maveness: (Caress)
( Dec. 11th, 2008 11:31 am)
Five Four Things

1. Bobby Labonte has been granted release from Petty Enterprises. (Basically, his decision. At least that's the impression I've gotten so far. He's a free agent.)

2. Yuletide is kicking my ass. It's not even at the stage where I'm having trouble writing. I'm actually having trouble coming up with anything to write. My source is awesome, but I'm having trouble with ideas. Thing is, I'm going to have to start writing this weekend. (It's also not helped by general life stress and the fact that any time I sit down to watch the last episode - planning writing time afterwards - something happens that cuts into my writing time. Before I even get anything watched.)

3. Chester has for some reason, after a year and a half, discovered that the couch is awesome. This goes beyond his normal couch love (if I'm on the couch and someone else is in my apartment and sitting on the couch, as soon as they go to the bathroom or the kitchen, he must steal their spot). He'll actively go sit on the couch, even with his normal spots open. He especially prefers to curl up on the left end. It's cute, except when he wants to curl up there after coming in from the rain.

4. Gov. Blogo (I can say it but not spell it) is amusing me greatly. Mainly because I'm not from Illinois and don't have to live through that horror. The way I see it, if a politician is going to be corrupt, that's the way to be corrupt. Be really corrupt so there's no wiggle room and they can nail your ass. Trying to sell a senate seat? Hey! Makes it easy on prosecutors!
maveness: (Match)
( Nov. 14th, 2008 09:27 am)
1. Presidential Photo Op: It pays to know what sign you're throwing there, Mr. President.

2. NASCAR Testing Insanity: As of Jan. 1, there will be no testing for 2009 at NASCAR sanctioned tracks. None.

3. Supernatural Preview For Next Week: No link, but I'm already drooling. A lot.
maveness: (Done Blowed Up)
( Nov. 3rd, 2008 10:34 am)
Political Whatnot

Couple of things to keep in mind in the coming days regarding the election, voting, and the aftermath.

1. Don't get frustrated by long lines when you go to vote. People are voting, which is great. Early voting had fewer locations and fewer machines, as it's an opportunity that's spread out over many days. Election day voting will have more locations and more machines, but also more people. Either time you vote, there's going to be lines. Celebrate the process and that people care. Don't get mad or blame the government for lines (unless the machines all break, then get mad).

2. Remember that people vote for who they vote for for various reasons. For many, there is no hidden agenda or liberalism or conservatism. Pointing fingers and saying "this is why the other side won, and they're horrible for it" is stereotyping and simplistic. People are complex, their reasons for voting are complex. There are plenty of people that vote straight ticket on BOTH sides. Therefore, no pointing fingers. No blame games. No claims of election rigging (without solid proof) or conspiracies. The fact is, people have a right to choose where they vote and for who. And you don't know what choice they made. Don't assume that everyone on your f-list is absolutely on board with your ideals and holds important what you hold important. A person with kids is different from a person who lost their job is different from a person who's a tenured professor.

(And on the personal front from me, there will be NO "red state/blue state" crap tolerated this year. None. Don't give me that idiocy. Yes, I think the electoral college is fucked. Yes, I think the popular vote should win. But until it's changed, it is what it is. And "blaming" and entire region because they aren't exactly like you and worry about the same things is lunacy. Flat out, this year? I will defriend if I see blanket statements. I will. Because there's a lack of value for individuals and their rights. I voted for 6 Democrats and 7 Republicans and 1 Libertarian. It's because I researched those people and found them to be the most qualified for the jobs they were seeking. In most of the cases, political leaning played no part in it. If you can't accept that, that I am a person who truly is unaffiliated and tries to look at the issues that matter to me, then you don't care about me and aren't a friend. And whether I voted for Obama or McCain, I'm not some "exception to the rule". I'm not bucking the trend in my state (which, incidentally, tends to have a fairly equal number of both parties serving for the state, even when Jesse Helms was in office). I am representative of my state. So if you label my state a red state and mock it, you are mocking me, because my state is more complex than a color. I am more complex than a color.)
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maveness: (NASCAR - Burning Rubber)
( Aug. 7th, 2008 09:01 am)
Dear China, guess what?

*g*

So, um, China. You know that whole thing where you wanted to make sure that a dissident didn't show up in your country, despite claims otherwise, so you revoked Joey Cheek's visa?

