Friday, December 31, 2010

Subcutaneous

It's kind of a neat word. It means beneath the skin is what I'm gathering. That's what I am doing for our kitty Princess every day. She gets a sixty milliliter injection of fluids under her skin every morning so she doesn't dehydrate and so her kidneys will function properly.

It's not hard at all, in fact there are You Tube videos on how to do it. Princess doesn't mind the stick as long as I put a little bit of food in front of her first. I do think she minds the temperature of the liquid though. I ran some warm water on it before I gave it to her this morning so she wouldn't get so cold.

It's not a hassle to do it either, takes three or four minutes total. She gets lots of fluids and we get to keep our kitty healthy:)

I've found her a brand of food she really likes so I'll continue to get that for her as well. Today is payday so I'll be stocking up for the kitty.

Cigotch with Beersnob went really well. We got a plan mapped, at least a starting plan. It's bound to change on the fly but thus far it's a place to start.

Tonight is the last (at least for a few years) great Skate New Year's Eve party! They will soon be off to Germany for at least two years, possibly more! The good thing is that the world is a much smaller place with the net and Skype now.

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Four Days Left

Yep, today and three more and my vacation is over. It'll be time to head back to the grind and a brand new year. A new year full of who knows what.

I know today Beersnob and I will have a cigotch and chat about things. Where to take our business, and how to get there. I'm very much looking forward to it!

We talked things over while he was in Iraq but it's always better in person of course. Anyway that's happening today!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Beersnob's Return Means Good Things

Yep, Sunday he and Mrs. Beersnob arrived back in our humble town from his tour in Iraq and the long journey home. Last night I went to a gathering for Weezy and many of the circle of friends were there. Beersnob showed up and looked slimmer than I've seen him in years!

He looked great, felt great, and we're planning on getting together today, or the next two days for lunch and some serious planning on our business. We need to map out 2011 and get our gameplan together. He'll have time off over the next month so we'll get that accomplished and get rolling!

I'm excited for 2011! 2010 was a big improvement over 2009 for me. Yes as I recounted here 2009 had some very good and very bad in it. 2010 was like a foundation year where the property was cleared off and prepared for building.

2010 was like building a foundation on the property and had some success. 2011 the walls should be going up. The Date will graduate with her degree and transfer to another school to continue her education, in fact many of my friends will be graduating this coming year! If nothing else happens we will have lots to celebrate anyway! How is that for being in a can't lose position?!

Yes 2011, if not being a good year, will be a year in which we grow. Struggle as well but we will grow. Many friends will be moving away, Skate and The Invader among them. They will be greatly missed as they are very loved here. For at least one friend, they will get a new start at a new life. For another they'll be adjusting to new surroundings and preparing for better things!\

It's all scary but at the same time it has to be a little bit exciting to discover what the next few months hold. Yes it is for me as well. Our business has the potential to be my full time gig and it could also wind up on the heap of failures I've had, but I'm not scared.

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Ho Hum

I made a spectacular meal of steak and baked potatoes last night for The Date and I to eat last night. Yep on the trusty Big Green Egg. I oiled up the potatoes, rubbed some salt on them, wrapped them up in some foil with the tops open to get the smoky flavor going and baked them for an hour.

They could have cooked for a bit longer as they were big and I found a couple of places that weren't tender like they should be. We were both stuffed after that meal! I felt myself morphing into an actual slug with a full belly!

I decided against making my own Worcestershire sauce yesterday, too many ingredients that just don't make enough to make it price effective. Yeah I bet it tastes great but you know, for three bucks you can get it made already and it'll last a long time.

The recipes I found did sound really good though and it didn't take as long as I anticipated. Perhaps someday it'll be something I attempt but for now, meh, no need:)

I fought my way to the top of the ladder in Starcraft yesterday morning! In fact I was number one until the evening when I went on a five game losing streak and dropped back to number two without the longtime top player even playing a game.

Anyway it'll take a couple of games to get the top ranking back, I'll conquer it again this week!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Second Official Day Of Vacation

With Friday being the first of course. What's in store for today?

Well I was thinking about looking into making my own Worcestershire sauce. I love that stuff, use it a lot in my cooking for flavoring. I know you have to ferment it though so it might be a longer process than what I'd really like to do. I mean you can just go down to the store and buy a big bottle for three or four dollars which is way less than what the ingredients would be to make it.

