Day of Thanks?

Happy Thanksgiving! What is the true story about Thanksgiving? Most don't know it and many refuse to accept it as it is better to believe what it has become. Below I posted a nice explanation of the birth of the holiday and its meaning. Also feel free to read a little story here about its conception. Christmas tree up and decorated and most of the house decorated inside. Good hours at work this week leading to Black Friday but next week looks grim. Funny how such a profitable company as the one I work at can have so many workers on government aid and struggling. Those on the front line serving its profits (customers) personally.

Customers at work kept telling us how sorry they were we have to work Thanksgiving. Funny thing is, I'm sure many if not all of them will be shopping the first sales at 8pm on Thanksgiving. Then they wonder why we have to work that day.

Natalia loves watching "the funny boy" Ralphie in A Christmas Story, as it is one of my favorites also. We didn't do anything this week as I kept her on her pajamas as much as possible as she was sick.

The Hostess Company has closed its doors and we say bye to the iconic Twinkie, Chocodile and HoHo. President of the bakers' union said, "They decided that they were not going to agree to another round of outrageous wage and benefit cuts and give up their pension only to see yet another management team fail and Wall Street vulture capitalists and 'restructuring specialists' walk away with untold millions of dollars."  Or maybe the unions failed their people by getting greedy as they too had a financial stake at the firm. Either way 18,000 jobs gone. I think it is a another mismanaged company hoping to get a government bailout and make the rich richer. Seems everyone waits for bailouts to screw the working class.

Finally finished Foundation & Empire and didn't find it to my liking. It was kind of a historical look at the Foundation. Went back again to hard sci-fi with the Bowl Of Heaven by Gregory Benford. I haven't read much fantasy at all this year as it is all I used to read.

The real meaning and story of Thanksgiving?

Check out the Sword & Laser interview with Jim Butcher at the Geek & Sundry Channel.

Oh, Christmas Tree!

The Christmas Tree is up. I know, I'm probably the first guy to have it up. I don't care, I like Christmas. Actually about a week earlier than planned. Took me a while to find a place for it in the new house but found a decent place. Now to slowly decorate over the next few days.

Slow week and not much work so I stayed at home and played as much as possible. No shame in saying this. Natalia again sick, and I may have to start questioning where Natalia is being taken. Sick but that never hampers her spirits. She is so much like me. I can't wait until she gets older.

Well, as I figured my schedule for Black Friday changed. Rumors were they wanted the new people to work the registers that day. That was a real good idea, not. So I'll be up for about 24 hours but that is retail. No complaints.

Still playing Borderlands 2 and finally made Legendary with my Siren character. While farming for guns a nice player just dumped them all in my lap. Decided to start a new character (Mechromancer Little Girl) while dropping in on high level games, hope you guys don't mind. Haven't jumped in on Assassin's Creed 3 as I thought I would, but it is a game I want to finish. Hopefully I can pick up Halo 4 on sale during the sales. XBOX Live turns 10 and a few ask me why I play on the XBOX. Simply is always up and it is monitored. The PS system tend to be down often and updates that don't run in the background and take a while to download and install.

Geek & Sundry looks to not be posting any more Table Top shows. I so much liked this show but I knew it wasn't going to last a long time. Only so many games one can play. I wonder why the decision. They have replaced it with On The Table, which is a news and comment show. I like it so far as it shows me so many cool games out there.

Not reading much lately but need to finish my recent book as it it short but taking a while. No idea what to pick up next, but there a re a few candidates. This weekend it warmed up at a bit but snow may be expected next week.

Check out the new Space Janitors and On The Table shows at the Geek & Sundry Channel

Snow Turkey. Hoorah Changes?

Christmas boxes are up and starting to go through them and decorating around the house. No tree up yet. Cold and wet this weekend and I like it. I picked up Natalia with a little fever and will take care of that here just by relaxing.

Cold and wet and a light dusting of snow overnight. I was hoping for about 4 inches so Natalia can at least play in it, but instead got a dusting and cold temps this morning. Natalia managed to play with a little snow this morning and made the world's first "snow turkey".

Reading has slowed down as I don't find Foundation And Empire very catching, but I'll plow through it.

