What's the BIG deal???

Do you realize it's going to be 11 years since the Cleveland Browns left? I can't believe it either.

11 Years!!!

40 years of football in Cleveland is marked with such glimmering highlights:

• Paul Brown's being forced out
• Jim Brown's early retirement
• Red Right 88
• The Drive
• The Fumble
• Modell's Financial Bunglings and Ultimate Cowardice

Modell's legacy isn't just on the field. He left plenty of off the field scars as well. One of the biggest scars still oozes puss! That's the College AA Ball replacement team we've had since 1999. Cleveland spent millions building a new stadium for a sub-classed replacement team.

But why have a REAL team when we don't have a REAL town, REAL Leaders, REAL educators, REAL filanthropists, REAL business leaders REAL Politicians at the city, county state or national levels?

Why Bother? What's the big deal???

HELLLLLLLOOOOOO ....?

Am I the ONLY one who feels that the MEDIA has completely lost ALL Credibility?

TELEVISION - RADIO - PRINT - INTERNET

ALL MEDIA is out of control.
NONE OF IT IS TO BE TRUSTED!!!

The absolute feeding frenzy surrounding that whack job John Mark Carr because he confessed to killing that little Ramsey girl 10 years ago.

This is the most recent example of how the networks believe their own bullshit. From the get-go, they have tried him in the media, despite the fact that NO FACTS WERE YET VERIFIED!

Didn't it just seem a bit odd from the very beginning?
It did to me!

Just as NEWS is odd. Must we be told that "we can't miss the great consumer 3 part story" beginning Monday at 11? If it were that GREAT a story, why make it 3 part? Why wait? If it were even NEWS at all- it wouldn't need to be in 3 parts to sell ratings.

NEWS is just that - NEWS. Perhaps the GREATEST news of the day is this: NO NEWS is GOOD NEWS. I mean that. NO NEWS... period. UNPLUG!

Watch your blood pressure drop - without the use of perscription medication!
It must THEN be said that TV, RADIO, NEWSPRINT News is hazardous to your health! (Increases blood pressure).

FLUSH THE MEDIA TOILET.
Let them play with their own minds!

Life...

What is it?
Where is it taking me?
Why am I here?
Eternal questions...

This year's posed a LOT of questions - and a LOT of reflection.

There have been a number of cataclysmic experiences this year. The biggest of which was the opening of my eyes.

When one has been "brainwashed" that they can't do any better, it's easy for an employer to exploit that to their own advantage. Compound that with my own mis-beliefs that these oppressive people were my friends. They were most certainly not, and even ripped me off for over 800.00 at the time of my departure. There's nothing Quality about them, or their Title company. Leaving them was the BEST thing I have done there. I won't miss the bitching when I ask for time off, I won't be disturbed at night because my know-NOTHING co-workers didn't know how to operate their computer for the MLS, or couldn't get onto the internet.

In my new capacity - away from the desk-ball & chain - I have had plenty of time to reflect. The BEST part of that job was the certainty I had while I was ironing out C.S.E.A.'s errant accounting and completing the chapter 13. Other than that, I was disrespected and discriminated against virtually every day by the self serving, derogatory, "X" chromosome based management style, complete with loud verbal outbursts and emotional instability. Thank God for that! I now appreciate the opposite!

In addition to the occupational reflection, I also realized that I have a need to be "free" of the corporate grind. I shall pursue this occupationally, as I need to enjoy what I do and feel free enough to enjoy the voyage I call my life - and the things that happen along the way.

In the latter part of May, I realized - as things were changing - that I worked for over 5 years INSIDE.... and at great loss! I'm not a cubicle dweller - but did what I had to do in order to survive. Pity! I wasted over 5 years - inside!

That will change! As will MOST of my life in the very near future. The home I have known (and wanted) for 50 years will soon be gone. Obligations will be upon me for the first time in many years, and decisions - some of them harsh - will be forthcoming.

Opportunity is knocking, and I have opened the door.
Life Beckons and this time, I'll be able to answer without answering to my bosses.
To HELL with them!

NEW MIDDLE EAST???

I think EVERYBODY seriously FUCKED UP!
A LONG Time ago, I prophesized that the world is heading towards a new dynamic shift. Those who BELIEVE (even if FANATICALLY) in their cause, will triumph over those who no longer have the stomach for war or politics.

