Take Your Dog to Work Day

As the title says, according to daily holidays, it is take your dog to work day. If you are working and have a dog, did you take him along? Think of how much fun that would be.

The temperature rose to 102 degrees in downtown Denver for the first time since 2008. Last year, because of the crazy weather we had there were no over 100 degree days. Thinking back, I was thankful for that.

Notes from the Home Front

I can actually say that I don't know which emotion hit me more today. I could be sad, upset, angered, or having that "I just don't care" moment. Does anyone know the fate of unemployment benefits? Is anyone else feeling as I am?

The cucumber plants are beginning to sprout more yellow/orange flowers!

At the Denver Art Museum, there is a huge exhibit of King Tut's treasures. CBS 4 Denver is holding a contest to win tickets to the show, and then will have a drawing for a 50 inch HDTV. Guess who won 2 tickets? ME! I'm really excited about this and will take a very dear friend with me.

Unemployment News

Does this article come as any surprise? My answer - NO! What's your answer? *Now* Snowe thinks jobless benefits are critical - one day after Senator Snowe voted nay on the "extenders bill", there is a change of heart. Even if Senator Snowe had voted yes, the bill still wouldn't have passed. Read the full article.....

H. R. 4213 is Dead

When Senators kill a bill, they look for other ways to revive it - this is like dying then someone gives you CPR and brings you back to life. H.R. 4213 is dead; it's time for a new strategy or that second stimulus talked up recently - in the meantime, millions of unemployed people will lose their homes, be evicted from apartments, run to the food bank, and be left to wonder, how much worse can this get? Read the article, make up your own mind.

National News

Oil Spill

I just couldn't bring myself to watch anything on the oil spill today. Business owners taking their lives in the Gulf, no full reimbursements on claims, Florida shores with oil, animals dying from the oil, and what are the dispersants doing to the Gulf waters below what we can see.

Recalls

Kellogg's the cereal company has a voluntary recall of 4 cereals. The reason for the recall is that a strange odor is coming from inside the box - suspected that it is in the bag with the cereal in. Read the full article.

Tech News

iPhone 4

Are you one of those people who have to run out, then stand in line for the latest and greatest in technology? Did you purchase the new iPhone 4? Do you have a strong grip when holding your phone? This is the reported problem on why you would drop calls, get odd colors and other such things on your new phone. The remedy - buy an iPhone case. Read more about it.

Local News

Colorado Gets Funding

On the job training will be funded by Colorado for the long-time unemployed is the news of the day. After reading the article, I wrote to my State Senator and asked for clarification, where to find out which businesses will offer on the job training, and where to get signed up. As of this writing, I have not heard anything. In the meantime, here's the article link.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

DON'T ALLOW YOURSELF NEGATIVE THOUGHTS!

Tis Tornado Season

More tornado and thunderstorm warnings and watches across Colorado today. The high was 86 degrees but felt like 100.

Notes from the Home Front

It's so nice to have a GREAT staff at the rental office. Tonight, it's pretty quiet around here, no late night parties or loud obnoxious neighbors. I was informed that we have two pools here and since the other one is off the beaten path, it'll be reserved more for adults! I'm excited!

National News

Oil Spill - Gulf of Mexico

We didn't like Ken Salazar here in Colorado and now wonder if he's misleading the public regarding oil drilling. Read the article from the Denver Post.

BP - Tony Hayward CEO

Have you seen the commercials "starring" Tony Hayward? He's such a liar, crews are not on the job as much as the commercial shows, he's not paying the workers their actual worth or even repaying for losses as he should. Just like the Gulf of Mexico is filing fast with oil, Tony Hayward is spewing his own shit on land. What are your comments about what BP is doing? or not doing?

Unemployment News

Finally! The Voices of 99'ers Are Finally Being Heard in Washington - Congress to Hold Hearings on Long Term Unemployment. Congress needs to hear us! Since I'm on twitter and facebook, I have noticed that posts regarding unemployment have slowed down. Even on Twitter, the #unemployment hashtag posts have slowed as well. Peoples posts, comments and tweets are still needed to encourage further funding for the long term unemployed. Don't stop the calls, emails, faxes etc to your Senators and Representatives in Washington DC. Please read the article.

