SPEEDBYRD's Blog - 2old2play

Time to pick a side...

I hope I am wrong, but it seems to me that events are leading us toward another world war. It seems, when times get tough, and someone wants to push their views and or expand their borders... You get the drift. Time is also a factor. There has to have been enough time, about 50 years, since the last world war so that the old folk who actually fought in the war are dead and can't sound the warnings loud enough to quiet the young folks war chants.

I read the article in the Huffington Post and on the Drudge Report, that the terrorist from Pakistan were told to kill to their last breath, and then he begs for the military not to kill him. I truly don't understand these folks. What has terrorism EVER done to make things better?

So, how do we fight a Religious World War? Does one team take off their shirts. (in case you didn't play sports as a kid that was the old shirts vs skins way of making teams)

The war would be ugly, deep, and take many many years and cost so many lives. Fighting over land is one thing, but fighting over belief is another.

To me it seems so simple, you believe what you believe, I believe what I believe and we go about our day, I am NOT going to murder you to show you I am right. And there is no way that there were no deaths in Mumbai that were not of the religion of the terrorists. Are they simply the cost of doing business? The old saying you can't make an omelette without breaking some eggs.... I mean come on, hasn't everyone ever heard of pop tarts?

I don't mean to vent/rant can't we all get along?

Can't we solve our differences over a game of Capture the Flag... or some coop on campain? Or, in the words of my generation...How about a nice game of chess?

Speed

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Soap Box

Politics are/is a difficult subject I usually stay clear of. When you are forced to defend what you feel at the core of your being to someone whose beliefs make your stomach turn and your head ache, it makes life difficult. One person wants and feels that a particular person would be best for our country, and you feel that someone else would do a better job. We discuss and argue around the kitchen table, on lounge chairs, on cell phones, and in the work place. It can be troubling.

One thing I feel that we must discuss is energy independence. I know there are a ton of initiatives out there, but the one I wanted to soap box is the Pickens Plan. I am doing my part and spreading the word. Go and check out the web site and if you like it get involved, and if you don't I hope it gets the topic of getting the United States off foreign oil started in your house.

www.pickensplan.com

Thanks,

I am stepping off the box now,

Speed

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Wild Hogs

Ok, I am so lame, my Mom told me to rent it. It was funny. My wife teases me about putting on leather and all black when we ride, but hey when in Rome. If you rent the DVD, there is a section in the bonus tracks on how to get your wife to OK the purchase of a motorcycle. I did mine the hard way... I hope this helps someone who like me did a long look as the rolling thunder was passing you by. I have to take my bike in tomorrow for its 1000 mile tune up, not bad for 6 weeks and not taking it on any trips yet.

If you are like me, and over 40 it helps taking your wife with you. On the highway we were cruising along at 70 when to the left 8 sport bikes drove past us like we were in reverse. I gunned it, and as I did I heard in my left ear "You are NOT 19 anymore!" Ok, for about 1 second it was a buzz kill, but hey... growing up is part of life. But we did accelerate to 90 before she wanted to slow down. You can grow up without growing old.

Speed

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FIRST Bike Night

In our little corner of the world (Memphis) on Wed night Joe's Crab Shack hosts "Bike Night". Basically the parking lot is broken into 2 areas. Cars in one, and bikes only in the other.

The Mrs and I got there about 6:30 which turned out to be a little early. As we rode in, the closer we got to the bike lot the rumbling got louder and louder, and even though she gave me crap... yes I started reving my engine.

The cool part was when I pulled past a Harley who had just rev'd up his engine for a girl walking by... just then I hit mine and you could not even hear his. Yes, sad but true that the Speedbyrd Honda VTX was among the loudest bikes there. The loud pipes were a present to me, as being seen is nice, but being seen and heard is the safest. The pipes are made by Hard Krome and the model is called Sideburners. Unless you are into super loud, stay away from these monsters as they will make your neighbors stop smiling when they see you. But as my neighbors are loosers and I don't like them anyway.... well you get the point.

Michele and I sat outside and had some shrimp and ice-t to keep cool. When the sun went down we walked around and checked out some of the bikes and got some ideas on what to get to make our bike more "us".

Lots of fun. We are going to have to get the camera out soon to record this stuff.

Speed

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Mid life crisis

I never thought I would get here, (mid-life) but here I am. 10 years ago I was drinking and hanging out, coming and going as I pleased. Dating all the wrong women and loving it. Flash forward and I have a REAL job, mortgage, nice house and a wife how is SO sick of hearing about my old life!

To tell the truth, it was fun.. but being married and sharing life experiences has a lot more benefits. First of all most of my stories now don't start with "Man we were drunk... do you remember the time when we...."

My wife gave me the green light and I bought a motorcycle! She won't admit it, but she likes it as much as I do. The feeling of the open road and more to the point the feeling of being old enough to enjoy something that brought me so much happiness in my youth. And getting to share something I love with my wife is cool too. In the end, it is the times we share that define our relationships.

YES, we are wearing helmets and yes we will be safe!

