You blasted kids!

"Oh look! He posted something!"

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I hear ya.

So... these internets are getting hotter than Elizabeth Shue on any day that ends in Y with this bit about Professor F-Bomb over at the University of Iowa. Our homey jomey from Wyoming ERR Ankeny, C-Raig Robinson at the TIR had a good bit on it. That's a hell of a lot of comments there, sir.

Anyways... I went to the U of I and was active in CRs there as well... so anytime I see that the ole UICRs making the news, my ears perk up. Now, back in the day... we weren't exactly as loud as thems kids are today. Hell, we were more worried about working for campaigns and finishing our meetings on time so we could hit the Airliner for "Flip Night"... (a pitcher and cup, aye there Caleb?)...

So... turns out the UICRs have this "Conservative Coming Out Week" thinger. And they got to send a blast email approved to go campus wide to tells thems kids all about it. Wow, times sure have changed, right? Then blah blah blah... the blast goes out and blah blah blah... some uberlefty professor starts doing her best Cee Lo Green impersonation via email.

The blogs pick the story up and then Fox News does a thinger. Pretty cool stuff for a student organization stunt that got someone a little more cranky when they screw up their organic moca cafe way too expensive coffee at Starbucks. Even I, of all people, took a minute to put some words together to form sentences over this. Yeah, I know, weird, right?

Then these comment sections start blowing up on the blogs, news sites... ect. And, in the political age we live in now... the Ben Franklin/John Hancock wannabes and crunchy elderly former hippy burn outs begin an epic debate over the Constitution... rights... blah blah blah blah...

Namely, Freedom of Speech.

Now, I'm no constitutional scholar, never claim to be, never went to law school or have any interest doing so otherwise. What can I say, I likes books with pictures.

But when peeps start turning into Legal Beagles, I turn to my lawyer and law school pals. I figure hey, they paid enough cabbage to learn it up... so I don't have to. Just like when they ask for my advice on being awesome. Kinda works out that way. It's the circle of life, Simba.

Then, when their super duper law school Someone v. Someone Supreme Court case speak gets my head spinning to the point where I think they're speaking Portuguese... That's when I turn to rants given by Dennis Miller... Because for some reason, he puts things in ways that I can understand them.

So check out this video... my favorite is his explanation of the first two amendments... right around the 52 second mark. Enjoy and stay thirsty...

QCI Twitter Event: Party Like It's 1999

Hey. How’s it going? Yeah, yeah, yeah… long time, no talk. I hear ya. Anyways… incase you missed it, and judging by the tweets, you have. Turns out that Chris Cizzilla, AKA the Fix from the Washington Post is bringing his monthly “Politics and Pints” to the Hawkeye State on August 10th. These monthly events are usually held at one of our favorite DC hangouts, Capitol Lounge. Basically it’s a trivia night with beers and politicos… so you can see why we’re excited about this and that this event totally has our attention. Oh and by the way… QCI plans on fielding a team at this event… so EAT THAT Albrecht. So what’s up with this post? Well, we kind of got inspired by this event and idea… and decided to totally rip it off on the interwebs… (yes, I know, stay classy G$)…. Well, kind of… Anyways, last night my crack team over here at QCI HQ was digging through the G$ archives and found some files from the 1999-2000 Caucus season. Stuff like mail pieces… endorsement releases… some good old school stuff. This all kind of segwayed into another conversation we were having last night as well. It was the thought of the brain trust at the HQ that we are on the verge of everything really heating up… kind of like it was 12 years ago. Staffers are getting hired… activists are getting personal calls… and all over the Des Moines metro, office space is looking to get leased. Also, we’ve have been meaning to write the MUST IOWA TWITTER FOLLOWS (sigh… I know, yet another list). Iowa has a great political Twitterverse… So in a weird, organic, fun way…. We figured we could make it happen… just by having it happen, tonight. So, tonight… we thought we’d do a little tweetchat about the stuff we found moderated by yours truly. Think of tonight’s tweetchat as a… “Where Are They Now” meets political war story time at some table over at Wellman’s… make sense? Good. So here’s all the deets on tonight’s QCI Tweetchat…. WHAT: QCI Tweetchat – Let’s Party Like It’s 1999 WHERE: Twitter on the internets. Hashtag yer tweets with #partylikeits99. Or you can follow my feed on the right side WHEN: Tonight – 6ish to 7ish pm Iowa Time (that’s Central Time for you folks reading in Story City) WHO: Loyal readers, special guests and everyone in between. So see you all in a but… and as always… stay thirsty my friends.

People still read this?

So... how's everyone? Cool. Good to hear.

Um hey, I know. Longtime, no talk.

Working on a few things. I hope you all will like 'em. Like, liking 'em just as much as this rocking tune by a couple of fellas from Akron, OH.

Crank it up, real real loud. And stay tuned.

Tweet it like you mean it....

Is this how politics and social media works out sometimes? Hmmm… maybe.

Here’s how a little text messaging conversation went down with a pal of mine from DC. For some reason this makes me laugh. Probably because… most hacks are guilty of it. I can smell my own. Enjoy….


---

MY PAL: hey, give a little retweet love to my last tweet, yo.

ME: Oh. Nice nice. Astroturf much?

MY PAL: f*ck u

ME: Bwahahahahahahahaha

MY PAL: help a bro out dogg

ME: OK, I got you man. Tweet tweet Birdbrain.

MY PAL: u suck, but still the man. Thx.

ME: Astroturf!

MY PAL: shut it wise ass

ME: Youre welcome.

---

And… awe yes… with friends like these, who need enemies?

Just another bizarrely lived moment in my World.

Vote or Trash

"Those damn kids Barthy! Those Goddamn kids!"


You're picture of the day courtesy of a loyal QCI reader's Facebook album. For some reason I believe this picture is amazing.

