"Old Tune but Still a Thought Provoker"

YouTube - Original Eve of Destruction Edited for Barry McGuire Remember this song? I do. (Click the Link). This song came out during the Vietnam War era and the lyrics still seem to be relevant for the world situation today. This video does make one ponder the near future as we face today many earth changing events such as erupting volcanoes, riots in the streets of Greece and Thailand, Islamofascist terrorism, earthquakes, tsunamis, massive wildfires, to name a few. There always seems to be something going on throughout our recent history although there do seem to be more tragic happenings at the present time; although some of this may be due to the omnipresent media and Internet coverage where world events are instantly broadcast throughout the world at almost the speed of light.

Maybe we are on the eve of destruction or maybe the dawn,early morning, morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, early evening, or late evening of the day before the eve of destruction. Then again, maybe not. I don't know. What do you think?

"The Tour Bike"

My new bike wanted to go for a ride today and explore the Cape Rail Trail section of the trail from Dennis Port to Chatham here on Cape Cod and I thought "What the heck, if the bike wants to go exploring I'll come along for the ride." It was a sunny afternoon and not too hot or cold so my bike and I rode out to the Chatham Airport and back. My bike insisted that I take a picture of it with the small planes in the background.

My bike seemed to "hum along" as it rode the bike path and I'm sure it enjoyed seeing some new scenery as it had only been in the Mashpee and Falmouth areas of the Cape prior to this ride.

I enjoyed the ride as well and I'm glad my bike thought of this ride today for the "bike tour".

"Memorial Day"

This weekend should be a time to commemorate and remember the American soldier who fought for our freedom; many who died or were injured during the various wars and conflicts throughout our nation's history. I believe Memorial Day was first established to remember the Civil War soldiers as this war had a great loss of life for both the North and the South with the conclusion of this war resulting in the preservation of the United States and the abolition of slavery in America.

In our country the President of the United States is deemed "The Commander in Chief " of our military. It is customary that the President lay a wreath at "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" as a remembrance for the soldiers who fought and died for America some of whom their remains could not be recovered as a show of respect for their ultimate sacrifice of giving their life for their country. While it is true that not every President since the Civil War has laid a wreath during Memorial Day at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier; the vast majority have made the effort to honor the fallen heroes.

Our current president I guess had other plans this weekend. Instead of honoring the efforts of the soldiers; he decided that he and his family would go back to Chicago for a mini vacation where he made time to play basketball and maybe play a little golf, although I'm not sure if he played golf yet this weekend.

I don't know about you, but in addition to remembering the soldiers this "Memorial Day" I'll be remembering the actions of our president in November 2010 and 2012. Hopefully after the 2012 election our president can practice his cross over dribble and golf to his heart's content as a private citizen.

" Food for Thought"

YouTube - Morrissey - Meat Is Murder I just finished a juicy succulent steak on my outdoor gas barbecue grill. Yum ! Yum! I enjoy the taste of dead cow flesh as I topped this steak with A1 Sauce and home made sea salt. Do you eat meat? Do you condone the killing of innocent animals just to stuff your belly with their tasty flesh as these poor animals sacrifice their life for us humans? I do, these dead animals taste great!! (Click the Link to see Morrissey sing the song "Meat is Murder?). In the karma/ dharma wheel of life someone has to be at the top of the food chain; furthermore, sometimes sharks eat humans as well as cases of lions, tigers and bears (Oh My!) eating humans. I used to enjoy drinking the blood of a cooked roast beef and sometimes mixing the cooked blood with mashed potato. This tasty treat has a lot of protein.

I have nothing against vegetarians. To each his own. Hey, some cultures eat cats, bats, and dogs. Who am I to judge what is right or wrong as far as eating habits are concerned. That "Andrew Zimmern " guy on the food channel makes a career out of eating exotic things. But, where do the vegetarians draw the line? In effect eating fish is murder. Also, from the perspective of a carrot harvesting this carrot is a death sentence for that poor innocent carrot.

"Food for thought" as we enter the start of the barbecue season here in the "Northern Hemisphere". Hey, coyotes and foxes here on Cape Cod eat cats and small dogs as well as cute little bunnies they find hop, hop,hopping along and they don't seem to feel guilty about it. So enjoy your Memorial Day barbecue (or not) and remember (or not) that some innocent animal sacrificed their life for your meal.

Antidisestablishmentarianism, Pro or Anti

What is your opinion of antidisestablishmentarianism? Are you pro antidisestablishmentarianism or anti antidisestablishmentarianism? Me, I'm anti antidisestablishmentarianism. I've researched this concept and I just feel this is the proper position for me.

