Monday, August 29, 2022

EDITORIAL: WALMART #02022 STILL AT IT!

 THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDITORIAL.

I had to go grocery shopping today, so you can imagine what I found during my stop at Walmart Store #02022.

Like previously, carts in were in use but the safety issue is still where they place the pallets full of merchandise!

The pictures I took show that instead of keeping the pallets in the stock room, warehouse, loading dock or somewhere else more appropriate and work them from there; they're still being left on the selling floor.

I have no idea which button I did or did not push to create a video instead of a picture, but the first two downloads from my cellphone show that the Magazine Aisle was completely full from one in to the other.



Above, the video is of the Magazine Aisle's front. The picture is of the aisle's rear.

Once again, I must point out that I have never been nor am currently a Walmart employee. I did work in the retail industry for well over 20 years before my heart and other health problems "took me out of the game," so I do have some experience in regards to how things should be concerning store operations.
Therefore, I have absolutely NO idea what any Walmart location plans to do with a pallet of trampolines.

The other image I took on August 29 shows a stray pallet elsewhere on the selling floor with a customer walking past. If you can make it out, there is another pallet further down past the customer.

I only continue to point these situations out because of the safety issues involved.
Take the image on the right. What if any of that merchandise started to fall as he walked past? 😨

What would those connected with Walmart #02022 do then?

Lee Houston, Junior
Editor-In-Chief, The Free Choice E-zine
August 29, 2022



THE ABOVE WAS AN EDITORIAL.

Sunday, August 28, 2022

SUNDAY FUNNIES: FOOTBALL FANATICS or WHAT IT WAS, WAS FOOTBALL

 Hello Everybody! Koda Canine here!

Now I know part of the title for this week's Sunday Funnies is also a classic comedy routine by Andy Griffith. That link is active to the YouTube Video with George Woodbridge's Mad Magazine illustrations, but I couldn't decide what to call my post.

Stop and think about it from my perspective for a moment.
Baseball⚾ season still has ruffly roughly a month to go before we reach the playoffs.
They've just finished Women's Basketball🏀 for the season. The professional Mens' teams are getting ready for fall.
Even with Golf🏌, Tennis🎾, and who knows what else is out there, here comes football!🏈

Personally, Tennis Balls are my favorite since they come mostly in that attractive bright neon green color and are real chewable. I'm sure none of you have ever tried biting into a football.
They may call it a "Pigskin" but it certainly doesn't taste like one! 😝

But like any sport, Football has its fan-atics too.
You know you are dealing with one when...

You said your wedding vows while watching a football game out of the corner of your eye.

Your future wife saw your marriage proposal on the stadium scoreboard.

Stadium Food Services catered your wedding.

In the school yearbook, you were photographed wearing the team uniform on Picture Day and you're not even a player!

You met your spouse in the stadium's hotdogs line.

You stay married for the sake of keeping the family bobblehead collection intact.

A man took his seat at the 50 Yard Line of an important football game. He looked to his left and noticed that there was a spare seat between himself and the next guy.
The man asked, “Who would ever miss this game?”
The guy replied, “That was my dad’s seat. We have been to the every home game together since I was a little kid but sadly, he passed away.”
The man said, “That’s terrible, but couldn’t you get another member of the family, a friend, or someone else to come with you today? It's a shame to waste such a great seat.”
The guy answered, “I agree, but unfortunately no one was available. They're all at his funeral.”

On that note♫, our esteemed Editor-In-Chief will be on call next weekend for the Labor Day Holiday but Piper D. Katt and I will be back the week after for our annual Back To School Special.
Until then take care.
STAY SAFE! 😷
Have a great week and please be back next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!KC.

Saturday, August 27, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: AUGUST 21-27, 2022: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!

GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

AUGUST 27 IS MOLDOVA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY.
AUGUST 31 IS MALAYSIA'S INDEPENDENCE DAY.
SEPTEMBER IS DEAF AWARENESS MONTH.
2022 IS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF IMAGE COMICS.
SEPTEMBER 5 IS LABOR DAY IN THE UNITED STATES.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*COVID and its variants continue to be a global problem. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The COVID state of the world, as of August 27, 2022.
*The global Monkey Pox status, as of August 27, 2022.

