After being in an uncomfortable plastic chair for the last three shifts at Walmart I should be finished with that portion of everything. Next I'll be on the floor doing what I'm supposed to be doing. I had a taste of it last night and honestly it's a lot like stir fry cooking.
It's very hard to screw up where I'm at, you look at stuff, get stuff, and put stuff out. It's not even that tedious and it should go fast. Another guy there is in the exact same boat I am, works almost the same hours, and has two teenage girls. He works a full time job during the day and the same hours at night, just not as many as I will be working.
The way The Date and I have figured, and I've run these numbers a hundred times already by myself, I should be close to quitting right around tax return time. I've probably said that before but that's how I keep reminding myself it's temporary and we'll make it through this too.
Eye on the prize, Dave Ramsay would be proud!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Not Bad
First of all my doctor appointment came out very well. No kidney stones, the cyst had shrank in size, and I'm completely normal within every measurable way:) Thank you for your prayers:)
Second of all The Date and I figured up exactly where we stood with medical bills, it's not as bad as either of us thought! In fact it might wind up being less than expected as we need to contact a provider and tell them to appeal the biggest bill based on advice from the actual insurance company itself! How cool is that?! It might go very well for us in that regard!
If that is paid by the insurance company then more than likely that low amount will be lower by a full third! And it'll be much faster to not only stop living paycheck to paycheck but it'll be easier to start building our savings account/emergency fund to minimize any unforeseen problems that will likely arise in the future!
This should be it though, we get through this week and next week and we are set!
Third the second job won't be that bad. It's tough starting a new job, always is because there's so much to learn right up front and this is not a fun process. For our purposes though it's necessary and I can handle being treated like a first grader to accomplish this for my family.
Eye on the prize.
Second of all The Date and I figured up exactly where we stood with medical bills, it's not as bad as either of us thought! In fact it might wind up being less than expected as we need to contact a provider and tell them to appeal the biggest bill based on advice from the actual insurance company itself! How cool is that?! It might go very well for us in that regard!
If that is paid by the insurance company then more than likely that low amount will be lower by a full third! And it'll be much faster to not only stop living paycheck to paycheck but it'll be easier to start building our savings account/emergency fund to minimize any unforeseen problems that will likely arise in the future!
This should be it though, we get through this week and next week and we are set!
Third the second job won't be that bad. It's tough starting a new job, always is because there's so much to learn right up front and this is not a fun process. For our purposes though it's necessary and I can handle being treated like a first grader to accomplish this for my family.
Eye on the prize.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Doctor Appointment
It's nothing bit, just an ultrasound to see if I'm still free of kidney stones and to update the doctors on a cyst. Nothing big anymore, nothing has changed in the five years that I've been going to I expect the same this morning.
While I'm off of work for my regular job I do work this evening and start my computer training classes. I should be home a bit after eleven and go right back to work in the morning with my real job. I started on the first day of the new pay period so I'll be receiving a full paycheck on the fifteenth of September and then every alternate week after. What is very cool about this is that I'll bring home a paycheck every single week!
So I'll get two evenings off per weekday and both evenings of the weekend after six. Not bad hours at all and it'll help us tremendously! The more hours I work now the faster I can cut them back later and then the faster I can quit later:)
Eye on the prize!
While I'm off of work for my regular job I do work this evening and start my computer training classes. I should be home a bit after eleven and go right back to work in the morning with my real job. I started on the first day of the new pay period so I'll be receiving a full paycheck on the fifteenth of September and then every alternate week after. What is very cool about this is that I'll bring home a paycheck every single week!
So I'll get two evenings off per weekday and both evenings of the weekend after six. Not bad hours at all and it'll help us tremendously! The more hours I work now the faster I can cut them back later and then the faster I can quit later:)
Eye on the prize!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
First Day Was Easy
Of course it was all just orientation, learning how to clock in and out, and things like that. When it is all said and done I'll be working twenty eight and a half hours a week in addition to my normal forty. It'll be tough but it'll be worth it with everything I'll be able to provide, including a big step up into future security!
Six months is my guess, maybe a big less, maybe a bit more but by then most everything will be caught up, finished, paid, or building and The Date and I will reassess the need for a second job then. We'll know exactly when we need to look at the importance of that many hours then and it's entirely possible I'll cut back my hours before that time anyway.
It really won't be so bad once I get used to the routine. As I blogged yesterday I'm excited about the fact that I'll be getting a paycheck every single week and that will dramatically help us!
Six months is my guess, maybe a big less, maybe a bit more but by then most everything will be caught up, finished, paid, or building and The Date and I will reassess the need for a second job then. We'll know exactly when we need to look at the importance of that many hours then and it's entirely possible I'll cut back my hours before that time anyway.
It really won't be so bad once I get used to the routine. As I blogged yesterday I'm excited about the fact that I'll be getting a paycheck every single week and that will dramatically help us!
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Going To Work
Everyone who knows me already knows this but I have taken a part time job at WalMart and today I start with my orientation. The Date doesn't like this as we already spend less time together than we should. I feel the same way however times are tough today.
If we bite the bullet now and make this temporary sacrifice we will be in so much better shape a few short months from now. Not only then but far into the future and when she graduates with her degree then we'll be in tremendously great shape!
The reasons for doing this now are plain enough but there is one more reason that kind of surpasses them all, the security of my family is paramount. Next June our contract is up with the company. I highly doubt there will be a strike, not after last time. NO ONE wants that to happen again and it would take a very very bad contract offer to get me to vote in favor of striking again. I'd almost vote in favor of any contract as long as they don't take away my leave, or wages.
The fact remains though that we should have a safety net for our family and this is the best way to provide that. Our bills are few enough and Monday she and I are going to set down and organize what we owe and how much. I don't think they are as bad as they appear. We have little consumer debt that swamps most people starting out.
We do this now and we are positioning ourselves for a much brighter future but I'm not deceiving myself, this is going to be tough. But out of this we'll be in great shape to find another house, we could easily have a large down payment built up to do so, we'll have money for new furniture, new clothes, and a brighter future. But to get there I have to do this now. Each week though it'll get easier as more is paid off, the real benefit to this part time job is that I'll be paid each week, one week from my main job, once from WalMart. Add to that what The Date brings in and we'll be done with bills and on to building a savings account in no time!
That is what makes me want to do this even more, knowing that no matter what happens in the future we'll be ok and get the tough things we've dealt with the past two years won't be so tough anymore:)
If we bite the bullet now and make this temporary sacrifice we will be in so much better shape a few short months from now. Not only then but far into the future and when she graduates with her degree then we'll be in tremendously great shape!
The reasons for doing this now are plain enough but there is one more reason that kind of surpasses them all, the security of my family is paramount. Next June our contract is up with the company. I highly doubt there will be a strike, not after last time. NO ONE wants that to happen again and it would take a very very bad contract offer to get me to vote in favor of striking again. I'd almost vote in favor of any contract as long as they don't take away my leave, or wages.
The fact remains though that we should have a safety net for our family and this is the best way to provide that. Our bills are few enough and Monday she and I are going to set down and organize what we owe and how much. I don't think they are as bad as they appear. We have little consumer debt that swamps most people starting out.
We do this now and we are positioning ourselves for a much brighter future but I'm not deceiving myself, this is going to be tough. But out of this we'll be in great shape to find another house, we could easily have a large down payment built up to do so, we'll have money for new furniture, new clothes, and a brighter future. But to get there I have to do this now. Each week though it'll get easier as more is paid off, the real benefit to this part time job is that I'll be paid each week, one week from my main job, once from WalMart. Add to that what The Date brings in and we'll be done with bills and on to building a savings account in no time!
That is what makes me want to do this even more, knowing that no matter what happens in the future we'll be ok and get the tough things we've dealt with the past two years won't be so tough anymore:)
Friday, August 26, 2011
Hurricanes
So Abostang and I were chatting over lunch yesterday and we thought it would be very cool to experience the full force of a hurricane someday. If there was one headed to the gulf coast but not New Orleans then we thought we'd drive down to experience one of nature's most incredible forces.
