I'll never be able to compete with Steve

Either in writing or cooking. BUT since we had some 'aging' bananas- and I was doing the brisket for dinner (or lunch, depending on where you're from), I decided to do something with them.

Ok, look for banana pudding, yep got most of the ingredients- crap, no pudding mix.

Lets try something else, , ,
Ahhh Banana bread!

Here's the recipe:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 bananas, mashed

DIRECTIONS: 1. Grease and flour two 7x3 inch loaf pans. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). 2. In one bowl, whisk together flour, soda, salt, and sugar. Mix in slightly beaten eggs, melted butter, and mashed bananas. Stir in nuts if desired. Pour into prepared pans. 3. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour, or until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


The brisket is done, the rub is almost crunchy-
Spanish rice
Baked BBQ beans

and in the oven, , , Banana Bread!


Sorry y'all no cookbooks on the horizon.

THANK Gawd I'm home!

This is the fifth night I've gotten home after 7:30PM. I'd asked my boss if I could work 4- 10's and he said yes. Cool, I can save 100 miles of driving one day a week.

Moday we found out the Big boss went to an auction, and we had to go collect his winnings- I got off work at 7PM (11.5 hours)
Tues-10 hours
Weds.-10
Thurs- (I'm tired)9.5
Today (Fri)- 11.5

So, lets see how my new employer is about paying overtime. Hell, I might even be able to break even on gas.

And to prove that the wheel keeps turning

JimmyB shows that being gay isn't just a "birth" thing- it IS a lifestyle choice.

Anyone hear about the Texas Marine who can't go to Austin Community College?

The way I was hearing it on the "over-hype talkradio station it goes like this. . .

AUSTIN (AP) - A decorated Marine enrolling in college was surprised to learn his Texas driver's license, car registration and bank records weren't enough to qualify him for the lower-priced state resident tuition.

Carl Basham said officials at Austin Community College recently told him that his two tours of duty in Iraq kept him out of the state too long to qualify for Texas resident tuition.

Ok, I said- it figgures it IS Austin. The ONLY Texas county that went for J. F'ing Kerry (he waz in 'Nam- ya know) so naturally they're giving him a hard time.

I heard this - or some variation of it most of the day:

The school's response surprised Basham, a 27-year-old who was born in Beeville, registered to vote in Travis County, has a Texas driver's license and does his banking in Austin.

Not having the in-state designation would mean paying around $2,600 instead of about $500 a semester in tuition.

"They told me that I have to physically live in the state of Texas for at least a year," Basham said in Tuesday editions of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. "It kind of hurts."

During his two enlistments and eight years of service, Basham received a Combat Action Ribbon, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and other decorations. He was honorably discharged from the Marines on Jan. 31.

Then, on a different, more staid and less hyperactive news/talk radio station I heard this little gem:

Under Texas law, members of the military are presumed to maintain the same residence as when they enlisted in the service. Although he grew up throughout Texas and lived most of his youth in Waco, Basham graduated from high school and enlisted in the Marine Corps in Monroe, La. (This is from WOAI, since KTSA didn't have the story easily available)

I don't feel sorry for him. Yeah, he kinda got screwed; but he fell down, too- or his N.C.O.s who didn't tell him to change his home of record at his second enlistment.

I made sure when I re-enlisted that my home of record was in Texas- not just for the education, but the Tx Vets Land Board and anything else available to Texans.

Alot of other vets have been burned that way. How far are we going to go back to rectify the "home of record" mistakes? Get over it, and have the next Leg. do something about it.
Hey- the Navy wanted me to be a 'Nuke'- can I study for it NOW on the Gov't dime?

(UPDATE Aug. 20)- It seems that the Tx Vets Landboard has approved the admission as a Tx resident. Ok, now that one GI went public, when are ALL the others who got screwed over going to get (the Libs favorite word) restitution for the "wrongs" done to them?

Yep, it figgures. I wanted to let our renters buy the trailer

But, I just found out that I put them off too long, and they bought something else.

