Beloved pug Liu (Lou) of Ryan's family passed away last night. While the nation heard about the death of icon Marlon Brando, Tucker's World lost of one of their on.
"He was an Icon" said Ryan, earlier today commenting on his popularity with his family and friends.
Liu was traveling home with Ryan after visiting his family down in Ocean City when he started experiencing breathing problems. Lui's condition got worse and it was recommended that he was put to sleep, and he went quietly.
Liu was well known in the neighborhood. When he was younger he had the tendency to wonder around town and people would call up Ryan's house so he could be returned home. Lui most of his life had trouble remembering where he actually lived. I recall one instance when I was in my backyard and saw the Pug eagerly waiting for someone to let him in the Moffitts backdoor.
Liu was huge at all the parties Ryan threw. Guys treated him as an equal and hang out with him, and he even sipped some beer from his water bowl. Girls loved him and would shower him with attention (more than I got at the parties which says very little).
I still recall the first real walk Ryan took him on. Dustin and I went along for the walk and got a kick out of the trademark snort, and his bizarre method to piss when he would stand on both front legs almost doing a hand stand.
That summer we played home run derby on Ryan's front yard. Liu was named "coach" to give us support. However, he spend most the days panting hard or laying on his back motionlessly.
Liu often the center of the attention and huge family gathers at Ryan's home was a gentle soul. He might not have been the dog that could do any tricks or anything, but people loved him . He had a huge appetite which lead to the game (briefly) "Will Lui Eat It?". In fact, I think more pictures of him are up in that house than any other family member. He was often seen going for walks in the neighbor with Ryan's parents.
He was so popular that when I would bump into friends when they asked about Ryan often times that would ask how The Pug was doing. Everytime I was over that house I would look for him and pet him. Of course it wasn't hard since he never once that I can recall went upstairs.
He also had a brief career as a pet ambassador. After my dog passed away Ryan brought him over to cheer us up and meet with my cat Tiger. Relations quickly went sour when Tiger arched his back and hissed like a Halloween cat. The seemingly aloof Lui was escorted out, but not after urinating on the wall downstairs. Liu's career as and ambassador.
Liu spend most of his days lovingly loafing around the house and napping. He loved food spending time in the yard. He was great with kids and was always really friendly to everyone he met.
Liu, you will be missed old friend.
Please use the comments section to share any cool Liu stories you have.
Friday, July 02, 2004
"Dirty Street"
Finally, months after finding the FBI bugs in City Hall and learning that Philly Mayor John Street was likely up to no good his men are going down.
It turns out there was corruption abound money was used illegally, fraud, and lies you name it. Of course Street is pleading ignorance which is fairly laughable since most of the conversations on the wire were in his own office. Rumors of what was going on was all over the city, and the this the first the mayor is hearing about it?
Please.
Now I know I got heat for what I wrote about Janet Jackson saying that she did it to sell her CD. Of course I don't have direct proof of that and never it, but this is a web blog, not a newspaper column. Regardless if it takes me readers take me views a little more serious I will try to be fair and balance.
Now, I really don't have a smoking gun to tell you about but one just has to look at the body language of the Philly mayor to know that he isn't being honest. How can anyone explain that if he didn't know what was going on, how the rumors could not have reached him? Or if he was so innocent why on earth he didn't bother to try to get to the bottom of the ordeal after he found his office was being bugged (not by cicadas mind you) by the FBI? The dirty deeds (apparently not done cheap) continued for months after the election continued.
Now is there any paper trail that will lead to Street losing his job? Doubtful. Will anyone that voted for this loser care? No. Could he get re-elected if he could run again? Most likely.
Street, is an example of how we almost accept mildly (at least) corrupt politicians to lead this country. Why can't we make him pay? Or is too late is corruption and politics something that you can never separate?
Hopefully Street who I believe to not only be an arrogant SOB but a racist goes down hard. But I am not holding my breath.
It turns out there was corruption abound money was used illegally, fraud, and lies you name it. Of course Street is pleading ignorance which is fairly laughable since most of the conversations on the wire were in his own office. Rumors of what was going on was all over the city, and the this the first the mayor is hearing about it?
Please.
Now I know I got heat for what I wrote about Janet Jackson saying that she did it to sell her CD. Of course I don't have direct proof of that and never it, but this is a web blog, not a newspaper column. Regardless if it takes me readers take me views a little more serious I will try to be fair and balance.
