Customs Border Patrol do NOT play

I work in import/export compliance. As a result, I signed up for notifications from Customs Border Patrol concerning their news releases. Most of the time, I get updates on changes in laws and stuff like that. Today I got an email about a major drug bust in Texas.
Agents doing their normal checks with the drug dogs found over 1700 pounds of marijuana that was hidden in the floor of a tractor trailer truck. The seized contraband has an estimated street value of $1.4 million.
When I read it, I was thinking that they are trying to win the war on illegal drugs. But then I stopped to wonder about all the other shipments that probably got through undetected. How many crooked officials look the other way? How many people are dying because of drug-related incidents?
And as I pondered all of this, I had to keep in mind that this system is like the shop that is going out of business. I cannot expect there to be any real successes in conquering the evil with the current situation.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/12132008.xml

Samson from the Bible

A sister made a coloring book of Bible characters and while I was printing the pages for some of my friends' kids, I thought that Samson probably had awesome 6-pack abs. Why do all the strong buff guys end up with crazy women that ruin their lives? Delilah was a total witch for how she treated him. She should have been the first to give him some olive oil hair treatments to keep his hair long and healthy. Oh well, it is all ancient history now.

Who cares about a recession? I say Aldi

Aldi is the place for me to do my shopping because I am all about saving money. No foo foo stuff here. I do not mind paying for my own bags. They do not have name brand products, but the quality cannot be beat on most stuff. For example, they got a clam chowder at a fraction of the cost that beats Campbells. And they have strawberry popsicles at half the price that are better than Dole. Who knew?

But do not take my word for it, see what the news outlets have to say.

 

In Tough Times, Aldi Promises Cheap Thrills

(Newser) – It may not stock Coke or tempt shoppers with fancy end-aisle displays, but bare-bones grocery chain Aldi fits these tough economics, reports Time. With Americans downgrading to cheaper stores, Aldi's generic, spartan approach is attracting customers eager to save a buck, or more, on a gallon of milk. The chain cuts costs by offering staples—ketchup, cereal, olive oil—in one brand in one size.

Aldi's well-tested European business model undercuts its competitors by up to 90%, eliminating frills like free plastic bags and payment by credit card while keeping in-store staff to a five-employee maximum. Targeting urban neighborhoods where real-estate costs favor Aldi's minimal spatial needs—no butcher here—the chain plans to expand by 100 stores over the next two years.

 

A

 

Go Tennessee Volunteers

I am not a big football fan, but I like Tenn for some reason. I hope they win all their games or at least most of the games.

Possible Penguin Conversation

Black Friday Ads and Cease and Desist Orders

It is that time of year again. Everyone is getting ready for the biggest shopping day of the year. BLACK FRIDAY. Since the whole country is in a bit of a recession, there have not been many ads posted so far. I am hoping for retailers to have some crazy sales, especially on electronics. I want a GPS. The only leaked sales ad worth mentioning is Walgreens. They have one of those Bullet-like blenders for 9.99. I learned about the Bullet through an infomercial. You can make salsa in 5 seconds and smoothies in 10. I do not want to pay 60 bucks for the name brand version, but 10 dollars is my speed. Walgreens also has some $12 body butter for 2 bucks. That is worth a trip.

I get my information about the upcoming sales from http://bfads.net/ I laugh at the companies that demand that they not release their sales information. They want it to be a big surprise and so they threaten legal action http://bfads.net/Cease-Desist-Tally-SoFar-5

Companies that send Cease and Desist Orders usually do not get my business. I do not know what they are trying to prove, but I do not get it. To me it is all about saving time and money. I need a game plan for Black Friday. Everything opens at 6-7 and I do not have time to go get the sales papers to decide what I want to buy. I got to be ready when the doors open headed to the specific department to make my claim.

A

Fake degrees

Iran got problems but you don’t hear about it on the CNN.

Degree from Oxford but its not legit? Waaa? If he believed that, then he probably gave his bank account information to help some “Nigerian prince” too.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7708431.stm

AMH

My favorite cheese

Going to NYC

I got a trip to NYC planned for December. I know it is going to be cold, but I am still excited. My friends and I will be going to Walkill and then SHOPPING in the city. I already know what stores I am going to. I want to get a new bag. Maybe a Dooney and Burke, but definately something that is different. There are too many Coach bags on the streets these days. I hate to look like a fashion follower.
I know what I am going to eat too (1) sausage dog with everything (2) pizza (3) Jamaican patty (4) coco bun (5) oxtails and rice. And that is just the first day!

Moral of Day Picture- Be a better person

Cruise 2008

I went on a cruise last week. I saw so many overweight people that I had to take a picture. And I thought that black was slimming. No color is slimming when the person is 300+ pounds.

