| Death to Horny Canadian Porkers |
[Apr. 16th, 2008|08:55 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  aggravated | ] |
We have done it again. Because of upcoming trade legislation between the US and Canada the sales of Pigs will be dropping from Canada. At present time a pig farmer in Manitoba at best gets $50 for a pig that it cost $100 to raise. (Notice how that pork is fairly inexpensive to buy) The Canadian government in its wisdom decided the way to get pork prices up is to reduce the amount of available ribs, hams, roasts,bacon and sausage. The way they are going to do this is by culling the breeding stock. Culling means a great slaughter is coming for the over-sexed boars and sows that have caused the problem of too much un-profitable pork. This culling is a fine example of a government trying to control prices by death causing policy.
In me book the policy makers that creates this kind of Government mandated interference in economic areas. |
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| Medical Musings |
[Mar. 9th, 2008|12:28 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  grateful | ] |
I had one of those days which resulted in a trip to Emergency at our top notch neighborhood hospital Orange Coast Memorial. I love and respect them for the exceptional care that they provide. After a couple of hours they admitted me for some testing and possible internal repair the next day. All things went well and I was in fact repaired and released. This visit confirmed what I have always felt that the Doctors may be The Officers but the Nurses are the Sergeants that make sure things happen. There is a terrible shortage of these folks both ladies as well as men. The nursing schools are hurting for funding and the drop out rate is high. The ones that get through become true professionals. The Emergency nurse was a tough and efficient Gunnery Sergeant type that was efficient in the midst of bedlam but caring of her charges. The floor nurses are great examples of what makes America great. They including: Afro Americans, Vietnamese, Chinese, Filipino, Mexican and Latino American, as well as plain old Americans from Missouri and elsewhere. You find a similar mix of folks in The Military, Law Enforcement and Fire Protection sectors that operate at such great efficiency. The Nurses of this present day were all were willing to make the sacrifices necessary to get the education and technical training to become a member of this most needed and care giving profession. I thank you all |
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| Election Day |
[Feb. 5th, 2008|02:43 pm] |
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West by God Virgnia has showed its true colors and Selected Huckabee. This is from a state that has the highest ratios of adults with missing teeth. Oh well !!!!!!!!! |
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| That's Entertainment |
[Jan. 31st, 2008|02:30 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | cheerful | ] |
I was sitting at an Applebees in Tracy California, drinking Sierra Nevada Pale Ale Draft, eating assorted bar food and watching the Lakers. I heard across the bar from me a Jeff Foxworthy voice coming from a kind of early version of Jeff (mid twenty's). He was tall and Skinny with a Chevy truck ball cap. He was be-moaning the fact that Tracy did not seem to have any saloons for entertainment of his traveling companions.
The Bar-keep and myself both explained to him that at one time Tracy was a farm town with lots of red-neck type entertainment. Tracy was the heart of sugar beet country and you could smell it for 40 miles. The sugar beet business moved out and a new prison moved in and Tracy turned into a Bedroom community that is a suburb of the Bay area (60 miles East of San Jose). The newcomers did not want any smelly old redneck bars to clutter up their town so most of them ceased to exist with a couple of exceptions like "The Great Plate" and Scullys. Tracy has some limited entertainment such as the "Dry Bean Festival" and a weekly farmers market.They do have a vintage Theater with a real stage and orchestra pit that is still in operation.
It turns out that the Foxworthy Look and Sound a Like was a bus-driver that had a Bus load of singers and dancers and actors Oh my.They were a traveling entertainment troop that were identicle in mission to groups that have made rural America their own "Broadway" They present Skits and Plays, do musical numbers, solos and other types of stage craft. They were a big deal back in pre-tv and radio days and were one of the few souces of entertainment for much of the midwest and far west. Those of you that have seen the movie Tombstone will know the type of troop I'm attempting to describe.
The Town of Tracy was to have the privelige of being entertained by this group in their vintage theater. I was astounded that these groups still exist. I met them in person the next morning over breakfast buffet at the Hampton Inn. They were all young, attactive and as a group radiated the talant and love of their craft that drove them. I sat there listening to their chatter and enthusiasm for a full days rehearsal and then "On with The Show" the next night. They are distant in miles from Hollywood and Broadway but not in spirit and talant and love of being on stage. The applause and curtain calls and all the good folks in the audience is all the pay they need. |
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| Giant Turkey Legs in a Time frozen town |
[Jan. 27th, 2008|10:37 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | peaceful | ] |
At the foot of University Ave in Berkley,California the street goes across a bridge over Interstate 80 and dead ends into San Francisco Bay. Underneath the
bridge squats a troll-like structure that is part Quonset Hut with attached sheds that is rather shack like in appearance. Inside the building is a shot and beer tavern on one end and a massive food counter on the other.It is called Brennan's.
