Funny Video-Mix of the above Newscast with a Destination Truth Episode about Leprechauns April 2010

Original Newcast from NBC 5 in Mobile, Alabama
March, 2006

Funny Video-Mix of the above Newscast with a Destination Truth Episode about Leprechauns
April 2010

A republican running for governor in Alabama in 2010, Tim James, has a commercial on cable.  I quote, “Why do our politicians make us give driver’s license exams in 12 languages?  This is Alabama, we speak English.  If you wanna live hear, learn it.  We’re only giving this test in English, if I’m governor.” [...]]]>

Tim James

A republican running for governor in Alabama in 2010, Tim James, has a commercial on cable.  I quote, “Why do our politicians make us give driver’s license exams in 12 languages?  This is Alabama, we speak English.  If you wanna live hear, learn it.  We’re only giving this test in English, if I’m governor.” How self centered and closed minded, if you ask me…

Not that I’m opposed to people being required to learn English.  But when people first  move to this country and need to find a place to live, work, attend school, they need transportation.  Alabama is worse than Florida when it comes to public transportation – there isn’t any there.  So if someone just immigrated from abroad, and was unfortunate enough to end up in Alabama, at least give him/her the opportunity to learn the driving laws and get a license.  Then allow them time to learn the language.

Alabama is a cultured place, in it’s own unique way.  That is what makes it “Sweet Home Alabama.”  Every individual that contributes to this culture, helps it steer to common grounds.  Essentially the social and economical developments occur as a result.  So-what that new cultures are being introduced to the mix.  The world is now a global place and we are all in this together.  Diversification has never stopped since before times.  When a social group starts growing, that’s an opportunity for not only the local economy, but even more so to the culture that creates this sweet home.

Enacting a decision such as
limiting the languages available
for a driver’s license test,
not only puts a damper on progress,
but limits possibilities.

I really considered to embed the YouTube video of the commercial currently running.  I also thought about just placing a link to it.  However, I did not want to offer any more support, than this post, to this candidate.  The local culture will support whatever it can handle.  President Obama rallied with Change during his campaign.  But Change happens naturally.  It is inevitable!

After every holiday season, Target, a national U.S. retail chain, resets its entire planogram [layout of merchandise and graphic displays] in the toys department.  During one of my frequent visits to my local Super Target in Hoover, Alabama, shortly after the Toys Department reset began (very last week [...]]]>

Ouija board on Target's shelf in Toys Department

After every holiday season, Target, a national U.S. retail chain, resets its entire planogram [layout of merchandise and graphic displays] in the toys department.  During one of my frequent visits to my local Super Target in Hoover, Alabama, shortly after the Toys Department reset began (very last week of December), I noticed the wall of board games was already completed.  As I was browsing for anything new and interesting, I stumbled upon a new version of the Ouija Board.  I was shocked (to say the least)!

This new version of the Ouija Board actually glows in the dark.  It has a new dark-blue box and it stands out on the shelf.  [See picture further in post.]  I wondered, “Why is Parker Brothers still manufacturing this piece of evil-ness?”  Then I wondered, “What in the world was Target thinking when they allowed one of their buyers to decide to sell this, again?!?!”  I sat there examining the box, staring at it on the shelf in amazement and disappointment.

One of the reasons I was so shocked to see the Ouija board on Target’s shelf is because I believed Target [and its employees / decision makers] had more sense of good vs. evil.  Another reason is due to the negative history associated with this so called “game.”  And yet another reason is because of my own personal experience with it in the past, due to which I will never touch this board, or anything like it, ever again.  What is also shocking is that I am able to find this Bible forbidden object available for sale in stores throughout the Bible Belt region of the United States of America.  I always thought religious leaders had it their way and not the capitalistic way [lol].

