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This Just In! One Out of Three Ex-Smokers Misses Smoking!
Let me add to my disclaimer. Again, I do my best to get out of the way of people walking by. A majority of the time, not many people walk by me on my nicotine mini-party. But when they do, I give them plenty of way, and even hold the smoke out at arms length. I don't blow it in their direction nor do I scoff at their non-smoking status. The idea of this blog is based simply on the ones that take it way too far. I am near a business establishment, which I'm aware of. However, I also live here, just as that article spoke about. But if I'm making an obvious effort, please do the same. I promise you won't contract cancer in the one and three-quarters seconds you might come in contact with it. Just keep walking and everything will be fine, at least until the next impending tragedy in your life. I have been gathering up the nerve to quit a 19 year smoking habit. Recently I played Ultimate Frisbee and, well, let's just say my lungs were screaming at me within the first 20 minutes. I want to quit and will figure out a way. Cold turkey didn't work so I'm trying to find a cheap way to do it. Damn my addictive personality!— October 11, 2009 1:54 a.m.
He Got A Nobel Why?
AG, I think it's necessary for several reasons. First, without any kind of differing opinions, how are our own formed? I may be stuck in my ways but what if I come across a comment that might differ from mine but just stated unlike any way I've heard, and it strikes a chord in me? Shouldn't I be flexible enough to at least consider it? If I find out I don't agree, doesn't that solidify my opinion even further? Second, I guess for me it doesn't have anything to do with patriotism or being American, which these days isn't such a good thing around the world. But I digress. While I consider myself lucky to be in a society that is more "free" than most, I still find the way government has become is kind of sickening. Does Obama instill some kind of "hope" in me? Admittedly, and excitedly, he does. Will he get anything done? No clue. Does it matter? Not sure because he simply makes me want to live in a better country, unlike the past presidents I've lived through (dating back to Carter). That says a lot. So I hope he does well. I'm willing to give the man time to get things going because everything is a process. But back to my original point. Discussing topics that do have importance has nothing to do with patriotism. It's about healthy discourse regarding subjects that hold relative importance, even if it doesn't seem that way in the short-term. Think about where we are now. This didn't happen overnight. I worked in mortgage during the subprime explosion and subsequent collapse. It took a long time getting there and even with the short time falling on our faces, it's going to take a long time getting back up. People need to discuss ways to get up and how to stay up or else we're doomed to repeat mistakes. And next time it could be our last one as a society, if it's not this one. Anyway. Communication is a great thing, so long as it's healthy and a two-way street. Sorry for the soapbox effect.— October 10, 2009 2:51 a.m.
He Got A Nobel Why?
I would just like to say that I just spent the last 30 minutes reading through all of this and had a lot of fun. I have my opinions but will gladly keep them to myself. But this was a great read, but don't stop on my account. Give me more dialogue!! CuddleFish, please, don't feel worried about starting this thread. This isn't the first on this topic and it surely won't be the last. You have started a fantastic dialogue that, even if it's on a subject that can raise some prickly hairs on the nape of the neck, it is still necessary. Thank you for being the catalyst. And like someone said, we're all adults here and know by now that we can't control or change other people and their opinions (even though sometimes we just want to grab them by the shirt and shake them, screaming, "What the...!!!"); we just have to expect the difference and be respectful of it, which is something I think everyone has so far been doing.— October 9, 2009 11:33 p.m.
Serial Blogger
"P.S. Please reply with picture." I wonder if the double-stack oven is being sold by the same guy. Maybe in his prime he used that oven to make, oh, I don't know... liver? It's fun making people up, isn't it Pike? It's why I write as much fiction as possible because I am one boring a-hole. But not the guy in the ad. And now he's so much more interesting with your astuteness. You totally pegged this guy, as far as I'm concerned. But your neighborhood... it's kinda scary. Just sayin'.— October 9, 2009 9:18 p.m.
Shiver Me Timbers!
You know what would be the cherry on top of that glory hole? Bob Ross painting a happy little scene all around it. My imagination scares me sometimes.— October 9, 2009 12:09 a.m.
