There is a great website out there called Craigslist. If you have no idea what it is, it is similar to the classified section of the local newspaper. You can find a job, a car, the local garage sales, even items that people list for free. It is free to post an item for sale, and it is free to connect with the seller on an item you want to buy. The most successful sellers also attach a picture of the item which helps the potential buyer to see the item they wish to purchase. The reason I like this better than the EBay auction site is that all the items are local, and there are no shipping costs. You can either post your phone number or use their cloaking email method which lets potential buyers send you an email without them knowing your actual email address.

I have bought and sold everything from playground equipment for my son, to jukeboxes and even a car. I find myself checking the FREE section almost daily to catch a bargain before it gets away. You know what they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. This week my top 10 list is the cool stuff people give away for free on Craigslist. To check more free stuff, go to www.craigslist.org

1. Hot Tubs. Almost every week, there is someone that is moving and cannot take their jacuzzi with them. Grab a truck, several strong guys, and with the right electrical hookups you could be kicking it in style for free in your back yard.

2. Furniture. Hey college student, you don’t need to spend all of your parent’s hard earned money at the local Ikea store when there are plenty of used couches, chairs, tables and futons for free!

3. Televisions. Now that everyone has made the switch from picture tube t.v.’s to digital flat screens, there are a ton of perfectly good outdated models out there for free. Hook up your gaming system to one, since that is about the only thing they are good for now that the cable companies have all gone digital.

4. Fill dirt. I don’t know where all this fill dirt comes from, but there are atleast 4-5 people everyday that want you to have theirs. If you have big holes that are bothering you, the solution is just a click away.

5. Trees and Plants. I don’t want to put anyone out of business, but if you can do your landscaping for free, make the phone call. It is better to relocate than to dump them in the city landfill.

6. Tools. I think it is great that people will give perfectly good items away rather than just dump them. If you have an extra weed eater, give it to someone who can use it. Don’t just clutter up your garage. Give it to someone else and let them deal with it.

7. Kids toys. If you bought them for your little one, and they don’t use them anymore, give them away to someone who can appreciate them. Remember, you bought them for a reason, so I am sure some other child will like them too. Besides, it is nice to share.

8. Office Supplies. Just because your business failed, don’t blame it all on the equipment. Someone else may be able to use that office desk and actually be productive. Give the stuff a chance to feel the success you have been keeping from it for quite some time.

9. Exercise Equipment. No one uses treadmills or exercise bikes at home. They just become a large piece of furniture to hang clean (or dirty) laundry on. I bet if you own one of these right now, it isn’t even plugged in. You know I am right. They are only effective at the gym, and even there people only use them to scan the room searching out the hotties without looking too creepy. Once again, you know I am right. Still, if it is free, someone will want them.

10. Firewood / Pallets. I love to camp, and I also hate to pay for something that is free. A lot of companies have broken pallets that they chop up for you. All you need to do is drive by with your truck and load up. It is a great symbiotic relationship. They want the wood gone, and you get free wood for your fire pit. Win - Win !

Use Craigslist correctly, and everyone benefits. There are a lot of scammers out there, so read and play by the rules. Don’t mail anything to anyone out of town. Ask questions prior to meeting the individual, and bring a friend with you when you go for the exchange. The other thing to remember is most transactions are on a cash basis and sales are final. If you are buying an iPod for 20 bucks, it is probably broken or stolen. There are a lot of good people out there, they just have too much stuff. I say, go out there and get it!

Popularity: 6% [?]

