Props To Moo!

I am a big fan of handing out praise and today I am so impressed with how the online printer Moo.com handled a messed up order.

In a world of screwed up customer service departments (Nissan and Comcast), it is nice to know places that value a customer's time and money like Moo.com are still out there.

Anyone who has spent hours dealing with a company's 800 numbers multiple layers of prompts know too well what I am talking about here.

So if you are looking for a fantastic group that prints on paper from sustainable forests, please consider Moo.com.

Everybody Moo!!!!

Re-Vision: Tommy Back In The Studio

"In the future everyone will be immune to reality."


-Tommy

Thoughts on War: A Literary Snapshot

We got around to the subject of war again and I said that, contrary to his attitude, I did not think that the common people are very thankful for leaders who bring them war and destruction.

"Why, of course, the people don't want war," Goering shrugged. "Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back to his farm in one piece. Naturally, the common people don't want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood.

"But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship."

"There is one difference," I pointed out. "In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare wars."

"Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country."

History: Gustave Gilbert, a German-speaking intelligence officer and psychologist who was granted free access by the Allies to all the prisoners held in the Nuremberg jail. Gilbert kept a journal of his observations of the proceedings and his conversations with the prisoners, which he later published in the book Nuremberg Diary. The quote offered above was part of a conversation Gilbert held with a dejected Hermann Goering in his cell on the evening of 18 April 1946, as the trials were halted for a three-day Easter recess.

History reads us like a book. - Tommy

Reflection

This toad is so tiny and yet so wonderful that it can stop your day.
Please consider your footprint on this planet (and adjust your sails.)

Green Movement's Dirty Little Secret

With every movement there is a past and no movement is ever immune to its return in the media.

It is not my intention to tip off said media but the grandmother of all things earthen is making a comeback in the green's homes.

I can still recall the day I stumbled upon this fact while visiting KC's Heritage Hill home many years ago.

Upon entering the bathroom and lifting the lid I discovered the brightest of welcomes in the color yellow.

"Excuse me," I remarked entering the guest's living room, "but someone has forgotten to flush the toilet. Is it possible it is broken?"

Letting out a hearty laugh the host exclaimed, "We live by a simple code in this house."

And then the dirty little secret of the green's was out.

"If its yellow, let it mellow. If its brown, flush it down"

It may seem dirty but if you begin to think about the water saved, it is not hard to get over one's squeamishness of this revelation.

So many years have passed and I am not shocked anymore by the yellow badge of courage when I visit a host's home only to discover their environmental sensitivity enshrined in porcelain.

But every movement, even bowel movements, have their limits.

In no way will I ever subscribe to the leave no footprint mindset by asking my guests to don a shovel as then head out to the back yard.

Being green sometimes is be brave enough to say "I'm sorry, but you have to use the commode."

Writer's Strike A Super Tuesday

Did the Writers Guild Association's strike create our thirst for endless Super Tuesday news programming?

I hope we are truly engaged in a country-wide dialog and not just couch-bound-bored while waiting for new episodes of 30 Rock.

(We really miss you Tina Fey, but we understand your fight)


Word to complainers:
dialog (noun) - a conversation between two persons;
talk, talking - an exchange of ideas via conversation; "let's have more work and less talk around here"

Tom Brady Loves Tight Ends

This made me laugh so hard.

“We are witnessing what Tom Brady can do with a special group of wide receivers, and it is awesome.” -Sporting News

I cannot top this today.




Photo Feed Credit: Here.

To Those Who Wrote Blogger About My Blog.

This site is devoted to satire.

As the old saying goes, "joke'm if they can 't take a ......" And this country needs a good joke after the past 8 years.

Oh, and if you have a problem with my site, sign your name to my site and don't go crying to Big Blogger Google Daddy when you don't like what I have to say.

(A copy of the Bill of Rights is still available for public viewing in Washington, DC for those who will get up off the couch and take a gander.)

Enough said.

What This Country Needs Is A CEO

Clinton
Edwards
Obama

Hmmmmmmm.

Tommy

Tanglefoot Studio: One Amazing Night of Music

(Photo by David McGowan: Natalia Zukerman, Kristin Salerno, Drew Nelson, Tommy Allen, Trina Hamlin, Michael Pfleghaar)

Tanglefoot Studio was able to host a memorable night of music from three nationally known singer/songwriters.

If you missed it, I am sorry. The guest list was very small and sold out in a matter of days.

If you attended, then you know what I am talking about when I say this is one event that will be hard to top as we look at new events to produce within our space.

If you would love to make sure you are on the guest list, please send me an email to tommyallen @ comcast. net

Look for a video piece on RapidGrowthMedia.com

Thank you's to David McGowan of humanfiles.com, Levitationstaging.com and Kristin Salerno & Michael Pfleghaar.

