NetFLix Review

There are lot of movie out there that people would never even hear of without the existence of NetFlix. I love Netflix. They take the movies that you rent and offer suggestions of other movies that you might like. Some of them are good, some. . . .
There is also a thing on Netflix where your friends can send you recommendation. Since I have no friends, I have to take my recommmendations from The RadioGnome.

Now I can't remember which of the above sent me here, but Mrs. Deathlok and I watched a movie call "11:14". It was really good. It basically about an event that happens (an accident) and shows 5 or 6 different peoples lives that lead up to the time of 11:14. It was well put together. It was not really funny, but their were parts that made you laugh and still had a SNATCH/MEMENTO feel to it.

If you are stuck for what to rent, I highly recommend this.

Credit Card Funny!

My cousin sent this to me today. It made me laugh:

Cancel your credit card before you die.......(hilarious!)

Now some people are really stupid!!!! Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die.

This is so priceless, and so, so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today.

A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00 when she died, but now somewhere around $60.00. A family member placed a call to Citibank.

Here is the exchange:

Family Member: "I am calling to tell you she died back in January."

Citibank: "The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply."

Family Member: "Maybe, you should turn it over to collections."

Citibank: "Since it is two months past due, it already has been."

Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?"

Citibank: "Either report her account to frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!"

Family Member: "Do you think God will be mad at her?"

Citibank: "Excuse me?"

Family Member: "Did you just get what I was telling you - the part about her being dead?"

Citibank: "Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor."

Supervisor gets on the phone:

Family Member: "I'm calling to tell you, she died back in January with a $0 balance."

Citibank : "The account was never closed and late fees and charges still apply."

Family Member: "You mean you want to collect from her estate?"

Citibank: (Stammer) "Are you her lawyer?"

Family Member: "No, I'm her great nephew." (Lawyer info was given)

Citibank: "Could you fax us a certificate of death?"

Family Member: "Sure." (Fax number was given )

After they get the fax:

Citibank: "Our system just isn't setup for death. I don't know what more I can do to help."

Family Member: "Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. She won't care."

Citibank: "Well, the late fees and charges do still apply." (What is wrong with these people?!?)

Family Member: "Would you like her new billing address?"

Citibank: "That might help."

Family Member: " Odessa Memorial Cemetery , Highway 129, Plot Number 69."

Citibank: "Sir, that's a cemetery!"

Family Member: "What do you do with dead people on your planet???


(Priceless!!)

Mr. Orwell, Your Table Is Ready!

I was watching Action News this morning and this story on "No Back Packs"
in the schools came on.

He is an excerpt:

"August 28, 2007 - A Montgomery County school district is facing student criticism over a backpack ban. Officials want students to wear see-through knapsacks in school, saying it's a safety issue.

When classes start at Wissachickon High School clear backpacks are going to be the rule. Students will be able to bring their regular backpacks to school, but if they want to carry bags in the halls during the school day, those bags will have to be clear plastic or see-through mesh."

Does anyone think this will do anything? Do they really think that if a kid is going to bring a gun to school that hiding it between two books will not occur to them? Maybe if they make armed school violation an automatic "tried as an adult" offense, there would be a reduction in these high school attacks.

If they are that worried, why don't they just eliminate books and have a computer screen on every desk and the books online. They can also require the kids all wear a single slip on jumpsuit with no pockets.

This just seems ridiculous to me. As someone who has a highschool age child, I think this sounds like something that someone from the PTA thought up.

It's Quiz Time

Okay, everyone get your thinking caps on. It's time for NAME THAT CHARACTER. The first one to get all ten will get a special mention on this blog.
1. Let's start off easy.

2. Who's Driving the Convert-A-Car?

3. Alter Ego - Hiriam

4. Okay for this one you need to name them both. (Not the head)

5. Sure most people can name the pilot, can you name the sidekick?

6. I was gonna go with both, but just name the guy hanging by his collar.

7. I do love my old Anime.

8. Danger Is His Business.

9. Eh, GOTTYAH!

10. Ariel? Merfolk, please!

Seussical!

I found this in which I described Wyatt's job:

Chicks with Tricks come. Spicks with Glocks come.
Chicks do Tricks with Spicks with Glocks some.
Trick Chicks Cock Block Spicks with Glocks.
Cock Blocked, Glock Cocked.
Glock Burns, Tricks Turned.

