Classico Fire Roasted Tomato & Garlic...

OK, folks. Some changes in my sauce evaluations. First off, I'm going back to eating spaghetti the way I have been for years; using various add ins: hamburger-like crumbles, olives, mushrooms, crushed red pepper, meat balls, and cheese. Also, will vary the pasta. So, from now on you're going to get my opinion for the sauce along with the add ins. Yes, I know you guys are disappointed as I'm sure all over the world you've been sitting at your computers just waiting for my next review.
Another thing to mention, the sauce I just tested was OK for me; however, it could well be the best sauce of its kind...but, just OK for me as I'm not all that keen on the type of sauce.
So, there you have it. Will evaluate the sauce along with whatever I put in it.

Prego "New" Spicy Sausage is a Contender...

Well, I would have put a photo of the jar, but...it is not on Prego's site which I find...well, strange. The jar does say new, hey...maybe they rushed it out so they could get a jar on the shelf just for me.
Anyway, this was pretty darn good. One of the thickest sauces, a little sweet (descriptive, not a negative comment), definitely spicy but not too spicy, and it had actual small chunks of Italian sausage. What more can I say. New to my reviews is whether or not I plan on buying it again.

Yes, I will buy this again.

Ah, Tomorrow is Easter...Prayers to You???

Well, have been meaning to post this comment for some time. Decided Easter might be appropriate. So, here's what I want to know about Christians and their praying...
I follow our local online newspaper and for many of the articles read the comments. So here are the type of comments I'm wondering about.
There will be a death and the comments will go something like this: Prayers with, I'll pray for you, You will be in my prayers, Prayers out to you, and so on.
OK, someone is killed in an accident, here's what I want  to know...who are you praying to and what are you praying (for)?
Yes, I'm fumbling around here. Let me try again.
I would imagine that most Christians believe that their god is all powerful, knows everything, can do anything, can cause healings, can perform miracles, and so on. OK, now if that's the case that your god is all powerful and controls everything, what in the heck are you praying for?
Back to the accident. A good person, in fact a good Christian person, is killed in an auto accident. Now, if you believe your god controls everything and makes everything happen, it would seem like he wanted that person dead or it wouldn't have happened. With me, so far?
Of course, I would imagine some Christians may counter with god doesn't control everything. Ah, well, how does he decide what he controls? Well, he works in mysterious ways. That's a good one.
DON'T MENTION  FREE WILL! I'll have my pup track you down.
OK, if he's not running the show and is not all powerful, then what's the deal? He's not powerful enough to stop a car accident but he's powerful enough to put you in hell? Dang, it seems like it'd be easier to stop an accident than put someone in hell...
Well, this article or rant  is not going as I expected. OK, back to the basics.
A person is murdered, "Prayers to the family." OK, when you get down on your knees what do you pray? please make sure this person goes to heaven (hasn't that already been decided?). Pray that they have a nice trip? Pray that they get first class and not economy? Pray that they aren't held up in some type of purgatory? Pray that they get a waterside view in their new condo in heaven? What are you praying (for)?
You know, again...yes, sometimes we learn by rote. The guy who in your mind is in charge is the guy who caused the accident or allowed it to happen or who just doesn't care enough to be concerned about it at all and you're praying to him for what?
Now, the bible says your prayers will be answered. Obviously, that's not true. Are we back to god works in mysterious ways? Or, he only answers prayers that are worthy. Worthy, what is there, some type of commission that meets and votes on what's worthy and what's not?
One of the best ones I've heard, is that you should pray for god's will to be done. Good one. The most powerful guy around and we need to pray that his will be done. That'd be like me praying that Babe Ruth will let me help him learn to hit home runs.
Now, is a prayer merely a means of communication or is there something more to it than that? You pray so that god can know what you want? A means of communication... Well, if he knows everything he knows what you'll be praying about. So, why bother? For instance, you have a loved one who is ill...surely this powerful god knows that when you pray you'll be praying that he'll heal your loved-one. Or maybe prayer is something about accumulating a Green Stamp type of rewards. You know, for every hour of prayer you have XXX of heaven or prayer chips accumulated.
Yeah, like a heavenly bank account. In fact, that'd be another religious or heavenly scam. Lets's see, you'd go to your corner preacher, "I want my loved one to be cured."
"Well, yes, god and I understand that; however, you need to pray for 1732 hours plus give me $2775 in small bills."
Folks, not sure what you guys are looking for or trying to accomplish, but prayer ain't gonna get it for you. See the photo/snap on this page. You folks are looking in the wrong place and trying the wrong things. You keep praying and there is absolutely no evidence that a prayer has ever been answered. None. After no telling how many years of millions of people praying  and you think you are so special that this so-called god of yours is going to answer your prayer?
And, to add to it all you guys are going to church tomorrow to praise Jesus or something. So, how does the fable go? God allowed his only son to be crucified so that your sins are forgiven or something...and this so-called god resurrected his son. Wow, the god who is so powerful that he can kill his son so we can sin with impunity and then resurrect his son... If I've got this story even half-right, I'd say your god ain't real smart if he couldn't have figured out a better way to go about this.
Why couldn't he have just flapped him arms and spun some kind of miracle so our sins would be forgiven...while being in a bar and having a beer with his son? He really had to kill his son? Isn't that being a little overly dramatic?
Well, in the end, I am thankful and pray every day that I don't have to believe any of that bullshit.

