GIVING CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE

The last thing one would probably expect to see here is a compliment for our current commander and chief. But that's exactly what I have come to do today. Now I will adimantly disagree with Bush on nearly every economic policy, environmental policy, foreign policy, and social view that he has. I believe he has sold himself and the office out to special interests and business associates moreso than anyone prior in that office. I find him under informed and ill equipped to make the types of decisions needed to be made by someone who wields his power. He is clearly uncouthe and plain old dimwitted when it comes to presenting himself as a world leader. He has made decisions that have damaged our economy and security for decades to come. However, he made an unpopular stance to refuse to allow North Korea to blackmail us into one on one discussions regarding their seeking nuclear weapons. For months he has been the point of bi and even non-partisan politically criticism for not sitting down with the North Koreans. Instead, Bush has repeatedly said that we would sit down at the six party negotiation tables (along with Japan, China, Russia and South Korea). N. Korea adimantly refused. They sought to get us alone where they could bribe us into food and financial aid for agreeing to stop their illegal program. He knew, as did others with foresight, that this would not work. That N. Korea would simply take our assistance in one hand while planning to blackmail us down the road in the same fashion when the time suited them. Well, his standing firm payed off in this case. Today hina announced thatN. Korea has agreed to return to the six party table talks on their disarmament. Good job W! We at The Nut give you credit where it's due. Now hopefully you will pull your head out of your ass and do away with this 'activist court' routine that you shpeel every time a judge renders a decision on a social matter that you in your closed minded simplicity disagree with.

prostate exam

YOU'RE ACTUALLY CLICKING ON A LINK TO 'PROSTATE EXAM'??? I KNOW WHO YOU ARE THROUGH MY STAT COUNTER NOW. DALE AND OS, IT DOESN'T SURPRISE ME YOU GUYS CAME HERE BUT YOU SWEETHEART??? WOW. I'M REALLY SHOCKED YA'LL!! GO AWAY, JUST... JUST GO AWAY.

PLEASE TO SEE HIS MOVIE FILM

This movie that is to come into the theatres this week of next is going to make many laughs for you. I make big ocean in my pants every the time I watch the clips of film . Please to go to the movie film's site link and have enjoyment at the laughs. Borat, he is a great information person.

NOTHING TO SEE HERE!

I didn't really have anything new to talk about, I was just kinda tired of seeing my mug up at the top of the page. I saw a report a few days ago that has bugged the hell out of me ever since. It was Speaker of The House Dennis Hastert giving a quick rundown on how many days Congress is in session now as compared to 30 years ago. I tracked this down... Congress 1969-1999 Days in Session 108th (2003-05) 243 107th (2001-03) 265 106th (1999-01) 274 105th (1997-98) 251 104th (1995-96) 290 103rd (1993-94) 265 102nd (1991-92) 277 101st (1989-90) 281 100th (1987-88) 298 99th (1985-86) 281 98th (1983-84) 266 97th (1981-82) 303 96th (1979-80) 326 95th (1977-78) 323 94th (1975-76) 311 93rd (1973-74) 334 92nd (1971-72) 298 91st (1969-70) 350 This is how many days The House meets per Congress. That's every two years. So you can divide the number in half more or less to see how many days your paid representative actually worked per year. Nice huh? See how that number is steadily declining? Hastert described how The Speaker of The House is under tremendous pressure from the various state Reps to not have votes (or important debates) on Fridays or Mondays since everyone wants their 4 day weekend. It's been some 20 years since the minumum wage was increased but every Congress manages a pay raise for itself. And get this! Years ago a congressman had the bright idea that it looked bad when they voted to give themselves a pay raise so they passed a bill that changed the way they vote for that. A non-vote counts as a vote for the raise. That way, everyone can be absent for that vote (and they always are!) and unless 51% of the Reps are present to vote 'no' then the pay riase is passed and it doesn't look bad on anyone's record. Nice huh? Just thought you'ld like to know.

