Friday Foto Fiesta 10-31-08

Happy Halloween from the Quasebarths!!

(Rasta man & Marilyn Monroe - 2006)

(Lola as a Halloween Lobster - 2007)

(Showbiz as a Bee - 2007)

(Not-so-happy Lola as Bee - 2008)

Don't forget to take a gander at Squirrel Chatter.
For more photo fun, check out Candid Carrie.

A Dogs Purpose

Just got this in my inbox and I thought it would be a fun thing to share.

A Dog's Purpose (from a 6-year-old's perspective).

Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.

I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure or the old dog in their home.

As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.

The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.

The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's Death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been l istening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'

Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me.

I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.

He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?' The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long.'

Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.

Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things like:

* When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
* Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy-ride.
* Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure Ecstasy.
* Take naps.
* Stretch before rising.
* Run, romp, and play daily.
* Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
* Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
* On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass.
* On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
* When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
* Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
* Be loyal.
* Never pretend to be something you're not.
* If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
* When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by,and nuzzle them gently.




~ENJOY EVERY MOMENT OF EVERY DAY~

Hello...Halloween!

It's almost Halloween, and I haven't had much time to enjoy it. Even tomorrow, I'll be working all day. So here's to my Halloween Thursday celebration!

Let's start the festivities with some M. Night Shyamalan. That's right, I just finished watching 'The Happening'. Talk about getting the shivers. First, this movie is Saw. It's not Jason, or Friday, and it's certainly not another Sixth Sense. It's somewhere in between. You do a lot of 'What the hell just happened'. The big question this movie asks is "What would you say if you knew you were going to die". In the end, this is still a Shyamalan film, it uses symbolism, character depth, and a subpar story lines to scare the hell out of you.


My favorite scene is seeing Betty Buckley, the crazy country lady, at the end of the film. I actually set my coffee down because I didn't want to jump and drop it all over the floor.

This is the Red Trailer. Warning ** It's pretty graphic**

Now its on to enjoy the rest of my day. Tonight, I am watching a couple more Halloween classics: It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown and Garfields Halloween Special

Suffering Suffrage

Be sure to vote. Here's a video produced by my friend Kevin Todd featuring an appearance from the Mr. Gary Svetic.

And yes, Kevin, you do look fat in the video.

As the world turns...the soap opera of Indiana Basketball

In a recent article by L. Jon Wertheim, entitled Tom Crean's Big Red Challenge, we learn about the soap opera history of Indiana Basketball in the last decade. He really brings to light the mistakes made by Indiana University and the challenges ahead of the program. Most of all, Tom Crean, Indiana's new head coach, has begun to re-structure the program. As it states in the article, "While it might be in slightly used condition, the soul of Indiana basketball is not for sale."

Here's a quick piece from the story:

When Illinois coach Bruce Weber, perhaps still smarting from Sampson's ethically questionable recruitment of Eric Gordon, predicted in June that "Indiana will suck" this season, surely he could have chosen more delicate words. But few would disagree with the sentiment. As Crean warned his players, "The perception: You're probably going to be picked to finish dead last in the Big Ten. The reality: [At least] you're going to make it big on television."

Crean balances Midwest pragmatism with heaps of optimism. Here's a man who doesn't see the glass as half full. He sees it as overflowing. With Dom Pérignon. From 1975. The challenges, he says, have only hardened his resolve "to see this through." He is "pumped up" by the reception he's received from fans. The hard times that await? "I didn't take this job for the immediate--and I've had to remind myself of that at least eight dozen times--for where it's at now. I took this for where it's been and where it can possibly go."

Tom Crean's Big Red Challenge by L. Jon Wertheim - Full Article -

2008 IU Men's Roster

How cute is this....?

It's almost November. Remember to Vote!!!

Here's to all the voters out there...

Twisted Sister - We're not gonna take it.

Friday Foto Fiesta 10-24-8

(I wasn't really falling in this picture, I'm just a darn good actor!)

We recently took a fall romp to Brown County. During fall season, its absolutely stunning with all the fall colors, and there's always a million things to do. Here's a few pictures I'd like to share from our trip.

(In this picture you can see stacy getting mauled by a big ugly bear)

(Finally, here's our picnic at the Brown County State Park, we had strawberries, concord grapes, pineapple, and CHOCOLATE CAKE.) We also had KFC, but we ate it all before we got to the park.

For more Brown County Photos of our trip check out stacy's blog post.

Don't forget to take a gander at Squirrel Chatter.
For more photo fun, check out Candid Carrie.

Woolly, wooly, wooly worms!!

