Beaches and my Soapbox

I figure February is as good a time as any to discuss getting the heck out of the cold weather, especially since we moved back to NJ after 8 years in southwest Florida (the Ft Myers/Naples area). I'll poke my nose into a few other topics as well. First and foremost I think, as with any undertaking, a mid-winter, warm-weather escape requires the proper frame of mind. You have to get your noggin in the game. Music is a great way to do that. I've got a playlist on my iPod called Beach/Beer Mix. It's the one we turn to on a Friday after work, a lazy Saturday afternoon, when we have friends over. Hell, it's the play list we play the most. A small sample of the usual suspects will give you the basic idea: The Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Kenny Chesney, Jimmy Buffett, Jack Johnson, Willie Nelson, Bob Marley and. Then there are some more lesser-known contributors to our slightly buzzed Friday evening repertoire...Archie Roach, Paul Weller, and Taj Mahal among others...but you get the idea. It's mellow, feel-good music with a summertime, shoes off and I-don't-give-a-damn-until-Monday attitude. 

So you're looking to get away, but where to go? Um...I'll be boring and say Florida but there are a few reasons why other than the fact that nearly everyone's grandparents are there as well this time of year. First of course is the excellent weather right now. Second is the excellent weather. Third is our locally lousy weather. It's also not too far, flights are relatively inexpensive, no passport required...and...lean in a bit closer, this is a secret...I know of a great, really great, family-run hotel right on the beach in Naples that also happens to have one of the top-rated restaurants in the region. It also happens to be one of the few restaurants in the entire

area ON the beach, not to mention being one of the few remaining hotels on the beach in Naples. What? you say. Tell you this well-kept secret. Twist my arm. OK. The Vanderbilt Beach Resort has been owned and run by the Moore Family since 1968. It's old-style Florida. Don't expect over-the-top suites and over-the-top prices. Do expect the friendly charm you would expect by a family-run establishment, well-appointed rooms, a fantastic beach right outside and a phenomenal restaurant, The Turtle Club, on-property all accompanied by the best sunset dining in Naples. 

If you're looking for something a bit more rustic (i.e. camping), I strongly suggest you make reservations to camp out on Cayo Costa, an island/state park off the west coast by Fort Myers. Cold running water only (including showers), dirt roads, very, very, very few people and accessible only by boat, this place is truly an undiscovered gem, rated by Outside Magazine as one of the best getaways in the country. Those are my kids in the pic from when we went out there for a weekend of camping a few years ago. As you can see, not a soul in sight except for us on a gorgeous May weekend.

On to more mundane items now that you're wistfully thinking of someplace other than where you are. As I'd mentioned twice now in previous postings (Nov 2 and Nov 18) about Ford doing well. Seems those folks in Detroit are at it again, proving the world wrong that American auto manufacturing is ready to be put 6-feet under. Seems their sales are up while over at Toyota things are trending downward. Granted retail sales are down but fleet sales are way, way up. 

There happens to be a minor sporting event this Sunday called the Super  Duper Bowl or some thing like that between the Sinners and the Fillys..or is it the Saints and the Colts? Nevertheless, it seems Madden NFL, after accurately predicting 5 of the last 6 Super Bowls, is calling it that they'll be celebrating down in The Big Easy come Sunday night. I dunno. While it would be pretty cool to watch The Team Formerly Known as The Ain'ts win the Big Dance (I know...mixing my sporting terminology), I'm not too sure I'd be wanting to bet against Manning and his Colts. That guy is just too damn good.

Now I'm going to get on a bit of a soap box for a few minutes and state that in general people need to stop being such freakin' pussies. I like to stay apolitical in this blog so don't take my ranting as leaning one way or the other...the only direction I'm leaning is for people to buck the hell up and stop their whining and constant maneuvering to make the other guy look bad or take advantage of a situation.  Now look: I'm not advocating or endorsing what people said or did. However what I am doing is condemning the reactions to what people said and did. 