We'd pack up a few cases of bottled water and some food things first to help with relief efforts but just to get there and experience something that is naturally forceful would be a lifetime memory. Since Irene is the first hurricane since 2008 that appears will make landfall on the continental U.S. then it might be a wait.
Irene does look very powerful though and appears right now that it will rip up the eastern seaboard, up to Canada. D.C., New York, Boston, many Northern cities that don't typically experience hurricanes are potentially in the path of Irene. High winds, flooding, and debris damage will paralyze those places for a while if it is anything above a tropical depression by the time it gets there.
Irene should have landfall this weekend, I hope those first strike communities are prepared!
We'd pack up a few cases of bottled water and some food things first to help with relief efforts but just to get there and experience something that is naturally forceful would be a lifetime memory. Since Irene is the first hurricane since 2008 that appears will make landfall on the continental U.S. then it might be a wait.
Irene does look very powerful though and appears right now that it will rip up the eastern seaboard, up to Canada. D.C., New York, Boston, many Northern cities that don't typically experience hurricanes are potentially in the path of Irene. High winds, flooding, and debris damage will paralyze those places for a while if it is anything above a tropical depression by the time it gets there.
Irene should have landfall this weekend, I hope those first strike communities are prepared!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Out Of Touch
Today will be a fairly easy day at work. I'll by busy but it won't be overwhelming. Yesterday was a real hoot though. Ok while I'm good friends with one of the welders at work and this will sound bad this is genuinely what happened.
Bub, famous from this post right here, was asked to do some extra work to help out the short handed machine shop. Machine shop has two people, welding shop has two people. The difference is that welding shop hasn't had much work at all for years since they shut down the engine shop. Most of the days of the welders is spent visiting other shops, hanging out, and surfing online. That's literally it and without exaggeration.
They have to get certifications to hold their jobs which also earns them additional money per hour. So they are very well paid for literally doing nothing or very very little.
So this job came around to take over of pressing races into wheels, a simple job and a job in which my shop also has a hand in. I've seen it done a thousand times and could do it in my sleep. So the supervisor has the idea to keep welding shop relevant and give them a job to do during the day as they really don't have anything to do.
Welding shop pitches a fit about it as they feel it's not in their job description to do so. The lead goes to the union steward and files a grievance in fact to keep them from doing this very easy job. It's a principle thing I guess with them despite their large paychecks, both earn considerably more than I do and I pull in a nice paycheck myself.
I don't get upset when they add jobs to our shop, I get upset when they start removing jobs from our shop as that only leads to bad things eventually. When contract time comes around again, and it will next year, I'd be very nervous as a welder and they figure out they can get along just fine without the entire shop and shut it down. It's hard to find a job these days even with a skill like that. Welders are plentiful in this world.
Bub, famous from this post right here, was asked to do some extra work to help out the short handed machine shop. Machine shop has two people, welding shop has two people. The difference is that welding shop hasn't had much work at all for years since they shut down the engine shop. Most of the days of the welders is spent visiting other shops, hanging out, and surfing online. That's literally it and without exaggeration.
They have to get certifications to hold their jobs which also earns them additional money per hour. So they are very well paid for literally doing nothing or very very little.
So this job came around to take over of pressing races into wheels, a simple job and a job in which my shop also has a hand in. I've seen it done a thousand times and could do it in my sleep. So the supervisor has the idea to keep welding shop relevant and give them a job to do during the day as they really don't have anything to do.
Welding shop pitches a fit about it as they feel it's not in their job description to do so. The lead goes to the union steward and files a grievance in fact to keep them from doing this very easy job. It's a principle thing I guess with them despite their large paychecks, both earn considerably more than I do and I pull in a nice paycheck myself.
I don't get upset when they add jobs to our shop, I get upset when they start removing jobs from our shop as that only leads to bad things eventually. When contract time comes around again, and it will next year, I'd be very nervous as a welder and they figure out they can get along just fine without the entire shop and shut it down. It's hard to find a job these days even with a skill like that. Welders are plentiful in this world.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Green Revolution
The highly vaunted green jobs that President Obama pitched to the public during his time in office has yielded less than revolutionary results.
According to this article a green grant of half a million dollars created 1.72 jobs. Hardly the numbers expected or promised. That should be proof enough that government doesn't create job growth and the private sector can.
If there was a demand for green technology and the actual technology was there to make it affordable to the public and save money then it would have happened already. The facts are that the technology can't compete with what's already out there right now. The efficiency isn't there and certainly the costs savings aren't there yet.
Perhaps in the future there will be some breakthroughs that will help prices come down but for now no one wants to drive a Volt. I'd love to have an off the grid home powered by wind but the price isn't there yet to pay for itself before the equipment needs to be replaced. Our electric bill is cheap enough that it doesn't make buying one and having everything installed a reasonable purchase with today's technology.
Someday I'm positive that the private sector will get there as self sufficiency is what I will continue to aim for but not today.
According to this article a green grant of half a million dollars created 1.72 jobs. Hardly the numbers expected or promised. That should be proof enough that government doesn't create job growth and the private sector can.
If there was a demand for green technology and the actual technology was there to make it affordable to the public and save money then it would have happened already. The facts are that the technology can't compete with what's already out there right now. The efficiency isn't there and certainly the costs savings aren't there yet.
Perhaps in the future there will be some breakthroughs that will help prices come down but for now no one wants to drive a Volt. I'd love to have an off the grid home powered by wind but the price isn't there yet to pay for itself before the equipment needs to be replaced. Our electric bill is cheap enough that it doesn't make buying one and having everything installed a reasonable purchase with today's technology.
Someday I'm positive that the private sector will get there as self sufficiency is what I will continue to aim for but not today.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Grateful
Once again I'm headed to work:) I know I complain or seemingly complain a lot about my job but I'm also grateful for it. A lot of people in today's economy have no job at all to go to and I happen to have one that is reliable, secure, and steady. I am given a lot of time off as well as a great wage. Two retirement packages and federal holidays as well, it's hard to beat in this day and age when thousands of people line up for a handful of jobs.
I'm grateful for my family. The Date has been through a lot and so have the girls. The Date had a good rehearsal last night but came home exhausted and still had homework to finish for today. That's how difficult it is to be a full time student with fifty plus hours to go to your degree and be a full time everything else while handling a part time job.
The Things are handling the start of high school well or will handle it well when it starts tomorrow. Thing 2 already hates high school but she'll adjust. I had a great time in high school, it was a great time for me even though I was very busy.
I didn't enjoy college as much. I was young and too restless for my own good to spend time in another school then. So I dropped out and went to work to save money for who knows what I was thinking at the time. I wanted to start living and be an adult and not be in school anymore. I couldn't wait to grow up but I did have fun being a kid as well.
Regardless of my decision then it has lead me to a good life now, granted I've earned every step and it's not been an easy road as it would have been with a degree but it's what I chose to do. It's defined my education since I left college, I may not be the brightest bulb out there but I'd stack up my intelligence against many and hold my own. I love to read classic novels or longer than average books, you should see my Kindle to see what's on there. I have a deep love for this country and politics.
Politics is the one subject that effects every single person in this country whether they realize it or not, even the apolitical are under the thumb of political decisions made in D.C. It's just best to understand how the system works and to inoculate yourself as best you can against it. That's self sufficiency, something I feel I'll struggle with for a long time but I'll keep learning:) I hope you do too!
I'm grateful to God as well and foremost for without Him then none of this wild and crazy fueled life would be possible to begin with! I've got a decent command of the Bible but far from a real theologian's grasp for sure.
Now though I've got to head off to work and start my week again:)
I'm grateful for my family. The Date has been through a lot and so have the girls. The Date had a good rehearsal last night but came home exhausted and still had homework to finish for today. That's how difficult it is to be a full time student with fifty plus hours to go to your degree and be a full time everything else while handling a part time job.
The Things are handling the start of high school well or will handle it well when it starts tomorrow. Thing 2 already hates high school but she'll adjust. I had a great time in high school, it was a great time for me even though I was very busy.
