I just watched this american express commercial where this slightly post skater-looking slaker kid gets bored in San Diego or wherever and looks up skiing on the net. He then decides he need to go where it is snowing to go skiing and flys to utah, where he meets some people who tell him to go to Canada where there is even better snow. The canadians say the real storm in Japan - so off to japan. The japanese tell him the real skiing is in Norway, then off to go to italy where he gets a text message that the surfs up in maui. Each time he flys to the location and skiis.
Each time he flys with "points." At the end he says I need a card that gets me places - and thats why my card is american express. Mind you, the ad was playing during final American Idol episode.
Is this not a way of luring in young people to spend a fortune on credit cards and rack up ridiculous debt.
Holy crap. I would never think I would see the most tacky rendition of a beetles medley on American Idol where they got together and sang Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds. I wonder if that is what people thought when they heard the beetles sing it.
Followed by:
Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends
Mm, I get high with a little help from my friends
Mm, gonna try with a little help from my friends
Yes I get by with a little help from my friends
With a little help from my friends
I feel like (e:mike) 's Dare censor must be going off.
American idol had a record 74 million votes for Jordan Sparks who won this moment.
Paul's Journal
My Podcast Link
05/23/2007 22:06 #39395
American Express CommercialCategory: television
05/23/2007 19:21 #39394
My HouseCategory: linwood
Maybe it is pretentious but I love sitting on the porch wacthing people go by while pointing at the house and smiling. It almost makes the $6000 in taxes/year worth it.
Wegmans has gelato now. It is delicious.
The new baby squirrel likes the porch too.
Wegmans has gelato now. It is delicious.
The new baby squirrel likes the porch too.
metalpeter - 05/24/07 18:27
My apartment includes Heat and the way it works at my place and I think a lot of others is that I have radiator heat. I also have no control over it. It is set between 68-72 Degrees. I believe that it is less expensive to heat a house that way then with gas and vents. I think they work by heating water and then them being hot keeps the place warm, but not sure.
My apartment includes Heat and the way it works at my place and I think a lot of others is that I have radiator heat. I also have no control over it. It is set between 68-72 Degrees. I believe that it is less expensive to heat a house that way then with gas and vents. I think they work by heating water and then them being hot keeps the place warm, but not sure.
paul - 05/24/07 14:39
This is a new baby. It went unnoted because (e:matthew) hasn't been posting. I kept wanting to post about it but I wanted to give him the chance to and he didn't. it is more his baby than mine, he feeds it all day long. It is realy freakin cute in person.
This is a new baby. It went unnoted because (e:matthew) hasn't been posting. I kept wanting to post about it but I wanted to give him the chance to and he didn't. it is more his baby than mine, he feeds it all day long. It is realy freakin cute in person.
kara - 05/24/07 08:57
I love weggie's gelato. They'll give you two flavors in one bowl if you ask nicely - chocolate + butter pecan = yummy.
I love weggie's gelato. They'll give you two flavors in one bowl if you ask nicely - chocolate + butter pecan = yummy.
leetee - 05/23/07 23:54
I thought something happened to the baby... didn't you say mom pushed out the baby or something? Or is this a new baby. Inquiring minds want to know.
I thought something happened to the baby... didn't you say mom pushed out the baby or something? Or is this a new baby. Inquiring minds want to know.
jenks - 05/23/07 23:32
[and tiny- that's not the house he's talking about. that's his 'other' house. ;) the house he's proud of is on linwood, and just check paul's journal; there are plenty of pix.] [it really is pride-worthy, though.]
[and tiny- that's not the house he's talking about. that's his 'other' house. ;) the house he's proud of is on linwood, and just check paul's journal; there are plenty of pix.] [it really is pride-worthy, though.]
jenks - 05/23/07 23:30
aha! I knew there was something I was meaning to ask, and you reminded me!
How did I not know there is a baby squirrel?!!!! I never even knew mom was pregnant! paul, how did such a huge thing go un-posted?! tsk tsk!
aha! I knew there was something I was meaning to ask, and you reminded me!
How did I not know there is a baby squirrel?!!!! I never even knew mom was pregnant! paul, how did such a huge thing go un-posted?! tsk tsk!
fellyconnelly - 05/23/07 23:02
hopefully i'll find a landlord that is that much of a sucker!
hopefully i'll find a landlord that is that much of a sucker!
paul - 05/23/07 22:21
Oh, that's without utilities. Holy crap, I don't get how landlords can offer apartments with utilities. I would always be terrified of the tenants turning the heat way up in the winter. Maybe if the heating prices were more reasonable I could see it.
