tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85960752011-12-14T21:35:58.507-05:00Wish You Were Here.<br> <a href="http://notwealthy.blogspot.com/2009/01/please-remember-when-reading-this-blog.html">Standard Disclaimer</a>NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.comBlogger11391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-33457673621247629932009-03-11T17:15:00.007-04:002009-05-20T22:42:57.291-04:00

Edit: Oops. So close.Still, if you look at what I really said below...I'm technically right. A lot of people were saying that.Still, I'll have that dish of crow. I hear it's good with Béarnaise sauce.I was right for the last two years, so I had to get my predictions in before I leave for good.This year's American Idol will be known as the year when people said, "Can we just get to the final show

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-42258631239796362772009-02-27T15:16:00.005-05:002009-03-04T11:01:27.047-05:00

This is my last repost and, for the foreseeable future, my last post. Thanks everyone. It's been a good ride.Out of the blue

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-4990509284002117362009-02-22T12:02:00.003-05:002009-02-22T12:09:20.087-05:00

The last in a series of repeat performance posts: This is by far my most popular post ever. I guess that makes sense, since I'm a word snob*.A Possessive Its Has No Apostrophe.* Yes, I know this blog is full of grammatical errors. So be it.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-90849973879414774412009-02-21T00:07:00.000-05:002009-02-21T00:07:00.854-05:00

This post is one of two that consistently pull in the most readers. I had no idea when I wrote it that so many people were obsessed with exploding birds.I fear for the future of our country.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-91631644618988230602009-02-20T00:01:00.001-05:002009-02-20T00:01:00.319-05:00

NO ONE is going to decipher that title. It's just too obscure.Here's an oldie but a goodie about A Man And His Dog.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-79323789528300502082009-02-19T09:48:00.003-05:002009-02-19T09:50:59.869-05:00

Here's another blast from the past, this time from February, 2005. I forget that I've had so many issues with my car:Tar-Jay

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-2599508693134503292009-02-18T10:35:00.003-05:002009-02-18T10:44:41.444-05:00

I don't particularly feel like blogging these days, as you can probably tell from my more recent posts, which frankly suck.So for the next little while, I'm going to refer you back to some old posts. This blog is getting ridiculous and redundant, so why repeat myself? I'll just post some old crap and you can enjoy it.We'll start here, from August 2005. It pretty much sums up how I feel right now

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-82461099370786151602009-02-14T00:01:00.001-05:002009-02-14T00:01:00.992-05:00

Happy V-Day. Enjoy:

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-25233404870693051862009-02-13T00:01:00.004-05:002009-02-14T15:25:25.681-05:00

Article updated with new link since the old one disappeared.It's time for an intervention.I want to speak to my audience today from the heart, because I care. I really do. Most of you wouldn't shoot yourself full of heroin, would you? Any cocaine addicts in the reading audience? I didn't think so. But how many of you have fallen in or out of love? Don't you realize what you're doing to yourselves

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-63910938549598061402009-02-11T11:47:00.004-05:002009-02-11T11:50:58.912-05:00

I did this for my Facebook page, but thought I'd post it here since basically...I got nothin'. I'm not going to tag anyone either, but if you want to play along, feel free.Enjoy.----------I didn't game the system. This is how it came up. I played along, and wouldn't normally post this kind of thing, but it was just too funny.-------RULES:1. Put your iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc. on shuffle.2

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-26855274061199727532009-02-08T18:24:00.003-05:002009-02-08T18:27:12.112-05:00

I'm playing Scrabble as I type this (yes, my life is THAT exciting). This is where my score's going if I don't draw some vowels pretty soon:

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-67028188011522230612009-02-07T14:06:00.001-05:002009-02-07T14:08:12.788-05:00

In a recent editorial, the my hometown paper intoned thusly:"One version of the bill had about $50 million for the National Endowment of the Arts to help cultural institutions. ... Shouldn't that act be about putting back to work the 2.6 million people that the Labor Department says lost their jobs last year? With so many other appropriations in this bill, it's hard to tell."For New Yorkers and

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-50420412681844987292009-02-06T13:43:00.002-05:002009-02-06T13:48:22.647-05:00

Shortly after putting up the last post, someone popped up to tell me they were following me on Twitter. Thing is, they weren't. I never got a notification. So I asked what account they were following, and get this: There's someone with my name on twitter.Again...I do NOT have a common name. I scratched my head, thinking maybe I had started this account way back, but none of my logins work, and my