Basically it's my vacation and I'll do what i please:)

I haven't played Starcraft in nearly three days, that'll be on tap for sure. I'm still ranked second with a record of 203-213. I've got a total of 1766 points while first has 1802. It seems as if I've got a mental block going on. I'll get close, within ten points last time and went on a four or five game losing streak. I've had ten game win streaks before against good opponents but I can't win the three or four games I need to capture first.

I'll get there!

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Nice Christmas

I enjoyed yesterday, the third Christmas with The Date and Things, the first I spent with any part of her family. We went to my mom's around ten for breakfast and presents, took the Things back home so they could pack and spend a couple of days with my wonderful in-laws.

The drive wasn't long, interstate all the way and that made it easy. We had a fun time but man I slept last night like the dead. That was really nice! It seemed like yesterday I was still catching up from the midnight mass experience and tried to catch a nap but it just wasn't possible.

Last night's sleeping made up for that:)

For those who need it, don't need it, don't want it, it or don't think they need it, you're in my prayers today:)

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Merry Christmas

Midnight mass was an experience last night, beautiful ceremony and Thing 2 did great along with the rest of the musicians! It ended around one thirty and I hit bed around one forty. The pets wanted attention around seven this morning.

So I'm sleepy but up and around, coffee is made and it's a Merry Christmas to all!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Christmas Eve

Different Christmas pictures are rotating across the desktop computer. Stocking are hung on the stairs with care. Thing 2 is tuning her violin and Thing 1 is up before the crack of noon.

The Date is preparing to go to work today while I'm in my robe and pajama pants typing away. Perhaps Starcraft today, maybe a long winter nap mayhap.

I'm sure TBS will have A Christmas Story playing and I'm sure that I'll be watching. I'm sure that that's about the bottom of the barrel for rhyming for me too. I'm not creative enough right now to pull off a full on poem so I'll continue on to the regularly scheduled blog.

Thing 2 is playing midnight mass tonight at the local Catholic church, invited by Music Guy. A genuine sweetheart of a man who wouldn't harm a fly. She is excited and thrilled and has new strings to play Joy to the World.

The holidays are here again but will go, hopefully next year to return with some snow. A bit of rain outside doesn't leave much upon to slip or slide.

Ok that one was a reach however soon I'll be eating a peach? Sheesh these rhymes are getting worser and worser, it must be the fault of the still flashing cursor.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Last Day Of Work For The Year!

Yeah, this is it. I go in earlier and get off earlier today! Hooray! Beersnob should be in the air and homeward bound now if not very soon. Princess is gaining a little weight. Perhaps only an ounce at a time but she's gaining.

Hopefully today will go by fast so I can get home and start my vacation fast! I'm ready to say goodbye to 2010 and hello to 2011. Mostly I'm ready to just be done with work for now and have some quality time off.

My Starcraft experience last night was lacking. It was one of those nights that no matter what I did it didn't work and was countered effectively. It seems I keep playing for the midgame while most of my opponents play for the early win. I've got more to read and more to learn for sure.

The real bad thing is that most of my opponents last night had less than fifty wins which means the problem is likely in my head as I'm overthinking what's going on. I've won against top ranked opponents on a consistent basis and lost against opponents who barely know what's happening. I'll figure it out.

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Cooking Today

Yep, we are cooking three briskets and two full pork loins at work today for tomorrow's feast at work. We trimmed the briskets yesterday and injected them. They have been setting over night. Today it will take about a half hour, maybe a bit less to trim the pork loins.

The problem we will have today is Captain Queeg, the unstable yet personable inspector who walks around and makes everything his business. We will be hiding the cookers in the welding shop and locking up the door. He walks through at least two or three times per day so he'll know something is up.

He'll be concerned about some kind of safety issue no doubt, in a shop where they have ovens that will easily hit two THOUSAND degrees, torches, and tons of welding equipment. Everything is fire proof in that shop but he's psychotic and will pitch a huge fit about something if he finds out what we are doing.

It'll be quite the challenge though and I'm always for challenges at a place that usually offers none.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Three Days

Yeah, just three more and I'm off the rest of the year.