Antidisestablishmentarianism, as we all know is a very popular and frequently used concept and word; particularly in today's society and world events as well as of course in 19th century England. It is said by some people that antidisestablishmentarianism is one of the first words that many babies say when they first learn how to speak; particularly babies born to clergy parents. I know "Mary Poppins" in the movies besides singing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" on Sunday mornings would often hum to herself "antidisestablishmentarianism" while measuring out spoonfuls of sugar.

Many people consider antidisestablishmentarianism to be one of their favorite words with the possible exception of people suffering from hippotomonstrequippedaliophobia.

"It's Like Riding A Bike!"

I bought a new to me bike today, a 2008 Marin "Argenta" 27 speed road bike. I was surfing the Internet last night and I came across this website by some guy named Craig that had millions of listings for all sorts of items for sale as well as links for job openings, personal ads, and many more goods and services. I don't know how Craig has time to add all these things to his website . In addition, it looks like Craig has other websites for different areas of the country and world besides just Boston ( the Hub of the Universe) and scenic Cape Cod.

This Marin bike came as well with bike shoes, a bike pump, a bike helmet, a pair of bicycle shorts, and two custom bike shirts. The previous owner stated that he had only ridden this bike a little over 300 miles so the bike is virtually new. I was able to purchase this bike at a substantial discount similar to how you can usually get a better value purchasing an almost new car versus a brand new car. In new cars you do get though to enjoy that "new car smell". The new smell is probably found as well when you buy a new bike but the savings realized by not having the "new bike smell" was worth it. Besides, I'm not that into sniffing bicycle seats so I would rather forgo the new seat smell to save some "Benjamins".

This is the first bike I have ever owned that requires custom bike shoes that fit into the custom pedals. I was slightly apprehensive about this but I was able to "snap in" the bike shoes into the pedals and start riding right from the start. In fact, I had such a quick learning curve on figuring how to operate the new pedal system and the gear shifting located on the bike handle near the brakes that I said to myself, "Wow! This is easy. It's just like riding a bike!"

Let's Get SERIOUS!

House passes beer resolution - PATRICK GAVIN POLITICO CLICK Finally, Congress is tackling some of the more important issues of the day. Click this link to read about a very important House Resolution 1297 regarding supporting the "goals and ideals of American Craft Beer Week". I like beer. Beer is good. I too support anything favorable regarding beer. With all the problems brewing in this country; it is important to take time to salute American Brew masters. I'm glad Congress is supporting America's craft beer makers and not wasting time on trivial things such as the high debt, unemployment, and rampant government spending. Here here for Beer! Yeaaaaa BEER!! For those about to drink. We salute you!

"It wasn't ME"

Boy’s Tragic Death Could Have Happened To Any Family With 20-Foot Pet Python The Onion - America's Finest News Source Onion News Network Here is a very sad and tragic tale of young Zack Shaw and the family pet 300 pound python named "Jaws". In an unbelievable and completely unexpected accident "Jaws" swallowed young Zack. They interview "Rich Shaw" the father of this young boy along with his wife Lisa who were quite distraught for some reason after losing their son. For the record, I just want to state that this is not me they are talking about. I'm Rick Shaw, I'm not "Rich". Sometimes I wish I was "Rich"; but with all the talk about "taxing the Rich" in Washington D.C. I guess it is good not to be "Rich". You never hear politicians talk about "taxing the Rick" or that "the Rick don't pay their fair share".

So, once again that wasn't me in this video. I don't have a pet python; or even a pet garden snake. There are plenty of "Shaws" in the world but we all don't have pythons for pets.

Big Dogg - Kentucky Balla

Kentucky Violated NCAA Rules While Recruiting Basketball-Playing Dog The Onion - America's Finest News Source Onion News Network Watch this video. I find this DEPLORABLE that Kentucky Coach John Calipari would stoop to unbelievable tactics in his recruitment of "Fetch" the basketball playing dog. It just isn't fair that some coaches will break the rules just to get a recruit such as "Fetch". Imagine buying a house in addition to a tick bath just to sign a highly touted player.

makin' dinner.mpg

Here's a video of dinner preparations for my Mom's 80th birthday party held at brother Steve's house last October. Prime rib, lobster, and a spinach dish were among the dinner treats. We had spinach because we knew in the future Michele Obama would want us to eat some vegetables.

Simsbury Mountain view

Here's a short clip of the top of the hiking trail in Simsbury, Connecticut overlooking the Farmington River Valley. On the other side of the valley is Heublein Tower which is kind of like a castle where Gilbert and Louis Heublein used to live and is now a part of a state park. I worked there one Summer while I was a student at the University of Connecticut and had to tell the visitors the history of the tower. I used to camp on this mountain while in high school with my friends in the Summer as well as in the Winter. We would often light large camp fires and then cook steaks and smoke "Tiparillo" cigars.

