It would be cool if some bright young genius would find a way to insert a little code into Blogger that would allow me to type with an echo. You know, like the recording of Lou Gehrig when he says "Today...ay...ay...I consider myself..elf..elf..The luckiest man...an..an...
Because today's post would be rife with that cool echo thingy. When I write "Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on Earth" I too, like the Iron Man Gehrig, could have that awesome echo.
You see, today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the Earth (OK, just pretend there is the echo thingy). Today is my 27th anniversary. Yep, 27 years. I verified the math on my calculator. The wife and I stood in the Methodist Church back on June 30, 1984 and we mutually pledged to each other our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor.
Hold on, the Founding Fathers made that pledge. The wife and I pledged our love and marriage.
So far there has been a lot more health than sickness, and the poorer has far outweighed the richer. I will say this, the next time I get married there is going to be some kind of codicil in the vows about nookie. I'm just sayin'.
Seriously, my wife is a saint. If you think I am irritating and obnoxious around here, you ought to try living with me. I am hard-headed, opinionated and find myself really amusing. There must be some redeeming qualities I fail to recognize when I look in the mirror, because the wife has stuck with me through a lot of thin and a little thick.
Woops, sorry about that. I just realized I forgot to turn off the imaginary echo thingy feature. Anyway, the whole point of this post is to tell you I am a lucky man.
Thinking back on the events of that warm June day in 1984, I have to question my wife's judgment. Not only did she agree to marry me, but she made the groomsmen wear light blue tuxedos. Clearly the woman has some flaws. But in all, I made a much better deal than she did.
Here is a song that echos that sentiment. Not in the lyrics, the dude was not too lucky at all. The title is what I am talking about, sheesh.
But I also dig the song.
I am a lucky man, indeed. But you have to admit I would be bordering on true greatness if I had an echo thingy for my blog. Oh, and duck soounds do produce an echo.
June 30, 2011
June 29, 2011
Business for fun and profit
Let's say you have a business that produces widgets. You lose, for whatever reason, your largest customer. Your business is reduced by 20%. Would it be a surprise if you raised prices by 20% until you found a way to make up the lost business? Is their anyone who believes the business should not try to maintain or make up the lost 20% of sales and profit?
The Government is changing the fuel mileage standards for automobiles. The new target is coincidentally 20% higher than the old standard for automobile fleet MPG ratings. This means in effect, you can expect your car will get 20% more miles to the gallon of gas.
This also means the Feds have mandated a loss in sales to the oil companies of 20%. Now think about your earlier answer. Should we expect the oil producers to take a 20% hit on sales and profit? Do you think this will make the price of a gallon of gas lower? There will be more gas, I guess, so the jump at the pump will be offset somewhat by supply and demand.
Once again we have an example of the Government sticking their nose into private business. If I choose to drive a car that gets 5 mpg, as long as I am paying for the fuel, why is it the Government's business? If I want to invest my private capital into producing the next Hummer, shouldn't the market decide the gas guzzler's fate? Is it really the role of Government to tell us what to drive, what to eat, how to live?
The Government is changing the fuel mileage standards for automobiles. The new target is coincidentally 20% higher than the old standard for automobile fleet MPG ratings. This means in effect, you can expect your car will get 20% more miles to the gallon of gas.
This also means the Feds have mandated a loss in sales to the oil companies of 20%. Now think about your earlier answer. Should we expect the oil producers to take a 20% hit on sales and profit? Do you think this will make the price of a gallon of gas lower? There will be more gas, I guess, so the jump at the pump will be offset somewhat by supply and demand.
Once again we have an example of the Government sticking their nose into private business. If I choose to drive a car that gets 5 mpg, as long as I am paying for the fuel, why is it the Government's business? If I want to invest my private capital into producing the next Hummer, shouldn't the market decide the gas guzzler's fate? Is it really the role of Government to tell us what to drive, what to eat, how to live?
June 28, 2011
On the Road Again
I am off today to make my customers feel loved. A little lunch, a big thanks for your business is in order.
Maintaining relationships is an important and overlooked part of customer service.
I always end every customer visit by asking if there is anything we could be doing better and thanking my customers for their business. I mean it too.
Maintaining relationships is an important and overlooked part of customer service.
I always end every customer visit by asking if there is anything we could be doing better and thanking my customers for their business. I mean it too.
June 27, 2011
You can't spread the wealth like butter on toast
Friday I asked if it was a problem if the rich are getting richer? No one had an issue with the wealthiest among us getting more wealthy.
"The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer" has long been the mantra of the Progressive Left. Like it or not, this is the central theme of Marxism. What modern liberals fail to establish is a correlation between the two sets of facts.
For one, the rich are getting richer. The poor of today, at least in the US, are rich by their grandfather's standards. We are all far better off than a few generations ago.
