What does this say about?

I'm not sure what to think about this but I find myself being much more interested in Apple's announcement coming today than I do the President's State of the Union address...

Updating more and more

Hello all:

I will update this blog and more and more often now in hopes of making it a place for Working Daze readers to turn to and hang out and share ideas and thoughts and all.

I hate to admit this but I am very excited about whatever the heck Apple is going to announce tomorrow. I told my wife I don't want a slate I need a bigger screen not a smaller but I am still fascinated by the idea. It will either be a Newton style flop (the device not the physicist) or an Iphone style success story. Apple doesn't usually go halfway. I promised my wife no matter what it is I won't buy one. I certainly won't buy one this year but I am still interested in seeing what the heck it is going to do. If it was a good webcam it could become the ultimate skyping machine.

I do have to say I am loving my 27 inch Imac. The screen is like wow. As a writer it is so nice to be able to keep a document on screen and outline on screen and a web page with information on screen.

Bill Gates was on the Daily Show last night. Jon Stewart busted out the Zune jokes. I wonder if even Bill Gates uses a Zune?

Wow

Hey All:

After reading all the comments on CNN about the special senator election in Ma. (it's a special election not for a special senator...) to replace Ted Kennedy I see the country is still very much divided into us and them. What ever happened to common ground and being a united country? Democrats and Republicans are suppose to be two parts of the same system but it's almost as if now they each represent different systems.

A year into the Obama administration and he is just as much a polarizing figure as GW Bush was. I actually like the president. I think he is an intelligent man with some good ideas. I like the idea that he tends to think first then act. I also believe that he has strengthen our standing in the world some. This is good. But man domestically he really needs to come through on something. I know it takes time and the situation he inherited was a mess but the economy needs to pick up for the general public not just for the people that the government bailed out. People who are no cashing big pay checks! As for the health care reform I really don't see much reform coming in this package if they get the package passed which they may not, despite the Dems vast majority in the house and senate. (Even without the seat in MA they still have an 18 person majority.)

The sad thing is (at least in my opinion) a good portion of the politicians today are much more interested in keeping their jobs and serving special interests than actually helping make this place a better country. We need more politician (or some or any) politician to say, "hey what's best for everybody not just my party." In order for that to happen I think we may need to find a president that both parties can get behind. I'm not sure such a person exist...

Actually, when I look at the Daily Show and see how Jon Stewart does such a great job of pointing out the ridiculous things both parties do, I wish Mr. Stewart would make a series run the presidency. :)

Winners have been notified

Hey all:

The winners of the Working Daze free book contest have been notified by e-mail.

If you didn't win this one, don't worry there is a new contest coming soon.

Jz

Just some random thoughts

Hi all:

This week's post is a little (well much lighter). Just some thoughts from my brain.

Wow, NBC really messed up with the Jay Leno show by putting it in prime time. Leno seems like a decent enough guy but as a writer I hated seeing TV lose 5 hours of scripted shows a week. I'm glad the show is leaving primetime. Of course this begs the question will Conan accept being pushed back to 12:05 or jump to Fox. A lot of it is about ego, I am betting on the jump. The interesting thing is Leno and Conan were both funnier than they have been in a long time, yesterday when they were busting NBC. (Deservingly so.)

Wow, Sarah Palin will be on FoxNews. I really thought she'd be heading to CNBC. Maybe NBC will give her a 10 o'clock show?

Who will replace Simon on American Idol? I don't think he can be replaced. I think the show will eventually be usurped by Simon's new X-Factor America show.

I am so glad Chuck is back on the air. Yes, I am a geek.

In politics, our congressmen and senators can't really be as dumb as they appear. Can they? Do the senate and congress buildings have some sort of intelligence draining devices? Devices that drain your intelligence to the point that you are capable of agreeing with what your party has to say but nothing else? Yes I am looking at you Harry Reid.... Sigh.

