No money, No Gas!

i am starting to get really pissed
about the high price of gas, it really
has many people at a standstill, and they are
just not doing things that they normally
would!

all weekend long as i drove around
doing errands, there was no traffic
to be had, some roads i travel by mid
afternoon on weekends are bumper
to bumper, i had prepared myself for
this thinking how bad it would be so
i started my days early

well i really could have slept in late
cause there was no one around!

it really has come to being unaffordable
the cost to fill up my tank is $55.00
when the heck did that happen!
my cousin has a suv, $125.00 to fill
her tank up! What!

how in the world are we suppose to
be able to afford this, our salaries have
not gone up, and yet everything else goes up

the poor, can't put gas in their car at all
the middle class, will put gas in their car
and struggle with the payment
the rich, don't really care how much gas is
and heck, why should they!

every time you get a estimate on something
such as landscaper's, garbage removal, etc
they also tell you they have to add on extra
for gas, and if you want the service you have
to pay! So you do it!

i am not good at this, i really don't know
the solution or for that matter have any
answers!

i did some searching and this is what i found:

"Why are gas prices so high"

1.) Increase in demand in developing countries, primarily China and India.
2.) Lack of refinement capability.
3.) Some recent natural disasters - Katrina, etc.
4.) Oil speculators.
5.) OPEC price manipulation.
6.) Dollar rates vs foreign currency
7.) Political instability in the middle east.
8.) Normal inflation

so are these really the answers?

perhaps, just not so sure~~

Lady?

Lady
Not Really by Tina~in_ut

Do you ever get an email or joke that is just so funny that you have to share with everyone? Sometimes you get ones that are so well written, you are proud to know the person who wrote it! I received an email that was so hilarious, that I immediately forwarded it to my co-workers and best friend! They all loved it. THEN, I told the writer I was putting it on the blog. I could not deprive others of her superb writing. So here is Zona's email. Enjoy~

"I was sitting here at the computer this morning, and I heard a young boy's voice calling "Lady....Lady..." and then whistling. I looked out the window and there was the new neighbor's son..standing in the driveway, with a boxer puppy next to him.

He was looking down the street and shouting now, "Lady...LADY!!" For all I knew it could have been a Jerry Lewis impersonation, and there was some woman he was calling to come back. I watched and saw a Dobie pup run up to him..ok..it was a real honest to goodness dog that was loose, and had now come home. I started to turn away, but saw that Lady was playing with his sense of relief by turning and running back down the street!

In the meantime he was still trying to keep track of the boxer pup. I went into full helpful neighbor mode and slapped my feet into my flip flops..ran into the kitchen and got some of Nikki's milk bones..which she then tried desperatley to grab back from me..and while pushing her off me, ran out of the front door. I only forgot one thing..it had been raining.

My flip-flop clad foot hit the wet cement, and my leg went straight up in the air, I thought, what a nice tree we have just before my ass and back hit the concrete. I laid there trying to see and catch my breath, weakly holding up the dog biscuits in the direction of the boy.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a trotting Dobie puppy run up to him...and without so much as a smirk in my direction, the trio went into their backyard..leaving me sprawled on the front walkway. I took a deep breath, and hauled myself first to my knees, biscuits still in hand. I knelt, butt to the street in defiance to anyone who might have a problem with the view, and then slowly stood up. I limped to the front door, where Nikki was waiting for her treats. I opened the security door and threw the damn biscuits across the entrance hall. Nikki ran after them and crunched happily away, as I stepped first out of one flip..than the flop...walked to the sofa and fell into it. Truly Tina...that Lady was a tramp!"

I have always wished I could write like this. Thank you Zona for making me laugh and always entertaining me with your stories! I really wish you would submit you work!


**************

God Bless the USA

Sung by Lee Greenwood

today, memorial day is a day
of remembrance, it is a day
we remember all who have
fought for the freedoms of
our country from WW1 and
beyond, today we thank them!

mek has written our memorial
day blog, she shares a story
with us, that is dear to her heart


GOD BLESS THE USA

by mek in az

I don’t know about you guys, but this song always makes me tear up. As I have shared before, my father dedicated his life (and sacrificed his family) for his country and now rests peacefully in Ft. Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado.

