For Halloween

What not to do in a Monster Movie

Here is the list of things not to do if you find yourself in a monster movie.

Don't shoot at the monster. This has never been shown to kill a monster, but just makes them mad.

If you do decide to shoot at a monster, never attempt to reload when you run out of bullets. You will fumble, drop the bullets and end up as monster kibble.

When you run out of bullets and drop your extras, do not start hitting the monster with the butt of the gun. It makes them very testy.

Never have sex in a monster movie. The monster views this as a "two-fer."

Don't go to Japan.

Never try to escape a monster by driving away. As you are attempting to unlock the car door you will fumble with the key or break the key off in the door lock. Monsters know this and will eat you before you open the door.

Always have a fresh battery in your car if you expect to be in a monster movie. Monsters know even if you manage to get the door open the car battery will be dead.

Don't scream… that's like ringing the dinner bell for a monster.

Stay off all modes of public transportation. Monsters view a bus as a big steam table without a sneeze-guard.

Don't go swimming. Monsters love to eat wet people. It's like being pre-basted.

Don't use nuclear weapons on a monster, they like it.

Never except a job as a caretaker of anything.

Don't attempt to hide in a closet, that's where many monsters choose to live.

Never change altitude in your attempt to evade a monster. Going down to the basement or upstairs will usually result in you becoming monster kibble.

Don't bury a monster you believe to be dead. They will always reach their arm through the dirt to grab your ankle and pull you down then ring the dinner bell.

Never wear high-heeled shoes as you run through the woods. This will lead to you twisting your ankle, falling in pain and being the main course at the monster Thanksgiving dinner.

Never take a shower. Monsters like their food washed.

Enough Already

This campaign for the highest office in the land is really starting to get on my nerves. When I checked the mail today I received a total of five campaign pieces from the Republican Party of Wisconsin. Five pieces on the same day from the same people.

Each one of these mailers was a negative campaign piece spreading some kind of junk about Obama. I don't know what these people are thinking at this point. If this keeps up I may never vote for another Republican ever again. I can't remember ever being bombarded with more negative campaign literature. Not one of these mailers from the Republicans touted the accomplishments of their candidate. Each one of these five mailers was an attempt to paint Obama as a terrorist, crook, a danger to the nation or someone not fit to lead.

To top it off, when I checked the voicemail on the home line there was a message waiting for me from, you guessed it. The Republican Party of Wisconsin left me a message telling me that Obama was the devil and I needed to vote against him. I guess five mailers in one day wasn't enough. They had to back it up with a phone call too. A total of six communications to me and not a one talked about why I should vote for McCain.

I just can't fathom what these people are thinking. They are an angry, desperate and sad lot. Enough already. Please leave me alone. I feel like I need a shower every time I open my mailbox or answer my phone.

Most Top 10 Albums??

Big fun on the show this morning talking about the artists that have the most top 10 albums under their belts. Here's the link to the info and list. Have a blast!

Size Matters, Or Does It?

This is the new Toyota iQ. It is slated to be marketed in Europe next year. It will probably be sold in the U-S under the Scion nameplate.

The car gets over 55 MPG, and will be serious competition to the Smart. The Smart is really the only other "tiny" car that is mass sold in the U-S and Europe right now.

The iQ has some impressive safety features including a total of nine airbags. For the first time there is an airbag that deploys in the rear of the car from the headliner behind the driver.

The engineering is interesting as well with a differential setup that saves a lot of space in the engine compartment by centering the power plant. The rear shocks are slated back to make more room in the rear of the car. The car is classified as a four-seater, but really seats two with room for one in the back or luggage.

The real question is, how small are you willing to go?

Caption Contest

John McCain does his hilarious "Mummy" impression during the last presidential debate.

Please feel free to add a caption in comments.

Peaking

I snapped these pictures Tuesday while on the Military Ridge Trail between Mount Horeb and Blue Mound. It certainly appears the color is near peak in this part of the world. The color this year is vivid and we've been lucky that there hasn't been a ton of wind and rain. It's my favorite time of the year to hit the trails. The temps are cool and the view can't be beat. The only negative is we are running out of nice weather! Enjoy it while you can.

Summer's Last Blast?

What a great weekend it was as summer made an encore. I managed to stay outside for most of the weekend between yard work and biking. I hit the tractor on Friday afternoon and knocked down some lawn. I'm thinking that may be the last time I have to mow this year. We'll see.

On Saturday I did about 50 miles on the old Trek. I started with a ride to benefit breast cancer research. It was a nice 25 mile run in the eastern part of Dane County. The ride was organized by the Trek Stores in Madison and was a nice roll. After that I did another 25 or so miles on the Madison paths and the lake loop around Lake Monona.

The picture above was taken Sunday on the west side of Madison on day-two of my extended summer bike tour of the area. I decided to ride from the greater Mt. Horeb area over to Cambridge in the eastern part of the county. It was about 50 miles and just a great day to be out enjoying the weather and the color.

Getting from the southwestern part of the county into Madison and beyond is always a challenge due to the intense hills in that part of the world. It's a lot easier to haul my butt up those hills with a lot less weight! I came in on Mid-Town Road and forgot just how hilly that part of the world is. I continued on to the Southwest Commuter path to the lake. Then it was out Broadway and down Marsh Road to McFarland and Highway MN. That took me over to Rinden Road and Prairie Queen into Cambridge. I hope the weather lets me get a few more of these in.

What a weekend to out doing anything! (Other than a Badger football game)

Jackson Browne's Back

I didn't expect much when I downloaded Jackson Browne's new offering the other day. As a matter of fact I left it sitting on my hard drive for several days before I listened. I wish I had gotten to it sooner! This is some of the best stuff he's done in years.

"Time the Conqueror" shows that Jackson Browne is still writing and performing some great music. Almost every track on this set is good with many a lot better than that. These songs feature a production style that is somewhat stripped-down, but clean as a whistle. It really shows that Jackson still has great pipes.

My favorites are the title track, Off of Wonderland and Just Say Ya. The latter sounding like something that could have appeared on Fountain of Sorrow. Again, just about every track on this set is very listenable.

If you were a fan of Jackson Browne "back in the day," this one is sure to please. If you were never a fan, give this one a listen. He just may make a fan of you yet.

Prius Killer

The Paris Car Show is under way and the buzz is about the new Honda designed to be the "Prius Killer." Honda says it will try to hit the sub $20,000 price point when the car is introduced in the U-S next year. The hybrid design will net about 45 mpg under normal driving conditions.

Honda says it hopes local dealers will adhere to the 20-grand price point, but supply and demand will drive the price that dealers decide to charge. Honda will produce about 100,000 of these cars for the U-S market in the first year.

Honda has pushed hard to get this car into production in nearly record time. What a shame the U-S car companies can't seem to do the same thing.

Palin Baby!

I came across a very funny site this morning that I wanted to share with you. We all know Ms. Palin has some rather interesting names for her children. Well, if she was your mother, what would your name be?

Visit the Palin Baby Name Generator and find out!

Happy debate.