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching, and with the impending holiday comes a few challenges. How big of a turkey do you need? Do you use an oven bag, or just a roasting pan? Do you make that green bean casserole even though no one but your crazy Uncle Joe eats it? And the biggest decision of all – Who has to be the one adult that sits at the kid’s table?
Don’t get me wrong, I love Thanksgiving and I love to eat turkey. I like the day after almost as much, with cold turkey sandwiches made with real mayonnaise, not Miracle Whip. I love visiting with my relatives, in-laws, and invited guests. It seems like this is the official start to the Holiday Season. It doesn’t matter what religion you practice, there is just something in the air that changes your mood and makes you want to hug someone. And it also makes you want to eat. Not just a meal, not just because it is lunch or dinner time, but it is time to eat things you only eat once or twice a year. Here is my list of Holiday Favorites that for some reason I only eat during this time of the year.
1. Turkey. I don’t know why we don’t cook a turkey other than twice a year. Are they only in season after October? I don’t know.
2. Oven baked rolls. I love them, either white or wheat, but definitely fresh out of the oven and covered with gravy.
3. Stuffing. The commercials for Stove Top Stuffing are great, but for some reason we stick with potatoes the other 364 days of the year. Even better, pour gravy over the stuffing while you are at it.
4. Pie. Apple pie, pumpkin pie, pecan pie, heck I even like mince meat pie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and that rum sauce poured on top (it is almost like covering it in gravy!). If you like pumpkin pie, my tip to you is to go to CoCo’s Restaurant and pick up one of their Harvest Pies. It is a variation of a traditional pumpkin pie, with the bottom half being pumpkin, the top half pumpkin chiffon. Once you try this, you will never want just plain pumpkin again.
5. Green bean casserole. The one with the fried onions on top. I don’t like it, but my wife swears by it, so it makes the list. She is the boss of me. Deal with it and move on to #6.
6. Olives. We used to only have the black pitted ones so you can put one on each finger and eat them one at a time. Now we have moved on to the stuffed ones, with garlic or jalapenos in the center. Yum!
7. Cranberry sauce. There is always a minor debate of which is better, the one with whole cranberries or the jellied, gelatinous cylindrical goop that holds its form from the can. We buy both just in case.
8. Nuts. We buy the mixed bag and let everyone pick their favorites. Walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, and those dark brown ones that look like orange wedges. Half the fun is busting them up with the nut crackers.
9. Eggnog. You can drink it plain, or sprinkle nutmeg on top. For adults, mix in a little rum or brandy and you can make it through the evening with a house full of people you only invite over a couple of times a year.
10. Holiday cookies / sweets. My grandmother was Norwegian, and she would bake a variety of cookies, fudge, and rum balls that would make a diabetic fall into a coma. Fortunately she passed on both a love for these traditions and the recipe books to make them. I have my son help to make them now, so the tradition lives on.
I hope you enjoy this list, and I also wish you all a happy holiday season. Don’t forget the most important part of this season: everything is good in moderation. And if you overindulge, the local gym is counting on you to sign up in January anyway. Look for the specials to be popping up soon. Seasons Greetings!

Popularity: 8% [?]

I spent the weekend with my family camping in the desert, and we had the best time not really doing much but relaxing. We went for walks, carved pumpkins into jack-o-lanterns, and stared into the star filled sky. My five year old was so excited, as this was the first year he got to carve his own pumpkin (with the assistance of my wife) and he did a great job. Watching him with pride, I thought of all the things my parents taught me through the years, and all the classic “My Dad always said”
quotes that helped to shape my parenting skills. The following is the Top 10 List of things my Dad always said, with brief explainations.

1. When you buy the best, you only cry once. Although my father was very thrifty, and always looked for a bargain, on high priced items, it pays to spend a little more and get the best product available.

2. There are only 2 kinds of people who drive in the fast lane - the kind that write tickets, and the kind that get the tickets. I usually got this lecture right before going to court or after telling my dad that I finished my day at traffic school to keep it off my record.

3. You kids today, have champagne taste on a beer pocketbook. I understand the premise, we want the things we can’t really afford. But I never liked champagne, and I never used a pocketbook. Still, I think I heard this quote at least a hundred times before I moved out to realize he was right. I still don’t like champagne though.

4. As long as you are living under my roof, you will follow my rules. Not knowing how effective this rule was as a teen, as an adult I have a greater appreciation for it. I never argued or questioned my father, or his rules. I knew there were consequences for my actions, and I acted accordingly. If I thought my way was better, I could always move out and make my own rules. When I moved out I was ready to do so. This one rule prepared me for life, and for that I am grateful.

5. If you don’t quit crying, I’ll give you something to cry about. This one just doesn’t make any sense to me, because if I was crying, I already had something to cry about. Spanking doesn’t make me want to cry less, I think that would just add to the issue. Still, I think the whole idea of just threatening a spanking was enough to make most children try hard to stop crying. I can’t say that this is one of the things I will use with my own child.

6. If you want something bad enough, you will save for it. My dad wasn’t one to use credit cards. He actually was proud of the fact that he never wrote a bad check, and never paid a finance charge. This is almost unheard of in today’s troubled economy. It did teach me the value of a dollar, and the difference between wants and needs. I also think it taught me to take care of my things, and it is better to want the things I have than to have the things I want.