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-77371509941720650222009-02-06T09:42:00.004-05:002009-02-06T09:48:10.322-05:00

I'm concluding music week, because sometimes you see something that just makes you stop in your tracks. Seriously, this is just weird.A) No one's called me "Rick" since grade schoolB) I'm a "II", not a "Junior", since I was named after my Grandfather, not my DadC) I don't even know this guyD) I bet he sings Bobby Darin, which would make him by brother's doppelganger, not mine.My father told me to

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-88027676868304893082009-02-05T11:18:00.001-05:002009-02-05T11:19:45.720-05:00

I've seen a lot of these, and this one's my favorite.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-77560628796622308062009-02-04T06:58:00.002-05:002009-02-04T07:02:47.951-05:00

Who knew?David Wilcox has been a favorite of mine for a long time, but outside of certain musical communities, he's still relatively unknown. I still talk him up whenever I can, because something about his music speaks to me in ways I can't explain. So let's take a listen, shall we?First up, an achingly beautiful take on relationships:...and a personal favorite of mine from his first CD:

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-8734556459681805282009-02-03T19:25:00.005-05:002009-02-04T17:30:15.826-05:00

Try it:1) Go to davebarnes.com2) Click on "Star One" and register for the iPod drawing3) You'll get a link for a great free acoustic download4) Enjoy the musicNice surprise. I had no idea the link with the song was coming my way. Schweet!Dave Barnes is one of my latest musical obsessions; I love this guy's stuff.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-83067843094535552002009-02-02T08:07:00.003-05:002009-02-02T08:12:11.964-05:00

Amy LaVere will be on tonight's Conan O'Brien. Mark my words...she's on the verge of a national breakout. You read it here first.(The HQ Version looks great...)

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-54526045404030778862009-01-31T07:18:00.007-05:002009-02-05T12:30:24.770-05:00

edit: I'm not sure if this post even makes sense. Enjoy it anyway.edit 2: Corrected some spelling errors and added some commentary.edit 3: Removed some snark.I woke up early this morning and cruised around the iTunes store for a while. It's like being in a library with a shopping cart. Never enough time to read everything.I love music, and I love all kinds of music. I grew up in a somewhat

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-54474213430035757122009-01-30T15:06:00.002-05:002009-01-30T15:07:18.656-05:00

A great singer meets a great product. Enjoy, little brother:

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-71467523183301526792009-01-29T16:28:00.001-05:002009-01-29T16:39:05.569-05:00

"Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative will be prosecuted; persons attempting to find a moral in it will be banished; persons attempting to find a plot in it will be shot."-Mark Twain

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-62757352720814843912009-01-27T10:09:00.000-05:002009-01-27T10:09:00.329-05:00

Rumour has it that Grayson Hugh will release a new CD in 2009.It's going to be a very good year.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-24283446279033451442009-01-26T08:06:00.004-05:002009-01-26T08:12:34.348-05:00

In a long-running and long-neglected feature of Liner Notes, we present:Separated at Birth:Illinois Governor Rob Blagojevich and David "Horatio" Caruso:Runner-up Jim Carey:

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-71968496683438473782009-01-24T09:43:00.008-05:002009-01-26T08:21:02.834-05:00

A while back I asked for topics, and "eclectic dilettante" suggested:"You could always tell us the stupidest things your bird says at the worst possible moments."As many of you know, I have an African Gray Parrot that knows several choice phrases. S/he's* full of noises and phrases ("Here, Kitty", and "Don't Eat Me!"—culled from Pirates of the Caribbean—are two of my favorites). S/he will also

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-55055418680520078362009-01-24T08:00:00.000-05:002009-01-24T10:02:54.325-05:00

Yum-O.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-63837763575202817482009-01-22T08:20:00.002-05:002009-01-22T08:22:56.954-05:00

I can live with that. If the Sci-Fi/Comic and History/Literature sections were reversed...well, then we'd have a problem.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-54439272767986028472009-01-21T14:15:00.004-05:002009-01-21T14:18:26.110-05:00

Fox news is off the rails. Witness Chris Wallace suggesting (for the whole network, mind you) that Barack Obama may not really be President:Someone. Anyone. Please stuff a sock in this asshat's mouth.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-54924225368778685192009-01-20T17:34:00.004-05:002009-01-21T14:23:22.453-05:00

