Today is my youngest boy's birthday. He is 17. He is a young man, but still my little boy. I try not to let him know I feel that way. All he wants for his birthday is a new stereo for his car, one that allows him to play his iPod over the stereo. Too bad his car is still in the shop. We do not yet have a price tag or completion date for rebuilding/replacing the transmission. I guess we will give him the money for the new stereo and he can buy the stereo when his car finally decides to come home.
I got up early to make him a hot breakfast. We are going out to dinner to one of his favorite places tonight. His brother, sister and brother-in-law will be joining us. It will be a joint celebration, since his older brother has a birthday tomorrow. Last year we went to where B (the older boy) wanted to go. Since the oldest boy is away at college, it is hard to get together multiple times.
Keep in mind the above when I post tomorrow. It will not be a rerun. Different day, different kid's birthday.
September 30, 2010
September 29, 2010
Chapter 19, wherein I encounter one of the dumbest people to ever take to the friendly skies
I have flown commercial a bunch of times. Less than some people I know, but I would guess more than your average tourist. I have never kept a complete count, but I know I have way more than 500 takeoffs to my credit.
I have experienced some amazing stuff flying. There was the guy who honestly could not work the seatbelt. I once sat next to a woman so terrified to fly she gripped my arm the entire flight, leaving bruises. I saw a guy piss into the air-sick bag while we were on the runway at Schipol (that one is in the archives somewhere). Monday I experienced passenger stupidity that would have to even make the list for a flight attendant.
We were coming into Charlotte Monday night. The plane was well down the glide slope, flaps extended, gear down. We were maybe 100 feet above ground, less than a minute from landing. I suddenly hear the attendant in the back scream "sit down, sit down". An instant later the attendant in front is yelling over the PA "Lady you must sit down immediately, we are seconds from landing".
This stupid woman got out of her seat and started up the aisle, I guess to go to the head? The woman got back to her seat literally less than 10 seconds before the plane touched down. I do not care if you have never flown, you know when the plane is about to land. A glance out the window should be a major clue, even at night. I have never seen an act of such stupidity in 20 years of flying. This stupid bitch endangered herself and the passengers around her.
Every day I am reminded of some advise I was gifted by my first boss -- "Remember, HB, people are basically stupid".
I have experienced some amazing stuff flying. There was the guy who honestly could not work the seatbelt. I once sat next to a woman so terrified to fly she gripped my arm the entire flight, leaving bruises. I saw a guy piss into the air-sick bag while we were on the runway at Schipol (that one is in the archives somewhere). Monday I experienced passenger stupidity that would have to even make the list for a flight attendant.
We were coming into Charlotte Monday night. The plane was well down the glide slope, flaps extended, gear down. We were maybe 100 feet above ground, less than a minute from landing. I suddenly hear the attendant in the back scream "sit down, sit down". An instant later the attendant in front is yelling over the PA "Lady you must sit down immediately, we are seconds from landing".
This stupid woman got out of her seat and started up the aisle, I guess to go to the head? The woman got back to her seat literally less than 10 seconds before the plane touched down. I do not care if you have never flown, you know when the plane is about to land. A glance out the window should be a major clue, even at night. I have never seen an act of such stupidity in 20 years of flying. This stupid bitch endangered herself and the passengers around her.
Every day I am reminded of some advise I was gifted by my first boss -- "Remember, HB, people are basically stupid".
September 27, 2010
A few of life's truths
I received thsi last week in an email:
1. I think part of a best friend's job is to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start with # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my driveway.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes.
14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer their call.
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said
20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
21. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
22. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.
1. I think part of a best friend's job is to immediately clear your computer history if you die.
2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.
3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.
4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.
5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?
6. Was learning cursive really necessary?
7. Map Quest really needs to start with # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my driveway.
8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.
9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.
10. Bad decisions make good stories.
11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.
12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.
13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes.
14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer their call.
15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.
16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.
17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.
18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.
19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said
20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!
21. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.
22. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.
September 26, 2010
Allergy Season
Rolling Ridge Road was anything but the idyllic and picturesque boulevard suggested by its name. For one thing, ridges were few and far between in this part of central Indiana. Second, describing the slight changes in elevation found in the fields around town as “rolling” would be a stretch.
Rolling Ridge Road was a patched and aging street. It was not lined with old Victorian homes or even the ranches and split levels of the mid-twentieth century. It was a rather poor part of town. The street was lined with frame houses, bungalows and what in the South would be called shotgun shacks.
In the dust and crabgrass of what was the front lawn of just such a house stood Richard Sanders Jr. Richard was 9. He was a sickly scrawny and undersized. Richard’s mother took great pride in keeping a clean house and did the laundry regularly, but Richard always looked wrinkled and dirty. He had terrible allergies and his eyes watered and snot leaked from his nose every moment of the day. He was constantly sniffing and wiping the mucous from his upper lip with his sleeve or the side of his hand.
Richard was not well liked by his third grade classmates at Eisenhower Elementary. He was not athletic he was not particularly handsome. In addition, he was not too smart. Lately some of the boys had taken to calling him Little Dick instead of Richard. They always giggled when they said it. Richard did not quite get the joke. He guessed it was because his Dad was called Dick. One girl, Becky Myers, who was the fattest girl in school, never called him Little Dick. She always called him Colonel. He did not understand that either.
Richard Sanders Jr. was swinging his baseball bat on this fine early fall Saturday morning. Fall baseball was starting up in a few days at the Boys Club. Richard was determined this season he would not be the worst player on the team. He wanted to practice catching and throwing, but there was no one around. Besides he did not have a ball. The neighbor’s dog had chewed his up. His dad had whipped him for that. Richard had been told not to leave the ball outside.