Now, I really don't have a smoking gun to tell you about but one just has to look at the body language of the Philly mayor to know that he isn't being honest. How can anyone explain that if he didn't know what was going on, how the rumors could not have reached him? Or if he was so innocent why on earth he didn't bother to try to get to the bottom of the ordeal after he found his office was being bugged (not by cicadas mind you) by the FBI? The dirty deeds (apparently not done cheap) continued for months after the election continued.
Now is there any paper trail that will lead to Street losing his job? Doubtful. Will anyone that voted for this loser care? No. Could he get re-elected if he could run again? Most likely.
Street, is an example of how we almost accept mildly (at least) corrupt politicians to lead this country. Why can't we make him pay? Or is too late is corruption and politics something that you can never separate?
Hopefully Street who I believe to not only be an arrogant SOB but a racist goes down hard. But I am not holding my breath.
Wednesday, June 30, 2004
"Take Care Ed"
Long time reader and occasional writer Ed will be leaving for the additional training tomorrow and won't be around again till the middle of the fall. I met and became friends with Ed while working at the dreaded Outlet years ago, and he became a member of a the National Guard Reserves.
Ed will only be home for a week or so when he returns and will likely be in Iraq by the end of the year.
Tucker's world and of course myself would like to wish Ed good luck in Texas and with additional training and for a safe return home.
Now who is Drew going to debate?
Ed will only be home for a week or so when he returns and will likely be in Iraq by the end of the year.
Tucker's world and of course myself would like to wish Ed good luck in Texas and with additional training and for a safe return home.
Now who is Drew going to debate?
Sunday, June 27, 2004
"John Kerry's Shady Past "
Someone wrote into a local paper recently and shed some light on the John F Kerry's Vietnam record. He had served with the man and I doubt he has a dumper sticker for Kerry in '04 on his car. This inspired me to do some research on this topic, because I had heard before that it is quite shady.
Well the reason Kerry got send home after a short stint during the war, was because he got injured in combat 3 times. Which means he was eligible to for a ticket out of Vietnam. His injuries were mostly minor from pieces of shrapnel. In fact his last injury by the accounts of the men that were there was his own fault for mishandleing one of his own weapons. The shrapnel piece was so thin that it was actually removed with tweezers and only needed a band-aid.
After leaving his group Kerry spoke out not only against the war, but the practices by the men he was with. He also went to many anti-war protests and allegedly mocked US solders while dressing up and making them look like jack-asses. Holding American flags upside down, and in one instance was seen with a group waving the communist Vietnam flag.
Now, okay lots of people were against that war. Most people are against the Gulf War 2 still going on right now. These people usually follow that up with stating they are against the war, but for the troops. I am not sure how Kerry could have justified that.
Now I tried to give Kerry the benefit of the doubt and chalk this one up to people on Bush's side trying to discredit him. However the amount of Vietnam veterans against him is just too alarming to discredit. He DID speak out against them and accused many of people he fought with of doing some fairly nasty stuff similar to what is depicted in NAM films.
Now he admits that he didn't really say anything other than blame leaders of the troops for leaving their men twisting in the wind. It wasn't a secret though that Kerry wasn't for the cause once he got there and wanted out. He all but begged for the third purple heart (or at least nominated himself for the purple heart) to get him out of combat from what I read. I don't know what to make, Kerry almost seem like a chameleon to me at times. The SUV story a awhile back where he denied ever having them in front of a bunch of environmentalists, after saying how great they were before and supposedly had it turned out he owned several. It makes you wonder if there is truth to this war record.
Now for those of you that wish to comment here, let us not compare his record to Bush. We all know he likely benefited from his rich parents and was kept out of harm's way for the most part. However, that is the way it always has been since the start of time not that it is right or anything. However, comparing the two it isn't nearly as bad.
Now perhaps you shouldn't elect a leader based on how they spend their youth in a troubled time. God knows they both served their country a lot more than I have. However, it is an example of how I just haven't been able to peg what exactly John Kerry is all about. Again their are just too many disgruntled veterans out there to discredit this. Kerry certainly shouldn't be claiming himself any kind of war hero.
I have yet to decide who I am voting for come November, and have pegged September 1st as the day I come out with an endorsement for Tucker's World. That way I can use the following months to root,root for the favored candidate in the election. I could easily go either way at this point.
