I have always said it, to keep teenagers from having sex there should be a sensor that would go off with the sound of a baby crying when they are making out. Here is a comerical that takes it to the next level.
I thought that I would try something new Saturday night. I found this group on Craig’s list and decided that I would be willing to try anything once so I went Hashing. The group that I went out with goes by the name of the Tampa Bay Hash House Harriers. Now before some of you think that I have turned to harder substances then Beer or Vodka, please let me explain.
Hashing is a mixture of running, orienteering and drinking. There is ritual and exercise and sometimes nudity! The people are open and welcoming. I had one of the best times of my life doing this. It all starts with a “circle”, that is where people gather and imbibe beverages. You must bring a mug or vessel with you, it is imperative, so as to disguise the beverage that you are drinking. Also it is stated that one should not wear new shoes on the trail, if you do you will get a nasty treat at the end of the trail if you do. They bless the Hare, initiate the “virgins” (those that have never hashed before) and give general announcements about goings on and the trail ahead. The hare leaves just before the announcements and the initiation of the virgins so that he can lay the trail. The trail is laid with flower, chalk marks and or toilet paper. The hare gets a 15-minute start. This is where the fun begins!
Off to the trail…
There are many types of trails that are done and this one was what hashers call a Shiggy Trail (This means that the trail may be or have: jungle, thick vegetation, rocks, cliffs, streams, etc; especially mud. trail.). This was no exception to the rule, we trudged through a muddy stream that went up to my waist. It didn’t help that I also did a face plant in the middle of the stream. After we followed the trail down the stream we climbed out via an obliging bank. From there the trail took side streets and then went along Tampa Bay. As happens most afternoons here in the summer time, a rain and lightening show occured. It was a little bit scary but we made it to the halfway point that was a beer stop. I was pretty tipsy when we started out (I had not run that drunk since I was a student in Krakow) so I decided that I would stick to water. The next 1.5 miles went off without a hitch and we ended in the parking lot of a Catholic Church.
The religious advisor for the group conducted the ending circle. This is the 2nd part of the triad that makes a hash. There is the trail, the circle and the on-after. This circle is where they talk about the trail, celebrate special events and chastise members with what is called “down-downs”. A down-down is a ceremonial honoring of deserving hashers after the trail, part of the circle. The ceremony consists of calling the offending party to the middle of the circle and making them drink the contents of their vessel (which is usually full) and after finishing up the beverage tipping the glass over their head. The virgins are also called into the circle and are asked questions and then given a special down-down. Songs are also sung. I would advise never to use the word “head” since it will inspire a special song.
The last portion of the ritual is the on-after. The on-after is when the participants adjourn to a local pub to eat and continue to intake beverages. This may last of hours.
A little history lesson about hashing: The roots of modern hashing started around 1937 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by an English accountant by the name of Albert Stephen Ignatius Gispert. Hashing was suspended during World War II, due to the occupation of Malaysia by the Japanese. After the war hashes started up again and continued to spread across the world. The philosophy of hashers is as follows:
To promote physical fitness among our members
To get rid of weekend hangovers
To acquire a good thirst and to satisfy it in beer
To persuade the older members that they are not as old as they feel
Lack of ass hole attorneys (at least I do not know them yet)
Florida does not have a state income tax!!! (In Ohio you are taxed by the municipality that you work in, the city one that you live in, and if that is not enough you are taxed by the state).
BEER!!! Yuengling is made here!! See evidence:
Above it a picture of the plant where this wonderful brew is made. You can even take tours of the Plant and pick up beer there. It is on tap everywhere around here. This explains my encounter with a bar that had it when I went there around christmast time 2004.
The Seafood! You just can not beat the freshness! Wait, it came right out of the water in front of you!
The weather, yes it may be hot now, but I won’t have to look at sights like this here come January
You can look at palm trees all year around
Tampa has an average of 101 sunny days per year compared to Cleveland’s 66
Tampa’s average temperature year around is 72, Cleveland’s average temperature is 49
In the last three months, Rep. Katherine Harris (R-FL) "has lost almost half of the Republicans who planned to vote for her," according to a new Mason-Dixon poll "that suggests the congresswoman has little chance of unseating Sen. Bill Nelson." If the election were held today, Nelson would beat Harris by a stunning margin, 57% to 29% with just 14% undecided.
