Thursday, October 29, 2009

Too Long…

This post will be too long, but please take the time to read it. It is extremely important. Next Tuesday is Election Day. There are three issues on the Ohio ballet. Do you understand the issues? Let me help if I can. If you don’t live in Ohio, I encourage you to find out more about the issues on your ballet. Voting is a key right all Americans have and if you are not an educated voter, you are not taking full advantage of your rights.

Issue 1-my take on it. Veterans rock! Love them, love that they were willing to go out and say, “Yes, I will defend America”. However, this issue is too vague for me, I want to know exactly how much money will but placed on future taxes to cover the cost of this issue. The issue does not provide a clear indication of current money used and future taxes that could be created to cover this issue. My vote will be NO for Issue 1. My suggestion to the writes of the issue, go back, try again, and provide more clear detail on where the money will be coming from exactly.


Issue 2-this one hits a little too close to home. This issue wants to establish an Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board. This board will establish the standards governing the care and well-being of livestock in Ohio. I will be voting YES for this issue. A no vote for this issue will give the power to a national animal rights organization and take away the power from Ohioans. Let an Ohio Board set the standard, a board with a variety of individuals, not an animal rights organization not even based in Ohio. Based on the standard this national animal rights organization has set in Michigan, they are too extreme, too expensive; a no vote on this issue will put Ohio Farmers out of business. Ohio has lost too many jobs already, please do not take away more, VOTE YES for ISSUE 2 This issue is listed below with the opinions of those for and against all information taken from the Ohio League of Women Voters, you make your decision.

Issue 3—the casino issue. Gambling is fun; it can get to be too much for many. I voted against this issue the first time. I will vote YES on ISSUE 3 this time. Why? 34,000 jobs, no they will not happen all at once and many will go away after the building is done, however, Ohio needs jobs, there will be construction jobs straight away if this is approved. Other jobs will be created when the casinos open. No, an Ohioan is not likely be the main manager of a casino, why, well because the casinos are going to bring in someone with experience to run their casino, however, they will be tons of jobs on the floor in the hotels etc. They will be Ohioans, why would a casino go so far away to hire which is what opponents want you to think. I work with students majoring in Hospitality Management. One of Ohio’s growing problems is we educate tons of college graduates, but we cannot keep them in Ohio because there are no jobs. Keep these Hospitality Management grads in Ohio working at these casinos and hotels near the casinos. Also, you know someone who works at an Ohio Library? They are in danger again of closing because the Governor’s budget was ruled uncostiutional, voting yes on this issue will help keep those librarians working and libraries open to the public. I also believe Ohio will be placing taxes on these casinos and this tax money will help fund libraries and other public funded concerns.

The issues are listed below with the opinions of those for and against all information taken from the Ohio League of Women Voters, you make your decision.


ISSUE 1: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE TO ISSUE BONDS TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION TO VETERANS
OF THE PERSIAN GULF, AFGHANISTAN, AND IRAQ CONFLICTS
(Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly of Ohio)

To adopt Section 2r of Article VIII of the Constitution of the State of Ohio

A YES vote means approval of the amendment.
A NO vote means disapproval of the amendment.
A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted.

If approved, this proposed amendment shall take effect immediately.

League Explanation of Issue 1: This ballot issue proposes a constitutional amendment that would provide compensation to veterans serving during the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, and Iraq conflicts. The amendment is similar to the bond issues passed by the voters to compensate veterans of World War I, World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam conflict. It will provide the state with the authority to issue up to $200 million of bonds. The Ohio treasurer has estimated that only $106 million of the bond proceeds might actually be needed. All bonds must be issued by December 31, 2013. Repayment of these bonds would be a general obligation of the state backed by the taxing power of the state. Revenue from these bonds would be used to provide additional compensation as follows:
· Payment may be made to Ohio residents who have served on active duty in the United States armed forces between August 2, 1990 and March 3, 1991, which was the duration of the Persian Gulf conflict; between October 7, 2001 and the end of the United States’ involvement in Afghanistan; and between March 19, 2003 and the end of the United States’ involvement in Iraq.
· Veterans who served domestically or in foreign service in locations other than the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or Iraq may receive $50 for each month served up to a maximum of $500.
· Veterans who served in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or Iraq may receive $100 for each month served up to a maximum of $1000, or may receive $1000 if medically discharged due to combat-related disabilities.
· If a person died as a result of injuries sustained in Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or Iraq service, that person’s family may receive $5000.
· If a person is missing in action or held in enemy captivity, that person’s family may receive $5000.
The Legislative Services Commission estimates that issuing $200 million of obligations could increase the state’s annual debt service expense by up to $18 million. The voters must approve this bonding authority because the Ohio constitution does not permit an appropriation being made for a period longer than two years.

