First 8 tracks now this

I was talking to a few guys that work for me the other day about college. Reminiscing about the crazy things that happens in dorm life. I mentioned that my first roommate dropped out of school and stole my records when he left. They thought it was funny that I had records in college. Now, I'm not so old that I did have any cd's but I also had a lot of records. I still do.

I was reading a story in USA Today this week that reminded me of that. It was about how power windows are becoming standard equipment in new vehicles. Also a funny story about a guys young daughter not understanding how the crank worked because she had never seen one. Just think the crank window could become like an eight track tape.

Here is a portion of that story.

Some of the thriftiest cars equipped with power windows standard include Ford Focus, Honda's new Fit subcompact and Toyota's youth-oriented Scion line. Nissan's 2007 Sentra will have standard power windows, replacing cranks of the past.
Ford has whittled down its crank-window models to its Ranger and some F-Series pickups and some Crown Victoria models. Only about six General Motors car models still have crank windows.
[Bill Kwong] recalled having to explain how the crank works to his amused 11-year-old daughter when he drove home a Corolla XRS, one of the few Toyota models left that has them. "She's spoiled," he quipped

Pull'em up Tuck'em in

I have always thought most people that make new rules are just bored. They look for things to take from other people and make rules as such. Like at my sons summer school. They have made a rule that students must have there shirts tucked in or be expelled. Meaning that they don't get the credit for being there and the parent is out of 50 bucks. I assume that this is to keep boys from having their pants sagging down their butts. Which by the way I hate. Why anyone would want their pants hanging to their knees is beyond me. It's nothing new. Kids used do this years ago when I was in high school. I didn't get it then and I don't get it now. I admit I tried it. For about 5 minutes and it was very uncomfortable. A few years ago when I was picking my son up from school I counted how many times this kid had to pull his pants up from the door to his car. I counted 12 times. It was ridiculous. With that said I still think expulsion is a little over board. I used to be really hard on my son about it. I would embarrass him in front of his friends if I caught him sagging and make him come home. That all changed one night at Opy Mills mall. There were kids basically rioting. If memory serves there were a few kids even maced. They shut down the whole mall because of it and some kids were taken away by the police. I remember I thinking "thank god my son isn't apart of this". I was so glad I wasn't going to be getting a call from the police like those parents were. The sagging thing seemed so small after that. I mean he hasn't to this point ever been in trouble. So, I got off his back about it. As long as he keeps it covered with his shirt I leave him alone. Sometimes as adults we can get so bogged down with the small stuff that we miss the big picture. Fact is these kids will grow out of this stuff that they think is cool. Being cool usually keeps your pockets empty and nobody wants that.

Where's my BBQ

I have always loved the 4th of July. A day full of good times and good food. Strangely enough it is the date of my only real childhood injury. Most of us have had them. You know a broken arm falling out of a tree or stitches from a bicycle accident. Mine was a rocket to the back of the head. Every year we had a fireworks war at the park that was across the street from my house. It was the park kids vs. the project kids. Most years we sent them running back down the hill. So, my brother and his best friend light one of these big rockets with the plastic tip aiming it at another kid. I came along after they had already lit it. The next thing to happen was zoom, pow, screaming, crying, a trip to the emergency room and eight stitches. So, those who know me and have wondered how I got that scare in the back of my head now you know. I still haven't let my brother live it down.

I still wish I didn't have to spend yet another 4th of July at work. Sometimes makes me want to find another job. It's just the way things are in this business. We must have enough people to put on the shows. I can't just put the news on the back burner until Wednesday. I haven't looked the numbers but I'm sure nobody is watching. Their on the lake or at the pool. Some would ask what am I complaining about because I get paid double for holidays. I DON'T WANT DOUBLE! I WANT SOME BBQ! My dad is the king of BBQ. He really has it down to a science. So, I pack the kids into the car and take them grandmas' in east Tennessee. If I can't have a fun day and my dad's BBQ at least they can.

Ready Set Tan

I workout at a YMCA. Today while I was there someone was talking to the lifeguard about her tan. She looks in my direction and says I even have him beat. This has happen every year since I was a teen. Some white person lays out in the sun everyday in search of the perfect tan and then they want to compare it to the real thing that god made. Now I am not the darkest of black people. I'm more of a beige color. "High Yella" black folks would say which makes this even more dumb. Most of the time I run from the sun. I don't like to be out in it. Breaking News the sun is hot! I rather be inside where it is comfortable.

Why is tanning such a competition? Most tanners try to see who can get the darkest. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked "do you think I'm darker than her". Is there a prize I don't know about. If there is I'll start laying out tomorrow.

To me most tans look red. Next time you think your really brown. Put your arm next fairly dark black person. You'll see what I mean.

That's the Biz

I work in media. I'm not on TV or anything but I've seen many on air personalities come and go over the years. Some on their own terms some not. Like Star Jones for instance. Now I will be the first to say that I respect any African American that is doing something positive. Lord knows that there have been enough negative images of black people over the years. So, I appreciate the positive ones. However, that crap that she pulled this week WAS weak. Sometimes in this business you lose your job. You fall from grace. People decide they don't like you. I must say it doesn't surprise me that the research wasn't favorable for Star. The same thing happen to Oprah when she lost weight. I watch a show where viewers got to talk frankly to Oprah and some of them told her that they felt that she had changed after she lost weight. The difference (other than Oprah is her own boss) is attitude. Oprah is a very present person. Star oozes with attitude. I get the feeling that she thinks she craps sunshine. She comes across very full of herself. The way she went on and on about her wedding became nauseating. Does she think that this guy would have been at all interested in her in the first place if she wasn't on TV. Now, I am not a shallow person and I am cool with a woman being a little heavy but Star was obese and unhealthy looking. She also isn't a very attractive women fat or skinny in my opinion.

I'm happy that so far nobody has played the race card. Now if there was some funny business because of race by all means lets hear it. I was afraid that race would become an issue even if it wasn't.

Star suck it up. Get new job. Maybe have some babies. What ever you do get over yourself.