7. A man is only as good as his word. My dad grew up doing business with a hand shake instead of a written contract. When you told someone you would do something, you did it. No excuses, no backing out, and nothing done half-assed. I believe this to be true, and I have tried to follow in my father’s footsteps in regards to the way I lead my life. I want people to trust me, believe in me, and respect me. More importantly, I have to believe in myself first. Being trustworthy is a great trait.

8. Any job worth doing is a job worth doing well. Take pride in your work, your work ethic, and finish the job you started. I think this one may have had a negative effect on me in the long term. I tend to think that I must keep working on a project longer than I should because I could do better. I am never satisfied with the end result because I run out of time before a deadline. This does encourage me to strive to achieve my goals, and make my work more valuable. Thanks for the push, Dad.

9. Measure twice, cut once. This is more of a construction rule, but the idea is that sometimes we are in a rush to do a job, and we make mistakes. Make your measurement, check it, and then proceed to make the cut. Be efficient, and you get more done. I have found myself using this quote in a number of different situations, from teaching employees to check their work before turning it in, to home projects that I want to finish with fewer trips to Home Depot due to my miscalculations.

10. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. The only dumb question is the one that was never asked. I learned this one the hard way. Thinking I would be helping my dad by mowing,edging, and fertilizing the yard one summer, I did all of this while he was out shopping on Saturday morning when I was 15 years old. The mowing and edging was easy, I did it each week. I have seen my dad use the fertilizer spreader many times, but I didn’t know it had different levels on it. I just loaded it up with a whole bag of fertilizer, and off I went. Needless to say, I put about 10 times the amount of fertilizer on the lawn, which would cause the lawn to burn. My dad got home and was furious with me. I got the lecture of a life time on not knowing what I was doing, using the instructions for things I knew nothing about, etc. Then I got the follow up attempt at a mild thank you for my efforts, but you shouldn’t be afraid to ask for help. All I could muster from behind my curtain of tears was “I know now.”  Lesson learned.

My dad was an elementary school teacher his whole life. He taught his four children well, and prepared us to face the world head on. He had a far more difficult upbringing than what we faced, and I think he wanted us to struggle a little so we would appreciate what we have a little more. He was hard on us, but that made us stronger. We always knew that he loved us and supported us 100%. This I will definitely pass on to my son. I hope you can find the humor and life lessions in this list. Feel free to share them with your family and friends, that would make my dad happy.

Popularity: 21% [?]

Today, I began my morning driving by the little league field on Westmore Drive. There, huddled together in the corner of the dirt parking area were no less than 12 abandoned shopping carts. Some were full of fallen oak leaves, others were filled with discarded newspapers and trash. As I loaded them into the back of my truck to return them to their rightful owners, I wondered who was at fault for this blight on our community. Is it the store owners and managers for not controlling their property? Is it the homeless that use them for transporting their personal belongings from safe place to place? Or is it the uninformed individuals that think it is alright to use the carts to take their groceries to the bus stop and just leave the carts there for some one else to come and pick them up?

It seems to me that a lot of residents are not happy with the misuse of the carts, but no one really has an idea of how to stop it from continuing. The store owners can’t or won’t prosecute violators, since in essence they are their customers. There is actually a group that will come out and pick up the carts when you call their number, but they only retrieve carts that participate in their program which pays them to return the abandoned carts. Not all stores participate. Should there be fines imposed for violators? Who should be held responsible, the stores that provide the carts to their customers or the people who take them off of the store’s property? Sorry about the rant, but this is a major concern, and I for one would like to see something done about this. So the Top 10 list for today will be the ten common courtesies we most often violate.

1. Taking shopping carts away from the store’s property. They are there for you to use while you shop, then to load your car with your purchases. If you don’t have a vehicle, you should provide your own method to get your groceries home. You should also have the common courtesy to return the carts to the nearest cart rack in the parking lot. Don’t block a parking space because you are too lazy to walk 30 feet to put it back.

2. Don’t snack on food that you have not purchased in the grocery store. Especially if there are bulk bins that you fill your own container. If everyone takes a few as a sample, the loss is then passed on to the consumer. Not to mention the sanitary issues.

3. Let someone in when two lanes merge into one. I know you are in a hurry. I am too. We all know that the lanes are going to merge, just follow the example of the car ahead of you and when it is your turn, let the next guy in. It is also nice to acknowledge this act of kindness with the courtesy wave of thanks. Now you both get to continue to sit in traffic, but at least you are in a better mood.