Exhibit 1: A mom in Denver is suing the school system after her 6 year old son's hands and mouth were taped with masking tape after he was misbehaving in class. OK. I might be a bit upset over that if it happened to my son although maybe he would have deserved it. That's beside the point. The annoying thing is that this woman is now suing for, get this, $500,000!!! Because her son was taped up with masking tape? Overreaction? You betcha...which is a nice segue into the next overreaction.

Exhibit 2: After Rahm Emanual called a few people and their idea "f*cking retarded" (he was referring to a group of conservative democrats actually), Sarah Palin called for his ouster based on his insensitivity and use of the word "retarded"...keeping in mind that Palin has a mentally challenged toddler at home. Fair enough. But....first of all, he didn't say this in a public forum. Instead it was apparently during a behind-closed-doors meeting. Second, I think people might get more upset with his use of the f-bomb than the word "retarded". Third was Palin's statement that rings about as genuine as a Gucci purse for sale on the street of NYC. I quote: "Just as we'd be appalled if any public figure of Rahm's stature ever used the 'N-word' or other such inappropriate language, Rahm's slur on all God's children with cognitive and developmental disabilities -- and the people who love them -- is unacceptable, and it's heartbreaking." I don't espouse going around calling anyone a retard but I like to think of the old "those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" i.e. I'd be willing to bet solid coin that at some point in her day Sarah has called someone a retard or an idea retarded. Lesson that needs to be learned: While we need to respect all Americans regardless of ability, find some real issues to take issue with Sarah; as well as every other politician, left and right, who finds affront at the slightest burp if it will get them air time. Case in point ---->;

Exhibit 3: At a speech given in a high school in Nashua, NH earlier this week, Obama said: "You don't blow a bunch of cash on Vegas when you're trying to save for college. You prioritize. You make tough choices." Well, you can guess what happened next. Everyone and their uncle from Nevada...even Harry Reid for crying out loud, Democratic Senate Majority Leader, lined up to take their turn ripping the POTUS a new ANUS. Mayor Goodman of Vegas said Obama was not welcome in his town...that's a friendly attitude that'll  be certain to bring the tourists in droves. I think I can be pretty confident the president was using Vegas in the metaphorical sense in that it's intimately connected to gambling...excuse me...gaming. Yet the torches and pitchforks came out as claims were made that Vegas doesn't need the president tearing them down and driving away tourism. Ummm...seems to me if no one had said a damn thing about all this, no one would have heard about it and it wouldn't be driving away tourism....if it is at all. I mean really, while we may be dumb the American public ain't that stupid. If people want to go to Vegas, they'll go to Vegas. and not take too much stock in the president's analogy. The folks there need to practice their own tag line a little more "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas"....sheesh. There's a reason Las Vegas is called "Lost Wages". Which leads me to my final exhibit.

Exhibit 4: I really, really, really wish someone could get both houses of Congress, both sides of the aisle, sit them down and say, no yell, at them "WHAT ARE YOU DOING? "These guys are more interested in getting re-elected then they are in solving our country's problems. Case in point...and I can't believe he actually said this, Lamar Alexander-R Tenn. said with respect to the whole partisan stalemate, and I quote because you have to read it to disbelieve it, “When we do policy and get good results, there is always the possibility that Democrats might gain a little politically,” he said. “But I think our main job here is to help the country.” WHAT? Are you kidding me? He's worried that if Congress actually succeeds in solving a problem that the Democrats might make political gains? What about country first, party second? And that he "thinks" they are there to help the country? He "thinks"? I'd like to "think" that was a pretty self-evident truth (to paraphrase the Declaration of Independence). Please elected officials. Left and right. Talk to one another. Dems - don't leave the GOP out of discussions. They are intelligent people with ideas too. Elephants please don't throw a monkey wrench in every effort the donkeys try to move forward just because you can. You ARE there to help the country...all of you.

