Impractical Jokers

Remember when truTV used to be Court TV?  Yeah, neither can I.  My favorite show on the network was Forensic Files, but that was back in the day.  In either case, their new show, "Impractical Jokers" which premiered in December has become a huge hit, and its pretty darn funny actually.  According to their website, Friends, "Sal, Murr, Q and Joe have entertained and challenged each other with the most hilariously awkward dares they could imagine. Now they're upping the ante, engaging in a series of outrageous public stunts (recorded by hidden cameras) to make each other (and you) howl with laughter. Think it's funny when one of these Jokers completes a dare? Wait till you see what happens when they can't!"

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 005 - Taxes

One of the most prominent issues of the current political climate are TAXES!  President Obama's Achievements on this subject are extensive, so I will be listing three today.  

As with my previous issues, I will come back to each category at a later time.  

When I read, and research all that our president has accomplished in the last 3 years, it is mind-boggling to me how much the Tea Party and Republican Party has lied, and continues to lie the American people.  I've even fallen into their traps in the past, but not anymore!.  I'm here to help fix that.

Today we will look at the president's broad policy and one targeted action (WTF-13).

WTF-11

Adopted Economic Substance tax doctrine.

A policy that states that tax changes must have significant economic justification, as a federal law.

It's called the "economic substance doctrine." It's a law that set a rule to prevent tax dodgers.  What it means is that people aren't allowed to find creative ways to avoid paying their taxes.

The measure is expected to generate a relatively small amount of new tax revenue, about $4.5 billion over 10 years, according to the the Congressional Joint Committee on Taxation. [Reference]

WTF-12

Cracked down on tax cheats (Exec Order).

On January 20, 2010, President Barack Obama ordered a new crackdown on federal contractors who don't pay their taxes. 

Obama signed an executive order telling federal agency chiefs to take steps to bar those companies from receiving new government contracts. The order also directed the IRS to review contractor filings to make sure companies are not lying about the taxes they've paid.  Obama said the practice is inefficient, wasteful and, above all, wrong.

"It is simply wrong for companies to take taxpayer dollars and not be taxpayers themselves," Obama said. "We need to insist on the same sense of responsibility in Washington that so many of you strive to uphold in your own lives, in your own families and in your own businesses." [Reference]

WTF-13

Temporarily suspended taxes on unemployment benefits.

When the economy deteriorated in 2008, Congress extended benefits, giving more money and setting longer time frames for the states with the highest unemployment numbers. The economic recovery bill that Obama signed extended those time periods again. Depending on circumstances, most people receiving benefits should get an extension, with the hardest hit states winning extended benefits through Dec. 31, 2009.

Unemployment benefits are normally taxed as regular income, but the bill exempted the first $2,400 of unemployment from 2009 income taxes.

"Today, I signed the unemployment insurance extension to restore desperately needed assistance to two and a half million Americans who lost their jobs in the recession.  After a partisan minority used procedural tactics to block the authorization of this assistance three separate times over the past weeks, Americans who are fighting to find a good job and support their families will finally get the support they need to get back on their feet during these tough economic times.  Now it’s time for Congress to act on more proposals that support our economic recovery, including passing critical aid to our states and support to small businesses.  Small businesses are the engine of job growth, and measures to cut their taxes and make lending available should not be held hostage to partisan tactics like those that unconscionably held up unemployment insurance." - President Obama on July 21, 2010 after the Senate passed an extension of unemployment insurance. [Reference-1, Reference-2]

Please make sure to read Issue No. 006 tomorrow as I continue with WTF-14
Everyday on BLADE 7184

OMG Hilarious! - Doctor List

Kiss of the Week - Issue No. 011

What a Hot Mess: Kid Eats A Habanero Pepper

Just in case you don't know, the Habanero pepper is one of the hottest peppers in the world. Personally, I love spicy food but I would never place one of these in my mouth, much less raw.  You can hold the pepper in your hand or hold a slice, and your finger alone will burn like hell.

