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<channel><title><![CDATA[The Curmudgeon Muse - Blog]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog]]></link><description><![CDATA[Blog]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2023 03:22:31 -0800</pubDate><generator>Weebly</generator><item><title><![CDATA[BATTER MATTERS - (short & sweet)]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/batter-matters-short-sweet]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/batter-matters-short-sweet#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 22 Nov 2017 13:26:20 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/batter-matters-short-sweet</guid><description><![CDATA[ 1. Add 2/3 cup cool water to container; replace lid tightly.2. Shake container hard for 30 seconds.3. Pour batter onto hot greased skillet4. Wait for bubbles&hellip;.FlipThese are the directions of how to make pancakes with Bisquick&rsquo;s &ldquo;Shake N Pour&rdquo;. Sounds pretty easy doesn&rsquo;t it? &nbsp;Five minutes tops from first realizing you want some hot, buttery, griddled goodness to digging in...ending up satisfied and sticky in the strangest of places. &nbsp;My dad use to say he  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:402px;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/published/ihop.jpg?1511357400" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;display:block;"><font size="3">1. Add 2/3 cup cool water to container; replace lid tightly.</font><br /><font size="3">2. Shake container hard for 30 seconds.</font><br /><font size="3">3. Pour batter onto hot greased skillet</font><br /><font size="3">4. Wait for bubbles&hellip;.Flip</font><br /><br /><font size="3">These are the directions of how to make pancakes with Bisquick&rsquo;s &ldquo;<em>Shake N Pour</em>&rdquo;. Sounds pretty easy doesn&rsquo;t it? &nbsp;Five minutes tops from first realizing you want some hot, buttery, griddled goodness to digging in...ending up satisfied and sticky in the strangest of places. &nbsp;My dad use to say he could eat pancakes with a 10-foot fork and still manage to get syrup on his elbow. &nbsp;</font><br /><br /><font size="3">So you can imagine how cramped my crumpets got this morning when I learned about the newest convenience for a lazy America&hellip;..<a href="http://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/2017/11/21/ihop-will-be-delivering-pancakes-in-select-cities.html" target="_blank">IHOP-N-GO</a>! &nbsp;&nbsp;<strong>THAT&rsquo;s RIGHT</strong>...select parts of the country can now order a short-stack delivered to their door in the same amount of time they could make a mountain of flap-jacks, pay bills, shave, shower and comb the hair on their emotional-support squirrel. &nbsp;Come-on IHOP!</font><br /><br /><font size="3">If people don&rsquo;t have the time (or energy) to flip a flapjack, then they probably should look into freeing up some time in their schedule instead of calling YOU for a <em>Rooty Tooty Fresh &amp; Fruity</em> that&rsquo;s gonna show up at their door with the texture of a sweet rubber chicken. &nbsp;Just the thought of that crepes me out! &nbsp;While you&rsquo;re at it, make sure to bring me one of those sanitary syrup racks that&rsquo;s a 4-bottle habitat for every germ known to man. &nbsp;Yeah...I&rsquo;ll gladly pay $12 for spongy cakes with a side of ptomaine. &nbsp;Yum Yum! &nbsp;#STOPTHESLOPIHOPSOIWONTHAVE2MOP</font><br /><br /><font size="3">Curmudgeon Out!</font><br /><em><font size="2"><font color="#a82e2e">"</font><font color="#c23b3b">Things aren't as bad as they seem...they're worse!" - Bill Press</font></font></em><br /><br /></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Getting Hosed At The Pump!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/getting-hosed-at-the-pump]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/getting-hosed-at-the-pump#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 18 Nov 2017 14:26:12 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/getting-hosed-at-the-pump</guid><description><![CDATA[ Pumping gas is one of life&rsquo;s mundane chores. &nbsp;It&rsquo;s simple, it&rsquo;s singularly focused and I enjoy the fact that I am alone in my thoughts when doing it. &nbsp;It&rsquo;s kind of like peeing into a urinal. &nbsp;One doesn&rsquo;t expect (or appreciate) being besieged by outside stimuli during such times of personal solitude.So you can imagine how my octane spiked (after swiping my card at the local Exxon recently) and being ambushed by &ldquo;Gas Station TV&rdquo;. &nbsp;THAT [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:275px;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:8px;*margin-top:16px'><a><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/published/gstv.jpg?1511015444" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;display:block;"><br /><br /><font size="4">Pumping gas is one of life&rsquo;s mundane chores. &nbsp;It&rsquo;s simple, it&rsquo;s singularly focused and I enjoy the fact that I am alone in my thoughts when doing it. &nbsp;It&rsquo;s kind of like peeing into a urinal. &nbsp;One doesn&rsquo;t expect (or appreciate) being besieged by outside stimuli during such times of personal solitude.<br /><br />So you can imagine how my octane spiked (after swiping my card at the local Exxon recently) and being ambushed by &ldquo;<em style="">Gas Station TV</em>&rdquo;. &nbsp;<strong style="">THAT&rsquo;S RIGHT</strong>...unexpectedly smacked in the face and ears by capitalistic, opportunistic, corporate America blasting through a 5-inch screen and cheap, tiny speakers emitting frequencies that made the fillings in my teeth hurt.<br /><br />WHAT THE SHELL???<br /><br />I&rsquo;m sorry, but I don&rsquo;t need to discover that it&rsquo;s dumplin day at Cracker Barrel whilst I&rsquo;m huffing 89 ethanol. &nbsp;Neither do I need to see that <em>My Pillow</em> guy EVER again or get the local weather. I&rsquo;m IN the weather for crying out loud - fueling up Bessie in order to get to work to support my overt happiness. </font><br /><br /><span><font size="4">Is there no <strong>Safeway</strong> to <strong>Pilot</strong> a <strong>Kwik Trip</strong> to the <strong>Gulf</strong> without getting my <strong>BP</strong> up? &nbsp;Can&rsquo;t one <strong>Kum &amp; Go</strong> as we please without some <strong>ESSO</strong> pumping ads in our face at the <strong>Petro</strong>? &nbsp;&nbsp;It&rsquo;s time to <strong>Circle K</strong> the wagons folks and put a stop to this before we&rsquo;re running on empty. &nbsp;We must <strong>Mobil</strong>-ize now, <strong>LOVE</strong> each other and boycott <em>GSTV</em>. &nbsp;Otherwise, our society will continue getting hosed at the pump!<br /><br />Curmudgeon Out!</font><br /><font color="#c23b3b"><em><font size="2">"Things are not as bad as they seem...they're worse"</font></em><font size="4" style=""> - </font><font size="2" style="">Bill Press</font></font></span><br /><br /></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[GRITS-n-PITS﻿]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/grits-n-pits]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/grits-n-pits#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 14 Aug 2016 18:49:31 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/grits-n-pits</guid><description><![CDATA[I guess I should apologize for the lengthy void since my last post. &nbsp;The truth is that until recent months, I&rsquo;ve pretty much spent my time between home and at work...basking in the warmth and protection of my own imaginary, utopian bubble. &nbsp;As a result, I have not been overly exposed to the primary subjects of my usual rants...PEOPLE.