Lady Modonna.

Sorry, Only had my phone camera.

This past weekend, friends of mine wanted to go to Atlantic City. When we got there, they decided we should go see Madonna in concert. We jumped on stub hub and purchased tickets. Unfortunately the printer at the house in Atlantic City wouldn't work, so we had to pay a $10 printing fee at the box office. The lady at the box office informed us that the concert started at 8p.m., But Madonna wouldn't be playing until around 10p.m. What was the warm up, you might ask? (We did.). It was a DJ. Since when are DJ's musicians? What great skill is required to screw up someone else's song in hopes of making it sound 'tollerable'? I've seen a two year old scratch a record or even put a cd into a player. I wouldn't hire them to warm up for a musician and sure as hell would not listen to their music for two hours.

I digress.

After hanging out in the casino until 10 o'clock, I decided the show would probably be starting soon, so I headed for the theater. Let me start by saying that I am not a huge Madonna fan. I've always thought she had a great voice and loved her in Evita. When I was younger I liked her music, but her more recent stuff, not so much. Judging by the amount of middle aged, Madonna wannabes, I was not alone. Ladies, if you dressed like 80's Madonna in the eighties, you SHOULD NOT BE DRESSING LIKE 80's MADONNA 30+ years later! A lot of these women were attractive, but really? Wearing those clothes in your forties, you don't look “Like a Virgin”, you look “Like a Train Wreck.”.

Speaking of train wrecks, Madonna's first number (actually second, after a bunch of chanting) consisted of her screaming 'Bang Bang, I shot my lover dead.”, while donning a stage gun (actually various types of guns) and shooting defenseless dancers (like 50 of them) one at a time on stage. In light of recent events (and the attitude towards guns in NJ in the first place), it was not only in bad taste, but gave everyone in the theater a headache. The end of the song(after the rape scene), was Madonna yelling at a dancer, “If you're gonna act like a bitch, you're gonna die like a bitch”, and then shooting him in cold blood, center stage, while blood splashed all over the video screens. If it sounds bizarre, seeing it live was twice as bizarre, disturbing and given her political leanings, ironic. I looked at my friends and asked them if we really needed to stay, the whole time thinking, thank god I didn't bring either of the kids.

The rest of the show wasn't terrible. The stage effects and choreography were spectacular. Unfortunately for Madonna, running dancing and singing proved too much for her and the portion that suffered was the singing. I give her credit for not lip syncing but at times, I thought that she probably should have. One stand out number was with drummers 'floating' above the stage. They were drumming in perfect upright position while tethered by a loop of rope attached to their shoulders(and harness, but the effect made you think that it was just their shoulders.).

This is where I have to get back to the women dressed like 80's Madonna. Luckily, the seats we had, had no rows in front of them. The people in the seats to our right were not so lucky. Two women who were drinking beer, (one that was skinny but looked like she had a baby bump) kept walking down to the railing and dancing like maniacs(Picture Kristen Wiig dancing with a knife stuck in her back.). The people behind them could not see and were not amused. One lady went down and asked them to dance back at their seats. After asking them four times with no effect, she was visibly irritated.

Madonna looks amazing and I'm sure fans would enjoy her concert more than I, but next time around I think I'll pass. Also, if someone does go see her, explain to her that Atlantic City is in NJ, not NY.

America's Got Some Talent.

This Blog was written several weeks ago, but I am finally posting it now...

OK, I took Lizzy to see a concert, so I took Emily to a taping of America's Got Talent. We went to a pre-taping of a performance of 'Once' so we were given premium seating for Wednesday (08/29/2012) nights' show. Emily, her friend and I took the early train to Newark and grabbed a bite to eat. We then took the light rail to the Performing Arts Center. When handing in our voucher, we received third tier tickets. What third tier means is that a low flying plane may actually hit you during the show.

We got to the show early and waited an hour until they let us in. Once in, we walked up a butt-load of steps to get to our floor and eventually our seats. The MC for the evening, Tom somethingorother was humorous and kept the audience involved. Besides the promise of premiere seats from 'On Camera America' and the occasional nose bleeds, the only other issue we had with the show was the 'direction', the audience was given. With all of the stand, clap, clap with hands overhead and so on, I felt like I was a young boy at church hearing the nuns yell, “Stand! Sit! Kneel!”.

I like seeing live performances of tv shows, unfortunately it's like looking behind the curtain. Some of the magic is lost.

Asking for it.

While driving home from North Carolina, I stopped for gas. I needed a pack of gum, so I decided to go into the attached shop. An attractive young Indian woman was behind the counter. As I searched the counter for something cinnamon, she noticed my confusion and stated, “You can usually get what you want, if you just ask for it.”. I looked behind me to see if she was indeed talking to me. There was no one else there, so befuddled I asked, “Excuse me?”. She gave me a warm smile and repeated, “You can usually get what you want, if you just ask for it.”.