RULE #1.
If you are going to go to war. Go to WIN. Only WIMPS negotiate cease fires.

RULE #2.
KNOW your enemies and fight THEM. The fanatic PROXIES are pawns of the head of the serpent.

RULE #3.

If it looks like shit and smells like shit; don't step in it - and certaily don't taste it to make sure.

My prophecy was that the UNITED STATES has become blinded to who they are fighting in this war on Terror. Our enemies aren't specific Nations - although, a formal analysis would HAVE to include IRAN; SYRIA; NORTH KOREA; and their backers: The UN; FRANCE; GERMANY; RUSSIA and CHINA as well as ALQUAEDA; HAMAS and HEZBOLLA, (and I really don't give a rat's ass if I spelled them wrong!!).

This last month between Isreal and the HEZBOLLA Terrorists have proven that SYRIA and IRAN have been arming them. We've seen the arms. We've seen the dead Syrians and Iranians. Only a Massechusetts Liberal would deny any connection what-so-ever. But then, they're hard-wired to deny accountability for anything!

If all fingers are now pointing to IRAN, (who by the way is claiming VICTORY on the first step to eliminating the world of Isreal, Great Britain and the US), then let me have you concentrate on the NEW MIDDLE EAST map I used as an inset, here.

That should give you some kind of idea what Iran's plans are.

NEGOTIATE???
Soon, we won't have ANYTHING LEFT to negotiate with!

Welcome to the CROSS HAIRS. The war on terror will be knocking on your door soon because all of the Lilly Livered Liberals who just want to "blah-blah-blah". Where's "W"'s balls go? What the hell happened to Cowboy politics? I liked the idea of shooting first, ask questions later. Now I have a better idea....

My solution: NUKE first. Don't ask questions.

Corporate vs Governmental Big Brother

George Orwell's 1984 has not just been here - it's creeping further into our lives like a cancer. Today, I happened to be out at the Discount Drug Mart on the corner of Wallings and State Roads in North Royalton, OH at about 10:03 AM.

I bought some sinus medicine because I had a splitting headache from all the pollen as well as the humidity following the rains in the past 2 weeks. As I checked out, the girl had informed me that I had to fill out a form with my printed name, signature, street address and provide my drivers license identity. JUST FOR FREAKIN' OVER-THE-COUNTER SINUS MEDICINE !!!

Some feel that this type of privacy invasion is OK if it stops the home made "meth" labs. I ain't one of them!

First - we allow our priveledges to be encumbered by seat belts. HELLO!!! There aren't any on motorcycles - yet BIG BROTHER can pull you over and fine you for not wearing one!!! Now THIS???

The time has come to halt the ever encroaching corporate and governmental BIG BROTHER!
What Happened to our FREEDOM!???!

Twenty Five years ago today, I got married. It was a wedding with 17 months of planning and saving. In the end, we broke even on the spending. Neither of us won - except for four great kids.

It was the innocence of an era gone by. Two people, doomed to fail as a couple, blissfully ignorant of life's challanges ahead, married anyway. Despite the age difference, clashes fom family members and just plain old not knowing any better. Life has taught me that myeslf, today's world and marraige are not a compatable entity.

Life in these past 25 years has embittered me, made me grow much more introverted and I learned a genuine dislike for the falseness of today's plastic people society. More people voted for the American Idol than did for president. What's that tell you about the future of America?

Today's society is not one I subscribe to. I don't care what Hollywood does. I don't care about the celeb couples and their cheating. I don't stop everything at work to chat with a co-worker about the latest Hollywood Gossip. I don't spend my employers money foolishly on taking 1.5 hours to discuss the carb count of todays lunch that we are also planning on company time.

I don't even care to acknowlege today's twenty-something crowd as human. They are, rather, an enigma of today - mutants that have no clue about values and are truly the result of our own "keep up with the Jones's" competitive spending. They learned their sins by watching the yuppies of yesteryear. Bad career models!

I don't care a rat's ass about Game Cube, X-Box, Ipods or any technotoys. I don't care if you have a 1.5 million dollar custom built house that you built on the backs of your employees while neighbors the street over have a house 1/10th the value, maxxed out their credit cards and can't afford their own life long family home's mortgage. It's the struggling American Realist that I would take as a personal friend over the plastic gucci in a pretentious palace.

