Is anyone surprised this happened in Bremerton?

WA women arrested after argument over dog in bathroom

BREMERTON, Wash. - A 25-year-old woman was arrested for investigation of second-degree assault for getting into an argument with her boyfriend over whether his dog should be in the bathroom while the couple were taking a shower together.

A police report said the 26-year-old man wanted his dog to join them in the bathroom, but the woman objected on Thursday night.

She told him if the dog wouldn't stay out, she didn't want to be his girlfriend anymore. He replied that maybe his next girlfriend would appreciate the dog more, and called her a name.

The police report said the woman punched him in the face several times and the man dislocated his shoulder when the naked couple grappled. He told police his girlfriend threw a picture frame, which broke and cut him.

The woman was taken to the Kitsap County Jail in Port Orchard. Bail has been set at $50,000.

Go Antigua Go!

I've been to this little country, and it's a beautiful place. We got off the cruise ship in Saint John's, hopped into a little van, and drove out to some guy's house in the middle of the island. There, we hopped on ATVs and drove on an 8-10 mile trek to a lookout point. It was so much fun! I love riding those things.

They drive on the wrong side of the road there. Their saying to remind us right-side drivers is, "The left side is the right side, the right side is suicide."

But, that's not the point of this post. The little Caribbean island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is fighting a David vs. Goliath battle with the United States on online gambling. It's a legal, regulated activity in many countries, and has grown to become a major part of Antigua's economy. The smack-down last year that is the fiasco known as the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) put a stop to our ability to move funds around, effectively cutting our ability to patronize these businesses.

Antigua lodged a complaint with the WTO that the US ban on online gambling was unlawful according to their International trade agreements, mainly because the law that made online gambling illegal specifically carved out state-run lotteries and horse racing as legal activities to conduct online. So, allowing the activity domestically, but barring foreign companies from participating in the market is the crux of their complaint.

And for once, the WTO has ruled against the US on this topic. Today, we are supposed to find out what penalties the Antiguans get to receive. The fantastic part of this is that the US CANNOT appeal the sanctions that are imposed.

I'm truly salivating at this because of what the Antigua government is asking for in return. They are requesting that they no longer need to recognize Intellectual Property laws. If this sanction is approved, they would then be free to make all kind of copies of computer software, DVDs, CDs, and sell them...and there would be nothing we could do about it.

My sincere hope is that this FINALLY wakes the US government up to realize that it is asinine to legislate an activity that consenting adults participate in in the privacy of their own home (boy, does this argument sound familiar), and legalize online gambling.

This guy has car payments to make....

UPDATE!

The sanctions amount has been announced, and it is a paltry $21 Million. Far from the $3 Billion+ that Antigua was looking for, but it's still more than the US had offered as compensation.

The United States faces a token $21 million in annual trade sanctions as a result of its online betting ban, the World Trade Organization said Friday in awarding Antigua and Barbuda the right to target U.S. services, copyrights and trademarks.

Until it gains the approval of all 151 members of the WTO, the U.S. online betting ban is illegal under international trade rules. As a result, Antigua will have the right to penalize U.S. services and intellectual property until the U.S. government either permits Americans to gamble over foreign-based sites or eliminates exceptions for off-track betting on horses, including over the Internet.

The U.S. said it was concerned that Antigua could now violate some American intellectual property rights — which could range from CDs and DVDs to computer software, industrial designs and designer clothing.

They have every reason to be concerned. A small country being able to set up a reproduction shop for popular American digital products, LEGALLY, should be a huge concern. Just wait until you have the Microsofts, Disneys, and Universal Musics of the world clamoring for the US to fix the gambling issue so that these sanctions can be struck down.

Top 10 quotes of 2007

#1 - "Don't Tase Me, Bro," a phrase that swept the nation after a U.S. college student used it seeking to stop campus police from throwing him out of a speech by Sen. John Kerry.

#2 - "I personally believe that U.S. Americans are unable to do so because some people out there in our nation don't have maps and I believe that our education like such as in South Africa and Iraq and everywhere like such as and I believe that they should our education over here in the U.S. should help the U.S. or should help South Africa and should help Iraq and the Asian countries so we will be able to build up our future for us." - Lauren Upton, the South Carolina contestant in the Miss Teen America contest in August.

#3 - "In Iran we don't have homosexuals like in your country." - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in an address at Columbia University in New York.

#4 - "That's some nappy-headed hos there," - Don Imus.

#5 - "I don't recall." -- Former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales' repeated response to questioning at a congressional hearing about the firing of U.S. attorneys.

