CNN TV SCHEDULE ANCHORS & REPORTERS CONTACT US HLN


February 13, 2009

Random Thoughts Heading Into The Weekend

Posted: 05:22 AM ET

By Writer Keith

Hey guys … I hate to break it to you, but Valentine’s Day is tomorrow.

Many of you have probably already made plans to celebrate the patron saint of Hallmark, but if you haven’t by now you may be SOL (suddenly out of luck). But for those of you who realized that Valentine’s fell on the 14th this year, have fun. Fine dining, champagne, chocolate. My lady gets to supersize when I yell the order into the clown’s mouth. Extra fries and soda for my woman … that’s how I roll.

ALT TEXT

Hey buddy…it’s Friday. That letter isn’t getting there in time.

Speaking of my wife, she has been hard at work at her accounting firm during tax season, taking college courses online, and putting up with my day-to-day nonsense. She’s a pregnant triple threat.

Consider me not-on-board for the latest “stab my childhood in the heart” remake of “Friday the 13th.” If it’s a remake, how is Jason with the hockey mask in it? He didn’t show up slashing people with the mask until the third movie after he thankfully killed Shelly (the most annoying character in horror film history). As Crazy Ralph would say about this movie: “Doomed…You’re all dooooooomed!” I miss the days from college when me and my buddy O’B would stay up until 3 am drinking beer and watching old horror flicks making the same bad jokes. Someone gets stabbed… “hey you think he got the point?”

I am terrible with money. I’ve already spent the extra 13 bucks a week I am getting in my paycheck soon.

We’ve seen tons and tons of commercials beating it into men’s dumb heads that Valentine’s Day was coming up. Pajamas, flowers, teddy bears. But seriously, has any woman ever fallen head over heels with getting flannel pj’s for a gift. And what kind of guy wears a white undershirt to work and has a heart tattoo on his arm that says “love”?

OK, so A-Rod is now A-Roid. I actually interviewed him during one of the years he was allegedly taking the performance enhancing drugs. Nice guy, canned answers. Though he did sign the cast of one of the kids watching me talk with him.

Here’s the thing. When you are an elite athlete you know every single thing that goes into your body. I am also not buying that a senior writer from Sports Illustrated broke into his house. It’s Sports Illustrated not TMZ. Plus, no police report? Please remember that we here at the Morning Express are not “loosey goosey” when it comes to our show. The only performance enhancing drugs we take are Diet Coke and bagels.

I thought I saw the Dali Lama at the grocery store the other day. Turns out it was just a bald guy wearing a maroon Snuggie.

Nothing but the Grammys makes me realize how out of touch I am with today’s music. I kept telling myself “that doesn’t look like Jimmy Page” when I saw Robert Plant and Alison Krauss on stage.

I’ve finally become part of the “Facebook” community. That thing is worse than crack. It does have its benefits though. One of the people my wife grew up with is now the head chef at her favorite restaurant. That’s good eating.

So let me know what’s up with you heading into this weekend. We always love to hear from you.

Posted by:
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Extras • Your Turn


Share this on:
Nina Han   February 13th, 2009 7:22 am ET

Believe it or not – Valentines Day at dawn this year is the Dawning of the Age of Aquarius. Who'd a guessed.

"When the moon is in the seventh house,
And Jupiter aligns with Mars,
Then peace will guide the planets,
And love will steer the stars"
- HAIR

CONTACT WEBSITE BELOW FOR MORE INFO.

THE AQUARIAN ALIGNMENT, February 14, 2009

From the website of Jude Currivan PhD,
http://www.judecurrivan.com/media-articles/articles/the-aquarian-alignment-14th-february-2009/

We measure our global sense of both space (latitude and longitude) and time (universal time – UT or GMT) from the prime meridian located at Greenwich, England. We can perceive the collective influence of this momentous astrological event (February 14th) by looking at the alignment from this globally centered perspective. When we do, something extraordinary and exquisite emerges.

At dawn on 14th February the day dedicated to St Valentine, the patron saint of Love, the Moon in Libra enters the seventh house of relationships. And Jupiter and Mars are aligned in Aquarius in the twelfth house of spiritual transformation.

