Why Consumers Need X Ray Vision

Today my wife was preparing some Chicken & Canned Potatos that I purchaced from our local Giant Supermarket. Imagine the look on her face when she found Kidney Beans in the can. At least it wasn't a dead rat, like I remember GINO's rumoured to have had cooked in place of their chicken back in the 70's.

Hacked Again

In an eariler post, I told how one of my other web sites was hacked. Tonight, as I was checking my referrer logs on this site, I came across a Google search of Clifton Rams.Buy XenicalBuy Xanax Buy Phentermine mp3 players, etc, was not something that I authored. It seems that yet again, my iPowerWeb server (The same company that hosts this site) was compromised by some scum sucking prick. By using a flaw in PHP, these losers can inject script into any html page. To put penis enlargement pill website links on a site that is about youth football and cheerleading is sick. At any rate, the damage is done. Google has spidered the page and until they re index it, the porn and pill links will still be associated with it. The good thing is that the web tech who answered my call was fast to delete the offending code, and offered to keep an eye on any other malicious attacks. Time for some shut eye.

Nittany Lions Cap Championship Season with 3OT Orange Bowl Victory over Florida State, 26-23

Kevin Kelly and the Nittany Lions proved the adage that the third time's the charm. In the third overtime period of the 72nd FedEx Orange Bowl, Penn State’s defense held Florida State to a field goal attempt, which Gary Cismesia bounced off the right upright and missed. Kevin Kelly – who had chances to win the game at the end of regulation and in the first overtime, ended the five hour contest when he converted a 29-yard field goal on the ensuing series. Meeting for just the third time in their storied histories, Penn State defeated Florida State 26-23 in triple overtime in front of 77,773 at Dolphins Stadium in South Florida. Good for them. Good for Joe Pa. I actually thought this wasn't going to be close but that's why they play the games. I always admired Joe Pa for sticking to his guns and his old-ways mentality of education first, not letting freshman start. Unfortuantely for him that doesn't work anymore. These kids don't go to college to earn a degree, they go to college to learn how to play football. Sure not all of them are like that but most of them are. I'm glad he changed with the times which is allowing him to stick around longer. Those kids need him to help them figure things out and act as a father figure. He's not just a football coach. I do wish colleges would just give up and let them major in football. To me the degrees earned by others are soured by those allowed to drift through due to their skillset being more physical than mental especially considering the schools they get to go to. Just let them major in sports if they want to. I had to decide my future and what I wanted to study let them do the same. Giving many of these kids a piece of paper from a prestigious university is a farse. This is why I will never fully embrace NCAA football.

U. Darby police face no charges in DUI case

U. Darby police face no charges in DUI case A yearlong grand jury probe had studied the quashed drunken-driving arrest of a "friend" of the department. By Jeff Shields Inquirer Staff Writer No criminal charges will be filed against current or former Upper Darby police officials in connection with the alleged attempt to quash a drunken-driving case for a "friend" of the department. A yearlong grand jury investigation by the Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office closed last month without criminal charges. Delaware County District Attorney G. Michael Green said he was informed yesterday by letter. "There was insufficient evidence to conclude that there was a deliberate attempt by anyone on the Upper Darby police force to obstruct justice," said Kevin Harley, spokesman for Attorney General Tom Corbett. The attorney general opened an investigation in December 2004 after a series of Inquirer stories documented the handling of a 2003 drunken-driving arrest. Over the 12 months of the grand jury's investigation, at least 20 Police Department employees were called to testify. Dante Panichi 3d of Bala Cynwyd was arrested Feb. 27, 2003, and charged with drunken driving - his fourth such arrest - but was released the next morning without prosecution. Arresting Officer Jerome Brown said a superior officer called him the next day and informed him that Panichi was "a friend of ours," according to Brown's attorney. The paperwork linked to the arrest disappeared. After the Inquirer stories, Green reopened the case, while also asking the attorney general to investigate. It is common for district attorneys to ask the attorney general to handle investigations involving police departments in their counties, Harley said. Panichi was convicted in April and is serving 15 to 30 months in prison. Police Superintendent Vincent J. Ficchi retired in September and was replaced by longtime Philadelphia Police Officer Michael Chitwood Sr.

Support American Cows

The next time you reach for that container of Coffee Mate or any other "Non Dairy" creamer for your cup of java think about this: Silicon Dioxide is an additive to "Keep the flow going" as you pour it. I'm no molucular scientist or anything but we are "Carbon Based" life forms, not made of sand. Just the more the reason to milk a cow or better yet drink it black. Note to self: Remember that in Wawa tomorrow morning. Cheers.