&nbsp;Unfortunately for you, my hiatus is over because I&rsquo;ve been traveling a bit recently...as well as forcing myself to get out more to try a [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><span><font size="3">I guess I should apologize for the lengthy void since my last post. &nbsp;The truth is that until recent months, I&rsquo;ve pretty much spent my time between home and at work...basking in the warmth and protection of my own imaginary, utopian bubble. &nbsp;As a result, I have not been overly exposed to the primary subjects of my usual rants...PEOPLE.<br />&nbsp;</font></span><br /><span><font size="3">Unfortunately for you, my hiatus is over because I&rsquo;ve been traveling a bit recently...as well as forcing myself to get out more to try and become more human-like and &ldquo;social&rdquo;. &nbsp;This morning, I took daughter and one of her friends to breakfast at a really nice local eatery, just&nbsp;to spread a little sunshine and butter with others. &nbsp;Everything was going swimmingly until the server brought my grits...and in walked Mr. Pits. &nbsp;ARM-PITS that is!<br />&#8203;</font></span><br /><span><font size="3">I&rsquo;m okay with someone being comfortable in their own skin, but there is something &ldquo;in-hair-ently&rdquo; wrong with armpit hair at breakfast. &nbsp;As a matter of fact, at ANY meal. &nbsp;And since this man&rsquo;s wife, family and/or friends have neglected to inform him of this (for whatever reason), I feel it an obligation (just in case he stumbles upon my blog) to educate him with this <em>tid-bit of arm-pit knowledge</em>, taste and common courtesy:</font></span><br /><br /><span><font size="3">It doesn&rsquo;t matter how buff you think you are, no one wants to see your mounds of muff protruding from &lsquo;neath your inflated biceps and self-image at the dinner table. &nbsp;One finds it hard to concentrate on how delicious and airy a Belgium waffle tastes whilst 2 wooly furballs are staring them down from your under-arm region(s). &nbsp;&nbsp;Instead, I prefer you head on over to Pigeon Forge and hover around the Shoney&rsquo;s breakfast bar where muscle shirts and tank-tops abound... and the occasional, errant hair in the metal dishpan of swine-slopping bacon causes no great alarm. &nbsp;You (nor your pits) will stick out as badly and there will be 0% chance of me ever seeing your pits... while eating my grits - again.</font></span><br /><br /><span><font size="3">Curmudgeon Out!</font></span></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:center;"><font color="#c23b3b">"<em style="">Things are not as bad as they seem...they're worse</em>!" - Bill Press</font></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Santa Takes A Dump!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/santa-takes-a-dump]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/santa-takes-a-dump#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Thu, 04 Dec 2014 14:00:11 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/santa-takes-a-dump</guid><description><![CDATA[Sanitation Santa Every once in a while, something surprises and makes an old, crusty curmudgeon chuckle&hellip;and grateful.For the past week, I have been anxiously "waiting for the man with the bag" - trash bag that is!&nbsp; You see, I forgot to put the waste containers out after Thanksgiving, and my turkey carcass and tossed-out trimmings had ripened into a reaking, odorous, not-so-holiday fare over the last 7 days!However, my early Christmas wish was fulfilled this morning (as evident by the [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/4664356.jpg?250" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption">Sanitation Santa</span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;display:block;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Every once in a while, something surprises and makes an old, crusty curmudgeon chuckle&hellip;and grateful.<br /><br />For the past week, I have been anxiously "<em style="">waiting for the man with the bag</em>" - trash bag that is!&nbsp; You see, I forgot to put the waste containers out after Thanksgiving, and my turkey carcass and tossed-out trimmings had ripened into a reaking, odorous, not-so-holiday fare over the last 7 days!<br /><br />However, my early Christmas wish was fulfilled this morning (<em style="">as evident by the photo</em>). &nbsp;<br /><br />Please share this story of good news throughout your social media sites, that (<em style="">although obviously struggling with a sagging, northern economy)</em>, <strong style="">Yes Virginia, there IS a Santa Claus!!!</strong>&hellip; Here's your tweet:<br />&nbsp;<br /><strong><font size="4" style=""><em>"Santa Takes A Dump - Makes Me Man From Glad!</em></font>"</strong><br /><br />#SanitationSanta<br />#TrashTalkinSanta<br />#KrisKringleKansATurkey<br />#SmellySanta<br /><br />#Curmudgeon Out!<br /><font size="1" style=""><font color="#a1a1a1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</font><font color="#c23b3b"> "Things are not as bad as they seem - they are worse!" - Bill Press</font></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Finger Food For Thought!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/finger-food-for-thought]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/finger-food-for-thought#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 17 Nov 2014 12:26:26 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/finger-food-for-thought</guid><description><![CDATA[CLICK ON PIC ABOVE TO SEE YT CLIP In case you missed the most recent shot heard round-the-world series, Jose' Canseco (former roided-up, dumber than a bag of rosin, home-run slugger of the Oakland Athletics), blew his middle finger off while cleaning a loaded gun several days ago. &nbsp; Seizing an opportunity&nbsp;for some sensationalized, much-needed publicity, he took to Twitter (obviously by the use of his thumbs), to share all the gory details...including posting gross and graphic pictures. [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a href='http://youtu.be/O0tf-H9ebkU?t=1m31s' target='_blank'><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/4046388.png?250" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption">CLICK ON PIC ABOVE TO SEE YT CLIP</span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:justify;display:block;">I<font size="3">n case you missed the most recent shot heard round-the-world series, <strong>Jose' Canseco</strong> (<em>former roided-up, dumber than a bag of rosin, home-run slugger of the Oakland Athletics</em>), blew his middle finger off while cleaning a loaded gun several days ago. &nbsp; Seizing an opportunity&nbsp;for some sensationalized, much-needed publicity, he took to Twitter (<em>obviously by the use of his thumbs</em>), to share all the gory details...including posting gross and graphic pictures. &nbsp;Jose' also managed to schedule an interview during with <strong><em>Inside Edition</em></strong> whereby he breaks down crying for the cameras... pretending that he only cared about the safety of his fiance&rsquo;....RIGHT!