Forty years ago, the intuitive words of a song called Aquarius, brought the dawning of the New Age into our collective awareness:

"When the Moon is in the seventh house and Jupiter aligns with Mars.
Then peace will guide the planets, and love will steer the stars."

At dawn on 14th February the Cosmos actually embodies this perfect alignment to support our collective manifestation of Love and Peace, and the dawning of the Age of Aquarius.

The Aquarian chart of 14th February reveals an incredible concentration of Cosmic influences blending with the energies of Aquarius in the twelfth house. Expansive Jupiter and energetic Mars are aligned with the higher purpose of the North Node. The presence of Chiron the wounded healer offers us the opportunity to heal the schisms that have separated us for so long. Neptune emphasizes collective humanitarian movements and the co-creation of social justice. And the presence of the radiant Sun enlightens the entire alignment.

Mercury also in the twelfth house but just beyond the cusp in Capricorn, allies with transformational Pluto to communicate and anchor the Shift throughout our global structures and institutions.

The Moon in Libra in the seventh house emphasizes harmonious real -ationships.

Venus in Aries in the first house energizes and empowers dynamic co-creativity.

And whilst Saturn the great task master in opposition to Uranus the unexpected awakener is suggesting an ongoing confrontation as the dregs of the unsustainable old paradigm reluctantly give way to the untested hope of the new, their placements in Virgo and Pisces brings practical altruism and visionary inspiration to the transition.

At 7:25 a.m. on 14th February – and for the 18 minutes of the alignment, I invite you, into the Universal Heart, to add your own intention for Love and Peace, and to co-create the dawning of the Age of Aquarius to that of the Cosmos. Join in whatever way feels appropriate for you. You may choose to align with 7:25 a.m. (UT) or 7:25 a.m. your own local time energizing a wave of intention that will surge around the Earth.
===============

Peace, Love, and Light,
Barbara Wolf

To contact Barbara Wolf via email, use bjwolf@globalmeditations.com
You may freely send the newsletters to anyone.


Rich Stoey   February 13th, 2009 7:48 am ET

Another benefit is that, while the Q400 cruises at 440 mph and - measuring flight time from gate to gate - is competitive with a jet over sectors of up to 600 miles, it typically cruises at altitudes of 23,000 feet or 24,000 feet, said Kinzelman. These flight levels are 10,000 to 15,000 feet lower than the altitudes at which jets normally cruise.

Could this be a problem with Q400?


Steve Thomas   February 13th, 2009 9:32 am ET

Stimulus Plan
I feel that we are on the Economic Titanic. The bankers and politicians have taken to their warm money rafts and we the citizens are locked down in the bottom of the ship. This Stimulus Plan is just a tea spoon for us that are left on the ship to start bailing. Give Me a Break, keep your $25 and take back all those bonuses!!!


Vicente Houston,Tx   February 13th, 2009 9:45 am ET

LOVE IS GREEN

ROSES ARE RED,
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
IF CUPID IS BROKE,
SHE'S LEAVING YOU


Jan Stephens   February 13th, 2009 9:55 am ET

A-ROID is trying to cover his tracks-he is worried about public opinion. Any baseball player proven to use steroids should donate that years salary to a fund set up to help the economy . And please; throw a mil towards the octuplets and family .


OB   February 13th, 2009 10:21 am ET

Keith,

Great blog and thanks for the shout out.

Drinking beers and watching horror movies 9 years later is still one of my top activities. But instead of drinking everytime someones gets killed I now wait until every other murder (I'm getting old). Nothing washes down a nice machete beheading like a cold Natural Lite beer.

My favorite part of Friday the 13th part 3 (3-D) was when Shelly gets punked down in the local grocery store by a 3 person biker gang whose members are names Ali, Loco, and Fox. Sounds like a new R&B band from New Mexico.

If Ralph made it to the 3rd movie there's no doubt in my mind he wouldn't have warned Shelly he was about to be killed by a masked serial killer.

Great blog- I gotta run. The Slumber Party Massacure just came out on DVD so I have to pick up some beers and begin my day.

OB


Captain Hair Do   February 13th, 2009 10:46 am ET

Keith,

Great blog. You are hillarious! Where can I subscribe to your blogs? Have a great holiday.

