The world is coming to an end!!

In the last couple of weeks I've made fun over the nuts of the world predicting the end of times etc.  But in a major turn of events I may have to concur with their outlook although not for the same reasons as you might think.  Get ready, are you sitting down, yes  what you've heard is true...hostess is filing for bankruptcy.  The possibility of losing those tantalizing treats is more than I can handle.  Middle age, health issues on the horizon, never ending financial worries, and now this. 

For those of us with limited vices, washing down a pack of HoHo's with a glass of ice cold milk is a little bit of heaven.  Please god, don't take this away from us.

Boundaries

Some folks just don't know when to stop.  Take Mr. Willian Francis Blankenship for instance.  He was arrested by the Porter County Sheriff in Indiana and then, well, see the rest of the AP story below.

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — A handcuffed drug suspect who stole and wrecked a police cruiser in northwest Indiana is still on the loose, but he did not take any loaded weapons from the car, authorities said Wednesday.

William Francis Blankenship stole the car Tuesday from a local officer in the Porter County town of Kouts and then used the police radio to ask where to find the car's cigarette lighter — and a key to unlock himself, police said.

"There was a conversation between him and one of our officers," Porter County Sheriff's Sgt. Larry LaFlower said. The sheriff's deputy did not tell Blankenship how to remove the handcuffs or use the cigarette lighter, and instead tried to talk Blankenship into pulling over and giving himself up, LaFlower said.

The January Blues

Now that the holidays are over January ushers in several notable events; ice fishing season for those of you north of Chicago, endless bowl games for those of you inclined to recline on the couch, and of course tax season for all of us.  I was feeling pretty good this evening so I thought I'd bring that to rapid halt by looking up this years "Tax Freedom Day".  For those of you unfamiliar with this particular date the following is from taxfoundation.org

Tax Freedom Day® will arrive on April 12 this year, the 102nd day of 2011. That means Americans will work well over three months of the year, from January 1 to April 12, before they have earned enough money to pay this year's tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels.
Tax Freedom Day arrives three day later in 2011 than it did in 2010, but nearly two weeks earlier than in 2007. This shift toward a lower tax burden since 2007 has been driven by three factors:

• The Great Recession has reduced tax collec­tions even faster than it has reduced income.

• President Obama and the Congress, after a long debate, extended the Bush-era tax cuts for two additional years.

• As part of the extension agreement, the Making Work Pay tax credit was replaced with the 2 percent reduction in the payroll tax.

Despite these tax reductions, Americans will pay more in taxes in 2011 than they will spend on groceries, clothing and shelter combined.

The Federal Budget Deficit

Tax Freedom Day, like almost all tax burden measures, ignores the current year’s deficit. Only taxes that will actually be collected during 2011 count in the tally. In many years the deficit is fairly small as a percentage of total government spending, so Tax Freedom Day gives a good idea of the size of government. Since 2008, however, deficits have been massive by any measure, and as a result, Tax Freedom Day may give the impression that the burden of government is smaller than it is. If the federal government were planning to collect enough in taxes during 2011 to finance all of its spending, it would have to collect about $1.48 trillion more, and Tax Freedom Day would arrive on May 23 instead of April 12—adding an additional 41days to the nation’s work for government.

No wonder I feel tired all the time.

Caucuses and Carcases

Now that the Iowa Caucus is over, Michelle is gone and Rick is teetering on his own brink...
I think its time to review the democratic process here in the good ole US of A.  When the founding fathers came up with the methods we currently use to determine our respective presidential candidates I don't think they envisioned 20,000 hours of nonstop 24 hour per day television coverage for one state caucus in which approximately 115,000 Iowa folk voted for their favorite Republican.  Most of us don't really care what hair spray Michelle uses or whether Ron Paul trimmed his nose hair today.  I think most of us will go insane if we have to endure this rate of TV coverage for the rest of the primary season and do we really want insane votes picking the next commander in chief. 

