loongtao

For Whom The Bell Tolls

2006-02-06T13:35:00.000-08:00

My condolences to the Gracie family. the Martial Arts world has lost a grand master, in Carlson Gracie. The Gracies hit the martial arts world by storm, back in 93 when they first entered the UFC, and proved their art of submission was superior, under the pretense that most, if not, all fights end up on the ground. The Gracies dominated for the 5-7 years, when most of the boxers began learning grappling in various forms, such as jujitsu (brazilian and japanese) , greco-roman (italian), sambo (russian), chin na (chinese), etc.

RIP

Rest Stop

2006-02-06T12:06:00.000-08:00

You'll have to excuse me for the following. If you've read any of the previous posts, specifically the kitchen-related, you'll know. For everyone else, I apologize. After this, it will never be brought up again.

Which brings me to my point: GIVE IT A GODDAMN REST. Ok, let's clear this up once and for all. I couldn't give a rat's ass about the kitchen. My priorities are, in this order, mail, bank deposits, overnights, office supplies, security, facilities, then the kitchen, when I have time.

There will be NO re-allocation as long as there are some left. If there aren't, it's because there was a delay from the supply vendor, or it was out-of-stock. I do not take suggestions. Mind your own goddamn business.

Does anyone else remember the last person who was responsible for stocking? She probably quit because she got tired of "hearing it". But that was her own fault, as she performed her job in the morning, when everyone was here. I do it in the afternoon, so as to not hear it. Now I'm hearing it during the day.

If you guys spend half as much time doing your job as you do whining about the kitchen, you'd be millionairs and retired already. Half of you probably don't even pay it. And the rest is free! What's your goddamn problem? Shouldn't you have clients to call? For someone who gets paid once a month, and on commission only, you sure are spending a lot of time in areas that aren't your concern.

Here's the scoop: give it a rest or I'LL give it a rest. And if you can't figure it out, everyone else will suffer because of it.

we're done. I'm out.

The Iceman Cometh

2006-02-06T09:46:00.000-08:00

As you can tell for me, it was a good weekend. I rooted for the Steelers, and they won.

But the day before was just as important. We had UFC 57 on PPV. The 3rd and final confrontation between Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture. Randy won the first battle a couple of years a go. Chuck returned a year later to win, and take the Light Heavyweight Championship from Randy. On Saturday, it was Liddell v Couture 3.

A good friend of mine who used to fight in cage matches, was rooting for Randy, and would win in the first round. I said no, it's Chuck in the second round. Well, Randy and Chuck battled, and by the end of the first round, Randy had a cut over his left eye, and a possible broken nose, and was bleeding, as well. In the first minute of the second round, Randy faked a move, left himself open, and was clocked by Chuck. KO. It's over. The Iceman cometh, the icman knock you out.

But even on a sadder note, Randy chose that night to announce his retirement. Two-time Heavyweight Champion and two-time Light Heavyweight Champion. Not bad for a 42 year-old (Chuck is 38, also not bad.) Which ought to tell you, if you think I can't still bring it at 43...

If you don't start none, there won't be none; but if you want some, come get some.

(BTW, UFC is in the "business" of fight sports. They are not an advertising company, even though their income is derived from advertising, and box office proceeds.)

Stainless Steel

2006-02-06T09:37:00.000-08:00

Well, well, well. Kudos to Pittsburgh Steelers. They pulled it off. Hey, what happened to Shaun Alexander? Aww, kept to under 100 yards. My heart bleeds peanut butter.

Awright, the controversey of the day, was that a touvhdown? Or inches-to-go? IT WAS atouchdown. No, it was clear when he was on the ground, he moved the ball over the line. Yes. Because he thought he didn't cross the plain. But if you looked closely at the replays, the tip of the ball crossed the edge of the white line, WHILE HE WAS IN THE AIR. It was called a touchdown, and the replay let it stand. The ground play after the jump is irrelevant. It crossed the plane IN THE AIR. Get over it.

Then, Seattle bumbles the last few plays, and all Coach Holmgren can do to explain it, as he's walking off the field was, "that wasn't a touchdown." Boo hoo hoo.

Sure, they won by more than a touchdown, so you could say it's a moot point, but you can't. That touchdown was a moral victory. If it hadn't happened, the game very well may have taken a different turn.

But it doesn't matter. Pittsburgh won, and Seattle didn't. I feel for them, though. Holmgren was a key player during the 49er dynasty days. So you still gotta give him props.

C ongrats, guys.

(BTW, ABC is a television network whose "business" is broadcasting, producing television movies, series, sports, news, etc. They are not an advertising company, even though that's where their income is generated from.)

Questions For The Ponderosa

2006-02-02T11:03:00.000-08:00

Catchy, isn't it? I'm all for creating new definitions for old words. In this case, ponderosa are people who ponder, like myself. It's plural, of course. Singular would be ponderosan.

So today's questions involve geography. This is so fun.

Let's start with North and South America. Two continents separated by a small country called Panama. It also so happens to be halved by the Panama Canal. Although I don't know for sure they were separated before or after the Canal was built, so there is a case for a continent not necessarily being separated from others by water. But if Panama's canal divides North and South America, then what continent is Panama technically in? If it is one and not the other, how can that be? Unless we change Panama to be North Panama and South Panama, two separate countries. I mean hell, North and South Vietnam, North and South Korea are separate countries, but aren't separated by water. It certainly would be a first to have a country split in two, not just because of the Canal that runs through it, but because it also separates two continents! You heard it here first, folks.

Here's another. We have the European continent, which includes Russia, or also known as Eastern Europe, technically-speaking, but most don't refer to it as that. Maybe we could call Russia, the North East, because that's what they are. We have the Middle East, and the Far East, and even Southeast Asia. Although Japan is farther south than Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, ect., which are the ones considered Southeast Asia, but Japan is considered just Far East. Well, that is correct because it is farther east the the Southeast countries. How about the Phillipines? Far East, or Southeast Asia? Russia is over Asia and beside Europe. Why Europe and not Asia? Because Russians are not Asian. Makes sense. Another example of two continents NOT separated by water.

Back to the Middle and Far East. Now I've had this argument with a former associate from Pakistan and my neighbor, who thought he was a geographical expert because world maps and atlases were a hobby of his. But if you hear me out, while you may not agree, you have to admit it makes sense. And that's what the LoongTao is all about. Pointing out alternatives to the norm, that make sense, and hopefully changing history in the process.

Ok, I know Pakistan, to some, and most Pakistanis, is considered Far East. And so do atlases and maps. I don't and here's why. I also don't consider India the Far East, as well, which many might think is stretching a bit far. But if you think about it, Pakistan is above and to the left of India. Pakistan's neighbors are Iran, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I classify Pakistan as Middle East, along with the others. Looks aren't everything, but in this case, a big part, along with their faith, which is Muslim, and their geograhical location. There's 3 different reasons right there.

India on the other hand, has a mix of Hindu, Muslim, and Buddhism. We all know Buddhism is divided up into various sects throughout the Far East (Tibetan, Chan for the chinese, and Shinto, rinzai and tendai for the Japanese), but the Hindu people are a completely different breed from Asian. If Buddhsim is the only tie that connects it the Far East, it's because all of the asian Buddhist sects started with a man named Boddhidarma, a hindu priest, who ventured east and trained a sickly group of monks in China, who eventually came to be known as Shaolin. He taught them how to meditate, breath correctly, and defend themselves, using techniques that resembled the movements of five animals, dragon, tiger, crane, panther and snake. The shaolin then continued with more animals and the rest is history, except that now India is considered Far East. (Notice to cat lovers: two of the five animal styles are cats. Yeeaaahhh)

So what would you call India? How about the Central East. Pakistan would go under Middle East. Russia would go under North East. And the former Russian republics would go to Eastern Europe. Or, Europe, in general.

If it's all about geography, then it should be about where all of them are situated. Whatever religion or faith you are, or whatever country you're fighting with over borders, is a moot point.

Take Kashmere. Now there's a can of worms. Both Pakistan and India lay claim to it. And they've been fighting over it forever. But if you take out the faith and appearance factor, and concentrate on just it's geographical location, where would you put it? Could it be Middle East - it's east of Pakistan. Could it be Central East - it's north of India. Could it be European - it's south of Europe. My god, what do we do with Kashmere?

Divide and conquer. If you can't fit in, you don't belong. (LOL - not to be taken seriously, folks.)

Voyage Of Discovery

2006-02-02T09:50:00.000-08:00

Well it appears our solar system has a tenth planet. Oh, the controversey ensues. What to name it. Is it a planet? What about the others nearby.

There is an object that is round and cirlces the sun. Sounds like all of our planets. But we've had nine for eternity. But our ability to see further out hasn't always been there. So it is with this new planet. We are now in the process of enlarging our very own solar system. All textbooks, at least the science books, need to be re-written.

Here's the discrenacy, though. This tenth planet is twice as far from the sun as Pluto. That's a long way if you ask me. It orbits our sun, making it part of our solar sytem, but passes through the Kuiper Belt. There are many objects there that are large, round, and would be classified as planets, according to our standards. And one could even argue that Pluto is part of the Belt, although right at the edge, and was the only thing we could see at the time.

Do we relegate Pluto to the Kuiper Belt, or add the tenth planet, and possibly others nearby, that meet our criteria for planets? Either way, history is changing before our very eyes, at least when it comes to textbooks and curriculums.

Oh, this is an exiting time. I'm not even going to express how it should be classified because the process is ongoing, and I'm enjoying every minute of it.

