One Man from the USA's Opinion on Syria

I believe that if persons in Syria are responsible for killing men, women and children with chemical weapons, they should be tried by an international court. I do not believe the USA should go against the United Nations and act militarily and unilaterally. I do not agree that the USA should start another war--by justifying it was a response to atrocities. I do not want to see the mutilated little bodies of children caught in the middle of a political struggle that they cannot understand. I do not want the people of the USA to have to fund more wars. I oppose action that is not agreed on by the United Nations Security Council.

Sincerely,
Kevin J. Curtis
USA
8/30/2013

Publish America Emailed About No Royalties

I received an email from PublishAmerica, who I have long since parted ways with. It said I sold no books and get no royalties. My response is below.

PublishAmerica has no rights to sell my book. In fact, if I find out you are still selling my book I will sue your crap ass company. Our contract has long ago run out.

Sincerely,

Kevin J. Curtis

Discrimination Isn't Always Racial

Aldo was talking to his neighbor Jeblinka Johnson one day about her son Tyreese. Apparently Tyreese had applied for a job at the hardware store down the street and he wasn't hired. Jeblinka was furious, because their other neighbor, Brian, who was the same age as Tyreese was now working at the hardware store. Jeblinka was sure that Tyreese was discriminated against. About that time, a school bus stopped on the corner and Brian got off of it. Brian waved to Aldo and Jeblinka, and said 'hello' before running into his house. For a moment Aldo wondered why Tyreese wasn't getting off of the bus since he and Brian were about the same age. But then Aldo remembered that he had seen Tyreese downtown earlier in the day. Tyreese had been hanging out with some other young men on a street corner. Aldo knew it was Tyreese, because of the tattoo on his neck. Meanwhile, Jeblinka had begun badmouthing the owner of the hardware store as being a racist. A few moments later, Brian ran out of his house. He waved again and ran down the street wearing his work shirt for the hardware store. He must be a busy kid, Aldo thought. Soon Aldo noticed Tyreese and some other young men walking down the street toward him and Jeblinka. He wondered if Tyreese and his friends would be able to do very much work when they seemed to have to hold their pants up with one hand as they walked. Jeblinka was now using some pretty inappropriate language to describe the hardware store owner, his store and Brian. Aldo let her know that he needed to go home and start dinner and then he said goodbye and went inside.

Draw your own conclusions. No group was specifically named and it is common knowledge that education and proper attire will help win a job in an interview. It is purely up to the individual whether the most benefits come from fighting the system or not. Employers are going to try to hire the person who appears to be best qualified and most responsible and trustworthy. Why would they not?

CuTRis Asks Obama to Bomb Robot Mantids

CuTRis Asks Obama to Bomb Robot Mantids
UnAssociated Press
August 29, 2013

CuTRis means business! Shown in a photo with robot Mantids, CuTRis said he was recently at a banquet to honor a male mantis named Jooney, for helping the poor. At the end of the banquet, apparently Jooney's wife, Milgo ate him! In fact, said CuTRis, all of the female mantids ate their male partners. While the giant robotic mantids maintain that females eating males is part of their culture, CuTRis has asked President Obama to launch an immediate airstrike against the mantids, before the wussies at the United Nations say they can't do that.

CuTRis Challenges Ben Affleck to a Batman Being Contest

CuTRis Challenges Ben Affleck to a Batman Being Contest
UnAssociated Press
August 29, 2013

CuTRis has issued a challenge to Ben Affleck to a Batman "Being" Contest. CuTRis said that while he respects Affleck's acting skills, he (CuTRis) believes that he can better portray the caped crusader in the planned "Man of Steel Sequel" due out in 2015. The UAP is hoping for a reply to the challenge from Ben Affleck soon.

Osmoderma Beetle

Thanks to Christopher Tozier for helping me to identify this Osmonderma beetle I saw while on my walk today.

CuTRis Accused of Being High-Handed

CuTRis Accused of Being High-Handed
UnAssociated Press
August 27, 2013

CuTRis denied allegations today, that he is high-handed. However, after seeing a picture of himself with his hand elevated, he conceded that perhaps there was some truth to it.

Hot

Dancing Babies

Welcome Zimbabwe!

I like to check the countries that my blog visitors are in and this morning there was someone from Zimbabwe! Hello! I find it fascinating when I see a country like Kazakhstan represented. Do these people think I am a total goofball or do they take me seriously? Either way would be correct depending on what entry you happened to be reading...