We know how you feel, kid.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-43543012414507587952009-01-18T08:11:00.003-05:002009-01-18T08:23:40.412-05:00

This is the last post for Pessimism week. I didn't get seven full posts in, but I don't have the energy for any more. Writing about the end of the world is hard!Since we're all doomed, we may as well dance: Quizzes by Quibblo.com

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-17391031775252942192009-01-17T15:49:00.002-05:002009-01-17T15:58:05.421-05:00

OK, enough sloppy gooey crap. Back to the pessimism.Today, we discuss The Singularity."The Singularity" refers to the day the machines finally figure out they're smarter than we are, and they take over. Or, as wikipedia puts it: "The technological singularity is a theoretical future point of unprecedented technological progress, caused in part by the ability of machines to improve themselves

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-69393032022255498702009-01-16T14:33:00.005-05:002009-01-16T17:29:09.071-05:00

The "answer five questions" meme is floating around the Interwebs. You know the drill by now, I'm sure.I avoided it until April put it on her blog, and I'm pleased to answer her questions here. April demanded complete honesty, so I did my best. I'll get back to "Pessimism Week" tomorrow. And if any of you have any questions, drop 'em in the comment box. But you have to be honest too, because I

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-64457052101582444382009-01-16T10:19:00.005-05:002009-01-16T12:44:12.802-05:00

This is it, folks. The Big One™. The most important reason of all to be pessimistic.You already know what it is. Global Warming Global Climate Change. It's going to kill us all.What used to be called "Global Warming" went through a branding change in 2008, mainly because the planet stubbornly refuses to uniformly warm up. So now it's called "Global Climate Change". This is brilliant, because now

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-52530175951249429242009-01-15T12:11:00.004-05:002009-01-15T12:25:29.407-05:00

There's no greater reason to be pessimistic than this: Pundits are already lining up to absolve GW Bush of responsibility for the last eight years. And the story I'm quoting isn't from some Faux-News Right Wing U.S. politician. This is a Brit. Obviously, the writer of this article hasn't had to deal with the gutting of our civil liberties in the Bush era, the smackdown on science in favor of the

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-31343136520283898212009-01-14T08:14:00.005-05:002009-01-14T08:56:18.244-05:00

Pessimism Theme Week Continues.Yesterday, "Liner Notes" discussed the impending danger from the sun, which will soon push the "reset" button on humanity and send us back to the stone age where, woefully ill-equipped to survive, humankind will surely perish.It can't get worse, right?Wrong.First a little bit of history (brought to you, not incidentally, by History Magazine):The eruption of

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-78201993448082682112009-01-13T09:46:00.005-05:002009-01-13T17:40:27.823-05:00

Everywhere you go, people with jobs are bitching about the economy and how awful it is. Apparently, none of these people remember the Carter Administration, with 20% interest rates and 13% inflation (note: It wasn't Carter's fault, but it happened on his watch, so...whatever). I was living and working in Flint, MI when the local unemployment rate was 25%. Yes, things are tough, but they're not

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-68157348380158030662009-01-11T09:03:00.002-05:002009-01-11T09:05:43.553-05:00

Someone should tell the photographer that when you pose for a family picture, you should hide in the back so as to remain inconspicuous.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-80786761400493213762009-01-10T07:56:00.004-05:002009-01-10T15:38:24.696-05:00

This post has nothing to do with my last one. Baby brother, you may read on.In June of 1953, my grandfather's farm was destroyed by a massive tornado; part of a system that stretched from Flint, MI to Port Huron, MI...a distance of over 60 miles. The twister that wiped out Grandpa's barn and related buildings was a massive F4 monster that traveled over 30 miles.Flipping through channels last

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-86094656030798896042009-01-08T11:47:00.006-05:002009-01-08T15:41:59.475-05:00

Bailout fever has reached a fever pitch, with smut king Larry Flynt chiming in, asking for a bailout for the porn industry.Here's my take:I don't want to be to cocky about this, but let's face it: In a flaccid economy, there are precious few diversions. Clearly, when hard times hit home, and stiff economic conditions (along with diminishing interest rates) combine to put the squeeze on having a

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-41188844031056761162009-01-03T20:04:00.005-05:002009-01-04T07:59:47.033-05:00