Cereal Killer

Based on the response from my Cereal Post, I thought that I would pass this site along. It's awesome.

Screw Civil War history and that jazz. This is historical info that you can use.

The History of Cereal

Cleaning House! - Part 1

I have been going through a lot of old stuff that I have saved on the computer over the years and I thought, Hey! I'll Share!

This is an email that was sent as a retort to those emails that get circulated every once in a while about "Don't Buy Gas On Thursday". I thought that it was not only informative, but also one of the funnier emails that I have ever read . . . . and thus saved it. I actually received this from Vincent Antonelli back in September of 2002. Reprinted here without permission. . . . .Sue Me!

The original email:
Whoever started this has a good point. This plan makes more sense than
the "don't buy gas on a certain day" plan that was going around last year.
By now you're probably thinking gasoline priced at about $1.49 is cheap.
Me too! As it is now $1.58 for regular unleaded. Now that the oil
companies and the OPEC nations have conditioned us to think that the cost
of a gallon of gas is CHEAP at less than $1.50, we need to try an
aggressive response. With the price of gasoline going up more each day, we
consumers need to take action. The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down! is if we don't buy it. But, that's not really a practical option since we all have come to rely on our cars. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we
all act together. Here's the idea - For the rest of this year, don't purchase gasoline from the two biggest companies (which now are one), EXXON and MOBIL. If they are not selling, they should be inclined to reduce their prices - and if they reduce their prices the other companies will too. But to have an impact, we need to
reach literally millions of users. But it IS...doable!
I am sending this note to 25 people. If each of you send it to at least 10
more ...and those 10 send it to at least 10 more ... and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth generation, we will have reached over one million consumers. Acting together we can make a difference. If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on by copying and pasting into a new message (or, if you must, simply forward it to at least 10 more E-mail addresses!
PLEASE HOLD OUT AND NOT BUY FROM EXXON OR MOBIL STATIONS UNTIL THEY LOWER
THEIR PRICES TO AT LEAST $1.29 AND KEEP THEM DOWN. IF THEY SUBSEQUENTLY
RAISE THEIR PRICES, QUIT BUYING FROM THEM AGAIN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK!!

And Vinnie's response:

Opec Shmopec.

I still favor the proposal that all recipients of the e-mail contribute one
shiny nickel to send Ms. Doyle back to school - or just pay her to stop using her computer altogether. An economics class or a logic course would suffice. (By the way, all contributions should be sent to me, and I will do my best to forward the funds to the appropriate people.) Personally, I think she probably owns a lot of stock in Texaco, and is just trying to boost her 401k. Either that or she's seen too many of those commercials that have the ending "if business were that simple, you wouldn't need (insert company name here)..."

Let's go to the videotape for the play-by-play:

1. "This plan makes more sense than the "don't buy gas on a certain day" plan that was going around last year" Actually, it doesn't. It's just as dumb.

2. "The only way we are going to see the price of gas come down! is if we don't buy it. But, that's not really a practical option since we all have come to rely on our cars." This part's right on, but this is where the sanity ends. She should have
just ended the e-mail right here. But noooooooo...

3. "If they are not selling, they should be inclined to reduce their prices - and if they reduce their prices the other companies will too." Um, no. There is no reason that the favored companies would reduce prices. They would in fact, raise prices as their realtively low supply was cut by excess demand. They might as well charge you double while they knew you were boycotting Exxon and Mobil! Why suppose that a company with low market share will reduce prices to attract business when they are making an acceptable profit? Why attract less profitable business? If low market share leads to low prices, why aren't apple computers $1.29 (more on this at the end!)

If Ms. Doyle was right, the logical question would be: why aren't the companies who are positioned third, fourth, and lower right now lowering their prices to $1.29? Answer: because they can make more money by charging you $1.58! Because that is how much people are willing to pay! Assume her proposal made sense - if we held out long enough, wouldn't Exxon and Mobil eventually go out of business, and then gas would be free?

