I spent the afternoon/evening at the Racine County Fair. I have to say that of all of the county fairs that I have emceed at (Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth, Waukesha), the folks at the Racine County Fair were by far the most accommodating. Ron Christensen was a true delight, and seemed to be sincerely appreciative that we were there. Bill Schauer, Tammy, and Joan were also very nice and welcomed me as if I was a part of the fair board, myself.

Thanks again for having me.

Now this is what I call Border Patrol. I think the game is funny, yet their depiction of the American flag is disturbing.

…and no one cares.

Long time hold-outs on selling music on iTunes, “hard rock” band Metallica has announced it will sell its music on the Apple Music Site/Store, according to cnn.com.  Previously, Metallica had only sold its albums on Amazon.com and Metallica.com, where it could gobble up all the profit, themselves.  Trying to gain some relevence in today’s music scene, Metallica has decided to offer “single song” downloads through iTunes, but has included “new”, un-released live tracks on their “original” albums. These new songs are only available when you re-purchase the entire album.  So, Metallica fans can have yet another copy of …And Justice for All.  (*hooray…gag*).

*Commentary/Rant* I really really was into Metallica growing up in the post-punk/skater/metal years in Junior High and High School…but I have to say that I really soured on these crap-bags when they went after Napster.  Oh, and don’t pretend you are Holier-Than-Thou, because you know you have downloaded music from Napster or Kazaa or Limewire or from your friend who just bought the new Big & Rich cd…  I guess I still enjoy Metallica’s music, but I really find these money-hungry a$$holes annoying when it comes to anything other than playing loud and screaming at the top of their lungs.

Ok, for a little breather here, I offer you: Napster Bad …enjoy.

ESPN.com is reporting that the Milwaukee Brewers have traded slugger Carlos Lee along with AAA prospect Nelson Cruz to the Texas Rangers for 4 players. Reportedly the Brewers will receive outfielders Laynce Nix and Kevin Mench, along with pitchers Francisco Cordero and Julian Cordero.

Editorial Analysis: A desperate move by a desperate team. This would have been a decent trade if it did not include Nelson Cruz. But the Brewers give up their best player, Lee, and arguably their best prospect in Nelson Cruz. Cruz was hitting over .300 with 20 homeruns at AAA. The only way I can justify this trade is if Doug Melvin has another deal lined up to trade Geoff Jenkins, Brady Clark and/or Mench. Horrible trade and a terrible sign to the Brewers Fans. Brewers fans have been patient and supportive of this organization and today they all just got punched in the gut.

If you are stressed out at work (or home, I suppose) or you are just a fan of modern art, check out:

JacksonPollock.org

Start moving the mouse around and make your own “Pollock-esque” piece of art (*hint* click the mouse a few times to get different colors of paint).  Then, just print it out and frame it!

Here is the follow up to my bus story. I’m an idiot. The UPark bus system only uses yellow school buses. That’s fine with me. I’ll take the bus some other time. Or, maybe, I’ll wait for light rail. Bwahahahahahahaha…

I introduced Jo Dee Messina last night at the Washington County Fair. Waiting for me at the bottom of the stage stairs… a kiss (on the cheek) from Jo Dee Messina.
The most memorable part of the night, though, was being able to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my daughter in front of thousands of people. Thanks to all of you who shouted happy birthday to her as well!

…we should have taken, THE BUS!

Today was going to be my first time EVER riding on public transit. I was all excited to actually ride on a city bus… when up pulled… A FRIGGIN’ SCHOOL BUS! Yeah, so maybe on my ride home from my management operations class I will actually score a city bus ride. If not… I suppose I should feel lucky? Hmmm…

Back to the books….

Straight from the “Shocking News” department, Lance Bass of N’SYNC has told cnn.com that he is gay.  Not that there is anything wrong with that.

He reportedly hid it all these years to protect the careers of his band mates in N’SYNC.  Well, congratulations Lance, now that you aren’t relevant it is ok to admit it.

The two classes that I am taking now are taking up the bulk of my energy. Only three more weeks to go! I’ll still post as often as I can. When I’m done with summer school, though, I’ll get back on top of things here on good ol’ FuzzMartin.com.

He FINALLY got something right. Governor Doyle ordered the state Department of Transportation to install wire-type median barriers on the 6-mile stretch of I-43 that has claimed the lives of six people in the last eight months.

I’m still not voting him.

My wife and I have made our way to Michigan City, IN for her family’s annual family vacation.  This is a really nice area off of Lake Michigan.  Our room is in the top of a 3 story “beach home”.  All of the rental properties here are painted like a Jimmy Buffett concert got really drunk and threw up all over itself.  Which, for a vacation spot, isn’t that bad.

