Who Knows Zeb Best???

I got this idea from a regular column in ESPN the magazine, you maybe have seen before. The concept is that they ask questions of an athlete and then the spouse and a teammate have to answer the questions and see whose answers most closely match the athlete. I enlisted A-Ross to think of the questions and administer test in an unbiased fashion. In the end I just barely edged out Damon, but A-Ross would like to point out that I went O'fer on the food related questions. Who knew.

Election Day

Election day is finally here. All this time analyzing bumper stickers and what have we learned?

1. The Subaru Outback is the official car of Oregon.
2. Toyota Drivers heart Obama
   
3. Ford Drivers heart McCain
   
4. McCain/Palin bumper stickers have attitude.
5. We have no idea who is actually going to win this election.

A few more for the road:

McCain/Palin Ford, "Socialism is an Obama-Nation" -submitted by Ben

Obama Toyota Camry -submitted by Greg

I hope you all get out and vote, here in Oregon there won't be any standing in long lines for us! Yeah, Mail-In Ballots! Happy Election Day!

Stupid Athlete Question of the Day

Athlete: Hey, uh, do you guys know any good doctors around here?
Co-Worker: Why?
Athlete: Well I've been sick for a few days and I want to see a Doctor.
Co-Worker: blank stare

No guy, we don't know ANY good doctors in town. None. Doctors? Never been to one, never had an athlete see one...don't know ANY. F'ing freshman. P.S. the kid turned out to have a pretty massive case of the sniffles. That exchange set us off on rampage as follows for about another half hour.

Me: Yeah, um, I was wondering, do you know any place around here that has a lot of books, maybe I could go there and read? Or maybe they would let me borrow a few books for a little while, I mean, not to buy, but I could return them?? Do you know any good places like that?

Co-Worker 1: Do you know any places around here that I could go to get some food? You know I get pretty hungry a few times a day.

Co-Worker 2: Yeah, and do you know any places that I could go to maybe take some classes around here?

Me: And I was thinking maybe I should start working out more, do you know any place around here that I could go and lift some weights, maybe there would be someone that could put together a program for me?

Co-Worker 1: Yeah, do you know, is there like a field around here that we could maybe go, and play some football on? A place where maybe we could go and do some practicing?

Co-Worker 2: Do you know where there are any good guys around that could maybe teach me a little bit about football, like some good coaches or something?

Me: And do you know of a place around here where I could maybe live? You know, somewhere to sleep and maybe take showers a few times a week?

Co-Worker 1: And do you know if there is a place around here where I could keep some of my stuff, you know maybe a room with lots small spaces for me and some of the other players to put our things while we're in practice?

Co-Worker 2: Hey, do you know of a place maybe with a roof, somewhere that I could stand when it rains so that I don't get wet??

DEAD

stupid f'ing freshmen

Ollie Update

Ollie has a problem, he is terrified of his food dish. (hey! stop looking at the picture and thinking how cute he is, and pay attention!!) He's always been a little bit funny with the food bowl. He'll sneak up to it and grab 1 or 2 pieces and run far away and eat them, and then slowly go back for a few more. At first we thought that maybe he had been the runt and he had to be sneaky to get past his brothers & sisters. But shouldn't he be over that by now? And I actually think it's getting worse. The volume of food he is consuming just isn't enough for a growing boy. It's not the bowl its self because we've tried several. It's not the food, because he'll eat it just fine if we take it out of the bowl and put some on the ground.

Zeb tried to cure it by putting Ollie in his crate with the food bowl and, therefore forcing Ollie to get comfortable with being in close proximity to his food dish. Yeah, that didn't work. Ollie just sat shaking and terrified in the back of the crate until I told Zeb to stop terrorizing him.

Any ideas, or anyone know of a good puppy therapist?

The Office Friday

I was sort of hoping the halloween part would last longer, awesome. Creed was the perfect joker, so scary. Maybe if then need another joker for Batman sequels they can just call him. I also really thought that Dwight's joker was sooo funny. Did anyone actually get what Ryan the Temp was supposed to be?

So looks like Holly is gone...are we thinking that Toby is coming back? I was discussing this with Damon, and he wanted me to relay the message that "toby sucks" to you Gal. :)

Dwight tormenting Andy with the whole Cornell thing? And the interview scene was classic. Loved it, almost felt like the way that Jim usually messes w/ Dwight. Andy as the beat farmer? Ha.