*Analysis: How might Daria Dugina’s murder affect the war??? (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)

THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
*Remembering 14 year old Humanitarian Kevin Cooper, aka Cole Summers.
*Actress Virginia Patton (a short career with It’s A Wonderful Life being her most notable film) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Golden Age Comic Book Artist Lily Renee Phillips is no longer with us.
*Actor Vincent Gil (Mad Max 1, numerous other TV and movie work) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Author Alexi Panshin (Rite of Passage, Star Well, more) is no longer with us.
*Jerry Allison, drummer/song writer for Buddy Holly and the Crickets, has passed away.
*🚵Cyclist Rab Wardell is no longer with us.
*Famed photographer📷 Tim Page has passed away.
*Animator/director Gerald Potterton (The Beatles’ Yellow Submarine, Heavy Metal 1, more) is no longer with us.
*Actor Joe E. Tata (numerous TV work over a decades long career) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*Former President Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to fully discuss the health and safety of all the “detainees” as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FOUR “detainees” (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH

THE PAPERS CAPER...
*Opinions: Implications of the pending law suit. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
POLITICALLY…

*Despite political opinions otherwise, a new poll reveals most Americans DO want stricter gun regulations. Will they get them???
*Is Student Loan Debt Relief in the future??? YES! To a point. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
😷THE US VERSUS MONKEY POX…
*The state of your state, Monkey Pox wise.
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
*One Senate candidate hopeful thinks we have “enough” trees. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
ELSEWHERE…
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 27, 2022

😎FUN FACT
It is estimated that assembling the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France required over 2.5 MILLION rivets.

THE LETTER SHUFFLE
How many new words can you make out of the letters in SUMMER?

TRIVIA TIME
What is Ombrophobia?

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 20, 2022 Puzzle Corner.

TRIVIA TIME⌚
What is a “Dagwood Special”?
Named after Dagwood Bumstead in the Blondie comic strip, it’s a sandwich with anything and everything you will eat, no matter how tall it must be to hold it all. Large/lengthy sandwiches are considered “submarine” sandwiches.

POP QUIZ TIME
Haven’t done one in a while but don’t worry, this is short.
Do you know what each of the acronyms below stands for?
01. ELO = Electric Light Orchestra
02. OMD = Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark

Monday, August 22, 2022

THE LATEST ON WALMART #02022

 THE FOLLOWING IS AN EDITORIAL.

Since my previous post on the subject, I've been asked how things are going at my local Walmart, Store #02022.
Before I answer that, please let me clarify a few things.

1. I have never been nor am currently a Walmart employee. I did work in the retail industry for well over 20 years before my heart and other health problems "took me out of the game," so I do have some experience in regards to how things should be concerning store operations.

2. I am not "picking on" this location specifically. Store #02022 just happens to be the closest Walmart to where I call home.

3. Despite its convenience, I am not within that store every day or even every week. Hence the time gaps between posts.

With the above out of the way, let me proudly say that things HAVE improved at Store #02022, to a point.

To the best of my knowledge there has been no mess in the Deli since my previous visit and the shocking picture of what someone left behind.

Despite having to work on it during store hours, the employees are still using carts to distribute merchandise on the selling floor in the never ending battle to attempt keeping inventory on the shelves.

HOWEVER SOMEONE IS STILL AUTHORIZING LEAVING PALLETS OF MERCHANDISE ON THE SELLING FLOOR TOO, WHICH IS A SAFETY RISK TO CUSTOMERS AND EMPLOYEES ALIKE!

While it must have been either a slow day or a small truck, the first two photos are of merchandise in their usual staging area, the back aisle bordering the Books/Magazines along the Arts and Crafts Department.

Magazine Aisle, Photo 1

My visit was mid-afternoon on August 19, 2022.
The top photo is the view from the end of the Magazine aisle itself.

The second photo  below is from the opposite side.
And yes, the first photo does show not only a couple of boxes askew, but someone walking right past them too.

I have absolutely no idea who that person is or what their connection, if any, to the situation might be but there is no point in denying what is obvious within the picture.

From the Arts & Crafts Department view, Photo 2

The last photo below is of the Layaway Department. Considering it's closed until sometime after Labor Day at the latest, the merchandise displays along the two walls and in front of the counter (behind the stacks of gray tubs) are nothing new.
The pallet of merchandise in front of the displays is, especially considering I took this photo from the entrance to the Restroom Area, as indicated by the little sign in the distant right of the picture.


Layaway Department

Overall better than in the past but still far from an ideal situation in regards to safety and customer relations.
Hopefully in time...

Sincerely,
Lee Houston, Junior
Editor-In-Chief, The Free Choice E-zine
22 August, 2022




THE ABOVE WAS AN EDITORIAL.

Sunday, August 21, 2022

SUNDAY FUNNIES: TECH TALK

 Hello Everybody! Piper D. Katt here!
You know, computers are wonderful things.
People nowadays have no idea how they managed to get things done without them.
Of course whenever their system breaks down or doesn't have any electricity to operate, the computer comments go in an entirely different direction!😼
In any event, let's take a megabyte of humor out of technology.
Ready?

If you get an email about canned meat products DON'T open it.
It's spam! 😉

Last night the Internet stopped working so I spent a few hours with my family.
They seem like good people.

