The Anti-"FOX News"

If you haven't checked out this site, then you have to go check out News Hounds. This is a blog with 8 contributors who basically call Fox News on its various bullshit. Their slogan, "We watch FOX so you don't have to". That is just brilliant. Go check it out.

Stupid human tricks

So, I went to the beach with a few friends on Saturday night. It was a strane night at the beach so I decided to document the night with the ole digital camera. There is actually a pretty funny story about the beach, but I'll have to post on it later. Anyways, I walk up to this kid and say "Hey kid, do something interesting". He then responded with the following classic moment. (Note: I then showed this picture to his grandmother who nearly busted a gut laughing)

Do the Shiavo

In the spirit of "Do the Lyndie", comedian Amanda Egge has started a "Do the Shiavo" website. I laughed, then felt absolutely horrible for laughing. And now I'm laughing again. Here's a preview of what you are going to get yourself into should you go to Amanda Egge's website.

Got tagged with a meme

I was challenged to do this meme by John over at Upon Further Review, so here it goes:

Three names you go by (that won't give away your identity): Rob, AWOL (My nickname from college band) and I've been accused of being Satan more times than I can count

Three screen names you've had: Goodmeis (Think Good me is), Longhornsurfer, and HateisBliss ( I was a bitter teenager)

Three physical things you like about yourself: One Twig and two berries. Why? Because being a chick sounds way to hard

Three physical things you don't like about yourself: My slowly increasing gut. The hair on my feet. And being a little taller would be nice

Three parts of your heritage: Mexican, German, French (There are several others, but I'm limited to three)

Three things you are wearing right now: Eyebrow Ring. Save Darfur bracelet. Socks.

Three favorite bands / musical artists: Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, hmmmm... Frank Siniatra. The guy was such a badass.

Three favorite songs: Black Dog - Zeppelin, She's Got Issues - Offspring, Crazy - Aerosmith

Three things you want in a relationship: Ideally, she would be an equal, a friend and a great lover.

Three physical things about the preferred sex that appeals to you: I like a woman who's got a little junk in the trunk. I also prefer darker features on a women (dark eyes, hair, olive skin).

Three of your favorite hobbies: reading, gambling, anything at the beach

Three things you want to do really badly right now: Get a real job. Get a supermodel. Get my ass to the beach so I can get a tan.

Three things that scare you: Death. Taxes. The Republican Party controlling all three branches of government... oh shit!

Three of your everyday essentials: Shower, toothpaste, and a good meal

Three careers you have considered / are considering: Scientist (the one I'm doing), Astronaut (the I wanted to do but don't qualify for because of my poor eyesight and asthma), and chef (my "if I quit grad school right now" fantasy job)

Three places you want to go on vacation: Rome, Japan, hawaii

Three kids' names you like: Dumbass, girl dumbass... maybe I shouldn't answer this question

Three things you want to do before you die: Contribute something to help improve society, put $10,000 on black for one turn of the Roullete wheel, sail across an ocean.

Three ways you are stereotypically a boy: I like sports way too much. I like to drink lots of beer while I watch sports. I typically will only eat things that once walked on the face of the earth (ie grilled meat) while I drink and watch sports.

Three ways you are stereotypically a girl: I like to cook. I watch the Food network. I like to grow spices (Cilantro, oregano), though I let my current spice garden die from neglect.

Three celeb crushes: I don't really have crushes on celebrities. I think Rachael Ray from the food network is cute. Natalie Portman is hot. Does any women from a Victoria Secret catalogue count?

I suppose I'll pass this to The Chemist and AC Patriot

The quote that always makes me laugh

"You need me, Springfield. Your guilty conscience may move you to vote Democratic, but deep down you long for a cold-hearted Republican to lower taxes, brutalize criminals, and rule you like a king. That's why I did this, to save you from yourselves. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a city to run. " -- Sideshow Bob

BBQ Tour

In Slate magazine today, David Plotz concedes what I have known for years: Texas has by far the best bbq on earth. He has been on a bbq tour going to all the most famous spots for bbq in the southern U.S. I found his exchange with an airport screener to be very typical of what someone in central Texas would say about his bbq tour. (Note: I have been to almost every bbq joint mentioned in this article, and they are all fantastic.)

"At the Austin airport, I was singled out for a special security screening. The TSA agent fingering through my bag pulled out a jar of barbecue sauce I had bought at Gates in Kansas City. "What's this?" she asked.

"It's barbecue sauce," I said.

"I know it's barbecue sauce. I mean, what kind of sauce is it? I've never seen this kind before."

"It's from Kansas City."

She grimaced at this. Holding the jar like it contained C-4 explosive, she showed it to another screener. "Look, this guy has some kind of barbecue sauce from New York City or something," she told the other screener derisively.

"Kansas City," I weakly interrupted.

She waved me off, then said in an ominous voice. "Now, why would you have that?"

"I was on a barbecue tour," I answered. "I started in Kansas City, and finished here."

"Did you go to Rudy's?" she asked.

I shook my head.

"You came to Texas for barbecue, and you didn't go to Rudy's?" She turned to her partner. "He came to Texas, and he didn't go to Rudy's!" The partner shook his head.

"What about the Salt Lick?" she asked. I shook my head no again. She made a face.

The partner continued the interrogation. "How about the County Line?"

I shook my head.

"Well, where did you go?" the screener asked in an exasperated voice.

"I went to Cooper's in Llano. And I went to Smitty's and Kreuz Market in Lockhart."

She lit up. "Well, why didn't you say that to begin with?" She nudged her partner. "He went to Lockhart." The partner nodded. The agent turned back to me, and handed me the bag and the sauce. "You can go ahead now."

Watch that bubble burst

Housing prices seem to be rising indefinitely. It seems like there is no better time to be a home owner. However, Paul Krugman at the N.Y. Times is arguing that the housing market is nothing but a speculative bubble that will soon burst. He references a few sources who predicted the Dot-Com bubble burst, who are now predicting that the housing mark bubble will also soon burst. This is terrible news because the largest asset for most people in the U.S. is their house, and alot of people are going to lose alot of money if the housing market suddenly falls. Still, at least their is hope that those of us who don't own a home may be able to afford one some day.