Ok, anybody know anybody who might be interested in a 3bed/2bath Mobile Home on about 3/4 acre about 2 MI. east of San Marcos?
It's in the Lockhart school district, so you won't be able to get your kids involved in the gang crap in S.M.- sorry.

It really is a serious idea, but, , ,

It sounds so , , , ummm, , , humorous.



Stolen from Aelfheld.

Ok, lets see about gas mileage

I'll try to type slowly so that the ones that NEED to read this can understand a little of it.

Ok, lets start with basic auto mechanics. That pedal below your right foot can be in any position besides "idle" and on the floor.

The faster you go from a standing start to 30MPH uses alot more gas than going from stopped to a moderate acceleration. If you go slow, you save gas, too. You REALLY ought to try this next time you're in a f'ing PARKING LOT.

Here's something else you might not know, if you take your foot out of the carburetor when you see you're gaining on a group of cars- the car will ACTUALLY slow down before you have to slam on your brakes inches from my back bumper. Just to let you know- people don't care how important you think you are- they WON'T scatter like quail when they see you overtaking them.
Not that I'd mind you running my D.O.T. bumper OVER yours and through your radiator and up your hood- I'm worried about my li'l pick-up.
If you work your right foot, letting the car slow down before you actually have to panic stop you can save gas AND brake pads.

Something else that helps save gas is rolling up your windows. You have a 2005 Neon, you HAVE air conditioning, you have to order it specifically without. If you roll up your windows you save what the experts call "wind drag" PLUS I won't have to hear your damn radio.

Ok, and just for kicks, try running your tires at or above the recommended pressure- or put the original size back on. Would you rather be "stylin" with those HotWheels looking tires, or getting 5MPH better per gallon?

Ok, done for now- I'll be glad for additional hints in the comments.

Here's something for you gunloving red staters

I found it in my mailbox, and don't know how true it is. I know that y'all will be glad to let me know.

Anyway:


> GUNS
>
> Here's a thought to warm some of your hearts...,
>
> From: Ed Chenel, A police officer in Australia
>
> Hi Yanks,
>
> I thought you all would like to see the real figures from "Down Under".
> It has now been 12 months since gun owners in Australia were forced
> by a new law to surrender 640,381 personal firearms to be destroyed by
>our own government, a program costing Australia taxpayers more than $500
>million dollars.
>
> The first year results are now in: Australia-wide, homicides are up
> 3.2 %, Australia-wide, assaults are up 8.6 %,; Australia-wide, armed
> robberies are up 44 % (yes, 44 %!). In the state of Victoria alone,
> homicides with firearms are now up 300 %. (Note that while the
> law-abiding citizens turned them in, the criminals did not! and
> criminals still possess their guns!).
>
> While figures over the previous 25 years showed a steady decrease in
> armed robbery with firearms, this has changed drastically upward in
> the past 12 months, since the criminals now are guaranteed that their
> prey is unarmed.
>
> There has also been a dramatic increase in break-ins and assaults of
> the elderly.
>
> Australian politicians are at a loss to explain how public safety has
> decreased, after such monumental effort and expense was expended in
>"successfully ridding Australian society of guns." You won't see this
> on the American evening news or hear your governor or members of
> the State Assembly disseminating this information.
>
> The Australian experience proves it. Guns in the hands of honest
> citizens save lives and property and, yes, gun-control laws affect
> only the law-abiding citizens.
>
> Take note Americans, before it's too late!

Comming soon, Fuel economy measures for morons

I got in late last night, and the 14 yr-old needed things for school, so I didn't have time to post last night.

I know this post won't do much good, they'd rather get in front of a microphone and complain about the price of gas than actually CHANGING the way they drive; but it'll let me vent.

Till tonight. . .

More Trainwreck driving lessons

Ok, I know I've covered some of these before, but IF you listen, I won't need to do it again.

• The speed limit sign is what it says, if there is a cop driving at 60 MPH in a 70 MPH zone,
  you will NOT get a speeding ticked for passing him! There are ALOT of people with guilty consciences out there.

