Casinos Are Fun

I would like to say casinos are fun after goin to Philadelphia tonight and talkin me buddie R into goin to one for the first time (i'm proud of him; still working on the beer though; damn stubborn fool). That and after arguin with me Pappa from Jackson, I feel it must be stated that casinos are a great form of entertainment with beautiful hotels (the Golden Moon), some with pretty nice golf courses (the dancing rabitt), and some with plentiful buffets. Geesh, i love buffets. Lots less decision making troubles on what to order b/c you can just eat some of everything, although my buffet performance ability has dropped lately. I think my twin could beat me now.

But anyway, back to topic. Casinos are good entertainment. And a style of entertainment that u can pay for as u go and set your own variable price, which is rather nice i have to say. Now, Do you always win at casinos? Of course not? Do you breakeven cash wise? If you get lucky. Do you plan to make a lot of money there? Only if you are a fool. It may be wishful thinkin but its nice to wish. And its even better to enjoy the atmosphere and entertainment and friends while doin so. I mean, contrary to popular belief, casinos are more than just gamblin. And when people say its bad that casinos make money and the HOUSE usually wins, so what. Most businesses make profit. That or shrivel up and pass on by in the long run. And the casino does have to pay the dealer/staff who work the casinos to u know. Couldn't do that if they breakeven on just the gamblin part.

I like casinos, they are good for the economy, there the home of a wide variety of entertainment and benefits, and there fun. Hence, so what if i "lose" money. I think its called the price of admission at Six Flags or a concert or the Cover Charge at a bar.

Tomorrow, I Return to the Links

Tomorrow, Friday morning at 8:30 am, I will make my return to the links here at MSU. Highland Plantations front 9 is rather cruel (too much out of bounds and water and beaches). Links are the golf courses for those who need the translation. Which, by the way, I am very much lookin forward too. U see, my golf buddie went home last weekend so it'll be two weeks since i've been golfin which is normally not that bad but i have grown more attached to the game of golf with the majors bloomin this time of year and the enthusiasm around the sport. Also, with no class on fridays, it is easier to go.

Anyway, I'm just so thrilled about this. I might play the best i've played in a while tomorrow. I'm startin to drive the ball a bit better and my puttin has to be better than it was last time since i couldn't put at all or hit a sandwedge through 9 iron shot. I even missed a putt from 12 lousy inches. Tomorrow, i have confidence. And a love of the game. That, and i can always throw my putter across the green if i need too.

Well, that, and i have been worshippin the golf gods daily so i'm hopin to get some luck back. Yes, I worship my "false" idols but these are much more important. These are the Golf Gods. They giveth and they taketh.

Nsehoba Cty. Fair (Go or No Go)

Yesterday, I was debating whether or not i should go to the Neshoba County fair today (http://www.neshobacountyfair.org/). U see, today(thursday) was the big day for political speakers so there were like 4 former governors, the current governor who sucks by the way, the attorney general, the speaker of the house (get 'em billy), the state treasurer, and or 1 or two others from like 9:30 til 11:30. At 1:30, there was gonna be mule races which i really thought would be cool to see since i had never seen any mule racin before and afterwards some horse racin. At 5, ESPN's world famous Sportscenter was gonna broadcast live from the fair as part of the 50 states in 50 days tour (we are day 12 = july 28th). And at 8, the country music group Trick Pony was scheduled to play live, a group i like.

Of course, I had econ class at 8 which i didn't wanna skip and mkt. mgt. class at 1 which i would skip (we just goin over a case analysis with the sub teacher, no biggie). Of course, robert wouldn't leave til after class ended at 3.

So, should i go see the speakers, come back, get robert, and go back for sportscenter and the concert. Or just go to class and go down at 3 with robert? Oh, the questions, the questions.

So what do i do? well, i'm one to debate things like this and stiff over and over. unless i'm spontaneous, i can be rather indecisive b/c i like to overthink things. by the way, not a good thing.

Of course, this decision got solved for me. U see, the genius that i am, I fell asleep before i was plannin too and so hadn't set my two alarms. Hence, I overslept til 9:30 (which is not 6:00) missin both class and the political speakers. So i just might be on my way out at 3. Thats assumin i can re-convince robert and get over the fact that i would miss the county humane society board meeting which is at 5:30 tonight. Believe it or not, thats a toughie.

Studyin Amazingly So (BAD, Studyin BAD)

Amazingly enough, I'm actually studying for my managerial econ test tomorrow. I'm so proud. I studied about 45 minutes already but to be honest, 15 minutes of that was lookin up the equi-marginal principle in my book and notes which for some foolish reason, i can't find. I'm even taking part in a study group at 3 or 4 after my marketing management class. I know, this is big news. And it at least saves me time from lookin up and/or figurin out all the answers to the questions. Of course, Yes, i could be studyin now but i figure while i eat lunch, i could badger my blog instead of study. After all, I did answer 3 of the 11 not so short questions while i studied for very long 30 minutes. I think this is a fair reward.