I didn't enjoy college as much. I was young and too restless for my own good to spend time in another school then. So I dropped out and went to work to save money for who knows what I was thinking at the time. I wanted to start living and be an adult and not be in school anymore. I couldn't wait to grow up but I did have fun being a kid as well.
Regardless of my decision then it has lead me to a good life now, granted I've earned every step and it's not been an easy road as it would have been with a degree but it's what I chose to do. It's defined my education since I left college, I may not be the brightest bulb out there but I'd stack up my intelligence against many and hold my own. I love to read classic novels or longer than average books, you should see my Kindle to see what's on there. I have a deep love for this country and politics.
Politics is the one subject that effects every single person in this country whether they realize it or not, even the apolitical are under the thumb of political decisions made in D.C. It's just best to understand how the system works and to inoculate yourself as best you can against it. That's self sufficiency, something I feel I'll struggle with for a long time but I'll keep learning:) I hope you do too!
I'm grateful to God as well and foremost for without Him then none of this wild and crazy fueled life would be possible to begin with! I've got a decent command of the Bible but far from a real theologian's grasp for sure.
Now though I've got to head off to work and start my week again:)
Monday, August 22, 2011
Start Of A New Week
Beersnob and I shared a couple of cigars last night and some much needed conversation. He's got some big plans for the business and they are exciting. I'm off today and have to get Thing 2 to freshman orientation this morning while The Date has a class.
It won't be long before one of my goals could possibly be complete! A long time ago I had the thought of showing classic movies at the Theatre as a fundraiser for a lot of the repairs and general upkeep it requires. Turns out The Date and Master Baker were discussing this at Dogtown the other night and Master Baker said he had someone approach him wanting to do the same thing! Someone with some expendable cash that might be interested in donating enough to make it happen!
It might just be a case of it was meant to be. How cool would it be to see a double feature of Kurosawa movies? To show Seven Samurai to a new generation of people on a Friday night. How about two classic scifi movies one evening or two Hitchcock thrillers such as Psycho and Vertigo? Two Bogie and Bacall movies one evening and two John Wayne movies another Friday?
That would be a fun evening and I believe that it would not only raise money to help with the aging theatre's needs but bring some classic movies to a whole new generation. It's the perfect place and it's a great time to get this going at the theatre. I wrote a proposal for the board to look over and vote on and before long this might become a reality:)
It won't be long before one of my goals could possibly be complete! A long time ago I had the thought of showing classic movies at the Theatre as a fundraiser for a lot of the repairs and general upkeep it requires. Turns out The Date and Master Baker were discussing this at Dogtown the other night and Master Baker said he had someone approach him wanting to do the same thing! Someone with some expendable cash that might be interested in donating enough to make it happen!
It might just be a case of it was meant to be. How cool would it be to see a double feature of Kurosawa movies? To show Seven Samurai to a new generation of people on a Friday night. How about two classic scifi movies one evening or two Hitchcock thrillers such as Psycho and Vertigo? Two Bogie and Bacall movies one evening and two John Wayne movies another Friday?
That would be a fun evening and I believe that it would not only raise money to help with the aging theatre's needs but bring some classic movies to a whole new generation. It's the perfect place and it's a great time to get this going at the theatre. I wrote a proposal for the board to look over and vote on and before long this might become a reality:)
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Saturday Went Well
And turned from a day with no plans to a work day of epic proportions. R came over with an auger and we dug five holes with it in about ten minutes including the time it took to unload the auger. It made short and fast work of the project.
Now today we'll set the posts and pour some quickcrete around them to set up so we can finish the fence. I'll be doing the same at R's house. Great guy, can't ask for more out of one person.
After drilling the post holes here we went to R's house and thought it would take about the same amount of time to drill maybe a dozen holes. The first hole went fast, sandy, loose soil. The second got the auger drill entangled in some roots and thick clay. The machine didn't have a reverse on it so we couldn't just reverse the drill out of it's stuck state. So we started digging and cutting roots.
It took around three hours of digging by hand, shovel, and screwdriver to free the auger. After it was freed up though the remaining holes took literally less than a half hour to start and finish.
Exhausted and covered with mud, dirt, and sweat I came home and The Date and I did some yard cleaning and tree trimming. Thing 2 helped a lot, that little fifteen year old girl is a workhorse and does more than a lot of my coworkers.
I went to Dogtown for about an hour and a half. Talked over the USBL and it's demise and how it would still be a great league if it had been managed differently. I floated the idea that it's rise and fall would be great documentary material.
Today has few plans, mainly as I said up above, setting posts into the post holes. That's it:)
Now today we'll set the posts and pour some quickcrete around them to set up so we can finish the fence. I'll be doing the same at R's house. Great guy, can't ask for more out of one person.
After drilling the post holes here we went to R's house and thought it would take about the same amount of time to drill maybe a dozen holes. The first hole went fast, sandy, loose soil. The second got the auger drill entangled in some roots and thick clay. The machine didn't have a reverse on it so we couldn't just reverse the drill out of it's stuck state. So we started digging and cutting roots.
It took around three hours of digging by hand, shovel, and screwdriver to free the auger. After it was freed up though the remaining holes took literally less than a half hour to start and finish.
Exhausted and covered with mud, dirt, and sweat I came home and The Date and I did some yard cleaning and tree trimming. Thing 2 helped a lot, that little fifteen year old girl is a workhorse and does more than a lot of my coworkers.
I went to Dogtown for about an hour and a half. Talked over the USBL and it's demise and how it would still be a great league if it had been managed differently. I floated the idea that it's rise and fall would be great documentary material.
Today has few plans, mainly as I said up above, setting posts into the post holes. That's it:)
Saturday, August 20, 2011
It's The Weekend
And I don't have a lot of plans other than to attend Dogtown tonight. It's an annual block party we like to attend, mostly theatre folk are there.
After that I don't have a lot planned and it's going to be nice. No plans and yeah, it's going to be nice and comfortable.
After that I don't have a lot planned and it's going to be nice. No plans and yeah, it's going to be nice and comfortable.
Friday, August 19, 2011
New Blade Runner
Usually I don't like or enjoy movies that revisit or new buzzword "reimagine" an original piece of art. Blade Runner is one of my favorite movies of all time. I don't like classics like that messed with.
However in this case Ridley Scott is directing a project set in the Blade Runner universe. There is no script yet, there is no idea whether it's a prequel, sequel, or a reboot of the movie. I strongly doubt a director the caliber of Ridley Scott would remake his own movie.
Regardless of the time setting of this movie and anything different than a full on remake and you can count me into that audience for sure. I love this movie, I've written at least one blog on the movie itself and how many times I've seen it.
It's a movie similar to It's A Wonderful Life where it did so so business when it opened (In fairness Blade Runner opened against Star Trek II, John Carpenter's The Thing another scifi classic, and E.T.) but over time it gained the status it deserved in pop culture.
I'm looking forward to see how this project develops and what Ridley Scott has in mind!
However in this case Ridley Scott is directing a project set in the Blade Runner universe. There is no script yet, there is no idea whether it's a prequel, sequel, or a reboot of the movie. I strongly doubt a director the caliber of Ridley Scott would remake his own movie.
Regardless of the time setting of this movie and anything different than a full on remake and you can count me into that audience for sure. I love this movie, I've written at least one blog on the movie itself and how many times I've seen it.
It's a movie similar to It's A Wonderful Life where it did so so business when it opened (In fairness Blade Runner opened against Star Trek II, John Carpenter's The Thing another scifi classic, and E.T.) but over time it gained the status it deserved in pop culture.
I'm looking forward to see how this project develops and what Ridley Scott has in mind!
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Our New Terrorists
When you hear the word terrorist what is the first image that pops into your mind? For me it is an Muslim who has been radicalized. Even though I live in Oklahoma I don't think of Timothy McVeigh first.
How many terror attacks have been carried out by Muslim extremists on American soil? I found a list to help you out. This list doesn't include such attacks as Beirut, the embassy bombings, or the USS Cole.