Tonight is "Bike Night" at Joe's Crab Shack so weather permitting, we will be there.

She is still dragging her heals about low cut tops and getting that snake tattoo... but I am happy so who cares!

Speedbyrd

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Company B

Any of you all out there in TV land enjoy Battlefield Badcompany as much as I do?

Awesome game and well worth the wait. The Frostbite engine is, in my humble opinion, the future of gaming. Fully destructable environments! The other day I wanted to take out a tank, but be sneeky about it. I ran up to a good spot... thru a hand grenade to scorch the earth and make a small hole... then in went the anti tank mine... and BOOM! And no more punks hiding in a little shack, peeking out to take pot shots or snipe like in Halo, or COD, or most any game for that matter. There is nothing like getting shot at from behind the wall, and being able to eliminate the wall, so you and the person shooting at you can have a more interesting exchange of ideas.

The game, or single player is pretty good as well. The story is good, the characters are funny and give decient support, the AI can be tough, and the sound is awesome. There is one scene where you can drive a golf cart while being chased by a Russian tank across a fairway and thru the woods to the Gold storage we go!

Speed

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Reality stinks

Next week I go on vacation. The word go is not a good one, I guess it is better and more accurate to say I will be on vacation, or "holiday" for the folks out of the states. We won't be going anywhere good do to the cost of fuel. Nice that in the coming summer season, travel will be going to the back yard instead of the theme park. There are some good games coming out, so that will be cool.

I sure am glad we got all those WMD's and the world is safe. What was the point to that exactly? I mean isn't Iran still going forward with its nuclear plans? Opps, I forgot, the countries that we saved are going to give us a break on oil for the next few years to help us with the inflation troubles we are having here.

Thank goodness for games. They distract me from the reality that we are pretty much powerless to do anything about our current situation here in the US.

Speed

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Halo gone bad

A 13 year old from Texas who stole his Dad's credit card and ordered two hookers from an escort agency, has today been convicted of fraud and given a three year community order.

"Ralphy", a 13 year old from Newark, Texas confessed to ordering an extra credit card from his father's existing credit card company, and took his friends on a $30,000 spending spree, culminating in playing "Halo" on an Xbox with a couple of hookers in a Texas motel.

The credit card company involved said it was regular practice to send extra credit cards out as long as all security questions are answered.

The escort girls who were released without charge, told the arresting officers something was up when the kids said they would rather play Xbox than get down to business.

Police said they were alerted to the motel by a concerned delivery clerk, whom after delivering supplies of Dr Pepper, Fritos and Oreos had been asked by the kids where they could score some chicks and were willing to pay. They explained they had just made a big score at a "World of Warcraft" tournament and wanted to get some relaxation. On noting the boys age the delivery clerk informed the authorities.

When police arrived at the motel they found $3,000 in cash, numerous electronic gadgets, an Xbox video console with numerous games, and the two local escort girls.

Ralph had reportedly told police that his father wouldn't mind, as it was his birthday last week and he had forgot to get him a present. The father, a lawyer said he had been too busy, but would take him on a surprise trip to Disneyland instead.

Asked why he ordered two escorts, Ralph said he thought it was the thing to do when you win a "World of Warcraft" tournament. They told the suspicious working girls they were people of restricted growth working with a traveling circus, and as State law does not allow those with disabilities to be discriminated against they had no right to refuse them.

The $1,000 a night girls sensing something up played "Halo" on the Xbox with the kids, instead of selling their sexual services.

Ralph's ambition is to one day become a politician.

(This story is one that I just had to share!)

Speed

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VOTE

For those of you that did get the BETA for Battlefield Bad Company... VOTE with your emails and let DICE know what you thought about the game. Who knows, if you say you are from 2old2play they might just listen up about team chat, and such.

I have been sort of spreading the word with those folks that I have played the beta with, so I figure why not keep on spreading. I have read some of the "wonderful" comments left by some of the younger generation. I guess they don't teach kids that 5 swear words in a row is an incomplete sentence.

Well, I have said my peace... thanks for reading.

Speed

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Firefox fixes

Here is a question for some of you experts.

How does one fix the "finger" scroll on the firefox browser? I have found several pages that give clues, but most are for Mac fixes. And I am on a Gateway. I really love the customizations available for the firefox browser, I just find scolling around a pain now.

Speed

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The Truth about PSP's

Just wondered if any of you here in Camp Happy Fun Land have a PSP. I wanted to know about games, and battery life, and just the straight scoop. I have a DS lite and am really happy with it. Just looking to maybe change. That and all our cameras and camcorders are Sony, so the memory stick would be a cool thing.

Thanks,

Speedbyrd

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Jesus...... TAKE THE WHEEL!

Today we are in Jupiter, visiting more of her relatives. I am just about out of adding tomy husband point account for the next 5 years. I have logged 750 miles in 3 days and seen several relatives in Cocoa Beach, Okeechobee, Naples, Jupiter, and back to Cocoa Beach tomorrow. Needless to say I have driven ALL the miles on our tour of Florida. I always thought a vacation was supposed to relax you and recharger your batteries. I can say that I am looking forward to going to work on Monday!