For those that do not know what the Ouija board is, first off, good for you, keep it that way!  But to define it better, a Ouija board, also known as a spirit board, talking board and channeling board, besides many other names that have been given to it throughout history, is a flat board marked with letters, numbers and other symbols, theoretically used to communicate with spirits and/or dead people (necromancy).  It uses a heart-shaped pointer, also known as a planchette, as a movable indicator to indicate the spirit’s message by spelling it out on the board during a session or a seance.  It has been sold by Parker Brothers for as long as I can remember, while living in the U.S. (1991), and I am sure it has been around since before then.

It’s history dates as far back as 1100 B.C., when it was used by the Chinese Song Dynasty, who were the first to record it in historical documents.  It has been noted that it was also used by the Greek philosopher Pythagoras in 540 B.C.  The board apparently became really popular along with the Modern Spiritualist movement in the U.S during the 19th century.  (Wikipedia)  Before my family relocated to the U.S., I remember as a kid, a bunch of us would hang out telling ghost stories and attempting different ways to contact spirits.  This method, although we did not refer to it as a Ouija board, was often discussed, but I am glad we never actually sat down and made a board ourselves.  I had heard of stories at that time about other people doing so and being successful in communicating or channeling using it.

Anyone can do a simple search on any internet search engine and discover the danger and warnings associated with the Ouija board.  On Google.com alone, there are over 70,000 results when you search “Ouija Board Dangers.”  This board or any variation of it and its use, is condemned by many versions of the Bible, see Deuteronomy 18:10-14.  Many demonic activities and evil possessions have been linked to this practice.  It is a way to unknowingly and unwillingly open doors that are difficult to close and be influenced by the paranormal, or worse off, evil entities.

Approximately in 1993 or 1994, while living in Hollywood, Florida, a group of friends of mine decided we were going to “play” with the Ouija board.  I didn’t know anything in details about it, the internet wasn’t available to the public as of yet, and I was curious.  There were about 8 or 9 of us, including my older sister.  We were in the apartment of the boyfriend of a close girlfriend of ours.  With the lights out and a flashlight pointing at the ceiling, we began asking questions and taking turn on the board.  The indicator was moving and answering us, which was interesting and amazing at the same time.  How can something just move by itself?!?  We all took turns, just to experience what it was like and to find out that in fact, the indicator was moving itself and it wasn’t directed by one of the users.

The guy who’s apartment we were in, was the most frequent user that night.  He is a black male, about 6 feet 2 inchesh +/- in hight, weighing about 200 pounds.  He was a police officer and was a tough guy with huge forearms (big muscles).  About an hour or so into our session or seance, the lights in the kitchen came on by themselves.  All of us were a bit freaked.  We stopped, talked about it, looked around, turned them off and returned to messing around with the Ouija board.  A few minutes later, the lights came on again, before anyone had a chance to turn them off, they went out by themselves.  This really made the hairs all over my body rise.

While a few of us were just hanging out, talking about what was going on with the kitchen lights, others were moving around and getting refreshments.  The big, strong, tough guy [who's apartment we were in] was just sitting on the floor in front of the coffee table, where he had been most of the night while using the Ouija board.  He sat there quietly for a few minutes… Next thing I know, he started screaming, he put both of his hands on his throat and seemed like he was gasping for air.  He started yelling [while gasping] “Get out of me… Get out of me…”  He fell back on the floor, rolling around, while his hands were still on his throat.  He seemed to struggle like this for a good minute or two, after which he snapped out of it.  He began weeping hysterically.

When he had a chance to calm down, his girlfriend [our friend], was asking him what had happened.  He explained to us that he felt like something was inside of him.  He had visual images of his brother [who had been shot and killed a couple of years before] and how he was killed.  He was able to describe detailed information as far as where exactly his brother was, [which was a location in Miami], and where the shot was fired from.  He said he had also experienced pain which seemed was his brother’s pain at the time of the shot.  At that point, he explained, he realized it was getting very difficult for him to breathe.  He also said that something was inside of him causing this struggle to take a breath and the same ‘thing’ was causing the visualization he had experienced.  Shortly there after, my sister and I, along with our friends left.  I was very scared for a long while.