Now if we could just build a spaceship that could take us there in a matter of days or weeks instead of light years, well then...

Point-Counterpoint

2006-02-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

These are my closing statements on the "business" concept. While I stand by my views, I do acknowledge that that there is a different interpretation out there. I can see where it's coming from, but it's not what I'm talking about. The reason being, money comes in to play in the differing viewpoint, but is not in mine, which is probably the reason for the disagreement. So, as Judge Mills Lane says, "I'll allow it."

OK, so the movie theater was not the best example, well, sorta, it is. But Google is a better example. The theater is an example of a dual business. The business of showing movies, and the business in selling food. After thinking about it, since I worked not just in the theater business like my "business" partner, but also in the restaurant business, I got to thinking: if the concession areas are inspected by the same officers who inspect resaturants, for cleanliness and violations, then you could say they are in the food business. But you'll then have to classify primary or secondary, since the theater still makes money at the box office, albeit not much. So my view is: the primary is showing the movie, because that's why you're there in the first place, and secondary, the concessions, because that is from which revenue is generated.

Which brings me to my adjusted point, using Google, and the theater scenario, to a certain degree, as an example. And I think this is what my "business" partner was trying to say, but I still disagree, in part, because of the influence money has on the argumented point. Money shouldn't change what your business is, but since that is what all the fuss is about, the issue is dead because nothing will change.

Here's the new business concept:

"A company's product or service is it's business; If their income is derived from something else, then that is there business, But if the product or service makes money as well as something on the side, such as advertising, then it is a dual business, with primary and secondary focus".

And you can quote me, Webster.

See how money will change the appearance of what you're business is. Google business is it's search engine. It's income is derived from advertising. So many out there consider them them an advertising company. I don't. As do many others. We have our reasons. You have have your reasons. To argue is a moot point.

Which brings me to my next point: a generalization on debating an issue based on interpretation, then diagreeing, eventually arguing, and ultimately, making it personal.

After this debate continued in person, I noticed how it can quickly turn into an argument, which means although both sides have made there point (the debate), now both sides are more concerned with pushing there point (the disagreement), now they're repeating what they've already said, and not entering in new information, which makes it an argument. Neither wants to lose. The unfortunate part: when both sides get so frustrated, then it becomes personal. How? When one says, "Well, I think you're wrong".

Whoa. Where did that come from? I thought we were debating an issue that had different interpretations. I guess you thought yours was the correct one and there is no other. Well, I beg to differ. If there is another, it doesn't mean yours is not correct, it means that there may be others that are correct, also. You make your point but don't see mine, or at least acknowledge that another interpretation exists, or that since the other person is not budging, you're not going to pack it up and walk because neither side is going to win? You've just made it personal.

If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were a math teacher. And math is cut & dry. But when someone discovers a different pathway to the answer, and it's put to the test, and the answers always come up correct, the teacher doesn't care. You have to use his formula. Yours is not acceptable, even though it's been proven it works.

So in the interest of peace, I'm letting this one go. I stand my ground. Because that's what Chuck would want.

Ironic Weather

2006-02-01T09:06:00.000-08:00

Never heard of it. Oh yeah, I just came up with it. Ironic weather is when you look outside in the morning, to see if it's raining, which it isn't, so you get dressed and leave the building to feel a mist. So you go back upstairs and grab the umbrella and trenchcoat and proceed to walk to work. It never rains because you're prepared, which, btw, is Murphy's Law.

By the time you've walked all the way to work, you're wet from sweat. That's ironic weather.

Of course, if you're Chuck Norris, you're sweating bullets.

Steelers Over Seahawks

2006-02-01T09:02:00.000-08:00

This year's Super Bowl is going to be cool. Either team can win. No one-sided here. Maybe. Why? Cuz it's anyone's game. It all depends which team is on their game. Here's to hoping they both are.

As for my vote? It was tough. I like Seattle. Holmgren was in SF during the dynasty days. But I liked Pittsburg since I was a kid. Then there's Terry Bradshaw. I like him. Talks non-stop though. I think when it's his time to pass on, he'll be talking when it happens. And he'll STILL have a few words left in him, as the air leaves his dead body. Here's to hoping that's many years away. Terry, I got one word for ya: Decaf.

Ad Court Is In Session

2006-01-31T14:46:00.000-08:00

(Disclaimer: While all of my past posts have been brutal, because it was always cut & dry, this one is a little different. It deals with the explosion of the internet and it's effect on how businesses do business, and how they are viewed. I've heard both sides, and have dropped the hammer. You may disagree, but I've already heard the arguments, and disagree with yours, as well. That's what it's all about. Just like I know my word is not law (only Chuck Norris has that distinction), it also means your word is not law either. And to assume it is, well, you're barking up the wrong tree. If you are so close-minded as to think yours is correct, unchallenged, almighty bottomline truth, you've lost touch. You've forgotten the freedom of opposing views when it comes to issues that are controversial, that subside in the grey area, something that was once something, but now could be viewed as something else, while still retaining that original something. Keep in mind, the first paragraph was my only topic, which opened up a Pandora's Box, which you'll see what follows immediately after.

Ever wonder why theaters tell you you can't bring in outside food? Sure, they tell you it's because they sell food there, too. Now, I guess you could argue that while yes, they have a point, but technically-speaking, their concessions aren't their primary business; the movie itself is. They sell concessions to make money. Is that there business? No. Yes, they're in business to make money. But they didn't open a concession stand. They opened a theater. Somewhere along the way, the movie studios gained more clout, and commanded more from the box office. The theaters lost money. Now, I'm not sure if they started selling concessions as a way to compensate for the lost revenue to the studios, or as an incentive to the movie-goer to patronize their establishment. But the bottom line here is that their business is movies, and the concession sales help finance the theater.

Now I've talked with several people on this, who seem to disagree. If you take McDonald's food into a Carl's Jr., yes, you can't do that, because Carl's Jr. is in the business of selling food, and McDonald's is a competitor. I was given an example of Google. Some say Google's business is as a search engine. Some say it is an advertising company. I could take the high road and say it all depends on what business you're talking about. But that wouldn't be me. From what I've heard, it all depends on who's doing the talking. If you're all about the money, and it's all about the dollar, I can see how every damn company out there could be considered an advertising company, so to speak. That's tunnelvision, my friends.

Google's product/service is a search engine, yes. They sell advertising, yes. No, they don't sell the search engine aspect. It is free to the consumer. This is why they have to sell advertising. This doesn't make them advertisers. The ones advertising are the advertisers. They provide a free service but as a secondary business, which is required to survive, is the selling of advertising. If their business is advertising, who's maintaining the site?

Another analogy used was the television industry. Good example. TV shows are produced. High ratings get high dollars for the ads during those shows. Low ratings cause less income and the shows are cancelled. But I doubt that's what it was all about in the beginning when they started.

The truth is, all of these industries' businesses are the the product/service they provide. Unfortunately, depending on that product or service, they need revenue to support it, so advertising is implemented. Somewhere down the line people have gotten greedy, and, subsequently, have decided to do it backwards with one thing in mind: money. So, the goal here is to make money but you have to figure out a product or service to provide for which to sell advertising, because advertising is the way you want to make your money. In that particular case, then yes, your business is advertising. Or is it? If your business is advertising, who and where are you advertising? See? You're selling advertising but your business is your product or service.

For all those out there that think Google wanted to derive their income from ad revenue and created a search engine to do it, fine. I think you're in the minority. I think they created a search engine because they thought they could create a better search engine, and were technically more savvy in what they were doing, and had some nifty extras attached to make them stand out. But to do so, they needed revenue. Enter advertising. It's a given in the internet world we now live in.

Here's another example: wrestling. WWE was cancelled off of Spike TV. At the time, WWE sold their own advertising. Now they're on USA. But USA sells their own advertising, so WWE lost 10 million in annual ad revenue. So what do they do, they step up production on their website, and advertise their site during televised broadcasts to increase site viewership Viewership increased, which brought in more ad revenue. So, while yes, their goal was to increase income from advertising to compensate for the loss by switching to USA, there business is still wrestling.
Overall, I think those who subscribe to the ad theory have lost track of the true meaning of the word business, and have allowed the almighty dollar to cloud their judgement as what we do as a business and what we do to support that business. Of course, one could blame the internet for changing how businesses are viewed. Is their business their product/service, or advertising, simply because there income comes from advertising? I think now, with the change in atmosphere and environment brought on by the internet, when you ask a company what their business is, they will have to cover both bases; "my business is air guitar, but my income is derived from advertising."

See what I mean?

There IS a difference.

I rest my case.

Chris Penn: We Hardly Knew Ye

2006-01-31T09:23:00.000-08:00

I was saddened to hear about Chris Penn. Definitely under-rated. I've read many of the reports that came out after. Unfortunately, many were touting him as "Sean's younger brother". Too bad. Sure Sean's had his spotlight. But his roles are few and far between, especially now that he's also a director.

But just the same, they're the same bloodline. So it was pretty-much a given that Chris would have it tougher because of the older brother. I know. My brother was in the same boat through childhood and part of adulthood.

Nonetheless, he played his as well as any leading actor. I found myself preferring him to Sean on many occasions. Although I haven't seen several of his films, I liked what he did during the Tarantino years (Reservoir Dogs, True Romance).

