The Dwacon® Blog

When Your Money Gets Funny...

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:20:00 +0000

Funny thing. Financial giants on Wall Streets get into financial trouble and the federal government bails them out to the tune of billions of dollars.

But what happens when you get into financial trouble? Will the federal government bail you out? Don’t hold your breath, my friend. If you have money problems… who you gonna call, Ghostbusters?

Try bills.com – a great resource for people who want to learn how to save money. How can they do that? Well… there is a great knowledgebase that covers vital financial topics such as:

Home Refinancing
Second Mortgages
Bill Paying
Home Equity Loans
Payday Loans
Credit Solutions…

And much, much more!

One thing a lot of people are trying to do these days is to consolidate debt. When you land on bills.com, you can find great information on debt consolidation, and links that will show you how to get a debt consolidation quote.

There is an advice service, a newsletter for debt consolidation ideas, success stories that you can learn from, plus a plethora of great articles and advice that will help you get yourself on the road to financial freedom.

Don’t wait for someone to bail you out. Get yourself on the road to better financial standing at bills.com.

The Green Hornet

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 02:38:00 +0000

Superstar Bruce Lee first came to American television as Kato, sidekick to The Green Hornet.

Looking at reruns of this show on the American Life Network, it is understandable why in 1960’s Hong Kong, the show was known as “The Kato Show.”

Bruce’s martial arts mastery was the high point of this show... given Van Williams’ sleepwalking through his lines -- much as he did on the late series Surfside Six, which was one of the cookie-cutter clones of that era that included:

77 Sunset Strip
Bourbon Street Beat
Hawaiian Eye

The rumors of a movie remake of this TV Land classic have finally come to fruition with Shaolin Soccer star Stephen Chow in the Kato role.

Chow, who is also directing, is known for comedic films (e.g., Kung Fu Hustle) and will be co-starring with funny man Seth Rogen (who reportedly dieted to play Britt Reid/Green Hornet). Does this mean this will be a comedy? Remains to be seen...

The Paper, Boy!

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:01:00 +0000

One of our greatest exasperations has come from the paper delivery person leaving our Sunday paper anywhere other than our front door.

We have had to walk barefoot down the main sidewalk, through the gate, down the street... looking left and right.

Sometimes it would be at the bottom of a dirt hill behind our neighbor’s house.

Other times, it would be in a puddle of water on a rainy day... completely drenched and unreadable.

Worse... when we couldn’t find it at all.

We have since gotten a new delivery person. At least, we assume that is the case. Or, perhaps, the original person was beaten severely and/or water boarded.

Regardless... the paper is in front of the door and double-wrapped to prevent any rain, bird, or insect damage.

Ah, yes. Life is grand...

Billions and Billions

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 23:07:00 +0000

Billions and billions...

Carl Sagan said it about the cosmos.

McDonalds says it about burgers sold.

But our great-grandchildren will be paying it out of their pockets...

We are not financial experts... but we have been cogitating on this multi-billion-dollar bailout of Wall Street by the taxpayers.

This all seemed to start with adjustable rate mortgages. Many home buyers were suckered into going for a low-low rate that had the potential to change. Others re-mortgaged their home to “save money” on payments with these low rates.

My buddy got an ARM... and I asked, “Yeah, but what if the rates go up and not down?” He figured the worst scenario... it would just return to the pre-refinance rate.

We all know what happened next. The banks upped interest rates and people suddenly could not afford their homes. The resultant foreclosures created the debacle we are currently seeing.

So, we are wondering why the solution would be to bail out the banks. Wouldn’t it make more sense for the banks to drop the high interest rates so the foreclosures could be reversed, rather than be bailed out by the taxpayers?

But, of course, we are not financial experts...

Praying for Obama

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:45:00 +0000

Lady Godiva for the 21st Century

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:51:00 +0000

I caught an item on CNN about Gennifer Moss, a woman who feels that she can help the planet earth by bicycling and roller skating naked.

According to the legal eagles in her home town of Portland, Oregon... she is technically not breaking the law by doing so.

Technically...

Not everybody is happy about a naked woman riding about town. In addition to 911 calls, Fox News says there have been complaints.

You can see her nude bike riding here

Here is one of her videos:

I AM Naked and Free!

