Bob 's Blog

IOC says NO to Obamas and Oprah

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:12:46 -0500

Did anyone think it possible? After all the planning and millions of dollars spent to bring the 2016 Olympics to Chicago, the bid would be tossed aside at the onset?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/8283061.stm

After all, Michelle Obama and Oprah sacrificed ( taxpayers money? ) to go all the way to Copenhagen to push the bid. Not to mention Barack Obama, flew there the following day (on taxpayers money) to place his shining star on the ticket.

Yes, it is possible. The IOC and the WORLD have said no.

Could it have been the protests in Chicago against having the Olympics there that caused it? Could it be gang killing of a teenager and the beating of another teenager that caused it.

Or, could this just be another worldwide "NO" to Obama? Possibly. Seems the POTUS is hearing that word a lot these days.

Only time will tell.

Whorehouses on the taxpayers dollar!

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 00:11:14 -0500

It's a pretty sad day when a government funded agency is so willing to use our tax dollars frivolous. But, this is beyond frivolous!

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,548827,00.html

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,549241,00.html

Where is the outrage? Where is the media? Why are we not hearing about Congressional hearings on this organization?

I've seen several blogs posted slamming Fox News (Glenn Beck and Sean Hannity in particular) and all their lies. The only lies I see are the lies of the ACORN folks.

It's time to put an end to this nonsense.

Do you remember your first job?

Sun, 06 Sep 2009 12:14:56 -0500

Unemployment rates are at 26 yr highs. Unfortunately for teens (16-19), the rate is the highest it's ever been since 1948 when they started keeping track. Let's hope times get better soon.

http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/oh-what-a-time-to-be-young/

I started working (as a dishwasher on weekends) when I was 14. I made $1.25 an hr. I can still remember the satisfaction it gave me when I got my first paycheck ($25.00). I bought myself some new clothes for the upcoming school year, and flowers for my Mom. I felt so grown up. Ahhh, those were the days.

Maxine's advice

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 12:24:13 -0500

I just love Maxine, and when I get emails with her comics in them, I always end up in stiches. This latest one is no exception.

"BAIL EM OUT! ????

Hell, back in 1990, the Government seized the Mustang Ranch brothel in Nevada for tax evasion and, as required by law, tried to run it. They failed and it closed. Now we are trusting the economy of our country, our banking system, our auto industry and possibly our health plans to the same nit-wits who couldn't make money running a whore house and selling whiskey!"

Have a great day, and enjoy Life. Let Maxine do the bitchin and moaning for you, if only for today.

Sunday morning chuckle

Sun, 16 Aug 2009 11:44:19 -0500

I received this in an email this morning from one of my buyers. He's a 82yr old Navy retiree. Need I say more?

I've often been asked, 'What do you old folks do now that you're retired?'

Well..I'm fortunate to have a chemical engineering background, and one of the things
I enjoy most is turning beer, wine, Scotch, and margaritas into urine.

And I'm pretty damn good at it, too!!

I do this brought a smile to your face, I know I'm smiling.

If she hasn't ...

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:14:03 -0500

I received this photo in an email entitled "If she hasn't she will".

I will say, that at first I wasn't too sure what the title meant, until I studied the photo more closely, and increased the size of it. In the email, it was small and you really couldn't see the lion in the grass in the background.

I have no idea whether it was photo shopped or if it is an actual picture. All I can say for sure, is I do believe she has. What say you?

Together at last

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:40:31 -0500

Living in a age restricted community, and dealing with the older generation quite often, this doesn't surprise me in the least.

I received this from one of my buyers who I might add, are old enough to be my parents. He always has a good joke for me when I visit, and she reminds me very much of the little lady on the left with her hand on her cheek. The one answering the question at the end.
Enjoy!

LORD,... THEY ARE FINALLY TOGETHER

Judy got married and had 13 children. Her first husband, Ted, died of cancer.

She married again, and she & Bob had 7 more children. Bob was killed in a car accident, 12 years later.

Judy *again*, remarried,.... and this time, she & John had 5 more children.

Judy finally died, after having 25 children.

Standing before her coffin, the preacher prayed for her.

He thanked the Lord for this very loving woman and said,
"Lord, they are finally together."

Ethel leaned over and quietly asked her best friend, Margaret:

"Do you think he means her first, second, or third husband?"

Margaret replied:.....
"I think he means her *legs*, Ethel...."

Little girls know how to outsmart little boys!

Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:23:54 -0500

I received this cute email from a friend and he asked if it reminded me much of my grandchildren.

I had to laugh, because I could picture my youngest granddaughter doing this. She's very smart. Or, so she thinks.