When I first started going there over 30 years ago it was frequented by Dock workers and other hard hat types, Students and Faculty at UC Berkeley, Hippies, Bikers, street people and chow-hounds like myself.
In those days the countermen where mostly chinese in food spattered t-shirts who served amazing sandwiches and meals while producing a wave of shouted communication between customer and counterman and counterman to counterman. This was in chinese-english that was pretty basic. " What you want hey on your tray plenty of?" This would be conducted in the audio level you hear from professional wrestlers. Today in responce to the newly gentrified clientele there is no countermen. They are counterwomen, mostly Filipino and Mexican. They do not shout.
The menu has not changed. The giant prehistoric turkey legs are still there. You can also buy for $6.95 a whole turkey carcass to take home and make soup out of. In an average month they will use 4 tons of turkey, 1 ton of Beef and a 1/2 ton each of corned beef, pastrami, ham and pork. They also have a massive selection of side dishes and deserts.
This is how you do it. You pick up a tray and make you way past choices that would be a joy for the Ghost of Christmas Present to behold. When you get through the line the tray has vanished beneath a mountain of food. You find a seat at any open spot including the bar(Real Drinks required here like a shot of rye and a glass of Bud). You may share a table with some amazing folks. When you finish the giant repast you will wonder when you will ever eat again.
This would be a better world if more folks could be exposed to the history, wonder and glory that is Brennan's. It slows time itself. Enjoy !!! |
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| (no subject) |
[Jan. 23rd, 2008|09:10 pm] |
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I'm back. I have suffered a almost fatal writers block since the death of my father the leader of our clan. Our uncle Les is now by succession our leader but he is paralyzed from the loss of his older brother, my dad who was his guide and mentor. My sister as well as in a bad state from the loss. To complicate the situation the mother of the clan is now lost somewheres in the national old folks train wreck that is so easily called Alzheimer's. We are pulling as a clan and family to get this behind us but I know it will never happen. Our Leader my Father AKA TURK Sr rests in a wild place in the sand dunes above Lake Michigan. The deer and other animals that my father and myself hunted for food are now, I hope his loving forgiving, companions in the wild place that he rests. |
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| Helloooooooo Wabbits |
[Mar. 9th, 2007|02:56 pm] |
Glad to be back. Since we last spoke. I made it through the Holidays with Minimum Fuss. I've been to. Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver Twice, Colorado Springs, Pueblo Colorado, Boulder Colorado, Portland, Eugene and Corvalis Oregon, and Buffalo New York. Weather I have seen included, Blizzards in Colorado, Torrential Rain in Northern California,Oregon and Washington. I was in Buffalo New York for the storm that put Jet Blue in an ugly situation. In my infinite wisdom I had flow to Buffalo with a connection through Phoenix and a return through Vegas rather than Kennedy. I'm a mean motor scooter when it comes to travel
I had a visious flu that was imported from Chicago and refined by passing it around to my immediate family to suffer through once or twice. It turned into a nasty Sinus infection that forced my good wife and myself to seek help from an Clinic MD that was not our normal sawbones.
One of my pirate flags was destoyed by Santa Ana Winds and my Spa is leaking. All of these things have led to a lack of input in the Journal.
Saw a Warning sign in Hooters in Colorado Springs that advised me that oysters on the half shell might be hazardous to my health. I asked the well formed beer server if they were talking about local oysters from the Platte river and she replyed that she thought so.
I saw another sign in a Pizza joint in Pueblo. It was on the wall out side an annex that had video games and other forms of amusement. It said " Un-supervised children will be given a double Expresso and a free puppy"
In me Book: The media, All of them for their rotten behavior since the start of the year. |
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| Holiday Ramblings |
[Dec. 20th, 2006|08:47 am] |
There is a small town in The northwest section of California called Lewiston. It is located on the Trinity River at the foot of the Trinity Alps. The population of the Town is about 500 and the whole area has about 4000 folks. We wander up there every year. The trip is 600 miles North by Northwest. If you consider that I live 100 miles north of the Mexican border and where Lewiston is located there is still about 100 miles up to the Oregon border, you get some idea how large California is.