Beer, Tebow and Crappy Food.

Last week I thought my posting was pretty good. This week I think it's gonna be a bit on the shorter side as I can't seem to get the mojo going...but who knows? A beer or two and I might be able to wax poetic. Speaking of beer, I came across a GREAT quote today by a guy named Luke Livingston who writes a blog about beer. He said in response to reports that Burger King and Starbucks are experimenting with serving beer at select locations - "The only thing Americans like better than cheap, crappy food is cheap, crappy beer!" I just find this incredibly funny...and true. Find Luke and lots more about beer at his blog "A Blog About Beer". I think I'll create a permanent link off to the side for you to get to his little piece of the web.

As I opined last week that it might not be the best brand-positioning move, Tim Tebow's upcoming appearance in a Super Bowl ad for Focus on the Family is raising hackles.

Not only that but I'd mentioned some NFL draft gurus had been talking about him not going very early in the draft. Looks like maybe he's doing that to himself. Seems at workouts for the Senior Bowl he's had trouble taking a conventional snap from under center. I certainly hope he can get his act together as he genuinely seems like a good kid who can prove to be an antidote to many of the shenanigans we see from professional athletes these days. However, the ruckus being raised over his advertisement can only serve as a further distraction to this durable gunslinger.

If, like me, you're in the Central Jersey area and are a bit of an architecture aficionado, like me, I highly suggest you take a trip over to Hightstown and check out the new pool at The Peddie School. It must be nice to have money because this ain't just a Butler Building with a cee-ment pond in it. Don't get me wrong, Butler Buildings are fantastic in that they serve a purpose but when you can afford not to look at the price tag you get some nice options. Like the all-glass skin that is lit blue at night, looking like the Beijing Olympics Water Cube in miniature.

The news release from the schools states "At 35 meters long and 25 yards wide, the pool can accommodate 15 lanes while utilizing an eco-friendly filtering system that will save thousands of gallons of water. The structure, designed by the architectural firm RMJM Hillier, uses many materials and products that decrease energy consumption and deliver daylight to the building's interior spaces." 

I've been watching the construction progress for the past year as I drop off and pick up my son from swim practice at Peddie each evening and am excited for his club team, Peddie Aquatics, to move over from the old Sprout Pool. It's a great addition to our area and continues the strong tradition of swimming at the school and club which includes among it's alumni Nelson Diebel, double Olympic Gold Medal winner at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist BJ Bedford as well as several other Olympians. By the way, if you're wondering which pic is which, the high-quality pic is the Water Cube. The one that looks better if you squint your eyes a bit is the one I took with my camera phone of the new Peddie Pool.

And I think that about wraps it up for this go-around. Not feeling hugely inspired this evening. I'll remember to eat my Wheaties for next week, especially when they come in this box...

One other thing...I can't figure out for the life of me why my pics sit just a tad higher than the text they are next to. Driving me crazy!! ARRGGHHH!!! Here in the editor all looks kosher, but hit the stupid "Publish Post" button and it all goes to hell. Such is life. On to bigger and better things this week! Put a smile on...it'll help you feel more positive!

The Super Bowl, Black Death and Sideburns...

Last week I talked about trying to make my writing a bit zippier, which remains a continuing goal but I think the effort was definitely not a high point for me as I was trying to be something I'm not. What I'm not is a writer that can sling witty barbs like my friend Dave over at "Sheridan"*. That being said, I'll stick up for myself for a moment or two and say that I actually can be pretty funny in person... but the target of my stinging repartee is usually myself. I've been told that no one makes better fun of me than me. Of course, there's a lot to make fun of. My friends also enjoy making (good-natured...I think) fun of me as they know I'm pretty good a taking it all in stride. Not to mention I do say some pretty off-the-wall stuff. As might be imagined about a man trying to be a Balanced Guy, it can mean being curious about a very broad and disparate conglomeration of topics and facts. Heck, even this blog tries to give balance to 13 differing subjects over the course of time.

