Happy New Year

Last year at this time, I was visiting Koh Samui, Thailand when the Tsunami hit Phuket and the west coast of Thailand. I was sitting on the beach, drinking a cold beer, reading Jimmy Buffet's book, A Pirate looks at Fifty. I remember going back to the hotel room and watching CNN for the next few days as the scope of the world's worst natural disaster unfolded. I was in paradise, while less than 100 miles away people were in a water-logged version of hell.

Have a safe holiday.....I will be traveling in Thailand from 12/27 through 1/17.....not sure if I will be posting any updates for a while (30 hours from Miami to Minneapolis to Tokyo to Bangkok)....but will try to stay away from the bird-flu, terrorists, and any other disasters.

The Media & Democrats will blame Bush!

Happy Holidays from the ACLU

Priceless and Tasteless

Here is a web site filled with garbage...but
a few of the videos are very funny!

http://thisisyourworld.com/

What's in a nickname?

A few weeks ago, I posted a message about a trip to Las Vegas. I wrote that I was going with Scrapy, Bo, Corky, and Crispy.....Unfortunately, I have never had a good nickname that stuck.

I guess "Bob" is a nickname for Robert....and I leased a Volvo a few years back and one of my buddies still calls me, "The Big Sweede"....but that's not a nickname....it's more like a statement. On our annual company cruise, a few months back, I made a statement (while under the influence of JD) claiming to quit cigars, liquor, and food...so the boys started calling me "Will"....short for Will Power....Hardy-Har-Har.....cute nickname, but it didn't stick??? A few friends called me "Zoom'in Newman", but I guess I have slowed down a little bit for that one to stick? During the Star Wars craze in the late 70's, Neil Contess (marketing genius) started calling me Jaba-the-Hut. Although "The Schnalfer" still calls me Jaba, it didn't stick either.

For a nickname to "stick", it needs to be a little descriptive, it needs to fit, should have a little humor, and must be SHORT! Additionally, you cannot give yourself a nickname...someone has to start calling you the nickname....than other people must use it for a while to "stick".

I really don't think about it that often, but it seems that Wally and Crispy have been giving it a lot of thought and have come up with a new nickname for me....I got a strange voice mail from Crispy...."Bob, we got it! We have been trying to come up with a new nickname for you and finally got it".....I have some pretty strange friends...but for these guys to sit around and dream up a nickname for me might be the strangest?

No, thinking up a nickname does not put them in the "strange friend" category...most of my friends are a lot stranger! But the fact that they called me, left a message, and thought it was a funny name is a little screwy....But I will let my loyal BLOG readers determine if they like the new nickname they came up with......."Chewy"...short for Chewbaca from Star Wars. A little weak, maybe, but can you come up with something better?

It's all fun and games, till someone gets hurt!

Ric Flair, 16 time World Champion. High flying, limousine driving WWE superstar. The Nature Boy. Lacing up the boots for over 30 years. Putting it all on the line, every night, to entertain the fans.

Whoooo......To be the Man...You gotta beat the Man!

Flair got arrested last week after a little road-rage scuffle....Time and traveling on the road has taken a chunk out of him....but no entertainer has have been a better promoter.....At 56, he still has the best "rap" in the business.

An Act of Treason?

As a proud Democrat, I am embarrassed. The party leadership has morphed into a "hate Bush" lynch group . They are now acting more like a party of "treason" instead of a party of reason. The "leaders" are void of any ideas or concepts to set a new agenda for America. Instead, they criticize every problem in a cheap and sleazy method that they must think will win future votes....Even if it costs the lives of our troops....How tragic.

Our party leader, John Dean claimed, "we cannot win the war"...What affect does that have on our troops?....and what affect does that have on the insurgents?

Our party candidate, John Kerry, was on TV this past weekend calling our troops in Iraq "Terrorists".

Have they lost thier minds?