&nbsp;Then just yesterday, he tweets again that his re-attached finger fell off during a poker tournament! &nbsp;&nbsp;And the news channels pick this stuff up and post it everywhere. &nbsp;</font><br /><br /><font size="3">What in the name of <em>Hammerin Hank</em> is going on here folks?<br /><br />Why is this news-worthy? &nbsp;Who really cares that Jose' Canseco tossed his mangled, rotten finger in the pot while anteing up at a Poker Tournament just days after he blows it off ? &nbsp;Beyond that, why would Jose' think that anyone would care? &nbsp;What is someone's reasoning and justification in exploiting such a serious, graphic and personal event, other than shameless self-promotion and shock value? &nbsp;And I call "foul" that his only feeling afterward was thankfulness that his fiance' wasn't hurt. &nbsp;Had he winged her during the incident, he would have tweeted her out like a pimp - just to garner &nbsp;attention and publicity for himself. &nbsp;</font><br /><br /><font size="3">So batter-up Bash Brother! &nbsp;Here's some unsolicited advice and finger-<em>food for thought</em> for "<em>Jose' can you see" Canseco</em>!&nbsp;<br /><br /><u>Strike One</u>: &nbsp;Hey Jose', there's no crying in baseball! &nbsp;This includes after you're retired and when no one cares about ANYTHING you're doing or have to say.<br />&nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3"><span>&#65279;</span><u>Strike Two</u><span>&#65279;</span>: &nbsp;Just as you shouldn't have played with a loaded, roided-up bat throughout your MLB career, you (<em>of all people</em>), shouldn't play with loaded guns you testosterone-laden, ego-inflated doofus! &nbsp; Please refrain from any more desperate attempts for publicity by <u>not posting</u> more pictures or tweets about your blown-off finger...or personal life in general for that matter.<br />&nbsp; &nbsp;</font><br /><font size="3"><u>Strike Three</u>: &nbsp;How about just living out the rest of your life <u>quietly</u> by finding a purpose like helping others avoid making the same stupid, thick-headed choices that you did.&nbsp;<br /><br />Game Over....Curmudgeon Out!<br /><br />P.S. &nbsp;If you want to see how weird this guy really is, <a href="https://twitter.com/JoseCanseco" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> and read down his twitter feed. &nbsp;Make sure to scroll down to around the 15th post...where he tweets and I quote: &nbsp;<em>&ldquo;If Earth can control the comet transport system, we will run the Milkyway! &nbsp;Think about that &ldquo;</em></font><br /><br /><em style=""><font color="#d5d5d5">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</font><font color="#c23b3b">"Things are not as bad as they seem - they are worse!" - </font></em><font color="#c23b3b">Bill Press</font></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[...And I Approve This Message!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/and-i-approve-this-message]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/and-i-approve-this-message#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Tue, 04 Nov 2014 12:49:25 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/and-i-approve-this-message</guid><description><![CDATA[ Today is our country&rsquo;s mid-term election day. &nbsp;I don&rsquo;t know about you, but the candidates where I live are slim pick-ins. &nbsp;The primary ones make me want to puke when they regurgitate their over-rehearsed, verbal vomit - and the other candidates are mostly nondescript, barely able to make enough noise to even familiarize voters with their names...much less their stance on the issues. &nbsp;&nbsp;But this is AMERICA...land of the free, home of the brave and the Republic for  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:189px;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/125403.jpg?179" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:0; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:justify;display:block;"><font size="3">Today is our country&rsquo;s mid-term election day. &nbsp;I don&rsquo;t know about you, but the candidates where I live are slim pick-ins. &nbsp;The primary ones make <u>me</u> want to puke when they regurgitate their over-rehearsed, verbal vomit - and the other candidates are mostly nondescript, barely able to make enough noise to even familiarize voters with their names...much less their stance on the issues. &nbsp;&nbsp;But this is AMERICA...land of the free, home of the brave and the Republic for which I stand. &nbsp;Therefore, I consider it my rightful privilege and duty to educate myself on the candidates best I can, (<em>and their platforms</em>), and to vote my conscience and for my beliefs. &nbsp;I encourage you all to do the same!<br /><br />Considering the lackluster candidates on these mid-term ballots - along with the ones already campaigning for the upcoming 2016 Presidential Election, I&rsquo;ve decided to throw my political hat in the ring and run for President myself! &nbsp;So look out Harry Reid &amp; John Boehner...there&rsquo;s soon gonna be a Curmudgeon in the White House that will not hesitate to slap the snotty cynicism out of one of you - and the fake QT orange tan off the other. &nbsp;I believe this act alone will unite the two parties! &nbsp;</font><br /><br /><span><font size="3"><span>Besides that first order of business; however, I would immediately sharpen my Presidential pen and invoke the following <strong>Executive Orders</strong> to make this a better country:</span></font></span><ul><li><span><font size="3"><span>Starbucks can no longer serve food or have a drive-thru. &nbsp;</span></font></span></li><li><span><font size="3"><span>The <em>Travel Security Association</em> (TSA) will be shut down immediately and there shall be no more security checks or "getting felt-up" at airports. Instead, the airline boarding agent will arm every adult as they enter the plane with a <em>Smith &amp; Wesson</em> 45-caliber...loaded with 1 bullet each. &nbsp;Passengers will turn them in at the end of the flight as they de-board the plane.</span></font></span></li><li><span><font size="3"><span>Mexican restaurants will maintain at least a 1-mile radius of each other.</span></font></span></li><li><span><font size="3"><span>There will be no more feminine hygiene or male ED commercials allowed on the airwaves.</span></font></span></li><li><span><font size="3"><span>Retail &amp; grocery stores will return to the day and tradition of being closed on Sundays.</span></font></span></li><li><span><font size="3"><span>If you drive longer than 1 mile past orange barrels that are blocking a lane, and you have not seen 1 human being working...you are hereby permitted and pardoned to run over the remaining barrels up to the point of seeing actual work being done.