I'm crazy. I know. But my parents made me that way. As my wife has pointed out several times in the past weeks, those fuzzy looking caterpillar insects (Wooly Worms) cannot predict the weather. Well, I beg to differ. I've always been told, if you see a lot of dark ones, then you are in for a bad winter. And, I have only seen dark ones this fall.

Here's a better explanation from "The Green Line" : Folklore has it that woolly worms are really miniature weather forecasters. Careful observation of these short, fuzzy caterpillars in the fall supposedly can tell you what kind of weather the coming winter will hold.

The woolly worms of winter weather forecasting fame are black at each end with a reddish brown band in the middle. The size of the brown band is said to be an indicator of winter's severity. The narrower the band, the harsher the winter. If woolly worms are more brown than black and the middle band tends toward orange, that indicates the winter will be mild.

Well, that's a fun bit of folk wisdom, but it's simply not true. The experts at the West Virginia University Extension Service say there is no scientific evidence suggesting that woolly worms can predict the weather.

Woolly worm is a common name for the larval stage of the Isabella tiger moth. The scientific name for this insect is Pyrrhactia isabella. Other common names for this caterpillar are woolly bears, black-ended bears and banded woolly bears (the name approved by the Entomological Society of America).

Woolly worms grow from 1-3 inches long and are found throughout the United States.

So far, I've seen 4 black tipped worms. 1 in my garage, which I saved by placing him outside on my pear tree, and three crossing the road. Needless to say, I've already dug out the snow shovel, boots, and winter gloves.

Boy, I hate snow!

Driving my wife crazy!!!

This is a little dated, but here's a video from comedy writer Bob Kushell (the writer for Samantha Who?), and it was produced during the writers strike. Anyways, here's how it ties to me and why I'm posting it.

Recently, I've been doing a pretty good job driving Stacy nuts.

Barack Obama Website

There's a lot of things being said about Barack Obama that I personally don't believe are true. For everyone who is struggling to find the truth, be sure to read what both parties say. Here's a link to Barack's website that spells out many of the issues being spoken about Barack Obama.

Fight-The-Smears - Learn the truth

Find out about Obama's policies and plans.

Policy & Plans

This is one of the main reasons that I support Barack Obama. He puts everything into the open. From his 'Plan for America' pamphlet, to his user friendly website, and even the Barack TV video link, I feel that Obama gives America something they seek in this election. Something that we do not get from John McCain and haven't felt in the last 8 years, Obama gives us a sense of security.

If you've read this far, then you are likely interested in what I'm saying, so here's one last tidbit. If you really disagree, and want a "Joe the Plumber" sign, click here.

Steal a Base - Steal a TAco

Taco Bell is giving away tacos. As a promotion tied into the 2008 MLB World Series, Taco Bell is giving free tacos for everyone in America. Here's a quick break down of how it works:

One taco per person/ per day, as long as the game features a stolen base. The tacos can only be redeemed on 'redemption day' (October 28th for games 1 thru 4 of the World Series) and (November 3rd for games 5 thru 7).

So if Chase Utley steals a base in game 1 of the World Series, be sure to visit your local Taco Bell on the 28th for your free taco. If he steals a base in game 2, tough luck because you only get one taco. Either way, its still free food, and you can't beat free food.

For more information click here.

Although I'm a liberal...

John McCain still can bring a smile to my face.


That's one 'mavericky' SOB.

Friday Night Lights, Devil Town, and Addictions.

Ahhh, a new anthem. I recently came across this song via the show Friday Night Lights.

This is the Bright Eyes version, it was also covered by Tony Lucca.



Also, I'm getting pretty addicted to watching FNL on NBC. I guess I'm a season too late since it got cancelled. Oh well, at least I can watch season 1 and season 2 on NBC.com.

Season 1 Tribute Video via Youtube.

SNL Obama-McCain Debate

This is a very funny parody by Saturday Night Live of the Obama/McCain Debate. Even Chris Parnell's Tom Brokaw impersonation is excellent.

Friday Foto Fiesta 10-10-8

Wow, the economy even has Godzilla reconsidering his transportation options.




Don't forget to take a gander at Squirrel Chatter.
For more photo fun, check out Candid Carrie.

YUM to add calorie information to menu.

A big thing for YUM companies, including Taco Bell, is the addition of calorie information to the menu. While this information will be good for the consumer, allowing them to make healthier, more informed food purchases, its basically the re-packaging of the same information. Calorie information has always been available at restaurants, it just comes in a brochure form. From my short experience with Taco Bell, I've only handed out one brochure per request to a consumer, and I've never seen the nutritional guides run out. But either way, its still a good idea and adds that much more value to the consumer.