It has gotten so bad, that the usually supportive Hollywood elite are running for cover. It's fun to see Barbara Striesand, Susan Sarandon, Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Jerry Springer, Michael Moore, Alec Baldwin, etc run for cover. Tim Robbins got so frustrated about the overall situation, he exploded on Air America radio, stating that Hillary Clinton could "Kiss his Butt".

The anti-war wing of the party is pushing an agenda of immediate pull-out...pressuring celebs to take an even more radical stand, an irresponsible solution. I wouldn't leave the future of the middle east to these idiots and I could never spend a dime to see any of their films ever again.

If I walked into a party, a classroom, a poker room, a chamber meeting....and saw the party leadership John Dean, Ted Kennedy, Al Sharpton, Al Gore , Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Dick Durbin, John Murtha, Chuck Schumer, Barbara Boxer, Nancy Pelosi, Dianne Feinstein, Charles Rangel, Harry Reid, Robert Byrd, Mark Foley, Alcee Hastings, Jon Corzine, Robert Wexler, or Former President Jimmy Carter ....I would walk out....I would rather talk with used car salesmen.

The voice of moderate Democrats like Joe Lieberman, Joe Biden, Bob Kerrey, Barak Obama has been silenced.

The Bad News.....Our country is in trouble, our troops are at risk, and I am sick and tired of the behavior of our democratic leadership.

The Good News.....Therefore I am dropping my affiliation with the Dems.

The Really Good News ....No, I didn't save a bundle on my car insurance, but I can't stand the Republicans either. The religious zealots, the "Conservatives", the Christian Coalition, have hijacked the Republican Party (Robertson, Ralph Reed, and Falwell can all kiss my butt).

Our country is in trouble. Relying on these narrow-minded, self appointed morality police to get us out can only lead to further problems (Social Security, Stem Cell Research, Schools, Health Care). Therfore, I have decided to become a Libertarian joining independent thinkers like Jesse "the body" Ventura... If he runs in '08...I'll be there!!!

http://www.lp.org/

A time for caution?

According to Andrew Tobias.....

Warren Buffett is sitting on something like $43 billion in cash. If he can’t find good things to invest in at today’s prices, it gives me pause to think we can. This is one reason that I recommend about a quarter of your portfolio in 20- and 27-year TIPS (Treasury Inflation Protected Securities) that guarantee 2% above inflation . . . why I like my shares in PCL (I figure that, whatever happens to the stock short-term, the trees will keep growing) . . . and why I sleep okay with wildly speculative things like BOREF and the NTMD puts. Both could go to zero (really!), but certainly not because of any financial meltdown, in case we were to have one someday. In a financial meltdown, our NTMD puts would do brilliantly (if they had not already expired); and while BOREF shares might fall by 90% or 95% (on volume of 1200 shares, no doubt), it wouldn’t affect the value of the company’s underlying technology (whatever that value may or may not ultimately prove to be).

http://www.andrewtobias.com/cgi-local/display_col.pl?051208

The Great Malenko

Boris "The Great" Malenko

Larry Simon was the creator of ‘The Great Malenko’, no better heal graced the wrestling mats in the 1950s-60s and 70s. He could work a crowd into a frenzy.

Professor Malenko was a huge contrast to the real Larry Simon. Larry Simon was a family man whose pride and joy were his 2 sons Jodie and Dean. Both were into wrestling, trained by Malenko himself and the legendary Karl Gotch.

Often times you would find Larry with his sons and wife at a bowling alley, or at a movie. What a shocker to the many wrestling fans who thought he was the second coming of the Devil.

Malenko and Eddie Graham had some of the greatest blowouts in Fort Homer Hesterly Armory history. Sold out shows when these two would tango. The relationship ended on a sour note and Malenko never wrestled for Championship Wrestling from Florida again. Til the day he died he had a bad spot in his gut for Eddie.

Malenko passed away in the mid 90s from Leukemia. I visited him in the hospital and he told a reporter, “I would not wish this disease on my worst enemy’. He fought hard, but at the end it took his strength away.

He would be very proud of his sons, one a pharmacist who became a millionaire through one of his inventions, and the other an international wrestling star.