Haven't got a ton to report this morning at all other than watch what the FCC does soon. The LAST thing anyone needs is the FCC involved with internet regulation, a power Congress has NOT given them.

They are going to unilaterally regulate the net, something no government should do. This is a free market entity and should remain free from any government regulation at all. There is a fear that providers will start charging for websites or premium access to websites. Perhaps they are even the only option you have for web access.

Simple fact, you can always find what you are looking for elsewhere. Freedom is the hallmark of the net, freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom from restrictions and regulations.

Here is another simple fact, once any kind of regulation is applied to something by a government agency, no matter how well meaning it is or small, it grows and grows like cancer until it's weighty and oppressing. If you think this is good, no problem but what is going to happen is that some administration will come along and use these rules to destroy what we enjoy now.

I'm all for better service at a better price but I don't trust government to regulate that to happen.

Monday, December 20, 2010

Four Day Work Week

Yep, just four days away from ten straight days off! I had a horrible Starcraft day yesterday. I had a seven game losing streak going at one point. I lost way more than that though I'd have the occasional win to break up the losing.

It didn't matter what I did, I couldn't win. I tried switching races, I tried proven build orders, nothing worked for me. Eventually I got on a six game win streak and while I'm still second in my league I came close again to gaining first!

I'll get there! I had so many close calls though. I know even the top players lose a few but I'd at least like to beat the players in bronze consistently which I'm not able to do at this point.

The Date was feeling ill most of yesterday. I'm hoping she doesn't have the flu but she had some horrible body aches late Saturday and just felt miserable. Hopefully today she'll recover and feel much better!

Don't Ask Don't Tell was repealed by the Senate after a House vote late last week. As a Conservative/Libertarian hybrid I'm very pro-military (as I even work for the military). If it hurts the military and their performance I'm opposed to it as that would eventually hurt our country. None of my military friends mind the repeal, polls suggest few in the military oppose a full repeal so therefore I feel it's a good thing.

If you are willing to sacrifice your life in the military and defend our country, I'm behind you and support you! Serve well!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Sushi

If you ever want to get on Thing 2's best good side just whisper the word "sushi" in her ear. She will start to follow you around like a puppy dog and ask when are we going!

The fun part I have is after I tell her that I pretend to take her up to Jumbo's so she can browse their small counter of sushi. She will turn on her death stare and fold her arms, just shy of holding her breath and flailing on the floor.

Regardless it's always fun to offer her fresh sushi made in front of you and switch it to sushi made possibly that day.

Yes I'm sure the world has better sushi than what we have here however I'm sure that she believes she's had the best outside of Japan itself. I'm not that big of a sushi connoisseur but I do enjoy some good sushi from time to time. It's usually got great flavor, clean and fresh on the palate, and is light on the tummy.

I do enjoy the spicy side of it so I always spread a little wasabi on the top with a sprinkle of soy sauce. She will find the most oddball looking thing she can find and proclaim her love for it.

Sushi with Thing 2 is an adventure, offer it to her and see for yourself!

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Great Party!

Last night we went to Tech Guy's house for a birthday party for Mrs. Tech Guy. It was a theme party with a holiday murder mystery to solve!

Fueled with enough food to feed a small army we embarked upon the holiday festivities with many of our friends and a couple of new acquaintances! Fun was had by all as we sorted through the clues, viewed the crime scene, reenacted the motives in skits, and took quizzes.

All in all this was one of the funnest things I've done at a party in a long time!

You two put a ton of time and energy into this party and it showed so kudos to Tech Guy and Mrs. Tech Guy for hosting such a brilliant and successful party! The wassail was amazing as always and Mrs. Claus and I had a great time!

Friday, December 17, 2010

Funny Evening

We watched Despicable Me last night. What a funny movie! Gru, super villain, tries to steal the moon. He winds up adopting three young girls instead. Hilarity ensues.

Good voice acting by Steve Carell as Gru and an excellent story to follow leads to a top notch movie for the whole family! The minions were hilarious to watch, the girls were cute and lovable, the whole story just meshed together perfectly.

The Date finished up her finals Wednesday and is officially out of school until January 10th. She maintained her A GPA and I'm very proud of her and the job she's be able to do!

