of mercury and other contaminants.

Christian Pie Chart

2009-05-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

moar funny pictures

Fireman Fail

2009-05-11T13:28:00.001-07:00

Ninja Weed

2009-05-09T17:47:00.001-07:00

Animated Buildings

2009-04-25T10:24:00.000-07:00

SWA Rap

2009-04-24T08:18:00.001-07:00

Playing for Change

2009-04-22T22:50:00.001-07:00

What Would Jesus NOT Do?

2009-04-20T11:41:00.000-07:00

Obey

2009-04-08T08:55:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

M - Th 11p / 10c

Baracknophobia - Obey

comedycentral.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Economic Crisis

Political Humor

Stalin vs. the Martians

2009-04-04T22:50:00.000-07:00

Strange -- any ideas?

2009-03-17T22:24:00.001-07:00

View Larger Map

Holy Moses

2009-03-17T12:15:00.000-07:00

Cocktail Napkin

2009-03-14T16:50:00.001-07:00

There was a couple of obviously drunk parents at with a young kid dining in a favorite restaurant of mine last night. They had the waiter bringing a constant flow of beers to them, and they'd both periodically leave the kid alone to go out and smoke. I noticed that the kid was drawing while they were away.

Eventually they all three left. Thank goodness, they were loud and obnoxious. Once they were out of sight I couldn't resist, and I walked over to their table and took a look at the kids drawings. The image below is what I found on one of the napkins.

Click to see full size.

Conventional or Organic

2009-03-05T11:16:00.001-08:00

Thatcher Effect

2009-02-24T23:16:00.000-08:00

Jesus Raises the Dead

2009-02-24T20:57:00.001-08:00

see Sarah Palin pictures

2009-02-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

more music charts

Why indeed?

2009-02-22T17:38:00.000-08:00

see more pwn and owned pictures

Sarah Palin

2009-02-19T10:09:00.001-08:00

more music charts

Solar Cell Phone

2009-02-13T10:32:00.000-08:00

Solar powered cell-phone made of recycled materials made by Samsung. Cool!

Fan Commercial for Trader Joe's

2009-02-12T12:46:00.000-08:00

Suspected Murderer

2009-02-02T11:21:00.001-08:00

Lost Generation -- Brilliant

2009-01-22T16:54:00.001-08:00

107

2009-01-20T13:29:00.000-08:00

Evil Furby

2009-01-03T13:31:00.001-08:00

Thieving Husky

2008-12-26T18:23:00.001-08:00

Green Green Christmas

2008-12-24T10:22:00.001-08:00

Rock on Korean Boy! Rock on!

2008-12-23T11:35:00.000-08:00

Snow Dog

2008-12-19T14:32:00.000-08:00

President Reject

2008-12-16T19:49:00.001-08:00

Lame Duck Ducks

2008-12-15T12:41:00.001-08:00

Prop 8 -- The Musical

2008-12-04T19:09:00.000-08:00

See more Jack Black videos at Funny or Die

Dog Saves Dog

2008-12-03T18:50:00.001-08:00

Girly Man

2008-11-25T09:30:00.001-08:00

Speeding Ticket

2008-11-20T11:47:00.001-08:00

God Trumps

2008-11-19T14:38:00.000-08:00

Follow the link. This is FUNNY!

Olbermann on California Gay Marriage Ban

2008-11-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

Matrix on Windows

2008-11-10T10:25:00.000-08:00

Obama's Support

2008-11-07T16:17:00.000-08:00

Parenting FAIL

2008-11-07T09:52:00.000-08:00

Joe the Plumber... and...

2008-11-06T09:38:00.000-08:00

Generation "We"

2008-11-05T14:42:00.001-08:00

OBAMA WINS!

2008-11-05T09:32:00.000-08:00

see Sarah Palin pictures

Hockey Momma for Obama (funny!)