It came with the caption...

"Even the street punks get political in Iowa."


Enjoy.

You never know what you're gonna see in Webster City...

OK... totally forgot to post this awesomeness for you Saturday during some doorknocking freedom fighting.... wait... I think I was having tech issues... Anyways... if you missed the Tweet from Mr. Clean aka the Birdman aka Wes-I-Am... here it is.

Didn't know Louie Vuitton did SUVs? Only in Webster City...

Enjoy....

Losing Your Phone is Goats

Alright back in the saddle here at the QCI HQ. I know... I kinda took a brake... well, it wasn't ERR or is kinda my fault. You see... I lost my Blackberry. That

I figure if I ever find some chick dumb enough to have a kid with me... and the said child went missing... I'm pretty sure this is what its like... and I'm as serious as a dry keg 4 hours before kick off. Not good dudes, not good at all.

After a couple of very well written hate messages to me.... hate in the sense of hating that I haven't posted in what seems like ages... I figured I try to start and get back to what we do well around here. Being nice and random. So let us begin.

THE PARTY - Dudes, last time I posted I was on my way to celebrate my 33rd time around the sun. It was awesome! And we raised some dough for the peeps. #goodjoboutofyou

DEBATES FREAKING EVERYWHERE - In case you've missed it... and judging by the empty stares you have... there's been a ton of debates. One that caught my eye was (naturally) the Zaun/Boswell one... Dudes... how desperate has Boswell been in this entire campaign. All of my favorable views of him have gone in the toilet. For real... turns out he's not you're grandpa... just another politician who will do anything to keep his seat and kick ass Congressional pentions. And can be a real jerk too. Who knew? High five Lenny... nah, middle finger to you Congressman. Thanks to you, you've turned this race more ugly than licking the floor of the Iowa State Fairgrounds Grandstands after a Michael Bolton concert. Yeah that ugly and tastes just as good as an isult to the process you have produced for the pass 5 months.

CULVER HAS A CHANCE! He so does! He's at a perfect 39%!!! Dudes! Momentum! Yeah...momentum. Can't wait until we fire up the ole Ganske for Senate Re-elect next cycle! Oh wait... yea... You can crank all the Journey you want pal, it ain't gonna happen. But the "Milk Party" vs Tea Party bit is cute. Um... sorry. Not really at all. I hear, DC and working in the administration is a nice transistion.

More stuff coming... I promise.... Until then, jam out to one of my new favorites... Danielle Ate The Sandwich!!! Stay thirsty my friends.

BREAKING NEWS: Vander Plaats will not return to the Cleveland Cavaliers

Holy smokes! Welcome to all the new readers of the World's Crappiest Blog. You may wanna come back and check this joint out once in a while. Because... sometimes we actually have some decent things here... but you will find out a couple of things if you do indeed become a QCI-der:

1. I really, really, really suck at grammar and spelling. My only defense is that it sounded really good in my head. Sometimes I forget to tell my fingers how to type.
2. While we'll talk a lot of politics and we're considered an "insider's blog"... a lot of time we straight up get random. Be prepared for junior high toilet humor, Chiefs updates and other completely off subject randomnous. And yes, that is how I spell the word.

Cool? Alright... how about a quick run through. OK. Good.

MEHLMAN POST - Thanks for all of the feed back. If you didn't check it out yet, click here or simply scroll down to the next post. From some of your emails and texts yesterday, some of you tried to name names. Or get me to say who I think it is. I'm being honest with you. We don't know who it is. This thing will just happen. Also, thanks for the kind notes on it. And yes, that’s Luke Roth on the left end of the picture on the post. Miss that dude.

BOBBY V - Let's talk a little local stuff. So Bob Vander Plaats is back in the news today. He's not running for Governor. He got a new job. And like Krusty, I'll say it. That's what this was about from the very beginning. Call me James Hetfield or Lars Ulrich because it’s Sad But True.

TODAY’S GINORMOUS ANNOUNCEMENT – So judging by the media types’ tweets, this was breaking news. Let me sum up most of these tweets in 140 characters of my own:

“HOLY BALLS! BREAKING NEWS!! VANDER PLAATS ISN'T RUNNING INDY!!! WOW!!!! NOT ENDORSING!!!! WOW!!!!!! HOLY BALLS, I NEVER SAW THIS COMING!!!!”

I can’t see so well. Do I have the number 85 on my shirt today? Because I’m gonna say, child please. Seriously media peeps? This entire Bob Vander Plaats exercise has been more ridiculously served with a LeBron James “Decision” on whole wheat Brett Favre bun slopped up with a side of Terrell Owens. Would anyone like a tack hammer for their head? Yes, have some.

THE MARRIAGE THINGER - Alright, this is starting to spin in my head a bit. Ew… I hate the spinnys. Anyway, so now there is this campaign to throw out judges. I guess this is how you can do this? Hey you political hacks out there… how many times since you’ve been in politics have you had to answer the question about the judges on the back of the ballot? How many of you have a decent answer to explain that?

Good. Thought so. Me neither. Good luck trying to make this translation to the average Joe Six Pack who makes his decision on a candidate because… well, that was the last yard sign they saw on the way to the polls. YES!!! SEE!!! I TOLD YOU YARD SIGNS WIN ELECTIONS!!!! Especially when you’re starting this a whole 90 some odd days out from the election, NOICE! Everybody, let’s give them a round of applause. Golf clap? Golf clap.

EPIC MOVIE NEWS - Dudes... Did you see this?!!! JACKASS 3D!!!!! OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG!!!!! OH. MAH. GAWD!!! If you haven't seen the trailer for it yet.... YouTube... oh and you're welcome. How is this relevant today's post? Hmmm... not sure. I guess there's just something about watching a bunch of dudes doing mindless stunts that puts things right in my head. Thus, makes it in the list of things that matter. Dudes... did I mention its in 3D. *head explodes*

AND FINALLY… How about some hip hop that makes you nod ya head when yous holler attin yo boys. Cranka it tup suckers! Stay thirsty my friends.