• When merging onto a limited access highway, you should be going approximately the same speed as the traffic- NOT 15 MPH slower. Ya see, when I start up an onramp, I've got my eye on an opening I want to ease into- that doesn't work when there's a 15-20MPH speed difference.
  

• Yield means 'Yield to oncoming traffic' not STOP.

• The octagonal red and white stop sign WILL NOT turn green to let you know that you can go.

• At a 4 way intersection with stop signs- the person who got there First has the right of way, if TWO or more people arrive at the same time, the one on the right has the right, or if the driver in a large commercial vehicle (me) motions you to go through- GO!

• Those broken white lines in the road are called "lane markers" that means you are supposed to keep your $70,000 Escalade between them. Yes, I know you think you bought the entire road- but you didn't.

• A BIG truck takes ALOT of room to stop. Do not swerve in front of one and do something completely stupid.

• If you try to intimidate me with your little F-150; just remember, my front wheel lugs make a damn good body panel wrecking saw and my back tires are easy to replace after they climb right over your bed, and cab, and hood. All I'll be out is time as I tell Officer Friendly how you caused the wreck.
  

Ok, kids you can now go back to torturing the teacher.

Happy VJ Day Marines- you earned it



And the Navy Too.

Pearl Harbor


The Army was there, too

The Bataan Death March

'Nuff said

Guadacanal

Macarthur returns to the P.I.

Iwo Jima

Nagasaki

President Truman decided to use atomic bombs against Japan to save American lives. His decision was supported by most of the men who would have had to risk death by invading the Japanese home islands. As Paul Fussell, a former U.S. Army infantryman in Europe said in "Thank God for the Atom Bomb"

"When the atom bombs were dropped and the news began to circulate that we would not be obligated in a few months to rush up the beaches near Tokyo assault-firing while being machine- gunned, mortared and shelled we broke down and cried with relief and joy. We were going to live. We were going to grow to adulthood after all. "

Japan surrendered on August 14, only eight days after Hiroshima and five days after Nagasaki. Formal surrender ceremonies took place September 2, 1945 on the USS Missouri, in Tokyo Bay.





U.S.S. Missouri- Japan surrenders unconditionally

Guess what we had for breakfast






PANCAKES!





The guys worked while the wimmen took their ease

Looks like I'm gonna hafta git back on a bike

The way gas prices are going, even after paying on a motorcycle loan, I'll still be money ahead on gas. Of course I'll be adding a whopping $250/yr to my insurance, but on the other hand, I'll be saving at least $80/week on gas(and more).

Hey, my Dodge Ram gets about 16.5 MPG, and a 100 MI daily round trip adds up. The Mitsu Montero Sport gets about 15 MPG, so I can't steal Mrs Trainwrecks ride, can I?

I just did my weekly check of my Blogmail

And found another blog for my blogroll.

This is a pretty good moderate conservative blog called Very Small Doses

He decribes his blog like this:

What is 'Very Small Doses'?
Very Small Doses is a daily updated Blog on a variety of eclectic topics, written and maintained by "J. Marcus Xavier," a 20-something college grad with a degree in Business Marketing and a flair for the written word. Each day of the week covers a different category, from Amusement to Politics, Society to Creativity, to Technology, Religion and general musings.

Which kinda tells how I found him- Direct Mail! I guess it works if you have something good to sell.

Go look at him.

"Which Holy Grail Character Are You?"

Sir Galahad
Look, it's my duty as a knight to sample as much peril as I can.

Oh, yeah, one of Daves posts reminds me I'm getting "Cell Spam"

Or whatever it's called when a telemarketer calls your cell phone.

Ok, now I'll just have to register both of them over at Donotcall.gov, too.

It's bad enough with a land-line, with a cell I HAVE to pay, and stop work to answer it!

My one and only post about that media whore the grieving mother, Cindy Sheehan


Ok, let me get this straight. Her son joined the volunteer military and went to Iraq to free 50+ million Iraqis. He was killed by a cowardly terrorist. She met with Bush and came out with glowing comments.

