Twenty Spark

10 Reasons Why Gay Marriage Should Not Be Allowed

2010-01-30T20:52:00.001-06:00

01) Being gay is not natural. Real Americans always reject unnatural things like eyeglasses, polyester, and air conditioning. If it does not make children, it can't be natural and therefor, can't be allowed.

02) Gay marriage will encourage people to be gay, in the same way that hanging around tall people will make you tall.

03) Legalizing gay marriage will open the door to all kinds of crazy behavior. People may even wish to marry their pets because a dog has legal standing and can sign a marriage contract.

04) Straight marriage has been around a long time and hasn't changed at all; women are still property, blacks still can't marry whites, and divorce is still illegal.

05) Straight marriage will be less meaningful if gay marriage were allowed; the sanctity of Britany Spears' 55-hour just-for-fun marriage would be destroyed.

06) Straight marriages are valid because they produce children. Gay couples, infertile couples, and old people shouldn't be allowed to marry because our orphanages aren't full yet, and the world needs more children.

07) Obviously gay parents will raise gay children, since straight parents only raise straight children.

08) Gay marriage is not supported by religion. In a theocracy like ours, the values of one religion are imposed on the entire country. That's why we have only one religion in America.

09) Children can never succeed without a male and a female role model at home. That's why we as a society expressly forbid single parents to raise children.

10) Gay marriage will change the foundation of society; we could never adapt to new social norms. Just like we haven't adapted to cars, the service-sector economy, or longer life spans

Christmas Memories

2009-12-25T13:54:00.001-06:00

This time of year always stirs up memories of my childhood.
One Christmas, I was given a Coast King 10-Speed bike. This was a great gift, except one thing. We had over three feet of snow on the ground. Kind of hard to get the hang of a new bike when you could not even ride it. But, I loved my parents for it anyway.

Another year, my brother and I got a new sled. This was great, because up til then we had been using one that my mother had used as a kid and it was beginning to show some signs of where and tear. It had a broken board on it and the steering was a little messed up from rust. It was fun though. I remember not wanting to let my brother use the new one and making him use the old, broken down one. Most of the time we used the sleds like wagons, we never did master the art of riding them down the hill.

But, I think the biggest thing I remember from my childhood Christmas experience was spending time with the family. It was one day a year that everyone that could make it was there. It was great seeing the older kids and when they could not be around, it was just nice to have mom and dad to ourselves.

Some want us to focus on the person behind the holiday, but I think it is just as important to focus on our family and friends at this time of year. So, merry Christmas or Happy Whatever Holiday you observe!!!

This will rock you!

2009-07-18T21:41:00.002-05:00

NIckleback just plain rocks!!!

Game Fuel

2009-06-13T18:34:00.000-05:00

Get your game fuel on! This stuff is great. I am a little addicted to the Blue. ;)

Home of the Throwed Roll

2009-06-06T01:02:00.000-05:00

Image by pickles_pics via Flickr

I'm on an extended weekend right now, during which the better half is bowling and I'm along to get the hell out of town for a few days. The first thing we did was hit this resturaunt called "Lambert's Cafe". The one we visitted is located between Springfield and Branson, MO.

The experience:
First off, the wait is well worth it. If you have a group going, call ahead of time, it helps cut the wait. Some people have been known to wait for two hours just to eat here. Once you get inside, the atmosphere reminds you of a cross between "Cracker Barrel" and "TGI Fridays". As you are lead to your seat, you realize, this is not going to be your run of the mill dinner. There are wait-staff wandering about offering black-eyed peas, fried potatos, fried okra, and tomato mac.

Now, the gimmick that put the place on the map. From the far side of the room, you hear "HOT ROLLS!" and see a guy on the far side of the room. Someone at the table next to you holds up a hand and a dinner roll is tossed across the room. Let me tell you, this makes for interesting dining, because this happens all the time. You have to watch out for incoming bread stuffs. The added bonus, after you get your roll, is they offer sorgum molasses (sticky, sweet, and gooey, just like it is supposed to be.). Now you know why they are called the Home of the Throwed Roll.