4. Open the door for someone else. If you are going in and you see someone behind you, stop and hold the door open for them. In return, they should let you go ahead of them in line since you were there first. It is customary to hold it for the next person, then they take over for those behind them. There is a difference between being courteous and being taken for granted. Just because you have good manners doesn’t mean you have to be stuck holding the door for everyone in line.

5. Turn off your cell phone while with friends in public places. Have we all lost our minds when it comes to using cell phones in public? No, it is not alright to talk to your friends while in line at the Home Depot. Your time is no more important than mine is to me. If you are out with friends to a restaurant, let the mailbox get your message and return the call after you are finished. Have a little respect for the people you are with. Have a little more for those around you that don’t want to hear about your private life while waiting to pay for their things in line.

6. If you have to chew gum, please keep it in your mouth. No one likes to watch you chew like a cow (ever see Britney Spears talk in public?) and when you are done, don’t discard it onto the ground or under a table. If you have ever worked in a restaurant, and cleaning the bottom of chairs and tables was your side work, you know what I am talking about.

7. Don’t litter. That should be enough said, but I will expand on this just a bit. Anyone who grew up in the 70’s can remember the image of the American Indian sitting on a horse looking at the littered country side with a single tear falling down his cheek. Still, every day people toss candy wrappers, cigarette butts, orange peels, and more out of their car windows and think the wind magically makes them disappear. It doesn’t.

8. Don’t boo the opposing team, and watch your language in public. Most often these two go hand in hand at sporting events. I am all for rooting for your team, but if the other guys make a great play, it won’t hurt you to acknowledge it. High five the fan rooting for the other team. Friendly rivalries are a lot better than the hate fests that turn into brawls. Also, watch the foul language. Most kids hear these words from their parents, that is why they say when the child curses, slap the parent.

9. If you are a smoker, that is your choice. Be considerate of others and try to avoid blowing smoke in the direction of others. Smoke only in designated areas, and use ashtrays or receptacles to get rid of your butts. The ground is not your ashtray.

10. Try to say Please and Thank You every chance you get. Smile, and say hello to one another. I used to teach the 3 foot rule to my employees. If you are within 3 feet of someone, you should smile, make eye contact, and say hello or have a nice day. It doesn’t cost you anything, and the rewards you get are ten-fold.

That is my list, and I hope you agree with some of them. Use it as a quick reminder, or a tool to teach your kids. Respect goes a long way, but first you must respect yourself. I have a simple rule that I live by, and that is this: Every day when you wake up, you can choose to have a great day or not. It is up to you. I’m not saying nothing bad will happen, but you can deal with it. If you put yourself in a positive mindframe, having a great day is easy. Now just go out and do it.

Popularity: 16% [?]

Halloween is upon us! I just love this time of the year. As a kid, you know how much fun trick-or-treating is, and as a teen you look forward to going to the haunted houses and getting scared as you turn each corner. Then you get a little older, and it is off to the bars and clubs to enter (or watch) the costume contests. After that, if you are fortunate enough to have children, you get to start all over and take your little one out to trick-or-treat and re-live your entire childhood splendor.
This week’s Top 10 list is the things you should do during the month of October.

1. Carve a pumpkin. This is easy to do, and through the years many advances have made this age old tradition even easier to do. I buy the carving kits at Target, Wal-mart, or Michael’s. They have great stencils and precision carving tools to get the job done. My family and friends even have a competition with awards for each style of jack-o-lantern.

2. Decorate the house, inside and out. This really gets you into the spirit. We have window clings that are easy to set up and take down. There are tons of great decorations, and the best deals of the season are the day after Halloween. We get a lot of stuff then, and pack them away for the next year.

3. Take the kids to a kid friendly haunted house. In our area, the Monster Manor runs a Frite Lite Pirates’ Landing which is specially designed not to scare the little ones, but they still get to walk through the maze and look for pirate treasure. This is for toddlers to pre-teens, and fun for the whole family.

4. Go to a local pumpkin farm and pick out your own pumpkin to carve. We go to the one in Lakeside each year, and have a great time walking through the corn maze, petting the animals, jumping on a flatbed truck and having a hayride, and then we pick a huge pumpkin. It is a great family tradition.

5. Have a Halloween party. This could be for the kids or adults, with a costume contest, bobbing for apples, or fun contests to keep everyone entertained. There are tons of Halloween themed CD’s that have all the scary and fun music for your monster bash. Party City has everything you need to pull this off in style.