Economy must be real bad because around work Black Friday is not being hyped up or planned. Normally we plan it out for weeks, have meetings, schedules get done for that day. No meetings, no real schedules. I'm not even working that day. Lots of empty holes on the schedule. I volunteered to work the worse of it but there seemed to be no interest to have people cover the event. Truth is there usually are no good deals and the good deals are so limited it's not worth the hassle. I think this year online retailers may see the shift to them this year. As far as my new position goes, it is going well. Not being pushed outside jobs and doing what I am paid to do. However I am still scheduled in my old dept one day next week which I will question since I took a pay cut to get out of there. I already hear people are being pushed to do my old job and it is not going too well.

I will not dwell in politics again and rather let John and Adam at No Agenda do all the talking. One thing I will say is I don't feel my vote counted, as elections were already called before I even voted and I know I was not alone. I will live the American dream of "Just getting by" for a few more years. One last thing to mention as the picture above may mean - Are us "turkeys, going to be given another snow job?" I know, it's a stretch.

Last but not least Happy Birthday to the United States Marine Corps - Hoorah!

Catch the latest The Guild Episode at the Geek & Sundry Channel.

A Book. Drill Weekend. Snow?

May sound stupid but I think everyone should read the book Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss. I picked this book at the thrift store and read it to my daughter and it hit me. This book speaks the truth, and remember - "98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed."

A dilemma or a question; when should I put up my Christmas tree? For those that don't know me, must know I love Christmas. I am not one to put up the tree the day before Christmas. I put it up weeks in advance and take it down weeks later. I see it as a decoration and love the mood it causes. Also have no idea where to put it in the new house. Sadly this year I will not be able to put up lights around the house.

Drill weekend done and as usual it went well. Again offered opportunities for classes and even spending two weeks at the reserve center verifying medical records but these things tend to not get funded and approved. We had a fashion show on Saturday with the uniform inspections and Sunday the PRT. PRT went well again and passed.

Looking to a full week at work and clean up around the house and start to decorate for Thanksgiving. Have to keep going with my wood pile splitting for this winter. I got a good chunk done already but need more as I love to turn on the fireplace as much as possible. Snow may be forecasted for the end of the week.

Finished reading The Marks Of Cain by Tom Knox and found the book entertaining. The book got me to know a little about Cagots and their background in the Basque Country. The ending of the book got you to think why the holocausts might have happened. My next read I went with a shorter book in Asimov's Foundation and Empire.

With the elections around the corner I find this short clip very appropriate.

Geek News - Jamie Foxx to play as Electro in Spider-Man 2 movie.

Check out the latest Table Top Gaming Episode: Star Fluxx at the Geek & Sundry Channel.

All Hallow's Eve

Halloween was great. I went out with a friend and her daughter and a few of her friends. Natalia had a great time. Couldn't have asked for a better day. So far so good on my new position at work. No headaches or problems. Now I hope I can get the work hours needed.

Finished watching season 2 of The Walking Dead and that last episode left me wanting more (Daryl Dixon is awesome!). But I will have to wait, and find another show. Playing a little Borderlands 2 and Assassin's Creed 3. Two more big games being released the next 2 weeks and that is it for the year.

Natalia again went to the doctors and again prescribed OTC cream. I picked her up with minor scars so I will clear those up in he next few days here.

I'm not religious but I do like to read about the bible and things that make you think. My latest book referred to Genesis 4:14 where Cain was punished - "... and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that everyone that findeth me shall slay me". Who shall find him? I thought it was just Adam and Eve and no one else on earth. Where there others roaming the earth that the bible is trying to refer to? Who were they?

Disney buys Lucas Arts. Now I can say bye bye to Star Wars. I think the picture says it all. However Star Wars Episodes 7-9 are planned.

Don't forget to catch The Guild Episode 5 at the Geek & Sundry Channel.

Trunk Or Treat.

Trunk Or Treat went well. My chili didn't win but the winner was pretty good chili. Someone even made chili from bear meat, and it wasn't bad. Temperatures were very comfortable and the candies didn't last long. Natalia will spend Halloween with me this year and I have some plans. Many days off next week from work as my parents will be visiting the state of Florida this coming week.

Finally got my transfer at work. A step down but I was not going to take more "BS" at work. On to a simpler job and a change of scenery. I am sure I will quickly get adjusted to it. I am looking to simplify my life and raise my daughter to be happy and simple.

Still plowing moving through The Marks Of Cain and a good read. Even got me referring to the bible for references. Love the setting and many areas bring back some memories.