Okay, now the main course, after you get 52 oz of your favorite family type beverage. They have a good selection on the menu from fish to pork and everything in between. I ordered a 16 oz chicken fried steak with baby carrots and cuccumber & onions on the side. It already had mashed taters with it. Andie ordered a salmon steak with the carrots and mashcd taters.

The presentation: For those of us who ordered a typical dinner, it was served in a skillet. My chicken fried steak about covers the entire bottom of a 12 inch skillete. You get average servings of your sides, but with the other food that is being passed around, you won't go away hungry. By the way, my chicken fried steak was the rooster size, they have a hen size that is 10-12 ounces. A buddy of ours ordered that size and could not finish his. I did not finish mine either, that is a lot of food. But, I did it justice. I think I had less than a third of it left when all was said and done.

The quality. If you like a down home, country style meal, then this is for you. It has that grandma's cooking feel and taste about it. I was very impressed with the food and the service. And the touch of topping it off with a small slice of cheese cake (if you have room) is just the trick.

Summary. Good food, fun enviroment, and very reasonable prices gives this place a four out of five gold fork rating from me. If you are ever in the Springfield or Branson, MO area, look this place up. Or check out the other two locations that can be found on their website at http://www.throwedrolls.com.

I'm still stuffed six hours later, time for another nap. Long day ahead of us tomorrow.

Geek Pride Day

2009-05-25T18:40:00.000-05:00

Live Long and Prosper, my fellow geeks!

STAY FOR AWHILE!

If you cannot do DOS, then you cannot be a Geek

2009-05-19T09:04:00.001-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

When I first started mucking around with a 286 machine, Window$ was just getting off the ground, so the only way you could really do anything was to know a few typed commands to get around you computer. Today, you can still use most of these commands after launching the "DOS Shell". And if you do not know your way around DOS, you can not possibly call yourself a Geek.

Here are seven commands you should commit to memory and you will be able to wear you Geek Badge with pride.

cd - Change directory: the most fundamental command for getting around in DOS.

dir - This will show you everything that is in the current directory. If you have a lot of stuff stashed there, you might want to use dir /p as this will pause the output every so many lines. Using dir /w/p will cause only the names of the files to be outputted in columns and will pause every so many lines.

copy - Just as the word suggests, this will copy your file. The proper format for this would be copy [filename] [destination filepath and filename].

mkdir - Create a directory. You should use this syntax when using this command: mkdir [directoryname].

move - Move a file using the same syntax as you would for copy.

del - Delete a specified file, ie del [filename].

rd - Delete a specified empy directory. If you want to delete a directory with contents, use rd /s/q which will delete the entire directory tree.

Knowing these commands can be useful and shows you are a true Geek. One caution, be careful what you do with the commands and do not muck around with files you do not understand.

Missing in Action

2009-05-13T05:04:00.000-05:00

Okay, I was a little slow on updating all last month. I think I hit writer's block or something. Hell, I didn't even use Twitter as much as I normally do. I think the only thing that got a lot of use was my LastFM account along with my World of Warcraft Account. Yup, they got a work out.

What's going on right now?
1) Have about three web projects brewing. These will be updated as time permits
2) I'm supposed to practice driving this month. I really want to do this, I need my driver's liscense before the end of July, August at the outside. My better half would like me to have it much sooner, but, we'll see how that goes.
3) Short stories. I'm writing a series of short stories that I hope to publish to the web sometime soon. Yeah, they are a bit lame, but not bad for my first go.

Well, thought I'd let everyone know what hath become of me.
Be Seeing You!

Sexting, part of the modern age, deal.

2009-04-27T19:09:00.000-05:00

clipped from www.humaniststudies.org

We’re told there’s an epidemic of teens sending nude photos of themselves to a friend or lover, who then sends it to every other teen on the planet. The original kid then responds with naive surprise and deeply hurt feelings. Adults typically respond with predictions of the end of civilization as we know it.