Your comments?
Next week on The Office:
11/06/08: CUSTOMER SURVEY: Jim & Dwight are shocked when they get the result of the annual customer survey report.

Bumper Sticker Update

My apologies, it has been a while, and I know that many of you out there are clamoring for MORE BUMPER STICKERS! To be completely honest I've been totally overwhelmed with the bumper stickers out there. McCain stickers, once a rare sight, are now making a huge comeback (could it be foreshadowing for election day?) But Obama seems to be keeping right on track, as just about everybody and their mom (yes I saw a hand written sign on a car that said "Another Mama for Obama") has one on their car. Although the general trends continue, I am seeing more and more random outliers that defy popular presidential bumper sticker wisdom. It's a tricky one this time around folks.

Sometimes a modest bumper sticker or several just won't due. I wonder if this is the equivalent to the elderly (or visually challenged) buying large font books? Huge McCain Posterboard on what I think is a Bronco? -submitted by Meagan's sister via Meagan.

These two cars were spotted parked outside of a Starbucks in Corvallis. What I wouldn't give to see the owners arrive back at their cars at the same time. I envision a street fight, or possibly a spontaneous political debate (complete with distinguished moderator) breaking out instantaneously. Obama GMC Yukon (huge gas guzzling SUV?!? what Obama?) and a McCain Cadillac -submitted by Paige.

Here's another random one for ya - McCain Geo Metro.
Obama Mini-Cooper -submitted by Scanson.

Awesome! I love this one, although I admit, someone else had reportedly seen another bike with an Obama sticker, this is the first one that I have photographic evidence of. Just because you don't have a car people, it doesn't mean you can't display your political views for all to see. By all means! The next one I want to see is a sticker on a skateboard. Or maybe a McCain sticker on a Tank? or Humvee? Is that too much to ask? -submitted by Scanson

Another one of my more recent personal favorites: Obama Cadillac with the multiplier (I've taken to refering to additional bumper stickers as "multipliers" like on video games, when I see all the extras I hear the 1-Up's going off in my head.) "I'm not suffering from insanity, I enjoy ever minute of it" Hmmm...I don't know how much that one is helping his cause. "I'll have what the crazy guy in the caddy is having."

Because sometimes 2 stickers that say the exact same thing just aren't enough. Is that a Ron Paul sticker on the top right???? McCain/Palin, McCain/Palin Ford -submitted by Shannon via Scanson.

This is Gross

You've probably already seen this, but if you haven't - it's gross. 2nd play on the video & make sure you wait on the replay.

Google Reader & Following Blogs

I am obsessed with following blogs and reading them in my google reader. If you're not using this blogger feature you need to. It is revolutionizing my ability keep up with everyone out there blogging it out. From your blogger dashboard just start entering in the URL's for all the blogs you like to read regularly then click the handy link to "read in google reader" and your life is complete.

If you don't have a blogger account, I'm pretty sure you can still get the google reader to work through gmail, but I certainly can't help you.

Seriously though. My web based how-to skills are lacking, but check it out and let me know if you don't find it pretty awesome too.

p.s. all you out there wondering how Zeb is doing with the Sox eliminated, well he is just fine. He's going through some serious withdrawls and bouts of depression, he has vowed to boycott the world series, but over all us prognosis is good.

Presidential Bumper Sticker Mania

The ballots are out (at least in Oregon where we have mailout ballots) and the '08 presidential campaign is barreling out of control toward it's close. Or something like that. The more intense this race gets, the more intense the bumper stickers are. And the great thing about it is, now people are putting some all out attitude into their vehicle adornments.

"Sarah Palin '08 & That Other Guy" - submitted by Ben

"Obama '08, You can't be serious" -submitted by Scanson

Mitsubishi Galant - McCain/Palin

Acura 3.0CL - Obama/Biden

Toyota Prius - Obama '08

Toyota Highlander - Obama

Toyota Tacoma - McCain/Palin

Subaru Outback - Obama (yes I'm out diligently taking pictures at night too)

Scion Rampvan - Independents for Obama

Honorable Mention: Medium sized nice Chevy Truck - Arabs for McCain, really wish I had a picture for that. Almost as much as I wish I had a picture of the prius with the nasa sticker and the reading is sexy sticker. Get your camera's out people!!!!

