Here's What I'm Thinking

Tuesday, February 2, 2016 – Ground Hog Day

Posted on February 2, 2016 | 1 comment

Atrium George H. W. Bush Museum; College Station, Texas; photo by me.

Tuesday, February 2, 2016 – Ground Hog Day. Tuesday, February 2, 2016 – Ground Hog Day. Tuesday, February 2, 2016 – Ground Hog Day

OK – enough of the 1993 Bill Murray movie.

Today Punxsutawney Phil made his 130th prediction during the annual Feb. 2 event that sees thousands of people gather by Gobbler’s Knob, a hill outside town in Punxsutawney, Pa.

I saw this morning that the world’s most famous groundhog did not see his shadow on Tuesday morning, divining that there will be warmer temperatures and an early spring.

I also saw where Donald Trump saw his shadow Cruz by and Hillary saw hers move really close. I think this means continued mudslinging, additional rants and raves and more broadcasts of stupidity.

I am going to go with Phil, hope for an early spring and leave the rest to the other rodents.

Happy Ground Hog Day.

http://time.com/4203970/groundhog-day-punxsutawney-phil-shadow-spring/

1 Comment

Posted in Politics

Tagged Donald Trump, Ground Hog Day, Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz

Monday, February 1, 2016 – A Connie Francis Playlist for the Iowa Caucus

Posted on February 1, 2016 | 5 comments

Monday, February 1, 2016 – A Connie Francis Playlist for the Iowa Caucus

Connie Francis was a top chart singer of the 1950’s and early 1960’s. She is still popular in Los Vegas and still has a wonderful voice that ranges opera to her pop hits.

Do not tell me that if you were female growing up during this time period that you did not sing along into your hair brush in front of the mirror in your room to the Connie Francis’ records on your stereo or on the radio. You know you did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zrjz22PLv3k

I bet you did not know that Connie Francis invented spring break. It was the movie Where the Boys Are in 1961 that showed college students going to the beach to frolic in the sun. Not to be confused with the other actress in the movie Delores Hart who went into a nunnery and is a now Mother Superior. I am not certain if there is correlation to Spring Break and going into a nunnery on not.

Back to the playlist. Here’s What I’m Thinking – These songs would make a good Iowa Caucus Playlist with songs from Connie Francis.

For Hillary Clinton I have selected – Where the boys someone waits for me!!!

If the word cupidity means an eager or excessive desire, especially to possess something, greed; avarice then for

Donald Trump and his supporters I selected:

“Stupid Cupid”

Stupid Cupid you’re a real mean guy I’d like to clip your wings so you can’t fly I’m in love and it’s a crying shame And I know that you’re the one to blame Hey hey, set me free Stupid Cupid stop picking on me

For Bernie Sanders I selected My Happiness – … Evening shadows make me blue… A million years it seems, that have gone by since we shared a dream…

I selected for Ted Cruz – Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool.

And for all of us – Who’s Sorry Now?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connie_Francis

5 Comments

Posted in Politics

Tagged Bernie Sanders, Connie Francis, Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton, Iowa Caucus, Ted Cruz

Friday, January 29, 2016 – Snarky Friday

Posted on January 29, 2016 | 1 comment

Friday, January 29, 2016 – Snarky Friday

Disclaimers: I did not watch the Republican debate. I will not watch the Democratic debate. Remember, HWIT is an equal opportunity, bipartisan Snark. I am just watching the circus parade go by.

Dear John Q. Public,

Please excuse Donald Trump from the Republican debate last night. He did not like the person(s) asking the questions.

Thank you,

Madam Rose

Here’s what I’m thinking – how is the strategy of “ I am not going to show up because I do not like the person(s) asking the questions” going to play out in United States foreign policy and diplomatic relations?

Is there a direct correlation or coincidental relationship between the presidential election and reopening of the X-Files? They both seem to be searching for the truth out there somewhere and both seem to be fictional TV shows.