A search for White Middle Class Terrorist attacks on American soil turns up three names, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, and the hero turned accused but never tried Richard Jewell for the Olympic park bomb. I'm sure there is an abortion clinic bomber in there as well but no names are showing.
With such a staggering difference in Muslim terrorist attacks on our own soil versus white attacks on our soil I want to know why Janet Napolitano has decided it's alright to create this public service announcement. Muslims, even American Muslims are the likely first demographic of a terrorist attack on American soil. Why is that so hard to figure out? Why is that offensive?
I guess the white middle class men should be thrilled it's not a guy this time. It would look odd for a man to be leaving a purse in a station after all unless it was a cross dressing gay man but then she would offend the gay community and we can't have that. I'm not even going to search for Gay American Terrorist attacks on American soil....
Look this is a root cause of this whole administration, they hate America and the people who make it run. All Americans, white, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Indian. All of us who go to work every day make this country run and this administration declared war on us. Our federal justice department hates Americans, from Attorney General Holder filing a law suit against Arizona to Big Sis literally telling the public to watch out for White Female American Middle Class Terrorists!
Big Sis needs to be fired for this offense. She needs to create a PSA that shows an accurately depicted terrorist planting a bomb or getting ready to go on a rampage with a mall as a shooting gallery. That's the real threat Big Sis, do your job.
I just have to close my eyes, relax, and meditate on the words, "November 2012...November 2012...November 2012..."
How many terror attacks have been carried out by Muslim extremists on American soil? I found a list to help you out. This list doesn't include such attacks as Beirut, the embassy bombings, or the USS Cole.
A search for White Middle Class Terrorist attacks on American soil turns up three names, Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols, and the hero turned accused but never tried Richard Jewell for the Olympic park bomb. I'm sure there is an abortion clinic bomber in there as well but no names are showing.
With such a staggering difference in Muslim terrorist attacks on our own soil versus white attacks on our soil I want to know why Janet Napolitano has decided it's alright to create this public service announcement. Muslims, even American Muslims are the likely first demographic of a terrorist attack on American soil. Why is that so hard to figure out? Why is that offensive?
I guess the white middle class men should be thrilled it's not a guy this time. It would look odd for a man to be leaving a purse in a station after all unless it was a cross dressing gay man but then she would offend the gay community and we can't have that. I'm not even going to search for Gay American Terrorist attacks on American soil....
Look this is a root cause of this whole administration, they hate America and the people who make it run. All Americans, white, Black, Hispanic, Asian, Indian. All of us who go to work every day make this country run and this administration declared war on us. Our federal justice department hates Americans, from Attorney General Holder filing a law suit against Arizona to Big Sis literally telling the public to watch out for White Female American Middle Class Terrorists!
Big Sis needs to be fired for this offense. She needs to create a PSA that shows an accurately depicted terrorist planting a bomb or getting ready to go on a rampage with a mall as a shooting gallery. That's the real threat Big Sis, do your job.
I just have to close my eyes, relax, and meditate on the words, "November 2012...November 2012...November 2012..."
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Win Over A Liberal
So my rather contentious and sometimes heated debate likely came to a close yesterday with a win in the conservative column. I had him on the ropes last week when he started talking about welfare and how it was reformed in the nineties under a GOP congress and Clinton.
Naturally I struck a hard blow by informing him that under Obama those reforms were repealed which really took him by surprise. At that point I knew I had actually won the debate. His godlike Obama had actually done something he thought was going to hurt the country...as if all of Obama's policies aren't harmful to our country.
So he said he was going to research it and read the bill...I haven't heard back on that debate but instead on Monday I read is latest attempt to win after such a backbreaking blow. He insisted that Warren Buffet knew more about the economy than I did. Which is absolutely true. Buffet is a fan of more taxes for the wealthiest whatever percentage he thinks is fair.
I replied that Buffet is a private sector individual and creates more private sector jobs in the world than many companies combined. He's a powerful businessman and smart on top of that. It's completely his right as an American to pay more taxes if he feels that way and no one is stopping him from writing a five billion dollar check each week to pay more taxes if he feels he should be.
Then knowing my liberal nemesis was actually talking about taxes on the rich I directed him to this site and simply said this is what I support as far as tax reform.
He read the site and replied back that he wanted to know more and would read more about the Fair Tax. He liked the idea! So instead of rubbing his nose in my victory which I really wanted to do by saying that he agreed with the Tea Party now, and a conservative idea he didn't like or agree with at all, I let it go.
Perhaps I'll just take my victory in silence. I know he'll return someday with some other argument and I'll call him on it and it'll lead to another weeks long email debate. Or perhaps I opened that door in his head that will lead him away from his childish liberal ways and into the way America is supposed to work.
Government's main role is the defense of our liberties, everyone gets an equal chance at their own American dream but that does not guarantee success or an equal outcome. Just the opportunity should be afforded to everyone, after that it's up to you and the government should not hinder you in any way.
But for now a win is a win.
Naturally I struck a hard blow by informing him that under Obama those reforms were repealed which really took him by surprise. At that point I knew I had actually won the debate. His godlike Obama had actually done something he thought was going to hurt the country...as if all of Obama's policies aren't harmful to our country.
So he said he was going to research it and read the bill...I haven't heard back on that debate but instead on Monday I read is latest attempt to win after such a backbreaking blow. He insisted that Warren Buffet knew more about the economy than I did. Which is absolutely true. Buffet is a fan of more taxes for the wealthiest whatever percentage he thinks is fair.
I replied that Buffet is a private sector individual and creates more private sector jobs in the world than many companies combined. He's a powerful businessman and smart on top of that. It's completely his right as an American to pay more taxes if he feels that way and no one is stopping him from writing a five billion dollar check each week to pay more taxes if he feels he should be.
Then knowing my liberal nemesis was actually talking about taxes on the rich I directed him to this site and simply said this is what I support as far as tax reform.
He read the site and replied back that he wanted to know more and would read more about the Fair Tax. He liked the idea! So instead of rubbing his nose in my victory which I really wanted to do by saying that he agreed with the Tea Party now, and a conservative idea he didn't like or agree with at all, I let it go.
Perhaps I'll just take my victory in silence. I know he'll return someday with some other argument and I'll call him on it and it'll lead to another weeks long email debate. Or perhaps I opened that door in his head that will lead him away from his childish liberal ways and into the way America is supposed to work.
Government's main role is the defense of our liberties, everyone gets an equal chance at their own American dream but that does not guarantee success or an equal outcome. Just the opportunity should be afforded to everyone, after that it's up to you and the government should not hinder you in any way.
But for now a win is a win.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
No Research
I've done almost no research this year for fantasy football, a mainstay of my sporting life for the past sixteen years. I've just got little interest in it this season. I'm in two leagues, one I've been in for those sixteen years and the other I founded as a keeper league.
I can't give up my spot in either as they would be hard to gain entry back into once my interest does return though. So I'll stick through a passionless season this year and I know my interest will return next season. It's just a lot of real life issues have collided at one time and that has drained my interest in most sports period.
All in all I know my interest will return, I know my smile will return, and I know that I'll be refreshed in a few months but it'll be a struggle for a while. I'm up to it though.
I can't give up my spot in either as they would be hard to gain entry back into once my interest does return though. So I'll stick through a passionless season this year and I know my interest will return next season. It's just a lot of real life issues have collided at one time and that has drained my interest in most sports period.
All in all I know my interest will return, I know my smile will return, and I know that I'll be refreshed in a few months but it'll be a struggle for a while. I'm up to it though.
Monday, August 15, 2011
Pickles Going To Work
Yep, they won't actually be ready for eating until Wednesday but they can finish in the refrigerators at work. I'm only taking a a gallon of pickles with me. The guys at work love pickles and they'll love the spicy ones as well!
Well maybe not, I used some pepper extract that hits about 7.2 million on the Scoville scale. A jalapeno pepper is about 2,500 up to 8,000 Scoville units. I only used a drop and there is also vinegar used so the pickles will be dramatically less than 7.2 million units but it'll light you up for about fifteen minutes. That's when your body breaks down the capsaicin, which gives peppers their heat.
