terrancew_hod

You know, when the Dave Chappelle show was on people asked me what I thought about it. I said that Dave and others like him set back "black comedy" 20 years. Before this "resurgence", the comedians realized that it wasn't ok to say the "N" word during there routines and tried to relate their experiences rather than tried to put a little intelligence in their routines. Some where along the line, along with what I term "the ghetto-ization of America"--where people somehow think it's ok to walk around and and speak like they are ignorant, comedians started using these words more in their routines and this makes people think it's ok to say those words. Guess what. It's not. And that goes for blacks as well. I hung out with some of my friend's friends one night and one of his latin friends called me the "N" word like a person would call someone their brother. I immediately chastised him for using that word. That word should be stricken from EVERYONE'S vocabulary. Now on the subject "if they can say it, why can't we"... Imagine hanging out with your friends and one jokingly called you a derogatory name. Just use the worst word you can think of and it doesn't have to be about race. You may jokingly hit him or laugh it off, because you and friend know each other and it's been established that by the virtue of knowing each other you can call each other those names. You may not like that word and you may even tell your friend not to call you that anymore, but you're not totally going to get bent out of shape over it. Now imagine somebody you don't know comes up to you and calls you that same word. You'd be ready to fight, won't you? Same thing applies here. People from a common group can choose to call each other names that they may find offense when people from outside that group says the same thing. Should people within that group use those words? Probably not. By continually using that word, you are keeping it as part of the language and culture. When others see you use that word, they may think eventually they can use that word, or they may think that you are cool enough with them to actually use it, when nothing could be further of the truth. The solution: To me, not using the word at all across the board. Is Kramer racist? Let's look at the context of how he said it. I think he is intelligent enough to know dropping the "N" word is a bad thing. Did he say it to show friendship or did he use it in a hurtful way? If you listened to the tape, it sounds like he was trying to hurt the guy in the audience and used that word to hurt him. Now I won't say Kramer is racist, but he certainly has his biases against certain races that guide his decisions about others. People in his position keep their biases and prejudices to themselves--those would be 'career-enders'; and only when they lose control that people actually see them. Racist is a strong word so I won't attribute that to him; I've seen on other forums where people are a lot worse than him.

That guy is a mess. Also the guy heckling was as mess too. I read some article where the guy Kramer was yelling at said he was only doing some "friendly heckling". If I was in that audience, I would have told him to shut the h*ll up. I paid to hear the comedian, not the jerks in the audience. What's wrong with people anyway?

Add a pull cable on each car that is attached to a buzzer and "All Stop" sign for the "Great Movie Ride" at MGM studios. It will work on the same principle as the pull string on the mass transit buses. When it grates your nerves just pull the string and the car stops so you can go through one of those many Exit doors that tease you as you pass by. That ride is slow moving torture.

Similac Enfamil (works if ya got twins) Lyndon Taylor kinda flows too.

I'll probably wait until next year if I decide to get any system, but then I totally missed the xbox/PS2 era waiting. Didn't miss it though. Maybe I'll just get a new Tickle-me-elmo next and put it on my desk at work. I can press its tummy when people ask for programming requests. Me: "You want that by when?" Elmo: (falls on ground) "hee hee heee!" I think I'll get more use out of that. Terrance "Still owns his Dreamcast" Weaver

^^So if the guy causes the explosion, do you think they need Claire because she may be the only one that could possibly be close to him without dying from the radiation? And what she gonna do if she does get close? Lead a cheer? It's not like she can do any type of fighting. Guess I'll have to wait until next week.

I would think it depends on what you're gonna use the computer for. Games? Video Editing or graphics? Entertainment center? Since AMD and ATI merged, those product probably should be purchased together if you decide to go that route. Right now Intel is doing a little catch up with AMD, so AMD may be worth looking into. My last box I built had an AMD processor and a NVidia card and i had no problems with it. Of course that was years ago. I gave that machine away to a friend who didn't have a PC. For what use use my machines for now, I own two laptops now (Dell desktop replacement and a powerbook) as well as a mac mini (entertainment center) connected to a 42inch flat screen TV and a powermac (my old machine before i got a laptop) and I'm going to buy a new macbook pro so I can just carry around one laptop. I use Microsoft development products for windows and web development (and a few games) on my Dell and I do my web surfing and personal computing on my mac. I may buy a refurbished Mac Pro to replace my desktop, although that's a low priority since I use my laptops more. I probably wouldn't use Media Center unless you are going to use your machine as such. You probably could get away with XP home if you don't need to connect to a windows server or a corporate network. Otherwise XP Pro is the way to go... I would wait on any upgrades to Vista until you make sure they have all the version one bugs shaken out. And your head will spin at all the versions of Vista you have to sort through to see which version you need. I would also make sure you have at least a gig of memory to start. I'm pretty sure one you get to Vista you'll need extra RAM. If nothing else, make sure you get a bit more than you need; that way your computer won't get obsolete as quickly. If you are an avid game player make sure you get the best and fastest video card; this will be the first thing that will get obsolete on your machine. If you use a lot of games, then definitely go Windows. If you do graphics or video editing I would look at a mac. I know a lot of people bash them, but i like mine and i converted my two roommates to use them: one bought a mac book and does videos and slide shows on DVD and the other took the mac mini downstairs and replaced his entertainment center with it (when remodeled the house) and use it to web surf and chat more than his computer in his room (he also loves the fact no one knows he has a computer in the room because it's so small).