Some of the reports listed his finest works, while others were quick to point out the dregs. I myself found it surprising that his work in Best Of The Best parts one and two, were never mentioned. The first one was excellent in it's portrayal of the tragedy of competition and the subsequent outcome, which, to this day, I still get teary at the end, and I've seen it at least 50 times. Chris played a brash cowboy sterotype who had a conflict with the lead actor, Philip Rhee, but by the end, mutual respect. It's about a competition between the Americans and the Koreans. And Philip Rhee's older brother was killed in the last competition. So you know where that's going. An excellent movie that I highly recommend.

Best Of The Best II is a shell of the first one. It's cheesy with the gladiator stuff and Wayne Newton comes off smarmy as ever. But for all the martial arts action in it, I love it. Philip Rhee, son of Simon Rhee, a grandmaster in Tae Kwon Do, not to be confused with the godfather of TKD, Jhoon Rhee, is a master himself. Unfortunately, Chris played the sacraficial lamb, to set up the revenge factor for Philip Rhee. It's still one of my favorites, even though I fast-forward to the Coliseum segments.

(BOTB III - even less martial arts, not very good acting by Philip, and a controversial story line, racism/neo-nazism, was a real turnoff. Oh, one more thing. Eric Roberts stars in all 3, as a friend and team member to Philip Rhee. Eric still can't act. So you'd have to filter him out.)

Rest in peace, Chris. We'll miss you.

OT - Over My Dead Body

2006-01-30T16:57:00.000-08:00

So, your boss says you have to stay late or come in on the weekend. But you have plans. Oh no. If you don't, it reflect badly at review time. Geez. I have to give up my personal time to help my employer, and if I don't, I'm screwed. Well, you're screwed either way, so don't do it.

Here's why: I had a job with a CPA firm, a big one, by the way, which will remain nameless baecause they don't like you talking to the press. I almost got in big trouble because I did once; it was about increased workloads with less staff. Even though it was all facts, and they couldn't discount it, they knew I was right. Which is why I only got written up for talking to the press without permission. (I'll talk to whoever I want godammit.) Oh wait, I don't work for them anymore. IT WAS KPMG, formerly Peat Marwick. Ha.

Anyway, OT was required in March/April and October, major tax seasons, as a condition of employment. Well, by the end of the year, I ended up in a larger tax bracket. Of course, the amount taken out semi-monthly, was for a lower bracket. I ended up owing.

If you only do a few here and there, it won't make much of a difference. But a lot, you may see money now, but you'll pay later. So basically, you're even.

Who benefits from all this overtime? Uncle Sam and your boss. Not you. So next time,
JUST SAY NO.

Oh, by the way, have an excuse ready, just in case. A really bad boss will let you go for insubordination, which you could fight, and cost a lot of money up front, before you get paid. And half of that will go to Uncle Sam.

Geez, I'm confused just writing this. What a vicious Circle. Use the excuse.

Chinese New Year

2006-01-30T09:28:00.000-08:00

Gung Hay Fat Choy.

The time is almost here (Feb 11), when we will again have the opportunity to witness a San Francisco tradition dating back decades. Unfortunately, there is a black cloud over this one.

I'm referring to Falun Gong.

Falun Gong, in and of itself, is just another internal martial art, similar to Tai Chi, Bagua and Hsing I. These are slow-moving exercises and breathing techniques designed to balance the body, mind and spirit. Cool.

But over in China, where it began, the followers grew in numbers. The government watched.
The were worried by the sheer numbers. And rightfully so. Someone high up in the Falun Gong organization decided to use the "strength in numbers" for political gain. And the followers followed. And now, they're connected to newspapers and radio stations everywhere.

So, today, we have a problem. We have a martial art that is good for health and well being, being used in a political capacity. That's what the Chinese goverment was afraid of. So insightful, the Chinese. Hey, it's why I study the martial arts. Just remember, when I tell you something, and you don't believe me, you better think twice. I've been studying the arts and philosophies on and off for 20 years! The LoongTao doesn't take names, it only kicks ass. Plus, I've had the good fortune of being a parade participant on behalf of my kung fu school at the time, Tat Mau Wong's Kung Fu Academy.

Anyway, Falun Gong was rejected for this years parade. They're mad and are crying fowl. But last year, they passed out political leaflets, which was not allowed, and more people showed up than was planned, which stalled the parade. This is the largest parade in the country, folks. We can't have it being stalled on the streets of San Francisco.

So here is the LoongTao take: Falun Gong is fine if you're practicing the art itself in your home, park, or wherever, fine. But as an organization, you've destroyed the complete meaning and purpose of what was once, a beautiful art.

The LoongTao says, let's take it out back, so I can crush your necks with my right pinkie. Btw, I'm left-handed.

Posterphobia

2006-01-26T08:23:00.000-08:00

San Leandro. Urban sprawl. Youth gangs. A teacher wins a lawsuit over teaching gay rights. Now they have posters up in each class promoting tolerance. It was believed that a few highly-religious teachers were not going to comply, for that reason. Media hotspot now.

As it turns out, all complied. The prinicipal said she appreciates their beliefs, but it is board policy.

Excuse me? You lose a lawsuit and everyone else has to look at this politically-correct, gay tolerance-promoting poster all day? That's crap. This has nothing to do with gay tolerance. It's all about covering your ass. The kids are still going to throw out insults and verbal abuse.

How about talking to the kids instead of putting up a piece of paper that is supposed to do the job for you. How about having the custodian put them up in every class. That's his job. Or yours. Oh, having each teacher put his/her own poster up is supposed to show that you're tolerant? I think not. Sounds more like a control issue for the prinicipal.

Besides, all you're doing is putting up a blank canvas for kids to mark up when the teacher is out of the room. I'd like to see these posters a month from now. Covered in graffitti. Some probably even torn down.

Personally, in my class, I would verbally-abuse any kid who exhibited any racist or homophobic tendencies. Put the shoe on the other foot. No wait, can't do that. The kid who insulted others would get upset and go the principal on me. No, how about I tell the principal, you want this up in my class, do it yourself. This isn't about the issues. This is damage control.

Where are the posters about suicide assistance? Teen suicides are up and 86% are males. I wouldn't be surprised if the principal said the posters would probably bring that percentage down, considering the possibility that many of the teen deaths are attributed to them being ridiculed based on their sexual preference.

Me? I wouldn't put any poster up. And I would use the premise that it's on principle. It isn't about gay rights or racism. It's not about promoting tolerance. It's damage control, after losing a million dollar judgement on the subject. It's politics, baby. You mean to tell me that if one teacher doesn't put up the poster, some kid is not going to see it, and thus, not become more tolerant of people's life choices? Uh, unless these kids spend the whole day in that one class, I don't think so.

No, no poster for me. Fire me. Wrongful termination. Then you can shell out another million. Then put the damn poster up yourself. (So I can draw a moustache on it)

Inner Self (1989)

2006-01-25T14:12:00.000-08:00

I n n e r S e l f
1989

Not born again
As in Christian
Connotation
Life is renewed
Unaskewed
The outside remains
If the inside’s unchanged
To alter
Without
One must uncloud
The inner self

Others cannot help
In your quest
To digest
The journey’s abyss
Isn’t bottomless
To be aware
Realizing where
The fault lies
Within the confines
Of the inner self.

All the attitudes
Must change
Or rearrange
Caring a little more
Than before
Conscience in effect
Willing to detect
Before you err
Life will spare
The inner self

Once you clear
Light shines
The mind binds
With the self
In good health
You now control
The future soul
Life is about
Not being without
The inner self.

And I Wonder (1994)

2006-01-25T14:08:00.000-08:00

And I Wonder

For a moment
I look at the stars
And wonder
And gaze
To the heavens above
And wonder
What lies ahead
For this self of mine
I wonder
Who might she be
Will she think of me
Or wonder
Of the heavens above
While the stars shine
And I wonder
Will she care
Like I’ve cared
To wonder
As I do
Are feelings as strong
As I wonder
If I only knew
Who she was
I wonder…

Monster Metal Truck Mania

2006-01-25T13:39:00.000-08:00

Actually, it was two different shows. Metal on Friday and Monster Trucks on Saturday. I'd been to the Monster Truck rallies before, and this one was no different. My favorites were there. GRAVEDIGGER IS GOD. But I like Madusa, too. She's a former wrestler, and doing quite well. She tied fo rthe championship last year. BTW, Madusa is short for "made in the USA", which explains her colors being red, white and blue.

But the most fun was the night before. Metalhead mania at a local club here in San Francisco, the underground metal capital of the world (at least it was a decade ago).

Awright, so they were tribute bands. So what. I've seen the originals over and over and over. I've met the originals back when I worked in rock radio in the late 80's. Metallica, Slayer (my fave), Megadeth, Venom, Mercyful Fate, Scorpions. I don't claim to know them as they aren't friends of mine. But I've met them and some I've hung out with. Yup, drinking and talking metal. Way cool, jr. I got pictures so save your breath.

Anyway, the sad part is, it's 2006. All these bands still play, as they rule the metal world now as they did back then. But, they tend to play all the new stuff, and only 2 or 3 songs of the old stuff, which is what I want to hear. Why do you think there are tribute bands in the first place. Because the old fans don't go to the new shows. They want to hear the old stuff. And that's what the tribute bands play.

Damage, Inc covering Metallica, was pretty good. Guitarist missed a few notes, and a little sloppy, too. Singer didn't look or sound like Hetfield, but whaddya expect. He did okay on vocals. The drummer was excellent because he was right there with Lars. Loud and fast.