I have a plan.  1 state per day for the big guys, California,  New York, Illinois etc.  Then we double and triple up on the smaller guys like Wyoming and New Mexico, all of New England and snap, crackle, pop, were done in under a month.
My guess is that I could sell this to both sides with no problem.

2012 - A new begining or time to party like rock stars?

As most of you know the media is having a love affair with the Mayan calendar predicting the end of times on December 21 of 2012.  I'm sure it will be a continuing theme for all of 2012.  Given that either this becomes a nonevent of epic proportions or an epic event of mind blowing proportions I have decided to hedge my bets. 

I'm not going to sell the house move to Idaho and stockpile massive weaponry and provisions. sounds like to much work for me.  But just in case I am going to paint a large white X on the roof of my home in the hope that the asteroid lands directly in my living room thus vaporizing me instantly and probably painlessly.  I'll most likely nap through the whole event.

If you want more info on the debate here's some info I borrowed from Wikepedia;

The 2012 phenomenon comprises a range of eschatological beliefs according to which cataclysmic or transformative events will occur on December 21, 2012.^[1][2][3][4] This date is regarded as the end-date of a 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mesoamerican Long Count calendar. Various astronomical alignments and numerological formulae have been proposed as pertaining to this date, though none have been accepted by mainstream scholarship.
A New Age interpretation of this transition is that this date marks the start of time in which Earth and its inhabitants may undergo a positive physical or spiritual transformation, and that 2012 may mark the beginning of a new era.^[5] Others suggest that the 2012 date marks the end of the world or a similar catastrophe. Scenarios suggested for the end of the world include the arrival of the next solar maximum, or Earth's collision with a black hole, passing asteroid or a planet called "Nibiru".
Scholars from various disciplines have dismissed the idea of such cataclysmic events occurring in 2012. Professional Mayanist scholars state that predictions of impending doom are not found in any of the extant classic Maya accounts, and that the idea that the Long Count calendar "ends" in 2012 misrepresents Maya history and culture.^[3][6][7] Astronomers and other scientists have rejected the proposed events as pseudoscience, stating that they are contradicted by simple astronomical observations.^[8]

Those mentioned below provide the most entertaining options.

 A far more apocalyptic view of the year 2012 that has spread in various media describes the end of the world or of human civilization on that date. This view has been promulgated by many hoax pages on the Internet, particularly on YouTube.^[82] The History Channel has aired a handful of special series on doomsday that include analysis of 2012 theories, such as Decoding the Past (2005–2007), 2012, End of Days (2006), Last Days on Earth (2006), Seven Signs of the Apocalypse (2007), and Nostradamus 2012 (2008).^[83] In his book 2012: It's Not the End of the World Peter Lemesurier has listed many misleading statements in these films.^[84] The Discovery Channel also aired 2012 Apocalypse in 2009, suggesting that massive solar storms, magnetic pole reversal, earthquakes, supervolcanoes, and other drastic natural events may occur in 2012.^[85] Author Graham Hancock, in his book Fingerprints of the Gods, interpreted Coe's remarks in Breaking the Maya Code^[86] as evidence for the prophecy of a global cataclysm.^[87]

Now that we have gotten past all the gifts, lets take a look at what Christmas is really about!

Ok, we finally made it. This is the last gift post for 2011

As much as I liked the various gifts that were posted over the last 4 weeks this is the only one that can truly be shared with the family.

This classic toboggan is made by Moutain Boy Sled Works

Our Mountain Boggans are true classic toboggans, made by hand with only the best materials. The steam-bent planks are knot-free, flexible basswood, with hand-carved willow crosspieces. The curl at the front is big enough that an adult can tuck their feet up in there, and the rope is extra long.

We use only stainless-steel screws and genuine leather grommets, with a lead-free, marine-grade finish that gracefully weathers the elements.