bgwfreak, Not everyone is in shape here, but there is a larger percentage people that are in shape. But we definitely have our share of out of shape people. I think the biggest advantage in living in Miami I know of is that there are a lot of restaurants that serve grilled food. There is a chain called Pollo Tropical that serves grilled chicken... they have a huge grill in back... the service is kinda bad though. But it when you're short on time it's good to be able to get a healthy choice. Also the location of the gym is good, I drive about 5 minutes to get to the gym and where I lived previously, I could walk to the gym. One thing that keeps me on my diet is setting aside a "cheat day" for yourself. I use it as a reward for exercising and hitting my goals... if you don't have one, it's a lot harder to stay on it. Now I'm a lot better with my cheat days now, I'll have grill steak or jerk chicken. The cheat part is either the rice or the mash potatoes . And you do have to be patient with your program and stick with it... I actually was a hermit during my weight loss and when I came out 4 months later, I got a lot of double takes. But i really didn't notice until I had to go buy smaller pairs of jeans and a new belt because my pants were falling down.

N:IRocks, My best friend and I did a slight variation of the "Body For Life" program at http://www.bodyforlife.com/. I dropped about 30 lbs at the beginning of last year before I started doing an intense bulking program and my friend lost about 67 and counting since June. The major difference in my diet now is a lot of water and grilled chicken (I got a george forman grill) and I go to bed earlier to make my 5am workout schedule since I commute. Rest helps your body recover. My friend now feels more confident to go out more since he's lost the weight and he's a lot more active. If you do nothing else to begin with, drink more water (cleanses out the body's impurities) and try to get more active... maybe start off with some moderate walking then move into more aerobic activity. In order to really lose the weight you have to exercise and get your heart rate and metabolism up... my friend learned that the hard way thinking just doing a light walk will help you and he got up to almost 350lbs. Now when I talk to him he's either on his way to the gym or just got back... you also have to want to do it and feel good about doing it. We both feel good when we can put on something we couldn't fit before or when we get compliments because of the way something fits. He used to complain about not having time to exercise, but then he took notes on how he spent time: watching TV, internet surfing, bring his office work home, etc. He cut down on a few activities and found a gym that stays open 24hrs a day; from that he blocked off 45mins he can go into the gym and do a workout. He told himself he really doesn't have an excuse and will go in the gym at 8-9pm or whenever he schedules it. So all you have to do is want it and put a plan in motion and you'll be surprised at the results you'll get.

When I saw the concept art to Journey to Atlantis I thought "It's not much of a trip." I've ridden the other two and I liked the original because of the theming involved in it. The one in san diego was fine but it didn't have the same feel to it as the Florida version. Sure it had different elements but i felt the ride could be longer if you're going to scrimp on story. I think the florida version will get you wetter; maybe it's because it's warmer down here and getting soaked in San Diego and then the temp dropping at night would not be a good feeling. They probably should have named this ride something else and it would have been better.

Actually I have my dreamcast in a box in my room. I have fond memories of playing House of dead 2 with the guns after drinking around the house during a lazy weekend at home. I guess I should eventually hook it back up, but it's boring playing the games by yourself. And I've changed up how my spend my free time so I really don't have too much time to play videogames. But it also serves as a reminder not to buy any other consoles... I just think to myself: "You bought all that stuff for your dreamcast and look what you did with that."

