And Now? The Time Has Come ...

This is the final entry for this blog.

Why?

Because I'm now at Rupe's Value Added Services ... Redux.

"Well ... that kind of tells me why ... but not really, if you know what I mean ..."

You're right.

So go read the initial posting over there and your question will be answered, already.

.......... Ruprecht  ( STOPped putting new entries here. You know why if you followed directions )

Cheese Substance

How many times have I told you: "Use Velveeta, go to jail?"

(At least once. Here.)

And, really ... if you need a reason to avoid Velveeta (you don't - commons sense should dictate that), verbiage use such as this will do the trick: 

"No illnesses have been reported in connection to the underpreserved cheese substance." 

Reason enough. 

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP abusing cheese, don't use Velveeta )

What Part Of "Barq's" Don't You Understand?

Two weeks have gone by and - Wouldn't you know it? - I find myself back at Chick-Fil-A once again.

*sigh*

Not my choice of a quick dinner while on the go. (As a matter of fact, the next time we're out, I'm picking the eatery for a change of pace.)

You know ... I never have understood the attraction of Chick-Fil-A. I've frequented their locations a handful of times - the majority in the last year - and I haven't yet had anything that strikes me.

Well that's not necessarily true. When there those few weeks ago I included a side of coleslaw with my order. It would have been completely unremarkable except for one thing: Chick-Fil-A shaves their slaw into such small particles it has the consistency of chewing grains of sand. It's barely coleslaw; it's more like eating flavored shavings. Yeah, that was the impression the stuff left me with. At least, I can say I've tried it. And no need to go back to it again.

Anywho, everyone else had ordered and I was last up. I requested the same thing as previous, a spicy chicken sandwich meal. This time noted there was hot sauce available as one of their condiments. I could make the sandwich taste as if there was a bite to it being the description ("spicy") was deceiving. (Interesting Side Note: This time around I was asked by the service person what type of cheese I wanted on the sandwich. The image displayed and stated on the menu board plainly states the item comes with pepper jack cheese. Being given a choice point blank upon ordering leads me to conclude Chick-Fil-A simply enjoys messing with my head.)

Understand: As far as fast food joints go, the place isn't bad. It's just, well ... dull. There's nothing that stands out about it. (And even that's not completely true. The employees? They're overly nicey-nice. They exude a kind of suspicious scrubbed-clean fakery to the point they lean toward a somewhat creepy side. They're kind of like a clean version of "children of the corn" - you know they're going to show up at your doorstep in the middle of the night to do you harm. (Of course, I jest ... I think ...)

At any rate, my order put in, I was asked what drink I wanted with my meal. "Barq's, please" I responded.

"What?" the service kid asked me quizzically.

"Barq's" I said once more.

The kid leaned closer to me obviously befuddleded and asked again. For the third time I said "Barq's." I was speaking English and I know I was speaking loudly enough for him to hear me; I wasn't privy why there was a disconnect. He looked at me with a bit of a crinkle in his brow, appearing not to want to ask a forth time. 

"Barq's Root Beer, please" I explained.

"Oh! I'm sorry! I didn't even know that's what it was called," he fumbled.

Inwardly I sighed to myself, but didn't say anything. My drink was filled and given to me. I thanked him and went on my way.

"Why didn't you just tell him you wanted root beer?" I was asked by a member of my dinner group.

"Look: The founders of Barq's have done a hell of a job branding their product and establishing a niche in the soft drink arena. I would be doing them a huge disservice if I called out Barq's with the common terminology of "root beer" ... which their beverage isn't precisely. Not to mention if there were any Cajuns within earshot they would have lambasted me ... and understandably so with regard to my lack of respect toward the product ..."

I was rewarded with an eye roll.

Yes ... I know: Sometimes I'm a freak.

.......... Ruprecht ( will not STOP calling it "Barq's" ) 629

Uncomfortable Laughter

Want to know what I'm pissed off about regarding the video below?

Why in the world is there laughter when the President makes the following comment?

"The United States does not have a monopoly on crazy people ..."

The events he touches on during this discussion are serious ... dead serious.  

Life and death serious.

Gun control and the inefficiency of Congress to pass some of the most common sense laws concerning gun control. What has gone wrong in the meantime because of Congress' ineffectual buffoonery. In both the videos, the discussion holds a gravity of such weight you can't help but consider some of the things he states and be amazed by them.

And then? Most amazing of all? People laugh at the "monopoly" comment.

When I first heard this, my jaw immediately dropped. I don't know whether it says anything about what's on the minds of the people in the audience, I don't know if they're truly listening, I don't know if they simply don't get it. But what the President is addressing is anything but comical.

This is no laughing matter. Some mentally deranged motorhead with a screwed up agenda goes on a life-changing rampage, the President himself is just this side of dumbfounded while talking about it ... and the audience is yucking it up.

I find this amazing and sad at the same time ...

"The question then becomes: "Well, what can we do about it?" The only thing that's going to change is public opinion. If public opinion does not demand change in Congress, it will not change."

With a public response like that laughter? And at a grave comment such as that? No wonder the gun control situation is stagnant. One can see why Congress won't take a comment such as that seriously ...

Of course, I'm exaggerating at what Congress would do. Right?

No. Not really ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP ) 319

Write On ...

