Something of my own, to look forward to

I don't add a "must-see TV show" to my list very often, nor very easily. Truth be told, outside of sports, most of what I watch on a regular and must-see basis comes to be that way because Rachel really enjoys it, and I start to like certain aspects of the show, and it becomes a show "we" watch faithfully as must-see TV.

Gilmore Girls was like this.

Survivor was like this.

The Office is like this.

Well ... finally, there's something that I have as my own must-see TV show.



And ... I think I finally like it because I enjoy the show itself, and not just because it's Star Wars.

See ... the show premiered as a movie pilot of three episodes strung together. And, I enjoyed the movie, but I'm pretty sure I enjoyed it only because it was Star Wars. That is, if you remove all the Star Wars-stuff and replaced it with non-SW stuff and told the exact story with similar dialogue, plot, and jokes ... I don't think I would have enjoyed it at all.

But ... with the episodes, I think, *think*, it's growing past that. And I'm enjoying them for what they are, not just for being part of the larger Star Wars Universe.

So ... if you've ever enjoyed Star Wars ... if you loved the classic trilogy, but struggled through the Prequels, if you hate the Expanded Universe, if you loved the prequels ... whatever your classification is, I think you need to give this TV show a chance. It captures the feel of the original Star Wars, with the action of the new Star Wars, and it makes me feel like a kid again, where I can get wrapped up in the action and the (often predictable) story, and just have a good time enjoying myself for half an hour each week, with not worries about what's happening in real life.


And, perhaps best of all, in the three weeks of the show, I don't think I've seen a single political ad. Hope I didn't jinx it.

The State of the Union

It's no secret I'm a conservative. I've made that known in previous posts, and in my conversations to people who know me.

And so, when I read an article like this one in the WSJ about a democratic supermajority partnering with an Obama White House, the hair on my neck stands up, and I get a non-Star Wars "bad feeling about this". (By the way, read the article. It's a good one, and gives you something to think about no matter your political ideology).

Unions running amuck. Socialized heathcare to anyone who wants it. Out of control taxes. A bigger green movement.

All things that aren't out of the realm of possibility (or probability). All things that I really don't want to see.

And yet, despite that, I can't, and won't, bring myself to vote for John McCain for president.

Nor can I, or will I, bring myself to vote for a GOP candidate for Congress this year.

I'm sick of American politics. Completely sick of it.

I'm sick of two parties controlling the system, and both being controlled themselves by fringe, far-right and far-left groups. I'm sick of the NRA and the religious right having outrageous demands that have no place in actual Conservative America. I'm sick of MoveOn.org and the socialist left pushing for policies that have no place in common sense America. I'm sick of bloggers on both sides, whether it's defending poor choices, mocking a misquote, digging up thirty-year-old stores, or mocking a voter who happened to ask a question. I'm sick of "fair and balanced" being a euphemism for "spin in the other direction, and probably going further than the original spin'. I'm sick of debates that aren't debates, but rather are candidates sticking to a script of talking points.

I know I'm not the only one. I'm not the only one who wants to hear actual ideas. Details, and not just "I'm going to do this better".

A monkey can create a campaign platform that says "we need to better the country, make it safer, and make the economy stronger." A third-grade student could do that. Every person in America thinks that's a good idea.

I'm not the only one who wants the people we send to Washington to actually represent me. When an Ohio Senator tells the press he's getting thousands of calls and e-mails from people in Ohio with 95% of them against a bill, and then votes for the bill, I lose the last shred of faith I have in the system, at least in the system being run by the bums we're sending to Washington.

This has really turned into a rant on all of politics in America, and it wasn't intended that way. I really wanted to just rant against the GOP, the party that is supposed to come closest to my ideals. The party that claims it wants a smaller government, that it wants to fight wasteful spending, and that it wants to represent people like me.

And, yet, facing the possibility of what that article points to coming to pass, I'm turning my back completely on the GOP and voting for none of the bums that want to represent me in Washington.

Which is fair enough, because I feel like they've completely turned their back on me, too.



And, I don't feel a third-party vote is a thrown-away vote, but that's a blog/rant for another day.

Michigan Sucks (More Proof)

My favorite highlight of the NFL this weekend, and possibly all season:




This is, in comedic value, second only to the quadruple-penalty dropped-snap punt by the Browns in last years opener against the Steelers in recent memory.

My Eyes Must Deceive Me

So, I'm watching the end of the Cowboys-Cardinals game. And a commercial comes on television. For Natural Light.

Yeah. That's right. Natty Light. The Beer.

And ... it's not a parody. It's a real commercial. With a real attempt to create brand loyalty for Natty Light, with buzz words and hype and slogan and jingo and the such.

