My Nominee For Father Of The Year

I tried to avoid this, but I can't. The news media is all over Alex Baldwin for leaving a not so sweet message for his 12 year old daugher. (And I don't think "pig" is an official nickname for her.) Edit: I've rejected several comments, not because I find them offensive, but because they contain assertions of fact that I don't know are true. (Hint: if you'll leave off the "unmarried and pregnant" references, it'll probably get through.)

"I Ordered A Freakin' Triple Cheese Beltbuster!!!"

There's nothing like a news story that leaves you with more questions than answers.

If My Job Started at 5:00 am, I'd Walk Away, Too

The Hood County Sheriff''s Office had an inmate on "Trustee" status walk away from the Law Enforcement Center located at 400 N. Gordon this morning. He was last seen in the rear of the building at approximately 5:00am beginning his morning duties. He was last seen wearing a Dark Grey or Blue hooded sweatshirt with "Lions" on the front and maroon pants. He was being held on Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle charges. Anyone seeing this subject needs to contact the Hood County Telecommunications Center at 817-579-3309.

Edit: In light of some of the comments, "Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle" is the legal term for "joyriding." Even if a person doesn't intend to steal a vehicle, he can still commit the crime if he used the vehicle without the permission of the owner. (Practically, you see the charge when someone is stopped by the cops while driving a stolen vehicle. You might not be able to technically prove they stole the car, but you can prove they used it without the real owner's permission.)

I'm A Business Idiot . . .

. . . but this does not sound good.

But driving into Fort Worth it still looks like every pasture is turning into a subdivision.

Now For Something Completely Different

This happened yesterday. The first three seconds of the video are very important. Note to self: Do not date a girl that will throw beer on a fan of the home team - and, man, that girl is a troublemaker. (And her boyfriend had no desire to fight). I love the part where the videographer turns around to film his buddies. Warning: Language

Even I Can Be Sappy

I saw this tonight during the Rangers game and had to post it. I just wish it was Father's Day.

“Crunkest Gym in America”

Welcome to North Carolina A&T - They throw down a pretty funny bit when someone fouls out. The camera movement will drive you insane but stick with it at least to the beginning of the second half of the clip. There's some gold there.

Things I Listen To

I'm a fan of podcasts (which are nothing more than pre-recorded programs that you can download over the Internet - for free - and dump into your MP3 player or burn onto a CD). I listen them to and from work all the time.

Some of my favorites:
- This American Life (from PBS)
- Buzz Out Loud (a tech show which can be a little annoying)
- TWIT (a great tech show hosted by Leo Laporte)
- Net@Nite (another tech show hosted by Laporte)
- and one I just stumbled upon over the last couple of days: Well Told Tales - I've listened to two of the 15 minute horror short stories and they are freakishly great.

Always A Bad Sign . . .

. . . when you've got time to take out your camera since your not moving - especially if you are in the lane that feeds onto the highway on the right. (Today in Fort Worth.)

I'm Off To Fort Worth

I'm No Hero

We had a bit of false alarm this morning in the law office. Quick summary: I walked down the hallway with my coffee only to have my law partner point to the back door and whisper "get out." I gave him the "what's going on?" look only to have him quickly reply in a concerned and quiet voice, "just go!" Man, I went. So I walk out the back door and around the corner only to find the rest of the office staff already there. Like I said, it was a false alarm. Maybe we're all understandably on edge this week. But I was struck with how quickly my heart began beating after I had been told to leave when I had no idea what was going on. But I quickly thought about those who have been criticizing those at Virginia Tech for not trying to stop the gunman during his killing spree. I experienced 1% of their fear, and I had no thought other than self-preservation.

Oh, My

This was discussed here yesterday. I thought the punishment phase would be "interesting." It was but in a way I didn't expect. The jury sentenced the guy to 10 years on each count but Judge Elizabeth Berry decided to stack one of the 10 year sentences on top of the others creating a 20 years sentence. (Story.)

The "stacking" issue has always disturbed me. The judge has absolute discretion to stack the sentences in this situation, but the jury is never told this. I would think that if they wanted to give him 20 they would have said 20.

Edit: On the parole issue, the jury was instructed that a defendant charged with this sort of crime is not eligible for parole until 1/2 of his sentence is served. Then they are instructed that they are not to consider that law when assessing punishment against this particular defendant. And it is one screwed up law.

Random Nascar Pic From Sunday

Happy 20th To My Favorite Russian

More here.

I Had Someone . . .

. . . who was close to the situation call me and tell me this happened in Bowie on Tuesday. Note to self: Don't make reference to Virginia Tech to third person when I'm angry.

(It's not exactly Wise County related, but Bowie is close enought.)

NBC Is Back Tracking

Boy, The Today Show on NBC spent the first two minutes (or more) this morning explaining why the network decided to release the video and photos of the Virginia Tech killer. I bet they are catching extreme heat over their choice to run with the story. "We will severely limit the amount of video you will see," Matt Lauer said. Really?

Uggh

The Blog server isn't accepting photos. Kinda ruins my mojo.

I'm Confused

Yesterday I posted a pic of Jessica Simpson looking smokin' hot.

Today, not so much.