You know ... it's funny. Some people don't understand. 

They don't understand why I write, what I write about or why I write about what I do. 

Some have even said I haven't written anything legible the entire time I've written. (If you believe the old adage "Even a broken clock is right twice a day" then something I've written has to have struck a chord with someone out there at some point in time. Think about that for a moment and see if it makes sense ...)

I just write. And I enjoy doing it.

Sometimes it's about me, sometimes it's about them, sometimes about things in general, sometimes in specifics. Sometimes? It's about nothing at all.

Those people who don't understand? Maybe one day they will figure out why I do what I do. I'd like them to, but it's not my concern.

I'll just keep writing ...

.......... Ruprecht ( hasn't STOPped yet. Nor does he intend to. ) 157

Dream A Little Dream ...

Robert Downy Jr. was in my dream last night.

No ... wait ... it was Brad Pitt.

Hold on ... wait ... no it wasn't: It was a combination of the two.

Except the combination looked like both of them equally, morphed together. And that morphed Downey/Pitt was short, squat, powerful and - most puzzling of all - black. (I cannot tell you why because I have no idea. I chalk it up to the strangeness of the dream ...)

I was downtown somewhere, in a nameless big city. There were television screens all around in barren offices that contained nothing but desks and unadorned walls. Some sort of focus group I was in was worrying over why cheap, personal, portable bar units you could wear like a fanny pack were so popular. Downey/Pitt was one of those who had to get in on the action.

Calls were made. Moves were put into force. And, before you knew it, Downey/Pitt had his very own brand of cheap, personal portable bar unit. The infomercial used for the product (I don't remember its name, but it was something catchy and innocuous at the same time) was colorful, flashy and attention-grabbing. Accountings of the units sold, in insanely furious numbers, were tabulated by some firm which reported their consumption by the masses hourly.

Days later, a package arrived for me. It was a large, brown box. I opened it and inside were fist-sized stress relievers with brown LEDs inside them that lit up every time a bar unit was sold somewhere. Each of the stress relievers blinked incessantly and randomly. I took the box to where I knew Downey/Pitt was at, knocked and entered. He was slumped in a beanbag chair in nothing but his underwear, looking board as he watched the infomercial for the hundredth time. I handed him a stress reliever and he looked at it for a moment while rotating it in his hand, then tossed it to the side, bored with it.

In a focus group later in the day, Downey/Pitt and others, dressed nattily in three-piece suits, were crowded around news reports stating the steady decline of the sales of bar units. There were worried concerns all around; millions of units had been sold in the days prior and millions more were in inventory. Ideas were furiously tossed around the room what could be done to spur sales once more and a solution was reached, something about putting an added bonus in or on the units which would revitalize sales.

Decisions were reached and calls were made to put the idea in action.

The next day, there was the expected increase in sales as a result.

The entire dream was one big vicious circle with rising and falling sales, group meetings, revampings and glowering over television screens day in and day out. Nothing changed except the heavy disappointment in the air that money wasn't coming in followed by overly loud back slaps and exaggerated high fives when sales shot once again through the roof. 

No one left the offices we were in, no one ate, no one had a life other than concentrating on the next big thing ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP ) 525

Translation: Ir Voto

Tomorrow I work the polls for the California Statewide Direct Primary Election.

And I don't mind admitting: I'm a little bit frightened about it.

Don't get me wrong: It's not the election itself I'm frightened about. Nor being face to face with any voters who come in. The long hours? Pish, posh ... not a worry. Possible boredom? Nah ... I'll have pad and paper at the ready during any lulls. I'm good.

It's some of the people I may be working with I'm sketchy about. Let me give you a few for instances ...

During training, I had some questions of the speaker conducting the class. I raised my hand and asked my questions as they came up, one of which was:

"In the event of a person registered to vote doesn't have their California driver's license for identification or doesn't have one at all or doesn't know their social security number, are they allowed to vote provisionally?"

Simple enough, right? But ... not 10 minutes later, another question arose from a lady sitting a few seats to my left:

"What happens if someone doesn't have their license or their social security card to show you?"

Really? Was this woman paying attention during training? Was she there to actually learn anything with the goal of working on election day? Or was she there simply for the freshly-made blueberry donuts and a second cup of Joe? I stared at her for sometime in disbelief.

More interesting still came the aftermath of discussion about those who didn't speak English or who may be more comfortable voting in Spanish. I was surprised to hear the response after the training speaker announced those folks would indeed be allowed to vote in Spanish, that it need not be in English.

Hearing this, there was a hushed but audible hiss in the room from various folks. Wow. I was genuinely taken aback by such an outburst, quiet though it was. Just as surprising were the low murmurs I heard complaining "If they're voting they need to do it in English!" and other similar comments.

These were some of the people overseeing the polls? I would be working alongside many who could potentially be called upon to assist voters in need, even if it was assistance on a non-English request? Would they react similarly if a voter was handicapped? Something else?

Voters have rights about this sort of stuff, don't they?  Rights about a safe haven to vote, free from intimidation and influence and all that jazz. Right?

You bet your bippy they do.

