The Number One Stunna

One of the jobs that Americans won't take, I suppose.

Yet another one...

Here you go.  Have at it.

At first, it was a need for overtime at work.  Then it became a love for overtime.  Now it's an obsession with overtime.  I guess because I got so overly happy that I'm almost out of debt, I wanted to keep making money so I could get the credit-card-debt-monkey off my back.

$8500 down, $2000 to go.

And yes, I was a nutcase with the credit cards.  And just like those with debt, I had the clothes with the tags still on them.  I returned those clothes with tags (thank God for receipt lookup) and that took $1000 off my tab.  The other clothes will go one of two routes: garage sale or Buffalo Exchange off of Greenville Ave.  And there were other petty items.  I also had a set of 18" rims and tires, headlights, taillights, a cold-air intake, and a cat-back exhaust that I thought I would put on a Nissan 240SX (upon finding one) which would have been the start of my sport-tuner phase.

Yea, that lasted like what, 3 months?  I put them back on eBay; there's $2000 right there.  Then, when the credit companies came calling because I only paid the minimum amount due, and those interest rates went up, and stuff started going into collections; I then knew I made some dumba** mistakes.

Need-less-to-say, I was determined to get out of debt.  Nothing to return to the store anymore.  It's all about making cash payments.  Now, I have become the friend that neglects their friends for the "significant other".  As proof:

131 emails.  All from MyFOXdfw.com.

Then there is my other mail, including the never-ending barage of mail from Monster.com, CareerBuilder.com, HotJobs.com, DallasMorningNewsJobCenter.com, and TexasWorkforceCommission.com.  Let it not be known, when I look for a job, I look for one.  Too bad I forgot the account user names and passwords to them.

But it's the MyFOX mail I have yet to deal with.  Too much stuff has occurred in the past week or so that I have yet to either write about it or comment on it.

TheOpinionsOfMrJones.  Not really living up to the name if I keep my mouth shut.  So I don't care if it takes me a long time, I will be catching up with all the mail in my InBox, and whatever else is on the blog pages.  Right now, I just want to apologize to those that I have yet to creep onto their blog entries and drop my $.02 cents.  And I will be dedicating a full 2 hours everyday to catching-up.

In other words, I've collected as much overtime as the company will allot me.  Apparently, there are others up at my job called coworkers that want overtime, too.

Just coming home from work the other day; off the Tollway, onto 35 Stemmons South towards The Cliff.  I'm in the usual traffic stew, switching between the new Maroon5 CD and Galloway and Company.  I look into someone's car (a Dodge Magnum) and there's the usual barrage of TVs.  One on:

• the middle of the dash where the radio used to be
• the middle of the steering wheel where the airbag should be
• the middle of the dash where the passenger airbag should be
• the ceiling hanging down
• each of the driver and passenger headrests
• each of the rear passenger headrests (I don't know why, there's not a sitting area behind them)

Reminds me of something this rapper said, "Got more TVs in here than where I live."

I've gotten used to seeing the Best Buy TV department on wheels.  But here's what was truly disturbing, if not one of the sickest.

They were watching PORNOS in the car.  Seriously.

I know the difference between an artful nude scene or a gratuitous nude scene in a movie, and some XXX entertainment.  I know what I saw.  If they were watching those in the car, I really don't want to know of anything else going on in the car.

I thought rolling entertainment would reach this level.  But DAYUM, what you do in the privacy of your home should not make it's way onto the streets where it's visible by any and every one.  Nor to let everyone know how much of a sex addict you truly are if you couldn't wait until you got home.

Its time to either remove the TVs, or regulate how many can be in a car, where they can be in a car, and what can be shown on them.  But what level of thinking would possess a person or a carload of people to put on some flicks while traveling, let alone in traffic?

And thats just one of the many opinions, of Mr. Jones

I comment and reply to the blogs in the morning; its the only time I can cause I've been doing some 10-hr days.  If I'm off that day, I'll work on them too.

But, Monday morning when those horrendous storms rolled though, I expected during the night to see one of the weather interns to report on the storms.  But nope, no interns, no assistants.  There was Evan, just reporting all night long, starting around 1 or 2am.  All up until Good Day Dallas came on.

And here I am now, Wednesday @ 4:45am, commenting and replying.  And there's another severe storm system.  And there's Evan, no intern or assistant.  Which means when they say they are up in the morning (by that I mean Tim, Megan, Dan, Chip, Todd, Maria, and Evan), they truly are up in the morning.  I though they were kidding about it, but I'm proven wrong, which I'm learning to accept; I am wrong, sometimes. :p

So,  I guess when I'm on here, they're doing their thing too.  Cool.

