Below are the most recent 16 friends' journal entries.

Friday, July 18th, 2008
agentmike	10:10p	turtle... I saved a turtle today. Traffic was busy and people were all over the road at one point. Then, with little warning, the car in front of me slammed on his brakes and just sat there. It was at that point I realized that there was something blocking his path. The guy backed up a bit and drove around this turtle. Anyway, I pulled over and got out, walked in front of traffic - everyone stopped - and I picked up the turtle and put him back on the side of the road... about 10 feet off in the bushes. Well, I know a little about turtles. One thing is that when they have something on their mind, that's what they're going to do. Like this fella was bound and determined to cross the road. As I sat back and watched this little guy meander around, he finally made the turn back toward the road... before he entered traffic again, I picked him up and carried him back across the street (4 lanes of traffic). When I set him down, he immediately continued his path on into the distance (away from the road of course). It was pretty cool... So I felt good! (Comment on this)
agentmike	12:58p	rv... This is great! Proposed George W. Bush Sewage Plant makes ballot Thu Jul 17, 8:27 PM ET SAN FRANCISCO - A measure seeking to commemorate President Bush's years in office by slapping his name on a San Francisco sewage plant has qualified for the November ballot. The measure certified Thursday would rename the Oceanside Water Pollution Control Plant the George W. Bush Sewage Plant. Supporters say the idea is to commemorate the mess they claim Bush has left behind by actions such as the war in Iraq. Local Republicans say the plan stinks and they will oppose it. LINK: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080718/ap_on_fe_st/presidential_putdown Drive Thru ATM Accident How To Beat The Claw Machine Current Music: Groove Salad (Comment on this)
agentmike	10:04a	good news... I'm interested in saving money now. Not that I haven't been in the past, but now I'm very interested. In my mind, a game constantly runs about expenditures. For instance, I know how much money it costs me to do specific things such as drive to the shop... costs me about $4 round trip in my new gas efficient vehicle. That cost was over $8 with my 4runner. Other things such as eating at home saves a huge amount. Buying distilled water for $0.89 per gallon is much better - and tastes better - than my old standby Aquafina. I've found that eating less is a generally good practice - and I no longer go out for coffee or stop and get coffee but rather brew my own here at the house. That saves a lot of money too. Link to a great article on Yahoo: http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/105397/Cut-It-Out Buying in bulk helps. And planning all trips helps the most. Anyway, I figured throwing down some thoughts here this morning would help me along in my emerging day. B and I went to several sales this morning but didn't really find anything. The garage sale boom starts up again in October. I'm getting ready for the snowbirds to return. And here's an interesting fact about Gore's global warming hype: http://www.prisonplanet.com/global-warming-conclusively-debunked-as-gore-calls-for-co2-tax.html interesting read... (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 17th, 2008
agentmike	6:21p	peace officer... Here's why people don't like some police officers... Officer Accused Of Threatening Starbucks Managers For Free Coffee Police Lieutenant Failed Polygraph Test, Fired POSTED: 6:38 pm EDT July 16, 2008 UPDATED: 11:12 am EDT July 17, 2008 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A police lieutenant in Daytona Beach was fired over accusations that he threatened slower emergency response times if he was not given complimentary specialty Starbucks coffee drinks. IMAGES: Lt. Major Garvin, Starbucks Images An internal police investigation found that Daytona Lt. Major Garvin received free coffee for about two years from a city Starbucks coffee store. However, when recently denied free coffee from new management, Garvin allegedly told managers that he could change the police department's response time if they refuse to give him complimentary drinks. Garvin is accused of saying, "If something happens, either we can respond really fast or we could respond really slow. I've been coming here for years and I've been getting whatever I want. I'm the difference between you getting a two-minute response time, if you needed a little help, or a 15 minutes response time." However, when confronted about the comments, police said Garvin agreed to take a polygraph test. When asked whether or not he threatened managers with adverse response times, Garvin responded, "no." But polygraph test results suggested that the officer was lying, Local 6's Tarik Minor reported. Garvin was then fired. Starbucks employees said Garvin visited the Starbucks store six times a day during his shifts and intimidated some workers during visits. "I want somebody protecting my streets who is honest and trustworthy," Starbucks customer Adam Cuddy said. "So, if he is going to fail a polygraph, whether it is about coffee or anything, I don't know how comfortable I feel as a citizen being protected." The investigation also revealed that Garvin requested the complimentary coffee even when he was not on duty. Garvin was hired by the department in 1993. Watch Local 6 News for more on this story. Its a shame there are bad apples in the bunch. I had a conversation today with someone about our public servants and the semantics used to describe their job. I hate the police have to deal with dirt bags all day but it shouldn't spill over to the general public. Anyway, my friend Gerry says this of his job, "80 percent of the time I deal with 20% of the public". Yeah, he deals with the undesirables... a tough job to be sure. Just remember, police are public servants. Law enforcement is only part of their job. Current Music: Queens of the Stone Age (Comment on this)
Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
agentmike	12:19p	shot the... Alex Jones' show started off this morning with Bob Marley's "I Shot The Sheriff". He started his show off rambling about the police state once again. I think sometimes he's a bit over-amped but he's got a great view of the world from all that he's read. The IndyMac thing is something that he has been talking about happening for about 2 years now. I'm helping someone with a huge website today. They haven't a clue as to how to update it. Looks like I'll be doing that for him. Sounds like an interesting project... I'm trying to push him onto Ebay as well because his sales will boom their - especially for the space memorabilia he's selling. Good stuff. Oh, and I got the biz cards in for the shop yesterday. They look awesome. As a short update here, I was checking my email and everytime I do, I see news stories via Yahoo! Well, today's topic was Top Ten Places to visit before you die. Its interesting because I really haven't traveled that much considering how much others do... nor am I a great nomad - even though I want to be. So, the places that yahoo! listed as Top Ten, I have visited 8. And again, I don't travel much. Maybe I just got lucky... or maybe Yahoo! doesn't know what they're talking about. Current Music: Alex Jones Radio Show (Comment on this)
Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
agentmike	12:48p	a lie... I don't recall. If you ever have a problem from anyone with anything, just do what our fearless leaders do when they're questioned - just say "I don't recall..." This is aggravating. Read the article posted at the link below: http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=5371986&page=1 Anyway, I got some good stuff at the thrift store this morning. Found a decent Playboy glass mug and a couple cool 8tracks. I have an 8 Track boombox. It is awesome. More to list today. Gotta go... (1 Comment |Comment on this)
Monday, July 14th, 2008
agentmike	7:34a	blah blah... The blah blah... yeah... I've been reading some important news coming from our financial leaders. The entire process is ridiculous because most of the lending going on goes to people who could never afford the loans they're taking out. The banks don't seem to understand that this is a problem - apparently because they're still giving huge loans out. My friend in Orlando was able to purchase a house in this manner. Fortunately though for him, he was able to acquire a job that pays very well and now he can save cash and also overpay his mortgage every month. It could've worked out very bad for him - I'm glad it didn't. Anyway, here's the scoop... this is an article from Bloomberg press with the statement about who's going to be bailed out and who isn't. Paulson Statement on Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae: Full Text July 13 (Bloomberg) -- Following is the text of a statement issued today by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson: Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac play a central role in our housing finance system and must continue to do so in their current form as shareholder-owned companies. Their support for the housing market is particularly important as we work through the current housing correction. GSE debt is held by financial institutions around the world. Its continued strength is important to maintaining confidence and stability in our financial system and our financial markets. Therefore we must take steps to address the current situation as we move to a stronger regulatory structure. In recent days, I have consulted with the Federal Reserve, OFHEO, the SEC, Congressional leaders of both parties and with the two companies to develop a three-part plan for immediate action. The President has asked me to work with Congress to act on this plan immediately. First, as a liquidity backstop, the plan includes a temporary increase in the line of credit the GSEs have with Treasury. Treasury would determine the terms and conditions for accessing the line of credit and the amount to be drawn. Second, to ensure the GSEs have access to sufficient capital to continue to serve their mission, the plan includes temporary authority for Treasury to purchase equity in either of the two GSEs if needed. Use of either the line of credit or the equity investment would carry terms and conditions necessary to protect the taxpayer. Third, to protect the financial system from systemic risk going forward, the plan strengthens the GSE regulatory reform legislation currently moving through Congress by giving the Federal Reserve a consultative role in the new GSE regulator's process for setting capital requirements and other prudential standards. I look forward to working closely with the Congressional leaders to enact this legislation as soon as possible, as one complete package. Last Updated: July 13, 2008 18:00 EDT So, that's about it for this early morning. Lots to do today. More art, more trips to the post office... Current Music: Radiohead (Comment on this)
Sunday, July 13th, 2008