It's Friday and it's time to get this day out of the way and get into the weekend! Viva la weekend!

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Bad Day Turned Good

Yesterday was just out and out bad. From the time I arrived to work to see SM already at work and getting their one hour of overtime per day (while sitting around doing nothing) to the threat of inspection just around the corner. Yes the same overstaffed and underworked shop I blogged about yesterday.

It felt like nothing went right and nothing was good enough. Even though you were doing the job better than anyone else has or will do it wasn't good enough. That's the one step forward and three steps back feeling I had all day. It wears you down and makes you just not care anymore. They can do whatever they want, you did what you could do and they think that sucks so why do anymore for them?

Thankfully it's all over now. They leave today and we are safe.

After work we headed to a Mexican restaurant for supper and then to church for the famous Christmas Pageant with friends! We helped celebrate T's birthday with her and enjoyed the rest of the evening. The show was good. They closed last night, it was the sixth show in a row.

I know the feeling of relief after a show closes. We've never done six in a row, four was the most. Four over one weekend and three over the other and that was a ton!
It is also very taxing on you and everyone involved. I chatted with a couple of actor friends of mine and we caught up a bit, bid our goodbyes, and headed home after a long day.

I was asleep soon after I laid down.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Half Way Done

Yeah, the week will be half over by the end of today! The inspection team should be wrapping up soon and headed out. They haven't looked at us as of yet however if they are going to it'll be today.

Everyone is on edge. Nerves are frayed and all of the hoops are in place to jump through. It sucks and there isn't a lot of work getting accomplished right now, meaning a big back log for next week.

If you are good with sheet metal, really don't want to work a whole lot, and want really good pay and benefits I'd suggest putting your application in right now. They'll be hiring at least one more person as they don't quite have enough right now to keep up. There is still one guy with lots of seniority who is working at least half a day right now and that's just too much so they created another slot. Now at least the top four will have a protege to do their work for them while they watch You Tube.

Think I'm kidding? Get hired and see for yourself.

In Princess news, she is doing well. She found her scratching post last night and went to town on it. She is eating more, drinking more, and seemingly doing as well as she did before she got sick. She goes back to the vet tomorrow to get her numbers checked and to be evaluated. I think they'll be close to normal and improving:)

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Healing Kitty

Yep Princess is home! She needs to gain a couple of pounds back but she is home, eating, drinking, and jumping tall things. The vet said it's a slight possibility that she got into something to make her this ill however her constant want for water leads me to believe she was born with a kidney problem. One that with the right food and plenty of water can let her lead a normal, natural life.

Even if she needs the occasional veterinary treatment we can handle that. We just want her to be healthy again and happy like she was a short time ago. She ate about four times yesterday, not a lot each time but some. She drank plenty of water. She napped.

That's all I want from her right now. Eat, drink, sleep and her body should handle the rest. She's doing ok for now, Thursday she goes back to the vet to have her numbers checked again. If they are what they were when she left the vet or better then she's got a good chance!

Nothing right now leads me to think she won't get that chance. She's getting more active, eating more (right now in fact) and drinking her water. She used her kitty box, and is all set for a long morning's nap!

Monday, December 13, 2010

Thus Begins Another Week

This will be my last full week at work for the rest of the year though. Next week is like three and a half days as I'm off Friday and the half day is because of our employee Christmas dinner we make.

What will this week present? New challenges? Probably not. New ideas? Most assuredly. New problems that will arise to be overcome? You can bank on it. Payday? Thankfully YES!

After next week I'll be off work for ten full days and it'll cost me three full days of leave. Can't beat a deal like that for maximizing your leave! That's the way the federal holidays fall this year. Ten for three is pretty darn good!

I made a hearty beef stew yesterday to combat the cold. That and a fresh pan of corn bread can't help but warm you up from the inside out! There were freezing winds all day long and I just thought stew was in order. I'd have made chili but I made that earlier in the week.

It was a good weekend. I helped Teehee change his battery out in his Rav4. I watched the blizzard game between New England and Chicago which was a great weather game! The Pats blew them out but it's always fun watching bad weather games. And that was pretty much my weekend:)

The countdown to next weekend has begun!