So how out in left field can I be? As an example, suppose my buddies and I are sitting on a back deck drinking a beer or two while we fire up the barby. In the dying twilight, a bat flutters overhead which I notice. My train of thought then goes something like this: "bat....cat...rat...rat?...bubonic plague...Black Death...hey, I've read a lot about the Black Death"....at which point I'll make an out-of-the-blue statement (in the middle of a conversation about sports or politics or women) something to the effect of "If the Plague were to strike today, next week half of us sitting here would be dead". Silence falls like a wet blanket (even the crickets stop and wonder where in God's name that came from), everyone turns to look at me and someone will say something along the lines of "what the hell are you talking about?" Then they'll all laugh, shake their heads, say "frickin' TB" (that being one of my college nicknames) and the conversation will resume. After nearly 25 years of friendship with this group of guys, they know me and I know them. We all have our idiosyncracies. But then that's what makes each one of us unique. If we were all the same, what a boring world it would be. It's also good to have long-term friendships where you are comfortable being yourself. Actually it's better than good - it's critical in life. People with strong social networks and friendships live longer and are generally happier (See? Here I go again with the info out of nowhere).

Finally, I'm going to use my vast compendium of otherwise useless nickel-knowledge to seek potential fame and fortune as I take the initial steps towards becoming a Jeopardy contestant via an online quiz next week (these only come up a few times a year on a set date and time). I generally do very well when watching the show as well as Cash Cab and playing Trivial Pursuit. However, dragging minutia from the recesses of the brain in front of a lot of people with money on the line is no doubt a whole different ball game. Wish me luck.

*Funny, but in one of Dave's recent sports postings he used the word "shill" in reference to a bothersome advocate for a cause and personal benefit. I hadn't heard that word in a long time, especially used in conjunction with sports but not three days later I was reading another article online about a coaching change (I think...been a lot of those lately) and it too, used the word "shill" in the same sense. Interesting stuff. I like to think the writer of that article follows Dave's blog and lifted that infrequently used word from him.

Items of interest this go-around:

Competitor - The Super Bowl is coming up. No doubt Dave over at Sheridan will have commentary far more informed than mine. Check him out. In a related bit, Tim Tebow will be in a pro-life ad for Focus on the Family airing during the big game. While I respect his right to hold his personal beliefs, not sure this is the best for his brand going forward. Make no doubt - for an athlete of his stature, he IS a brand and needs to manage it carefully. Might an NFL team considering him find him a bit too offputting via his personal social agenda for the broad appeal they seek? It's not too often you see professional athletes taking a highly politicized stance on anything. He is most likely a franchise player but some draft scenario pundits are saying he might not even go in the 1st round of the draft. Time will tell.

 

Greenbacks - If you've got airline miles or other "points" from you credit card or other loyalty programs, here's something I recently figured out (I'm slow; so sue me) - if you decide to cash them in for merchandise instead of a ticket to paradise, think carefully before doing so. Earlier this month I received a letter from Delta Skymiles saying my rewards points were going to expire at the end of January. Knowing I wasn't planning to travel anywhere, my wife and I went online to the Delta Skymiles Marketplace to look at what we could get for the nearly 45,000 points I had. She looked around the website and saw a wireless printer. With the proliferation of laptops in our house, it seemed like a good idea. But I said, "let me look into it a bit more". Turned out not to be a good deal at all. I'd have needed to buy about 5,000 more points at a cost of around $40 to buy a printer which retails at Best Buy for $79. Even more, the printer got terrible owner reviews on Amazon and it's not even compatible with Windows Vista. Other goodies available retailed for about the same price. Case closed. A little more poking around the site and my wife realized that with 45,000 points we could get nearly $300 worth of gift cards at places like Barnes & Noble, Macy's, and Outback Steakhouse. Bingo! We had to pay an extra $23 to get the 6th $50 card but that's like paying $1 to get $2; a no-brainer.  Let's do the math: $79 printer - $40 to get enough points = $39 value. $300 in gift cards - $23 to get enough points = $277 in value. $277/$39 = 7.1 times the value.