Doctors Without Borders...

Medecins Sans Frontieres/Doctors Without Borders, yes, I'm on their mailing list.
About a week ago I got an email and they were requesting money to help the people injured in the Syrian conflict. I just felt as though I had to make a donation. Felt compelled? Not sure exactly why; however, I did think for a minute how good I and most Americans have it. Just to be able to know that we have a place to live, clothing, and food. And, for most of us we don't have to worry about it all that being taken from us by an errant bomb or artillery shell; or some soldier or rebel with an AK47. Yes, except for the thugs that roam our streets, we can be safe in our homes and safe to pursue our lives. The people wounded and killed in the Syrian conflict can't.
Does donating to charity make people better, or make them better people than those who don't? Well, I'll let you decide that.
Some could most likely make a good argument that some people give to charities only to make themselves feel better, and the benefit of the donation may well be secondary to why they make donations.
However, regardless of why a person donates, the donation still does what it's supposed to do and that is to help people who need help.
Yes, some people support the so-called arts  and give their donations so that a new painting can be purchased by a museum, or so that a community acting group can produce a new play. Well, hey, it's our money and we may donate or not to whatever cause, if you will, that we want to promote or support. But, I guess when all is said and done, I think most of us who used a little introspection would have to admit that it's surely more important for someone to receive needed medical care than it is for someone to go to a museum and see a new painting. But, hey, that's just my opinion.
So folks, give a little of your money. Give it to make yourself feel better or give it because you care. Doesn't make any difference to the charity, your money still spends and can be used to help those in need.

Dang, Ain't Got the Time to Fool Around With No $15,500,000...

OK, below is the email I received today.

I don't think I want to possibly corrupt myself with big bucks.

I mean, wow, I'd have tax problems and no telling what else and 

folks from all over would be asking for a few dollars. I just don't 

want to bother with it.
Listen, if anyone is reading this and are interested in talking to Mr. Ling,

let me know and I'll send you his email address. 

"Hello   ,

I have discreet proposition for you to the tune of Fifteen Million  
Five Hundred Thousand USD(15,500,00USD) . Please reply for details.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

Mr.Cy Ling."

Ah, Back to the Sauce...Newman's Own...Another Contender...

Well, this surely wasn't a scientific approach to evaluating spaghetti sauce. Nope, there were too many other variables to actually give Newman's a fair evaluation.