Just a few things...

QCI-ders... Lot's of stuff coming your way... less than 2 weeks to go for the big primary night. So here's a few quick things.

WILL FOLKS AND SOUTH CAROLINA - We're following this story now. We made a bet with ole Sic Willie of FITSNews on the Outback Bowl (Hawkeyes vs Gamecocks) a couple years back. Now he is in the middle of a scandal that is rocking the Palmetto State. Our position? We actually believe Folks on this one... Yups... I said it... Also, a sidenote... when "national leaders" like Sarah Palin comment on stories like this... It makes us take you 10 times less seriously.
POLK COUNTY DIN DIN - What up, what up! Newt's returnin' to the DeMo for the Polk County GOP Event. And what does the world's crappiest blog have for you? Well, a press pass... We'll be there with some live tweeters. So if you refuse to not participate in the social media thing... because you think you're cool... you can follow along on the right hand side of this blog.
WHAT TO WATCH FOR - At tonight's Polk County Thinger... there's gonna be peeps who are gonna focus on the whole Newt thing. We'll say it here first... he ain't runnin'. So if that's all you media types are gonna focus on... have at it hoss. The best peep watching will be the candidates and their teams... less than 2 weeks out... the faces of staff, volunteers... and yes the candidates themselves tell a lot... if you know what you're looking for.
YOU'RE PUTTING A LOT OF STOCK INTO THIS EVENT G$ - Yeah dude... this is Polk County. While the 98 counties of the rest of you hate to hear it... this is Polk effing County. It's 10% of the vote. Plus, I'll argue that this will be one of the most successful fundraisers in the history of the Polk County Party... hell, this is going to be the most successful county party fundraiser in the state. And by successful, I'm talking dollars... nice work DK.

More to come... see you on the Tweeters later... and of course... Stay thirsty my friends....

Strange, Book and National DK Day...

Oh look... the rain looks like it might wanna stop.

That's some good news!

Don't you just love it when you stumble upon awesome... Just straight out of no where? Yups... Happened to me last night.

WHEN YOU'RE STRANGE - Yeah man... Just minding my own business and totally stumbled upon a great documentary that I acutally been wanting to see. When You're Strange: a story about the Doors... Narrated by Johnny Depp. All actual footage... Great play by play of the 54 months the band was together. It came out earlier this year... It has been making its rounds at film festivals and was pleasantly surprised to see it on PBS last night. If you love the Doors, Jim Morrison, music history... Or just dig great documentaries in general... You should check it out Friday night or set your Tivos. Really well done.
EPIC BOOK UPDATE - My Book Team gave me the green light to share what's going on with my upcoming book... I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry That I'm Awesome. Freaking thing is very time consuming. But thanks for all the ideas and encouragement. I love it when I'm out with the peeps and they're all like, "Dude, is that going in th book?" Maybe? Ilm working on some of th illustrations now... Because you know, some peeps just like looking at the pictures. It's because I care. I'm a giver.

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... How did my 8th grade Lunch lady get Nominated to the Supreme Court?"

That's a little cold isn't it... wait... that's kind of hilarious. Sloppy Joe, Sloppy Sloppy Joe...

POLITICAL QUICK HITS - I figure we're a month away from the Primary here in the Hawkeye State... I should probably chrip a little more about it. Something that is catching my attention? Three things... And let me channel my inner Tim Russert... Ads, Ads and Ads. Statewide... Its Terry Branstad and Rod Roberts... Is BVP up yet? Let me know if I missed it. Here in the 3rd... Jim Gibbons and Brad Zaun are up. I think Gibbon's ad is very well done. I'm still undecided though. Out East... While I only get to see 'em via the web... Is Steve Rathje. I have no Dog in this one... But I'm impressed with his ad. Well done and very good message on jobs. I should say in full disclosure... I'm not an ad expert at all... But... I do watch a lot of TV... I don't even know what the hell I'm trying to say... Oh well.
IT'S NATIONAL DK DAY - Yes, one of the true Amreican Patriots... A True American Treasure... Epic Historian... Freaking Amazing Dude... and when someone has ever been refered to as one of the Good Guys... this dude is the prototype. Yes, he's our hero and its his birthday! Ginormous QCI shout out to our main man Darrell Kearney! Dude is 69 today... Wait... WHAT?!!!! THIS IS EFFING AWESOME! 69!!!!!! Yes yes yes yes yesssssssss! Here's to an epic day to you, sir.

AND FINALLY... This one needs no introduction... Stay thirsty my friends...

Harkin Shops and Sixteen is the New Ten...

I know... I know... this is the typical Iowan thing to say... but the weather... how much does it suck?

Yeah I agree... totally goats.

Alright... here's a handful of thoughts.

So why don't I just share them with the rest of the World on the interwebs?

OK, OK... calm down, I will.

