Single Parent Quote

"The worst day with my children easily beats the best day without them!"

Single Parent Quote

Winston!!!!

I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly.     - Winston Churchhill

Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery. - Winston Churchhill

Russia is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.   - Winston Churchhill

You have enemies? Good. That means you've stood up for something, sometime in your life.   - Winston Churchhill

If you're going through hell, keep going. - Winston Churchhill

Never, never, never give up.   - Winston Churchhill

We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender.  - Winston Churchhill

A man does what he must - in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures - and that is the basis of all human morality.  - Winston Churchhill

A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty. - Winston Churchhill

An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.  - Winston Churchhill

Continuous effort - not strength or intelligence - is the key to unlocking our potential.  - Winston Churchhill

However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.  - Winston Churchhill

I am easily satisfied with the very best.   - Winston Churchhill

I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.  - Winston Churchhill

If you have ten thousand regulations you destroy all respect for the law.  - Winston Churchhill

Winston!!!!

How many statue of Liberties are there? You sure?

Happy Birthday to Lady Liberty in the U.S. and she is looking good at 125 years old.  But how old are her sister(s)?  Not sure, but I just learned that their are actually 3 statues and all this time I only thought there were 2.  No big surprise given that I'm a product of the public education system.

Fun Facts on the Statue of Liberty:

She stands at the entrance of New York harbor . . . a 151-foot statue of a  woman holding a book and a torch on-high. "Liberty Enlightening the  World" was a gift of  friendship from the people of France to the United States to commemorate the 100th anniversary of American indepen-dence.  Her American name is the 'Statue of Liberty' and she adorns not only New York's harbor, but also Swan Ally Island in the Seine River in Paris and also Paris' Luxembourg Gardens.  

Yes, there are three Lady Liberties!   They are all symbols of friendship, freedom and peace between the US and France. 

How many statue of Liberties are there? You sure?

John F. Kennedy is missed!

What is the American dream?  To own a house, free healthcare, destroy the rich?  I thought is was simply Liberty.

JFK apparently thought so as well.

"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today, at home, and around the world.

Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty."

                      -John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy is missed!

What is Labor Day?

What is Labor Day?  Every holiday I try and spend some time with my children to cover the history and intent of the currently observed holiday.  Christmas-check, Thanksgiving-check, Easter-Check, Veterans-check, Memorial-check, July 4th-check, Halloween-check, Labor Day-what in the hell is this one?  I really have no idea what or why on earth we have Labor Day other than it's the last big weekend signalling the end of summer and back to the school grind.

I'm now heartbroken to learn that Labor Day is really Union Day, no thanks to President Grover Cleveland.  Figures that the holiday was put in place to appease unions.  Before all you union people get your panties in a wad and start calling me.  There was a day and time for unions, but I believe that day ended many decades ago.  I have many family members in various unions, but all the solid God loving hard working union people I know are not in the union by choice.  Rather their chosen profession required them to be a part of the union, if unions are so great wouldn't it be completely voluntary?

Given the revelation of this Socialist holiday, how about we rename it...... Happy Entrepreneur Day, Happy Founders Day, Happy Small Business Day, Happy American Getting Things Done Day, Happy Innovation Day, Happy American Exceptional-ism Day, Happy You Can Do It Day.  Pretty much anything that means the exact opposite of unions would be a great move.  

What is Labor Day? (from the questionable; Wikipedia)

The first big Labor Day in the United States was observed on September 5, 1882, by the Communist Central Labor Union of New York. It was first proposed by Peter J. McGuire of the American Federation of Labor in May 1882.

Oregon was the first state to make it a holiday in 1887. By the time it became a federal holiday in 1894, thirty states officially celebrated Labor Day. Following the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the U.S. military and U.S. Marshals during the Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland reconciled with the labor movement. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.  The September date originally chosen by the CLU of New York and observed by many of the nation's trade unions for the past several years was selected rather than the more widespread International Worker's Day because Cleveland was concerned that observance of the latter would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair, which it had been observed to commemorate.  All U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and the territories have made it a statutory holiday.

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations", followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parties. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labor Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years.  Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school, although school starting times now vary.

What is Labor Day?  It seems to be a holiday to celebrate everything America is not.

What is Labor Day?

Peeing on a tree quote

One of my early blog posts involved an incident that left me scatching my head.  Working from home I see my son in the backyard peeing on the fence.  Upon asking my son why he was peeing on the fence, he replied, "Well, I peed on the tree and I figured the fence needed some pee too.". 

I couldn't argue with kid logic this powerful....  I hope he's not peeing on a tree at his school right now though.  Just a great parenting moment.

Peeing on a tree quote

Rest In Peace Brother!

Navy Seal Jon Tumilson's "man's best friend  "Hawkeye" led the funeral profession into the gym and then laid in front of his master during the service. Tear jerking. 
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Rest In Peace Brother!