Economists and deep thinkers far smarter than I have studied the economics of the world. They do not have the answers and you certainly will not find them here. I limped through a couple of economic courses in college. The detailed discussions of monetary policy on interest rates, derivatives, the Theory of Value, Says Law and balanced payments makes my eyes glaze in boredom.
Here is what I believe. A rising tide floats all boats. Even the most cursory study of history and economics shows that taking from the most productive among us and giving it to others never improves the lot of society as a whole. At some point the producers just quit producing. The takers just keep taking. The Pilgrims tried it. Their first year they operated on economic principles that would have made Karl Marx weep with joy. The problem was it took no time at all for most to understand they did not have to break their back in the fields and could still eat. John Smith quickly instituted the 'no workee -- no eatee' policy and New England got off to a rousing start. Too bad the descendants of those same idealists want to infest the region with the failed socialist policies of their ancestors today. I guess some of us are doomed to repeat our history.
The bottom line is this: Robin Hood was a thief. Good intentions do not change facts. Taking from the rich and giving to the poor, or "spreading the wealth" as the President likes to say, is a losing policy. The current administration continues to harp that the "rich" are not paying their fair share. I read a speech by Al Franken at the Netroots Convention last week that echoed that sentiment.
Here is the giant 8,000 pound gorilla in the room -- nearly half of Americans pay NO income taxes. What is fair about that? The richest 10% in this country pay most of the collected taxes. That is fact. I find it hard to believe they are not paying their fair share. Those of you who believe we have a revenue problem (need to collect more taxes) as opposed to a spending problem in Government today should be advocating a tax for all, not asking more from those already paying a progressive tax. Sadly, politicians of both parties have realized the best way to buy votes and power is to give away as much as possible to as many as possible and hope the rest of us can foot the bill. The 'bread and circus plan' did not work for the Romans and it will not create a prosperous America either.
Let me pose a scenario. It is true that the poor buy the majority of lottery tickets. Let us say your neighbor Sam picked the winning Lotto numbers and won a windfall of $10,000,000. Would you think it all right if the Government kept 90%? Instead of 10 million bucks, good neighbor Sam took home a mere one mill? Granted, we would all take a million bucks, but would you think it fair Uncle Sugar grabbed the balance? Liberal icon FDR imposed a 90% tax upon the rich. In fact, he pondered a 100% tax on income above $100,000.
Envy is not good economic policy.
I am not rich. I have lived paycheck to paycheck. My house is small and my subdivision is not the finest in town. I would like to be rich. Living in a society where I do not have the opportunity to make money, earn my way, is not for me. I like the idea that I could become wealthy through hard work, risk, and opportunity. I love that America offers me the chance to own a business, develop the next new technology, to cash in on that better mousetrap. The choice is mine. The idea of a faceless bureaucrat taking the sweat from my brow, the fruits of my labors, and giving it to my neighbor makes me sick.
Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sickness, unemployment and other factors can make us poor and dependant upon society for a helping hand. It happens. Many of of us have been there. Many of the truly poor -- not those who have had temporary setbacks in life -- are poor for a reason. They have made bad choices in life. Lack of education, having kids you cannot afford, turning to drugs and crime all contribute to one's economic station. There is no one in this country who is denied the opportunity for education. The poorest among us have a decided advantage in scholarships and financial aid. I suppose anyone can slip up and get pregnant once. But recorded history shows only one woman ever got with child without having sex. . My neighbor should not be forced to subsidize my poor life choices.
Again, there is a big difference in a hand up and a hand out.
Each to his ability, each to his needs leads to us all lowering our expectations. "Tax the rich, feed the poor 'till they ain't rich no more" does not float the fleet on a rising tide. It leaves all of our ships sunk in the mud and mire of poverty and low expectations.
Edit. I actually wrote this Friday night and Saturday morning. As usual, why read my ponderous writing when you could get a better, clearer mesage from a guy way, way smarter than I? Read This. You will be smarter when you are done.
"The rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer" has long been the mantra of the Progressive Left. Like it or not, this is the central theme of Marxism. What modern liberals fail to establish is a correlation between the two sets of facts.
For one, the rich are getting richer. The poor of today, at least in the US, are rich by their grandfather's standards. We are all far better off than a few generations ago.
Economists and deep thinkers far smarter than I have studied the economics of the world. They do not have the answers and you certainly will not find them here. I limped through a couple of economic courses in college. The detailed discussions of monetary policy on interest rates, derivatives, the Theory of Value, Says Law and balanced payments makes my eyes glaze in boredom.
Here is what I believe. A rising tide floats all boats. Even the most cursory study of history and economics shows that taking from the most productive among us and giving it to others never improves the lot of society as a whole. At some point the producers just quit producing. The takers just keep taking. The Pilgrims tried it. Their first year they operated on economic principles that would have made Karl Marx weep with joy. The problem was it took no time at all for most to understand they did not have to break their back in the fields and could still eat. John Smith quickly instituted the 'no workee -- no eatee' policy and New England got off to a rousing start. Too bad the descendants of those same idealists want to infest the region with the failed socialist policies of their ancestors today. I guess some of us are doomed to repeat our history.