#6 - "There's only three things he (Republican presidential candidate and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani) mentions in a sentence: a noun and a verb and 9/11." -- Sen. Joseph Biden, speaking at a Democratic presidential debate.

#7 - "I'm not going to get into a name-calling match with somebody (Vice President Dick Cheney) who has a 9 percent approval rating." -- Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat.

#8 - "(I have) a wide stance when going to the bathroom." -- Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig.

#9 - "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man." -- Biden describing rival Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

#10 - "I think as far as the adverse impact on the nation around the world, this administration has been the worst in history." -- Former President Jimmy Carter.

And I thought our court system was messed up...

..but this is ridiculous. The fact that it is obvious that the defendant made a mistake, and the family at the address provided called the police to tell them he was not welcome to stay there apparently didn't matter. I would be on the phone non-stop if I was in this situation until someone removed the assclown from my doorstep. He wouldn't have even gotten inside the house.

This took place in Bristol, England.

Married couple forced to house criminal

A convicted criminal has moved in with a married couple against their wishes after giving their address in court as his home.

Shane Sims, 19, has spent the last few days living with Brenda and Robert Cole after he was sentenced to a week's curfew for breaching a supervision order.

But the couple claim the first they knew about it was when Sims, a friend of their daughter, moved in on Thursday – followed by security contractors who put a box in a bedroom to monitor his movements with an ankle tag.

Mrs Cole, 47, said: 'It's turned our lives upside down. He's taken over the whole place. He sprawls across the sofa and he's always in the bathroom when you need it. It's an absolute disgrace. They've let a criminal come into our home and there is nothing we can do about it.'

Sims appeared before magistrates last Thursday where he admitted breaching a two-year supervision order imposed for assault.

He gave the Coles' Bristol address as his bail address but the Probation Service did not verify it.

Sims claims he was told he could stay by the Coles' 16-year-old daughter Tanya after he fell out with his father.

He allegedly told Mrs Cole: 'I'm staying here until the tag's off. There's f**k all you can do about it. The courts have told me to.'

The court said it was looking into the situation but police said they could not act without a court warrant.

World Orgasm Day

Yeehaw! Sign me up!

Ladies and gents, get ready to get frisky because this Friday is World Orgasm Day. That's right, according to the official World Orgasm Day website, amorous folks the world over are encouraged to engage in the horizontal hanky panky on the same day across the globe.

Specific encouragement goes to people in countries with weapons of mass destruction and places where violence is used in place of mediation. But the purpose of the day isn't to get your rocks off (although that is certain to happen) but to effect positive change in the energy field of the earth. Sounds a little Zen for sex but, rest assured, it's all in the name of peace and pleasure (as only The big O can bring). The motto of the day? "More-gasm, not Wargasm!"

The day works like this: people from all over the world are encouraged to synchronise their orgasms at the exact moment of the Summer Solstice, which Down Under occurs this Friday at 5:08pm. This is supposed to bring positive energy to the earth, promote peace, engender empathy, compassion and love, and even combat global warming. "The planet needs a rest from all our other desires," reads the site, "so what better way to get us to take a rest from over-consumption than an orgasm?" Amen to that ...

It only took a week

(For damage, look at the lower right of the picture)

SUV collides with new streetcar
KOMO-TV STAFF

SEATTLE -- One week after it was officially placed into service, the new South Lake Union Streetcar on Wednesday had its first accident involving another vehicle.

The streetcar collided with an SUV about 7:45 a.m. near the intersection of Mercer Street and Terry Avenue.

Seattle Police Captain Steve Brown said the driver of the SUV ran a red light while the streetcar was crossing the intersection.

No one was injured in the collision and the streetcar was moved from the intersection shortly after 8 a.m.

"It did some superficial damage on the front," Brown said. "It's a high-tonnage vehicle, so likely not much damage at all."

Brown said the streetcar will be back in service as soon as it's inspected by Metro officials.

Ticket price increase...BOO!

Seattle Mariners are raising their ticket prices for the 2008 season. What the hell?





* They turned a tidy profit in 2007
* They signed a new cable contract with Fox Sports that gives them an EXTRA $12 million per year
* They missed the playoffs for the 4th year in a row
* They are making no progress in improving the team in the offseason (other than unloading that steroid lovin' outfielder...)

So in spite of all this, which argues for there not being a valid reason to raise ticket prices, they are doing just that. Some of them by as much as $14 a game!

In 2000, the first full year Safeco Field was in operation, a lower box seat cost $32, so in the case of lower box seats at least, the ticket price has essentially doubled in eight seasons.