2008-10-30T16:16:00.001-07:00

My Obama Yard Sign Was Defaced

2008-10-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

I have two Obama yard signs on my front lawn. Yesterday one was covered up with a large white sign that read:

OBAMA 08
OSAMA 09

This message approved by Rev. Jeremiah Wright

To add to the class and sophistication of the act of vandalism, the sign was held in place with a long strip of the finest silver duct tape. It came off easily.

I marveled at it. It was professionally printed on in color on a thick plastic-like board. It must have cost at least five dollars to make.

Who would do this? It seems so foolish for so many reasons:

Did the person who did this not realize that I would remove it within hours of it being placed there?
Why did this person go though such an expense when it would have been cheaper and faster to just steal my sign.
What motivates someone to damage or destroy a fellow American's right to free speech? Isn't that a fundamental part of being American? Loving freedom of expression?
Assuming this was a McCain supporter, what does it say about McCain's message, or the people who are attracted to him?

Anyway, I was amazed at how many Obama signs are being stolen or vandalized nation-wide. This is a sad statement about my country.

I can only hope that healing will come soon, and maybe people can open their eyes and hearts a little.

Sarah Palin Song

2008-10-24T15:26:00.000-07:00

1958 Film on Global Warming -- really!

2008-10-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

Best Man Fail

2008-10-20T18:45:00.001-07:00

I suppose it's the fact that so many people take weddings SO seriously that makes this video so very amusing to me:

I just love the Fail blog.

Colin Powel Endorses Barak Obama

2008-10-19T17:50:00.000-07:00

Why Some Men Have Dogs And Not Wives

2008-10-17T20:53:00.000-07:00

1. The later you are, the more excited your dogs are to see you.

2. Dogs don't notice if you call them by another dog's name.

3. Dogs like it if you leave a lot of things on the floor.

4. A dog's parents never visit.

5. Dogs agree that you have to raise your voice to get your point across.

6. You never have to wait for a dog; they're ready to go 24 hours a day.

7. Dogs find you amusing when you're drunk.

8. Dogs like to go hunting and fishing.

9. A dog will not wake you up at night to ask, 'If I died, would you get another dog?'

10. If a dog has babies, you can put an ad in the paper and give them away.

11. A dog will let you put a studded collar on it without calling you a pervert.

12. If a dog smells another dog on you, they don't get mad. They just think it's interesting.

13. Dogs like to ride in the back of a pickup truck.

And last, but not least:

14. If a dog leaves, it won't take half of your stuff.

Mylar Fish

2008-10-17T20:49:00.001-07:00

Air Art from flip on Vimeo.

Together, We Can Repower America

2008-10-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

Sarah Palin and her Extremist Friends

2008-10-11T10:23:00.001-07:00

Powerful Speech

2008-10-10T18:51:00.001-07:00

This is AFL-CIO's Richard Trumka on Racism and Barak Obama

Chipper's Nut Hut

2008-10-06T22:59:00.000-07:00

LASSIE IS A PUBLICITY HOUND

WHISLER'S MOTHER WAS FRAMED

LOVE THY NEIGHBOR BUT DON'T GET CAUGHT

Back when I was a kid, the family often drove past a peculiar little business called "Chipper's Nut Hut". This tiny nut shop in LA had a huge old-fashioned theater marque type sign with various messages on it. Sometimes they were jokes, words of wisdom, and even political statements. As a kid I remember enjoying trying to figure out the ever-changing messages.

I typed "Chipper's Nut Hut" into Google, and only found one listing -- a loan from Chipper's Nut Hut, Inc. back in 1974 and another in 1977. You'd think that a landmark like that -- visible from the 5 freeway to thousands of travelers, would have some historic listing.

It used to be located at 4755 TELEGRAPH ROAD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90022 which is where the now graffiti covered "Tellez Engine" now stands.

I did some research in the LA Times archive, and found out that the owner of the Nut Hut was a Mr. Hugh S. Doddridge, who was also a frustrated writer and a radio editor of the Daily News in the 1930's. The article talks about him having a stack of 3"x5" index cards with the messages written on them -- 3,000 cards over 10 years. Since the article was written in 1974 that means that they started business around 1964.

