| ||
 | ||
| Gear | Other | ||
| Gummi Bear surgeries(heart transplant, brain transplant...) by Instructables member fungus amungus. | ||
 |
Friday, April 30, 2010
Gummy Bear Surgery
Thursday, April 29, 2010
2010 Mercedes Benz Corporate Run
I did it! I finished the 5K!
While this might not be a big deal for many, I'm not much of a runner so I was proud to finish the run in under 35 minutes. I'm even more proud of my co-workers for their participation and hard work. It was a pretty nice day to run too.
Maybe I'll try running more. I hope others that participated in this year's run had a good time as well. Now it's time to relax these muscles. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's Critical Mass... around 17 people just in my group. How awesome is that?!
Good job Giroski!
While this might not be a big deal for many, I'm not much of a runner so I was proud to finish the run in under 35 minutes. I'm even more proud of my co-workers for their participation and hard work. It was a pretty nice day to run too.
Maybe I'll try running more. I hope others that participated in this year's run had a good time as well. Now it's time to relax these muscles. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's Critical Mass... around 17 people just in my group. How awesome is that?!
Good job Giroski!
Buena Vista - Buena Comida
Who would have thought that love at first sight would transcend and manifest a unique French bistro in the heart of old-Midtown? A diamond in the rough some would call it, once first glance has skimmed through the bitter surroundings of its location. An easy spot to miss but all the better for those that have the fortune of its discovery. With very few choices for food in the area, owners Claude Postel and Clarie Bienvenu, have accomplished what they set out to do; establish a place in the neighborhood where people can get a good meal.
As you walk into the bistro, the aroma of fresh baked bread fills your chest while your eyes drift straight ahead admiring all the fine custard filled and fruited pastries. A slight glance to your left, would cause anyone's feet to gravitate towards their fresh meats and salads. But that's not all... READ MORE...
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
545 vs. 300 Million
I'm usually not one to dive into political blunders but this one has an honest perspective that I wouldn't mind sharing. While my own political views may be somewhat conservative, my opinions are independent and non-comforming.
Former columnist of the Orlando Sentinel, Charlie Reese provided some decent food for thought on our political makeup and National dynamic.
By Charlie Reese
Politicians are the only people in the world who create problems and then
campaign against them.
Have you ever wondered, if both the Democrats and the Republicans are against deficits, WHY do we have deficits?
Have you ever wondered, if all the politicians are against inflation and high taxes, WHY do we have inflation and high taxes?
You and I don't propose a federal budget. The president does.
You and I don't have the Constitutional authority to vote on appropriations. The House of Representatives does.
You and I don't write the tax code, Congress does.
You and I don't set fiscal policy, Congress does.
You and I don't control monetary policy, the Federal Reserve Bank does.
One hundred senators, 435 congressmen, one president, and nine Supreme Court justices equates to 545 human beings out of the 300 million are directly, legally, morally, and individually responsible for the domestic problems that plague this country.
I excluded the members of the Federal Reserve Board because that problem was created by the Congress. In 1913, Congress delegated its Constitutional duty to provide a sound currency to a federally chartered, but private, central bank.
I excluded all the special interests and lobbyists for a sound reason. They have no legal authority. They have no ability to coerce a senator, a congressman, or a president to do one cotton-picking thing. I don't care if they offer a politician $1 million dollars in cash. The politician has the power to accept or reject it. No matter what the lobbyist promises, it is the legislator's responsibility to determine how he votes.
Those 545 human beings spend much of their energy convincing you that what they did is not their fault. They cooperate in this common con regardless of party. What separates a politician from a normal human being is an excessive amount of gall. No normal human being would have the gall of a Speaker, who stood up and criticized the President for creating deficits. The president can only propose a budget. He cannot force the Congress to accept it.
The Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land, gives sole responsibility to the House of Representatives for originating and approving appropriations and taxes. Who is the speaker of the House? Nancy Pelosi. She is the leader of the majority party. She and fellow House members, not the president, can approve any budget they want. If the president vetoes it, they can pass it over his veto if they agree to.
It seems inconceivable to me that a nation of 300 million cannot replace 545 people who stand convicted -- by present facts -- of incompetence and irresponsibility. I can't think of a single domestic problem that is not traceable directly to those 545 people. When you fully grasp the plain truth that 545 people exercise the power of the federal government, then it must follow that what exists is what they want to exist.
