TELEVISION

I've been doing some thinking lately about how I never seem to have time to get things done that I need to do or want to do.  I have come to the realization that I am spending way too much time watching television.

Then I start to think about all the garbage I am watching.  Why should I really care about cops and the criminals they are chasing, or watching them in prison, or acting like fools in lockup?  Why should I care about some goofy pawn shop, whether it be in Vegas or Detroit or New York or Chicago?  Why am I watching a bunch of goofs rummage through peoples storage units all over the country?  I think that stuff has to be staged anyways....

And then there are all the "hillbilly" shows I tend to gravitate to.  Guys catching gators, turtles, hand fishin', the list is long.  And the Moonshiners.....do I really care about Tim and Tickle and whether they get caught by the Feds?  And how can they not get caught---just watch the stupid show.....What is it about folks from the south???

I watch sports.  I watch sports I have no interest in.  Games I couldn't care less who wins.  I don't follow much basketball anymore, but football and baseball I watch.  For not much reason that I can think of.  Heck, I watch soccer, even though Stew isn't around anymore.

So I'm going to try and be done with it.  I have too many other things to do.  Books to read, chores to complete.  It's not going to be easy for me.  I find it very easy to just sit down when I get home from work, flip on the TV and the next thing I know 2 or 3 hours are just gone.  Well I have had enough of that.  Now there are a couple of things that I will still be watching....Seventeen or eighteen weeks of Packer football per year will not be missed.  Modern Family is must see for me, and will continue to be.  I do like a few PBS offerings, and they will be recorded.  But I am going to try and limit it to about that.  We will see how it works out. 

Although I would like to see how that Amish Mafia thing works out.....

The Tip

I've been thinking about this for some time now.  The Misses and I  like to go out to eat, probably too much.  It is easy to do, a little treat for us, less work for her, so we go.  No big deal.  But after the meal is over, it's time to pay the bill (why do they call it a check?).  Of course, with the bill comes the tip.  And here is where my questions come in.

How much do I tip my server, and why?  I know the waiter will say 20 percent (or more), if you can't afford the tip you should stay home.  Others say 15 percent, others still have their little math formulas or tip calculators they follow.  Then does it matter if it's breakfast lunch or dinner?  What about if I have a coupon, or a Groupon?  So many questions......

Does the size of the party come into play?  Sometimes the restaurant will add a tip amount if your group is more than 6 or 8.  I find that usually these folks would do better (with me at least) if they let me figure it myself.  What about if you go by yourself?  I had breakfast the other day by myself, bill was nine bucks.  Tip was three bucks.  Now if I was out with the Misses and the bill was eighteen, I really doubt if I would have left the lady a six dollar tip. 

What about the "quality" of the restaurant?  The the higher cost of the meal justify a higher tip for your server?  If I'm just getting average service at an upscale restaurant the percentage tip will probably be lower than if I'm just getting average service at an average price place.

We have a couple of places around here we go to that generally have buy one/get one coupons quite often.  The wait staff at these places make out pretty well with me if they even have average service, as I usually  just tip the cost of the free meal.  I figure I'm saving the cost of the tip, so I'm happy, they're happy, it works out. 

So how do I tip?  Well I guess I tip women more than men.  Don't know why, just do.  I guess I figure they need it more.  I try not to let the meal determine how much I tip.  I tend to tip more if I go to an inexpensive place because I figure there are too many folks there that simply use some math formula.  If you have a poor attitude, forget it---don't treat it like a chore, it's your job.  Act like you enjoy it.  If you "add a gratuity" don't expect one cent more, you won't get it from me.  I'm usually in the 20 percent range--you really need to irk me to get anything close to 10 from me.  College age wait staff get a bump from me as well as I have a couple of kids that age and am really happy they don't work in that industry.....

Well that's about it.  Finicky part of the world we live in, but it is what it is....let me know your thoughts......

Green Bay Packers 2012 Epiloge

Well that was an ugly ending to the season.  Who ever heard of giving up 300 some odd yards rushing?  Everyone has their opinions on what went wrong, so I've decided to chime in.  Kinda' my view of what the Pack needs to do to get better.  Since I obviously know better what goes on with the organization .  Ha....

Seems like every year we hear about how the offensive line is built for pass protection, not the running game.  Only problem is that Rodgers is getting hit and sacked at an alarming rate.  Don't know if Sherord would help, think Bularga will--if he comes back from hip injury.

It is time to find a running back.  Not some old retread either.  These guys they come up with are cute, make a nice story.  Don't care.  They need some one who can haul the ball 20 some times a game and not get hurt.  Running game will improve with better run blocking as well.

Defense needs to tackle better.  A lot better.  Geez, some of these guys should be embarrassed.  Hopping on guys backs, bouncing off with shoulder tackles.  I know they are leery of fines, but once in a while you need to pop somebody.