10 years seems like forever

On October 7, it will be 10 years since my mom died.
I decided to write a poem to describe my morose feelings.

Losing Love

Japanese fashion -

http://www.flyingczechman.org/gallery/harajuku/index.php?show=11
How is this fashion? I try to be open minded, but I don't get this look at all.

Photos and Multiply

I have just started posting to Multiply. I added my pics from Flicker. That went fine or so I thought. I accidentally uploaded my pics 2 times. So the folders are double. I cannot find out how to remove the duplication. And it is driving me crazy!!!!! IF anybody can tell me how to change it I will be so grateful.

Bronner Bros Hair Show

I met Adele Givens at the Bronner Bros hair show. She was cool. She loves her hair and tells everybody about the products that she uses to keep it looking good. Too bad I don't wear weave, I would have bought some of the products.

Bronner Bros Hair Show ATL 2008

I went to the Bronner Bros International Hair show in Atlanta. Here Hair = Art. The models were strutting their stuff with style. Painted faces only accented the colorful weave and costumes. All of which added to the drama of the show.

comments from readers

I saw this comment and wondered what are these people smoking? Everything is a mess thanks in part to dubya and they still have confidence that he can fix it. So out of touch with reality.

Bush should take action now

Voters: e-mail, write letters and call. Tell President Bush that Congress is now in recess. It is time for him to step forward and appoint the judges we need to take care of business. Also, start offshore drilling and drilling in ANWR. Supporting these Arab terrorists by buying their expensive oil must come to an end.

By doing this, the voters will view the Republicans in a new light and more will be elected to Congress. You will catch it from liberals and the radical "greens," but the Republicans will get the votes from a grateful public who have to pay the price of gas. That is a lot of votes. We need to win this one bad.

John D. Matson

Tamassee

 

King Creek Falls

By the river on the way to the main waterfalls

More by the river on the way to the main waterfalls

At the main waterfall- it was beautiful!!!!

My poetry- reflections of my success...or is it?

My poem "Pain In Life" has been awarded their prestigious Editor's Choice Award because it displays an original perspective and unique creativity -- judged to be the qualities found most in exceptional poetry. This is from the website www.poetry.com. It would mean more to me if they would pay me. Instead they keep sending me letters to buy the book in which my poem will be featured. I feel like the book should be free since I have been awarded such a “prestigious” honor. And it makes me wonder how good was my poem? I thought it was poignant, heartfelt, and touching. But does everyone win the award so they can sell more of their books? Oh well, I will keep writing and maybe I will profit from my writings some day.

The people at Subway got me ALL aggravated

I was so aggravated at the people at the Subway in Greenville, SC that I wrote them this letter:

 

I visited Subway like I always do and ordered a pepperoni pizza like I always do. The lady fixing the pizza asked me what veggies I wanted on my pizza. I said olives and banana peppers. She told me that was $1 extra. I told her that I have never been charged extra for veggies. I could understand if I wanted extra meat, I know I would have to pay extra. I pointed to the menu board that said that .50 extra for "cheese, pepperoni, sausage, bacon". She shook her head and said all toppings are .50 extra. Since I was hungry and tired of arguing, I paid extra for the toppings. But I wanted to make you aware of this. Maybe this is an education issue for the people at this Subway, but I cannot understand if it is on the menu board why there is an issue. I know that $.50 seems like a minute amount of money, but it really bothered me that the lady overcharged me.

Leap year 2008

What was I doing on Leap Year 2008? Going to Cyrus' wedding. Yep someone married him. Big surprise to all who know him. LOL

My poetry

I wrote a poem titled "Pain In Life". I hope can feel the emotion that I tried to convey. If you are feeling it, forward to your friends and vote for me.
Thanks

http://www.poetry.com/voteforme/poemvote1.asp?PID=12742544

Plane Trip

I went on a plane trip a few weeks back and I had to share my experience.
The air was HEAVY with a foul odor. It was a baby (I say baby but she was probably about 2) behind me stinking up the plane because she did #2 in her diaper and her slack mom did not want to get up and take her to the bathroom. I was so aggravated because the baby was a major BRAT.
Stinky and bad attitude- what a combination!
Then Brat baby started to cry because she could not walk down the aisle and the idiot mother is trying to reason with her. Brat baby cannot be consoled. She wants her way and she wanted it immediately.
I wish we could have kicked them off the plan. I have no sympathy. If you cannot control your kids, DO NOT FLY!!!!

My review of Belize City hotel stay

http://www.epinions.com/content_416498224772

My cuz Artist Jordan has been making jewelry. I bought some pieces from him when I was in Belize. Hey, everybody got their hustle these days. I lovin' it.

doggie...you fail

I guess being in the doghouse is not the negative that it used to be. LOL