Popular Alaska Slogan, So I'm Told

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:47:00 +0000

Interesting photo from the New York Observer featuring the Republican VP candidate.

R.I.P. Nappy Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 12:56:00 +0000

A Tarheel, born in 1929, Nappy Brown had seen the best and worst of American society... and I am sure many of his experiences drove his celebrated style of music. From the Gospel music of his youth (and his later years) to the raucous and raunchy blues music that he may be more famous for, Napoleon Brown Culp was an American music legend.

Nappy Brown has exited this planet... leaving a gap in the cultural landscape. While his songs rose higher on the charts when covered by white performers (including Patti Page) -- and even by more mainstream R&B artists such as Ray Charles... his infamous delivery was unparalleled.

You can read further details about this great peformer at The Chicago Tribune. You may also wish to pay your respects at The Official Nappy Brown MySpace Page.

R.I.P. “Snootie Little Cutie”

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:07:00 +0000

I was shuffling through my massive music collection and went to what I labeled my “Frank Sinatra Section.” There were other artists in this bunch... particularly the members of the infamous Rat Pack. However... there was another artist that many of you may not know.

Born Yvonne Marie Antoinette JaMais on January 20, 1921 -- she was renamed “Connie Haines” by band leader Harry James who joked she needed a shorter name to leave room for his on the marquee. A genuine Southern belle, Connie began her immensely successful singing career at the age of five and continued crooning up until recent years.

Like I said, I first discovered her music while listening to some Sinatra tunes. She and Frank were good buddies, singing with both the James and Tommy Dorsey bands. During one performance in Madison Square Garden, a careless smoker tossed a match over the balcony and her dress went up in flames. Frank saved her life by extinguishing the fire and Connie went on stage with much of her tight black slip being exposed.

In later years, Connie gave service to her Lord Jesus Christ. In the 1950’s, she joined actresses Jane Russell and Rhonda Fleming and British-born singer Beryl Davis in a gospel quartet. In the 1970’s, she became an ordained minister with Unity Church.

Those mourning her passing include two children, three grandchildren, her sister and her 109-year-old mother, Mildred JaMais. And, of course, millions of adoring fans... myself included.

Visit http://www.conniehaines.com.

Everybody Doesn't Like Something... But Nobody Doesn't Like Sarah Palin...

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 04:27:00 +0000

Wow...

R.I.P. “Cool Hand Luke”

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 17:23:00 +0000

We were saddened to read on Variety’s web site that Academy Award winner Paul Newman has exited the planet at the age of 83.

What can be said about a man with such a vast résumé in the entertainment industry... and in other entreprenurial ventures.

He will be missed.

Smack Yo Mama

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:32:00 +0000

This here tastes so good, makes you want to smack your mama!

Italian Ice Cream Truffles

The Thrilla in Saint Louie

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Tonight is a highly-anticipated moment... the one and only debate between vice presidential candidates Joe Biden and Sarah Palin. After a string of disastrous interviews on ABC and CBS... expectations for Palin are relatively low.

Could this be part of a strategy? Have Palin bumble and stumble through a number of interviews... only to see her get a second wind and hit stride tonight?

It will be interesting, to say the least. Some of the best analysis of tonight’s debate that I have seen is at the New York Times, including a video report. Check it out!

Bailout!

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:01:00 +0000

Colonel Hogan... you will pass the bailout bill!

Country First

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:10:00 +0000

Well, according to John McCain... Barack Obama is the antichrist who will usher in the end of the world.

Kaboom!

Ker-blam!

Flamdoggie... Pow-ie!

I had heard similar blather from other people... some who earnestly wanted to warn me of the danger of a Black man (well, half-Black) in the Oval Office. Meanwhile, The Huffington Post provides more details on the latest smear tactic.

In the words of Harvey Birdman... sigh...

And now, a word from CBS news...

Watch CBS Videos Online

Ghetto...

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:14:00 +0000

Ghetto...it ain’t where you live... it’s who you are.

Dwacon® has four Ghettolicious designs to check out...

Or check out everything we have at The Dwacon® Store!