Children of the Damned, covering Iron Maiden, was really good. The guitars were dead on, and in sync. The singer was good, too, hitting all the high notes. Bruce Dickinson (original Maiden frontman) would have been proud. The cool part: I met the singer at one of his other shows (he likes to cruise the crowd for feedback) when he was singing for Screaming For Vengeance (Judas Priest tribute band). I even remember him telling me on the side he was auditioning for an Iron Maiden tribute band. I guess he got the job. Duh...

Blood Red, covering Slayer, was a missed segment. I arrived late to find their set was only a 1/2 hour. I was pissed. Slayer was my favorite. But it enticed me to go out and pick up a Slayer song book and start learning their songs and putting my guitar playing to good use. Wouldn't that be a kick. Me in a Slayer tribute band. talk about a dream job. Odder things have happened.

Pigeon-Towed

2006-01-24T15:35:00.000-08:00

You know you're an animal lover when...

So, here's two pigeons. One male. One female. The're locking beaks, about to do the nasty. When along comes another male trying to move in on the female. The other male tries to shoo him away twice, to no avail, so he gives up.

Well, something has to be done. Enter the LoongTao. I walk over, and remember, these are downtown pigeons, so they're people-friendly. The invading male is in between the other male and the female. I reach out towards the invader and he starts to move away, then back. I reach out farther. He flies over the other male. One last move, the infamous "hand clap". Just loud enough to scare him and not the couple.

The invader flies away and the other male starts walking over to the female.

Success of the LoongTao, baby. That's what it's all about. In all walks of life.

And no, I didn't stay around to watch the deed.

Even though I normally do.

Gotta go, I hear nature calling....

Soda Jerk Revisited

2006-01-24T12:56:00.000-08:00

Ok. I see the point, but I cannot stand corrected. Space Cadet Captain Kirk mentions that the Caffeine-Free Diet Coke has the same space as Diet Coke but a different consumption rate. (uh, yeah, about 3 cans a day.) Touche.

Uh, don't forget the Diet Coke in the door, buddy. That's an additional case. But I heard about the Caffeine-Free, which sucks, by the way, and for good reason nobody, well somebody, drinks it. So to keep the natives from getting restless, the CFDC will drop from 4 sixpacks to 2 six packs and the DC will expand by 2 sixpacks.

Are you happy now. Too many chiefs, not enough injuns. All this from a numbers cruncher. Allocations. Geez. Now get the hell out of my kitchen. Don't you have clients to call?

The Ninja Hitlist: Sprint PCS

2006-01-24T12:34:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the debut of the Ninja Hitlist. This is not a list of what's hot, or in. Oh, no no no. Au contraire, mon amie. This is a list that will highlight those that should be put out of their misery due to complications created by their inability to satisfy their customers.

Today's inaugural hit goes out to Sprint PCS.

A year ago, after I started dating someone, it was suggested we invest in a cell phone. Hers had to be replaced, and they had a 2-for-1 offer. It was on her credit and payments went through her. I didn't mind.

Until she grew suspicious of a number regularly called on days when she wasn't in town (due to her other work). So she called the number. Big mistake. First off, it was none of her business. Secondly, she should have asked me first. So she talked to the person who I was calling, and immediately assumed I was having an affair. As it turned out, it wasn't someone I was having an affair with, but a connection, which I won't go into here. I gave up the info to salvage my integrity of not ever chyeating on a loved one. It was a compromise I didn't mind making. It's sacrifices I don't make.

Needless to say, I never used the phone after that. Where is this going? I'm almost there. We don't really date anymore - the split was amicable. So I went to the Sprint store to find out how to split the phones. They said to fill out a Transfer of Liability. Well, just today, I found out from her that they also do a credit check. Not good.

My credit is shot. From the earldays. Old credit cards. Tax liens (see previous post on Me and Taxes). Wage garnishments (from the tax liens). Basically, I live a simple life now. Cash only.

Anyway, they said it isn't much. As low as $250.00. What?!?! They said that was low. I said mine would probably be $1000.00. And get this: it's a 2 year contract. If I back out now, we get hit with a fee.

Never mind the fact that we've had the phone for a year now. And payments are in good standing. Well, er, she's been making the monthly payments. (I pay her when I get around to it. I know, I'm a hypocrite. Who am I to complain about their policies.)

Nonetheless, being stuck in a two-year contract, and not being able to transfer the phone to my name without putting down a hefty deposit to do so earns them a spot on the Ninja Hitlist.

Ask & You Shall Receive

2006-01-23T13:50:00.000-08:00

Captain Kirk writes: What bothers me the most about the allocation of space is when people do not properly allocate that space based on historical data? Take for instance our refrigerator at work. It is stocked with all different types of Soda (Coke, Diet Coke, Root Beer, Etc.). Based on historical date, the company consumes approximately 48 Diet Coke a day; however, the space allocated to the refrigerator is only about 20%. Since Diet Coke is the prominent soda being consumed, shouldn’t it be allocated more space than the current 20%? If historical allocation data points to a level more like 30-40%, shouldn’t Diet Coke get the proper allocations of space in the refrigerator?

The title of this one does not mean this space cadet will get what he wants; it's more like "he's just asking for it from yours truly". So in the best interest of all my readers, let's give it to him, shall we?

First of all, if you've read a recent post of mine, and if you didn't, you should have, stop now and go back and read them. Historical data is history, people. So all the points the captain is making, is moot.

Second, when you are talking about consumption, you are talking about a variable. Usage is a variable. It changes. So that rules out all historical data in and of itself. Besides, our friendly space cadet does not realize that it isn't 48, but 36 cans a day. And not everyday. Question: if you stock 36 cans one day, and there are at least one can still there the next day, does that not mean the allocation is correct? Thank you. (There's always at least a six-pack leftover anyway, bonehead.)

Standard inventory maintenance techniques are in play here, folks. This is my job. It's what I do. I'm a specialist. If all the sodas disappear one day, sure, one would think, yes, more allocation. Sure thing, blind man. Tunnel vision. Wake up. One day a pattern does not make. All it takes is one meeting in the conference room to clear out the fridge.

Nooo, it takes a highly-trained eye with acute observation skills to monitor consumption habits. If all disappeared on a regular basis, then yes, allocation goes up. It only takes a week to figure it out. And that hasn't happened yet. Besides, the captain messed up because now I'll be wathing to see if more disappear in order to up the allocation, in which case, you're out of luck, cuz it ain't going up.

All this from someone who drinks a sixpack of this stuff, everyday. No wonder when I arrive in the morning, he's crawling up the side of the wall to get a closer look at the second-hand on the clock. Maybe he's trying to figure out why it's moving and the other two aren't.

Besides, everyone should consider themselves lucky I move the cold ones up front instead of throwing them on the shelf so you have to go to the back to get a cold one.

In space, no one can hear you think.

I O U

2006-01-23T12:17:00.000-08:00

I think not. And here's why.

Ever stand around talking to someone, or pass someone who stops, but you turnaround to talk but continue to walk slowly, backwards? Ever bump into someone accidently, and have to excuse yourself and/or apologize? Yup. Happens to everyone. Happens all the time. But now, fuhgetabouttid.

It just happened to me and the old lady gave me this dirty look. Even after I said "excuse me". Not anymore. As I see it, you owe me an "excuse me" or an apology. Excuse me? Excuse you. Yes, you're right. I wasn't watching where I was going. Yes, I'll be more careful next time. But what's your excuse. You were watching where you were going. You saw me cxoming. Yet you didn't move. You allowed me to bump into you. Better yet, you bumped me, when you could have avoided it.

See, I bumped you accidentally. You bumped me on purpose. You had an option to shift directions to avoid the bump, yet you thought you'd teach me a lesson by not moving. I've got news for you. The next time someone bumps me, I'm not saying shit. And if someone says anything, well, it'll be the last time you don't move when I'm verbally done with you.

So, people, the next time someone isn't watching where they are going, shift directions and avoid the bumps. You're just asking for trouble if you want to teach someone a lesson yourself, for nut watching where they were going.

PGE Props

2006-01-20T15:33:00.000-08:00

No, not Proctor & Gamble. I'm talking about PG&E. Now I know what you're thinking: props for PG&E? What are you smoking? I'll be first to tell you I was surprised myself. But I'll also be the first to give credit where credit is due.

I was running on the edge as I always do, with the 48-hour notice. Of course, I haven't got a replacement mailbox key since I lost it awhile back, and the landlord is slow to replace it. Fortunately, I received a message on my phone last night (Thursday) that I had till 8pm to call for arrangements. I've done this before, and knew for certain I wouldn't br granted until Wednesday thew next week. They usually want it the next day.

Well, I hadn't called yet, and at 6pm, the power went out. So I called and found out there was an outage. Go figure. So I called customer service expecting them to not turn it back on because of the past due balance.

Lo and behold, he said I could go as late Thursday the next week! Hot damn.

So while everyone else in the neighborhood was pissed off without power (is that possible), I was ecstatic that it was coming back on, and staying on till payday!

Thanks PG&E. This time you came through.

No Time Like The Present

2006-01-18T12:04:00.000-08:00

Time is constant. Wait, a variable. No, time is a constant in it's variableness. And you can quote me on that. See, time moves. It doesn't stop. It follows the laws of nature, science & the universe. Time bends, in the wake of dark energy, and electromagnetic fields. But in the end, it still in continuous motion.

So why do we talk about the present? Because mankind has to give everything a name. The present is merely the future becoming the past. The present is a process that mankind gave a name to. So you say, "Well, presently..."; that means what you are doing is "becoming the past". The past and the future are "fixed", while the present is "becoming".