Sure enough, not only is there a Voter Bill Of Rights readily available but doubly so on California Secretary of State Debra Bowen's website:

• Item #1: "You have the right to cast a ballot if you are a valid registered voter. A valid registered voter means a United States citizen who is a resident in this state, who is at least 18 years of age and not in prison or on parole for conviction of a felony, and who is registered to vote at his or her current residence address."
• Item #8: "You have the right to election materials in another language, if there are sufficient residents in your precinct to warrant production."

Rights such as these (and others) seemed common sense to me, especially if folks visiting the polls are registered voters. 

So ... could there be drama at the old polling place Tuesday? There very well could be.

And not only am I curious to see what goings on could raise their ugly heads, I'm just a wee bit frightened of what my reaction might be toward any of those motorhead workers ...

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP with your prejudiced belly-achin' already ... ) 622

I Had A Rash ...

... well ... actually, I experienced a rash. Let's put it that way.

And not that kind of rash.

The kind experienced was one of overly-concerned people questioning me about my food choices. This rash has come in a clump - two instances of genuine concern and a third which turned out to be puzzling to say the least.
  
Concern #1 came Sunday morning while at a Mimi's Cafe. I rarely frequent Mimi's (I think the last time I dined in one was 5 years ago or so) but it was the brunchy establishment of choice that morning. (If memory serves it was the only real game in town at the time with regard to a sit-down eatery.) An omelet was the order of the day and I requested one of Mimi's "French inspired" selections, the "Omelette Basquaise." This little number contained Andouille sausage, roasted red peppers, caramelized onions, mushrooms and Jack cheese topped with sauce basquaise, a slightly spicy tomato sauce.

My waitress (who could have been the twin of Camryn Manheim circa The Practice years) asked if I had had that particular dish previously. I responded I had not. "It's rather spicy," she informed me, to which I grinned goofily.

I waved her revelation toward me with exaggeration. "Bring it on. Thanks for the warning but when it comes to spicy foods I highly doubt it will faze me." She said something about it being too spicy for her and acknowledged my response with a smile.

When the dish was served and I'd tasted it, I noted it did have a tangy bite. But that was all. I would bet dollars to donuts that the average person who states a dish is hot would have considered this breakfast indeed to be too hot for them. But it wasn't. It was pleasant enough. It didn't even require a glass of water to help make its way down. It was just fine.

"How is your omelet?" the waitress asked at one point.

"Not nearly spicy enough. But it's just right for me this morning," I answered. 

Concern #2 came later that evening. Out and about all day, the meanderings ended at a Chicago Fire Restaurant which specializes in pizza, salads and wings. I'd never been to one but I was in the (extremely rare) mood for pizza for some reason, something that comes about once every other blue moon. Scanning their menu, I decided on a titular "Chicago Fire" pizza. This little number came with hot Italian sausage, Giardiniera peppers, habanero sauce and jalapeno peppers, the description alone indicating it was on the hot and zesty side.

And again, when the waiter came 'round to take the order, I was asked if I'd had the pizza before. "It's really hot," he decried. "Too hot for me." And, again, I told him to bring it on, thanking him for the warning.

I asked rhetorically of my dining companions what the deal was with my welfare where fiery foods were concerned and left it at that.

And I'll admit: The pizza was hot. But far from unpleasantly so. It was enjoyable in that I was happy with my selection. (I've had cravings for pizza previously and ordered pies which not only were lacking in flavor but were actually steps backward in my desire for future pizza orders.) I'll will further admit it was hot enough to wash down with a second 22 ounce beer. Hot, but not too hot ... and but thoroughly tasty and agreeable.

It was at the last place this week that spurred me to write about the frets various wait staffers had for me, however. Because this one truly befuddled me. 

With errands to be accomplished, it was decided Chick-Fil-A was the accepted fast food joint to grab something, eat quick and go. Not having been in a Chick-Fil-A many times, I scanned the menu thoroughly. The preferred item turned out to be a spicy chicken sandwich, precisely what I ordered from the scrubbed and attentive cashier behind the counter. But the order came with a question:

"It's all right that the sandwich has pepper jack on it, right?" he queried.

Now ... what I really wanted to do was shoot a snappy comeback at him. (I knew I was a bit tired from a strenuous bike ride earlier and I could tell I was somewhat peckish.)

"Well ... be that as it may, I not only speak English but I can read English well enough to comprehend the menu up there behind you. Thus, I can plainly see Chick-Fil-A's spicy chicken sandwich comes with a slice of pepper jack cheese - which is commonly of the zesty cheese variety. Not to mention the description for the item states it's "spicy" so, yes ... pepper jack on the sandwich would be acceptable. I mean, being that I'm ordering that particular item ..." 

Because that's what I really wanted to say.  

I wondered: Did I not appear as if I knew what I was ordering? Was there a confused look on my face when I offered my option? Did I hem and haw while voicing my desire? Was there a weak, uncertain timbre in my response such that I may have been vacillating on what I wanted? Was there some random person standing next to me wearing an "I'm With Stupid" T-shirt with an arrow pointed my way?

But, instead, I simply said "Yes ... that's fine" and accepted the drink cup he offered me with a smile. I didn't understand why he asked that question but I let it be. There was no need.

And, as it turned out, the spicy chicken sandwich at Chick-Fil-A wasn't spicy in the least. 

.......... Ruprecht ( won't STOP his "spicy" retorts ... but curbs them every now and again ... ) 961

Memorial Day 2014

A reflective Memorial Day ...

