Gettin' high in Mexico

In what I would call a "shocking" turn of fortunes for college spring breakers, Mexico is set to decriminalize the possession of marijuana, cocaine, ecstacy, and even heroin as long as it is for personal use. I don't know what amount is considered "personal use", but it is designed to allow the police to chase the "big dogs" and stop worrying about the small drugs busts.

Surprisingly, I am against this. Don't get me wrong, I have no problem with the decriminalization of pot. I think it would be really cool to be able to smoke a joint legally on the beach in Cancun. Ecstacy and coke is interesting, but I still have no problem with that. The problem I have is with heroin. I never experimented with heroin in my life, so I have zero first hand experience, but from what I have read and seen, it is the worst thing out there.

With all the news recently on oil prices and terrorism, this story may get buried in the news and probably won't get the attention it normally would. You can say you heard it at the Margarita Lounge first...I might have even scooped Frotuss!

More humor about oil

I was reading a few articles late this afternoon at work and felt that I ought to share them with you, my loyal readers. After checking them all out, I can say that I am more confused than ever. Here are the three articles.

1) Hypocritical Politicians. With all the bitching and moaning in Washington about high gas prices, you would think politicians all drive hybrids. Incorrect. Many of our "leaders" drive gas-guzzling Suburbans. Article.

2) Uncle Ted. You would think that Teddy Kennedy, Mr. Liberal himself, would be all for alternative power sources. A great idea like a wind farm in his back yard, right? Wrong. I guess Teddy wants to talk about it, but doesn't want it in his backyard. Article.

3) The suppliers weigh in. This is really funny when you add it as a third story. According to the Oil Minister from Qatar, oil prices would drop $15 per barrel if the politicians would just shut up about oil supplies. Funny stuff. Article.

Trying to Remember

So I signed up for this "Memory Seminar" today and tomorrow down in Ft. Lauderdale. It is 3 1/2 hours per day and is designed to help you improve your memory, which Cheryl will tell you is terrible. It was a pretty cool day one. I can now recite 20 items and then repeat them in exact order, front and backwards in addition to individually. And how does this relate to real life? Right now I have no idea. I was assured that the real-world application is tomorrow's subject.

It looks like ol' Ricky Williams is out for the 2006 season and could be done for good in the NFL after this FOURTH positive test for drugs. He is eligible to come back in 2007, but he'll be 30 years old and have a total of 12 games playing experience in 3 years...not exactly the type of numbers that excite any NFL team.

And yes, I finally bought my Sunfest tickets yesterday. In years past I have always been excited and fired up about Sunfest weeks before the actual event. This year it has really snuck up on me. While the music blows this year (even worse than last year), I am sure the best will be made out of the situation on the Captain Morgans Barge. Ahoy.

Some perspective on oil prices

First of all, I was wrong. I am surprised that I havent heard from you yet MT... I said not too long ago that $70 per barrel oil and $3 per gallon gas was going to be a thing of the past. Well, we are all wrong occasionally but you should double up here and short some more oil....if prices go back down into the $68 range you'd at least break even.

That aside, gas prices are again high (and they'll be higher in the next few weeks) and it looks like this summer is gonna suck at the pump. Just to give some perspective, though, I wanted to include this link to an interesting chart. It shows the average price for a gallon of gas in various cities throughout the world. Feel happy that you don't live in Europe where all the governments tax the hell out of gasoline. Just a little something to think about when you are complaining about that $60 gas bill this week.

Oh Boy

I might have overdone it last night. Cheryl and I had my parents over for dinner at the Margarita Lounge. A few drinks turned into about a bottle and a half of wine and I am moving a little slow today.

A thought on terrorism...

I was thinking this week about the current situation in the Middle East in regards to Islamic Terrorism. According to most reports, terrorists represent a small portion of the Muslim population in the Middle East. I would agree with this. The goal of most countries (including the US) is to avoid the further spread of these extreme views throughout the world. This also makes sense to me.

The problem is....aren't we making the situation worse by continually airing these people on the evening news? Isn't this exactly what the terrorists want....exposure? Why bother recruiting people when the US media will do the job for you? I think the best way to fight terrorism would be to avoid the huge media blitz that these crazy bastards get whenever they blow up a bus or a truck. Doesn't this seem like common sense?

The Breast Doctor

Above you will find a picture of Philip Winikoff. This guy was arrested yesterday in the Ft. Lauderdale area (about a half hour south of me for you non-Floridians) for sexual assualt while impersonating a doctor. According to the story, he was walking around neighborhoods offering free breast exams to women. The scary thing is that two women actually let this 76 year-old pervert....er.... man into their house to perform a breast exam on them. Some people are really stupid.

After Easter

Life seems to be getting back to "normal" around the Margarita Lounge the last day or two. Princess T departed on Sunday morning for greener pastures taking herself and Bear . The weather is getting hot and it's only mid-April. Easter is over. My new diet has started. Sunfest is around the corner.