Besides Fishing, Drinking and getting snowed on there is a small miracle that takes place that is a significant event. There is a old, one lane bridge that crosses the Trinity River and connects to the downtown what there is of it. Every year the Saturday after Thanksgiving people from all over gather in this very remote place to witness the lighting of the bridge that signifies that start of the Holiday Season.
It starts with fireworks of a grand scope for the crowds delight. Then the switch to light the Bridge is thrown by a chosen one, usually a small child. The bridge shines with light reflected on the peoples faces from the dark river. The people cheer as the final act unfolds. Santa on top of a Wagon drawn by a Tractor crosses the bridge into town. There is widespread wonder and hope on the faces of all present, young and old. This is Christmas and all of those good folks truly believe in it. I confess that I also believe. I see the wonder and hope that is The Christmas season.
Wonder and Hope to all of you good folks, Pass it on. |
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| Holidays |
[Dec. 18th, 2006|03:10 pm] |
When we are born we are allocated so many Christmas Celebrations. Each one passed is one less in you Xmas future Bank. It would probably be of some real advantage to make the most of each and every one. Here are 10 somethings to do or think about.
1. Be Ralphie like in your pursuit of the greatest gift on your list
2. Give some small presents that take great thought in there selection
3. Give a present to your community. I suggest some volunteer work
4. Give some presents to your Brain. Take a class at a local school and read some non-fiction. Watch the History Channel.
5. Slow down. Christmas is not fun in the Hospital
6. There is a song called: "All I got for Christmas is Drunk" Pay no attention to it. The Drunk Tank is another bad place to spend Christmas
7 Hug a repulsive person or animal
8. Say something good about someone you dislike
9. Enjoy it and make it a season to remember in future years
10 If we all set out to make it the best one ever, It will be.
In me Book: The Grinch of cource.
Best to you all |
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| Raider Nation |
[Dec. 18th, 2006|09:26 am] |
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2 and 13 and Run Run Jones dies on Saturday. Al Davis said in a post game chat with reporters on the state of the Raider Nation and the passing of Red Aurabach and Lamar Hunt. " All of this and now Run Run..." |
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| Fall Olympics |
[Nov. 10th, 2006|02:56 pm] |
I was at the fall Olympics but no sports were in the picture except for water sports that involved rainfall that was like Noah was familar with. The Olypics I speak of is the Olympic Peninsula in soaked to the bones Washington State. There is a town which is west of Tumwater and north of Aberdeen called Hoquiam. The locals all wear lots of wool and kinda have a palor that suggest dead folks under water.
The place also has a mixture of lumbermills and commercial fishing that adds a certain smell that is most unpleasant.
Factoid one. We ate lunch at a place that had a Italian soup special. For meat it used Polish Sausage
Factoid two. There is a bar in town that has a house special burger. It is made of Yak meat. Yaks are the male version of a high altitude bovine that lives in Tibet. Some how these unlucky cattle found their way to western washington where the locals turned them into Yak burgers.
Factoid three. Next to the bar was a local motel. The name of the Motel was the "SNORE AND WHISKER"
I would like some input from you readers as to what you think this means.
In me book entry. The folks in Florida that still can't get voting right and will require a recount. |
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| Post Election |
[Nov. 8th, 2006|02:29 pm] |
This one is pretty Quick and the folks headed for me book are 58% eerrrrrs
They are the folks that are just not interested, too stupid or too lazy to bother to vote.They are often the whine and bitch sector of the population.
The actual turn out was around 42% nationaly and 36% here in good old Orange County
Fact of the fact is that the majority of folks in this country don't much care about anything besides reality TV, Slasher flicks, quick sex, Video games and Bling
They sure don't give a large rodents rectum about the young men and women that gave their lives so that their right to vote and pursure their chosen life style stays in place.
UhGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. Me hates them to pieces. |
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| Politics and Elections |
[Sep. 27th, 2006|11:36 am] |
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The election process needs taming. The slinging of mud and constant Back biteing and Bickering suggests that my solution for restoring polite-ness in our society is now needed more than ever,
My solution is make dueling legal and a requirement for all office seekers. Rather than boring debates they could face off at Half time or 7th inning stretch over "Dirty Harry" 44 mags and blow significant wind holes in each other. As and option they could use swords or baseball bats.
While we are at it we could bring back the Spanish Inquistion and use it on corrupt politicians and their cronies. We could use the same torture standards that we are presently using off-shore. They could put it on FOX to compete with the reality shows. All procedes go to pay down the national Debt. |
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| (no subject) |
[Sep. 25th, 2006|02:55 pm] |
"Wanna go fishin, Gonna go fishin, You and me Fishin All the Time"
Sings Taj Mahal Boss Blues Guy and guitar man
Dates involved Sept 29-Oct 6th.
