File Under: Birthday X 3

It's birthday day here at Casa de Smith. With Ellyn, Erik, and Lynn sharing this day, it makes it quite the festive day. Their combined age this year is 74.

File Under: D.A.O.T.D.

Last night I was installing a paper towel rack in the new camper. As I reached for the drill, I apparently knocked it off the counter and on to my foot. I yowled (surprisingly profanity free), and limped up stairs, with blood eeping out of a new hole in my foot.

Ellyn and I managed to soak and wash the injury. After some color returned to my face, I bandaged the injury and went about my work.

This morning the injury was a bruise color and still bleeding a little. I decided a trip to the ER wasn't a bad idea. I went, sat for 1:15 only to be told with out seeing any one that I should go home because they were too busy for me.

I went back around 1pm to find them still 3 hours behind. If they are so busy why haven't they called in help? Who knows, other than they are all probably playing the in the Golf Tournament.

File Under: Sweaty Politician

The Chicago Tribune story "Edwards joins Armstrong on ride across Iowa."
I like Edwards, I liked him last time. He announced his candidacy on the Daily Show in 2004 and has worked tirelessly for the impoverished people of this country since the Kerry/Edwards campaign was defeated (robbed of Ohio more like it) in 2004.

I like him because he is willing to be covered in sweat and drink a beer during the campaigning season, also I agree with him that universal health care is necessary here. It is key to maintaining any sort of middle class. People have tended to think of universal health care as a benefit to the poor. This is far removed from the truth, as those of us in the middle class, who have insurance, or make enough to have to pay our medical bills, are paying for all those that can't.

We pay in our insurance premiums and in the cost of services. The rich people don't feel it the same as the middle class because of the percentage of income this represents. We feel every ripple, while they barely notice. However as more and more middle class people lose insurance, and are not able to pay the increasing price of health care, the rich will be the ones footing the bill under our current system. I wonder how long it will take to get universal heath care then?

File Under: Camp Backyard

We picked up the new camper tonight, we are mostly moved in, and ready for sleep. The kids are sacked out. We are sleeping in it tonight, it has AC.

File Under: Leading Dems Clash

An interesting little piece, that leads me to believe that a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket might no happen.

File Under: 1 Fish, 2 Fish, Dead Fish, Smell Fish

Those poor people at Roque Bluffs. This summer's tourist season hasn't been spectacular and no a huge stinky fish kill on top of that, not good for business.

I am also concerned by any mass fish kill. What is wrong out there that caused such a thing (bracing for claims of apocalypse).

File Under: 9 Million Geeks Can't Be Wrong

World of Warcraft hits 9 million subscribers and it is easy to see why.

File Under: Bancrofts-Hold Your Ground

Although I may not always agree with the editorial slant of the Wall Street Journal, I do find the paper to have integrity and standards. Which, is more than anyone can say for Newscorp owned by the infamous Rupert Murdoch. In a pricey bid to buy the Dow Jones and the WSJ, Rupert has garnered the approval of the Dow Jones board.

Now we have to wait on the Bancroft family to make their decision. I hope that their previous misgivings will play out and the sale will be blocked. I can't stand to see the erosion of one of the last bastions of journalistic integrity.

File Under: "I'm a Mac" "and I'm a PC"

Chicago Sun-Times article driving home the growing metaphor of Obama as Apple and Clinton as PC. Bush would be that horrible ET game for the Atari 2600 that almost ended video gaming.

FIle Under: A$$hole assumes Presidency

This CNN piece tells us the story of how one asshole assumed the Presidency while the President's asshole was invaded by a scope. While Bush was under Cheney got to officially play Prez. In his brief stint he managed not to invade Iran. I am so proud.

I find it more interesting that Laura was in Texas for her mom's birthday. Apparently, medical issues don't require a wife's attention. Then again, he scheduled it during his mother in-law's birthday, so maybe there is some passive-aggressive behavior going on here.