CuTRis To Be Batman

CuTRis To Be Batman
UnAssociated Press
August 23, 2013

CuTRis is disputing reports that Ben Affleck is to be the new Batman in the planned "Man of Steel Sequel" due out in 2015. CuTRis is maintaining that he will be the next "caped crusader." CuTRis said he has nothing against Ben Affleck, but clearly if there is going to be a new Batman, it is going to be CuTRis; not Ben Affleck. CuTRis was quick to point out that though he has less acting experience than Affleck, he has watched more of the original Batman TV series than Ben Affleck--so it is really a "no brainer" according to CuTRis. CuTRis also said that he finds it sad when a trusted source like tabloid journalism can get a story so wrong!

Rude to Pedestrians

I like to walk. Today as a I was crossing at a busy intersection with the crossing signal, a car coming parallel from the other direction honked and the guy on the passenger side yelled something about "jaywalker". The same thing happened to me and Larry about a month ago. Since I was actually crossing the absolute most legal way possible, the rude people must be either very stupid or have some warped emotional need to give others a hard time. The question that remains for me, is if these same guys are as rude to strangers when they are not in a moving vehicle? I think it is always easier to be rude (and "brave") when you are in a car and the person you are antagonizing is on foot.

Taste Beyond Words

Awesome News!

A bone marrow donor match(es) has been found for my niece Jiena! We still are still hoping for my nephew Mason!

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/lees

I think something is wrong with the microwave...

I think something is wrong with the microwave oven at work. I wanted to heat up my lunch so I thought maybe 100 seconds would be long enough to do the job. I put in 100 seconds and pressed the "start" button. Immediately the digital readout went from 100 seconds to 59 seconds, then 58 and so on! It missed an entire 41 seconds!!! Luckily my lunch was warm enough anyway when the clock got to 0.

Did You Flashy Thing Me?

Remember the flashy thing in the movie(s) Men in Black? Here is my impression of Agent J asking Agent K if he used the neuralyzer on him.

 

Good Luck Larry!

My biggest (blog) commenter starts his new job today. Good Luck Larry!

Dragonfly

Faribault

Outside the Faribault Woolen Mill Co.
 

On Saturday, we visited Faribault, Minnesota. I enjoyed the River Bend Nature Center.

Humming Bird Feeder at River Bend Nature Center



The (trickle) Waterfall at the River Bend Nature Center

 

Northfield



Just like Venice!

We spent yesterday in Northfield, Minnesota.

 

My son likes waterfalls.
 

The Archer House
 

A Stephen King Novel By Kevin Curtis?

Click photo to enlarge: click "back" to go back

What is "A Ralph Compton Novel by David Robbins?"
Does that mean Compton didn't write it and Robbins did? So how is it a Compton novel then?

Is it written in the style of Ralph Compton--who is said to write in the style of Louis Lamour?

This seems to be a publisher's ploy to use the name of a popular author to sell books written by someone else.

CuTRis Hires Suk Law Firm

CuTRis Hires Suk Law Firm
UnAssociated Press
August 15, 2013

CuTRis has hired the Suk Law Firm to represent him in a legal battle initiated by an unnamed animal rights group. The suit is in response to recent photos that have emerged which are questionable. The primary photo/incident in the lawsuit shows CuTRis allegedly about to fight a bull. Before the suit could proceed, it was apparently thrown out by Judge Francis J. Hooligan of the (Lake) Superior Court. When questioned about the lawsuit by the UAP, CuTRis said the suit was a load of bull crap.

Doubting the New Guy

"The new guy looks kind of young--do you think he can handle that riding lawnmower?"

Umbrella Bat

This bat likes to hang out under our patio umbrella when it is closed.

Hoffman Refrigeration & Heating in Stillwater MN

I just sent this email to the co-owner/sales manager at Hoffman Refrigeration & Heating in Stillwater MN.

Dennis,

A year ago I spent over $7,000 on a new furnace and AC.
We had it checked on 7/31/2013 for $68.
Less than a week later a coupon for the same service came in the mail for $48.

I called 8/6/2013 to see if we could get a credit or refund for the $20.
I was told the person who workes in the office would contact me when she returned (this week).

I called a few minutes ago and was told I couldn't get the coupon deal.
I responded that maybe I need to go somewhere else next time.
The response from the Hoffman guy was "you do that."

Last summer Andy assured me I was getting the best equipment and the best service. He was so convincing I went with Hoffman over a cheaper estimate.