Said pollster Brad Coker: "This candidacy was an uphill battle to begin with. But it can't even climb now. It just loses ground."
I have some of the most wonderful friends in the world. Some came and helped me move out of Cleveland and came to help me make sense of all of the stuff that I had accumulated over the past 28 years. With this help I was able to pair down my stuff so that it would fit in a Ford Focus, a Chrysler Caravan and a BMW 328i! All were filled to the brim and I didn’t have to leave that much behind in Michigan. Here is a picture of my beautiful BMW loaded and ready to go to FLA. Our drive took us through Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia. In all my years in Ohio I had never been to Cincinnati. As it turns out it doesn’t look like I was missing much. In Kentucky I stopped to pick up some things that you can only get in Kentucky.
We stopped in Georgia for the night. It was good to get some quality sleep. Surprisingly we didn’t have any problems on our trip. The only traffic that we hit was around Knoxville. The roads were great and the traffic moved at a fast pace.
From there we arrived in the promise land of Florida
The days drift by They don't have names None of the streets here look the same And there're so many quiet places And smilin' eyes match the smilin' faces
Chorus: And I have found me a home I have found me a home You can have the rest of everything I own 'Cause I have found me a home
My ol' red bike Gets me around To the bars and the beaches of my town There aren't many reasons I would leave 'Cause I have found me some peace
And the ladies aren't demandin' here They'll never ask too much When you're comin' off a cold love That's sure a nice warm touch
Chorus: Yes I have found me a home I have found me a home You can have the rest of everything I own 'Cause I have found me a home
And the days drift by They don't have names And none of the streets here look the same There aren't many reasons I would leave 'Cause I have found me some peace
Yes I have found me a home I have found me a home You can have the rest of everything I own 'Cause I have found me a home Yes I have found me a home
Words appear on the screen, they tell a story that explains so much.The words are not many but the meaning is apparent if you read between the lines. The story that one finds there, is one of deceit and conniving.As tales go it starts out wonderful, and as most stories go it ends in a lie. The duplicity found goes back years.It did not start just this time around nor will it end with this turn.The infidelity will happen again.The apple doesn't fall far from the tree and a leopard does not change its spots are phrases that have shown themselves to be true.Looking back the meaning between the lines shows the lies were there all along.It is disheartening to see that the people knew more then what they were saying.Introductions were made behind in secret and some were left in the cold.Karma will come around, and no mercy is shown.That is what hell is for. It is good to know now who could be trusted and who lied!Good to see people for whom they really are.Clarity is a precious gift.
Two Reasons Why Kentucky Should Never be Thrown Out of the Union
I picked these items up in Kentucky as I drove through. They are both hard to come by. The Everclear is hard to find and the scotch is also hard to come by. But you can buy them in any party store in Kentucky.
Since Larry was home and I was slated to move to a new place across the country my Mother threw a little party. This was a wonderful opportunity for me. I had not seen many of these people for almost 2 years. I had lived in Cleveland for over 2 years and the person that I was involved with didn’t like to make the trip to Michigan. In addition I didn’t have that much to travel due to my job.
Norma and Sabb are old friends of the family. Norma went to high school with my grandmother and they have always been close to my family. One of my earliest memories was going to their house in Vicksburg and riding the miniature mechanical pony that they had.
Dave and Marie lived next door to my grandparents for over 25 years. I learned so much from David. He taught me how to rush chairs, refinish furniture and how to do basic wood working. I was in their daughters wedding as a flower girl. I feel horrible that I missed so much time with everyone and now I am leaving. But I am leaving for a better life.