Think of it in punctuation terms. The past and future are nouns, and the present is a verb. Everything we think, say or do, is history. Of course, if you think before speaking, as everyone should do, then thinking would be the present, really becoming the past, but what you are about to say, is the future. If you say you are going to do something, then speaking becomes the present, and subsequently the past, but what you are about to do is the future.

Sooner or later, it's all in the past. So why dwell on it.

For now, I'm history.

Until then , which could be next week, tomorrow, in 20 minutes, or in a second. I'll never know.

Suicide Solution

2006-01-18T11:07:00.000-08:00

No, I'm not talking about Ozzy, who ended up in court because some kid was listening to that song when he killed himself. Listen up: Ozzy didn't do it. Ozzy didn't tell him to do it. The kid was already wacked. 'Nuff said.

oh yeah, suicide. Kudos to Oregon and the Supreme Court on the assisted-suicide victory. Now, anyone with job benefits knows, if you kill yourself, you don't get any benefits. It's just not in the cards. And your family will have to pay for everything. So. DON'T DO IT.

Now that it's legal, though, that opens up another whole can of worms. If someone is terminally ill, gets approval for assisted-sucide, and does the deed, will their benfeits cover expenses?

To be continued...

But not in my book.

You, Me & Baby Makes 3

2006-01-18T11:03:00.000-08:00

So, this lady tries to get through on the bridge without paying, by using the carpool lane. She gets pulled over because it's just her in the car. She says, and it shows, that she is pregnant, but gets a ticket anyway. So baby can't be counted until after it's born.

Why then, if you kill a woman who happens to be pregnant, it's considered a double homicide?

This is the world we live in, people. None of it makes sense. And if you want to exercise your right to prove what you've done, and that it makes sense, you have to go to court. Judge by your peers who really aren't your peers. Makes sense, doesn't it?

The Gong Show Revisited

2006-01-18T09:11:00.000-08:00

Yup, it's the next American Idol. Good God. I watched last year. Actually, I should say I got hooked. Bo Bice should have won. But what's-her-face was prettier. Or maybe it was because there are more country fans in America than rock fans. At least not in the Bay Area. What did you expect? Two people with talent, you need a deciding factor. Human behavior has always been about popularity. Bo was more versatile, by the way. The other one was only good at country-style.

I loved the Gong Show. J.P. Morgan - what a slut. Just like Paula Abdul. Dating a contestant. What a slut. I'd still do either of them. Just not JP now. Well, she's probably passed on anyway. RIP.

Then there's Simon Cowell. What a dickhead. Oh, let me rephrase that - what a dickwad. Just like Rex Reed. If I didn't know he was married, I'd say he was a gay. No wait, that's an insult to the gay community. He would make the perfect flaming queen. (There goes the neighborhood.)
Really. Who else would say not just "you don't have it", but throw in the demeaning, humiliating, epithet to boot.

But that's what Simon does. "I think you should shave your legs and put on a dress, because it appears to me you want to be a woman". I kid you not. The kid was devastated. Left the building crying. While Simon may be right, it still doesn't serve any purpose to insult on national TV.

Payback time: The last guy on the show, a true nutcase, admitted to talking to animals, which is not a bad thing. Anyone with pets, talks to their pets. And we sorta know what they're saying. There IS communication between species. Ever watch the Discovery Channel? You should. Anyway, this guy said his animals talked back - in English. Well, Simon's expression was priceless. So, to get even for his past tirades, Paula and Randy voted Yes, and sent this guy to Hollywood.

Needless to say, he'll obviously be out in the first round.

And Simon will still be a dickwad.

Dollars & Sense

2006-01-11T16:00:00.000-08:00

Loyalty vs longevity. There was a time when these two words were synonymous. Not any more. Longevity is pretty much history. That is, if you ever want to make more money and stay ahead of inflation.

Wherever I'm at, I'm loyal. My boss puts food on my table, keeps a roof over my head, and the lights on. I stay until there's a reason to no longer be loyal. It also tends to conflict with longevity.

If you want to advance and/or make more money, you have to move on, or up. Moving up shows loyalty. Moving on shows just the opposite. So it really depends if you're loyal or not. Then again, if you like your position as I do, and don't want to move up or on, what do you do? Add more to your plate. Someone leaves, take one of their responsibilities. Expand your position into other areas. Now that's loyalty.

Moving up doesn't necessarily mean loyalty either. That is usually just being upwardly-mobile. They usually move on anyway, for the same reason.

My first job in corporate america was as a runner for the Pacific Stock Exchange, 1980. I started at $700.00 a month. After one year, I received a raise to $790.00. A month later, another runner started at $775.00. The starting rate for that position's salary had been adjusted for inflation that year. But I don't get a piece of it, as I'm already there. I worked a year to make $15.00 more than this guy. See what I mean.

So, basically, you have to move on every few years just to keep pace with the living wage. Imagine staying in a job for 20 years, and someone just starting, makes the same as you. How would you feel? So much for loyalty.

Then again, I wouldn't call that loyalty. I'd call that stupidity. Someone who does that is happy just getting by. They don't want to advance. They've become complacent. And...they're miserable all the time. And when the cuts come, do you think the company is going to be loyal to you? Not.

Hey, more power to you. Just don't talk to me about it, cuz I don't want to hear it.

I've got work to do.

(Uhh)Necessary Evil

2006-01-10T13:48:00.000-08:00

What's in a name, you say? What is going on with all the corporate sponsorships?! Eveything has a company name on it now. It's only a matter of time before Joe Robbie Stadium and Wrigley Field fall prey to the corporate raiders.

Okay, so we invite their investments to keep our costs down. Eventually it goes up. And forget about the concession stands. It's just like the movie theater. The ticket sales, just like the box office proceeds, go to the team (box office goes to film company). The stadium, like the theater, makes it's money at the concession stand. The hot dogs and sodas are their bread and butter. Wah Wah.

Unless you encounter a situation such as what we have here in San Francisco; namely PacBell Park. Even though it's currently SBC Park, and soon to be AT&T Park, I still call it PacBell Park. Why? Because it was PacBell that made the investment for construction. I'll be the first to admit they deserve to have their name on it.

But not SBC. Or AT&T, for that matter. Why? Because they bought PacBell, and subsequently, SBC? I think not. SBC and AT&T did not invest in it. But if you can't call it SBC or AT&T Park, what do you call it? PacBell no longer exists.

I even flipped out when my NASCAR Cup changed from Winston to Nextel. Of course, then I realized Winston was a sponsor as well. And a cigarette, no less. I guess I should be glad, since I'm a non-smoker.

So, we have to sorta live with the name changes every two years. I can't even remember what Candlestick Park was called, in between 3COM and Monster. I remember it was a DotCom company. And they went out of business 6 months after. And their name was on every cupholder in the park. All 35,000. I still call it the Stick, though.

That's all you have to remember, folks. Take the corporate money, and call it whatever you want. That's what's important.

Heyyyyy...batter batter batter batter batter, swing batter...
he cannot, he cannot, he cannot, a' swing batter...

United We Stand...

2006-01-10T09:55:00.000-08:00

Unions. An idea who's time has come and gone. Abolishment is in order here. Yeah, I hear all you members screaming. Why? Because then you'd have to start doing some real work.

Look, it served its purpose when the idea was born and put into action during the 1950's. And it worked for decades. Now, it's useless. Dues are up. And what do you get when you go on strike? A percentage of your salary. And for only so long. It will run out. That's how scabs were created. They got tired of waiting for union management, who, by the way, are lining their pockets as well, first, to get the job done and get their people back to work.

I got hired by the SF Jewish Community Center back in the late 80's. But it was a union shop. What? JCC a union shop? I wasn't even Jewish. At least I was circumcised, but they didn't ask me to prove it. We're in America, so I guess they just assumed it was so. Anyway, evidently, it was a service-workers' union. My job was a mail clerk, for pete's sake. And, as a condition of employment, I was required to join the union. Done.

Then, the contract was up for renewal. Delegate reps asked if I would honor the strike if it came to that. I said. "Fuck you. I'm a mail clerk. I had to join the union to get the job. I'm crossing the line if you go on strike, and if anyone gets in my way, I'll drop you on the spot." (Lucky for them, the contract was renewed without a strike. And everyone stayed out of my way, too.)

Fast forward to today. Now, the hotel and janitorial workers are striking every 6 months. And the majority of them aren't even citizens. I know. I talk to them.

Tell me this: If you're Latin and have a job as a janitor, shouldn't the first word you learn in English be TRASH? Why do we have to put stickers on trash, that says Basura?

Unions. Time to bust a move.

Taxation Without Representation

2006-01-10T09:46:00.000-08:00

Well, happy f'n new year. I suppose the next thing on our minds is filing taxes. As everyone knows, the tax code is humongus. You need an MBA to understand it. But it should be quite simple; so here's my take:

I've filed the EZ form since high school. I lead a simple life. No wife. No kids. no expenses. At least none I can deduct. I do donate to the occasional charity, but I don't deduct it. Why? Because then it wouldn't be charity. Duh!!

Anyway, I file the EZ form. So it goes, you would think that the amount taken out of my check twice a month would match what I owe the government. Yah, in a perfect world. I always owe. So I claim "0" so as to not owe as much. Then I get a small refund. Then someone tells me, you're lending money to the government, interest-free. Get the F out. So it's back to "1" and owing at the end of the year. Why? Aren't my deductions and what I owe suppose to match?