If the tax code is unfair, it's because they want it unfair.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red ..
If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
If the budget is in the red, it's because they want it in the red ..
If the Army & Marines are in IRAQ , it's because they want them in IRAQ
If they do not receive social security but are on an elite retirement plan not available to the people, it's because they want it that way.
There are no insoluble government problems.
Do not let these 545 people shift the blame to bureaucrats, whom they hire and whose jobs they can abolish; to lobbyists, whose gifts and advice they can reject; to regulators, to whom they give the power to regulate and from whom they can take this power. Above all, do not let them con you into the belief that there exists disembodied mystical forces like "the economy," "inflation," or "politics" that prevent them from doing what they take an oath to do.
Those 545 people and they alone, are responsible.
They and they alone, have the power.
They and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
This might be funny if it weren't so darned true.
They and they alone, have the power.
They and they alone, should be held accountable by the people who are their bosses.
Provided the voters have the gumption to manage their own employees.
We should vote all of them out of office and clean up their mess!
This might be funny if it weren't so darned true.
Be sure to read all the way to the end:
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
Taxes drove me
to my doom...'
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
It’s time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge T ax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Tax his land,
Tax his bed,
Tax the table
At which he's fed.
Tax his tractor,
Tax his mule,
Teach him taxes
Are the rule.
Tax his work,
Tax his pay,
He works for peanuts
Anyway!
Tax his cow,
Tax his goat,
Tax his pants,
Tax his coat.
Tax his ties,
Tax his shirt,
Tax his work,
Tax his dirt.
Tax his tobacco,
Tax his drink,
Tax him if he
Tries to think.
Tax his cigars,
Tax his beers,
If he cries
Tax his tears.
Tax his car,
Tax his gas,
Find other ways
To tax his ass.
Tax all he has
Then let him know
That you won't be done
Till he has no dough.
When he screams and hollers;
Then tax him some more,
Tax him till
He's good and sore.
Then tax his coffin,
Tax his grave,
Tax the sod in
Which he's laid.
Put these words
Upon his tomb,
Taxes drove me
to my doom...'
When he's gone,
Do not relax,
It’s time to apply
The inheritance tax.
Accounts Receivable Tax
Building Permit Tax
CDL license Tax
Cigarette Tax
Corporate Income Tax
Dog License Tax
Excise Taxes
Federal Income Tax
Federal Unemployment Tax
Fishing License Tax
Food License Tax
Fuel Permit Tax
Gasoline Tax
Gross Receipts Tax
Hunting License Tax
Inheritance Tax
Inventory Tax
IRS Interest Charges IRS Penalties
Liquor Tax
Luxury Taxes
Marriage License Tax
Medicare Tax
Personal Property Tax
Property Tax
Real Estate Tax
Service Charge T ax
Social Security Tax
Road Usage Tax
Sales Tax
Recreational Vehicle Tax
School Tax
State Income Tax
State Unemployment Tax
Telephone Federal Excise Tax
Telephone Federal Universal Service Fee Tax
Telephone Federal, State and Local Surcharge Taxes
Telephone Minimum Usage Surcharge Tax
Telephone Recurring and Non-recurring Charges Tax
Telephone State and Local Tax
Telephone Usage Charge Tax
Utility Taxes
Vehicle License Registration Tax
Vehicle Sales Tax
Watercraft Registration Tax
Well Permit Tax
Workers Compensation Tax
STILL THINK THIS IS FUNNY?
Not one of these taxes existed 100 years ago, and our nation was the most prosperous in the world. We had absolutely no national debt, had the largest middle class in the world, and Mom stayed home to raise the kids. What in the hell happened? Can you spell 'politicians?' And I still have to 'press 1' for English!?
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Vote B-Cycle for Miami!
The Green initiative seems to be moving forward and thankfully so. We have to leave something for future generations to enjoy but hopefully they will have something better to look forward to.
There are so many opportunities and options for all of us to make an effort in lowering our carbon foot print. I understand that becoming a more Earth-conscious person means making changes but it doesn't mean that the transitions have to be abrupt.