Are student loans the next bubble?

Many would argue that higher education in this country is the best in the world. France has some of the best culinary schools, and Oxford and Cambridge have rivaling histories of literary renown, but only in the United States will you find comparable culinary and literary prowess as well as thousands of virtually every other topic one could imagine -- only to the United States do more than half a million students come every year to study.

Here's a question or two for you:  If our public K-12 educational system is such a mess, then how do we have world class leading higher education?  Is higher education only the best because the universities and colleges claim it to be?  Do our top colleges and universities actually suck?

Then add in the ever increasing crushing debt burden upon our students: Student Loans.  Is it time to rethink not only what college, but how students go about getting a college degree?  I would say yes.

According to a recent study by the college board, I am in plenty of good (or was in unlucky) company as almost one-out-of-five graduates with bachelor degrees will not be able to make payments on the average undergraduate loan debt, which now stands at a whopping $30,500 before interest. If that’s not disheartening enough, consider that for the first time ever, student loan debt now outranks credit card debt.

Can you believe that Americans now have accrued more debt by pursuing higher education that by using credit cards.  To be exact – $805.9 billion in federal student loans outstanding and $237.3 billion in outstanding private student loans. The news is even more troubling for both the African American and Latino communities, who borrow disproportionately to pay for private nonprofit or for-profit college than a public four-year college.

Do parents need to save and pay more or is it time to completely rethink higher education?  Do I even bring up how much of our tax dollars are used to fund higher education, thus we are paying twice and condemning our children to monster student loans. 

Are student loans the next bubble?

Law school students sue their law school (Way too funny)

I guess this law school taught their students a bit too well, since they graduated and promptly sued the school.  You can't make this stuff up.  Hahaha


Watch Video:
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Law_Students_Sue_New_York-127640498.html

Law school students sue their law school (Way too funny)

Mom of the year!!!!

In this age of political correctness, I'll throw my two cents in on the Government feeling up our children this way. "Hey dirtbags, keep your hands off our children!".  What am I talking about?  A Nashville mom stands up to the TSA to protect her daughter.

Mom takes on TSA, read story:
http://news.travel.aol.com/2011/07/13/mom-arrested-for-yelling-at-tsa-over-daughters-patdown/

Mom of the year!!!!

Tax the evil rich!!!!

What

When did hate become so popular?  Tax the rich, also known as take/steal/confiscate, and give it to another person is alive and well.  Unfortunately.  Funny that taxing the rich doesn't seem to necessarily go to another, but rather it disappears into a big sucking black hole called government spending.  Why don't we just give "the poor" the freedom to take from the rich directly.  It would be great and just imagine someone driving a car you like and being able to go whack them over the head and steal it.  Did I say steal?  I meant to say tax it from them.  See a house you like, well just give "the poor" the "right" to go kick in the front door and confiscate the home.  Did I say confiscate?  I meant to say tax if from them.  Well you get the idea....

To get our kids on board with this type of thinking we should make all children who get A's, B's, and C's in school "give" points to any kids with F's.  We can call it taxing the evil smart kids.

Or we could just move to a flat tax system that treats all of us equal..is that hateful?....

Tax the evil rich!!!!

Notable Quote

I wish it were possible to obtain a single amendment to our Constitution. I would be willing to depend on that alone for the reduction of the administration of our government to the genuine principles of its Constitution; I mean an additional article, taking from the federal government the power of borrowing. -Thomas Jefferson

Notable Quote

Too shocking for adults, but it's taught to 3rd graders

I love that the school board doesn't like the language used, but the mom is literally reading from her kids 3rd grade text book. If the language is inappropriate for a school board meeting, wouldn't someone think it would be inappropriate for 3rd graders? How did this text book get into the classroom?

Too shocking for adults, but it's taught to 3rd graders

You have got to be kidding me

nice

2 High School students are suspended and arrested for having a
leatherman (multi-tool) and a lighter (explosive device). Is this
really how far we have sunk as a nation?
I used to trade Old Timer Knives in school with my teachers, at the
same time half the students in my school had a hunting rifle in their
trucks. Funny that we didn't have the school violence issues then
that we enjoy so much today. I commented on this subject in the past
that we should be going the opposite direction with students today.
Add in shooting classes, gun safety, proper care and maintenence of
firearms, knives 101, and so on. Guns have been part of students
lives for hundreds of years with almost no problems. Agree or
disagree, but what we are doing today is not working.
Read full story here:
http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/05/10/2-md-students-punished-after-bag-search/

You have got to be kidding me

I hope that it was a good one.

mom

I hope that it was a good one.

