RANDOMOCITY :: 07/27/09

Whatever happened to the part in weddings where the priest asked "Whomever may object to joining of these two people, speak now, or forever hold your peace"? I always enjoyed the suspense or possibility of a disgruntled ex storming in and professing their undying love for one of the two wedding participants.

On the topic of weddings, whatever happened to receiving lines where you got to hug or high five the bride and groom? Granted, after the ceremony, most wedding parties take their pictures, and at the reception often times the bride and groom visit each table, but I miss the days of receiving lines.

Are you constantly looking for new bands or just in need of a different way to listen to radio? I highly recommend Pandora, a streaming internet radio service that is FREE, allows you to create channels based on bands you like, which will then in turn add bands that sound similar. Pandora also has a Blackberry app that is easy to install and basically turns your phone into a satellite radio anywhere you go.

I really like Burn Notice and Royal Pains showing back to back on Thursday nights on USA. And God bless DVR.

I've often debated with people about what I like to call the "Human Ponzi Scheme". By that, I mean the inability of people living now to make wise and necessary sacrifices for future generations. For example, when communism came crashing down in Russia in the late 80s/early 90s, a whole generation of Russians basically knew that their quality of life would be quasi-sacrificed in hopes of creating a greater country for their offspring. Regardless of which side of the aisle you are on in regards to global warming, fossil fuels WILL someday run out, and if we aren't planning now to harness some type of renewable energy, we are doing future generations a huge disservice. I digress - there has been a battle lately in Congress about funding for F-22 jets for the military that is a classic case of political self service. President Obama had threatened to veto a defense spending bill that provided additional funding for new F-22s and just recently the Senate agreed with him and approved a budget without said funding. The issue here is that there were Congressmen lobbying hard to continue funding for production solely because they assemble the jets in their respective states. I'm no genius, but shouldn't the decision on whether to build new military vehicles come based on their efficiency in combat and the opinions of military leaders, not fear of job losses? A newer jet, the F-35, was given continued funding and has enjoyed support from Defense Secretary Robert Gates as well as other high ranking military leaders. For senators Chris Dodd (D-Conn) and Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga), continued funding for production of the F-22s saves jobs in their states. They were the hardest to lobby for continued funding, regardless of whether or not the military actually wanted or needed F-22s anymore. While politcially understandable, it seems to me sadly near-sighted to push for a military related line item just to keep jobs. If these senators had any vision, perhaps they would assess the facilities currently assembling the F-22s and see if they could be modified to assemble F-35s instead. If not F-35s, how about brainstorming for other uses for these facilities. My point is, if our leaders got a little more creative and looked at a greater picture, perhaps we wouldn't have the kind of governmental groupthink we have now. I truly hope Obama can inspire our current politicians to start "paying it forward" and looking at innovative ways to make America the true leader of the world once again.

Interesting question from trivia night #1: The U.S. state with the longest name? Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

Interesting question from trivia night #2: The only NFL football team to have never hosted, nor competed in, a Super Bowl? Cleveland Browns

I must say, there is a certain amount of skill required to find out who someone is who's texting you, when clearly you've deleted their number and don't want to admit you've done so. I decided months back that I'm going to start deleting people on my phone with whom I have minimal or no contact with anymore. I try to do this housekeeping on a monthly basis. Unfortunately, sometimes I get caught by a "Hey man, how are you, what are you up to tonight?" from a number that clearly isn't in my address book anymore. In any event, I've made a game of trying to figure out who the person is without letting them know I have no clue who they are. I've been successful everytime.

I was at Cardinal Fitness the other day, just got done with a workout and not three steps outside are two reasonably fit gals in their mid to late 20s, dressed in work out clothes, both lighting up cigarettes before their workout. Kinda defeats the purpose doesn't it?

I went suit shopping the other day at Joseph & Banks and have decided that I will indeed be buying a seersucker-style suit for Craig and Sarah's wedding in Louisville in late October. Houlette joked about the idea with me earlier this year, but after actually looking at the suits in person, I kinda fell in love with the style of it.

For those who have never heard of the Sugar River in Wisconsin, this is your education. It branches off from the Pecatonica River in southwest Wisconsin, and for a mere $10, you can rent a raft, tie it to many other rafts, and just spend 3-4 hours drifting down the river. I had the privilege of doing this last weekend and can say with 100% certainty, I will be back again next summer. Besides all the different happy groups of canoers and rafters who are more than willing to let you sample their homemade apple pie (the booze, not the pastry), the overall relaxing atmosphere, combined with good friends, better conversation, and being able to pee at will make for a fantastic experience. Highlight of the trip might have been seeing a group of wild horses drinking from the river bank, and a drunk group of guys hop off their rafts deciding they wanted to pet them. One of said drunk guys decides to not only pet one, but also jump on, and then give it a quick spank on its left flank. The horse then darts off, with drunk guy still on top, saddleless. Needless to say, not 10 yards later, drunk guy falls off the back, head over heels. At this point, many rafters had stopped to witness this spectacle and gave the guy a well deserved round of applause.

By the way, I google searched for apple pie recipes and this is what I found (this is definitely getting made for Ohio camping in a month):

Ingredients:

• 1 gallon apple cidar
• 1/2 gallon apple juice
• 5 cinnamon sticks
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 bottle Everclear (I usually go with the 750 ml, but you can go crazier)
• 1 bottle spiced rum (again, I go with the 750 ml)
• 1 giant pot
• 1 funnel
• Clean, empty bottles

Directions:

Pour cider, apple juice, cinnamon sticks, and sugar into the giant pot and stir. Heat on medium, uncovered, until the mixture starts to simmer (don't rapid boil). Continue simmering for about 15 minutes. Remove pot from heat, cover, and leave it to cool for about an hour and a half. We usually put the pot in a sinkful of ice to speed the cooling process. Add booze and stir. Remove sticks and pour into bottles using the funnel. Pass out to your friends. Cheers. Drink.

Makes: About 2 1/2 gallons, Preparation time: 2 minutes, Cooking time: 5 minutes

Why do people reheat coffee in the microwave at work when it's free to begin with? If it got cold, dump it out and pour yourself some fresh, warm coffee. This behavior puzzles me.

Fantasy Football Draft is Labor Day at my place at 8 PM.

A very unique wedding processional

Amusing Heineken commercial

Just a funny little commerical about the difference between advertising to the sexes

Two very different, yet fantastic songs, combined into one opus

Since, I leave for Ireland this week, you'll have to wait 2 full weeks before another installment of Randomocity.