Before I can make any decision I would like to get some discussion on here. I hear SO much anti-Bush and what he does wrong. However, I don't hear much about John Kerry other then he hates Bush and thinks he is an idiot. So let's use this as a chance to tackle this topic first and get some discussion about the man that likely (at is appears right now) could be the next leader of our country for the next 4 years.
Hope everyone had a good Micheal Moore Weekend!
Well the reason Kerry got send home after a short stint during the war, was because he got injured in combat 3 times. Which means he was eligible to for a ticket out of Vietnam. His injuries were mostly minor from pieces of shrapnel. In fact his last injury by the accounts of the men that were there was his own fault for mishandleing one of his own weapons. The shrapnel piece was so thin that it was actually removed with tweezers and only needed a band-aid.
After leaving his group Kerry spoke out not only against the war, but the practices by the men he was with. He also went to many anti-war protests and allegedly mocked US solders while dressing up and making them look like jack-asses. Holding American flags upside down, and in one instance was seen with a group waving the communist Vietnam flag.
Now, okay lots of people were against that war. Most people are against the Gulf War 2 still going on right now. These people usually follow that up with stating they are against the war, but for the troops. I am not sure how Kerry could have justified that.
Now I tried to give Kerry the benefit of the doubt and chalk this one up to people on Bush's side trying to discredit him. However the amount of Vietnam veterans against him is just too alarming to discredit. He DID speak out against them and accused many of people he fought with of doing some fairly nasty stuff similar to what is depicted in NAM films.
Now he admits that he didn't really say anything other than blame leaders of the troops for leaving their men twisting in the wind. It wasn't a secret though that Kerry wasn't for the cause once he got there and wanted out. He all but begged for the third purple heart (or at least nominated himself for the purple heart) to get him out of combat from what I read. I don't know what to make, Kerry almost seem like a chameleon to me at times. The SUV story a awhile back where he denied ever having them in front of a bunch of environmentalists, after saying how great they were before and supposedly had it turned out he owned several. It makes you wonder if there is truth to this war record.
Now for those of you that wish to comment here, let us not compare his record to Bush. We all know he likely benefited from his rich parents and was kept out of harm's way for the most part. However, that is the way it always has been since the start of time not that it is right or anything. However, comparing the two it isn't nearly as bad.
Now perhaps you shouldn't elect a leader based on how they spend their youth in a troubled time. God knows they both served their country a lot more than I have. However, it is an example of how I just haven't been able to peg what exactly John Kerry is all about. Again their are just too many disgruntled veterans out there to discredit this. Kerry certainly shouldn't be claiming himself any kind of war hero.
I have yet to decide who I am voting for come November, and have pegged September 1st as the day I come out with an endorsement for Tucker's World. That way I can use the following months to root,root for the favored candidate in the election. I could easily go either way at this point.
Before I can make any decision I would like to get some discussion on here. I hear SO much anti-Bush and what he does wrong. However, I don't hear much about John Kerry other then he hates Bush and thinks he is an idiot. So let's use this as a chance to tackle this topic first and get some discussion about the man that likely (at is appears right now) could be the next leader of our country for the next 4 years.
Hope everyone had a good Micheal Moore Weekend!
"South Street Tip Nazi"
So to celebrate Steve getting engaged and to mostly get caught up with him the two of us went to the local bar that is PufferBelly. After some time and two beers each when my other friend Rick showed up we kicked around the idea of taking the speedline into Philly to walk around South Street.
Steve and Rick share a common love for really bitter beer made in various countries I will never visit. So,after some hesitation and missing a train we were off to the City of Brotherly Love.
We started out Tattooed Mom's (or something like that) which is basically some guy's attic converted into a bar. It has all kinds of posters for concerts and writing all over the walls. The music was mostly heavy metal. The atmosphere reminded me of over crowded parties I used to go to. However, this time I actually had a girlfiend (although she didn't go out with us) so I didn't have to worry about being shot down by girls and going home for the night full of shame and self-loathing.
Anyway,we decided to do a round by round tour Steve had the first round, and when we went to the next bar (that didn't seem to have an actual name) Rick picked up the tab and we had beer with orange slices in them. This place was nice and chill, and I even got to play some music from the music box. Yes, it ended with my obligatory appearance of Francis Albert.