Now she's hanging out with a bunch of leftist who never saw America do anything good.
She want to force Pres. Bush to hear her call him a murderer by using her dead son as a soap box? She and her Viet Nam era hippies are camping out in Crawford, TX and vowing to stalk our President anywhere he goes?

Now she decided that 'since Bush killed my son, I'm not going to pay my 2004 taxes'.
Ok, good on you Cindy- do you OWE any taxes?
Why are you NOW saying this? Did you miss the April 15 2005 deadline, and decide that it's a good way to maybe keep fom getting TOO sideways with the IRS- make it a protest.
Do you earn a wage, or are all of your expenses covered by communist front anti-war organizations?
Are you going to write a nice letter to the IRS saying 'Hi, I'm Cindy Sheehan, maybe you've seen me on TV. Look, I made a mistake on my 2004 taxes. Can I get them all back, because I decided I don't want to pay them for that year. I'll be waiting for my check :-)

Luv,
Cindy :-)

P.S. If you don't send my money back, I'll tell my friends in the MSM! Then you'll have people not liking you :-( '

And Cindy, since you leftists are the ONLY ones that want to save energy, maybe you should connect a small generator to your son- get some free electricity as he spins in his grave because of you.

Just a random morning thought

If you had a name that stood for the originators of the modern day drip coffee maker, do you think that you'd put some thought into designing a pot that wouldn't drip all over the counter when pouring a cup?

Unless, of course it's just marking it's spot like a Harley. "Oh, look at the coffee spills! They must have a Mr. Coffee!"

This is an URGENT warning to all women . . .




There is a scam running and it is so real thay you may fall for it. . .





Please read the following. . .






If something seems too good to be true. . .





. . . It probably is. . .






Do not believe everything you see. . .

Fire arms for office pirates


I couldn't but help think of El Capitan and the pirate ZiPpo when I saw this weapon.

Just for self defense, and all-ya know. . .

Walrilla is having some issues with Belton, Tx. P&R Dept.

I usually try to stay out of the "blegging" stuff because I figure that if I've read about it, then everyone that reads my bloglette will have seen it anyway.

This is a bit different, though. It's NOT a bleg, just a link to a guy who's having trouble with the Parks and Rec Dept. of Belton. He has a daughter who is disabled (I'm not sure how) and is on a softball team. The problem is, that politics are politics anywhere you go; and those that need the "updated" fields don't get them because the "popular" kids get them.

He's not asking for anything. His post was more of a frustration thing, but maybe it would help if you just -maybe- just leave him a comment, it won't take long and maybe someone might know someone who can do something.

UPDATE- He's just frustrated because the "one" who should be at the P&R meetings has better things to do than to just ask for the (ready)money for new fields.

I really shouldn't gloat, but-

It would seem as my ex-employer is looking for more people than me.


(UPDATE Aug 19 2005- The paper of record for S. Tx has changed their want ads- they no longer include the 5 job openings from my ex-employer)

New Blogroll addition

While scanning background (which is what I do- because I don't have alot of computer time) for the previous post, I came on this English site about their views on the GWT.

It's an interesting perspective from the same side of the aisle.

I guess there is something to be said about a constitutional monarchy

The Brits got a big wake-up call back in July, and they have shown they're serious about the islamo-facist threat. They're putting action behind their words, and since they don't have Constitutional "protections" for illegals- they can.
Naturally there are those who want to put the wants of the few over the needs of the many.

For example:

LONDON - Prime Minister
Tony Blair's government on Saturday defended its plans to crack down on extremist Islamic clerics who preach hate, as critics warned the measures could further alienate British Muslims.
Charles Falconer, the lord chancellor, said the deadly July 7 attacks in London showed the government must act against people "who are encouraging young men who are becoming suicide bombers."
-snip-
"I think there is a very widespread sense in the country subsequent to July 7th that things have changed. A new balance needs to be struck. It needs to be a lawful balance but it needs to be an effective balance," he told British Broadcasting Corp. radio.
On Friday, the government announced plans to deport foreign nationals who glorify acts of terror, bar radicals from entering Britain, close mosques linked with extremism, ban certain Islamic groups and, if necessary, amend human rights laws.