I'll be tucking this one away in my back pocket for future use should I ever have a bunch of rewards points racked up again.

Arguing - The White House Gate Crashers, Tareq and Michaele Salahi, are back in Washington this week as they were summoned to testify before Congress regarding the now infamous incident. Of course they invoked the Fifth, the right to not incriminate themselves. I'll definitely give them credit for having hutzpa; anyone who can bluff their way into a State Dinner gets that at least. But c'mon? Who do they think they are fooling with the "we believe we were actually invited"? Anyone briefly reviewing their track record gets an instant flavor of what they are about (yechh!). From the dubious charity they run, claims of unpaid catering bills running into the tens of thousands, her claiming to be an ex-cheerleader for the Redskins (when no one else remembers her) and a reality show following them around town as they prepared for the State Dinner I can form my own opinions pretty quickly. Maybe my gut feeling is wrong (as well as the gut feeling of most Americans), but I think the picture of what Michaele Salahi was wearing as she showed up to testify before the House Homeland Security Committee says it all. Don't get me wrong - I'd guess she's appropriately dressed for an evening out on the town or an afternoon shopping at Saks...but a fur-trimmed wrap when appearing before Congress? Wow. Nothing screams "Look at me!" more except maybe the boorish behavior they've displayed before the nation thus far. The clock has LONG run out on their 15 minutes. Irony duly noted that I'm giving them more....

Black Socks & Flip-flops -  I've long held the position that facial hair is to men what hairdos are to women. Really, think about it. Men rarely, very rarely, change the way they wear their hair except maybe when they are young and do something crazy for the shock value or a bet. Sure once in a while a guy will shave his head or go with a crew cut but that's about it. No changes in color, no switching from curly to straight locks overnight (or at all), and they most certainly don't bring a magazine into the barber shop and ask Hank to cut their hair "to look just like George Clooney in this picture". OK. Maybe some do but they're called metrosexuals. Hair styles for men change very, very slowly and once a guy settles into a hairstyle in his mid-to-late twenties, it pretty much stays that way for the rest of his life with minor tweaks...or until he starts to go bald. Whichever comes first.

On the other hand, it's perfectly acceptable for a man to sport varying forms of facial hair, changing them with the seasons or his whim. One only has to look at the sideburn craze from the early and mid 1990's (courtesy of Beverly Hills 90210) to realize this. I'm certainly in this group as I've sported either a full beard, goatee/moustache combo or been clean-shaven numerous times over the years (my current winter wear is the full beard). A man can go with the: Luke Perry (sideburns), Grizzly Adams (full beard), Musketeer (goatee and moustache..not worn by Mouseketeers), Captain Ahab (goatee without moustache), Abe Lincoln (beard sans moustache), Ohno (soul patch as sported by Olympic speed skater Apolo Ohno), and Magnum P.I. (moustache only). There's also the Dirty Lip as worn by young guys trying mighty hard to look older and tougher when they really don't yet have quite enough testosterone flowing (not to be confused with a Dirty Sanchez). And there are many variations on these basic themes mostly in terms of width (think pencil-thin moustache) and length (think ZZ Top) - no snickers from the Peanut Gallery please. The only facial hair style I don't quite get (I actually DO understand the Dirty Lip despite it looking ridiculous), is the razor-thin beard some young guys sport these days. Maybe I'm just getting old but it hardly shows and has got to be a bitch to keep shaved.

As for myself, I actually like the bit of grey I now have in my beard right on my chin. It's pretty much the only grey hair on my head except for that one single grey up top that's been there for about 10 years. Of course, the flip side is that while the hair on my head is not going grey, it is getting thinner. Oh well, maybe I can grow my beard long enough for a comb-over.