The bottom line is this: Robin Hood was a thief. Good intentions do not change facts. Taking from the rich and giving to the poor, or "spreading the wealth" as the President likes to say, is a losing policy. The current administration continues to harp that the "rich" are not paying their fair share. I read a speech by Al Franken at the Netroots Convention last week that echoed that sentiment.
Here is the giant 8,000 pound gorilla in the room -- nearly half of Americans pay NO income taxes. What is fair about that? The richest 10% in this country pay most of the collected taxes. That is fact. I find it hard to believe they are not paying their fair share. Those of you who believe we have a revenue problem (need to collect more taxes) as opposed to a spending problem in Government today should be advocating a tax for all, not asking more from those already paying a progressive tax. Sadly, politicians of both parties have realized the best way to buy votes and power is to give away as much as possible to as many as possible and hope the rest of us can foot the bill. The 'bread and circus plan' did not work for the Romans and it will not create a prosperous America either.
Let me pose a scenario. It is true that the poor buy the majority of lottery tickets. Let us say your neighbor Sam picked the winning Lotto numbers and won a windfall of $10,000,000. Would you think it all right if the Government kept 90%? Instead of 10 million bucks, good neighbor Sam took home a mere one mill? Granted, we would all take a million bucks, but would you think it fair Uncle Sugar grabbed the balance? Liberal icon FDR imposed a 90% tax upon the rich. In fact, he pondered a 100% tax on income above $100,000.
Envy is not good economic policy.
I am not rich. I have lived paycheck to paycheck. My house is small and my subdivision is not the finest in town. I would like to be rich. Living in a society where I do not have the opportunity to make money, earn my way, is not for me. I like the idea that I could become wealthy through hard work, risk, and opportunity. I love that America offers me the chance to own a business, develop the next new technology, to cash in on that better mousetrap. The choice is mine. The idea of a faceless bureaucrat taking the sweat from my brow, the fruits of my labors, and giving it to my neighbor makes me sick.
Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Sickness, unemployment and other factors can make us poor and dependant upon society for a helping hand. It happens. Many of of us have been there. Many of the truly poor -- not those who have had temporary setbacks in life -- are poor for a reason. They have made bad choices in life. Lack of education, having kids you cannot afford, turning to drugs and crime all contribute to one's economic station. There is no one in this country who is denied the opportunity for education. The poorest among us have a decided advantage in scholarships and financial aid. I suppose anyone can slip up and get pregnant once. But recorded history shows only one woman ever got with child without having sex. . My neighbor should not be forced to subsidize my poor life choices.
Again, there is a big difference in a hand up and a hand out.
Each to his ability, each to his needs leads to us all lowering our expectations. "Tax the rich, feed the poor 'till they ain't rich no more" does not float the fleet on a rising tide. It leaves all of our ships sunk in the mud and mire of poverty and low expectations.
Edit. I actually wrote this Friday night and Saturday morning. As usual, why read my ponderous writing when you could get a better, clearer mesage from a guy way, way smarter than I? Read This. You will be smarter when you are done.
June 26, 2011
June 25, 2011
Punch drunk from lack of sleep
I went to bed last night a little after 11:00 PM. I woke this morning a little after three. I puked up my supper. Unable to get back to sleep with my intestines tied in knots and my stomach churning, I turned on the television.
I surfed the channel lineup a couple of times. With nothing better to occupy the early morning hours, Errol Flynn and me went on Dawn Patrol. We nailed a bunch of the filthy Huns, shot down the evil Boches. I have been flying along with Eddie Rickenbaker during the day (Fighting the Flying Circus) and doing the same with Flynn during the night! I think I will pull out my copy of The Blue Max and give it a watch this morning.
It looks like I need to mow the lawn this weekend. I may get to that this afternoon. The wife mentioned she had some stuff to take back to the mall. Yard work will be a good excuse not to accompany her. Plus, since I was up a good portion of the night, I will need a nap!
I hope you have a great Saturday.
Here is a little WWI aviation photography to spur your interest. These pilots are pictured with the 94th "Hat in the Ring" squadron. Do you know what else they had in common?
I surfed the channel lineup a couple of times. With nothing better to occupy the early morning hours, Errol Flynn and me went on Dawn Patrol. We nailed a bunch of the filthy Huns, shot down the evil Boches. I have been flying along with Eddie Rickenbaker during the day (Fighting the Flying Circus) and doing the same with Flynn during the night! I think I will pull out my copy of The Blue Max and give it a watch this morning.
It looks like I need to mow the lawn this weekend. I may get to that this afternoon. The wife mentioned she had some stuff to take back to the mall. Yard work will be a good excuse not to accompany her. Plus, since I was up a good portion of the night, I will need a nap!