Photo by me: I am thinking of calling it: A Photographic Representation of all of the Presidential Campaigns.

1 Comment

Posted in Politics

Tagged Democratic debate, Donald Trump, Republican Debate, X-Files

Thursday, January 28, 2016 – We Are the Aggies! The Aggies are WE!

Posted on January 28, 2016 | 2 comments

Thursday, January 28, 2016 – We Are the Aggies! The Aggies are WE!

Trivia – Where did Denver Broncos Head Coach Gary Kubiak graduate from high school? Where did Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller graduate from high school?

Kyle Field Tour 11.19.15 2015-11-18 014 (800x600)

Photo by me – East Side of Kyle Field – Kyle Field Tour – 11.19.2015

Love you, Cam! Good Luck, Carolina! Sorry Phillip! But did you really think I was NOT going to stand with the Former Students of Texas A&M University? Gary Kubiak was the quarterback for The Fighting Texas Aggies when I stood in the boiling afternoon sun on the east side in Kyle Field in the 1980’s. And how about Consensus All American in 2009 and in 2010 Texas A&M linebacker, Von Miller? We have breathed the air of Kyle Field and Aggieland.

Here is a Horse Laugh to the uniformed sports reporter who referred to them as “Former Aggies.” There is no such thing as a Former Aggie. We are known as Former Students and we are ALWAYS a Texas Aggie. It probably has something to do with breathing the air of Kyle Field and Aggieland.

So Here’s to the Denver Broncos

and

BTHO Carolina in Super Bowl 50!

Trivia answers: Gary Kubiak graduated from St. Pius X in Houston, Texas in 1978.

Von Miller graduated from DeSoto High School in DeSoto, Texas in 2007.

2 Comments

Posted in College Football, Education, Native Texan

Tagged Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Gary Kubiak, Kyle Field, Texas A&M, Texas Aggies; football, Von Miller

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 – The Cam Newton Effect – Besides Being Really Hot Looking and an Outstanding Football Player

Posted on January 27, 2016 | Leave a comment

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 – The Cam Newton Effect – Besides Being Really Hot Looking and an Outstanding Football Player

The Brazos Valley is abuzz over the Cam Newton Effect. Thirty miles down the road a piece from Bryan is Brenham Texas – Home of Blinn College. Blinn still feels the effects of when Cam Newton played quarterback there. He led the 2009 Blinn Buccaneers to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Football Championship.

On February 7, 2016, he will lead his team, the Carolina Panthers, in the 50th Anniversary of the NFL Super Bowl. He seems to have done well between Blinn and Carolina too. Let’s see – a Heisman Trophy, a 2011 National Football Championship for Auburn (Auburn 22 – Oregon 19) and a Bachelor’s Degree in May 2015. Note: his degree is in Sociology – me and Cam!

http://www.people.com/article/cam-newton-graduates-from-college-gets-new-contract

Here is a screen shot of my TV on Monday, January 25 showing the Bryan KAGS news reporter sitting where Cam Newton sat in his English class at Blinn.

KAGS Reporter Cam Newton Desk (800x450)

In her interview here is what his English teacher said about him:

It was a Monday, Wednesday, Friday class at 8:00 AM.
He always had that great big smile.
He was never absent.
He was never late.
He worked as hard in the classroom as he did on the field.

The Cam Newton effect extends far beyond football and a small college in Texas. It is about working hard to achieve your dreams, keeping your promise to your Mama about getting that sheepskin, always doing your best and thinking about others. Note: Cam Newton chose not to walk at Auburn graduation ceremonies because he did not want to distract from others’ graduation.

I am currently unaware of plans for a plaque marking the seat with Cam Newton Sat Here, but I would support it if there are plans.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 – Chris Christie: ‘I will throw my body in front of the Johnny Manziel train.’

