Why I "Fight City Hall"

I fight city hall because I live in a democracy. As a citizen of our democracy, I feel I have the responsibility to report and try to eliminate injustice, inefficiency, illegalities, etc. to prevent our democracy from being destroyed. I don't have the luxury of picking my fights. I have to fight each fight that comes before me, no matter how large or small. If I don't, I am silently giving approval to that violation of democracy. Our government, in any form, is a fair target for my actions when it does not act honestly and appropriately. That is true even if it's only a substitute mail carrier who always appears to take shortcuts that violate his own rules and regulations when delivering the mail. If that sounds trivial, remember that the erosion of a mountain starts with only one grain of soil at a time.

I know, I know. In our country, it is embarrassing to talk about being a good citizen once you pass the age of thirteen. However, I think we all need to be reminded that being a good citizen means more that voting and paying taxes. It's not the big things that threaten our democracy. It is the ignoring of all the little things that add up to the colossal catastrophe that takes down a democratic government. Complaining and paying lip service to good citizenship is not enough. I must fight city hall.

The World's Best Christmas Cookie Recipe

A friend sent this recipe to me and I guarantee it will become a favorite. You don't even have to bake. Just reading it will warm the cockles of your heart.

Ingredients:
1/2 Cup of Water
1 Cup Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 Cup of Sugar
1 tsp Salt
1 Cup of Brwn. Sugar
1 tsp Lemon Juice
4 Large Eggs
1 Cup of Nuts
2 Cups of Dried Fruit
1 Bottle of Jose Cuervo Tequila

*Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, poor one cup and DRINK.
*Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large bowl. Add one teaspoon of sugar...Beat again
*At this point, it's best to make sure the Cuervo(Tequila) is still OK, try another cup...just in case.
*Turn off the mixerer thingy. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit. Pick the friggin fruit off the floor...
*Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a drewscriver.
*Sample the Cuervo again to check for tonsistinsee.
*Next, sift 2 cups of salt, or flour o! r something. Who giveshz a sheet..
*Check the Jose Cuervo. Now, shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts for pitz. What? You know what I meant....
*Add one table. Add a spoon of sugar. Greash the oven.
*Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
*Don't foget to beat off the turner
*Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.

CHERRY MISTMAS

Bidz's Million Dollar Day

One of my recent discoveries on the internet (unfortunately to my pocketbook) is a site called Bidz.com. Bidz is an online, live auction, primarily for jewelry, althought they are constantly expanding their product line. Even if you are not shopping, the site can be mesmerizing because you can watch the bidding action on each item as it happens.

The site has some great features that can spoil you and make it difficult to go back to Ebay. For example, floating your cursor over a product photo will immediately (and on the same screen) bring up an enlargement of that product photo complete with description. To bid, you make one click for each bid. In real time, you can react to other offers. If you win, payment is very easy. They ship USPS within a couple of days by Priority Mail. They prevent delivery disputes by requiring each shipment to be signed for. The shipping and handling charge is $10.95 on anything you buy. Compare that with some of the sellers on Ebay! As soon as they ship, you are given a tracking number.

The products are of quality and many come from well known companies. Descriptions are accurate and the great photos do not lie. Even in cases of severe bidding wars, you get the product for a fraction of its assessed value. I have made several purchases from them and have been very pleased with each one.

The reason I am writing this post is that I just read that Bidz had one million dollars in gross sales in one day, November 29th. That's a lot of money and, in my opinion, the result of a great concept, an outstanding website, the checks built in to prevent mistakes and dissatisfaction, quality products and presentation, and incredible customer service.

A word of caution, however. If you are an impulsive buyer, you should probably avoid this site. If you are tempted to sneak a peak, don't log in. You have to be logged in to be able to make a bid. Enjoy!