Joseph Spence Is Telling You Why

Yes ... I believe he is.

................. Ruprecht (STOP)

2 Quarters, 2 Dimes

You have to pause for a second and consider the ramifications of the above image. I've provided a few below ... and it's by no means an exhaustive list:

• The paper it was printed on ...
• The ink used to print it ...
• The machinery used to create it...
• The manner in which it was processed ...
• The many hands it took to handle it ...
• The envelope it came housed in ...
• The stamp which enabled its journey ...
• The method in which it was delivered ...
• The entire history of this one single item ...

I'm going to stop this process right here, right in the middle of its tracks.

You see, I think it's rather ridiculous for it to continue its natural course. A seemingly logical conclusion will just have to be cut off at the knees.

And I don't think it will hurt one whit ...

................. Ruprecht (STOP)

Lunar Eclipse

I wish I could have been there ... but the text message was just as good ...

Daughter: "I saw a lunar eclipse it was awesome!!!!!"

Father: "Very cool! I couldn't see it. Too many clouds here. What did it look like?"

Daughter: "It looked like an orange smiling at u ..."

................. Ruprecht (STOP)

The Best Comment Ever

An associate of mine (I hear he's a fine, upstanding young man) received the following comment.
He got a gold star for recognition.
I unabashedly take the comment - in its entirety and exactly as received - and post it below for your dining and dancing pleasure.

Happy reading.

................. Ruprecht ( STOP )