Let's see, where did I stray?
Well, first off I sprinkled enough crushed red pepper to cause a spice-induced nose run. Yep, had to get out the tissues because of the spiciness of  the red peppers. Also, I had a ton of Amour's Italian-style meatballs. And the flavor of the meatballs that simmered with the sauce surely made some difference in the taste, though I'm sure it wasn't significant. But, I can say this, it was pretty darn good. And, I would like to applaud the folks at Newman's for the amount of peppers that they put in their sauce. Yes, nice -size pieces of green pepper along with chunks of tomato. I paid, I think $1.99 at Kroger's. This sauce used to sell for much more. And, yes, I used Kroger's thin spaghetti. Mr. Newman's sauce is definitely a contender.
I would think that many of you may know that Newman was a heck of a racer. As I best remember, he started racing Datsuns in SCCA racing. That was many years ago. The last time I saw him race (on TV), can't remember the make of the car, but it was fast and powerful, and it was a professional race. If my memory serves me correctly, and it may not, I believe his number was 78, and that was his age at the time. A great actor, racer, sauce maker, and the profits from these Newman's products go to charity.The next time you're shopping for sauce, give Newman's a try.

Maybe Baby Jesus Can Help?

Yes, I know, I’m incorrigible.

A few months ago, a local night club was shut down. As I best remember this happened in court.
The night club, under different managers and owners, has been in business for years; 25, 30, most likely. Anyway, it’s always had a reputation as a hangout for, well…rowdy groups of mainly younger people. Yep.
The police department has a long recorded history of calls for service. Yes, I guess that means the old 911 calls.
Things came to an end, if you will, when someone was murdered on the dance floor. Yes, he was bashed in the head with a bottle.
Enough’s enough’s said the police department and the local citizens who live near the place.
The police chief, police officers, and citizens gave court testimony.
To counter it all, the owner said he was going to have Bibles available in the entry area, write scriptures on the bathroom mirrors, and close out the night with gospel music.
The judge said no.
Does the judge not believe in the power of religion?

Here, Let Me Stick This Tube Up Your Ass...

No, not a joke.
Though it's referred to in several ways, I'll use colonic irrigation. Yes, this is a procedure where a tube is stuck up your butt and you're cleaned-out, I guess you could say. Yep, I guess you could say it's an enema on steroids.
A few years ago, I asked one of our local TV stations to do a story on this... Of course, I got no response. At the time, I'd found a place locally, here in Virginia Beach, that had a heck of an ad, extolling the benefits.
As I best remember, the ad even mentioned helping your hearing and eye sight, and many other things, of course.
On  the other side of the isle, so to speak, are horror stories of perforations and horrible physical  problems and the occasional death after this so-called procedure.
The Virginia Board of Medicine, the agency that licenses doctors, counselors, nurses and so on said they had nothing to do with the licensing of folks who stick tubes up your butt.
Surely, some agency in the state is looking out for us, at least ostensibly. Well, the State Board of Health said, no, they had nothing to do with people sticking tubes up other people's butts.
Surely, if the SBofM and the State Health Department are not regulating this, it must fall on the local health department. Well, according to the Virginia Beach Health Department, no, they have nothing to do with the licensing or overseeing of the folks who do this.
Let's see if I have this right? There are people in our state who are sticking tubes up the butts of people, at best a risky thing to do, and it offers no benefits. Yes, no benefits and several ways that it can be harmful. But, that's fine, keep doing it. However, you better not open a barber shop and cut hair without a license.

If for whatever reason you decide this is for you, please at least look around and seek information from places that are not trying to sell you something. If nothing more, ask your doctor what they think about having this done.

What follows are a few quotes, if you will, from a few Websites that promote the use of colonic irrigation.

Reduces weight and slims due to activating elimination. Creates an increase in mental capacity and rejuvenation since it decreases the degenerative process, normal or accelerated, by removing toxic substances that affect biological aging.

Some are working on emotional issues which they feel are physiologically rooted in their intestines.