Quote

I firmly believe that parenting is one part motivational speaker to
help our children face life's many obstacles. In our home the word
"can't" is treated as harshly as any other four letter word. I will
be in a world of trouble if my children find out that I would would
welcome traditional four letter words over the word "can't".
Another great quote:
"We will either find a way, or make one." -Hannibal

Quote

InHouston Charity of the month (Eye Care for Kids)

InHouston, an InCity Netowrk, is proud to announce the upcoming charity for the month of May. Each months featured charity will have personel available to you at the InHouston flagship mixer at the UpTown Park Tasting Room on May 11th. I hope you will join us in supporting this outstanding organization by attending InHouston events and spreading the word to others.

About Eye Care for Kids:

Eye Care for Kids Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, formed in 1998 that provides free eye examinations and glasses for low-income, uninsured children in the greater Houston area.

Learn more: http://www.eyecareforkids.org/

InHouston Charity of the month (Eye Care for Kids)

How many Margarita's do your kids need?

http://kingdads.blogspot.com

Applebee's gives toddler a margarita in place of apple juice.  There has to be more to this story.

New Applebee's employment quiz:
Should kids have 1, 2, or 3 margarita's while dining out?  Ummmmmm, the answer is 1?
I guess if you work at Applebee's then you would have failed this test, but then again you're telling me that parents can't tell the difference between apple juice and a margarita.  Something smells fishy with this story.

Read full story:
http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-applebees-toddler-alcohol,0,4921448.story

How many Margarita's do your kids need?

April Fools was fun

Thank you to the ShopSavvy team for keeping April 1st a fun day of the year and allowing me to be a co-conspirator.

If you don't have or use ShopSavvy, well you should to save money today.
http://shopsavvy.mobi/

April Fools was fun

GreyScale is the Best New Smartphone app for singles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Scott Baradell   

(972) 235-3439       
sbaradell@ideagrove.com   

GreyScale Reinvents Loneliness

Startup Raises $41 to Celebrate Isolation and Withdrawal

in a World That's Just Not That Interesting

DALLAS, April 1, 2011 — Introduced today, GreyScale™ is a miraculous, free application for iPhone and Android that allows people who spend most of their time alone to capture and have real-time access to monochromatic photos and videos of themselves -- created by themselves, for themselves.  GreyScale is the best way to experience life's everyday moments without having to share them with people you barely know and could care less about – or anyone else, for that matter.

"GreyScale is the most advanced and intuitive way to enjoy your smartphone, even if you don't have many friends and rarely get out of the house," said Alexander Muse, GreyScale's CEO.  "While some high-profile apps, such at the recently announced Color, encourage users to share everything with everybody, we find this very annoying.  We are happiest when we don't have to pretend to lead exciting lives, since most people today actually lead lives of isolation and withdrawal."  

"Let's face it: it's not just losers who are alone a lot – it's most of us.  And most of us don't look that great in color, either," Muse added. "That's why we like to say that GreyScale is 'Color for the rest of us.'"

"Just as the iPhone changed everything about mobile phones, so GreyScale will transform the way people work and play with themselves," said Jeff Clavier, Founder and Managing Partner, SoftTech VC.  "Once or twice a decade a company emerges from Silicon Valley that can change everything. While not actually based in Silicon Valley, GreyScale is one of those companies."  

GreyScale has raised $41 in financing from an all-star cast of angel investors including Jeff Clavier, Mark Cuban, Dave McClure, David Cohen, Jay Adelson, Gabriella Draney and Aaron Patzer.  Proceeds will be used to develop GreyScale's pioneering technology and provide service on a global scale, particularly in Eastern Europe, where it is expected to be huge.

GreyScale is a Visual Diary

Every photo and video captured using GreyScale is stored on the Web for immediate enjoyment.  Capture every experience without worrying about using up memory; GreyScale has infinite capacity to capture even the most mundane moments of the most monotonous lives.  Each day is monochromatically displayed as a series of thumbnail images.  Tap on any image to go back to the day when it was originally captured for full contextual information.  You can see all your visits to the bathroom, living room couch or mailbox during the past day, week or month. Looking back has never been so detailed, easy or unsparingly honest.

Availability and Pricing

GreyScale is available from various places arguing over who owns the name "App Store." It is free to download and use.

About GreyScale

GreyScale is advancing the Post-VC revolution by inventing new applications for about $41 each. Founded and led by a team of no-name engineers and entrepreneurs, GreyScale is based in Dallas but conveniently located in the area code of Palo Alto, California. To learn more about GreyScale, please visit http://www.shopsavvy.mobi.

Links to Graphics:

GreyScale Logo: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/109866/GreyScale/GreyScale%20Logo.jpg

Icon: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/109866/GreyScale/Icon.png

Website Screenshot: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/109866/GreyScale/Website-Screenshot.png

iPhone Screenshot 1: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/109866/GreyScale/iPhone-Screenshot1.png

iPhone Screenshot 2: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/109866/GreyScale/iPhone-Screenshot2.png

Android Screenshot: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/109866/GreyScale/Android-Screenshot1.png

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GreyScale is the Best New Smartphone app for singles