For those of you who don't know, if it takes me over 2 hours to study it, then my philosophy is it is obviously not important or they would have made a more condense version for people like me. In fact, i prefer executive summaries, not detailed papers unless i'm writing them myself and and care to write such such as about ruf (www.ruf.dk), history (wars mainly), and sports. Thats about it.

UPDATE: I met Jeremy (a guy in my class) at the Library at 4 to study for a nightmarish 4 hours plus. Of course, it seemed like less than 2 but thats not the point. We were trapped in this awful room on the basement floor. And I missed the CBS sitcoms which literally brought tears. Studyin bad. Bad I tell you. And since cell phones are dead down there, I missed the conference call b/c i didn't get the message about it until 8:20 with the call at 8:00. Luckily, Nick was nice enough to let me know about it in only the way Pappa Nick can.

Here Come the Doggies (Hershey and Lacilei)

I think today was my favorite day in like the last two weeks. Not that anything special happenned. It was just sort of a normal lazy Sunday. I woke up (from the couch; yes i got my bed cleared off thursday only to pile more stuff on it friday so i spent friday and saturday night on the couch) at 8:30 like I always like to do on Sundays. This way I can watch Sports Reporters on ESPN at 9 with john saunders, mike lupica, and the gang to talk/debate about the sports stories of the week. And at 9:30, I flip the channel to ABC and CBS to watch the mornin news shows with FOX joinin george and ABC at 10. Fox only to get some good laughs and it is nice listenin to bias, even if it is not accurate.

Also on this mornin was a movie about golf with Will Smith caddyin for this small town star (Juneph i think his name was) in a 3 man tourney vs. two golf legends bobby jones and walter hagan. Needless to say, it was a great movie about the feel of the swing (golfers understand this one), the struggle with inner deamons, and triumph and understanding. When the tourney was over, it was only fitting that it ended up in a tie as Juneph sank a long putt on the 72nd hole on sunday to tie it under the car headlights as a little boy tended the flag.

Now, the best part of the day was my family comin whom I hadn't seen since the 4th of July weekend so that was great. Mickey actually came down friday night so i got to annoy him for 48 hours so that was great. I had missed bein annoying. Also, my mom and dad were here so that was good too.

Most importantly, Hershey (our little cocker spaniel who we have had since she was a baby in the 5th grade) came so that was the best thing in 3 weeks. I miss the Little One the most when i'm down at school. She's like the baby of the family.

Also, Lacilei (note: spelling of Lacilei's name changes by which day i type it) the new little bulldog who loves to bark back and forth with me (i never turn down a good barkin match) came down too. Of course, we've only had Lacilei since the beginning of June and i've been g0ne a lot of it so we are in our bonding phase. Already though, we have figured out that we both like to stick out our tongue and that we are both rather stubborn when we wanna be.

Of course, they had to leave to go back home, my grandmother called, and i had economics and marketing reading and homework so yippee. And family, thats great stuff.

Look at Congress Go

Lawmakers move to extend daylight-saving time measure as part of the energy bill according to a report from CNN's Inside Politics. Wow, aren't you proud of our Congress. The report is in Orange.

An agreement was reached Thursday to extend daylight-saving time in an effort to conserve energy, but not to the extent the House approved in April. House and Senate negotiators on an energy bill agreed to begin daylight-saving time three weeks earlier, on the second Sunday in March, and extend it by one week to the first Sunday in November. The House bill would have added a month in the spring and another in the fall. According to some senators, farmers complained that a two-month extension could adversely affect livestock, and airline officials said it would have complicated scheduling of international flights. "We ought to take a hard look at this before we jump into it," said Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, who questioned how much oil savings the extension would produce. I dunno Larry, why don't you study it and let us know.

Reps. Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts, and Fred Upton, R-Michigan, agreed to scale back their original proposal, and Senate negotiators accepted the new version, along with a call for a study on how much daylight-saving time actually affects oil consumption. "The beauty of daylight-saving time is that it just makes everyone feel sunnier," said Markey(D) . Awe, ain't that cute. Markey(D) wants us to have a sunnier day. Upton (R) noted that the extension means daylight-saving time will continue through Halloween, adding to safety. "Kids across the nation will soon rejoice," said Upton, because they'll have another hour of daylight trick-or-treating. Darn, so that's why Upton (R) ran for Congress. To improve Halloween. And to think, I thought Trick-or-Treating was more of a night time activity. Way to go Upton.

Lawmakers said they hoped to complete the energy legislation next week. Hey, we always said we wanted bipartisanship and gee willackers, looky there, things feel so much "sunnier" and "festive." Congrats Congress.

Personally though, it would be nice to have more daylight in the afternoon for a longer time. Easier to go play golf after work or school or go to the soccer fields. And grandma and grandpa can stay out a little bit later.