It's funny how those 10 extra pounds sneak up on you. Last thing I knew, I was between 170-175 pounds and was in pretty good shape. I looked down at the scale last week (and past my buddha) and saw a big, ugly 183 staring back at me. Time to get back on the treadmill.

You're Fired

As you may know, I can't stand Donald Trump. I just think he's a total dork that happens to have accumulated a bunch of money and a hot wife. Luckliy, this post has nothing to do with Mr. Trump and everything to do with me.

I had the distinct pleasure of firing one of my clients yesterday afternoon. I never thought that anything like that would make me feel so good the day after, but it does. Essentially, the guy was a miserable, cheap, constantly complaining dwarf of a man who thought that I was his bitch and I would keep taking his shit. Well, that all ended yesterday afternoon when I got rid of him. Do I feel bad? HELL NO. He can go deal with someone else who wants to get abused. Life is way too short to deal with grumpy bastards. Good riddance.

Phil beats Tiger

Nothing makes me happier than seeing Tiger Woods lose a major to Phil Mickelson. While it wasn't the down to the wire head to head drama that I would have liked to see, it made me happy. It also cemented my position in the anti-Tiger camp. Now, I don't really hate Tiger Woods or anything. He is obviously one of the best golfers of all time. It's just good to see him lose every now and then. Kind of like rooting against the Yankees...it's just fun!

It's even more fun when Tiger pouts like a 10 year old boy all around the course like he did today. He's a completely different person when he is winning versus losing. And did you see the presentation of the green jacket? Tiger just sat there looking pissed off and then gave a quick "congratulations" and handshake to Phil. It's no secret that Tiger and Phil don't get along very well, but show a little more class and at least look happy. It was the icing on the cake when Tiger had to sit there while Jim Nantz interviwed Phil about his great play on Sunday.

Even though the final round was short on drama, it was big on sportsmanship. It was good to see Phil and Fred Couples having a good time playing together. Nowadays it seems like all we see on TV is robots walking the courses on the PGA Tour...no emotions, no smiles, no interaction....essentially no human element. It was good to see fellow competitors actually congratulate each other and have fun playing a round of golf together. They both made a shit-load of money, so you might as well have fun, right? Tiger should take a lesson from both of these guys in that area.

Wow

I seem to have lost my focus this week. With the National Championship on Monday Night, Sean leaving on Tuesday, Lost on Wednesday, and the Masters starting on Thursday, I seem to have turned my focus and pathetic short-term memory away from the Margarita Lounge. So, here is what's been happenin around here the last week.

Vacation. Cheryl and I have booked a beach house in the Outer Banks of NC for early summer. We are really excited to get away from the world for a week. I'll post a few pictures to "rub it in" once we get closer to the departure date.

Sports. Its looking like a good weekend of golf in Augusta with the top 5 golfers in the world all within striking distance of the lead. I'm still hoping for a Tiger/Phil showdown on the back nine on Sunday and I'd love to see Phil pull it out on the last hole.

Departure. It appears that Princess T will be departing the Margarita Lounge in the near future for other adventures. The dates are still up in the air, but it's looking like the next week or two. We wish her all the best wherever the winding road takes her.

Wine. Yes, we are now officially winos. A few more bottles were drank this week. I realized this morning that it's very hard to empty a wine cellar when you keep buying more wine. We drink two and I buy two (or three) more bottles. Such a problem....

Weekend. Yes, it is finally here. Since we are saving up for vacation, we have decided to lay low for the next couple of weeks and save our pennies. I fell asleep to "Good Night and Good Luck" last night and Thursday Night we watched "Walk the Line". I wasn't really impressed with either movie. I know they were both nominated for Best Picture, but I just couldn't get real excited about either movie. Does anyone else agree with me here or is it the wine taking control?

Another Party in the Books

I wanted to thank everyone who came to the party last night. The senator was the last to depart around 1:30, so we didn't get too out of hand. I wish that the basketball games had been better, but they didn't dampen the spirit of the party. While I'm not hungover this morning, I'm tired after three straight nights of partying like a rock star and I'm moving fairly slow.

Speaking of basketball, it looks like Phyllis was the big winner in the office pool. With UCLA beating LSU, she bacame the proud winner of $140. I finished tied for 11th, which is a nice improvement from 13th place but still really pathetic. My focus now turns to the Masters, which starts on Thursday. Phil is whooping everyone's ass this week and I'm hoping he is in the mix next weekend come Sunday afternoon.

Coasting

In my line of work, month end can be an odd time. When you are short of your monthly goals, things are really crazy and stressful. On the other hand, if you have already reached your goals for the month, things are quiet...you are essentially "coasting" until the next month rolls around. This week I have been coasting and work has been quiet and peaceful in general. Sean flies into Lauderdale this afternoon and I have volunteered for pickup duty. I'm looking forward to having another man in the house...with Cheryl, Tracy, Onyx, Hannah, and Lucy all living at the Margarita Lounge right now, I'm feeling a little out-numbered!