Enjoy!

Undies

Little Susie goes home from school and tells her mum that the boys keep asking her to do cartwheels because she's very good at them ?

Mom said : " YOU should say NO - they only want to look at your undies".

Susie said: " I know they do, that's why I hide them in my backpack"!!

Tech Support at it's finest.

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:53:01 -0500

Too Funny Not To Share................................

I think we have all spoken to this guy at one time or another.

I received this email the other day. What really made it hit home is, I had just finished talking to our Brighthouse representative about a problem I was having with my DVR. I was having trouble understanding him, and asked where he was. He said he was in India. When I asked to speak to someone from the US, he
said he would transfer me to another rep, but couldn't guarantee where the rep would be located. Fortunately for me, the young lady spoke very good English with a mild accent ... I didn't ask where she was from.

I swear this guy also works for Brighthouse..

Mujibar was trying to get a job in India

The Personnel Manager said, 'Mujibar, you have passed all the tests, except one.
Unless you pass it , you cannot qualify for this job.'

Mujibar said, 'I am ready.'

The manager said,
'Make a sentence using the words
Yellow , Pink and Green .'

Mujibar thought for a few minutes and said,
'Mister manager, I am ready'

The manager said, 'Go ahead.'

Mujibar said,
'The telephone goes green, green ,
and I pink it up, and say,
' Yellow ' , this is Mujibar.'

Mujibar now works at a call center.

No doubt you have spoken to him.
I know I have.

For Sale! Comedy at it's best!

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:31:48 -0500

We get all kinds of emails in the Real Estate business. Some funny, some sad. Some are just downright amazing.

This was sent by a friend. He joking questioned whether this was a new company in town.

Do you detect a bit of friction in this neighborhood?

Now a question for all Realtors.

Do you knock on the door and ask for this listing?

Late Sunday comedy

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:21:57 -0600

Living in a Retirement Community we get all kinds of stories. My friends all have a tendency to send me jokes and comics about seniors and the things they do. Every once in a while I get some that I just can't resist sharing. You'd be surprised at how close the the truth some of these can be. I hope you all enjoy these as much as I did.

911 CALL

An elderly Floridian called 911 on her cell phone to report that her
car has been broken into. She is hysterical as she explains her
situation to the dispatcher: 'They've stolen the stereo, the steering
wheel, the brake pedal and even the accelerator! ' she cried. The
dispatcher said, 'Stay calm. An officer is on the way.' A few minutes
later, the officer radios in. 'Disregard.' He says. 'She got in the
back-seat by mistake.'

FAMILY

Three sisters, ages 92, 94 and 96, live in a house together. One night
the 96-year-old draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She
yells to the other sisters, 'Was I getting in or out of the bath?'
The 94-year-old yells back, 'I don't know. I'll come up and see.' She
starts up the stairs and pauses 'Was I going up the stairs or down?'
The 92-year-old is sitting at the kitchen table having tea listening to
her sisters. She shakes her head and says, 'I sure hope I never get
that forgetful, knock on wood .' She then yells, 'I'll come up and help
both of you as soon as I see who's at the door.'

'I CAN HEAR JUST FINE!'

Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine
March day. One remarked to the other, 'Windy, isn't it?'
'No,' the second man replied, 'it's Thursday.'
And the third man chimed in, 'So am I. Let's have a beer.'

Birdhouse and squirrel

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 14:40:50 -0600

A few years ago while I was up north for the summer in the Buffalo area, I was visiting some friends in the country. We were sitting out on his deck and I spotted a squirrel go into one of their many birdhouses. I mentioned it and and went over to see if I could get a picture of it inside. No such luck, I think he saw me coming and hid deeper inside. By this time, I think everyone thought I was either hallucinating, or just pulling their leg. I do have a bit of a prankster in me.

I decided to try and get a video of the little guy, and tapped the house with a broom handle. We all gathered around, and here is the outcome.

Bob Cumiskey
Realtor
A1 Connection Realty, Inc.
1509 Rickenbacker Drive
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 633-2020

Winter comes to Sun City Center

Sun, 01 Feb 2009 13:32:39 -0600

Last week winter came to Sun City Center. We had been expecting it, and the forecast had even warned of snow but later changed the snow forecast because they said it would be too cold for snow. The storm that blew through before the front hit, tore a section of my screening away from our pool cage, but it was easily fixed. The frost on the roofs and ground across the lake really surprised me when I awoke. The cold didn't seem to bother the family of ducks that have taken up residence on our lake this year.

The gulls didn't seem to mind the cold either.