As an example pepper spray itself is about 5.3 million Scoville units and pure capsaicin is 16 million. So these will be very tasty but hot peppers. I estimate they would clock in around 5 million Scoville units due to the cooking and vinegar added.
They'll love them!
Well maybe not, I used some pepper extract that hits about 7.2 million on the Scoville scale. A jalapeno pepper is about 2,500 up to 8,000 Scoville units. I only used a drop and there is also vinegar used so the pickles will be dramatically less than 7.2 million units but it'll light you up for about fifteen minutes. That's when your body breaks down the capsaicin, which gives peppers their heat.
As an example pepper spray itself is about 5.3 million Scoville units and pure capsaicin is 16 million. So these will be very tasty but hot peppers. I estimate they would clock in around 5 million Scoville units due to the cooking and vinegar added.
They'll love them!
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Rick Perry
By request I decided to jump into seeing how conservative Governor Rick Perry is and how he would stack up against known conservatives that have already declared. Most positions are well known for the current crop of GOP contenders.
Paul is more libertarian than I am, and he came in second to Michelle Bachmann yesterday in the Iowa straw poll. That is essentially the first pre-season football game to get a look at the teams. I don't know what it is but Bachmann just turns me off politically, she doesn't have the warmth or charm of a Sarah Palin.
I've been pretty vocal for a long time about my dislike of Romney. Gingrich, a lot of times I don't know where he stands anymore while I used to be a huge supporter of his. He's a thinker and a conservative that could get a lot done as he is very familiar with how Washington works. Maybe that's the problem. His campaign is in turmoil though and his personal baggage would be a distraction in the general election.
Santorum and Pawlenty round out the field of also rans while my personal favorite Herman Cain is the direction that I hope and pray America takes in 2012! A business man and not a professional politician. He reminds me more of a Ransom Stoddard (look it up) than any of the current contenders. A little out of his depth but he knows exactly what he doesn't know and isn't too proud to admit that while a lot of people would make something up to sound good.
Now that Governor Rick Perry has made his announcement official we'll focus upon him for a few minutes. Fiscally he's about as conservative as you can get from the articles I've found and read about his record. Socially he is around ninety percent conservative. That's not bad.
I differ with him when he issued a an executive order for forced inoculations of all girls entering the sixth grade for human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer. No politician ever should mandate something like this. It was eventually overturned but it shows a disturbing moment in his career where he really overstepped what a conservative should be about and that's keeping government out of people's lives.
I don't care if it's the cure for cancer, flu, and the common cold rolled up into one. No politician should mandate such a thing. That said I don't know why people wouldn't be standing in line for days on end if such a product were ever created.
Secondly his stance on immigration can be a bit McCainesque. We have current immigration laws in this country, we want and love immigrants as we are a nation of immigrants. We also want and would love you to do it the right way and quit sneaking into our backyard. Governor Perry signed a version of the dream act in 2001 that allowed undocumented students in state tuition. While I understand that the children of illegals had nothing to do with their status as illegals it is also money that could have been used to educate citizens.
The biggest problem that Rick Perry will have in the election cycle is that he is the governor of Texas where W was also governor. People will link the two either fair or unfairly. Yes I greatly admired many of the things Bush did while in office I also didn't like many of the things such as his big spending ways.
Yes they were mostly spurred by two wars, Katrina, the Indonesian tsunami, Florida being repeatedly lashed by hurricanes, and the number one event of his presidency 9/11. He had both houses of Congress and could have really scaled back the size of government and didn't do that.
I'd support Rick Perry if Herman Cain and Ron Paul are not the GOP nominees. I realize my ticket is just a dream for myself to alone enjoy but that is what I feel Washington needs, a breath of very fresh and clean air to blow away the institutional corruption that his taken root. A professional politician is the last thing we need as Americans and I believe that is what Rick Perry has become. Conservative yes, a few troubling moments in his Governorship but someone I could support given no alternative against Obama.
Paul is more libertarian than I am, and he came in second to Michelle Bachmann yesterday in the Iowa straw poll. That is essentially the first pre-season football game to get a look at the teams. I don't know what it is but Bachmann just turns me off politically, she doesn't have the warmth or charm of a Sarah Palin.
I've been pretty vocal for a long time about my dislike of Romney. Gingrich, a lot of times I don't know where he stands anymore while I used to be a huge supporter of his. He's a thinker and a conservative that could get a lot done as he is very familiar with how Washington works. Maybe that's the problem. His campaign is in turmoil though and his personal baggage would be a distraction in the general election.
Santorum and Pawlenty round out the field of also rans while my personal favorite Herman Cain is the direction that I hope and pray America takes in 2012! A business man and not a professional politician. He reminds me more of a Ransom Stoddard (look it up) than any of the current contenders. A little out of his depth but he knows exactly what he doesn't know and isn't too proud to admit that while a lot of people would make something up to sound good.
Now that Governor Rick Perry has made his announcement official we'll focus upon him for a few minutes. Fiscally he's about as conservative as you can get from the articles I've found and read about his record. Socially he is around ninety percent conservative. That's not bad.
I differ with him when he issued a an executive order for forced inoculations of all girls entering the sixth grade for human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease that can cause cervical cancer. No politician ever should mandate something like this. It was eventually overturned but it shows a disturbing moment in his career where he really overstepped what a conservative should be about and that's keeping government out of people's lives.
I don't care if it's the cure for cancer, flu, and the common cold rolled up into one. No politician should mandate such a thing. That said I don't know why people wouldn't be standing in line for days on end if such a product were ever created.
Secondly his stance on immigration can be a bit McCainesque. We have current immigration laws in this country, we want and love immigrants as we are a nation of immigrants. We also want and would love you to do it the right way and quit sneaking into our backyard. Governor Perry signed a version of the dream act in 2001 that allowed undocumented students in state tuition. While I understand that the children of illegals had nothing to do with their status as illegals it is also money that could have been used to educate citizens.
The biggest problem that Rick Perry will have in the election cycle is that he is the governor of Texas where W was also governor. People will link the two either fair or unfairly. Yes I greatly admired many of the things Bush did while in office I also didn't like many of the things such as his big spending ways.
Yes they were mostly spurred by two wars, Katrina, the Indonesian tsunami, Florida being repeatedly lashed by hurricanes, and the number one event of his presidency 9/11. He had both houses of Congress and could have really scaled back the size of government and didn't do that.
I'd support Rick Perry if Herman Cain and Ron Paul are not the GOP nominees. I realize my ticket is just a dream for myself to alone enjoy but that is what I feel Washington needs, a breath of very fresh and clean air to blow away the institutional corruption that his taken root. A professional politician is the last thing we need as Americans and I believe that is what Rick Perry has become. Conservative yes, a few troubling moments in his Governorship but someone I could support given no alternative against Obama.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
Pickles
Yep, I made about three gallons of pickles this morning! I bought all Wal-Mart had and a few from another store! I also made two quart jars of spicy pickles that I plan on taking to work with me on Monday.
I've got a ton of pickles now that will last about a year apiece. Again very simple to make, boil the ingredients, let it cool, stuff cucumbers in the jar, and pour the liquid over the future pickles and put in the refrigerator for three to five days.
These are half gallon jars of oniony, garlicy, dilly goodness! Never cooked and would rival a jar of the original super pickle brand, Claussen! It's so cool to be able to make your own and not only save money but have a sometimes superior product! The only way I could do it better would be to grow my own dill, onions, and garlic! Next season I'll be doing something along those lines!
I've got a ton of pickles now that will last about a year apiece. Again very simple to make, boil the ingredients, let it cool, stuff cucumbers in the jar, and pour the liquid over the future pickles and put in the refrigerator for three to five days.
These are half gallon jars of oniony, garlicy, dilly goodness! Never cooked and would rival a jar of the original super pickle brand, Claussen! It's so cool to be able to make your own and not only save money but have a sometimes superior product! The only way I could do it better would be to grow my own dill, onions, and garlic! Next season I'll be doing something along those lines!