Well... the kid in this video, thinks he's all cool for trying it out, but the outcome isn't so great.  After a few moments, he starts coughing it up, jumping up and down, and starts screaming his head off.  What a hot mess!  Lol.

Land of the Lost - Issue No. 006: Abandoned Yugoslavian Monuments That Look Like They're From The Future

I haven't blogged about abandoned naval ships, cities or highways, since August of last year, and yet it's one of my most admired segments.  

I definitely need to make "Land of the Lost" a regular series on my blog.  

The structures you see above, to the side and below are abandoned monuments in Yugoslavia that were commissioned by former Yugoslavian President Josip Broz Tito.  Most of these monuments were made during the 1960s and 70s to commemorate WWII battles and concentration camps.  

I found the images rather captivating.  For one, most of the sculptures look futuristic in nature, you wouldn't think they were made 40-50 years ago. On the other hand, their physical condition makes them even more stunning and beautiful.


After reading through several online sources, these monuments attracted millions of visitors per year, and after the Republic dissolved in the 1990s, "they were completely abandoned, and their symbolic meanings were forever lost." [source]

"During the 60s’ and 70s’ former president of Yugoslavia, Tito wanted to show the world the strength and con­fi­dence of the Social­ist Repub­lic by having sculptors and architects building those (very futuristic) monuments com­mem­o­rat­ing the Sec­ond World War. This series entitled Spomenik was photographed by Jan Kempenaers. Today these sculp­tures now in ruins are located in Croa­tia, Ser­bia, Slove­nia and Bosnia."  [source]

8 more stunning images after the jump...

RuPaul's Drag Race Queens in Caricature

Artist, Chad Sell will be drawing his favorite queens from Season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race every week, so he asks that you please keep checking in.  

They are absolutely fabulous and fierce!

Laugh of the Day: Rookie Cop

Oh my Jesus!  Why not start your day off with a chuckle?  We know that cops, in general, are on their best behavior and are usually there to protect us within a matter of minutes.  But what if a rookie cop gets the wrong address?  Let me just say, it becomes a laughable mess! LMAO.

Alone on Valentine's Day?

I know that people often complain about being alone on Valentine's Day, and I completely understand - we've all been there.  But really you should...

Strings

Courtesy of the "Loading Artist" I had to share this with you.  It is absolutely adorable. 

From Artist's webpage:

Loading Artist’ is a webcomic loosely based on the life of an artist who wants to get better and get noticed. Updated every Monday (usually).

The webcomic is created entirely by me, Gregor Czaykowski. I am also an artist who wants to get better (purely coincidental) and I have always wanted to make a web comic so here it is.

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 004 - Military Veterans and Families

Today we are going to look at the broad policy of the Obama Administration's achievements concerning Military Veterans and Families. As you all know, when our veterans come back from a tour of duty or war they need a job to come back to.  And more often than naught, they come home to no jobs at all or find that the company they used to work for is no longer around.  

It's a difficult time for our military vets when the job they held in Iraq or Afghanistan is not part of our civilian way of life, and they find themselves having to learn new skills to find a job.  Furthermore, looking for a job is hard in a slowly recovering economy.

So WTF has Obama done?

WTF-8

Initiated a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses.

More than 1,000 franchise businesses have committed to hire 80,000 veterans and their spouses by 2014 -- with 5,000 of those jobs to be directed specifically at wounded vets... 

In brief remarks at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, a block away from the White House, Obama also said that 100 companies and organizations that joined the Military Spouse Employment Partnership a year ago have also committed to hiring 20,000 military spouses.  [Reference-1, Reference-2]

WTF-9

Improved benefits for veterans.

Obama noted a proposed 2010 budget which included a 15 percent increase in VA funding, the largest boost in more than 30 years. 