Inside the Mind of a Bumper Sticker Connoisseur

Ever since my bumper sticker obsession started, there have been some burning questions that had been haunting my every waking moment, and even some dreams. Okay, that's an exaggeration, but I really had been wondering about some things. You know general bumper sticker etiquette, how long is too long to rock a presidential bumper sticker? how do the serious bumper sticker aficionados out there decide what makes the cut and gets on their car? Lots questions people!!! Well, as luck would have it, Damon hooked me up with just the person to answer my questions. His co-worker Kimber. So without further ado - 6 burning questions with a bumper sticker veteran.

1) Introduce yourself and give us an idea of how you got involved in the world of bumper stickers:

I'm Kimber, I got my first bumper sticker a few years ago (it was on my Mazda 626) It said "Well-Behaved Women Seldom Make History." I thought it was clever so when I sold the car I bought the same sticker and put it on the new one.

2) How does a bumper sticker veteran/connoisseur such as yourself decide which stickers make the cut and end up on your car?

It has to say something about me. I currently have 3 stickers on my car: "Well Behaved..." "Women Veterans; It's all about the Chicks" and "Veterans for Obama"

3) Favorite bumper sticker that you have on your car? Favorite sticker that you've seen on another car?

"Well-Behaved Women" is my favorite. One sticker that I thought was funny was "If God didn't want us to eat animals, why did He make them out of meat?" I used to have "A woman's place is in the House, the Senate, and the Oval Office" but I took it off when Hillary was running since I was an Obama supporter (I didn't want to send mixed messages). I liked the IDEA of a woman president but not THAT woman.

4) Displaying the sticker of a presidential candidate is a slippery slope, do you ever get any flack from random people who disapprove of your politics? What is your reaction?

I've never been negatively approached by anyone because of the bumper-stickers. I think for the most part people are pretty respectful of differing opinions. Even though I can't imagine why anyone would support John McCain, it's their right to do so.

5) How will you know when it's time to take off your Obama sticker? After the election? If he wins does it stay? If he loses does it go? What if he were to become a 2 term president? Would it last 8 years? Will you keep it for the life of the car? The people want to know.

Nope, the "Veterans for Obama" sticker is coming off November 5th. Well, definitely by inauguration day. When he runs for his second term in 4 years, I'll get a new sticker.

6) I saw a pick-up over the weekend with a 'W' 04 sticker, I gotta admit,
at this point that's pretty obnoxious. Do you ever worry that you'll become "that guy"?

I will never, EVER, become "that guy."

I think that sums it up, people who rock bumper stickers take great care in what they choose to represent on their ride. But to all those bumper sticker loving, presidential candidate supporting Americans out there - take a lesson from Kimber and exercise some responsibility with your auto adhesive. Don't let me catch you rocking your Gore/Lieberman sticker in 2008.

I Heart Oregon

A few weeks ago while on an Obama bumper sticker rampage I spotted a car with one of these funny stickers. What did it mean, I heart Oregon? Oregon hearts green? Green hearts in Oregon? I kind of got the point, but it was still a mystery. Until one of my softball girls pointed out that there is a website that exists solely to explain this phenomenon. Bottom line: the guy who invented these stickers is a lunatic. Entertaining, but a lunatic. For a good laugh, check out the site & read through the various sections.

Desperate Times Call For Desperate Measures

I've been getting a lot of questions regarding Zeb & his mental and physical well-being now that the Red Sox are on the brink of playoff elimination. Let me tell you, things have been touch and go. Zeb and Damon had started to grow playoff beards at the start of the division series. At some point during game 4 of the ALCS Zeb got desperate and shaved his beard into a mustache (if it worked for Giambi, why not Zeb?) The mustache didn't seem to be anymore effective than the beard, and Zeb has now returned to his normal, clean shaven apperance.