"Hello there, simply was aware of your blog thru Google, and found that it is truly informative. I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will be grateful when you continue this in future. Many folks will likely be benefited from your writing. Cheers!
It's perfect time to make some plans for the long run and it's time to be happy. I've read this submit and if I may just I desire to suggest you few fascinating things or suggestions. Maybe you can write next articles relating to this article. I want to learn more issues about it!
Nice post. I used to be checking continuously this weblog and I'm impressed! Very useful information specifically the remaining section :) I maintain such information much. I was looking for this certain information for a very lengthy time. Thanks and best of luck.
hey there and thanks in your information ? I've definitely picked up something new from proper here. I did however expertise some technical points using this web site, as I skilled to reload the web site a lot of instances previous to I could get it to load correctly. I have been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but slow loading cases instances will often affect your placement in google and can injury your high quality ranking if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my e-mail and can glance out for a lot more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..
Excellent goods from you, man. I have take into account your stuff prior to and you are simply extremely fantastic. I actually like what you've acquired here, really like what you're stating and the way by which you are saying it. You're making it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read far more from you. This is actually a great website.
Pretty great post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have truly loved surfing around your blog posts. After all I'll be subscribing on your rss feed and I am hoping you write again soon!
I like the helpful information you provide on your articles. I'll bookmark your blog and test once more here frequently. I'm somewhat certain I will learn many new stuff proper here! Best of luck for the following!
I feel this is among the so much significant information for me. And i'm glad reading your article. However want to observation on few common issues, The website style is perfect, the articles is actually nice : D. Good job, cheers
We're a gaggle of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with useful information to work on. You've performed a formidable process and our whole community will probably be thankful to you.
Undeniably consider that which you said. Your favourite reason seemed to be at the web the easiest thing to take into account of. I say to you, I certainly get irked at the same time as other folks think about worries that they plainly do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and defined out the entire thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thank you
This is really attention-grabbing, You are an excessively skilled blogger. I have joined your feed and look ahead to in search of extra of your magnificent post. Also, I have shared your web site in my social networks
Hello There. I discovered your weblog the usage of msn. This is an extremely neatly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to learn more of your useful info. Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
I beloved up to you will receive carried out proper here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. however, you command get bought an nervousness over that you would like be turning in the following. in poor health surely come more previously again since precisely the same just about very incessantly inside of case you defend this increase.
Hello, i feel that i saw you visited my site thus i came to go back the favor?.I am trying to in finding things to enhance my website!I guess its ok to make use of some of your ideas!!
Just desire to say your article is as astounding. The clearness to your put up is simply great and that i could think you're knowledgeable in this subject. Well with your permission let me to take hold of your feed to keep up to date with forthcoming post. Thanks 1,000,000 and please keep up the enjoyable work.
Its like you read my thoughts! You appear to grasp so much approximately this, like you wrote the ebook in it or something. I feel that you could do with some percent to pressure the message home a little bit, but other than that, this is fantastic blog. A fantastic read. I'll certainly be back.
Thank you for the good writeup. It in truth was a amusement account it. Glance complex to more delivered agreeable from you! However, how could we communicate?
Hi there,  You've done a fantastic job. I'll definitely digg it and individually suggest to my friends. I'm sure they'll be benefited from this website.
Wonderful beat ! I would like to apprentice while you amend your website, how could i subscribe for a weblog web site? The account helped me a appropriate deal. I were tiny bit familiar of this your broadcast provided vivid transparent idea
I'm extremely impressed together with your writing skills as neatly as with the structure to your weblog. Is that this a paid subject matter or did you customize it yourself? Either way stay up the excellent quality writing, it's uncommon to see a nice blog like this one these days..
Attractive element of content. I just stumbled upon your site and in accession capital to say that I get in fact loved account your weblog posts. Anyway I'll be subscribing in your feeds or even I fulfillment you get right of entry to persistently quickly.
My brother suggested I may like this web site. He was once totally right. This publish actually made my day. You cann't believe just how a lot time I had spent for this information! Thank you!
I don't even know the way I ended up right here, however I thought this post was great. I don't know who you're but definitely you are going to a famous blogger in the event you aren't already. Cheers!
Heya i'm for the primary time here. I found this board and I to find It truly useful & it helped me out much. I'm hoping to present one thing back and aid others like you helped me.
I was suggested this web site by way of my cousin. I am not certain whether this publish is written via him as no one else recognise such certain approximately my difficulty. You're wonderful! Thanks!
Great blog here! Additionally your site quite a bit up very fast! What host are you the use of? Can I get your associate link for your host? I desire my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
Wow, superb weblog layout! How long have you been running a blog for? you make blogging look easy. The entire look of your web site is excellent, let alone the content!
I'm now not certain the place you're getting your information, however good topic. I must spend some time learning more or working out more. Thank you for great info I was in search of this info for my mission.
