"Why is there so much bad news?" Well, people like to gossip about something they saw on TV, heard on the radio or read in the paper/online. And who doesn't, on some level, likes to hear about how bad off everyone else is. . .

For the same reason that "if it bleeds, it leads" remains true, this website is a "fun" way to see how other peoples' Christmas holidays have produced some of the worst times in their lives.

On this rotten slice of the Internets, there are stories that are funny, traumatic and otherwise sad. The tales of yule terror range from a kidnapped child enjoying a puked-soaked Christmas meal to loved ones counting off their last minutes on earth in the true holiday spirit.

WARNING: THIS SITE IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. STORIES ARE OFTEN TOLD IN A RAW, IN-YOUR-FACE MANNER. IN OTHER WORDS, NO PUNCHES ARE PULLED. THIS IS NOT A KID-FRIENDLY SITE. THIS ONE IS FOR ADULTS ONLY.

You have been warned. Enter at your own risk.

        

Have no fear; this is not the return of WNTE. This is simply a passing revisit . . . a savory belch to remind you of that last flavorful chomp.

A health inspector visiting a Waffle House (of all things) issued the following comment:

The same inspector — apparently to his dismay and not at all a surprise to Awful Waffle regulars — "found food particles on plates and silverware."

Bad dish washing aside, I think the cardboard-as-bacon-keeper comment is more of a challenge than a statement of fact. So, here is a quick perusal of some web-based bacon storage tips:

Rip off a large piece of aluminum foil. Place one strip of bacon horizontally at one edge of the foil. Fold the foil down to cover the strip. Repeat until all of your bacon is in the foil, accordion-style. Freeze your bacon until ready to use. (found it here)

Dishwasher-safe polypropylene plastic (example)

Bacon should be used within one to two months. If storing longer, double wrapping is suggested to help keep in moisture. Be sure to wrap tightly against the entire surface of the meat to prevent ice crystals from forming in areas that are loosely wrapped. (additional instructions)

Smoked and cured bacon produced at home needs to be frozen or stored in a refrigerator until eaten. Take off the rind, slice, wrap in freezer paper and place in freezer — it's then good for 2 to 3 months. (look here for more than you want to know)

I guess you really shouldn't store bacon in or on cardboard. Who knew?

        

Does this post really need a title?

I didn't think so.

There haven't been many updates here in some time, and that's all my fault. I've actually had very little to say about anything of any consequence. I know .... that's never stopped me before. But I've been truly devoid of any new blog-worthy ideas as of late.

I have recently discovered yet another "guilty pleasure" view — It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Few programs manage to cram so much angst into such a little time slot. If you're curious and you don't have a delicate constitution, I recommend catching up on previous episodes on Hulu. (WARNING — not for the faint, get me?)

Otherwise, I'm still reading reading reading every chance I get. I've moved through many genres in the last few months, but I've gotten back to the over-the-counter stuff with this read. So far, no complaints.

Oh .... did you see the new photos? No? Why not?

        

Yes, there are new photos available from our recent trip to St. Louis.

Simple click here and scroll around. As always, double click on an image to see it in a larger format.

        

    

Metallica has released a single from the upcoming Death Magnetic album - "The Day That Never Comes."

This apparent fourth track from the forthcoming studio release proves that the foursome has learned some lessons since the 2003 outing that we won't mention here by name.

It is evident from the furious fretwork and melody-metal melding that Metallica seriously revisited their previous work. I really hear a lot of hints from Master of Puppets and detected flavors from And Justice for All - quality work that's still generating sales and drawing cheers.

Good work, dudes. I dig the new sounds and cannot wait to get this one downloaded on the PS3!

        

    

    If you want something relevant to say when next you're wasting time at work, consider dropping something like this in the mix:

    "Hey, did you hear about how Apple can really mess up your iPhone apps without you knowing about it?"

    There's more than enough background material out there on the net, but I will summarize it for you. Apparently, this guy found coding that Apple later confirmed as a "kill switch" — a means whereby the company can eliminate an application from an iPhone without the users' consent. And apparently, the switch can be activated without a user syncing first.

    In confirming the as-of-yet unused kill switch option, Apple CEO Steve Jobs said it would be "irresponsible" of the company to supply its customers with an over-priced phone without the ability to later micromanage it to fit its wishes.

    Ok .... He didn't say it just like that, but he did use the "irresponsible" terminology. The rest I added for emphasis.

    Disclaimer: I have an iPod Nano (3rd gen, red) and a MacBook (duo core, white). I don't own an iPhone, and I'm not in the market for one. 

    My general stand on that product is that it's a nifty, overpriced gadget with more uses than I could ever possible find an excuse to try.

    And there are likely many many many people who've convinced themselves that they must have an iPhone for their very daily existence, but in reality they're just being silly. These same folks will have the same reaction when the next generation of so-called "smart phone" hits the market.

    But I must say that I'm surprised that someone was able to push Apple enough to have them simply confirm a pretty frightening thought — they can take away from you a feature that they no longer want available .... good, bad or otherwise.

    This is really an unheard of level of control for any similarly positioned consumer produce, at least that I can think of at the moment.

    You, Mr. and Mrs. iPhone Customer, must rely on the judgment of wholly unknown individuals to determine whether a kill switch must be activated for your device. It would be like Ford Motor Co. deciding tomorrow that your Focus no longer needs its radio and power brakes, but will later introduce a better entertainment and stopping utility for your purchase.

    "Big Brother" fears aside, this is an electronic sword of Damocles they can employ when it suits them. Of course, they better be pretty sure they have a strong "threat to the system's stability and/or security" story lined up before using it. But they can apparently destroy something without checking with you — the customer — first and make you come back to pay for the replacement later. It's just unreal ....

    How does this in any way encourage even greater future participation or innovation for a product that has such a strong customer base? I guess we'll leave it to Jobs to figure out.

    Nevertheless, now when you or a co-worker want to talk about the news of the day, you'll have something else to discuss other than how well the Chinese have prepared for the olympics compared to everyone else (except Mike Phelps, I guess).

    Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go tinker with my totally outdated cancer-causing cell phone ...

        

        

Something goofy started happening with the old review site, and I haven't gotten back to where I want it ....

So, now there is a new place for reviews — http://urbandocentmovies.blogspot.com.

To old site will remain active, but only to serve as an archive.

        

Ok ok ok ok .....

    It has been an interesting year of all kinds of strange adventures, all of them happening at or near home. I cannot even begin to get completely caught up on all the missed opportunities, ugly comments, movie reviews and general jacka** happenings to which you've grown accustomed.

    But I will go so far as to say that I have missed my blog .... I really have gotten too far afield from telling you all how things are and how they should be for everything else.

    And now while the incomparable James Hetfield tells me that I should have known what's in my cards and a bottle bearing a turtle helps tickle my palate, I hereby put you all on notice that I am back — large and in charge . . . big as life and twice as ugly.

    So, let's do this thing all over again.

Jc

        

    

Pictures from our trip to Colorado are now available by clicking here.

As always, double click an image to see it in a larger format.