According to ex-NY major Koch I mean ah, Giuliani, there were no terrorist attacks during the Bush administration. I guess they have that intelligence draining device in mayor's offices too. This is a really surprising statement coming from a man who's every other word is "9 11". Sigh.

Yeah, Delta is raising their charges on checked baggage! Now it will cost $23 for your first bag and $32 for your second. Yes, another reason not to fly delta. Sigh... Actually I think this is delta's master plan to help us all get into great shape by carrying around even heavier carry on luggage.

Mark McGuire admits to using steroids. Surprisingly no one not even my mother.

2009

My father passed away in the beginning of 2009. His death was closely followed by the passing of my wife’s brother. These events sort of set the tone for the entire year.

My father lost a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease. My brother in-law, a long battle with alcoholism. They are both sorely missed. As much as I am grieved by their deaths I am even more deeply saddened by the way these two diseases took two strong vibrant individuals (my father an ex-Marine and an artist, my brother inlaw a Veterinarian) and savaged them until they became mere shells of their former selves. I know the Marine in my dad never would have wanted to live the way he lived the last few years of his life, unable to do practically anything for himself. One of the saddest moments of my life is the day I looked into my father’s eyes and realized he didn’t know who I was. The light of recognition in his eyes was gone. That really hurt, even though at the time I couldn’t admit to myself that it hurt. It’s a pain that I am hoping someday others won’t have to experience. In order to do my small share to help I am going to donate 15% of the money I make for Working Daze (it's not a lot) in 2010 (and hopefully beyond) to the National Institute on Aging (http://www.nia.nih.gov/).

Scott and I would also like to encourage those of our readers who can to also try to make an extra contribution to their favorite cause: be it for families who deal with alcoholism (http://www.al-anon.alateen.org/), be it cancer research, be it the boys and girls club, be it The Salvation Army (http://www.salvationarmy.org), be it whatever. We know times are tight. But even small contributions can help. Heck, sometimes just giving time to a charity can be cool.

Since this is suppose to a be a fun comic, I’ll stop sounding like an after school special. There were some good things that happened this year, the birth of a new nephew (Mr. Felipe, the boy always on the move) and new niece (TZ, the girl with those eyes) being the highlights. The family lost two members, the family gained two members. I guess that’s how the Universe works. I am sure my father Mike, and brother inlaw, Manuel, are smiling down on the two new additions. After all, my dad always loved being around young life and these are Manuel’s grandchildren.

Finally, since this is the time of giving, we’ll be doing some giving. I have a bunch of extra books around: some original Working Daze books, my latest novels and my YA book Baxter Moon. We’ll give away 10 books to 10 randomly chosen people. All you need to do is email me at: johnzakour@yahoo.com. All you need to say is: I would like a book. Or something like that. If you are one of the ones chosen you will then be emailed and asked which book you would like. The goal is to start 2010 off on a nice note.

Year coming to Close

As the year is coming to a close here are some of the strange things I am thinking about.

Okay, I assume our senators and congressmen are intelligent human beings so why do they all act so ridiculous once they become senators and or congress peoples. What they heck every happened to best for country being more important than best for party. Are these guys all just trying to make sure they keep giving Jon Stewart material for the daily show?

Is it really reform without a public option?

When the heck does Chuck come back on and why the heck did NBC wait so long?? Are the Networks being run by partially trained chimps?

Is Avatar going to be Star Wars for this generation?

I'm sorry by New Moon can't be Star Wars for females cause well Star Wars was good.

Wow, I am freaking 52 years old. I remember when my dad was 52 he sure seemed old to me. Can I really be that old? I must be getting old because I am actual anxious for Christmas to get over with. I like it, I really no. I am no scrooge, but man there is a lot of hassle to the season.

Are the Buffalo Bills ever going to get the superbowl again?

Why does the new 27 inch Imac have to be so pretty? Can a computer be pretty? Yes I guess it can.

Why does reality tv seem to breed and nurture such idiots? I am looking at you Spencer and Heidi.

Note: my start of the new year post is going to be much more serious.