6. Make a trip to Disneyland / California Adventure if you have little ones, or Knott’s Scary Farm for their annual scream fest. These theme parks go to great lengths to transform their normal rides and activities into must-see entertainment each year. Disneyland is recommended for pre-teens and younger, while your teenagers to young adults will love Knott’s Berry Farm, or Knott’s Scary Farm as it is transformed into each October.

7. Check with your local schools for the Halloween Carnivals and parades that they run. These are great ways to raise much needed money for the schools, and it is fun to see the neighborhood kids having a great time. We know they all need the support.

8. How could I forget Oktoberfest! For those adults that love beer (of which I am definitely qualified) several communities hold Oktoberfest festivals, with great food and beer, entertainment, and parades. Check out the website for a list of events that are near you.

9. Watch the classic movies to get you into the spirit. Personally, It’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown is my favorite. There is also something about the classic Halloween that just scares you every time. That is R rated, and not suitable for all ages. Check your local listings the week prior to Halloween for your favorites.

10. Take your kids trick-or-treating. I used to think it was more fun to stay home and hand out candy to the trick-or-treaters, while my wife went with the kids around the neighborhood. Now I love not only watching how much fun my son has, but also meeting my neighbors that I wave to as I drive by but don’t even know their names. Through the years, we all look forward to Halloween, and sharing this time with our kids. Have a safe & fun Halloween!

Popularity: 18% [?]

This past weekend was a great one. I spent some quality time with my wife and son, and we enjoyed the Miramar Air Show that had our windows rattling and all the car alarms going off in the neighborhood. Although we didn’t make it out to the Air show, the planes were so close I felt we could almost reach out and touch them. Now I am back to work, and I wish I had taken the family out to see the Air Show up close. This gave me the inspiration for today’s Top 10 list. Here are the Top 10 events not to miss in San Diego.

1. The World Famous San Diego Zoo. We have one of the best Zoos in the world. If you go, spend all day. Take the bus tour, enjoy the shows, walk around. Just don’t stand too close to the monkeys, they sometimes fling stuff at you.

2. Sea World. Anheuser Busch runs it now, and they have added several rides and features which make this a definite place to go for the whole family, no matter what ages your kids are. During summertime, the fireworks show and evening shows are awesome. In the early months of the year, buy a passport which gets you in free all year for the one day admission price.

3. Go to Petco Park and watch the Padres. They had a tough season, but as we lifetime San Diego fans say, “There is always next year!”  The ballpark is state of the art, and tickets are affordable. Ride in on the Trolley, and the experience is unbelievable. Go public transit!

4. Go to the Stadium and watch the Chargers. As time is running out on the stadium, this could be the last time you can see the Chargers until a new stadium is built or the team is relocated. Could they become the Chula Vista Chargers?  Anything but the L.A. Chargers. I couldn’t stand that.

5. Take the ferry from the Embarcadero to Coronado. It is only a short ride, but a fun one. Walk around the many shops, restaurants, and enjoy the waterfront walkway for either a fun family day, or a nice romantic stroll. Going all out on date night? I recommend Pehoe’s for dinner. The food and waterfront view is incredible.

6. Volunteer or participate in one of the many outdoor events. San Diego is host to the Susan G. Komen 3-day walk for breast cancer research, the San Diego Rock-N-Roll marathon, Street Scene, and many local community events like our very own Mira Mesa Street Fair. These events are not only entertaining, but many of them raise much needed funds to support their non-profit organizations that help our communities.

7. Lego Land. I have a 5 year old, and this boy loves legos! They have some of the coolest lego displays, fun rides for kids of all ages, and entertaining shows. As with most of the major attractions in San Diego, discount coupons are usually available and season passes are recommended if you just want to go for short visits and avoid the crowds.

8. San Diego Wild Animal Park. Although it is affiliated with the San Diego Zoo, the two experiences are totally different. You can get up close and personal with the wildlife at the Wild Animal Park, with guided tours and interactive shows. The lorikeets exhibit is one thing you must do. You purchase nector that these birds will drink right out of your hand. They fly right to you, and I have had 6 different birds on me at one time. Bring your camera for spectacular pictures.

9. Balboa Park. There is so much to do at Balboa Park. The Space Museum, Natural History Museum, ride the Carousel and much more. As a public service, most Park organizations offer free admission on a rotating basis throughout the month.

