Biggest lies people tell

Ever tell a lie? Perhaps  a white lie just to spare someone’s feelings? Maybe you’ve told a down right whopper of a fib…?   Below is a list of some of the Biggest lies people tell. 

• Your baby is so cute. 
• Hold on, I’ll connect you right away! 
• You really shouldn’t have spent so much. 
• This is a limited time offer, and is yours only if you call now! 
• Well, we can still be good friends. 
• Then you take a left, you can’t miss it.
•  I’ve never done anything like this before! 
• It’s delicious but I can’t eat another bite. 
• Go ahead, you can tell me, I won’t get mad.
• I’m just a social drinker. 
• You don’t need it in writing, it’s my personal guarantee!
• Its alright, it happens to everyone.

Abe Lincoln

11/4/1842 – Abraham Lincoln, then age 33 ties the knot with Mary Todd who is 23.  The marriage took place in Springfield Illinois.  Now, if you know anything about Lincoln history (especially if you are a  good Illinois resident),  then you know that Mary was off her nut… She was crazy… psychotic!  But there are some who believe it was her constant nagging and driving of her hubby that may have been the key to his success in becoming president.

 There are other’s who believed that John Wilkes Booth was actually hired by Lincoln… but missed Mary.

Hand’s free phones

Regular readers of my blog know that I am not a fan of people who are on their cell phone while driving.  Previous entries outline the numerous times I was nearly run off the road by someone who was otherwise occupied by a phone conversation instead of concentrating on the road.  Slowly but surely jurisdictions across the U.S. are imposing restrictions on cell phone use while driving, and to overcome those challenges some folks have invested in a “hands free” system.

In theory, a hands free phone in the car would allow you to carry on your conversation while still keeping both hands on the wheel and allow the cell phone obsessed to maintain their “Call me anytime” mentality, but instead it opens the doors to all new dangers.
  Not only do your eyes leave the road to dial and pick up, but you have to reach to do it. 
  Volume issues distract when having to increase/decrease.
  Discerning phoners will want to check caller ID prior to picking up… causing the eyes to once again leave the road.

  My final observation in the matter beckons back to the days prior to Television.  Ask your grandparents about how they used to sit around and “Watch” radio.  Although there was no picture, many would sit around and literally stare at the radio while listening to the program.  This form of behavior has carried over to cell phone use.  I have personally seen individuals – who have a hands free phone system in their car – looking right at the phone during the discussion.  Perhaps it to insure their voice points to the phone.  Maybe it’s from society’s rule of looking someone in the eye during discussion.  Perhaps they just like the color of the phone, but the bottom line is, if you are looking at the phone you are NOT looking at the road.

If the call is so important that you feel you must make or take it while driving,  safely pull over or let your answering machine get it until you can safely call them back.  Thanks for being the driver that DOES NOT run me off the road.

Don’t even talk to me about texting….

individual choice

I ride a motorcycle.  From the moment I get on, till I’ve reached my destination – I wear a helmet.  That is my choice.  If another biker chooses to ride without protection, that is his/her choice.  It may not be the wisest choice, but it’s their choice nonetheless – Unless of course you ride through a state that requires a helmet by law. 

Now thanks to Myrtle Beach South Carolina, bikers not only have to be aware of state helmet laws, but city laws as well.   South Carolina does NOT require motorcyclists to wear a helmet, but Myrtle Beach does!  Myrtle Beach has three annual bike rallies, and it appears the citizens of that area don’t want them anymore.  They figure the city helmet law will help control traffic, noise and partiers.  In addition; a noise ordinance and several other measures have been implemented. 

One can’t help but wonder why any community would turn away tourism that generates millions of dollars.  During bike week, all the hotels are full, restaurants are at capacity, and local merchants prosper.  City leaders claim the helmet law is about safety. But others know it’s really more about the tranquility of the townsfolk.

Whatever the reason, if you ride through Myrtle Beach and are not wearing a helmet, you will be pulled over by the authorities.  At least for now.  A business group is suing the city because they believe it is unconstitutional to supersede the state law.  We’ll have to wait on that outcome.  But for now, it’s just another small step by government in taking away individual choices.

Thank you for choosing to read this.

Ratings vs Morals

David Letterman is enjoying top ratings and being hailed as a stand up guy.  This for admitting – almost jokingly – that he has cheated on his wife numerous times.  When he made the announcement on his show, he actually got laughs.  Would you laugh if it were your spouse?

Roman Polanski admitted to raping a 13 year-old girl, yet dozens of Hollywood stars protest his arrest so he might get back to work and supply us with another “masterpiece”.  Do you think the stars would back him if it was their 13 year-old daughter? 

Americans somehow seem to enjoy hearing about celebrity sex scandals, from former president Clinton, to  Mel Gibson and others that in many ways are applauded for blatant infidelity and beyond.

It’s beyond time to bring back a sense of morals in this country, and one way to start is by imagining each “scandal” on a personal level.   What if it happened to you?

Mean People Suck

I believe I have found an all time low in human behavior.  Ok,.. perhaps not the all time low – but still pretty scummy. Allow me to share today’s experience:

I had this urge for toast… just toast… yeah toast.  I had the bread, but no toaster.  So off I go to Wally World to buy one.  I found what I considered to be the perfect toaster. Wide slots for different style breads, defrost mode, bagel mode, 7 heat settings and when you plug it in and add bread… it MAKES TOAST!  Yep… a toaster!