2006 - A Turning Point?

It's a new year. So what is everyone going to do with it? Me, I figured that I would try to work harder, be more caring towards others, and try to stay away from politics. It seems that in the blogosphere one can quickly get a name for themselves, either as a good or a bad person. I myself have been labeled by some as a bad man. Why? Because I cannot stand George Bush nor anyone in Washington weather they are Republican or Democrat. I feel that the Republican party has been hi- jacked, and America is on a downword sprial to a third wold status. Iraq, Iran, China, Russia, Gasoline prices, North Korea, Karl Rove, Bushgate, all of these and more have dominated the net during the past year. What I want to see in 2006 is for someone like John McCain to step up and out of his shell, to lead the Republican party in 2008. Am I asking too much? Is McCain just another shill for the real people in control? I hope not. Now for the real things that concern me. One is the passing of my ex Father In Law, Grandpop to my two daughters. He died on December 31st, around 5:00 pm. My younger daughter Natalie called me.(Her 20th Birthday was 1/2/06). She and her Sisters, Mom, etc are devastated. I cannot even bring myself to call, because I should be there in person to try and comfort them. As I get older it seems that things get more complicated and you need more time to do the things you want. It's late so I'll leave it at that.

One Year Ago Today: The Indian Ocean Tsuami

One year ago today The Indian Ocean Tsuami (Video) swept away entire villages in Aceh and Sri Lanka. Overall it killed over 200,000 people in 12 countries and displaced millions. Some say that it was a "man made" event, being that a certain military installation was warned hours before. So what did cause the Indian Ocean Tsuami? I find it hard to believe that no plausable explanation has been reached. I don't buy the "Man Made" thing though. In any case, Petra Nemcova, a Czech born model, soon became the main attraction as her story of holding on for dear life for eight hours spread throughout the MSM. One thing is for sure: If something happens once, it surely can happen again. Could this happen to the east coast of our country? Some say it can and will. Bottom line is if it did there would at best be 2-3 hours of time to warn and evacuate millions. Makes you think the next time your down the shore, eh?

Merry Christmas

I just wanted to wish everyone a very happy, safe and joyous holiday. Merry Christmas! :)

Handgun Versus Woman

A little something I stole from Kate while she was away at her new job. The Top Ten Reasons Why a Handgun Is Better Than a Woman 10. You can trade an old .44 for two new .22s 9. You can keep one handgun at home and have another for when you're on the road. 8. If you admire a friend's handgun, and tell him so, he will probably let you try it out a few times. 7. Your primary handgun doesn't mind if you have a backup. 6. Your handgun will stay with you even if you're out of ammo. 5. A handgun doesn't take up a lot of closet space. 4. Handguns function normally every day of the month. 3. A handgun doesn't ask "Do these new grips make me look fat?" 2. A handgun doesn't mind if you go to sleep after you use it. AND.....THE NUMBER ONE REASON WHY A HANDGUN IS BETTER THAN A WOMAN.... 1. You can buy a silencer for a handgun.

Big Box Companies...oye...