That's the good.
Now comes the usual whining from the left:
Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy warned that the crackdown could alienate the law-abiding majority of Britain's 1.8 million Muslims and inflame tensions. Hey, we've got a whole clan of Kennedy's too! And they're all for the balkanization of America just like your Kennedy

-snip-

The Islamic Forum Europe warned that the measures could jeopardize national unity in Britain.

"If these proposed measures are allowed to see the light of day, they will increase tensions and alienate communities. The measures are counterproductive and will encourage more radicalization," group president Musleh Faradhi said. "Many Muslims will perceive our prime minister as playing into the hands of the terrorists." Even MORE alienated moslem communities?

He criticized the government's plans to ban Hizb ut-Tahrir — the radical Islamic group that calls for the formation of an Islamic caliphate and is banned in several central Asian countries. Supporters insist it is a nonviolent group persecuted by corrupt governments. A nonviolentt group is like the Quakers- THEY don't advocate killing innocent people in the name of their religion.

"Proscribing it will be counterproductive," Faradhi said. "It will give a green light to despotic leaders in the Muslim world to silence political dissenters. I don't even need to say anything about THAT, do I?

One thing I haven't heard -yet- is their version of the ACLU sueing to stop anything that may hinder future terrorism.

Tomorrow is the 60th anniversary of Hirosima

I'm sure there will be alot better posts from bigger and better bloggers, but I have something for you aging peaceniks to ask yourself. The younger ones, too.

The U.S. military estimated that around 1 million casualties would result from the invasion of Japan. If the atom bomb(s) had not been dropped, that would be that many fathers not having children.

The Question for the aging Boomers- Was your dad in the military in WWII? If so, and he was killed in the Japanese D-Day; where would you be today?

The same goes for the younger version, except now it's TWO sets of grandfathers. What (or would) you be if EITHER of your grand fathers been killed in the J-Day invasion?

Now, was it really a "crime" to kill 200,000 to save millions of lives?

I'm not going to get into the "we're evil because we used it" B.S. because the only reason WE used it was because we got it working FIRST.

Lets see just how many thin skinned whiners I can offend today

I came on this NCAA PC gag order and wondered how many colleges might be affected, so I "yahoo'ed" about (lots of dead-ends) unil I found this site with a pretty comrehensive list.

Where to start? Hmmmm, , , well this time it's "The NCAA banned the use of American Indian mascots by sports teams during its postseason tournaments, but will not prohibit them otherwise."
-snip-
"Nicknames or mascots deemed "hostile or abusive" would not be allowed on team uniforms or other clothing beginning with any NCAA tournament after Feb. 1,, , "


Since the NCAA is being so picky about Amerinds, lets look at some of the schools mascots, shall we?
Braves ---
Chieftains ---
Chippewas ---
Choctaws ---
Moccasins ---
Mohawks ---
Redmen ---
Red Raiders --- (?)
Runnin' Utes ---
Savages ---
Seminoles ---
Utes ---
Warriors ---

What will be under the P/C tommihawk next?
religion?
Angels ---
Battling Bishops ---
Blue Demons ---
Blue Devils ---
Cardinal ---
Cardinals ---
Chanticleers --- (?)
Crusaders ---
Deacons ---
Devils ---
Evangels ---
Friars ---
Maccabees ---
Missionaries ---
Monks ---
Parsons ---
Preachers ---
Quakers ---
Red Devils ---
Saints ---