Artists Links: www.drewnelson.com www.nataliazukerman.com www.trinahamlin.com



























































2008 State of Michigan House Candidate Roy Schmidt, Kristin Salerno, Drew Nelson and 2nd Ward Commissioner Rosalynn Bliss.

Party Lines Going Up Their Nose...

....while consumers take it up the ass.

I missed the news conference today but I am guessing that Bush's big plan comes down to giving away massive amounts of cash come tax season to get Americans to shop the economy back on track?

Isn't a payout like this on the same level as your dad paying the babysitter with his credit card convenience checks?

The fees on both are HUGE.

With the U.S.A. in the midst of a sub-prime mess, Washington appears to be on drugs if they are not talking about the real problems.

So enjoy your check from Uncle Sam.
*You might want to invest it wisely in something other than what is on sale at the mall.

Horny Penguins Unleashed On Mitt

These horny birds were left with no one to love this past Christmas and were last seen shamelessly offering great deals of better than 75% off in their Cash for Ass campaign.

Since Michigan is having a slightly downturn in the economy, even our penguins have had to get creative by gang banging on crowded bread racks seeking the attention at our local Family Fare Grocery.

Mitt Romney was seen at this same grocery store later this same day and while he did not talk about the impact of global warming on these Tuxedo wearing ice bunk buddies, but he did remind them that a marriage is between a man and a woman.

He added, should Same Sex marriage pass in this country as it has in almost every other civilized modern society, then a man may find these always ready for the Opera furry buddies as a potential mate.

While his message was solemn, he lost them when he warned of a coming slippery slope.

It had skied off left his tongue when the throng of black and white mates began to rub up and down each other as they prepared to engage in this naturally playful behaviour in an effort to satisfy their furry needs.

As the penguins oiled themselves up for some good old fashioned belly bumping, Mitt just hung his head low. Out of touch and not sure what to do he murmured he had to get going to the new JW Marriott downtown to drop off more copies of Book of Mormon with a new forward by Richard M DeVos.

Michigan voters will not be fooled this time around with non-issues. The penguins watched Michigan write hate into their constitution and just as fast, God punished their state by making them dead last in everything.

Penguins known for family values, also know it is really better in states like Massachusetts for many people because it does allow gay marriage. If it wasn't so bad for people in Mass., then why are they at the top in every way? Mitt has a great state so why not try to export the good love happening in Mass.?

If the penguins get it, then why can't the candidates. Maybe they should go to the birds and the bees to see what the real problems are that are facing our country ...and our world.

I Am So Happy....

....to see Chuck Norris is not the only celebrity to stand behind Mike Huckabee.

What a wonderful moment for transgender people to see The World According to Garp's star John Lithgow in full drag with his big girl shoes standing up to all who would say the GOP is a party of exclusion.

You go-go, girl-boy.

Film Capture: The World According to Garp

One Last Stop

Ok, before the New Year's resolutions kick in, there is one last stop to make this season.

This great box of treats from Norman Love Confections will trump any good intentions. So, why fight it when they are so pretty.

They taste as good as they look.

Take one last dip in decadence and then get back on track.

Happy New Year.

Sufjan Steven's Fun Holiday Video

from Stereogum

IT'S A BOY ( again )

Still No Room At The Inn.

To keep things short and sweet, I tried to book a room in Bethlehem.

And just as before, a room for two adults and one child (with a late arrival for the latter) were not available tonight. (Next Stop Bethlehem)

Might I suggest that if a Savior were to return he try Bethlehem, Illinois where a room can be booked for as low as $84. a night with a free continental breakfast.

Merry Christmas!

Tommy

Original Story: Next Stop Bethlehem

HBO's Extras' Final Episode

Last night Extras, the HBO series by The Office creator Ricky Gervais, went off the air with a huge punch.

While full of wild laughs poking at the absurd life of the entertainment industry and our fascination with celebrity life, Extras always found a way to build a serious under score to their comedy plot line over it's short three seasons.

The final one is no different and in fact, it really turns up the heat with its unflinching gaze at what we choose to celebrate as a culture.

As the final 90 minutes wind down Gervais takes us along on a wild ride with the pain of the choices we all make (or will not make) in our lives while in pursuit of measured success.

Without giving anything away, the final episode firmly catapults Extras into a group of one of the best modern television series.

With long winter nights upon us, I cannot think of a better way to pass the time all the while dreaming of what spring will mean in 2008.

The first two seasons are now on DVD.

Little Kim Jong-Il paintings

Meijer: Better Choice

If one has to choose between Meijer and Wal-Mart ....go with Meijer.

While I enjoy the personal service from the businesses of my neighborhood, I must admit I love Meijer's true commitment to all things local.

Let's just say they deliver more than just a feel good 30 second commercial.

One can only image my smile when I discovered the printed message on the bottom of my grocery bag.

Very nice touch!