"Finally, this budget recognizes that our veterans deserve something more -- an equal chance to reach for the very dream they defend.  It's the chance America gave to my grandfather, who enlisted after Pearl Harbor and went on to march in Patton's Army.  When he came home, he went to college on the GI Bill, which made it possible for him and so many veterans like him to live out their own version of the American Dream.  And now it's our turn to help guarantee this generation the same opportunity that the greatest generation enjoyed by providing every returning service member with a real chance to afford a college education.  And by providing the resources to effectively implement the Post-9/11 GI Bill, that is what this budget does."  [Reference-1, Reference-2, Reference-3, Reference-4]

WTF-10

Worked to clear the backlog of veterans claims and streamline benefits to those who served.

The goal is to "cut those backlogs, slash those wait times and deliver your benefits sooner," Obama told the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 2009 at their national convention in Phoenix. "America's commitments to its veterans are not just lines in a budget. They are bonds that are sacrosanct, a sacred trust we are honor-bound to uphold. And we will," he said.  

This goal has been hard for Obama to accomplish due to the number of  veterans coming out of Iraq.  It is not going to get any easier when we start pulling troops out of Afghanistan.  But we all know how we ended up in Iraq and Afghanistan don't we?  [Reference-1, Reference-2]

Please make sure to read Issue No. 005 tomorrow as I continue with WTF-11
Everyday on BLADE 7184

Acting Cool On Your Cell Phone

Quick!  Start acting cool on your cell phone!  Do it now.

You know you do exactly what these two fools are doing when you're walking down the street or when you're in the mall. Don't lie.  Lmao.  DON'T LIE!

I Quote That - With A Purpose

Every Cigarette You Don't Smoke Is Doing You Good

So what happens if you stop smoking today? Let's just say, you'll notice the effects within a matter of minutes.

I wasn't an addicted smoker, but "more-so" a social smoker or habitual smoker.  If I had a drink I wanted one, or if I was outside relaxing I'd smoke one, but I never got to the point where I had a desire to smoke or lose my mind if I didn't have one.  I won't lie, there were times when I would go out clubbing with friends on a weekend and smoke 2 packs in one night, just because I socialized and drank the night away.  Quitting cold turkey was never a problem for me.  I can't remember when was the last time I had a cigarette, but I will say this... I feel so much better not doing it.

The benefits are remarkable!  I found this website that uses a timetable to educate you on the benefits of smoking cessation, check it out here.  Find out what happens after 48 hrs.

20 minutes	Your blood pressure, pulse rate, and the temperature of your hands and feet will all return to normal.
8 hours	Remaining nicotine in your bloodstream will have fallen to 6.25% of normal peak daily levels, a 93.25% reduction.
12 hours	Your blood oxygen level will have increased to normal and carbon monoxide levels will have dropped to normal.
24 hours	Anxieties peak in intensity and within two weeks should return to near pre-cessation levels.
48 hours	Damaged nerve endings have started to regrow and your sense of smell and taste are beginning to return to normal. Cessation anger and irritability peaks.

Laugh of the Day: Think Before You Commit

OMG - when I saw this video this morning my mouth just dropped. I wanted to laugh, I wanted to shout wtf! In the end, it accomplished what it was meant to do. Make my day!!!

The video itself is a cell phone commercial warning you of the dangers of commitment. So don't go marrying someone before sampling the goods, otherwise you'll have a honeymoon you wished you never had.

Pray For Our President's Death

People often ask me why I'm not harsher towards Republicans in my blog.  And I tell them, because I want to believe that most Republicans are not this way.  At least the Republican people I know or friends I have, are not this way.  As a whole, I think the Republican party is heading in the wrong direction.  And a lot of it has to do with the hate and animosity towards our fellow Americans.  Most of the Repub friends I have, believe in the conservative principles of the party, yet have liberal views as well.