.......... Ruprecht ( doesn't STOP reflecting ) 8

I Keep Telling People ...

... cats are

• Devious
• Manipulative
• Self-serving
• Fickle
• Selfish
• They shed
• And, no matter how many times you attempt to discipline them, they continue to scratch furniture relentlessly without regard

And let's not get into a discussion about their litter boxes, their eating preferences and the fact they can upchuck anywhere at any time.

If you know anything about Felis silvestris catus, you know I'm only scratching the surface.

But this I do know: Cats will suck the breath out of you when you're sleeping and unaware. If you have a cat, one day this is going to be the death of you. You want proof?

Here you go:

Just wrap your head around this fact: Cats - just like clowns - are not to be trusted.

Period.

.......... Ruprecht ( is dedicated to STOPping cats at every opportunity ) 139

Line Judging Girls Volleyball

Of course I was happy to be a line judge at one of my girl's volleyball games Saturday afternoon.

In retrospect, I'm not certain the coach of the team was happy about it, though.

I only made four calls the entire 2-game set. Of the four calls, I recognized where two of them could have been controversial. And probably more controversial than they ever should have been.

As a line judge in volleyball, you have two relatively easy tasks:

• Verifying the players on a team are rotating properly, and;
• Determine if a ball is in play if it hits the floor around the boundary line. (If a ball lands anywhere inside or on the boundary line of the field, the ball is in play. If it skirts across the line and bounces outside the line, the ball is dead and play is stopped.)

Pretty simple actually. Close calls can make things interesting, however. As was the case with two of my calls.

The first was a ball that came very near where I was positioned. 

From my vantage point, it smacked the ground just inside the boundary, but I could see how the referee calling the game - and from the other side of the court - had a tough time seeing where it landed. With authority I called the ball fair and indicated such with a hand motion. There happened to be a lot of action during the play and just about all eyes were on the bodies in motion not the ball. I was focused on the ball, however ... and I saw precisely where it landed. And assertively motioned it fair. A spectator from the stands yelled: "Was it in or out ... ?!?" and I responded over my shoulder without looking at him it fell fair. Only then did I hear the ref blow his whistle and award the opposing team their point. Not so controversial, but the spectator in the stands heightened tensions in the room by yelling out his question. It had everyone watching on edge for a few moments.

The next play in question came after a particularly long volley between the two teams. Again, the ball landed near me and it was clearly out of bounds. I indicated such. There was no question in my mind.

But that didn't stop one of the coaches from coming over to me.

"You do know if a ball is on the line it's in play ... right?" She asked me.

"And that's exactly why I stand by the call I made. The ball was out." I replied.

Her tone indicated she didn't like the call, further evident by the fact my decision didn't favor her team. That was understandable.

Still, her question hit a nerve somewhat. Enough so I considered adding "That's the way the ball bounces sometimes."

But I thought better of it. There wasn't any reason to rub salt in the wound of the lost point.

.......... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Really ... that IS the way the ball bounces sometimes ... 501

Proof

This is nothing more than proof of what I've said all along:
 

"The only people who should wear their hats backward are catchers and rappers."

.......... Ruprecht ( if you think this guy is going to STOP the mockery, think again )  79

Banjos!

I find ad placement pretty amusing at times, this one in particular found smack dab in the middle of my Yahoo! page this morning ...

... and while I don't know the first thing about playing a banjo, even I'm excited about this ... !!!

.......... Ruprecht ( just can't STOP the sarcasm ) 54

Counting ... Without Cards

This is a writing exercise. It's called Afflecking.

And now? I can say I have done it.

1 one 2 two 3 three 4 four 5 five 6 six 7 seven 8 eight 9 nine 10 ten 11 eleven 12 twelve 13 thirteen 14 fourteen 15 fifteen 16 sixteen 17 seventeen 18 eighteen 19 nineteen 20 twenty21 twenty-one 22 twenty-two 23 twenty-three 24 twenty-four 25 twenty-five 26 twenty-six 27 twenty-seven 28 twenty-eight 29 twenty-nine 30 thirty 31 thirty-one 32 thirty-two 33 thirty-three 34 thirty-four 35 thirty-five 36 thirty-six 37 thirty-seven 38 thirty-eight 39 thirty-nine 40 forty 41 forty-one 42 forty-two 43 forty-three 44 forty-four 45 forty-five 46 forty-six 47 forty-seven 48 forty-eight 49 forty-nine 50 fifty 51 fifty-one 52 fifty-two 53 fifty-three 54  fifty-four 55 fifty-five 56 fifty-six 57 fifty-seven 58 fifty-eight 59 fifty-nine 60 sixty 61 sixty-one 62 sixty-two 63 sixty-three 64 sixty-four 65 sixty-five 66 sixty-six 67 sixty-seven 68 sixty-eight 69 sixty-nine 70 seventy 71 seventy-one 72 seventy-two 73 seventy-three 74 seventy-four 75 seventy-five 76 seventy-six 77 seventy-seven 78 seventy-eight 79 seventy-nine 80 eighty 81 eighty-one 82 eighty-two 83 eighty-three 84 eighty-four 85 eighty-five 86 eighty-six 87 eighty-seven 88 eighty-eight 89 eighty-nine 90 ninety 91 ninety-one 92 ninety-two 93 ninety-three 94 ninety-four 95 ninety-five 96 ninety-six 97 ninety-seven 98 ninety-eight 99 ninety-nine 100 one hundred.