"Leave the Flying to Them"

I noticed recently that New York Senator Charles Schumer is leading the crusade against airlines such as Spirit Airline who recently announced a fee for carry on luggage that doesn't fit under the seat and must be stored in the overhead bins. I'm not sure why the government thinks it has to get involved in a private enterprise such as Spirit Airline and its decisions on how it wants to operate their business. If the public doesn't want to pay this fee they are free to choose to fly another airline, take the bus, or train, drive, ride a horse,bike, hitchhike, or teleconference instead of paying this baggage fee. Part of the reason I'm sure of Senator Schumer's concern is that the federal government collects a 7.5 % fee on the cost of an airline ticket but no tax on non-essential services. Last January apparently, the Treasury department issued a ruling calling carry on luggage a non-essential item and not subject to the tax.

To me, one should consider the various factors involved such as the total price of the airplane trip, the flight times offered, and the quality of service provided by the airline and then compare this price and value with that offered by other airlines, and alternative means of transportation. We don't need the government to decide this for us. Next thing you know they will be telling us what to eat. Oh wait! Michelle Obama is already trying to do this with her "Move and eat your broccoli" campaign.

Why doesn't Senator Schumer go after the high cost of a Maybach automobile while he is at it? A 2010 Maybach 57 has a list price of $366,000.
How can a car company produce a car that just is not affordable to the masses?

I say let the free market economy decide if charging for luggage is a good idea. If people don't think it is a good idea then they will take their business somewhere else. "Leave the flying to them", Senator Schumer and maybe you would have time to consider how to reduce the cost of government.

"The Dyslexic Pirate"

The dyslexic pirate was wounded as he and his fellow pirates were boarding a British frigate off the coast of Jamaica. This pirate was in a lot of pain and losing some blood as he was slashed in the arm by a sailor's sword as the sailor was trying to defend the rum cargo of the boat bound for Savannah, Georgia. The pirate was feeling weak and faintly whispered over and over again "murmur, murmur". This pirate wanted revenge and his thoughts were filled with visions of "red rum".

"The Straw Man"

YouTube - The Straw Guru- Caron Butler Here's a video (click the You Tube link) of former University of Connecticut (UCONN) and current NBA Dallas Maverick basketball star Caron Butler and his blindfolded test to see if he can pick out his favorite straw (McDonald's of course) out of a selection of fifteen straws. Caron prefers chewing on a straw while resting on the bench instead of chewing gum. Recently, I believe, the NBA has banned straw chewing during a game while sitting on the bench. I wonder if the chewing gum lobby influenced the NBA front office to reach their decision. Maybe the hamburger and other fast food companies not named McDonald's had an influence in this decision as the distinctive size,shape, texture, and colors of the McDonald's straw could be viewed as an advertisement. I know that professional basketball players are not allowed to sew advertisements on to their NBA basketball uniforms or wear headbands with advertisements on them. Another potential influence to the "straw ban" may be the stadium owners who want people to buy their $8.00 beers and expensive ice filled soft drinks as this business could be curtailed if everybody started to chew on straws instead of buying gum, or the variety of refreshments offered by the stadium vendors. Maybe the stadium owners were concerned that too many children and adults might starting running around with straws in their mouth and risking either choking on the straws or running into someone while having a straw sticking out of their mouth and accidentally poking out someone's eye.

As a freshman at Marietta College back in 1972; I had a roommate named Chris G. that was a "Coca-Cola expert". I remember that he claimed that he could distinguish the taste difference between "Coke" from a glass bottle, versus "Coke" from a can, or plastic bottle. We set up a "Coca-Cola" challenge for Chris and sure enough he could taste the difference and correctly report which soda came from which type of container. Maybe Caron and Chris should take their respective skills on the road together as straws do sometimes go with drinking soft drinks.

"Seal Beach"

Today a three month old baby seal washed up on to the sandy shore of the Soundings Motel here in Dennis Port on Cape Cod. This picture was taken by "SV" who works at the front office. I went down and saw the seal but I didn't have a camera with me. My cell phone has a picture capability but I don't use e-mail on my phone so I didn't bother to take a picture with my phone.

When I saw this little seal it was sunbathing and sleeping on the beach. A few people walking the beach got real close to this sleeping seal and I had to tell them to stay at least fifty feet away as sometimes these seals dream of fish and if they are having a vivid fish dream them may lunge at you and try to bite off your toes.

Each year the motels have various inspections by the town officials for the rooms, swimming pools, and dining areas. This year this seal was our beach inspector. The seal came on its own and enjoyed a warm sunny Spring day. The seal rated our beach "two paws up" and gave the beach its "seal of approval".