So right now, instead of paying Mobil $1.58, I'm supposed to go to Texaco, who is also charging $1.58. And in return, both Mobil and Texaco will turn around and charge $1.29? Texaco would, in theory, run low of supply, and have to buy more readily produced gas... from Exxon and Mobil!! (who now have too much on hand and would sell it to Texaco, at a profit of course!) If OPEC is charging the oil companies $0.35 for the barrel of crude, and it costs $1 to transport, refine, market and distribute it to the public (including the cost of those guys in Jersey who are required to pump your gas for you), I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the price to go down to $1.29!

Multiple choice: if Exxon and Mobil went out of business tomorrow, how much would gas cost?
A. $1.09
B. $1.29
C. $1.58
D. None of the above

Answer: D. It would be higher than $1.58, but I'm running low on my lunch
break by now

4. "PLEASE HOLD OUT AND NOT BUY FROM EXXON OR MOBIL STATIONS UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO AT LEAST $1.29 AND KEEP THEM DOWN."

My favorite part.

Katherine must have a pretty cushy job at the road commission if she can afford to throw away $1.29 for gas. What's so magical about $1.29? Why stop at $1.29? How 'bout $1.09? How 'bout just $0.29? Why pay for gas at all?

I think gas should only cost me $0.05. I think every hard working American ought to have the right to affordable gas (healthcare too!), shouldn't they? Why can't the government just pass a law that we all are entitled to nickel gas!! With just one more generation of e-mails, we CAN get some movement on a new constitutional amendment!!

5. And what kind of nutcase would send out her address and telephone # to a
million people?? Does she not get enough sales calls and junk mail? I have some extra I could send her.

But what the hell, I love an adventure, so I'm game. But when we're all done fixing the gas prices, here are a list of items I'd like to also be able to buy for less than market value. Please feel free to send this note back to whoever sent it to you. Each of you should add one item you'd like to not have to pay for (I get the first five since it's my idea), and Katherine can get the next round of boycotts started:

Boycott: Until:
Mercedes cars BMW lowers the price of a 740i to $129.
Citibank Home mortage rates run at an APR of 1.29%
JVC and Panasonic That big screen Sony TV I like is just $1.29
United Airlines The Hawaiian vacation I'd like to go on is $12.90
Keebler cookies They can fit 129 chocolate chips in those damn yummy
toll-house cookies

Video!! YAAAAH!

I just noticed that you can now attach video to your blog. With that I give you this:
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Anal Retention And You - Perfect Together!

Okay, actually it should be Anal Retention And Me, but. . . .

I just got in from cleaning the pool (That's Fun! ). After a week on non stop rain and general nasty non-pool weather the conditions were less than idea. Of course, today it's so muggy that it might as well be raining (except it's REALLY HOT!)

Last night I shocked the living shit out of the pool and threw in a little algaecide and Ph for good measure and let it steep. . . .like 12,000 gallons of tea. Oh, and despite vacuuming yesterday, I needed a serious vacuum today. A hour of being plugged into the vacuum and the MP3 player, I have a sparkling clean pool. This may or may not be the final BIG SCRUB before I go 12 rounds with the pool cover.

WHAT ARE YOU GETTING AT???

Oh, yeah. I had a point. As I'm cleaning away, I happened to look at my neighbors pools (one on each side . . . .So many bloody swimming pools, you need a gondola to get about - Hitchhiker's Guide . . .but I digress.) On the left is my neighbor Edwin. Good guy. His pool is greener than green. I now know where those swamp night sounds are coming from. On the right, is Jade. Another good guy. His twins are having a birthday party today and my son is going. His pool is a deep murky blue. More than that, it has a look to it. Can chlorinated water go stagnate? It's times like this that I am glad that I am Anal Retentive and Obsessive Compulsive.

I have to get in and skim the entomology museum off the top of the pool (I scraped more than 1,000 bugs off yesterday) and the pool will be open for business again.

Picture This!

It seems that everyone is posting pictures of themselves on the blogsphere. We at the Deathlok Dome figured that we will follow suit. Of course, the rule of posting yourself on the net is to make sure that you put up a flattering picture of yourself.

this is the most recent picture in which I look pleasing to the eye.


Circa 19blehblehbleh, I am seated front and center. Mom has that, "I wanna jump from a plane look in her eye, doesn't she?"

NOTE: As this picture is a few years before the invention of The Badger, he really hates this picture.

Reds In the Air!

Recently, there have been several blogs here (and on Wyatt's blog) with our friend Skully. She's a Red Headed Girl of the Skyways. I felt I needed to, as a public service, show that not all Redheads are worthy of flight.