But I'll be honest, It's getting harder and harder to listen to the amount of anger and hate most Republicans have towards our President.  And quite frankly I wouldn't want to belong to a party that would deny another American the right to marry, or deny an American the right to pursue happiness.  I wouldn't want to belong to a party that constantly spews hateful rhetoric or tries to throw religion down our throats.  I wouldn't want to belong to a party that wants to strip my grandparents out of their health insurance that's been working so well for them.  And I wouldn't want to belong to party that boos a gay soldier who would've sacrificed his life for them.  The list goes on.

I wrote this blog today, because of something I read this morning.  It was an article on Kansas House Speaker Mike O'Neal.  Last Friday, he asked his fellow Republican House members via email to pray for our President's death.  That's right, not only is he using God to wish death upon a president, he's advising them to take a knee and recite Psalms 109.

"Let his days be few; and let another take his office. Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow."

Seriously? Why does it have to be this way?  And this is the same man who sent out a previous email saying "Michelle 'Yo Mama'".

I look at Senator John McCain's wife and daughter, Cindy and Meghan McCain, and wonder if Republicans will ever be like them.  Can they ever be like them?  And the answer, quite frankly, is NO.

Something's Buried in True Blood's Season 5 Teaser

Ryan and I caught the supposed "graphic" teaser of True Blood before the premiere of "Luck" a couple of days ago, and while I expected a bit more, it's enough to satisfy your craving for the time being. 

If you're a True Blood fan you know what or whose been buried in Bon Temps for the past year and a half.  And something tells me it's the Return of the King!!!!

For those who missed it you can catch the teaser here.

Quoted: Elton John's Advice to Madonna for Super Bowl XLVI

“Make sure you lip-sync good.” 

– Elton John‘s advice to Madonna, who’s performing at Super Bowl XLVI, on Good Morning America.

I know that Elton is still pissed because Madonna won the Golden Globe over him.  And who knows?  Maybe she didn't deserve it, but this is getting ridiculous.  She won and that's it.  Both of you are equally famous and filthy rich, stop throwing shade and get over it. Just sayn'

25 Ways To Tell You're Grown Up

If you find that none of these reflect you, then you're probably not a grown up...

 

Check out the remaining 15 after the jump...

The Proposal

I just saw this video on my dear friend, Cipi's Facebook and I had to share it.

Meet James and Paul - at the time this video was made they knew each other 7 years.

Ironically enough, my partner Ryan and I will be reaching our 7 years together on May 23rd of this year, and we still can't say "I do" in our state.  I hope that wherever James and Paul may be, their dreams have since been fulfilled.

Today, 7 states currently recognize gay marriage, yet in Texas and 42 other states - we're not allowed to marry the person we love.  If you know us and love us, please support us.

WTF Has Obama Done? - Issue No. 003 - Immigration

For those who think our President hasn't done enough on Immigration.  You're wrong!  Unlike yesterday and the premiere issue, I'm only listing one WTF today and it's in reference to Immigration.  The GOP should be happy with this one, but you know how it works - the more facts we share, the less right we are.  I will come back to immigration after this WTF at a later time.

Remember, if you feel I wrote something false, please help by letting me know.  If you want to debate me, that will be fine too, but I won't go back and forth for hours trying to explain something that's true or not true.  If you can provide me with an honest rebuttal, I will change my post to reflect what you've told me.  I promise.

WTF-7

Deported higher numbers of Illegal Immigrants

Immigration and Customs Enforcement director John Morton announced that 396,906 people were deported during the 2011 fiscal year, the largest number in ICE’s history.

“These year-end totals indicate that we are making progress, with more convicted criminals, recent border crossers, egregious immigration law violators and immigration fugitives being removed from the country than ever before,” said Morton.

While the numbers are historic, they’re not dramatically larger than 2010 deportations, which were reported at “more than 392,000.”

As Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano alluded a few weeks ago, 55 percent of the deported immigrants — about 216,700 people — had criminal convictions (felonies or misdemeanors). Overall, the number of criminals deported has increased 89 percent since 2008. [Reference]

Please make sure to read Issue No. 004 tomorrow as I continue with WTF-8
Everyday on BLADE 7184

Our Future Is In Their Hands - Take 8

You gotta love it when our kids are smart asses. LOL. Especially when it comes to school tests, pop quizzes or exams. LOL.