Richard sniffed. He wiped the snot from his nose with his left hand and gripped the bat. He gave a mighty swing and in his mind he hit the imaginary ball right into center field. So small were the little boy’s dreams that he did not see in his mind a home run or even a double into the corner, but a little blooper into shallow center; anything but a dribbling ground ball that did not go past the pitcher’s mound. Right at the apex of his swing, Richard sneezed. The convulsion caused him to lose his snot slick grip on the bat.
____________________________________________________
Joe Moore was driving home with a box of donuts for his bride. He had been married just two months, and it took only a sleepy murmur from his young wife that “donuts sure sound good” to cause him to jump up and head to the store.
Joe was driving with the windows down on this early fall morning. A Beatles tune was playing on the radio. Outside of town farmers were in the fields harvesting soy beans and corn in the dry sunny weather. Dust and particles from the ground-up stocks filled the air in the distance. Joe shut his eyes for a second to suppress a sneeze. It did not work. Just as he sneezed he felt an unbelievable pain in his head. It was the last thing he ever felt.
____________________________________________________
Lynn Harper was considered pretty in high school. She was also considered “easy”. She found herself pregnant at sixteen. She apparently passed the promiscuity gene to her daughter and Lynn found herself a grandmother at 33. She was walking her grandbaby out of boredom. Her daughter was at work this fine Saturday morning. In fact, she had rung up some donuts for Joe Moore a few minutes ago. Lynn did not know that of course. Lynn did not mind babysitting. She had planned on going to some garage sales, but taking the baby in and out of the car seat was a pain. It was warm, so Lynn decided they would go for a walk instead.
Lynn stopped pushing the stroller to light a cigarette. She noticed that little runt across the street was twirling a baseball bat. She remarked to herself, again, how that kid was sure weird. She noticed the baby had tossed her stuffed Eeyore toy onto the sidewalk. As she bent to pick it up, Lynn sneezed. As she blinked away the sensation, she heard a car accelerate. She looked up to see a black Taurus heading toward her. She did not have time to move before the car struck her and the stroller head-on.
__________________________________________________________
As the bat flew end for end through the air, lives all over town would feel the impact. In one instant a bat flew from a snot-slick hand, Fate guided it through an open car window, where the bat hit and killed a man driving home with donuts. The dead driver’s car swerved and hit and killed a grandmother and her granddaughter before coming to rest against a light pole.
Little Richard Sanders Jr. stood in his front yard staring in confusion as snot dripped down his lip.
Rolling Ridge Road was a patched and aging street. It was not lined with old Victorian homes or even the ranches and split levels of the mid-twentieth century. It was a rather poor part of town. The street was lined with frame houses, bungalows and what in the South would be called shotgun shacks.
In the dust and crabgrass of what was the front lawn of just such a house stood Richard Sanders Jr. Richard was 9. He was a sickly scrawny and undersized. Richard’s mother took great pride in keeping a clean house and did the laundry regularly, but Richard always looked wrinkled and dirty. He had terrible allergies and his eyes watered and snot leaked from his nose every moment of the day. He was constantly sniffing and wiping the mucous from his upper lip with his sleeve or the side of his hand.
Richard was not well liked by his third grade classmates at Eisenhower Elementary. He was not athletic he was not particularly handsome. In addition, he was not too smart. Lately some of the boys had taken to calling him Little Dick instead of Richard. They always giggled when they said it. Richard did not quite get the joke. He guessed it was because his Dad was called Dick. One girl, Becky Myers, who was the fattest girl in school, never called him Little Dick. She always called him Colonel. He did not understand that either.
Richard Sanders Jr. was swinging his baseball bat on this fine early fall Saturday morning. Fall baseball was starting up in a few days at the Boys Club. Richard was determined this season he would not be the worst player on the team. He wanted to practice catching and throwing, but there was no one around. Besides he did not have a ball. The neighbor’s dog had chewed his up. His dad had whipped him for that. Richard had been told not to leave the ball outside.
Richard sniffed. He wiped the snot from his nose with his left hand and gripped the bat. He gave a mighty swing and in his mind he hit the imaginary ball right into center field. So small were the little boy’s dreams that he did not see in his mind a home run or even a double into the corner, but a little blooper into shallow center; anything but a dribbling ground ball that did not go past the pitcher’s mound. Right at the apex of his swing, Richard sneezed. The convulsion caused him to lose his snot slick grip on the bat.
____________________________________________________
Joe Moore was driving home with a box of donuts for his bride. He had been married just two months, and it took only a sleepy murmur from his young wife that “donuts sure sound good” to cause him to jump up and head to the store.
Joe was driving with the windows down on this early fall morning. A Beatles tune was playing on the radio. Outside of town farmers were in the fields harvesting soy beans and corn in the dry sunny weather. Dust and particles from the ground-up stocks filled the air in the distance. Joe shut his eyes for a second to suppress a sneeze. It did not work. Just as he sneezed he felt an unbelievable pain in his head. It was the last thing he ever felt.
____________________________________________________
Lynn Harper was considered pretty in high school. She was also considered “easy”. She found herself pregnant at sixteen. She apparently passed the promiscuity gene to her daughter and Lynn found herself a grandmother at 33. She was walking her grandbaby out of boredom. Her daughter was at work this fine Saturday morning. In fact, she had rung up some donuts for Joe Moore a few minutes ago. Lynn did not know that of course. Lynn did not mind babysitting. She had planned on going to some garage sales, but taking the baby in and out of the car seat was a pain. It was warm, so Lynn decided they would go for a walk instead.