The YDMS Collegiate Donkey Dawgs

During last nights College Democrats meeting at 5:30 in the Union Faculty Lounge (yes, we do actually have meetings over the summer contrary to popular belief) , we decided to make a few changes concerning the MSU College Democrats with really only one major change. As the title says, we have changed our name. We are no longer the MSU College Democrats.

In honor of Robert Hooks's leadership over YDMS and our great ties with our home Mississippi State, we have decided to rename the MSU College Democrats the:

YDMS Collegiate Donkey Dawgs

We believe this name better represents the direction of our group and who we are. We are proud Young DEMOCRATS in this great state of MISSISSIPPI. And yes, you can definitely believe there are Democrats in Mississippi. We are also proud of our collegiate heritage here at Mississippi State University, home of the rough and tough Bulldogs. Hence, our official colors will now be maroon and blue.

Thank you and have a good day.

U-Turn Day

In the continuing tradition of me forgetting things, I was forced to make several U-Turns yesterday upon departing from my Econ for Managers class at about 10. First I was walkin to my car and preceded to walk to where i normally park my car which is the road/parking lot between the football stadium and the Sanderson Center cutting through by Gardner Hall. Of course, as i made my way down the hill to the parkin lot, I remembered that I parked across from Suttle Hall behind the post office so I enjoyed the scenic walk back.

I then start to drive home and as I start to get on the bypass, I remember that I was supposed to go by the post office and check the CD mail box so I u-turn on the entrance ramp and go back which in my experience is perfectly legal. I go to the post office and then back to my car when i remember, "oh yeah, I have to go to bowen hall" so i run over there to check on something. Of course, while over there, I remember i forgot to get the thing i was supposed to turn into RHA which i didn't want to have to run across the drill field again so i said i'd do it later. So i decide to get back on the bypass to go home which i do when i remember, "oh yeah, i need fuel and was supposed to go by the car shop" so i go get fuel. Leaving the gas station, i start to drive home and then U-turned on hwy 12 which is again obviously legal b/c i was supposed to go to the car shop (my appt. for frame work is 7:30 tuesday mornin with pick up wednesday afternoon after 3.

And yes, I managed to forget all that in less than an hour which is pretty good timin considerin. I then went home, had lunch and coffee and juice and gatorade and kool-aid and then went to donate blood which more people should do more often.

Give blood (if you pass the 300 questions). Save a life.

May Your Religion Strike Me Down

"Democrats like yourself are trying to force religion out of the public spectrum entirely and outlaw Christianity."

This comment was made by Edward Sanders in the post directly below this one referring to me and my fellow Democrats.

Now, I may not be the most religious person in the world, but I certainly have no problem with a person practicing their religion out in public. In fact, I think a popular political statement from people of both parties is "God Bless America." In fact, W uses it to conclude almost every address he gives. I have no problem with people openly worshipping their Spirits, God or Gods, Allah, cows, chickens, transparencies, Jesus, goats, Satan, withcraft, swimming pools, statues, whatever. In fact, I pay tribute to my TV on a daily basis.

Now, what I do have a problem with is someone tryin to force their religion on someone else. Yes, people think God says abortion and homosexuality is wrong and they should do what God says. Thats perfectly fine with me (except the discrimination against homosexuals which is disgraceful) . If you believe this, don't have an abortion and don't go have consenting sex or any other kind with a guy if you are a guy or a woman if you are a woman. For those who prefer to make up their own mind, they should have the right to do so just as you did when you chose christianity or islam or hindu or whatever.

Also, Democrats have nothing against you praying in schools or public places. In fact, most kids have many of an opportunity to take time to pray during there time at school from 8 to 3:15 or whatever time they go. They can even gather themselves in a group together to do so at several points throughout the day. I mean, come on, do you really need a teacher or a judge or a principal to stand up there and lead you in prayer? Nope. Is the only time you can pray when all your classmates or coworkers or peers are praying with you? Nope.

Now, if people would like to start a daily cultural learning class where we did a prayer or dance or whatever from every religion including a none religious day for atheists, then I have no problem with that. The problem is they usually insist upon a monotheistic religion, usually Christianity. That just happens to seem a little unfair to the rest of the religions out there.

Lastly, could you please tell me when it was put into the Bible or the other documents that your government must enact laws in order for you to practice your religion? Cause, honestly, I just haven't seen it.

If you want to practice your religion, you are perfectly free to do so. Just don't insist upon passing laws forcing others to follow your religion. They have the freedom to worship what they choose too worship if they even choose to worship and not worship yours.

Ed's Blog Strikes Again

Ed's blog has struck again touching off a long 60 plus comment debate on morals although the original post had to do with the movie "wedding crashers" the admirable senator john mccain's brief role in the movie.

The Vitart character, grabbing his moral highhorse sounded somethin like this:

"Republicans are much more moral than Democrats who are the spawn of Satan and liberatarians are archangels workin there way toward being Satan."