TOM HARKIN DON'T BUY HIS GROCERIES IN IOWA - Yeah... it's true. How do I know this? See this article from the NYT. Hmmmmm... I wonder where the closest Whole Foods or Trader Joe's is to his post office box in Cumming? "Oh G$!! No one cares where he gets his groceries!" You know what? You might have a point... but I'm just saying... Anytime I happen to stop at Ingerdahls here in the DeMo, I always run into GMLB errr Leonard Boswell... pushing his cart and getting the stuff... Oh and Ingerdahls is in Iowa... you know... who he represents... What's Senator Harkin gonna say next? His favorite place to get gas is at a 7-11? C'mon son. *cough* Casey's *cough cough* Urgh... oh uh excuse me.
BIG TEN EXPANSION - Dudes... I'm kind of starting to get obsessed with this whole story. Hear me now and believe me later... Notre Dame will become a member of the Big Ten Conference and college sports as we know it will change forever. Oh and don't believe this Syracuse/Rutgers bit to get some sort of the New York TV share. It's not worth it... you'll get more views by adding Notre Dame than you would adding both schools combined. Trust me. My prediction/dream picks for Big Ten Expansion? Notre Dame, Missouri, Nebraska and Kansas.. The Domers... that's obvious. Mizzou... solidifies the STL market (and entire state) and swoops KC. The Huskers... just for the brand name and their loyal watching fans... KU... you finish off KC (entire state of KS) and like Nebraska, gives the academic angle. And in the end? You create a midwest superpower conference. No need to head East. I'll chirp more on this another time.

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... had the Eggplant parm at cafe de Scala over the weekend. can't stop thinking about it. i also have gnats in my office, and thats both bothersome and annoying. plus the jackass that lives behind me, put 'rain barrels' around his house. what a doucher."

In some strange way... I understand this update.

THE THINGS WE CHOOSE TO CARE ABOUT - I'm kind of news junkie... so I will admit... I might even be calling myself out with this. But... seriously kids... the things we choose to care about in this country can be absurd at times. Gossip and other non important things... But, I really don't thing people are getting it. Case in point... This oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Activists are screaming on both sides. Corporate execs are quickly coming up with excuses with their 200 lawyers in tow... Politicians are scrambling to score political points, blame past policies for this incident... oh and holding hearings. Hearings.... effing hearings. I've said it before and I'll say it until these numb nuts figure it out. How about we clean up the oil first? Am I completely off on this? Seriously.

AND FINALLY - For some reason on a rainy day this one treat me well. Awe the videos of the 90s... where being "alternative" was the new cool. Stay thirsty my friends.

Pink Buckets, Naughty Nurses & Getting a Little Political...

Hey QCI-ders... More frequent posts are on the way... I promise... No I'm effing serious (wink... *smirk*)...

Anyways... Lately I've noticed somethings as I have been out and about. So... here we are back to being random...

Which is how we like it... with a side of cheese whiz.

Let's tango sucka this random!

PINK BUCKETS - Anyone else disturbed about this KFC promotion? Eat a bucket of chicken to help beat breast cancer? Listen, I'm all for raising money to kick cancer's ass... but, isn't this kind of the backwards way? This gets a little more ridiculous when you find out that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women. You know... because Kentucky Fried Chicken is so good for your heart. SMH...
FRIEND FAIL - OK... so a buddy of mine who we'll leave nameless... was laid up for a couple of weeks... he wasn't doing so hot. But, he's back on the mend.... and getting better. And he was a little pissed at me. Here's how it goes down....

ME: Hey man, you seem pissed?
MY BUDDY: Um yeah man, just a little.
ME: What's up?
MY BUDDY: So I've been home, healin' up for the last two weeks.
ME: Yeah.
MY BUDDY: And no one, NO ONE ever thought of sending the naughty nurse from Ferris Bueller to my house?! No one!
ME: Awe crap... friend fail.

"I hear that you were feeling ill..." That bit never gets old...

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... wow, i really did a number on my hair this time. not a good look. i dont know why i like to drink and then cut my own hair. the only good thing about it is that my ear has finally stopped bleeding.."

Who is this guy... an 80 proof Van Gogh? Yessss.

HE'S POLITICAL - As ole C-Style says from time to time, "That Grant Young, he's political." So let's chirp about what's going on for a bit. We're getting to the final countdown... voting has actually begun... (that's absentee voting for you people in Story City trying to follow along). So it's on... Yes... we are doing a Gameday Primary Preview... the writers have been assembled. Yes, I know... we have been saying this. Who will be the mascot head? Stay tuned. So yeah... in the 3rd... Jim Gibbons has the airwaves burning... Brad Zaun has his peeps in the streets... Dave Funk is out campaigning hard. Out east... in the 2nd and 1st... some of you are having issues sending a simple press release. Listen... I'm no grammar king... I couldn't spell if my life depended on it... BUT, I know the clear difference between sending a release to the media... and something that doesn't even look close. Get it together turkeys... it makes us all look bad when you can't get this right... cool? Glad we coul have this talk. In other news... the biggest buzz I'm hearing from the ground is Brenna Findley. It's off the charts. Every single faction of the party is fired up about her. Let's put it this way... if the pulse of the party had trending Twitter topics... "Brenna Findley" would be trending... maybe more than Justin Bieber... wow... I just made a Justin Bieber/Twitter reference... sigh...
SPEAKING OF POLITICS - Alright... so this fundraising trend that was started by Ron Paul... called "Money Bombs"... Now called "Freedom Bombs" or "What ever the hell you want to call them Bombs"... You raise ten grand or something in one day. It's fun and a way to make a "call to action" for your peeps... But... can't we come up with a better name for these? Bombs? Surely we are more creative than that...
DISASTERS - Man... between Nashville and New Orleans... Good Lord... Hope you all are chipping in where you can. Oh and who's the blame for all of this? "G$! It's Dick Cheney and those evil oil people!" "G$! It's Al Gore and those pinko leftist wackos!" You know what? Both of you two sides... Why don't you just shut the eff up and start getting help to the people who need it... instead of figuring out who gets the most political chicken scatches at the end of the day.
EPIC MUSIC SUMMER IN THE DEMO - Dudes... the Black Keys are coming... yeah, I know! Oh wait... JJ Grey and Mofro playing on the river?!! I know! Modest Mouse?! FTW! Vanilla Ice!!!!!! Holy freaking crap!! The next thing you're gonna tell me is that Metallica is gonna play Hoyt Sherman. Now you're just messing with me.
NEW MEMBERS TO THE LBC - Hey kids... be sure to check out the Ryde or Fly blog. An epic blog that shares two gals' journey of finding the best chicken wings in the DeMo... while riding crappy bikes. The updates are hilarious and they know their stuff... so I added them to the LBC on the right hand side of the blog. Check it fools!