The List Blog—Sound your Barbaric Yawp:
Honestly, it was a while ago. The types I served were from banks, landlords, mostly things where people owed money. I was also young and stupid and just thinking I needed money and somewhat of an adventure. Got more adventure than money and found out it wasn't worth it. That was that. Looking back, I have to say I don't know where the line is drawn between a sheriff and a private party when it comes to serving certain papers. Whoever serves them, I have been served once (divorce) and I don't want it to happen again. Ever. After that I started feeling... watched. It was weird. So to me, it doesn't matter who does it. I feel bad for both parties now, the server and the served.— October 8, 2009 10:46 p.m.
The List Blog—Sound your Barbaric Yawp:
No, I didn't. Honestly, I lived in Naperville for about six months between MD and Iowa. Kind of a temporary thing, so I didn't explore. I should have, though. The few times I did get into the city I really enjoyed Chicago. Not as much as San Diego, though. However, anything Walter Payton put his name on had to be money, though. Was it a steak house? Kinda sounds like it.— October 8, 2009 9:29 p.m.
The List Blog—Sound your Barbaric Yawp:
A lot of the time it's the Sheriff's responsibility so serve a lot of court paperwork. However, my cousin had his own private investigation company and some places would just find going to him quicker and cheaper. But the important ones are done by the Sheriff. But if the Sheriff gets shot, it falls on the Deputy's shoulders. And he won't get shot. Says so in the song.— October 8, 2009 9:23 p.m.
The List Blog—Sound your Barbaric Yawp:
Here is a list, albeit a short one, of strange jobs I have had in the past. Now, I have had many jobs in the past, just not many of them worthy of being included in a list. At least not this one. Honestly, as far as I'm concerned, the only "job" I should be doing is writing. Everything else just sticker-bushes on my path. 1. I used to manage my own Papa John's store when I lived in Maryland. Why is this weird? Well, that job, including the job I have now, is very high energy. I can fake it, most of the time, but really, that's just not my personality. Give me a deadline and a job to do, it'll be done; don't you worry how. But on the spot run-around-like-my-head's-on-fire stuff, well, at least it IS a job. So in a way, it's kind of weird that I had that job... and even the one I have now, I guess. 2. I used to be a host at a ridiculously overpriced restaurant back in Naperville, IL. I can't even remember the name but this place had five or six different beach-y themed rooms, one with a waterfall, one looking out over a little pond with three live swans just swimming around doing... whatever swans do, and I had to tell the guests as I was seating them the history of these swans and the different rooms. I mean, where do I work, a museum or a restaurant? Oh, and I had to wear a tie. I didn't work there long. 3. I worked for a company that distributed vehicle/truck weight certificates for the DMV here in San Diego. I literally had people drive up on to these tiny little tire scales and then take their money, give them a certificate, then go. I had a lot of military people get this done, either transferring in or out. I had a fully armored Humvee pull up once, and I mean fully armored. These two old dudes in "civies" got out and asked me to weigh it, and please keep it below a certain number. I laughed, said only if I could take it for a spin around the block, he then laughed too, and said, "Just weight the damn thing." Sir, yes sir! 4. The strangest job I ever had was serving court summonses to people. Oh man, the people you encounter. I had to serve one guy while he was already in prison. I was scared to give him the pen to sign his name. I also had an ex-wife actually get in her own car and take me to where her ex-husband lived. She wanted to sit at the end of the block and watch. But my last one was a man, about 6'4" or taller, built like a brick s*** house, chase me with a wooden bat. To put it in perspective, I'm 5'5", about 140 and that's right after I just ate a hearty meal. I'm not a big guy. Fortunately, that makes me faster than the other guy. He ran after me for several blocks before he gave up. I called my boss, also my older cousin, and told him I was done. And I needed a ride back to my car. Well, that was a fun time down Memory Lane.— October 8, 2009 9:09 p.m.
Shiver Me Timbers!
It could be a glory hole. Did anyone see if there was a hole on the other side? Look! A line! And I crossed it. This reminds me of the homeless people that sit outside of our work, Pike, and constantly ask for spare change or food. Seriously, go get a job or something. Other people do it. You think I'm working for- sorry, I get a little agitated by them. Anyway. The guy who keeps posting this ad, I say you reply to him, give him the three rap songs you may have, then ask him if he's got any Raffi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpvcyJ5fKuA).— October 8, 2009 5:14 p.m.