More fun at the expense of the MILF who would be VP...

That's right, I said it. Sarah Palin is a MILF. I dare anyone to disagree with me. The one bad thing about her MILFiness? Whenever she speaks...

At any rate, I found it amusing to read this take on how well - or rather, how poorly - her book is doing in The Bay Area. The comments from readers placed under the article are the best:

Bay Area Not Maverick Enough To Read Palin Book

Why America Needs to Go Back to Heavily Taxing the Wealthy

Sound familiar? This is an opinion piece from yesterday's San Jose Mercury News. A turn in this direction would be highly unpopular with most companies and individuals in California - let alone around the country - but the logic is good and would help. Too bad those in higher office are too esconced and in bed with special interests themselves to really pursue this tact...

Opinion: Why America Needs To Go Back To Taxing The Wealthy

Tragic is really the only word that comes to mind (Revised Link)

I think the original link to the video for this story was removed by the KTVU site because I did a search for it and could not find the singular video anywhere except where it was then attached to the actual story. So I revised the link in my original post, but here is the link to the story and video here as well.

Teens Accused of Classmate's Stabbing Death Appear in Court

Tragic is really the only word that comes to mind...

Not sure who or how many are familiar with this story, but it has been one that has been bothering me this past week or so. The kids go to a school which was an option for Sloan to go to and Sloan knows at least one of the suspects through a mutual friend. It is probably the most disturbing to me because of that, because of the age of the victim and killers (the same as Sloan), the overall tragedy of the event. Sloan and I just talked about this last night and it saddens both of us. I just don't always know what to do or what to say to my kids when they have to face these sorts of things in the world. I remember whenever I would get into fights at that age and - more often than not - would end up being friends with the other kid afterward. Never did I consider actually killing anyone. And I have a really hard time accepting that it is just a case of "different times". This should never be tolerated or accepted as "the norm". Never.

Video: Suspected Killers of 15-Year Old Boy Appear in Court

Open Carry Movement

I came across this story in The Chronicle today and found it very interesting. I disagree with some of the things the gentleman being interviewed in the video notes, but I have to admit to being an advocate of being able to openly carry my sidearm. I do agree that it would make others think twice before allowing an incident to escalate. I am curious, however, how it relates to each state's carry permit laws/requirements. I am assuming those are somewhat different in that one can carry a loaded firearm with a permit, but not 100% certain.

And no, I am not looking to intimidate anyone; I have come to terms with the fact we live in a society of idiots, people who have no general value for life, where people who share my own personal respect for life and who try to give others some semblance of respect and general benefit of the doubt are in the minority when compared to the rest of those around us. Does it foster fear? That is where I somewhat disagree with the individual in the video because I think - in many people - it does indeed foster fear. However, fear is a many layered emotion which can also be closely tied to respect. And, unfortunately, too many people simply do not respect one another these days. The government certainly cannot legislate respect...but one can demand it when openly carrying their sidearm. Too Wild West for you? I understand and totally welcome debate and other opinions on this subject. Get back to me after reading this, the article, and watching the video...

Article: Packing Heat at Starbucks For All the World to See

Video: Open Carry Advocates Maintain Right to Bear Arms

Sex Tape Tips from Carrie Prejean

Have you heard about this? Carrie Prejean. Remember not too long ago, this former Miss California and Miss America runner-up, got all sorts of skewed attention when she was asked, on-stage no less, her opinion about same-sex marriage, and her response was:

"Well, I think its great that Americans get to choose one way or the other. We live in a land where you can choose same-sex marriage or opposite marriage. And, you know what? In my country, in my family, I think that I believe that marriage should be between a man and woman. No offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman."

Well....this little vixen caught a lot crap for that. But it doesn't end there, no sirree. This past May, it was leaked that she had posed for nude and/or seminude pictures - which just so happens to constitute a potential breach of contract with the Miss California USA directors. Her brilliant response?

"I am a Christian and I am a model. Models pose for pictures, including lingerie and swimwear photos. Recently, photos taken of me as a teenager have been released surreptitiously to a tabloid Web site that openly mocks my Christian faith. I am not perfect, and I will never claim to be."

So, basically, she is saying she was young and dumb, but she's a Christian, so its cool? Hey, don't get me wrong...I love great shots of naked women myself. But come on...doesn't "17" sort of mean the same as "child pornography"? Ew. Double ew.

The latest? Yes...a sex tape has surfaced. Why not, right? Nowadays it seems EVERYONE has a sex tape floating around somewhere. Personally, I think this is sort of hot. She made a "solo" video for her boyfriend at the time. How sweet, really. Its what Jesus would have done if he was having a long-distance sort of thang with Mary Magdalene, right? Of course, this video was made when she was 20, apparently. I think I feel another "young and dumb" reference coming on...although that really shouldn't apply anymore since she is currently 22...

My point leading up to this? None, really, other than I find it immensely amusing that those who claim to have the most faith turn out to be the kinkiest little mother f****ers out of all of us it would seem! Although I have a feeling I might be a wee bit more jaded than most and actually be bored with the video...

Here is my buddy Mark Morford's take, written from Carrie's perspective. Love it. LOVE it...

Sex tips from Carrie Prejean
Hi, I made a sex tape! Eight, actually! And you can too! Praise the Lord!

