All-in-all we got more than 27" of snow by the end of the storm.  Spent a few hours walking around the neighborhood with our next door neighbor trying to knock snow off some of the trees so they wouldn't snap and break in half.  Played around in the tot-lot because there were no kids out.  Eventually made a sledding track on the hill next to our house.  That was fun (other than the walk back up the steep hill).

And yes, that's Tauntaun wanting to get out and play in the snow (we just had to make sure there were no wampas out there). 

• OK, so made in Japan may not be as good.
• I was wondering when this would actually happen.  It does make sense, sorta.  Or try pushing better mass transit.  But that would contradict the government bailing out the American auto industry.
• Speaking of bailout this was funny.
• Didn't watch the game, but the Caps beat the Pens 5-4 in OT.  Apparently Caps fans have issues with NBC.  No respect for the Caps.  No respect.
• Drinking soda may increase chances of pancreatic cancer?  Man, that's making me thirsty.  I need to get a diet Coke.
• IMO the best Super Bowl commercials were Letterman-Oprah-Leno, Betty White & Snickers and the Pat and Tim Tebow commercials.  Some of the Bud Light commercials were funny (the astronomers one is the only one I can remember - mostly because the Asian guy is from the Dharma Initiative)
• Overall the Super Bowl was OK.  Exciting at the end but that was about it.  I sorta felt if the Colts didn't jump on a huge lead they would lose.  They seem to get bogged down inside the 20 during the later half of the season and into the playoffs.  The Saints deserve to win.  They just out played the Colts.  I wonder how Snyder feels knowing that Mark Brunell and Gregg Williams just got a Superbowl ring?

Yeah, it's snowing.  It's been snowing since 11am and we've got about 4 inches of snow in about seven hours.  Snowmageddon really has begun.

• I get the lack of dipping ability but really, they that hard to open up?
• Tai Shan has left the country ... and now he's in China - if this was a human this would be sex trafficking
• Typically I don't agree with Senator Franken but he does have a point
• Whoa, possible 2010 Prius recall for faulty brakes.
• Do people really think sob stories help?  Is it just to prey on peoples generosity?  It's like the people who are on American Idol trying to get out of the contract they sign.  Sure the contract isn't fair but would they really be in the position they are singing for a career if they didn't have the AI exposure?  Sign the contract.  Live the contract.
• I know pet owners can get a tad crazy over their animals even to the extent of overvaluing an animal over a human.  Hopefully this helps them out, though it seems like a scam to me.  It just reminds me of those ads back in the day for a full refund if your bomb shelter doesn't work.
• Still not Comcastic!  Not sure if this is the outline for the nation but the first offense is a phone call.  Break the 250GB limit within six months and they cut your service for a year - A YEAR!  Dang.  That really is Comcastic.

Black and White Unity ...

Over the weekend, Chewy and I were able to make it down to see the Panda's at the National Zoo.  We were trying to make it down there on Saturday but due to the snow and the eventually early closing of the zoo we were (or I was) glad we waited til after church on Sunday to see them.  There wasn't much of a crowd and the weather wasn't that bad either.  It was pretty cool because we were able to see all three of them outside just roaming around looking bored and then inside eating away at bamboo.  I'm not sure if zoo's are the best place to pickup folks of the opposite sex but there seemed to be a guy flirting with Chewy as I was standing right next to her and him.  Not that she did anything to encourage it we both just thought it was weird.  I think the last girl who flirted with me was Chewy some seven years ago. 

     

• From a liberal point of view - Tim Tebow and his Super Bowl ad.
• Dude, what is with WMATA?!?!?
• Isn't Sir Richard Branson awesome!!!  You just gotta be rich to do some of this stuff.
• This is not how you 'represent' the Kingdom.
• Yes, we know he gets a media pass.  We saw that all throughout the election.  People are scared to parody or make fun of him.
• Worry?  Why worry?  Our Toyota's are made IN Japan.
• Oh Canada, show us the way.
• Isn't he caving in by having a postal stamp of Calvin and Hobbes?  I still miss the strip.
• Would YOU confuse The South Butt with The North Face?

And Tonight's Meal Will Be ...

Chewy always says that when she's on travel I tend to not eat well.  I have no clue why she would say that.  There's no evidence of it.  So what if on Tuesday I had a sausage, egg and cheese McGriddle with hash brown for breakfast and a Whopper with bacon and cheese with a large fries for lunch.  I was on business travel.  Someone brought doughnuts in the other morning so what if I had a few of them. Or spreading out a box of Popeye's fried chicken between Thursday and today.  It's not like I had cereal for dinner.  Oh wait.  I think I had that on Monday night.   