For example. . . Mrs Deathlok:


Sure, there's a guy fondling my wife. But, as they say, what happens at 3,500 feet stays at 3,500 feet. Besides, it could be worse, I could have left the ground. . . . . .hmmmmm. . . .not so much.

Sure, I'm a wimp. But look at it this:

This is a picture of my Mom, who in her mid seventies (at the time) joined the other fools that went up in a perfectly good airplane and jumped out of it.

Blog The Friendly Skies. . . .

Everyone was so nice to push me over the key mark of the 10,000 mark. Now, it's Scully's turn. Yes, Scully, Skywriter, is just about at the 10,000 mark and needs you, yes you, to push her over. (Don't look around at that guy, I'm talking to you).

Just click on the SKYWRITER link on the right and say hello. She's Red, She's Fed and (by the looks of her lastest post) one hell of a shot.

To congratulate her, here is a picture of a Sopwith Camel. . . .


OOPS!! Wrong one!! This Sopwith Camel. . .


Hey!! I just pimped someone else for a change. It felt kinda good.

A Funny Quickie

My friend Brad emailed this to me and it made me laugh. . .Enjoy! Also, if you have any other suggestions, add them:

Cereal Riders

Of course, a good choice would be the Kaboom Clown. A clown in the car always brings a smile to people's faces.

You would have to be rather discerning if you went with the Freakies. Too many unless you have a Caravan and Boss Moss would try and dominate the trip while Grumble would just complain all the time.


Personally, I would take Quisp. Tales of Outer Space and how he kicked Quakes ass in those races back in the day would be just the right ingredients for a road trip.

A Birthday Wish

Happy Birthday to the most beautiful girl in all the land, with the exception of Mrs Deathlok of course. To make all things equal, I would then be the exception to Clive Owen and Keanu Reeve, so I’ll take that fantasy trade off. . . .”I need a hardtop with a good engine.” See, I’m Clive already.

Yes, today is Amy Adams birthday. At 31, she is absolutely gorgeous and not too young as to appear creepy. Happy Birthday Amy! Feel free to Comment on the blog. . . . .heh.

In a creepy twist, today is Short Round’s birthday too. You know Short Round from the horrific Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He is 35 today, 4 years older than Amy.

For Zippy!!

Zippychik wanted to know how I would score on this test. I thought my score would be higher, but there you have it.

You Are 44% Strange!

You are a bit strange, though still more normal than strange. You definitely have some quirks, don't get me wrong. But you aren't exactly freaking out old ladies on the street. It's okay though, you've got a healthy mixture of strangeness and normality.

How Strange Are You?
Quizzes for MySpace

Forever In Debted!!

Well. . .at least for 5 years!

Yes, It is finished! Today we put Mrs. Deathlok's car to rest. The passed two weeks have been not kind when it comes to vehicles. Mrs. D car, a 1997 Stratus, was acting a bit wonky, so it was time to have it tune up a bit. Last year we had the transmission fixed and all went well, in not expensive. So, trying to reduce the statistical crap shoot that have your car fixed is if you don't have a "reliable guy", we took it back there.

I told the guy "Look it over and let me know if it's worth it." He does and tells me that for $1,400 it needs to have the engine mounts tightened (which I knew, but have been putting off) and the Carburetor. . .or Catalytic Converter. . .one of those C parts. . . With that it shouldn't need any MAJOR work for two years. I say "DO IT!"

The car was not running properly and after a week , I took it back and told him that the car was running like crap. Oxygen sensor and some other blah blah blah will was found for a mere $400 additional. In for a penny, in for $1,800 as I always say. Last Thursday (Temperature 100 degrees), I get a call at my desk.
"I'm in the hospital parking lot and the car won't start."
"Let me hear it. . .hold on! (dial dial)
"Mark (my brother), hold on! Okay, hold the phone up. Try and start it. . . .What's wrong with it?"

Because nothing says vehicle diagnostics like a teleconference. "It's not getting any fuel."

So the Transmission Place tows it back after an irate phone call. The next day, he tells me that the fuel pump went. . . "A completely different problem." Price $600.
Well my pants are already off, so . . . Sure!! We pick the car up that night. Finally. . . . .or is it.

