Top Ten Guilty Pleasures

I think I could define my guilty pleasures as things that I love but that I might be better off keeping to myself most of the time.  No need to expose myself to unnecessary ridicule, right?  And yet, I’m blogging about it.  I just love any kind of attention, I guess.  :)

Kelly Clarkson – This is the one I get the most flak for.  But Kelly, my life would suck without you.

Nickelback – You either love ‘em or hate ‘em.  I happen to love ‘em.  (I also listened to them before they were big.  Yeah, that’s right.)

McDonalds – Double cheeseburgers, snack wraps, apple pie, coronary heart disease, mmmmmm….

Fantasy Novels – I would take a Gandalf over a Jack Ryan any day.

Lady Gaga – I get at least two Lady Gaga songs stuck in my head per day.  Don’t judge me.

Cream Cheese Frosting - Have you ever eaten a container of cream cheese frosting with a spoon?  I have.

Sour Candy - Give me a bag of Sour Patch Kids or Warheads and I’ll be happy.  Childish?  Maybe.  Delicious?  Yes.

Romantic Comedies – I used to watch them after break-ups.  And at other times.

Being Shirtless – This one doesn’t even need an explanation.

I've been working out

Blogging – I have heard it said that only in the world of blogging have so many people shared so much with so few people.  But I’m not gonna stop!  I love it too much!

Chill Out America

We’re living in very partisan times right now.  There is a lot of disagreement when it comes to politics and government policy.  Not that that’s different than any other time in American history.  But it is getting a little out of hand right now, I think.

I’m sick of the mean-ness in politics.  I’m sick of the violent action and symbolism.  It is NOT patriotic to throw bricks in windows, it is NOT patriotic to threaten our President or other politicians with violence, it is NOT patriotic for protestors to become violent, it is NOT patriotic to intimidate with threat of violence.  I’m sick of political speeches where more time is spent disparaging one’s opponents than explaining one’s own goals and ideals.  I’m sick of the junior high name-calling and intentionally offensive language that our adult politicians so casually throw around.  I’m sick of people making money from that name-calling.  I’m sick of all the political hyperbole. Healthcare reform is NOT a socialist government takeover; Obama is NOT a modern day Hitler, America is NOT on it’s way to a God-less, Communist state.  We are NOT China or North Korea or Honduras or Afghanistan or anywhere close, so let’s stop acting like our problems are as serious as theirs.  It might feel like it sometimes but the facts do not support it.

America is a democratic nation, free to determine its own course.  We have a leader elected by the voice of the people who acts on behalf of the people.  We are incredibly fortunate to have that.  If you don’t like something, change is just an election away.  It has been that way in the past and it will be that way in the future.  That’s not going to change anytime soon.

I’m sure it’s fairly obvious where I stand politically but I sincerely hope that the sentiments I’ve expressed above are bipartisan sentiments.  And wherever anyone, regardless of party affiliation or political views, acts as I’ve described, I condemn it.  I hope that reasonable Americans can agree that behavior as described above is unsustainable, counterproductive, divisive and dangerous.  Everyone is allowed to strongly disagree with current policy – it’s our right.  But if you have to disagree, do so in a civil manner.  I wager that a lot more would get done in Washington if that was the case.

My Toyota Won’t Stop! (Whatever.)

I’m sure you’ve all heard about the Toyota acceleration problems and all the recalls in the last month or so.  Now that all that stuff is out in the open there are way too many stories about uncontrollable acceleration even after the recall repairs are done.  I get the feeling that the toyota recalls are becoming a convenient excuse to cover up bad driving.

Consider the man in San Diego who couldn’t stop for the police because his car was accelerating out of control.  Ummm, really?  Or the woman in New York who ran into a building because her car wouldn’t stop.  Maybe you’re just a bad driver, ma’am (try the pedal on the left next time).  An investigation showed that the brakes were never even applied in the latter case.

There are definitely some legitimate cases out there but much of it seems a little too convenient to me.  Grow up, people.

Top Ten Things I Would Want On A Deserted Island

For the sake of being interesting, let’s assume that I can’t wish for company like my wife or friends and that my basic survival needs of food and shelter are met.  And electronics are out for obvious reasons (and I won’t wish for a generator either).  And let’s be honest, I could come up with way more than ten but these ones seem like some of the best.

1. A soccer ball (If I get lonely I can draw a face on it and call it “Adidas”)

2. Boggle, with paper and pencil to keep score (Nerd Alert!)

3. A big knife (there are so many fun things you can do with a good knife)

4. A journal and writing utensils (when I finally get off the island it would become a bestseller)

5. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (sharpen the saw, Peter.  sharpen the saw.)

6. A skim board or boogie board (hopefully the surf’s good)

7. A set of encyclopedia and a dictionary (I like knowledge.  And I’m a nerd.)

8. A planisphere (psst… it’s an easy-to-use star chart)

9. Sunglasses (if I didn’t have them, I’d be wishing for them)

10. Lots of toilet paper (I know you agree with me on this one)

My Oscar Predictions

I haven’t seen all the movies that have been nominated this year but that’s not going to stop me from predicting a few winners and sharing some thoughts about this years nominees.  So don’t give me any crap about it. :)

BEST PICTURE

Will go to either Avatar or The Hurt Locker.  Personally, I think it should go to The Hurt Locker, but I think there’s a good chance it will go to Avatar.  I think Avatar was a great movie, very enjoyable and groundbreaking but not a Best Picture.  The Hurt Locker was a great movie and is very deserving of Best Picture.

The Blind Side and District 9 were also great films but not Best Picture material.  Up was very good, too, but I feel a little bitter that it gets a Best Picture nod while Wall-E, last year, did not.  I thought Wall-E was far better and should have received the nomination.  Up will probably win Best Animated Feature, though.  The other Best Picture nominees I haven’t seen but I feel comfortable saying that they will not win this Oscar.

BEST ACTOR

The only nominee whose movie I’ve seen is Jeremy Renner and I think he’ll be more than happy with his nomination and the award will go to a more seasoned actor.  I feel like Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela is inspired but my guess is that George Clooney or Jeff Bridges will take it.

BEST ACTRESS

I feel even less knowledgeable about this category but my guess is Sandra Bullock or Gabourey Sidibe will take it.

BEST DIRECTOR

James Cameron.  Everybody else, thanks for coming.

What do Sidney Crosby and OK GO have in common?

They were both the subjects of some very interesting material on my Google Reader this morning.  And now I will share it with you…

First, remember how Sidney Crosby scored the winning goal in the gold medal game last week?  And remember how he threw off his gloves and stick?  Well, that stick and one of those gloves is missing and Reebok is offering a $10,000 reward for their return.  Crazy, eh?  Now that’s a Canadian legend in the making.  Check out the article.

Second, the band Ok Go released a new video last week.  You may remember them for their treadmill video (which I have also included, just in case you haven’t seen it yet).  The song is called “This Too Shall Pass” and the video is pure genius.  Enjoy.