Lynn stopped pushing the stroller to light a cigarette. She noticed that little runt across the street was twirling a baseball bat. She remarked to herself, again, how that kid was sure weird. She noticed the baby had tossed her stuffed Eeyore toy onto the sidewalk. As she bent to pick it up, Lynn sneezed. As she blinked away the sensation, she heard a car accelerate. She looked up to see a black Taurus heading toward her. She did not have time to move before the car struck her and the stroller head-on.
__________________________________________________________
As the bat flew end for end through the air, lives all over town would feel the impact. In one instant a bat flew from a snot-slick hand, Fate guided it through an open car window, where the bat hit and killed a man driving home with donuts. The dead driver’s car swerved and hit and killed a grandmother and her granddaughter before coming to rest against a light pole.
Little Richard Sanders Jr. stood in his front yard staring in confusion as snot dripped down his lip.
September 25, 2010
September 24, 2010
Idiots in Charge
No further evidence is required to prove the need for actual adults in charge of Congress. Today actor/comedian Stephen Colbert was asked to testify about immigration before a Judicial subcommittee.
Colbert spent ten hours working with immigrants in upstate New York last summer.
I once spent two days working on a Habitat for Humanity house. I am reasonably sure that in no way qualifies me to testify about the construction industry.
To the ruling Democrats, that makes me an expert.
Here is a report about his brilliant testimony.
I guess the Democrats in charge want to see a comedy act on the taxpayers dime.
Fucktards.
Colbert spent ten hours working with immigrants in upstate New York last summer.
I once spent two days working on a Habitat for Humanity house. I am reasonably sure that in no way qualifies me to testify about the construction industry.
To the ruling Democrats, that makes me an expert.
Here is a report about his brilliant testimony.
I guess the Democrats in charge want to see a comedy act on the taxpayers dime.
Fucktards.
When you wish upon a star
Back in May, one of the occasional Liberal commenters here at this old blog showed some remarkable compassion:
But there is a ray of sunshine visible at the end of the tunnel. I am going to eat some spinach and other veggies. I am going to eat more healthy altogether. You see, wishes do come true. At least sorta.
Last week I was diagnosed with type II diabetes. I poke myself twice a day and take some pills. I will have to watch my diet and change my eating habits. Some of my favorite meals are off the list for a while -- potatoes, noodles, white bread, pie, soft drinks. Healthy foods are in the plan.
As soon as I get my sugar controlled I will be smart! My Mensa application is filled out and stamped.
I know certain of you will be disappointed -- after all it was not a heart attack. But it is all about the means to the end, right?
Watch the news, thinking people worldwide will be celebrating their victory!
I hope there are fireworks. I like fireworks.
* Seriously the guy has some real issues with overweight people. I don't know if he did not get enough to eat as a kid and blames fat people? Or perhaps he is a closet chubby chaser. Maybe he was the fat kid who got picked on in school? Was he abandoned by an overweight parent? He needs some help.
I hope you have to have a heart bypass one day. And let me be clear: not because I want your life to be in danger, but because I want you to have to eat healthy food for the rest of your life. Every time you ate spinach (or whatever food you think is yucky) would be a victory for all thinking people worldwide. see here and hereIn some kind of twisted logic I still do not understand, my old buddy Dave believes that if you are overweight you are stupid. He still propagates this theory.* If you are not overweight, I guess you are smart? I suppose that is why we see so many Nobel Prizes for physics going to starving Ethiopians? Anyway, according to Dave, I am fat therefore I am stupid. He has repeatedly stated this theory even though I weigh between 2 and 6 pounds above my ideal weight for my height. This is true today and it was true in May.
But there is a ray of sunshine visible at the end of the tunnel. I am going to eat some spinach and other veggies. I am going to eat more healthy altogether. You see, wishes do come true. At least sorta.
Last week I was diagnosed with type II diabetes. I poke myself twice a day and take some pills. I will have to watch my diet and change my eating habits. Some of my favorite meals are off the list for a while -- potatoes, noodles, white bread, pie, soft drinks. Healthy foods are in the plan.
As soon as I get my sugar controlled I will be smart! My Mensa application is filled out and stamped.
I know certain of you will be disappointed -- after all it was not a heart attack. But it is all about the means to the end, right?
Watch the news, thinking people worldwide will be celebrating their victory!
I hope there are fireworks. I like fireworks.
* Seriously the guy has some real issues with overweight people. I don't know if he did not get enough to eat as a kid and blames fat people? Or perhaps he is a closet chubby chaser. Maybe he was the fat kid who got picked on in school? Was he abandoned by an overweight parent? He needs some help.
September 23, 2010
One step forward, three steps back
I live in a Hokey-Pokey world. I progress forward and something happens to set my life back. I suspect your life is much the same.
Yesterday the boy set off to the big city with some of his buddies for a Wednesday Boys night out at Hooters. They are teenagers, perhaps they have a thing for hot wings?
He called about twenty minutes after he left home. There is a detour and my first thought when the phone rang was he got lost. No such luck. As he left the detour and turned onto the highway the car would not accelerate. He said it was like the car went into neutral. Oh Oh.
I drove over and he was right. The car would not go into gear. No reverse, no forward, no dice. I called a towing company and they are taking it to a local garage for analysis (the next county over). The mechanic drove the tow truck. He said that it was very rare for a transmission failure on a Honda (2002), especially when there were no symptoms prior to the problem -- no slippage, hard to shift, etc. He opined it may be a corroded electrical component. I can only hope. I expect a transmission for that car will run $1,500 or more. I am not sure the car is worth it.