Friday, August 12, 2011
GOP Debate Notes
Enjoyed the GOP debate last night, I'm still hoping for a Cain/Paul ticket. Those two could really get this country back on track in no time, even faster given a majority filibuster proof senate. Herman Cain and Ron Paul are the candidates I'm really the most excited about, they represent a different way of doing business that Washington really needs.
I can't agree with Ron Paul's assessment of Iran by any means but I do appreciate his ideas on nearly every other subject. Herman Cain is just that good to me, I could easily see him being elected and using business strategy alone getting this country back on track!
Manufacturers would flood the states again trying to get back to a business friendly atmosphere! That would expand the tax base, put people back to work, and generate all of the revenue the government needs to generate. I want to see a candidate come out and say we need to lower the debt ceiling! We need to freeze spending right now and cut all federal spending by a minimum of 10% across the board!
Romney is still plastic and fake to me and given the fact that he created Romneycare is still a problem with conservatives, Bachmann is too much of a firebrand and polarizing, Gingrich is a has been and compromises too much with liberals, Pawlenty I could live without pretty easily, and Santorum...meh. Didn't do much for me at all.
Gay marriage is still a state issue to me, if a state wants to allow it then by all means put it up for a vote. I want the federal government out of the lives of people as much as possible and it should be a choice for the people of that state. Limited government means just that to me, limited. Lots of limits.
This will be a pretty fun campaign season and no matter which candidate wins the nomination they all stand a very good chance of firing Obama from his job and ending his path of destruction.
I can't agree with Ron Paul's assessment of Iran by any means but I do appreciate his ideas on nearly every other subject. Herman Cain is just that good to me, I could easily see him being elected and using business strategy alone getting this country back on track!
Manufacturers would flood the states again trying to get back to a business friendly atmosphere! That would expand the tax base, put people back to work, and generate all of the revenue the government needs to generate. I want to see a candidate come out and say we need to lower the debt ceiling! We need to freeze spending right now and cut all federal spending by a minimum of 10% across the board!
Romney is still plastic and fake to me and given the fact that he created Romneycare is still a problem with conservatives, Bachmann is too much of a firebrand and polarizing, Gingrich is a has been and compromises too much with liberals, Pawlenty I could live without pretty easily, and Santorum...meh. Didn't do much for me at all.
Gay marriage is still a state issue to me, if a state wants to allow it then by all means put it up for a vote. I want the federal government out of the lives of people as much as possible and it should be a choice for the people of that state. Limited government means just that to me, limited. Lots of limits.
This will be a pretty fun campaign season and no matter which candidate wins the nomination they all stand a very good chance of firing Obama from his job and ending his path of destruction.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
All Is Not Alright
It's long been held that no one president can destroy a country and no one president can build this country. Well after the wild ride in the markets a lot of people are beginning to wonder about that. No the markets aren't our prosperity and country but they are a good indicator of how our nation is doing.
Important indicator too, like the unemployment number, the gross domestic product, things like that. Our country isn't doing well. It's all but a mathematical certainty that something bad will happen because of the government's big spending ways. We have too many unfunded liabilities and we are too far down the path to change course.
Congress needs desperate reform, new congressional approval ratings put congress around 10% approval. That's pretty low, really low. Congressional reform is a must. The people will demand it soon as they see how their country has been mismanaged and they are not happy about it.
Before the common people march on Washington to demand resignations of their leaders the leaders should really address this issue first and foremost. I don't advocate overthrowing the government at all, I advocate digging out the leeches and parasites that have entrenched themselves into our system. Those that have made our system corrupt and taken it's fruits as their own personal gains.
I advocate congressional reform, that they live under the same rules they decree for us. Our system is the best in the world's history, no country has grown as we have to become the lone super power in the world, now it should be our duty to take it back from those who are ruining our system and throw them out of office while imposing our rules upon them.
Citizen representatives was the goal of the Founding Fathers, now we do not have that. We have professional politicians setting up rules for them and another set of rules for the citizenry. This cannot be, at least for much longer.
There will be an event, a tipping point of some sort that will wake up the vast population and bring justice to Washington. I don't know what or when but we'll all know it when it happens.
Important indicator too, like the unemployment number, the gross domestic product, things like that. Our country isn't doing well. It's all but a mathematical certainty that something bad will happen because of the government's big spending ways. We have too many unfunded liabilities and we are too far down the path to change course.
Congress needs desperate reform, new congressional approval ratings put congress around 10% approval. That's pretty low, really low. Congressional reform is a must. The people will demand it soon as they see how their country has been mismanaged and they are not happy about it.
Before the common people march on Washington to demand resignations of their leaders the leaders should really address this issue first and foremost. I don't advocate overthrowing the government at all, I advocate digging out the leeches and parasites that have entrenched themselves into our system. Those that have made our system corrupt and taken it's fruits as their own personal gains.
I advocate congressional reform, that they live under the same rules they decree for us. Our system is the best in the world's history, no country has grown as we have to become the lone super power in the world, now it should be our duty to take it back from those who are ruining our system and throw them out of office while imposing our rules upon them.
Citizen representatives was the goal of the Founding Fathers, now we do not have that. We have professional politicians setting up rules for them and another set of rules for the citizenry. This cannot be, at least for much longer.
There will be an event, a tipping point of some sort that will wake up the vast population and bring justice to Washington. I don't know what or when but we'll all know it when it happens.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Rain Again
It appears as if we have a storm coming in from the north, barreling down on us!
We could be in for a soggy day! That'd be a great relief from the drought we've had thus far! Things are starting to cool off and that's a major relief, we had a less than triple digit day yesterday, in fact it was kind of nice most of the day.
Today it appears similar but much wetter. I'm all about that, the garden will recover but I fear a few of the plants have already been burned beyond bearing fruit such as the tomato plants. The heartier plants are doing ok such as the squash and cucumber plants. A cloudy day would do them all a world of good.
So here's to a rainy day! May it produce as much rain as we need!
We could be in for a soggy day! That'd be a great relief from the drought we've had thus far! Things are starting to cool off and that's a major relief, we had a less than triple digit day yesterday, in fact it was kind of nice most of the day.
Today it appears similar but much wetter. I'm all about that, the garden will recover but I fear a few of the plants have already been burned beyond bearing fruit such as the tomato plants. The heartier plants are doing ok such as the squash and cucumber plants. A cloudy day would do them all a world of good.
So here's to a rainy day! May it produce as much rain as we need!
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
It's Not Ironic At All
The fact that the stock market has lost nearly ten percent since late last week, the fact that NASDAQ lost six percent in one single day, or the fact that the administration said none of this would happen if a debt deal were struck. That's not irony, it's intentional.
No one is this incompetent, no one. From 2001 to 2007 we had moderates in congress who instead of cutting the size of government while they were there grew it larger than we conservatives wanted. America got fed up with moderate, let's compromise with them conservatives and threw them out in 2007. Since then we have had unfettered liberalism.
The government has grown exponentially and three trillion dollars has been added to the debt under Obama.
Last November we threw the most liberal congress ever out after the rise of the Tea Party. The Tea Party is still ascending and will have a huge effect in the next election cycle as well. The GOP woke up, many painted themselves as the conservatives we wanted to send the first time but then we have the McCains in Congress who can't wait to compromise with liberals. They are next to lose their jobs in November 2012.
I've been talking to a liberal who sends me constant emails about how liberals are good, pure, know what they are doing with the economy, whatever the subject is liberals know better. He defends massive amounts of spending and yet gives no reason other than to take the wealth of others and raise corporate taxes. Let's see, if I were a corporation what would I do if I could make more money, avoid a ton of regulation, enhance my bottom line, and production costs low? Yep, my company is moving to Mexico and the jobs with it.