I only stayed outside a few minutes, to get these pictures. Having lived in Florida now for over 15 years, I don't have the tolerance for cold like I did when I lived in the Buffalo, NY area.

Fortunately for us, winter doesn't last very long here. 2 -3 days at a time is normal, rarely does it last more than that. The other day we hit 80, and today our high will be 67. Life is good here in Sun City Center.

Bob Cumiskey
Realtor
A1 Connection Realty, Inc.
1509 Rickenbacker Drive
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 633-2020

Don't forget to block your cell phone

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 14:15:08 -0600

I received an interesting email recently about cell phone numbers going public. That age old warning of telemarketers calling.

Here is the email as I received it..

This only takes a few seconds and it should save you time and money.

REMEMBER: Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this week. REMINDER...
all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls.

... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222.
It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time.
It blocks your number for five (5) years.
You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked.
You cannot call from a different phone number.

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS.. It takes about 20 seconds.

Pretty Scarey huh?

This email apparantly has been circulating for quite a few years now. I went to Snopes - www.snopes.com - and checked to see what the real truth was.

According to the article:

There is a grain of truth in the message making it believable, but it's wrong on two counts:
Not all cell phone numbers will be listed in the national directory planned for 2006.
And telemarketers will not have access to the directory.
It is illegal for marketers using auto-dialers ~ and most do ~ to call wireless phone numbers.

Here's the truth:

A national directory will be compiled, but numbers will be included on an opt-in basis.
If a cell phone subscriber does nothing, the number will not be listed. when the directory is ready,
it will be available only as part of the existing 411 directory service, accessed by calling in and asking for a specific number.
It will not be published in a book or on the Internet. And it will not be sold to telemarketers.

Cell phone subscribers can list their numbers on the do-not-call registry if they choose,
but there is no deadline to hget on the list, as the e-mail messages now circulating suggest.

You can read the snopes article here. http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/cell411.asp

I'm including a link to the FTC website concerning this issue. http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2005/04/dnc.shtm

I went ahead and registered my cell phone just because I could. You just never know when they are going to change the rules on ya.

Don't speed with your dog in the back seat.

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:47:54 -0600

I received this email from a friend the other day, and I couldn't stop laughing. Enjoy!!

I GOT
CAUGHT
FOR
SPEEDING
YESTERDAY!!

I THOUGHT I COULD TALK MY WAY OUT OF IT,

UNTIL THE OFFICER LOOKED AT MY DOG

IN THE BACK SEAT.

THIS ONE IS DESTINED TO BECOME A CLASSIC!

SEND IT TO SOMEONE WHO NEEDS A SMILE.

That poor dog.

Sunset from above the clouds.

Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:16:52 -0600

While traveling home from visiting with my daughter over the holidays, I captured this sunset.
It's not often that you can capture a sunset above the clouds and this one was truly beautiful. I don't think the photos do it justice, but here it is.

All photographs and/or written content produced by Bob Cumiskey. All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Bob Cumiskey.

Bob Cumiskey
Realtor
A1 Connection Realty, Inc.
1509 Rickenbacker Drive
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 633-2020

US Airways Pilot is a True Hero

Thu, 15 Jan 2009 19:28:32 -0600

THREE CHEERS FOR A REAL AMERICAN HERO

Chesley Sullenberger III

According to current reports, Mr Sellenberger, a pilot for US Airways, successfully landed his crippled jet on the Hudson River in New York after both engines were damaged from hitting a huge flock of birds (possibly geese).

As I sit here watching this story unfold, I can't help but think to myself, if ever I have to fly, I want a pilot just like him. His cool, calm thinking combined with his experience, has saved the lives of at least 150 people.

My hat goes off to a true Hero!

Tall Palm Trees against the blue sky and cloud

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:11:48 -0600

While visiting with my daughter and Grandchildren in Nevada, I took this photo. We were sitting in a park chatting, and the kids were playing. I noticed some dark clouds moving in, and I happened to look up and saw the bright blue against these Palm trees and knew I had to get a shot. We left shortly after that and got the kids home before the rainstorm hit.

© Bob Cumiskey, 2008. All photographs and/or written content produced by Bob Cumiskey
All rights reserved and may not be reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of Bob Cumiskey.

Bob Cumiskey
Realtor
A1 Connection Realty, Inc.
1509 Rickenbacker Drive
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 633-2772

The Evolution of a Cloud

Sun, 04 Jan 2009 11:51:50 -0600

While returning from my Holiday visit to see my daughter and grandchildren out in Nevada, I noticed this cloud and thought it was pretty inteesting, so I took a shot of it.

A minute or two later I noticed it was changing. I decided to take another shot and before I knew it, I had a series of shots as the cloud continued to change.