Well, the U.S. Olympic team has one for you: Lopez Lamong. Carrying the flag. "Lost Boy", refugee from Sudan, U.S. citizen of one year. How's THEM apples?
maveness: (NASCAR - Crossword)
( Apr. 30th, 2008 11:56 am)
I've actually had a lot to say the last few days, but I've been lazy. So this will be a long post.

***

Bruce Springsteen

Freaking awesome show. I was deaf by the end, but amazing. The drunk chicks with the smoking were annoying, but the benefit of sitting up high was that we could move to empty seats.

One weird item of note: that was the whitest, most 50-something crowd I have ever been in. Even the pack of middle schoolers across the coliseum couldn't make a dent in the average age. And boy was that crowd white. I looked and never spotted anyone that wasn't white. (Did spot a guy with a bleached blond mullet in short shorts, though.) Had a coworker there that had made the same comment to a friend. I'm telling you, a NASCAR race is more diverse than this audience was.

***

How I Met Your Mother

[livejournal.com profile] fox1013, I need your help! TV Guide online lied to me (said BB9 finale was reairing Monday night when HIMYM was actually on - liars!), so I didn't tape it, and then when I went to watch "The Goat" online the stupid episode ends right in the middle of Lily and Marshall and Robin discussing the fact that Lily wants to keep the goat. What happened in the bathroom with the goat!!!!

***

Survivor

My reaction to last week's tribal council can be summed up with a screen cap of James' face: cut for screen cap of AWESOME ). It still doesn't quite encompass James' shock (I couldn't narrow it down to the right moment), but it's pretty darn close.

***

Women in Motorsports

First off, Ashley Force beat her dad for her first career funny car win in the National Hot Rod Association. Also, this was the first win by a woman in the funny car division. This is on par with Danica Patrick's win. It's also huge because she beat her dad, legendary John Force.

Secondly, the picture that has been out there of Danica with her trophy was cropped to take out Helio Castroneves on the side with *his* trophy. And really, that's a shame, because the awesome of the picture is even better with Helio.

See Helio. See Danica. See them preen and be goofy. )

Make your own penis joke there. Hee.

***

American Idol

Jason seems to have thrown in the towel (all because it's been two bad theme weeks), Syesha actually had the best performance of the night (even if it was old fashioned - it was still her best and the best of the night), David Cook was still solid, Brooke's second song saved her from the horror of the first, and David Archuleta has turned into Diana Degarmo (perky with a great voice, but by no means "mature" enough to be ready for this - and by "mature" I mean he's led an easy life without any strife, so he lacks worldly knowledge that lends any emotional gravitas to his songs, something that actually, it's FINE to be a good kid from a good family without pain or suffering, just it takes longer to connect to the music).

But more importantly, Paula Abdul's cracktastic moment is either extremely funny, or it reveals that the judges 1) get notes from the producers or 2) have been watching and making notes on the dress rehearsals and aren't paying attention during the show. (My money is on number two.)

***

The CW

So that whole billboard controversy with the "OMFG" Gossip Girl billboard...how many are amused by it?

Because honestly, disregarding all the people who do or don't have issue with it, the fact that the CW comes out and defends it because "The 'f' sometimes means 'freaking'" means they really are clueless about the young in America. Seriously? LOL That's their argument? Dudes! It means "fucking"! Own it already and just say "because it's not spelled out, it doesn't violate FCC regulations" and you're okay!

***

On Obama's Pastor

Video worth watching.

That quite honestly is the best answer I've heard on why Obama's pastor keeps himself in the news when stepping out of the limelight would be the best way to quell controversy.

Plus the fact that the answer is so well thought out about self-indulgence and a need for attention. And then concludes with "which was ultimately narcissistic and just based on him trippin." I want to go to this pastor's church. The one speaking out on Rev. Wright. Common sense pastors are awesome.
maveness: (Stargate - Don't Make Me)
( Mar. 27th, 2008 01:10 pm)
Of The Random

1. I don't care what the reasoning is - asking Chelsea Clinton about her thoughts on Monica Lewinsky is in very poor taste. Chelsea was a child. There was no political context for her. Her dad had an affair. Very. Poor. Taste.