101 one hundred one 102 one hundred two 103 one hundred three 104 one hundred four 105 one hundred five 106 one hundred six 107 one hundred seven 108 one hundred eight 109 one hundred nine 110 one hundred ten 111 one hundred eleven 112 one hundred twelve 113 one hundred thirteen 114 one hundred fourteen 115 one hundred fifteen 116 one hundred sixteen 117 one hundred seventeen 118 one hundred eighteen 119 one hundred nineteen 120 one hundred twenty 121 one hundred twenty-one 122 one hundred twenty-two 123 one hundred twenty-three 124 one hundred twenty-four 125 one hundred twenty-five 126 one hundred twenty-six 127 one hundred twenty-seven 128 one hundred twenty-eight 129 one hundred twenty-nine 130 one hundred thirty 131 one hundred thirty-one 132 one hundred thirty-two 133 one hundred thirty-three 134 one hundred thirty-four 135 one hundred thirty-five 136 one hundred thirty-six 137 one hundred thirty-seven 138 one hundred thirty-eight 139 one hundred thirty-nine 140 one hundred forty 141 one hundred forty-one 142 one hundred forty-two 143 one hundred forty-three 144 one hundred forty-four 145 one hundred forty-five 146 one hundred forty-six 147 one hundred forty-seven 148 one hundred forty-eight 149 one hundred forty-nine 150 one hundred fifty 151 one hundred fifty-one 152 one hundred fifty-two 153 one hundred fifty-three 154 one hundred fifty-four 155 one hundred fifty-five 156 one hundred fifty-six 157 one hundred fifty-seven 158 one hundred fifty-eight 159 one hundred fifty-nine 160 one hundred sixty 161 one hundred sixty-one 162 one hundred sixty-two 163 one hundred sixty-three 164 one hundred sixty-four 165 one hundred sixty-five 166 one hundred sixty-six 167 one hundred sixty-seven 168 one hundred sixty-eight 169 one hundred sixty-nine 170 one hundred seventy 171 one hundred seventy-one 172 one hundred seventy-two 173 one hundred seventy-three 174 one hundred seventy-four 175 one hundred seventy-five 176 one hundred seventy-six 177 one hundred seventy-seven 178 one hundred seventy-eight 179 one hundred seventy-nine 180 one hundred eighty 181 one hundred eighty-one 182 one hundred eighty-two 183 one hundred eighty-three 184 one hundred eighty-four 185 one hundred eighty-five 186 one hundred eighty-six 187 one hundred eighty-seven 188 one hundred eighty-eight 189 one hundred eighty-nine 190 one hundred ninety 191 one hundred ninety-one 192 one hundred ninety-two 193 one hundred ninety-three 194 one hundred ninety-four 195 one hundred ninety-five 196 one hundred ninety-six 197 one hundred ninety-seven 198 one hundred ninety-eight 199 one hundred ninety-nine 200 two hundred.

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301 three hundred one 302 three hundred two 303 three hundred three 304 three hundred four 305 three hundred five 306 three hundred six 307 three hundred seven 308 three hundred eight 309 three hundred nine 310 three hundred ten 311 three hundred eleven 312 three hundred twelve 313 three hundred thirteen 314 three hundred fourteen 315 three hundred fifteen 316 three hundred sixteen 317 three hundred seventeen 318 three hundred eighteen 319 three hundred nineteen 320 three hundred twenty 321 three hundred twenty-one 322 three hundred twenty-two 323 three hundred twenty-three 324 three hundred twenty-four 325 three hundred twenty-five 326 three hundred twenty-six 327 three hundred twenty-seven 328 three hundred twenty-eight 329 three hundred twenty-nine 330 three hundred thirty 331 three hundred thirty-one 332 three hundred thirty-two 333 three hundred thirty-three 334 three hundred thirty-four 335 three hundred thirty-five 336 three hundred thirty-six 337 three hundred thirty-seven 338 three hundred thirty-eight 339 three hundred thirty-nine 340 three hundred forty 341 three hundred forty-one 342 three hundred forty-two 343 three hundred forty-three 344 three hundred forty-four 345 three hundred forty-five 346 three hundred forty-six 347 three hundred forty-seven 348 three hundred forty-eight 349 three hundred forty-nine 350 three hundred fifty 351 three hundred fifty-one 352 three hundred fifty-two 353 three hundred fifty-three 354 three hundred fifty-four 355 three hundred fifty-five 356 three hundred fifty-six 357 three hundred fifty-seven 358 three hundred fifty-eight 359 three hundred fifty-nine 360 three hundred sixty 361 three hundred sixty-one 362 three hundred sixty-two 363 three hundred sixty-three 364 three hundred sixty-four 365 three hundred sixty-five 366 three hundred sixty-six 367 three hundred sixty-seven 368 three hundred sixty-eight 369 three hundred sixty-nine 370 three hundred seventy 371 three hundred seventy-one 372 three hundred seventy-two 373 three hundred seventy-three 374 three hundred seventy-four 375 three hundred seventy-five 376 three hundred seventy-six 377 three hundred seventy-seven 378 three hundred seventy-eight 379 three hundred seventy-nine 380 three hundred eighty 381 three hundred eighty-one 382 three hundred eighty-two 383 three hundred eighty-three 384 three hundred eighty-four 385 three hundred eighty-five 386 three hundred eighty-six 387 three hundred eighty-seven 388 three hundred eighty-eight 389 three hundred eighty-nine 390 three hundred ninety 391 three hundred ninety-one 392 three hundred ninety-two 393 three hundred ninety-three 394 three hundred ninety-four 395 three hundred ninety-five 396 three hundred ninety-six 397 three hundred ninety-seven 398 three hundred ninety-eight 399 three hundred ninety-nine 400 four hundred.