agentmike	5:32p	surf... The surf was good today but unfortunately my classic and ever trusty Hansen has had its last surf. Today, as I caught my first wave, I noticed the board reacting weird. Turns out the board's bottom is starting to delam again like it did 15 years ago. My only option is to retire the board and hang her on the wall... for good. I am now officially in the market for a longboard. I used Marty's Gordon and Smith SurfTech today which rode awesome... I had a couple nice little barrels, noserides, cutbacks and just plain ole' great cruises. So, those boards are a little bit much for my taste as far as prices go but we'll see. I hear there's a great layaway plan on them - I might just check that out. I'm tired and sunburnt now. My woman is making food and I'm about to pull the cookies out of the oven. Hey, at least I can make cookies.... (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 12th, 2008
agentmike	1:22p	depressing... People don't think that America can slide into a depression. Its a depressing fact for me to consider. The general public doesn't read anymore. They don't pay attention. Here's living proof that the depressing side of America is about to raise its ugly head. Notice the headline says "the second" largest. The biggest was in Illinois back in 1984... but then there was also an issue with our fearless leader's brother and Silverado Savings and Loan scandal. Oh yeah... these things happen, but now its on a nationwide scale. Scary... and if people don't get thrifty quick, they're in trouble. Here's the link to the story below: Current Music: Shabba Ranks (Comment on this)
agentmike	8:31a	the dream... I'm typing this from my B's garage sale in Cape Canaveral. It is a nice morning but also very mosquito filled. The surf is still very good but I have no time to partake in the festivities this a.m. because I have to take Tdog to the vet. He's chewing on himself quite a bit. I had a strange and very vivid dream last night. It started - or at least I can remember it starting - with a family reunion scenario. Why this was I have no clue. But it meandered a bit from family member to other folks. It was weird in that really the only other person I can remember was my mother. Everyone else at the reunion was unrecognizable for the most part - though I seemed to know them. Anyway, as it moved on, I remember getting tired and then wanting to change clothes for some reason. There was a room with a tall rack full of clothes and shoes. It was more in the form of a thrift store. I was looking for shoes. Couldn't find any 11 1/2's so I walked around barefoot... and then fell asleep. When I woke up, my mom had left along with other unfamiliar family members. This was a problem. I didn't have a ride though I felt I knew how to get home... ended up hitching a ride with remaining straglers from the 'reunion'. We were riding in some open bed truck... it was weird. Somewhere along the dirt road, I remember looking at my cell phone and only had one bar of battery left and no reception. I was waiting to use the last bit of battery to call my friends... I finally did call my buddies, Jeff and Sam - or at least they showed up. Can't remember. Anyway, as the dream went on, we walked back to the house were the reunion was held. Now there was a gate surrounding the entire place and it was bunkered down in a hillside. This was really weird. To get in, we started climbing the hill next to the front gate... When we got up towards the top, I began feeling sick. The were a couple dogs walking and climbing with us. But then, when the dogs reached the top, they began to disentigrate and fall into this pit on the other side of the hill... since this wasn't a promising omen, we began climbing back down the hill onto the other side of the fence. I was pulling parts of the cliff down as I went... Jeff was getting aggravated by my clumbsy climbing... Sam was already down. We started walking into the house and noticed that the place was like a lab. The walls and floors were white and there were biohazard signs everywhere... it was creepy. Then a Chinese dude peaked his head around the corner and asked us what we were doing there. I told him I was looking or my shoes and needed clothes. He told us to leave. This was all weird. But then, at that point, we were captured by a security detail and the Chinese were hauling us a away, but they were in clean suits - like after a chemical or nuclear spill. Then I saw that most of the place was falling apart from some sort of chemical disaster. We moved along through the gate in the big white truck, in the back with a cage keeping us in. At that same moment, I remember looking across the field and seeing a confederate truck driving across a hill in the distance. Their flag had a date on it, but I couldn't read it. I know it was 20-- something. In our future, but the reason I remembered this is that our future had changed significantly since the confederates in that future has succeeded in seceding from the Union. It was one of the most bizarre dreams I've ever had. Period. Current Music: The Cult (some new song) (Comment on this)
Friday, July 11th, 2008