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
1. Passing the amendment by vote of the people shows that Ohioans appreciate Ohio veterans.
2. The payments will ease veterans’ transition back into civilian life.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
Tax monies will be diverted to paying principle and interest, and this may limit the availability of state revenue for other state programs during a period of financial crisis.
Future taxpayers will be responsible for the debt incurred for these payments. The payments should be paid for by revenues available in the current biennium.



ISSUE 2: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TO CREATE THE OHIO LIVESTOCK CARE STANDARDS BOARD
(Proposed by Joint Resolution of the General Assembly of Ohio)

To enact Section 1 of Article XIV of the Ohio Constitution

A YES vote means approval of the amendment.
A NO vote means disapproval of the amendment.
A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted.

If approved, this proposed amendment will be effective immediately.

League Explanation of Issue 2:
· This proposed constitutional amendment would create the Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board for the purpose of establishing standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio.
· The bipartisan board would consist of thirteen members:
o The director of the state department that regulates agriculture
o Ten members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate, including:
§ One member representing family farms
§ One member knowledgeable about food safety
§ Two members representing statewide organizations that represent farmers
§ One member who is a veterinarian
§ The State Veterinarian in the state department that regulates agriculture
§ The dean of the agriculture department of a college or university in Ohio
§ Two members of the public representing Ohio consumers
§ One member representing a county humane society
o One member appointed by the Speaker of the House who shall be a family farmer
o One member appointed by the President of the Senate who shall be a family farmer
· The Board would have authority to establish standards governing the care and well-being of livestock and poultry in Ohio, subject only to the authority of the General Assembly.

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
1. The board represents a balance of interests.
2. The board would establish standards governing the care and well being of livestock and
poultry in Ohio.
3. Ohioans can have greater confidence in the safety of locally produced food.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
1. The board should be created by statute rather than by amendment to the Ohio Constitution.
2. Creating another regulatory board utilizes revenues best spent on basic services to Ohioans.
3. The amendment could prevent certain animal care reform proposed by national animal rights
organizations.



ISSUE 3: PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
TO AUTHORIZE A CASINO IN CLEVELAND, COLUMBUS,
CINCINNATI, AND TOLEDO, OHIO
(Proposed by Initiative Petition)

To add a new Section 6a to Article XV of the Ohio Constitution

A YES vote means approval of the amendment.
A NO vote means disapproval of the amendment.
A majority YES vote is required for the amendment to be adopted.

If approved, the proposed amendment will take effect 30 days after the election.

League Explanation of Issue 3: This amendment would authorize four casinos, one each in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo, located on particular parcels of land owned by private individuals.
1. The operator would be required to pay a tax of 33% annually on gross casino receipts. “Gross casino receipts” excludes payments to winners. The tax revenue would be allocated in the following ways:
· 51% to the 88 counties on a pro rata basis, with 50% of the county’s distribution going to the county’s most populated city if it had a population of greater than 80,000 as of the 2000 United States census.
· 34% to public school districts in proportion to their public school district populations.
· 5% to the host city where the casino that generated the revenue is located.
· 3% to fund the Ohio Casino Control Commission.
· 3% to a fund supporting purses, breeding programs and operations at existing horse racetracks.
· 2% to fund a state law enforcement training program.
· 2% to fund treatment of problem gambling and substance abuse.
2. The Ohio Casino Control Commission would license and regulate casino operators, management companies, key employees and all gaming. The commission would have 7 members appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
3. Each casino operator must make a minimum initial investment of $250 million.
4. The initial license fee of $50 million for each casino will fund state economic development programs.
5. Each casino could operate 24 hours a day. Each casino may have a maximum of 5000 slot machines. Each casino may conduct any type of card or table games, slot machines or electronic gaming devices permitted by states adjacent to Ohio, except bingo, and horse racing where the pari-mutuel system of wagering is conducted.

Proponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
Thirty-eight states—including Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia—have casino gambling.
By authorizing casinos in Ohio, the profits could benefit our state rather than other states.
3. Counties, public school districts, and many cities will receive tax revenue
generated by the casinos, and each can decide how to best spend its money.
4. The casinos will create 34,000 new jobs in Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, and Toledo.
5. The casinos will stimulate the economy by adding restaurants, hotels and ancillary businesses.