The next day, I'm back at work. . . .as ya do (nod to Eddie Izzard). . "I just broke down with Reilly (son) in the car and it won't start again. Repeat towing above.

The next day, I call "What's wrong with it now?" "I don't know!" "I DON'T KNOW!! It keeps blowing a fuse. There seems to be a short somewhere, but I not real good with that." WHY WOULD YOU TELL YOU CUSTOMER THAT??

So, I took off my patient hat.

Look, you have $2500 of my money and my car that doesn't work. Do something and get that car working long enough for me to trade it in!"

The next day (after a trip to his cousin's place) we got the car back.

Well, at least I have $2500 to put down on a new. . . . .wha??. . .Oh. Well, I got a reliable ca. . . . . .hmmm. . . . .dag.

So the rest of this week was filled with car shopping. After test driving a few cars (because, despite what some people think, you can't go by seeing a picture of it in the paper), we settled on the Mercury Milan.


It is not the one from the picture, but she made a great decision and I believe that she will be happy with this car. Hopefully, we'll get 11 years out of it like we did with the Stratus.

Hey! Everybody's Posting it!

This Is My Life, Rated
Life:	7
Mind:	5.7
Body:	6.3
Spirit:	8
Friends/Family:	7.2
Love:	7.3
Finance:	7
Take the Rate My Life Quiz

That's a passing grade, I think. If they had a win the Caption Contest category, I would have done much better.

Thanks to everyone that awarded me the honors this week.

H2Oh No!

How I long for a vacation in one of the lower rings of Dante’s Inferno.

Monday, I show up for work. This is the busy time of year for us Government types, so I am trying to coordinate what I am going to accomplish and what I am going to back burner. Somewhere in there, I’m thinking, “Maybe I’ll steal some time and make sure my promotion package gets started before it closes next week.”

As I approach the entrance, I notice that there is a piece of paper taped to the door. Then I notice, as I look around, that ALL the doors have a piece of paper taped to them. The Paper reads “DO NOT USE THE WATER! THE WATER IS NOT SAFE FOR CONSUMPTION!!” Do not drink, cook, make ice, wash dishes, etc.

So, you are thinking no water that really stinks. Well, who do you think has the contract for the water safety? So, that was a good way to start the day.

Apparently, Ecoli, or something, was the flavor of the day. So the water coolers are everywhere and the water fountains are covered. The cafeteria is having a fit because they have to cook and wash and steam with bottled water. Of course you have to through politics in there. We were notified that it was safe to wash your hands. Why? Because if it’s not safe to wash your hands, they have to send everyone home. So, I’m thinking about calling out the next day with flesh eating disease.

As it turns out, the retests came back negative. The belief is that there was a tainted sample bottle. Everyone in the field did a marvelous job responding to the call and they were here all weekend making sure the airport was not hampered. We even avoided anyone claiming “TERRORIST!”

Didn’t stop the situation from hitting the local papers though. . . . ..

Today, despite the workload, I am working on that promotion package.

Position Open!

Former Philadelphia Flyer and long time San Jose Shark, Mike Ricci, retired today.

A 16 year veteran Mike retires with a total of 243 goals, 362 assists and 974 penalty minutes.

However, Mike Ricci has long been the league leader, after many tight races with Chris Chelios, as the ugliest man in hockey. Considering the state of hocket players, that is sayin' something.

Here I Am - The Finale

Most important but chronologically last. . .

There are times that things go on that require a level head and a voice of reason. Some people are made for this role, others have it thrust upon them. Calm and Reasonable does not equal Deathlok. For example, last year when my Father-In-Law died, there was no one that could handle the task at hand. Therefore, I had to do it. While he was in the hospital, I kept telling my wife and daughter, "We can't all just lay around crying. He's gonna get better and come here and probably stay here from now on. That's the way I'm looking at this until something changes." As it turned out things didn't go that way and the sadness came and was dealt with (and is still being dealt with). The point is that someone has to remain positive. A little while ago, my wife found a lump in her neck. After rubbing shit on it and taking medication with no change, she went to the doctors. They took a sample and took a look. Fine. When the doctor's office calls and says, the Doctor wants to see you tomorrow morning (but they can't tell you anything over the phone. . .damn Hippo Laws. . . .what? Oh, never mind).