I wish someone would just stick something in her mouth to shut her up...

At least this article actually does something of a real fact/reality check on Sarah "I Hunt My Own Mooses From Helicopters Paid For By Alaska Taxpayers" Palin. No matter which way you cut it, she still just doesn't stack up. I should rejoice, though, because if she is the future of the Republican Party, their death knell as a significant threat on any level looms large and loud...

FACT CHECK: Palin's Book Goes Rogue On Some Facts

A sad commentary about the employment - or rather unemployment - situation we are all currently still wading through:

S.F. Chronicle - Jobless Hit Particularly Hard

Updates - 11/16/2009

As the end-of-the-year approaches, it really feels like events are rushing at breakneck speed in our life. This can be a good thing, but can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Just this past week and anticipating next week are great examples...

Personal/Friend/Fun Stuff -
Friday (yes, Friday the 13th...) was my old friend John's 42nd birthday. This year has marked a significant turn in our friendship and I feel we are really, truly entering a new phase of sorts. If nothing else, I feel that we have begun to understand and respect each other more than we have in the past, which is very good. He and Brie (his wife) have been extremely supportive and helpful with regards to our entire move prep as well as helping with some of the "heavy lifting" we did this past weekend.

Anyway, I decided it would be a cool thing to take John to lunch for his birthday on Friday. I was actually in Pleasanton for an interview (more on that later) and Tracy was not that much farther, so I was able to combine the two things into one day. We went to one of John and Brie's fave sushi places, Bluefin Sushi, and spent a couple of hours talking and shoving as much sushi down our gullets as we possibly could. The next evening, Amy and I joined John and Brie - as well as another couple - for dinner at Kyoto Palace in San Jose. We promptly took over the table and pulled another couple sitting at the table into our party, which was fun. We then traipsed (traipsed? What the Hell is THAT?) over to Rock Bottom to enjoy a beer or two before calling it a night.

A VERY special thanks has to go to our good friends Ashely and Jason for coming to our place - after a last minute request - to hang out at the house with Little D. He was already asleep when they arrived, but it was soooooooo nice knowing he was in good hands so we could actually get a night out.

The Move: Phase One - COMPLETE
We have scheduled our move to Tracy into two distinct phases. The first involved us renting a truck on our own, loading it up with everything we could handle on our own without too much heavy lifting - although there never seams to be a lack of that at any point - and transport to Tracy. The second phase will involve an actual moving company coming in with their own truck and handling all of the heavy items.

Sunday - while still a wee bit recovering from several large Sapporo's and sakes - we were up by 6am/7am (thanks to a certain small someone...), got our truck, and started loading it up with all of the boxes we had been preparing for the past month. We were joined shortly by Scott and Renee (who is ready for little Logan to get himself out of her tummy!) and then John and Brie. All of the help really made the time go back quickly and before we knew it, the truck was loaded. An hour or so later, we were at the new house, unloading. The cool thing? Our immediate neighbors came over to introduce themselves and also offered to help unload! As we were unloading, another neighbor from across the street came over to introduce himself as well. I found this to be very cool and a very good sign that we have made the right choice, moving into a great, family-oriented neighborhood. The first neighbors even helped us get John and Brie's old refrigerator (which matches the other kitchen appliances perfectly) into the house and set-up. I think our revised gameplan for the time before the second phase will include some final pack-up and another trip on our own this coming Saturday, using the Titan and the RAV, to take some smaller items to simply get them out of the way.

I think my only complaint about Tracy so far is that we have yet to find a place that offers to make my meat/steak/hamburger rare...and actually deliver it rare. Listen, people: Rare is NOT just a lighter shade of brown; rare means bloody. rare means almost purple still to me. Basically, it should almost still be moving. Flip it over a couple of times and throw it on my plate. Don't impose your rules or personal taste on me, just give me my red meat the way I want it. Or there may be problems. Especially if beer is involved...

New Job?
Well...maybe. As I noted above, I was in Pleasanton this past Friday for an interview. The company is actually located there, which would be awesome because that is much closer to our new place than San Jose/Milpitas. I am actually enjoying my current new job, but I know that, for the moment at least, it is a temporary gig. This new position I interviewed for would be a regular full-time position. Too soon to really comment on in any great detail, but I am hopeful because I feel the interview went very well. Should know this week if I made the cut for the top two they are considering (I made the cut into the top seven to come in for an on-site, so we'll see...). Will let y'all know when I know anything new.

That is really pretty much it for the time being. This is Sloan's last week at her current high school, so I am preparing myself for some emotion. Amy will be taking something of a leave-of-absence from her current position to help focus her search on daycare and other things while we get settled, and I will have to jump into the deep end of commuting from Tracy to San Jose the Monday after Thanksgiving (unless I get into this new position in Pleasanton, of course...). All of that, continued move prep, daily responsibilities, both of us working again...sometimes I feel a little short of breath!

All of that said, I do have to give huge shout-outs to Scott & Renee, John & Brie, Jason & Ashley, and say a general "thank-you" to everyone associated with our Facebook accounts, etc., for all of their well wishes and support. It is awesome to know that we have people in our lives who think nothing about going out of their way to help out, even if it is simply expressing support. Each instance of that means a lot to us. So thanks!


S