I think it has something to do with the tax code changing throughout the year. Which usually means that taxes have gone up. So they've gone up during the year, but deductions from my check haven't, thus, I owe. It gets worse people. Does the government wait till the end of the year to go into effect? No. Do they start right when the tax law changes? No. It goes into effect retroactive to the beginning of the year.

So, basically, the government screws you from day one.

Hunters and Gatherers

2005-12-27T09:48:00.000-08:00

Ahhh, the hypocrisy of a carniverous lifestyle. I love animals and the environment (but basically, tolerate people). I'm also a meat eater. I could do without it. I don't eat meat for enjoyment. In fact, no one should. Food is sustenance. We need it to live.

I know this will upset vegans, but to hell with you. I eat meat, and that includes poultry and seafood, as well. But I eat it because my body requires a higher level of protein, due to my weightlifting. If I were a vegetarian, I would not be getting complete, whole proteins. Soy, no. Nuts and legumes, no. Milk and eggs, yes, but not if you're a vegetarian.

Which also makes me a hyprocrite, sort of. I love animals, and I hate the way they are mistreated in the those massive corporate farming places, but I eat it nonetheless. Of course, as hunters and gatherers in days of olde, we were forced to hunt, kill and prepare our own food. Now hunting is a sport, which I think is wrong.

But it's so simple and easy to just go to the corner market and pick up my meat. I'd probably be a vegetarian if I were forced to hunt for food. Unless I had someone to do the preparation and cooking. I could hunt and kill. Just not carve it up.

And speaking of vegetarian: have you heard all the terms? I can understand an ovo/lacto-vegeterian no eating meat, but allowing for eggs/dairy, but a semi-vegetarian? I guess that's someone who eats eggs, dairy, and cow, but not pig.

Geez, that's not hypocrisy, that's stupidity.

Key Logic

2005-12-27T09:45:00.000-08:00

OK people, how many of you have ever locked your keys in your house or car? Ever? Well, you're an idiot. That's what you get for locking the door by hand, first, and then closing it. You're just asking for trouble when it's completely unnecessary. If you never want to lock them inside, simply lock the door with your keys, AFTER you've stepped out.

Simple enough.

Goodnight, Sleep Tight...

2005-12-27T09:44:00.000-08:00

Sleep is a valuable commodity these days. We all could use a little extra sleep. But if you are going to lose any sleep over something, it is important that it is lost over your own affairs rather than someone else's.

Up In Smoke

2005-12-22T14:09:00.000-08:00

I hate smokers. How's that for bluntness. There's nothing good about them. They discard their butts on the sidewalks and streets, and don't even step on them. They're outside all the time creating smokescreens than the rest of us have to walk through.

Why, one time, I heard a company created a policy that dictated those who smoked, only got a half hour for lunch, while those who didn't, got 1 hour. Easily tracked. People leave and hang out front. Several times a day, for periods of up to 20 minutes. Sure, they SAY they're taking a 5 minute smoke break. Geez, it takes 5 minutes just to get out of the building. Then you have the friends who stand around chit-chatting. So much talking that half the cigarette goes up in smoke without ever being inhaled. So what do they do? Light another one.

You're entitled to a half hour. But not an hour. So why do the smokers only get a half hour? Because you only are entitled to 1 10 minute break per 4 hour period. And smokers take 10-15 minute smoke every couple of hours; some every hour.

This is why American productivity is down. Too many smokers out front, lighting up, instead of at their desk, "handlin' dey bidness". And those who don't smoke have to cover while they're outside.

Just like parents can leave early for family reasons, and not have those couple hours deducted from their vacation time, but single persons don't.

Same hypocrisy.

Oh, by the way, the smokers complained about it being unconstitutional, and unfair, so the company had to give up that policy.

But you KNOW they're being watched.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Go Speed Racer Go

2005-12-22T14:03:00.000-08:00

Just recently got a Racer X workshirt from ComicCon. Which reminds me: Speed Racer was a wuss. Now don't get me wrong - this is just in hindsight. I grew with Speed, Pops, Trixie and Chim-Chim (and whatever the brat's name was) on Saturday afternoons. It was my favorite growing up (which probably was responsible for the love for racing in my adult life).

But Racer X was the real champ. If you remember, he was the older brother who ran away. Speed is a wuss, and I'll tell you why. Because he's a wimpering crybaby. He always won the race, with Racer X's help. Who rescued him everytime from the bad guys? Racer X. Who saved his life countless times, on those cliff edges during the thunderous rainstorms? Racer X.

You can tell if Speed ever came in second, he would have a temper tantrum. How? Chalk it up to his passion and emotion he has for the race.

Racer X is god.

Homeless? Or Transient!

2005-12-21T14:07:00.000-08:00

The answer is easier than you think. First off, they are two dogs with different fleas. (Literally) Homeless does not necessarily mean on the street. You've heard the phrase: homeless and living on the street. That's because homeless and living on the street don't always go together.

Homeless is just that. No home. You can be in a shelter and still be homeless. Some stay with friends, but are still homeless. The only one with a gray area is moving home with parents. It's not yours, but it's still part of the family.

Homeless that are not living on the street, are working to get back on their feet (poetically speaking). They're registered with agencies. They're sending out resumes and going on interviews. No one needs to know that you're staying in a shelter or a daily/weekly hotel.

Now, if you're living on the street, then it's by choice. You're transient and you'd rather be there. Don't tell me there's no room in the shelter. I know there is. The problem is, you want to come and go as you please. And the shelters don't allow that. Which means protection from the outside elements is not as important as having to come and go as you please.

San Francisco does NOT have a homeless problem. There. I said it. It had to be said. Somebody's got to say it. The real problem is transients. Street people. They only live for their vices. If you're not from here, or grew up here, or called bad areas your playground, you don't know jack.

I had a high school friend who was in the same boat. No job. Hated authority. Would rather beg to provide for his habit. Daily/weekly hotel? Nope. Cuts into his funds. Shelter? Can do what he does there. Prefers the church steps. Homeless? No. Transient? Yes.

So spare me the homeless guilt. The ones on the streets aren't worth it.

Intelligence by design

2005-12-20T14:56:00.000-08:00

First of all, let's remember that intelligent design is religious-based. But if it wer evolution, and man came from the primates, why are there still primates in existence.

I'm quoting my good friend Evan who says it is actually Intelligent Evolution, which makes sense.

Now, I've heard another story that would a twist on the intelligent design theory. And that would be that 5 different pure races came into existence from other worlds and landed here. And those 5 are: caucasians (Europe and Scandinavia), African, Asian, Latin, and Middle-Eastern. Now that's intelligent design.

Think about it: it can't really be evolution, can it? If these 5 pure races, which spawned 100's of hybrids, came down through the centuries through evolution, how do explain the extreme differences in the physiological, physhological and spiritual aspects? Huh?

I know what you're thinking. Caucasians from Chimps. Africans from Gorillas. I ain't never seen no primate with asian eyes. No way, Jack.

So where did we come from. I guess we'll never know.

So stop crying about it and get on with your life.

Till death do us part

2005-12-20T09:40:00.000-08:00

So, the gay community is in an outrage over this marriage issue. What for? It's all semantics, baby. Separation of church & state. Sure, you can get married, but not in a church. The Vatican won't marry you because of your sexual preference.

And there's the catch. If you're not getting hitched in a church, it's called a civil union. The marriage won't be recognized by the church. Always have, always will. You can't change the Vatican on that.

But, just the same, sorry, guys & dolls, you're in the same boat with us heteros, or breeders, as you call us (don't get me started).

We, too, when married at City Hall, have to live with the "civil union" moniker. And...it, too, is not recognized by the church.

So get off your high horse, and fight for domestic partner benefits, not the right to get married. It ain't happenin'.

Gift Cards -the double-edged sword

2005-12-19T09:52:00.000-08:00

What is so great about gift cards?

Well, you don't have to do a whole lot of shopping if all you can get is a gift card. The downside? Everyone knows exactly what you spent. Everyone knows you chose not to take the time to find a gift befitting the recipient. But then again, the recipients are probably doing the same thing.

When I was young, a gift card was a money envelope with cash. It had that whole in the middle so you can the president. That was my gift card.

And another thing: I've received gift cards for stores not even in my city. I don't have a car, but why travel 20 miles just to use a $20.00 gift card! Besides, have you ever read the notice on the back? It clearly states, if you don't use it, each year the amount drops a certain denomination, usually a buck or 2; and it has an expiration date. WTF?! I paid for it. It should be good for life.

Have you heard? McDonald's just came out with a gift card. Right after Jack-In-The-Box did. And speaking of JITB, is that the lamest commercial you've ever scene? "Duh, you're the hungry guy with no Jack card." Dumb b****. what, are you ****ing blind? What a ditz.

Credit is debt, waiting to happen

2005-12-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

I 've had problems with credit, twice in my life. I decided years ago, no more credit cards. It messed up my rating, but at least no one else would want to steal my identity.

So now I only deal with cash. Renting a car, hotel, or securing travel arrangements can be a hassle without a card. I suppose I could do the secured card thing. But then I'd still have to pony up the $300-$500 dollars reuqired to keep in the account. So, basically, you're borrowing against your own money. And if you choose to make a partial payment, you're paying iterest as well, to the company; on your own money! That sucks.

So dealing with cash only can be very humbling. It teaches you to live beneath your means. It makes you save for something you want. It makes you get what you need first, before what you want. the cars, hotels, and airfare, well, you have to save up for it anyway. It can all be done in person. You can make a reservation with a card. They allow a certain amount of time. So I send them a money order.