AND FINALLY... Let's get your weekend started right! Get this thing going man!!! Crank this up get out of your chair and start dancing around like Mick Jagger... Stay thirsty my friends.

Events and a Blue Octobus in the Bathroom...

What was were with all of these rallies yesterday?

(smirk)

Oh… yeah… oh I get it now. Random thought. Is it me or should every one have a blue octopus in their bathroom? No? I think it's kind of epic...

Alright... let's do it.

WHEN THE STARS ARE OUT – So took in the I-Cubs again the other night (don't judge me... dollar dollar hotdogs y'alls)… it was like a Laker Game in the DeMo… for politicos. Good to see everyone out. Thanks for all the shout outs.
FUNDRAISING – Lots and lots of chirping about the Federal Candidates out there on their dineros. QCI called one race earlier… (Bill Northey, with zero precincts reporting will be our Sec of Ag) But, we may be calling a few more soon.
ALL YOUR EVENTS BRING THE CANDIDATES TO THE YARD – Alright… there’s a ton of things to hit in the next few days… Out east… the Iowa Christian Alliance is having David Barton in the state, again… Here's the deets. The big event? Iowans for Tax Relief 's Taxpayers’ Day out on the northwest side of the DeMo. All the Gov peeps and the rest of the LBC will be in the house... And Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty… hmmm, wonder what he’s up to? (raised eyebrow and smirk) This is prolly one of the bigger events of the primary until the RPI Spring Event and/or District Conventions. QCI has scored a ticket and maybe a press pass?!! (another smirk) Looking forward to seeing QCI-ders get their political on. I will tweet some updates from the cheap seats… so if you can’t make it, but believe in the power of the Tweeple… follow me up here… or if you’re too cool for school when it comes to the Twitters… follow the live feed on the right hand side of this site. All the deets on this thinger are here. Another event is Tuesday… on 4/20… (straight face) and look who's back? Former New York Governor George Pataki. He'll will be over at the Embassy Suites over the noon hour to talk about repealing Obamacare... And maybe a Paul Revere ride? See you peeps there? Here's more info from D-Price.

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

“So and so… i would like to thank Giada and her giant de laurentis head for turning me onto Nutella. I simply cant stop eating it. plus the jars make great drinking glasses. I have a set of eight.”

Well… you got that going for you…

AND FINALLY… How about a little Linkin Park? You know… because of the nice weather lately. This one… just like Louie D’s Philly Steaks… is really effing good. Stay thirsty friends…

7 Globes and 3 Land Lines... Makes sense to me.

What's up?

Been making the rounds.... Having conversations with the people. Plus... some observations since the last time we chatted.

Let's do this.

IOWA NEWZ LITER - Met up with the King of Snark a few nights ago. Dude is off the chain. If you aren't reading his stuff... and/or adding it to your reads... you probably hate freedom. No seriously. Good stuff. Great tunes. And it will sometimes make Diet Coke come out of your nose... The Liter is in the LBC on the right hand side of this joint. Hit it up.
MICHAEL STEELE AND THE RNC - I'm 50/50 on this. Part of me cares because, you know... he's a leader of the national party. But the other side... I could care less. I mean to me, all politics is local... and I'll play the whole typical Iowan thing, "We don't need no outsiders tellin us what to do" bit. I tend to care more about what's going on here... Plus this is such an inside story... oh, and the whole spending money at a freaky deeky sex club? Meh... Could be worse... at least it wasn't taxpayer dollars... Other than that can we find better or important things to chirp about?
YARD SIGNS WIN ELECTIONS - Judging by the tweets and emails... its yard sign season. I'm going to let you all in on a very super huge winning campaign strategy. If you have more yard signs up than the other guy... you will win. It's true, they win elections. Door knocking? Yeah right... way overrated. Person to person contact? Child please, why would you do that. I'm telling you... yard signs. Effing yard signs. Everywhere. And you win. You should make sure everyone... Volunteers, staff and hell even the candidate... are just putting up yard signs. You don't even need to ask for permission. Just do it. Oh... and you're welcome.

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... would grow a Stanley Cup playoff beard but I'm pretty sure my contract requires me to not look destitute and pathetic."

Wha?! Playoff beards are epic. Check that... playoff mullets are better. Trust me I know these things.

REALLY? I'm pretty sure the folks at Westboro Baptist Church have weekly meetings with the one question... What event can we protest this week that will make us look like even bigger classless ass clowns?
THE $NACK$ - Dude. These guys are awesome. They are my new favorite local band. They are so off the chain. You try to tell me this isn't an epic band when they... Go from Sublime to the Bee Gees, from Led Zep to Brit Brit... and then the one that kills you every time... yups, Hall and Oates to Snoop Dogg. See? Told you. If you're out and about... and the $NACK$ are playing... don't leave that joint. It's alright... you can thank me later.
HECKLERS - I went to my first I-Cubs game in like 3 years. I know... by the 3rd inning I was asking myself, "How in the hell did it take me 3 years? And not go to a Cubs game?" Anyways... while all the seats are great... I'll argue the right field party deck/bleachers are where its at... just so you can listen to the hecklers. I learned a few new ways to say cuss words... without saying them. These guys are artists. I mean... what do you think these right fielders are thinking? "Hmmm... I make 36 grand a year to have some assholes from Des Moines yell insults at me for 9 innings." But... I'm pretty sure they've heard it all. If not... they will give you a thumbs up once in a while went someone belts out an original.