Logan represents "The American Way": turning her child’s death into an industry, calling it a social problem, demanding we recognize this as a crisis. If she spends enough time developing her new brand, she’ll never have to come to terms with Jesse’s death and get on with her own life.

I agree with this article 100%. Yes, some tragedies have occurred because of this practice, but there are better ways of dealing with it.

Some people shouldn't drive.

2009-04-11T18:46:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

clipped from news.yahoo.com

BERLIN (Reuters) –
A German woman was involved in three car accidents in less than an hour that left a total of seven vehicles damaged but she suffered only slight injuries from the series of mishaps, police said Tuesday.

Now, I know I've not much room to talk since I don't drive, but come on, this is a little much.

David Arneson, Master Geek, dead at 61

2009-04-11T15:59:00.001-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

David Arneson, one of the masterminds who created the original version of the award-winning fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, died Tuesday in St. Paul following a two-year battle with cancer. He was 61.

David Arneson created Blackmoor, probably one of the most important contributions to the D&D universe. It was a fantasy world in which the earliest adventures took place.

He was preceded in death by Gary Gygax, with whom he created the game that changed the lives of millions of geeks everywhere. Both will be missed.

Hair Club for Women

2009-03-27T18:02:00.000-05:00

Tasteless Humor to follow..................

Had to Do It.

2009-03-26T15:04:00.001-05:00

Dumpster Diving

2009-03-22T18:58:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

There is a bit of swelling pride that fills my soul when I admit, freely, that I have been a dumpster diver. I think it can all be linked back to memories of my first bicycle. My dad brought it home with him after he had been to the local landfill. It wasn't the prettiest thing in the world, but after a little work, my dad presented it to me. The first thing he did was tell me to get on and gave me a push down the hill and that is how I learned to ride a bike!

I can say that I am guilty of getting quite a few things out of the dumpster. Among the items I 've gleaned from the waste of others are: computers, furniture, books, movies, collectable magazines, and even a radio. I guess I caught the bug from my father and it was nutured by my older brother. Any way you look at it, it's in my blood.

One of the drawbacks of being a dumpster diver is that it also leads to being a pack rat. This quality makes my better half cringe. She doesn't understand the whole hording thing. I don't blame her. When I moved in with her, I had to leave behind a lot of stuff in a storage shed. Now, I just need to find the time to go through all of it and maybe have a yard sell or something.

Well, that about wraps this up for now, and if you have any 1970's FisherPrise "Little People", you might want keep them out of my sight. I've been looking for the doggie for a few years. ;)

Printers are annoying little pukes.

2009-03-19T12:46:00.000-05:00

I have to agree with this little video. When it comes to printers, they all need to be shot.

Signs That You Are Board At Work

2009-03-16T08:51:00.006-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

You are no longer content with merely photocopying your butt, you now scan and enhance it with Photoshop.
You have figured out a way to get Gilligan off the island.
People come into your office only to borrow pencils from your ceiling.
You now require only a single can of cola to belch the names of all seven Dwarfs.
The 4th Division of Paper Clips has overrun the Pushpin Infantry and General White-Out has called for reinforcements.
You discover that staring at your cubicle wall long enough produces images of Elvis.
You can think of more things to add to this list. If you do, please leave them in comments. Thank you.

A Lil Wit Stolen from the Internet.