From time to time, get caught up in memories of when I was a kid. We all do it. Some are happy ones, others aren't. Some memories mean nothing, others mean a great deal.

As I have said - on my website - on this blog - I LOVE the month of May... the rebirth after the final depths of winter's dying grip and the return of the sun, th flowers and the leaves. Right now - THIS VERY MOMENT - I should be spending every sunny day outside... forget the work! Work is a four letter word! But I don't.

And then, Nights like tonight find me in deep thought.
We see our country diversly divided... As Robert McNamera said in his 1995 book: "a great American tragedy... ...a period in which the nation found itself deeply divided both politically and culturally"...

Except he isn't talking about today.
But rather, 36 years ago Tomorrow - May 4, 1970 - one of many defining moments in the death of my generation's innocence. It's hard to believe it was THAT generation who fought for their rights with civil disobedience, protests and marches gave way to this sickening over indulgent spend-thrift generation of today. My parents would surely have called today's spend-a-holics as SPOILED BRATS. I tend to agree.

The reflection becomes very sobering when you compare that to the blatant, often repulsive, obsessive, and pretty much mindless spending of today's Under age 45... buying public. Hummers, Ipods, Digital Satillite Radio, Camera phones - any senseless fad trinket - or any new $1.5 million home in the midst of those costing 1/10th that.

In the early 70's folks "dropped out", choosing to leave the gore of flagrant capitalism for more earthly pursuits like herbal remedies, a simpler way of life and health foods. Noone over 30 was to be trusted. I say hike it by 15 years and reverse it!

Now-a-days the mindless mid-management office workers spend 2 hours planning lunch, as well as that night's bar hopping spree - all on company time. The company, of course is no wiser, because senior management is away from the helm of a runaway ship that customers can no longer catch. (No I'm not talking Enron here... ...rather something a LOT closer to home).

I'm by no means a socialist. I like my trinkets and baubles too, albeit they be modest, rustic and quite antiquated as compared to today's "keep up with the Jones's set".

But who am I? just a rambling 50 year old - - Thanking GOD that I don't have to grow up in a time when a tank of gas could run you what my parents paid for a monthly rent when they were these kids' age.

I know I'll NEVER own - or be able to afford housing I own. I know I am probably driving my last new vehicle. I know I'll have to work as long as I live - because there is no such thing as retirement any more. I know I will NEVER be management, or ever own my own business - because I don't have the killer instinct to slit my customers' throats or build my palace on the backs of my underpaid employees. I know several employers who do that though. I was even foolish enough to believe I owed them my loyalty for allowing me to work there. It was by the grace of my sweetheart that I finally - after a number of years - took off the rose colored glasses and realized I have been a fool.

No - looking back to 36 years ago tomorrow gives me the feeling we truly are DEvolving. Civilization will collapse in upon it's own over-consumption. Then where will all these talent-less MBA, Middle managers be?

BOWHUNTING.
LOG HOME BUILDING
TRAPPING
FARMING

That's what I think I better concentrate on.
I'll be the teacher back in the one-room classroom.
Where children will come to learn about the society that distroyed itself through spending, and the government that lead by example - over-running itself with debts.

ARGGGGGHHHHHH!

From time to time - my computer has a brain fart!
This is one such time.

Windows decided it didn't recognize all of my favorites on the internet - but luckily, the documents are all in tact. So... I must track down all the places I used to go all over again. I'll save that for a different day. I am just happy that after virus, Anti-spy, worm, disk and computer mal-ware scans - that there's nothing wrong with the PC except Bill Gates' programming! Bastard!

WONE - the HOME of Rock & Roll

Akron, Ohio's Rock Station.
I've been a member of their Rock Panel for quite some time. Last Thursday, 4/6/06, I had the opportunity to be in on a Rock Panel Music Review session at the Sheraton in Cuyahoga Falls. I thought, GREAT! I get to finally voice my opinion and mold the station's programming.

2 1/2 hrs later, I left a disillusioned man, burned out on the music. We listened to a five second snippet of each song's "hook" from 630 songs that are currently on their play list. We were to judge if we were tired of it or not; rate it 1 to 5 (1 being HATED IT and 5 being LOVED IT) and finally, the last option was if we didn't know the song, (I only didn't know 3).