Of course, this does coincide with the news that Republicans plan to adopt a quote from a Florida State quarterback. Wyatt Sexton, who at the time was expected to start as QB at FSU this year under famed coach Bobby Bowden, stated after getting drugged up one night and bein found on the streets by police, replied when asked his name:

"I am God."

Now, contrary to popular belief among republicans, God hasn't anointed them moral rulers of the world. It just ain't so. Although, God probably does have a good chuckle at such claims. In fact, I heard God was quoted as saying:

"Everyone wanna be like Mike? Forget that! Everybody wanna be like me! Sorry, unlike the NBA, I just don't accept imitations. And MLB steroids ain't gonna make u me either."

Golfin with Robert

Since i have no classes on Friday, me and robert have made friday our official day to go golfin. Why, b/c we both like to golf. Now, does that mean we are any good? Hell no. Robert's ok and well, some people just wonder how i actually manage to hit the ball. My defense for this is Robert plays alot more than me and tries to work on his swing while i'm noted to have one of the ugliest swings in golf and am proud of it.

Well, Friday, robert was already up after the first hole which neither one of us played well at all. After hole number 2 though, we were tied so i was happy although i should have been up. That right there made me think this day is gonna be different. So when i hit my tee shot on 3 pretty well, i was thinkin i might play well today. That ball actually went straight which for me doesn't happen much. Of course, i did about drop my driver after i swung but thats ok. The next hole i actually did manage to lose my driver off of the tee box as i finshed my swing. For those of you who don't know, your supposed to hold onto the club. Well, anyway, i manged to get up by 2 shots on robert after 4 since i was hittin the ball well, for me anyway.

Now, when i got within 80 to 120 yards from the hole, i couldn't hit a shot worth a flip. But i managed to chip pretty well since i kept missin the greens on my approach. Of course, my happiness with my chipping was trounced on by my worst putting in 4 years. I only made 1 putt longer than 5 feet all day which sucks. Needless to say, i lost my lead to robert on number 7 and lost by 2. we only played 9 b/c robert don't like all that walkin.

Afterwards we had a putting contest, which is normal for us, and since i still couldn't make putts, robert won that too. The sad part is he only won by 1 shot and that is because i managed to miss a putt from less than 8 inches away on hole 6 of the 18 hole contest, not that i'm still bitter about it or anything.

All in all, i would say we had a good time. I only intentionally threw my cruel putter once and my 9 iron once which is good. Now, me and robert are just lookin forward to havin mickey rejoin us later. Its always funny when the 3 of us play. May the game continue to be green, the courses challenging, the trees a swaying, and the golf gods a watchin.

I'll do it eventually

Procrastinatin over swings and paper organization

A couple of weeks ago, like the tuesday before school started, i bought me a swing that i liked and have been plannin on puttin it together to put out back. Of course, last friday, i thought i might try to put it together between the british open and goin golfin. So, of course, i opened the box it came in and took it all out of the box and laid it in me courtyard. I then separated it by parts and then layed it all over me livin room and kitchen and courtyard by order i thought it might go in. then i looked at the directions and the stuff and thought too many parts. i then was worried it might rain before i got i put together. and then of course it came to me. mickey will be coming next week (this weekend) with hershey (the spoiled cocker spaniel) and lacysly (the new bulldog). So of course, i decided i didn't want to yet, and put it all back in the garage except for a few scraps on me kitchen table that are still sitting there.

Also, a couple of weeks ago (july 4th actually) i decided i would organize my old class papers and my college dems and humane society and sma junk so i took it all out and proceded to throw it on the floor in me room and on my bed. i then started to arrange everything by piles to what associated with what and then break it down into smaller piles. i then got distracted by somethin and went to do somethin else. so that night i just slept on the couch figurin i would do it tuesday right. and ever since then, i have slept everywhere in my house but my bed which still claim my papers and some other things i neglect to mention for fear of getting in trouble like, well nevermind.

Anyway, i'm hopin to get my bed back by saturday mornin or my boss and twin will kill me come this weekend.

Avoidin Studyin at All Costs

Econ fo Mgr. 8103 Test # 1

Well, since i noticed the number of people (laura, houston, and caitlin --her presentation--) bloggin about their tests, i figure i'd copycat and do the same.

http://caitlink.blogspot.com/ = “i'm having trouble breathing”

http://seehoustonblog.blogspot.com/ = “Windowned”

http://laurayburn.blogspot.com/ = “Survey Says...”, “From Bad to Worse”, & “Countdown to Catastrophe (a.k.a. O. Chem II Exam I)”


now, i don't really believe in tests. hence, i don't like to study for them. so when i had thursday afternoon, all day friday, and all day sunday to study for my test at 8:00 this mornin, i simply avoided it like the plague. and to be honest, i think i had good excuses. thursday, well, there was somethin thursday but i forget what it was. probably learnin from me wise Pappy Traicovn (http://www.traicovn.com/). on friday, i was up by 7 even without class to watch the british open which i did so adamently until about 12 or 1. then i annoyed bogard and went to check the CD post office box for the first time. i was proud and even managed to do so without my buddy scrappy. after ponderin over puttin together this swing that i bought which of course i didn't. and at 4, i went to play golf with me buddy robert so obvious not study time. and friday night, i went with marcus and some others to the hunt club, my second time ever, and then some people's house.