Check out all their sleds at :
http://mountainboysleds.com/mountain_boggan.htm

It's getting close, I can hear the sleight bells

If your a woodworker looking for a project, how about this wooden canoe from Stillwater Boats.

The Sunrise Model by Stillwater.

SUNRISE SINGLE is for those of us that like the freedom of paddling alone, be it by ourselves or in a group. With it's large 18"x 40" cockpit and plenty of foot room under the high fore deck it will handle 200 lbs. and still respond well with much lighter paddlers.

Stillwater offers kits as well as plans at : http://www.stillwaterboats.com/



The Christmas gift countdown continues

If you man has an appreciation for exceptional workmanship and laser sharp optics then take a look a this little jewel from Leica.

The Leica X1

The similarities between the Leica X1 and the classics of the M system go deeper than merely their stylish exteriors. In terms of image quality in particular, the X1 fears no comparison with its larger cousin. Remarkably compact and easy to use, the X1 gives photographers the flexibility to capture moments and impressions exactly as they are - authentic and unrehearsed. That's what makes the Leica X1 the perfect everyday companion for demanding photographers.

Check out the entire Leica lineup at : http://us.leica-camera.com/home/

One week to go on our gift countdown

If you spend more time in your garage than your house then I've got the gift for you.  Miller has been making welding equipment for decades.  The Diversion series is state of the art TIG technology.

Check out all the features this bad boy has to offer at : http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/product.php?model=M00325

Golfers rejoice, Callaway has done it again.  Made you a better golfer with the same amount of talent you had yesterday.

Once again, Callaway has made a giant technological leap forward with Forged Composite. This new material developed in collaboration with Lamborghini is lighter, stronger than titanium and allows Callaway engineers to position weight exactly where it maximizes power and distance. Over 23 million turbostratic carbon fibers provide the strength needed to withstand the violent impact between the Hyperbolic Face and the golf ball. And with a 460cc head shape 43% more aerodynamic than its predecessor and the longer Aldila RIP shaft, swing speeds are faster for even more distance.

See everything Callaway has to offer at: http://shop.callawaygolf.com/

Day 14 of our 24 days of man gifts

Gerstner makes exceptionally fine oak chests.  These are great for sportsmen, craftmen, anyone with fine tools that need storage.

The variation in drawer sizes makes it a good storage chest for just about anything. The top compartment and all ten drawers are felt lined to provide extra protection for your possessions. The front panel is fitted with a sliding hinge so that it may be stowed beneath the bottom drawer. In the closed position, the front panel covers the drawers and can be locked to provide total security.
For more information on Gerstner chests visit them at : http://www.gerstnerusa.com/DETAIL52.html

Gifts aplenty day 13

Beer, need I say anything else, no..  And if you can make it at home, all the better.  Take a look at this deluxe starter kit from More Beer.

Check out these highlights:

The 8 gallon kettle provides ample room to preform a full boil.

The high-grade Wort Chiller allows you to boil and cool all 5 gallons of wort together (instead of only boiling 2-3 gallons and later topping-up with water at the end of the boil). It also chills your Wort very quickly, thus taking a couple hours off your brew day.

Our sleek, stainless Kettle comes with a built-in Spigot allowing for super-easy transfers from Kettle to Fermenter, eliminating the danger of lifting boiling-hot liquid.

The Kettle's lid is notched to accommodate the Wort Chiller's copper coil, while still maintaining a tight-fit for a sanitary environment.

Also included are two Hop Bags which help prevent hop matter from entering your Fermenter. This is truly a "get started right" Home Brewery Kit.