P.S.: Thanks for all of you being there for those involved in the storms.  It might have been worse without yall being there and forewarning every 10-15 minutes.

Yeap, that's it up above.  The avatar for those who don't upload an avatar.

But...what if you're a female?

Is this acceptable for the ladies?  It's ok for someone named Doug_In_Dallas or FtWorthFratDude.

But what about Denise_In_Dallas, Francine_of_FtWorth, and Patricia_intheheartof_Plano?

Should there be a gender option when you create your account?

Or should the technology-impaired deal with what they have?

Let's see.  Those that are here illegally:

1) Get to stay and have children that become instant citizens, therefore ensuring they're not going anywhere.
2) Change our current laws and our language, and force good people out of their jobs because they're not bilingual.
3) Mooch off of us financially, because the illegal immigrants that are already here told them "It's free money all around," in addition to those that don't mind giving them the money and will bend the rules to do it, or tell them what they need to do to get the money.

But, a family in Coppell that followed the immigration rules, mind you:

1) Had their kids in their home country.
2) Speak English.
3) Have not only good jobs, but their own business, built by their own money.
4) Have kids who have awesome grades and are not dependent upon the state for their educations.

are about to get deported.  All because their lawyers didn't keep up with their court dates and paperwork.

They left their country because they were Muslim; it's not looked too well upon in a majority Hindu nation.  Which could also be why their lawyers dropped the ball on their paperwork and court dates; they were Muslim.

Should a family that did right by the laws be deported because their sorry-BLEEP lawyers only took on the case for the money cause they couldn't cut it as real lawyers?  No.  You would think the immigration offices would look back and see the years of efforts the family has put forth while being U.S. citizens, while the foundation only started to crack just recently.

But this isn't the first time something like this has happened.  Just Google the restaurant 'Cafe Express' and 'immgration.'  Same situation, and lawyers that turned out to be giant idiots. (I changed this word out of respect for someone I have respect for on here on 06/15/2007).

This is what pisses me off.  Our current laws can attack a family that played by the rules, but let a family of 15 illegals just slip past thier noses?  And give them financial assistance, plus healthcare?  And have our schools change the curriculum to suit them?

Why can't what they are going after this family for, apply to millions of illegals right here, right now?

Really, why can't we deport the trifling-BLEEP immigration lawyers that just take the money and run?

And that's just one, of the many opinions, of Mr. Jones

DON'T BET ON THAT HORSE!!! 

This is in relation to what gothcentralbarbie summed up in her post.

Let's say you built a house.  You put every necessity to make a house, a house.  A solid foundation, a frame to lay out the house, roofing, plumbing, electrical wiring, drywall, flooring, heating and air conditioning, windows, doors, and paint.

Then a severe storm comes through and devastates what you built up.  Even before you're able to have your housewarming.

The property should be condemned, but you see no problem with what you have, so you'll continue to live there, no matter how unstable it would become.  It is still your home you built.  And it could fall apart like a house of cards, only because you chose not to do one thing: Make sure you insured your investment.

Most seniors who didn't pass the TAKS could probably relate.  Although they did the work, passed their classes, and earned their credits to graduate, TAKS came through and destroyed what they built up.  And they won't be able to participate in their big day.  But retaking the test in the summer and then getting the diploma isn't the same and they won't have the elaborate setup they thought would be laid out for them. 

But here is what I fear.  Just like the homeowner who won't rebuild and is cool with what he has; I think some, but not a lot of these seniors will believe they have earned the credits to graduate, so in their mind, THEY HAVE GRADUATED.  They don't need some test to say they have graduated, thay have credits.  Those seniors are not, will not retake the TAKS test this summer and will have their fun, without the reassurance of having a high school diploma.  One of the least required essentials to get a job.

I believe that they should retest them during the school year, after school of course, as to not take up more time from the school day. This way they are able to graduate, provided they passed this time.

But when you couldn't explain to them during the school year how important this requirement of graduation is, how are you going to be able to get them to come in during their summer vacations to take a now, absolutely, unnecessary test and expect them to pass it?

And thats just one, of the many opinions, of Mr. Jones

It might be just me, but if there is an avenue available to help you when you are unable to care for your baby, or in some cases, DON'T WANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE BABY, you should utilitize it.  I'm referring to the so-called mother who abandoned her baby in an Oak Cliff apartment complex.  And then she knocks on the door and leaves?  This isn't a Looney Tunes cartoon where Sylvester or Daffy is in the basket.  What if no one was home?  What if there were severe storms tonight?

