Don't Supersize Anymore

A friend of mine told me that the City of New York made it illegal for businesses to sell large beverages cups full of whatever to customers. I thought that the person telling me this had to be exaggerating.

As it turns out that is precisely what New York City Mayor Bloomberg did.

So if you're going to New York City and you're thirsty, simply order two drinks... and throw both paper beverage cups away, doubling the pollution that New York Mayor Bloomberg works so hard to ignore. Link to the story HERE. Keep in mind that sugary drinks are targeted, BUT only carbonated drinks fall under the law (not milkshakes, malts and smoothies). You can purchase fruit juice in as big a cup as you'd like, irrespective of the sugar content.

The law is stupid and if consumption of sugar is that bad (as a diabetic, I have to watch that closely - so I'd agree that it's bad simply because I'd like to see everyone as miserable as I am), then all Bloomberg is doing is the moral equivalent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic and hoping the ship won't sink.

If Bloomberg is going to ban large sodas, why not include the phosphoric acid that every soda is laced with? It’s industrial waste being fed to us in the form of a food additive to make food taste 'tangy'. New York could ban all phosphoric acid - canned and bottled beverages would all vanish from shelves... but New York learned first hand how well prohibition worked in the 1930's, instead of the mob smuggling in alcoholic beverages, they'd be trafficking in coke - no, not cocaine - coke.

Signs of Life?

Ok, yes, to the life part - but maybe not intelligent life...

Toys

Burning need, aching desire...those were my first thoughts when I saw this toy.

No, I'm not trying to compensate for a 'small part'. I don't think that it's Freudian. Maybe it comes back to the same sort of thing that was explained in the movie, "Scarface" when Tony Montana (Al Pacino) shot a grenade into a door, taking out the people on the other side.

Movie Review: Battleship

Battleship is a science fiction film based on a naval war, so you know, I simply have to both see and review it because I have my roots in the sea. NO SERIOUS SPOILERS BELOW.

As with most sci-fi films, this one begins with scientists dabbling in matters better left alone. In 2005, NASA discovers an extrasolar planet with conditions similar to those found on Earth. On the off chance that the planet contains intelligent life, NASA transmits a powerful signal from Hawaii, boosted by a satellite in Earth orbit. 

Five alien ships arrive in response to the NASA signal. One ship collides with the satellite and crashes into Hong Kong. The others land in the ocean near the Hawaiian Islands and erect an impermeable barrier. Thus begins an epic naval battle pitting the invading alien host against the few, but determined, defenders of Earth.

Because the ship that crashed into Hong Kong was their communications ship, the aliens seize the NASA comms satellite and attempt to phone home.

In 2005, a talented but undisciplined slacker, attempts to impress a woman by getting her a chicken burrito by breaking into a convenience store. So begins the love story that is fleshed out in 2012 during the alien invasion. 

Typical eye candy - not that it's a bad thing.

The aliens are 'all thumbs', which may account for their eventual demise at the hands of the clever and naturally superior Earthlings.

I liked it - but I find these sorts of movies to be entertaining. It's a boy movie and even though I'm getting older, I am at heart, still a boy.

Preferences

One of the nice things about being fifty (mumble) something is that you have the luxury of actually knowing what you like and what you don't like. I'm not going universal with this post and won't be laying out which galaxy or nebula grabs my vote.

1. RECREATION - I like to have my back scratched. Absent a scratcher such as a butter knife or a long handled spoon, a door jam will do (yes, I can be a bit like an old bear rubbing up against his favorite tree.

2. SMELLS - I like to smell sage and pine. The mountains offer these fragrant reminders that it's not all automobile fumes and the odor of McD (cooked horse) wafting over the mall parking lots that exists in the world. I also love the smell of the ocean because it connects with me so viscerally. The smell of a new car comes next on the hit parade.

3. FOOD - While I am not opposed to fine dining, simple food is often the best. Eating outside in good weather is better than eating inside, and on the hierarchy, Mexican style cooking is high on my list.

4. HORSES - I don't own a horse, but I've had a few in my life and I like them. I like riding them in places not designated for horses, which is to say, far from the human stain. There is a companionability that horses demonstrate that I find appealing.

5. VACATIONS - I appreciate them more now than ever before, particularly where the company is fun.

6. MONEY - I've been richer and poorer and richer is better.

The Canary in the Mine

The US Border Patrol reports that fewer illegal aliens are crossing the US Southern Border to look for work in the USA. A greater percentage of criminals are crossing for the purpose of narcotics trafficking, but the Department of Homeland Security doesn't want to go into that because it makes them look bad.

Why is this?

In 2012, Americans will pay $4 trillion in taxes. That is $152 billion MORE than they will spend on housing, food and clothing combined. That’s right, Uncle Sam is now a bigger expense in our lives than the costs of food, housing and clothing combined. So when Obama talks about tax rates being low compared to what they used to be, laugh in his lying face. Sure, rates are lower, but rates don’t tell the whole story. Rates don’t cover tariffs, fees, excise, use and sale taxes, they don’t account for disappearing and fading deductions, they ignore the alternative minimum tax, and they don’t account for a million other hidden taxes and the cost of regulations. (h/t commenterama)

When the economy is bad enough that illegal aliens no longer want to swim the Rio Grande, you should consider whether or not you want this to be continued by the same administration for another four years. 

Timeless Tunes

There is a reason why classics are classic. This song by Tammy Wynette, first released in 1975, has proved to be timeless because it speaks to the human condition:

Sometimes its hard to be a woman
Giving all your love to just one man
You'll have bad times
And he'll have good times
Doing things that you don't understand
But if you love him you'll forgive him
Even though he's hard to understand
And if you love him
Oh be proud of him
'Cause after all he's just a man
Stand by your man
Give him two arms to cling to
And something warm to come to
When nights are cold and lonely
Stand by your man
And tell the world you love him
Keep giving all the love you can
Stand by your man
Stand by your man
And show the world you love him
Keep giving all the love you can
Stand by your man