Is this how you treat your customers after the big sale?
After all I spent now you guys pull this? So $20 is worth losing a customer over?

I would have been happy with a $20 credit toward the AC service next Spring.

Kevin J. Curtis

Stop Sign

Why would anyone want to stop the bike path???

"No" Overnight Parking

The sign says, "No" Overnight Parking. First of all, this does not look like an ideal place to park your car--so I have to wonder if this sign is really necessary. Second, Why is the word "No" in quotes? is it really NO PARKING or is it, "No" Parking--as in there might be exceptions? All in all I find the whole thing a bit confusing...

CuTRis May Have Been a Bullfighter

CuTRis May Have Been a Bullfighter
UnAssociated Press
August 8, 2013

New information made public today suggests that CuTRis may have been a Bullfighter. A picture was obtained by the UAP, showing what appears to be the back of CuTRis as he is about to hit an oncoming bull. When asked about the photo, CuTRis admitted that it did look like him. He also said that while he had never been a bullfighter, he may have gotten into a fight with a bull once or twice. Animal rights advocates are already planning to protest against CuTRis in the next few minutes--unless something more believable comes along that they can protest.

CuTRis Now Seen Riding Giant Ant

CuTRis Now Seen Riding Giant Ant
UnAssociated Press
August 8, 2013

 

In another bizarre photo that surfaced this morning, CuTRis is shown riding on a giant ant. Just why CuTRis was riding the giant ant; or what he may be up to next is anyone's guess! When a UAP reporter attempted to ask CuTRis why he was on the ant, he roped the reporter and hogtied him before riding off on the ant shouting, "Yippie ki-yay!"

Suk Law Firm

Click picture to enlarge: click "back" to go back
 

No one instills more confidence in legal matters than the Suk Law Firm!

CuTRis Seen in Eagle's Nest

CuTRis Seen in Eagle's Nest
UnAssociated Press
August 7, 2013

CuTRis may be inhabiting a large Bald Eagle's nest that he was seen in this morning. CuTRis was peering out of the nest when this photo was taken. No further information was available about CuTRis or the eagle's nest at the time this story was printed--though speculation is that CuTRis may have purchased the nest from the eagles as a tax write off. 



CuTRis in Eagle's Nest

CuTRis Seen Swimming with Dolphins

CuTRis Seen Swimming with Dolphins
UnAssociated Press
August 6, 2013

CuTRis was seen swimming with two Bottlenose Dolphins in the Pacific Ocean this morning. Where they were going or what they were doing is at this time still unknown. What is known is that CuTRis, who is thought to be human, seemed to be fully accepted by the members of the dolphin pod. He was seen breaching and eating fish with the marine mammals.


CuTRis Swimming with Dolphins

CuTRis Back on Dry Land

CuTRis Back on Dry Land
UnAssociated Press
August 5, 2013

CuTRis is reportedly back on dry land this morning after living underwater and holding his breath for 4,313 minutes. This would beat the record by 4,291 minutes--except that no one was officially timing it. CuTRis said he was beginning to blackout after the first day, but was able to hold on for almost two more days before he had to return to the surface to breathe. CuTRis did not appear to have suffered any lasting effects from the prolonged time without breathing--except that he seems to be able to communicate with dolphins and whales in their own language now.


Photo Taken Just Before CuTRis Surfaced

CuTRis May be Living Under Water

CuTRis May be Living Under Water
UnAssociated Press
August 2, 2013

This photo may indicate that CuTRis is now living underwater. No further information was available about this new situation at the time of this printing.

Same-Sex Marriage

Confidently, CuTRis walked through the crowd that had gathered for the early morning press conference. There were things to be said, and CuTRis was there to say them. He reached out and grabbed the microphone that was attached to the podium and spoke directly into it which caused a loud shriek of feedback. Satisfied that it was working, CuTRis began to speak.

"As I understand it," CuTRis began, "same-sex marriage is now legal in Minnesota. Well, it's about time opposite-sex marriage became legal too! I stand before you proclaiming equal rights for heterosexual couples! I believe that--"

Just then CuTRis' advisor, Larry, walked up behind CuTRis and whispered something in his ear. Though he was no longer bellowing into the microphone, CuTRis could be heard saying, "Really? That's what it means? Oh crap!" Then CuTRis smiled at the crowd and ran away.

Fat Free

The fat is free! I like that. I don't like paying for fat!