WEEKEND HIJYNX (WITH PICS)

After looking at this pic of me and Tishy from this weekend I guess it's safe to say that I can see our relationship going in many different directions (ha, I crack me up!). Actually, I had a lazy eye because she wouldn't allow any other part of me to be lazy all weekend (woo hoo! 2 for 2! I'm pitching better than Kenny Rogers with a jar full of pine tar! that one's for you Dan!) No seriously, Tish and I had a great weekend. It's my birthday on the 31st and knowing she wouldn't be able to be here to celebrate she brought down a birthday gift basket. It was very cool indeed, it contained fleece socks (and seriously, one can never own too many pairs of fleece socks!), a few Kevin Smith dvds, a Tennessee t-shirt and other Volunteer periphenalia, a cool calendar and other neato stuff! She's a sweet chick. Look for more pics of her on The Nut in the future (especially if I can get the night vision lens and remote shutter switch I been wanting). PS. my birthday basket also contained a pack of men's boxers. I'm not sure what kind of message that was meant to send.

WHAT PART OF WRONG NUMBER DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?

Hmmm, Blogger is being a donut puncher again, so I can't post about Tish's weekend down here until it will let me upload pics. In the meantime, on a funny note (and this one's for you Dawn) I got a beautiful call on my phone this morning. This is an exact transcript... "Hello?" "Homer?" (female, in very demanding and bitchy southern voice) "I'm sorry?" "Homer?" (same voice and tone) "Um, I think you have the wrong number" (I say politely) "No I don't either!" (even bitchier and angrier voice) I look in the car seat next to me then in the backseat to make sure I'm not traveling with someone named Homer that I was previously unaware of. But as I suspected, I am alone in my vehicle. Then I check out my phone to make sure it is mine and that it didn't somehow get switched with one belonging to a Homer (seriously, the reason it's the name of an idiotic cartoon character is because it fits! I guess birds of a feather call eachother, or try to anyway). Nope, that's my phone alright. Then I check the name on my drivers license just to make sure I'm not in some bad David Lynch movie (Mulholland Drive? Damnit that sucked! Anyone want to explain that ending to me?) Nope, right there on the license 'BricoTrout'. "Who is it you are trying to reach?" ( a touch of testiness now in my voice) "Homer!" "Well, there is no one here by that name! So I think you indeed have the wrong number!" "Oh, okay then" she says sweetly as if it was an inncoent mistake. Um? Was there a reason I was going to lie to you the first time about you having the wrong number? Is this really any different than someone knocking on your door and asking for Murdock and you telling them that they have the wrong house and them saying "No I don't either!" ? "Look genius, I been sitting here stroking it to the Nancy Grace show for the last 45 minutes. If there's someone else in here, I gaurantee they are in no mental condition to socialize right now." Damnit! Some people piss me off!

NOW IF YA'LL'LL EXCUSE ME...

Aspen is staying the next two nights at a friend's birthday party and Tishy is just about to arrive. It's been nearly two months since she's been down (here... to my place... from her place... higher in elevation). So I won't be finding time (or energy) to blog until Monday. Hope you all have as good a weekend as I plan to have!

I'M SMARTER THAN THAT... GIRL

Renee Terrell's 10 month old child was taken from her by the local Dept of Social Services after they found her neglectful of basic parental duties. When the 78 yr old female social worker arrived with her child for the weekly supervised visit, she and her ex con boyfriend beat the social worker to death then the two took the child in the deceased woman's van and went on the lamb. If there was ever a way to convince DSS and a judge that you are indeed a worthy parent it has to be by beating the DSS worker to death then fleeing in her vehicle. Yes, they certainly proved that they are indeed fit parents. And just a side note... the woman was 78!!! Was it really neccessary to beat her to death to secure your kid? I mean, and I am not advocating such actions dear bloggy peeps, couldn't you have just taken her by the arm and locked her in a closet in order to make a safe getaway?