</span></font></span></li><li><span><font size="3"><span>Comcast / Xfinity will be shut down and their corporate headquarters imploded. &nbsp;This includes customer service call centers in Fiji.</span></font></span></li><li><span><font size="3"><span>Mattress stores will maintain at least a 1-mile radius of each other.</span></font></span></li></ul></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>  <div><div style="height: 20px; overflow: hidden;"></div> 				<div id='913399943388805580-gallery' class='imageGallery' style='line-height: 0px; padding: 0; margin: 0'><div id='913399943388805580-imageContainer0' style='float:left;width:33.28%;margin:0;'><div id='913399943388805580-insideImageContainer0' style='position:relative;margin:5px;'><div class='galleryImageBorder' style='border-width:1px;padding:3px;'><div class='galleryImageHolder' style='position:relative; width:100%; padding:0 0 75%;overflow:hidden;'><div class='galleryInnerImageHolder'><a href='http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/1350758_orig.png' rel='lightbox[gallery913399943388805580]'><img src='http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/1350758.png' class='galleryImage' _width='400' _height='250' style='position:absolute;border:0;width:120%;top:0%;left:-10%' /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div id='913399943388805580-imageContainer1' style='float:left;width:33.28%;margin:0;'><div id='913399943388805580-insideImageContainer1' style='position:relative;margin:5px;'><div class='galleryImageBorder' style='border-width:1px;padding:3px;'><div class='galleryImageHolder' style='position:relative; width:100%; padding:0 0 75%;overflow:hidden;'><div class='galleryInnerImageHolder'><a href='http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/1806011_orig.jpg' rel='lightbox[gallery913399943388805580]'><img src='http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/1806011.jpg' class='galleryImage' _width='250' _height='170' style='position:absolute;border:0;width:110.29%;top:0%;left:-5.15%' /></a></div></div></div></div></div><div id='913399943388805580-imageContainer2' style='float:left;width:33.28%;margin:0;'><div id='913399943388805580-insideImageContainer2' style='position:relative;margin:5px;'><div class='galleryImageBorder' style='border-width:1px;padding:3px;'><div class='galleryImageHolder' style='position:relative; width:100%; padding:0 0 75%;overflow:hidden;'><div class='galleryInnerImageHolder'><a href='http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/1142269_orig.png' rel='lightbox[gallery913399943388805580]'><img src='http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/1142269.png' class='galleryImage' _width='400' _height='244' style='position:absolute;border:0;width:122.95%;top:0%;left:-11.48%' /></a></div></div></div></div></div><span style='display: block; clear: both; height: 0px; overflow: hidden;'></span></div> 				<div style="height: 20px; overflow: hidden;"></div></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><ul><li><font size="3"><span>The above 3 men are hereby bound from ever appearing on television again: &nbsp;</span></font></li><li><font size="3">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>"Dr." Panchorek</strong> (Alteril)</font></li><li><font size="3">&nbsp; &nbsp; <strong>&nbsp;"Chef" Tony</strong></font></li><li><font size="3">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<strong>Dude with the eyebrows</strong> that sells Shark vacuum cleaners.</font></li><li><font size="3"><span>All Americans will be limited to 3 hours of internet access per day.</span></font></li><li><font size="3">The word &ldquo;<strong>like</strong>&rdquo; will be stricken from the English vocabulary.</font></li><li><span><font size="3">Smart phones will immediately self-destruct if you attempt to text more than 148 characters in one message.</font></span></li></ul><br /><font size="3"><span>&#8203;My name is Curmudgeon...and I approve this message!</span><br /><br />Curmudgeon Out!</font><br /><span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <font color="#c23b3b">&ldquo;Things are not as bad as they seem...they&rsquo;re worse!&rdquo; - Bill Press</font></span></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Non-Stop Love!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/non-stop-love]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/non-stop-love#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 03 Nov 2014 13:48:37 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/non-stop-love</guid><description><![CDATA[ &#65279;Did you see the story about the couple that just got married during a Southwest Flight? &nbsp;THAT&rsquo;s RIGHT, Dottie Coven and Keith Stewart decided to be &ldquo;united&rdquo; in-flight (at 32,000 feet over Arkansas) on Southwest&rsquo;s inaugural non-stop service between Nashville and Dallas&rsquo; &ldquo;Love Field&rdquo;. How appropriate. &nbsp;The nuptials took place in front of 40 family members and friends, along with 100 total strangers and unsuspecting captives on the flight [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:349px;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/322517.png?331" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:justify;display:block;"><font size="3"><span>&#65279;</span>Did you see the story about the couple that just got married during a Southwest Flight? &nbsp;<br /><br />THAT&rsquo;s RIGHT, Dottie Coven and Keith Stewart decided to be &ldquo;united&rdquo; in-flight (<em>at 32,000 feet over Arkansas</em>) on Southwest&rsquo;s inaugural non-stop service between Nashville and Dallas&rsquo; &ldquo;Love Field&rdquo;. How appropriate. &nbsp;The nuptials took place in front of 40 family members and friends, along with 100 total strangers and unsuspecting captives on the flight.<br /><br />Awh....somebody pass me the peanuts so I can puke in my barf-bag!!!</font><br /><br /><span>These kinds of publicity stunts and exploitation of private events make me sick. &nbsp;This couple scares me worse than some of the very SW passengers who witnessed the ceremony. &nbsp;And have you seen some of the SW passengers lately? &nbsp;I don&rsquo;t know about you, but that&rsquo;s EXACTLY the crowd I&rsquo;d want to endorse my holy matrimony. &nbsp;What&rsquo;s next I wonder? &nbsp;Honeymoon on a Greyhound to Galveston?</span><br /><br /><font size="3">Oh well...<em>Love is in the Air</em> I guess, so all my best to the newlyweds - along with wishes for non-stop love.<br /><br />When do we land?<br /><br /><span>Curmudgeon Out!<span>&#65279;</span></span></font><br /><span><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</em></span><br /><span><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; "<font color="#c23b3b">Things are not as bad as they seem...they're worse!"