The mechanic is going to check it out today and call me with the damages. I need a break. Cross your fingers.
edit. Bad news, it is a broken imput shaft. The mechanic is looking for a used transmission, he says that will be cheaper than a rebuild. I neither case I am looking at some serious money.
Yesterday the boy set off to the big city with some of his buddies for a Wednesday Boys night out at Hooters. They are teenagers, perhaps they have a thing for hot wings?
He called about twenty minutes after he left home. There is a detour and my first thought when the phone rang was he got lost. No such luck. As he left the detour and turned onto the highway the car would not accelerate. He said it was like the car went into neutral. Oh Oh.
I drove over and he was right. The car would not go into gear. No reverse, no forward, no dice. I called a towing company and they are taking it to a local garage for analysis (the next county over). The mechanic drove the tow truck. He said that it was very rare for a transmission failure on a Honda (2002), especially when there were no symptoms prior to the problem -- no slippage, hard to shift, etc. He opined it may be a corroded electrical component. I can only hope. I expect a transmission for that car will run $1,500 or more. I am not sure the car is worth it.
The mechanic is going to check it out today and call me with the damages. I need a break. Cross your fingers.
edit. Bad news, it is a broken imput shaft. The mechanic is looking for a used transmission, he says that will be cheaper than a rebuild. I neither case I am looking at some serious money.
September 22, 2010
Give back the money Dan Coates
In case you forgot, General Motors is owned by the US taxpayers (60%). The Federal Government has no business taking my money and your money and our kid's money and giving it to politicians for election funds.
It is happening.
Each of those recipients should give back the money. If GM has the spare cash to throw around it should be paying back the bailout (and yes I know they paid back some of it -- using other bailout money). GM should use that money to buy back the Treasury owned stock.
Republican Senatorial candidate Dan Coates of Indiana took some of that taxpayer cash. He should give back the money now.
It is happening.
Each of those recipients should give back the money. If GM has the spare cash to throw around it should be paying back the bailout (and yes I know they paid back some of it -- using other bailout money). GM should use that money to buy back the Treasury owned stock.
Republican Senatorial candidate Dan Coates of Indiana took some of that taxpayer cash. He should give back the money now.
September 21, 2010
A special post to you
Things have been a bit sparse around this old place lately. I imagine many of you are clicking, yawning and moving on. I don't blame you. Pretty soon the political landscape will open up and I will have some things to say.
Maybe not.
I have some issues going on in my life. Work is keeping me busy. I am sure you have no interest at all in what I eat for lunch, or my opinion on sports. Hell, you might not care about my opinion on anything!
Surfing my daily reads leads me to believe I am not alone in my blogapathy. For most of you, I don't care if you are disappointed in my lack of effort here lately. I will say to you, though (and you know who your are), I apologize and I will try harder in the future.
Maybe not.
I have some issues going on in my life. Work is keeping me busy. I am sure you have no interest at all in what I eat for lunch, or my opinion on sports. Hell, you might not care about my opinion on anything!
Surfing my daily reads leads me to believe I am not alone in my blogapathy. For most of you, I don't care if you are disappointed in my lack of effort here lately. I will say to you, though (and you know who your are), I apologize and I will try harder in the future.
September 20, 2010
Dear GOP
Don't you get it? Voting for a RINO is the same as voting for a Democrat. So what if you have a "majority" if you cannot get anything passed because a number of your party vote with the other guys.
September 19, 2010
Again via the discount bin at WalMart
Me and Elvis are going to Blue Hawaii.
I should be back in time for football.
I should be back in time for football.
September 18, 2010
September 17, 2010
Tax the rich, feed the poor
Go read this. It is a very nice description of how "socking the rich" is a failure as a tax policy. You Progressives out there, I would be glad to see your argument.
chirpity fucking chirp.
It is clear I was dead on prior to the election when I wrote that The Obama's economic policy was stolen from Alvin Lee and Ten Years After:
Everywhere is freaks and hairies
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity
Tax the rich, feed the poor
Till there are no rich no more
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, Monopoly
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
World pollution, there's no solution
Institution, electrocution
Just black and white, rich or poor
Them and us, stop the war
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
The song is pure communism, but it is still an awesome tune:
chirpity fucking chirp.
It is clear I was dead on prior to the election when I wrote that The Obama's economic policy was stolen from Alvin Lee and Ten Years After:
Everywhere is freaks and hairies
Dykes and fairies, tell me where is sanity
Tax the rich, feed the poor
Till there are no rich no more
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
Population keeps on breeding
Nation bleeding, still more feeding economy
Life is funny, skies are sunny
Bees make honey, who needs money, Monopoly
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
World pollution, there's no solution
Institution, electrocution
Just black and white, rich or poor
Them and us, stop the war
I'd love to change the world
But I don't know what to do
So I'll leave it up to you
The song is pure communism, but it is still an awesome tune:
September 16, 2010
September 15, 2010
Dear GOP
Are you listening? Did you take a long hard look at the Delaware Primary results? We are sick of holding our nose and voting for the likes of Bob Dole and John McCain. We are no longer interested in voting for "electable" candidates.
We are a conservative nation. When GOP candidates run under conservative principles they win (why do you think so many Democrats run under conservative themes?). When we try to be Democrats lite, we lose. We the people are no longer interested in voting for a candidate because they have an "R" behind their name on the ballot.
Fuck the RINOs. You, the leadership of the Republican Party better wake up. Since you took big losses in 2006 you have failed to hear us, the voters. We threw you out, not in support of the other guys, but to send a message. You did not heed our warning. We sent a larger and far more painful message two years ago. Are you listening yet? Contrary to what many believe, The Obama was elected more as a referendum on GW and McCain.