saturday of course was the ydms mtg. which was fun and our normal stop at que sera sera and my favorite, the war memorial next to nick's office which i now insist i must go see every time i'm in jackson. upon reentry, me and me buddy robert played computer games (poker mostly) while i watched the disney movie on abc which robert laughed at me far. yes, we are proud nerds/dorks and i don't mind admittin it. drinkin and clubs are so overrated.

and sunday, me and robert were sittin watchin the british open before 8 only to be really disappointed as usual when tiger got up 4 strokes with 4 to play and then became discontent around 12. now, at that point, i could have theoretically studied but of course, no. i mean, it wasn't even 1 yet so i had plenty of time. so i looked up yda and and bunch of other junk like college football previews and college basketball talk. it really is fun stuff. i then cooked dinner and then i made a trip to wal-mart to find donkey hats at Pappy's demand but all they had were elepphant hats so i just bought other junk instead. i then came home and decided to send out e-mails to good college democrats.

and at about 10:30 or so at night, i exhausted my options and sat down in me recliner to study which i did so until i fell asleep some time after 11:00 and wakin up at 2. so i went to bed and said i'll get up at 3:00 am b/c 2 was a little early. of course, i forgot to turn on one alarm clock and i had my cell phone alarm on silent which amazingly enough, doesn't make much noise. luckily, i just happenned to wake up at 4 where i proceded to put on some coffee, turn the AC up to make it cold in the house, and started studyin the possible list of 12 questions or at least wrote down some junk and some page numbers.

at 7:20, after i spent 10 minutes brushin my teeth to avoid studyin, i left for class which started at 8 with sweet tea and coffee and water and gatorade in hand. and see, the teacher passes out the test of 12 questions, the exact same sheet i had reviewed. 2 we had to answer and then pick 3 others. # 5 i was guessin would be required but 11 , not at all, but it was on an article so i creatively answered it as i answer all my written test answers.

and, so i finshed me test at 9:30 amazingly before two others b/c i usually finish last when takin tests. anyway, i enjoyed my test even though i hate tests just b/c i made it fun. the grade, well thats another story. who knows, who cares, its just a piece of ink. and so, now i got to me mkt. mgt. class with the corniest teacher ever b/c he makes a bad joke about anything and does so all class.

Honoring the Golf Gods

Today, Friday July 15th, is the day I have pledged to honor and devote myself to the golf gods that preside over the past, present, and future of golf. I choose this day because I have no class or other activities and am free to partake in as much golf activity as I like. Also, today is the second round of the British Open which happens to be taking place at St. Andrews, the home and birthplace of the game of golf. It is also Jack Nicklaus's last professional PGA tournament as he will choose, at this time anyway, not to compete competitively anymore as he is now 65.

For those of you who do not know, Jack Nicklaus is the father and lifeblood of modern golf and is recognized as the greatest player ever, having one the most majors of anyone with 19. He is the player most respected by fellow competitors but not only because they pretty much all consider him to be the greatest player ever. It is because he has been the greatest ambassador of golf. It is because he is a great father and husband. It is because he commands and has the respect of any who has ever followed the sport both on and off the course. In fact, they moved St. Andrews up in the rotation by a year to host the British Open because this is currently the last year the Golden Bear is qualified to compete and because Nicklaus is the greatest in golf and St. Andrews (regardless of what people currently think of the strength of the course) is the most beloved course for golf.

Now, currently Tiger Woods, the greatest player of this time (those players age 22 to 45) is leading the British Open by 4 over Levet, Singh, Immelman, Lonard, and Faxon at 10 under par through 10 of 18 holes in the 2nd round. Updates can be achieved from visiting ESPN's leaderboard at http://sports.espn.go.com/golf/leaderboard with live coverage of the tournament on both TNT and ABC as the tournament continues til its conclusion Sunday. Of course, Woods's group of him Olazabul and Allenby has just been put on the clock for playin a wee bit slower than they should. But since he is runnin away with the tourney early, slow play won't be too much of a factor. On a side, my favorite players are the Big Easy Ernie Els of South Africa at 3 under and Greg Norman who is 1 under after both completing their 2nd round.

Of course, this afternoon I will continue my tribute to the golf gods by playing golf with Robert at MSU, home of one of the greatest collegiate golf courses in the country thanks to State's amazing and highly respected turf management and PGM progam. Now, my golf game is obviously not that good highlighted by nearly decapitating a duck as i lined my 4 skip shot in the water last time i played. Of course, I like mini golf b/c the best part of my golf game is notably my putting. (who am i kidding, i love mini golf at least 6 to 12 rounds when i'm on vacation).

