Well it looks like IÂ’m going to be getting yet another set of new neighbors. As many of you may remember, I actually try to keep my neighbors at a certain fear level of me. ItÂ’s healthyÂ… for me. IÂ’ve been known to do things that actually scare them. Some of my antics IÂ’ve posted, others I have not.

Like an incident when I was checking to make sure the .45 wasnÂ’t loaded while standing in the driveway. I pull back the slide and let it go just as the neighbor lady walks out the front door, at which point she abruptly turns around and goes back insideÂ… quickly. Apparently having a guy with a firearm in front of her house made her nervous. Well thereÂ’s been many of other things IÂ’ve done, but IÂ’ve never actually done anything to hurt my neighbors.

Now today I come home from work and see the house next door is up for sale. Apparently my newest neighbors donÂ’t want to live next to me any more. I tried talking with them, but of course they just pretended not to see me and ran into the house. Maybe I shouldnÂ’t have been wearing the sleeveless T-shirt with skulls on it.

So there you have it, another set of neighbors IÂ’m going to have to break in.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:47 PM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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IÂ’m a bit on the melancholy side this evening, and not even the thought of Grau cat-fisting brings a smile to my face. No, I did NOT type that wrong.

Have you ever had a dream that while not impossible, it would be really difficult for it to come true? But if it were to happen you would be a fool to pass it up. Like say, since you where 12 you set your heart on one day owning an original 1954 Oldsmobile F-88, one of the rarest cars on the planet. You talked about it, and dreamt about one day actually owning this vehicle. All your friends and family know this what you have been dreaming about.

Then it happens. The planets align just right and through a series of unlikely events not only does the opportunity to buy this car come up, but also you can actually afford itÂ… barely. This is the chance that will probably never happen again. Your family knows about it and wants it to happen for you. As you contemplate the purchase of this vehicle you look at what itÂ’s actually going to cost you. Not just the immediate cost of the vehicle, but the maintenance, the storage and the non-financial costs. Purchasing this vehicle you discover will stress your relationship with your family and friends.

These burdens, both financial and emotional, will last at least for five years. After doing the math, youÂ’re pretty sure you can handle the financial burdenÂ… barely and if no new or unexpected costs come about, but youÂ’re not sure about the emotional. You spend weeks or even months contemplating is it worth it. Will you finally be able to fulfill your dream? If you do fulfill your dream will you end up possibly bringing yourself to ruin? Passing on it, however, will disappoint a close family member greatly as they share a similar dream. ItÂ’s a weighty decision that one does not make lightly.

I was put into this situation a couple of weeks ago. Something I wanted, but thought I would never be able to get landed at my feet. I know that the chances of this happening again are pretty much nil. And after weighing the benefits and the consequences, I came to a decision.

Sometimes, dreams just arenÂ’t meant to come true.

And now I feel like a part of me has died. There is an emptiness in me that IÂ’m not sure will ever be filled again. Sorry for being so morose, but itÂ’s what is on my mind.

Posted by: Contagion at 05:53 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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IÂ’m sorry but tonightÂ’s beer review is being postponed. Not because I donÂ’t have any beer, quite to the contrary I definitely I have a beer to review. ItÂ’s the fact that I have a tremendous head cold. Mixing Nyquil and beer doesnÂ’t bother me, hell my home remedy for a head cold is 1 part Jack Daniels, one part Nyquil and a Tavist-D. ItÂ’s a time tested concoction that makes the pressure in your head disappear.

So why am I not doing a beer review? Simply it is because of snot. ThatÂ’s right snot. The review would be:

Aroma: This beer has the strong heady scent of snot with a mix of hops, barley malts and boogers.

Taste: The absolutely wonderful scent is only enhanced by the flavor of snot with a nice roasted malt background. Unfortunately the taste of snot over runs everything else.

Mouth feel: TonightÂ’s beer is a medium bodied lager that drinks easily. It leaves an interesting coating in the mouth and throat that is very mucus like. This helps the snot aftertaste linger.

Sadly enough, I actually drank one of the beers in order to try to review it. The above is pretty much what I got out of it. Since IÂ’m pretty sure that the beer does NOT have a snot like taste of scent, IÂ’m going to wait until this head cold clears up before doing this weeks review.

Now if youÂ’ll excuse me IÂ’m going to go get a Snot-Coke to help wash the Snot-beer taste out of my mouth.

Posted by: Contagion at 07:21 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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Damn, I hate when I do something stupid, especially when it involves money. I was raised with the financial belief, “Do NOT spend money you don’t have.” Sometimes it’s necessary, such as in an emergency or if you are buy a house. Heck, I’ll even allow cars. Not everyone can pay for a new $18,000.00 car out of pocket. Other then a handful of situations, you just don’t spend money you don’t have.