Larry Simon, The Great Malenko, thanks for the many fond memories.

For additional research, please follow the link.......
http://www.obsessedwithwrestling.com/profiles/b/boris-malenko.html

Do something good, today!

When it's over, it's over. You don't get a second chance. Live every day, every day!

Here is an interesting web site that projects your life expectancy http://www.nmfn.com/tn/learnctr--lifeevents--longevity_game

Happy Thanksgiving...

It doesn't get any better than Thanksgiving in Las Vegas....thanks to Bo....the boys are headed for another "road trip". Participants (so far) include Crispy, Corky, Scrappy, Chop Suey, and a very brave woman...Chris

Watching football at the sports book, playing poker, lounging in the Spa, driving to Hoover Dam, visiting the Grand Canyon, eating too much at a buffet and hearing Bo destroy a public restroom, and maybe seeing a few shows?

A few of my favorite headliners are playing including.....George Carlin, Penn & Teller, Three Dog Night, America, Celine Dion (just kidding) and maybe even see one of the cool hypnotist shows? Maybe even try to get tickets for the Paul McCartney concert.

If anyone wants to join the insanity...we'll be staying at the Monte Carlo.....have a great Thanksgiving!

The bigger they are........

Business and ethics classes have a new chapter to add to the curriculum thanks to corporate CEO's that allow power and greed to consume them.

The most recent example......Dennis Kozlowski, former CEO of Tyco, owner of ADT, the world's largest security contractor (I love irony). Mr. Koslowski was convicted for stealing (estimated around $600m) from he stockholders and investors. Why did he need a $2,000 shower curtain? Why did he need to pay Jimmy Buffett a $1m to sing for his wife's birthday?

Dennis will have (8-25) year's to ponder his stupidity at a NY state prison not the comfy minimum security "Club Fed". The state prisons do not have the facilities..... Former prosecutor David Gourevitch, however, said there were no facilities in the state system comparable to federal minimum-security prisons such as the one where entrepreneur Martha Stewart spent her five-month sentence.

"In the federal system, outside of maximum-security places, generally people are physically safe. I don't think anybody would say that about New York state prison," Gourevitch said. "And from a state perspective, this is one of the longest sentences in a corporate fraud case that I can recall."

Foglia said that in most cases, defendants sentenced to more than six years are sent to maximum-security prisons. She said it would be several weeks before the state decides where to send Kozlowski and Swartz. In the meantime, they will stay at a holding facility known as the Tombs in Lower Manhattan and then be sent to Rikers Island, the temporary jail for New York City inmates before they are sent to state prisons.

In June, a jury found former Tyco chief executive Kozlowski, 58, and former chief financial officer Swartz, 45, guilty of criminal counts of grand larceny, conspiracy, securities fraud and eight of nine counts of falsifying business records.

Obus imposed the same prison sentence on both men. He ordered Kozlowski to pay a $70 million fine and Swartz to pay a $35 million fine. He ordered both men to repay Tyco a combined $134.4 million in restitution of illegal bonuses and other illicit payments.

Haven't we had enough?

Maybe Pat Roberson is right?

Tropical Storm Gamma is headed towards South Florida and this time I am leaving! If it doesn't change it's path...I am packing up and headed North.

During Wilma...my (18th floor) condo was shaking, the power went out, and the emergency generator ran out of gas...No lights, No emergency lights in the stairwell, No elevators, and No water...and no cable TV.....enough is enough!

I still hate Steve Spurrier!

It was a great weekend, even if the Gators lost to South Carolina for the first time since 1939!

I had the opportunity to fly to Charlotte, N.C. and visit the National Headquarters of Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity. Mark Timmes, Executive Director took me for a personal tour of the offices and provided insight to the history and fraternity memoriabilia. I even had the opportunity to have dinner with a few of the National Foundation members and our past Executive Director, Durward Owen.

Our hosts at USC, Jerry and Mary Anne Brewer, provided an awesome tailgate party with great food and ice cold beer that helped ease the pain of another Gator Flop!

Of course we finished the weekend off with a late night run to the Waffle House.....