So to get to the actual title of the story it was getting really late and those pansies over there have a last call of 2am not 3am like most South Jersey bars. So we were running low on time. One place didn't even let us in since it was 1: 25 (L-A-M-E). So, we ducked into this "Irish Bar" right off South Street. It was my turn to pay.
I really figured I wouldn't like much that was on Tap,and felt as if I was done drinking but I was going to be a good sport. When we got there however I had to urinate fairly bad. So I handed Steve a 20 dollar bill and told him to get whatever. I could not wait in line since the piss was coming faster than Smary Jones in the homestrech.
When I returned both Steve and Rick had beers, and they didn't buy me one. I assumed they were going to make me try some really dark beer from Transylvania or something. But I guess they figured I would order what I wanted instead. I saw this as a chance to not drink (one more drunk Keith would have appeared) and to just chill. Color me lame.
Steve gave me back the money which I really didn't count, than Rick gave me back some money. I asked Rick why he was giving me money too since it all should have came out of the same 20 bill. Apparently Steve paid first and gave Rick ample enough for the drink. I didn't count either pile, it looked right so I just pocketed the cash.
A few minutes later this dude wearing a NYC fireman shirt came up to us. He asked us where we were from. My first thought was this dude wants to hang out with us! The dudes sure are friendly around here. Maybe he wants to mingle with a group of dudes for some reason. Of course he could also be planning to jump us (It was South Street afterall). However, I just assumed he was a drunk dude looking to make friends. I told him were from South Jersey.
He said "Well this is Philly and we tip over here! This guy (pointing to Steve) left 50 cents, and this guy (pointing to Rick) left nothing! That is not the way it works around here! They only get 3 bucks an hour!" then he marched up stairs.
I assume he worked there I have no idea, but the guy wasn't even my height and I really didn't actually buy a beer. Besides most times I tip at the end of the night(not that we were there long) so I don't know how he assumed the tipping habits of my two friends let alone if I was going to end up getting a beer myself.
To be honest I didn't even think about if they tipped or not since I didn't get a drink. I assumed they did although it would explain why the drinks were seemingly so cheap. The thing was I was willing giving my 20 away knowing very little would return at the time assuming they were going to select my brew for me too. Rick said later he would have tipped if thought I wasn't buying a beer. However, I had no direct contact with the actual bartenders.
Now what is the proper edict here? I assume I was responsible for the actual money, but the dude didn't know that. If neither of them tipped it wasn't my fault they had my money and easily could have. They were serviced not me. Both of them were soured about the thought of showing gratitude at his point. To be honest so was I. The guy was an absolute prick (you can argue we are too for going into the bar so close to closing) and I don't really think that I should be scared into giving a tip. Again for all I knew they did in the first place, the amount left told to me by the dude was news to me. Since I didn't really count it and I guess one or two dollar tip would have been good enough to pay someone to pull a lever and fill a glass so it wouldn't have been to noticable if they didn't.
We left and didn't live a dime and Rick got a dirty look from the chick bartender when we left. Maybe the dude was banging her or something. We tipped at the other places, and I had planned to had I actually handed off the cash. I also can't imagine that we were the first not to tip on two beers. Now please use my comments to let me know what the proper edict is here. Considering I never even before the incident planned to ever return to that bar. I rarely even go to South Street and there are 90 bars there anyway his threats to me didn't mean much.
The train ride home we meet some dude from Haddonfield who gave us advice on how not get out throat slit that late at night on the speed line. There was safety in numbers, and he told us he gets jumped on average twice a week by crack heads. He turned out to be bartender too and said he comes home with over $400 a night (likely what people at Irish pub bring home. I would like them to see my pay stubs if they are so unhappy) usually. He advised us to right the train into the city one block since it was the one we were boarding anyway to get a good seat. Also our lives were likely endanger staying at the one station too long. Plus he knew the cop in the car we were on. Hmm..maybe we should have all tipped him.
On an unrelated note Rick and Steve saw some dude's cock.
Steve and Rick share a common love for really bitter beer made in various countries I will never visit. So,after some hesitation and missing a train we were off to the City of Brotherly Love.
We started out Tattooed Mom's (or something like that) which is basically some guy's attic converted into a bar. It has all kinds of posters for concerts and writing all over the walls. The music was mostly heavy metal. The atmosphere reminded me of over crowded parties I used to go to. However, this time I actually had a girlfiend (although she didn't go out with us) so I didn't have to worry about being shot down by girls and going home for the night full of shame and self-loathing.