Somehow I wound up spending the day at home today, after going to Andrew's haircut appointment with him early in the morning. A miserable headache, parking issues due to a "Disney on Ice" show downtown, a miserable headache and general malaise kept me from doing much of anything. Did I mention a miserable headache?So tomorrow, I'll have to go in and hit the backlog a bit harder. I suppose it was

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-48552634557292318212009-01-02T02:59:00.000-05:002009-01-02T02:59:00.543-05:00

I used to think that when The End Of All Things™ finally arrived, the world would be inhabited by slide projectors, cockroaches, and VHS videotapes. But maybe not. Yes, we still have slide projectors and cockroaches, but the stubborn VHS format seems to be on its last leg.It's good to see technology marching on, if only because now the Gen X-ers will soon be saying things like this:"Why, when I

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-18288347440733200182008-12-31T05:42:00.001-05:002008-12-31T05:42:01.142-05:00

I can pretty much guarantee my NYE won't work out like this, but I'll probably watch the movie anyway. Just because.Best romantic scene in any movie, any genre, any era. Period.Happy new year, everyone.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-41634551205276619572008-12-30T03:29:00.003-05:002008-12-30T03:36:48.424-05:00

Sometimes the news wire just hands you a gift in the form of a juxtaposition of stories that you couldn't make up if you tried:Story A:Premarital Abstinence Pledges Ineffective, Study FindsTeenagers Who Make Such Promises Are Just as Likely to Have Sex, and Less Likely to Use Protection, the Data Indicate.Story B:Alaskan Pop. Grows by 1The news out of Anchorage is that Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-36990394199824124172008-12-28T08:52:00.006-05:002008-12-28T13:43:00.107-05:00

I just did a really dumb thing...made breakfast and started the coffee late. Someone should invent a coffee maker that makes decent coffee quickly. You can either get it quickly, or you can wait for it to taste reasonably good. I'm an impatient person, especially when it's my fault that I'm behind.That rant had nothing to do with today's post.Today's post is about New Year's Resolutions and The

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-48361235415890508342008-12-26T01:18:00.001-05:002008-12-26T01:18:08.582-05:00

I'm reposting an old Holiday Chestnut (first posted on these pages in 2004) for your reading pleasure. I've made some minor changes (the Bush/Kerry reference in the original just doesn't cut it any more), but it's otherwise intact. Enjoy, blogosphere!-----------Twas the day after Christmasan all 'cross the blogsNot a creature was posting(they had too much Egg Nog)The bloggers were quietthis

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-41218187472656471942008-12-24T08:21:00.004-05:002008-12-24T08:38:43.870-05:00

A brief post of thanks:• To my long-suffering family and friends, who have had to put up with my absence in the past month. I haven't been there for a lot of you, and I appreciate your understanding. This was my busiest "season" ever, and I won't soon forget your patience.• To the blogosphere at large, but particularly those of you on the sidebar of this blog: I miss those of you that have

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-52979317191078282202008-12-22T17:13:00.002-05:002008-12-22T17:16:27.593-05:00

Do I believe this news story?Not only do I believe it, I'm counting on it:Beer Goggles Last Longer For WomenFor men, "beer goggles" wear off as quickly as the alcohol. But in women, the effect lasts much longer, a new study has revealed. Researchers found that women who drink even moderately develop a reduced ability to rate attractiveness in male faces, even when they are sober. That'll make my

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-63074905297355396912008-12-21T10:06:00.003-05:002008-12-21T10:14:20.941-05:00

I have a weakness for Gospel music. Yes, I'm complicated. So sue me.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-83994161442896397512008-12-19T16:58:00.004-05:002008-12-20T23:55:33.698-05:00

!elyts ni kcab emoc ot gniog si ekil uoy mug taht

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-88959803849741735882008-12-18T08:27:00.002-05:002008-12-18T08:29:49.671-05:00

Fine. You want sweetness and light? Happiness and joy? Gumdrop waterfalls and candyfloss clouds that dance through a blue sky over rivers of sweet honey and nectar?Here you go:

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-49152075505876028362008-12-12T09:34:00.002-05:002008-12-12T09:37:14.360-05:00

So we get snow. There are travel advisories. No school. Nasty, nasty weather.And the photographer decides to drive up a mountain and take photos.Enjoy the snow. Be glad you don't have to shovel it.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-42655906587678853572008-12-10T13:20:00.001-05:002008-12-10T13:21:20.803-05:00

Unattributed, of course:"It does suck to see such wonderful smartasses go sappy just because they think they're in love."True, that.:-)

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-71208260362906751652008-12-08T11:23:00.004-05:002008-12-08T11:46:17.335-05:00

I started to write this post today before I realized what day it is—the anniversary (if you will) of the day my Father died six years ago.On my recent trip to Michigan, my family and I placed a wreath on the grave of my parents. Whenever I go back "home", I always make a point to stop by and have what I've come to call my "annual cry" at the gravesite.To me, this small little piece of land that

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-56423633683915633572008-12-08T08:52:00.001-05:002008-12-08T08:53:44.275-05:00

Does anyone else see a parallel?