Sincerely,
Captain Hair Do


Ian S.   February 13th, 2009 11:02 am ET

I thought the invention of the snuggie was the sigh of the apocolypse ... people actually wear them out in public????
I was on the plane flipping through the "air mall" rag – when I discovered something worse than that – footed PJ's for adults – only $80 – they're like PJ's for babies – but for "people" up to 6'7" and 260 lbs... please shoot me if I buy one.

I love reading this blog – you've got a great style and a perfect sense of humor for the common man, who wears snuggies.


sean brizendine   February 13th, 2009 11:51 am ET

robin im looking forward to staying with the love of my life angie this valentines weekend.
"sean in santa rosa"


Stephen Coney   February 13th, 2009 12:20 pm ET

Keith, I have to say your blog today was bit self indulgent but I'll come back that in a moment. My BIG question is where the heck did the first three comments come from; The Twilight Zone?
The first appears to have been written for those who missed their comet. The second seems to come to us copy and pasted from who knows where? Finally, the third is simply misplaced. There are plenty of stimulus soapboxes all over cnn.com, on which can voice your opinion Mr. Thomas..
Now, back to you Keith regarding "Friday The 13th. You are incorrect. Like "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre" of a couple years back; "Friday" is an 'update' or a "retelling." It is NOT a remake like "The Omen" or " Psycho."
In other words, Hollywood chowderheads put together everything they can about the original movies. Big guy with mask and machete....stupid co-eds with lots of T&A....Camp Crystal Lake..... BLOOD!!! Write the script and shoot the picture as fast and cheap as possible;it will be a boxoffice hit for it's first two weekends. –Then Jason never dies on DVD and cable!
However, Keith there is still plenty of T&A at the camp and plenty of BLOOD!!!


Seth Talmer(hnviewer)   February 13th, 2009 7:47 pm ET

I'm going to sit here this weekend....realizing my days and sleepless nights filled with blasting music in my ears are finally over. In other words, 'quick fixes' for a life of discomfort. All life ever meant for me was what rock musician to look to.

This took me from a eighteen year fix with music players and headsets. And, in the meantime my grandpa always said to me 'dont be a stranger'....i would always smile back. Enough persons told me to get a social life, meet people. This led up to the start of Robin Meade who from beginning treated me kindly, and my mom really likes her.

I made a determination watch robin and co. start to finish mon-fri. I forced myself to watch no matter how scary the news looked. This begun after an eleven day hospitalization at a psychiatric facility. I knew all to well my days of boozing and head absorbing sounds with my head pointing towards the stars at night were to end.

One thing hasn't changed : I havn't gotten out of my house. There are positives for staying with the Robin Meade show. I know what a seat is now. I enjoy sitting on a couch. I enjoy watching all the different faces on hln. I even listened to Jennifer Westhoven and traded a few stocks and made a few dollars. Not too terrible from a guy who has difficulty traveling. 'Dont be a stranger' grandson told to me all my life now is understood...I can look at a face. I know who people are. Best of all, Morning Express w.Robin Meade is everything look forward to mon-fri.


hideaki nagano   February 13th, 2009 8:01 pm ET

I think i conceal myself.What is essence?Is love essence?


Daniel Cullen   February 14th, 2009 7:17 am ET

Hi – living in the U.K. I immediately recognised the first class stamp under the magnifying glass in the picture, although I hadn't actually heard of the town called 'Lover' in Wiltshire – looks like I'll have to take a trip there next February to post my 2010 Valentines card to my beautiful wife.

This year I decided to do my Valentines shopping online as I wanted to see how easy the overall experience was – this was due to the fact I run a small online optical company supplying non prescription reading glasses, and I thought I would see how other companies compared with mine in a variety of ways.

My first point of call was Marks & Spencer (quintessentially British) where I bought a card, very tasteful if I do say so myself, and some chocolates, these were carefully wrapped & packaged and delivered in about 7 days or so. Next was some perfume from Debenhams online store, this time I had a voucher code and so obtained free delivery – this item arrived in 2 – 3 days, excellent. Finally for this special day I went to Janet Reger, an absolute favourite of my wife, and purchased some lovely underwear which arrived the next day, fantastic!