I hope you have a great Saturday.
Here is a little WWI aviation photography to spur your interest. These pilots are pictured with the 94th "Hat in the Ring" squadron. Do you know what else they had in common?
 |
| Maj. John Huffer and Raoul Lufberry |
June 24, 2011
On economics and politics
I was doing a little thinking this morning. I know, that is dangerous.
I have a quick question for you loyal readers.
Do you care if Bill Gates or Warren Buffett gets richer next year? Would you think it a bad thing if their net wealth grows?
I have a quick question for you loyal readers.
Do you care if Bill Gates or Warren Buffett gets richer next year? Would you think it a bad thing if their net wealth grows?
I get up, I get down
The skies are grey and cloudy again this morning. It seems as if either rains every day or at least threatens. Some of the flowers we planted last month are starting to struggle. I think it is just too much water. I am not sure what to do about it. I think the large amount of hail we had the other day did not help. I should mention I have the opposite of a green thumb. It takes a hardy plant to thrive around here. I have little interest in gardening and lawn work.
We have exactly ONE plant in the house. It is a planter from when my wife's mother died a couple of years ago. It sits on top of my desk hutch. It lives through sheer perseverance, not loving care. Sometimes I remember to water it. I threaten every year to put it outside for the summer. If I do, it won't come back in. The plant will not survive winter. Call me a softy,
I cooked some thin ribeyes on the grill last night. We had a fine meal of steak sandwiches and baked spuds. I also bought a watermelon, but we were not hungry and it remains in the 'fridge waiting the knife.
We don't have any specific plans for the weekend. I think I am going to throw some burgers on the grill Sunday. I promised the boy we would drag out the ice cream freezer and make a batch of homemade ice cream to go along. I suspect ice cream is not on my diet. Maybe I can have a small bowl, if I skip the chocolate syrup.
We have exactly ONE plant in the house. It is a planter from when my wife's mother died a couple of years ago. It sits on top of my desk hutch. It lives through sheer perseverance, not loving care. Sometimes I remember to water it. I threaten every year to put it outside for the summer. If I do, it won't come back in. The plant will not survive winter. Call me a softy,
I cooked some thin ribeyes on the grill last night. We had a fine meal of steak sandwiches and baked spuds. I also bought a watermelon, but we were not hungry and it remains in the 'fridge waiting the knife.
We don't have any specific plans for the weekend. I think I am going to throw some burgers on the grill Sunday. I promised the boy we would drag out the ice cream freezer and make a batch of homemade ice cream to go along. I suspect ice cream is not on my diet. Maybe I can have a small bowl, if I skip the chocolate syrup.
June 23, 2011
Dear Terrorists
Patience, fellas. One more year and you will be free of that pesky US Military.
There is no need to keep wasting your lives, treasure and precious resources fighting the Great Satan. We will be outta there starting next year. You can remake your Afghanistan and Pakistan homeland back into the training and haven for Islamic Terrorism you have always maintained. Think of our intervention as a brief interlude. Hell, I have just offered you a ready-made recruiting tool. You beat the Soviets. You beat the Americans. God is on your side. Just hold out.
The American troops will be weakened and more open to attack if you can just bide your time. Look, you have been waiting for 1,000 years to bring about your great Caliphate, another year or two will not matter.
It does not matter what the situation is a year from now. I am more interested in the politics of my actions. Let's face it. I know the military is filled with a bunch of worthless hicks, redneck racists and gun-lovers. The quicker we can cut down their numbers the better. I have a Hope and Change agenda and I need that money. This whole thing is Bush's fault anyway.
So take a page from The New Kids on the Block and "Hang Tough".
Your Friend,
B.H. Obama
There is no need to keep wasting your lives, treasure and precious resources fighting the Great Satan. We will be outta there starting next year. You can remake your Afghanistan and Pakistan homeland back into the training and haven for Islamic Terrorism you have always maintained. Think of our intervention as a brief interlude. Hell, I have just offered you a ready-made recruiting tool. You beat the Soviets. You beat the Americans. God is on your side. Just hold out.
The American troops will be weakened and more open to attack if you can just bide your time. Look, you have been waiting for 1,000 years to bring about your great Caliphate, another year or two will not matter.
It does not matter what the situation is a year from now. I am more interested in the politics of my actions. Let's face it. I know the military is filled with a bunch of worthless hicks, redneck racists and gun-lovers. The quicker we can cut down their numbers the better. I have a Hope and Change agenda and I need that money. This whole thing is Bush's fault anyway.
So take a page from The New Kids on the Block and "Hang Tough".
Your Friend,
B.H. Obama
Almost Friday
I was in the Pocket City earlier this week. You know, Dale Evans' favorite city. I did the Supertramp thing for my return -- I took the long way home. The drive was nice through the hills of Southern Indiana. It is nice to put the car over some curves and hills occasionally.