Last week I posted a disgusting article on companies not hiring unemployed candidates. There is a company or temp agency named The People Place that follows this practice. Sony Erikkson had the slogan on one of their ads, but has now deleted it. Let's band together to find who these companies are. I'll even expose them with use of my blog and social media ie: facebook and twitter. Today, I searched google for "NO UNEMPLOYED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONSIDERED AT ALL", these were my results.

Tech News

AT&T Pricing Changes for iPhone 4

For anyone who already owns an iPhone, your plans don't seem to be changing. Once you buy an iPhone 4 that all changes. AT&T is going to capitalize on users who watch movies without being on wi-fi. Hang onto your wallet and read all about it!

Apple iPad

This in from Gawker.com - Apple's Worst Security Breach: 114,000 iPad Owners Exposed. If you own an iPad - you'll want to read the whole article.
Here is an excerpt - The specific information exposed in the breach included subscribers' email addresses, coupled with an associated ID used to authenticate the subscriber on AT&T's network, known as the ICC-ID. ICC-ID stands for integrated circuit card identifier and is used to identify the SIM cards that associate a mobile device with a particular subscriber.

Free Stock Photos

Have you ever felt the need to look for a free stock photo for your website? Fried Beef gives you 8 places to get them. Before you go looking, don't do as one company I worked for did - they found a picture with 6 people in it who were supposed to represent their workers. Well these people not only didn't work there and never will but other companies were using the SAME stock photo to depict their employees. I have one thing to say, in light of high unemployment, no wonder we can't get jobs, these same 6 people in the photo took all of the openings.

Foodie Stuff

Because there wasn't much in Local News, I didn't post any. Instead I'm adding a review of a food product.

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

In my quest to continue to be frugal, I found an offer for a free coupon toward the purchase of Country Bob's Sauce. I highly recommend this sauce, it has a slight sweetness to it. Personally, I have used it in making hamburgers and for dipping steak and french fries in. My next use of Country Bob's All Purpose sauce will be in the making of BBQ Chicken Wings. You can find recipes and where to purchase Country Bob's on their website. When you go to their website, on the upper right hand side, click on the FREE button for a coupon to obtain a free bottle. If you live in an apartment complex and get a message stating that someone at your address has already received a coupon, click on "contact us" and write for one. Country Bob's is also found on Facebook where they have contests and drawings for free product.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

CHECK OUT TERMS ON iPHONE 4 WITH AT&T BEFORE BUYING!

Can you say HOT?

Today's temperature must have hit 97! If it didn't it sure felt like it and maybe more.

Notes from the Home Front

As I mentioned it was hot today. Around 2pm, it was decided that a trip to the pool would be great. Let me tell you, it was, at least for the 2 1/2 hours that I spent there. The only reason for leaving the pool area was not because I was tired or even that I'd had enough. The real reason was the screaming children. WHY do parents allow their children to scream at the top of their lungs while in and around the pool? Don't they have any control over their children? Really folks, we are at the pool for a reason, aren't we? It's to cool off, relax (as I was doing with my book), and get out of the house for a while. Is it terrible that hearing anyone scream makes my skin crawl and all I'd like to do is turn around and walk away?

Tomorrow is another day and it's my belief that perhaps I should go out there earlier and miss the screaming, then come home and go back to the pool later in the evening.

The cucumber plants are growing nicely and have the same little buds on them as about a week ago. The green pepper plants are growing slowly but they are still nice and green and look sturdy.

National News

iPhone 4G unveiled by Steve Jobs

The iPhone 4g will be available on June 24th. There are many new features but I think that the one I'd enjoy most is the video chat. There are downsides to the iPhone 4G though, to video chat, the other person must also have the newest iPhone. Additionally, if you really don't like AT&T but stick with them because they have the iPhone - you will have to start a NEW contract with them. Yes, a TWO year contract.