They had the display model and two that were boxed.  I noticed that one of them looked like it had been opened, so I selected the other and took it to the check out.

Now at home, I open the box only to discover that not only is this NOT the toaster featured on the packaging, but a used toaster complete with bread crumbs in the box.  A totally different brand and model stuffed into the box!

Some scum sucking bottom dweller apparently had bought this toaster (the perfect toaster) and replaced it with his/her USED inferior model, sealed the box (quite professionally) and returned the box to the store for a full refund.

I immediately called the store and explained the situation.  To their credit, they were understanding and said bring it back in for a refund or exchange. I did and without issue exchanged it for the only remaining model. I’m sure they thought it unusual that I requested to open the “new” toaster box in their presence, but I did… it was the correct toaster… I took it home… I made Toast!  I ate Toast.  IT WAS GOOD!  HOWEVER, please read on:

Lessons Learned:

1.  When ever you buy anything in a box, Open it as soon as you get home (or in the store if you can get away with it).
       What if I wasn’t in the mood for toast and waited a month or so?  How likely would it be that the store would believe you?
2.  When ever buying a gift for someone – Open it first and inspect it prior to sending or giving it to them.
        Imagine if this toaster had been a wedding gift, and I sent if off without knowing it had been switched?  
3.  Keep your receipts!
4. Mean people suck, and they are always trying to find a way to scam the system – and yes, scam you!
5.  Shop close to home… you don’t have to go as far to return things.

Thanks for reading.  Go enjoy some Toast!

Ban on Flavored Cigarettes

Federal Health Officials have banned the sale of flavored cigarettes effective today, claiming that tobacco products that are flavored tend to lure children and teens into smoking.  

I must be behind the times because I was frankly unaware that cigarettes came in Chocolate, Strawberry and other such flavors.  All I knew of is Menthol, and that by the way is not effected by this new law.

This law comes three months after Pres. Obama gave the F.D.A. the authority to regulate tobacco products, and therein lies the problem. Should ANY government be allowed to regulate the sale of anything, and tell manufacturers not to produce a product?  You may answer;  “but this is different, this is to protect our youth”.  But lest you forget, by law children and teenagers may not purchase cigarettes anyway. 

Like so many issues in the United States, this could be resolved by enforcing existing laws, NOT by granting more government control.

Traffic Lights

When it comes to traffic lights, there’s got to be a better way.  Just this morning I was stopped at a red light.  Look to my right,  look to my left… not a vehicle in sight.  No one in front of me and no one behind me, yet there I was patiently waiting for the light to change to green.   I don’t recall how long I waited before I decided to look at my watch and keep track of the time. One minute passed and still no sign of traffic from any direction.  Two minutes… now three, as I continue to sit – not quite so patiently now – waiting for the light to change.  

I am a law abiding man, but I will go on record saying I broke the law this morning.  Over five minutes at a red light with no traffic at all,  I safely pulled forward and proceeded on my way.  As far as I know… that light is STILL Red!  Should any of my law enforcement friends wish to reprimand me for this action, you know how to reach me, or better yet, come by for a visit and be sure to obey the law- that traffic light is on the way.

Inspired

This afternoon on the 8th Anniversary of 9-11,  I was honored to participate in a remembrance ride.  Hundreds of motorcyclists attended with the first 50 carrying a U.S. Flag,  gathered to ride along a predetermined parade route to honor America’s heroes and remember those whose lives were lost.

I still remember how I felt the first time I ever took part in this ride.  It was exactly one year after terrorist attacks leveled both towers of the World Trade Center in New York,  and as we rode along the parade route we saw people lined up along the road, some waving… some holding their hand over their heart and many saluting the flags as they passed by.

Now, 8 years later, I am truly inspired by the community’s outpouring of affection and recognition for what these bikers are doing.  Throughout the day I’ve heard various news reports on how America might be desensitized to the memory of 9-11, but the goose-bumps I felt when passing area citizens applauding, and giving two thumbs up, leads me to believe American’s have not forgotten.  Although a parade is generally a festive event, one could feel the sadness in the air as if the spectators were in a state of mourning, and each in their own special way observing the memory of those lost and the high respect for the heroes of that fateful day in 2001.

It’s events like this, and the public’s reaction to them that truly inspires me to believe that regardless of your political affiliation, there is still hope in, and for this nation.

Chesney fashion

How much would you pay for a used tank top, worn and faded, and a tattered baseball cap? 
Ok, what if it wasn’t actually used, but it looks like it was…. how much would you pay?

How about $35.00+  each?

Kenny Chesney is counting on folks wanting to wear clothing that has that worn in look, not to mention an opportunity to look like the country superstar.  Kenny has launched his own clothing line.  Clothing that he says looks washed a lot and sun bleached.  

I have nothing against Kenny.  I enjoy his music. But you don’t see any famous fashion designers releasing a country album do you?  I know his fans will no doubt help him make this venture a success, but if I’m ever in the market for used looking clothing, I’ll support my neighborhood thrift store, and save the extra money to perhaps buy Chesney’s next album. (if he’s not too busy promoting his clothing line to record one).