A few years later I got myself to watch the movies about the Witch board and Ouija board, I believe there are a few of them.  I could relate very much to those movies after this experience.  I recently watched Paranormal Activity, which was a low budget movie that hit the movie theaters back in middle of 2009.  When they brought the Ouija board into the picture, the movie became that much more realistic to me, even though I know it was a movie.  I have also seen a number of cases on the show, Paranormal State, which currently airs on A&E TV, involving the Ouija board.  I have never heard of anything good that comes out of using this board.

After my research about this post, I came to find out that the Ouija board is widely available.  It can be purchased at Toys R Us, Target, Amazon.com, eBay.com, and many other retail locations.  While the Ouija board remains in production and is sold commercially as merely a “game,” it has been [and continues to be] attacked by critics of the occult, members of various religious believes, and even New Age spiritual leaders.  It is unsafe and is not to be used by anyone that does not know what they are getting into.  I wish all retailers would pull it out of their inventory, just like they had done about 5 to 8 years ago.  I wish Parker Brothers would stop manufacturing it.  I hope those that read take my advise seriously and read the warnings.

May the universe protect us all from all evil!

I was invited to go out one night and see a band called Fly By Radio. I had never heard of them. I’m not big into concerts and such, so I was a bit cautious with my decision. After doing a bit of research to see who they are, I found out that [...]]]>

I was invited to go out one night and see a band called Fly By Radio. I had never heard of them. I’m not big into concerts and such, so I was a bit cautious with my decision. After doing a bit of research to see who they are, I found out that Fly By Radio is just a cover band. While I was a bit disappointed, I was also intrigued of going out that night. I figured I can see a show and enjoy music that I already know.

I committed to going out. My friends came over my place so that we all have a place to meet and the same designated driver. Of course we had a couple of drinks here to “pre-game” a bit, before we head over to the club, which is about a mile away from where I currently reside, in Hoover, Alabama.

When we got there, the line was about 30 minutes long. It was cold, but we had no choice to wait it out. The drinks did help to keep us warmer. We waited, paid our $10 cover, and went inside. It was crowded. My friends all ran towards the stage, pushing themselves through to make it to the front. Their idea of enjoying the show was to be upfront, close and personal. I instead headed to the bar to get myself a drink. I ended up getting everyone a drink (except our designated driver), since I’m a nice guy. I also figured it would be easier pushing myself through the crowed with drinks in hands, so that people back up and I don’t spill on them.

I made it to the front. Decided I was going to take advantage of my Motorola DROID phone and snap some photos and videos. The quality is not bad for it being a camera on a mobile phone. I managed to drop the phone/camera at one point during the beer chugging contest. [By the way, I misspelled chugging {chuging} in my video. For some reason the puter didn't correct me, lol.]

Beers on Toilet

We had a great time! The show was very enjoyable and the band was good. Heard a lot of good songs. Had a lot of drinks. When I visited the bathroom, one of the stools was covered all over with empty bottles of beer. I hadn’t experienced that before, but nothing surprises me anymore here in Alabama.

When I went back to the bar, ordered another drink, and decided I was going back to the front of the stage. On my way there, an attempted fight broke out. I say attempted because it never actually ended up in a fight. People were able to pull them apart. One of the guys was heavily intoxicated, he even attempted to swing an arm at a woman. This is when I decided I was done.

I walk (stumbled) outside, sat myself on one of the tables, and texted my friends letting them know that I am out. Another guy managed to do the same and sat on the same table as me. We were chatting and telling each other how drunk we were, lol, good times! Eventually my friends came out and our DD took us home.

Hope you enjoy the video and at least got some sense of the fun that we had.

Part of the Alabama Life series

Imagine this…

It is the beginning of a New Year, 2010.  You are in your local casino gaming hall, or actual casino – if your county or state permits.  You are playing the so entertaining slot machines that tend to eat your hard earned cash, (unless you strategize and spend hours running [...]]]>

VictoryLand Casino in Shorter, Alabama

Imagine this…

It is the beginning of a New Year, 2010.  You are in your local casino gaming hall, or actual casino – if your county or state permits.  You are playing the so entertaining slot machines that tend to eat your hard earned cash, (unless you strategize and spend hours running from machine to machine to make a buck).  All of a sudden, you hit the Jackpot!!! Yay!!! The machine brings up a message that ‘You’ve Won a Car!’  How exciting!!!