Temperatures are more fall like with a constant breeze. So Cal Edison cut down a tree in my property which I was OK with and left me the wood. They were nice enough to cut it up and stack it. I must say I was hoping to do that work as I like that kind if stuff. Now find a place to stack it out of the elements to dry for next year.

May be picking up the new Medal Of Honor: Warfighter game this week. So far I should have time after work to play and I like the franchise, or I may just download the latest DLC for Borderlands 2 to level up. But again, Assasin's Creed 3 comes out this week.

Check out IO9's 10 novels that are scarrier than movies.

Don't forget to catch the Sword & Laser Book Club Episode on the Cloud Atlas wrap-up.

Hooked On A Show

Fall is clearly here with the change of colors in nature, the nice constant breeze and cold temperatures. However looks like there will not be any snow before Halloween. Trunk Or Treat is this coming Saturday and I have chili to make. It will be cold out for the kids as usual.

Finished reading Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury. This is my second read through of this book as I felt I didn't get much the first read. I had a few books to choose from for my next read and decided to read The Marks Of Cain by Tom Knox as it goes again to discuss Cain and it is somewhat set in the Basque Country (Euskadi) whom I called home for some years.

Charlie Brown for president. Why not? Who would be his running mate?

Decided to watch an episode of The Walking Dead and in short found myself watching the whole first season in one night. I got hooked to the characters and even cried a little at the reunion of Rick Grimes with his family and the death of Amy. I love survival type stories where leaders are pulled out and decisions to be made in a big lonely world. Many times I find myself thinking why these people don't find a nice isolated farm, stock up on all kinds of supplies and set up.

Do you know from what movie this picture is from? For bonus points can you name the characters?

Geek News - Ben Kinsley to play Mandarin in new Iron Man 3 movie. Mark Wahlberg in Transformers 4? Dark Elves to attack Asgard in new Thor movie.

Iron Man 3 Trailer

Don't forget to catch The Guild Episode 4 from the Geek & Sundry Channel.

Pumpkins, Apples & Pears.

Visited the pumpkin patch in Blue Jay and must say they had a nice looking scarecrow but Natalia was afraid of him so no picture with him. The colors of nature caught me staring out at the trees, so beautiful. Next year I want to plant some pumpkins, so any tips are appreciated. After finally getting Natalia and checking this "rash" it looks to me like heat rash and it doesn't surprise me. Doesn't seem to bother her at all when she is with me, however it is still present and I was hoping my now it would disappear  She is always happy and playful here. Collected all the apples and pears from the trees at my parents house. Last year seemed like we collected more.

Winter will be here soon and if you're into following weather like me, check out SoCalWeather site. Bookmark it and add him to your Twitter. His weather forecasts are the most accurate I have come across. My little secret and now yours.

If this picture is recognizable by you, then you and me are much alike. I already like you. LOL.

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter movie gets released on DVD and I am eager to see it as I so much liked the book. Also Blade Runner gets its 30th Anniversary release edition. Doom 3 BFG is out but I will wait for a price drop. Medal Of Honor's new title out this week. Ghostbusters 3 movie might actually be a reality, but it will not have the nostalgia the original did.

Don't forget to watch The Guild: Episode 3 and the Sword & Laser John Scalzi Interview at the Geek & Sundry Channel.

Changes Are A Coming.

Another drill weekend done and busy as usual. I got another unit transfer to EMF Dallas and will do my AT in Bethesda, Maryland. A few from the unit I drill with have done work at the Walter Reed hospital, not many liked it it is mainly ran by the Army. I do hope for nice pay and "hospital hours" so I can do lots of sight seeing. My unit here is again trying to send me to an Audiology course to get certified as a tech. I hope this time around it works out. I can use the money and time off work.

Ex drama is back with the same problem. Natalia has a rash and I take to the ER. I have no problems while she is with me. At least during our text exchanges my ex admitted to having taken Natalia to the hospital for no real reason other than to try to hurt me. In the end all Natalia was prescribed was OTC lotion.

I decided to post some art from the No Agenda Show. The picture speaks for itself. The blame game is fully on and no one wants to take the blame and be responsible. Sounds familiar?

The weather has warmed up a little again but temps will again drop by early part of next week leading to a cold Halloween with possible rains for the end of the week. Snow possible in Running Springs.