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Homecoming

I'm fairly certain I've written about Tom T Hall and his songs before if not I should have. I honestly can't remember. I feel certain I've written about Old Dogs, Children, and Watermelon Wine, I'm confident of it but perhaps the chemicals I work with have robbed me of those memories.

Regardless I feel that I'm certain I've written about Homecoming. Tom T Hall is known as the Storyteller. He writes about experiences he's had and tells a story via music. I realize a lot of music is story based however this seems more honest and rings true. Perhaps it's the style he uses or his voice or perhaps it's his guitar playing.

Homecoming is the story of a musician who has been on the road for years too long. He let's the listener (his father) in on a few inside bits of information about being on the road. The song is in the form of answers, the balladeer uses only responses to the unspoken questions posed by said listener in the character of his father. The song is bittersweet in that it looks in on life that has been left behind in favor of the chase of dreams.

The links have clearly been severed from the singer's former life however he makes the effort to reconnect albeit briefly but as sincerely as possible for someone who has made a new life. It is clear that years have passed since the singer has left and by the time of the singer's homecoming and it appears as if this will be the last time he sees his family. He was unable to make it to his mother's funeral and feels at ease leaving his father in the care of his brother and sister.

You get the feel of the Prodigal Son from The Gospel of Luke as the singer mentions that the father mentions the lady is who's sleeping in the car and has heard his son's songs on the radio eluding that the father has followed his son's career regardless of the distance between them.

From the implied questions you get the feeling that there was a special relationship between them in the very brief time they spent together. From last night until tonight combined with driving time leaves a mere minutes to a few sparse hours to catch up.

The song ends on the promise of future contact, a chide, and request to mention "Hello" to a former flame implying if there were a favorable answer then future contact was assured. Especially since you hear the line about meeting lots of people but there's no chance of getting hurt implying there's lots of meaningless female companionship with no emotional attachment.

The singer almost seems to be yearning for a simpler life at times and reconnecting with people who knew him before his fame. The listener is left with some unanswered questions and a brief look into the life of someone famous and the price they willingly paid to obtain said fame.

Saturday, December 11, 2010

Coffee In The Morning

There are life's simple pleasures. Potato chips and coke, a malt and french fries, hot chocolate in the evenings of a cold, blustery day, and coffee in the mornings.

Coffee is a nice simple thing. Grind up some beans, filter heated water through them, pour, and drink. I like my coffee black. Occasionally I'll put a spoon or three of sugar in one just to change things up but 99% of the time it's John Wayne black coffee.

There is a waking up process I go through. First obviously I get out of bed. Barely need the alarm anymore as I'm usually awake a minute or two before it goes off. Then I brush my teeth, use the bathroom, and put the dogs outside. I feed the cats (Princess is responding to treatment by the way and has improved) and step into the shower. Get dressed, bring the dogs in, and make coffee while I blog.

I make a cup of coffee for The Date and take it to her and wake her up so she can start to get ready. Then I head off to work. I'm not big on drinking coffee during the day though, just in the mornings. When it's really cold I'll have the occasional Irish coffee but prefer hot chocolate with Bailey's Irish Cream in it and a dash of either peppermint or cinnamon schnapps.

But in the mornings, just a plain cup of black coffee is preferable. I can live without it but I do enjoy it.

We had some pretty good news last night, a cake that Thing 1 and her new Grandma made took third place in a contest! They worked on it last weekend for a full day and did a great job! They are getting some bonding time together and really enjoy it. Thing 2 and Grandma get the most bonding time and Grandma is teaching her how to do needlepoint and Thing 2 wants to learn to crochet. All skills that my mom has and wants to teach to her granddaughters.

It's really nice for me to see how much they love each other.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sick Kitty

Princess is at the vet. She has a kidney issue but we talked over all of the options and honestly I was prepared to have her put down if the vet agreed.

We went in to see her and the vet yesterday and held Princess. She wasn't listless, didn't appear to be suffering, and had some energy but she was weak. I changed my mind with the advice of the vet.

She is going to treat her and if Princess responds she will be around for a long time:)Yeah we'll probably have to learn to give her fluids under the skin but if that's what it takes then we'll do it!