Of course, now that I found out this week that I fractured my wrist, i have a good excuse for not bein good at golf the last 4 years. Nanh, I think it might have actually helped my wicked u-turn slice. Well, anyway, hopefully the rain and thunderstorms stay clear until tonight so the lightnin don't delay my gold game.

Anyway, back to the golf and me followin of Nicklaus, the Golden Bear, who is 3 over through 14.

Legalization of Marijuana

Should marijuana be legalized? Being that i don't like to get into debates (well, sort of), i'll just keep this short and simple.

My stance is NO. Marijuana and any of the other names it goes by should continue to be illegal.

Thats about it. Thanks.

------- UPDATE ----------------------

After my thorough and long debate with the madame queen, I feel I must do the honorable thing and concede the debate on the legalization of marijuana to my trouncing competitor. I therefore state that "After a long hard debate and a serious attempt at understanding the matter at which the banning of marijuana is based on, I have found that the banning of marijuana is not feasible nor is it overall justifying. I have found that basing the banning of marijuana solely on the basis of the 'high' that usually accompanies smoking such a vile roll is simply legislating a moral agenda and not protecting the public."

Hence, I now state that I am not against the legalisation of marijuana anymore. I may not be an outspoken spokesman for such legalisation but i have had the ground i stand on in which to debate the suject burned under me.

Simply, to Madame Debater, i concede defeat.

Wal-Mart: Love em, Hate em, Deal with em

Having just dropped by Wal-Mart to pick up some milk, my potassium banannas, and coffee (coffee bein the reason i went since i exhausted my supplies of it this mornin), i began to hear this ringin in my ears. Now, of course that was rather annoyin b/c well, isn't shoppin bad enough. Of course, what they were ringin about is the recent complainin i've heard against Wal-Mart circulating from the blog circuit, people i know, and people i just happen to run into.

Now, first, what do they usually have to say when complainin about Wal-Mart. Well, obviously, some people just hate havin to wait in line to checkout and obviously Wal-mart decided they didn't really like that 3 people or less rule or they open another checkout line. Also, i've noticed when i want the express checkout, they usually don't have a line open or they are lined up 5 or 6 people deep as they were today so i just checked out in a regular line which i'm pretty sure took less than 5 minutes. Hey, a 10 or 15 minute wait in line for one stop shoppin for grocery, wal-mart, garden, electronics, etc. is perfectly fine with me even if others complain about it.

Complaint # 2: Wal-mart has extremely poor customer service and in this case, people are usually correct unless you luck up and run into a great worker with one of them smiley faces and happy attitudes like you see on the commercials. FYI: Commercials are made to fantasize so if thats what u are lookin for, try Tinker Bell or Cinderella at Disney World and even then you will find yourself waitin. Of course, there is another fact to mention: most of the stuff you shop at Wal-mart for you should be able to pretty easily find and learn about on your own, especially the grocery section in the Supercenters. Read the signs, use a little common sense, and you should be able to find the kind of product u are lookin for. Now, admittedly, some things like hardwares, electronics, maybe lawn mowers and certainly paints might require a little bit of customer service and it would be nice if a clerk there knew a little about each of the more complicated items and could offer you a suggestion. But then again, this is Wal-Mart, home of low prices. Hence, you don't get low prices by havin to have extra sales clerks teach ya about the benefits of lawn mowers and such. Sorry, since you chose to shop at Wal-Mart over radio shack or even Lowe's or Home Depot or Hibbetts or Sports Specialty, you might have to take the time to do your own research through readin the packagin, askin a friend, or checkin the web. If you want a bit more knowledge on paints and drills, swing on over to Sherwin Williams or the Home Depot. Now, I would like to say the stockers/clerks could be a bit easier to flag down in case you are having trouble findin a rarely shopped for item in a store of 125,000 different items.

Complaint # 3: Wal-Mart pays horrible wages. Well, they aren't the best in the world but minimum wage was sat at $5.15 per hour and labor does happen to be a very high cost of doin business. Now, come to think of it, Walgreen's doesn't offer much more above minimum wage to their sales clerks, photo techs, and cosmeticians but they do offer a mini bonus section for sales of special items of the week or month or index prints or picture cd's with your photos. In fact, most of your mom and pop stores are likely to stay at or below $7 an hour. Now, some say Wal-Mart runs their employees 40 hours 5 weeks and then the 6th week cuts them to 28 hours to keep them from becoming full time and havin to pay medical benefits. Now, that of course is pretty slimy, but still well within the parameters of the law (ya know, a style of corporate welfare Republicans practice strongly in). Urge for the changing of the law and Wal-mart i'm sure will change there policy when and if such law passes. Now, also, i might add that just b/c Wal-mart cuts each worker every 6 weeks down to 28 hours, they still likely have to have people part-time to fill those shifts. Hence, that would be a benefit for students although Wal-mart's flexibility with students' schedules might be pretty lacking compared to that of a mom and pop store or even Walgreen's. Now part of that has to do with the size of the stores. Walgreens stores employ anywhere from 15 for smaller 8 to 10 stores to say 50 for larger, never close, 24hours stores while many mom and pop stores are likely to employ anywhere from say 4 to 15 at most. Also, back to the part-time workers at Wal-mart to make up the need of the 28 hour cut weeks. Again, you have to have people to take their place to continue runnin at the same size and with unemployment hibernating around 5% on average, this does open up jobs to those who would be happy to have any kind.