When she told me the news I was feelin' the blues When this fella came on the TV He said that I'm tellin' you, T hat science has proven That heartaches are healed by the sea And that got me goin' without even knowin' And I packed right up and drove down Now I'm on a role, and I swear to my soul Tonight I'm gonna paint this town (chorus) So Bring me Two Pina Colladas I want one for each hand Let's set sail with Captain Morgan or we'll never leave dry land Any troubles I've forgotten I've buried them in the sand. So bring me two Pina Colladas She said goodbye to her good timing man. Now I've got to saying, that the wind and the waves And the moon winkin' down at me Eases my mind, by leaving behind The heartaches that love often brings Now I've got a smile, that goes on for miles With no inclination to roam Now I've gotta say, that I thank God I stayed Cause this is feeling more and more like home (chorus) So Bring me Two Pina Colladas I want one for each hand Let's set sail with Captain Morgan or we'll never leave dry land Any troubles I've forgotten I've buried them in the sand. So bring me two Pina Colladas She said goodbye to her good timing man. Bring me, bring me, two pina colladas I gotta have one for each hand lets all set sail with Captain Morgan or we'll never leave dry land Any troubles I've forgotten I've buried them in the sand So bring my two pina colladas And say hello to her good timing man Bring me to pina colladas I gotta have one for each hand Lets all set sail with Captain Morgan or we'll never leave dry land Any troubles I've forgotten, I've buried them in the sand so bring me two pina colladas she said goodbye to her good timing man... --Garth Brooks
I have been hesitant to write about how I truly feel about the events that have occurred in the last month.I have received some pushback from people who do not seem to think that I have a right to my feelings. I have a right to those feelings.I have the right to feel hate!I have restrained myself from lashing out. They do not know the stuff that has gone on.They do not know the stunts that were pulled by people and the childishness that people show when they loose control of a person or a situation. The lack of amicability in resolving this situation is not my fault; it is the fault of the person who acted like a child!Who harassed me at work and went off their rocker!
I lost so much.I lots friends (or at least people that I thought were friends). I also lost a business that I was becoming successful at.And most of all I lost 2 years of my life.
Within a week I managed to find a new job, a place to live across the country and organize an exit from a state that I had promised myself that I would never live in. Unlike the last victim of his lying ways I didn't have family only an hour away, my family was at least 4 hours away.I arranged things as fast as I could and moved my all of my stuff out of the house all by myself.
I lost opportunities as well.I dedicated my self to someone.You have to work at a relationship and you have to try and understand the person. This is one thing that is wrong with this time period; no one wants to work at anything.Commitment doesn't mean anything!I was raised by people from a different generation, I was raised people who worked hard at their marriage and worked on it for over 50 years.I am not under any illusion that it was all perfect; I know that it was not, but they worked at it.
I can see the lies that were told to me, how I was snowed.How I believed someone that I should have been suspect of and how I didn't listen to those who tried to warn me! A leopard does not change their spots!Once a cheating bastard always a cheating bastard!
I swear that I should not be allowed on the roads. Every time I get on the highway I end up in a traffic jam that turns major highways in to parking lots. It happened on the way back from Sarah’s house last weekend and it happened this time on the way to Lansing to pick up my Uncle. The last 2 traffic jams were not due to construction, they were due to accidents. We ended up taking my BMW since GP’s mini-van started to give a check engine light the night before last night. We didn’t want to chance driving all the way to Lansing.
With the arrival of my Uncle the entire dynamic changes around the house. My uncle is treated with great reverence and all is done to please him. I can now see how some of my mothers feelings may have been justified (some will say that this is a break through for me). The house must be in perfect condition and the entire world stops because he is here.
Sarah came over from Kalamazoo to help go through the storage unit that my family has.We did it in record time.It was like going through a time capsule.Some of the stuff had not been looked through since the early 1990's.My happiest find was my Class ring! I had thought that it had been stolen when I was in College; however it was in a separate jewelry case.I was truly excited to see it!We went through 12 tubs and eliminated or donated all but 2 tubs of that!We even started to organize it.In addition I cleaned the house for Grandfather and cleaned out the closet in the computer room. So much stuff!It will be fun to cram stuff into the cars!