Many of my employees at work have already spent their tax returns, and they haven’t even filed yet. They figure they are going to get a large return so they went out and bought new TVs, computers and other items on credit planning on paying it off when they get their tax refunds. The problem is that a couple of them are going to be paying on these for a while because unless they are getting $10,000 back from the Feds, they aren’t going to cover what they’ve already spent. ($6,000 TV, $1,300 Computer, $1000,00 Home Theater plus the other little things they are putting on their credit cards saying, “I’ll pay it off when my refund comes in”) And yes there are at least three people that work for my company that is in this situation.

Me, I donÂ’t do that. I try not using my credit cards to pay for anything unless I pay it off by the end of the month. If I donÂ’t have the money, IÂ’ll wait to have to pay for something. That is until last summer. We had just gotten new windows put in the house and I was going to install a window air conditioner that didnÂ’t fit. We ended up looking at getting Central Air put into the house. You may recall the escapade regarding the electricity and contractors.

I was able to get the electrical done in the house, and paid for it out right. However the Central Air I thought was going to have to wait until this year. That was until I found a place that would finance, one year no interest, same as cash. I was still hesitant, but as much as I like to see Ktreva all hot and sweaty, she doesn’t like to be that way. So I caved in and financed the damn AC with the intent to pay it off before the year was up. “When we get our tax return….”

All was well. I kept saying, when we get our tax return, weÂ’d pay off the loan. No finance charge, no hidden fees, nothing! WeÂ’re good to go! Had our taxes done, found out we were going to be getting a bit more back then anticipated. NICE! ThatÂ’ll help cover the cost for the Packer tickets and then someÂ… if I make it. We got the money and all of a sudden itÂ’s like I didnÂ’t remember my own philosophy. I got spend happy. New cell phone, new clothes, new shoes, buying trinkets and eating outÂ… then I sat down to pay off the lawn and realized I had over spent, by a lot. Not horribly, but enough to put a crimp in my plans. Yes, IÂ’m still getting the loan paid off, but now IÂ’ve got to scrape up the difference for the Packer tickets. I had the money easily, I just couldnÂ’t control myself. It really pisses me off.

I just canÂ’t believe I did that.

Posted by: Contagion at 08:16 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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People change over time. Sometimes it is small things and sometimes it is something big. Up until about a year ago I had no interest in politics what so ever. I really could care less what was going on because I honestly felt that it didnÂ’t matter what I did or said; it would never change anything. Sure I voted, and kept up with current topics, but I never really got involved. It all seemed like a complete waste of time. If there was something I actually felt strongly opposed to, I figured someone else would speak out against it.

I didn’t even want to talk about politics because I felt it was a boring and depressing topic. Many of my friends have heard me say, “Enough with the talk about politics.” Sure many things going on angered me, but what good did it do? Nothing I said or did would ever change anything. That’s pretty much how I handled politics for the last 15 years.

As new laws were passed that upset me, and new taxes put in placed that drained my income, I just became more convinced that nothing would ever change. I grew more and more bitter. Neither political party appealed to me. Both sides had issues I agreed with and both sides had politicians that scared me that they were in office. On the other hand both sides had stances I disagreed with. I just couldnÂ’t relate to either. I remained independent.

Things started changing with me in November of 2005. Politicians in the city of Rockford decided that they wanted Home Rule. This pissed me off; it was too much power to the local politicians. I actually got out and spread the word about Home Rule and why I didnÂ’t want it. I even used this blog to help spread the word and did a radio interview. To this day, we still donÂ’t have Home Rule, thankfully.

The drive for this must have disturbed a sleeping monster inside me. I started following more and more the local politics; I started listening to talk radio (Much to KtrevaÂ’s chagrin and embarrassment). Then something happened that kicked that monster awake. I received word about the new gun bans here in Illinois. That brought forth an interest in politics I never thought I would possess. I started writing letters to my state senator and representative, I started making phone calls and trying to rally others to the cause. I drove to the state capital to lobby. My political activity was getting me noticed. In doing so I inadvertently did something else.

I got my name on some lists.

Not necessarily bad lists, but those lists of local political interests. I received information from various politiciansÂ’ offices and even an invite to an invitation only meeting, which I attended. This morning I went to a breakfast meeting that had my state Senator, Representative, other state reps, the Mayor of my city and other elected officials. We discussed the Governors new budget and how it was going to affect the citizens of Illinois.