Complaint # 4: Wal-mart builds on the edge of cities and hence creates urban sprawl destroyin the downtown atmosphere and "life" of the small town. Well, considerin Wal-mart is considered one of the world leaders in logistics, they probably know what they are doin. Its easier to get people and 18 wheelers in and out which is key to a successful Wal-mart. Also, the cost of land is cheaper on the edge of town than in the prime downtown area and walmart uses a good segment of land. By the way, be honest. Do you really want Wal-Mart sprawled across 2 or 3 blocks downtown diminishing the appeal of the court house, city hall, and main street or court square. Not me, I prefer my 18 wheelers on the edge of town as industrial complexes are also built on the edge of town.

Complaint # 5: Wal-Mart has so many lawsuits against it for unethical conduct, discrimination against women, hiring illegal aliens to work, etc. Now, those, if proven and some have been at differing scales, are obviously good reasons not to support Wal-mart and thus partake in a boycott of the world's leading retail giant.

Now, i could go on with this for a while, but I have other stuff callin me. So i leave you with this:

Do I shop at Wal-mart? Yes.
Do I agree with all their practices? No.
Is Wal-Mart convenient? Yes.
Does Wal-Mart destroy downtown? No. Free Market society forces downtown to improve or learn to deal with the Wal-Mart shift.
Is Wal-Mart relatively efficient? Yes.
Would I implement Wal-Mart's HR policies when i manage? Hell no.
Do i admire Wal-Mart? Yes, on the business and definitely logistics side, not HR.
Would I work at Wal-Mart? No. I'd go nuts workin there.

Thats about it. I stop now.

Thinkin: Damn thats Bad

Since i was bored and hurricane dennis sort of lost my attention and i really, really hate to read and MLB has sort of gone out of style with me (it ain't got nothin on the college game), i thought i'd just start typin to motor a few old minutes by. So this is what i came up with in a doo whoppy, countrified, i was out of things to do, sort of way.

Singin in lullaby’s
Pickin up the moon
Hoppin in the air
& Skippin on the rocks

Thinkin about her,
Shes got me doin things
I never thought I’d consider
Even doin before I met her.
Oh no.

Forgettin my head
Runnin out of style
Losin my mind
& Goin out of ight.

Thinkin about her,
Shes got me doin things
I never thought I’d consider
Even doin before I met her.
Oh brother.

Washin my clothes,
Pressin my shirts,
Cleanin out the jon,
Dustin inch by inch

Cuttin my nails,
Wonderin what to wear
Ironin my shirts
& Shinin my shoes.

Thinkin about her,
Shes got me doin things
I never thought I’d consider
Even doin before I met her.

Work that used to bring tears
And a whole lot of whine
Now has got me a smiling

And a askin for more.

Well, darn, that was shorter than i was hopin. Now that readin is really gonna make me cry. Darn twin. He should take summer class too. I'm gonna have to go back to I dunno stuff.

Things I dunno

You know, i just was lookin for a topic to blog about and since i really couldn't think of an inspiring one off the bat, i thought i'd do the "I dunno's" an honor and blog about what i dunno. Let's see.

1) I dunno what to blog about.

2) I dunno where i'll be in the next 5, 10, 20 years, etc. or what i'll be doin. ya know, the normal college student saying.

3) I dunno how the world got started and that one I probably never will know. And no, i'm not gonna take the Bible's word for it or the Big Band or whatever. I'd like to know for sure, but i'll always find myself askin, what started it. Its all one big, dark, deep, infinite black hole to me.

4) I dunno or even pretend to know what women think. It can be entertainin to guess or to guess what ya know isn't right. There just too complicated what i guess makes it more intriguing. Sure, one can guess the minor things with reasonable reliableness and if wrong, so what, no biggie. But the big stuff, yeah right. Just sit back, duck, hope, send it on a wing, and rely on whatever u rely on to bell (knock or help) you out when needed.

5) I dunno really where i'll get after college job or what it'll be in. I know i have minimums and wants and reasonable base on what to start but what, i dunno. And at that time, what time of job will timing call for.