401 four hundred one 402 four hundred two 403 four hundred three 404 four hundred four 405 four hundred five 406 four hundred six 407 four hundred seven 408 four hundred eight 409 four hundred nine 410 four hundred ten 411 four hundred eleven 412 four hundred twelve 413 four hundred thirteen 414 four hundred fourteen 415 four hundred fifteen 416 four hundred sixteen 417 four hundred seventeen 418 four hundred eighteen 419 four hundred nineteen 420 four hundred twenty 421 four hundred twenty-one 422 four hundred twenty-two 423 four hundred twenty-three 424 four hundred twenty-four 425 four hundred twenty-five 426 four hundred twenty-six 427 four hundred twenty-seven 428 four hundred twenty-eight 429 four hundred twenty-nine 430 four hundred thirty 431 four hundred thirty-one 432 four hundred thirty-two 433 four hundred thirty-three 434 four hundred thirty-four 435 four hundred thirty-five 436 four hundred thirty-six 437 four hundred thirty-seven 438 four hundred thirty-eight 439 four hundred thirty-nine 440 four hundred forty 441 four hundred forty-one 442 four hundred forty-two 443 four hundred forty-three 444 four hundred forty-four 445 four hundred forty-five 446 four hundred forty-six 447 four hundred forty-seven 448 four hundred forty-eight 449 four hundred forty-nine 450 four hundred fifty 451 four hundred fifty-one 452 four hundred fifty-two 453 four hundred fifty-three 454 four hundred fifty-four 455 four hundred fifty-five 456 four hundred fifty-six 457 four hundred fifty-seven 458 four hundred fifty-eight 459 four hundred fifty-nine 460 four hundred sixty 461 four hundred sixty-one 462 four hundred sixty-two 463 four hundred sixty-three 464 four hundred sixty-four 465 four hundred sixty-five 466 four hundred sixty-six 467 four hundred sixty-seven 468 four hundred sixty-eight 469 four hundred sixty-nine 470 four hundred seventy 471 four hundred seventy-one 472 four hundred seventy-two 473 four hundred seventy-three 474 four hundred seventy-four 475 four hundred seventy-five 476 four hundred seventy-six 477 four hundred seventy-seven 478 four hundred seventy-eight 479 four hundred seventy-nine 480 four hundred eighty 481 four hundred eighty-one 482 four hundred eighty-two 483 four hundred eighty-three 484 four hundred eighty-four 485 four hundred eighty-five 486 four hundred eighty-six 487 four hundred eighty-seven 488 four hundred eighty-eight 489 four hundred eighty-nine 490 four hundred ninety 491 four hundred ninety-one 492 four hundred ninety-two 493 four hundred ninety-three 494 four hundred ninety-four 495 four hundred ninety-five 496 four hundred ninety-six 497 four hundred ninety-seven 498 four hundred ninety-eight 499 four hundred ninety-nine 500 five hundred.

501 five hundred one 502 five hundred two 503 five hundred three 504 five hundred four 505 five hundred five 506 five hundred six 507 five hundred seven 508 five hundred eight 509 five hundred nine 510 five hundred ten 511 five hundred eleven 512 five hundred twelve 513 five hundred thirteen 514 five hundred fourteen 515 five hundred fifteen 516 five hundred sixteen 517 five hundred seventeen 518 five hundred eighteen 519 five hundred nineteen 520 five hundred twenty 521 five hundred twenty-one 522 five hundred twenty-two 523 five hundred twenty-three 524 five hundred twenty-four 525 five hundred twenty-five 526 five hundred twenty-six 527 five hundred twenty-seven 528 five hundred twenty-eight 529 five hundred twenty-nine 530 five hundred thirty 531 five hundred thirty-one 532 five hundred thirty-two 533 five hundred thirty-three 534 five hundred thirty-four 535 five hundred thirty-five 536 five hundred thirty-six 537 five hundred thirty-seven 538 five hundred thirty-eight 539 five hundred thirty-nine 540 five hundred forty 541 five hundred forty-one 542 five hundred forty-two 543 five hundred forty-three 544 five hundred forty-four 545 five hundred forty-five 546 five hundred forty-six 547 five hundred forty-seven 548 five hundred forty-eight 549 five hundred forty-nine 550 five hundred fifty 551 five hundred fifty-one 552 five hundred fifty-two 553 five hundred fifty-three 554 five hundred fifty-four 555 five hundred fifty-five 556 five hundred fifty-six 557 five hundred fifty-seven 558 five hundred fifty-eight 559 five hundred fifty-nine 560 five hundred sixty 561 five hundred sixty-one 562 five hundred sixty-two 563 five hundred sixty-three 564 five hundred sixty-four 565 five hundred sixty-five 566 five hundred sixty-six 567 five hundred sixty-seven 568 five hundred sixty-eight 569 five hundred sixty-nine 570 five hundred seventy 571 five hundred seventy-one 572 five hundred seventy-two 573 five hundred seventy-three 574 five hundred seventy-four 575 five hundred seventy-five 576 five hundred seventy-six 577 five hundred seventy-seven 578 five hundred seventy-eight 579 five hundred seventy-nine 580 five hundred eighty 581 five hundred eighty-one 582 five hundred eighty-two 583 five hundred eighty-three 584 five hundred eighty-four 585 five hundred eighty-five 586 five hundred eighty-six 587 five hundred eighty-seven 588 five hundred eighty-eight 589 five hundred eighty-nine 590 five hundred ninety 591 five hundred ninety-one 592 five hundred ninety-two 593 five hundred ninety-three 594 five hundred ninety-four 595 five hundred ninety-five 596 five hundred ninety-six 597 five hundred ninety-seven 598 five hundred ninety-eight 599 five hundred ninety-nine 600 six hundred.