AND FINALLY... OK... so if you're going to cover one of the greatest songs of all time... you better do a good job with it. Enter Jimmie Inch... He effing crushes it. I mean... Dear Lord does he crush it hard. Do yourself a favor... watch this video. I know I've said crank your speakers before... but I'm serious on this one. Everyone in the listening range of this ear biscuit will thank you later. Hat tip to Tony Bohnekamp for posting this on FB. Amazing. Stay thirsty friends....

Debate, Tiger and it was an honest mistake...

Oh yeah... it's the month of April... which means things are getting... warmer and such. Well kind of.

We haven't talked about the regular stuff you all like... so lets chirp a but my fine feathered friends.

GOP GUV DEBATE - Caught a little of it... but saw most of the tweets. And here's my quick take. No changes in the game. BVP came out swinging (he had to)... but nothing much else. Other than the ugly podiums from the local station in Sioux City (those were hideous)... it was kind of oh hum. I blame the fact no one will really see this except for peeps in the Northwest... and junkies. A noon hour debate? C'mon son. Also...
DEAR KTIV- Yeah... you screwed up. You should have at least your NBC sisters carry it. You know these guys are running for Governor of Iowa... right? Not the Mayor of Sioux City or State Senator of NW Iowa. "But G$, we live streamed it!" Get bent...
TIGER TIGER WOODS Y'ALL - You all see the Nike commerical with Tiger? I think its a solid ad. At one point last night it was being tweeted 25 + times a minute via Youtube. You can say what you want about the issue... But I think its a good ad. Just how the Swoosh rolls. Also... I can't believe I just blogged about golf... SMH...

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... For some reason i smell like a rest stop. I'm going to the Cheese Cake factory to have a drink."

Ok.

IOWA CITY IS 21 - So the ordinance has passed in the Peoples Republic of Johnson County. Will be interesting to see the results. Now a whole generation of Hawkeyes will be all like, "Yups I remember when you coul dget in when you were 19."

AND FINALLY... Haven't cranked this song in a while... so how about some Bravery? Stay thirsty friends....

A Serving of Hateraide... for Everyone.

And... the Madness is over. Hell of a game... but in the end, good prevailed. Yups, I said it. Way to go Duke. Now... a lot has changed since back in they of watching the tourney. There wasn't Twitter, blogs or message boards... back when I scored my first Duke shirt... and started to follow Grant Hill. But... it is what it is... so for today let's do a post Final Four post... very randomly...

YOU WANT TO BE CUSSED AT? Then wear a Duke jersey out in public. Holy smokes. You know it would make more sense if these people were... UNC grads or something. Its so unnecessary. I mean really. Hate Duke? Child pleeze. Which brings me to a good story from last night on the level of hatred out there for the Dukies...
JUST MINDING MY OWN BUSINESS - So... me and my buddies were out warming up for the Duke game at a fine establishment. It was an after work/out for the game crowd... full house, but comfortably full. The next table over from us was a group of ladies. After a while, one of the rather better looking ones of the bunch, approached our table...

Here's how it goes down...

Random Goodlooking Girl: Hey, what's your name?
Me: I'm Grant, nice to meet you.
Random Goodlooking Girl: Grant, that's a nice name. You know, my friends and I were talking about you. How you seem like a nice guy... and very funny.
Me: Oh yeah?
Random Goodlooking Girl: But then we saw you were wearing a Duke jersey and we decided you must be one of the biggest a$$holes out tonight. Nice to meet you.
Me: [jaw drops]
Random Goodlooking Girl: [walks off]
My Buddy: Dude, that just happened.
Other Buddy: G$, you just got cock blocked by Duke Basketball.

Wish I could make this stuff up...

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY:

"So and so... Okay let's stop the cinderella crap: Cinderella is not ranked in the top 10 preseason, does not have the longest winning streak in the nation, does not go undefeated in conference play, does not get to play the championship game at home and...hits the last shot."

Amen.

CBS FAIL - OK... One Shining Moment... It's the big end of the season. Highlights... cheesy song sung by a dude with too high of a pitch... oh yeah... its a tradition. Now... I didn't mind that Jennifer Hudson was singing it this year... it was the lack of highlights.... and basically a Jen Hud video. Not cool CBS... not cool.
G$ ANSWERS YOUR TWEETS - So there was a whole lot of hateraide flowing towards my Twitter account during the game... I decided to answer some of them here....

How could you possibly be rooting for Duke? That's like rooting for the Raiders or Darth Vader or Valley High -- Cmon son, rooting for the Denver Broncos is more of an insult... and more evil like.

Duke is the Yankees of College Basketball. -- Not true... not true at all. Any school coached by John Calipari... are the Yankees of college basketball. I could really go on about other schools that are WAY more Yankees... UNC? UCLA? Any school from the Big East? Yeah...

Thanks for the RT, bro, but I've gotta yell for Butler tonite. Grew up in IN, lots of family there! -- Alright, I'll respect that... because its not the just blind hate Duke thinger.

How does it feel having watched your second favorite team go from underdogs against UNLV to the Yankees in the last 15 years? -- Again... the Yankees thing? Duke has been solid. And I guess there are people who root against being successful.

SPEAKING OF SPORTS AND TWEETS - QCI-ders and peeps of the DeMo... here me now and listen to me later. You like sports? You like local? You like to laugh your behind off? Alright... make the Des Moines Sports Freaks a part of your daily reads and follow them on Twitter... here and here. I'm telling ya. Good read... hilarious tweets... all showing why the word fan... is short for fanatic.

AND FINALLY... How about a little One Shinning Moment? Done right... Ironically... with all this Duke talk... featuring last year's champs... UNC.

Hoops... The Twitters... And Super Liz....

What it be QCI-ders? What it is... that's what. Yeah... sorry for the lack of updates... it's that time of year for me... and I've been really pushing myself to get good chunks of the epic book done.