Words of Wisdom

"As I grow older I pay less attention to what men say. I just watch what they do."

"There is no use whatsoever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he is willing to climb himself."--Andrew Carnegie

Who secures the ACLU?

According to The New York Sun newspaper, the New York chapter of the ACLU is suing the city for random bag checks in the subway system. But guess who's checking bags in their own offices? You got it, the NYCLU. The sign outside the office says, quote, "Please have photo ID ready for inspection. All packages are subject to inspection upon entering and leaving the premises."

Comedy Central - Wednseday Nite

If you have never been able to stomach the sophmoric humor of South Park, I urge you to watch a few of the new episodes.

The writing is brilliant! Each weekly show reflects the ironic side of current events. The language and scenarios are too strong for most children (and some adults)...but I promise you will laugh your ass off!

Wilma Sucker Punched us!!!

What a bitch....No Gas...No Water...No Electric

A bunch of us baby boomers from the 50's have been around the block....we have lived through a bunch of Hurricane Warnings...a bunch of last minute near misses...and a few nasty storms....We all listened to the weather forecasters, we all prepared, we stocked up on supplies, and we waited for the worse. We always knew that the storm could damage power for a few weeks, so we filled our gas tanks, we filled our bath tubs with water, and we made sure we had a few days of food...just in case.

"Just in case" sucker punched us. We all got the warnings on Wednesday....but the storm stalled over Cancun Thursday and Friday...when Wilma finally made the turn towards South Florida...we still had all day Saturday and Sunday to prepare....Maybe it was "Hurricane Fatigue"??? A lot of people were not prepared....On Monday...Wilma hit us hard!

If you took the necessary precautions....you are experiencing a few down trees, power failures, and maybe even loss of water for a few days....a major inconvenience to most people...However if you have older relatives to take care of ...or someone that is sick....it could even be life threatening. A terrible situation...and if you have kids home from school, hopefully you have a good supply of Vallium.

If you are a business owner....or a property owner....you are going to be dealing with contractors and insurance companies for the next few months. You are probably going to get screwed over. A bunch of businesses will close and a bunch will get in trouble for scams for insurance....you should wise up....is it really worth going to jail????

This is the time for all South Floridians to pull together....Families with children will remember these weeks for the rest of their lives....This is the time for parents to set a good example for kids.....an example of strong parents that don't panic, don't fight, help neighbors, and not only survive, but strive during this terrible situation will help children be strong when they face problems in life....Parents that complain and blame the government will set a poor example for kids to expect handouts from the government....

It's also a time for business leaders to help employees and customers....It's going to be tough without power and gas...for business and for employees....Now is the time to work on alternative work schedules, car pooling, and work at home programs....

A few months from now we will all look back and remember these days. Yes, we got suckered punched, but we got up and fought the good fight. We didn't lay down and bitch about it and wait for handouts from the government....So we had a curfew, so we struggled through hours of gas lines...and we all experiences asshole drivers that failed to stop at an intersection without traffic lights.....A major pain in the ass.....But I want to remember these days as the time our community dealt with all the problems and still pulled together and set an example for the entire world to admire!

Auntie Em....Where is Toto?

Windstar Italian Cruise

Jim and Mary joined Hui and me for our Security One decompression cruise!!!

I've been back about a month...and I am ready for another trip already!

Favorite Movies...when the cable goes out!

Hurricane Blues? Last year...some people lost everything, some people lost power, I only lost my cable TV......What a disaster!

This time, I'm prepared, if I only lose my cable....Here's a list of my favorite flicks on DVD

Besides the "Usual" suspects....Godfather, Casino, Goodfella's, Cuckoo's Nest, Animal House, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and James Bond......here are my favorites.