Frightening occupations?
Anchormen ---
Archers ---
Battlers ---
Black, Blue, Purple, Scarlet, Knights ---
Blue Raiders ---
Bombers --- (lets change them to "freedom fighters:-)")
Brewers --- (alocohalism, DWI)
Buccaneers ---
Canoneers ---
Cavaliers ---
Colonels ---
Conquerors ---
Corsairs ---
Cowboys ---
Crusaders --- (again)
Dirtbags --- really!
Explorers ---
Generals ---
Gothic Knights ---
Grenadiers ---
Keelhaulers ---
Knights ---
Lancers ---
Leathernecks ---
Loggers ---
Lumberjacks ---
Lumberjills ---
Marauders ---
Matadors ---
Mounties ---
Northmen ---
Norse ---
Pioneers ---
Pirates ---
Privateers ---
Purple, Scarlet Raiders ---
Raiders ---
Rangers ---
Rebels ---
Rivermen ---
Sea Warriors ---
Seawolves ---
Senators ---
Soldiers ---
Swordsmen ---
Vikings ---
Warriors ---

I could go on filling this space with names that could, will, might be banned because "someone' is offended by it. When will enough be enough?
When all teams have the awe inspiring mascot like:
Anteaters ---
Armadillos ---
Banana Slugs ---
Big Blue, Blues, Green, Red ---
Bison ---
Black Squirrels ---
Bridges ---
Brown and White ---
Camels ---
Cotton Blossoms ---
Dirtbags --- (again)
Ducks ---
Flying Queens --- (THAT would be a nice PC one, if it wasn't a womans B/ball team)
Frogs ---
. . . And plenty more where they came from.

Now, for real- Mariah Carey, , , TOPLESS


Ok, so it's kinda verging on kiddy-porn, but thanks to Dave, I've got something to feed the counter, anyway.

And the link goes to this celebs as kids site.

Welcome to 'no driving M.F.rs' Wednesday

I don't know what the hell these San Antonioans were thinking today- if they were at all.
I just got home; and all total I avoided 4 wrecks. All on the East side. All exiting or entering I-10.

Ok Vatos and Movinas (boys and girls) here are some quick and easy rules of the road. This may be the first time you've heard them, though- this being Texas where your non-driving parents can vouch that they taught you how to drive, and you walked out with a drivers license.

Rule number one (uno) If you are entering a highway you are supposed to be going AS FAST as the traffic on the highway- NOT 20 MPH below. Also, that turn signal you just now discoverd does NOT give you the right to just whip over to where you want to go.

Rule number two (dos) That upside down red and white triangle that says YIELD only means STOP if there is traffic near you. It is not a good way to meet three following drivers at the top of a highway merge lane.(I had to go into the grass).

Finally a hint to the moron in the blue Cavalier- heavy trucks tak ALOT longer to stop than your car. Next time you go from the far left lane to a right side offramp, you may just have one on top of you.


All I have to say is that I would have gladly used a cluebat on some drivers today.

Some of these things are not as they seem

I started the new job today.
When I was interviewing, I was told that the Operators started at 7Am (crap, I need to leave at 6)- Ok, where do I report? To the jobsite, you won't be reporting to Schertz about twice a week. Pay, Weekly at $XX/hr- weekly. After 90 days the company pays all your healthcare premiums.

I can live with that, OK I'm yours.

Today I met the other Operators.
We start work at 6:30Am, and report to the Schertz yard every day.

We were installing 4 sections of a transformer bank/switch gear today.
In the San Antonio heat (about 110 and NO breeze) . I don't know what the heat index was, but I'b bet it was in the 130's - easy. We got done (left the jobsite) at 4:45PM.

I thought we were just off of the 410 loop , , , ummmm we were on the northside I-10(just N of 1604) (there was NO way I was driving to El Paso), so had to make a 30 min. retrip.

We got back to the office where I left my truck- cool, the day's on the downhill slide.
About 5 mi. west of loop 1604, I lost my tread on the back right tire.
Cr@p!

Ok, replace the bad tire and on the way. Now I have an A/C that needs recharging when my heater core is replaced, An elusive vacuum leak, and now about $1500 worth of repairs to my back fender.


The only good thing that happened today was learning what my pay was going top be.
And yes it STILL is better than where I'd recently been working.

Light posting for the forseeable future


I'm back working in an Antonio now, and decided to do 5- 10's for a while.
I figure as long as I have the drive, I may as well stay for a while. Plus the 10 hrs O.T. won't hurt either, since school's starting and all.