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Merry Christmas
December 26, 2006Hope you all received something from Santa you really wanted this year.
Since this is my last Christmas as just a guy, not a dad, or when the good presents stop, I'll let you know a little of what I got.
The best gift was a camcorder. It's basically a "be able to record baby moments" gift, but its awesome, so no complaints.
I got some cool threads and some kicking socks - thanks mom. I also got Talladega Nights. Probably one of the films of the year.
I'll be disappointed if Ferrell doesn't get an Oscar.
Anyways here's your forum to list the coolest, worst and gift you wish you'd gotten list:
Have at it with the replies. I promise I'll publish them all in line with good taste. I don't feel like getting fired any time soon.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Awesome charity
December 20, 2006I saw one of the most humane and sincere events this past Sunday.
As I was going to the base to watch a day's worth of football I stopped at the main gate entrance.
And as usual a man was selling the Sunday paper.
And I don't know why but it always seems like the people with the hardest luck end up selling the Sunday paper.
Half the time they don't look like they've bathed in a week, but the are willing to risks about as much as a mailman to sell you a Sunday paper.
Anyways, as the guy was paying for his paper, I wasn't really paying too much attention as the money exchanged hands, but I was a single bill, no coins, so I figured the guy was at least going to get some change.
Then I said to myself, "self that guy just gave him a Christmas tip. What an awesome dude."
I didn't really care how much, but just a tip to those guys, especially before Christmas is amazing thing to do.
As I was driving away, I looked at the newspaper salesman's hand and I saw a $20 bill. "Holy cow" is the only words I could think of next.
And if the person who just so happened to give a newspaper salesman a $18.50 tip for a $1.50 product did something almost heroic. I'm sure they guy you gave it to appreciated it, and I appreciate it.
I'm only guessing it was a military member, just because he was so close to the base. So, thanks to the local military for supporting the community, especially for your support to the ones who need it the most.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 05:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Outaw trial
December 15, 2006In the past 3 days I have sat through 21 hours of the trial Byron Outlaw.
It was my first official trial story I was responsible for covering, and the charge Outlaw was sentenced and found guilty of was murder.
It was an emotional rollercoaster. For a second I though he was guilty, for a second I knew he was innocent and for the majority of the other times I didn't know what to think.
I listened to about 16 witness, cops and criminals, tell their side of the story and how it would impact the jury's decision.
I sat there and watched Ervin Flint Jr.'s grandmother gasp as the pictures of her dead grandson were put on the overhead for the jury to see.
Flint is the young man Outlaw was found guilty of murdering.
I heard Outlaw's mom and step dad completely upset with the entire situation. From the beginning of the trial to the end, Outlaw's step dad was there.
My heart goes out to him. My heart goes out to everyone involved with that trial. From the judge down to the jury, to the family members involved, I can only try to imagine what they were going through.
I'm sure for the judge it must be pretty routine, but telling a man he is sentenced to life in prison can't be the easiest job in the world.
During the jury's deliberation, when they were trying to come to a guilty verdict, I prayed. I really didn't know what else to do. I asked for forgiveness for anyone who needed it. I prayed for all the hearts in the room, including Outlaw.
Outlaw has two, little twin daughters. I definitely prayed for them. Outlaw won't be eligible for parole until he is 55-years old.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Don't eat the pork
December 08, 2006I just finished reading, alright, almost finished reading one of the most insightful and probably the most graphic stories that I've ever read.
In the newest Rolling Stone magazine — the one with Snoop Dogg on the cover — writer Jeff Tietz addresses the problems and waste of the Smithfield Foods company.
And to quote Tietz, blame it on hog crap.
Smithfield Foods is in the pork processing business. And it looks to be the most profitable pork processing business in the history of pork processing businesses.
Last year the business killed 27 million hogs. And a slaughtered hog weighs about 250 lbs. This quote is long but important so bare with me.
"The logistical challenge of processing that many pigs each year is roughly equivalent to butchering and boxing the entire human populations of New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, San Jose, Detroit, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, San Francisco, Columbus, Austin, Memphis, Baltimore, Fort Worth, Charlotte, El Paso, Milwaukee, Seattle, Boston, Denver, Louisville, Washington, D.C., Nashville, Las Vegas, Portland, Oklahoma City and Tucson."
(I now have a keyboard typing cramp). What an astonishing quote. Think of all the dead bodies....but in the world of pork processing, think about the actual crap that goes along with it.