Many of us drop a dollar or two, or even visit our local casinos frequently in order to scan our Player’s Club cards with some hope that our number will come up and we would be the proud owners of this month’s featured vehicle, that is up for grabs to a lucky one our of millions.

So today is your day, the machine really liked how you’ve fed it dollar bills and chose you as the lucky winner.  Here comes management.  They hand you over paperwork and keys to your new Saab Convertible and show you the way where the car is parked waiting for its new owner.

You’re charged with excitement and your adrenaline is rushing faster than the speed of light.  This is a once (or twice if you’re that lucky) in a lifetime occurrence.  Most people don’t even live to experience such an exhilarating event.  You are jumping up and down, screaming bloody murder, hugging everyone and running to your car.

You arrived at the vehicle, hardly running into it out of excitement, embrace it, unlock it, and sit behind the wheel.  Of course, this all happens after you’ve had the chance to find enough calmness to sign the casino’s proper paperwork in order for them to release the rights of the car.  So you’re turning the key and starting the engine, all the start-up lights flashing at you, you are still in ecstasy and disbelieve that your turn has finally come.

Eventually, you calm down enough to be able to drive home safely.  As you head home, you realize the odometer display indicating 30,547 miles.  You push on the reset button of the tripmeter to try to reset it, thinking it’s probably some factory glitch of some sort, but nothing happens.  Suddenly it hits you, you just won a car that has 30,000 miles on it.  Maybe the casino drove it around to get all the fluids going?  Perhaps it was used by the casino staff and management didn’t realize?  Now you’re boggled with many questions running fast through the logical part of your brain.  ”So what…” you tell yourself, “I just won a car!”

When you get home, you share the news with your close ones.  You also have a chance to review your paperwork.  At this point you also realize that the car is a 2007 model, making it a three year old vehicle.  Well, at least it was at no charge, besides the taxes you’re obligated to pay, which Uncle Sam requires, of course, for all gambling winnings over $500.

You decide you’re going to take the car to your local dealer and see if you can cash your winnings.  Who needs a convertible during the winter any way.  Cash can go much farther than any vehicle would.  You decide you can use the cash to pay off old bills and buy yourself and your loved ones some nifty gifts.  The dealership decides to make you an offer.  You’ve done your homework and have an idea what such car might be worth.  When the offer is delivered in writing, a manager also informs you that an accident and damage is reported on the vehicle history report, which would obviously affect the current value.  You take the offer and decide to go home and think about your next decision.  After all, now the cash worth is far less than you expected, and it might be worth more to actually keep the car.

Many of us have been to casinos, myself included.  I have visited Las Vegas on a number of occasions.  I have traveled to Biloxi and New Orleans.  I have been to multiple casinos in a number of countries in Europe.  I also resided in Broward County, Florida, where casinos have been running strong for a few years now.  I have seen many vehicles put up for grabs to a lucky few, and all of them have always been a current model year.  I had to come to Alabama to hear a story such as the one above.  Where a casino is so cheap, they entice people with used cars, to play in their game rooms.

This is a true story.  The exact details of how it all played out are made up.  However, the fact remains.  A casino (or a gambling game hall) named VictoryLand in Shorter, Alabama, actually had a three year old, used, wrecked and repaired Saab up as a Jackpot winning.  I don’t know about you, but this seems as a big let down.  A place that takes in millions of dollars from people in an area where they don’t have much to begin with, chose to give away a used prize.  To some it may not be a big deal.  To me, however, I would be ashamed to represent an organization as such.

Other Used Cars on Display at VictoryLand

Yet Another Used Car on Display at VictoryLand

Only in Alabama!

Part of the Alabama Life series.