Maybe it's time to get back to the basics a little bit.  Seems like the injuries just decimate the offensive and defensive lines.  Last nights game, Sitton goes out and the next guy in is Jeff Saturday?   But you have six receivers active?  Nobody carries 5 tight ends on the roster, except Green Bay.  I know every year we hear about how everyone wants our young skill guys and we have to keep them on the roster.  Maybe we should just let some of them go and build better depth elsewhere....boy if Rodgers ever goes down....

There was a time not that long ago when Dom Capers was considered the big defensive guru.  They were always afraid he was going to some other team.  Maybe it's time for a little reevaluation here.  I haven't been that impressed with the D for the last couple of years.  And on the offensive side, maybe they have too many receivers--they have guys running all over the place.  Sometimes it looks like McCarthy is coaching Arena league.....

I hate to say it, but this team is soft.  Who is the tough guy, the guy who won't take crap from anyone?  Matthews?  Nah, great player, but he is more of a finesse guy.  Woodson. too old now, too injured.  Raji?  Too nice.  Hawk?  Not good enough.  Rodgers?  Nope.....Sitton?  Probably toughest guy they have....They need a couple of guys willing to take on the entire other team, and back it up.  The kind of guy on other teams that we call "dirty".

So who goes?  Driver, gone.  Take the emotion out of it, should have not been on the team this year.  Woodson, gone.  Hall of Famer--- slowed down, $10.5 million next year, can't afford the luxury  Jeninngs, gone.  Will want one last huge salary.  Too many other weapons left.  Two tight ends.  Three is plenty.  Waldon--GONE.  Gee whiz, how many times you gonna' get sucked in on a fake?  You need to set the edge...I'm sure there will be other changes as well.  I just hope we don't keep eight or nine or ten first year guys again.  I know the money figures in, but sometimes you need to let guys play together for a while to make a better team.

Decisions need to be made on a number of free agents, and I know Ted Thompson doesn't dip too deep into the free agent pool.  He likes to develop and pay hid own guys.  Sometimes the problem with that is the same problem we all have.  We think our stuff is worth more than it really is, and we place too high a value on it.  I like Thompson, thinks he does a good job overall and know what he is doing.  I just don't think we need so many rookies and free agents.  Hey, maybe it's a good time to trade UP in the draft.

I'm pretty sure the Packers will have a decent team again next season.  They have good management, coaching, and a great quarterback.  But he is 30 years old now.  You only get so many shots at the Super Bowl, and I know it's tough.  But when you have as many weapons available to you as the Packers do, you need to take advantage.

This and That

A few things on my mind...

...Well we have backed away from the "Fiscal Cliff".  The brokers on Wall Street sure seem happy, but this isn't the end of our problems.  The debt ceiling looms, the Speaker is dropping F-bombs, and now a new Congress is sworn in.  I'm no economist, but even I know that if ya' spend more than ya' take in, your gonna have trouble.  Work together to solve problems people....

...Speaking of the new Congress, we now have the least amount of veterans since WWII, and the most women ever (20).  Will be interesting to see if the ladies can get things accomplished.

....Sad to see that Newsweek has ceased publication of their print edition.  I enjoyed reading the magazine, along with others like The Sporting News that are now gone.  I realize the way the business works, with the internet and what not.  It's kind of hard to argue when you can pretty much carry every newspaper and magazine and book in your pocket or briefcase.  But to me, there is still some thing about holding a book or newspaper in your hands---the smell, the sound of turning pages,----I will miss it.

....Glad I don't live in Chicago.  Heard on the radio there were 15 shootings on Jan 1st.  Then they say that only three people were killed though.  The guy sounded kind of disappointed, like they needed target practice or something.  Guess it's come to the point if you have a beef with someone ya' start shooting.  Time to find a new Marshall Dillon...

...Nave you noticed how may college football bowl games there are?  When I was a kid I think there were maybe ten or so.  You had the Cotton, Orange, Sun, Gator, of course the Rose Bowl, and a few others, like the Tangerine.  Now there has to be nearly 40 I would guess.  Get a couple of guys (or schools) together, find a sponsor, a place to play and somebody to televise it and you have your own bowl game.  And you have tams with 5 or 6 losses playing.  Guess we need something to fill up all the network TV. At least the games I've watched have been entertaining...

....Speaking of TV, I can't get over the stuff they put on TV.  Moonshiners, pawn brokers, swampers, Amish Mafia, cheating wives (and husbands), prison garbage.  I know they wouldn't put it on if people weren't watching, and there is plenty of good stuff on, and if I don't like something all I have to do is switch the channel (or just turn it off).  I just hope I don't see anyone I know on any of these shows....

....I see in Kansas the state is going after some guy for child support.  He says he was just a sperm donor for his lesbian friends.  Only problem with that is they didn't use a sperm bank, just went at it naturally.  Yeah, okay, sounds a little fishy to me, if ya' know what I mean....

....Wishing everyone a prosperous New Year.  Stay safe.....