Posted on January 26, 2016 | 1 comment

Shaking Hands with Johnny Manziel - Copy (800x600)

Johnny Manziel – touching my Aggie Ring! Aggieland Outfitters, College Station, Texas, 2014.

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 – Chris Christie: ‘I will throw my body in front of the Johnny Manziel train!

The Governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie said he would sacrifice his body if Johnny Manziel goes to the Dallas Cowboys. Wow! What a great idea. Not that you would die if you literally threw your body on the tracks Governor Christi, but the combination of the National Football League and politics. Why not? Neither cannot possibly get any crazier, can they?

If politicians would throw their bodies under the bus, train, car based on the decisions regarding sports figures to exit the Presidential race, this would cost so much less than debates and caucuses and even elections.

So who are the favorite players of Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Hillary, Bernie and the fringe players?

If Johnny comes marching home again to Texas, he can channel in the great Dallas Cowboy quarterback Don Meredith – allegedly sometimes still a bit tipsy in the huddle on Sunday afternoons after closing down those bars around Mockingbird Lane in Dallas. He allegedly sang country western songs upon entering the huddle. See Johnny Manziel already has credentials. I suppose they are not appreciated as much in Cleveland.

The only thing we Cowboy fans want are New Jerseys that read Winners Super Bowl 51!

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/eye-on-football/25462063/cowboys-fan-chris-christie-i-will-throw-my-body-in-front-of-the-johnny-manziel-train?FTAG=YHF7e3228e

1 Comment

Posted in College Football, Native Texan, Politics

Tagged Chris Christie, Dallas Cowboys, Don Meredith, Johnny Manziel

Monday January 25, 2016 – Teachers, May I Have Your Attention, Please? Pardon This Interruption.

Posted on January 25, 2016 | 2 comments

Monday January 25, 2016 – Teachers, May I Have Your Attention, Please? Pardon This Interruption.

Remember when class room instructional time was interrupted by multiple daily announcements over the loud speaker system?

Pardon this interruption, Teachers. May I have your attention please? This is for all K-12 Educators, including but not limited to really good classroom teachers, technology coordinators, principals, assistant principals, supervisors, and central office administrators.

From the January 23, 2016 Bryan Eagle – plus all over social media

An eighth grader in a Texas ISD had to serve a day in suspension for carrying a friend having an asthma attack to the school nurse. He “was reprimanded because a teacher told him not to leave class.”

The girl had trouble breathing and fell to the floor. “The teacher contacted the nurse and awaited an email response.” THE TEACHER SENT THE NURSE AN EMAIL??? WTF? There is a child/student/person lying on your floor unable to breath and you sent an email to the nurse?

The teacher said “the boy said an expletive about not waiting for email and carried his friend to the nurse because he feared the girl would die.”

Ship wreck – Photo by me – In Maine – I think.

I hope if I ever fall on the floor unable to breath that the eighth grader is there and not the teacher. Have you not passed your test to obtain certification in Common Sense?

Here’s what I’m thinking – the teacher should be suspended as in, without pay. But as Ron White says – “Can’t fix stupid.” Too bad it teaches our children.

PS – Girl OK and later sent a TEXT stating such.

2 Comments

Posted in Education

Tagged educators, K-12 education, Ron White, teachers, Texas education

Saturday, January 23, 2016

Posted on January 23, 2016 | 2 comments

Exa Doy Faust Duffey

September 20, 1912 – January 23, 1975

Exa Doy Faust (592x800)

2 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized

Friday, January 22, 2016 – True Snarky Friday

Posted on January 22, 2016 | 1 comment

Friday, January 22, 2016 – True Snarky Friday

The Snark will just not go away. I have a few questions.

Why is the Governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, in Israel meeting with the Prime Minister regarding Texas/Israel relations with Iran?

http://www.texastribune.org/2016/01/18/abbott-meets-israeli-prime-minister-netanyahu/

Did Texas secede and I am not aware of it? I do not watch Fox News.