Half way through, we had a lite dinner break and had the opportunity to ask the GM questions. He confirmed the radio station's charity support and outdoor events calendars at Rock The Dock in Cuyahoga Falls, Rockin' the Square in Medina and other regular locales that they have a regular showing of events. He confirmed that Last year - 2005 - was the LEAST amount of concerts since records were kept - which is 1949. This is because the acts demand so much money that it is cost prohibitive for the venue and the promoter, let alone the poor buying public. He gave numbers for both extremes - the big name groups like the Rolling Stones to upstart one hit wonders wanting exorbitant amounts to fill small halls. The exceptions seem to be the veterans who'll play the Tower City amphitheaters of the world. He even let us in on the Rockin' on the River scenerio. His explanation why WONE discontinued their affiliation with Rockin' On The River was - because the promoters owed us a TON of money. Being aware that it was the Cuyahoga Falls JayCees, I read between the lines. "'Nuff said!"

We discussed the format of the evening - why this was so important to them. He claimed that WONE has a 10 Market share and stations like WMMS only a 2. A Market share as high as 10 represented WONE's adherence to the top 50 percent of the vote getters tonight. WMMS's 2 share meant that they played requests, "deep cuts" (or "B" sides) of regular hit songs or albums. Doing that didn't appeal to the broadest spectrum of the audience. Ironically, for the most part - mention of WNCX was avoided. Perhaps they can't compare to them because NCX actually plays requests - not pre-determined songs.

To maintain their 10 market share, they must appease more than 50% of their target market - guys 25 - 45. I daresay the results will be somewhat askewed because the average age seemed to range from late 30's to early 60's. There were 14 AC/DC songs - and he even joked that they really only have ONE song... Just 20 versions of it. Lots of Led Zep, ZZ Top, Rolling Stones, Ozzy, Sabbath, Tom Petty, Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl jam... Well, you get the picture. It was mostly the Harder Stuff. Some Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, which surprised me.

One John Lennon Song and One McCartney, but NO BEATLES! NONE! Some of the more senior aged attendees chastised their choice of music. The Beatles were the highest criticism. The GM's response? Too Old. They made a conscious decision to forward the entire catalog to the Oldies format (Similar to WMJI). He added that one day, they'd probably have to divide the Rolling Stones catalog - pre 1972 to the oldies stations as well. My immediate thoughts were - send the first 3 Led Zep albums, early Sabbath, Early ZZ Top, Early Eagles & Fleetwood Mac as well.

It wasn't until I had heard about the first 500 song hooks that I realized... THIS WAS WONE's playlist. They were JUSTIFYING their own music choices and bullshitting us into believing that we made a difference. My scoring and song liking immediately bottomed out. EVERY Ozzy, Sabbath and even Led Zep song toward the end got a 1. I HATED almost everything - and an off the beaten path song - even if I didn't like it - got 5's and NOT TIRED OF IT.

When I was contacted for this, I was told I'd be given a lite dinner and $50.00 for my trouble. Initially, considering it was WONE - with all of their charitable ongoings - I was going to donate the $50.00 back to some shelter or something. By the end of the night, I was SO PISSED at this guy's blatant self-serving, ram crap music down my throat type of attitude, I did 2 things: I kept the $50.00 and I changed my radio's push button order in my truck. I'll miss TK, Tim Doraty, Sandra Miller and others - But I won't be a pawn in a foregone conclusion SHAM of a "survey".

They tested their playlist on us. All they will do is to continue as they have - playing 2 AC/DC and 2 Led Zep songs per hour - NO oldies - and maybe re-arrange their order based upon our voting. Thousands of songs were left out. You'll NEVER hear Tangerine by Led Zep... or Child in Time by Deep Purple... but I guaren-damn-tee you'll hear them on WMMS (Already Heard Tangerine there) and the especially absent from comments WNCX - who's only indirect mention was regarding Howard Stern and whether we listen to him - or his replacements.

WONE really bit the dust for me that day. I thought they were unique because they weren't another clone station owned by CBS or Clear Channel. They had an opportunity to really cut some new paths. They chose the low road. I won't be part of their 10 share....

