Stankass Says

How awful it was. A registered Republican goes tot he polls not sure if he should stay with party ties when he places his vote. As he receives his card and walks to the voting booth, he "sees" an aging John McCain, who appears noticeably older since the campaign started. He wonders: should McCain win and then become ill or worse yet die...it's Palin time! And then another thought smacks him 'longside the head - a Democratic Congress and a Republican President...not a good mix. Then to totally scare him - he thinks of all the new taxes that are in his future should the Democrat Obama win. He turns and ponders running for the door, but realizes that is the easy way out.

The multitudes of Americans will feel good that finally after 230+ years someone other than a caucasian, white guy if you will, is top dog. Will the "novelty" wear off when it is realized that not a lot will change? There will be taxes - how else will the government fund those wonderful ideas the new regime has proposed? And alas it will trickle its way down to the State level. Ah, the Groveller in Annapolis will exclaim - "The slots are not enough! We must reach into your pocket again, Mr. Taxpayer."

And then there are the Clintons.

At least a hope that the war...military action in Iraq-Afghanistan...Syria...et al will come to an end. Maybe the world will look differently at us Americans (at least for a while). Maybe the threats of harm to our Homeland will disappear like the leaves in the Autumn wind. Rather doubt that. Nice thought.

"Sir, after you check your voter summary, remove the card and give it back to me. Thanks!"


...Stankass out

Weee doggie...attended an Alum reception in the Public Policy Bldg Atrium last night and folks - it was stupendous! President Hrabowski has done so much for this school ...to be corny....it isn't funny! Back in my day there were a mere handful of buildings filled to capacity. The school grew in small spurts a few years post graduation - but there has been an explosion!!!!! - the last few years. IT truly is a remarkable place! One of the key points driven home last night was that the school is now becoming known for it's athletic department and for athletes WHO GRADUATE most WITH HONORS!...Quite a feat in these days where some facilities allow the athletics to overshadow the academics.

Next month I attend a dinner a few days before Thanksgiving at Martin's West for my High School Alum - B.P.I. (that's POLY).

Hope to see some folks there..
Stankass out...

Ole Stanky will be trekking out to the Timonium Fairgrounds on the 29th of the month - that being October - to attend the Baby Boomer Expo / Senior Expo. Makin' it early to get the whole day of stuff in.

Finished reading Vonnegut's Armageddon in Retrospect. I'm a Vonnegut fan from back in High School days. It was sad day when he passed.

Today there will be a visit to Quarry Liquors way out Old Court. Neat place. The entire shopping area is built around one side of a large quarry while the other side contains mega bucks condos. Anyhoo these guys run a monthly 6 for $60 wine deal and the offerings to be showcased today sound scrumptious! Maybe we'll roll down to the wine tasting at DiWines on Reistertown Rd. These guys always feature some really top notch stuff. Very helpfull staff. Turned us onto a very nice Italian Primitivo just last week.

How 'bout them Rays!...would love to see the BoSox flame out (just like the Cubbies)!..Rays and Phils????

Week 6 of the NFL is a separation week if teams let the frontrunners go up and put space 'tween 'em. C'mon Ravens!!!!

Stankass out...

Well Ole Stanky gotta say it - who in the Hell is bailin' out the rich white folk up on Wall Street - why it's you and me. Let's be real here - the Wall Streeters done sold you a sheeeeeeeeeeeeit house and made a $$$$$ off of it and now ooops -the sheeeeeeeit house is well what it really is...

I say we all pull our hard earned $$$ outta these crudballs banks and go back to stashin' in the mattress. Heck we all got some good "firepower" so let the bad boys c'mon...when they get all whacked out - the poo poo can kill 2 birds with 1 stone
If I'm movin' too fast fer ya - oh well.

Stankass out...

Let's run'em down for ya-

The Ravens could go undefeated 3-0 - in the division and the AFC with a win on Monday Night Football 9-29.

The Terps from College Park 4-1! Except for the breakdown against Middle Tennessee and the red and white would be perfect! A few more wins and the Terps are bowl bound.
Especially if they knock off a few more Top 20 guys - sorry Cal and Clemson.

And then there is the orange and blue of Poly. Currently 3-1 with 3 big wins (but that big loss to Dunbar). I see a big game in the State Championships in the future.

Football is back...Ahhhhh

Stankass out...

Ole Stanky is back...with a vengeance. Welcome those folks from AARP!...This latter part of 2008 is a BIG TIME and promises lotsa new stuff. Stay with it and I will as well. GO RAVENS!

Went to a place called Matthews 1600 the other day for brunch after church. Place is located in Catonsville, Md. on Frederick Road on your way west (just passed Rolling Road). Now the tale...

We were a party of five. My wife and I opted for separate checks. The menus were clearly printed that parties of 6 or more were subject 20% gratuity. We were 5...small taters I know. Anyhoo - the wife and I order ...me SOS w/ 2 slabs bacon, coffee....she - a seafood omelet (shrimp) w/ a sausage...we also had 4 Mimosas...
our total rounded was $44...(huh?)...our check comes and indicates a 20% tip (we had to seek out another waitress to advise our waitress we would like a refill on coffee) rounded $8+...Md sales tax $3+ = $56 and some change. The wife uses her bank card...indicates no tip on the tip line - because it was already factored into the check. The next day she checks her account and found that $67+ was taken from the account. What? A call to the "establishment" and the "manager" nets this explanation:

Your bank automatically deducts an extra amount to cover a tip. This happens all the time. Your account will be credited back in 48-72 hours.

FOLKS - How would a computer know to automatically withddraw an extra amount of cash on a debit withdraw? How would a computer know that the amount was being credited to a restaurant? We advised his that this was absurd and wanted the account credited back $11+ that we were overcharged. "Oh okay that will occur in 48-72 hours."

The truth to the matter was someone entered the extra amount and then swiped the card advising the computer to withdraw that amount. The new amount made the waitresses' tip $20+...for eggs and SOS!

A call to the bank...which prompted much laughter led to the discussion of an affadavit. When Matthews 1600 was recontacted the $11+ was quickly sent back to our account.

What of our other party? Were they charged 20% gratuity as well?...added $ to tip line? ...ahhh but wait to find out the rest of this sordid tale...

Stankass out...