IRS OOPS

Got a letter from the IRS last week...it seems that we made an error on our 2007 return and owe them $900. of course, they want it NOW and are more than willing to add numerous penalties until they do receive it. We sent a reply that we might be able to pay $25 a month towards it and are awaiting their response. I don't understand why they won't just take it out of next year's refund and forgo the penalties; it's not like it was an intentional attempt to cheat on our taxes.

Life's good.

Billy Mays no longer here

They say that celebrity deaths come in 3's and we've reached that in the last week... But wait! That's not all! We are going to throw in a 4th celebrity death at no extra charge!

Yes, Billy Mays, the over-the-top (of his lungs) king of the infomercials has died at the age of 50!

It seemed appropriate to use an exclamation mark. Hmmmm. Maybe we should see about changing that to exclaMAYtion mark in honor of Billy.

The jokes are all too easy and, as a wise man once said, comedy isn't pretty.

All jokes aside, you really have to admire Billy Mays. He became an infomercial icon and was very good at what he did. Furthermore, I think OxiClean is a great product. Billy was seemingly everywhere on the vast TV wasteland and somewhat annoying in his delivery....but admit it, you are going to miss him.

Referring to him as Billy might seem disrespectful, but I think it is a testament to his friendly on-air demeanor that made him such a great salesman. He seemed like a guy that would insist on being called Billy and not Mr. Mays.

My sincere condolences to his family, friends and, yes, his fans!

The Thriller is gone

By now, of course, you have heard the news of Michale Jackson's death. How could you not have heard? The news channel feeding frenzy is at an embarrassing peak.

I must admit that I was never really a fan of Michael Jackson. The Thriller and Bad albums had some good/great tracks and Thriller, itself, has always been one of my faves (more for Vincent Price than Michael).

I watched as millions of others were swept up in the phenomenon of Jackson but could never really understand it. His bizarre behavior and the accusations of pedophilia seemed like just part of the sideshow that was his life in the spotlight. Sometimes the hot glare of fame can really screw a person up (just ask Elvis).

I think the thing that most put me squarely in the non-fan camp was when he proclaimed himself the King of Pop. While it might be arguably true, that should have been left for others to decide. That kind of egotistic masturbation was pathetic.

My opinion aside, my sincere condolences go out to his family (especially his children), friends and millions of fans.

Farrah-well

Sorry to hear of the passing of Farrah Fawcett today. She was The pin-up girl of my generation and more than just a pretty face. She overcame the blonde bimbo stereotype to prove that she was a fine actress.

My condolences to her family, friends and fans.

Sins and Sensiblity

South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford, announced to his constituents and the world that he is an adulterer and a moron.

Sanford (R) disappeared from his state for nearly a week, including Father's Day, infuriating lawmakers in Columbia and leaving behind befuddled staff members who said they thought their boss was hiking on the Appalachian Trail. But he actually had left the governor's mansion in a state-issued SUV and jetted to Buenos Aires, where he spent five days with the woman.

Did he really think that a sitting governor could sneak away for 6 days and no one would figure out where he really went? Did he think that his little unannounced getaway would not be considered irresponsible and idiotic. I couldn't care less that he was having an affair; it is the disappearing for days and sneaking out of the country that I think would be reason to ask him to step down as governor and let someone a bit more focused take over.

Sanford is one of those bible-quoting, defenders of marriage that the Republican party reveres so much. Like many of these bastions of morality, his sense of moral outrage and certainty only applies to others. His presidential ambitions are most likely derailed and his governorship may be as well. I know that, if I were a South Carolinian, I wouldn't want this self-involved twit to be my governor.

As an immoral liberal, I do want to thank Sanford for being the hypocrite that he is and reminding us all what a joke the Republican party has become.

Oscar Wild

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has announced that they will be expanding the Best Picture category to 10 nominees in an effort to make more producers feel better about themselves and allow them to slap that Best Picture Nominee logo on their movie ads to help the industry make more money.

Okay, that isn't the reason they gave but that is what it really boils down to.

It's beginning to not be such an honor just to be nominated.

Ed McMahon, R.I.P.

Just heard the news of Ed McMahon's passing at the age of 86

The man most known as the announcer of The Tonight Show and Johnny Carson's friend and foil for 30 years.



My sincere condolences to his family, friends and many fans.

Pixar grants girl's last wish

This story will break your heart and make you love those guys at Pixar for more than their great films.





Colby Curtin wanted to see Up but was too sick to leave her home...

Theatre of the Absurd

Only Child (joined by a friend) and I ventured out on our weekly mall adventure on Friday and had planned on seeing 17 Again at the $2 movies.

We got to the theatre and were about 20 minutes into the movie when the film stopped and we were left in the dark. After a few moments, we were told to evacuate the theatre and move to the parking lot. Most of the employees seemed confused/clueless as to what was going on and couldn't answer questions regarding the evacuation. Finally, someone came out and told us that the fire alarm had gone off and that they had to check the building. Time passed and they returned to tell us to line up for rainchecks and there would be no movies. I asked why and was told that the power was out all over and they didn't know when it would be back on. I looked up at the completely lighted marquee and building and asked the employee again about the power outage and was told that it didn't make sense to her either.

We decide to kill time and see if their would be a later showing and found that the power seemed to be working just fine all over. Upon returning to the theatre for the late show, the marquee was still aglow and all interior lights were on; but we were told there would still be no showings. The reason given was that, due to the power outage, they were running too far behind to have the late showings.

That doesn't make anymore sense when I type it than when they told me.

Other than no movie, the night was a treat and driving back in a storm was more fun than it should have been. The lightning was quite impressive.

A Day Out With Only Child

After spending a week without my beloved child, we made up for it by having a day out. We took in Up at the AMC and then hit the mall and Half Price Books. We then stopped by one of my co-worker's house to play some Wii. It was the first time playing the Wii and I must say that I really wish I could get one for Only Child.... and myself. I enjoyed the bowling and golf in spite of my poor showing.

I just want to add my voice to the chorus singing the praises of Up. It is another masterpiece by Pixar! A delightful piece of fantasy that lives up to its name and soars. Can those guys make a bad movie!?

In other news. Our hours have been cut at work in an effort to make sure that my ends don't meet.

Check back later.

Almost Over

Only Child comes back on Wednesday at Midnight and I can't wait. She has very dutifully called on a daily basis to keep daddy from getting an ulcer.

In three years she will be going away to college; I can only hope I have a much better cell phone plan and nicer car to make frequent visits. Of course, Only Child might not have the same hopes.

AZ You Like it

Only Child has safely arrived in Arizona for a week of fun in the sun with her long-time internet pal, Spoon.

Of course, I was worried about her first flight... I'm a dad.

Every time that I said that I was letting my daughter fly to Arizona to stay with a friend that she met online, I was sure everyone thought I was a crappy parent sending my child into the hands of international slavery ring. She has been friends with Spoon for several years and we have been in contact with the family as we planned out this little vacation... so I didn't have too much concern regarding the trip on that front. Besides I met some of my favorite people online and and drove to Louisville, KY to meet up with them; so I wouldn't let Only Child miss out on such an opportunity.

There are so many other things I can think of to worry about...

Arizona has 547 reported cases of swine flu and 5 deaths... Yeah.

I am such a worrier.

Nonetheless. If my child is reading this... Have fun, honey, and don't forget to call me everyday so that I don't think up other things to worry about.

Love,

Dad