Why do you think McCain's polling increased so much when he added Pallin to the ticket? The same reason he chose her -- her conservative bonafides.
Pay attention you power brokers in the Party. Listen to the people, or you will find yourselves in the dustbin, along with the Whigs. A new party will take up the mantle of conservatism. It is not too late. Together we can win.
We are a conservative nation. When GOP candidates run under conservative principles they win (why do you think so many Democrats run under conservative themes?). When we try to be Democrats lite, we lose. We the people are no longer interested in voting for a candidate because they have an "R" behind their name on the ballot.
Fuck the RINOs. You, the leadership of the Republican Party better wake up. Since you took big losses in 2006 you have failed to hear us, the voters. We threw you out, not in support of the other guys, but to send a message. You did not heed our warning. We sent a larger and far more painful message two years ago. Are you listening yet? Contrary to what many believe, The Obama was elected more as a referendum on GW and McCain.
Why do you think McCain's polling increased so much when he added Pallin to the ticket? The same reason he chose her -- her conservative bonafides.
Pay attention you power brokers in the Party. Listen to the people, or you will find yourselves in the dustbin, along with the Whigs. A new party will take up the mantle of conservatism. It is not too late. Together we can win.
September 14, 2010
A story twenty four years old
Since I have nothing else to offer, I will post rerun from four years ago. Today s my little girl's birthday. She is exactly one-half my age today. I hope you enjoy this re-run:
A story two decades old
The doctor called at about 10:00 am on a Sunday morning. We were still asleep. When you are in your twenties, with no kids, you tend to stay up late and sleep in on the weekends. This was before I was conditioned to get up early. The doctor said we should come to the hospital right away. The wife insisted on showering and looking nice, I shaved and showered too since I could be done while she applied the makeup etc. We jumped into the car and drove the twenty-five minutes to Home Hospital in Lafayette. The doctor was impatiently waiting.
We went to the room they had assigned us. It had a nice view of the park across the street. The wife lay on her back and I had the uncomfortable experience of watching another man stick his hand between her legs. He poked, she yelped, and her water was broken. The doctor said she should start labor in a few hours and he would probably see us again Monday afternoon. My lifelong adventure had begun.
By four o'clock my wife was in serious labor and a lot of pain. The nurse told her it was way too early to start deep labor and she should relax. The nurse's attitude was that my wife was a wimp and crying wolf. They told her to walk around the hospital. By six o'clock I told the nurse she was in a lot of pain. The nurse said "fine, I will see if you are doing anything, but it is way too early". She gloved up with an impatient "lets humor this bitch" attitude. There sure was a look of surprise on that nurse's face when she discovered my wife was 8 centimeters dilated. Whoops, somebody screwed up and did not listen to the patient.
Sometime later the doctor was called. I should add an interesting tidbit here. My wife's OB GYN was a Mennonite. They are like the Amish, only they drive cars. He had the button pants, the hat, little beard and all. It was kind of interesting. I am not sure if he still practices or not. The doctor arrives, the room is broken down, the heavy labor is going on, my baby is on the way. This was the early days of letting the father in the birthing room and I was told to stay at the head of the bed and not move. We did the breathing thing, mostly I was useless. The ritual of pain and blood and birth remains the sole purview of woman, as it has through the existence of mankind.
Around 11:30 that evening, Sunday September 14, 1986 my lovely daughter was born. My real life had begun.
Sometime later I walked down the hall to get a drink or find the phone, I saw the doctor sitting in a room, still in his scrubs, head hanging in exhaustion. He did a good job, professional, and comforting, still the image of a doctor in my mind.
I got home around four in the morning. I was to go to work at six. I set the alarm and called in at about 5:30. The boss said since my daughter was actually born on Sunday, I did not get a day off work. He said I could come in at noon and work 2 hours overtime the next three days to make up for the lost time -- a real prince.
It did not matter, I had a little girl.
Happy Birthday, baby. I cannot believe you are twenty years old! I remain the proudest Papa ever.
A story two decades old
The doctor called at about 10:00 am on a Sunday morning. We were still asleep. When you are in your twenties, with no kids, you tend to stay up late and sleep in on the weekends. This was before I was conditioned to get up early. The doctor said we should come to the hospital right away. The wife insisted on showering and looking nice, I shaved and showered too since I could be done while she applied the makeup etc. We jumped into the car and drove the twenty-five minutes to Home Hospital in Lafayette. The doctor was impatiently waiting.
We went to the room they had assigned us. It had a nice view of the park across the street. The wife lay on her back and I had the uncomfortable experience of watching another man stick his hand between her legs. He poked, she yelped, and her water was broken. The doctor said she should start labor in a few hours and he would probably see us again Monday afternoon. My lifelong adventure had begun.
By four o'clock my wife was in serious labor and a lot of pain. The nurse told her it was way too early to start deep labor and she should relax. The nurse's attitude was that my wife was a wimp and crying wolf. They told her to walk around the hospital. By six o'clock I told the nurse she was in a lot of pain. The nurse said "fine, I will see if you are doing anything, but it is way too early". She gloved up with an impatient "lets humor this bitch" attitude. There sure was a look of surprise on that nurse's face when she discovered my wife was 8 centimeters dilated. Whoops, somebody screwed up and did not listen to the patient.
Sometime later the doctor was called. I should add an interesting tidbit here. My wife's OB GYN was a Mennonite. They are like the Amish, only they drive cars. He had the button pants, the hat, little beard and all. It was kind of interesting. I am not sure if he still practices or not. The doctor arrives, the room is broken down, the heavy labor is going on, my baby is on the way. This was the early days of letting the father in the birthing room and I was told to stay at the head of the bed and not move. We did the breathing thing, mostly I was useless. The ritual of pain and blood and birth remains the sole purview of woman, as it has through the existence of mankind.