I will say the traffic coming down I-294/I-80 south of Chicago was terrible.  Even worse, they had the gall to charge tolls while we waited in 1.5hr+ backups.  If you are headed anywhere south/east out of Wisconsin, avoid this area at any cost.  (Or better yet, fly!)

I will see what I can do about getting some photos of the lake from the “south side” for all you Milwaukee-ans.

PS, it is really nice that the renters installed Wi-Fi for people to use.  Very handy for me, who is addicted to the internet.

I keep hearing a commercial for Walgreens where a lady says (paraphrasing), “when my pharmacy was bought out by a larger pharmacy, it was time to make a change. That’s why I choose to have all of my prescriptions filled at Walgreens.”

UHM, I think the commercial should read, “when my local pharmacist was priced out of competition by Walgreens, I had no choice but to go to have my prescriptions filled there. Sure, I could go to Wal*Mart, but that would be so passe.”

(For the record, I have no problem with Walgreens or Wal*Mart pricing local pharmacists out of competition – that’s capitalism – and that’s why America is GREAT!)

So now the Arab world is wondering if the U.S. will help with diplomatic talks to get Israel to cease fire on Hezbollah and Hamas. Yes, the same people that accuse us (U.S.) of trying to be the world police are asking us to step in and stop Israel. That’s ridiculous.

Yeah yeah, the President swore…and I am sure there are going to be plenty of people complaining about it.  But, let’s face it, that’s the way people talk.

The thing I am digusted about is how G-Dubs is chomping at that roll and talking while Tony Blair is leaning over Bush’s shoulder to talk about the Israel / Hezbollah situation.  Man, he didn’t even close his mouth while chewing. 

Where are the President’s handlers?  This guy is the leader of the free world and on tv 24/7, you think they could get him an etiquette coach or something.

I’m not a big fan of heights.

I’m not a big fan of 100-degree heat.

I’m really not a big fan of roofing in 100-degree heat, but I helped TSgt. McFarling as much as I could today. Of course, i wasn’t up there for 1/2 the time that they were – but it still kicked my ass.

Seriously, though, of all of the days to do a complete tear-off and re-roof of a house, why did the mind-swellingly hot weather have to hit today?

Seriously #2, Sarge’s roof had three layers of asphalt shingles ON TOP of a layer of cedar shake shingles. The last I checked, all day in the sun still did not yield a bare roof for McFarling. Whoever the idiot(s) is(are) that put shingles on top of shingles on top of shingles on top of shake ought to be beaten with a hot poker.

Stay cool.

When I heard the story about the man who died after being tazered by Mukwonago Police officers, I really thought nothing of it. Then, this morning, I heard that man’s name. Immediately my heart sank.

Nick Cyrus and I went to high school together. I did not know that Nick had paranoid schizophrenia. According to the above linked story, he wasn’t diagnosed with it until just after high school. I have not seen, nor spoken to Nick since then.

I was actually thinking about Nick the other day (which is kind of creepy in retrospect.) With all of the cruising stories in the news lately, I was thinking of the days when we used to cruise Highway 100 as kids. I didn’t go that often, but when I did I usually went with Nick. He used to drive this sporty little Volkswagen. He always had a great time going out there.

I don’t know all of the details about the events that took place. It is a shame that Nick died. I wholeheartedly believe that these officers had no intent to kill him or even harm him, though.

My prayers go out to Nick’s family and friends. May he rest in peace. Thanks for the memories, Nick.

I am starting to run out of the albums that I own…looks like I am going to have to visit the library and/or start mining my friends to keep pace on this list!

On the quest for 1001

Artist – Album (Favorite song)

Snoop Doggy Dogg – Doggy Style (The Shiznit (It ain’t no fun…))
The Beatles – The White Album (D1: Glass Onion / D2: Helter Skelter)
Smashing Pumpkins – Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness (D1: Here is No Why / D2: Stumbline)
Nirvana – MTv Unplugged (The Man Who Sold the World)
Radiohead – Kid A (The National Anthem)
Johnny Cash – IV (I Hung My Head (and Hurt))
TLC – Crazy Sexy Cool (Diggin’ on You)
Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die (Juicy)
Metallica – The Black Album (Where ever I May Roam)
Sinead O’Connor – I Do Not Want What I Haven’t Got (Black Boys on Mopeds).

A great group of albums.  Be sure to check out Johnny Cash IV.  It has several great covers and some new-classic Cash songs.  Also, The Smashing Pumpkins double-disc is great…I had forgotten how much I like them.  Of course, the White Album is an all time classic as well as Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die!  That album is great.  I encourage everyone to listen to these albums, especially if you are like me and have many cds you don’t listen to on a regular basis.  This rotation of them has really made me appreciate my musical tastes that much more.

My mom’s doggy. What a great pup!

Elliot at From Where I Sit has come up with a great solution to two enormous problems in our country.

I suggest you read it.

Do it.

Now!