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-17633624342823878062008-12-05T07:46:00.003-05:002008-12-05T07:52:16.061-05:00

Turns out happiness is contagious:Knowing someone who is happy makes you 15.3% more likely to be happy yourself, the study found. A happy friend of a friend increases your odds of happiness by 9.8%, and even your neighbor's sister's friend can give you a 5.6% boost. "Your emotional state depends not just on actions and choices that you make, but also on actions and choices of other people, many

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-74518687930534915822008-12-04T11:49:00.002-05:002008-12-04T12:05:25.467-05:00

While driving through Detroit on my way to my hometown last week, I accidentally stumbled on a meeting of Auto Executives discussing their bailout proposal. Wow, they really are knee-deep in their own mess:

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-31134449998322223052008-12-03T14:15:00.003-05:002008-12-03T14:17:13.798-05:00

Another picture from my recent vacation. This billboard caught my eye, and begs the question...who wouldn't want to be me?Or is that not what they meant?

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-10851402042604018692008-12-03T08:17:00.003-05:002008-12-03T08:19:30.573-05:00

This photo says it all (it also says that every time I let someone else use my camera, they never, ever, ever frame the photo properly):

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-730404704144523692008-12-01T15:29:00.004-05:002008-12-01T15:32:01.001-05:00

Well, I'm back from my first vacation in five years, and I survived to tell the tale. Actually, there are MANY tales to tell, some of which cannot be told here for various reasons. But I'll dole them out over the next couple of weeks or so, along with pictures (not of me, obviously) and my usual snark.Stay tuned, peeps.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-25772252912671194332008-11-25T17:23:00.000-05:002008-11-25T17:27:08.122-05:00

I just got word that my Godmother died.In my religious tradition, Godparents are a very important part of your life, and mine were always very, very good to me. They never missed a birthday, graduation or special event. The last time I saw them was on my previous trip back "home" four years ago; we made the usual promises to keep in touch, but really didn't. My brother called me tonight with the

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-8068805465948230192008-11-24T08:05:00.004-05:002008-11-24T08:13:38.087-05:00

According to genderanalyzer:We guess http://notwealthy.blogspot.com is written by a woman (55%), however it's quite gender neutral.I feel like George Costanza.Thanks to Dale Slamma for the inspiration behind today's post.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-77382495062034686512008-11-23T08:28:00.003-05:002008-11-23T08:32:21.590-05:00

I have nothing, unless you want to hear me wax nostalgically, crosswalk over to borderline self-pity, then finish it off with a dose of snarky sentiment.You know, the usual.We'd all prefer this instead (and no, I have no idea what it means either):The Completely Pointless Personality Quiz

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-33044637680677834292008-11-21T16:02:00.003-05:002008-11-21T16:05:07.522-05:00

It's all over the InterTubes: Sarah Palin pardons a turkey, then gives an interview in front of a turkey slaughter station.Apparently, they asked her about the shot, and she said, "no worries".This is priceless. Sarah Palin: The gift that keeps on giving.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-7592024120359020002008-11-19T12:15:00.002-05:002008-11-19T12:18:41.240-05:00

People Magazine just released their "Sexiest Men of 2008" list, and once again, I didn't make the cut.Of course, John Cusack isn't on the list either, so clearly the editors are on crack. I also take heart in this quote from the "Twilight" guy, whateverhisnameis:"It's like the face of what is attractive has changed. Girls used to want to see guys take their shirts off. Now it's, 'I want you to

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-48791711386117971592008-11-18T15:25:00.004-05:002008-11-18T15:40:13.963-05:00

There's a parking garage located just behind the building that houses my business. When I'm not playing "parking spot tag" with the local meter maid (we call him "Officer Friendly"), I sometimes park there. I usually buy a monthly pass, but not always. This is one month where I passed on the pass.This means that I have to get a daily ticket, then present the ticket to the nice man in the glass