Location- Eastern Slope of the Sierra, Bridgeport, LeVining and Bishop CA
SEE YA |
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| Pirate Party 2006 |
[Sep. 21st, 2006|12:40 pm] |
Yo Ho Yo Ho a pirates life for me. ARRRRRRRRRR.
The party went off in fine fashion. We went from 5pm -2:30am. The Police showed up at 2:15am when we were on a wrap up mode any way.
GRUB list included Smoked TRI-TIP, Beer-can Chicken, Beans, Macaroni and Cheese and Green Bean Salad on the main cource and lots of items items for munchies and Deserts. Most of the folks were in Pirate garb and the Skull and Crossbones Flags were a Flying. The ARRRRRs got louder as the party progressed.
2 Hours worth of pirate music was provided by a compilation that Captain Jack Sparrow commisioned. Actually it was produced by Hal Wilmer and Gorden Virbinski. 400 songs were found from the time period when being a Pirate was something to sing about. 1600AD-1820AD. These songs were sent out to lots folks in the Music business. The Resulting CD " Rogues Gallery-Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs and Chantys" has about 50 songs done by Folks such as Sting, Bono, Louden Wainwright III, Nick Cave, Lou Reed, Lucenda Williams, Bryan Ferry and lots of other great folks. Try it You'll like it.
I made up about 2 gallons of me special grog. It consisted of 2 Liters of Mexican Cane Alcohol (100 proof), 2 liters of Brazilian Cane Alcohol ( 80 proof) 40 fresh squeezed limes mashed into 1 lb of raw cane sugar. It was iced and available and it all disappeared as well as large amounts of fine micro-brew beer, vintage wine and shots of 151 Rum and Patron Tequila.
Very few people fell down and only one Hurling took place. Hangovers were observed the next day. Avast, Shiver me timbers. I look forward to next year and doing it all over again
Entry for ME BOOK. The folks that own Saltys on The Columbia in Portland Oregon. After 25 years they took One of their signature dishes off the Menu, Smoked and Plank Roasted Salmon.. The reason being modern cooks could not prepare it in a hurry and It was difficult to make. Its Replacement Baked Smoked Salmon tastes like it comes from Denny's but it still goes for $26.99. Side note. " People in Oregon don't tan they rust" Rain Sucks
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| SOCAL IN SEPTEMBER |
[Sep. 12th, 2006|02:29 pm] |
Saturday was fine as frog hair. 66 & 2/3rds % of my offspring with current social entanglements in tow had a Southland Shuffle. The weather was great. We started at the Farmers market in the Fairfax. I had my favorite get the day going repast a plain bagel on the grill with cream cheese, fresh squeezed OJ with lots of pulp and a large mug of Italian roast coffee. Some had Pizza, some had crepes, some had Pastrami and some had tacos.
We than headed up to Hollywood. Went to Aomeba Records where I found a Slack String Hawaiin Selection and some Irish-American reels that were recorded in the 20S.
We than went to the ARCLIGHT which is Greatest Theatre Complex an the Universe. Saw a Movie about Bartender that became a NFL player.
The climax was Roscoes Chicken and Waffles for dinner. $50 bucks for 6 people for one of lifes real pleasures, Southern Fried chicken with fluffy Waffles. YUM
To Guote RANDY NEUMAN "I (we) Love LA"
MY ANNUAL "TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY PARTY IS SATURDAY NIGHT" WE WILL ABIDE
IN ME BOOK FOR THIS WEEK: The OAKLAND Raider offensive coordinator. I will not speak his name but he needs to go back to Idaho and fry potatoes for his overnight visitors. |
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| "Little bit of heaven,Ninety Four .7" KMET -Tooweedle-Dee |
[Aug. 23rd, 2006|01:21 pm] |
The demographics of Radio recently forced the Radio Marketing Brains to shut down the last Country station in Los Angeles. It will now feature music targeted at minority groups that represent 50% of the market. Their thoughts are that minority groups are more loyal to Radio and will not dabble with XM or Sirius Satalite Radio or high tech devices such as I-Pods. SO they will play the same ugly mix that is available on most of the formula radio stations. PS we have 14 Spanish Language Stations at last count.