To continue, we are at the doctor's the next morning and they decide to cut this thing loose. Surgery was scheduled for this past Friday. To give you an idea of how the Mrs. D thinks, years ago we went down to here parents shore house. As we pulled up, she cries "Oh my God! There's a medical vehicle outside the house! What's Wrong!"
"Doesn't your brother drive a medical vehicle?"
"Oh,. . . . . . .Yeah!"

So, she's quietly a mess (and thinks that I don't know). I'm force into being reasonable. . . . .again. I keep telling her "They're going to cut that thing out and you'll have a little scar and it will be over. It's nothing! I'll be there"

This time I was right! Thank God! We had to get up at 4AM on Friday, got her settled and I sat without eating the whole time (shhhhh, the cafeteria was pretty good!) Several Chapters of Harry Potter later and we were on our way home. Tuesday is back to the Doctor's for the results. So yesterday, I realised that I was exhausted. Like, "drunk, dizzy and beat up in the parking lot" tired. I didn't realize how stressed out I was until it was over.

NOTE: Her Doctor is Smoking Hot!

Here I Am - Part II

So, the weekend went well.

As for work, the end of the fiscal year is approaching and that means two things. . .Lots of work and all the overtime you can eat. They prefer Comp Time but working Comp Time is against my religion. $$$$ please!! So, I'm busy! what else do ya got! Oh, There is no a promotion announcement out that closes on the 22nd. I'll put that into my schedule. We'll add some training into the mix and a few "You gotta go to this meeting" requirements. Stressed but still with you. A sprinkle of new boss (a new gauntlet, but that I can handle). Got all that? Okay, it's story time.

Before my old boss left . . and by left, I mean lateraled into another position just to get the Hell out, we had a meeting.

Boss: "Management want a quick count on who would be interested in taking a trip to the Constitution Center."
Deathlok: "Where the Liberty Bell is in Philadelphia" Constitution Center?
Boss: Yes
Deathlok: . . Like a field trip?
Boss: Yeah!
Deathlok: Do we need our Parents to sign a permission slip?
Boss: (A Look . . Turns attention to the group) I just need a quick count to report back who is interested.
Deathlok: When is it?
Boss: Sometime in October.
Deathlok: After the fiscal year?
Boss: Yes!
Deathlok: Can we drive there?
Boss: No!
Deathlok: So I have to drive for 30 minutes to take a bus for an hour to Philadelphia and then take another hour ride home so I can drive for another 30 minutes home.
Boss: Yes.
Deathlok: Do I get paid for the day? I'm in!

Flash forward to this week.

The secretary sends out an email. "I need a final count for the trip to the Constitution Center on Aug 29th."

WHAT! Like right in the center of fiscal crunch?? To quote Ripley for ALIENS "Did IQ suddenly drop while I was away!"

My new boss sends out an email after several negative responses saying "Management organized this trip and I expect everyone to go." NOTE: A promotion is lingering.

I'm In! Stupid! Asinine! Yet, I'm In!

And yet despite the fact that I haven't started my Promotion package, I'm blogging!

Bonus Footage:
Mrs. Deathlok and I have been tag teaming the new Harry Potter book and we are a mere 60 pages from the finish. With my luck, just before the end the monster stack of comics that are piling up will fall over and kill me.

Here I Am!!!

Wow! What a week!

It's usually. . I say Usually (insert Foghorn Leghorn voice). . . not a good idea to not post for 5 or 6 days when (A) you have a run on hits and (B) you are closing in on 10,000 hits. In my head, where there is lots of room lately, I have blogtopics(not Hot Topic) a-plenty. Time to do them. . . . .Not So Much!

It all started some time ago. . . .okay, a week or so ago. This is what I've been doing.