Aside from making changes in our daily life considering the products we use and implementing recycling as part of our daily routine; our choice for mode of transportation seems to have the greatest impact. Lucky for us, Miami-Dade County provides a pretty decent transit system. From Homestead to the Beaches, Miami-Dade Transit provides buses and metro rail routes for easy no-traffic commuting.
Another potential Go Green initiative to take place in Miami that I think is an AWESOME idea is bike sharing. With a similar set up as the zip cars that were proposed a year or two ago (solely seen at the University of Miami), bike sharing provides an easy, clean and affordable way of getting around town with just a matter of a card swipe.
This concept is called B-Cycle. While it's currently in voting stages, B-Cycle will provide easy to use and well maintained community bicycles at bike stations strategically placed throughout various cities. B-Cycle is a collaboration among three major American companies including Humana, Trek Bicycle Corporation and Crispin Porter + Bogusky.
What's even cooler about the B-Cycle is the technology behind it. B-Cycle relies on the integration of hardware and software to keep track of members and bikes, and all the interactions between users and bikes. Each bike will have "Proprietary GPS (global positioning system) and RFID (radio frequency identification) technologies" that will make it possible for bike sharing to be so smart and simple for its users. All rides will be tracked by the system and associated with members. Data such as distance, duration, calories burned, and carbon offset will be captured and uploaded to personal web pages at Bcycle.com.
How awesome is that? I think it will completely reinforce each individuals Earth-conscious initiative. So how do we make this possible? We VOTE! Just check out the site at www.bcycle.com and be sure to visit their Who Wants It More? page and vote!
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Time to get back in shape. Time for DailyBurn!
After just recently skimming past life's 1/4-mark and now at the not so tender age of 26, I've forced myself to come to terms that I no longer have the body or rather metabolism of an 18 year old. Yes, the mid to late 20's certainly don't feel like 30 but I guess this is life's way of prepping you for the journey onward. Oh how I'm going to miss couch potato days of pure gluttony and bliss. I guess from time to time I'll be able to sit back and reminisce of scarfing down almost a whole pizza or going on a Ruffles binge. Then I'll look into the mirror and snap myself back into reality- Susy you're not a teenager anymore!
Before you get the assumption I'm just an all out mass food gorger, I just happen to be a food enthusiast. Throughout most of my life it's been rather easy to maintain a slim, petite figure. For the most part I've always managed to stay physically active to support my crazy eating habits. However, as life goes on and I get older, some things decide to slow down all on their own.
Work + School + Social Events + Just Life In General = Busy Susy = Slower Metabolism and Less Time to Workout
I find myself having to plan out and purposely structure my day and my diet just so I can get myself a little closer to how my body used to be. I figure if I can maintain a somewhat proper diet and exercise regime than I can hopefully prolong that post 30's slope. Lord knows I've tried several programs, pills and what not just get back to my fantasy weight and it just seems like I've completely plateaued even though my visible body may have changed.
So, a friend of mine introduced me to yet another site dedicated to those interested in getting into shape and I figured, once again, why not?! It's called the Daily Burn for others desperate to get back in shape and want something new to try.
I set up a profile today, set my goals, meals and picked my workouts. My friend says I should results within 60 days. I'm crossing my fingers and getting ready to kick my ass in the gym.
If you like, feel free to check it out:
Before you get the assumption I'm just an all out mass food gorger, I just happen to be a food enthusiast. Throughout most of my life it's been rather easy to maintain a slim, petite figure. For the most part I've always managed to stay physically active to support my crazy eating habits. However, as life goes on and I get older, some things decide to slow down all on their own.
Work + School + Social Events + Just Life In General = Busy Susy = Slower Metabolism and Less Time to Workout
I find myself having to plan out and purposely structure my day and my diet just so I can get myself a little closer to how my body used to be. I figure if I can maintain a somewhat proper diet and exercise regime than I can hopefully prolong that post 30's slope. Lord knows I've tried several programs, pills and what not just get back to my fantasy weight and it just seems like I've completely plateaued even though my visible body may have changed.
So, a friend of mine introduced me to yet another site dedicated to those interested in getting into shape and I figured, once again, why not?! It's called the Daily Burn for others desperate to get back in shape and want something new to try.
I set up a profile today, set my goals, meals and picked my workouts. My friend says I should results within 60 days. I'm crossing my fingers and getting ready to kick my ass in the gym.
If you like, feel free to check it out:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