Oh, that's without utilities. Holy crap, I don't get how landlords can offer apartments with utilities. I would always be terrified of the tenants turning the heat way up in the winter. Maybe if the heating prices were more reasonable I could see it.
tinypliny - 05/23/07 20:53
oops. sorry. I scrolled down and found the house. And wow! I would point and smile too.
$575 for a 3 bedroom with utilities? And you are having trouble finding reliable tenants?? That's unbelievable. I have been crawling the apartment market for sometime now and I can tell you that price is waaaay lower that the rest of the market! It's about 1.4 miles from Roswell and falls slightly above my distance limit, however, I think I might contact you if I fail to find any 1BR/Studios within a mile radius by end of June 1st week, if that's ok. (I have a good credit history and can provide you with excellent references from my current landlady of 2 years.)
oops. sorry. I scrolled down and found the house. And wow! I would point and smile too.
$575 for a 3 bedroom with utilities? And you are having trouble finding reliable tenants?? That's unbelievable. I have been crawling the apartment market for sometime now and I can tell you that price is waaaay lower that the rest of the market! It's about 1.4 miles from Roswell and falls slightly above my distance limit, however, I think I might contact you if I fail to find any 1BR/Studios within a mile radius by end of June 1st week, if that's ok. (I have a good credit history and can provide you with excellent references from my current landlady of 2 years.)
paul - 05/23/07 20:51
There are pics in :::link:::
Speaking of the house. the next party is Saturday, June 9th for (e:lilho)'s graduation from buffalo.
There are pics in :::link:::
Speaking of the house. the next party is Saturday, June 9th for (e:lilho)'s graduation from buffalo.
mrdeadlier - 05/23/07 20:05
nice shirt
nice shirt
05/23/2007 09:34 #39384
What war are we in nowCategory: war
I just saw thi on google news:
What is the war now if not the Iraq war. I wonder when they study this in History class how they will explainhat George Bush declared the war over at least 4 years before the troops were done fighting. It seems like a holdover from the past that if you capture the leader of another country, the war is over. Did that ever ean anything?
Nine US warships in Gulf for show of force
Reuters Canada - 38 minutes ago
By Mohammed Abbas. ABOARD USS JOHN C. STENNIS (Reuters) - The largest daytime assembly of US warships in the Gulf since the 2003 Iraq war prepared on Wednesday to hold drills off Iran's coast in a major US show of force that unnerved oil markets.
What is the war now if not the Iraq war. I wonder when they study this in History class how they will explainhat George Bush declared the war over at least 4 years before the troops were done fighting. It seems like a holdover from the past that if you capture the leader of another country, the war is over. Did that ever ean anything?
metalpeter - 05/23/07 17:43
We Beat the country of Iraq's Army and disbanded them and found Sadam and the people exacuted him so the war has been over for a long time. We are now occuping the country. We knew how to win the war but not what to do once it was won. The US had no idea how to get the country to govern itself after it lost the war. I would call what is going on a civil war or maybe even more correctly terrorism. Or maybe it isn't terorism maybe the rebels who weren't part of the army are now fighting us and each other. Not to mention anyone who dosn't like the US or the ocupation can now come to IRAQ and attack American Troops.
We Beat the country of Iraq's Army and disbanded them and found Sadam and the people exacuted him so the war has been over for a long time. We are now occuping the country. We knew how to win the war but not what to do once it was won. The US had no idea how to get the country to govern itself after it lost the war. I would call what is going on a civil war or maybe even more correctly terrorism. Or maybe it isn't terorism maybe the rebels who weren't part of the army are now fighting us and each other. Not to mention anyone who dosn't like the US or the ocupation can now come to IRAQ and attack American Troops.
joshua - 05/23/07 16:38
Well, when it comes to pot I have to admit that I'm biased - I think it should be legalized, controlled (as much as possible anyway) and taxed. As far as I can see there is no war on drugs anymore.
The reverse logic (less terror if we prosecute the GWOT less) is completely counterintuitive.
Well, when it comes to pot I have to admit that I'm biased - I think it should be legalized, controlled (as much as possible anyway) and taxed. As far as I can see there is no war on drugs anymore.
The reverse logic (less terror if we prosecute the GWOT less) is completely counterintuitive.
ajay - 05/23/07 15:59
"... the GWOT will be continuing for a long time it seems...."
Just like the "GWOD". How long has that lasted? A huge machinery created for something that cannot be finished. We're spending over $1 BILLION a year incarcerating people for pot-related crimes; and God knows how much on interdiction of pot. And pot use has only gone up. Hope the same doesn't hold true for "GWOT" ...