agentmike	12:58p	the photo... Surf was good this a.m. There weren't that many people out near dawn but the kiddies started coming out of the woodwork soon after... that and the parents that brought their infants out to play in the water. The reason I wince at this crowd is that I'm riding a 10 foot Hansen longboard from 1967. It is my only board after being 'relieved' of my other boards last year during the divorce. I now only feel the need to use the Hansen though. Part is nostalgia as it was my first real longboard and part because I love the board. It has been with me forever - or at least since I was 12. And when you're riding a board of this type - that literally weighs 40 pounds - you can't easily strap it to your leg... especially when the surf has some snap like today. That board could kill a child if I lost it... so I was very careful to continue moving away from the herd of people. That became more and more difficult as the morning drew on. I met a cool guy though out in the water. His name was Jimmy and was in his late 40's, he paddled up to me and asked about my board. We had a good discussion and he told me which airline to fly to Eluthera on (Twin Air). We talked for a while... the waves continued to close out as the tide came around. Soon after, B and I left... feeling good. Yes. I am working now. Sort of... To finish this post off, I won't add another word here - only a picture. Current Music: Alex Jones Radio Show (Comment on this)
Thursday, July 10th, 2008
agentmike	8:44p	ran away... I am at the beach. I am happy. I love the beach... tonight I watched the swell from Bertha roll in. It was nice to see... sort of intoxicating. I was kind of bummed for no reason earlier. I think it was because I always have this high standard for the surf. I had my 10' Hansen in tow and was going to head out but it just didn't look good when I got to the beach tonight. Ended up heading over to B's and waiting her to get back to the house... then we walked over to the beach. We sat and watched the surf roll in for a while and I just watched the waves get better and better. Over an hour had passed from the time I checked the waves and it was getting so much better. It was awesome... So tomorrow morning I'm going back out... and will be surfing. It is going to be a good time . My B will be surfing and she will be watching me from the beach. Hopefully we'll get out there around daybreak. Should be fun. Listening to Jimmy Buffett and watching my lady cook food. It is nice... very nice. (Comment on this)
Monday, July 7th, 2008
agentmike	10:11a	craigs... I'm kind of shocked that someone here locally has taken a picture that I ran on one of my Ebay auctions and used it in their craigslist ad... I reported the ad as spam. The ad was looking for the old OP shorts (just like the ones that I found at a thrift store a while back). The aggravating thing is that they're using my picture to find stuff using my picture. Interesting... The craigslist revolution is about to begin. I will start posting there soon. Here's a new design I came up with the other day. Anyway, lots to do today. Gotta get on it. ps... here's a shot of a crackhead that wanders through the neighborhood every once in a while to trim trees. Here you can barely see (bad cell phone camera) this guy up a tree on his ladder armed with a chainsaw. He has a small four door car, Chevy Cavalier I think, all beat up complete with the ladder on top. At least he's trying to work. Current Music: Alex Jones Sunday Show (Comment on this)
Sunday, July 6th, 2008
artkiver	3:31p	Posted using TxtLJ So my friend Kevin has two extra tickets to see Yaz tomorrow night, I was going to claim one, anyone else interested? (3 Comments |Comment on this)
agentmike	9:34a	couple links... I am grinning ear to ear. Starbucks is closing 600 stores... their gross over-expansion and disgusting gobbling of local businesses is now finally coming to a close it seems. My friends own a coffee shop in Gainesville and I'm sure are equally happy to see this happen to the giant. Paying $5 for a cup of coffee is ridiculous anyway. Here's a link to the article... Also, there's a refreshing story today from Oregon about a guy who just flew his LAWNCHAIR 235 miles across Oregon. I'm very excited to hear about this... in the article, there's a line where his wife is quoted as saying "there's never been a dull moment since we got married" - or something like that. Funny. Here's a link to that article. I thought for a brief moment that this may be an interesting mode for future travel, but then when I read it cost about $6000 in helium to fill the balloons, I rethought that thought. Its still much cheaper to drive. Maybe in 10 years I'll be able to fly my lawn chair from here to the Bahamas. That would be cool. Current Music: Peter Tosh (Comment on this)
Saturday, July 5th, 2008
agentmike	2:33p	less than... I found bargains this morning. A motocross chestplate, a 1966 thermos that's just completely bad ass, a couple cool retro surf tshirts (ebay here they come), a scanner and a nice DVD organizer. All this for under $20 - part from garage sales and part from the thrift store. I'm listening to Less Than Jake now. Good stuff. Its a mix that I have on Seeqpod. Here it is: SeeqPod - Playable Search The day has been nice here. Hope it doesn't rain this afternoon. I'm moving some stuff of B's back over to her house for the impending garage sale next weekend. Should be fun. There's a lot of stuff... and its all going into the back of the truck to its next to final resting place. I've got to do some fiberglass work to a surfboard I have here. Its a 7'6" Spectrum. It will be good for a big-wave board. Hurricane Bertha is only a week away. Here's an image of it... before it comes, the typical surf should be rolling in. I want to teach Barbara to surf in the small waves before the big days. Her roommate just brought his 9foot board back to the house. She wants to learn to surf and I'm a good teacher, hopefully it all goes well! Current Music: Less Than Jake (Comment on this)