Looking back on it I regret never having gone in and bought some nuts. Does anyone have any information on this old business?

1970

2008

Caribou Barbie

2008-10-06T00:10:00.001-07:00

Mommy is Busy!

2008-09-29T21:30:00.000-07:00

see Sarah Palin pictures

Anagram of the Day

2008-09-26T07:57:00.000-07:00

A valid anagram for "Clint Eastwood" is "Old West Action".

Some coincidences are amazing!

Truth Map

2008-09-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

more music charts

Sarah Palin and Wolves

2008-09-18T14:36:00.000-07:00

WARNING

This is very, very difficult to watch.

Sarah Palin and Alaska's Animals

2008-09-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

This article tells the shocking story of Sarah Palin's extreme positions on wild animals, hunting, and conservation issues.

John Cleese -- The Scientists

2008-09-15T21:18:00.001-07:00

SNL Palin/Hillary

2008-09-15T14:03:00.001-07:00

I Approve This Message

2008-09-13T14:02:00.000-07:00

Sam's Sport's Report

2008-09-11T10:54:00.000-07:00

Pre-Game Coin Toss Makes Jacksonville Jaguars Realize Randomness Of Life

Executive Experience

2008-09-08T16:58:00.000-07:00

see Sarah Palin pictures

How Southern Californians See California

2008-09-07T22:44:00.001-07:00

How New Yorkers See America

2008-09-07T22:41:00.000-07:00

Apple Admits iPod wasn't their idea

2008-09-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

It was invented (and patented) in 1979 by a British fellow. The article here.

Photography Gone Bad

2008-07-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

I love the angle the photographer chose to shoot. Genius! Evil!

The Right Wing Hates Wall-E

2008-07-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

The article from Think Progress.

Lookie What I Did!

2008-06-23T15:07:00.000-07:00

more graph humor and song chart memes

Vote Republican!

2008-06-18T08:24:00.000-07:00

Car Runs on Water

2008-06-15T17:53:00.000-07:00

This couldn't possibly be true... could it?

The Fast Food Feed Bag

2008-06-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

New Wearable Feedbags Let Americans Eat More, Move Less

Good News!

2008-06-09T11:13:00.000-07:00

Good News!

191 MPG... really!

2008-06-06T16:17:00.000-07:00

LOL Doggehs

2008-06-01T21:56:00.000-07:00

see more dog pictures

Government -- My Way

2008-06-01T13:45:00.000-07:00

If I had my way, I would create a US government with the following priorities:

First Priority

Make sure every American citizen has:

plenty of healthy food to eat
clean safe water to drink
a warm dry place to sleep
free basic health care
free basic elder-care
world-class high-school and college education
access to a job that pays a living wage
opportunities to be of service to other Americans
a fair and reasonable system of taxation

Guarantee for all Americans:

protection of civil rights
a government and laws that are 100% religiously neutral -- where citizens are free to practice any belief system they choose (or none at all) with equal ease, opportunity, and access

Protect Americans from:

crime (but not victimless crime)
corporate greed
foreign invasion
terrorist attacks

Make America:

a good world citizen -- philanthropic, respected, and admired
thrive with a economy based on sustainable environmental practices
abundant with natural places and a healthy ecosystem

Guarantee that the government itself is:

an organization who's sole purpose is to assure the above listed items
honest with the American people
open about everything they do
influenced only by people, not by corporations, special interest groups, religious organizations, or lobbyists of any kind
small and efficient
run by real people, not by professional politicians

Second Priority

Only once Priority One above is complete, then the United States should, now having proven it's possible:

Offer to spread these values and benefits around the world, without violence, coercion, or pressure -- "leading by example".

Last Priority

Except to repel foreign invasion, war (police actions, "overthrowing dictators", invasions, or any other term for armed conflict with American citizens involved).