2. I can't believe that it's Trace v. Piers on tonight's Celebrity Apprentice. Anyone else feel like it's a slam dunk that Piers will win? (Even though I love Trace like whoa.)

3. Chrissy Wallace in the Craftsman Truck Race this Saturday on FOX! Watch it, folks! Chick in a truck who can drive! (Plus her dad is Misogynist Mike! And he's her spotter! When misogynists get schooled by their kids, news at 11:00.)

4. While I don't condone Claire and Lauren's borderline bitchassness on America's Next Top Model, anyone feel like Dominique is a raving clueless psycho (a la Jade, but without the charm) who doesn't realize how nasty she is? (Whitney does not qualify as being borderline on the bitchassness because Dominique called her a racist first. Whitney has definite reason to be as bitchy as possible to Dom.)

5. Yeah. I said "bitchassness".

6. Helo is going to be on the new Joss Whedon show! Yay! Helo!
maveness: (Models - Fabulous)
( Nov. 7th, 2007 11:39 am)
Voter Registration

I just found out that, in the area where I live, if you are registered to vote as Unaffiliated, you can vote in the Republican OR Democratic primary.

Score!

This has changed recently, as it used to be that you had to be registered Republican or Democrat. What this means is, now I can change my affiliation to Unaffiliated and still vote in primaries. I always vote in primaries, as it's where I can do the most damage good. And I tend to root for one of the people who's not a front runner. (Then again, we're so far back on the primary chain that usually my candidate of choice has dropped out by the time they get to us.)

I'm excited this time because while I'm not for the front runner, I'm for the guy who's second in line. So he may not drop out before I get to vote! Yay!
maveness: (Superman - Man Can Fly)
( Jul. 24th, 2007 02:45 pm)
CNN YouTube Debates

After watching the debates online (where I can fast forward through rhetoric if it starts piling too deeply), I have two things to say:


1. I love America and Americans. The questions were well thought out and provoking in all the right ways.

2. Politicians get on my last nerve. My problem with politics are the politicians. Would somebody please have a genuine moment and not be so scripted? Heck, I vote for constant genuineness.


That said, watching the "debating" (also known as, let's all agree with one another and the person posing the question, even if they didn't give an opinion) reminded me of why I inherently am drawn to Barack Obama and why I'm so sorely disappointed in John Edwards, even though this is his second time running for president.

Obama: He's less scripted than the others. Way less scripted than Hilary Clinton. And when someone isn't scripted, there's an air of sincerity that gives you the feeling that you aren't going to wonder if they're lying through their teeth or just spewing platitudes.

Edwards: I liked things he had to say. Which is what pisses me off. He abandoned our state when we needed him to run for president, even though it was quite clear that the timing wasn't right for him. I know people in other states may feel the same way about their own senators - I truly understand. It sucks when you lose a senior senator who had some sway in Washington (whether good or bad, we had Jesse Helms) and the other person who has garnered some pull (Edwards) up and leaves you with someone who's completely new to the game (Elizabeth Dole), no matter how well she's received in Washington. Our state was suffering economically, but he had other things on his mind. We elected him to a job that he failed to fulfill.
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maveness: (Music - Dolly)
( Nov. 8th, 2006 10:13 am)
This will most likely be my only post for the day (as I have a big project to work on), so I'm making it a doozy. *g*

***

NASCAR & America's Next Top Model

Tonight. Stanton Barrett is on America's Next Top Model. Dude has the best manager, because he got Tyra Banks to go to a race in Vegas, which sold her on the awesomeness of NASCAR, which is how they got Stanton on the show. Also? He's on the judging panel. Awesome!

(For the ANTM folks, Stanton drives every once in a while in NASCAR. His "real" job is as a Hollywood stuntman. He does the stuntman stuff because he loves it and is good at it, but also because it gives him money to race. His newest hobby, through NASCAR affiliation, is bobsledding. Plus he's Paul Newman's godson and he's hot and he's got shaggy hair. YOU WILL LOVE HIM.)

***

NASCAR

Dale Jr. is ditching Gillette Young Guns next year. I'd say woe, only because it means no more shaving his number into Ryan Newman's hair. But the funny part? Is that they're considering Kasey Kahne as a replacement.

Dudes.

If you have to get a beard double (and that sounds so dirty) for Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray, do you really think we're going to believe that Kasey can grow facial hair?