It was a little macabre and prophetic. I asked, “Do you have any cinnamon gum?”. She said, “Yes, there is more gum in the first aisle and I believe there is cinnamon.”. I found the cinnamon gum and returned to the counter. As she rang me up, she smiled once again and asked, “Was that so hard?”. I smiled back this time and thanked her. I wasn't just thanking her for the gum, but also the little piece of wisdom that slips through the, 'living alone cracks'. When you live by yourself, you tend to rely more on yourself. Thanks to the clerk in the gas station I'll try not to forget to ask someone for help, when I need it.

Open Road, Open Mind.

I love road trips.  Last Monday, I drove to North Carolina. Long drives are very Zen for me. Unfortunately, just like going into a pool, starting a drive is always the hardest part. Once I get on the open road, I don't want to stop driving.

The drive was long but I started early.  I drove from state to state, stopping at rest stops in each one, to stretch my legs and use the facilities.  It was the first road trip in a long time that I did not have my trusty Escape.  The Focus was amazing on gas(almost 42 mpg) and I only had to stop for one fill up along the way.  A cheaper car though, drives and feels like a cheaper car.

Dodging storms and scary truck drivers became a game.  Driving through the western half of Pennsylvania and across the edge of Maryland, I kept an eye out for stops I would want to make on the way home.  I'm that guy who goes to the roadside attractions.  When the kids are with me, I can't pass up a zoo; a cavern; the largest ball of yarn.  The candidates really started building as I passed a billboard for The World Miniature Museum.  Thoughts of a really small museum, then just a globe crossed my mind and I chuckled.

As I passed Luray Caverns in Virginia, memories of the kids and my trip to Fl. reached through time to coax a smile.  Maybe I would have to stop there on the way back I thought. I was getting tired but still had a ways to go through North Carolina. I wondered what it would be like to live in each locale as I passed.   I enjoyed the sites along the road and the puffy visions of clouds ahead.

Long distance driving is like a microcosm of life.  Scenes change with time, progress isn't always easily gauged and no matter how many times you take the same road, somehow it is different.

I reached my destination in record time and spent a very productive week with my friend and his family.

Sometimes, you need allow the scenery to go by.  Other times, you have to grab the wheel and take charge.  Either way, you miss a lot if you don't get on the road.

11 Years Gone.

On the 11^th anniversary of 9/11, I wake up with a lump in my throat. I remember the day, fresh as yesterday. I am thankful my friend and co-worker woke up late and that we were at exit twelve of the Turnpike when the North Tower was hit. I argued that it was a hell of an accident and he pulled the car hard to make the exit, explaining to me that no one accidentally hits one of the trade centers. The radio continues to tell us the South Tower was hit. My cell phone rings and it is, my now, ex-wife frantically telling me that Peter is in the North Tower. A plane hits the Pentagon. I arrive at my in-laws. Tear filled eyes watch helplessly as the South tower collapses, a plane crashes in a field in Pennsylvania and then eventually, the North Tower plummets to the ground.

Eleven years later, the numbness creeps in; then the anger. I have to wake Lizzy for school, I walk to her room, but she is already up and dressed. 9/11 is as far from her mind as Pearl Harbor is from mine. I drop her off at school and make my way back home. Passing the now closed, once secure, Fort Monmouth, I wonder how prepared we really are.

I get home, turn on the TV and watch the names of the fallen being read. The bell tolls for a moment of silence. I want to believe our world is a better place now, but know it is not. Public transit has changed forever, we traded freedom for the perception of security. Our politicians have terrorized our economy, attacking our future generations. The original Twin Towers took just four years each to build, the 'Freedom' Tower, eleven years later, is woefully incomplete.

'...Each man's death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.'
John Donne

Dude, Where's My Car?

I'm an American car buyer. I have never owned a foreign car and find them inferior to the domestic product. My only issue is the internal conflict of buying a, 'country destroying union product' vs. a right to work product. Currently, I own a Ford Escape. At least I think I do. In June, I took my Escape in for it's scheduled maintenance. The dealer explained I had a power steering hose that was going bad and an air conditioning compressor with a worn seal. They said I could skip the A.C. seal, but had to get the power steering line fixed. Well, I told them to go ahead on both. They gave me a 2010 Ford Focus loaner, for the weekend, until the Escape would be ready.

Here is where the fun began. The following Monday, I received a call from the dealer. A new power steering line could not be found and with my original one on the blink, my car was escalated to VIO(Vehicle InOperable). OK, I had a loaner, no biggy. A week went by and I called the dealer back. They escalated to Ford Motor Company. I called Ford Motor Company. Wow! Ford customer service reps. are STUPID! I'm not talking low S.A.T. score stupid, I'm talking unable to spell S.A.T.. After telling the rep the story, she asked me, not once, not twice, not three but FOUR TIMES, how I knew the hose was bad. She then insisted that the power steering hose for the Escape NEVER goes bad. After twenty minutes, on the phone, she assured me that it would be taken care of and I'd be getting a call four days later, on Thursday.