The dance we attended last night was interesting. I don't think you have lived until you have been to a 50's theme dance attended by 70+ year olds. One lady stuffed a pillow in the front of her shirt because according to her, she spent most of the 50's pregnant. Yes, that is right... the 50's. Wow... I smiled and sat down, I mean what do you add to that?

All I want is my OWN bed, my own chair and NO ONE telling me they are cold, or "Stop here" or what did that sign say, or how fast are you going, or what time is it or why can't we eat here, or isn't that pretty, or that is where Joans daughter works.... I want to sit, I want to swear.. and it is going come true.

My wife and I will be home for 5 days and she leaves for a week of business meetings in Orlando, yes she is coming right back to Florida,, and it is just me and Louie the Bulldog and the Speedbyrd Compound!

All good things come right.....
I am trying

Speed

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Happy New Year

To those of you who get to go and have a fun night out, it must be nice. I will be manning my desk here at Flight Operations making sure your packages are moving thru Europe and Asia.

It is not a total loss. I bought a bottle of Champgne for tomorrow morning and my wife and I will be clinking glasses when I get home at 6am. My wife is taking advantage of the time while I am at work to catch up on inventory at her store. The crazy part is that 6am used to be the time when I was getting home on New Years... and NOT from work.

My wife hates this but, I comment all the time on how I "used" to be a cool guy. All the right parties, and all the right friends, and how shallow my life was before I met her, and how she "saved me" from a life of sin and depravity. I mean how many parties and beer blasts and keggers and mixers with drunk girls falling into the pool.... parties can a man go to before he has had enough?

181... that is the answer. One hundred eighty one. NOT on hundred eighty two... no. 181.

Time used to be a thing that I never gave a second thought to. Now it is a stalker, who has my email and cell phone, but I never know when they will strike. This has been a wierd year for me, and I hope 2008 will be better... fingers crossed!

Happy New Year to you all!

Speedbyrd

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The True Meaning

I am sure that ALL of you have had a heck of a week, or even month. I work in flight operations at a major airline, and we have been slamming. We always are this time of year, but due to events that happened just over a month ago, I am taking a look at things in a new light.

On 16 NOV 07, my Dad died at home, he had just turned 73. It made Thanksgiving difficult, but as we were driving home from Ohio we didn't seem to mind that we didn't get a turkey dinner. What we were missing was family. My wife and I had each other, and that is what got me thru it and I am greatful for her, and all she did to help. Before I left to come back to Tennessee I made my mother promise she would fly down for Christmas with Michele and I. She agreed after some coaxing. I also made sure she stayed for a whole week, not the usually 3 or 4 days.

She got here on Thursday and is doing better than I expected. She still refers to my dad in first person like he is still here, which is odd to me, but as they were married for 51 years, I certainly understand. As my wife and I are still very busy given our respective careers, she has been a godsend with all the little things she has helped us with.

What made me type this out is that my wife and I trade stories of people and their "holiday" spirit. She catches crap as she manages a specialty crystal store. People wait until the last minute and ALL they care about is what they want, and they want it yesterday. As she and her staff were helping customers the other day, someone actually yelled across her store that they needed help "Right Now!" It made all the other customers uneasy, but she smoothed things over and went on about her day. She wanted to yell at the lady to get out of the store, but she did the right thing and was nice, to be honest I don't know how she does what she does. And I have some dandy stories to tell about the public and their "cheer" while waiting until the last minute in making their holiday shipping plans. Well, as we swapped stories, my mom commented that she could not believe that people act this way. It really got to me. My wife and I are always so busy and are usually just glad to get Christmas over with that we laugh all the rotten behavior off and look forward to exchanging gifts and getting back to a normal routine. When I think of how this will be my first Christmas where I can't say Merry Christmas to my dad and watch the look on his face as he opens his Old Spice nautical decanter that I got him every year. Or his laugh, when Eddie tells Clark that the Jelly of The Month Club is the gift that keeps giving the whole year long. So I am doing my part and starting with the man in the mirror.

To all of you who I play with online, and those in my clan, and those who I will play with someday soon.... turn off your Xbox a few minutes early and go talk or call someone and pass this wish on.

Have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

From,

Jeff and Michele... and Louie (our Bulldog)

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Consumer Reports was/is right...

I am going to change paths starting tomorrow, I am going with a different cell provider.

I have been with "THEM" for 15 years as of June 2007. I know this is not something "THEY" want to hear, but I was a LOYAL customer who paid my bills on time, never called customer service, and generally was the perfect customer.

Without going into detail, the company who I was with, well, after two or three 2 hour conversations, the last ended in shouting on my part, I decided to switch services.

What gets to me the most is that after years of being a great customer, I get treated poorly. My years, and years of on time payment, and never contacting customer service... counted for nothing. Even as I said to the last supervisor, that if I cost them one customer, they would be better off to just do the right thing by me, fell on deaf ears.

I am a little apprehensive about having a new cell carrier, but hey, things are looking up.

Speedbyrd

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