Around 11:30 that evening, Sunday September 14, 1986 my lovely daughter was born. My real life had begun.
Sometime later I walked down the hall to get a drink or find the phone, I saw the doctor sitting in a room, still in his scrubs, head hanging in exhaustion. He did a good job, professional, and comforting, still the image of a doctor in my mind.
I got home around four in the morning. I was to go to work at six. I set the alarm and called in at about 5:30. The boss said since my daughter was actually born on Sunday, I did not get a day off work. He said I could come in at noon and work 2 hours overtime the next three days to make up for the lost time -- a real prince.
It did not matter, I had a little girl.
Happy Birthday, baby. I cannot believe you are twenty years old! I remain the proudest Papa ever.
September 13, 2010
An Astronaut, A fireman, President...
When I was a kid I wanted to be a lawyer. When I embarked on my college career that was still my plans. Then I grew up and realized the law is not Perry Mason, or Clarence Darrow, or even F. Lee Bailey. It is not prosecuting heinous murderers. It is not protecting the innocent from the evils of the system.
The law is contracts and divorce and bankruptcy and wills. It is traffic court and collections. The law is ambulance chasers and taxes. Being a lawyer is defending petty criminals and drug dealers. It is doing your best to defend a guilty person. It is cutting plea deals and prosecuting shoplifters. It is the corporate attorney and the guy out to hustle a buck.
I am not a lawyer. I decided early on I did not want to be one.
I went to the doctor this morning. I wonder if the doctor feels the same way. Is his profession what he thought it would be?
I never planned on selling widgets for a living. If I made a list of ten jobs I would like to have it would be around number 37. On the other hand, I like my job. I cannot remember the last time I woke up and said "I don't want to work today". There is something to be said for that.
If I were to do it all over I guess I would be a teacher or a chef. More likely, I would be doing exactly what I am today. Looking back and reliving the past is a waste of time. I made the best decisions given the facts and situation at the time. I can see no reason I would take a different path without knowing the future.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
The law is contracts and divorce and bankruptcy and wills. It is traffic court and collections. The law is ambulance chasers and taxes. Being a lawyer is defending petty criminals and drug dealers. It is doing your best to defend a guilty person. It is cutting plea deals and prosecuting shoplifters. It is the corporate attorney and the guy out to hustle a buck.
I am not a lawyer. I decided early on I did not want to be one.
I went to the doctor this morning. I wonder if the doctor feels the same way. Is his profession what he thought it would be?
I never planned on selling widgets for a living. If I made a list of ten jobs I would like to have it would be around number 37. On the other hand, I like my job. I cannot remember the last time I woke up and said "I don't want to work today". There is something to be said for that.
If I were to do it all over I guess I would be a teacher or a chef. More likely, I would be doing exactly what I am today. Looking back and reliving the past is a waste of time. I made the best decisions given the facts and situation at the time. I can see no reason I would take a different path without knowing the future.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
September 12, 2010
Just an observation
The Liberal types are always telling us how much they love America. I have no doubt they do.
But did you ever notice how so few of them are patriotic? I have noticed that few of my liberal reads ever post tributes to Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day or 9/11.
They rarely miss Earth Day though.
But did you ever notice how so few of them are patriotic? I have noticed that few of my liberal reads ever post tributes to Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day or 9/11.
They rarely miss Earth Day though.
Friday Five, on a Sunday. Movies you know by heart edition
We all have that favorite movie we have seen dozens of times. You know, that film you have watched 40, 50, or more times? Do you have that favorite film you recite the dialogue along with the actors? Is there a movie you have seen so many times you recognize when the cable station has cut scenes or even parts of scenes and not do you notice, it pisses you off? do you have a film you have seen so many times you are sick of it, yet have to stop and watch whenever you run across it on TV?
Here is your chance, list those five favs in the comments.
Here are mine, in no particular order:
Wizard of Oz
Animal House
Holiday Inn
Blues Brothers
Hoosiers
And since I am in charge, I will add a bonus movie:
Cool Hand Luke
What movies have you watched too many times?
Here is your chance, list those five favs in the comments.
Here are mine, in no particular order:
Wizard of Oz
Animal House
Holiday Inn
Blues Brothers
Hoosiers
And since I am in charge, I will add a bonus movie:
Cool Hand Luke
What movies have you watched too many times?
September 11, 2010
Commentary
As is my custom, there will be no 9/11 post today.
If you cannot remember, choose not to remember or fail to understand our country was attacked in the name of religion nine years ago this morning, there is really nothing for you here. On any day, but especially today.
If you cannot remember, choose not to remember or fail to understand our country was attacked in the name of religion nine years ago this morning, there is really nothing for you here. On any day, but especially today.
September 10, 2010
President Obama, you are a damn liar
"He [Obama] repeatedly sought to justify the high-dollar actions his administration has taken to boost a sputtering recovery. And he blamed Republicans for holding back future progress by uniformly opposing other proposals on the table. " sourceThe President conveniently forgets the Democrats have been in control of both houses of Congress since 2006. He seems to forget that for most of his term, President Obama has enjoyed such a dominating control that the Republicans could not even stop a filibuster in the Senate. The Republicans could not stop one single piece of legislation the Democratic Party chose to advance. The Democrats still retain majorities in both the House and Senate. They have the votes to pass their legislation. Too bad many Democrats know what the ywant to pass is not what is in the best interest of the American people. It is not the Republicans stopping the liberal agenda.
Saying otherwise makes Obama a damn fucking liar. If you agree with him you are either stupid or a damn fucking liar too.