The team thinks that the fans should be shouldering some of the cost of improving the team, using that as justification to increase the ticket prices. I say, improve the team and put a winning product on the field, and we the fans will come out in droves, no matter what the cost, to support them!

Wal-Mart cake

OK, so this is how I imagine this conversation went:

Walmart Employee: 'Hello 'dis Walmarts, how can I help you?'

Customer: 'I would like to order a cake for a going away party this week.'

Walmart Employee: 'What you want on the cake?'

Customer: 'Best Wishes Suzanne' and underneath that 'We will miss you'.

How dare they ban Tigger!

I'm glad those uptight school district officials had to cough up $95,000 for their stupidity. Makes me think I need to be wearing more colorful socks to see if I can earn some extra cash....

Suit Over Socks Costs School $95,000

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Officials in a Northern California school district might not think Tiggers are such wonderful things after agreeing to pay $95,000 in lawyers' fees to five families who sued the school over its dress code.

The parents went to court after a student was disciplined for wearing socks with the "Winnie the Pooh" cartoon character Tigger on the first day of school last year.

The district's superintendent said Thursday that the settlement money is for the plaintiffs' lawyers; the district is also on the hook to pay the lawyers it hired.

The settlement also says Redwood Middle School may no longer require students to wear only solid-color clothing.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Adorable baby kitten

His meow is the cutest! Makes me want a little one SOOOOO much, but Nemo would probably kill me in my sleep.

Is it 2009 yet?

I just have to keep telling myself, this bad dream will be over soon....

Not Sure of His Size? Try A Shoppenboy

French Store Offers Male Models to Try on Clothes

If your husband, son or father won't tag along when you want to purchase clothes for him this holiday season, try a Shoppenboy.

French menswear store Celio has launched a way to help shoppers by appointing male models, some with extra large appeal, to help them find exactly the right gift. Now shoppers can choose a man, who dons red boxers, whose body type is most like the man they're buying for. The concept is that the various-sized models help people find the right fit for their purchases.
"It was great because I'm always lost. I never remember the size," said Celio Customer Julie.

The store came up with the Les Shoppenboys concept a year ago, and Celio decided it would seek male volunteers. What began as a joke slowly has taken own its own life, after an online casting received 2,000 submissions.

The men have attracted more than consumers seeking gifts for their husbands and boyfriends. They also have received surprised looks on French sidewalks outside the retailer.
Some men looked uncomfortable, but the women seemed unable to get enough of the average Joe models.

"I think it makes people feel good. It makes other men less self-conscious because we only ever see good-looking men," said Shoppenboy Laurent.
The group now has produced a dance routine, a calendar and has even spun off a few celebrities, like 19-year-old Shoppenboy Hugo, who can be seen posing as Spiderman online in the signature red undies.

Although the men do not want to be taken seriously, some think the gentleman are having an important impact on the male psyche. It's not all about looks. Size matters, too.

My newest plaything - Toyota RAV4

After 13+ years of driving the same old boring Honda Civic hatchback, it was finally time for a new vehicle. I had beat up that old car so much, and it was beginning to show its age.

This time around, I didn't skimp on features. My last car barely came with a horn, but this time I started with the Sport model, and made sure to get one with a moonroof. You drive the same boring beast around for so long, that anything with more buttons than a portable calculator is just fun to drive.

I discovered a new program through Costco....you can buy a car through them! Well, not really through them, but part of your membership is a service where you get a super great deal through a participating dealer.

My biggest hesitation in buying a new car was the actual negotiation. I SUCK at negotiations, which is one huge reason I did so poorly in sales, but this program takes away that part of the transaction. Part of the deal of going through Costco is that you pay a fixed price over the invoice. That's it. No starting at MSRP and working them down to a better number. Start at the invoice, and add a reasonable margin for the dealer.

In the case of the car I bought, that dealer mark-up was only $750. I thought that was more than fair, I actually expected over $1,000, and would not have been surprised if it had been $1,500. So, I was really happy with the $750.

The only drawback to purchasing a car this way is that you have to take whatever is on the lot. You can't go in and design the car of your dreams, have them order it, and then go pick it up when it arrives. Well, you certainly can, but you can't expect to be able to get the Costco program pricing. So, either you make a compromise with yourself on what you find to me a must have and a nice to have in terms of options, or you keep going back to the dealership every few days to see what new deliveries they got since your last visit.

The only option that I didn't get that I thought I wanted was a power driver's side seat. It certainly wasn't a need to have though, and since the price difference would have been about $2,000 to get a model with the power seat, it certainly wasn't worth the extra expense.