I'm under the impression of the Baby Moses Law, that if a mother is to drop the baby off at a firehouse or a Baby Moses supported facility that no questions will be asked, no information will be taken down, and she will not be arrested.  Wouldn't that be easier than facing criminal charges?

One could say it would be easier if you made him wear a condom or stop being so fast and keep your legs closed, but I digress.

This type of information should be told during parenting classes, lemanz(sp?) classes, or within 6-48 hours of the child's birth, this way we don't have incidents like this or babies being put into trash bags and being thrown into trash dumpsters.  There are couples out there who just wish they could have a little one and are unable to, and you have "women" like her who go out and pull this B.S.

And thats just one, of the many opinions, of Mr. Jones.

I have a rottweiler.  Ok, its my brother's rottweiler.  Thats a story within itself.  Nonetheless, he was a victim of the MenuFoods recalled dog food (we gave him Nutro).  We have since started him on a Purina formula and probably will not try the wet/can food on him.  But there are a lot of stories out there of  people making their own pet food for their pets.  Thats probably good since you would know whats going into it, but there are some foods/ingredients that your pets cannot and should not consume.  I hate to question anyones intelligence on this because you may already know, but I just want to put it out there anyway.

Here are some foods/ingredients dogs and cats should not consume:

• Chocolate
• Grapes or raisins
• Onions or onion powder
• Garlic or garlic powder
• Pear pips, the kernels of plums, peaches and apricots, apple core pips (contain cyanogenic glycosides resulting in cyanide posioning)
• Potato peelings and green looking potatoes
• Rhubarb leaves
• Moldy/spoiled foods
• Alcohol (drinks)
• Yeast dough
• Coffee, Coffee grounds, beans & tea (caffeine)
• Hops (used in home brewing)
• Tomato leaves & stems (green parts)
• Broccoli (in large amounts)
• Macadamia Nuts
• Cigarettes, tobacco, cigars
• Sugarless Candies (saccarin, spenda, xylitol, or nutrisweet)
• Mushrooms
• Avocado
• Eggplant
• Potpourri
• Candles
• Raw eggs
• Raw salmon
• Chili (onion powder)
• Cheese
• Seasoned Meats
• Ice Cream
• Poultry skin
• Gravy, gravies
• Bread, Pizza dough
• HUMAN - Prescriptions, medications, supplements, cough syrups, medicine
• Fatty Meats (pork, ham, bacon, animal fats)

Not only are there foods they should not eat but plants as well:

• Azleas
• Chrysanthemums
• Daffodils
• Hydrangeas
• Iris
• Ivy
• Marigolds
• Narcissus
• Tiger Lilies
• Wisteria

EXTREMELY TOXIC (includes links to pictures):

• Castorbean, Castor Oil Plant
• White Snakeroot, White Sanicle, Richweed
• Senecio, Groundsel, Ragwort
• Water Hemlock, Spotted Water Hemlock, Spotted Cowbane
• Poison Hemlock
• Cocklebur
• Pigweed, Redroot Pigweed
• Jimsonweed, Thornapple
• Johnsongrass
• Cherry, Wild Black Cherry
• Yew, English Yew, Japanese Yew
• Red Maple
• Easter Lily
• Oleander Rosary Pea, Precatory Beans, Crabs Eye, Jequirity Bean
• Castorbean
• White Snakeroot
• Senecio, Ragwort
• Water Hemlock
• Poison Hemlock
• Cocklebur
• Pigweed
• Jimsonweed
• Johnsongrass
• Cherry
• Yew
• Red Maple
• Easter Lily
• Oleander
• Rosary Pea
  

MODERATELY TOXIC (includes links to pictures):

• Arroid Family: CHINESE EVERGREEN, ANTHURIUM, JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT, GREEN DRAGON, ELEPHANT EARS, TARO, DUMBCANE, CUT-LEAF PHILODENDRON, CERIMAN, MEXICAN BREADFRUIT, PHILODENDRON, DEVIL'S-IVY, POTHOS, SKUNKCABBAGE, TRI-LEAF WONDER, ARROWHEAD VINE, NEPTHYTIS

• BULB-BEARING PLANTS OF HOUSE AND GARDEN

• LUPINE, BLUEBONNET, QUAKER-BONNETS

• RHUBARB, PIE PLANT

• AZALEA, RHODODENDRON

• CULTIVATED OATS

• DWARF LARKSPUR, STAGGERWEED, POISON WEED

• BRACKENFERN, BRAKE FERN

• GREEN FALSEHELLEBORE, WHITE HELLEBORE, INDIAN POKE

• FIELD HORSETAIL SCOURINGRUSH

• SPURGES, EUPHORBIA

• Nightshade family: BLACK NIGHTSHADE, CAROLINA HORSENETTLE, BULL NETTLE, BITTER NIGHTSHADE, CLIMBING BITTERSWEET

• OHIO BUCKEYE HORSECHESTNUT

• Dumbcane (Aroid Family)