There are conflicting reports as to weather or not a weapon was used WWMT stated in their story that there was not a weapon use while the Enquire.
What is not in dispute is the amount of firepower that the Battle Creek Police Department.
The Enquirer stated in a earlier article that 20 cop cars were at the stand off and a S.W.A.T team was present and that motorized robot was used to bring the standoff to a close.
Tons of stuff for me to go through before the Calvary arrives.2 storage units, two car, and only a few days, this is going get interesting. It is like a really bad joke: how many boxes can you fit into a BMW 3 series?
On that note things have gotten a bit harder since I have lost so much weight that I can now fit in to clothes that I have not been able to wear in some time. This is making the narrowing down a bit hard.
LONDON Jul 11, 2006 (AP)— Syd Barrett, the troubled genius who co-founded Pink Floyd but spent his last years in reclusive anonymity, has died, a spokeswoman for the band said Tuesday. He was 60. The spokeswoman who declined to give her name until the band made an official announcement confirmed media reports that he had died. She said Barrett died several days ago. She did not disclose the cause of death. Barrett co-founded Pink Floyd in 1965 with Roger Waters and wrote many of the band's early songs. The group's jazz-infused rock made them darlings of the London psychedelic scene, and the 1967 album "The Piper at the Gates of Dawn" largely written by Barrett was a commercial and critical hit. Barrett's behavior grew increasingly erratic, and he left the group in 1968. He spent much of the rest of his life living quietly in his hometown of Cambridge, England. The band spokeswoman said a small, private funeral would be held.
It is like a mini high school reunion. Actually, we should have had our 10 year class reunion this year, but that doesn't look like it is going to happen. To catch up on old times and to see people that I have not seen in years I met a friend at the Stage Coach to catch up on old times. It was great.
Today would have been my Grandmother's 79th.My grandfather was the first to mention it. I had tried not to mention it, but once the words came out of his mouth it placed a cloud on the day. Her memory is still all around the house.It makes the day really sad.Grandfather is sad and so is mom. I think that I will go out to the gravesite today and place some fresh flowers.
My grandmother always told me that you were lucky if you had 2 true friends in you life. True friends are the type that even though you have not spoken with them for sometime, when you do talk it is just like you spoke just yesterday. I have been blessed with 2 friends like that, Salena and Sarah. This weekend I spent some quality time with Sarah. Sarah and I became acquainted at Student Congress when I was a junior and she was a sophomore where she was a lobbyist and I was a member of the House of Representatives. We had dates to each others Senior Proms. Sarah kept me sane and I think that I gave her an opportunity to see the world a little bit differently.
Years pass and situations change, but a little talk on the phone and it is like no time has passed. I believe that the last time that we saw each other was just before I left for Poland. So we went out to lunch, shopping, a movie and then to see some of her friends. We talked about current events, each other’s families and our plans for the future. She is getting ready to go on a mission to Cameron and is working as a Physicians Assistant in an emergency room in South Haven. As usual we discussed religion and different theologies. I have chosen a different path. We discussed some of my most recent decisions and she disagrees with my choices with respect to religion, but that is a large part of her life and I respect her decisions. I hope that her mission to Cameron will be successful and that she will be safe during the entire time that she is there. It is a long trip and a long time to be away.
Having been away from home and seeing other democratic operations has made me appreciate the way things work at home.The democrats from my home county actually have it together. They have a HQ and they are out walking for the primary.They have a Bingo operation that is raising cash.They even have people to staff the HQ.This is no small feat for a small county that is economically depressed.I only had to make one phone call and I was already in the thick of things. I saw old friends and they were happy to see me.I walked for State Senator Mark Schauer who should handily win the election.He is an incumbent and he doesn't take that for granted.He was out walking yesterday and today.You have to love a candidate who is willing to go door to door without you having to hound him. In addition, we had stuff for candidates that were running in the county elections and for the Michigan State House.They seem organized and ready to put up a fight this fall! This is in stark contrast to the democrats that I have been dealing with in Ohio!
