First, here are a few sites worth checking out - they all make me laugh.
Very Demotivational
Awkward Family Photos
This is Photobomb
Failblog
Ugliest Tattoos

Next, I love this acronym: FTW. Now I know this might seem bad; my previous understanding of this acronym was in the context of outlaw bikers and the like, and meant "F**k The World" - this I do not endorse (at least publicly). The new and improved version is "For The Win" - and this I do endorse wholeheartedly. FTW!

Next, I hate this phrase: at the end of the day. Like any buzzword or phrase (for example outside the box, or synergy) I'm sure its usage in popular reference will be short. In my opinion it cannot be short enough.


And finally, I was directed to this article in Vanity Fair recently, Monsanto's Harvest of Fear. Scary, scary stuff. If this article interests you and you haven't seen the movie Michael Clayton I highly recommend watching it. It's a horror film based on reality, where there is no stalking crazy man in a mask but rather just a trans-global corporation devoid of even a shred of integrity. You know, the frightening stuff of reality.

A couple weeks ago, my sons invited me to join them at their elementary school before class for "Doughnuts with Dad," a special event that gave me a chance to see some of their work, meet some of their friends, and spend some time with them.

It was a unique opportunity, and one I wasn't about to miss. I rescheduled some meetings at work, cleared my schedule for the morning and drove them to school an hour early.

While enjoying some delicious, sugary and certainly unhealthy pastry and a cup of hot coffee with my sons, a reporter from the Kalamazoo Gazette approached us and talked with the boys for a few minutes. They say the craziest things sometimes.

I helped Michael study for his spelling test that day, went with Anthony to get a few new books from the Book Nook, and kissed them both as I left for work and they for class.

I have to admit I choked up a bit. It's rare I get one-on-one time with them, and those are the occasions when my heart wrenches at the "good-bye."

I supported Barack Obama. I canvassed for Barack Obama. I encouraged anyone who would listen to vote for Barack Obama. I myself voted for Barack Obama. Why? Because I thought he represented the first real chance for change in a long, long time, and introduced a breath of hope in a country that had been run asunder by the seemingly idiotic leadership of George Bush and his crony henchmen.

Recently I read these two articles, and they have made me wonder if I wasn't duped, played for the fool by believing anything could or would change within our country. Please forgive the use of colloquial language; it may cheapen the content slightly, but I think it is demonstrative of the writer's passion.

Sick and Wrong by Matt Taibbi
The Lie Machine by Tim Dickinson

Both of these articles made me sick to my stomach. One demonstrates how easily those with money and power can manipulate and motivate large groups of people. Can these people really be so oblivious to the bigger picture? Apparently this point isn't lost on the President. So you can poke fun at people's ignorance, but why haven't you been able to educate them any more effectively than your opponents in the GOP?

And how is it that despite President Obama's promises on the campaign trail to clean up the "K Street culture" in Washington, it is apparently still the driving motivator for our leaders and the decisions and legislation they produce.

I just fail to understand that while there seems to be massive public agreement that health care costs have run out of control, the now Democratic run government still can't manage to get anything done. I understand they inherited the economy and its woes, and I don't fault them for any more than half of that (hey, they have been around this whole time even if they were the minority). But seriously President Obama, you have yet to live up to a single thing you promised during your campaign, and my faith is losing steam in a hurry.

Now, a year after his historical election, I have to ask President Obama who said, "Yes we can!"... can we?

Especially if you have kids in hockey or are friends with someone who does.

Read and giggle.