There is nothing of interest to report. Based on my stats, there are not too many of you left to report these non-events to anyway. There is no doubt in my mind content has a lot to do with my declining readership, but my hits are down 40 to 50%. Let's face it, blogging is dying. Most of the peeps have headed over to Facebook. I look at it like this, I need to get weaned off this hobby. I have said it before, I have no intentions of getting caught up in another time-eating social media. I have done the blog thing since 2005 and have pretty much bored you all enough.
No -- I am not threatening to quit. I have no intentions of stopping anytime soon, but I will not be taking up my virtual pen in another medium.
The pile of to-do items on my desk gets longer every day. Perhaps I should tackle a few of those unpleasant tasks today. On the bright side it is payday, so there is actually a little money in my bank account. Until tomorrow. Mortgage, car payments, food; someone always wants a piece of me.
Now I have Supertramp swirling in my noggin. You can too:
Have a great day.
There is nothing of interest to report. Based on my stats, there are not too many of you left to report these non-events to anyway. There is no doubt in my mind content has a lot to do with my declining readership, but my hits are down 40 to 50%. Let's face it, blogging is dying. Most of the peeps have headed over to Facebook. I look at it like this, I need to get weaned off this hobby. I have said it before, I have no intentions of getting caught up in another time-eating social media. I have done the blog thing since 2005 and have pretty much bored you all enough.
No -- I am not threatening to quit. I have no intentions of stopping anytime soon, but I will not be taking up my virtual pen in another medium.
The pile of to-do items on my desk gets longer every day. Perhaps I should tackle a few of those unpleasant tasks today. On the bright side it is payday, so there is actually a little money in my bank account. Until tomorrow. Mortgage, car payments, food; someone always wants a piece of me.
Now I have Supertramp swirling in my noggin. You can too:
Have a great day.
June 22, 2011
On love and marriage
A guy walks into his bedroom leading a sheep and says "When you ain't in the mood, I have sex with this cow."
His wife puts down her magazine, looks at him scornfully and replies "You stupid ass redneck, that's not a cow".
He stares at his wife and says "Don't you ever interrupt me when I am talking to the sheep, you bitch."
His wife puts down her magazine, looks at him scornfully and replies "You stupid ass redneck, that's not a cow".
He stares at his wife and says "Don't you ever interrupt me when I am talking to the sheep, you bitch."
Hey! That is my money you are spending
We see it at the Federal level. The State is almost as bad. The local level does it too. The Government likes to spend money. Did you buy a house in a valley? The city will help reduce your flooding problems. We will feed your kids breakfast and lunch. We have programs to protect your favorite toad or fish or bird. We have programs to promote the environment, education, Indian Affairs, roads, arts, radio, television. The politicians of this fine nation love to spend money.
There should be a big sign posted in the office of every elected official, on the desk of every public employee. This slogan should be part of every Federal publication. It should be written on your food stamp/welfare debit card.
The funds for this project were taken from the taxpayers of this country.
The only way any level of government can do anything -- build a road, clean a ditch, provide economic development, buy a car company, provide medical care or free lunch to kids and seniors is by taking part of my hard-earned wages. Taxes are a necessary part of living within a society. I get that. But somehow when a politician gets elected he or she conveniently forgets each and every dollar he spends belonged to someone else.
When someone takes a buck from me and my neighbor to help the guy down the block there is a moral obligation to make sure that dollar is needed and spent wisely.
Most of us would not consider borrowing money from our kid's piggy bank except under the most dire and necessary circumstances. Our politicians have been robbing from our kids' and grandkids' bank account for years.
So, Mr. Mayor, Governor, Representative, Senator -- keep in mind that is MY money you are spending. You took from my family, my kids, my savings, my paycheck. Is it too much to occasionally remind yourself of that simple fact?
There should be a big sign posted in the office of every elected official, on the desk of every public employee. This slogan should be part of every Federal publication. It should be written on your food stamp/welfare debit card.
The funds for this project were taken from the taxpayers of this country.
The only way any level of government can do anything -- build a road, clean a ditch, provide economic development, buy a car company, provide medical care or free lunch to kids and seniors is by taking part of my hard-earned wages. Taxes are a necessary part of living within a society. I get that. But somehow when a politician gets elected he or she conveniently forgets each and every dollar he spends belonged to someone else.
When someone takes a buck from me and my neighbor to help the guy down the block there is a moral obligation to make sure that dollar is needed and spent wisely.
Most of us would not consider borrowing money from our kid's piggy bank except under the most dire and necessary circumstances. Our politicians have been robbing from our kids' and grandkids' bank account for years.
So, Mr. Mayor, Governor, Representative, Senator -- keep in mind that is MY money you are spending. You took from my family, my kids, my savings, my paycheck. Is it too much to occasionally remind yourself of that simple fact?
June 20, 2011
Red sky in the morning...