In an article featured on the Drudge Report, CBS announces in its head line that " Ohio Governor Faces Public Reprimand".This stuff is like manna from heaven, but the democrats in Ohio are so inept that they have not been able to take advantage of it.In August Governor Taft was splashed across the headlines when he appeared in Franklin County Common Pleas Court and pleaded no contest to charges of failing to report golf outings and other gifts while in office.I mean seriously, how often do you get gifts like this handed to you when you are the opposition. This in conjunction with the coin scandal should have been enough to detonate his stay in office.
I lay this on the door step of the democrats.They should have done something to cause this to be a big deal.Millions of dollars were lost on the coin investments and that was on Taft's watch.The Republicans would not have wasted chances like this!
Many thoughts are running through my mind as I sit in my friend’s flat in the heights, I can see the skyline of Cleveland. I reflect on the mistake that has been the last 2 years of my life. This sojourn south from Michigan was a misguided affair. I left home in a cloud and I leave this place in a cloud as well. The city of Cleveland looks so bright from the 8th floor apartment. The lights are so bright, but who would have know that they would be so deceiving. Or should I say that I was deceived by a person that went to school to learn how to lie. The sacrifices that I made to come here were not worth it. The heartbreak, the feeling of being tossed out for something that is more attractive or being told that “other opportunities looked more attractive” is something that I can never forgive! Friendship is not possible with a person who is so selfish, with someone who acts like such a child. The only thing that I am thankful for is that it did not suck another year of my life away. The hatred that I feel can not be expressed in its fullest terms. I cannot find words strong enough to articulate the depth of the loathing that I feel for this person. Rotting in hell would be too good a punishment.
The 4th is a wonderful time in Battle Creek. The USAF Thunder Birds were in town and they put on a show. It is amazing the tricks that they do. It was also great to see my family
Saturday I had a rare opportunity to see a friend sing in a contemporary religious service. The singing was ok, from what I was told they were not true to form that evening. Nevertheless it was great to see my friend sing. Things were going well until the guy gets up for the homily. As it turns out the pastor was on vacation and one of the gentlemen who was a member of the band was deputized to give a lesson.
This being the weekend before July 4th and a Christen denomination I was prepared for the "flag waving" and the Christ centered speech. However this far beyond what may have been accepted as reasonable. In the first 3 sentences he stated that dissent was wrong, that burning the flag was an act of treason and that America is the best country in the world and that the war was completely justified. It took all of my strength and consideration for my friend not to just walk out. He continued to go on about how Washington had a prayer service right after he was inaugurated. I have a hard time believing this because from what I know of Washington. Then he recounted the reasons that he believes the US was first settled.
Ron, friends husband was not amused either. He was about ready to walk out as well. I guess I gave the guy talking the glare of death because he commented to my friend that he noticed it. He also stated that it caused him to shorten his speech taking out an entire section on the “Shame of America.” I can only imagine what that would have consisted of.
I have not been all that adventurous in my life… wait… I really can’t say that. However, I am not one that likes to participate in risky behavior. Well last night I did something that I have never done before, I rode on a motorcycle! It was so much fun. I was a passenger, but it was fun. We even went on the highway. It was wonderful to have the wind all around you. I did wear a helmet. I do not think that I would ever do that without wearing a helmet. The ride by the lake was so pretty. Even when it was cold outside it didn’t seem that bad on the bike. I think that I will have to do that again soon.
You can even take tours of the Plant and pick up beer there. It is on tap everywhere around here. This explains my encounter with a bar that had it when I went there around christmast time 2004.
I have some of the most wonderful friends in the world. Some came and helped me move out of Cleveland and came to help me make sense of all of the stuff that I had accumulated over the past 28 years. With this help I was able to pair down my stuff so that it would fit in a Ford Focus, a Chrysler Caravan and a BMW 328i! All were filled to the brim and I didn’t have to leave that much behind in Michigan. Here is a picture of my beautiful BMW loaded and ready to go to FLA. Our drive took us through Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Georgia.
In Kentucky I stopped to pick up some things that you can only get in Kentucky.