More at : http://morebeer.com/view_product/15912/102142/Personal_Home_Brewery_%234_-_Bottling_Super_Deluxe

Day 12 of our gift extravaganza - I know I'm a day behind, too much real work

I knew eventually I would have to venture into the tech universe.  Well if your thinking about getting dear old dad a tablet for Christmas take a look at this offering from Toshiba;

These are just some of the apps. available for this unit:

Google and Android Apps*

Google Music, Android™ Music Player, Google Movie Maker, Android™ Browser, Android™ Market, Gmail™, Google eBooks™, Google Maps™, Google Maps Street View, Google Maps Navigation, Google Places, Google Latitude™, Google Search, Google Calendar/Calendar Sync, Google Contacts/Contact Sync, Google Voice Search, Google Talk™, YouTube™

you can check out all the specs. and features at: http://us.toshiba.com/tablets/thrive/10-inch/16gb

Gifts for the man in your life - Day 11

Every guy I know has fantasised about lighting it up on one of the major speedways.  Well here is your chance.

Brought to you by Cloud Nine Living

Stock Car Ride Along

Experience real life racing thrills by riding as a passenger with a professional driver in a meticulously prepared 600 horse power Sprint Cup style stock car.

• Full size, Sprint Cup stock cars that have been raced by the likes of Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Carl Edwards and Dale JR.
• Ride with a professional instructor and top speeds of 150 MPH!

See link for options at different speedways: http://www.cloud9living.com/ft-lauderdale/stock-car-ride-along

Man gifts - Day 10

Fly fishing isn't just for mountain streams and Florida's Tarpon flats.  Stock ponds, bluegill lakes and rivers of all sorts make for great fly fishing.  If you have never tried it take a look at this package from Orvis.

See the package description from Orvis below:

A complete fly-fishing outfit for trout, bass or panfish. Comes with Orvis Streamline 865-4 Mid-Flex rod. 8' 6", 5-weight rod has a reverse half-wells grip and comes complete with Clearwater III reel, 150 yards of 20-lb. Dacron backing, a 90' weight-forward 5 chartreuse floating line and a 9' 2x leader. Comes complete with a rod and reel carrying case and a copy of The Orvis Guide to Beginning Fly Fishing. Perfect for the beginning angler. Just add a fly and it's ready to fish. Imported.     

http://www.orvis.com/                  

Gifts for the man in your life - Day 9

Not many thing are better than sittin with the guys on Friday night and playing some cards.  The chip set below will make you feel like your in Vegas.

The folks at Poker N Stuff have many more options check them out at :

http://www.pokernstuff.com/1000-Monte-Carlo-13.5g-Clay-Poker-Chip-Set.aspx

Gift Day 8 of our 24 Days of Christmas Gifts

Wood workers from amateur to expert can always use a new tool.  The Kreg system of joining wood is one of the simplest and strongest around. This package has everything you need to produce quality projects for the home.

Brought to you by the folks at Rockler, you can see all the components in detail at:

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=30874&filter=kraig

When it comes to model 1911 handguns, the Colt Gold Cup set the standard for factory manufactured accuracy and reliability.

Features

• 5” Match grade barrel
• Black wrap around grips
• Wide aluminum 3-Hole trigger adjustable for over travel
• Adjustable rear sight
• Beveled magazine well
• Beavertail grip safety
• Sold with (1) 8 round Colt Magazine, as well as (1) 7 round Colt magazine
• Full length recoil spring and target recoil spring 

Check out the full line of Colt product at:

http://www.coltsmfg.com/Catalog/ColtPistols/ColtGoldCupSeries.aspx
Check out the full line of Colt products at :

Day 6 of our 24 days of man gifts

Feeling stressed from work, the drive home, kids etc.  A couple of hours in this bad boy will remedy all that.

Listen to what the folks at Lazy boy have to say about the "Chill 2 Rocker Recliner" 

Chill let’s you do just that. It’s big on comfort, looks and convenience. Its cushioning will envelop you. With its massage and heat features, you may not want to get up. And with a thermo-electric cooler nestled in the flip arm, why would you? Available with 2-way motor massage with heat and wall recliner with 2-way motor massage.

To see more visit Lazy Boy at : http://www.la-z-boy.com/Product/6425-8057/