Big Fish
Network
Inside Moves
We were Soldiers
After the Sunset
Scent of a Woman
Minority Report
The Cowboys
Rounders
Patriot Games
Signs
Von Ryan's Express
Silence of the Lambs
Glengary Glenn Ross
Vanilla Sky
Payback
Spy Game
Forrest Gump
Gladiator
Romancing the Stone
Clear & Present Danger
Saving Private Ryan
Mr. Holland's Opus
Dr. Strangelove
Good Will Hunting
Kill Bill (Vol I & II)
The Game
Pleasantville
Conspiracy Theory
Dead Poets Society
The Firm
True Lies
The Exorcist
The Taylor of Panama
A Few Good Men
Leap of Faith
Kiss of the Dragon (anything with Jet Li)
Deer Hunter
Three Days of the Condor
Enemy of the State
Beint There (anything with Peter Sellers)
The Great Santini
Fargo

Comedies...........
The King of Comedy
Kung Foo Hustle
Three Amigos
The In-Laws
Planes, Trains, & Automobiles
The Man who knew too Little (Bill Murray at his Best)
Moon over Parador
Groundhog Day (Bill Murray is awesome)
Roxanne
The Freshman
Going in Style
Uncle Buck
Meet the Parents
Galaxy Quest
Tootsie
Network
Shrek
Stripes (Bill Murray again but I didnt list Ghostbusters or Caddyshack)
Team America - World Police
Ferris Buellor's Day Off
There's Something about Mary
The War of the Roses
Revenge of the Pink Panther (Peter Sellers is Awesome)
South Park - Bigger, Better, Uncensored
The Birdcage
The Meaning of Life
A Fish called Wanda
Get Shorty
Bad Santa
In and Out
My Big Fat Greek Wedding

Manero's

My 49th birthday is coming up next week....Almost every year we celebrated with Vodka Martini's (with the dividend), Gorgonzola cheese salads, Garlic bread dripping with oil, and the best damn steaks in Florida......boy could I go for that!!!!

There is a house in New Orleans

George Carlin on New Orleans

I've been sitting here with my ass in a wad, wanting to speak out about the bullshit going on in New Orleans. For the people of New Orleans: First would like to say, Sorry for your loss. With that said, let's go through a few hurricane rules: (Unlike an earthquake, we know it's coming)

#1. A mandatory evacuation means just that. Get the hell out. Don't blame the Government after they tell you to go. If they hadn't said anything, I can see the argument. They said get out, if you didn't, it's your fault, not theirs. (I don't want to hear it, even if you don't have acar, you can get out.)

#2. If there is an emergency, stock up on water and non-perishables. If you didn't do this, it's not the Government's fault you're starving.

#2a. If you run out of food and water, find a store that has some.(Remember, shoes, TV's, DVD's and CD's are not edible. Leave them alone.)

#2b. If the local store has been looted of food or water, leave your neighbor's TV and stereo alone. (See #2a) They worked hard to get their stuff. Just because they were smart enough to leave during a mandatory vacation, doesn't give you the right to take their stuff...it's theirs, not yours.

#3. If someone comes in to help you, don't shoot at them and then complain no one is helping you. I'm not getting shot to help save some dumbass who didn't leave when told to do so.

#4. If you are in your house that is completely under water, your belongings are probably too far gone for anyone to want them. If someone does want them, let them have them and hopefully they'll die in the filth. Just leave! (It's New Orleans, find a voodoo warrior and put a curse on them)

#5. My tax money should not pay to rebuild a 2 million dollar house, a sports stadium or a floating casino. Also, my tax money shouldn't go torebuild a city that is under sea level. You wouldn't build your house onquicksand would you? You want to live below sea-level, do your country somegood and join the Navy.

#6. Regardless of what the Poverty Pimps Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton want you to believe, The US Government didn't create the hurricane as a way to eradicate the black people of New Orleans; (Neither did Russia as a wayto destroy America). The US Government didn't cause global warming that caused the hurricane (We've been coming out of an ice age for over a million years).

#7. The government isn't responsible for giving you anything. This is the land of the free and the home of the brave, but you gotta work for what you want. McDonalds and Wal-Mart are always hiring, get a damn job and stop spooning off the people who are actually working for a living. President Kennedy said it best..."Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country."

Thank you for allowing me to rant.