• Bulbs

• Lupine

• Rhubarb

• Azalea, Rhododendron

• Oats

• Ergot

• Fescue

• Yellow, White Sweetclover

• Tobacco

• Larkspur

• Brackenfern

• Green False Hellebore

• Milkweed

• Horsetail

• Mustards

• Spurges

• Nightshades

• Buckeye, Horsechestnut

• Black Walnut

• Red Oak

• Black Locust

MINIMALLY TOXIC (includes links to pictures):

• FOXTAIL BARLEY, SQUIRRELTAIL BARLEY, WILD BARLEY
• COMMON BURDOCK
• ENGLISH IVY
• CATNIP
• CHRISTMAS PLANT
• COMMON TANSY
• ALSIKE CLOVER
• JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT, INDIAN TURNIP
• DUTCHMAN'S BREECHES, STAGGERWEED, SQUIRRELCORN, STAGGERWEED, CULTIVATED BLEEDING HEART 
• BUTTERCUPS
• STINGING NETTLE WOOD (BULL) NETTLE
• HEMP, MARIJUANA, HASHISH, HASH
• COMMON ST. JOHNSWORT, KLAMATH WEED
• STAR-OF-BETHLEHEM, SNOWDROP, NAP-AT-NOON
• COMMON POKEWEED, POKEBERRY, POKEROOT, INKBERRY, POKE
• BOUNCING BET, SOAPWORT
• Foxtail Barley
• Common Burdock
• English Ivy
• Catnip
• Poinsettia, Christmas Plant
• Tansy
• Alsike Clover
• Jack-in-the-Pulpit
• Dutchman's Breeches
• Buttercups
• Stinging Nettle
• Marijuana
• St. Johnswort
• Star of Bethlehem
• Pokeweed
• Bouncing Bet

If you all know of any other foods, list them as well.  Thanks and hope yalls pets are doing better as well.

I, MR. JONES,  DO NOT TAKE CREDIT FOR THE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH PERFORMED OR PROVIDED.  I GOOGLE-ED, COPIED, AND PASTED EVERYTHING.  I REPEAT, I GOOGLE-ED, COPIED, AND PASTED EVERYTHING.

Buicks.  They're the only ones I believe had fender portholes.  Three on each side for Centurys, LeSabres, and Holiday sedans.  Four on each side for Park Avenues and Roadmasters.  Correct me on that, please.  Nonetheless, since the return of the portholes on the last generation Buick Park Avenue, and the new portholes on the Lucerne, the Enclave, and the Maserati Quattroporte, it's restarted a new trend: Portholes on anything.  I've seen portholes on American cars, British cars, German cars, even Asian cars. I've seen them on sedans, coupes, convertibles, trucks, SUVs, minivans and station wagons.  It's only a matter of time before I see them on semis/18-wheelers, police cruisers or a DART bus.  And there are too many styles.  Ovals, triangles, circles, elipses, diamonds, squares, and yes, the ones "borrowed" from the Buick Lucerne.  Ask any Buick dealership where their cars' portholes are.

Yea, those right above.  3 on each side for the V6, 4 on each side for the V8; of course for the number of cylinders.  But even then, the number of portholes that I've seen on the vehicles don't even match up.  Six in total on a V8?  Eight in total on a V6?  A nice $10.00 accessory for your car?  Cool, but it gets outrageous when there are portholes on an Escort, Civic, Taurus, Accord, or Camry.

I was washing my Charger the other day when someone offered me a set at the carwash.  Even showed me what styles would look good.  Since he couldn't take a hell no, I drove off; car still wet, tires un-ArmorAll-ed.  They're everywhere, in their chrome-plated, black-insert glory.  I can't stand them, and I'll be glad when the trend is over.  But with the new Buicks coming with their design of the portholes, I don't see an end in sight.

And if it isn't the portholes, its the fender vents from the '07 Cadillac Escalade or some similar design.  Again, ask any Cadillac dealership where theirs are.

All I'm saying is not every car accessory is made for every car.  Remember the carriage tops that were distinctive to Cadillacs and Lincolns?  Mmmmhmmm, what was the last car you saw wearing one?

Then again, I wished I had pantented or trademarked them.  I would be sitting pretty right about now.

And thats just one, of the many opinions, of Mr. Jones