And, lastly... NEVER

Under penalty of severe punishment, involving the US in unnecessary wars or military action of any kind.

George W. Bush -- Murderer

2008-05-31T09:33:00.000-07:00

JW Horne -- Do-Over

2008-05-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

The J W Horne Blog post mentioned in the previous post was deleted (along with it's 100+ fantastic comments) and was replaced with this "softer" one.

But... heh, heh, heh, here's the original post he deleted:

For those of you out there in never never land or la la land or maybe underground and under the radar who are so called non believers, I am the man who wrote and recorded the Kieffe and sons spot. In fact I write and produce all of the Kieffe and Sons ford spots. I have had the pleasure of serving the advertising for the dealership for many years. I am a believer and I am pretty sure that most everyone at Kieffe and Sons ford are also believers. I wrote and produced the spot that so many of you "unbelievers" find offensive. Frankly I don't give a flip whether you are an athiest or just plain doubter. I wrote and recorded the truth. There is a great silent majority of Americans that are believers. The difference between them and you is this. Believers do not have to justify their existence. The only ones in this country that respond to an honest ad are the ones who seem to despise honesty. The truth is this. This country was founded on the belief in God. All you have to do is read the constitution and see for yourself. Now does that mean that everyone here must believe? NO absolutely not. The great thing about the constitution is that it allows for each American citizen to believe as the wish and speak and do what they want so long as it is within the law. I support that. I support everyones right to think and do and live as they wish. I do not condem any American that disagrees with me. You all can stand up and shout, burn flags, gather on a corner and cuss the government, males can marry males, females can marry females you can all buy one of those imports and send the money to Japan if you want, but you do not have the right to force your philosophy on to others. I think that it is time for you to understand this very simple little fact. You are in the minority and as loud as you yell and protest, you will always be in the minority. If you don't like the radio spot then don't listen to it, but if you were careful enough to listen to the entire spot you would have heard me say that to the good people at Kieffe and Sons ford "everyone one is welcome at the dealership whether you are a believer or not, you are still welcome. You would also have heard me say that you may get God taken out of the class room and the pledge and even off our money, but you will not get God out of this dealership. We do business according to the rules of the good book.. if you are offended by that, then you are offended by the truth. So each of you who find some offense to the radio ad and you want to be up in arms over it, you have the right to think what you wish but you do not have the right to take my copyrighted material and destort it for your personal gain. If you are offended, well like I said in the commercial.. thats tough.

Christian Intollerance used to Peddle Cars

2008-05-29T09:01:00.000-07:00

The Ad

The Audio

The Transcript:

"Did you know that there are people in this country who want prayer out of schools, "Under God" out of the Pledge, and "In God We Trust" to be taken off our money?"

"But did you know that 86% of Americans say they believe in God? Since we all know that 86 out of every 100 of us are Christians, who believe in God, we at Kieffe & Sons Ford wonder why we don't tell the other 14% to sit down and shut up. I guess I just offended 14% of the people who are listening to this message. Well, if that is the case then I say that's tough, this is America folks, it's called free speech. None of us at Kieffe & Sons Ford is afraid to speak out. Kieffe & Sons Ford on Sierra Highway in Mojave and Rosamond, if we don't see you today, by the grace of God, we'll be here tomorrow."

From the Ad Writer

A Blog Post from The Guy who wrote the ad (be sure to read the comments)

The Apology

"I don't even go to church!"

My take on it

(bigotry + hate + anger + religious intolerance + ignorance) = asshole

(bigotry + hate + anger + religious intolerance + ignorance + JESUS) = upstanding patriotic Christian American

Sweet, Sweet Memories

2008-05-28T12:11:00.001-07:00

Wow! What a trip down memory lane... the Pee Chee folder.

Earthlink -- Apologizing for being Confused.

2008-05-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

This is a peek into the joys of dealing with Earthlink.