When shopping online you you still need time to choose carefully & check out delivery times & return policies, however I believe that most reputable companies, and I include my own here, are both fair and reasonable. Security is paramount and all sites were secure at the point of entering card details, and if as the customer you sign up, then both MasterCard & Visa have their own additional safety measures which act like chip & pin online – very reassuring.

My one Valentines day present I couldn't buy online was a meal, and so we have that to look forward to this evening at a local restaurant. Hey! maybe I could book the taxi online.


Charlene Rieger   February 14th, 2009 9:33 am ET

VALENTINES DAY ANNIVERSARY: WE WILL CELEBRATE TONIGHT WITH A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE AND A HOME MOVIE, OUR 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF WHEN WE STARTED GOING TOGETHER. WE WERE THIRTEEN AND FOURTEEN, A SMALL COUNTRY SCHOOL, [13 IN MY GRADUATION CLASS IN 1956] . I WAS A FRESHMAN, HE WAS A SOPHMORE, AND WE MARRIED MAY 7TH OF 1956. THAT WAS ONE WEEK BEFORE I GRADUATED. WE NEVER DATED ANYONE ELSE. IN THIS DAY AND TIME, WE DESERVE THE CHAMPAGNE!!!! EVERYBODY SMILE WITH US!!!!


daniel cabrera   February 14th, 2009 9:51 pm ET

And finally, the so called 'STIMULUS' – (a TROJAN HORSE TOOL CONDUCTED TO THE DEMISE THE DOWNFALL OF OUR NATION ) .... so finally is in place.

CORRUPTION SERVED WELL AND THE PEOPLE STILL DECEIVED AND STILL IN LETATRGIC 'OBAMANIZING PSEUDO-HYPNOTIC TRANCE'.

So, Sen Gregg pull out from the 'game' right?,….I wander,…did he see/discover something VERY BAD (going on and more forcoming) that scared him to chills, and do not want any part on it?

We are talking CORRUPTION, RIGHT?

I wander IF exist the POSSIBILITY that Specter, Snowe, and Collins, did receive BRIBE FOR TO SUPPORT THIS STIMULUS YUNK,….COULD IT BE? OR NOT?

You know, CORRUPTION WHICH IS LARGELY SPREADED LIKE WEALTH NOWADAYS, SEEMS TO BE VIRTUALLY ACCEPTED AS A PATERN OF ‘NORMAL CONDUCT FOR POLITICIANS’

As result everyone knows how it goes :… ‘how’ the past elections were ‘won’,…and the CALIBER of somes the present INTEGRANTS at the PRESIDENTIAL CABINET. Not to mention that the original CROOKS and THIEVES that promote the fiasco in our economy (FANNIE, FREDDIE, AND THE PEOPLE INVOLVED – WE ALL KNOW THE EVENTS).

America is not at it’s best,…and that, we all can tell is for sure,….and the bottom line is CORRUPTION! …. CORRUPTION=DESTRUCTION

We the voters, should not, and MUST NOT ! ALLOW THIS TO CONTINUE. LET’S BE HONEST AND CORRECT WITH OURSELVES,BECAUSE PEOPLE,…THE LEADERS AT HELM ARE NOT !

THE SIGNS ARE CLEAR

Obama and his gang deceived the public,'since moment one'... and the practice continues.
Because the elocuency IS so convincing the many people still swallowing the PROMISES ...NEVER ACCOMPLISHED – AND NEVER WILL BE !

A president that does not comply with what he said. A cabinet loaded with CORUPTEND ELEMENTS,...and so, .... private asset,census, free speech,and other socio-factors dynamics, and not to mention the so called 'TRANSPARENCY',...all that and more, going under the SAME TWISTED ANTI-AMERICAN/OR UN-AMERICAN VECTORS.

WHAT IF one day there is an statement from White House in this manner?

"PEOPLE OF UNITED STATES, EFFECTIVELY IMMEDIATELY, WE ARE A DICTATORSHIP/TOTALITARIAN NATION, WITH SOCIALILSM-MARXIST REGIME SPECTRUM.....NO FREE SPEECH, AND THE AS WE STARTED PREVIOUSLY, NOW THE GOVERNMENT OWNS ALL THE PRIVATE ASSET, AND IN DOING SO WE START THE NEW ORDER!...NEXT STOP, COMMUNISM !"