Unbeleivable Madness

In what can only be described as unbeleivable, George Mason beat the mighty UConn this afternoon to make it to the Final Four and destroy everyone's brackets that had UConn winning it all. The game was everything that a crazy March Madness fan like me could ever have wanted...a nailbiter that went to overtime with the big underdog pulling out the upset. After beating UConn, North Carolina, and Michigan State, anything is possible next weekend for the Patriots. Florida, who is famous for choking in the big game, also surpisingly made it through to join LSU and UCLA.

Anyone who is interested in a party is welcome to drop by the Margarita Lounge this Saturday around 6pm to watch the game and eat some burgers and dogs. Big brother Sean (not my brother...Cheryl and Tracy's) is coming down to visit next weekend and drink some beers, so it should be a good time.

These "Civilized" Muslims?

I am having real problems lately believing our country should be involved with anyone in the Middle East. I have tried to steer clear of the news stories, but the more I read them, the more pissed off I become. For those of you who don't know what the hell I am babbling about, here is the executive summary: A muslim man living in Afghanistan leaves the country 16 years ago to be a medical aid worker helping fellow Afghan refugees. While he is out of the country, he converts to Christianity. He comes back to Afghanistan and most people in the country want to kill him because he converted to Christianity.

Now, I understand and respect different cultures and viewpoints, but this story has really disturbed me. These are the types of governments and people we consider "allies"? Are you shitting me? Maybe I am sheltered by living in a country with religious freedom, but how can you consider a culture, a people, or a country "civilized" and look at them equally when they want to kill anything that is different from them? And this guy is one of their fellow countrymen!

I always encourage some competitive banter at the Margarita Lounge, but I just can't see the other side of the argument here. I really hope that some of my intelligent readers out there can give me a rational argument for how this is acceptable behavior, but I just can't see it. Someone........anyone......?

Taking the Plunge

After a few days of debate, I finally decided to get season tickets for the Dolphins yesterday. Pimpbling and I will be cheering from the nosebleed section of Dolphins Stadium starting in September. With Dante on board, it looks like we should be challenging the Patriots for the division title this year.

On another note, I got an email this morning from the long-lost Dr. Assmunch. As only my wife knows who Dr. Munch is, lets just say he is a childhood friend of mine from good old Erie PA. While the Senator isn't actually a Senator, Dr. Munch is indeed a doctor. I guess he is now residing in Birmingham, AL on a fellowship and will be heading back to the great white north in August. Welcome Dr. Munch...your opinions and input are always welcome at the Margarita Lounge.

Some funny stories

Here are two funny stories I found this week when I was surfing the internet. They have been sitting in my in-box for a few days and I figured I would finally post them:

1) Man hits his own car then sues himself

2) Man severs own penis, throws it at officers

Unexpected Visitors

After a long hiatus, the Hickman family showed up at our door yesterday afternoon. They were looking at houses in the area and decided to drop by the Margarita Lounge for a short visit. As is typical with our short visits, it turned into about 5 hours of conversation, some carryout from Carabbas, and three bottles of wine sprinkled with some Scene It and some basketball on the ol' bigscreen. True to their word, Gunther and the Wine Mistress contributed to the draining of my new wine cellar. I actually thought we drank four bottles of wine last night until I woke up and saw it was only three.

Good news for the basketball tournament...I am no longer in the basement. As of this morning I have moved up from the absolutely depressing 14th place to the still incredibly pathetic 13th place in the office pool. I bought a new grill yesterday at Lowe's which I am really excited about firing up. To make it better, they even assembled it for me, so I don't have to spend all day today doing it myself. Cheryl and I caught a Panthers hockey game on Friday Night and did lots of housework and running around yesterday before entertaining last night. As for today, it's shaping up to be a real lazy Sunday....

I seem to have a broken bracket

I had mentioned earlier this week that I was running the office hoops pool. We have 14 people at $10 per head for a total of $140...not bad. I figured that I know a little bit about basketball and I thought my picks were pretty solid...a few upsets sprinkled in with some experienced teams. Well, I suck. Out of 14 people I am currently 14th. At least nobody can claim I cheated.

Dante Culpepper

Holy shit. After a rather depressing end to my work day, I was greeted with the wonderful news that Miami actually has a real quarterback again. Not shitty Jay Fiedler, AJ Feeley, or Gus Frerotte anymore...Mr. Dante Culpepper is now a Dolphin! I was really excited at the end of last season, but I can't tell you how excited I am about this coming year. To get me THIS excited about anything other than March Madness this time of year is quite an accomplishment. As long as they don't also sign TO, I'll be fine.