Seriously... I've been a busy little bear. But... just because I'm busy, that doesn't mean I should punish the 4-6 people who actually read this. Sorry I apologize... it's kind of cruel to do so.

Anyway.... here's a quick random thinger to keep your fix going...

HOOPS - March Madness has taken over the QCI HQ. Yes, the arcade hoops are going... late night upset watching... oh yeah. We're kind of obsessed.
IOWA GOTS THEM A COACH - For real... I'm digging the new hire in Iowa City. I know there are a hundred of Hawkeye Basketball hack expert wannabes out there who want to poo poo on Fran McCaffery. But I dig it. Mostly because of the style and where he last coached. Look for him to bring these big time East Coast type recruits to the Peoples Republic of Johnson County. You heard it here first.
MOANING AND GROANING - Yeah... I heard everyone was wanting BJ Armstrong. What? Child pleeze. Get over yourselves. If you're going that route... why not Acie Earl... he could win the Big Ten with just his haircut... AND the fact that he has more coaching experience than the former babyfaced Chicago Bull. Seriously he coaches the freshmen at Solon... which is more coaching than BJ has ever done.

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... What is it about dentists that they think because they give you a little novacaine that gives them permission to beat the hell out of your mouth?"

Funny... that sounds like a blind date I had in college. Wait a minute... I really need to stop writing out loud... SMH...

PRIMARIES - Did I ever state for the record that I'm not endorsing anyone in the primaries? Not that my endorsement even matters... But yeah... call it my little way of keeping whatever integrity that is left on this waste of time. But I'll give you advise when wanted. Just pick up the phone... and ya call me.
TWEET TWEET - OK... QCI Tweeps are epic. They really are. Thanks for following. Seriously... I got interupted at dinner (again) by the QCI tweeters. "Are you G$? @grantyoung72?" Why yes, yes I am. Does this mean I have to carry a Sharpie with me from now on? Is it really worth ruining your favorite hat for G$ autograph? It must be. That thing will be worth at least two 1989 Topps George Brett cards and a 12er of Milwaukee's Best Light say in... 20 years from now. Thanks for all the love... and feel free to say hi... and no, you aren't bothering me.
WAY TO GO LIZ - Special QCI shout out to one of our ole U of I pals and favorite celeb stalker Super Liz Crokin. She's been in the celeb gossip racket for a while now and has landed a full time gig with Us Weekly out in LA. #goodjoboutof you Super Liz! Looking forward to reading your new articles! Also... Marisa and Liz in the same city?! At all times?!! Look out LA... I'd up that earthquake insurance... stat. Again, way to go Super Liz best of luck! (and while you're asking QCI-ders... yes conversations between me and Super Liz always end in exclamation marks!)

AND FINALLY... Feelin' a good groove today. Here's a tune that always makes me smile... and makes you tap your shoes. Crank it up and stay thirsty friends.

Epic Notebooks, Health Care, Rally It Up... with a Side of Hall & Oates

I have explained before how my brain moves to fast. You know, I'll be just chillin' at my crib... then all of a sudden... BLAM... an epic thought will come to mind. Thus sparks another epic idea... and so on and so on... this is where my brain looks like a dog chasing its tail.

It's weird... but it could be worse I guess.

That's where Moleskines save my life... something epic happens... I jot it down. For real... its pretty fun. Shouldn't everyone keep a journal of epic? Methinks so too.

Side note... Moleskine notebooks are the best ever. OK... here we go...

WHISKEY RIVER - Alright... for all you Ames/Iowa Stater peeps out there, you know about Whiskey River on Main. It's one of my cousins' hangouts and great low key joint to chill with some pals. Anyways... I was thinking about the Health Care debate yesterday... when for some reason I thought about the poster that hangs on the wall by the pool table. It's has Uncle Sam pointing... with the slogan, "WHISKEY RIVER: CHEATING THE OTHER GUY AND PASSING THE SAVINGS ON TO YOU." I don't know why... but it made me think about this debate and/or anytime something gets done in Washington.
SCHEDULES - Alright QCI-ders... just want to hear your thoughts on this... and maybe it just happens to me... But what's with weekends, plans and schedules lately? I mean, I'll have a weekend or a week night where there's much to do about nothing... then have a weekend that is completely slammed... almost to the point where I need a staffer to keep me on schedule... Anyone have that happen to them recently? Again, maybe it's just me and another day in the bizarre humorous life I lead.

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... is eating fried balls of heavenly cheese. Made the day soooo much better."

FACT: Cheese balls make everyday better. Anyone who says otherwise, hates freedom.

EFFING HEALTH CARE - Yeah... so the President signed the Health Care thinger into law. But what are peeps chirping about? The Veep and an F bomb. Not sure really what I think of that... It's hilarious to me... I mean... I think Luke Russert said it best today, political types really do have the same mouths as sailors. It's the truth. While you really shouldn't use that language anywhere... you might wanna... you know... use better language on a national press conference... not so say... I've never let a few slip here and there...
RALLY IT UP IN IOWA CITY - Via the crew over at 621 East 9th... Tomorrow... Wednesday, March 24... Join RPI for the Stand Up 4 Freedom Rally. 6:00pm at the Pentacrest (for you non Iowa City/U of Iers... that would be in front of the Old Capitol downtown). For all the deets and how you can help... CLICK HERE. #goodjoboutofyou to the peeps at 621 East 9th for having the stones to roll where it isn't such a friendly territory. It'd be like the Ds holding something in Sioux County. Like that's ever gonna happen... Who's all going? Think about it... Rally it up for freedom, check. A get a chance to score wings at the Vine, epic check. It's a win win people!

AND FINALLY... Sounds like the peeps are thinking... I can't go for that... when it comes to all of this "political" stuff... Hall and Oates has always put things in ways that I can understand them.