You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation but I in finding this topic to be really something which I think I might by no means understand. It kind of feels too complex and extremely huge for me. I am taking a look ahead to your next put up, I'll try to get the grasp of it!
I've been browsing online more than 3 hours as of late, but I by no means discovered any interesting article like yours. It is pretty worth sufficient for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the net will be much more useful than ever before.
I do believe all the concepts you have introduced to your post. They are very convincing and can certainly work. Still, the posts are too brief for novices. Could you please prolong them a bit from subsequent time? Thanks for the post.
You can certainly see your skills in the paintings you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren't afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
I will right away seize your rss feed as I can not in finding your email subscription hyperlink or newsletter service. Do you have any? Kindly let me know in order that I may just subscribe. Thanks.
A person necessarily help to make severely posts I might state. This is the first time I frequented your web page and thus far? I surprised with the research you made to create this actual put up incredible. Magnificent activity!
Magnificent website. A lot of useful info here. I am sending it to some pals ans additionally sharing in delicious. And obviously, thanks on your sweat!
hi!,I love your writing so so much! proportion we keep up a correspondence extra about your post on AOL? I require an expert in this space to unravel my problem. Maybe that is you! Having a look forward to peer you.
Amazing things here. I'm very satisfied to peer your post. Thanks so much and I am having a look ahead to touch you. Will you please drop me a mail?
I just could not leave your website prior to suggesting that I extremely loved the usual information a person provide in your visitors? Is going to be back ceaselessly to check up on new posts
You are really a good webmaster. The web site loading speed is amazing. It kind of feels that you are doing any distinctive trick. In addition, The contents are masterpiece. you've done a excellent task in this matter!
Thank you a bunch for sharing this with all people you actually know what you are speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my website =). We will have a hyperlink alternate agreement among us
Terrific work! That is the type of information that are meant to be shared across the web. Disgrace on Google for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and seek advice from my web site . Thanks =)
Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your site accidentally, and I am stunned why this twist of fate didn't happened in advance! I bookmarked it.
I have been exploring for a little for any high-quality articles or weblog posts in this sort of area . Exploring in Yahoo I ultimately stumbled upon this site. Studying this info So i am glad to show that I've a very excellent uncanny feeling I found out exactly what I needed. I so much no doubt will make certain to do not disregard this website and provides it a look on a continuing basis.
Woah this weblog is excellent i really like reading your posts. Keep up the good paintings! You realize, a lot of people are hunting round for this information, you can aid them greatly.
I appreciate, lead to I discovered exactly what I used to be looking for. You have ended my 4 day long hunt! God Bless you man. Have a nice day. Bye
Thank you for some other fantastic post. Where else may anybody get that type of information in such an ideal means of writing? I have a presentation subsequent week, and I'm on the look for such information.
It's actually a nice and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Wonderful put up, very informative. I'm wondering why the opposite specialists of this sector don't understand this. You must proceed your writing. I am confident, you have a huge readers' base already!|What's Taking place i'm new to this, I stumbled upon this I have discovered It positively useful and it has helped me out loads. I'm hoping to give a contribution & aid other users like its aided me. Great job.
Thanks , I've recently been looking for information approximately this subject for a while and yours is the best I have came upon so far. However, what concerning the conclusion? Are you certain concerning the source?|What i don't realize is actually how you are not really much more well-appreciated than you may be right now. You are so intelligent.
You understand thus considerably relating to this subject, produced me individually consider it from a lot of numerous angles. Its like men and women don't seem to be interested until it is one thing to do with Lady gaga! Your personal stuffs great. All the time maintain it up!
Normally I do not read article on blogs, but I would like to say that this write-up very pressured me to take a look at and do so! Your writing taste has been surprised me. Thanks, quite great article.
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this article is amazing, great written and include almost all significant infos. I'd like to peer extra posts like this .
certainly like your website but you have to take a look at the spelling on several of your posts. Many of them are rife with spelling problems and I to find it very bothersome to inform the truth then again I will definitely come back again.
Hi, Neat post. There is an issue with your web site in web explorer, may check this? IE nonetheless is the market chief and a big component to people will pass over your excellent writing because of this problem.
I've learn several excellent stuff here. Definitely price bookmarking for revisiting. I surprise how much effort you set to create one of these wonderful informative web site.
Good day very nice site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Wonderful .. I'll bookmark your blog and take the feeds also?I am glad to seek out so many useful information here within the publish, we want develop more techniques in this regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
It is really a great and useful piece of information. I am glad that you simply shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Fantastic points altogether, you just received a logo new reader. What might you suggest about your publish that you simply made a few days in the past? Any positive?
Thanks  for some other informative blog. Where else may just I am getting that type of information written in such an ideal manner? I have a undertaking that I am just now running on, and I have been at the glance out for such info.
Hi there, I discovered your site by way of Google whilst searching for a comparable subject, your website came up, it appears to be like good. I have added to favourites|added to my bookmarks."