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-20855082236714489362008-11-13T16:04:00.002-05:002008-11-13T16:06:06.423-05:00

The print ad I'm running tomorrow for my business is below. I cut out and blurred the contact information, but wanted y'all to see it.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-25698528431739022902008-11-12T23:55:00.003-05:002008-11-12T23:59:46.607-05:00

I was cruising around iTunes tonight, both in the store and using the "Genius" feature when this song popped up. No reason to share it, really, other than that it's been five years since we lost Warren Zevon, and he's still missed. He really was one of the great American songwriters, and an amazing lyricist.As for the song itself, well...I'm just in one of those moods. It is what it is.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-27430597711265960002008-11-11T09:44:00.005-05:002008-11-11T10:49:43.120-05:00

As some of you know, I've been working on a documentary DVD for a little over a year now, in conjunction with a local arts group as part of a larger museum installation that celebrates Italian immigration in our local region, with an emphasis on the Italian women who created beautiful crochet lace. Titled "Lace: The Spaces Between", the show has had a successful run of several months.The

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-23525604998085561422008-11-09T15:46:00.005-05:002008-11-10T09:00:47.723-05:00

Much has been made of the approval of Proposition 8 in California.I've made my position on marriage in general well-known on this blog: I think gub'mint ought to be out of the marriage business, full-stop. Marriage should be a personal and/or spiritual covenant between two people, in accordance with the rules of their own ethics and their relationship with each other and their God.Period.I think

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-28645157251441482502008-11-09T12:18:00.003-05:002008-11-09T12:19:58.011-05:00

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-25850000868563956892008-11-06T12:16:00.001-05:002008-11-06T12:18:36.008-05:00

The Bush years—at least in the post-9/11 era—have been a nightmare. You can agree or disagree, but that's how I feel.So I am unapologetically optimistic about a change in direction for my country. My hopes aren't wrapped up in any individual, but rather by what I see as the good judgment of the American people, who got together and said "enough". Across the country, the incumbents responsible for

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-52109589791982604592008-11-05T07:17:00.002-05:002008-11-05T07:20:12.590-05:00

Amen."So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism; of service and responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves, but each other. Let us remember that if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers. In this country, we rise or fall as one nation — as one people. "Let us

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-82323806525419743942008-11-05T07:14:00.000-05:002008-11-05T07:52:24.895-05:00

Wow.I was so glad to see the John McCain that I once knew break free from the shackles of the RNC and give an amazing concession speech last night. Thank God he didn't campaign like this, or we'd be facing "Vice-President Palin." OTOH, the "old" John McCain never would have chosen Palin.This speech showed that he still has the ability to be a class act—certainly more than his supporters, who

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-53317846001571870412008-11-05T07:11:00.001-05:002008-11-05T07:57:35.561-05:00

Despite my insistence that I wouldn't vote for Obama or McCain, it was damned hard to stand in that booth yesterday and NOT pull the lever for Obama*. Clearly, this was the most historic election in my lifetime.So I don't want to hear anyone complain about my forthcoming praise and admiration for our new president.President Barack Obama.It has a wonderful ring to it.* Whether I did or didn't is a

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-22540512882719803582008-11-04T14:30:00.001-05:002008-11-04T14:31:48.294-05:00

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-42449532807326773082008-10-29T19:26:00.001-04:002008-10-29T19:28:19.119-04:00

My day wasn't QUITE this bad, but at times it felt close.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-55572328506409217502008-10-28T17:05:00.001-04:002008-10-28T17:05:55.424-04:00

Barry Manilow |MTV Music

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-11921677689076225932008-10-26T09:48:00.009-04:002008-10-26T12:53:04.612-04:00

Please pardon this brief diversion into politics. This is the last I'll have to say until after the election is over.I'm a proud American. I'm unabashedly proud of my country. Most of my recent reading has been historical novels of the founders of my country, centered on their struggles to unite a fractious group of people and develop a working democracy in the face of incredible odds against

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-63388736044204273252008-10-16T08:57:00.006-04:002008-10-16T09:39:03.057-04:00