I only deal with cash and money orders. Doing it this way has kept my actual bills down to 4. Rent, phone, gas/electric, and cable. And the 3 utilities are paid in cash at one place 4 blocks from my house.

Life simplified.

Double Taxation

2005-12-16T13:20:00.000-08:00

Who plays the lottery? Low- to middle-income taxpayers. Why? Because they're desparate. They, like many, want something for nothing. They don't want to work for it. They want it handed to them on a silver platter.

Well, I got news for you. Get a job. Get a life. Work for a living. Earn for what you want. Oh yeah, and the governement knows this. So you spend your after-tax dollars on lottery tickets, and most likely will never win. Look how many play compare to how many win. You have a better chance of being struck by lightning, TWICE, before winning the lottery. This is fact, people.

Double taxation. The way the governement gets more money out of you. You'd have better luck going to a casino. Now there's another dog with fleas.

Phillip Morris finally wins, did I just say that

2005-12-16T13:13:00.000-08:00

It appears the lawsuit filed by a bunch of smokers against Phillip Morris for their label misleading them into thinking they were smoking a less dangerous cigarette, has been overturned by a state supreme court.

Well, FnA.
Listen people, all cigarettes are bad. You don't have to smoke them. But you can't sue them. If you get lung or throat cancer, don't blame them.

That's like holding Seagrams or Budweiser responsible if you lose your liver are get a DUI.
Or holding Chevy, Ford or GM responsible if you get in an accident due to your driving.

You only have yourself to blame. So, fuggetaboutit.

DTA (don't trust anybody)

2005-12-12T09:56:00.000-08:00

Cuz you never know.

A woman who used to work for my firm, was really nice. She was outspoken, pretty, easy, to talk to. She told me about her living situation being up in the air. I mentioned a studio open in my bldg. I gave her the landlord's number, but told her not to use my name, as she would have a better chance. She called, and was in the next week.

She told how the bldg was cold, so I gave her a key to the furnace room (there are others that have a key, but one other is a nuisance, which will be mentioned shortly). The bldg is heated by radiators, and the tenants don't pay for the water bill - meaning heat is free. But it comes at a price. After about 3 hours, sometimes less, the apts turn into ovens.

On one Saturday, it was turned on at 2pm, and set to turn off at 10pm. I know because you have to physically turn it on - it won't on it's own. It will, however shut off automatically. So, 6 hours was way too long, I reset it to shut off at 7pm. Someone then turned it back on at 9pm, resetting it to turn off at 3am. 3 AM!!! I don't think so. So I switched the locks.

On Monday, I asked my friend if she was the one who turned it on either time, and said no. The later time was most likely the other problem tenant, who's done it before. I mentioned to my frien that I would turn it on each night at 6pm, ending around 9pm.

I came home late Thursday night, and din't turn it on. When I got home from work Friday night, my friend had left a note that she had contacted the landlord. I went down to talk with her, and her boyfriend answered the door with her behind him. Both went on about it not being fair only one person should have a key. I said it's not fair that the heater is on till 3am. I also told the boyfriend with all due respect, he has no say and should keep his damn mouth shut. He wasn't a tenant, and isn't paying rent.

Plus, she no longer works for my company, and isn't working now.

So much for friends.

Cynical Thoughts

2005-12-06T13:52:00.000-08:00

Ads in Bills
Have you ever noticed they put ads in with your bills now? Here's a way to get back at them. I put garbage in with my check when I mail it in. Coffee grinds, banana peels...I write on the bill, "Could you throw this away for me, thank you."

Answering Machine
Did you ever hear those corny positive messages on someone's machine? "Hi, it's a great day, and I'm out enjoying it right now. I hope you are too. The thought for the day is 'share the love', beep".
"Uh, yeah...the is the VD clinic calling. Speaking of being positive, your test is back. Stop sharing the love."

Morning Differences
Men and women are truly different in the morning. The men wake up aroused. We can't help it. We just wake up and we want you. And the women are thinking, "how can he want me the way I look in the morning?"
It's because we can't see you. We have no blood anywhere near the optic nerve.

Blinded By Science

2005-12-06T13:45:00.000-08:00

Probability Theory
If an infinite number of rednecks riding in an infinite number of pickup trucks fire an infinite number of shotgun rounds at an infinite number of freeway signs, they will eventually produce all the world's greatest literary works in braille.

Bio-Mechanics
Why yawning is contagious: We yawn to equalize the pressure on our eardrums. This pressure change outside our eardrums unbalances other people's eardrum pressures, so they yawn to equalize their pressure.

Symbolic Logic
Asian countries are technologically underdelveloped because thay have no alphabet and, subsequently, cannot use acronyms and abbreviations to communicate at a faster rate.

Perpetual Motion
Deforestation may cause the earth to spin faster. Just as a figure skater's rate of spin increases as the arms are brought in closer to the body, the cutting of trees may cause our planet to do the same.

Linguistics
The quantity of consonants in the English language is constant. If omitted in one place, they turn up in antoher. For exapmle, whan a Bostonian 'pahks his cah', the lost 'r's migrate south, causing a Texan to 'warsh his car and invest in 'erl' wells.

other MNA's

2005-12-06T13:41:00.000-08:00

Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace
Hale Business Systems
Mary Kay Cosmetics
Fuller Brush
W.R. Grace

Poly Warner Crackers
Polygram Records
Warner Records
Keebler Crackers

Honey Im Home
Honeywell
Imasco
Home Depot

Knott NOW
Knott's Berry Farm
National Organization for Women

Healthy Eating

2005-12-06T13:02:00.000-08:00

Eat more meat, fruits & vegetables
You must grasp logistical inefficiences. What does a cow eat? Hay, corn and grass. And what are these? Vegetables. So steak is nothing more than a mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken.

Beer & wine are good for you
It goes back to the earlier point about fruits & vegetables. Science divides everything into 3 categories: animal, mineral, vegetable. Beer & wine are not "animal", and they are not on the periodic table of elements, which leaves only one thing. So have a burger and a beer and enjoy your liquid vegetables.

Fried foods making a comeback
You're not listening. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oils. How could getting more vegetables be bad for ytou?

The secret to healthy eating
Thicker gravy

Family Politics

2005-12-06T12:57:00.000-08:00

Dad is the head of the family, he represents the president...
Mom is the administrator of the money, she represents the government...
Their job is to take care of the kids, they represent the people...
The nanny represents the working class...
Baby Brother represents the Future...

Later the evening...

Baby Brother is crying because he has spoiled his diaper...
Mother is sound asleep...
Father is in bed with the nanny...

Bottom line:
The president is scewing the working class
while the government is sound asleep
The people are being ignored,
and the future is in deep shit.

Christmas thought

2005-12-06T12:54:00.000-08:00

Most people don't realize that large pieces of coral, which have been painted brown and attached to the skull by common wood screws, can make a child or pet actually look like a reindeer.

MNA Mania

2005-12-06T12:39:00.000-08:00

New York -- MCI-WorldCom and Banc One-Chase Manhattan merged in a blockbuster $112 billion deal Monday forming the world's largest telecommunications/banking company and reducing the number of existing corporations to six.

"This is an exciting move for both companies," said Donald Cosgrove, CEO of MCI-WorldCom, whose subsidiaries include SBC-Ameritech, Bell Atlantic-NYNEX and McDonnell Douglas. "As a result of this historic merger, we should be in much better position to consolidate vast amounts of wealth and power in the coming years."

The other five remaining corporations are: Daimer-Chrysler, Monsanto-American Home Products, Shearson-Lehman-Chemical-Citicorp-Travelers Group, Paramount-Viacom-ABC-Disney, and Lockheed-Northrup-Boeing-Pepsico.

According to Forbes managing Editor Russell Belanger, at the current rate of mergers, there will be only one corporation in the world by 2010.

"The six remaining corporations have shown great interest in merging with each other," Belanger said. "Clearly, the stage is being set for the long-discussed creation of UniCorp, a $92 trillion corporation that produces every product on earth, from Canned yams, to basketballs to poison gas."

George Bush, chief executive of U.S. Government, a division of MCI-WorldCom, praised Monday's merger as "an excellent move."

Somewhere over the rainbow

2005-12-02T12:55:00.000-08:00

Mom, where are you? You left home in Oklahoma in 1962, for San Francisco, to have me. But you did so because you wanted a better life for me. You chose a great couple (the Long's) who raised me from birth, put me through school, and supported any and all endeavors I chose to partake. I was told about this at a young age. So young, I didn't even undrerstand it.

Up until my adopted mom's death in 95, she wondered why I never asked about you. I told her it wasn't personal, and that it was she who raised me, so it was out of respect to them. (Dad passed in 89.)

I know you were unwed at the time, but I did find out there were 3 birth certificates cross-referenced. One for Long, one for you, LaFever, and one for the father, Brewer, which I know even less about, except that he was from Texas.

As you can see, I changed my last name to yours. My sister got upset. Said it was not right and mom & dad would not approve. I asked her what her last name was. I guess it must be alright to change it when you get married but changing it to your birth parent's name, after the adopted ones have passed, is not. (OUCH)

I understand years later, you married, so your surname may not be LaFever anymore. I also know you were 19 at the time, so I still have a chance because that would make only 62 years old.

LaVeda LaFever, if you're out there, let me know. Your first son is here waiting to say I love you. There was never any bad feelings. I understand mothers who do this tend to wonder about things like that. You needn't worry.