Please Observe Frantically

"Welcome to day one of National Lose Your Mind Month And A Half, when nothing aside from freaking out over the holidays is accomplished."

- Clark Brooks

................................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Cup 'O Meat™

................................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

This Could Be What The Beginning Of Alzheimer's Looks Like ...

Not long ago, I was helping to cook dinner. A television was sounding off in the background behind me with some program that caught my attention, an intense situation or other which triggered a thought:

"You know what I ended up falling to sleep to last night?" I asked my cousin who was preparing one thing while I was preparing another. "No Country For Old Men, with Javier Bardem playing that strange Anton Chigurh character. I only caught a bit of it, but what I saw was interesting."

She replied: "Wait ... isn't that that movie with that cowboy guy? Kind of grizzled? Chased Harrison Ford in The Fugitive?"

"Yes, it was."

"What's his name?"

"The guy who was after Harrison Ford?"

"Yeah."

"Hmmmmmmmm ... he's on the tip of my tongue. Just can't place his name. And he's been in everything. Damn! Now that's going to bug me until I figure it out."

"I'll just go look it up on the computer."

"No! I need to figure it out for myself! Don't go look. It'll come to me."

We belabored the question in a myriad of ways. We shot off movie after movie after movie after movie trying to figure out who he was. (Of course, it was Tommy Lee Jones we were thinking of, but we just couldn't put our collective finger on his name.) Men In Black, Rules Of Engagement, Space Cowboys, Batman Forever, Natural Born Killers, JFK, Lonesome Dove ... nothing. We just couldn't place it. Cripes ... we even went back so far as Barnaby Jones where he played a doctor. Still didn't trigger any memory.

My cousin gave in first and headed for the computer. "Don't you dare tell me who it is, cheater!" I yelled after her.

She came back a minute later with a Cheshire Cat grin on her face. "You're going to die when you hear who it is ..."

"Don't! Don't you even think about it! Don't tell me who it is! I've at least remembered he has a unique name of some sort ... I think he goes by three names or something." I was pretty confident on that part.

But, as hard as I set my mind to the task, my mind was a desert.

"I'm telling you who it is," my cousin told me.

I glared at her.

"It's Tommy Lee Jones."

"Gaaaaaah ... !!! That's who it is!" I exclaimed. "I knew that ... !!!"

"Wait," she said: "What movie were you talking about he was in again?"

................................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

10 Years Ago ...

The morning of September 11th, 2001, I was at home.

Home was 3565 Saddleback Road in Park City, Utah

The television was on, my wife and I were watching incredulously at the horrors unfolding before us ... the newscasts ... the reactions ... the images.

I remember playing with my daughters. I thought about my youngest daughter - not yet a year old at the time - and what kind of world she wouldn't know as a result of the day. I remember my eldest daughter and I petting her cat, Stigma. It was a very reflective moment, playing with her, watching her watch her cat.

I remember going outside and looking up at the sky that afternoon and marveling at the planeless sky above me.

I remember reciting a silent prayer to God asking for him to watch over all the people touched by the tragedies of the day ... I did that several times during the day.

And I know He heard me.

................................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Independence Day

"I pledge allegiance to the flag
Of the United States of America,
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all."

................................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Thank You, Men & Women Of The Armed Forces

(The following was originally published on September 11th, 2010. Given today's announcement, I thought a repeat was completely appropriate ...)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I wasn't necessarily looking for inspiration today.

I just figured it would come from out of the blue somewhere.

Sure enough ..... it did.

Boomer
God Bless America

withthebanned
Land that I love

Zoiks
stand beside her

Darmon
And guide her

Boomer
through the night

Boomerette
with the light from above

Darmon
From the mountains, to the prairies

Zoiks
To the oceans, white with foam

Ruprecht
God Bless America. *Our* home sweet home.

Boomer
nicely done (*second verse, same as the first*)

................................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

New Word

... epigrammatic ...

................................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Fooling Myself

It'd been a while since I had eaten.

I didn't do dinner the night before and it was only coffee that morning, so I was hungry. I had several errands to run and thought I would just grab something on the fly.

The problem however was that between work and my destinations the quick in-and-out food purchasing options were practically nil. With the exception of my old nemesis: McCrappage.

*sigh*

Begrudgingly, I pulled into the drive-thru line and decided on a chipotle Angus burger. How bad could it really be? I'd had the mushroom and swiss Angus concoction previously and it was passable. I noted on one of the decorative lawn signs beside the order kiosk a picture with the burger I wanted spilling out red onion, so I made certain to place my order sans condiment. I don't like red onion. Matter'n fact, I verified it with the guy who took my request.

This may have been a mistake.