There's life without Facebook and Internet?
This was top of the line back in the 1990s!
Really? Send me the link.

A sure sign of modern intelligence.
If all the bathrooms in the house are taken, turn off the internet.

Yes of course I'm athletic.
I surf the Internet every day. 

If you think patience is a virtue, try surfing the net without high speed Internet. 

Dear Humans:
In case you forgot, I used to be your Internet.
Sincerely, The Public Library.

Dear Sleep:
Thanks for trying, but you can't beat surfing the net. 

It's almost bed time, so I'll just check my e-mail, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and stream a season of my favorite show real quick.
If I'm lucky, maybe I'll get in a quick nap before the alarm goes off in the morning.

When I'm sleeping on my keyboard, if I answer, I'm talking in my sleep. 

If you eat in the kitchen, your room is always clean and you go to sleep at 9 o'clock, it means you don't have Internet!!

When having a computer problem and the prompt message reads PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE, which one is the ANY key?

Is it bad when, upon being told PRESS ANY KEY TO CONTINUE, you go to press one and the computer suddenly says NOT THAT ONE!

When you're told to REBOOT YOUR COMPUTER, how do you know what size footwear to get it?

And on that note♫, have a good week everybody!
Take care.
STAY SAFE!😷
And please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies!PDK.

Saturday, August 20, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 14-20, 2022: NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

GUN RESPONSIBILITY!

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!



GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

AUGUST 20 IS WORLD HONEY BEE🐝🐝🐝 DAY.
AUGUST 20-21 IS INTERNATIONAL LIGHTHOUSE WEEKEND.
AUGUST 23 IS BLACK RIBBON DAY. 🎗
AUGUST 24 IS THE UKRAINE'S INDEPENDENCE DAY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*While COVID and its variants continue to be a global problem, thankfully the vaccination battles continue too. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The COVID state of the world, as of August 20, 2022.
*Unfortunately, Monkey Pox has become a serious medical issue also. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
*The global Monkey Pox status, as of August 20, 2022.

*Despite Russia's efforts otherwise, August 24 is the Ukraine's Independence Day from the original Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.


THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
*Actress Denise Dowse (original Melrose Place, numerous other TV and movie roles) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*⛷Ski Champion Adele Milloz has passed away.
*Artist Paul Coker, Junior (Mad Magazine, Rankin-Bass Productions) is no longer with us.
*Film maker Wolfgang Petersen (Das Boot, Air Force 1, more) has passed away.
*Actor/comedian Duggie Brown (Coronation Street, numerous appearances elsewhere) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Inker extraordinaire Tom Palmer, Senior (WAY too many credits to list, but mostly Marvel Comics) is no longer with us.
*Actress Josephine Tewson (Keeping Up Appearances, Last of the Summer Wine, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021>AFTERMATH
*Despite even having Democratic support, Republican Liz Chaney lost her reelection bid. What will happen to the Investigating Committee if they don’t finish before the new electees take office in January 2023???
POLITICALLY…
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
😷THE US VERSUS MONKEY POX…
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
*A Federal Judge has ruled that Senator Lindsey Graham must testify in Georgia. (There are 2/TWO separate links in this item.)
ELSEWHERE…

😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…
*August is National Sandwich🥪 Month.

THE PUZZLE CORNER: AUGUST 20, 2022

😎FUN FACT
August is National Sandwich🥪 Month here in the United States.

TRIVIA TIME
What is a “Dagwood Special”?

POP QUIZ
Haven’t done one in a while but don’t worry, this is short.
Do you know what each of the acronyms below stands for?
01. ELO
02. OMD

We’ll reveal all next weekend but for now, let’s open up THE ANSWERS BOX📦 and discover the results from the August 13, 2022 Puzzle Corner.

HUH? (misquotes)
The misquote is below. All you have to do is give us the correct quote and source. Ready?
“I can see clearly now. Lorraine is gone”.
The correct lyric is: “I can see clearly now. The rain is gone.” from Johnny Nash’s ♫I Can See Clearly Now♫. 

NUMBER PLEASE
Get ready! We ask the question, but the answer is just a number.
In what year was the SECOND manned flight to the moon?
1969. NASA wanted a quick turn around for Apollo 12 after the success of Apollo 11 in July of that year, in part to overcome the disaster of Apollo 1 in 1967 that delayed the program.

Sunday, August 14, 2022

SUNDAY FUNNIES: CANINE AFFIRMATIONS

 Hello Everybody! Koda Canine here!
It's just a lazy Sunday in my neck of the woods right now.
Nice and cool for a doggie to kick back and relax.
After all, can't let cats have all the napping fun. 😉

Anyway, believe it or not I'll be approaching my first birthday soon!
Yeah, I know. Just where has the time gone? 😲
But I'm just sitting here getting petted and thinking about things so far in life. Like...