</font></em><font color="#c23b3b"> - Bill Press</font></span><br /><br /></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pointers & Setters]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/pointers-setters]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/pointers-setters#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:27:38 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/pointers-setters</guid><description><![CDATA[ Sometimes, you run across a story that&rsquo;s just too uplifting not to share it. &nbsp;Especially considering the mounds and mounds of serious problems in the world like ISIS and Ebola. &nbsp;Therefore, I wanted to push this one up to the top and share it with you. &nbsp;It spills over with tips from an expert who really knows how to get things off her chest. &nbsp;Cross-my-heart you&rsquo;ll find it informative if not somewhat rhetorical. &nbsp;So strap yourself in and get ready to be perked [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:127px'></span><span style='display: table;width:296px;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:20px;*margin-top:40px'><a><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/5740558.jpg?278" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:justify;display:block;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><font size="3" style="">Sometimes, you run across a story that&rsquo;s just too uplifting not to share it. &nbsp;Especially considering the mounds and mounds of serious problems in the world like ISIS and Ebola. &nbsp;Therefore, I wanted to push this one up to the top and share it with you. &nbsp;It spills over with tips from an expert who really knows how to get things off her chest. &nbsp;Cross-my-heart you&rsquo;ll find it informative if not somewhat rhetorical. &nbsp;So strap yourself in and get ready to be perked up by the lady whom Oprah deemed;<br /><br /><font style=""><strong><span>The Bra Whisperer</span></strong></font>! &nbsp;THAT&rsquo;s RIGHT...this lady evidently is the premier expert on bras. &nbsp;In this USA Today article entitled; <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/12/women-in-charge-susan-nethero/16995885/" target="_blank">&ldquo;</a><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/12/women-in-charge-susan-nethero/16995885/" target="_blank" style=""><span>Bra Fitting Entrepreneur Has Tips For The Ladies</span></a><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/12/women-in-charge-susan-nethero/16995885/" target="_blank">&rdquo;</a>, Susan Nethero solves the mystery of titties by answering the difficult questions like:</font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><ul><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><font size="3"><span>How Often Should You Wear A Bra?</span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><font size="3"><span>How Long Should A Bra Last?</span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><font size="3"><span>What&rsquo;s The Best Way to Care For a Bra?</span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><font size="3"><span>How Many Bras Should Each Woman Have?</span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li><li><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><font size="3"><span>A Woman&rsquo;s Bra Size Will Change During Her Lifetime. &nbsp;When Do Most Women Need To Be Properly Fitted?<br />&nbsp; </span></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></li></ul><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><font size="3" style="">WOW...thanks Susan for unearthing such knowledge! &nbsp;Now I&rsquo;ll have more understanding and patience when &ldquo;wife&rdquo; slings her dainties across the shower rod.<br /><br />Personally, I think songwriter Wynn Varble offers up more insight in his song &ldquo;Bird Dog Bra&rdquo;, where he explains in the chorus;&nbsp;<br /><br /><em style=""><span>It was a Bird-Dog Bra - should have known it when I met her</span><br /><span>A Bird-Dog Bra - had to pull herself together</span><br /><span>What&rsquo;s A Bird-Dog Bra? - you see it&rsquo;s really kind of clever&hellip;.</span><br /><span>A Bird-Dog Bra makes pointers out of setters.</span></em><br /><br />Okay, I&rsquo;ve milked this one enough.<br /><br />Curmudgeon Out!<br /><br />(<font style=""><em><span>reminder to the ladies</span></em></font>)<br /><font color="#c23b3b">October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. &nbsp;Go get your yearly mammograms!</font></font></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Up On The Housetop]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/up-on-the-housetop]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/up-on-the-housetop#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 20 Oct 2014 13:31:47 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/up-on-the-housetop</guid><description><![CDATA[ In case you missed this story about the woman getting stuck in the chimney in California and don&rsquo;t have time to read the whole thing, I thought I&rsquo;d sum it up for you with a familiar tune we all know.Up on the housetop cougar clawsDesperate woman pre-menopauseDown through the chimney she tries to slideStuck in the mid-dle - ass too wide(she&rsquo;s a) Ho Ho Ho - how could he not knowHo Ho Ho - he tried to let her goUp on the housetop - click, click clickDawn de-ter-gent - slick, slic [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:262px;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/2394679.jpg?244" style="margin-top: 5px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:justify;display:block;"><span><font size="3"><span>In case you missed this story about the woman getting stuck in the chimney in California and don&rsquo;t have time to read the whole thing, I thought I&rsquo;d sum it up for you with a familiar tune we all know.</span><br /><br /><span>Up on the housetop cougar claws</span><br /><span>Desperate woman pre-menopause</span><br /><span>Down through the chimney she tries to slide</span><br /><span>Stuck in the mid-dle - ass too wide</span><br /><br /><span>(she&rsquo;s a) Ho Ho Ho - how could he not know</span><br /><span>Ho Ho Ho - he tried to let her go</span><br /><span>Up on the housetop - click, click click</span><br /><span>Dawn de-ter-gent - slick, slick, slick</span><br /><br /><span>You can&rsquo;t make this crap up...</span><span><a href="http://www.wptv.com/news/local-news/water-cooler/genoveva-nunez-figueroa-woman-rescued-from-chimney-in-thousand-oaks-california">CLICK HERE FOR THE WHOLE STORY</a></span></font></span><br /><br /><br /><span><font size="3">Curmudgeon Out!</font></span><br /><span>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<font color="#c23b3b"> &nbsp;"Things are not as bad as they seem...they're worse!" - Bill Press</font></span></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Crotchless...With A Little Cream & Sugar]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/crotchlesswith-a-little-cream-sugar]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/crotchlesswith-a-little-cream-sugar#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 18 Oct 2014 11:38:25 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/crotchlesswith-a-little-cream-sugar</guid><description><![CDATA[&#65279;If you&rsquo;ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I love my coffee. &nbsp;Two cups in the morning, in the dark, in peaceful solitude.A Guilty Pleasure of mine, (that &ldquo;wife&rdquo; may not even know about), is popping into the neighborhood Starbucks for a final cup for my drive into work. &nbsp;While I don&rsquo;t stop by every morning, it&rsquo;s probably three times a week that I indulge myself with one more bold "cup-a-joe" for my morning commute with the  [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><font size="3"><span>&#65279;</span>If you&rsquo;ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know that I love my coffee. &nbsp;Two cups in the morning, in the dark, in peaceful solitude.