Lightening is flashing and thunder is rolling in near constant waves this morning. The sky is a weird orange color. It was not raining much about 20 minutes ago, but while I ate my Cheerios and read the meager newspaper it started coming down pretty hard. I can't wait to jump in the car and drive this morning as I continue my "piss of the customers tour of 2011".
I had a great Father's day.
Weird shit continues around the old homestead though. You remember the weird frog episode of last week? If not you can search the archives over there on the left. Anyhoo, yesterday morning the boy and I were in the living room watching some Goodfellas while the wife finished whatever she does that takes so long to get ready in the bathroom. The boy asked if I heard that noise? He looked up and told me to look at the skylight.
A bird was pecking at the glass. A very big bird. Another was staring down from the second skylight. I could hear the ghost of Tippi Hedren laughing in the distance. OK, I made the ghost part up. I grabbed a handful of ice cubes from the freezer and went onto the deck. On my roof was a whole murder of crows or ravens. Big black ugly bastids. On was perched on my fireplace chimney. I am sure he was the murderous leader of the gang. Four or five others were standing around staring in my skylights plotting mayhem with my family. I threw a chunk of ice at the leader. I am not sure but I think I knocked the Marlon Brando leather cap from his gang-leader head. A couple of the gang sang out a menacing caw-caw that I interpreted as "We'll be back to rape your wife and drink your beer." The evil birds circled around a few times and headed southwest towards the distant fields. I suspect a defenseless scarecrow was about to be tormented.
As I write this huge hailstones are hitting the house. I better take cover.
I just looked. They are marble sized. I cannot wait to get on the road today.
I had a great Father's day.
Weird shit continues around the old homestead though. You remember the weird frog episode of last week? If not you can search the archives over there on the left. Anyhoo, yesterday morning the boy and I were in the living room watching some Goodfellas while the wife finished whatever she does that takes so long to get ready in the bathroom. The boy asked if I heard that noise? He looked up and told me to look at the skylight.
A bird was pecking at the glass. A very big bird. Another was staring down from the second skylight. I could hear the ghost of Tippi Hedren laughing in the distance. OK, I made the ghost part up. I grabbed a handful of ice cubes from the freezer and went onto the deck. On my roof was a whole murder of crows or ravens. Big black ugly bastids. On was perched on my fireplace chimney. I am sure he was the murderous leader of the gang. Four or five others were standing around staring in my skylights plotting mayhem with my family. I threw a chunk of ice at the leader. I am not sure but I think I knocked the Marlon Brando leather cap from his gang-leader head. A couple of the gang sang out a menacing caw-caw that I interpreted as "We'll be back to rape your wife and drink your beer." The evil birds circled around a few times and headed southwest towards the distant fields. I suspect a defenseless scarecrow was about to be tormented.
As I write this huge hailstones are hitting the house. I better take cover.
I just looked. They are marble sized. I cannot wait to get on the road today.
June 19, 2011
Happy Fathers Day...
...to all you Dads out there.
Remember, Andy Taylor, Steve Douglas, Mike Brady, Ward Cleaver, and even Homer Simpson all have a team of writers helping them with just the right line in any given situation. I know I could be a better dad if I had a team of researchers and wordsmiths to give me the perfect response to any situation. Dads like you and me and my pop all have had to make do with the time-tested "winging it" method. My dad was pretty good at it. Me, I try. I suspect I have had as many bad reactions, if not more, than good ones.
In spite of my failures my kids have all turned out well. I refuse to give their mother all the credit. After all it is Father's Day.
So, here is to you Dad's of the world. I salute you for sitting through every dance recital, coaching little league and soccer, leading the Cub Scout and Boy Scout Troops, bringing home the bacon and being there for every cut and heartache. I tip my hat to you for driving across town to pick up your son or daughter from that slumber party and the early Sunday trips to pick up a box of donuts because your kid said they sure sounded good.. I salute you because you and I both know those things were not a burden. You loved every minute of it.
At Christmas we watch A Christmas Story, on June 6th we view the cinematic versions of Normandy. Today we will slip in that Field of Dreams DVD and think about dear old father. "Wanna have a catch?"
Thanks Dad. Happy Father's Day to you all.
 |
| Actual picture of Otter and I with our parents circa 1972 |
In spite of my failures my kids have all turned out well. I refuse to give their mother all the credit. After all it is Father's Day.
So, here is to you Dad's of the world. I salute you for sitting through every dance recital, coaching little league and soccer, leading the Cub Scout and Boy Scout Troops, bringing home the bacon and being there for every cut and heartache. I tip my hat to you for driving across town to pick up your son or daughter from that slumber party and the early Sunday trips to pick up a box of donuts because your kid said they sure sounded good.. I salute you because you and I both know those things were not a burden. You loved every minute of it.