A couple of more questions, if you do not mind. Who is paying for this visit? This doesn’t have anything to do with the Governor ordering the Texas Guard to guard the Bastropian Citizens from the Federal government last August, does it? Texas isn’t going to sign a treaty with Israel for military support, is it? Is Texas getting a bomb to go with our handguns?

Tom Lehrer – To paraphrase the last line of the great Tom Lehrer song – still as pertinent today as it was in 1965 – Who’s Next? about nuclear proliferation – “We’ll try to stay serene and calm when the Lone Star State gets the bomb!”

Governor Abbott? Did Costello go to Israel too?

Back home in Texas

And along with “death and taxes” it seems that two other absolutes can be added.

Abortion will remain divisive and Texas will sue the administration of President Barack Obama.

For Texas, whose $1.6 trillion a year economy is bigger than many countries including U.S. ally South Korea, spending on suits against the federal government is comparatively miniscule, at around $5.1 million as of December 2014, the Texas Tribune reported, based on disclosures it received from the office.

Current Governor Greg Abbott sued the Obama administration 31 times when he was attorney general. Current Attorney General Ken Paxton, who succeeded Abbott last year, has sued eight times.

Sidebar: Please approach the bench – the current AG, Ken Paxton is under indictment.

For Texas politicians, suing Obama is a badge of honor. Its attorney general’s office has an annual budget of more than $600 million, more than five times higher than other major Republican strongholds such as Arizona.

Texas loses more often than it wins and it has a great deal of litigation still pending before judges that may outlast Obama’s presidency, which ends in January 2017.

Anyone have any ideas where some of those funds could go instead of toward so many lawsuits ? I wonder if the educational institutions need any funds? Maybe mental health issues? Infrastructure upgrades?

http://news.yahoo.com/obama-pushes-agenda-texas-leads-legal-push-back-160246183.html;_ylt=AwrC1jEDVKJWjSwAu8LQtDMD;_ylu=X3oDMTByOHZyb21tBGNvbG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzcg–

Keep your voter registration card current. Where are my maps of the islands?

1 Comment

Posted in Native Texan, Politics

Tagged Greg Abbott, Israel, Ken Paxton, Obama Lawsuites, Texas

Thursday, January 21, 2016 – Throw Back Thursday to Hieroglyphics or Saint Emoticon – Patron Saint of the Inarticulate

Posted on January 21, 2016 | Leave a comment

Thursday, January 21, 2016 – Throw Back Thursday to Hieroglyphics or Saint Emoticon – Patron Saint of the Inarticulate

Throw Back Thursday all the way back to the ancient Egyptians. They drew pictures on the walls called hieroglyphics. Fast forward to today and we have emoticons.

Doctor hat on: Definition: An emoticon is an etymologically a portmanteau of emotion and icon, is a metacommunicative pictorial representation of a facial expression that, in the absence of body language and prosody, serves to draw a receiver’s attention to the tenor or temper of a sender’s nominal non-verbal communication, changing and improving its interpretation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emoticon

Doctor hat off: My definition: An emoticon is a teeny tiny picture trying to show what the writer is expressing; it is too small for most eyes to see, sounds like it is a anti diarrhea medicine and has facial expressions that I do not understand.

Furthermore emoticons vary between Eastern and Western cultures. Someone in Japan may be nonverbally saying “Have a nice day” while some in New York may nonverbally be saying with the same emoticon “Oh crap; more snow.” I am unable to tell if I am wishing someone happiness or telling them to kiss my ass.

For example: The emoticon on the left resembles the front grill of a 1962 Thunderbird automobile with headlight covers, while the emoticon on the right seems to be expressing singing a Stevie Wonder song with a hockey stick smile.

emoticons (800x450)

Therefore, do not expect to see a great use of emoticons from me. Besides, what if space aliens landed and all that was left of our culture was emoticons about the Kardashians?