I hire people, a corporation is made up of people. It's not some conglomeration of monsters and metal. It's people who feed their families just like you and I do. I work for a corporation and I bet you do too. Big or small the word corporation has become a dirty word because of liberalism. GE made two billion dollars profit last year, good for them. Know who benefits? Anyone with a retirement program with mutual funds in it with GE stock! They get to have money when they are too old to earn it because GE made a profit in 2010.
Want to set our country into overdrive for two decades? Eliminate corporate taxes altogether, eliminate capital gains taxes, cut payroll taxes, and cut government spending across the board by ten percent.
We just took 1776 off of the stage, this might be the irony in what I'm blogging about today. It was about the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it might not be long before protestors march on Washington to demand resignations of all of those elected officials who have destroyed our country. We saw the Arab Spring, perhaps the American Fall is next...if we are not careful.
No one is this incompetent, no one. From 2001 to 2007 we had moderates in congress who instead of cutting the size of government while they were there grew it larger than we conservatives wanted. America got fed up with moderate, let's compromise with them conservatives and threw them out in 2007. Since then we have had unfettered liberalism.
The government has grown exponentially and three trillion dollars has been added to the debt under Obama.
Last November we threw the most liberal congress ever out after the rise of the Tea Party. The Tea Party is still ascending and will have a huge effect in the next election cycle as well. The GOP woke up, many painted themselves as the conservatives we wanted to send the first time but then we have the McCains in Congress who can't wait to compromise with liberals. They are next to lose their jobs in November 2012.
I've been talking to a liberal who sends me constant emails about how liberals are good, pure, know what they are doing with the economy, whatever the subject is liberals know better. He defends massive amounts of spending and yet gives no reason other than to take the wealth of others and raise corporate taxes. Let's see, if I were a corporation what would I do if I could make more money, avoid a ton of regulation, enhance my bottom line, and production costs low? Yep, my company is moving to Mexico and the jobs with it.
I hire people, a corporation is made up of people. It's not some conglomeration of monsters and metal. It's people who feed their families just like you and I do. I work for a corporation and I bet you do too. Big or small the word corporation has become a dirty word because of liberalism. GE made two billion dollars profit last year, good for them. Know who benefits? Anyone with a retirement program with mutual funds in it with GE stock! They get to have money when they are too old to earn it because GE made a profit in 2010.
Want to set our country into overdrive for two decades? Eliminate corporate taxes altogether, eliminate capital gains taxes, cut payroll taxes, and cut government spending across the board by ten percent.
We just took 1776 off of the stage, this might be the irony in what I'm blogging about today. It was about the lead up to the Revolutionary War, it might not be long before protestors march on Washington to demand resignations of all of those elected officials who have destroyed our country. We saw the Arab Spring, perhaps the American Fall is next...if we are not careful.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Sunday Was Tough
I did some fence work yesterday. R came over and helped me put some fence panels back up and there is still a lot of work to be done.
I cleaned up the fence line, tore out the old panels, dug a hole with some post hole diggers, and cut some tree limbs. Thing 2 helped a TON, she's a great worker! It would have taken much longer if it hadn't been for her helping me.
I'm sore, beat up, sunburned, and recovering but I'm ready for work. The heat was bad, the humidity was up, but later on we got a little bit of cloud cover and a little breeze. That helped R and I out. After all that we came in, collapsed, and cooled off.
The Date and T went grocery shopping, came home to find us still collapsed. What a long day.
I cleaned up the fence line, tore out the old panels, dug a hole with some post hole diggers, and cut some tree limbs. Thing 2 helped a TON, she's a great worker! It would have taken much longer if it hadn't been for her helping me.
I'm sore, beat up, sunburned, and recovering but I'm ready for work. The heat was bad, the humidity was up, but later on we got a little bit of cloud cover and a little breeze. That helped R and I out. After all that we came in, collapsed, and cooled off.
The Date and T went grocery shopping, came home to find us still collapsed. What a long day.
Sunday, August 07, 2011
It's Over
The show has closed, where the set once stood is now a bare stage again, and the theatre is back to being a blank slate from which the next show will enter existence.
Monday The Date will begin full week long rehearsals for the season opener. It'll be a great show and I'm positive it'll have big audiences!
I kind of apologize for the sparseness of today's update. I'm not much in the blogging mood, in fact a while back I seriously considered ending the blog. However it is a mental exercise to me anymore. Some people do the crossword puzzle, some the word jumble to keep their minds agile. I write something every day. It's my whetstone and while it is tedious to read at times it keeps the edge of my mind sharper than it would otherwise be.
I'm also a creature of routine. When I was younger I needed change and improvisation, the wine of the young. Now I get up at the same time, shower at the same time, leave the house at the same time, and definitely try to go to bed at the same time. If that doesn't happen it really throws off the next day. Once I could work a full day after a couple of hours sleep. Now I'm drowsy after nine, craving sleep before ten, and sound asleep a few minutes after laying down. Such is life anymore.
There are tremendous moments of happiness and joy and those are usually provided by my lovely wife and The Things. Things would be unbearably boring if they hadn't come into my life. Now while things are genuinely tough on us, we still have each other, shelter, lights, food, and a wonderful theatre family for support. I've still got a good job and we are Americans, blessed to be born in the greatest country ever known to mankind.
Monday The Date will begin full week long rehearsals for the season opener. It'll be a great show and I'm positive it'll have big audiences!
I kind of apologize for the sparseness of today's update. I'm not much in the blogging mood, in fact a while back I seriously considered ending the blog. However it is a mental exercise to me anymore. Some people do the crossword puzzle, some the word jumble to keep their minds agile. I write something every day. It's my whetstone and while it is tedious to read at times it keeps the edge of my mind sharper than it would otherwise be.
I'm also a creature of routine. When I was younger I needed change and improvisation, the wine of the young. Now I get up at the same time, shower at the same time, leave the house at the same time, and definitely try to go to bed at the same time. If that doesn't happen it really throws off the next day. Once I could work a full day after a couple of hours sleep. Now I'm drowsy after nine, craving sleep before ten, and sound asleep a few minutes after laying down. Such is life anymore.
There are tremendous moments of happiness and joy and those are usually provided by my lovely wife and The Things. Things would be unbearably boring if they hadn't come into my life. Now while things are genuinely tough on us, we still have each other, shelter, lights, food, and a wonderful theatre family for support. I've still got a good job and we are Americans, blessed to be born in the greatest country ever known to mankind.
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Four Out Of Five Finished
We have the fifth and final show tonight of 1776 plus set strike. Last night went well despite a power surge that knocked out the lights for a little bit. It killed the power briefly and rebooted the computer that runs the lights. The actors had to keep at it and they did for about a minute in the dark. The audience didn't seem to mind at all.
Other than that it went smoothly and we had a large crowd. Looking forward to this evening's show, it'll be the last of the season and then nothing will be on my evening schedule for a while.
Other than that it went smoothly and we had a large crowd. Looking forward to this evening's show, it'll be the last of the season and then nothing will be on my evening schedule for a while.
Friday, August 05, 2011
Time For The Show
Yes, it's the start of the final weekend. Two shows and 1776 closes.
It's the end of a brutally hot week as well. Two brief rainstorms though made it bearable and offered welcome relief this week. I guess bearable is a relative term, whether you think you can bear it or not you still have to get through it huh?
Well my retirement packages took a beating yesterday. The Dow plunged a total of five hundred and twelve points. Guess Wall Street doesn't like what the politicians did anymore than I did. Giving this administration another blank check for possibly some future spending decreases. We are not being represented as we should be.
Simply put November 2012 the Tea Party needs to win more House seats and a lot more Senate seats and throw Obama out of office. To paraphrase then candidate Reagan, "Recession is when your neighbor loses his job, depression is when you lose your job, and recovery is when Obama loses his job."
The next President needs to run on this very simple platform, repeal the last four years of damage. One bill offered up to future President to sign, repeal every regulation, every law, every single thing Obama touched, thought about touching, freeze spending after a ten percent cut across the board and let America wake up from this nightmare of a joke called Obama. It'll be our own Deobamazination as Soviet Russia did once Stalin kicked off in 1953.