Is she qualified?

Maybe she yanked his ass out of trouble in the past? Maybe he thinks she really is smart? But let's face it, she has no experience to become a justice for the Supreme Court.

Cronyism? Sure. It's part of the political dance. Most people would have done the same thing. Being loyal to your friends is a good thing!

I can't wait for congressional hearings....and hear her answering questions about her qualifications.......

"Yes, I was elected to head the Texas Bar"
"Yes, I was in charge of the Texas lottery"
"I probably am not the most qualified nominee, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night"

God hates shrimp?

Joy to the World

Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea...

Joy to you and me!

www.godhatesshrimp.com

Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino

If President Bush was smart, he would fire Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, and hire Tony Soprano to kick some ass in Iraq!

Nixon II

I can't wait for Big Al to run again....so he can explain how Social Security should be in a "lock-box" ......since he claims to have invented the internet...can we blame him for all the SPAM?

What else can we Tax?

We already had a huge National Debt, add the recession of 2000, add 9/11, add the Afghan War, add the Iraq War, and now pile on the Hurricanes. It is overwhelming!

Should we all give up? Should we accept the poor results of our elected leaders? ...............Hell No!

Our nation is so strong and powerful that if our elected leaders thought out-of-the-box, instead of up the ass of special interests, we could wipe out the entire deficit in less than THREE YEAR!!

Here are a few of my ideas.....let me know what you think.

1) Collect all the taxes from dead beats that don't pay any taxes or don't pay what they should.
2) Reduce the corporate tax loopholes....Especially from huge conglomerates with offshore Bermuda headquarters that are cheating us all.
3) Reduce lost revenue from Black Markets and cash businesses.
4) Give amnesty to illegal aliens that utilize our schools, hospitals, roads, police, fire, and prisons and put them on the tax roles.
5) Eliminate tax exemptions for fraudulent charities and religious organizations.

What kind of business (except airlines) could operate in the red and fail to collect all its' revenue? Why should we accept our governments failure to operate so efficiently? We need to send a message next election time and vote out EVERY incumbent!

Support our Troops and Gators!

WHY IS IT THAT WE HAVE TO SPEAK ENGLISH?

A U.S. Navy Admiral was attending a naval conference that included admirals from the U.S., English, Canadian, Australian, and French navies.

At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a group of half a dozen or so officers that included personnel from most of the countries. Everyone was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French Admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many languages, Americans learn only English. He then asked: "Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences rather than speaking French?" Without hesitating, the American Admiral replied, "Maybe it's because the Brits, Canadians, Aussies, and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have to speak German." Suddenly the group became very quiet.

Support our Troops ...Go Gators......and "God Bless America."

Sometimes you just gotta laugh!

My brother is a Grandfather

Congratulations to Ron & Dana...after a few false alarms...Kelly had Madison

Political Leaders & Hurricanes Blow

They should be ashamed....Great men like former president Clinton and Vice President Gore both got on TV blaming President Bush...for global warming....that is responsible for causing hurricanes.

People that take advantage of the disasters in New Orleans, Alabama, Florida, Texas for political gain are the second lowest form of life.....just a notch above TV evangelists that claim the storms are Gods revenge to sinners.

What about the Picnic?

Bye-Bye Security One......15 years of my life....working 60 hour weeks....thousands of security installations, over 10,000 service calls, hundreds of employees, the annual company meeting, over 15,000 cameras installed, and millions of access ID cards.....and the only question I ever hear...."What about the company picnic"?