Enough already
It has been more than five years. Yes it was a horrible catastrophe. Things happened that should not have happened. I get it; poor New Orleans. Katrina sucked. The Saints revived the city, gave the poor residents something to focus on besides their misery.
Still, it has been five years. For those who miss the obvious that is one half a decade.
Can it just be a football game from now on?
Still, it has been five years. For those who miss the obvious that is one half a decade.
Can it just be a football game from now on?
September 9, 2010
Just a thought
Let me see if I have this straight--
This nutjob in Florida should not burn the Koran because it will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
We must build the Ground zero mosque or it will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
We should close Gitmo or else it will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
We should build footbath and purification centers for cabbies at airports or it will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Support for Israel will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
The existence of Israel will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Forcing Muslim women to have their picture taken for a driver's licence will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Showing your bare feet will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Converting to Christianity, if you are a Muslim, will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Building Christian churches in any Muslim country will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Night clubs, strip bars and beer will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Pig roasts will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Prosecuting honor killings in the US will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
The war in Iraq and Afghanistan enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism
Reporting that the killings at Fort Hood, the recruit depot in Arkansas, the aborted attack at Fort Dix and Times Square were committed by Muslims will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
How many of these horrible things listed above were we doing on September 10, 1991?
It seems to me that no matter what we do short of converting to Islam at sword point and adopting Shari'a Law will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
This nutjob in Florida should not burn the Koran because it will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
We must build the Ground zero mosque or it will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
We should close Gitmo or else it will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
We should build footbath and purification centers for cabbies at airports or it will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Support for Israel will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
The existence of Israel will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Forcing Muslim women to have their picture taken for a driver's licence will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Showing your bare feet will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Converting to Christianity, if you are a Muslim, will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Building Christian churches in any Muslim country will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Night clubs, strip bars and beer will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Pig roasts will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Prosecuting honor killings in the US will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
The war in Iraq and Afghanistan enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism
Reporting that the killings at Fort Hood, the recruit depot in Arkansas, the aborted attack at Fort Dix and Times Square were committed by Muslims will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
How many of these horrible things listed above were we doing on September 10, 1991?
It seems to me that no matter what we do short of converting to Islam at sword point and adopting Shari'a Law will enrage radical Muslims and cause more terrorism.
Well, it is a post...
I am late ggetting to the old blog today. I started in work mode at 7:00 am, and I have been on the phone non-stop. Customers are near line-down due to a freight company's inability to deliver.
I have a customer who needs parts. He wants to buy them from me. We have them in stock. Creating a customer part number and creating the required paperwork will take a week. Sigh. This is the only place I have ever worked where actually selling product creates a sense of panic.
The NFL season begins tonight. I am ready.
I have a customer who needs parts. He wants to buy them from me. We have them in stock. Creating a customer part number and creating the required paperwork will take a week. Sigh. This is the only place I have ever worked where actually selling product creates a sense of panic.
The NFL season begins tonight. I am ready.
September 8, 2010
Let's do the time warp now...
In this morning's newspaper there was a flier from a local furniture store. The advertisement was promoting the Big Labor Day Sale. It informed me they would be open both Sunday and Monday for special Labor day hours.
I often feel like I live in a time warp. Maybe now you can understand why.
I often feel like I live in a time warp. Maybe now you can understand why.
September 7, 2010
Moving forward
Labor day is over. Birthday season is kicking off at the old Hoosierboy household. My daughter will celebrate number 24 on the 14th. My brother's %! on the 22nd. The youngest boy will be 17 on the 30th and the oldest boy will have circled the sun 22 times on October 1.
The passing of Labor Day also kicks off the political season. Get ready to be bombarded by ads on TV and radio. In other entertainment news the new TV season kicks of in a few weeks. Finally something other than reruns.
I hope you had a great weekend. Works beckons.
The passing of Labor Day also kicks off the political season. Get ready to be bombarded by ads on TV and radio. In other entertainment news the new TV season kicks of in a few weeks. Finally something other than reruns.
I hope you had a great weekend. Works beckons.
September 6, 2010
Friday Five Holiday Edition on a Monday
I was listening to the old iPod last night and the little electronic jukebox played Turn the Page from Bob Seger's classic live album "Live Bullet". There are some great live recordings out there, so let us offer a list of five all-time classic live albums. Here are some of my favorite live recordings, in no particular order:
The Who Live at Leeds
Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison
Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East
Frank Sinatra Sinatra at the Sands
Led Zeppelin The Song Remains the Same
Since I am the man making the list, I will not limit myself to five. Here a few more of my favorites:
Yes Yessongs
Simon and Garfunkle Concert in the Park
Peter Frampton Frampton Comes Alive
Bob Seger Live Bullet
What do you think are the five best live albums of all time? Come on, play along in the comments. If you do not comment, cats in heat will stand beneath your bedroom window. Babies will cry. Puppies will look at you with that head-cocked sad-eyed look. Buddhist Monks will set themselves on fire. Play along or Nancy Pelosi will do a strip tease at your next birthday. Flowers will die. Your Grandma will be sad. If you fail to comment fat guys in thongs will haunt your dreams. Come on, join in the fun. Do it for the baby seals, for the starving kids in India/Africa/Tibet/Mongolia/Thailand. If you offer your opinion Catherine Zeta-Jones might come to your house wearing a French Maid outfit. The old Spice guy might come and clean your bathroom, ladies. The risk is low, the rewards are high.
Don't make me beg.
