I was hoping to blog more often, but things don't always go the way we want.

In case you were wondering where the hell I was, I haven't been up to snuff lately.  Since I was here last, the weather has been typical spring stuff (cool and raining), which plays merry hell with my old joints and such.  My back has been doing its usual nasty tricks, my right shoulder feels like I've spent some time on the rack, and I haven't had much sleep to speak of.  All of which is taking place while I've been putting my yard into some semblance of order, and tilling up and planting my usual vegetable garden.  Thus, I've been spending a lot of time laid out with a heating pad on my lower back, and ice packs on my shoulder.
But enough whining about my problems, they're just a consequence of living past the age of 50.

"Start every day off with a smile and get it over with."
 -W. C. Fields

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The president of Mexico has decided to tell us how to run our country.  The president of our country has been hanging with him during this time, telling him how great it is they can get together over this.
To President Calderon: KMA.  Don't come up here telling us we're picking on your citizens, and causing trouble in Mexico.  The problem with Mexico is corrupt government and a class system that has most of the people on the bottom, and the aristocrats and criminals on the top.  Why don't you go home and put your own house in order before coming up here and spewing that sort of drivel at us; we don't need your advice.
To our president: why don't you quit bowing and scraping to everyone from every other country, and start showing a bit of respect for the American people?  Pull your nose out of Calderon's ass and start sticking up for us for a change.
Just my opinion.

"Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your government when it deserves it."
-Mark Twain

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 The Senate has passed a finance reform bill; this should be interesting.  Every time Congress or the Senate gets together and starts "reforming" things, it make me nervous.  What usually happens is that they manage to cobble together some sort of ungodly monstrosity that no one really understands completely, no one has ready from start to finish, and has all sorts of "Easter eggs" hidden in it.  One thing I notice is that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are immune; since they are two of the big problems that helped get us into this financial mess, that seems sort of stupid to me. 

"One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothin' can beat teamwork."
- Edward Abbey

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I'll be going on a brief vacation with my wife on Memorial Day weekend; we're going to spend a few days down by Moab, Utah, one of our favorite areas.  I should have a few pictures when we get back.

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Any of these look familiar to anyone?  Any comments, complaints, or accolades? ; )

         "Woman, Woman" by Gary Puckett & the Union Gap
         "Bring Me Some Water" by Melissa Etheridge
         "Concerto No. 8 for Flute and Orchestra in G/G-Dur/Sol Majeur" by James Galway
         "I Can See Clearly Now" by Johnny Nash
         "We Don't Need Another Hero" by Tina Turner
         "Someday Soon" by Judy Collins
         "Dengue Woman Blues" by Jimmie Vaughan
         "Fresh Air" by Quicksilver Messenger Service
         "Chelsea Morning" by Joni Mitchell
         "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" by The Charlie Daniels Band