It was reported that Verizon would be able to offer the iPhone by the end of this year but realistically this won't happen until sometime in 2011. IF this is true, and you are buying the iPhone 4G now, your contact with AT&T won't end without early termination fees until 2012. It is my opinion that even though the iPhone 4G is rather affordable, if you want to go with Verizon, I'd wait. Without looking it up, the termination fees for AT&T have or are going to start at $350 and pro-rate down from there.

Still interested? Read the article - Next iPhone has clearer screen, coming out June 24 here.

Chrysler Recalls

Do you own a Jeep Wrangler? Model Year(s): 2006-2010 OR Chrysler Town & Country OR a Dodge Grand Caravan? Model Year(s): 2008-2009? These vehicles are on a massive recall totaling nearly 600, 000 vehicles. Hurry to this article to find out what the recall is for and what you should do to get your vehicle fixed.

Oil Spill - Gulf of Mexico

Do you read the Drudge Report? YES? NO? Well you should! The Drudge Report gives the most unbiased news, in my opinion. One article that was written there today was - Obama Seeking "Ass To Kick" Over Oil Spill. Needless to say, President Obama should be kicking some major BP ass and any other company related to the oil rig blowing up and subsequently, the oil spill that is polluting the Gulf. Not only is it polluting the Gulf but oil is everywhere, in the marshes, on wildlife, and it has killed many people's livelihood in the way of jobs. Don't forget those pristine beaches that can't be used over this summer, and who knows how long after that. Click here for the article and don't forget to read the comments of other politicians while there.

Arizona Law SB-1070

What is our President thinking? If I had to guess, he needs to support my nearby neighboring state of Arizona in enforcing their SB-1070 law. After speaking with a few friends on this subject, we have come to the conclusion that by not enforcing and being against the law as it is written now, our President will lose votes of the LEGAL immigrants should he seek re-election. President Obama, this is NOT the way to get votes! In my eyes, our president is totally wrong on this. We NEED strict laws like Arizona's SB1070.

Read the article on how President Obama asks the Supreme Court to Overturn Napolitano-Endorsed Immigration Law. Perhaps we need to campaign our wishes to the Supreme Court!

Unemployment News

Thank you to my many friends through Facebook and Twitter for these articles.

Did you know that the Senate debate on H.R. 4213 unemployment benefits extensions is to begin this week? Unemployment steadily goes up and up and up, while the government "plays" with us who sometimes feel that there is no future for a good job. We still apply for jobs EVERY DAY. Read the article to find out what other issues are being discussed within H.R. 4213. What happened to "no pork" within a bill?

I'm adding in this next article because it's just too darn funny! Want to know How to stay unemployed, (In 10 easy lessons)? Read John Heckers article that was found in the Colorado Biz Magazine.

Local News

Perky Cups

Have you heard of the new coffee shop called Perky Cups? You haven't? At Perky Cups, bikini clad baristas serve you coffee. One such shop is in Aurora, located at the corner of Peoria and Iliff. This store is on the radar of Aurora City Councilwoman Molly Markert who would like to boycott the store. In my opinion, perhaps she is jealous that she can't look as good as the servers can. No, I have never seen a picture of or met the Councilwoman. What do you think? Even though I live close to the store, I've never been in there. As the article states, coffee comes in a variety of sizes, A, B, C and D. Coffee is Coffee, who cares what the server is wearing! Way to go, Councilwoman Markert for trying to force businesses out of Aurora! Wake up!

XCel - Breaking News

On 14th and Jackson, there was a fire and explosions at the XCel transformer station. There are outages around the city and Rose Medical had no back up power. They transported critical patients to VMAC where there was power. Crews are still working on the transformers. I wonder if this is the result of an angry XCel (I call them X-Tortion) customer trying to get even for the new pricing and higher rates. There are no reports on any toxic fumes but people in the area have been told to keep their windows and doors closed.

My Verizon Update

I haven't heard from the higher "authority" yet. Let's give it a few days more, I'm sure that I'll hear something. Can't wait for this whole mess to be done and over with.

As always,

STAND UP AND BE HEARD!

SUPPORT ARIZONA, GOVERNOR BREWER AND SB-1070!