Author's note: I've really struggled with this post, so it's likely to be the weakest in the series so far. I've had a million ideas floating around in my head, and I've fretted over just how to put this. So let's give it a shot.This is the fourth in an ongoing series.Part OnePart TwoPart ThreeAllow me to once again quote from The Greatest Movie Of All Time:Sally: When Joe and I started seeing

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-50733199376782094642008-10-02T07:28:00.001-04:002008-10-02T11:05:00.710-04:00

This is the third in a series.Part OnePart TwoBefore I go on, thanks to everyone who commented on parts one and two. Y'all have given me some food for thought, and I admit that part two in particular was not as well-expressed as it could have been. I was not, in the words of the immortal Dan Quayle, trying to diminish the role of fathers. I really appreciate all you've had to say. If you liked

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com22tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-6279967965504437092008-09-23T10:50:00.004-04:002008-09-23T11:11:14.960-04:00

This is the second in a series. Part One is hereThe best advice I ever received before the birth of my first child was this:"Babies need their mother. During that first year, your job is to support the mom. You'll have your time when that child will need you, but for the first year, you're basically irrelevant."OK, I'm paraphrasing. I didn't have a tape recorder running, and I wasn't taking notes

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-159682762795328992008-09-13T20:48:00.005-04:002008-09-13T21:04:50.503-04:00

I asked for topics, and Dade suggested:"How about lessons you've learned from being a parent? My wife and I are trying for baby, so I'm always interested to hear how others have weathered the experience..."Hoo boy. How long do you have? This is going to be a multi-part post.I've often said, "My kids are my greatest joy and my greatest frustration." It's true. And I've been lucky to have "good

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-26061752988678567752008-09-12T13:36:00.004-04:002008-09-12T14:12:45.548-04:00

OK. Let's focus on issues. All bold emphasis is mine:From Barack Obama's Website:BARACK OBAMA: SUPPORTING AMERICANS WITH AUTISM SPECTRUMDISORDERSMore than one million Americans have Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), a complex condition that impacts communication, socialization, and behavior. And more cases of ASD are being recognized across the country at an alarming pace. Barack Obama believes

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-71655542892560998352008-09-10T19:09:00.004-04:002008-09-10T19:14:41.776-04:00

Let's suppose Barack Obama's daughter got pregnant by some punk gang-banger who wrote these words on his myspace page:"I like to go camping and hang out with the boys, do some fishing, shoot some shit and just fuckin' chillin' I guess." "Ya fuck with me I'll kick [your] ass"Do you think the Republicans would make that a campaign issue? Do you think that video of Obama hugging the boy in public

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-6619868540846497122008-09-09T11:29:00.007-04:002008-09-09T17:40:49.396-04:00

So here's this month's project list (so far):(1) Videotape wedding(1) Photograph wedding(4) Seminar support--record in-class exercisesVideotape seminar presentation (not same as above)Photograph hospital anniversary celebrationExhibit at local "Pet Expo"Videotape FuneralEdit two wedding videos in queEdit one photography wedding in queFive customer projects in que (film- and video-to-DVD transfers

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-2652686296284755822008-09-07T07:12:00.005-04:002008-09-07T07:28:00.906-04:00

It's not enough that we have the religious wackos thinking that the "endtimes are imminent"*. Now the science geeks are getting into the act:On September 10, a historic event of perhaps biblical proportions will take place under the French-Swiss border, thousands of miles away from our troubled Land of Smiles. It will be the day that the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is switched on in the largest

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-34933483073729271142008-09-06T16:56:00.002-04:002008-09-06T16:58:52.787-04:00

Can we PLEASE flip the ticket? PLEASE?

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-56682756704300153082008-09-05T14:49:00.003-04:002008-09-05T15:23:48.659-04:00

So I've been a political snark machine lately.I won't kid you folks; generally speaking, I despise the Republicans. I really do. Collectively, they're like the Borg; destroying everything in their path, trampling on individual rights, shredding the Constitution when it suits them, and worrying more about "a culture of life" that's defined as taking care of babies before they're born and senior

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-72781107800556807662008-09-05T08:02:00.000-04:002008-09-05T08:02:51.191-04:00

Thus spake Rudy Giuliani on the role of a community organizer: "I don't even know what that is".And then Caribou Barbie chimed in: "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a community organizer, except that you have actual responsibilities." What a Community Organizer Does - TIME:"So here is what Giuliani and Palin didn't know: Obama was working for a group of churches that were concerned

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-60509538379136321372008-09-04T18:41:00.002-04:002008-09-04T18:46:10.320-04:00

