Octoberfest

Today was Appleton's Octoberfest. I have yet to attend. The kids always had soccer tournaments the same weekend or other plans would not allow it. I want to go to an Octoberfest before I die. Another item on my "bucket list." LaCrosse has a great Octoberfest --- I hear. The ultimate would be to go to Munich to celebrate.

Why October fest? I love autumn. Soft sun, no humidity, blue sky, warmish-cool weather, changing leaves. It is a celebration of season and I'd like to be part of it.

Gulls

Dedicated to Steven.

Just because something eats garbage doesn't mean its ugly.

Random Musings

People who refused to leave Houston and Galveston when given mandatory orders to leave are now being rescued. They should have to pay for those rescues.

McCain and Obama need to stop giving us ads that tell us what is wrong with the other and discuss the issues.

After the age of 10 birthdays should become non-celebratory days. As someone who is celebrating her 54th birthday tomorrow, I do not need a reminder of the day.

Brett who?

I wonder how Barbara Bush feels knowing her son is one of the dumbest Presidents the US has ever suffered?

Wouldn't the US be a nicer country if naps were mandatory? Why didn't the founding fathers make it a Constitutional right to nap?

I am so glad my family and Dan do not hunt. The entire kill it, gut it, eat it concept is difficult to fathom. I don't even like thinking about how meat actually makes it to the grocery store. In fact, if I take the time to really look at meat in a package I usually put it back and eat vegetarian.

I love watching HGTV. I would love to have my house on one of their shows and have them do a room makeover. However, I don't want to have to do the projects with them.

Obsessively Anti-Palin

I am obsessively anti-Sarah Palin. I spent lots of time over the weekend reading as many articles as possible about what is wrong with her as the VP choice. I only hope voting Americans wake up and see what is wrong with her as a McCain running mate.

Sarah Palin

I just don't care for Sarah Palin as the Republican VP choice.

I watched her acceptance speech and tried to keep an open mind. Yes, she is a good speaker and her comedic timing is down pat. As a national newbie I found her biting sarcasm and perceived smugness unearned. Actually, I find her sudden elevation to this political status unearned. The Republican party touts her qualifications as mom, involvement in PTO, hockey mom, city counselperson mayor of a small town, governor of a state with 670,00 residents. Okay, I'm a mom, had involvement in PTO, worked on the passage of two school referendums, elected to two three year terms on the school board. While Palin finally traveled outside the US for the first time last year, I have traveled to other countries 9 times. Hmmmmm, I am more qualified to be at least lt. governor let alone VP.

During her acceptance speech Palin, the hockey mom, joked that the difference between pit bulls and hockey moms was lipstick. Petty as it may seem, I didn't like that. I've never liked the dig in and chew 'em apart sports' parents. No perspective.

The entire package has no depth. How shallow or desperate are the conservative Repubicans that an unknown of unproven value excites them to the point of frenzy? Do they really think that their Presidential candidate, should he win, will consult with this newbie on issues of importance? Much like Dan Quayle, she will be just another pretty face put out there as a vote

getter.

Men's Fashion Faux Pas

Men fashion don'ts:

Large gold chains. Such an outdated disco look or pimp wannabe accessories. Only an Olympic athlete can pull it off, preferably if there is a sentimental story behind the chain.

Tennis shoes with khakis. Tennis shoes can be worn with faded denim, athletic apparel, or shorts. That's it. No exceptions.

White socks with anything other than tennis shoes. (Well, maybe a white tux) How ghastly is it to see white socks peeking out of dark dress pants or dark Dockers; this is a beacon announcing that the man is "clueless."

Black socks with shorts. This is such a stereotypically old man look and the only men possibly able to be given a fashion pass on this is an old man. If a man is so dense that he wears black socks and shorts, he should be not be allowed out of his abode without fashion police clearance.

Shirtlessness. There are a few young men with beautifully sculpted bodies who can pull off the shirtless look. Unfortunately, there are more men whose body should never be shirtless in public. Because men seem to lack the wherewithall to know when they should remain covered a law needs to be passed that makes it illegal for any male over the age of 7 to be shirtless. However, if a shirtless male fashion police force is ever established, I would volunteer to "license" men able to go shirtless.

Comb overs. No one is fooled by comb overs. It is better to embrace baldness than to pretend it can be covered. Cut the remaining hair close, shave it off, or wear a hat that never leaves your head.

Speedos should never be a consideration unless an Olympic swimmer. Come on, guys, look in the mirror. I'm not sure a eunich could successfully wear one. Less is not more.

This may not be a complete list but it is a start. If you have read this list and think you can be an exception to these rules.......you are wrong. Tis better to error on the safe side than be the subject of female snickers.

August Already

Where the heck did the summer go? It is August already. I like fall -- the colors, crisp and cooler weather, but the impending winter casts a shadow over the season. Summer is only 3 short months. It has been a cooler, wetter summer this year and actually more enjoyable than the drought summers of the past few years. Oh, how I wish summer could last 4.5 months, early fall 5.5 months, winter 1 month and spring 1 month. Don't bother telling me about growing cycles.....if this was the way it was it would all work out. Trust me on this.