2009-03-15T09:29:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

When I die, I want to die like my grandfather-who died
peacefully in his sleep. Not screaming like all the
passengers in his car.
-Author Unknown
 
Advice for the day: If you have a lot of tension and you
get a headache, do what is says on the aspirin bottle:
"Take two aspirin" and "Keep away from children."
-Author Unknown
 
"Oh, you hate your job? Why didn't you say so?
There's a support group for that.
It's called EVERYBODY, and they meet at the bar."
-Drew Carey
 
"The problem with the designated driver program, it's
not desirable job, but if you ever get sucked into
doing it, have fun with it.  At the end of the night,
drop them off at the wrong house."
-Jeff Foxworth
 
"If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball
and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the
infant's life without even considering if there is a man on base.
-Dave Barry
 
"Relationships are hard. It's like a full time job, and
we should treat it like one.   If your boyfriend or girlfriend
wants to leave you, they should give you two week's notice.
There should be severance pay, the day before they leave
you, they should have to find you a temp."
-Bob Ettinger
 
"My Mom said she learned how to swim when someone took
her out in the lake and threw her off the boat.  I said,
'Mom, they weren't trying to teach you how to swim.'"
-Paula Poundstone
 
"A study in the Washington Post says that women have
better verbal skills than men.  I just want to say to the
authors of that study:  "Duh!"
-Conan O'Brien
 
"Why does Sea World have a seafood restaurant??  I'm
halfway through my fish burger and I realize, Oh my God...
I could be eating a slow learner."
-Lynda Montgomery
 
"I think that's how Chicago got started.  Bunch of
people in New York said, 'Gee, I'm enjoying the crime
and poverty, but it just isn't cold enough.
Let's go west."
-Richard Jeni
 
"If life were fair, Elivs would be alive and all the
impersonators would be dead."
-Johnny Carson
 
"Sometimes I think, war is God's way of teaching us geography."
-Paul Rodriguez
 
"My parent's didn't want to move to Florida,
but they turned sixty and that's the law."
-Jerry Seinfeld
 
"Remember in elementary school, you were told that in
case of fire you have to line up quietly in a single file line
from smallest to tallest.  What is the logic in that"
What, do tall people burn slower?"
-Warren Hutcherson
 
"Bigamy is having on wife/husband too many.
Monogamy is the same."
-Oscar Wilde
 
"Suppose you were an idiot.  And suppose you were a
member of Congress.  But I repeat myself."
-Mark Twain
 
"You can say any foolish thing to a dog,
and the dog will give you a look, that says,
'My God, you're right!
I never would've thought of that!'"
-Dave Barry
 
Do you know why they call it "PMS"?
Because "Mad Cow Disease" was taken.
-Unknown, presumed deceased
 
And lastly:  Why in Hell should I have to Press 1 for English.  Amen!

Just a Quick Note

2009-03-09T17:50:00.001-05:00

Image by Candy_Queen via Flickr

It is better to perform one’s own duties imperfectly than to master the duties of another. By fulfilling the obligations he is born with, a person never comes to grief. No one should abandon duties because he sees defects in them. Every action, every activity, is surrounded by defects as a fire is surrounded by smoke.” ~ Krishna from The Bhagavad Gita

Launching Towards War

2009-03-09T06:23:00.000-05:00

Image via Wikipedia

So, North Korea wants to launch a Satellite into space, cool. But,wait a second, could they actually be test firing a missile that could reach Alaska or Hawaii? Well, which ever it is, N. Korea has said that it will treat any act attempt to intercept it's rocket as a declaration of war. They choose a touchy time of year for them to do this, after all, this is when S. Korea and the United States always do their annual war games. So, in protest of that little item, N. Korea has also closed it's borders to "all enemies" including those who are trying to get back home either to the North or South Korea. Remember, this was a "police action" area that the US was involved in back in the 1950's and we still have our fingers in this bowl of fun.

I sincerely hope that no one in the U.S. Government is seriously thinking about doing something about this launch, don't we have our tails in enough fires as it is?

Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

2009-03-08T05:30:00.000-05:00

One of the things I do when I can't sleep is watch classic tv or movies. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is one of the most penultimate examples of what I watch.