You see: While the burger was tasteless ... while the bacon on the burger had an inclination toward cardboardy-ness ... while I was thankful the overly pungent chipotle sauce slathered on the sandwich at least gave it some sort of flavor, I believe the red onion I asked to be held may have actually made the meal appreciative. Because, let me tell you something: This particular lunch? One I'll tuck in the back of my mind as a "order if desperate only" selection.

I keep fooling myself food at McCrappage will be good. It has to be every once in a while ... right? Especially if you're famished ... right? Anything's good when you're famished ... right? Right?

Right ... ?!?

Bueller??? Bueller ... ???

................................... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Customer Service Done Right

This is the way it should be done:

I ventured into Claro's Italian Market early Saturday afternoon to pick up a couple sandwiches my cousin ordered. I was greeted by a full house, everybody and his brother seemingly "shopping Italian", looking for authentic foodstuffs for the weekend ... or to possibly whip up that special Valentine's meal two days hence.

Wandering over to the deli counter, I realized I needed to grab a number for "more efficient service". Understand, this isn't your standard "gimme half a pound of mortadella" and you're out the door; the folks purchasing meats and cheeses and whatnot linger and consider and question. So, if you're in a hurry, Claro's isn't the best choice for you to get in, get out.

A good 12 minutes in, my number was finally called: "Number 76!" by a loud and bit gruff deli dude. I tossed my number in a throw-away bucket and told him I was here to pick up a call-in order.

"Dude: You should have told me as soon as you got here ... you didn't have to wait around," he stated. As it turned out, it wouldn't have made a difference as they hadn't even started the sandwiches called in 30 minutes prior.

"Look ... sorry ... let me do this: I have some excellent roast beef on the slicer. Want a sample?" He was obviously in a mode to make up for the faux pas.

"Only if you have a little horseradish jack you can slap atop it," I commented.

"Done," he answered.

Inside 15 seconds, I was munching on a thinly sliced, rolled up layer of roast beef with an equally thin slice of exquisite tangy white jack nestled within. It was deli heaven.

"Isn't that outstanding?" he cajoled. "Now, I don't know about you, but make a grilled cheese out of that particular jack, add some hot tomato soup along with it and you have something satisfying." He slapped the counter. "Your sandwiches will be up in a minute ..."

But, before he left, I told him: "You know, you're good, you. You're a salesman. And not in a bad way. Give me a quarter pound of beef and cheese, please."

He smiled. "Thanks. Tell my boss I'm good. He's right behind you, down the aisle there ..."

I proceeded to do just that. I walked half an aisle down and confronted his superior while he took care of my order. His boss looked up as I approached, seeing I wanted his attention.

"Hey guy ... I just wanted to let you know: That gentleman there?" I pointed at him behind the counter "He's good. You might want to keep him around for a while."

The Boss smirked. "Good to hear. Because I was gonna fire his ass at the beginning of the week. Thanks." We both smiled at each other and as I returned to the counter, I was handed my sandwiches and my meat and cheese, professionally, tightly and neatly wrapped.

And that's what customer service is all about: Servicing the customer. Pleasantly offering advice ... samples ... friendliness to a stranger ... unencumbered assistance.

Deli Dude did his job and knew he did it well, made an extra little sale to boot.

And I got something I wasn't expecting: Faith and assurance there are still people out there who know how to work customer service in the big, bad world ...

............... Ruprecht ( STOP )

People Are People …

There are certain things said which are totally worth it.

This is one of those things …

............... Ruprecht ( STOP )

Better

You know what would make this show better?

If the name was changed to:

“Million Dollar Monkey Drop”

............... Ruprecht ( STOP )

I Think Her Name Was 'Dakota'

Today, as I sat and ate lunch in my car, I saw a woman sitting on a bench waiting for a bus.

And she was good.

How good was she? You be the judge:

It was about 59°F degrees outside. Yet she was in a bare-armed tanktop, she was continually drinking from a soft drink container and she fanned herself incessantly.

As a matter of fact, after about 5 minutes of fanning, she put on a big, bulky jacket ... apparently because she grew cold from all the fanning she did.

I mean … this woman was that good …

............... Ruprecht ( STOP )