Oh - one more thing.
Market to Market... Akron vs Cleveland. I'd say Cleveland Radio - by virtue of it's population encompassed - draws more listeners. I know this for a fact. Having Lived on the outskirts of Portage county for 2 years - WONE was all that could be heard except for an occasional wind shift from Youngstown. There are FAR more cattle - out in Portage, Holmes, Tuscarawas and in their listening radius as a whole - than there are people. You can KEEP your 10 share WONE... You may be able to fool Flossy the cow... but fool me once - shame on you... you won't get a second chance.

This post was initially written on April 10, 2006 and saved as a draft until now.

Greetings again fellow net nutz!
It's been a while since I opened this blog. I've eaten enough shit to consume a lifetime of sewerage and now, it's time for me to dump.

I live just south of Cleveland, OH; a city that has been DEAD for 8 or 9 years and is just now waking to that fact. I work in the Real Estate business where I partake not just in the settlement end, but the real estate Mortgage and Sales end as well. Cleveland's infinite ignorance had passed a preditory lending law a couple of years ago and caused lenders to flee like crazy. Now the ignorance has bled south to Columbus, our state's capital. Upon the passing of their legislation, I can only imagine that most lenders won't be doing business in Ohio any more.

Enter my life:
Prior to 10/2/2000, when I converted my career to the "safety" of a settlement company, I was a highly compensated wholesale Mortgage Account Executive. I quoted "safety", because there were turbulant times at the end of the millenium for most lenders who did not credit score, (aka the end of the free market and the beginning of Governmental ignorance and interference in the lending industry). I went from a six figure income to chump change and haven't made a decent income since.

These employers see desk job employees as "plug-n-play". They hire folks, often down on their luck, and brainwash them into the belief that they are very lucky to even have a job - despite it's miniscule wage. During the course of the last three years none received any bonuses and few - if any - received any salary increases. My choice(s) to depart are: numerous nuances; subtle put downs; degrading sexual inuendo (reverse sexism at that!) from the Pres, VP of operations and their "party planner" (not my choice of words - but requoted here as an accurate portrayal by an independent contractor from a different division); and the factual situation, whereby this husband and wife employer constructed their million and a half dollar abode on the backs of their employees, (ie: no bonuses, raises, etc).

Six months ago, I re-entered the job hunt with a vengence, seeking to re-enter the Account Executive Wholesale Lending profile I had when I made 4 times as much as I do now. Due to changes in the industry, I have recently learned that that type of income is no longer available. I turned 3 offers down in the last 3 months.

There are a LOT of reasons I have such a DISsatisfaction with my present employer. In an effort to maintain job security, I willingly accepted 2 more jobs, (totalling a guarenteed 250 per month - MORE CHUMP CHANGE - for BOTH jobs. Meanwhile one job COSTS me an additional 1500 per year in dues.

All I want is ONE job, that pays me what I am worth, and who'll leave me alone after hours and on weekends.

Now, I seek employment OUT of the state. I LIKE the real estate lending side, but the anti preditory lending law in Ohio is against Adjustible or balloon mortgages. IF the customer CHOOSES that option, who the hell are states and cities to mandate their elimination? Egotistical, Ignoramous BASTARDS - as ALL politicians are. If they were TRULY versed in the ways of business, they wouldn't be having to shake hands and kiss babies to be re-elected to continue their "work". They give more lip service than hookers on their knees!

So...Away from Ohio, Away from Cleveland, Away from the humidity and winters... AWAY from the City of Death!!! This weekend, I primed my boys. Their response? "You gotta do what you gotta do dad". Sometimes they are SO mature!

So... Today, April 7th, 2006, I look forward to a future in the South West... where Opportunity and life becons. It may take 2, 3 or 4 years.... But the foregone conclusion is to leave this DEAD CITY for an OPPORTUNITY.... an OPPORTUNITY for ME! It's MY time. Not someone else's... I am through with the guilt bestowed upon me by ex's... I am through with being the underpaid pawn, over criticized pawn, while my employer sucks off all the company profits to build a $1.5 million house ... with CASH! I'm through being someone's lackey, pawn, GO-fer, or even their kids' homeork do-er... FUCK THEM! This time, it's for ME... ONLY ME!

And now the new venture begins. Stay tuned!