Ingersoll-Rand Acquires Security One Systems, A Security-Systems Integration Firm
Hamilton, Bermuda, May 12, 2005--Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (NYSE:IR), a leading diversified industrial firm, today announced that it has acquired Security One Systems, a security-systems integrator based in Florida. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.Security One Systems provides turnkey security design solutions, including access-control, closed-circuit TV, video surveillance and alarm monitoring, with strong presence in communications, financial services, government and healthcare markets. The company, founded in 1990, is the largest independent security-systems integrator in the southeast United States, operating six branches in Florida."Security One's strong track record of systems integration, service and support for complex organizations, coupled with IR's strong distribution network and security-technologies product offering, will enhance our ability to provide customers with a complete solution for managing their security needs," said Herbert L. Henkel, chairman, president, and chief executive officer. "In addition, the acquisition of Security One expands our solutions footprint in the southeast United States and continues IR's strategy to pursue recurring revenues through services-related business."Security One will become part of Ingersoll-Rand's Security Technologies Sector, which is a leading provider of mechanical locks, architectural hardware, electronic and biometric access-control systems and other technologies and services for global security markets.Ingersoll-Rand is a global provider of products, services, and integrated solutions to industries as diverse as transportation, manufacturing, construction, and agriculture. The company brings to bear a 100-year-old heritage of technological innovation to help companies be more productive, efficient, and innovative. Examples include cryogenic refrigeration that preserves agricultural produce worldwide, biometric security systems for airports, corporations, and government facilities, the efficient harnessing of air to drive tools and factories, and versatile, compact vehicles for construction and efficient movement of people and goods. In every line of business, Ingersoll-Rand enables companies and their customers to turn work into progress.

I love Irony and Cigars

Here we are, Hui (Lucky Hoo-ee), Pete, and Bob.....Smoking a Sosa cigar (made in the Dominican Republic) at the Great Wall of China (a communist country) because the Cuban cigars are too expensive and banned from the USA because Castro is a murdering communist.

Just a few of the shots from our summer trip to Asia.

Is Pat Robertson Crazy?

Whatever happened to "Thou shall not kill"?

What about "Love thy brother?"

These evangelical "leaders" are totally corrupt hypocrites that scare people with a "boogie-man" in order to raise money...it is shameful!

First Crazy Pat Robertson orders the assassination of the President of Venezuela. Now some crazed TV evangelist claims god wants to punish New Orleans for all the "Sin".

Here is a statement issued by Michael Marcavage, from the evangelical Christian group, "Repent America" issued today....... "Although the loss of lives is deeply saddening, this act of God destroyed a wicked city. From 'Girls Gone Wild' to 'Southern Decadence', New Orleans was a city that had its doors wide open to the public celebration of sin. May it never be the same. Let us pray for those ravaged by this disaster. However, we must not forget that the citizens of New Orleans tolerated and welcomed the wickedness in their city for so long"

We wonder how good Muslims can allow radicals to hijack their religion and spread terrorism? Look at the crazy people in our country that have faith and trust in Falwell, Robertson, and all the fake faith healers on TV.

That's why I stick to professional wrestling....at least everyone knows it's real!

The Great Malenko

For years there have been rumors that professional wrestling might be fixed? That wrestlers might fake some of the punches or that when a wrestler bleeds it too is fake?

Bull! Gordon Solie would never lie! He was a professionally trained television announcer. He was a master of the "squared circle". Trust me, when the professor a/k/a the Great Malenko growled at the camera....it was scary.

Lucky for us, Malenko owned a houseboat across from the Fontainebleau Hotel, because Miami Beach was his lucky town!

CWF on Facebook - Cool Old Time Florida Wrestling

Chinese Fortune Sticks

Hui (Lucky Hoo-ee) with authentic Chinese Fortune Sticks used by Budhist monks to tell fortunes.

Apocalypse Now

Pete and Hui trying on robes in Viet Nam....on the 4th of July....a little surreal.

They say time heals all wounds...someday Viet Nam will be a world wide tourist destination....it is a beautiful country....with the some of the friendliest people I have ever met!

Summer Adventure 2005

Mom, Dad, Pete, Hui, and my nephew Roger took a trip of a life time...flying to Beijing, China to catch a the Pacific Princess for a (16) day cruise....

We stood in Tianamen Square....where the spirit of freedom is starting to shake the world. We walked on the Great Wall and visited the Forbidden City.....even ate Peking Duck....in Peking (Beijing)

We visited "Ground Zero" in Nagasaki, Japan...a spiritual journey into the world's darkest hours.