Opponents of the proposed amendment argue that:
The Ohio general revenue fund, which supports basic services for Ohioans, will get $0 from the gross casino receipts tax.
Ohio lottery profits, currently dedicated to education, may decrease because people will gamble at the casinos instead of playing the lottery.
Ohioans may spend money at the casinos they would have spent at other existing Ohio businesses such as restaurants, movies, or sports events, adversely impacting those businesses.
The number of gambling addicts in Ohio would increase, and the tax receipts dedicated to providing treatment for addicts could be insufficient.
The proposed amendment could be construed to mean that all games allowed at the casinos can be played only at the casinos, eliminating church-festival poker games and casino nights sponsored by charitable groups.


Websites
In support of the proposed amendment: Cops for Casinos http://copsforcasinos.com/
In opposition to the proposed amendment: Vote NO Casinos Committee, TruthPAC www.truthpac.org/

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Can you believe?...

I'm coming up on 500 posts on this blog very soon. I thought it might be fun to have a little quiz all about me, because of course I am the center of this universe. You can have the next one. *grin*

So here are a few random questions. The answers will be revealed soon.

In what year did I start this little ‘o blog?

December 2005 was a sad month because of what event?

What year did I only post twice?


Can you name three random things about me?

What did I make for the first If I Can You Can Too?

What morning show do I listen to?

What/Who is my “Travelocity Gnome”?

How did I win a free gas card at work?

What library I was a loving in 2008?

What Irish beer do I love, but can’t get in the US?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

A Secret...

I have a secret crush, ok, now it's not so much of a secret, but just a crush. I adore Mario Batali. He is a chef, who just simply rocks! I love his TV personality, the food he makes looks awesome and he did this entire PBS series on Spain. Ah, I could go on and on. In case you don't know Mario, check out his site...http://www.mariobatali.com/.

Also look for this cookbooks at your local library. Spain, Culinary Road Trip is grand, the photos alone are brilliant. Do it, read it now. Make the empanada, it's delightful, the Marrieds agreed. I didn't make it at home so didn't go an episode of "If I can, You can Too" with it.

Watch this You Tube preview for the Spain series...

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Crap-O-La...

I just finished my first quiz for my online class. One, I dislike online courses, I'm an audio learner so most of the time just reading will not help me retain the information. Two, I just plain suck. I took the quiz-open book mind you-and I only got 7 out of 10 correct. One because I didn't clearly read the question. ARGH! I'm going to have to do better here. Oh how these 4 weeks are going to pass too quickly for all this work. What was I thinking?

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

A Bunch of Random Thoughts...

I have got to get to the grocery store. I just ate cinnamon oatmeal from the bottom of my desk drawer and a fiber one bar from the vending machine. It's been two weeks since I'm made a Kroger run, I really must put this at the top of my list, asap.

I'm taking a 4 week class online that started yesterday. Why did I do this? I'm asking myself the same question. It's a lot of crap for 4 weeks and likely will not help me in the long run. I did it mostly to get cheap entertainment tickets from the student union and for some brownie points when my review comes up. I just went to get tickets and well, no such luck, there is a glitch with my ID, so hopefully the people in the tower are getting it fixed as I type.

I need a housekeeper. There is one of me living in my house, so I seriously don't know how it gets to be such a disaster, but it does all the time. I'm in an organization phase right now, but can't seem to decide exactly which route I want to take, so alas the mess is as bad as it was before, yet almost worse because now the crap is spread all about not in a neat pile.

Ug! Is it Monday again, it sure feels like it.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Baby It's Cold Outside...

In more ways than one it's cold outside. The temperature has dropped and I broke, yep, I turned my heat on last Friday for a hour and then last night I left it set on 60 all night long. When the temp inside my house dropped to below 60-56 to be exact, I decided screw it, I was not freezing to death and turned on the heat. Now, I did turn it off again today, with hopes of a warmer day, but likely it's false hope.

It's also cold outside because I got a rejection email today for a job I applied for. I wasn't surprised, didn't even get an interview, but the letter was supposed to be warm and fuzzy, we didn't pick you, but please apply for other jobs. However, the letter seemed to rush in with a very cool breeze.

I hope your Monday is warmer.

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Drawing…

Ok, you had a one in 9 chance of winning. I know you have been on pins and needles all week waiting, hoping, chewing on your finger nails—stop it-do you want H1N1! Anyway, I started the process last evening as promised.

I wrote all the names on slips of paper.



I just got this lovely Pampered Chef baker, but haven’t had time to use it, but felt it should be used somehow. So, I got it out of the box. And put all of your names in.



I shook it up and then took the lid off and pulled out a name.

The winner is…



PP-library!

Please email me at accordingtoalison@hotmail.com to let me know which photo you would like and the size. All photos and size options are listed on my Photography site, link is to the right. I'll get it to you asap. Congrats!