Body Builder/Go-Go Dancer. A few days in the gym during the week, then shake it fast on the weekend and the rent's paid. No stress, no worries. Hey it worked for my ex! As a result he modeled gym/club clothes and was in a club fashion spread in some magazine overseas. Now he's playing "Desperate Housewife" to a doctor with three houses in California. But I'm not bitter. Really. Nevermind. Back to programming I go. Can I at least be a gym trainer? Terrance "Too old to be on a box" Weaver

^I would call animal control on them. Although I have 'messy' friends in other cities that have made pets disappear after pleading with owners to take care of their noisy pets. Fortunately with all power of condo and housing associations in South Florida, too many pet complaints and the association can force you to get rid of the pet... or make you sell your home. Can't get any simpler than that.

^ I hear you. I think as bad as the housing prices are, this is the last thing we need. Why build a hotel that will most likely be too expensive for average person to stay? And I got a pool at my place that no one jumps in. I think they need a mandate on the ballot for more affordable housing... I got three new "luxury" condo projects around me that are virtually empty, including one that has been finished for months. I see about three cars going in and out of and that was a complete waste of money.

I'll be in L.A. to ring in the New Year I may hit one of the parks up there again after the new year. Also I'm going on the TPR Midwest Trip and several trips to the Florida Parks. I may hit Dollyworld and ride their new ride as well. I promised a friend I would meet her at Cedar Point so I may go again, but I don't wanna ride by myself in the group... I got in contact with one of my friends who is a house music DJ and he may try to spin in Cleveland then we'll go up to the park. I probably should save some cash a trip to Argentina in december and my 40th birthday blowout through Europe.

I figured that the kid would have powers, since his mother and father had. It was also interesting that the kid knew about his mom's split personality when he was speaking to her.... "Can you put my mom on?"

I try to workout at least 4 times a week. Because of my work schedule and commute to Ft Lauderdale, I have to be at the gym around 6:30am, so generally I don't stay up late. I started working out as stress relief (and I get really cranky if I don't go), but it's becoming more of a confidence booster as I get more in shape (I used to be really shy). I even bought a bowflex for the house for the days I'm running short of time or if I want to get an extra workout in before I go out. I enjoy working out and pushing myself. It's nice to shock people when they see me and then they see my ID. Yeah I don't look like I'm getting close to 40; and I'll tell people that I'm 38 because some people are 21 but look a mess. I did get a bit uncomfortable when I went to Islands of Adventure and got off the Bluto ride and I was soaked so I took off my shirt to wring out the water and notice mothers and daughters staring... then some guys started whistling! Not used to people noticing me, but I guess I'm on the right track. My latest goal is bulking up a little and concentrating on my abs, chest and legs. I've put on about 20lbs of muscle since the beginning of the year and I'm looking to put on an additional 10-15 lbs after the holidays. This is all for gearing up for my 40th birthday... I want to look really good for that. Oh and it's fun trying out clothes too!

I have my own "emergency Spanish" that I use when I go out and about... unfortunately I can't print those phrases here. But it sure comes in handy!

That's great to hear! I'm encouraging my best friend in his weight loss. He got up to 350 lbs in june. So far he's down 67 lbs and wants to lose another 20-25 lbs by the summer. Hopefully by then he said, we can go on party like we did before we got office jobs!

You know that works both ways don't ya? I'm a 38 year IT manager with a college degree and Microsoft certifications... so I'm not dumb nor act "ghetto"... but I'll go somewhere and a white person will "pimp" up to me like one of those rappers on MTV and try to... um what's the phrase... act "black" with me... I'll just stick out my hand and shake theirs like a business associate and speak like I'm in a corporate office... that throws them off. Then I'll tell them not all black people act like that and it's insulting to assume such. Then I'll send them on their merry way. The golden rule is to treat and speak to others like you want to be treated and spoken to. Anyway, that wasn't my rant. I hate that some of my friends willingly involve themselves in so much drama. Now one of my friends moved into an apartment by himself to get away from the way his roommates that kept trashing the place, eating up all his food and destroying his stuff. Once he gets out on his own, he invites the worst person you could have stay in your place to live temporarily. This guy is totally worthless. He can't keep a job, set his kitchen on fire costing him $1000 in repairs, disappear for days taking his clothes... the list goes on... so he put him out TWICE (some people would have learned after the first time)... after I told him "look I told you so. stop bringing all that drama in your house. There's only two places you will have peace--the grave and your house. If you can have peace in your own place, you better look inside yourself and figure it out." Anyway, I go over his house last month and guess who I see there again? (sigh) This time I didn't say anything. You can't tell some people anything. So we go out one night and this guy shows up and gets in my face about he knows I don't like him and he's 25 and out of jail and he's turning his life around. Now I don't hang out with jailbirds and I told him, "You can SAY you're changing your life, but your actions should be the thing to show it. Don't get in my face again or I will clear this room." So I get a call on Saturday from my friend. He begins by saying "Don't say I told you so." I said "What did he do now?" Evidently another friend came over and left the keys to his new $10,000 motorbike out and he fell asleep (They usually watch tv and drink)... this guy takes the keys, takes the motorbike on a joyride in the subdivision and crashes into two parked cars totalling the motorbike. The guy who owned the bike called the police and they handcuffed him and charged him with grand larceny... which is a felony. Come to find out the guy also had other outstanding warrants so he will be jail for the holidays; and I doubt he will get bailed out because he's burned the bridges down with everyone including his family. And if you were thinking this guy was black... think again... he was a white guy with a police record. So I told my friend, "See if you weren't stupid enough to facilitate this drama, none of this will have happened. Well at least he won't be back for a while... I hope you learned your lesson. And at least the bike was insured so he can get it replaced." "The bike wasn't insured." he said. I was outdone. I said "I gotta go. This is too much drama for me right now." And I hung up. No wonder I only go over there once a week if that.