We traveled through Viet Nam on the Fourth of July...Trying to make sense of the tragic waste of young lives on both sides.

We also visited a large fishing village in Korea, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and stayed a few days in Bangkok.....in the land of smiles, Thailand.

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

How could Chicago not be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame? http://www.chicagotheband.com/



February 15, 2005 marks the 38th Anniversary of Chicago. With worldwide sales of more than 120 million records and an astonishing 50 hits in the U.S. alone (including 20 Top 10 smashes and 9 weeks at the Top of the charts), Chicago is one of the best-loved and most successful bands in rock history. Of their albums, 18 are gold, 13 are platinum, 12 have reached the top 10, and 5 have hit number 1. Of their singles, Chicago enjoys 20 Top 10 hits, 5 number 1 records and 5 gold singles. In addition, they have also received a Grammy Award, a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and continue to be a top live attraction, successfully touring throughout the U.S. and internationally every year.

Who did Chicago piss off at the Hall of Fame?

I love Isaac Hayes, but he only had (2) hit songs...he got in.

Can you even name a single song from these Hall of Fame inductees? The Moonglows, The Orioles, The Dells, The Flamingos, The Impressions, The Coasters, The Four Seasons, The Mama & Papas, The Shireles, The Velvet Underground, The Staple Singers.

Give me a break...the Staple Singers?

The Hall of Fame Foundation has been swamped with so many e-mail requests, that they have elimanated their e-mail address on the web site. But if you click on the FAQ section, you'll be directed to send requests by snail mail..... http://rockhall.com/home/

"All aspects of the induction process are handled by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. It can be reached at 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104. The Foundation does not have e-mail available."

Send them your request to induct Chicago...into the Hall of Fame!

Why Lucky Hoo-ee?

In 1993, I met Suradech "Hui" (pronounced Hoo-ee) Wangboonchai. Hui was born in Bangkok, Thailand and promised to someday take me to Thailand.

In 1998, I had saved enough money to take my first extended vacation. Hui escorted me (and Mom & Dad) through Hong Kong, Japan, and Thailand for a (3) week vacation. It was awesome! Since then, I have traveled to Thailand (3) times. Each trip has been a wonderful experience. Bangkok is a thriving big city filled with adventure. We have also traveled to the mountains of Chiang Mai and enjoyed the culture and food from the Northern region. Travel has given me a new appreciation for history and culture that the Dade County Public School System (and all its corruption) never did.

Since then, Hui and I have traveled with Mom & Dad (and my buddy Pete) around the world. Sightseeing through Egypt, Russia, Korea, China, Japan, Sweden, Amsterdam, Finland, Estonia, Singapore, Italy, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, England, Belgium, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Morocco, Malaysia, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Panama Canal, Costa Rico, Mexico, and all over the Caribbean.

Last Christmas, we were on the island of Koh Samui, about 100 miles away when the Tsunami destroyed much of the west coast resort areas. We were very lucky not to be in Phuket, because our original plans were changed at the last minute.

Why Lucky Hoo-ee? My business partner Jim, always said that, 'Hui is the luckiest person in the world'! Coming to America and becoming a US citizen makes him lucky. Becoming part of my group of friends and family makes him lucky. Living in South Beach in a condo over-looking the Ocean makes him lucky....but that's not why I call the blog "Lucky Hoo-ee".

I call it "Lucky Hoo-ee", because Hui has brought me good luck!

Before I met Hui, my business was terrible and I was still recovering from my divorce. I was drinking heavy and not happy with life. I was broke and really lost a big part of my Mo-Jo....but seeing Hui, so enthusiastic just to be in America! So excited to have a job as a busboy, just so he can save enough money to pay rent and send a few dollars home to his parents. His determination and drive was inspirational!

His motivation to "make it" in America, like many immigrants, was amazing. Here I was, with all the advantages in life, feeling sorry for myself...and Hui was happy just to be here!

I got my Mo-Jo back and the rest is history...and this blog is my journal to keep my family and friends updated on my adventures.