December 29, 2013

I saw "The Wolf of Wall Street" last night, what did you think ?

Cons first: I think Martin Scorcese definitely threw in as much debauchery as he could. Some reviewers have chided him for that. I never read the book by Jordan Belfort (the protagonist), so I don't know how much of it is supposedly accurate.

Pros: It was very funny in spots and overall a pretty good view into the greed of Wall Street. The movie is 3 hours long, so go prepared.

The Wolf of Wall Street

December 28, 2013

Uplifting trance: Jakatta & Seal - My Vision (Adam Kancerski Remix)

December 27, 2013

4 Surgeries to Avoid: Reasons to think twice before going under the knife

http://www.aarp.org/health/conditions-treatments/info-05-2011/4-surgeries-to-avoid.1.html

*very heavily edited list, you can go to the link above*

1. Stents for Stable Angina

2. Complex Spinal Fusion for Stenosis

3. Hysterectomy for Uterine Fibroids

4. Knee Arthroscopy for Osteoarthritis

December 27, 2013

Vietnam War military strategy debate and the N-word, all at my Christmas dinner ugh

The Christmas dinner was at someone's house who is in my singles social group. I had no family in town for the holiday.

N-word: I'm watching a big screen TV with two other guys. I said "Who's playing ?" Then I read off the names of the NY Knicks and the Oklahoma Thunder for my own edification. The guy next to me says: " A bunch of N-words". I was absolutely fucking appalled. Scratch him off my "must talk to" list. I got away from him as fast as possible.

Vietnam War: Mind you, I know only one person at this dinner at all. The rest of the people I've either never seen before or only have met one time. A debate on the military strategy of the Vietnam War breaks out between two guys. Color me very uncomfortable, especially since 1) N-word incident only one hour previous and 2) I don't debate politics with people I don't know at a social event, it always goes south in my past experience. I know other people don't mind these debates no matter where, but my cardinal rule is to never discuss anything political with people I don't know well.

Despite all that, I managed to salvage the evening. Happy Holidays !

December 27, 2013

Benefits to end Saturday for long-term jobless

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/benefits-to-end-saturday-for-long-term-jobless/2013/12/25/b64668b6-6cb0-11e3-b405-7e360f7e9fd2_story.html

Kathy Biscotti cut back to two meals a day after losing her job over the summer. On Saturday, she must swallow an even more bitter pill: the end of her federal unemployment benefits.

An estimated 1.3 million long-term unemployed workers like Biscotti are expected to be affected when the program expires. The extended benefits, staunchly opposed by Republicans, were left out of the bipartisan federal budget agreement reached this month. Senate Democrats have vowed to make the issue a top priority when they return to Washington in January, but Biscotti says she can’t wait that long.

“I could be out on the street by then,” said the 51-year-old Baltimore resident, who lost her job as an office assistant at a real estate company in June. “I have no control over this. It’s all up to Congress.”

The emergency unemployment benefits have been a staple of Washington’s efforts to cushion Main Street from the blows of the recession for the past five years. Lawmakers have extended the program 11 times, never allowing it to lapse — until now.

December 26, 2013

Carlos Santana reunites with and helps Marcos Malone (x-post from Good News)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12671823


Old friends reunite

Stanley Roberts, a news reporter, was researching a piece on illegal dumping in Oakland when he encountered an elderly, homeless gentleman picking through some trash. Roberts was asking the man some questions and at one point he said his name was Marcus Malone and that he used to be a drummer for the band Santana, back before they became famous. Roberts then went and did some research and found an old picture of the band and sure enough, there was Marcus.

So, Roberts arranged for a heart-warming reunion between Carlos Santana and his old band mate which you can see in the video below. Carlos has now set Marcus up with an apartment, new clothes and a new set of conga drums and plans to include him on a new album to be recorded early next year. True friends are friends forever, no matter what.



“His spirit is indomitable.”

December 26, 2013

need advice on engine: used or rebuilt

Here's the situation: I gave my son my 2000 Honda Civic to use until it completely falls apart or he gets another used vehicle. Instructed him on taking care of it, oil changes, etc.

A week ago, a bolt snapped on the engine and all the oil drained out while driving. The engine froze up. The car had to be towed home. I'm getting all this info from him, so I have no idea which bolt, etc. He swears it was NOT the oil drain plug. I can easily believe that, since it is an old vehicle with 150K miles.

His older brother is good with Hondas, and is going to search the local junkyards for a used engine for the vehicle. Is this a good option versus the cost of rebuilding the engine ? Any information appreciated, thanks.

December 21, 2013

Water drops on porcelain tile and grout next to shower, reason for any concern ?

Yes, I can imagine that a few gallons of water on my porcelain tile (and its grout) would not be good for its long-term longevity. That's not my issue.

I step out of my shower and a few drops of water routinely fall on the porcelain tile. I do my best to quickly mop up the water. Do I need to be concerned at all ? Again, it's only a few drops of water. The shower is not overflowing or flooding the tile. Right now I don't have a rug/carpet there because I'm concerned about slipping and falling.

Thanks for any help and information.

Steve

eta: Edited to reflect porcelain tile and not ceramic, my bad.

December 19, 2013

Florida man caught on video trying to pay for beer with a live alligator

http://www.salon.com/2013/12/17/florida_man_caught_on_video_trying_to_pay_for_beer_with_a_live_alligator/

A man looking to trade a live, four-foot long alligator for a 12-pack of beer at a Miami convenience store was cited for the illegal possession and attempted sale of the creature, NBC News reports.

Fernando Caignet Aguilera came across the gator at a nearby park, where he trapped it, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) spokesman Jorge Pino. Although there are no specific laws that apply to Aguilera’s case, it’s illegal to harass, touch or feed alligators in the state.

FWC officials say the animal was “pretty much in good shape” after its ordeal, and they released it back into the wild.

Pino was unable to comment on why Aguilera thought the convenience store would accept payment in the form of an alligator. ”I have never experienced anything like this in 25 years in law enforcement,” he said.

*video at link*

Shakes my head.

November 10, 2013

WTH ? The Florida Gators lost to Vanderbilt ?

Will wonders never cease. Their season is sucking. I went to school there twice (never got a degree unfortunately from there ).

Vanderbilt snaps 22-game losing streak vs. Florida