Needless to say, Zeb has been going through some serious guess and check measures to figure out which of his superstitions are working and which need to be eliminated. After the outcome of tonight's game, I'd say he's finally starting to get on track.
He started with some good preparation yesterday when he wore his classic Pedro Martinez jersey all day (yes, this is the very same jersey he wore out historically in Eugene in '04 after game 3 of the ALCS in which the Yankees had manhandled the Sox to the tune of 19-3 or something of that nature. Down 0-3, and yes, on the verge of elimination, Zeb showed his devotion to the team by supporting the team colors even when it was somewhat difficult to do so) He has also reverted to an old tradition of setting up the team line-up in front of the TV in baseball cards. He had not been doing this previously this post-season for fear that Ollie might jump up by the TV and damage his cards.
Any other baseball fans had about enough of Bon Jovi? If I hear that stupid song that they're using for the MLB post-season commercial, in between EVERY SINGLE INNING gimmick one more time I'm going to freak out. Oh yeah, that already happened. Jon Bon Jovi, you give MLB post-season theme songs a bad name.

p.s. Best quote by Zeb tonight, said while complaining about how the Red Sox fans were quiet and not giving it their all during most of the series so far: "Yeah, I've been flaming Sox Nation all day on the forums!!!!!" (said in a super juiced/fired up way) .......... Me = "wow"

Bumper Sticker Update

Also: Have been informed of a Prius sporting Obama along with the Oregon with a heart in it, a NASA sticker, a "Reading is Sexy" sticker. I'm pretty bummed there's no picture.

Go to www.7-election.com All I have to say about that is Coffee drinkers love Obama

Happy Birthday Damon!!!

Wow. Nice hair Bob Seger. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAMON!!!!

Bumper Sticker Update

Bumper Sticker Update

I went shopping in the fine town of Albany last weekend, and let me tell you, those people like their bumper stickers. I saw them everywhere! I've also gotten several emails and texts keeping me updated on the bumper sticker goings ons, so I certainly appreciate that. But I have come upon a rather disconcerting phenomenon. I've received an emailed picture of a large truck supposedly sporting both a UO sticker and a McCain sticker, but conveniently enough I was not able to make out the stickers in the photo. It's sort of like Big Foot, some people say they've seen it, and some people even say they have pictures, but I'm not sure I'm a believer. UO and McCain? That's like oil & water.

Also - am working on an interview with a big time bumper sticker veteran. It's a co-worker of Damons, she has supposedly like 8 bumper stickers currently on her car, including an Obama sticker & "A Woman's Place is in the Oval Office" sticker. Looking forward to getting some of our biggest questions answered. Namely, at what point after the election do you remove your candidates sticker? If you've got any burning questions regarding bumper stickers, post 'em up and I'll do my best to get it answered.

Family Picture

My ears aren't the only ones getting older. Ollie is growing up too. Look:

His ears are popped up now......

And he walks on a lease!!!!

Ohhhhhh, ooooooohhhhh, Growing Up

That's a Springsteen reference in the title if you were wondering. Oh come on, watch the link...you know you want to...2:00 mins in, check it out, if you can't enjoy that, you can't enjoy anything.

In a subject completely unrelated to Springsteen: You know those moments when you have to pause and realize "I am Old." How about this one? You're flipping through your ipod and come across a song that used to be an old favorite, one that you had heard hundreds of times before and never taken issue with. But for some reason this time through the uncensored lyrics are so vile and jarring that you are forced to flip to the next song, and vow to promptly removed it from your itunes. Does this ever happen to anyone else? The older my ears get the less able they are to filter out offensive lyrics and allow me to appreciate an otherwise catchy song. I'm pretty sure this is the same condition that causes parents to pick out the one single curse word in any song, and then tell you that you shouldn't be listening to such garbage.

Got any moments that have recently caused you to face your ever climbing age? Post 'em up.

Bumper Sticker Update

This Taurus proves that McCain apparently does not have the entire market of Ford's, and it was taken in McCain's home state of Arizona. Go Figure.

In other news: The first person to spot and photograph a "Coldest State - Hottest Governor" bumper sticker gets $10.

It Begins

You may not be aware of it, but the world as we know it almost ended this morning. Zeb woke up and couldn't find his Soxtober sweatshirt. The sweatshirt that I had made for him with iron on letters. You know - the sweatshirt that single-handedly won the 2007 World Series for the Red Sox. Yeah, that sweatshirt. Zeb had somehow misplaced it during the course of the move from Montana, and even though I offered to make a new one - no replacement would do.

Luckily he found it (exactly where I said it would be by the way) in the storage unit about a half hour later.
I got home from work only to find lucky sox baseball cards lined up in front of the computer. And it begins...

In other baseball related news: In the absence of a Yankees playoff birth, I would officially like to announce that I will be supporting the LA Dodgers this October.

Who will you be backing? Post up your alliances so that we can properly congratulate/heckle you.