The truth about Armstrong is out in the public. I read the whole court document USADA filed and the testimony of the many riders and people involved. Incredible to me the UCI is suing Kimmage and thinks its not corrupt. They clearly took bribes and covered up results. Either way like Lance they will keep saying they are clean and blame the many for lying. To this day the wrath is incredible as so many people in the sport are quitting and leaving. I must say I was affected by all this as I knew many of the cheaters and shared the road with some. I know their testimony for some is not the whole truth as many got started cheating much earlier than some claim. Hard to compete with Vaughters as we shared the roads in Spain when he was doping so early on and same with George. I knew the sport was bad back in the early 90s as I saw the problem first hand in the amateur ranks back then. Sad people like myself were never really given a true chance to compete and see how it could have gone when so many teams opted to cheat and not give heir riders an option and instead threatened them and in many cases forced many riders to quit the sport. The backlash continues as he has "stepped" down from the Livestrong foundation and Nike has pulled their sponsorship and separated themselves from him. Feel free to read the submitted court papers with testimony here >>

Politics - Well I have to "throw my 2 cents in". It is amazing to me that people are dictating whom the next president should be from these "debates". These are simply shows where each candidate shows off as usual and bullshits us more. It is amazing to me that B. Obama smirks and laughs through these as if it was funny the state of our economy and foreign affairs. For B. Obama to say M. Romney is rich as if he himself was poor. Please, B. Obama has no problems paying his bills. I am sure in the years to come we will find out his many scams while president and hidden money he has stashed away and hid from us. To me it is very clear. 4 years on the job and it got much worse. Worse to the point of many Americans are seeing his socialist agenda being pushed down to us Americans. His countless "executive orders" bypassing our system set by our constitution. He seems to laugh at us and not care about us or our history. I'm done. But I beg you to listen to the No Agenda show as they clearly point everything out with no worries from media or advertisers, unlike so many news channels out there.

Say it isn't so! Mockingbird Lane which is the Munsters reboot. Now they are really starting to hit me where it hurts.

Check out the Table Top Gaming Episode tomorrow from the Geek & Sundry Channel.

Good Movie. Good Weather.

Got a little burst of hail on Thursday which made the roads slippery for a few hours. Natalia got to put on her new boots and play in the snow. Woke up to a dark cold Friday which was great.

"Final report of the vessel Prometheus. The ship and her entire crew are gone. If you're receiving this transmission, make no attempt to come to its point of origin. There is only death here now, and I'm leaving it behind. It is New Year's Day, the year of our Lord, 2094. My name is Elisabeth Shaw, last survivor of the Prometheus. And I am still searching". - Elizabeth Shaw

Finally sat down and watched Prometheus as Natalia went to sleep early. I must say I really liked this movie. Maybe because I'm a fan and love movies with a huge story line and like to see it slowly tied in. It answered some questions but left many more. Nowhere can I find anything else about Dr. Shaw after she went in search of the Engineers with David 8. Were the Engineers really going to destroy us? Are we a failed experiment? Is this the first "Alien"? What exactly is the black goo? David the cyborg a meaning to David from the Old Testament? Should Shaw have asked the questions to the Engineer? Are the Engineers Frankenstein or are humans? Where is Paradise? I even watched the deleted scenes and had hoped Ridley Scott would have had the Engineer talk as to get an answer but he left it to the next film. So much debate online over the proximity of LV223 (Leviticus 22:3?) and LV426 (Leviticus 4:26?) to each other and that maybe David 8 and Weyland knew of the distress signal before. Also check out this YouTube video of proof of "Engineers" skeletons unearthed. I did however run across this image which should have been left in the film to shed light on the Engineers.

Ridley Scott unofficial confirms a sequel to Prometheus with these words - "It can explain to her how to put the head back on the body and she's gonna think about that long and hard because, once the head is back on his body, he's dangerous." - "They're going off to paradise but it could be the most savage, horrible place. Who are the Engineers?". Scott is also working on a sequel to Blade Runner.

Check out the David 8 from the Weyland Cybernetics. The new models are exceeding expectations and moving fast so pre-order soon.  Please check out the recall on the David 7 models.  Also check out the many cool products from Weyland Industries.

Gaming season is here as XCOM and Dishonored shipped and I await Assasin's Creed 3 and Halo 4 in the next few weeks. Gearbox also has announced its first DLC for Borderlands 2, Captain Scarlett And Her Pirate's Booty and I'm sure it will be fun.

Did you know that Punky Brewster's name is Penelope Brewster. Thought you all would want to know.

Catch the latest Sword & Laser Episode on the Geek & Sundry Channel.