K-TEL PRESENTS: SPAMMERS GREATEST HITS

Okay, this has GOT to be one of the better ones I've seen in a while. This came in today on an old post. And it used the blogger comments rather than the haloscan. Thanks guys, it made my day... No Hassle Loans said ... (2:51 AM) : Hey nice blog. Although it's not what I was looking for. I am looking for info on Payday Loans or a Cash Advance so I can buy some Phentramine diet pills.. I found your blog very interesting. Yeah, I would definately say you came to the wrong blog. But I'll be sure to bookmark you and add you to my favorites!!

BRONC-O-LANTERNS

On Sunday Aspen and I carved the jack-o-lanterns. She picked out the pumpkins and the designs to be carved. She even did the gutting and preparing. I just did the final carving. It was a blast. Her brother Ed has been staying over once a week so they get to spend a little more time with eachother. She is crazy about him. And vice versa.

THIS IS A RIOT!

As some of my more observant and regular readers may have noticed, about a month ago I took off that potentially cool and useful sidebar messenger gadget. No real person was ever utilizing it and it became simply a tool for the spammers to bombard The Nut with their consumerism filth. After removing it from my template I hit the 'republish index' button rather than the 'republish entire blog' button. For those of you who don't know the difference, if you republish just the index, only the main current page is immediately updated. One's archive page remains unchanged. So today I clicked a link on my left sidebar. Under the Rusty Photos pics I clicked on the Water and Web photo link. And what to my surprise did I see but an old page that still had an old Rusty Nut banner at the top and the now infamous message box still present on the sidebar! I rolled my eyes for a second and then realized that the spammers (or I should say 'the spammers' computers) were STILL leaving me messages non stop! This cracked me up. There were messages saying how informative my site was, messages thanking me for the helpful links, messages telling me that I've been added to their favorites list, and even old Tramadoldog was still leaving messages about how he hadn't gotten nothing done today and how he still feels useless. I dunno, maybe I'm in a giddy mood because Tishy is coming down next weekend (finally!) but this really cracked me up. Here I had been ignoring them all this time and they never missed a beat. Cyber life goes on.

ROAD OF RAGE DIARIES #3

Attention guy stopped at the red light. See how there is still 10 feet between you and the car stopped ahead of you? See the parking lot entrance on your right? The one you're blocking? See the driver on your left trying to turn into that parking lot? See how you're blocking him? See the line of cars behind him that are stuck until he is able to pull out of his lane? Hear his polite taps on the horn meant to bring the whole unfolding scenario into the forefront of your cerebrum? See his waves indicating that your moving up would be helpful? Yeah, getting pissed off and waiving the bird... really not necessary genius! Let's all work together shall we?

RAISE YOUR HAND IF...

Raise your hand if you have special song ringers that you paid that $1.99 for for your cell phone and assigned it to a particular number in your contact list. I have Funk 49 (by The James Gang) for my work #; Ding Dong The witch is Dead (from Wizzard of Oz) for my ex; The Austin Powers Theme Song for my brittish born friend, Sean; U2's Beautiful Day for Miguel (cause we both like U2 and it's an uplifting melody); American Idiot (by Green Day) for Ed (cause we both like Green Day); and Another Postcard (by Barenaked Ladies) for my Tishy (cause whenever I think of her, she happens to be bare naked). I got the idea for this subject from Doc's latest post. Oh, and my regular ringer is the Magnum PI theme song (cause that theme song kicks hawaiian ass!). And you?

IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

That's right, in my book this is the season to breath deep and enjoy living! There is no other season than October. The crispness in the air. The awesome colors in the foliage. College football on Saturdays, pro on Sundays. Baseball playoffs. Preseason hockey. This season simply kicks ass! Not to mention it's both my birthday month and an awesome holiday tops her off to lead us into the second best month of the year (and my favorite holiday - don't worry Doc, I 'celebrate' it in a proper mindset). On the first weekend of the month I anxiously get out the fall decor boxes and like a little child on x-mas open them up and strategically place the scented candles, the scarecrows, the pumpkins, the lights, those cheesy strings of plastic fall leaves, the colorful blankets and throw pillows, apsen's halloween movies and books, and of course my special boxers and fleece socks. Aspen and I already got her halloween costume. Due to The Little Mermaid (her favorite Disney movie) coming out on DVD she wanted to be Ariel. And every time we go to the grocery store she seeks out the biggest pumpkin and asks "Is it time yet?" (not a big fan of soggy jack-o-lantern goo, I don't get ours until mid october).I have no sweet tooth what so ever but I love the mini candies in the bright orange and gold colors so I stock up for the 3 trick or treaters that will bother showing up. Then I eat most of it within a few hours. And that cool multi colored Indian corn?! Um, I mean Native American corn... er, First Nationer maize? (is that right Doc?) How cool is that stuff??? Then their is the opening piano key notes of Vince Guaraldi's Peanut's Theme when you put in The Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! THAT'S when you know the holiday season is near! Does anyone know the opening lines in that 1966 classic and who said them? Anyone???

SO WHAT DO I BLOG ABOUT NOW?

For the last several months The Nut has taken a serious if not morose turn in it's posts. It used to be all about the bright side of life (do do, do do do do do do - any Python fans out there?) but I can't recall the last time I posted a Ten Things list, an Aspen Quote, a Be Their Voice segment, a Road of Rage entry, an I'm Smarter Than That Guy bit... hell, I can't even recall all the routine stuff I used to do here. I know there was more than that. Anyhoo, I look forward to getting back to that mindset. Obviously the last few months have been stressful. With the hard part done, and the ex in hiding, now things here are pretty much just a waiting game. Though stress levels are slowly dropping they have taken a toll on my blog life, social life, and love life. I have posted about nothing else lately (and only every other day at best), I have hung out with Miguel only once in the last 6 weeks, and Tish is finding out that I have not the energy or dedication that she rightfully deserves to be given in a relationship. So as I sit here today I am kind of relieved that there is no update to give on my scenario that most of you are now familiar with. I'm super relieved that there doesn't seem to be any updates to make over the next coming days. And I'm super duper relieved that there is an end date in site (December 11th)! But all that leaves me sitting here thinking "What the hell entertaining do I have to post about?" And I got nothing. p.s. While I appreciate all yous guys supportive and confirming comments in all this, it was super cool to see Femi comment again! Hi doll!

FEELING VIOLATED

New scenarios and subsequent emotions continue to arise within the context of this ever evolving situation. Aspen's mother has left her children behind in the care of friends and family under the premise that she is getting professional help with some 'disorders'. Help that when pursued diligently will enable her to be a better friend and mother to those in her life. Help that will enable her to make better, more reasonable and appropriate life decisions. This is an admirable and acceptable reason for an extended absence in my book. I have told Aspen that her mommy wishes she could be here but for the time being but her seeking help is important and takes time. Aspen seems to understand this and accepts the situation surprisingly well. But last night when Aspen's mom calls to say 'hi' to her, she talks to her for 4 minutes then turns the phone over to her new boyfriend who proceeds to talk with her for 10 minutes before the phone battery goes dead. Now if I were in her shoes where I had to be away from my kids for an extended time, when I had the opportunity to call them and spend precious minutes contributing to their lives the small amount that I am restricted to, I would take myself in a closed room and really try to be a part of their days and weeks getting a feel what is happening in their worlds. I would not have the conversation in front of others and I certainly wouldn't hand the phone over to my new lover/friend to spend 'get to know you' time with someone they only met one time. In my opinion the last thing Aspen's mother should be doing at this stage is trying to get her kids absorbed in her new life far away. Why? Because Aspen is of the mindset that her mother is away working on herself, not starting a new life with new friends. What is that going to tell Aspen about why her mother is away and what she is doing in lieu of spending days with her daughter when she puts new friends on the phone with her? I try my best to be objective and maybe I'm only seeing a perspective that I want to see. I have nothing against her new boyfriend personally. With all the warnings he has received from us who know her, I find it a bit foolish of him to still be involved with her but I suppose he's still a nice guy. But it would be so easy for me to want Aspen to have nothing to do with him regardless. She has no need for a second stepfather at this point, and that's what he would be to her in her mind. I would like your honest opinion. Don't simply placate to a blogger friend. In your objective opinion, am I being too restrictive or worried about Aspen talking on the phone to her mom's new boyfriend? Thanks