Jamaican Me Crazy...

Today's random picture goes out to one of our very loyal readers, Suh-leeb. Hahahahaha! What a weekend QCI-ders.

Lots of weekend thingers... In the words of my niece Ainsley, "Let's do this!"
THE MADNESS - Yea man. Holy smokes. Great games... but I would be remissed if I didn't mention the UNI game. Wow. Now, I'm not bandwagon jumper... but not a UNI hater... that win was bigger to the athletic department than any of the football national title games. Yes, I just said that.
DUKE FLAVORED HATERAIDE - If you follow the tweets... you'd find out that I root for Duke in basketball... you know... when the Hawks suck. Thus... enormous amounts of Hateraide. For real ask Sealine he'll tell ya I've rooted for Duke.
HEALTH CARE PASSAGE - Yea... I could go on and on... but... I'm just gonna focus on winning in the Fall. So my advice? Instead of foaming at the mouth... yelling names or slurs... prepare yourselves. Get involved. Get organized. Be a part of repealing this law and replace these people with leaders who'll fix it. "Oh well Grant, I don't volunteer or do that kind of thing. I just listen to Rush and Glenn Beck." If that is your answer, we're done. Everyone can be a part of this... so my next challenge is... you are either in or out... right now.

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... just got 'ma'am'd by a page....ouch"

Thems kids up at the Capitol... they gots some good manners I guess.

POTUS BACK IN IOWA - So the President is back on Thursday. He's going to the Fieldhouse in Iowa City. You know, it's kind of funny... that's where I would usually end up on a Thursday when I went to the U of I... Dude... I wonder if it's his birthday... or has a buddy who has a birthday... He could score 25 pitchers for $25... that would be an epic Presidential visit... Oh wait... not the same Fieldhouse.
EPIC T-SHIRTS? OK... So we've been bouncing the idea around here at QCI HQ... Who's in for Epic QCI T-shirts? You know... it's a cool way to show that you read a really crappy blog when you're out amongst the public types... how cool would that be? Email me at grantyoung72@hotmail.com if you're interested in one... will post some of the designs soon... I think they are kind of epic. Almost like the Foo Fighters' first t-shirts... but more awesome and funny in a goofy smart 4th grader type of way.

AND FINALLY... You know it's gonna be an awesome weather week here in the DeMo.... which means... probably patio time? Hmmm... not sure about that. But nice weather always and spring on the horizon always makes me think of the Gipsy Kings. Such a good groove to chill to. A special thanks to the dude who left his Gipsy Kings CD in the Yukon I had rented while at the Florida Recount... anyways... love this song... here's a bunch of dudes just chillin in the kitchen... jammin some Gipsy Kings... Stay thirsty...

What's up with the whats up?

Oh yeah... it's that time of year... Opening tip of the NCAAs... And the UNLV pic? No I am not taunting my many UNI friends... It's just anytime I think of the tournament... for some reason that 1990 team comes to mind. That and I think a UNLV shirt was standard issue for dudes at South High in the early 90s.

It's been a while... so let's get to it.

SAINT WHAT'S HIS NAME DAY - Oh yeah, it was St. Patrick's Day... or as I call it, "Tim jacks up the prices and puts up a tent Day" (just kidding Flanagan)... I think I may ask this every year... but what's with the green hair? Seriously? It just seems... not right. Now... if your team or school has green for its colors... yeah... do it up super fan. But green beards? Hair? For March 17th? It's just not right. Anyways good to see the peeps in the DeMo out and about. Awesome weather.
TWEET TWEET CONTEST - OK... so I held my first ever Twitter contest last night while celebrating the very very small ounce of Irish in my mutt heritage. Not bad. Look for more to come... you in? Then follow me on Twitter.... it's on the internets. Congrats to the winners! Props to my Tweeps livin' the Twug Life.
HEALTH CARE - Yeah... anyone sick of hearing about it yet? Sorry for being insensitive about an important issue (yes I mean this in the best way)... remember... my attention span... doesn't really exist. We all know when the government gets involved... good things happen, right? Sigh... I'm just sick of the debate... Also... knock it off with the manufactured outrage. I know I'm talking to a small percentage of you... but... Just. Stop. It's a little annoying and people will take you less seriously.

QCI FACEBOOK STATUS OF THE DAY

"So and so... Dear Guinness, Thanks for the great time last night, um, I think?! You know I love you, but this is exactly why we can only hang out a few times a year! Love, So and So."

Not sure which is more humorous... the status itself or the fact that this person writes love letters to their beer. Actually... what a novel idea. Dearest Milwaukee's Best Light...

LOUIE D'S - Good Lawd I can't get these sandwiches out of my head. Now, some of you with Philly street cred have been questioning me on Louie D's. "Good cheese steaks in Des Moines? Come on G$, surely you jest." I completely understand. That would be like someone in Philly telling me, "We have great sweet corn." But I'm telling you. They are freaking good.
DO I TURN OFF THE COMMENTS? Not that its getting all vintage Krusty days in the comments part of this site... but, lately I've been getting spammed... that and some really really stupid overseas college students are citing my blog in their term papers... Basically... it clogs up my inbox. It's your call QCI-ders... let me know what you think. I'll take votes from now until Saturday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA - Since she's one of the 5 people who actually read QCI... I would like to take a minute and wish my Grandma Kate Uthe a very happy 79 times around the Sun. My Grandma Uthe is probably where most of my sense of humor comes from. She is so awesome and one of the funniest ladies I know. Here's to you Grandma. I loves ya and will see you tonight at the Broiler.

AND FINALLY... In honor of my Grandma's birthday... how about a little Frank? She let me borrow her Sinatra tape when I younger... This song reminds me of our epic phone calls... Stay thirsty friends.