The Who Live at Leeds
Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison
Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East
Frank Sinatra Sinatra at the Sands
Led Zeppelin The Song Remains the Same
Since I am the man making the list, I will not limit myself to five. Here a few more of my favorites:
Yes Yessongs
Simon and Garfunkle Concert in the Park
Peter Frampton Frampton Comes Alive
Bob Seger Live Bullet
What do you think are the five best live albums of all time? Come on, play along in the comments. If you do not comment, cats in heat will stand beneath your bedroom window. Babies will cry. Puppies will look at you with that head-cocked sad-eyed look. Buddhist Monks will set themselves on fire. Play along or Nancy Pelosi will do a strip tease at your next birthday. Flowers will die. Your Grandma will be sad. If you fail to comment fat guys in thongs will haunt your dreams. Come on, join in the fun. Do it for the baby seals, for the starving kids in India/Africa/Tibet/Mongolia/Thailand. If you offer your opinion Catherine Zeta-Jones might come to your house wearing a French Maid outfit. The old Spice guy might come and clean your bathroom, ladies. The risk is low, the rewards are high.
Don't make me beg.
September 5, 2010
The view of the mountains is wonderful today
If you are sitting at your computer, refreshing every five minutes to see if I have provided any entertainment, insight, humor, analysis, or Hemingwayesque prose, you are wasting your time on this fine Sunday.
Get out. It is a beautiful long weekend. Do something.
Get out. It is a beautiful long weekend. Do something.
September 4, 2010
Samstag
The coffee is good this morning. I hope you are doing well. I watched the sun rise, as usual. It comes up later every day. The calender is funny that way. On the bright side in a few months the days will start getting longer.
The TV is fixed. The old bank account took a $325 hit, but I has my big screen back. What the hell, it is only money. I have never had much of it, and this way I will not blow it on fast women and faster cars.
It was a cool 52 degrees when i went out to get the paper. The temps are expected to get back to the nineties next week. Some of the State got some rain Thursday evening and Friday morning, but not us. We have had less than 0.25 inches of rain since July. If it were not for the monsoons we faced in May and June every ditch, brook, and creek in the area would be bone dry. I bet the giant snakes that lived down by the brook at the old homestead are slithering up by the house with evil intent to get inside where they can drink from the sink and kill the inhabitants. That is what snakes do. I am glad i do not live there any more.
Have a great Saturday. I hope you all get laid.
Here is aclassic tune for your viewing pleasure. Rita is a bit older here, but still smokin' hot.
The TV is fixed. The old bank account took a $325 hit, but I has my big screen back. What the hell, it is only money. I have never had much of it, and this way I will not blow it on fast women and faster cars.
It was a cool 52 degrees when i went out to get the paper. The temps are expected to get back to the nineties next week. Some of the State got some rain Thursday evening and Friday morning, but not us. We have had less than 0.25 inches of rain since July. If it were not for the monsoons we faced in May and June every ditch, brook, and creek in the area would be bone dry. I bet the giant snakes that lived down by the brook at the old homestead are slithering up by the house with evil intent to get inside where they can drink from the sink and kill the inhabitants. That is what snakes do. I am glad i do not live there any more.
Have a great Saturday. I hope you all get laid.
Here is aclassic tune for your viewing pleasure. Rita is a bit older here, but still smokin' hot.
September 3, 2010
Catching up
Happy Friday. I am working my ass off today. I just got an RFQ from a customer -- 60 line items worth several million dollars. So I am making the donuts as it were, baby.
The TV repair man is supposed to show up between 11:00 and 3:00. No sign of him yet. Let us all cross our finger it is a minor repair.
I am primed for the three day weekend. I am going to install a ceiling fan in the boy's room. I have to deliver a chair to the oldest boy. I suspect I am going to drink a beer or two and smoke a cigar to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. It is supposed to be chamber of commerce weather in these parts. I am ready.
I have not had time to create a Friday Five or Friday Covers post for you. I am not sure I can top Mrs. Miller's covers from last week in any case.
I hope your Friday is going well.
The TV repair man is supposed to show up between 11:00 and 3:00. No sign of him yet. Let us all cross our finger it is a minor repair.
I am primed for the three day weekend. I am going to install a ceiling fan in the boy's room. I have to deliver a chair to the oldest boy. I suspect I am going to drink a beer or two and smoke a cigar to celebrate the unofficial end of summer. It is supposed to be chamber of commerce weather in these parts. I am ready.
I have not had time to create a Friday Five or Friday Covers post for you. I am not sure I can top Mrs. Miller's covers from last week in any case.
I hope your Friday is going well.
September 2, 2010
Ladies -- now I get it
I came home from a business trip yesterday evening. I was dog tired. I picked up the remote to turn on the TV. Nothing. The set would not turn on. Houston, we have a major problem.
After trying everything, including finding and checking the owner's manual ( call a service representative), I had the boy help me move the non-functioning set and replace it with the old set from the bedroom.
Watching a 20" screen is not nearly as pleasurable as watching a 52" screen. There is no doubt in my mind that bigger is better.
After trying everything, including finding and checking the owner's manual ( call a service representative), I had the boy help me move the non-functioning set and replace it with the old set from the bedroom.
Watching a 20" screen is not nearly as pleasurable as watching a 52" screen. There is no doubt in my mind that bigger is better.
September 1, 2010
Why lunch is my favorite meal
I went to the Chinese buffet place for lunch yesterday. Sitting across the aisle, two rows up, right in my line of sight was a sixty-plus year old woman.
She was wearing a crochet halter top. It was white and semi-see through.
I am pretty sure the only thing that kept her boobs from hanging out the bottom was her fat roll.
She was wearing a crochet halter top. It was white and semi-see through.
I am pretty sure the only thing that kept her boobs from hanging out the bottom was her fat roll.