<br /><br />A Guilty Pleasure of mine, (<em>that &ldquo;wife&rdquo; may not even know about</em>), is popping into the neighborhood Starbucks for a final cup for my drive into work. &nbsp;While I don&rsquo;t stop by every morning, it&rsquo;s probably three times a week that I indulge myself with one more bold "cup-a-joe" for my morning commute with the crazies on the interstate.<br /><br />Now I like Starbucks&rsquo; coffee, and I like the young people that staff this particular establishment. &nbsp;However, after yesterday, &nbsp;they&rsquo;re going to have to scratch me off of their customer list.<br /><br />You see, for the past 3-4 weeks, there has been a squatter that has apparently set up permanent residence in the corner by the beverage station and staked his claim on the two leather chairs and table. &nbsp;I can&rsquo;t see him when I first walk in, but after I pick up my order and step around the corner to sweeten my grande Komodo Dragon...BAM, I&rsquo;m slapped in the face by <em>Crotchet Man</em>!<br /><br />For weeks now, <em>Crotchet Man</em> has been there <u>everyday</u> in that same corner, right leg draped over the arm of that poor, molested chair...left leg gapped open the other way...leaned back as if he&rsquo;s ready to fire an arrow out of his butt to fend off any intruders to the territory which he has seized by his unabashed crotchdom. &nbsp;Add to it that he wears shorts everyday and it&rsquo;s just flat out disturbing. &nbsp;<br /><br />He&rsquo;s obviously more social than I am though because he has people there with him every morning who seem engaged in either the conversation or crotch-watching. &nbsp;Personally, I don&rsquo;t see how anyone could sit there with any seriousness while this man appears ready to pass a basketball...or worse!<br /><br />Maybe he&rsquo;s chafed and needs some Goldbond. &nbsp;Or maybe he&rsquo;s just an inconsiderate, oblivious, narcissistic individual that thinks his crotch don&rsquo;t stink. Whatever the reason, the unfortunate ending to this story is that my guilty pleasure has been snuffed out by a crotch.<br /><br />So drivers beware! &nbsp;Take note that you&rsquo;ll be rolling alongside a man that&rsquo;s one step short of crazy himself! And now, (<em>thanks to Crotchet Man</em>), I&rsquo;ll also be one cup short of the patience and courtesy I normally extend to you idiots on the road.</font><br /><br /><span>How do I like my coffee?...you may ask. &nbsp;I prefer mine Crotchless...with a little cream &amp; sugar</span><span>.&nbsp;</span><br /><br /><font size="3">Curmudgeon Out!<span>&#65279;</span></font><br />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <em><font color="#c23b3b">"Things are not as bad as they seem...they are worse!" - Bill Press</font></em></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[BOO!!!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/boo1]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/boo1#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 12 Oct 2014 18:58:54 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/boo1</guid><description><![CDATA[ 	 		 			 				 					 						  Even though retailers are already prepping and praying for a bumper-crop of Christmas shoppers, the fact remains that we still have two (what used to be) major holidays to celebrate before the arrival of December.&nbsp;&nbsp;With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I would provide you with some ideas in case you're thinking about dressing up scary this year.&nbsp; Click through the slideshow and prepare to be both scared &amp; inspired. Captions are complimen [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div><div class="wsite-multicol"><div class="wsite-multicol-table-wrap" style="margin:0 -15px;"> 	<table class="wsite-multicol-table"> 		<tbody class="wsite-multicol-tbody"> 			<tr class="wsite-multicol-tr"> 				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:43.586206896552%; padding:0 15px;"> 					 						  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Even though retailers are already prepping and praying for a bumper-crop of Christmas shoppers, the fact remains that we still have two (<em style="">what used to be</em>) major holidays to celebrate before the arrival of December.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br /><br />With Halloween just around the corner, I thought I would provide you with some ideas in case you're thinking about dressing up scary this year.&nbsp; Click through the slideshow and prepare to be both scared &amp; inspired. Captions are complimentary by yours truly.<br /><br /><span style="">In closing, here is some free, unsolicited advice. &nbsp;</span>If you're considering botox, lipo, lifto, sucko, stretcho, implanto&hellip;<u>please</u> revisit these images and re-thinko!<br /><br />Curmudgeon Out!<br /><font size="1">"Things are not as bad as they seem...they are worse" - Bill Press</font><br /><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span><span style=""></span><br /><span style=""></span></div>   					 				</td>				<td class="wsite-multicol-col" style="width:56.413793103448%; padding:0 15px;"> 					 						  <div><div style="height:20px;overflow:hidden"></div> <div id='193964609935982726-slideshow'></div>   <div style="height:20px;overflow:hidden"></div></div>   					 				</td>			</tr> 		</tbody> 	</table> </div></div></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Temporary Resignation]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/temporary-resignation]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/temporary-resignation#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Mon, 06 Oct 2014 12:20:21 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/temporary-resignation</guid><description><![CDATA[Dear Loyal Readers,It is with sadness that, (effective immediately), &nbsp;I must tender my resignation from being President of the Curmudgeonhood Of America (C.O.A.). &nbsp;&nbsp;I arrived at this conclusion due to an experience that happened over the weekend which convicted me to downgrade my rating to a &ldquo;C-2&rdquo; status and surrender my self-appointed title.You see, this past Saturday (along with 2 of my best friends), we had the privilege to be in the presence of greatness. &nbsp;His [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><font size="3">Dear Loyal Readers,<br /><br />It is with sadness that, (<em style="">effective immediately</em>), &nbsp;I must tender my resignation from being <em style="">President</em> of the <em style="">Curmudgeonhood Of America</em> (C.O.A.). &nbsp;&nbsp;I arrived at this conclusion due to an experience that happened over the weekend which convicted me to downgrade my rating to a &ldquo;C-2&rdquo; status and surrender my self-appointed title.