As you can see, the final shot looks nothing like the original. It would be hard to say this was the same cloud if I hadn't taken the shots in between.

© Bob Cumiskey, 2009. All photographs and/or written content
produced by Bob Cumiskey. All rights reserved and may not be
reproduced or reprinted without express written permission of
Bob Cumiskey.

Bob Cumiskey
Realtor
A1 Connection Realty, Inc.
1509 Rickenbacker Drive
Sun City Center, FL 33573

(813) 633-2772

What do you see?

Sun, 14 Dec 2008 09:39:00 -0600

Speechless Sunday

Bob Cumiskey
Realtor
A1 Connection Realty, Inc.
1509 Rickenbacker Drive
Sun City Center, FL 33573
(813) 633-2772

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2008

Sun, 07 Dec 2008 16:02:37 -0600

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, 2008

I visited Hawaii in 2005 and had the honor of visiting Pearl Harbor and the USS Arizona. Here is a collection of photos I took that day.

Pearl Harbor

USS Arizona

The memorial was built in 1961 as a tribute to all the men and women who lost their lives on that historic day. The memorial is 184-feet long and carefully crosses over the Arizona's mid-section. Openings along the both sides of the memorial afford a dramatic view of the ship resting on the floor of the harbor. A marble-walled chapel at the far end of the memorial lists the names off all the sailors entombed here.

When visiting Pearl Harbor it is a must to visit the USS Arizona Memorial. Built in 1961, it is a tribute to all the men and women who lost their lives on taht day in history. The memorial itself is 184 feet long and crosses over the mid-section of the Arizona. Openings on both sides allow for a dramatic view of the ship resting on the floor of the harbor. A chapel at the far end with a marble wall with the engraved list of names of all the sailors entombed here. There is also a list of survivors who have had their remains interred with their shipmates.

Clouds at the base of the mountain

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:41:34 -0600

On a flight from Ontario, CA to Las Vegas, NV last year, I was so disappointed that it was a gloomy, drizzly day. I was so surprised when we broke through the clouds and I was able to captured this photo.
Although it would have been much better on a bright day, the overcast higher clouds gave the whole picture a look of black and white.
I was so happy I had a window seat. Hope you all enjoy.

Don't miss the train - Can anyone say human sardines?

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:49:00 -0600

I came across this video earlier this week. It is just too funny not to share. Personally, I don't like close quarters and mass transit is by far my least favorite means of transportation.

I don't like people touching me when I'm traveling on buses or subways, so I usually try to avoid using them. Fortunately, where I live, I just drive my car wherever I need to go. I just can't imagine putting myself into this position. I am way too claustrophobic.

I could feel myself freaking out, just watching them push and push and push.

And don't the platform personnel look really pleased with themselves when they finish? Another job well done. LOL.

Older and wiser

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:53:49 -0600

I got an email from an old pilot friend from back in the day.
He was a helicopter pilot when we were the Army.
One of my earlier jobs in the Army was Flight Coordinator. I kept track of his flight records among other things..
We used to share strange stories over the years and he sent this to me because of a running joke about older soldiers teaching the younger ones about life.

THERE IS A MORAL HERE!

A C-130 was lumbering along when a cocky F- 16 flashed by.
The jet jockey decided to show off.

The fighter jock told the C-130 pilot, 'watch this!' and promptly
Went into a barrel roll followed by a steep climb. He then finished
With a sonic boom as he broke the sound barrier. The F-16 pilot
Asked the C-130 pilot what he thought of that?

The C-130 pilot said, 'That was impressive, but watch this!'
The C-130 droned along for about 5 minutes and then the C-130
pilot came back on and said: 'What did you think of that?'
Puzzled, the F-16 pilot asked, 'What the heck did you do?'
The C-130 pilot chuckled. 'I stood up, stretched my legs, walked
to the back, went to the bathroom, then got a cup of coffee and a
cinnamon bun.'

When you are young & foolish - speed & flash may seem a good thing !!!

When you get older & smarter - comfort & dull is not such a bad thing !!!

Us old folks understand this one.

Hang in there kids.... some day you too will be older, wiser and much more comfortable.

Dull just doesn't quite fit. LOL

Riding Trains - Part 3 ~ Don't let go

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:37:17 -0600

This is the final of 3 videos I found dealing scarey train rides in Mumbai, India.

I did find another interesting one from another part of the world that I will be posting later on this week.

Sadly enough, the events in the following video don't surprise me. Who is to blame?

Hopefully, this individual survived this terrible tragedy without too many injuries.

Thankfully, our government doesn't allow this type of insanity to occur on our mass transit.