http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon The Constant Curmudgeon RSS Feed http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-29_a_most_excellent_adventure My recent round trip by Amtrak to Oakland, CA (with my fantastic sister, Dr. Priscilla Ebersole, who has authored many books on "geriatrics") was a great experience.  Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-29_a_most_excellent_adventure 2010-07-29T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-22_coming_of_age_by_stealing_a_plane Why is it that so many people I know seem to think that the recently captured, so-called "barefoot bandit" is really a decent kid?  Thu, 22 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-22_coming_of_age_by_stealing_a_plane 2010-07-22T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-15_what_s_the_big_deal_with_soccer_ What is it?  Soccer?  Football?  It's confusing to me.  In some countries it's soccer and others it's football.  Even though it could reasonably be dubbed "head ball" when you consider the number of times a calloused head is employed to re-direct the travel of the ball.  Thu, 15 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-15_what_s_the_big_deal_with_soccer_ 2010-07-15T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-08_rain_is_a_relative_thing With all of the slanted press by other jealous cities, Seattle and Edmonds have acquired a reputation for a lot of rain.  Not only is this reputation unfair but it is a lie.  Thu, 08 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-08_rain_is_a_relative_thing 2010-07-08T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-01_dealing_with___less_than_ideal__employees This is just a human interest story from years gone by. Long ago I found myself Exec VP and GM of a Seattle-based company with offices in both Washington and Oregon including one in Edmonds. Thu, 01 Jul 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-07-01_dealing_with___less_than_ideal__employees 2010-07-01T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-06-24_getting_history_right__or_at_least_the_movie_version I love movies.  I suppose that revelation comes as no surprise to either of you who read this slapstick comedy column regularly.  Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-06-24_getting_history_right__or_at_least_the_movie_version 2010-06-24T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-06-17_didn_t_your_mother_teach_you_anything_ Baseball caps!  The bane of our rapidly deteriorating society.  The day that the wearing of baseball caps by others than those playing "America's game" was a sad day for some of us.  Thu, 17 Jun 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-06-17_didn_t_your_mother_teach_you_anything_ 2010-06-17T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-06-10_helping_out_our_four_legged_friends Volunteerism is alive and well in Edmonds and other South Snohomish County cities.  A group of 12 volunteers, , already involved with the Everett Animal Shelter, started the Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) six years ago to provide support and care for abused, injured and sick animals of many species.  Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-06-10_helping_out_our_four_legged_friends 2010-06-10T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-06-03_i_noticed_you__i_noticed_you_ I'm not wild about government intrusions but there are exceptions.  I keep looking forward to the day when some government agency will come to the realization that the eye-searing blue (and recently white) halogen headlights, largely standard equipment on many imported autos from the European continent, are a hazard to other traffic and should be outlawed. Thu, 03 Jun 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-06-03_i_noticed_you__i_noticed_you_ 2010-06-03T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-05-27_another_great_restaurant_opens_in_edmonds Welcome to Edmonds!  Locally owned and operated Hamburger Harry's just opened here and is already doing a bang-up business.  Thu, 27 May 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-05-27_another_great_restaurant_opens_in_edmonds 2010-05-27T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-05-20_i_sure_wish_i_could_eat_like_that Some teens and many adults are afflicted with obesity.  There's little doubt that it is a problem in our society.  But there's another part to teens as I see it.  What I see is teenagers wolfing down food like they've been deprived of sustenance for weeks. Thu, 20 May 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-05-20_i_sure_wish_i_could_eat_like_that 2010-05-20T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-05-13_how_much_freedom_will_we_give_up_ It seems like our government is trying to take over our lives more and more so that we have no say in daily activities or our future.  Thu, 13 May 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-05-13_how_much_freedom_will_we_give_up_ 2010-05-13T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-05-06_going_green_with_my_driveway I couldn't say for sure that Edmonds is the moss capitol of the world but I'll betcha it runs a close second to whatever city is.  Thu, 06 May 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-05-06_going_green_with_my_driveway 2010-05-06T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-04-29_buying_skippers_with_money_we_don_t_have What's happening here in Edmonds?  Anybody'd think we're trying to emulate the federal government in wild spending.  Thu, 29 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-04-29_buying_skippers_with_money_we_don_t_have 2010-04-29T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-04-15_dissin__the_big_grey_dog Ever ride on a Greyhound bus? I have (some years ago) and it's an experience that some of us, luckily, are able to avoid. Thu, 15 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-04-15_dissin__the_big_grey_dog 2010-04-15T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-04-08_a_great_idea_for_edmonds As most of us know, Edmonds (like many cities around the state and country) has a problem with its budget.  Too much outgo and not enough income.  Thu, 08 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-04-08_a_great_idea_for_edmonds 2010-04-08T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-04-01_some_find_the_3_d_craze_lacking An article on the Internet warns that Disney World in Florida will undergo massive changes to some of its attractions in 2013 and 2014.  Sooner however (next year), the popular "Star Tours" ride, based on the Star Wars movies, will be changed so that visitors on the "simulator ride" will don 3-D glasses to create a dramatic realism to the experience according to Disney World.  Thu, 01 Apr 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-04-01_some_find_the_3_d_craze_lacking 2010-04-01T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-03-25_why_all_the_fright_ads_ The scene ... an innocent young lady with a small child hears someone crashing through her front door ... the phone rings. In a normally modulated, calm voice she answers, "Hello?" Thu, 25 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-03-25_why_all_the_fright_ads_ 2010-03-25T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-03-18_we_have_our_work_cut_out_for_us During these times, it's extremely difficult to avoid making political comments when I feel acutely political on certain subjects.  But, when speaking of our United States Congress, it becomes easier because I can offend both political parties simultaneously.   Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-03-18_we_have_our_work_cut_out_for_us 2010-03-18T05:00:00Z http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-03-11_newest_health_craze___mailbox_walking Okay!  So we all need more exercise.  Nobody wants to be labeled a "couch potato," but is all this exercise mania really good for us?  I don't have a clue but I do have an opinion on the matter.  Thu, 11 Mar 2010 06:00:00 GMT http://edmondsbeacon.com/columns/constant-curmudgeon/article.exm/2010-03-11_newest_health_craze___mailbox_walking 2010-03-11T06:00:00Z