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801 eight hundred one 802 eight hundred two 803 eight hundred three 804 eight hundred four 805 eight hundred five 806 eight hundred six 807 eight hundred seven 808 eight hundred eight 809 eight hundred nine 810 eight hundred ten 811 eight hundred eleven 812 eight hundred twelve 813 eight hundred thirteen 814 eight hundred fourteen 815 eight hundred fifteen 816 eight hundred sixteen 817 eight hundred seventeen 818 eight hundred eighteen 819 eight hundred nineteen 820 eight hundred twenty 821 eight hundred twenty-one 822 eight hundred twenty-two 823 eight hundred twenty-three 824 eight hundred twenty-four 825 eight hundred twenty-five 826 eight hundred twenty-six 827 eight hundred twenty-seven 828 eight hundred twenty-eight 829 eight hundred twenty-nine 830 eight hundred thirty 831 eight hundred thirty-one 832 eight hundred thirty-two 833 eight hundred thirty-three 834 eight hundred thirty-four 835 eight hundred thirty-five 836 eight hundred thirty-six 837 eight hundred thirty-seven 838 eight hundred thirty-eight 839 eight hundred thirty-nine 840 eight hundred forty 841 eight hundred forty-one 842 eight hundred forty-two 843 eight hundred forty-three 844 eight hundred forty-four 845 eight hundred forty-five 846 eight hundred forty-six 847 eight hundred forty-seven 848 eight hundred forty-eight 849 eight hundred forty-nine 850 eight hundred fifty 851 eight hundred fifty-one 852 eight hundred fifty-two 853 eight hundred fifty-three 854 eight hundred fifty-four 855 eight hundred fifty-five 856 eight hundred fifty-six 857 eight hundred fifty-seven 858 eight hundred fifty-eight 859 eight hundred fifty-nine 860 eight hundred sixty 861 eight hundred sixty-one 862 eight hundred sixty-two 863 eight hundred sixty-three 864 eight hundred sixty-four 865 eight hundred sixty-five 866 eight hundred sixty-six 867 eight hundred sixty-seven 868 eight hundred sixty-eight 869 eight hundred sixty-nine 870 eight hundred seventy 871 eight hundred seventy-one 872 eight hundred seventy-two 873 eight hundred seventy-three 874 eight hundred seventy-four 875 eight hundred seventy-five 876 eight hundred seventy-six 877 eight hundred seventy-seven 878 eight hundred seventy-eight 879 eight hundred seventy-nine 880 eight hundred eighty 881 eight hundred eighty-one 882 eight hundred eighty-two 883 eight hundred eighty-three 884 eight hundred eighty-four 885 eight hundred eighty-five 886 eight hundred eighty-six 887 eight hundred eighty-seven 888 eight hundred eighty-eight 889 eight hundred eighty-nine 890 eight hundred ninety 891 eight hundred ninety-one 892 eight hundred ninety-two 893 eight hundred ninety-three 894 eight hundred ninety-four 895 eight hundred ninety-five 896 eight hundred ninety-six 897 eight hundred ninety-seven 898 eight hundred ninety-eight 899 eight hundred ninety-nine 900 nine hundred.