I think she has a good chance at recovery but the next couple of days will tell the story. Prayers are always welcome for this frail little sick kitty. Princess needs to come home healthy:)

Thursday, December 09, 2010

Not A Lot

Today I feel rested. A lot more rested than yesterday but I feel blah this morning. Normally I have energy and I'm ready to get going. Not today.

I'm not mad, upset, depressed, sick, happy, joyful, nothing. I feel average in every way. I feel blank this morning.

I've got a can of soup for lunch at work today. I've got a Christmas meal at work tomorrow paid for by the company. I've got a weekend to look forward to. But all of that doesn't mean anything right now. I just feel like going back to bed and skipping today.

Oh well, I'll go to work. I'll get the day done. I'll do it again tomorrow.

Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Nearly Sleepless NIght

I felt like I got to sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow last night. Then somewhere between two and three my brain kicked on and it's been on since I got up leaving me feeling unrested and perhaps grumpy. The day will see when I have to interact with other people. I'm unsure right now what will happen, if I'll be my normal affable self or the very rare grumpy me.

I made chili last night to ward off the cold. I woke up and it's warmer out now than it was when I went to bed. No snow, nothing's frozen over, and no need to defrost the windshields.

The Date has some finals today so she will be very busy. Thing 1 is camped out on the couch after being sick all day yesterday. Thing 2 will find out if she got a part in the teen show. I'll struggle to get through the day with little to no sleep. I'll make it, I always do but it won't be fun or easy.

Things are gearing up for a big inspection next week and it's crazy nuts at work. People are losing their minds because of all regulations we have to follow. It's a voluminous amount however we've done the job for decades and know it well. We'll be ok.

I did watch some of MSNBC last night since it was a quiet night at home. Those are some angry, bitter people! Olbermann was beside himself with rage against the President for compromising with the GOP. Maddow had a silly but brilliant cheese analogy. The guy after that parroted the first two with nothing original to say.

Here are the facts. This is not a tax cut. It's an extension of the current tax rates for two years. In exchange the GOP agreed to an extension of unemployment benefits. I feel we could have brought the hammer down and put it at six months or less but we didn't.

The left feel like Obama sold them out and wanted a return to higher tax rates for some American families. Let's get this out of the way, NO ONE IS UNDER TAXED IN THIS COUNTRY! The government doesn't have a revenue problem, they have Obama's spending problem. They have to fund all of his elaborate schemes with tax payer money and there isn't enough.

The FED is producing money out of thin air now. That's not good. Our national debt is skyrocketing and there is little hope on the horizon to bring it down. If you think the bad times are almost over you are mistaken, they are still coming and soon there will be a bigger meltdown.

Tuesday, December 07, 2010

Long Day Ahead

So after the cat's destruction of our Christmas tree yesterday I took Thing 2 out and about and we found a new one. She wanted to decorate it in blue and silver so we found lights and blue and silver ornaments. The Date and Thing 2 proceeded to decorate the night away and it looks great:)

Now if we can keep Scotch out of this tree we'll do great. I got a couple of games of Starcraft in. I went 2-2 narrowly losing the last one against a gold ranked player. He was platinum in the three other divisions too. I'm still bronze even though I feel my skills warrant a higher league now. Abostang said there will be a ladder reset coming up soon and we can re qualify for placement again.

Today will be a lot of work. We have to get place ready for another inspection team and keep our regular work going too. That makes for a very busy day or handful of days really.

As a follow up to yesterday's post Obama and the GOP came to a compromise on taxes and unemployment. Two years of the Bush tax cuts for everyone for one year of unemployment benefits (which will end next year during the holidays if my calendar is right) The left is screaming at Obama about compromise and why he shouldn't do it and the right is upset for compromising anything since they don't have to after January.

You'll see the unemployment rate stay the same as long as you provide an incentive NOT to take a job. Of course how they derive at such a rate is a long and drawn out equation that most normal people couldn't figure out but politicians can and will manipulate it.

So look for a high unemployment rate for the next year while people are being paid not to find a job.