How about that people?;.....did anyone vote for this in the past fraudulent elections?

Does anyone out there wish to have a TIME MACHINE to go back in time and undo the PATHETIC, FRAUDULENT election outcome? Well,...surprise!, surprise! we do not have the technology , not just yet,...so try to doit beter for the next elections , IF WE EVER GET INTO ANOTHER ONES ! (???)

DC,Merrillville, IN


Greg Smedal   February 15th, 2009 11:06 am ET

With respect to the "octomom" Sulaman story, even more strange than her apparent similarities to Angelina Jolie I think she looks remarkably similar to certain pictures of "The Monalisa" Also if she claims that she will be with her children as she stated,to love and nurture them then, is she going to bring all fourteen children to college classes with her?


Donna   February 15th, 2009 10:03 pm ET

I wish most of them republicans, and the rich people would leave our president Obama alone. he is doing a great job with the mess the republicans left us. have'nt you noticed how many coniving, fraudulant people everywhere are falling from their grace? too bad for you !


Walt Fielding   February 16th, 2009 7:32 am ET

Whatever happen to PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)? All the people paying money into PMI for what. I thought PMI was suppose to protect the lender in case of default on the loan. Where did all this PMI money go?


paul blackwell   February 16th, 2009 7:40 am ET

can any one tell me what john mccain means when he says we should buy up all the bad mortgages and give them back to the people that can afford them does this make sense to any one on this planet


Lucilla   February 16th, 2009 9:01 am ET

Every day I watch the news as I get ready for work. I work two jobs to take care of my family and live at the level that I am comfortable at. I have a problem with the foreclosure bailout. When we built our house, we built what we could afford. Would I have liked a bigger house? Sure! But common sense says to buy what one of us could afford if something happened and one of us lost our job. Everyday I hear people talking about not paying their house payment because the government is going to fix it for them. Some even shifting their payments into saving accounts to await when they will start paying again. AT A LOWER RATE! We have made every payment on time. Never been late. BUT we will be required to pay our payments at a higher interest rate, while the slugs get a lower rate and a helping hand to stay in the house they can't afford. WHat is wrong with this country?


Bill Williams   February 17th, 2009 7:33 am ET

About the stimulus bill, I dont see a thing that helps the
everyday , person trying to survive, Ispent several of
hours reading that thing and nowere did i find any-
thing that remotely helps my or anyone i know,
situation, such as were am i going to get help on
paying my bills. the average person working the every
day job see"s a 13 dollor increase on a paycheck while
they average bill goes up 43%. that only comes to $5
increase that times 4wks is 20.00 a mounth while my bills go
up 8% that means we were better off than before the sti-
mulus, or should we say stump-us bill,


Jimmy Schultz   February 17th, 2009 7:40 am ET

The sad truth to any stimulus package is that it will benefit certain companies and not the majority of the American people. Any stimulus package is bound to fail because the former administration failed to take action by denying that we were in a recession. Why hasn't the government thought about giving the roughly 2 trillion plus dollars they have spent or are proposing to spend, to the people. This money should be distributed to the 200 million individuals filing tax returns. This is an estimated 10K dollars per tax payer. If each person received 10k, this would turn allow them to keep their houses, cars, provide food and clothing for their families, keeping the banks, department stores, automakers all in business. Now that's stimulus!


Patricia Edwards   February 17th, 2009 12:01 pm ET

I am sick and tired of hearing about the stimulus package. $7.00 a week in y our paycheck is not going to do anything for anyone. Give that to the bankers and the car manufacturers. I'm also sick of hearing about people losing their homes like Ed Sullivan and a lady on CNN today whose home was worth $800.000.00. My home of 30 years is worth $113,000.00 and next year I will lose it. I am a handicapped senior whose husband of 20 years raped my daughter, was prosecuted, and was to spend not day one in jail. He took bankruptcy and never paid bill one. I was left an emotional mess with three children to raise there was no welfare or any help for me and sill is not. Nobody gives a damn so quit the crying for people who can affor $800,000.00 homes. CNN is as out of touch with the people as our politicians are.