Other Taco Bell updates. next week brings Taco Bell fans the Triple Steak Burrito. It's a humongous steak burrito (3 whole servings of steak) with a spicy barbecue sauce, cheese, and sour cream. It's really a lot of food for those consumers looking for a big meal. Also, the menu brings out a new Triple Berries and Cream, which is DELICIOUS!

For Additional information on Taco Bell's calorie information:
Mallenbaker.net
Food Product Design
Today's MGT.com

The Legend of the Shot

The Best Game I've Ever Seen by Jack McCallum

On the morning of May 7, 1989, a Sunday, I had breakfast with the Chicago Bulls at a suburban Cleveland hotel, probably a Marriott. It was a simpler time, you see, more mingling between the superstars and the unwashed, ink-stained wretches back then.

Michael Jordan, fresh off his third-consecutive scoring title and at the top of his one-on-one powers, was loose and confident. But his demeanor belied the mission of the day -- beating a strong Cavaliers team (Brad Daugherty, Mark Price, Ron Harper, Larry Nance, Craig Ehlo, the "team of the '90s," as Magic Johnson described them) -- that was playing on its home court in a decisive Game 5 Eastern Conference first-round playoff game. The Cavs had beaten the Bulls six times during the regular season, and Jordan had missed a free throw that had cost Chicago Game 4.

Some four hours later, Jordan and his teammates began a game that was tightly played throughout. The crowd was loud, and the Cavaliers led 100-99 with about seven- or eight-seconds left. Brad Sellers of the Bulls inbounded at sidecourt after Chicago coach Doug Collins had called a timeout. Everybody knew Sellers was going to try to get it to Jordan, who already had 42 points, but Ehlo, a scrappy 6-foot-7 guard, had a reputation as a "Jordan stopper." Cue laugh track.

Jordan made a mad dash for the pass, like a kid trying to get loose during a playground game of tag. He got it, took a couple frantic dribbles, and, with Ehlo right on him, double-pumped in a 15-foot jumper to win it. But you know that part. You've seen it -- what? -- a thousand times.

In a career filled with iconic moments, for some reason this one, which occurred in a first-round game and did not lead to a championship, ranks with any of them. Why? Perhaps because it won the game and beat the buzzer. Perhaps because we remember Jordan's exultant leap. And perhaps because we remember Ehlo's "what-just-happened?" expression of pain, not the last time the Cavs would be tortured by His Airness.

I also remember Jordan alongside of Collins after the game. Somebody asked Collins what the final play was called.

"That was the 'get the ball to Michael and everybody get the f--- out of the way' play" answered Collins.

Jordan cracked up.



What's neat is that I can remember playing that shot out a million times in my backyard. Certain things stick with you your whole life, certain lessons learned, certain stories played out, and somehow these stories become bigger as we grow older. I remember watching that game. I remember thinking about how clutch a performer Craig Ehlo was by making two go ahead shots at the end of the game....but too bad for him, Jordan was too!

Hockey Special....Amazing Save by Carey Price

This is one of the most amazing plays I've ever seen in sports. Watch the video as Carey Price makes a beyond the back stick save in a game vs the Detroit Red Wings.

The timing, flexibility, and focus needed to make that type of save is what truly makes professional athletes special.

Friday Foto Fiesta 10-03-08

Here's some photo's of the Egg in Chicago. Stacy and I took a visit to the Windy city when we came across this interesting little sculpture.

[The Egg at Millenium Park in Chicago]

[me standing next to the egg]

[view from underneath]

Don't forget to take a gander at Squirrel Chatter.
For more photo fun, check out Candid Carrie.

Aggravation*******

You know what really sucks. I can't do a simple home improvement project to save my life. So today I was wanting to begin the biggest project yet, the construction of a 16'x22' deck, and I can't even figure out where to start. It's so frustrating. I went to Lowes, hoping to get some advice, and they told me to look online. I looked online, and every page consisted of massive construction projects. All I want is to build a little deck with no rails. Steps would be nice, but they're not necessary.

So there I am, frustrated beyond belief. I call my wife and she sends me to the library to get some resources on building decks. Once again, the projects seem way to advanced [and way to expensive]. I don't even own a saw right now. Sometimes things really suck.

Support IU Basketball - Tom Crean Public Address

Coach Crean is giving his first public address to the IU student body and Bloomington community. He will be discussing the upcoming season and his future plans for the basketball program. There will also be an extensive Q&A session to follow. Below is more information:

Coach Crean Lecture
Monday, 10/6
7:00pm
IU Auditorium
FREE to all - no tickets required


Come and support our new coach!!