• I missed the Obama's State of the Union address on Wednesday but I hear there was yet another piece of controversy this year.  Though I don't agree with the overruling by the Supreme Court, I do believe what Obama said did twist the truth a bit.
• I remember seeing similar signs through out the country.  I always did wonder how much they cost and well did we really need to know this information?  Wait, someone had to make the sign and then put it up.  I guess that's part of the whole "creating jobs" movement.
• Nice analyst of where the relief money to Haiti is going to.
• See I'm not paranoid!!!
• Poor Ted.  Will the Zards franchise make another blunder by not allowing Ted to buy the team and arena?  Ted could make the franchise a winner like he's done with the Caps.  Hopefully, Ted does buy team.
• Sure the accelerator pedal needs a recall but pressure from Obama and the administration?  Sounds like a backdoor method to help boost the U.S. auto industry again.  Smells fishy to me.
• Looks like Honda is having a huge recall as well.
• While getting a haircut earlier in the week I heard a report about how in Fairfax County they'll have to cut a few athletic programs because of budget reasons.  They interviewed some lady, I'm guessing who has a kid who will be affected, and she had this sob story about how they can't cut these programs because it's what keeps kids together and prevents them from doing drugs and alcohol.  I sorta found this absurd because she's implying the non-athletic kids are all into drugs and alcohol and bad things.  Watch out for those Math Team kids.  They maybe calculating and deriving equations in their head while smoking pot.  Stay away from the Dungeons and Dragons club because they're part of the occult and may sacrifice your cheerleader daughter!!  And that Computer Club, well they may hack into the school computers and change a few grades.  Wait.  That one really happened but the jury is still out on if it was the Computer Club. 

A Little Bit of Heaven ...

Or nirvana.  Or karma.  Or next level of reincarnation.  Or whatever it is.    On our  last trip to Costco, Chewy noticed this package of Rasmalai for sale.  The delicious dessert that my Indian friends introduced to me during all their various Indian parties. I just can't get enough of this stuff.  I could eat the whole container because it's so good.  After finishing my third Rasmalai disc, Chewy then tells me one serving is one disc and that one disc is 230 calories.  230 calories of deliciousness times three!  At least there's one gram of fiber serving. 

Why can't the Chinese make some decent desserts that aren't made up of red beans or other funky stuff like that.

• Thanks to the Saints going to the Super Bowl, London Fletcher is finally Pro Bowl bound!
• Tai Shan's time in D.C. is coming to an end.  Hopefully we'll be able to see him before he gets FedEx'd back to China.
• An interesting followup to President Obama's three guest during his first speech to Congress in 2008
• I wonder if this will actually HELP the US auto industry.  No More Toyota For You!
• MIGGY is back!  Guess there really aren't any good third basemen free agents out there and nothing in the farm system.  He's a name and maybe that'll help fill the seats too.

I Think I Finally Get It ...

Yesterday marked another anniversary of the legendary Roe v. Wade court decision.  The metro was filled with various protesters making the trip back home from work somewhat crowded and ultimately slower since these new people just don't know how to ride on metro (the doors are not elevator doors, they do not bounce back open so you and the rest of your party can try and squeeze into the overcrowded train).  There are a few things I try not to comment on but being who I am I like to see both sides of the coin.

Breaking it all down I find the argument comes down to: Pro-Choice believers feel it is the right of the woman to make the choice for another - to carry the baby or abort the baby.  Pro-Life believers like to preserve life.  That make sense.  For those that like the ability to choose whether the baby lives or dies basically don't mind if one person goes into a store and shoots and kills the store cleric for the cash register money.  The shooter made a choice to end the life of the cleric.  That apparently is fine with Pro-Choice people.  It's not the baby or the cleric ever had a say in whether they want to live or not.  That is because Pro-Choice folk believe in ability for a person to make a choice for another.  Whereas, Pro-Life folk think all human life is sacred and should be treat with respect, well probably to some degree.  Doesn't one seem more selfish than the other?  After coming to this conclusion I can see why there would be protests every year.  Who likes murder anyways?

