Mega Millions -- I didn't win

The Mega Millions drawing was earlier tonight for the largest lottery jackpot in U.S. history:  $640 million dollars.

I purchased ten tickets yesterday.  I got the drawing numbers tonight thanks to Tweets on Twitter and started down the list.

The only number I matched on the entire ticket was 38.  The winning numbers for the March 30 drawing were 2 - 4 - 23 - 38 - 46 and the Mega Ball was 23.  I managed to figure out the 38, I sucked at guessing the rest in advance of the drawing.  Oops.

Like millions of my fellow Americans, I had grand hopes and dreams.  That kind of money would allow me to afford things like my first house or my first brand new car.  Or even hiring Justin Bieber to come and vacuum my apartment.

But, it was not meant to be.  I haven't given up though.  There's still Publisher's Clearing House!

Frank Hannon of Tesla

The rock band Tesla, who had their biggest hit with "Signs" in the late 1980's, is still alive and kickin'.

Frank Hannon, one of the original members and guitarist for the band, paid a visit to the Morning Blend today as part of a tour he's doing for a new solo album called "Gypsy Highway".

Super nice guy.  His hair is almost as pretty as mine.

Ken Carr and Frank Hannon
He really knows how to hug his guitar

Mega Millions -- just six numbers away

If you believe that size matters you should buy a Mega Millions lottery ticket.  This Friday's (3/30/12) jackpot will be the largest in U.S. history at an estimated $500 million dollars.  That's more than $100 million larger than the previous largest jackpot.

Spending one dollar for a ticket is a symbol of hope, dreams, and wishes.  It's been interesting reading my Facebook and Twitter feeds today seeing what people would do with their winnings.  Its ranged from houses, cars, and helping family to philanthropic ideas like helping someone's favorite charity.

The chances of winning are not good.  The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 175,711,536 to match the five white balls and the Mega Ball.  A bit of searching online helped me discover that you have much better odds of getting struck by lightning (the odds of getting struck by lightning are 3,113 times better than winning Mega Millions).

How about this one:  Imagine you are standing blindfolded on a football field holding a pin. A friend has released an ant on the field. Your chance of piercing that ant with your pin is more than 12 times better than winning the lottery.

Despite the discouraging statistics, I'm still buying a ticket (probably a few!).  I bought ten tickets when the jackpot was $363 million on Tuesday and I matched three numbers out of sixty.  I didn't even win part of my investment back.  Yet, I'm not discouraged.

One of the reasons I'm not afraid to gamble a little is that I function on hope.  The glass is almost always half full in my life.  I never think "I won't win" or "It'll never happen".  My philosophy is "Why not me?"

If I do win, there are a few things I'm sure of.  I'd still watch Cops.  I would still shop at Walmart.  Maybe I'd splurge on a few things.  I've always wanted one of those big flat screen plasma or LCD TV's for the living room.  We could use some new towels.  And I'd like to get a new coffee table.  Some new socks too.  It would be nice to buy things like that without worrying whether or not I can afford it.

If I'm unfortunate and don't win, here's hoping that you do.  If you buy socks with your winnings get the really cushy ones.  You'll be more comfortable when you walk.

Money really can buy happiness.  One cushy sock at a time.

UPDATE:  3/29/12 at 9:42 a.m.:  Mega Millions just announced that the jackpot for tomorrow will now be $540 million.  Ticket sales are apparently brisk.  Holy crap!

A Sunday trip to Walmart Neighborhood Market

A Sunday trip with Anthony to my favorite grocery store -- Walmart Neighborhood Market at Grant and Alvernon.

We went to get a few items and we ended up filling a cart.  Oops.  Oh well, it'll all get eaten.

I can't believe I talked Anthony into posing for a photo in front of the Walmart Neighborhood Market sign.
I must be more persuasive than I thought.

Giving the Walmart Neighborhood Market sign a big hug.

My favorite potato salad!
Some people double fist their drinks. I double fisted potato salad.

This cake is ready to come out of the closet.

An awesome new product I spotted at Walmart Market:  Drumstick Super Nugget.
The nugget of chocolate that has always been loved at the bottom of the cone just got LARGER!
Woohoo!