That Friday, I called Ford motor company and asked why I had not been contacted. The rep explained that the regional manager had gotten involved and should have talked to me. He then explained, that because my 2005 was such an old car, parts would be hard to come by.

Let's think about this. A part that was used until at least 2006. A 60 month loan on a car. Hmmm? If I hadn't bought the car outright, my loan would just be getting paid off and it would be old enough that, there are no parts for it? I won't even mention the fact that they are out of a part that, “Never goes bad”. Oh wait, I just did.

My dealer called a few days later and explained that the part was on 'nationwide back order'. That's code words for, “The entire network of Ford dealers and Ford Motor Company do not have that part in stock and have no idea when they are getting more in.”. They then asked me to bring the loaner back for it's scheduled maintenance.

It's now two months later. My part has been escalated to the regional VP. My Escape is late on it's state inspection. The part is slated for October release. Ford Motor Company sees no issue with this. Alan Mulally keeps claiming Ford is on the right track. Their loaner has 5500 more miles on it and will need an oil change soon.

In a way, I guess I came out ahead. I had to pay GM billions of dollars and not get a car. Ford won't take my money and I have a car to drive until I get my Escape back.

This post was written over the last month. Now It looks like October could be a pipe dream.

Defending Our Rights and the Rights of Others.

Just Plain Baaaaad!

I want to start by saying my heart goes out the family and friends of Jessica Ghawi, 24, Veronica Moser, 6, John T. Larimer, 27, Matthew McQuinn, 27, Alexander J. Boik, 18, Jesse E. Childress, Jonathan T. Blunk, 26, Rebecca Wingo, 32, Alex M. Sullivan 27, Gordon Cowden, 51, Micayla Medek, 23, Alexander Teves, 24, Ranjeet Singh, 45, Sita Singh, 41, Paramjit Kaur, 41, Satwant Singh Kaleka, 65, Prakash Singh, 39, Suveg Singh Khattra, 84, Lt. Brian Murphy, 51, Steve Ercolino, Christina LoBrutto and Bryan Breen.

I was at the clinic today and overheard a couple talking about the shooting at a Pathmark store north of me in N.J. The woman then called for a crusade against gun ownership. I honestly believe the un-intelligentsia and media damage people into believing that guns are so bad. I have yet to lose an argument about gun ownership and yet, I've never owned a gun. I've fired guns at ranges before, but never felt the need to own one. Why, you may ask, do I defend others rights to own guns? Something that I own a copy of.  Something that the anti-gun people truly hate and hope to banish from the history of my great nation.  It is called The Constitution of The United States.

It is my and my fellow patriots' RIGHT TO BARE ARMS. That includes a gun, a knife, a fork, etc. Our great forefathers, who founded this country, felt strongly enough to craft this into our first laws, The Bill of Rights.

Let's do something that most anti-gun people have trouble doing. Let's think about the last few shootings logically.

An insane gunman in a Colorado movie theater:

Yes, this guy went into a movie theater with weapons and opened fire. If guns were banned before this incident, does anyone think that no one would have gotten hurt? This guy was an explosives expert. What do you think his weapon of choice would have been if not for guns?

An insane white supremacists At a Sikh Temple in Wisconsin:

This guy brought a gun inside a house of worship and opened fire killing at least 6 people.

An insane laid off clothing designer in front of the Empire State Building:

He shot his former colleague to death. Nine bystanders were hit by police fire.

An insane, disgruntled, co-worker At a Pathmark in Oldbridge, NJ:

This guy goes home, gets in camos, comes back to work after his shift and opens fire.

All of these incidences have something in common besides guns. An insane person with a motive. In these cases, if guns were not available, would they still have happened? Of course, the weapon would have changed, but the motive would have still been there.

Now that the Anti-Americans want to ban guns, let's ban all of the things that kill people.

• Obesity related disease (CDC) – Kills more people than smoking per year in the U.S.. A whopping 30 time more people than gun homicides. Of course I hate the term obesity related disease, what if they would have had the disease anyway? Also, I put obesity in with the smoking category. These things only kill the individual and not those around them. So, as long as we're playing the game, BAN FAT PEOPLE! BAN SMOKE!
• Motor Vehicles (NHTSA) – Motor vehicle accidents kill 3 times as many people as gun homicides. This doesn't take into account exhaust related illnesses. BAN LIZZY LOHAN... I mean CARS.
• Accidental Drug Overdose (CDC) - Kills almost 4 times as many people per year as gun homicides. BAN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS.
• Alcohol Related Deaths (CDC) kills 7 times as many people per year as gun homicides. BAN ALCOHOL. Didn't we already try this one?

In fact, according to FBI statistics, the number of gun homicides is less than 12,000 per year. It's not even in the top 15 causes of death in the US. (CDC)

They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Benjamin Franklin