Thanks to everyone who entered. I may do this again, it was kinda fun.
Enjoy your damp Thursday!

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Crap...

So, I have been a crazy busy lady and didn't get the drawing done last night. I am sorry, however this is good news for procrastinators. I will plan to do the drawing this evening around 9pm. This will follow a 13 hour day at work, and yes a 13 hour day yesterday. So, please forgive me, but understand life gets in the way sometimes. So, if you know others who want to enter, tell them to get it done and get it done by tonight 9pm. If you have no idea what I'm referring to, read the entry from Oct. 6.

Love, don't hate, and give a girl a break. *grin*

Friday, October 09, 2009

Awareness…

October is Breast Cancer Awareness month.

This year more than 203,500 women in the US will learn that they have breast cancer, more than 40,000 women will lose their lives. Breast Cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women in America. –information taken from Breast Cancer Awareness website.

You can do a small part and click on the “Give a Free Boob Squeeze” link to the side. Then squeeze your own boobs, you get to choose if it's in public or not. *grin*

I will not likely be posting on Monday, so look for the drawing winner on Tuesday as the next post. Don’t know about the drawing, look at the post from Oct. 6.

Happy Weekend!!!



Thursday, October 08, 2009

Blame It On The Rain…

I don’t usually think too much about the title of my blog entries. Sometimes by default they are ironic or silly, but most times they are very simple. So simple it took longer to type the title than think of it. However today, for some reason I was really stuck on the title for this blog entry, there were many that ran through my head: blame it on the marketers, blame it on the tv, damn tv, along with others. I kept playing this song in my head, sometimes I wonder what the little dudette at control central is doing up there.

Well anyway, please feel free to play the song below while you read, but trust me when I say, I completely understand if you don’t.

This all started yesterday about 2am, my neighbors decided to have a little gathering and decided to scream, curse, and pound on the front door to the apartment. Lovely, I put my ear plugs in and finally fell back asleep. I woke up again at some point and took the plugs out afraid I would not hear the alarm. All well and good until 5am, when the darlings next door were back at it, I’m not sure what the hell the wall was doing to the guys but they were pounding on the wall separating my bedroom from theirs. Oh how happy I was, as you can imagine.

So, I dragged myself into the office, only to discover at about 8:15am, that I would be on campus until 730pm that night for a student org meeting. Ok, sure, I’m there, just let me chug some coffee, then later that day even walked to get a soda, ick-although if you are going to drink soda you need to be drinking Cherry Coke Zero or Diet Dr. Pepper, the only two ok ones. Or well, sprite if you don’t need caffeine. Funny really because I don’t like cherries, hummm. Anyway, so I made it through 13 hours on campus, that’s right, I didn’t leave campus until 820, ok just short of 13 hours.

Fast forward to 230am this morning. Guess who was having a shindig again. ARGH!!!!!!! Well, I decided since I was here so late last night, I would sleep until 7am and just plan to make it to my office by 8am. I did indeed sleep until 7am, however was still dead on my feet. I decided that the damn tv has been advertising the pumpkin coffee and pumpkin doughnuts at Tim Hortons. We all know my love of pumpkin, so I decided I deserved a stop at Tims and one of each. I’m blaming my act of weakness on those damn commercials. I was sooooooo good on Sunday, I didn’t take a DK Diner pumpkin doughnut offered to me. I figured no, I wasn’t hungry and I really didn’t need it. Am I dieting, no, I was just plain stupid Sunday night.

Ok, so I get the doughnut, I’m so excited I could feel it in my toes. I took a bite and…eh, it was ok. DAMN!!! Tim made the mistake most do, too much spice not enough pumpkin. It was a disappointment and I was really wishing-wishing upon a star I had a DK Diner one instead, so much better. I was prepared for disaster when it came to the coffee, but it was yeah, score, TASTY!!!

Tim gets an A for the coffee and a D+ for the doughnut. If you want a good pumpkin doughnut head over to DK Diner, an A doughnut. I’m just saying.

Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Random...

I was flipping through some older photos on my flashdrive and came across this one. It may be smile.

Happy Wednesday!

(Be sure to check out the post from Oct. 6.)

Tuesday, October 06, 2009

A Random Act of Kindness…

Yesterday, I had to carry a 16x20 photo in a frame across campus to my car at the end of my work day. The frame was not heavy, but a bit awkward to carry across campus. I had it somewhat tucked under my arm. A random young man walked up along side of me from behind. He walked with me for a moment, asking if I had taken the photo. I was startled at first, but answered, that yes, I had taken the photo. He responded, with a complementary comment and then continued on his way.