I found myself really getting involved. I also found myself getting a lot of attention. Most of the people in the room all seemed to know each other, even across party lines. None of them knew who I was. I was a nobody. I could almost hear their thoughts, “Who is that, and why is he here?” It was intimidating. Elected officials where coming up and introducing themselves to me. Other behind the scenes players where probing me for my opinion on topics, just to see where I stood on the politics at hand. Then I realized; they didn’t see me as a nobody. I was a somebody. I was a citizen that was taking time to exert my opinion and influence on the political process. Maybe I wasn’t a VIP, but I wasn’t a nobody. I was someone who could make a difference. Someone that could support or oppose there cause and bring others to share my views. I was keeping myself informed. The most dangerous thing in politics is an informed citizenry.

Now IÂ’m looking forward to my next meeting and the next forum.

It amazes me how much IÂ’ve changed.

Posted by: Contagion at 07:55 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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When your oldest son is in the back yard shooting his softair guns, make sure you yell loudly and angrily at him, “God dammit, use a proper stance. There is no way you’re going to be able to shoot accurately if you can’t hold the firearm properly.”

Then follow that statement with, “Once you get better, I’m going to get you some human targets. That way you get accustomed to shooting at the human form.”

Yea, the neighbors didnÂ’t come out to talk to me tonight either. They all just watched through windows.

Posted by: Contagion at 05:37 PM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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November, 2005 I came clean about an addiction I had. ItÂ’s been over a year and IÂ’m still hooked, just not as bad. IÂ’ve gone a whole day with out a Listerine Breath Strip. But there was another unhealthy obsession that I should have come clean with you all about years ago.

Folks, I have an obsession with energy drinks. For about two years now when ever I find an energy drink that IÂ’ve never had before, I canÂ’t help but to buy one to try. Of course I only get the sugar free onesÂ… I donÂ’t want to get too hyper on the sugar. Hey, donÂ’t look at me like that. It makes sense in my world.

Anyway I was at the gas station yesterday. I refuse to pay at the pump, that way I can go inside and see if they have any energy drinks I’ve never had. There in a display was an energy drink I had never seen before, Howling Monkey Energizing Elixir. I quickly bought a can and went to work. As I sat at my desk I read the label a little more carefully. Below the name it said “Multi-vitamins, pure caffeine and Quinine”.

As I sat at my desk I started thinking, “Quinine, that is awfully familiar. How do I know Quinine. Why is there something about it that is sending off little warnings in my head.” Then I opened the can and took a drink of one of the most vile concoctions on the face of the earth. This elixir wasn’t fit for, well monkeys. In fact I now know why they where howling. If I had to drink enough of this, I’d howl too.

As I was choking down swallowing the first swig of this swill it struck me; Quinine was used to treat Malaria and muscle cramps. ItÂ’s also very, very bitter. Which, helps explain the god awful taste. I spent most of the morning pondering why in the hell anyone would add Quinine to an energy drink. I mean, Malaria isnÂ’t really a problem in the US anymoreÂ… then again I donÂ’t think that drinking it in an energy drink would cure me if I did have it. Next, the muscle crampsÂ… There are many better things one can get for muscle cramps. Trust me on this one folks. And the stuff is so bitter I canÂ’t imagine anyone using it in a drink for the sole purpose of flavoring.

The can doesnÂ’t say how much Quinine is in this drink, but IÂ’m assuming itÂ’s a safe level. I donÂ’t think they would risk a bunch of people overdosing on their energy drinks. I will say though that I did have some interesting side effects yesterday.

Do you think I have anything to worry about if I try their cola version?

Posted by: Contagion at 05:01 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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IÂ’m struggling right now in a decision. I really want to get a new camera. IÂ’m not talking about any old point and click, but a nice camera. Photography has always been a love of mine, and I take a lot of pictures, I just donÂ’t share them with people. There is something personal about them to me. So IÂ’ve been looking and to get the camera I want along with the new lenses IÂ’m looking at about $1,500.00.

Then there is the fact that I really could use a lap top computer. IÂ’m looking at one that has all the stuff the features I want so I can do everything on it. I want to be able to take it on trips and be able to keep up with blogging, get work done, play games and just be able to have a second computer in the house so that Ktreva and I both can be online at the same time. Pricing the computer with all the features I want, itÂ’s about $1,500.00

IÂ’ve wanted to get a Thompson sub-machine gun for years. No, itÂ’s not the most powerful, the most accurate or the fastest out there, but I like them. There is something about them and the history behind it that really attracts me to it. To get the one that I want before the assault weapon ban gets re-instated, itÂ’s going to cost me about $1,500.00.

With my annual bonus at work, I could, in theory, afford to pick up one of theseÂ… (IÂ’d also have to talk Ktreva into it.) The problem is that itÂ’s only one, and I really want all three and I really want all three NOW.

GAH! I hate decisions like this.

Posted by: Contagion at 06:33 PM | Comments (9) | Add Comment
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1 Sell one of the kids. It's fun and easy to make another!

Kidding, of course.