Monday, December 06, 2010

The Law: A LIberal's Demise

"Man can live and satisfy his wants only by ceaseless labor;
by the ceaseless application of his faculties to natural resources.
This process is the origin of property.
But it is also true that a man may live and satisfy his wants
by seizing and consuming the products of the labor of others.
This process is the origin of plunder.
Now since man is naturally inclined to avoid pain—and
since labor is pain in itself—it follows that men will resort to
plunder whenever plunder is easier than work. History shows
this quite clearly. And under these conditions, neither religion
nor morality can stop it." The Law - Frederic Bastiat

(Side note to post: you should take the time to read the above book. It is only seventy some pages and gives a better account on why liberalism is bad and destructive than I ever could. It was written in the 1850s and it's author died of tuberculosis about a year after it was finished.)

Over the weekend the extension of the Bush tax cuts or the soon to be taxes on the wealthy was defeated. It is common knowledge that one of the carrots that the Dems want is an extension of the unemployment benefits so that the tax cuts are extended for everyone.

This is the holiday season after all and it's unfair that the benefits are running out in December. I haven't looked but I'd wager that the ninety nine weeks of unemployment benefits were written into law to specifically expire now by the Dems so they would have an issue to fight for.

Bottom line there are jobs out there, yeah you might hate doing one of them. Delivering pizzas or stocking shelves sucks and it likely doesn't pay as much as your unemployment benefits. When the government will pay you more not to work than you could have made by working then where is the incentive to work?

The flip side is you Ninety Niners knew that eventually your benefits were going to run out, why didn't you find two or three jobs before they did so your family isn't in the situation it is in now? Ride the benefits out for ninety weeks, that's almost two years of tax payer money. Take the last nine weeks and get a couple of jobs to replace your income.

When I was on strike I had a job exactly two days after our first picket line. I worked on the third day of the strike. Since we essentially walked off of our jobs were weren't eligible for unemployment. I had a family to feed though and I had obligations to meet. The money wasn't enough to do that but we made do. We did it and got through that horrible time in my life. I delivered food and washed dishes.

That job got us through a very tough time. If I were given ninety nine weeks of tax payer money not to work I still would have gotten a job. I would have preferred to at least work for less money than take hand out money to do nothing.

If I were on unemployment for this long and hadn't done something about it until the last minute, I'd be ashamed of myself.

Sunday, December 05, 2010

Saturday Was Fun

It all started off in the afternoon with Mozart's wedding. A nice service and a nice reception. The couple looked genuinely happy and we were happy for them! Pretty much most of our common friends were there and naturally hugs abounded.

Mozart composed an original song for his bride with a little lyrical help from Jamal. It was really good and I hope they have long and happy lives together! Then after the service but before the reception we had to rush Thing 2 to auditions for her to sing for next year's teen show.

Voice of an angel! I know I blogged a couple of years ago about Alison Krauss and how she sings like I imagined an angel would sing but Thing 2 is right up there! She was nervous and shy and definitely didn't want to go first but she went and got the jitters out. She'll be fine from now on doing auditions with lots of people around.

After that The Date and I headed to the reception where our circle was hanging out and chatting. We arrived and were able to hang out maybe twenty minutes before I had to take The Date home so she could get changed for work.

I headed back to the auditions where I had just missed Thing 2's speaking part audition. However we did stick around for another thirty minutes and watched the rest of the auditionees do their best. Then we came home and Thing 2 put up Christmas decorations and got the house all decked out!

After that it was puzzle time. Many years ago I purchased a BePuzzled mystery puzzle. It was a story and a puzzle. You had to read the story, put the pieces together and the picture on the box wasn't the same as the puzzle. So it's difficult however the problem is that we cant' find all of the edge pieces. There are only three corner pieces and we can't find the forth or anymore edge pieces that have specific color groups on them that will fit.

I believe it's incomplete and we'll probably have to start a different one. The Impossible puzzle proved to be that, too difficult to do. No edge pieces, five extra pieces that go no where, and a different picture than the box. Yeah, too tough right now.

Anyway this is a fun little family thing we've got going on and when you find a piece and put it into place it really makes you feel good. A solid, tangible sense of accomplishment. Yeah, it's a good family time:)

Saturday, December 04, 2010

Nice!

Last night I got a hair cut for Mozart's impending nuptials this afternoon. Came home and The Date and I watched the very fun and enjoyable Hellboy 2: The Golden Army.