6) I dunno much about rules and regulations. I never really been much for them, at least the really technical ones. Like who in the hell need's Robert's rules of order. An order for what? confusion? limited debate? come on. Order requires respect and honorable strength, ideals and needs. Who needs or wants rules to get in the way of that.

7) I dunno about some political issues. Maybe i could use some help on them.

8) I dunno why a number of animals are treated as bad as they are.

9) I dunno why we have inherent, learned, or created savages.

10) I dunno the definitions of a lot of the big words my friends or acquaintances like to use. I guess i just sort of enjoyed the simplistic "get 'er done" and "my give a damn busted" way of talk with my great non traditional friends at work.

11) I dunno why people seem to worry more about allegiances than about the cause. I just look at the political spectrum sometimes and wonder, i guess that's why they had all them bad things we learn about in history class and why some still come about.

12) I dunno what one gains from discriminatin against another or pokin fun at the opposing side. Maybe i'm not big on conflict. But then again, on the extremely rare occasion that i start yellin, i don't stop til i start hurtin from what i say. I guess thats why yellin and fightin and insults have never been my thing, even if i occasionally, some of which i can be pretty damn rude too.

13) I dunno why i can talk to a computer or a stranger about things i can't or have trouble talking to people i know about. I see my friends or routine acquaintances go into debate on such and i might have lots to say, but studying of others i have always done lots of and so i usually just listen. Maybe thats why my friends from arsalyn and me are such a tight bunch. them i can talk too.

14) I dunno why overthinkin things has always been my thing. Probably b/c i think too much and tend to have a vivid imagination and debate process that stretches though all spectrums.

15) I duno why around some people i act strict and serious and not so laid back while around others, i clown like a fool, make up and sing goofy rambling songs off the top of my head, do goofy things like play in ashes or dirt or garbage, but then around other people i'm like why the hell are you bein so goofy with my polite grin and encouragin nod thinkin. Yes, some people who it may seem i think are funny and cool actually annoy the hell out of me. Again, i just not big on conflict b/c i don't like to yell.

16) Ya know, I could go on past 100 on this i'm sure and i might continue later, i just dunno. i guess i'll have to see.

Ya know, sometimes I guess i just like being a kid and wish i could be one again. Some people call the "donkey" idea i love foolish or clown like. Ya know what, they just hadn't met the old puppypower era and with the humane society i enjoy so much, puppypower just might be comin back to me.

Se ya, vote donkey, and remember the doggie.

Grad School? Yippee

Today, I officially started grad school and sort of enjoyed it actually. Now, i have taken two grad classes already but that was while still technically being an undergrad. And, no, i'm not usually happy about class resuming.

In fact, the last time i was truly happy about class resuming was starting the eighth grade which either it or the seventh grade are probably my favorite years of school (and soccer too). Coach Scott was the best soccer coach (along with Coach Crowell) I ever had (and my favorite teacher of all time). No one could teach a math or history class better. And of course, the people were a lot of fun. And I played soccer year around from coaching the girls team to playin on the guys team. North Parkway (Jackson, TN) was a damn awesome school. (Them damn ------------------------------- from Tigrett ------- suck).

Now, back to you know, now. My Econ for Managers class is tought by Dr. Campbell who says it like it is, is well laid back, and has no problem mentionin his thoughts politically or his service in the Navy which i thoroughly enjoy listenin too. The 2 hour class flew by so quick, I thought it had only been an hour when it ended. And hey, I'll be there early (like 7:45 or 7:50) tomorrow which is pretty damn good considerin the class starts at 8 in the mornin. Most of the faces are new, but hey, thats college. Grad class usually lends itself to good classmates, teammates, and partners.

My other class, Marketing Management is well all about marketing from a management perspective. The teacher mr. taylor i have never had before but he seems like a pretty good guy and he was smart enough to hire dr. moore who has to be the perkiest, happiest go lucky teacher ever with her i think 4 kids. Also, seeing that we had to go 2 and so more days during the summer term than a normal 2 hours course should be, he cut today to like 35 minutes from 2 hours and cancelled class for 2 other thursdays in the year. and of course, grad students just don't have class on friday which is pretty damn nice. also, to note, 2 people in my class i already knew. Noah who was my partner in law class and damn good partner at that is in there. the only bad news is we were assigned partners so i didn't get noah as a teammate. Luckily, i got the other person i knew (First Lady Laura Bush wannabe) as my teammate so i still got a good teammate and lots of political banter on the side.

Now, if we can just get rid of all this damn homework and all this freakin readin. Apparently, there is like a very high minimum on the number of pages that must be assigned to read each day and, well of course, they love the idea of a good paper and a case analysis. so ya know, damn. i guess it can't all be good, but me takes what me can get.

hey, i actually finally posted again. yippee.

see ya, and by the way, let the donkey fly again, fly all the way to bulldog land, home of the rough and tumble, high and mighty, msu "the best damn university ever" bulldogs.

no word on a real donkey yet but i'm still gettin at gettin me one.