About three weeks ago tried to upgrade my DSL speed from 1.5 Mbps to 3.0 and they disconnected my service. This was a disaster, as you can imagine. Finally, after hours of arguing with a whole group of people in India, finally the service was restored.

Now that my temper has calmed, I decided to try again. After all, shouldn't Earthlink be eager to get more money from me?

I tried their online chat first. This is how it went. Make sure to check the end of of this post to see how things turned out in the end.

I SPENT ABOUT 20 MINUTES CHATTING WITH VARIOUS AGENTS UNTIL THEY FINALLY HOOKED ME UP WITH THE "CORRECT" AGENT. I'M NOT GOING TO BORE YOU WITH THAT TEXT.

Please wait while I transfer the chat to the appropriate agent.
'Nikolas M' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
Nikolas M: Hello, I see you've already been chatting. Please give me a moment so I can read the previous chat and pick up where you left off.

sam: Good morning Nikolas

sam: I will wait

Nikolas M: To check the higher speed availability, let me know complete address and phone number.
NEVER MIND THAT I'VE ALREADY GIVEN THIS INFORMATION THREE TIMES. I'VE RESIGNED MYSELF TO THIS TYPICAL HORROR OF CUSTOMER SUPPORT.

sam: ### STREET, CITY, STATE, ZIP

sam: (###) ###-####

Nikolas M: Give me a moment.

sam: I am thankful for your time and help. I will wait.

Nikolas M: Okay.

Nikolas M: The speed currently you have is the maximum speed available in your area.
THE FIRST LIE

sam: What you are saying contradicts what other agents have told me. I was offered 3Mbps and 6mbps both by a telephone agent and on the website. Kindly explain this inconsistency.

Nikolas M: 3 Mbps is available, if your phone provider is Covad.
TEN SECONDS AGO YOU TOLD ME THAT MY CURRENT SPEED -- 1.5 MBPS IS THE MAXIMUM SPEED!

sam: My phone provider is ATT. Why does the website offer 3Mbps and 6Mbps? Why did Earthlink offer 6Mbps specifically for me approximately 1 month ago?

Nikolas M: You will have to change the phone provider first, if you wish to go for 6 Mbps service.

sam: Which phone provider will allow me the highest speed?

Nikolas M: You need to have phone service through Covad.

sam: If I switch to Covad, is it guaranteed that I will be able to get 6Mbps?

Nikolas M: Yes, 6 Mbps is available if your phone provide
Nikolas M: Provider is covad*

sam: What would the price be of the 6Mbps DSL service?

Nikolas M: It will be $39.95 or 44.95 per month.
GREAT! I HAVE A SOLID PRICE NOW. WELL, TWO SOLID PRICES ANYWAY.

Nikolas M: We cannot provide the exact price now.
OH... I GUESS NOT.

sam: If I switch to Covad, will I be required to re-contact Earthlink?

Nikolas M: Yes, you need to contact, I suggest you to contact our installation department before switching the phone.
WHY? DON'T YOU WORK FOR EARTHLINK? ISN'T CONFIRMING STUFF YOU TELL MY YOUR JOB?

sam: Would be kind enough to transfer me and help me understand what I need to ask them?
Nikolas M: They can be reached at 888-847-4708 Mon - Fri 7:00 AM - Midnight EST Sat-Sun 8:00 AM - 10 PM EST.

Nikolas M: You can just inform them that you need DSL 6 Mbps service.

sam: very good. Many thanks.

Nikolas M: Which security service are you using?
OH NO! NOT AN UPSELL. GOD HELP ME!

sam: why do you ask?

Nikolas M: EarthLink is now providing Norton 360 service to its customers.
Nikolas M: Norton 360 provides all-in-one protection that keeps you, your family, your PC and your information secure. This comprehensive solution combines Symantec’s proven, industry-leading computer security and PC tune-up technologies with new automated backup and antiphising features, providing a full circle of protection all at just $6.95 per month.

sam: Got it already, thanks.
I ALREADY HAVE IT.