I just want to know you.

that's Nascar, baby

2005-12-02T12:13:00.000-08:00

I want to congratulate my man, Tony Stewart on his victory winning the Nextel Nascar championship. I've followed Tony for years since his championship win in his rookie year, 1999. Although, that wasn't exactly a good year for him; what with all the issues he had. Frankly, I'd have done the same thing.

A cameraman is following you to get your story, and you don't want to talk about it. You walk away and the camerman follows you, still pushing for the story. What can you do? You turn around and clock him.

Unfortunately for Tony, he's in the spotlight, so he had to attend anger management classes for that. From that point, I was hooked. Someone with balls, and doesn't take any crap from anyone. Good for you, Tony.

Today, he's a much better person. (He's also a millionare, so he'd better be.) Just the same, I'm still a fan.

Can't wait till February when it all starts again. boogity, boogity, boogity.

www.tonystewart.com
www.nascar.com

Hands in the "Tookie" jar

2005-12-02T11:51:00.000-08:00

So the date is set. Tookie Williams will be executed. Hmmm, how long has he been in jail? Oh yeah, 20 years. Let's backtrack for a second.

Okay, he is c co-founder of the infamous Crips LA street gang. He commits crimes. He even murders. And to this day, he refuses to admit to the crimes. Whatever. Sentenced to die. All I want to know is, why has it taken 20 years?

I uses the cookie jar analogy for a reason. This particular case is in the spotlight and everyone has a hand in it. The media is all over it. The guv can't decide what to do. I think normally he would grant clemency, but unfortunately, politics dictates it to be bad move. Too bad.

You have a guy here who's been in jail for 20 years. He's written children's books. And they're being read in schools. If that isn't a case for rehabilitation, I don't know what is. You can't kill him now. You'd be making him a martyr. People seem to forget that jail is supposed to rehabilitate.

If you're going to kill him, it should be done after the senmtence was handed down, not 20 years later. How would you like to be sentenced to death and sit in jail and never know when it's going to happen?

Besides, granting clemency isn't the same as releasing him. So he's in for life. As far as I'm concerned, he's leading a productive life; behind bars. And the educational system is benefitting from it.

You can't kill him now. Let it go.

what is the loongtao?

2005-12-01T13:05:00.000-08:00

I'm often asked what is the loongtao. Let's start from the beginning. My grandmother used to babysit chinese babies, er, asian toddlers. The parents of those kids use to shower my grandma with gifts. As a child up until my teens, we would spend every Sunday there. Being exposed to the asian culture was a regular thing and had an obvious influence on me, to this day.

In the later years, I would study martial arts, as a physical aspect of this influence. I also purchased clothing, artwork and furniture relative to the culture. Eventually, I sought mental and spiritual enhancement, dominated by Taoism, Buddhism (Chan, Zen, Tibetan), Shintoism, etc. Even my girlfriends ranged from Filipina, Chinese, Japanese, Indonesian, and Thai. No Vietnamese yet, but there's always tomorrow.

10 years ago, after years of studies in all facets of life (heart, soul, body), I wanted to create my own personal philosophy. It would be a combination of everything I've learned. Of course, I had to come up with a name that would encapsulate this diverse and unique philosophy. It really was quite simple.

I called it LoongTao. Loong means dragon in chinese, and tao means way, or path, for my love of the dragon (east and west) to this day, since childhood. The words had to be one, but I've capitalized the T to emphasize that the second part was as important as the first. When pronounced, the T sounds like a T. Strange you ask? In China the T is pronounced like a D. Hence, tao is pronounced dao. Sometimes it is spelled that way. I pronounce it with a T because I am not asian, and don't claim to be. So I use a Western pronounciation; T as in T.

LoongTao is universal. What I mean is, as my personal philosophy and as my martial art. The LoongTao system is a combination of spirtual and physical/mental attributes. I call the spiritual aspect, the tri-level method, for body, mind, sprit. First level - arts / philosophy / tradition. This is the foundation, and what we study, or follow. From there we move into the intermediate sector, the second level - honesty / integrity / sincerity. This how we live, how we carry ourselves. Next is the final level - transcend / evolve / become. This is the spiritual final frontier where we rise above it all. Sorta like attaining buddhahood. But I'd prefer to be a boddhisattva (one who forgoes buddhahood to go through life teaching and helping others. I guess a buddha can't be bothered with that. Sounds pretentious if you ask me.)

The martial LoongTao system is comprised of forms and techniques taken from the martial arts I've studied over the years. Very similar to Bruce Lee's jeet kun do, which was his own, taken from all the arts he studied. Mine consisted of aspects from aikido(jujitsu/judo), shorin-ryu (Okinawan karate), hung gar (tiger/crane kung fu), choy lay fut (northern / southern kung fu), and wing chun kung fu.

There are also smaller amounts of infleunce from the budo ways of the samurai as well as those of the medieval knights of old (gotta have my western background in there somewhere).

So there you have it. The LoongTao Way.

professional wrestling, for the record

2005-11-30T14:36:00.000-08:00

Yes, I know it's fake. But seriously, folks - fake is not term to be used here. Yes, the moves are choregraphed and the outcome predetermined, but that's it when it comes to fake. "Fake" only pertains to the fact that it cannot be classified as a sport due to the previously listed reasons. And now it is openly referred to as "sports entertainment".

The day-to-day grind and the injuries sustained on a frequent basis are all too common. Chair shots to the head. Jumping ore falling from the top turnbuckle to the floor below. Botched moves. Broken bones. Torn ligaments. And this happens 5 days a week for these guys. And there is no off season.

Being out injured will lose your spot in the overall rankings on the roster, as well, causing many to continue wrestling while hurt. Doesn't sound fake to me.

Granted, yes, wrestling does, especially when it has to do with WWE and not all wrestling companies, cater to the lower common denominators, it does have it's place. I find it embarrassing myself when I run into average wrestling fans who, for some reason, still think it's real. Then there's the smart fans who think they know better, who need to stop and remember that it is for entertainment purposes only, and that if they think they can book better matches and storylines, apply for the job, or "shut...the hell...up", as Chris Jericho would say.

A famous wrestler and one of my favorites, the Undertaker, quoted a more realistic conclusion about wrestling - "For those who understand it, no explanation is necessary; for those who don't, no explanation will do."

For all your wrestling news, there really is only one site to which you should go.

www.pwinsider.com

Nuff said.

diamond in the rough

2005-11-30T14:25:00.000-08:00

What an understatement. I heard that the diamond market is controlled by DeBeers, a South African company, who sends their diamonds to Canada, to be cut by Armenians. Nothing wrong with that. It's what I found out on www.howstuffworks.com that was so disturbing.

It appears that they hoard their supply and release a limited amount annually, driving up the price. They also were the ones responsible for starting this whole diamond craze back in the 40's with the brilliant ad campaign that stated "diamonds are forever", "diamonds are a girl's best friend", and "isn't a lifetime worth two months' salary?"! Yup.

Don't believe the hype. Diamonds are not rare, and they're made up of the same stuff that makes up the earth, and you & me. Carbon, baby. Simple carbon. I guess there's truth in that old saying about stuffing a piece of coal up your @$$ and turning it into a diamond.

What is LaFever?

2005-11-30T13:36:00.000-08:00

LaFever is an ancient Chinese secret. LaFever is an enigma, wrapped in a paradox. LaFever is what the cat dragged in. LaFever can wait, but only so long. LaFever leaves no footprints. LaFever knows Jack Schitt’s relatives. LaFever is hotter than the hammers of hell. LaFever goes without saying. LaFever can look directly at the sun. LaFever is better late than never. LaFever leaves no stone unturned, but then turns them all back over. LaFever won’t make it to heaven any time soon. LaFever is 99 44/100% pure. LaFever jumps at the chance, every chance he gets. LaFever means your kung fu is no good. LaFever has x-ray vision. LaFever intends to finish his degree someday. LaFever doesn’t like Sara Lee. LaFever drinks, and then drinks some more. LaFever can dance, but not jump. LaFever supports the arts, unless it costs money. LaFever interrupts you while you’re talking. LaFever steps to the beat of his own drum. LaFever longs for the good ole days. LaFever requests extra dipping sauces. LaFever’s first cycle was a Big Wheel. LaFever likes it medium-rare. LaFever’s cat is smarter than your honor student. LaFever cannot tell a lie. LaFever is a Nascar and Pro-Wrestling junkie. LaFever rolls with, and pulls no, punches. LaFever knows who you are. LaFever never pays full price. LaFever wears his tattoos on his sleave. LaFever’s favorite color is blood red, neon green and Tony Stewart orange. LaFever has fangs, but hides them well. LaFever knows without knowing, acts without thinking, and speaks without reserve. LaFever is a dragon trapped in a tiger body. LaFever takes the high road, unless principle is involved. LaFever donates to charity, but only with time and energy. LaFever takes it with a grain of salt. LaFever believes in superheroes. LaFever creates but never finishes. LaFever laughs like the devil. LaFever does twice the work in half the time, when he feels like it. LaFever is yin AND yang. LaFever wants to know why. LaFever knows what you’re going to do, before you do it. LaFever says it’s because of the cheese. LaFever is cajun for grandmaster. LaFever loves the earth, but is not of this earth. LaFever plays a mean air guitar. LaFever fears not what he does, but what he can do. LaFever is faster than the speed of light. LaFever means never having to say you’re sorry. LaFever leaves kicking and screaming. LaFever is only here for the beer. LaFever has no boundaries. LaFever is all of the above, yet nothing what you thought, at the same time, but in no particular order.