<br /><br />You see, this past Saturday (<em style="">along with 2 of my best friends</em>), we had the privilege to be in the presence of greatness. &nbsp;His name was Gary - a complete stranger (<em>assigned to join the 3 of us by the club</em>), but more importantly, a <strong style="">Master Curmudgeon</strong>&hellip;.a true &ldquo;C-1&rdquo;.<br /><br />I was humbled by the crabby, crustiness of his demeanor, his complete obliviousness to our repeated attempts to engage him into conversation, his supernatural gift of projecting a black-hole vortex capable of sucking-in the beauty, peace and joy that stems from being on the golf course with good friends.<br /><br />Gary's body language oozed impatience and sourpuss. &nbsp;He didn&rsquo;t smile, nor did he talk...(<em>except to shout a profanity-laced tirade at the unsuspecting foursome ahead of us,</em>&nbsp;<em>because he felt they took too long to finish putting on the 5th green)</em>. &nbsp;Gary's ability to maintain such a constipated, crosspatch disposition on such a beautiful Autumn Saturday was so impressive that it's&nbsp;</font>convicted me to <u style="">temporarily</u> surrender my title of &ldquo;President&rdquo;. &nbsp;<br /><br /><font size="3">Unfortunately, it was a pretty chilly morning and Gary forgot to bring a jacket. &nbsp;Between holes he wrapped up in a dirty beach towel (<em style="">same one he was cleaning his irons off with in-between shots</em>), to try and block the wind. &nbsp;I guess even a C-1 curmudgeon can underestimate their own thickened and cynical outer-layer&rsquo;s ability to negate a stiff northern breeze.<br /><br />So at the start of the 6th hole, Gary did something that surprised us all...he spoke; &ldquo;<em>It&rsquo;s too damn cold for me to finish...I&rsquo;m going home&rdquo;</em>...and just like that, he was gone. &nbsp;Those few words were magical; however, because as he was carting away (<em>beach towel draped around his shoulders flapping like a super-curmudgeon&rsquo;s cape</em>), &nbsp;the sun shined brighter, the wind died down, and the birds and squirrels starting chirping again and gathering nuts for the winter.<br /><br />I didn&rsquo;t get your last name Gary, (<em>only because you wouldn&rsquo;t tell me</em>), but thank-you! &nbsp;You&rsquo;ve shown me that I have a long way to go to get to your C-1 level of Curmudgeonry. &nbsp;I bow to the master and yield my title to you.<br /><br />C-2 Out!</font><br /><font size="1" style="color: rgb(161, 161, 161);">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; </font><font size="2" style="" color="#c23b3b">"<em style="">Things are not as bad as they seem...they are worse!"</em> - Bill Press</font></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Baboons & Blue Bell]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/baboons-blue-bell]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/baboons-blue-bell#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sun, 05 Oct 2014 13:59:38 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/baboons-blue-bell</guid><description><![CDATA[Another restless night of interrupted sleep patterns and random thoughts that wiz past my brain at warp speed .&nbsp; Big Sis (a retired nurse), says there is a medical term for this condition called "Flight of Ideas".&nbsp; It's quite entertaining really.&nbsp; One moment I'm thinking about a family member or an issue at work and then&hellip;BAM, I'm seeing baboons eating Blue Bell out of a PF Flyer shoebox.&nbsp; Go figure.Well, last night I was able to stop the flight and focus for a few minu [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Another restless night of interrupted sleep patterns and random thoughts that wiz past my brain at warp speed .&nbsp; Big Sis (<em style="">a retired nurse</em>), says there is a medical term for this condition called "<em style="">Flight of Ideas</em>".&nbsp; It's quite entertaining really.&nbsp; One moment I'm thinking about a family member or an issue at work and then&hellip;BAM, I'm seeing baboons eating Blue Bell out of a PF Flyer shoebox.&nbsp; Go figure.<br /><br />Well, last night I was able to stop the flight and focus for a few minutes due to another commercial with one of those ridiculous medicine names.&nbsp; This one is called <em style="">Farxiga</em>&hellip;a new drug for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes.&nbsp; Great, (<em style="">I thought</em>), America probably needs this.&nbsp; But it also made me ponder;&nbsp;<br /><br />Who in the name of <strong style=""><em>Marcus Welby</em></strong> is in charge of naming these drugs?&nbsp; <em style="">Farxiga</em>?&nbsp; It sounds more like a treatment for leaky individuals. &nbsp;"<em style="">Since I've been taking Farxiga, I no longer get those accusatory looks in the elevator. &nbsp;My life literally used to stink, but not anymore thanks to Farxiga! &nbsp;It's changed my life&hellip;along with my co-workers"</em>.</div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Anyway, it prompted me to jot down a few of my own new drug ideas to pitch to Merck and Phizer to develop;<ul><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Focussin</font></strong>:&nbsp; While you may think this is for the A.D.D. patient, it's not.&nbsp; Focussin is for the redneck that can't control their potty-mouth in public.&nbsp; Take two of these and shut up!</li></ul><ul><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Noazzatall</font></strong>: &nbsp;Growth hormone for those who always wanted a booty like J.Lo</li></ul><ul><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Lawdhepmeleevym</font></strong>:&nbsp; For the wife who just can't take it anymore.</li></ul><ul><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Rotsaruck</font></strong>: &nbsp;Asian drug that doctors prescribe when they don't have a clue what you've contracted.</li></ul><ul><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Scratcharoni</font></strong>: &nbsp;Medicated salve for the promiscuous in San Francisco</li></ul><ul><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Vocatoonin</font></strong>:&nbsp; Now everyone can sing. &nbsp;Take two of these and get a record deal.</li><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Jubilia</font></strong>:&nbsp; Stimulates happiness in curmudgeons. (<em>sign me up!</em>)</li></ul><ul><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Sicarunin</font></strong>:&nbsp; For the treatment of diarrhea OR...a stimulant that induces one to exercise.</li></ul><ul><li><strong><font color="#c23b3b">Scruital</font></strong>:&nbsp; When you've finally given up.</li></ul></div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;"><font color="#a1a1a1">Dr. Curmudgeon, MD - Out!