10. Miramar Air Show. While most of the Mira Mesa Residents can see most of the Air Show from their back yards or roof tops, there is nothing like seeing these planes up close. Admission is free, but they also have premium packages available with superior viewing and accommodations. If you missed it this year, make plans to see them next year. You won’t be disappointed.

We are very lucky to live in America’s Finest City. There are so many things to do right in our own backyard. Now it is up to you, just get out there and do it!

Popularity: 19% [?]

We had a booth at the Mira Mesa Street Fair on Saturday, and if you came by you noticed the prize wheel we had out which attracted quite a bit of attention. Prizes were donated by our local
HEROES organization, Mesa Builders, the Mira Mesa Chamber of Commerce, Callahan’s Pub & Brewery, and Mira Mesa.Com. We met a lot of our neighbors, and handed out toys, small tools, gift cards, candy and ice cold water bottles to anyone who took a spin at the wheel. I must say for the large part, people were very nice, friendly, and thankful (especially for the cold water on such a hot day) but there were a few that just lacked good manners. Rather than focus on the negative side to this behavior, I would like to make this week’s Top 10 list good manners we should all teach our children, and hopefully use ourselves every day.

1. Say “THANK YOU” after someone offers you something, or “NO THANK YOU” if you decline the offer.

2. Always be polite, and use the word “PLEASE” which goes a long way, and doesn’t cost you anything.

3. Be considerate of others while on your phone, since no one wants to hear your conversation other than the person on the other end of the phone. Excuse yourself if you feel the need to continue a phone conversation while conversing with others.

4. Show interest in the topic and person you are talking to, give eye contact, and never interrupt. Think about it. You don’t like talking to someone who doesn’t listen or always interrupts you, do you?

5. Take turns. It is important to teach your kids that they will make more friends if they are good playmates, and this involves sharing and taking turns.

6. Be a good sport. Although most kids like to win, no one likes a poor loser or a gloating winner. Be a good sport no matter where you finish in the game. This lesson goes farther as you become an adult.

7. Be kind to others. Teaching your child to care for others, people and animals, will make them a better person and also builds character. Start when they are young, and build the foundation for what they will become.

8. Be on time. This teaches accountability and responsibility. It shows disrespect when you are constantly late, as this subconsciously tells the host that their time is not as important as your time is. Don’t arrive too early either, as they may not be ready for you until the scheduled time. And don’t stay too late, as this makes for an uncomfortable situation when guests overstay their welcome.

9. Remember the golden rule, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” It’s never a good thing to put people down or make fun of them as many people have feelings that could be hurt easily.

10. Whenever eating out or eating at home, it’s always good to practice good table manners, such as not talking with your mouth full or belching at the table. When at a dinner or party, do not eat until the host/hostess is seated.

There are hundreds of things that could be included here, but this is a good list to start with. One of my favorite expressions is “When the child curses, slap the parent.”  This is so true. We often wonder where our kids hear curse words, when in fact the hear them directly from their parents.
Watch what you say in front of your kids, and try to lead by example by following these good manners and you will raise a child to be proud of. Thank you for reading this article, and please feel free to leave your comments as well. And to all those that took prizes on Saturday without saying Thank You… You Are Welcome!

Popularity: 18% [?]

Is it just me or are you all sick of the political mudslinging going on at Presidential Campaign Headquarters on both sides of the fence? It is hard to believe anything that either one is saying about the other. Didn’t they both begin their campaigns by saying they were going to take the high road and not run smear campaigns? The bigger question here is, how am I going to segue into a new top 10 list? For starters, I am not going to choose sides. I would rather shift the light onto laughter and a comedic view of politics as a whole. Here are my Top 10 favorite political quotes:

1. “I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket
and trying to lift himself up by the handle.” - Winston Churchill

2. “Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner.” - James Bovard

3. “A government which robs Peter to pay Paul can always depend on the support of Paul.”
- George Bernard Shaw

4. “Foreign aid might be defined as a transfer of money from poor people in rich countries to rich people in poor countries. - Douglas Casey

5. “Giving money and power to government is like giving whiskey and car keys to teenage boys.”
- P.J. O’Rourke

6. “Government is the great fiction, through which everybody endeavors to live at the expense of everybody else.” - Frederic Bastiat

7. “Government’s view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” - Ronald Reagan

8. “I don’t make jokes… I just watch the government and report the facts.” - Will Rogers

9. “If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it costs when it’s free!”
- P.J. O’Rourke

10. “Just because you do not take an interest in politics doesn’t mean politics won’t take an interest in you!” - Pericles (430 B.C.)