Today we have the aforementioned wedding to attend and an audition for Thing 2 for the teen production early next year. After that I believe The Date has to work this evening while I will either nap or play Starcraft or both.

As for now though I'm waking up and getting ready for the day and what it might bring!
Coffee in hand, breakfast devoured, and bushy tailed I think.

Friday, December 03, 2010

I'm Glad

It's Friday and the work week is 4/5ths over. One more hectic day at work and it'll all be over for forty eight hours. It'll start again though. Unlike a lot of people I don't mind Mondays that much.

You've got to get the week started if you'll ever get it done. Without the work week we'd never appreciate the weekend.

I did decent at Starcraft last night, won two more than I lost. Not bad but not good either. I should be at a much higher skill level now but there is something missing from my game that I just can't put my finger on. I'll figure it out though.

I'm still second place and did gain points on first. I do understand there is possibly a ladder reset coming up in a month. That means I get to re qualify and get into a higher league!

I need to get the opponent on defense faster, I'm waiting too long to move out and they are able to counter most everything when they are able to have an equal army. So I'll watch more replays and learn more and practice more.

Thursday, December 02, 2010

Samcro Rides Off

Last night I finished up Season 3 of Sons of Anarchy. What I really thought would be the weakest of the series turned into the strongest with any of the weaker episodes completely covered up by the fact that the finale was the best of the entire series!

As we left off in Season 2 Jax's son Abel was kidnapped and the Sons were left on a boat dock, and Gemma had been framed by an ATF agent. Ho hum. The main storyline just wasn't appealing to me in the least.

We get to S3 and It's slow going through the entire debut...until the last few seconds when a drive by shooting attacks the club at a funeral. Wow! Now this show is going somewhere! Someone attacking the Sons in their own town? Really?! From then on the show kicks into high gear as the Sons take care of the shooters, hop a plane to Ireland, get involved with the IRA, dodge Agent Stahl, keep their territory, and stay out of prison.

All in all this is not only a great show but one with depth. Yes you do cheer on the bad guys. Guys who run guns, kill people, fight, drink, cheat, and bribe law officers.

In a western they would be the group that the Lone Ranger would be going after, in 2010 they are the amoral gang who has it's own brand of justice and scratch out a living selling guns for the IRA. Fiercely loyal to each other and will go to any steps necessary to protect one of their own.

So what is it that makes you set on the edge of your seat, hoping the traditional good guys get their comeuppance while the traditional bad guys get away with a slap on the wrist? I don't know but for a natural contrarian such as myself it works perfectly.

Wednesday, December 01, 2010

Day [9]

This man is a genius, Day [9] that is.

He could easily be doing stand up comedy in a night club but he's not. Instead he has carved his own niche in the most niche things I can think of. He broadcasts and commentates Starcraft 2 matches.

Day [9] broadcasts from Blip.tv
. Not only does he do a match daily but he has Funday Monday where he issues players an open challenge. For example in a Free For All match you had to kill off the opponents in alphabetical order. Talk about a challenge!

Another time he told all Terran players you couldn't use any Marines or Marauders, that'll just about neuter any Terran player for sure! After that he has Newbie Tuesday where players will send in problems in their gaming style and he'll help fix them. Friendsday Wednesday is where he'll have a top ranked player on and talk over a game they were involved in.

Day [9] is spectacular in his vocal stylings and lightning quick wit. If you have NO INTEREST in Starcraft at all and can't tell a Zergling from a Zealot you can appreciate Day [9]'s commentary for it's comic aspects and on camera charm.

He has been so good at his commentaries that Major League Gaming has picked him up to cast their matches as well as other Starcraft related tournaments such as the Dreamhack Tournament in Sweden.

Not too bad for a student who is still in college huh? He has become quite a celebrity in the Starcraft casting community. Day [9] is definitely someone I'd love to sit down and have a drink with. His advice to others has lifted my game tremendously as well. So perhaps someday if I become really good and get invited to a tournament or two I'll get to hang out with Day [9] but alas my skill is a LONG way from that point.

The only chance would be if Abostang and I got super good and they started taking teams into the tournaments. Abostang carries a lot of matches when they pick on the Protoss player as we have little to defend with in the early games. So Abostang has been left in a few 1v2 games and has won our fair share of them!