Check out the rest after the jump...

Things We Can Do To Save The Environment - Issue No. 02: Green House Effect

The Green House Effect is the second step in my new weekly blog, "Things We Can Do To Save The Environment".   

 

Giving credit to TIME,  I'd like to thank them for showing us the many ways we can meet these goals of saving our environment.  And yes, even one person can make a difference.

 

The Global Warming Survival Guide

2. Get Blueprints For a Green House

Reducing your impact on the earth is not just a question of what you drive but also of what you live in. Residential energy use accounts for 16% of greenhouse-gas emissions. If you begin thinking green at the blueprint stage, however, low-tech, pragmatic techniques will maximize your new home's efficiency. Installing those systems from the ground up is cheaper than retrofitting. 

"Doing simple things could drastically reduce your energy costs, by 40%," says Oru Bose, a sustainable-design architect in Santa Fe, N.M. For example, control heat, air and moisture leakage by sealing windows and doors. Insulate the garage, attic and basement with natural, nontoxic materials like reclaimed blue jeans. Protect windows from sunrays with large overhangs and double-pane glass. 

Emphasize natural cross ventilation. "You don't need to have 24th century solutions to solve 18th century problems," Bose says. Next, consider renewable energy sources like solar electric systems, compact wind turbines and geothermal heat pumps to help power your home. 

When you're ready to get creative, GreenHomeGuide.com will help you find bamboo flooring, cork tiles, and countertops made from recycled wastepaper. 

Make sure to follow this blog every Tuesday for a new issue of Things We Can Do To Save The Environment.  Each issue is thought-provoking, informative and may hold the key to saving your children and grandchildren's future

The Washer That Won't Quit

The next time you want to get rid of your washer, why not have a little fun with it.  LOL.  

Or... if you don't care much for your washer, throw a brick inside the drum and see what happens.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION!

Normally you can see total destruction in around 40 seconds or less, but check out this video of a washer that just won't quit.  This washer loses everything, including it's door, it's panels, and it still keeps a-rollin'.

OMG Hilarious! - Graveness

Can Anyone Guess Where These Photos Are Taken?

Anyone But Romney

Updated Jan. 31, 2012: Support for former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has remained one of the few constants during the Republican nomination race. But as contenders to Mr. Romney have emerged and then faded, the GOP still seems hesitant to embrace him.

The most recent candidate to play the Anyone But Romney role is former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who recently finished first in the party’s South Carolina primary.

The National Post’s graphics team takes a look at the ups and downs of the race so far.

The Joys of Being a Parent: A Father & His Kids Cover Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts"

There's no better way of starting my blog this morning, than to blog about this father and his two kids performing a cover to Depeche Mode's "Everything Counts".  Absolute genius I'm telling you.  The father is using an 80's keyboard, a xylophone, a kazoo, tambourine, Coke bottle and his voice.  His daughter is using a recorder, a rattle, windchime and her voice. And his son is using a toy keyboard, maraca, cheese grater and his voice.  And it actually doesn't sound bad, it's great!  I love it!

This is what my segment "The Joys of Being A Parent" is all about.  Fathers and their kids, Mothers and their kids, and children in general.  We were all there at some point, and when a parent shows this much interest in their babies as this man does, there is nothing but happiness and joy when I'm blogging about it.

A YouTube commenter said it best when he wrote this:

Actually, this video shows a lot. He invests time teaching his kids music. I am impressed with how he has, obviously, motivated his kids to take an interest in making music. When I taught high school I noticed that an overwhelming majority of kids spend most of their time plugged in to their mp3 players, but have no interest in making music. Of course, many more things come into play when talking about someone’s parenting skills, but based on this video, the dad is pretty impressive. -lagaviotanum1