There should be a seperate column just for Dan Quayle quotes. Here are some of my favorites listed as honerable mention.

“If we don’t succeed, we run the risk of failure.”

“We are ready for an unforseen event that may or may not occur.”

“It isn’t pollution that’s harming the environment. It’s the impurities in our air and water that are doing it.”

“I love California. I practically grew up in Phoenix.”

“The loss of life will be irreplaceable.”

“I was recently on a tour of Latin America, and the only regret I have is that I didn’t study my Latin harder in school so I could converse with those people.”

“What a waste it is to lose one’s mind. Or not to have a mind is being very wasteful. How true that is.”

“I stand by all the misstatements that I’ve made.”

Ánd just remember, he was our 44th Vice President. Who would have thunk it?

Popularity: 17% [?]

If you haven’t seen the opening skit that was on Saturday Night Live this weekend, you missed one of the best of all time. Tina Fey came back to reunite with Amy Poehler, and they took the political podium as Sarah Palin and Hillary Clinton. To watch the whole skit,  click the “play” button below, then check out my list of Top 10 Saturday Night Live Cast Members.

1. John Belushi - Killer Bees, Samurai Futaba, Jake Blues of the Blues Brothers, Olympia Cafe (cheese burga, cheese burga) and many more.

2. Bill Murray - Nick the Lounge Singer, Nerd Todd Dilamuca, Olympia Cafe

3. Eddie Murphy - Velvet Jones, Gumby, Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood, Buckwheat, James Brown Celebrity Hot Tub Party

4. Gilda Radner - Baba Wawa, Roseanne Rosannadanna, Judy Miller, Emily Litella (hard of hearing lady on weekend update that ended each bit with “Never mind”

5. Phil Hartman - Unfrozen Caveman Lawyer, Frank Sinatra, Charlton Heston, Frankenstein, Ronald Regan, Bill Clinton

6. Chris Farley - Host of the Chris Farley Show (remember when …. That was awesome!), Matt Foley Motivational Speaker, Chippendale’s Dancer w/ Patrick Swayze

7. Mike Meyers - Wayne Campbell of Wayne’s World, Dieter, Simon ( do you want to see my drawrings?), Linda Richman (Barbara is like budda)

8. Darrell Hammond - Sean Connery from Celebrity Jeopardy, Bill Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Donald Trump, Al Gore, Regis Philbin

9.Dan Aykroyd - Beldar Cone Head, Olympia Cafe Cook, Elwood Blues, Pitchman for Bass-O-Matic, Fred Garvin - Male Prostitute, Point - Counterpoint with Jane Curtain

10. Dana Carvey - The Church Lady, Hanz from Hanz & Franz, Garth Algar from Wayne’s World, Ross Perot, George H.W. Bush

This was my list of favorites. I know there were many more, and most would consider the original “Not Ready for Prime Time” cast the best, but these actors / comedians would consistantly out shine their cast members. What are your favorites and the characters that made them famous?

Popularity: 22% [?]

Top 10 Laws of Golf

I had a fun weekend with my family and friends, and the only down side was the Chargers loss in the final 2 seconds of the game. Now it is back to work, so of course I am thinking about next weekend, and how much I would enjoy a round of golf. This has inspired me to make this week’s top 10 list about the laws of golf. Although none of these are actually in the rule book, if you golf they are sure to apply to your game.

1. Your best round of golf will be followed almost immediately by your worst round ever. The probability of the latter increases with the number of people you tell about the former.

2. Brand-new golf balls are water-magnetic. Though this cannot be proven in a lab, it is a known fact that the more expensive the golf ball, the greater its attraction to water.

3. The higher a golfer’s handicap, the more qualified he deems himself as an instructor.

4. Every par-3 hole in the world has a secret desire to humiliate golfers. The shorter the hole, the greater its desire.

5. Trees eat golf balls.

6. Sand is alive. If it isn’t, how do you explain the way it works against you?

7. Golf carts always run out of juice at the farthest point from the clubhouse.

8. The person you would most hate to lose to will always be the one who beats you.

9. The last three holes of a round will automatically adjust your score to what it really should be.

10. The player most insistant upon betting is also the worst golfer in the group. Coincidentally, they are also the player to change out of their golf gear, race to their car, and fail to pay their debt to the winner.

Popularity: 19% [?]