I've had it about 3 weeks now, have put all of 700 miles on it, and am loving every minute of it. It's so nice to actually feel safe when driving on the freeway. I'd had too many close calls recently in the Honda that I was starting to feel skittish when getting out there with too many other cars. It's worth the reduced gas mileage to feel safe on the road again.

Company Christmas gift

We had our quarterly employee meeting here at Tune Co. today, and at the end of the meeting our CEO had all of us come up to the front of the room and pick out a red or black bag. Inside was our Christmas present, one of the brand new Zunes! It's all shiny and empty, just waiting for some musical goodness to be installed on it.

Installing the software on my PC has been quite the challenge, but luckily one of my co-workers who is much more tech savvy than I am was having the same problem and we got it all figured out.

Now I just need to find the necessary cable to be able to plug the device into my SUV, and I'll be all set!

The song is not all that great, but the kitty is SOOOOO cute!

The S.L.U.T. is a bitch!

Driving home from work tonight, on the first day of our new $52,000,000 Paul Allen tinker-toy, it became readily apparent that just the mere presence of the streetcar route is going to screw up traffic much more than it is going to help.

The Mercer Mess is already a complete fiasco, and the addition of 2 additional stoplights, one westbound on Mercer, and one eastbound on Valley, is certainly not welcome.

Tonight, I was actually a little bit excited to see the streetcar (the purple one) for the first time, as it waited patiently for the light to change so it could cross the street. The intersection is one way southbound on one side of Mercer, and two-way on the other side. All the other directions of traffic were stopped so that the streetcar could get through the intersection. This by itself is not a big deal. But, the problem came in because no other cars went through the intersection, and the light did not change for another 60 seconds! If you have ever gone along Mercer trying to get to I-5 during the evening commute, you know that every second counts. 60 seconds of traffic not moving at all is the LAST thing you need in that corridor. And that's going to happen every 5 minutes, since it will also happen when the trains cross Westlake to go North.

I'm not impressed with the new streetcar. But I do need to get one of those shirts!

Curious about Seattle streetcar history? Check this out.

Season 4 is on the way!

The diva is coming back for a fourth season, I can hardly wait!!



Kathy Griffin: Fourth 'D-List' season to begin taping, premiere in June

By Christopher Rocchio, 12/11/2007

Fresh of her first Emmy win, comedian Kathy Griffin apparently has nothing to complain about as Bravo is set to begin production on Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List's fourth season.

"Life is good," Griffin told Access Hollywood last week at the GQ Man of the Year awards ceremony. "We are actually starting season four. We are going to actually start taping on New Years Eve and then it will be back in June and hopefully people will like it."

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List won Outstanding Reality Program honors during the 2007 Creative Arts Emmy Awards ceremony in September. She told Jesus to "suck it" during her acceptance speech, sparking outrage from Catholic League president Bill Donohue and causing E! to censor her remarks when it later aired an edited broadcast of the pre-taped ceremony.

Needless to say, the quick-witted comedian told Access Hollywood the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike won't affect My Life on the D-List's production schedule.

"As if my show could ever afford writers to begin with. What writers?" she joked to Access Hollywood. "It's somebody with a camcorder following me into the bathroom. That's what my TV show is."

While Griffin may not use writers for her Bravo reality series, she did sympathize with their standpoint.

"I think the view people need to realize, too... it's really not the writers being whiney," she told Access Hollywood. "It's really these corporations are making so much money from all this Web content and we all see those pop up commercials. So somebody is getting that money, and it is not the writers at this point."

Raise the drinking age

Some people really should know better, especially at his age!

Man drinks liter of vodka at airport line

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
BERLIN -- A man nearly died from alcohol poisoning after quaffing a liter (two pints) of vodka at an airport security check instead of handing it over to comply with new carry-on rules, police said Wednesday.

The incident occurred at the Nuremberg airport on Tuesday, where the 64-year-old man was switching planes on his way home to Dresden from a holiday in Egypt.

New airport rules prohibit passengers from carrying larger quantities of liquid onto planes, and he was told at a security check he would have to either throw out the bottle of vodka or pay a fee to have his carry-on bag checked as cargo.

Instead, he chugged the bottle down - and was quickly unable to stand or otherwise function, police said.

A doctor called to the scene determined he had possibly life-threatening alcohol poisoning, and he was sent to a Nuremberg clinic for treatment.

The man, whose name was not released, is expected to be able to complete his journey home in a few days.

All the cool kids are doing it...

So, it's about time I started a blog too. I'll use this area to toss random commentary on things I find interesting, amusing, or just plain crazy. Let's see if I can keep this up for more than a day or two...

I may even let people get a peek into my personal life while I'm at it.