"... the GWOT will be continuing for a long time it seems...."
Just like the "GWOD". How long has that lasted? A huge machinery created for something that cannot be finished. We're spending over $1 BILLION a year incarcerating people for pot-related crimes; and God knows how much on interdiction of pot. And pot use has only gone up. Hope the same doesn't hold true for "GWOT" ...
joshua - 05/23/07 13:07
Many Republicans are holding out to see through the end of the surge tactic - otherwise theres no political will to continue that I can see. This particular war in Iraq will probably last into the next presidency but I doubt that it will go along much further. However, the "GWOT" will be continuing for a long time it seems.
Many Republicans are holding out to see through the end of the surge tactic - otherwise theres no political will to continue that I can see. This particular war in Iraq will probably last into the next presidency but I doubt that it will go along much further. However, the "GWOT" will be continuing for a long time it seems.
james - 05/23/07 11:18
I am not sure how different this war will be treated than Vietnam. There are differences for sure, but the two stack up neatly together.
1) Both are being fought against an abstract, communism and terrorism
2) Both are unwinable in a conventional war. We killed Saddam/blew up North Vietnam, but still haven't won anything.
3) Both were useless wars fought on the periphery of a broader conflict. Ahem.
I do hope that unlike Vietnam this was is contained in one presidency and doesn't have the scope from Kennedy through Ford.
I am not sure how different this war will be treated than Vietnam. There are differences for sure, but the two stack up neatly together.
1) Both are being fought against an abstract, communism and terrorism
2) Both are unwinable in a conventional war. We killed Saddam/blew up North Vietnam, but still haven't won anything.
3) Both were useless wars fought on the periphery of a broader conflict. Ahem.
I do hope that unlike Vietnam this was is contained in one presidency and doesn't have the scope from Kennedy through Ford.
joshua - 05/23/07 11:15
War is never that simple.
I'm not particularly sure why they are doing military exercises, but to be honest since we are at war in the region I'm not particularly surprised or alarmed. We're not going to war with Iran anytime soon. We're actually holding talks with them very soon, which hasn't happened in almost 30 years.
The "mission accomplished" thing was an embarrassment - everybody knew that the war wasn't over at that time.
War is never that simple.
I'm not particularly sure why they are doing military exercises, but to be honest since we are at war in the region I'm not particularly surprised or alarmed. We're not going to war with Iran anytime soon. We're actually holding talks with them very soon, which hasn't happened in almost 30 years.
The "mission accomplished" thing was an embarrassment - everybody knew that the war wasn't over at that time.
05/21/2007 22:24 #39369
475 ProspectCategory: housing
Still looking for the right tenants of the upper apartment of our house over on Prospect. So many people have called but I refuse to bargain down below $575. It is right next to D'Youville and I feel like if the people can't pay $575 - I don't want them as tenants. We have had such bad experiences renting to poor students. I am just so tired of begging for the rent money each month. Plus I want to recoup fro having it painted. Last year I think we invested back more than we made.
I figure if the difference between $550 and $575 per month for 3 people in a 3 bedroom puts them over the edge, then I just don't want to risk having them as tenants as they won't be able to pay rent.
We removed the rug in the dining room and painted. Before:
My mother said that is how it was when she grew up. After:
The living room - we are still painting this and the bathroom.
Holy Angels looked pretty today. I took the picture waiting for (e:enknot) to drop some stuff off for his girlfriend megan. I can't go in his house anymore because he has a cat. I love how he like to pretend it doesn't make him sick. He must really love it.
Why does this nicely painted house on Porter have newspapers blocking the window?
I figure if the difference between $550 and $575 per month for 3 people in a 3 bedroom puts them over the edge, then I just don't want to risk having them as tenants as they won't be able to pay rent.
We removed the rug in the dining room and painted. Before:
My mother said that is how it was when she grew up. After:
The living room - we are still painting this and the bathroom.
Holy Angels looked pretty today. I took the picture waiting for (e:enknot) to drop some stuff off for his girlfriend megan. I can't go in his house anymore because he has a cat. I love how he like to pretend it doesn't make him sick. He must really love it.
Why does this nicely painted house on Porter have newspapers blocking the window?
mrmike - 05/23/07 09:51
Utilities included? Hell, I'd move over
Utilities included? Hell, I'd move over
fellyconnelly - 05/22/07 19:38
wow... $575 for a 3 bedroom is a pretty good deal! of course i'm coming from the land of $700 rooms in a house...
wow... $575 for a 3 bedroom is a pretty good deal! of course i'm coming from the land of $700 rooms in a house...
metalpeter - 05/22/07 17:43
Maybe when winter was over the pulled down the plastic then realised people could see in so they covered the windows quickly. I know somepeople will use the paper as a way to cover windows so people don't see in. Not that I'm looking for a place but would I be correct to assume that even though you only talked about your one bad tenets that the other ones are good, Or is it all one house and not to apartments?