Nikolas M: I see that you do not have it through earthLink.
THAT'S TRUE, BUT I ALREADY HAVE IT.

Nikolas M: EarthLink is providing 30 days free trial and a CD to install.
WHY DO I NEED A 30 DAY FREE TRIAL OF SOMETHING I ALREADY HAVE?

sam: received a long-term virus scan as a gift
sam: 3 years
ARE YOU LISTENING? I ALREADY HAVE IT.

Nikolas M: Norton 360 is the updated version which takes care of your computer with latest threats.
Nikolas M: PC Security
Nikolas M: Transaction Security
Nikolas M: Backup and Restore
Nikolas M: PC Tuneup
Nikolas M: LiveUpdate
Nikolas M: Embedded Support
Nikolas M: Advanced Phishing and Spyware Protection
Nikolas M: Blocks Hackers and Unknown Threats

sam: Got it. A 3 year contract.
YOU CAN STOP SENDING ME INFO ABOUT WHAT I ALREADY HAVE... PLEASE.

Nikolas M: It has all above features in a single software.
A SINGLE SOFTWARE? DO YOU MEAN A SINGLE SOFTWARE PACKAGE?

Nikolas M: Okay
FINALLY!

Nikolas M: Is there anything else I can help you with?

sam: What life insurance company are you currently with?
WELL... SINCE HE TRIED TO SELL ME SOMETHING THAT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PURPOSE OF MY CALL, IT ONLY SEEMED FAIR THAT I COULD DO THE SAME TO HIM, RIGHT?

Nikolas M: I do not have any insurance policy.

sam: Don't you think it would be prudent to provide your family with protection should you meet with an unexpected disease or you find yourself unable to work?

Nikolas M: Yes, you are right.
WHAT? HE'S BUYING MY BOGUS SALES PITCH?!

Nikolas M: I will discuss it with my family and take a decision.
Nikolas M: Which insurance company do you prefer?

sam: Tell me about your family situation -- do you have a spouse and/or children? I might be able to offer you a very good bargain.

Nikolas M: We can discuss about it later, as I am at work place now, can I have your phone number?

sam: Sure. Please call me at (###) ###-#### (my work number). I will happily offer you a deep discount since you've been so very helpful to me.
I QUICKLY GOOGLED A LIFE INSURANCE AGENT NEAR ME AND SEND HER PHONE NUMBER TO HIM

Nikolas M: Thank you.
Nikolas M: Have a great time.
A "GREAT TIME?" WTF?

Nikolas M: Thank you for using EarthLink LiveChat. If you would like a copy of this chat emailed to you, you may choose that option upon closing this window. In the survey that appears, the second to last question will ask if you would like this emailed...choose Yes. In the last box, enter your email address...the entire chat session will be automatically sent to you. Should you need any further assistance, please feel free to return to EarthLink LiveChat.
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So, as per Nikolas' instructions, I called the number. The first agent I spoke to apologized for Nickolas being confused -- it turns out that I CAN have 3 and 6 Mbps service without having to change phone companies. Yay!

After being put on hold for no reason that I could understand, I finally decided to strike while the iron was hot. I asked her to upgrade me now, before they changed their minds... again.

On hold again. Then a completely new voice comes on the line.

I explained to him that I had been transferred without any warning. Sure enough, no notes in my file. I had to explain the whole thing over again.

Guess what? He says I DO have to change phones to Covad. I asked him why the differing messages from different agents. He again apologized and said that the previous agent was "confused."

How much do you want to bet if I do go through all of the trouble of changing my phone service to Covad, Earthlink will again "apologize" for being "confused" and I'll still end up with 1.5 Mbps?

Argh!

To me "Apologizing for being confused" is just another way of saying "incompetent".

UPDATE:

Covad doesn't even offer land-lines.

Republican Party -- now in pill form!