NO WOMAN NO CRY

Aspen's mother left town. I found this out for certain Tuesday afternoon when I happened to call Aspen's Girl Scout den mother to get some info on a pledge drive now that I have that responsibility. By coincidence, she was the one whom she asked to drive her to the airport. Aspen was a bit upset last night as I told her that I didn't think mom would be at the Girl Scout meeting as she had told her the day before she would be. It was this afternoon that I sat down with Aspen and told her that her mom has gone away again for awhile. I told her that her mom was going to be working with some others so she could be a better friend and mother to those in her life. I told her that we weren't sure how long she was going to be gone but that it might be 'a while' before she comes back. Aspen took the news very well. I think her recent extended departures helped make this less of a surprise. She expressed her hope that mom would be back before Halloween. I told her that it would probably not be that soon at all. I didn't press the issue beyond that. She knew an important fact (her mom was away getting help) and she was not outwardly bothered by it. I told her that if she felt sad or like crying at any point that that was okay and she can come to me to do it if she wants. Throughout the day Wednesday I traveled from place to place getting the proper final papers signed and notarized and turned in to the clerk of court. Only 2 hours after turning the paperwork in I got a call from the clerk informing me that a date for the hearing was already set. Mid December. That's it. While things seem to be pretty much over now, like a football game that is 21 - 0 with 3 minutes to go in the 4th quarter, I will refrain from 'celebrating' until the game clock shows 0:00. But then it's not really celebrating to be had. I thought that when an outcome was as certain as it appears to be now I would be ecstatic, elated, joyous. But I am not. I am relieved and pleased for certain but not 'happy'. A person is suffering. Albeit a person that has put me through years of agony due to her selfish behavior, I take no pleasure in knowing that someone is miserable because of my actions. I know that's a tricky statement. She is miserable because of her own actions. Mine were simply a measured and responsible response to her erratic behavior. Still, it is because of me that she will soon have limited access to her greatest treasure. And I don't like being in that position. I think I will not fully breathe free and groove to the tunes of Marley quite as effortlessly again until she has turned her life around and begun being a positive influence in her daughter's life as a result of my putting my foot down and saying "No more. Not with my daughter.". I want to be overjoyed right now. Yet my heart is heavy for my daughter's mother. Compassion is a funny thing.

IN VICTORIES LIE TRAGEDIES (a conclusion of sorts)