901 nine hundred one 902 nine hundred two 903 nine hundred three 904 nine hundred four 905 nine hundred five 906 nine hundred six 907 nine hundred seven 908 nine hundred eight 909 nine hundred nine 910 nine hundred ten 911 nine hundred eleven 912 nine hundred twelve 913 nine hundred thirteen 914 nine hundred fourteen 915 nine hundred fifteen 916 nine hundred sixteen 917 nine hundred seventeen 918 nine hundred eighteen 919 nine hundred nineteen 920 nine hundred twenty 921 nine hundred twenty-one 922 nine hundred twenty-two 923 nine hundred twenty-three 924 nine hundred twenty-four 925 nine hundred twenty-five 926 nine hundred twenty-six 927 nine hundred twenty-seven 928 nine hundred twenty-eight 929 nine hundred twenty-nine 930 nine hundred thirty 931 nine hundred thirty-one 932 nine hundred thirty-two 933 nine hundred thirty-three 934 nine hundred thirty-four 935 nine hundred thirty-five 936 nine hundred thirty-six 937 nine hundred thirty-seven 938 nine hundred thirty-eight 939 nine hundred thirty-nine 940 nine hundred forty 941 nine hundred forty-one 942 nine hundred forty-two 943 nine hundred forty-three 944 nine hundred forty-four 945 nine hundred forty-five 946 nine hundred forty-six 947 nine hundred forty-seven 948 nine hundred forty-eight 949 nine hundred forty-nine 950 nine hundred fifty 951 nine hundred fifty-one 952 nine hundred fifty-two 953 nine hundred fifty-three 954 nine hundred fifty-four 955 nine hundred fifty-five 956 nine hundred fifty-six 957 nine hundred fifty-seven 958 nine hundred fifty-eight 959 nine hundred fifty-nine 960 nine hundred sixty 961 nine hundred sixty-one 962 nine hundred sixty-two 963 nine hundred sixty-three 964 nine hundred sixty-four 965 nine hundred sixty-five 966 nine hundred sixty-six 967 nine hundred sixty-seven 968 nine hundred sixty-eight 969 nine hundred sixty-nine 970 nine hundred seventy 971 nine hundred seventy-one 972 nine hundred seventy-two 973 nine hundred seventy-three 874 nine hundred seventy-four 975 nine hundred seventy-five 976 nine hundred seventy-six 977 nine hundred seventy-seven 978 nine hundred seventy-eight 979 nine hundred seventy-nine 980 nine hundred eighty 981 nine hundred eighty-one 982 nine hundred eighty-two 983 nine hundred eighty-three 984 nine hundred eighty-four 985 nine hundred eighty-five 986 nine hundred eighty-six 987 nine hundred eighty-seven 988 nine hundred eighty-eight 989 nine hundred eighty-nine 990 nine hundred ninety 991 nine hundred ninety-one 992 nine hundred ninety-two 993 nine hundred ninety-three 994 nine hundred ninety-four 995 nine hundred ninety-five 996 nine hundred ninety-six 997 nine hundred ninety-seven 998 nine hundred ninety-eight 999 nine hundred ninety-nine 1,000 one thousand. 

.......... Ruprecht ( doesn't does STOP counting sometimes ... *whew* ) 3,809

Saturday Is Free Comic Book Day

You want to promote reading? Stimulate a young mind? Open a new world to your daughter or son? Relive those virtually forgotten days gone by of your youth? You want to do something different? How about simply getting out of the house to avoid the yard work that's been calling to you since the weather's gotten clearer and the snows have receded?

If so, you are in luck. Because this weekend marks the 12th annual rendition of Free Comic Book Day (FCBD), traditionally held the first Saturday of May.

For those not in the know, FCBD is an annual event where participating comic book store retailers give away specially printed copies of free comics as well as offer offer cheaper back issues, special promotions and other items to anyone who visits their establishments. (You can find out more about FCBD's history here.)

Comics. There not just for kids anymore. (Really ... have they ever been?) 

.......... Ruprecht ( hasn't STOPped perusing FCBD since it started 12 years ago ) 166

New Words And Phrases

I've always loved the English language, regardless of its learning difficulties, agonizing inconsistencies and annoying uses.

Still, it opens up avenues of vocalization and expression like no other tongue.

This week I learned a few new words.

They're not words you can readily look up in a dictionary, mind you, but they detail actions or feelings into succinct definitions which make perfect sense.

Feel free to add them to your lexicon as you see fit.

Crouchy: A state of becoming a full-fledged grouch but not quite there yet; somewhere between the levels of crotchety and grouchy

Bakupauphamy: Another state of being in approaching a level where the sarcasm slowly turns annoying, indicative of when a response contains or suggests the following - "You know what? You better back up off of me or things could get ugly ..." - where a person has reached or is in purview of bakopauphamy

.......... Ruprecht ( never STOPs learning ) 174

Yet Another Title

Admittedly, I did have a few strange, jumbled feelings after the news had had the chance to sink in.

There was joy, some confusion, unevenness. I figured it was the natural state of the transition but, in truth, there wasn't any physicality to it. And even though it was something imagined, I "felt" it just the same.

Think about it: Nothing has changed. "Grandfather" - a title I knew had been coming for months and months - was now here, a bona fide reality. (It's been a reality for quite some time.)

But it's just a title. It's not anything tangible. Right?

Still, the thought of it didn't offset any of the interesting thoughts running through my mind. They kept coming. Interestingly, it continued the thinking process, kept it motivated. I just didn't know to what end.

Then? The name calling began (all in good fun, you understand):

"*ol'* friend"

"Grampa" 

"Papi" (That one's been floating around for some time courtesy of my cousin.)

"Crabby"

"PopPop"

"Mini you"

"Tata." (I've never heard "Tata" before ...)

Am I supposed to do anything with those names? I don't really know. In my mind, none of them fit, not at all.

But that's me, me thinking about them internally. To those on the outside, those doing the "name calling," the names must fit very comfortably, albeit ribbingly. It's done with affection, too, I'm sure.

Just another life changing event that will work out on its own ...

Camila Elenor Noble

7 lbs 15 oz, 21"

Born April 27th, 2014

.......... Ruprecht ( hasn't STOPped adding titles, now a patriarch  ) 279