I wanted to share a story that I have a hard time relaying to people, because I can never finish it without crying… (So please forgive me – I get passionate about this kind of stuff)..

In October of 2003, I was sitting in the Tucson International Airport waiting to catch a flight to Virginia to attend my uncle’s funeral. All of a sudden, the terminal was full of young men and women in uniform. I knew instantly that these young people were being deployed, which made me say a little prayer that they all be safe and return unharmed. (Yes, I started crying – heck, I was an emotional wreck anyway)… I just happened to overhear a conversation between several of the young men and I want to share that with you.

These men were talking about saying goodbye to their families and seeing life thru the eyes of their children. The one that stuck with me the most and really got me thinking – was about the four year old twins that were SO upset that daddy would not be there for Halloween, the mom had made them special costumes and Daddy wasn’t going to get to see them and go collect candy – and the young man went on to say – what his children didn’t understand was that after Halloween would be their birthday, then Thanksgiving, then Christmas – but thru a child’s eyes, they just look to one event at a time – they don’t “see” the future.. (Oh, to be young again, right??!!)

By this time – I was a total basket case – and one of the soldiers looked at me and said, “ma’am are you okay” ( I hate that he called me ma’am – but we were brought up that way) –and I said – don’t worry about me – I just want to thank you for all you do and be safe. He replied, “Ma’am, I will be okay. I’m going over there to fight for your freedom and whether I come home like this (and waved his hands up and down his torso) or in a box – this is what I signed up to do? It’s all good” And with that – their flight was boarding.

I have no idea what happened to any of those young men and women. Whether they got to spend another Halloween, birthday or Christmas with their families again or if they came home in “a box” and are buried in a National Cemetery like my father is.

All over the country, a boy scout troop or two spent this week putting our Nations Flag on each and every headstone to honor our fallen heroes and TAPS will be played at sunset.(can’t listen to that either). So, while everyone is enjoying a day off of work, cooking out, playing volleyball or swimming in the backyard, I ask that you please take a moment to say a little thank you and a prayer for all those that have lost their lives so that we can have the freedoms we do today.

Thank you for indulging me today – and on a lighter note – what is everyone going to do today?

****************

The Pips??

For Maureen

i have always wondered what it would
be like to be a comedian, it looks so freeing
as you can do anything, all the things that
we say we cannot do, due to embarrassment
comedians seem to do and more!

they are so concentrated on the task at hand
that their faces are symboled into exactly what
they are doing, i know i could not hold by expression
that long, i would crack up as soon as someone said
"action", so a comedian i could not be

the other night this clip struck my funny bone
my laughter exploded

i have watched it several times
since then and each time laugh more

it is a good video for a relaxing Sunday
as we all need to smile
and of course a good "crack up"

Enjoy!

****************************

EBay Obsession!!!

EBAY OBSESSION

by Lynn D

I know that many of you will read this and just not care. That is ok with me. I just need a place to vent my feelings on this subject as it has been consuming me of late and I knew the owls would put up with my ranting and raving.

As many of you know I sold and bought on Ebay or Feebay or Greedbay as many people are now calling this site. I started in 1999 or 98 with some prodding from a friend. I soon found that I really enjoyed it and had lots of fun. It fueled my creativity and had me treasure hunting all the time. I never sold for huge profit or to make a living more as a hobby and extra spending or mad money as it were.

The last six months I have watched this company implement new rules and policies and fee changes that not only has angered me but has made me sick to my stomach and very sad for many people that Ebay spent years wooing to their site to start businesses of their own. We are talking about Mom and Pop sellers, single parents, people supplementing their fixed incomes etc… I thought it was great the Ebay had a hand in helping so many people find a source of income that would fit and fill their needs.

Well Ebay now seems to be done with us. They are pushing us out like we carry the plague in our pocket, while trying to convince everyone including the media and general public that it is building a newer and safer buying and selling experience. As some people call it drink the Kool aide and don’t ask questions.

They have become something I despise, a corporate entity that no longer cares about people, but about how much money we can rake in off of your hard work and backs.

I get up every morning and check out the nest then I can’t stop myself I am compelled to go Ebay bad news hunting. I know this is horrible and really bad for my Karma but I now want Ebay to go down in flames.