I just can't help myself. It keeps getting better and better...From TheAtlantic.com:"$8 million raised since Palin's speech from over 130,000 donors - on pace to hit $10 million by the time John McCain hits the stage tonight.The Palin pick energized Republicans...... and has given a jolt to Democrats, too. (The RNC has raised $1m since Palin's speech.)"Sarah Palin's attacks have rallied our

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-49633248824263653822008-09-04T10:16:00.004-04:002008-09-04T12:02:39.118-04:00

Just the facts, ma'am. Please.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-7982871256500475802008-09-04T08:07:00.004-04:002008-09-04T14:34:05.534-04:00

"I personally think Americans aren't stupid enough to fall for straight-up pandering, but my advisers tell me otherwise..."This is priceless.edit: Direct link to the MP3.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-83309565574249584322008-09-03T18:48:00.005-04:002008-09-04T15:59:09.589-04:00

Found on a discussion board at military.com (hardly a hotbed of liberal ideology):-------begin quoted text-----McCain Votes to Not Fund VA2004March 10- McCain chooses to prevent increasing the funding for the VA by $1.8 billion in order to maintain corporate tax loopholes. – Nelson Amdt. No. 2745; To create a reserve fund to allow for an increase in Veterans' medical care by $1.8 billion by

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-10939580134335604582008-08-31T09:43:00.001-04:002008-08-31T09:46:45.672-04:00

Since we're told by our gub'mint to be afraid, and since so many who dont' believe the gub'mint ARE afraid, and since we're all just a bunch of Nervous Nellies to begin with, Liner Notes is proud to present a new weekly feature: "Paranoia Sunday"!*First up: Tinfoil Hats for your credit cards.Be afraid. Be very afraid.* Which will probably last for one week.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-38538814472749881172008-08-28T12:51:00.004-04:002008-08-28T12:57:01.485-04:00

So much for my "no politics" promise.But seriously, how can you NOT discuss politics these days? Particularly energy policy. I get so pissed off at the damn Republicans who seem to want to stand in the way of progress that I could just scream. The Bushies and their surrogates have been actively working against the so-called "Pickens Plan" for energy independence, but how can you deny progress

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-1179770018581640842008-08-28T11:08:00.002-04:002008-08-28T11:09:33.918-04:00

I don't want to write about politics, and I can't come up with any topics that aren't so personal as to throw people off course.So, dear readers, I want YOU to suggest a topic.Go.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-57152848959715501552008-08-24T15:35:00.003-04:002008-08-24T15:39:58.070-04:00

This won't stop the Tin Foil Hat Brigade, of course. But one can hope.From Slashdot: "After three years of study, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finally released its report on the collapse of World Trade Center building 7."The main conclusion is that the building came down due to fire, not due to debris damage or some conspiracy demolition team. The fire started pretty

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-9559679639400327062008-08-23T08:26:00.007-04:002008-08-24T15:28:38.989-04:00

Now it's time to flip the ticket.No matter, though. Biden will make a wonderful veep, and any doubts I ever had about Obama's judgment are long gone. This is a superb choice.(edit: Longtime readers will remember that I was a supporter of Biden's from the beginning. Check out this post if you want to be reminded what an intelligent, articulate and strong leader looks like.)

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-81852791534304641592008-08-22T11:08:00.003-04:002008-08-22T11:09:56.370-04:00

Apparently Obama has made his VP choice. News flash: It wasn't me.Y'all know whom I'm hoping for, right?Barack Obama has decided upon a vice-presidential running mate. And while I don’t know who it is as I write, for the good of the country, I hope he picked Joe Biden....Biden’s the one. The only question is whether Obama was wise and self-aware enough to know that.

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-44529225419533067212008-08-21T08:00:00.002-04:002008-08-21T08:56:27.970-04:00

I recently took a rare vacation day and went with some friends to a nearby amusement park in Pennsylvania.The park is called "Knoebels Amusement Resort" (pronounced with a hard "K", and written without the apostrophe). It's billed as the largest free parking/free admission amusement park in the country.Stepping on to the Knoebels complex is like taking a step back in time. It's a family-run

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8596075.post-849805735735700792008-08-20T00:44:00.001-04:002008-08-20T00:45:48.872-04:00

...but we know. Oh yes, we know:

NWJRhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06230649432043971400noreply@blogger.com5