At Christmas we watch A Christmas Story, on June 6th we view the cinematic versions of Normandy. Today we will slip in that Field of Dreams DVD and think about dear old father. "Wanna have a catch?"
Thanks Dad. Happy Father's Day to you all.
June 18, 2011
Saturday Music
I woke up with this song stuck in my brainpan this morning. The hair, the boobs, the act aside, Dolly Parton is one hell of a singer and songwriter. As importantly, she understood the idea of marketing in music long before the Madonnas and Lady Gagas of the world caught on. Only Parton did it in a classy, but still over-the-top manner. See any interview with her. She got it, she embraced it.
It is a rainy morning here at the old homestead. I am not sure if it is the weather or what, but I have a pounding headache. Not complaining, just factualizing. No, I am not sure if that is a real word, but it should be. I had my prescription meds, my vitamin B6, my Cheerios, OJ and two mugs of java along with a couple of Advil, so I am set to face the weekend. At this moment I have limited plans. A new "Sharpe" movie arrived from the fine folks at Netflix, so I will meander mentally to the Napoleonic Wars after posting this and reading a few blogs. I may read a bit of Eddie Rickenbaker's struggles against the mighty Hun air force in the Great War. Beyond that I will have to await the Queen's direction.
In any case, please do not sit and fret about my well being. You should try hard not to let the awesomeness of ME consume your life. Go ahead and live. Enjoy your weekend. You can worship me again next week.
June 17, 2011
Stabbing myself in the face with a soldering iron / reading liberal websites -- is there a difference?
I was reading a lefty-leaning article from the Daily Beast discussing Michelle Bachmann. I read one sentence that sums up the liberal mindset as clearly as any I have ever read:
I am truly amazed that for most liberals a belief in God automatically makes one ignorant. A significant amount of scholarly research over the ages was done under the auspices of religion. Sure religion has done many things wrong. It has also made the lives of many better. Has religion over time harmed true scientific discovery -- yes. Has it also aided in the progress of science -- yes. Are Georgetown, Boston College and Notre Dame not respected and noted institutions of higher learning? Is it not true that the religious private schools often turn out some of our best and brightest?
I often find liberals come to a discussion with intellectual dishonesty. When they are unable to argue the point they resort to pseudo-intellectual superiority. Their only salient argument is I must be too stupid to understand. Sometimes liberals are so sure of not only their superior worldview and my supposed ignorance they will discount my position, even when I agree with them! I found just such an example a few weeks ago when I left a comment on a liberal blog.
I find it laughable that according to the liberal position, the Bachmanns, the Limbaughs, the Hannitys, the Palins, the Reagans of this world are all ignorant buffoons, too stupid to tie their own shoes. The Obama's, the Clinton's are the smart ones. GW had better grades than John Kerry and somehow managed to get through Yale, but was just an ignorant "shrub". Palin is ignorant because she mistakenly said Revere warned the British, but Obama made a mere slip of the tongue when he visited 57 states or needed to bone up on his "Austrian". One again liberals are good and smart while Conservatives are liars and ignorant.
Only in the liberal mind are belief in God, family, and a strong America extreme. Only to a liberal are holding conservative values -- a trait shared by a majority of us-- extreme. Only to a true believer in liberalism are these beliefs equated with stupidity.
The comments to the linked article above are scary. They demonstrate a closed mindset as intense and hate-filled as the one they the ysuppose lurks in the heart of Bachman and conservatives.
This I know, no nation has found long-term success taking the wealth from one citizen and giving it to another. We all prosper under equal opportunity. We all sink to the lowest denominator when we strive for equal results. If believing that makes me ignorant, I guess I can take comfort that history is on my side.
Her ideological radicalism should not be mistaken for stupidity.I have seen a similar approach from various progressiv/liberal bloggers. Sadly such a view is not liberal in the classical sense at all. I have stated often, and firmly believe, education is a life-long process. Every day I increasingly understand how little I know. There are a lot of people smarter than I. By the same token I would place my intellect, education, historical and economic undertanding against your average liberal.
I am truly amazed that for most liberals a belief in God automatically makes one ignorant. A significant amount of scholarly research over the ages was done under the auspices of religion. Sure religion has done many things wrong. It has also made the lives of many better. Has religion over time harmed true scientific discovery -- yes. Has it also aided in the progress of science -- yes. Are Georgetown, Boston College and Notre Dame not respected and noted institutions of higher learning? Is it not true that the religious private schools often turn out some of our best and brightest?
I often find liberals come to a discussion with intellectual dishonesty. When they are unable to argue the point they resort to pseudo-intellectual superiority. Their only salient argument is I must be too stupid to understand. Sometimes liberals are so sure of not only their superior worldview and my supposed ignorance they will discount my position, even when I agree with them! I found just such an example a few weeks ago when I left a comment on a liberal blog.