Always appreciate what you have before it is gone. 
Usually for me that's in regards to my people suddenly leaving the room for some reason and not letting me come too.
That can be ruff, but I know they always come back in time. 😀

Sometimes getting out of bed ruins the whole day.
I'd be in the middle of a great dream, like getting a new chew toy, and suddenly one of my people wake me up to go use the bathroom outside.
But hey, at least I'm a clean dog!

"I can either complain that roses🌹🌹🌹 have thorns or rejoice that thorns have roses."—Doctor Seuss.
Either way, just be careful when you stop and smell them!

Happiness is not the absence of problems. It is the ability to deal with them.
Maybe, but TRUE happiness is not having any problems to begin with.


Remember, being a little "weird" is just a natural side effect of being awesome.
So on that note♫ have a great week.
STAY SAFE!😷
And please be back here next weekend for more Sunday Funnies.—KC.

Saturday, August 13, 2022

THE WEEK IN REVIEW: AUGUST 7-13, 2022 NEWS HIGHLIGHTS



WE NEED MORE
GUN RESPONSIBILITY!

BULLYING HAS TO STOP!

BAN BOOK BANNINGS AND BURNINGS!


GET VACCINATED, WEAR YOUR MASK😷
& BEWARE ANY VERSION OF

AUGUST 13 IS INDEPENDENCE DAY FOR THE CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC.
AUGUST 13 IS THE 80TH ANNIVERSARY OF DISNEY’S BAMBI.🦌
AUGUST 14 IS THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY OF PAKISTAN’S INDEPENDENCE.
AUGUST 15 IS INDIA’S INDEPENDENCE DAY 
AND KOREA’S LIBERATION DAY DURING WORLD WAR 2.
AUGUST 19 IS WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY.

AM😷NGST EVENTS AROUND THE W🌍RLD THIS PAST WEEK…
*COVID and its variants continue to be a global problem. (There are 3/THREE separate links in this item.)
*The COVID state of the world, as of August 13, 2022.
*The global Monkey Pox status, as of August 13, 2022.
*Are you ready for the Perseids Meteor Shower???
*August 16 marks the 60th anniversary of The Beatles replacing Pete Best with Ringo Starr.🥁


THE TERRORIST REPORT…
*The Free Choice E-zine does not support terrorism, no matter what the “cause” or alleged “justification”. Thus we will only be posting news items in this section whenever terrorists are brought to justice.

THE CLIMATE CHANGE CHRONICLES…🌐

😢PASSING PARADE…
*The innocent lives lost during the Russian invasion of the Ukraine.
*Actor Roger E. Mosley (original Magnum PI, McQ, much more TV and film work) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Singer/actress Dame Olivia Newton-John (Grease, Xanadu, a long recording career and numerous charitable anti-cancer efforts) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*Historical author David McCullough (Truman, John Adams, more) is no longer with us.
*Songwriting Hall of Fame member Lamont Dozier (♫You Can’t Hurry Love♫, ♫Reach Out, I’ll Be There♫, much more) has passed away.
*Actor Manuel Ojeda (Romancing The Stone, much more TV and film work) has taken his last bow on life’s stage.
*Actress Anne Heche (6 Days-7 Nights, Men In Trees, more) has taken her last bow on life’s stage.
*🎸Guitarist Bill Pitman of the legendary Wrecking Crew is no longer with us.

WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA…
THE BORDER WALL-KIDS-IMMIGRATION ISSUES…
*Former President Trump declared a “national emergency” to build his border wall, separating families
upon apprehension. President Joseph Biden nullified the emergency, but other matters pertaining to these issues still have to be dealt with.
NOTE: While we are doing our best to provide coverage, the above is a serious ongoing issue. Especially since no one has yet to fully discuss the health and safety of all the “detainees” as well as the various costs under Donald Trump of separating families and who is truly responsible for the deaths of FOUR “detainees” (known to date), let alone if anyone might actually be making a profit from this situation.

CAPITAL CHAOS: JANUARY 6, 2021
>AFTERMATH
*Of course Trump and his supporters aren’t happy about the search warrant. (There are 6/SIX separate links in this item.)
POLITICALLY…
THE SUPREME COURT REPORT…
*The Court is in recess until the first Monday in October, 2022.
SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE…
*Question: Who should vote???
😷THE US VERSUS COVID-19…
😷THE US VERSUS MONKEY POX…
IT’S FACT CHECK TIME!
MEANWHILE, IN CONGRESS…
ELSEWHERE…
*No one is above the law. Not even a city’s mayor.
😀AND FINALLY, SOME GOOD NEWS…