In on Smithfield hog farm, in Utah, the 500,000 pigs there produce more crap each year than the 1.5 million Manhattan residents. So the total weight for all of Smithfield’s farms is about 26 million tons a year. That's a lot of crap.
And for the people living around, working around or those who are somehow involved with that area — are slowly dying — but on a faster scale from all of the fecal matter’s chemicals produced.
There is just too much information to digest, and I'll base this off the number of responses. However many people post to this asking for more, that's what I'll do. If you want to learn about Pig crap, post. Or you could just pony up $4 and buy a new Rolling Stone magazine, the one with Snoop Dogg on the cover.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Jon Stewart in 08
December 06, 2006I've seen the T-Shirts supporting a potential presidential nomination and to some extent I actually agree.
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert might have the two best shows on television. The "Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report" should be up there with the likes of most other actual "news" shows.
They keep it fresh and interesting daily, or when they actually run a new air, but they maintain their stance regardless - being funny.
You can actually get your news from those two shoes. They are skewed a little, but you should be able to get the gist of it in no time.
People might scoff at the fact that you get your news from a Comedy Central program, but forget those guys.
They probably get their news from local networks, or from the continuous car chase coverage of MSNBC.
I don't get it, and I don't think they do either.
And its not like either Stewart or Colbert old back any punches. They stick it to everyone who needs a good sticking.
Watch tonight and see for yourself. There are no guarantees it will be new, but what do ya got to lose?
And for those truly worthy followers, here's the link to get the gear:
Oh yeah, that site might just be the best site for the funniest t-shirts on the net. Have fun.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
How much?
December 05, 2006How much is too much when you go Christmas shopping?
Do you want the extravagant gift, or do you want to give the extravagant gift.
I don't know why, but I always got way more pleasure out of giving someone close a really nice gift, opposed to getting one.
It was always a catch 22.
I figure for the significant other; spend as much as you reasonably can. Set the budget and stick to it, and only in case of emergency should someone go over that amount.
And make sure you get something they actually like. If you have actually paid attention to your loved one, then getting a gift should be no problem.
I went a tad overboard with my gift, I think this year for the family's budget, but my wife's worth every penny. I'm usually a jerk for most of the year, so this is my way to show my gratitude.
Here are some general rules to follow if you don't already know.
Moms, don't get dad a tie unless he really loves ties and to dress up and only if the tie is a nice one or something along those lines.
Dads, don't get mom anything they can use to clean or exercise with. Just bite the bullet and go into the shopping season each year with the idea that the gift should re-win your brides heart. It sounds sappy, but that's how a marriage should work in my estimation.
Gifts to moms and dads - I really have no idea. For me, I could get my dad a CD and he would love it. But my mom is a completely different story. I could buy her the moon and every Christmas she always has the same, I'm not happy unless I made you happy face. Win, lose or draw, it doesn't really matter with my mom. She's the type to make sure you get what you want. It's just tough to not be able to see her face light up Christmas.
Friends to friends: Don't go overboard. You might not be friends that much longer if you do. And if a friend says "don't get me a present, because it makes me feel like I have to get you a present"...then don't do it.
I have a friend that said that to me. He's not the first one, and I'm guessing he won't be the last.
Kids should be easy enough. Just don't disappoint and forget the batteries.
And the whole "when-to-reveal-Santa" thing will just have to wait for me.....
Posted by Clayton Hein at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
To Stache or not to Stache
December 01, 2006The moustache, I pinning it all on Charlotte Bobcats Adam Morrison, is making a comeback. I'm not sure I'm supposed to spoil stuff like this or not, but Sunday's paper has a little article in the Trends section about the comeback of the mustache. Hopefully, you'll end up reading the article this blog.
The article says its partly Larry the Cable Guy's fault, but I blame Morrison.
Did anyone see the kid play last year at Gonzaga? And don't give me that "he's a crier" routine. The kid is a player.
And Borat, the British comedian's alter ego, has one heck of a mustache.
I don't know about them in general.
Those things can get mighty nasty.
I had a bus driver — I think everyone has a bus driver in this category — that had a snowy-white beard but a yellow stained mustache.
Disgusting.
My dad grows a mustache from time to time and its kind of fun when he pulls the handlebar thing off.
But there should be a category for the mustache wearer. Sort of like a driver's license. If its unruly, then shave it off and issue a fine. But if it’s well maintained and your face doesn't look like you have a walrus on it, go ahead.
I wish I could grow a mustache, and at 24-years old, facial hair that's not peach fuzz.
Posted by Clayton Hein at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