Once opon a time in LA we had a FM station called KMET. It had real disc jockeys and a huge music library. The Jocks picked their own music and set their own programs. They had some sister stations that did the same thing. KSAN San Francisco, WMEW in New York, WBCN in Boston, WMMS in Cleveland and KQRS in Minneapolis were the leaders in this type of programing. The disc jockeys were not afraid to express personal opinions and ruminations on topics of the day.
The music that they played is currently found as a mixture of The Vault and DisOrder on Sirus Satellite radio. It was a well cooked stew of Album Cuts and Newcomers in Rock and a wide varity of other music. You may have just listened to a 20 minute IRON Butterfly number and Jumped into a Bluegrass band doing Cumberland Gap. What ever the Jock wanted to play they did, Without fear of sponsors or Marketing Brainiacs. The station ran from 1968-1988. It was killed by the marketing folks and turned into a light jaz station called the wave as in WAVE.
The Jocks that were my favorites were: B. Mitchell Reed, Jim Ladd, Jimmy Rabbit, Jeff Gonzer, Paraquat Kelly, Mary "Mounds" Turner, China Smith, Rick Scarry and Ace Young. DR Demento also did a Sunday night show as I recall.
If you are interested you may pick up a Film that s kind of a cult classic. It is called FM and it was based on KMET.
Entry for me book. The marketing folks that killed RADIO. |
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| (no subject) |
[Aug. 14th, 2006|09:14 am] |
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Most of July and August so far have been spent on Airplanes. Some observations:
San Francisco. BART is a Great Transportation system. If you ever fly into San Francisco you can take the escalator from Baggage claim up to the Terminal Shuttle Train. One of the stops is a BART station. The fare dowtown is $5.15 vs a $35 Cab Fare. For a real treat try Sears restaurant for Swedish Pancakes. It is at Powell and Sutter just up from Union Square. Me Book entry for this week Tourists with the Baby Strollers the Size of Pick-up trucks on SFOS side walks.
Buffalo: We Flew East for a company picnic that had a 60s Theme. The good wife was also in attendance. There were some folks in Hippie Garb. As I recall real hippies were a cheerful dope addled bunch who liked to Hump anybody within reach. They also liked to spit on vietnam vets and anyone else that did not follow their path to peace and freedom. I was one of those vets and I never killed any Babies. They have been in me book for a long time.
Seattle: If you are ever at the SeaTac Airport and have a couple of hours to Kill, Walk out of The Terminal, Turn right and go down the Hill. In about 5 minutes you will be at International Blvd. Cross the street anf turn Left and go 100yds to the 13 Coins Restaurant. It is open 24Hours. The seating is in Large swivel chairs that are on the counter. You can watch master cooks doing their work with Skill, Speed, Showmanship and blasts of Heat and Flames. The food is off the planet.
Salt Lake City: On the way via Delta airlines I observed a young, clean cut, Mid-Teen Mormon Girl engaging in a Armpit sniiff to check for stray fumes.
Loveland Colorado. Sitting next to a covey of Early 20s Farm-girls who were lusting to be hip. This is what I saw.:
They dressed in Movie star type Bits and pieces of very odd clothing.
They had way too many strangely colored drinks
They used too much Gangsta hip hop slang and used the terms Dog and Dude a lot
They did not sit in chairs very well. It was either with widly spread legs or it looked like they were sitting on a comode
They all chewed with their mouths open.
They need to get on a bus and go south to Denver to get hip-ness bones installed if they feel they need them badly.
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| Holiday Frolics |
[Jul. 5th, 2006|12:32 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | cheerful | ] |
The frolics started with the First of July Block party and Concluded with the Family Freedom Fry of the Fourth ( the 4-Fs). I thought you might like to check on the Menu's
First of July Block party
Pecan Smoked BBQ Tr-Tip, Smoked Trout, Taco Pie, Stuffed Mushrooms, Hebrew National Hot Dogs, Baked Beans, Black-eyed peas, Potato Salad, Macaroni Salad, Cole Slaw, Fresh Fruit platter, Cheese Platter, assorted pies, cakes and cookies.
Drinks included American Beers from California, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Boston. A lime and Mint Freedom Punch was made with Mexican cane juice ( Drinkable and 100 proof) A good time was had by all the 40 plus people who showed up. For those in the know this was also Canada day
4th of July Family Freedom Fry
The following items were deep fried in peanut oil with loving care
French Fried Potatoes, Bacon Hush puppies, Frickles( Fried Pickles) and Rib-Eye steaks. Diping sauce's were garlic,and lemon mayo, Malt vinegar, Thousand Island and Ranch.
Next Major Event Talk Like a Pirate party Sept 16th. YoHo
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mthurkettle's journal