I find it laughable that according to the liberal position, the Bachmanns, the Limbaughs, the Hannitys, the Palins, the Reagans of this world are all ignorant buffoons, too stupid to tie their own shoes. The Obama's, the Clinton's are the smart ones. GW had better grades than John Kerry and somehow managed to get through Yale, but was just an ignorant "shrub". Palin is ignorant because she mistakenly said Revere warned the British, but Obama made a mere slip of the tongue when he visited 57 states or needed to bone up on his "Austrian". One again liberals are good and smart while Conservatives are liars and ignorant.
Only in the liberal mind are belief in God, family, and a strong America extreme. Only to a liberal are holding conservative values -- a trait shared by a majority of us-- extreme. Only to a true believer in liberalism are these beliefs equated with stupidity.
The comments to the linked article above are scary. They demonstrate a closed mindset as intense and hate-filled as the one they the ysuppose lurks in the heart of Bachman and conservatives.
This I know, no nation has found long-term success taking the wealth from one citizen and giving it to another. We all prosper under equal opportunity. We all sink to the lowest denominator when we strive for equal results. If believing that makes me ignorant, I guess I can take comfort that history is on my side.
A meandering post that just kind of fizzles at the end ( I really know how to sell 'em, eh wot?)
I am finally back from my long business trip this week earning my meager pay in a big way. I am pleased this trip was remarkably free of assholes. Hardly a jerk provided cause for me to cuss and swear. This is good for the old blood pressure, it does not offer much fodder for reporting on the old blog.
I was sure surprised when I got home. The boy cut his hair off. He has sported a dense shaggy mane for a umber of years and he cut it all off. Buzz cut, if you will. I almost didn't recognize him.
I got a late start this morning, and I had several emails to attend, so this post is a bit late.
Father's Day is Sunday, I am told. I don't really want anything. If the yard were to magically mow itself or the shrubbery shed it excess branches and leaves, well that would be cool. The daughter will be still on vacation to tropical locales, and both the boys have to work. I think I will motor off to the great flatlands of the Hoosier Heartland to say hola to my Papa. Then maybe we will come home and cook some burgers on the grill. To be honest a Father's Day without plans sounds mighty pleasant to me.
Wadda ya mean I'm anti-social?
I forgot. Remember the post below where the boy put in his notice? Look it up yourself if you really care. On his last day the owner called him in and told him he was sorry to lose him, my son was one of his hardest workers. He promised a reduction in hours, a promotion to prep cook, and a pay raise if he stayed. The boy will not be moving to the golden arches after all. He was not happy I made him go to McDonalds and tell them he was not coming to work after all. Welcome to the grown up world son. Doing the right thing often sucks.
It is Friday, Enjoy your day. WTH, knock off early if you can.
I was sure surprised when I got home. The boy cut his hair off. He has sported a dense shaggy mane for a umber of years and he cut it all off. Buzz cut, if you will. I almost didn't recognize him.
I got a late start this morning, and I had several emails to attend, so this post is a bit late.
Father's Day is Sunday, I am told. I don't really want anything. If the yard were to magically mow itself or the shrubbery shed it excess branches and leaves, well that would be cool. The daughter will be still on vacation to tropical locales, and both the boys have to work. I think I will motor off to the great flatlands of the Hoosier Heartland to say hola to my Papa. Then maybe we will come home and cook some burgers on the grill. To be honest a Father's Day without plans sounds mighty pleasant to me.
Wadda ya mean I'm anti-social?
I forgot. Remember the post below where the boy put in his notice? Look it up yourself if you really care. On his last day the owner called him in and told him he was sorry to lose him, my son was one of his hardest workers. He promised a reduction in hours, a promotion to prep cook, and a pay raise if he stayed. The boy will not be moving to the golden arches after all. He was not happy I made him go to McDonalds and tell them he was not coming to work after all. Welcome to the grown up world son. Doing the right thing often sucks.
It is Friday, Enjoy your day. WTH, knock off early if you can.
June 16, 2011
Things were moving too slow to even get road rage
It took nearly two hours to go from downtown Chicago to O'Hare Airport yesterday afternoon. We hit the road at 3:30 and I am not sure we got over twenty mph until 1/2 mile from the airport. If I had to deal with that every day you would never see another post from me. I would be long dead from a stroke. There is far too much traffic for the roads to handle.
The big price increase tour continues with mixed results. I am doing my best to help the cause of inflation. It is interesting to see most of my customers are leaning to a firm belief a double dip recession is imminent.
You get a short post today, I did not bring my power cord for the laptop.
Be of good cheer -- the weekend is coming!
The big price increase tour continues with mixed results. I am doing my best to help the cause of inflation. It is interesting to see most of my customers are leaning to a firm belief a double dip recession is imminent.
You get a short post today, I did not bring my power cord for the laptop.
Be of good cheer -- the weekend is coming!
June 15, 2011
Today's earworm
Here is a bonus:
Feels like driving "the strip" back in the late 1970's, when gas was cheap.
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