"Clear body, clear mind" is the saying best exemplified in the purification process carried out through colonic irrigation. Apart from the above mentioned benefits of colonic hydrotherapy, one can also observe its positive effects on the mind after treatment. Our mental state and thinking is largely affected by the state of our body. It is therefore, difficult for a body contaminated with toxins and impurities to support a healthy mind. Clarity of thinking is not maintained in people suffering from aforementioned problems. All these points emphasize the importance of having a clean mind which is closely related to a clean body.

Feel lighter, fresher and energized.
Relief from lethargy and fatigue.
Mental clarity, reduced headaches, enhanced sleep.

I Think I've Stopped Going to Funerals...

Well, what's the purpose of a funeral? Not giving it a lot of thought, I guess for those not directly involved, it is a way to let those who were directly involved, the family and loved ones, that you are supporting them and by your presence you hope that it will be of some help in the grieving process. That you being there will offer some comfort, as little as it may be.
Our society somewhat deems the viewing or wake or whatever it's called, the church part, the service at the cemetery, and then the usually meeting somewhere for food, as almost mandatory.
And, I'm sure that to some extent, the whole ritual with the gathering of friends and acquaintances does help the family weather through a little better. However, the religious part just flat-out pisses me off.
Here's an example of what I mean that I wrote several years ago.

A cherished friend of sixty years died. How would I describe him? Well, sit and write everything you'd like to have in a good human being, and that would describe him. As a human being, he had it all.

A couple of years before he died cancer started its attack. Gathering speed and resisting all known medical treatments, it soon had the upper hand and attacked with a vengeance. The day before he died I visited him briefly. This strong exuberant person, who loved life and always tried to spread happiness, good will, and humor, had been reduced to lying in his death bed, weighing not more that 75 pounds, eyes open...not able to talk or move. It wasn’t known whether or not he could hear and even if he had the ability, I doubt that he could have overcome the horrible pain he suffered every moment his life continued.

Yes, I went to the funeral. Yes, went to the church. Catholic. There were hundreds of people.
 
I picked a seat at the end of a pew. I watched the faithful come in, kneel, move their hands around saying, I guess, some kind of prayer before seating themselves. Also, a kind of birdbath thing with water. Here the faithful, dipped their fingers. Hey, guess it was holy water.

And then the proceeding started. No, I can't remember it all. There were at least four men dressed in, well, sorry, dressed in tacky and ostentatious costumes. They walked up on the stage, or whatever it's called, and spent no telling how long moving around kissing things, mumbling prayers, moving stuff around, opening and closing books and Bibles....and so on. They sat side by side, each jumping up and doing something and then passing it on to another.

As I watched this I just got more and more disgusted and angry. Here was my friend lying dead in his coffin and they seemed to be putting on some kind of show for, of all people, God. They seemed to be praising God! I'm thinking, if God had the all-powerful stuff everyone talked about, why did He allow my friend to die in the manner he did. I found it insulting, praising God, as I found him to be the villain. The Devil, if you will. Isn't anyone pissed off? Isn't anyone mad at God for allowing this horrific thing to happen? No, praising God!

Yes, they did finally speak of my friend, but it was as if he was secondary to praising God for allowing him (my friend) to enter the Kingdom of Heaven…or something like that.

After 30 minutes or so I started questioning if I should stay for the rest of their show. Would I dishonor my friend if I left? Of course, he would never know, so how could I dishonor him? Finally, after ruminating for 15 minutes, I decided I could best honor him by getting the hell out of the church. And, I did.

I may never go to another funeral. I do not like being held as sort of a hostage, to use that term, by a bunch of so-called preachers and priests, who believe in myths, fantasies, fairy tales, superstitions, dress in truly tacky costumes, go through endless worthless rituals, and keep saying things like, "Oh, heavenly father." It all just seems so fucking ridiculous. You know, it's one thing if you believe all the BS that these people spout, but frankly, for nonbeliever it's almost painful to sit there and try to endure.