Me, when faced with that kind of dilemma, I usually find someone who has something they need fixed really bad, and fix it for them. Side gigging on weekends paid for several of my little firearm friends. And other toys. Besides, who needs that social life anyway?

Posted by: og at March 02, 2007 07:39 PM (iqbdN)

2 Get the Thompson. Then I'll come visit you and you can take me to fire it! I've always wanted to play with one!

Posted by: caltechgirl at March 02, 2007 09:12 PM (r0kgl)

3 I would go with the Thompson. I don't think there are any plans to ban cameras and laptops on the table right now, but if there were it would be a different story. ;-)

Posted by: Jabbah at March 02, 2007 09:39 PM (fwe8t)

4 The Thompson would be an investment.

Plus, I'd get to shoot it. Or else

Posted by: Graumagus at March 02, 2007 11:18 PM (ZEzoY)

5 Yeah, I'm liking the idea of the Thompson, but on the other hand the other two would get me into less trouble with the wife.

Posted by: Contagion at March 03, 2007 07:41 AM (pBx72)

6 Thompson. Used properly, it can get you the camera and laptop for free.

Posted by: That 1 Guy at March 03, 2007 12:34 PM (Hn1Gg)

7 Camera - Used properly, it can get you the Thompson and the laptop for free.

Depending on how Ktreva poses...

Anyway, post a list of your requirements for the camera & the laptop so that your friends can do some bargain hunting for you.

Posted by: Harvey at March 05, 2007 02:09 AM (L7a63)

8 Dude, get the Thompson. Sure, you want all three, but you *really* want the Thompson...

Posted by: Wes at March 05, 2007 03:31 PM (jsV0Y)

9 Thompson wins, hands-down.

What's she going to do, really? She's already tried to turn you into a hippie... Thompson is the best Anti-Hippie hardware on the list - in more ways than one!

Posted by: Bitterroot at March 14, 2007 06:14 AM (9FXen)

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When I was a near perfect child. Rarely did I ever do anything wrong. Occasionally I would misbehave a little, but nothing that would embarrass my parents. Unfortunately I had a warped sense of humor. At times I would come up with something that was humorous to me, but would end up backfiring on me.

When I was in High School I bought a set of three six-sided loaded dice that would roll sixes almost every time. Unless my buddy Moritz rolled them, then he would get ones. The reason behind these dice was so that when rolling up a Dungeons and Dragons character, you would get a score of 18, the highest possible roll for each attribute. Yea, I know, IÂ’ve come to terms with my geekyness. Of course any time I tried to use them in a game someone would notice and they where banned from play. Thus I ended up keeping them separate from the rest of my dice.

My parents, mainly my mother, are very religious. They are die-hard Lutherans and donÂ’t take to joking about god, religion or anything related. One does not challenge my parentsÂ’ values and morals in their homes, many of my friends will attest to this. My parents are practical in their views however. They did not view Dungeons and Dragons as satanic or the devils work. They saw it to be just the game that it is. There were no issues with me playing D&D or buying the books or other tools of the game. I was even allowed to host gaming sessions at the house. (YEAH YEAH YEAH, Geek, IÂ’ve got it!).

However, if you mix the facts above into one incident, you have a bad situation in the making. Oh, I need to add one more fact to the mix. My mother has run a daycare out of the house since before I was born. She still does.

It was over the summer and the day care kids would roam all over the house. Occasionally one of the older kids (between 6-12) would wander into my room when I was there. Depending on my mood I would sometimes I would talk with them or let them play with some of my stuff. One day I was feeling a little mischievous when one of the older kids walked into my room. I had been putting away my D&D stuff. He picked up my dice and started playing with them. It didnÂ’t take him long to notice that three of them rolled sixes all the time.

This 10-year-old boy was fascinated and wanted to know how they did that. Looking at them, I picked up the three dice and rolled them over and over, always rolling 18. After a couple of rolls I explained to him, “These are my satanic dice. You can tell because they always roll 6-6-6.” At that point my mother flies into my room and screams “Contagion D Smartarse give me those dice right now! DO NOT TELL THE KIDS STUFF LIKE THAT! These dice are now mine and you are NEVER getting them back. Lil' traumatized Tommy (He was brought up die-hard Catholic), don’t listen to Contagion. He is being mean and telling stories.”

I ended up getting those dice back about two weeks later. I found where she put them and reacquired them. They are still in my possession, and I know exactly where they are.

I hadn’t thought about this story for years. But something happened today to remind me. One of the ladies I work with was telling a story of something her son had done the previous day in school, Catholic School. He had found a sticker at the mall that was a pentagram. He thought it would be funny to place it on a bible and take it to school and try to convince the other kids it was a “Satanic Bible”.

Hey, at least I didnÂ’t get suspendedÂ… well at least not for that stunt.

Posted by: Contagion at 07:08 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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