Spring Forward

2009-03-07T19:09:00.002-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

It's that time once again, boys and girls, to set your clocks ahead an hour, so don't for get to do it before you go to bed. Hooray for Day Light Savings time. Unless, of course, you live in one of those regions that don't have to deal with this stuff, then you can just go to bed and laugh at the rest of us. I still don't get why have to do this with all our modern technology, it makes little sense. And talk about messing with the minds of those of us who work over night, sheesh! But, that's government for you.

Who is this guy standing here? Well this is the guy you can blame for the modern concept of Day Light Savings Time. His name was William Willett, he was an outdoorsman & builder. Figures some enterprising hunter and construction worker would come up with this idea. Oh, and he was a Brit, but don't hold that against the rest of those fine folks. Most of them are right sane types. Can't help it if a few rotten apples get in now and then.

We Don't Need Another War

2009-03-07T13:51:00.000-06:00

Image via Wikipedia

Something related to yesterday's post that scares me, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, just last week they announced, about 775 people with ties to Mexican Drug Cartels were arrested in the United states over the last two years. Those cartels are believed to have set up operations in the Midwest. Most troubling are some of the cities mentioned. The Justice Department listed among the cities thought to have cartel operations: Sioux City, S.D.; Des Moins, IA; and Omaha, NE. These are three cities right in my back yard and to think people really want NAFTA to succeed.

The most frightening aspect of this is that we may need to send more military aid down Mexico way just to ensure safety inside our own borders. We are already sending them about $400 million a year to aid President Caldron's efforts in his War on Drugs. Now U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates says that the U.S. Military is prepared to help Mexico's military with training, resources, and intelligence. We all know what means, more G.I. boys and girls fighting on foreign soil.

I my opinion, this situation with our neighbors to the south is more of a threat than other parts of the world are. I hope Obama wraps things up in Iraq and Afghanistan so we can bring our troops home in case things get nasty in Mexico. As the last World War taught Germany, you can't fight a war on too many fronts. Bring the kids home to keep the United States safe for democracy, let the rest of the world go about doing it for themselves for a change.

Spring Break In Mexico, Bad Idea

2009-03-06T13:48:00.000-06:00

Image by JFSD (Jonnie) via Flickr

Spring Break is almost upon us which means many college kids are thinking of that rite of passage: A trip to Mexico. But, don't pack your bags just yet, kids. Travel warnings have been issued due to recent drug cartel-fueled violence in some Mexican cities, particularly those right along the U.S. border; right where you want to go.

One more reason not to go? Guess what nation, along with Pakistan, the Pentegon has sigled out as two countries with the potential for "rapid and sudden" collapse? Yup, you guessed it, Mexico. According to some U.S. officials, the reason Mexico is heading into the toilet is Mexican President Felipe Calderon's war on corruption in law enforcement and the drug cartels. In the past year, around 6,000 have died in drug-related violence throughout the country. So far this year, another 1,000 have been killed.

My advice to you is to find somewhere on U.S. soil to have your fun this year. Stay north of the border and spend your money will it will do the most good, right here in the good old US of A.

Top Entrecard Droppers for Feb 2009

2009-03-02T21:33:00.000-06:00

I've noticed it is common practice to thank your top droppers for the previous month when you are part of Entrecard.

Top Ten Droppers for Febuary 2009

Thank you all for visiting, remember, I reward those who drop the most.

Say No to Political Correctness Campaign

2009-02-28T06:54:00.003-06:00

I've decided to start my own campaign on the Internet. I, for one, hate trying to censor myself just to be politically correct. To that end, I have created the above ribbon to express my feelings on this subject.

It's hard to make everyone happy in the world, so why should we try to make people feel comfortable when they read our blogs? If they don't like what they read, they can move on. I'm posting this now because I'm about to step on some toes and want everyone to know that I won't feel ashamed with what I have to say.

This is a blog therefore you should be ready to read, enjoy or ignore it's contents at your own descretion.

The code for the above graphic is:

If you'd like to join the campaign, just leave a comment with the URL of your blog, and I'll add it to a blogroll as soon as I have one person who wants to use the ribbon.