The "Great" Movie ride. I was looking to see if I could jump off the ride and hit one of the exits. And the "Cowgirl" that took over was less enthused about the ride than I was. My friend said "Oh god. Make her stop!" If we put felons on this ride repeatedly, crime would plummet. "Maelstrom" gave me an extreme case of gas. "Stitch" got on my nerves. "Nemo" only served to give me a few moments off of my blistered feet. "Kali River Rapids" needs more splashes in the boat, not just the tire part. I like disneyworld as a whole though when it's time to get my drink and eat on.

That was ugly . We call it "Cute getting cute" when that happens. And when you correct them it's called "getting them good and together". I usually pull out the dictionary too, but that's the first time I've seen "Kelsey" used in getting someone together. I love it! On a side note, I hate to see how some of our youth are getting so lazy in their spelling and grammar. I'm blaming it on MTV's glorification of ignorance. I mean have you seen some of those "hosts" slaughtering the English language and just being downright ghetto? Not cute. I remember (back in the day) if someone on TV would start to "slaughter", they would cut the interview short, pull the mike away from them or the comedians would have new material; now I can just imagine their English teachers just cringing... -- Terrance

I just remembered another one: Back in the early days of cordless phones... geez that sounded old... you had to change the channel on the phone to get better reception; and if there were a lot of people in the neighborhood with cordless phones (not the 24GHz ones) you ran the chance of crossing signals with them. Well I was talking to a friend and I guess a surge went through the wall and I got disconnected. I hit the channel button and I somehow got connected to other's conversations. So I was in a mischevious mood so after a few seconds I would butt into their conversation... 1) two girls were having a conversation and I whispered "are your doors locked?" I almost dropped the phone from the girls screaming... "Who's there! OMG!!!" I heard one drop the phone... I think she went running outside! 2) a child was singing to his grandma and when he finished and before the grandma could say anything I said "What was that horrible noise?" Someone gasped and mother said "Who's there!!!!" I started laughing and changed the channel again. 3) some lady was making plans with someone and a guy said "Ok I'll be there in 20 minutes"; I blurted out "You better not come over to my house you bum!" All I heard was "Who's there!!! I think someone's here!" More laughing from yours truly. I called my friend back and told her what happened. She said when I didn't hear back from you I knew you were up to no good! Phones were so much fun back then.

Never were a red polo shirt to Target (a department store for those that don't know). I got off of work one day and I had to pick up a few things at Target. I had yet another hard day at work so I'm pretty much done talking to people for the day; but the store is filled with people that think this equation is true: black man dressed nice + in store = employee (although the red polo isn't helping things) Anyway, after telling about 3 people "I don't work here", I'm in one of the aisles and this lady comes storming up to me bitching about she can't find a product and no one is helping her... blah blah blah... and I tell her to go tell it to Oprah . So she starts yelling loudly and I look at her like she's crazy and I keep shopping... anyway a manager shows up and she proceeds to tell him how I got "smart" with her and she doesn't appreciate it. The manager then says "Ma'am, he doesn't work here." (cue sound of her face 'cracking') and then I turn at her and smile. I then say "Now leave me the heck alone, crazy lady" (you can replace 'heck' and 'lady' for what I actually told her ) I then looked at my shirt and realized I'd be better keep an extra shirt in the car or look like a bum when I come in the store so I won't be bothered.

Sam Adams draft. I drove back from Orlando and stopped by a sports bar to meet a friend in town from L.A. and we planned some parts of my trip to L.A. for New Years. He's been in california for two years and hasn't been to any parks or sight see.