There is a new CEO in town and he has referred too many of us that helped build Ebay into the giant it is now as so much noise and is really disgusted by the flea market look we bring to HIS Ebay. Great PR huh???

I visit the boards there, which I had never done in the past to see what others are saying and thinking and occasionally can’t help myself from leaving snide and sarcastic remarks. The first time I did this was because Ebay was deleting any post that had the audacity to question there decision making abilities or had unkind words for the new CEO.

What really got me in the last two weeks is Ebay making deals with big business like buy. com to sell more and giving them a break from their excessively high fees and also from their new feedback madness rules. Rumors have it they are in talks with GM and other huge Mega corporations to sell on Ebay. They are slowly in my opinion working towards an internet strip mall. Why you ask? Because they are not happy that Amazon. com has continued growth and they don’t. The assumption is they want to become an Amazon or internet Wal-Mart. Totally scrapping what Ebay was based on and the people who helped get them there.

What is even more interesting in the last few months is that they are now in the process of racking up lawsuits. Craigslist is suing them (bet you didn’t know that Ebay owns a quarter of CL). They have Ebay Australia up in arms by trying to implement Paypal only payments there, of course Ebay owns Paypal and takes fees from every payment made. Their ACCC is supposed rule whether it will be legal or not next month and more people are waiting in the wings with more lawsuits.

I left when they announced many of these changes in February as I saw the train speeding down the track then. I decided I did not want to pay this VENUE,( hah that is what they call it) my hard earned money to tell me what to sell, when to sell, how to ship it etc…rules that amounted to abuse and clearly indicated that they were no longer a VENUE but wanted to be my manager. WTF they don’t pay me a paycheck I pay them fees.

Their motto since the beginning was our values are based on do unto others etc… Well that has clearly changed and should be Profit first!

The latest announcement is that they want to start a fair-trade arena on Ebay for all of those companies that make money in poor countries off of their crops or crafts and artwork to help make lives better in their countries. Well folks this just seemed too ironic for words to me. Considering all of the people here they just pushed out of Ebay that were lower income and making a living, now left out in the cold. Wonder how much Ebay will take for fees off of the backs of the fair trade groups????

So I spend my morning reading Ebay boards and www. auctionbytes. com for the latest nasty news and announcements and I don’t know why??? Anger, obsession???? I know it has to stop but can’t seem to help it.

Thank you for letting me rant! Maybe it will help me to move on. Should we start an intervention??


*****************************

Toys of Childhood

Toys of Childhood

by Zona

for Vig

Hula Hoops. Liddle Kiddles. Creepy Crawlers. Mousetrap. Toss Across. These are a few of the many toys I had when I was a child. Oh, I didn't forget Barbie, but I think I was more interested in the accessories than the actual doll. I loved the Barbie Dune Buggy..which I still have. Do you remember Mystery Date? "Open the door to your...Mystery Date"? My sister had a Mrs. Beasley doll, which was made famous in the TV show 'Family Affair'. My brother had 'Fort Apache'..and I loved to play with it while he was at school. He would come home and wonder who moved his horses..but my mom never told on me. I also took his GI Joe, as I found him to be a better date for Barbie than Ken.

My favorite game was 'Mousetrap'...until one of the kids in the neighborhood stole the hand..without the hand the marble couldn't fall and spring the cage over the mouse. I was devastated.

I always wanted an 'Easy Bake Oven'..but my mom told me that I could help her bake a cake in a real oven instead. Where's the fun in that? I wanted to cook by a light bulb!!

What toys and games do you remember having as a kid...which ones were your favorites? Was there one that you never received that you still wish you would have gotten?? Did you keep any of your childhood toys??

I did, they are always there to remind me of the happiness and innocence of my youth.

*********************

And The Winner Is!

David Cook and his Mom

David Cook

He is our American Idol 2008 Winner
and I could not be more excited!

He received 56 percent of the 97.5 million
votes that were cast

I think he is terrific and it seems
he is a great showman, even tho, he is
just beginning, his presence on stage is just
so confident!

His closing song, was sung flawlessly!

He should be where he is!

Congrats also goes out to David Archuleta
for a very young man, he will go far!

What a great season! I enjoyed it immensely

Congrats David Cook, Have the "Time of your Life"