</font><br /><span>&#65279;</span><font size="1"><font color="#a1a1a1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;</font></font><font color="#c23b3b">"Things are not as bad as they seem...they are worse!" - Bill Press</font></div>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Curmudgeon's Creed]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/a-curmudgeons-creed]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/a-curmudgeons-creed#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Sat, 04 Oct 2014 19:37:17 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/a-curmudgeons-creed</guid><description><![CDATA[ They call me CurmudgeonCrosspatch I am heI rant about the things in lifeThat really shouldn&rsquo;t beSome deem me pessimisticA miscalculated viewConsider me a realistWho seeks to tell the truth.Crusty observationIs the service that I serveAnd here&rsquo;s a lengthy, loathsome listOf things that grate my nerves.The drive-thru at a StarbucksThe mall on Friday nightFood buffets and cruise shipsLarge crowds I wanna fightTanning beds and speedosOrange barrels on the roadSkinny jeans, sear sucker su [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:0px;*margin-top:0px'><a><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/5693931.png?1412451302" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;display:block;"><span>They call me Curmudgeon<br />Crosspatch I am he<br />I rant about the things in life<br />That really shouldn&rsquo;t be<br /><br />Some deem me pessimistic<br />A miscalculated view<br />Consider me a realist<br />Who seeks to tell the truth.<br /><br />Crusty observation<br />Is the service that I serve<br />And here&rsquo;s a lengthy, loathsome list<br />Of things that grate my nerves.<br /><br />The drive-thru at a Starbucks<br />The mall on Friday night<br />Food buffets and cruise ships<br />Large crowds I wanna fight<br /><br />Tanning beds and speedos<br />Orange barrels on the road<br />Skinny jeans, sear sucker suits<br />Wheat grass with horny goat<br /><br />Despise the rush-hour traffic<br />And penny loafers too<br />Living in Los Angeles<br />Is something I won&rsquo;t do<br /><br />I&rsquo;ll never get a mani-pedi<br />Or anything tattooed<br />Ask a woman&rsquo;s age or weight<br />Or when the baby&rsquo;s due<br /><br />Won&rsquo;t wax my back or ballroom dance<br />Comb-over thinning hair<br />Float my teeth in Efferdent<br />Or piercing anywhere<br /><br />Yeah, they call me Curmudgeon<br />A moniker that fits<br />I call them like I see them<br />A curse that I can&rsquo;t quit.</span><br /><br /><br /><span><span>Curmudgeon Out!</span></span><br /><span><span><span>&#65279;</span><font size="1">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <font color="#c23b3b">"Things are not as bad as they seem...they are worse!" - Bill Press</font></font><span>&#65279;</span></span></span></div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>]]></content:encoded></item><item><title><![CDATA[Pulled the Plug on Bugs!]]></title><link><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/pulled-the-plug-on-bugs]]></link><comments><![CDATA[http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/pulled-the-plug-on-bugs#comments]]></comments><pubDate>Wed, 01 Oct 2014 13:14:41 GMT</pubDate><category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category><guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/blog/pulled-the-plug-on-bugs</guid><description><![CDATA[Well here&rsquo;s something that just made my Frosted Flakes soggy! &nbsp;The CW Network (CBS/WarnerBros) just dropped the proverbial anvil on Wylie Coyote by pulling the plug on running Saturday morning cartoons! &nbsp;The CW was the last man standing, but finally had to succumb to the fact that things just &ldquo;ain&rsquo;t like they used to be&rdquo;.I remember vividly how I looked forward to Saturday mornings as a young child. &nbsp;Pajamas, a bowl of Cocoa Puffs (Jethro-sized), getting int [...] ]]></description><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Well here&rsquo;s something that just made my Frosted Flakes soggy! &nbsp;The <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/09/30/saturday-morning-cartoons-are-no-more/" target="_blank" style="">CW Network (CBS/WarnerBros)</a> just dropped the proverbial anvil on Wylie Coyote by pulling the plug on running Saturday morning cartoons! &nbsp;The CW was the last man standing, but finally had to succumb to the fact that things just &ldquo;ain&rsquo;t like they used to be&rdquo;.<br /><br />I remember vividly how I looked forward to Saturday mornings as a young child. &nbsp;Pajamas, a bowl of Cocoa Puffs (<em style="">Jethro-sized</em>), getting into <u style="">fights</u> with my sister over whether we were going to watch <strong style=""><em>Underdog</em></strong> (my personal favorite), or the <strong style=""><em>Jetsons</em></strong>...which came on at the same time on different channels...of which there were two. &nbsp;We would sit there for a few hours, lost in a blissful world of animated adventure. &nbsp;But come mid-day, Mama &amp; Daddy would kick us out of the house to go play in the yard.</div>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Looking back, that was really the only TV we watched all week. &nbsp;Saturday mornings were anticipated and had a &ldquo;feel&rdquo; about them that made them special. &nbsp;Those days are gone forever. &nbsp;Children today, and we as adults, are an on-demand society. &nbsp;We have the technology and ability to get what we want, when we want it. &nbsp;<br /><br />Sadly, that on-demand wherewithal and access has a detrimental effect. &nbsp;It normalizes the simple, precious things in life to the point that they&rsquo;re not &ldquo;special&rdquo; anymore. &nbsp;It&rsquo;s a numbing and dumbing &ldquo;effect&rdquo; - that results in requiring something bigger and better to &ldquo;affect&rdquo; us. &nbsp;Don&rsquo;t believe it? &nbsp;Compare the movie theaters &amp; productions, a concert, professional sporting events of today versus 20 years ago. &nbsp;Obviously, it takes more and more to impress us these days, excite us...create anticipation.</div>  <span class='imgPusher' style='float:right;height:0px'></span><span style='display: table;width:auto;position:relative;float:right;max-width:100%;;clear:right;margin-top:8px;*margin-top:16px'><a href='http://youtu.be/s2yDVYj7czQ?t=45s' target='_blank'><img src="http://www.thecurmudgeonmuse.com/uploads/2/1/0/4/21041940/8219464.png?1412168690" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; border-width:1px;padding:3px; max-width:100%" alt="Picture" class="galleryImageBorder wsite-image" /></a><span style="display: table-caption; caption-side: bottom; font-size: 90%; margin-top: -10px; margin-bottom: 10px; text-align: center;" class="wsite-caption"></span></span> <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:justify;display:block;">So goodbye Bedrock - Fred, Wilma, Barney &amp; Thelma<br />Goodbye Spacely Sprockets - George, Jane, Elroy, Judy &amp; Astro<br />So long Sweet Polly Purebred<br />Goodbye Scooby &amp; Shaggy<br />Bugs, Daffy, Yosemite Sam &nbsp;<a href="http://youtu.be/s2yDVYj7czQ?t=45s" target="_blank" style="">(CLICK HERE FOR YT CLIP)</a><br />Tom &amp; Jerry<br />Foghorn Leghorn<br />Roadrunner &amp; Wylie Coyote<br />Popeye, Olive Oil, Brutus &amp; Wimpy<br />And last but certainly not least&hellip;.Porky<br /><br />Ba Ba Deeb...Ba Ba Deeb...that&rsquo;s all folks!</div> <hr style="width:100%;clear:both;visibility:hidden;"></hr>  <div class="paragraph" style="text-align:left;">Curmudgeon Out!<br /><em>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;"<font color="#c23b3b">Things are not as bad as they seem...they are worse!"</font></em><font color="#c23b3b">...Bill Press</font></div>]]></content:encoded></item></channel></rss>