Spring sunset over Ridgepointe

A pretty orange and pink sunset over Tucson looking west from Ridgepointe Apartments yesterday.

Arizona has some amazing sunsets

There's a movie called "Evil Bong"

Anthony is in the living room searching on TiVo for a movie to download.

I spotted in the list of choices a flick called "Evil Bong". The description: "Straight-laced nerd Alistair moves into a college dorm with hardcore marijuana users Brett, Larnell, and Bachman. Larnell orders an old giant bong that proves to have strange magical powers. When smoked said bong sends a person to a bizarre drugged-out alternate realm from which there is no easy escape."

If that isn't stupid enough, THERE'S A SEQUEL! "Evil Bong 2: King Bong". He didn't order either one.  Hilarious.

Tucson Fire Department training

Near the TV station this morning I noticed a crane like device in the air spouting water.  It turned out to be the Tucson Fire Department's firefighters doing some training.  They were doing it over the wash east of our building.

It was a pretty cool sight to see.

Water stream split from the ladder and another one from the ground

A bit closer to the fire trucks, kind of an artsy photo

Two streams become one.
Reminds me of "Ghostbusters" -- Don't cross the streams!

That water has some serious pressure behind it.

Another couple of firefighters working a hose on the ground.
I snapped the photo when he was waving the stream and it created a bent look.

Kingston Trio

I met the current members of the legendary Kingston Trio today.

They are in Tucson on a stop during their tour doing concerts at the Temple of Music and Art.  They've been performing folk music together since 1957.  That's staying power!

Now that they've gotten a picture with me, I'm sure this will mark a highlight in the group's career. (Ahem).

The Kingston Trio (holding their new CD)
I told them I was their missing member... and oddly enough, they laughed.

Employee Appreciation Lunch 2012

We had what has become the annual employee appreciation lunch at work today.  Barbecue and the fixins (what the heck are fixins anyway) from the Hog Pit catered to us at work.

Last year, we had the lunch on a day when it sunny but extremely cold.  They moved it a few weeks later this year and then when today arrived... it turned out sunny and cold.  Odd coincidence.  But, it was moved indoors this time so there was no danger of turning into a KENsickle.

And now, the photos:

Meat!
It does a body good.

Aunt Hattie has nice soft buns.

Macaroni salad, potato salad, and cold slaw.
The potato salad in the middle had "JB" on it in onions (for "Journal Broadcast")

Cookies and apple cobbler... for the win!

A few of my wonderful co-workers waiting in line.

Steve Nunez at the front of the line.
Meat on his bun and a pencil in his ear... that's how he rolls.

Stacy didn't want his picture taken.
I did it anyway.
I rule.

Let's eat!

Parking lot: Put a lid on it.

Another random item this morning in the space next to mine at my apartment complex.

Yesterday it was a green straw, today a domed drink lid.  I'm starting to think the straw and this lid once lived together but recently broke up.

Remember when drink lids were flat?
Those were the days.

Big Al -- as the Unabomber

Legendary Tucson broadcaster (I can say that because he recently won the Golden Mic Award) Big Al "Your Traffic Pal" is normally well dressed while he's at work at KGUN 9.  I saw him in the hall today and he was putting on a hoodie.

I expressed my astonishment at his dressing down and he said it was because of the winter weather we had today.  Then, he asked me what I thought of the look.

I told him him he looked like the Unabomber.

It was a stretch but I pretended to be afraid.

Be afraid... be very afraid.

Tucson's spring sure seems like winter

Today was the last day of winter in Tucson.  Normally the weather is wonderful this time of year with high's in the mid to upper 70's and mostly sunny days.

We got a last (hopefully its the last) blast of winter.  We didn't make it to 50 degrees today and a bunch of areas of the Tucson metro got rain, sleet and snow.  Snow is an unusual event (maybe once a year if even) so it got Tucsonans buzzing.

We had a brief sleet shower at the TV station today and I grabbed my camera and tried to get the effect with a still photo against a dark background so you could see it.  I ended up pointing the lens under a production van in the rear parking lot.

But, I got the shot.

Its no easy feat... getting a picture of sleet.

That's the last straw

The parking space to the north of mine at my apartment complex normally houses a red Ford.  It's there a majority of the time but when its gone it has surprised me with the odd items that have been in the space instead of the car.