Last weekend, I actually had people come visit "Castle Deathlok" (term coined by 80sGirl). Long time internet acquaintance 80sGirl (AKA Token Asian) and less long time internet acquaintance and internet radio personality extraordinaire, RadioGnome, spent the weekend at my house. I have known 80sGirl for about three years. We go way back to the days of Dayglo Radio. Since then, we have migrated to RadioHidebound and she has migrated from Japan to California and (hopefully soon) Ithica New York. After threee years of chatting on the Glo, Hidebound and the Martini Vault, I finally got to meet her in person. She is wonderful. I have known the Gnome (??? known. . . Gnome? ?? ) for over a year and a half. Unlike 80s, I actually met the Gnome last year when I traveled to DC. This time it was his turn to meet the family. . .Oh and that includes Kirk. The weekend was great. Not counting the fact that it was 100 degrees and so humid we couldn't really hang at the pool outside (unless we were going to stay in the water) and that the radio station went South and Gnome couldn't get it working remotely, the weekend went off without a hitch.
We went to the Creole Cafe for dinner on Saturday night (yummy as always) and hung around and got to know each other. Sunday Morning, Gnome had to roll back to DC, so missed the Pat's Steaks excursion, which, embarrassing enough was my first trip to Pat's. . . It's was REALLY good. Next stop . . .Gino's! We even got to meet 80s cousin, Klink. He was a really nice guy, too. I was a little taken aback when I first met him because he surprised us by meeting us on the street. As I passed him, he said "Hi! I'm Klink!" Okay, (1) Polite guy on the streets of Philadelphia usually equals a problem. (2) I spent about ten years with a best friend who's last name was . . .Klink. So, it took me a minute to process. Later, as we enjoyed $5 Gelatis at 20 and Sansom, Klink asked me. . "I've been here about 6 months. When does the Brotherly Love set in. I haven't seen it." I had to laugh. I had no answer for that. I told hime "It's there, it's just expressed a little different here."

So, although belated, I want to thank Gnome and 80sGirl for making the trip. It was a pleasure having you. next year, more people.

10K . . . . . . .RUN!

As I creep back to the keyboard for the first time in almost a week, I notice that I am a scant few hits away from hitting the Big 10,000 Hits. Amazing. Sure Wyatt and others have hits out the wazoo (is that the first post to use the word wazoo?), but they post religiously (I was going to say regularly but sitting at the computer that often almost assures that that is not the case).

I was on a roll in the past few weeks and actually had a Deathlok record of 19 post to my "Is this guy ever going to post the results" Caption contest. I am getting to that today. . .with a special bonus.

Between my visitors last weekend (to be addressed in a separate post), preparing for yesterday's issue (also a separate post) and the NEW job promotion announcement (here we go again. . . also separate post) I have so catching up to do for all my blog viewers.

So. . . .what to do with the 10,000th post???

The 10,000th post will receive their choice of:

1. What Carol Marrel is standing in front of
2. A free Pat's/Gino's Steak Sandwich (recommended for the local blogging area)
3. A package of scrapple (shipping included)
4. A Deathlok Action figure
5. An impromptu diatribe on this blog on any subject you like.
6. A novena said for the person of you choice said by an actual CCD Teacher.

Thanks for all the support.

Being Close To Earth Makes Me Very Angry

August 27th!! Mark Your calendars.

The Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky starting August.

It will look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will cultivate on August 27th when Mars comes within 34.65 Million miles (a mere job) of earth. Be sure to watch the sky on August 27 @ 12:30 AM. It will look like the earth has 2 moons. The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.

Cool huh?

Caption Contest

WINNERS!!

This time since there was such a generous outpouring, I decided to have two judges (operating independently). First:

Mrs Deathlok's Picks
3rd Place: Wyatt: "Jimmy enjoyed his body parts like his muffins: fork split."
2nd Place: Brad: "I know we always tell you that, but this you SHOULD eat with your fingers..."
1st Place: RT: "He really did believe he could dig to China."
And because she insisted:
Honorable Mention: radiognome: w"ell, you told me to go fork myself"

Deathlok's Picks
3rd Place: Wyatt: "Jimmy enjoyed his body parts like his muffins: fork split."
2nd Place: Skywriter: "come on kid. . . that's mine. . fork it over."
1st Place: Brad: "I know we always tell you that, but this you SHOULD eat with your fingers..."

Okay, after I threw up a little, I decided that this should be my caption contest picture for the week.

Have at it. . . . .

Shade!

You are a South African bush pilot
working for Blue Sky Aviation.
You fly in some critical medical supplies,
enjoy a quick lunch at the hospital.

It's a stifling 100 degree s in the shade and
you're eager to get back up to the cool, high blue yonder.
!
On the way back to your plane,
you discover that the only bit of shade within 1 mile
has become very popular . .
You start calculating the distance to the plane door and wonder . . .

"Do I feel lucky today?"