OB, Defender of the Universe   February 17th, 2009 1:13 pm ET

I love how Republicans are all of a sudden fiscally responsible. Haha did I miss something? Those clowns in the senate and house gave Bush a blank check for 8 years and now we are all stuck with the bill. Now they want to oppose a stimulus package which will try and correct some of the mistakes they caused in the past.

They will whine and pout and point out that this package doesn't show enough bi-partisin initiative (which is nothing more than political positioning for future political battles they are planning). Well maybe thats the point. We tried it one way for 8 years and now we want to switch things up. Maybe repeating mistakes of the past isn't the way to go. I don't know if this package is the end all in fixing the economy but I know it's better than what has been going on for the last 8 years. Nothing. I know that one mans pork is another man's stimulus. it all depends who you ask.

Both the Elephants and Donkeys sit back with no ideas until one comes along that might have legs. If it's not their own party's idea they quickly oppose it and offer no alternative solutions. Both sides are guilty of this. It's why I like guys who vote against their own party. It makes me believe they have an actual viewpoint on the subject, one which hasn't been force fed to them.

Either way we are better off without Bush or McCain on office. Bush can't balance a checkbook and McCain hasn't been stimulated in 20 years. McCain is a war hero. Well so is my grandfather but I wouldn't want him at 80 years of age running my government either.

Give Obama time to work people. He will make mistakes but how he adapts to mistakes will be the true judge of where we are headed as a Country.


bollygirl   February 20th, 2009 9:25 am ET

Keith, I am new to this site and your blog made me laugh out loud.
Keep writing and i'll keep reading.


Dean   February 23rd, 2009 1:28 am ET

On Friday I saw an article on cameras on every corner in some city; I say thats just fine it will help catch criminals. As long as the cameras can not see or hear into private residents or private businesses ie it can be seen in public, the camera should be loud in the area also.


Stacy H   February 24th, 2009 12:18 am ET

I am asking a question! Wall street wants the money with no strings attached. As long as they don't get it they will hold us hostage! The banks want the money without no strings attached! They will hold us hostage! Everyone seems to want billions and trillions without no strings attached. It is like we are held hostage by the banks and wallstreet. Can we not say the truth? I am getting robbed by my neighbor for my ignorance of my 2nd ammendment rights. I am being robbed by neighbor for my ignorance of my self preservation rights! I am also being robbed by my ignorance of my bypartisan rights. As a people we are being robbed at every turn! We no longer have freedom! Voice and yet other wise! What are we going to do when the poor and underclass get tired of this? These things will effect our economy! Things are only going to get worse. What are we going to do when people, I mean that 20% or that 20 million start rioting in our cities, and crime takes an expected effect. These are not my predictions these are the top ecomomist predictions. What will all these congressmen, senators, representitives, and our own president do? I am terrified! Ya'll better figure out something soon!


Paul c-bus   February 25th, 2009 11:46 pm ET

I was just watching the local evening news 10 tv. They just reported that the toledo zoo is asking for 10 million dollars of the stimulus package for a NEW hippo and elephant exhibit. ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!! I think there are a couple more important things. If not I'll take a million to build a new dog house, some land for him to roam and do his buisness. I'll even maintain the grounds. Way to go ohio.


Brian, Detroit, MI   March 3rd, 2009 1:39 am ET

I already sent my Cita $100 in Valentine's day gifts. I hope she loves them. She is Mexican and yes, I found her on the internet, what of it.


Bill   March 6th, 2009 9:28 am ET

l spent Valentines day with the love of my life, Amy, Telling her, as I do every day that I love her and will tell the world that. Are you listening world? it has been 7 years and I love her more everyday. I wish that everyone could find this kind of love.



subscribe RSS Icon
About this blog

It's Morning Express like you've never seen it before! Hear from Robin Meade and the rest of the show crew for our thoughts on everything from politics to sports... to those bizarre stories that have us buzzing behind the scenes. Plus, plenty of material you might not see on the air. Don't miss OUR TAKE on what's happening in the world. Then tell us YOURS!

Contributors
Robin Meade
Delivering your dose of morning news, to get you out of bed and off to work.
Robin Meade
Bob Van Dillen
From tracking storms to airport delays, Bob is your weather and travel expert.
Bob Van Dillen
Jennifer Westhoven
Jennifer has the tips you need to take action on stories affecting your wallet.
Jennifer Westhoven
Categories