2008-05-22T16:56:00.000-07:00

Sam Challenges the Creationists

2008-05-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

I am leveling a challenge to all Young Earth Creationists.

1. Read this article about vestigial human organs and reflexes.

2. Explain how, since the human body has clear remnants of it's evolutionary past, that you continue to believe that Man was created about six-thousand years ago by a supernatural being.

Bill O'Reily -- REMIX

2008-05-19T11:49:00.000-07:00

The Bill O'Reilly Video INCLUDING THE PRODUCER

2008-05-17T10:21:00.000-07:00

ZOMG!!!

I can barely see the screen through my tears of laughter.

BOY DID I NEED THIS LAUGH!

This is the funniest video EVAR!!

That Bill, what a tool.

Science Kills

2008-05-05T08:09:00.000-07:00

"…Love of God and compassion and empathy leads you to a very glorious place, and science leads you to killing people."

- Ben Stein

Hmmm.... These scientific death machines come to mind:

CT Scans
Respirators
X-Ray Machines
MRI machines
Airbags
Anti-lock brakes
Pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics
Pace Makers
Defibrillators
Air Traffic Control Radar
Bullet Proof Vests

But science also has brought us:

Machine Guns
Atomic Weapons
Chemical and Biological Weapons
Attack Aircraft
Tanks
Cruise Missiles

The fact is that science is neutral. It's what people do with science that is at issue - not science itself.

Ben Stein is a huge disappointment to me. I wonder if, now that he's getting older and will need medical assistance, if he'll shun all of the science-based devices that doctors will attempt to use to save his life. Maybe he'll just refuse them, and pray to god, and die instead.

God -- Protect me from your followers

2008-05-04T12:55:00.000-07:00

"Oh, I don't reject your Christ. I love your Christ. It's just that so many of you Christians are so unlike your Christ."

- Ghandi

The Uno

2008-05-01T10:12:00.000-07:00

Electric "motorcycle" ?? Created by an 18 year old Canadian inventor.

Very cool.

The Most Amazing Thing You'll Ever See

2008-03-31T21:57:00.000-07:00

Lying Museum Tour for Jesus

2008-03-26T22:19:00.000-07:00

There has GOT TO BE something we can do to stop these people from polluting the minds our our children and turning the United States into a country of uneducated cretins.

I'm open to suggestions.

Jill Bolte Taylor: My stroke of insight

2008-03-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

Several years ago I was struggling terribly with a profoundly negative work environment, and I stumbled upon "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle. This book transformed my life, and launched me on a journey of personal and spiritual growth. Recently, these profound teachings about living in the present moment, coping with the ego, and the "pain body" have been revitalized with the publishing of "A New Earth", also by Tolle and the exciting on-line course being hosted by Oprah Winfrey.

However, being skeptical, I've always wondered if there was any actual science behind this type of spiritual transformation. A nod to Nancy for sending me the following video, which answers that question for me. I hope this wonderful video will inspire you as well.

According to the TED site:

Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor had an opportunity few brain scientists would wish for: One morning, she realized she was having a massive stroke. As it happened -- as she felt her brain functions slip away one by one, speech, movement, understanding -- she studied and remembered every moment. This is a powerful story about how our brains define us and connect us to the world and to one another.

Cuttlefish projects a human face

2008-03-23T00:21:00.000-07:00

At about 0:49 this Cuttlefish projects what looks like a human face on its active camouflage. Then after a few seconds, the "face" morphs into what looks like a chimp face.

I'm absolutely fascinated by cuttlefish. The most impressive aspect of their active camouflage is that they use it to "dazzle" their prey to make them easier to catch. For some reason I can't find footage of the dazzling, though.

Classic Jack LaLanne: Happiness = Diet + Exercise

2008-03-21T18:16:00.000-07:00

Impending Crash of the US Dollar

2008-03-20T00:24:00.001-07:00

More LOL Cat Favorites

2008-03-06T09:50:00.000-08:00

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!

Enter the ICHC online Poker Cats Contest!