Confusius say:

He who put face in fruit drink get punch in the nose.

The grass is ALWAYS greener

Apparently our neighbor's yard is the Charmin Ultra Soft two-ply to our generic brand, sandpapery, one ply to our dog. It never fails, if we let her out the front door, she immediately darts over to our neighbor's finely manicured lawn and gets down to the dirty business.

Confusius say:

Man who lose key to girlfriend's apartment not get new key.

Issue 5 Ohio

The other night at dinner some people were discussing the various Issues on Ohio's ballot this Tuesday. Particularly, Issue 5 came up. Some were not aware of what Issue 5, while others who did know what the issue was did not know how it was worded and therefore did not know how to vote.

Issue 5: Should check cashing businesses be regulated as to how much interest they can charge?

The facts: The interest rate would be capped at 28%. The interest rate is (rather was before the Bill was passed by legislature) 391% (!!!!). In fifteen states, these types of businesses are illegal.

People against the cap say these businesses are entrepreneurial, and government has no business meddling in their affairs. Further, these businesses provide a service that people use knowing what will be charged. Knowing and appreciating are two different things, mind you.

People for the cap say that these businesses are predatory and that they charge usurious interest rates.

What are my thoughts? Generally, I agree that government needs to mind its own business. In this instance, these places are predators and take advantage of a certain socio-economic class of people. The interest rate cap is still a VERY generous cap in my opinion.

So vote YES on Issue 5 and cap the interest rates!

Visit HERE for a list of the various Issues and some information about them.

We had our cake and, wait for it, ATE IT TOO!

The sneaky highlight of our anniversary evening might have been the cake. In typical first year anniversary tradition, the top of our cake was swept away from the reception, wrapped, and placed in the freezer for October 20, 2008.

Expecting freezer burned nastiness, we also had a back-up plan. We got a free cake from our cake makers for screwing up our wedding cake. (And by screwing up I mean it had black ribbon instead of brown ribbon, but no one could tell due to the "mood lighting" of the reception hall.)

Alas, we sampled the original cake top anyhow. AND IT WAS FANTASTIC. Somehow the cake fought back the effects of freezer burn and drying it. It was soft and sweet and full of moisture. (Note to some readers: That sentence intentionally avoided a certain word that many of you detest.) We were both shocked and pleasantly surprised. We were also with cake. Lots of cake.

Happy Anniversary!

A year (actually 366 days) ago today, I married the love of my life, my best friend, and the only person I have ever trusted with all of my being. The woman I never dreamed I would find. I thank God every day that I did not settle, as I had resigned myself to do. If I had settled, I never would have known you.

I do not fear growing old anymore, because I will grow old with you. I cherish that thought, in fact. The memories we have already made could fill most lifetimes. I cannot even fathom what the next 70 years will hold for us!

So to the most patient, compassionate, loving woman I know: Happy Anniversary. You are now, and will always be, my home. I love you.

Confucius say:

When called an idiot sometimes is better to be quiet, than open mouth and remove all doubt.