***

Voting

This year I did something that, looking back, everyone should be required to do. I researched before voting. Believe me, the things I learned were awesome, and in the end I actually came away with a more positive view of politics than usual.

1. Vernon Robinson lost! Yay! *dances* The fact that there was even a candidate that wacked out (he made Jesse Helms look tame - I'm from NC, so I know how that sounds) was worrisome. The man keeps running for offices and losing. Maybe this time he'll take the hint. Government of any sort can do without his sorry, racist ass.

2. Happy Spivey lost as well! See, he snowed a lot of folks by actually appearing to be concerned about issues and open to change. Uh huh. He was the town drunk where I grew up (I played at his house once or twice - a friend lived on the same street and we went over to see his daughter - and let me tell you, when oblivious me at age 6 knows he's the town drunk, that's saying something) and he hated my great-uncle (who's no saint) to the point that he threatened him when he thought Ray would run against him for mayor (it's never a good idea to "relocate" someone's Boston Terrier when they're the only people in town with a Boston Terrier).

3. Good candidates rule. I am in love with judges who are qualified for the job, who papers say are all great, and who openly declare that politics have no place in the judicial realm and they are there to interpret the law and rule fairly on a case by case basis. What's sad is when those candidates are running against one another.

4. When a qualified judge wins his seat and his opponent, who has no qualifications for the job, loses. The only contest where both political parties endorsed Martin (who, if the race had been partisan, would have been Republican - his opponent would have been Democrat). The only contest where the unqualified candidate compared the Democratic chairman for NC to Hitler and called a black congressional candidate a "good slave". Maybe she and Vernon Robinson should hang out.
Sometimes politicians just blow my mind.

Social Security. Most folks under the age of 40 expect they'll never see it. Heck, I've never expected to get social security. First, I would go nuts without something to do. Second, yeah, like there'll be any money there. The money we put in is currently paying for our grandparents. Inflation, higher cost of living, the lengthened life span...it just. isn't. going. to happen.

Not without a major overhaul.

(Personally? One big helper would be to stop taxing savings for retirees. Hello! They did good, planned all their lives to live off what they save, and you tax the hell out of it? Come on!)

Do I think privatization and investing in the stock market is a good idea? No. It's like playing the lottery with retirement. Not gonna work folks. It's too iffy.

But what gets me is the political idea that "if we ignore it, it'll go away...at least for now." The Repubs and Dems spouting off that "it's not a crisis" can kiss my butt. First off, when it's enough of a concern for the voting public to actually want to hear various sides of the issue in election debate, it's an issue that has got to be addressed soon. The younger the voter, the more of a concern it is. The older voters have different concerns. (Social security and healthcare I think go hand in hand. Healthcare should be overhauled first though, just because it could relieve the burden to a degree on the financial status of retirees.)

Considering the pace at which Washington works, concerns have to start being fought for a good 10 years before anyone expects to overhaul them. It'll be another couple of presidents before we get anywhere on this. But it is crucial, it is of concern. Just because Mr. Politician in Washington will have a great retirement package and free meds thanks to being in the pocket of the pharmaceutical industry doesn't mean they can ignore reality indefinitely.

(Don't get me started on the guy proposing portioning out S.S. based on life expectancy, gender, race, etc.)

In a way, it'll be interesting to see social security blow up in their faces eventually. Sadly, all of these yahoos currently in office will be retired. And my parents will be the ones that suffer. (Although my dad is like me about work, and my mom has a store that she's planning on working at for years to come. Plus they've informed me that they currently doubt they'll get S.S.) We've all seen it coming.
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If it weren't for the fact that in NC, we're about to get rid of our governor (he's not running again in the next election), I dare say we'd do what was done in California and go for a recall.

That said, I can't help but love the list of people running for the governorship now.

Angellyne? Hysterical.
The cop who wants to legalize ferrets in CA? Priceless.
Larry Flynt? Well, more disgusting than anything else.
Ghallager? Dude, scarily enough, I would so vote for him.

Looking at that list (and considering the 100s of others running) I dare say "Ahnold" would be a quite normal candidate. If he runs. Which he's probably not. But still. *giggles*

(I can't talk too much though. We had Rick Flair running for a political office one time, and Richard Petty ran for one too.)
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