This random act of kindness put an unexpected smile on my face. This young man could have simply walked past, made no comment, and none would have been the wiser. Thanks young man, your random act of kindness was greatly appreciated.

In turn, I would like to perform my own random act of kindness. I would like to give away one of my photos to one of you wonderful readers. You can pick any of them you like and the size you would like and I’ll mail it out to you. I will simply do a random drawing for the winner. In order to be considered for this drawing, please post a comment on this post and please include your first name or at least Ms. X or Mr. X-you know what I mean. I know not all of you read every day, so I will do the drawing Tuesday evening, October 13, this gives you all one week.

Ok, get commenting—and good luck. If you don’t like my photos, that’s ok, you can still comment, but just let me know you don’t want to be included in the drawing.

Monday, October 05, 2009

Picture It …

Picture it 1990, early spring.

I was playing a game of Taps in gym class. Yes, it was my freshman year, gym class was required. I had gotten through the year with little to no incidents up to this point, I’m very accident prone you know. Anyway, at some point the basketball, my pinky finger, and the hardwood gym floor all connected at the same time. Shut up, sit down pain, instantly. Of course everyone thought I was just a wimp and likely they were correct, but still.

I dress in street clothes and shoes again and headed to the last period of the day, study hall, thank goodness only 50 minutes or so to endure the pain in public. I had a bit of ice I was given in the gym and some of those brown restroom paper towels wrapped around my hand.

Now, study hall rocked, but was also crap. You of course could not talk and there was assigned seating, all grades in one room. It rocked because I had to sit right beside Mr. B. It was crap because I had to sit right beside Mr. B. He was a senior, the quarterback of the football team and by all accounts to a 14 girl a GOD!

Mr. B rarely said much to me, why would he, he was a GOD and I was the cubby freshman. He was never mean, I just didn’t exist in his world. Well, Mr. B got up and left study hall that afternoon, of course I noticed. He did return, he returned with a new batch of ice and new paper towels. AHHHHHHH, of course he was already dreamy now he was a wonderfully nice, dreamy GOD. He didn’t say much, just gave me the new pack, I think he said, “hope it feels better” and threw away the dripping wet old supply. From that day forward I was in love, in love with Mr. B, who would of course graduate and leave the same town we lived in and I would never see him again.

Oh, I did break my finger by the way for those idiots in gym class that though I was just a wimp.

Ok, fast forward, 2009, early fall.

I don’t go into Facebook much, I do once in a great while. Well this day was the day. I had a few extra moments and well, had a moment of nostalgia, I did a search for people from my high school. Most of the time I care very little. I still talk to the ones I care to know much about. However this was the day, the day I would again see Mr. B. He has a Facebook page, now of course, I would never try to be his Facebook friend, but he did have a picture of himself up that I could see. Mr. B has lost a bit of that GOD like luster that he seemed to have before. Now don’t get me wrong he looks just fine, not the same, but really that’s been 19 years ago.

So if one of you wants to friend Mr. B on Facebook, you let me know I’ll give you his name, then you can key me in on his marital status.

What? Some dreams never die.

Friday, October 02, 2009

Friday, Thank Goodness...

Boy, I've been waiting for Friday since Tuesday. It's simply been a crazy busy week. It's good to be busy, but at some point one has to stop, reflect, sleep!

I hope the rain stops, the ducks are even in hiding now. I would complain about my wet feet, fly away umbrella, and big ass puddles this morning, but it's too close to 430pm, too close to the end of my work week, too close to freedom to muddle it with negative thoughts.

Enjoy your weekend, stay dry, and party like a rock star!

Thursday, October 01, 2009

Look 3 Days in a Row...



I have now actually logged in and am posting yet another delight for you to read. Yeah me!



Ok, so I'm sitting here eating my lovely fresh pineapple, cored with the awesome pineapple core device from Pampered Chef. However about 15 minutes ago, I had to run to the ladies room for a little break. I walk through the first door only to be struck by this sight that baffles me to no end. There is a nice young lady sitting on the 1970's plastic couch reading a novel. Why, why do ladies do this, the room is dingy and is part of the ladies rest room. GROSS! She is not the only one, it happens often.


Now, be aware this next sight is disturbing...






I can not just take a camera in to show you this scene, so I did a drawing--because people like me and I'm good enough. I'm not sure what exactly is more disturbing, that I am such a horrible sketch artist, I took the time to draw this out--add color none the less, or that I then walked down the hallway to the copied to scan it in for blog posting.

Yikes--these are the extremes I go to for you, my lovely readers.