The last time it was empty when I left for work early in the morning there was a used diaper there:  Click here for the diaper photo

This morning there was a single green straw.

Maybe one day there will be a dead body there.  That would be kind of fun.

Here's the straw.
I didn't get close enough to smell it... but I'll bet it was fresher smelling than the diaper.

Ben Vareen

I started out my week by meeting the legendary Ben Vareen!

He was really wonderful.  He did a couple of segments with us that will appear on the Morning Blend next week.

Ken Carr and Ben Vareen.
One of us can sing and dance well.
It's up to you to guess which one.

Safeway and Walmart: A shopping adKENture

Today's big adventure was grocery shopping with Anthony.

He's amazing with clipping and organizing coupons, remembering what we need, and the money part.  My big contribution to the shopping trip is pushing the cart (sometimes), putting posts on Twitter and Facebook while at the store, searching for new and unusual products, and taking photos.  I take my responsibility seriously!

Today's shopping trip included Safeway at Grant Road and Craycroft and Walmart Neighborhood Market at Grant and Alvernon Way.

The photos!

A cold rainy day looking north from Safeway at Grant and Craycroft with clouds over the mountains

Anthony - pushing a cart - armed with coupons

The milk cooler is made by Anthony!

Anthony makes coupon organization an art.

FUN cupcakes with filling in da-middles

Silly Circles cereal!
A green alien has captured two Silly Circles.
Those clever aliens.

I saw a commercial on TV for Ritz Crackerfuls.
They look festive.

The Drumstick people have gotten smart and make them now with sprinkles.

Next stop on the shopping trip:  Walmart Neighborhood Market at Grant and Alvernon

My least favorite:  The salad department

Reminds me of a date I've had!

Awww... they ARE cuties!

IHOP at home!

Dora the Explorer cereal.
Nothing says 'good morning' like a mouthful of Dora!

Happy Easter!

Birthday Cake Oreos.
One of the best Oreo inventions ever.

Angry Birds Fruit Snacks
How handy -- they make a dotted line around the character on the front so you can cut it out.

These Pooh plush things seem a wee bit horny!

McDonald's -- Big Mac Attack

Anthony and I enjoyed a trip to what is referred to in Tucson as the "dinosaur McDonald's" because it has a dinosaur theme and large stone dinosaurs outside at Grant and Tanque Verde.

We had coupons (thanks to a purchase with Living Social) for Big Macs and French Fries.

Fine dining... at its finest!

Big Macs, French Fries, and large sodas.
A meal fit for two kings!

Anthony takes the wrapper off of his straw while I capture all of the straw unwrapping action.

Toaster Strudel art

I made a cinnamon Toaster Strudel tonight and wrote my name on it with the icing.

Its a work of art.  However, I didn't say it was a good work of art!

The Ken Toaster Strudel.
My handwriting using icing won't win any awards.

A walk around my neighborhood

I took a nice walk in the 72 degree afternoon weather and brought along a camera.

I live on Pima Street on Tucson's east side.  I found a few interesting things to photograph.

Ken Carr World Headquarters

The sun sets on the Ken Carr World Headquarters

Someone lost their empty bucket.

East parking lot of my apartment complex looking north

The hot tub near my apartment isn't looking very sexy... or functional.

Sunrise Nursery, no longer open for business

The fence is supposed to keep people out of this vacant lot, but it isn't working.

Art inspired by rainbow colored french fries

This guy was running toward me.
Its a moment right out of a movie... a really really lame movie.

The sun sets on Pima Street.
The view looking west.

The view to the north from Pima Street and Wilmot Road

The intersection of Pima and Tanque Verde.
The now closed Chuy's (pink building) across the street.
On the left is the former Ice Nightclub / City Limits / Backstage Nightclub, now its called "The Event"

Tanque Verde and Pima looking south

Tanque Verde looking north from Pima Street at the top of the hill

Tanque Verde and Pima, the Circle K and billboard next to it.
Gas is $3.66 a gallon

I live near Hooters.
I've been in there one time.

SunTran bus stopping at Wilmot and Pima.

Spelling accurately is not a requirement for rummage sale marketing.

If you like easy, here's what you've been searching for.