Taxpayer Bailout Money Used For Eating... Drinking... and Merrymaking

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:02:00 +0000

When the taxpayers were settled with $85-billion to save AIG for backing shady activities in the “Shadow Economy” of Wall Street -- none of us realized that nearly a half-million of those dollars would be used to get pedicures, manicures and massages.

Wow! This company was on the verge of collapse due to some presumably shady business practices and now that they have received billions of taxpayer dollars, they took 150 employees to a Ritz-Carlton resort with a scenic view of the Pacific Ocean, and reportedly spent money on fun fun fun... including:

$200,000 for hotel rooms
$150,000 for food
$23,000 for massages and other spa treatments

What did the government do in response to this outrageous misuse of funds? Well, according to The Washington Post, they gave AIG an additional $38-billion.

Maybe they didn’t get a happy ending the last time? Well, maybe they will at another boondoggle they have planned -- according to Bloomberg.

ABC News reports that AIG is fighting back against allegations that getting pedicures, manicures and massages after receiving billions of taxpayer dollars was a bad thing. Hmm... wonder what kind of ammunition they will be using?

Meanwhile... if you want to learn more about the shadow market that was behind this global economic tsunami... check out the report on CBS 60 Minutes.

The Original Maverick

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:29:00 +0000

John McCain and Sarah Palin have been throwing the word Maverick around more than James Garner did in the 1950’s. The real Maverick family is not very happy about that.

The descendants of the original Maverick, according to the New York Times and CNN, are taking exception to the current use of their family name.

Hmm...

Half Naked Women Playing Football?

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 04:34:00 +0000

After the demise of the Xtreme Football League, we figured there would be no further changes in the American game called football.

But this latest innovation... the Lingerie Football League... might have something going.

Then again, maybe not...

How to Run a Presidential Campaign

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 22:30:00 +0000

R.I.P. Mother Myrtle

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:38:00 +0000

For over three decades, actor Eileen Herlie portrayed Myrtle Fargate on the long-running soap opera, “All My Children.”

Herlie has exited the planet at the age of 90.

Check out details about this great actor at CNN.

Republican Rage?

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 00:49:00 +0000

Obama may be all the rage... but Rage (the emotion) is growing among the ranks of the Republicans.

Remember when Sarah Palin went on and on about Obama “palling around with terrorists” to the point where somebody in the audience shouted out, “KILL HIM!”

Then, there was the audience member who addressed a network news cameraman as “Boy.”

But the bubble burst during a series of angry outbursts during a McCain meeting. We saw reported on CNN a woman say to Senator McCain:

“I don’t trust Obama. I have read about him and he’s an Arab.

To his credit, Senator McCain defended Senator Obama and even implored his supporters to be respectful towards his opponent.

For Ring-a-Ding Ding Swinging Swing Voters

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:39:00 +0000

McCain Volunteer Sends Out "Obama is an Arab" letters

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:03:00 +0000

Ariston Men Hudor!

noreply@blogger.com (Dwacon®) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 19:12:00 +0000

Sorry, but that was the first Greek phrase I ever learned... from a guy named Mr. Layton. Years later, I got to live in Greece and to this day have a great appreciation for the land, the language, the food, and especially the people of Greece.

Well, apparently, Greece has become an irresistible locale for basketball players. I was reading in today’s New York Times about NBA stars who are being recruited to perform for European teams for bigger paydays and larger roles.

I was particularly jealous of Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Childress who received a great house in Greece and a multi-million dollar pay day. Who wouldn’t love that?

Links for 2008-02-15 [del.icio.us]

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0600

Dexter Moves to Prime Time
cbs, showtime, dexter, television

Links for 2007-11-20 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 00:00:00 -0600

Pater Familias
Novella

Links for 2007-10-30 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Jesus Juice and My Time at The American Black Film Festival '07

Links for 2007-10-21 [del.icio.us]

Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Governator Lets Boys Use Girls’ Locker Room
Mom and Dad are banned. What the heck is going on in California?

Links for 2007-08-02 [del.icio.us]

Fri, 03 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Pater Familias
Novella by Dwayne Conyers about a Washington DC consultant who threatens his close relationship with the President to build a closer relationship with his children.

Links for 2007-07-25 [del.icio.us]

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0500

11 year old Keith Green on TV

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Wed, 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Nothing to Hide