• Great article on the founder of Under Armor, a fellow University of Maryland, College Park alum
• And this is why I tell Chewy to wash every new article of clothing before wearing it.  Does she listen to me?  Nope. 
• Yet another massive Toyota recall.  The once proud car company seems to be having problems.  I wonder if it stems from having more cars built in the US than in Japan. 
• I mentioned this to Chewy before too that there's no hurt pride or loss of manhood if and when we have kids that it's ok for her to keep working while I become the stay at home dad.  I don't think she was all that keen on that idea.

Time Flies ...

When you're in-laws are in town doesn't it seem like time just flies by.  It's not like I don't get along with my in-laws but since they don't live here it seems like there's this idea of having to entertain them.  Though all we did was eat and eat and eat and eat and then went to a buffet and then ate some more.  As my father in-law said at Tysons Buffet that he felt a tad guilty because there was all this food and places like Africa or South America or Haiti lack food.  It's true.  I had the same thought while getting my second of five plates.  And this was during lunch too.  Ugh. 

• Whoa!  Can't believe Brown won Massachusetts yesterday.  A Republican taking the Lion of the Senates seat.  Boy did the Democrats blow this one.
• Seems like the Haiti elite are doing well post-earthquake.
• At least the Haiti people are still praising God in their times of woe.
• I remember those days.  Then I got married.  
• I guess BPA really is bad for ya.
• Oh SNAP!  Ghostbusters 3!!!

Reliable Haiti Relief Aid ...

It's obvious people are generous and want to reach out to the Haitian people.  However, I know some are skeptical about whether the money donated will actually make it to the people and not absorbed into some abyss of managing costs or corruption.  Unlike Hurricane Katrina where people could send any type of aid to the area since incident happened in the United States it probably best serves the Haitians to send money to a group that is able to maximize the amount and provide actual support to those in need.  It is with this idea that President Obama has enlisted the help of former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush to help organize those donations to the Haitian island. 

From the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund information page:

I'm guessing because Clinton's Foundation has been around longer he's got the infrastructure in place to ensure 100% of the donations go to the people.  Bush is just getting started with his foundation. 

Go ahead and make a secure donation and be ensured that it'll go to help the people that need it the most.

When Tragedy Happens ...

Horrific events around the world typically generate sympathy, prayers and monetary generosity from the United States.  The country definitely has the heart and capability to help those in need especially during these emergency situations when lives are endangered or uprooted.  Whether it's food, man-power or machinery it's nice to know we as a country typically responds quickly to other nations. 

That said, we have to also look at the flip-side to all of this.  I think O'Reilly puts it best.  Some have called him mean spirited or callous but really isn't there truth to what he's saying?  For all the money we give to these countries to help the poor, to help the government how much of it is wasted by corruption.  Should we not give anymore?   No, I don't think that's his point but a dose of reality in terms of accountability.  The same could be said for our government.  Three days to respond verse three hours.  I'm sure he was just getting his facts during those three days and not itching to play golf.

• Somehow I don't think this judge will ever be nominated to a higher bench.  I wonder if we could register Sharka for some stuff to see if this happens to him.
• The downfall all started when they went to 'KFC' from Kentucky Fried Chicken.
• I was wondering when something like this would happen.  Next, a tax on breathing.
• Hmmmm, I wonder if Chewy would ever let me do something like this ...
• I see Obama is a 'Lost' fan!
• Two videos to make viral: Pants on the Ground and Unmovable FSU Linesman

Love Him or Hate Him, That IS Michael Steele ...

Sure he makes some stupid comments sometimes and seems lost but hey you gotta luv the GOP Brother!  He's right though.  Even if the Republicans start winning more seats are they really ready for it?  It's nice to puff out one's chest and crow a bit but I can't say I'm all that impressed with any of their political strategies or ideas.  Is that Michael Steeles fault or is it the old GOP trying to grasp onto the old ways.  I'm just really surprised that a ton of old school Democrats are retiring or not running for re-election.  What does that say about Obama and what he's trying to do?  Would they really want to give up their cushy lifestyle than support the Big O?  Apparently so.  Something ain't right here. 

• Interesting idea about how to stop terrorism.  Is it flat-out discrimination? Should we hold ourselves to a higher standard or slide into behaving like the terrorist do?  I do agree that we should stop allowing us to be manipulated it's more of a matter of how to do that.
• ALL YOU CAN EAT PANCAKES AT IHOP!!!  I do luv me some pancakes! 
• Just a heads up you Metro riders - a 10-cent fare hike could be on the horizon