File Under: Subtext

This post on Alternet, about the correlation between racism and the war on gays and abortion. I find the concept more plausible than I like. I can not understand how people can have so much hate in their hearts. Even more disturbing is their use of the moniker of Christian.

File Under: "This is Your War"

I found this on Penguin Monkey. I am posting it because things of this nature need as much exposure as possible.

File Under: D.A.O.T.D.

And the Dumb Ass of the Day award goes to...ME!

I had to drive to Houlton today to change the locks and safe combo, due to a management change. I was cruising back, fat dumb and happy. Actually more like in a daze. I passed through Mars Hill, and didn't go up route 1 as usual, I had to drop of the new key to the opening manager for tomorrow. This subtle change in direction messed up my autopilot. Enough, in fact, to land me a $185 ticket for doing 44 in a 25 (that's $9.74 per mile over, in case you were counting).

I can't contest it, I was in a fog, only making sure there was nothing to hit in my way. I didn't even see the Statey, probably because he was in a Yukon instead of a cruiser. He was appropriately brusque. I always enjoy that feeling of being chastised. Nothing is as fantastic as being treated like a child when you are 34.

The worst part for me, is the death of a 15 year old clean record. Strangely enough, my last (and previously only) ticket was in Bridgewater, another little craptastic town between here and Houlton. These are the types of places that get bypassed in areas with money to do it.

To all this I say quite simply "PPPPHHHHHHFFFFTTTTT!!!!!!!"

File Under: We finally did it.

After a couple of years of looking at campers, and floor plans, and prices and on and on. We finally have gone for the upgrade. We have have opted for a Salem 19EX. The "ex" stands for expandable. The sleeping bunks are still tent, like the pop up but the body has walls and all the services of a full size TT. These are often called hybrids or HTT (hybrid travel trailer). We are very excited and plan on camping more that it won't take 3-4 hours to pack up before closing up. Here is the floor plan:

File Under: Erik and Addy having dessert at the new digs

File Under: Maine fights Tobacco Companies

A Forbes article about the ongoing battle between Maine and the Big Tobacco a-holes who don't want to pay their agreed to bills. With any luck they will have to (excuse the pun) cough up the rest of the money.

File Under: Weren't we just talking about this

This User Friendly kind of drives home the discussion at Addy's birthday about net speak and it's migration to everyday usage.

File Under: Music por vous.

Play list on Rhapsody

There are 22 tracks, and you can listen to 25 tracks per month free, so I left you with 3.

File Under: Demon Magic (Explicit Language but funny as #^@&)

File Under: Dammit

I just got back from my bi-annual physical. All is well except...I need to cut my caffeine intake in half and need to have an endoscope. Dr, Riley is concerned that my acid reflux may still be doing damage. So I need to stop pissing off my stomach with caffeine, esp. soda. I have no idea how I am going to function.

File Under: :)

File Under: We survived

We are home safe and sound. All and all we had a good week in Jonesport. They say there are only 3 good days in Jonesport, and we got 4 of them, so no real complaints. Although, both Josh and I are of the opinion that Thursday morning's heavy rain and wind whipping off the water were quite uncalled for. The more extreme weather was a learning experience for us.

The kids played very well together, and sharing most of the time. A sore spot was the kid swing. Ethan and Addy were both vying for time in it. Erik and Emma got along pretty well, and were good little helpers when it came to shepherding the other two.

I even managed a few paddles, and took Erik with me a couple of times. I even shared and let some others use the Heritage while I took the Pungo. Josh went out Monday, Kristen and Emma the next, Wednesday saw Josh and Emma, Andrew, and Ellyn all getting turns. By the time I got off the water I was white with salt. Good times. ;)

The campfire and the company were good as usual and Uncle Eric enjoyed regaling us with the fooky and teepy (Emma speak for spooky and creepy) tale of Liz Rachel. The story is best relayed around a campfire in Jonesport, suffice to say it had me on the alert during those late night tree watering moments.

I have added some pics, from last week on my Flickr account.