It's long been said not one president can build America and not one president can tear it down...I wonder.
It's the end of a brutally hot week as well. Two brief rainstorms though made it bearable and offered welcome relief this week. I guess bearable is a relative term, whether you think you can bear it or not you still have to get through it huh?
Well my retirement packages took a beating yesterday. The Dow plunged a total of five hundred and twelve points. Guess Wall Street doesn't like what the politicians did anymore than I did. Giving this administration another blank check for possibly some future spending decreases. We are not being represented as we should be.
Simply put November 2012 the Tea Party needs to win more House seats and a lot more Senate seats and throw Obama out of office. To paraphrase then candidate Reagan, "Recession is when your neighbor loses his job, depression is when you lose your job, and recovery is when Obama loses his job."
The next President needs to run on this very simple platform, repeal the last four years of damage. One bill offered up to future President to sign, repeal every regulation, every law, every single thing Obama touched, thought about touching, freeze spending after a ten percent cut across the board and let America wake up from this nightmare of a joke called Obama. It'll be our own Deobamazination as Soviet Russia did once Stalin kicked off in 1953.
It's long been said not one president can build America and not one president can tear it down...I wonder.
Thursday, August 04, 2011
Almost Over
This horrendous week is nearly over with. It's been a struggle on a lot of levels to get through so far. The heat, the amount of work that's come through my shop, Thing 1's fender bender and consequent fallout, and a handful of other things that have occurred this week.
Sometimes it's overwhelming but I know that just like anything else we'll survive and get through it. I really don't know if I can say things will get better or not, I don't know if I can say that we'll have a winning streak of a continuous string of calamities that will follow us around from now on.
I wish I could say for sure but I don't know the future at all but if the saying is right that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger then we will be King Kong standing on Mount Everest by the time this string of events is over with.
On the side of counting our blessings it did rain last night! We got a gully washer and it felt good!
Sometimes it's overwhelming but I know that just like anything else we'll survive and get through it. I really don't know if I can say things will get better or not, I don't know if I can say that we'll have a winning streak of a continuous string of calamities that will follow us around from now on.
I wish I could say for sure but I don't know the future at all but if the saying is right that what doesn't kill you makes you stronger then we will be King Kong standing on Mount Everest by the time this string of events is over with.
On the side of counting our blessings it did rain last night! We got a gully washer and it felt good!
Wednesday, August 03, 2011
American BBQ
Yesterday at work was murder. I was in a foul and grumpy mood all day long for various reasons the least of which was the weather. It did cause me to start daydreaming though and thinking about what I would do next if I didn't have the job I had.
I came to the conclusion of a restaurant owner in Belize. Might start off as a street vendor selling American BBQ. I really believe Oklahoma BBQ is a cut above the competition. I know of several great teams, some of the best in the nation are from Oklahoma. I've learned a lot from my coworker who regularly competes with many of these teams in fact.
The menu could be very simple, pulled pork and brisket, perhaps ribs but I'm not sure on that right now. Add coleslaw as a side and serve on bread and that's BBQ. I'd slow smoke the foods which is done around the world no doubt but as I said I believe ours is a cut above. The bark, the marinades I know, the sauces I can create, it'd be a lot of fun if nothing else!
Are there really any other cities in the world that are known for their BBQ? Is there a Memphis, Charleston, or Kansas City out there that is known for their BBQ?
You know something? Even if it didn't work out and I believe that since there is a large population of Americans in Belize that it would do just fine, I'd still be living off the coast of the Caribbean Sea!
Anyone want to open a restaurant in Belize with me? I could be convinced to leave soon enough!
I came to the conclusion of a restaurant owner in Belize. Might start off as a street vendor selling American BBQ. I really believe Oklahoma BBQ is a cut above the competition. I know of several great teams, some of the best in the nation are from Oklahoma. I've learned a lot from my coworker who regularly competes with many of these teams in fact.
The menu could be very simple, pulled pork and brisket, perhaps ribs but I'm not sure on that right now. Add coleslaw as a side and serve on bread and that's BBQ. I'd slow smoke the foods which is done around the world no doubt but as I said I believe ours is a cut above. The bark, the marinades I know, the sauces I can create, it'd be a lot of fun if nothing else!
Are there really any other cities in the world that are known for their BBQ? Is there a Memphis, Charleston, or Kansas City out there that is known for their BBQ?
You know something? Even if it didn't work out and I believe that since there is a large population of Americans in Belize that it would do just fine, I'd still be living off the coast of the Caribbean Sea!
Anyone want to open a restaurant in Belize with me? I could be convinced to leave soon enough!
Tuesday, August 02, 2011
Thing 1's Mishap
Thing 1 acquired literally a two hundred dollar minivan yesterday. It wasn't five hours later that it had been in an accident, poor girl is snake bit right now.
She's fine and the police officer agreed it wasn't her fault as a witness corroborated her story.
She had finished cleaning it and was coming home when a car was tailgating her, it moved to pass her, did and then brake checked her causing Thing 1 to rear end the car. The irate car driver then cussed at the very shaken Thing 1 until the police arrived.
A witness saw exactly what happened and relayed that to the police while another witness saw just Thing 1 hitting the other car but not the swerve or brake check. Thing 1 did not get issued a ticket despite the fact of rear ending someone, the police couldn't assign fault but chose not to issue the ticket based on Thing 1 and the witness's story aligning so well.
She is unhurt except for some ligaments in her shoulder that were stretched quite a bit. We took her to the ER to get checked out as a precaution. She's fine just going to be sore for a few weeks is all:)
It turned out fine and wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Thank God above that she wasn't injured more than she was! A few days in bed and she'll be as good as new!
She's fine and the police officer agreed it wasn't her fault as a witness corroborated her story.
She had finished cleaning it and was coming home when a car was tailgating her, it moved to pass her, did and then brake checked her causing Thing 1 to rear end the car. The irate car driver then cussed at the very shaken Thing 1 until the police arrived.
A witness saw exactly what happened and relayed that to the police while another witness saw just Thing 1 hitting the other car but not the swerve or brake check. Thing 1 did not get issued a ticket despite the fact of rear ending someone, the police couldn't assign fault but chose not to issue the ticket based on Thing 1 and the witness's story aligning so well.
She is unhurt except for some ligaments in her shoulder that were stretched quite a bit. We took her to the ER to get checked out as a precaution. She's fine just going to be sore for a few weeks is all:)
It turned out fine and wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been. Thank God above that she wasn't injured more than she was! A few days in bed and she'll be as good as new!
Monday, August 01, 2011
Week Off!
Well from the show anyway, Thing 2 and I aren't required for pick up rehearsal on Thursday evening so our next show will be Friday! That'll be a very nice break!
The producer's show went well enough but the cast was tired and worn down. You could tell they needed a break for a while.
Apparently there is a debt deal between Congress and the President, we'll see how much it cuts exactly and if there is a balanced budget amendment proposal requirement. It amazes me that the dems were wanting to raise taxes on the top one percent of earners. Exactly how much of a 14.3 trillion dollar debt can they pay? Fourteen trillion dollars is way more than any group of earners can pay. I say increase the tax base, reform the tax code so it's not as progressive and how about putting policies in place that makes businesses want to hire people instead of his regressive regulations that are causing four hundred thousand a week to lose their jobs and file for unemployment!
But I'm a simple man and now wise in the ways of politics...
The producer's show went well enough but the cast was tired and worn down. You could tell they needed a break for a while.
Apparently there is a debt deal between Congress and the President, we'll see how much it cuts exactly and if there is a balanced budget amendment proposal requirement. It amazes me that the dems were wanting to raise taxes on the top one percent of earners. Exactly how much of a 14.3 trillion dollar debt can they pay? Fourteen trillion dollars is way more than any group of earners can pay. I say increase the tax base, reform the tax code so it's not as progressive and how about putting policies in place that makes businesses want to hire people instead of his regressive regulations that are causing four hundred thousand a week to lose their jobs and file for unemployment!
But I'm a simple man and now wise in the ways of politics...
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