Maybe when winter was over the pulled down the plastic then realised people could see in so they covered the windows quickly. I know somepeople will use the paper as a way to cover windows so people don't see in. Not that I'm looking for a place but would I be correct to assume that even though you only talked about your one bad tenets that the other ones are good, Or is it all one house and not to apartments?
jason - 05/22/07 08:28
maybe they're painting on the inside now?
maybe they're painting on the inside now?
05/21/2007 22:23 #39368
Niagara CafeCategory: food
For lunch today (e:nknot) and I ate at Niagara Cafe On Niagara Street. The food was pretty good, especially considering the lunch specials only cost $3.99 I think everything they server is red and yellow colored. I would suggest trying it out.
Yummy friend plantains with garlic dipping sauce.
Some sort of yummy chicken stew.
Check out the rest of the prices
Yummy friend plantains with garlic dipping sauce.
Some sort of yummy chicken stew.
Check out the rest of the prices
jsl - 05/23/07 14:47
Niagara Cafe is great, we go there quite frequently. I didn't notice the "red and yellow" color theme in their food, but I'll have to go back to check it out. :)
Niagara Cafe is great, we go there quite frequently. I didn't notice the "red and yellow" color theme in their food, but I'll have to go back to check it out. :)
i dont know ajay, we flew round trip on FF points last year to china. three people in the middle of summer vacation completely free from buffalo to china. i cant even imagine what that would have cost us had we had to pay. not too much trouble booking the flights. just went online, played around with some dates and voila! just had to book the vacation first and then decide on my vacation days off. there is no way it would have worked if i had a set time off.
in addition, we stayed in a 5 star hotel on points, and because we were platinum point members, everyone had free breakfast (delicious, upscale buffet) and access to the concierge lounge with free hors d'oeuvres and alcohol.
that was the cheapest vacation ever, yet the most luxurious. i wouldn't call them a complete rip off. not as easy to utilize as if you were paying, but free never is, nor do i expect it to be.
The points thing and FF miles are the biggest scam around.
I once tried to book a RT ticket to Santa Fe, NM. Booking the flight directly, it was a 1-stop flight. If I tried to use FF miles, the airline sent me from here to Chicago, then from there to Dallas, and then to Santa Fe, taking a whole day with 5-hour layovers. Clearly they like it when you rack up FF miles; but they hate it when you actually try to use them.
That's bad, it reminds me of another american express commercial that used the beatles song "all you need is love" totally inappropriate. the motto of a credit card company should be "all you need is Stuff! lots of it, more than you can afford"
terrible
The joys of consumer culture... rack up a huge debt while burning tons of jet fuel. Typical, and disturbing. :(
It is funny that you mentioned this ad during a show where they did Beatles songs. Shawn White is an amazing athlete. I wonder if they planed it that way be cause he has a movie called "The White Movie" and the cover is all white. I do have that DVD but don't have a picture of it. I do think the ad is aimed at kids and trying to get them to get a credit card. But I think it is also aimed at people who all ready have them to get them to switch to a card that has a better incentive program. I used to have a "Blue" American Express card. It was pretty it was white and had a Blue reflective piece on the front and had all sorts of security stuff I didn't understand. At the time it was aimed at students and it was the only American Express Card that you didn't have to pay all of it at the end of one billing cycle. That is how they used to all work you paid a percentage on what you bought and then paid them back all that money it wasn't like Visa and Mastercards where you have a minimum payment and can take forever to pay it back. To be an american express cardholder used to be like being in a special club and they had special travel packages and benifits and all kinds of stuff. I don't know if they are still that way of being a "Rich Man's" Credit card. I guess that is why they have rich Celbirties as there spokes people. The only one draw back to that is that the viewer knows that there is no reason why this person needs a credit card at all.
beep beep beep...drug song...warning...this song is about drugs ...this message brought to you by DARE and officer penky
That makes so much more sense then.
He is one of the best skateboarders and snowboarders in the world, and has won medals for us in the winter Olympics. He was one of those freak talents who went pro really young.
I thought it was very funny when they were all rocking out on "Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds." They were all getting soooo into it like it was this hip, fresh tune.
By the way, Better Midler was AWFUL!!!!