---caution: long post--- Start Scene 1:00pm - pick up phone - dial Lowes of N. Wilmington, DE (wait on hold) 'how can I help you' "flooring please" (wait on hold) 'hello how can I help you' "hi how are you doing this morning" *yes I usually do start with this. Damn nice guy syndrome or something* 'good and you' "I have a little issue, I signed a contract and paid for flooring and haven't heard anything. I know it takes like 2 weeks for the carpet to come in and after it comes your contractor has 48hrs to call me but I haven't heard anything from anyone and its beyond the 2 weeks" 'oh well I'm not at a computer right now, I'm actually standing watch at a forklift, can I take your name/number and call you back' "I'd rather not, can you transfer me to someone who can answer my question" *seriously, why pick up the phone if you can't help. and no, I will not leave my name/number. I have never ever ever had anyone from any company ever call me back when they said they would. yeah I do know why, minimizing on hold time is probably some company priority but its worse if I do talk to someone who can't answer the question* (noise, people talking, I obviously wasn't getting transfered and instead was on 'active hold' while she just stood there) 'are you still there?' *where was I gonna go?* "yes I'm here" *blahblahblah its crazy busy I don't care I'm annoyed that you answered the phone though you were obviously incapable of helping at the time since you were elsewhere, which is fine just don't answer the phone then* 'ok this shows your carpet came in Wednesday, let me transfer you to the install department and you'll work it out with them' "whatever needs to happen, thanks" (wait on hold) (hear, BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP really loud) "yeah that's not fun, let's not do that" 'oh your still there? hang on' "Install" (insert spheal) 'ok I will contact the contractor and get him to schedule an install date with you' "So I signed a contract that you didn't follow (e.g. me getting called within 48hrs) and all that happens is you call the contractor?" 'yes, let me contact him and get him to call you' "is there a manager around' 'Hang on...wait he left his phone here, hang on...wait he's in a meeting, no wait there he is' *what the!?* 'can I help you?' (insert spheal) "ok let us call the contractor so he can call you and schedule an install" 'yeah but, I didn't get called within the 48hrs as in the contract and nothing happens?' "we'll call the contractor and get you set up" *he just wasn't taking the hint* 'so you didn't follow the contract and nothing happens' "I'm not trying to argue with you I just want to get you schedule" 'I signed a contract to get flooring and part of that was being informed within a certain timeframe which didn't happen and I get no compensation that you didn't follow the contract' *either he was annoyed that I stated basically that same thing again OR because I inserted the word compensation. I'm going with compensation* (louder annoyed voice) 'let us call the contractor and then we can discuss compensation' "ok, thank you" End Scene Start Scene 1:40pm (receiving phone call) 'can I speak with ?' *40 minutes turn around time. not too bad considering he's probably on the job. I KNEW I was goign to get a call pretty soon. I also was pretty sure it would be a waist of time call...see below* "speaking" 'yeah his this is Lowe's said you want your carpet installed?' *no I want it to sit in a warehouse. I paid for it up front and signed a contract to get it installed which included you coming over and doing measurements and a detailed estimate only for me to use it as compost.* "yes" 'I have nothing available up until christmas but I'm not in the office right now I'm on a job so I can't schedule anything until I get back to the office' *don't call me and waist my time! I know why you called me, because lowe's called you and said they're some crazy guy all pissed off (though I'm more annoyed than pissed off) so they asked that you call me right away to lessen my pissed-off-ness though all it did was increase it because you waisted my time* "ok just call me later" End Scene Start Scene 5:57pm (receiving phone call) 'hi can I speak with ' *yes. we only own cell phones. we do not have a home phone number. if anyone answers this particular phone number you have it will 99.9% of the time be the person you want to speak with* "speaking" 'hi this is I just got a cancellation on the 22nd' "um, let me get my calendar (fumble to get out MobilePro)...um, yeah ok 22nd is fine" *22nd actually kinda stinks but given the way the day went screw it, I'll take another day off to get this done. Plus it will hopefully be done off-gassing while we're away* 'ok, um, are you taking the carpet off yourself' "yes I am, so what are the logistics of this? What's the timeframe" 'well since your taking the existing carpet up yourself just one day' "what time will you be showing up" 'probably 9/9:30' *LOVE the specifics!* "speaking of tearing up the carpet, do you need me to remove the doors?* 'um, no we can do that, that's not a big deal' "ok, see you on the 22nd" End Scene I'm convinced there was no 'cancellation' and that it was either Lowe's giving him shit or Lowe's sweatening the pot for him. That depends on if the contractor was ever informed that my carpet came in. Whatever happened between the big box and their contractor is between them, my contract is with Lowes and THEY are to perform. If they get a contractor that's their perogative. Why do I even care? Well all I know is if the roles were reversed, if the little guy screwed up the big box company would have no problem screwing me over. That's why. What do I want? Heck give me a freaking lowe's gift card with 10% or even 5% of my purchase price on it. Ensures my business with you isn't impacted by your screw-up. I mean, there is a home depot a hell of a lot closer to my house. If they don't give me anything I know I can't do anything about it, but, I might as well try. I'm more annoyed that things didn't happen like big box company should ensure they do. I hate that I have to keep constant watch over anything I'm involved in and things just don't work they way they should. I shouldn't have to deal with this, THEY should be dealing with it. Why do I pay money? I mean I could've just bought the material, hauled it home, picked some carpet install guy from the yellow pages and had NONE of this. I went with this due to NOT having to deal with issues but what am I doing? Dealing with issues. I owe it to all the little guy's people out there to try to get something out of this.