Anyway,we decided to do a round by round tour Steve had the first round, and when we went to the next bar (that didn't seem to have an actual name) Rick picked up the tab and we had beer with orange slices in them. This place was nice and chill, and I even got to play some music from the music box. Yes, it ended with my obligatory appearance of Francis Albert.
So to get to the actual title of the story it was getting really late and those pansies over there have a last call of 2am not 3am like most South Jersey bars. So we were running low on time. One place didn't even let us in since it was 1: 25 (L-A-M-E). So, we ducked into this "Irish Bar" right off South Street. It was my turn to pay.
I really figured I wouldn't like much that was on Tap,and felt as if I was done drinking but I was going to be a good sport. When we got there however I had to urinate fairly bad. So I handed Steve a 20 dollar bill and told him to get whatever. I could not wait in line since the piss was coming faster than Smary Jones in the homestrech.
When I returned both Steve and Rick had beers, and they didn't buy me one. I assumed they were going to make me try some really dark beer from Transylvania or something. But I guess they figured I would order what I wanted instead. I saw this as a chance to not drink (one more drunk Keith would have appeared) and to just chill. Color me lame.
Steve gave me back the money which I really didn't count, than Rick gave me back some money. I asked Rick why he was giving me money too since it all should have came out of the same 20 bill. Apparently Steve paid first and gave Rick ample enough for the drink. I didn't count either pile, it looked right so I just pocketed the cash.
A few minutes later this dude wearing a NYC fireman shirt came up to us. He asked us where we were from. My first thought was this dude wants to hang out with us! The dudes sure are friendly around here. Maybe he wants to mingle with a group of dudes for some reason. Of course he could also be planning to jump us (It was South Street afterall). However, I just assumed he was a drunk dude looking to make friends. I told him were from South Jersey.
He said "Well this is Philly and we tip over here! This guy (pointing to Steve) left 50 cents, and this guy (pointing to Rick) left nothing! That is not the way it works around here! They only get 3 bucks an hour!" then he marched up stairs.
I assume he worked there I have no idea, but the guy wasn't even my height and I really didn't actually buy a beer. Besides most times I tip at the end of the night(not that we were there long) so I don't know how he assumed the tipping habits of my two friends let alone if I was going to end up getting a beer myself.
To be honest I didn't even think about if they tipped or not since I didn't get a drink. I assumed they did although it would explain why the drinks were seemingly so cheap. The thing was I was willing giving my 20 away knowing very little would return at the time assuming they were going to select my brew for me too. Rick said later he would have tipped if thought I wasn't buying a beer. However, I had no direct contact with the actual bartenders.
Now what is the proper edict here? I assume I was responsible for the actual money, but the dude didn't know that. If neither of them tipped it wasn't my fault they had my money and easily could have. They were serviced not me. Both of them were soured about the thought of showing gratitude at his point. To be honest so was I. The guy was an absolute prick (you can argue we are too for going into the bar so close to closing) and I don't really think that I should be scared into giving a tip. Again for all I knew they did in the first place, the amount left told to me by the dude was news to me. Since I didn't really count it and I guess one or two dollar tip would have been good enough to pay someone to pull a lever and fill a glass so it wouldn't have been to noticable if they didn't.
We left and didn't live a dime and Rick got a dirty look from the chick bartender when we left. Maybe the dude was banging her or something. We tipped at the other places, and I had planned to had I actually handed off the cash. I also can't imagine that we were the first not to tip on two beers. Now please use my comments to let me know what the proper edict is here. Considering I never even before the incident planned to ever return to that bar. I rarely even go to South Street and there are 90 bars there anyway his threats to me didn't mean much.
The train ride home we meet some dude from Haddonfield who gave us advice on how not get out throat slit that late at night on the speed line. There was safety in numbers, and he told us he gets jumped on average twice a week by crack heads. He turned out to be bartender too and said he comes home with over $400 a night (likely what people at Irish pub bring home. I would like them to see my pay stubs if they are so unhappy) usually. He advised us to right the train into the city one block since it was the one we were boarding anyway to get a good seat. Also our lives were likely endanger staying at the one station too long. Plus he knew the cop in the car we were on. Hmm..maybe we should have all tipped him.
On an unrelated note Rick and Steve saw some dude's cock.
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