It's funny how some days are boring and uneventful while others are so chaotic you don't know where to begin when retelling it. The events of the last 3 days fall into that second category. I had not heard from Aspen's mother since last Sunday. She was supposed to have been back in town Monday but never showed up or called or nothing. Then my phone rings Saturday evening. It was her, calling from Phoenix, wanting to speak with Aspen. I hand the phone over to my daughter after stating that I need to talk with her when she is done. When she is through catching up with her daughter I ask her what's going on. She informs me that she will be coming back into town on Sunday because of the pending hearing on Monday against her ex. The one in which I was requested by him to testify on his behalf regarding the restraining order she placed against him on Aspen's behalf. I had suspected she might brave coming back for this event but wasn't certain. She wanted to be able to see Aspen Sunday afternoon for a few hours since it had been 11 days since she had last seen her. I readily agreed. Afterall, it was in Aspen's best interest to see her mother as much as possible in situations like this. I asked where she would go with her. She didn't know. I asked if her boyfriend was coming into town as well. No. I asked where she would be staying while she was in town. She didn't yet know. I asked how long she would be in town. It depended on the outcome of the hearing. She then braved to ask me if I would be able to pick her up the airport. Again I agreed. Aspen would be at a birthday party which would give me time to go to the airport then stop her by the police station to be served. Not wanting to blindside her I told her that that would be a stop we would have to make before picking Aspen up at the party. She knew it was inevitable so she acknowledged my 'warning'. After picking her up I suggested that she and Aspen spend the afternoon/evening at my place making dinner and reading and relaxing in a home environment rather than me just dropping them off at a mall or park where options were limited. I knew she wanted to be alone with her so I offered to go to Miguel's and watch some games while they hung out. She happily accepted. At 9pm when I returned I took Aspen's mother to a friend's house to stay the night (her other friends had had enough of her chaos and lies and drama that her presence had brought so she had to seek out a nearby aquaintence). Again not wanting to blindside her I told her that her ex had asked me to go to the hearing to tell the judge I had no qualms with the restraining order being lifted n him regarding Aspen. She did not like that but knew there wasn't much she could do. So she asked if I could drive her to the hearing since I was already going. I agreed. I picked her up in the morning. At the courthouse were her sister, mother, father, and her ex... together (the same crowd that will be there for my custody hearing whenever that date gets set). Not there for her nor her ex, but for Aspen's best interest only, I sat next to Aspen's mother so she wouldn't be alone. I watched the anticipation slowly set in over the next hour as we waited for 4 other blah boring petty cases go before the judge ahead of us. Due to her illnesses she can be prone to panic attacks. And one was setting in. For ninety minutes she watched her family sit next to, whisper to, joke with and pat on the back, the man that she claims assaulted her. That must have been a very painful experience for her. Anyone else and I would have been sympathetic to her situation. But having dealt with her for the last 10 years I know full well that A- her ex never assaulted her and B- everything leading up to her sitting in a court room across from her ex and family was brought on by her own misdoings. I saw in my pereferal vision her hands trying to not shake. I knew what lie ahead. When it came her time she and her ex approached the judge and sat in chairs only feet from eachother. Before being able to sit there for 2 minutes she announced 'forget it, if he wants it all that bad he can have it.' (the hearing was whether or not she could go escorted back onto the property to get the furniture she had at the time of the divorce - 6 months ago. she wasn't going to win since it was never in their divorce agreement). She got up and walked out of the courtroom much to the surprise of the judge but not really to anyone else. She went to bathroom in the hall and began throwing up. Then she asked that I drive her back to her friend's place. Before I could do that she had to sign some papers that her sister had drawn up turning custody of Ed (her son) over to her. she refused to get out of my jeep so the baliff, her sister and the notary had to go out to her in the parking lot to get her to sign them. It was really quite a scene. Afterward, as I drove her back she kept apologizing to me for my having to be involved in that and thanking me for sitting next to her. I told her that Aspen and I had planned to take her out for ice cream after school today. She shook her head. I asked if she was still going to be around for the girl scout meeting on Tuesday night. She shook her head. I knew at that point that her plan was to get back on a plane ASAP. I asked if Aspen could call her at the number she had been using recently (her boyfriend's) whenever she wanted. She didn't know if she would be near that number. I asked her to therefor call Aspen whenever she could. She said she would do what she could. Tonight, after Aspen, Ed, their stepdad and I have dinner out together (the 1st time that they will be allowed to go near him in the last 4 weeks) I plan on sitting Aspen down and go over with her in as much detail as possible what she and her mother did together at my place Sunday night. It may have been the last time Aspen will see her in a very long time. If I have any regrets over the last 24 hours it was not get a couple of pictures of Aspen and her mother. Had I been thinking faster on my feet I could have stepped in and asked permission from the judge to speak on her behalf when I saw she was not going to be able to sit across from her ex without cowering and leaving. I am certain that she will not be back for her ex's assault trial in late October and I highly doubt that she will be showing up for the pending custody trial I have against her. In short, your guess is as good as mine as to when she will be heard from again. Anyone have any idea how I tell this to my daughter???