Are they seriously trying to convince me that anyone out there exists, let alone enough people to warrant the price of an advertisement, who can buy Natty light out of brand loyalty and advertising? Or, really, for any reason other than "it was the cheapest beer at the corner store"?

A New Start, Around the Corner

I couldn't decide which phrase I liked better: getting a fresh start, or turning the corner. So, I decided to use both.

Now, what am I referring to? I'm, of course, referring to my professional life. For about two years, I've been a struggling Aflac agent. They're a great company, and I respect them and the way they do business. But, the work simply hasn't been paying the bills on a consistent basis.

So, I made a decision a little while ago that I needed to branch a bit, find more income, and find steadier income.

And ... here's where I stand.

Tyler Betts is still an Insurance Agent, ready to meet your needs. I'm now contracted with three companies, with a fourth to possibly come.



So, for all of your insurance needs, be they Life, Disability, Gap, Dental, or whatever, I can be your one-stop shop. Remember that!

And, I've also started a full-time job that is not 100% commission.



Can you hear me now? Good, because I've also got a job working base + commission for a Verizon Agency. So, come to me with all of your cellular phone and wireless needs!

Got that? Insurance and Wireless ... when you need any of them, come to me!


Because, really, this is a new start. A new corner I've turned. A new page in my life.


And I will find success.

Celebrating a First

For the first time in my life ...



the Indians have a 20-game winner.


Now, if only they could fix that "never won the World Series in my lifetime" thing.

The Difference

The Difference between a faith and a religion, I think, comes into focus in the tough times. When things are down. When the chips fall on the negative side. When you lose, you're hurt, you're in pain, and nothing seems to go right.

I happen to think that if I simply had a religion, something that gave me comfort and knowledge of an afterlife, I'd be lost in times like this. I'd be wondering why the glories of others in my religion failed, repeatedly, to come to me.

I like to think I have faith in Jesus, and the ways he teaches. Faith that if I continue to do the things he taught, that if I continue to seek after him, it's going to be fine. And I'm going to continue to have relationships and encounters that matter.

I don't need to drink Kool-Aid to think that all that matters is the end.

I've got faith to know that my God is there by my side, keeping it from being any worse.

And, more importantly, I've got faith in my God that the people he's brought into my life are going to stand by my side and be the comfort and support that I need.

One Thing

One thing that really frustrates me about the state of politics in America:

I've been flipping in and out of the Democratic convention. And, without fail, I've seen some variation of the following out of every speaker:

"The Republicans are evil. They have poor policies. Etc, etc, etc. And we will unite the party, be rid of bi-partisanship, and it won't be about Democrat vs. Republican, but about doing what's right!"


So, really, you spend a big chunk of time trashing the people across the aisle, telling us how bad their policies and practices are, and how they have no business in America, and then in the next breath, you tell us that you're going to help lead us into a non-partisan America and unite the country?

And you expect us to believe you?

Really?

And I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the exact same thing will be said next week at the GOP convention.

Frustrating. Stupid. Annoying. Irritating. American Politics.

Slap Happy for Mexican Food

Rachel and I have been on a Mexican food kick. It all started the night that Mexican Night at the Zellner's Changed Our Life (That's going to be a chapter in my autobiography, by the way).

We do it often. Sometimes tacos, every once in a while enchiladas, and, recently, taco salad on occasion. Plus, the occasional trip to Maria's Tacos. But that's rare, and the real point of making Mexican is that we make it once, and with just a little work, we've got leftovers for about four meals. And it's cheap!

Normally, we'll make big grilled burritos. We take a giant burrito shell, fill it with a thick layer of cilantro rice, then cheese, then red/hot sauce (if it's mine), meat (either chicken or beef), refried beans, corn, and then more cheese. Lately, we've added sour cream to the mix. It's delicious! One of our favorite meals.

Anyways, on to the point of the blog entry. The wife was a bit slap happy today. I sent her an e-mail before lunch asking a dumb joke.

Q: What do you call a charming Mexican entree?

A: A Beau-rito

She thought it was hilarious.

So I sent her another one just before I picked her up.

Q: What kind of Mexican entree costs $200?

A: A Tac-Go!

And this proceeded a phone call with several more:

Q: What is a lawyer's favorite Mexican entree?

A: Case-adillas!

Q: What is a foot's favorite Mexican entree?

A: Toes-tadas!

And ... my favorite one of all ...

Q: What kind of Mexican entree do rulers eat by the dozen?

A: Inch-aladas!

(Go ahead ... laugh ... yes, it's stupid, but it's okay to laugh)



Sometimes, it's just good to be stupid and laugh. Got any to add?

More Political Humor

had to share, again: