I was not going to post much, if anything about Cindy Sheehan, the woman who has been camping outside of the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas. I feel the MSM (Main Stream Media) and the bloggers are saying enough. However, when I read the post that Matt Drudge had about her outburst at a rally she attended at San Francisco State University earlier this year, I changed my mine. From www.drudgereport.com, here is the link, but since I do not trust links, here is part of her rant courtesy of Mat Drudge (I have edited the language):
"We are not waging a war on terror in this country. WeÂ’re waging a war of terror. The biggest terrorist in the world is George W. Bush!"
"We are waging a nuclear war in Iraq right now. That country is contaminated. It will be contaminated for practically eternity now."
"TheyÂ’re a bunch of f**king hypocrites! And we need to, we just need to rise up..."
"If George Bush believes his rhetoric and his bull**it, that this is a war for freedom and democracy, that he is spreading freedom and democracy, does he think every person he kills makes Iraq more free?"
"The whole world is damaged. Our humanity is damaged. If he thinks that itÂ’s so important for Iraq to have a U.S.-imposed sense of freedom and democracy, then he needs to sign up his two little party-animal girls. They need to go to this war."
"We want our country back and, if we have to impeach everybody from George Bush down to the person who picks up dog sh*t in Washington, we will impeach all those people."
Now first I want to offer my condolences to Cindy on the loss of her son. I cannot image the pain she must be in, HOWEVER, I can safely assume that she is not a Christian spouting out that tirade at SanFran Uni. and she has no right acting in such a manner. She has been making a big stink in the media (which she has the right to. Her son died for that right she is abusing) and people are getting tired of it. She has had her meeting with President Bush over a year ago. She did not spout those obscenities at him then.
Michelle Malkin has a lot more linkage and more linkage.
Cindy, while we grieve with you on your loss, there are better ways. Promising not to pay your 2004 taxes (shouldn't they have already been paid?) until President Bush brings back your son (Bush is not Christ, honey) is not going to cut it.
Most people sympathize with you, but not your methods. You need to take your Paxil.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
A (Dirty) Mind is a Terrible Thing to Waste
What do these have in common:
Yes they are all web searches, but that is not what I am getting at. These are all searches that my blog has been included in. Ain't that a hoot? It boggles the mind to think about what others do web searches for. Don't they have better things to do?
Now I am not going back to search each one of these but if you comprehend the way search engines handle searches, you will understand why my blog was in each one. Because I will write about things that will make you think, sometimes my posts are have "key words" in them that search engines (like Yahoo!) pick up on. I have had 1 visitor from Singapore, one from South Korea, one from Canada, and the rest were from the US. The US and the Singapore visitors were the ones who were searching on the risque subject matter.
I enjoy going through my web logs (both for my blog and my main page, www.mistergeek.com . I get to see what kind of things people search for...and man do they search for some WEIRD things...Here are a few (exact) phrases that have been searched for (just in the past few months) from my main mistergeek.com page :
* calculus jokes
* compare rifle calibers
* christian geek
* sarah lane mini skirt
* pencil necked geek
* international beers geek
* i ve been spoofed
* spooky e-mails
* slutgirl
* groovy granny
* geek on scooter picture
* flaming pop tarts
* christian chicks in mini skirts
* mini skirts
* jokes about the name shielah
This is not an complete list, but just a few of the more interesting ones I have noticed over the past few months. I get tons of hits for "geek of the week", "Christian Geek", plus a ton for people who vanity surf (those who type in their names in their favorite search engines to see what comes up).
OK, so maybe that was boring, but geeks like me think it is funny/interesting.
I hope you have a blessed day :)
Yes they are all web searches, but that is not what I am getting at. These are all searches that my blog has been included in. Ain't that a hoot? It boggles the mind to think about what others do web searches for. Don't they have better things to do?
Now I am not going back to search each one of these but if you comprehend the way search engines handle searches, you will understand why my blog was in each one. Because I will write about things that will make you think, sometimes my posts are have "key words" in them that search engines (like Yahoo!) pick up on. I have had 1 visitor from Singapore, one from South Korea, one from Canada, and the rest were from the US. The US and the Singapore visitors were the ones who were searching on the risque subject matter.
I enjoy going through my web logs (both for my blog and my main page, www.mistergeek.com . I get to see what kind of things people search for...and man do they search for some WEIRD things...Here are a few (exact) phrases that have been searched for (just in the past few months) from my main mistergeek.com page :
* calculus jokes
* compare rifle calibers
* christian geek
* sarah lane mini skirt
* pencil necked geek
* international beers geek
* i ve been spoofed
* spooky e-mails
* slutgirl
* groovy granny
* geek on scooter picture
* flaming pop tarts
* christian chicks in mini skirts
* mini skirts
* jokes about the name shielah
This is not an complete list, but just a few of the more interesting ones I have noticed over the past few months. I get tons of hits for "geek of the week", "Christian Geek", plus a ton for people who vanity surf (those who type in their names in their favorite search engines to see what comes up).
OK, so maybe that was boring, but geeks like me think it is funny/interesting.
I hope you have a blessed day :)
Monday, August 15, 2005
A Little Excitement for a Sleepy Town
Sunday I was waiting for my wife to return from running some errands, so I logged on to work to check my work e-mail (I had about 100 for 1 week. Not too bad) when I noticed the weather map was showing a storm heading our way. I need to walk one of our dogs (the other was with my wife), but I did not want to leave her to unload the van by herself, so I waited.
She arrived safely and I explained the problem, so after unloading the van, I set off with our oldest and most finicky dog, Maxx. We got about 1/6 of the way into our walk and in began to rain, but not overly hard, so I kept walking. A short while later one of the neighbors we had not met yet stopped me and asked me if I knew what all the police cars were doing in the neighborhood. I just made a confused looking face and said, "Huh?". They stated that there were at least THREE police cars in the immediate area, and one was a K9 unit. I told them I had no idea but I would try to find out.
I walked a bit further and saw the K9 unit parked, but not moving. I then noticed a man with two small children walking AWAY from the K9 unit looking very nervous. He matched my pace for a few meters, then he noticed a squad car coming towards us and he did a 180 and continued back from where he came, still looking very nervous. The rain had momentarily stopped so I called my wife and told her to lock the doors and shut the garage, and explained the situation. You see, my first thought was a man hunt and with my wife home and at least 1 door unlocked, she would be at risk IF some psycho was on the loose.
I continued on with my walk, keeping my eyes open. Two more police cars passed me, but did not look my way, so I did not fit the profile of who they were looking for. I circled around the school and noticed a police truck (They have some SWEET Dodge Dakota's they use), so I flagged him down. I told him I was not trying to be nosy, but since I was out walking the dogs, was there something a tax paying citizen could to do assist. I also told him that if I ever saw 2 or more police cars in the same neighborhood around here, especially if a K9 unit was involved, that I knew something was up. He finally told me they were looking for a blonde haired teenage girl who has run away, but they offered no other details. Well, that made me feel much better so I called my wife back to tell her the news. The storm had picked back up and the call was not clear, so I just hung up, after TRYING to tell her that I would be back soon. 2 minutes later, she was pulling up to me in the van telling me to get it. She had towels to dry the dog and me off. She is so sweet.
Well, that was my excitement for Sunday. Add that to a very busy Saturday and a hectic week prior to that and I am ready for work today!
She arrived safely and I explained the problem, so after unloading the van, I set off with our oldest and most finicky dog, Maxx. We got about 1/6 of the way into our walk and in began to rain, but not overly hard, so I kept walking. A short while later one of the neighbors we had not met yet stopped me and asked me if I knew what all the police cars were doing in the neighborhood. I just made a confused looking face and said, "Huh?". They stated that there were at least THREE police cars in the immediate area, and one was a K9 unit. I told them I had no idea but I would try to find out.
I walked a bit further and saw the K9 unit parked, but not moving. I then noticed a man with two small children walking AWAY from the K9 unit looking very nervous. He matched my pace for a few meters, then he noticed a squad car coming towards us and he did a 180 and continued back from where he came, still looking very nervous. The rain had momentarily stopped so I called my wife and told her to lock the doors and shut the garage, and explained the situation. You see, my first thought was a man hunt and with my wife home and at least 1 door unlocked, she would be at risk IF some psycho was on the loose.
I continued on with my walk, keeping my eyes open. Two more police cars passed me, but did not look my way, so I did not fit the profile of who they were looking for. I circled around the school and noticed a police truck (They have some SWEET Dodge Dakota's they use), so I flagged him down. I told him I was not trying to be nosy, but since I was out walking the dogs, was there something a tax paying citizen could to do assist. I also told him that if I ever saw 2 or more police cars in the same neighborhood around here, especially if a K9 unit was involved, that I knew something was up. He finally told me they were looking for a blonde haired teenage girl who has run away, but they offered no other details. Well, that made me feel much better so I called my wife back to tell her the news. The storm had picked back up and the call was not clear, so I just hung up, after TRYING to tell her that I would be back soon. 2 minutes later, she was pulling up to me in the van telling me to get it. She had towels to dry the dog and me off. She is so sweet.
Well, that was my excitement for Sunday. Add that to a very busy Saturday and a hectic week prior to that and I am ready for work today!
Friday, August 12, 2005
Coming Home
Monday, August 8, 2005, me, my wife, and our 2 dogs started a trek to Fort Benning, GA to watch the graduation ceremony of our son. As a Senior in high school, 17 years old and not quite a man, I have been very emotional at times over the past 11 weeks. I would read his letters and listen to his voice when he was allowed to call and I could tell this has been the toughest thing he has EVER been through. Tougher than the divorce of his bio-mom and I, tougher than the custody battle over him, tougher than getting acclimated to living with me and my new wife (his new stepmom), tougher than relocating to Texas after living in NC for 6 years...tougher than all that put together. I would learn this later on in the week as he and I talked. I was almost in tears at times.
We arrived in Birmingham, AL at about 5:30 PM central time to meet with a couple of my wife's friends (twins) for dinner. JoJo and Nancy are wonderful people. They are dear friends to my wife and for that I am eternally thankful. They are just fantastic.
The hotel was right next to the steakhouse where they wanted to have dinner. Nancy is a steak woman and nothing else would do. With that, she paid for dinner and I was in awe that she would be willing to do that. I am a stranger to her (but not to JoJo), but she showed me kindness that comes from a Christian heart.
After dinner was over with, my wife had the staff at the steakhouse sing me, "Happy Birthday" and bring me out dessert. All the while I was red-faced (I hate attention like that), but I hold no grudge. My wife loves me...it shows in the way she deals with my short temper.
After dinner, we returned to our room to chat for a little while. Nancy and I have a bit in common due to our current/past jobs (telecom) although JoJo and I more alike in the food department.
Nancy and JoJo left at about 9 PM and Debe and I turned in. We were driving to Fort Benning on Tuesday (a three hour drive from Birmingham) and we needed our rest after being on the road for 11 hours or so.
We drove to Columbus, GA the following day and the trip went well. Once we got to the hotel, we realized there was almost no place for the dogs to do "the dog thing". My wife talked to the front desk and they said there was a park about 5 miles down the road. That worked out well most of the time, but it rained every afternoon and the older dog, Maxx, was not being very cooperative. Actually he is the reason why I dislike travel with pets. He takes a bit of the joy out of travel.
We ate dinner out that night and Applebee's (after eating a light lunch of sandwiches and water) and got a surprise call from our son. He was at a concert that was being held on base (I think it was "The Donna's", not a band I would go see...) and he was just making sure we made it in. We chatted for a few minutes and then he had to go. He was calling from a Sprint phone booth. They were giving away free 3 minute calls and our son took advantage of it.
Wednesday was Beret Day at Fort Benning. Beret Day is the day before graduation when the soldiers get their black berets and then they are released to their families for the remainder of the day. The ceremony was delayed about an hour or so due to a transportation problem and after the ceremony, we took some pictures (I will post some a bit later). We toured the National Infantry Museum on the base and after our son signed out, we left to go eat (Ruby Tuesday -- our soldiers choice) and then to our hotel. The food was good and we all got our fill. Our son and I had burgers (they are very good there), my wife had salad. Women. :-)
We got back to the hotel, grabbed the dogs (who did not recognize our son at first) and took them to the park to let them do their thing. With that complete, we headed back and got changed into swimming gear so we could try out the pool. This was the place that he and I got to talk. We laughed and enjoyed the moment, wanting to savor the time we had. After an hour or two in the pool, we went back and cleaned up some and I fired up my work PC so our son could surf the web (something he had not done in a while). My wife napped some and I just watched our son. He looked so much different than he did 11 weeks ago. He looked older, more seasoned. I guess it is the 'warrior look' he has burned into him. He still has an easy smile, quick to laugh, but as his father, I can see he is now a man. He has been transformed.
After some goof off time, we got directions to a funky little pizza place, The Mellow Mushroom, a place we originally discovered in Chapel Hill, NC...home of the 2005 NCAA Men's Basketball Champions, The UNC Tarheels. Sorry...I got a bit carried away!
We ordered a half and half large pie, BBQ chicken and portabello mushrooms/meatballs. It was not cheap, but it is the best pie I have ever had. Our soldier ate his fill and they we noticed we needed to get him back on base.
After a getting gas and making a few wrong turns, we got back to the hotel. We were tired and needed to get some sleep since Thursday would be a long day for both of us. Graduation was at 9 AM, checkout of the hotel was noon, but we had to leave the dogs there so they would not overheat. That meant we had to get things done with our son on base, get back to the hotel and then check out. After checkout we had a 13+ hour drive back home to Texas.
The next morning, we were up at 5 AM, at breakfast at 6 AM and at the ceremony at 9 AM. Graduation went well and the ceremony was short. We took some pictures of our soldier and his 'battle buddy' (a young man that our son was able to witness to) and went to get his duffel bag so we could take it back for him. He had 3 bags total and he planned on only taking back 2.
We said our goodbyes to our soldier and his battle buddy (who really is a wonderful young man...he really helped our son out quite a bit) gave them hugs and handshakes, prayed for them and we went back to the hotel to get the dogs, check out and take them to the park to use the bathroom and tire them out some for the long drive back. After a quick walk, we ate the leftover pizza, some Gatorade, and a granola bar before hitting the road. I started the trek by driving to Birmingham, filling up the gas tank and then letting my wife drive so I could get some rest. She drove for about 3 hours and I took over. I drove until we got to the Texas welcome center and then she took over. She was able to make it about 2.5 hours or so then I had to take over for her. We did a final bathroom break for her and I finished up the trip.
When we got home, I made her go to bed. She is notorious for getting home and unpacking as soon as we get back. I told her to go to bed while I unloaded the van. We could unpack once we had some sleep.
I got up at 6:30 AM to walk the dogs (yes...5 and 1/2 hours sleep) and made a pot of coffee...the first coffee I had made in 5 days. It really hit the spot. I washed the travel dishes (Tupperware, etc), unpacked my stuff, the non-perishable food box, and the cooler. I collected all the trash and recyclables, entered in the bills and travel receipts, and made some boxed muffin mix for us to eat. I was getting a head start. I know this will be a long day. I also want the place to be in order when our soldier comes home this afternoon/evening. It will be good to have him back.
Friday, August 05, 2005
40
Happy Birthday to me, I turned 40 today. :-)
I met with my AP (accountability partner) yesterday for coffee after work and it was a very good meeting. We discussed many things and really got an understanding on the struggles each of us faces every day. We traded stories, strategies, and concerns. The hour that we had to chat just was not long enough. Ok, maybe it was, but it went by fast. Ben* is a very good listener.
I added a traffic counter to my blog because I was curious on how many people are reading this. I am not getting my hopes up, since I do not advertise it, but it is always nice to know.
My project work is going well. I have many meetings today to do some fact gathering and if we get most of the data we will be ready to make a business case to the executive mgmt team next week. That should be interesting, since I am out of the office next week. We are going to watch our son graduate Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Money is tight, so we will have to watch our spending (making sandwiches instead of eating out, lower priced motels, etc). We blew our budget for travel about mid way through the year.
Last night I had a dream. It was not a "nightmare" but it was not a pleasant dream. Due to personal reasons, I will not share it with my readers, but I will say that it was the type of dream that bothered me as a Christian. In my dream I was doing things that I would not do in real life.
The good thing about this situation is that I know why we have the dreams we do. Our subconscious takes random memories and stitches them together in the form of a story. These events may not be related in any way, shape, or form, but they come out in story format none the less. Sometimes Christians get very upset when they have "un-Christianlike" dreams, but they shouldn't. The Devil is planting that seed of fear in you and if you allow it to germinate, you will be hurt and may even doubt your faith. Don't go that route. Immediately pray to God to remove that fear. If you have accepted him, he understands you (inside and out) and loves you. You cannot control your dreams, but do not have to let them control you.
*Not his real name.
I met with my AP (accountability partner) yesterday for coffee after work and it was a very good meeting. We discussed many things and really got an understanding on the struggles each of us faces every day. We traded stories, strategies, and concerns. The hour that we had to chat just was not long enough. Ok, maybe it was, but it went by fast. Ben* is a very good listener.
I added a traffic counter to my blog because I was curious on how many people are reading this. I am not getting my hopes up, since I do not advertise it, but it is always nice to know.
My project work is going well. I have many meetings today to do some fact gathering and if we get most of the data we will be ready to make a business case to the executive mgmt team next week. That should be interesting, since I am out of the office next week. We are going to watch our son graduate Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Money is tight, so we will have to watch our spending (making sandwiches instead of eating out, lower priced motels, etc). We blew our budget for travel about mid way through the year.
Last night I had a dream. It was not a "nightmare" but it was not a pleasant dream. Due to personal reasons, I will not share it with my readers, but I will say that it was the type of dream that bothered me as a Christian. In my dream I was doing things that I would not do in real life.
The good thing about this situation is that I know why we have the dreams we do. Our subconscious takes random memories and stitches them together in the form of a story. These events may not be related in any way, shape, or form, but they come out in story format none the less. Sometimes Christians get very upset when they have "un-Christianlike" dreams, but they shouldn't. The Devil is planting that seed of fear in you and if you allow it to germinate, you will be hurt and may even doubt your faith. Don't go that route. Immediately pray to God to remove that fear. If you have accepted him, he understands you (inside and out) and loves you. You cannot control your dreams, but do not have to let them control you.
*Not his real name.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
Coffee Talk
I am scheduled to meet my accountability partner (Ben*) at Starbuck's today after work. Yesterday was his day off (and his birthday) so we did not chat, although I did send him a short e-mail. I am not sure that we have much to "confess", but it is always good to see him. He is a very funny guy with a sarcastic wit. He is not rude, he uses sarcasm very well. He turned 49 yesterday and does not act like someone heading into his 50's soon.
Personally, I am having pretty good day. I got 7 hrs sleep last night and woke up with very little pain in my back/neck/hip. My morning walk with the dogs went well (although Maxx has regained his 'tude now that he is off HIS meds) and my coffee was almost perfect (it is hard to get it perfect when you are half asleep when you are brewing it). The only hitch this morning was with my wife, who "could not get back to sleep" and got up at 5 AM AND STARTED CLEANING THE MASTER BATHROOM. The more she cleaned, the more her positive attitude went down the drain. She was obviously heading south quickly, so I grabbed her hands and prayed for her. After I finished, I gave her a hug and left for work once I was all ready.
Once I was at work, things were rather slow. My ticket queue (there have been only 4 so far today) has been very easy, taking just a couple of minutes each to solve. I had a 8 AM meeting that went very well (and ran over 15 minutes, but that is ok) that resulted in an action item for me to type up all my notes and give them to my boss to proof.
I ate lunch at my desk, stopping long enough to talk to Paul** and see how his health has been lately. Paul has been prescribed Paxil and Wellbutrin and is not overly happy with the way it makes him feel. I am finding a bit of perverse humor in this simply because I do not think he needs the meds. What he really needs is love and a change of environment, but that is another post.
While it is now just before 3 PM Central, I only have about 1 hour or so left (I am going to cut out early to go meet Ben). Work has been slow, but a welcome change. My boss most likely will not give me any more to do since he is mired down in his weekly report and is not likely to step out of his office until it is done.
Hmmm...I just got an e-mail from my Ben asking if we are still on for coffee, so I e-mailed him back confirming the meeting. I should be able to get there at 4:30 ish or so. Now I just need to confirm which Starbucks! We have two, one on one side of the expressway and one on the other.
*Ben is not his real name.
**Paul is not his real name.
Personally, I am having pretty good day. I got 7 hrs sleep last night and woke up with very little pain in my back/neck/hip. My morning walk with the dogs went well (although Maxx has regained his 'tude now that he is off HIS meds) and my coffee was almost perfect (it is hard to get it perfect when you are half asleep when you are brewing it). The only hitch this morning was with my wife, who "could not get back to sleep" and got up at 5 AM AND STARTED CLEANING THE MASTER BATHROOM. The more she cleaned, the more her positive attitude went down the drain. She was obviously heading south quickly, so I grabbed her hands and prayed for her. After I finished, I gave her a hug and left for work once I was all ready.
Once I was at work, things were rather slow. My ticket queue (there have been only 4 so far today) has been very easy, taking just a couple of minutes each to solve. I had a 8 AM meeting that went very well (and ran over 15 minutes, but that is ok) that resulted in an action item for me to type up all my notes and give them to my boss to proof.
I ate lunch at my desk, stopping long enough to talk to Paul** and see how his health has been lately. Paul has been prescribed Paxil and Wellbutrin and is not overly happy with the way it makes him feel. I am finding a bit of perverse humor in this simply because I do not think he needs the meds. What he really needs is love and a change of environment, but that is another post.
While it is now just before 3 PM Central, I only have about 1 hour or so left (I am going to cut out early to go meet Ben). Work has been slow, but a welcome change. My boss most likely will not give me any more to do since he is mired down in his weekly report and is not likely to step out of his office until it is done.
Hmmm...I just got an e-mail from my Ben asking if we are still on for coffee, so I e-mailed him back confirming the meeting. I should be able to get there at 4:30 ish or so. Now I just need to confirm which Starbucks! We have two, one on one side of the expressway and one on the other.
*Ben is not his real name.
**Paul is not his real name.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
It is Amazing What You Can Do When You Are Pain Free
Tuesday night is Volleyball night at the old church we used to attend. When we changed churches, I never considered giving up VB since the new church does not have the facilities for it and also because I love the game.
Last night I arrived as usual and we had enough to play 4 on 4, which is my favorite way to play (6 seems like to many people to me). I helped set up the net, then I stretched and warmed up with a few sets and digs. I felt pretty good, rested, I had a good energy level (lots of B12, Taurine, and ginseng) and was pretty flexible (for me that is...I am not an overly athletic guy). Shortly after we started playing, one of the better players suggested we try a different strategy/formation (using 1 person in front,1 middle and 2 back) to see if would improve our play some. I had trouble with the idea (the front person would have the second hit (the setter) since I am not great at setting, but I came around quick enough.
At one point in the game I was playing back and the setter had set one up and yell my name, indicating that I was the one to spike it over. I ran up, got my timing and delivered a fantastic spike. When we regrouped, my team was very kind and said that I spiked that better than I have ever done before. I must say that I felt pretty good playing. Then after about an hour of play, I noticed that my hip was not hurting like it normally does after a bit of play. The meds the doc gave me were helping a good bit.
We went on to play about 6-7 games and I think we only lost 2, the second game and the fifth. At one point we became sloppy and let the opposing team score 7-8 in a row.
Without the pain in my hip and neck, I was able to cover more ground, dig at more hits, and spike much cleaner than I normally can. I hope I heal completely. The feeling of playing well (in a friendly environment, with good sportsmanship) was tremendously satisfying.
Last night I arrived as usual and we had enough to play 4 on 4, which is my favorite way to play (6 seems like to many people to me). I helped set up the net, then I stretched and warmed up with a few sets and digs. I felt pretty good, rested, I had a good energy level (lots of B12, Taurine, and ginseng) and was pretty flexible (for me that is...I am not an overly athletic guy). Shortly after we started playing, one of the better players suggested we try a different strategy/formation (using 1 person in front,1 middle and 2 back) to see if would improve our play some. I had trouble with the idea (the front person would have the second hit (the setter) since I am not great at setting, but I came around quick enough.
At one point in the game I was playing back and the setter had set one up and yell my name, indicating that I was the one to spike it over. I ran up, got my timing and delivered a fantastic spike. When we regrouped, my team was very kind and said that I spiked that better than I have ever done before. I must say that I felt pretty good playing. Then after about an hour of play, I noticed that my hip was not hurting like it normally does after a bit of play. The meds the doc gave me were helping a good bit.
We went on to play about 6-7 games and I think we only lost 2, the second game and the fifth. At one point we became sloppy and let the opposing team score 7-8 in a row.
Without the pain in my hip and neck, I was able to cover more ground, dig at more hits, and spike much cleaner than I normally can. I hope I heal completely. The feeling of playing well (in a friendly environment, with good sportsmanship) was tremendously satisfying.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
What a Pain in the Neck!
Seriously! I have had a stiff/sore neck for about 3-4 weeks now. I asked my doc about it and he thinks it may be stress related (hmmm I work in IT, have a son in Basic Training, 2 dogs with allergies, bills that are getting out of hand...STRESS? NAH!).
My doc prescribed 2 meds to see if he can determine the problem. One of the meds is a muscle relaxer to take before I go to bed to help me get a good night's sleep. The other is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory/pain med. I took the night time med last night before I went to bed and I slept OK. Not earth shattering sleep, but decent. I was told by the pharmacist that I would dream and remember them, but I didn't. With my life as wacky as it is, I would rather not remember any :)
I took the other med this morning after I had eaten a good breakfast (it said to take it with meals) and my neck is not as sore or stiff, but I can still feel discomfort.
He (the doc) told me that I needed to take the night time stuff for 2-3 nights and the other pills for 5 days or so to see if it helped.
I will report on my progress later.
**Update**
Day two and I am feeling pretty good. Only a small amount of pain/strain in my neck and almost none in my hip.
My doc prescribed 2 meds to see if he can determine the problem. One of the meds is a muscle relaxer to take before I go to bed to help me get a good night's sleep. The other is a non-steroid anti-inflammatory/pain med. I took the night time med last night before I went to bed and I slept OK. Not earth shattering sleep, but decent. I was told by the pharmacist that I would dream and remember them, but I didn't. With my life as wacky as it is, I would rather not remember any :)
I took the other med this morning after I had eaten a good breakfast (it said to take it with meals) and my neck is not as sore or stiff, but I can still feel discomfort.
He (the doc) told me that I needed to take the night time stuff for 2-3 nights and the other pills for 5 days or so to see if it helped.
I will report on my progress later.
**Update**
Day two and I am feeling pretty good. Only a small amount of pain/strain in my neck and almost none in my hip.
Of Men and Their Weaknesses
A few months ago I felt God leading me to find an "accountability" partner. An AP is a person to whom I could go to and privately explain my struggles and fears, as well as to pray with and for, someone who would not judge, but who would rebuke me (in a Christian manner) when I fall short. Last Thursday, I approached a man in our church, who I will call Ben*. While visiting with Ben and his family, I took him aside privately and asked him to consider my request. The look on his face took the wind out of my sails. I told him that, "'No' was an acceptable answer. Do not agree to this task lightly. My private thoughts and yours will be on the line." I asked him to pray about it and get back to me when he felt his answer had been given to him. That was on Thursday. Friday afternoon, on his way home, he called me and stated that he was happy to accept. He was concerned at first, that he was not strong enough to fulfill the job, but he said that it was the right thing to do. He was guided by the Holy Spirit as well as a sermon he had recently heard to do this.
I began to open up, bit by bit on Friday to him. He listened. We agreed to exchange books (Every Man's Battle for Wild at Heart) once we were both finished reading our books. It was a good conversation and he told me that he would keep up with me via e-mail and phone. I was pleased.
Monday rolls around and I get a call from Ben. He is in good mood and begins to tell me of his struggles. I listen. I empathize. I give him my thoughts and opinions. He listens. He agrees on some of them. I find he and I have a similar weakness in the computer/internet area with music. I have told him my goals and what I have accomplished so far. He seems impressed (not that I was pushing for that) that I have made this progress without external (not discounting God in this) help.
I told him of my struggles. He was very understanding. Men will understand each other's weaknesses, especially Christian men. Women, as wonderful and caring as they are, are not programmed/wired in a way that would allow them to understand. This is not my opinion, this is a fact. For the women reading my blog, please take no offense. Only women can truly understand the struggles women face. Men are not programmed/wired the same way. We have to REALLY get past our basic programming just to begin to grasp at women's issues/struggles/weaknesses.
Men, if you think you understand the way a woman is wired/programmed by God, you are truly blessed. It takes a long time just to understand the basics. Also men, I am going to give away a secret we have to women, so they can better understand us. Go ahead and get mad if you want to and argue that "I am not that way. If you think that way then you must be a pervert", but God wired men a certain way. If he didn't the population of the earth would dwindle to nothing. So with that tasty nugget to savor, here is the main course.
Women, here it is: men are sexual creatures. We have been wired by God that way on purpose, just as he wired you (well, most of you that is) to be more emotional based. We are the "yin and yang", "peas and carrots", "PB and J", etc. We (men and women) just go together. We compliment each other. We (initally) are drawn to your beauty and you (initally) are drawn to our ability to provide and protect.
Every man is tempted (you must understand that temptation is not sin. Jesus was tempted, he did not sin) by flesh. Flesh is weak. Spirit is so much stronger. We are BOMBARDED with sexual imagery all day long: at work (the clothing of our female colleagues), music (sexually charge lyrics), the internet (pop-ups and banner ads with scantily clad women), billboards (Have you really looked at them?), movies (Duhh), TV (Sex in the City, Friends, etc) the gym (the clothing that is worn there is just not acceptable at all), and even at your son's high school football game (the pep squad/color guard/etc have the most provocative outfits I have ever seen. They just scream, 'LOOK AT MY BUTT!'). Now, remember that while you think about the fact (yes, it is a fact) that men are wired to be more VISUALLY oriented than women are. See? Now do you see why we struggle? God wants us to notice beauty, but SIN has perverted God's desire for us to notice your beauty into a temptation to look at others the same way we look at our wives.
Now, so I do not sound like some sort of (please pardon this expression from my youth) "whore dog", I do a very good job of being a man of integrity. I practice what is called "eye bounce" when I notice something/someone that I should not be looking at. With that, when you see something that is "off limits", you "bounce" your eyes to something else. While this may be difficult if you are driving in a neighborhood and some female is running along side the road (or in the road as it happens so much here), you move that to the edge of your field of vision until you pass them and then you keep going. DO NOT LOOK in the rearview mirror. After a while it becomes second nature. Doing this enough helps a man "rediscover" how enticing his wife is to him.
When it comes to the internet, I simply use Firefox or Mozilla as my web browser and turn on pop-up blockers and configure the ad-block extension to block the ads. It not only keeps me focused, but my pages load quicker. Not a bad trade off.
With e-mail, I get a lot of spam. A large chunk of it is adult based (get a date tonight, make your p*nis larger, etc) and is usually followed by a graphic. I simply tell my mail client (Mozilla, Thunderbird, Outlook Express, etc) to make all mail text based instead of web page based and I never have to see the ads.
I think that covers most of what I need to do. I have almost stopped watching TV (we are down to basic cable now, for the broadband access), only go to fantasy/sci-fi movies every couple of months, and sit away from the pep squad when I attend sporting events.
My wife tosses the lingerie catalogs away after she has glanced through them, or we just do not have them delivered. We "commercial skip" when possible since a lot of late night TV has some trashy commercials.
My wife is fully aware that men (including me) struggle. She is proud of me for being honest with her. So, if she understands, why do need an accountability partner? Well, if I stumble, I will be too embarrassed (initially) to tell my wife. But if I have a AP, I can confess, be rebuked, pray, then tell my wife. Admitting things that you have done wrong is difficult. A good wife makes it easier. I cannot imagine being a single Christian man. I would literally go crazy.
Now one last thing on the subject, then I am going to lunch. If any woman who is reading this is disgusted, then you should be disgusted with yourself. If you wore a tight skirt JUST ONE TIME to work, you contributed to this. If you left you lingerie catalogue out and asked your husband or boyfriend to pick out something for you ON HIS OWN, if you watch "Friends", "Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives" (or any other trashy show) or allow him to watch Spike TV for hours, you have enabled him. Don't blame him completely. It is your job to lovingly keep him honest. He has the biggest part, but you women have to do your part as well.
Just think about it.
*Ben is not his real name.
I began to open up, bit by bit on Friday to him. He listened. We agreed to exchange books (Every Man's Battle for Wild at Heart) once we were both finished reading our books. It was a good conversation and he told me that he would keep up with me via e-mail and phone. I was pleased.
Monday rolls around and I get a call from Ben. He is in good mood and begins to tell me of his struggles. I listen. I empathize. I give him my thoughts and opinions. He listens. He agrees on some of them. I find he and I have a similar weakness in the computer/internet area with music. I have told him my goals and what I have accomplished so far. He seems impressed (not that I was pushing for that) that I have made this progress without external (not discounting God in this) help.
I told him of my struggles. He was very understanding. Men will understand each other's weaknesses, especially Christian men. Women, as wonderful and caring as they are, are not programmed/wired in a way that would allow them to understand. This is not my opinion, this is a fact. For the women reading my blog, please take no offense. Only women can truly understand the struggles women face. Men are not programmed/wired the same way. We have to REALLY get past our basic programming just to begin to grasp at women's issues/struggles/weaknesses.
Men, if you think you understand the way a woman is wired/programmed by God, you are truly blessed. It takes a long time just to understand the basics. Also men, I am going to give away a secret we have to women, so they can better understand us. Go ahead and get mad if you want to and argue that "I am not that way. If you think that way then you must be a pervert", but God wired men a certain way. If he didn't the population of the earth would dwindle to nothing. So with that tasty nugget to savor, here is the main course.
Women, here it is: men are sexual creatures. We have been wired by God that way on purpose, just as he wired you (well, most of you that is) to be more emotional based. We are the "yin and yang", "peas and carrots", "PB and J", etc. We (men and women) just go together. We compliment each other. We (initally) are drawn to your beauty and you (initally) are drawn to our ability to provide and protect.
Every man is tempted (you must understand that temptation is not sin. Jesus was tempted, he did not sin) by flesh. Flesh is weak. Spirit is so much stronger. We are BOMBARDED with sexual imagery all day long: at work (the clothing of our female colleagues), music (sexually charge lyrics), the internet (pop-ups and banner ads with scantily clad women), billboards (Have you really looked at them?), movies (Duhh), TV (Sex in the City, Friends, etc) the gym (the clothing that is worn there is just not acceptable at all), and even at your son's high school football game (the pep squad/color guard/etc have the most provocative outfits I have ever seen. They just scream, 'LOOK AT MY BUTT!'). Now, remember that while you think about the fact (yes, it is a fact) that men are wired to be more VISUALLY oriented than women are. See? Now do you see why we struggle? God wants us to notice beauty, but SIN has perverted God's desire for us to notice your beauty into a temptation to look at others the same way we look at our wives.
Now, so I do not sound like some sort of (please pardon this expression from my youth) "whore dog", I do a very good job of being a man of integrity. I practice what is called "eye bounce" when I notice something/someone that I should not be looking at. With that, when you see something that is "off limits", you "bounce" your eyes to something else. While this may be difficult if you are driving in a neighborhood and some female is running along side the road (or in the road as it happens so much here), you move that to the edge of your field of vision until you pass them and then you keep going. DO NOT LOOK in the rearview mirror. After a while it becomes second nature. Doing this enough helps a man "rediscover" how enticing his wife is to him.
When it comes to the internet, I simply use Firefox or Mozilla as my web browser and turn on pop-up blockers and configure the ad-block extension to block the ads. It not only keeps me focused, but my pages load quicker. Not a bad trade off.
With e-mail, I get a lot of spam. A large chunk of it is adult based (get a date tonight, make your p*nis larger, etc) and is usually followed by a graphic. I simply tell my mail client (Mozilla, Thunderbird, Outlook Express, etc) to make all mail text based instead of web page based and I never have to see the ads.
I think that covers most of what I need to do. I have almost stopped watching TV (we are down to basic cable now, for the broadband access), only go to fantasy/sci-fi movies every couple of months, and sit away from the pep squad when I attend sporting events.
My wife tosses the lingerie catalogs away after she has glanced through them, or we just do not have them delivered. We "commercial skip" when possible since a lot of late night TV has some trashy commercials.
My wife is fully aware that men (including me) struggle. She is proud of me for being honest with her. So, if she understands, why do need an accountability partner? Well, if I stumble, I will be too embarrassed (initially) to tell my wife. But if I have a AP, I can confess, be rebuked, pray, then tell my wife. Admitting things that you have done wrong is difficult. A good wife makes it easier. I cannot imagine being a single Christian man. I would literally go crazy.
Now one last thing on the subject, then I am going to lunch. If any woman who is reading this is disgusted, then you should be disgusted with yourself. If you wore a tight skirt JUST ONE TIME to work, you contributed to this. If you left you lingerie catalogue out and asked your husband or boyfriend to pick out something for you ON HIS OWN, if you watch "Friends", "Sex in the City, Desperate Housewives" (or any other trashy show) or allow him to watch Spike TV for hours, you have enabled him. Don't blame him completely. It is your job to lovingly keep him honest. He has the biggest part, but you women have to do your part as well.
Just think about it.
*Ben is not his real name.
Saturday, July 30, 2005
Hey, Let's Go to Fry's...
Friday is the day that Fry's has its weekly sale and it is always a source of entertainment for all of us geeks at work when the ad comes out. Yesterday was no exception. I walked over to "Paul's" office (see previous blog entries) to take a look at it since he gets the Friday paper. I look through it, see some interesting things and decide that I want to go "kick the tires" at Fry's during lunch. While this is not verbatim, it is close:
Me - "Hey Paul, wanna go to Fry's at lunch?"
Paul - "Sure, I need to pick up a few things. When do you go to lunch?"
Me - "Whenever I want, dude. Seriously, about 11:30 AM. Just let me scarf down my lunch and then we can go."
Paul - "Cool."
2 hours later.
Me - "Dude, you ready to go?"
Paul - "Yeah, let's go."
Me - "OK, just let me lock my office."
Paul - "I never lock my office."
We get in my truck, remove the sunshade, fire up the CD player and head to Fry's (which is about a ten minute drive).
Paul - "What are you listening to?"
Me - "POD's rendition of 'Bullet the Blue Sky' by U2. I am not sure if I like it or not. It is definitely heavier (which is an understatement)."
Paul - "Sounds cool."
Me - "Yeah, not bad for a CHRISTIAN band, eh (laughing...He had in the past says he never thought Christians could play cool music)?
Paul - "Well, it is not bad."
We arrive at Fry's and tell him to lead the way. I was just going to "kick tires" anyway. I did not have any schedule nor was I in a hurry. He heads for the home DVD players and shows me some of the latest models. I have to admit, they are nice. Sony and JVC both have models that will read almost any multimedia and play it back on your PC: Mp3, DVD, AVI's, DIVX, MPG ... they even have slots to read stuff from memory cards. THAT is nice. They are making the stereo system the media center now. I am impressed.
Paul picks out a silver JVC with blue lights (He has this thing for glowing blue lights...go figure) and we start walking towards the appliances.
Paul - "Dude, I need one of those small oven things that you can toast things in."
Me - "A 'Toaster Oven'?"
Paul - "Yea, one of those. They have one on sale for 15 bucks."
We go pick up one and a spindle of blank DVD's. On our way up to pay, I offer to carry the toaster oven, he hands it over, not sure why I would offer. I tell him that I am a nice guy and his friend. I want to carry it. He suddenly realizes he needs to get an rolling office chair for home. So we go back and pick up the one they have on sale for $40-50 (not sure). I hand him the toaster oven and pick up the chair.
Paul - "Dude, you don't have to carry that. We can get someone to help us."
Me - "It is not a big deal. You need anything else or do you want to head back?"
Paul - "What time did we leave?"
Me - "Not sure, but it was between 11:40 and noon."
Paul - "OK, let's go check out."
We walk up front carrying all this stuff and we get in line. He reaches in his back pocket and realizes:
Paul - "Dude, I forgot my wallet."
Me - "Are you serious? Really? Oh, man that is hilarious!"
Paul - "This is embarrassing. Man, we gotta go now."
Me - "OK, let me help you put this stuff back."
Paul - "What??"
Me - "It won't take long, we only have 4 things to put back on the shelves."
Paul - "Dude, that is what the workers here are supposed to do. I know, my friend works here. They look for stuff that is out of place so they have something to do."
Me - "Paul, that ain't right. I am going to put the chair back on the pallet where we got it."
Paul follows me and I can tell that he is not happy, but he says nothing. After I put back the chair, I turned around to head out and notice he has nothing in his hands."
Me - "Where is the DVD player, blank DVD's, and the toaster oven?"
Paul - "I put them down."
Me - "In the proper place?"
Paul - "Well...no. Dude it doesn't matter. The Fry's guys will find it and put it back and even if they don't, I am gonna come back after work and pick it up again. It will most likely still be where I put it."
Me - "(laughing) I will never be able to come in here again. I am going to have to shave my beard and head, wear contacts and dress like a bum before I can come back. You embarrassed me. Do you realize we have been filmed the entire time we have been here? We look like crooks (laughing harder)."
Paul - "No we don't...do we? Damn, we were being filmed. Crap. Uhhh, maybe I won't come back...(laughing)."
We drive back and I am still laughing at him for forgetting his wallet. He left it on his desk, in his UNLOCKED office. That boy is foolish.
Paul - "Dude, I am sorry about forgetting my wallet."
Me - "Paul, that is OK. I am not mad. It was fun until you refused to put back the stuff you ALMOST bought (laughing). I mean, we had the truck to put it in, but you blew it..."
Paul - "I will go back and get it after work."
Me - "Actually, this will be a funny addition to add to my blog."
Paul - "YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO WRITE ABOUT ME IN YOUR BLOG??"
Me - "Dude, you are already in there many times."
Paul - "(laughing)...WHAT?"
Me - "Yep. You do it, I blog it."
Paul - "Dude, you are so going to get fired."
Me - "I only print what is true. If I got fired for blogging, I would sue on principle alone.
I have to admit that I had fun. Paul* will see the light, eventually. He is a good guy. He is a very kind person, very giving. He has a few bad habits (OK, a lot of them). He is like a lump of coal waiting to be pressed into a shiny diamond.
I think he finally realizes that all his extra curricular drug use is getting to him. He has been taking Paxil (I think) and wants to add Wellbutrin to his daily regiment. I personally do not think he needs it, but I am not doctor. I think that if he just changed his environment, he would benefit greatly. Too many of his "friends" use drugs recreationally, and he does it to fit it. He is 30, trying to act 20-ish. I do not say these things out of malice. I care for him in a way a Christian cares about those close to him. While we are worlds apart, I understand him.
On the way to Fry's we chatted about our old boss, Jorge**. Jorge was laid off the same time I got demoted about 3 years ago, do to RIF's (Reduction In Force aka layoffs). We had too many mgrs so they trimmed a lot of fat. I was a supervisor and was busted down to a regular line employee (although my HR title still said supervisor) for my day to day work.
I was supposed to have lunch with him today, but he had to work overtime. I cannot blame him, I am sure he could use the cash. After he was laid off (which was when the unemployment rate in this area was pretty bad), he never was able to find a job that paid his bills. He lost the house he just bought and his car (I believe) and was forced to move in with his parents who live an hour away. He takes the train every day to work where he work on a help desk, a position well beneath his ability, but it is what God wants him to do. Jorge is growing stronger in his faith, just as I am. God had to tear him down to show him who was in charge and it was a painful lesson. One that I am sure I would have trouble dealing with. It seems that Jorge is doing ok with it. I know it has been tough, but he has not shown me that he is bitter.
One last update. I went to the doctor Thursday. It was the first time in 4 years I have gone. I guess I am just scared of being told bad news. Anyway, my wife asked me to go. I kept putting it off, but finally:
Wife - "El Gee***, I want you do do something for me on your birthday."
Me - "What can I do for you?"
Wife - "Go get a physical. Please. It has been 4 years. I want them to look at that thing on your elbow (it turns out that it was a wart that only partially healed, so it look weird), and your hip that is giving you problems (I was thinking that it might be arthritis, but the doc does not think so. He is not sure what it is, but it may be muscular) and blood work."
Me - "Ok, I will go. Make me the appointment and I will go. If I did not love you I would not go, so remember that! (smiling)"
Wife - "Oh THANK YOU, El Gee!"
Friday the doctor's office called and all my blood work came back normal except my cholesterol is a bit high (210-217). Not in the danger zone, but elevated enough that they want me to watch my diet and get more cardio-vascular exercise. I just need to go figure out what I can eat that will help lower my "bad" cholesterol.
The doctor gave me to scripts for a muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory to see if that helps my neck and hip. I have still not filled it. I hate taking meds worse than going to the doc.
OK, I have bored you enough. Back to your life :-).
*Paul is not his real name. I do not use real names unless that person gives me permission to do so.
**Jorge is not his real name. See above.
***Do you really think that El Gee is my name?
Me - "Hey Paul, wanna go to Fry's at lunch?"
Paul - "Sure, I need to pick up a few things. When do you go to lunch?"
Me - "Whenever I want, dude. Seriously, about 11:30 AM. Just let me scarf down my lunch and then we can go."
Paul - "Cool."
2 hours later.
Me - "Dude, you ready to go?"
Paul - "Yeah, let's go."
Me - "OK, just let me lock my office."
Paul - "I never lock my office."
We get in my truck, remove the sunshade, fire up the CD player and head to Fry's (which is about a ten minute drive).
Paul - "What are you listening to?"
Me - "POD's rendition of 'Bullet the Blue Sky' by U2. I am not sure if I like it or not. It is definitely heavier (which is an understatement)."
Paul - "Sounds cool."
Me - "Yeah, not bad for a CHRISTIAN band, eh (laughing...He had in the past says he never thought Christians could play cool music)?
Paul - "Well, it is not bad."
We arrive at Fry's and tell him to lead the way. I was just going to "kick tires" anyway. I did not have any schedule nor was I in a hurry. He heads for the home DVD players and shows me some of the latest models. I have to admit, they are nice. Sony and JVC both have models that will read almost any multimedia and play it back on your PC: Mp3, DVD, AVI's, DIVX, MPG ... they even have slots to read stuff from memory cards. THAT is nice. They are making the stereo system the media center now. I am impressed.
Paul picks out a silver JVC with blue lights (He has this thing for glowing blue lights...go figure) and we start walking towards the appliances.
Paul - "Dude, I need one of those small oven things that you can toast things in."
Me - "A 'Toaster Oven'?"
Paul - "Yea, one of those. They have one on sale for 15 bucks."
We go pick up one and a spindle of blank DVD's. On our way up to pay, I offer to carry the toaster oven, he hands it over, not sure why I would offer. I tell him that I am a nice guy and his friend. I want to carry it. He suddenly realizes he needs to get an rolling office chair for home. So we go back and pick up the one they have on sale for $40-50 (not sure). I hand him the toaster oven and pick up the chair.
Paul - "Dude, you don't have to carry that. We can get someone to help us."
Me - "It is not a big deal. You need anything else or do you want to head back?"
Paul - "What time did we leave?"
Me - "Not sure, but it was between 11:40 and noon."
Paul - "OK, let's go check out."
We walk up front carrying all this stuff and we get in line. He reaches in his back pocket and realizes:
Paul - "Dude, I forgot my wallet."
Me - "Are you serious? Really? Oh, man that is hilarious!"
Paul - "This is embarrassing. Man, we gotta go now."
Me - "OK, let me help you put this stuff back."
Paul - "What??"
Me - "It won't take long, we only have 4 things to put back on the shelves."
Paul - "Dude, that is what the workers here are supposed to do. I know, my friend works here. They look for stuff that is out of place so they have something to do."
Me - "Paul, that ain't right. I am going to put the chair back on the pallet where we got it."
Paul follows me and I can tell that he is not happy, but he says nothing. After I put back the chair, I turned around to head out and notice he has nothing in his hands."
Me - "Where is the DVD player, blank DVD's, and the toaster oven?"
Paul - "I put them down."
Me - "In the proper place?"
Paul - "Well...no. Dude it doesn't matter. The Fry's guys will find it and put it back and even if they don't, I am gonna come back after work and pick it up again. It will most likely still be where I put it."
Me - "(laughing) I will never be able to come in here again. I am going to have to shave my beard and head, wear contacts and dress like a bum before I can come back. You embarrassed me. Do you realize we have been filmed the entire time we have been here? We look like crooks (laughing harder)."
Paul - "No we don't...do we? Damn, we were being filmed. Crap. Uhhh, maybe I won't come back...(laughing)."
We drive back and I am still laughing at him for forgetting his wallet. He left it on his desk, in his UNLOCKED office. That boy is foolish.
Paul - "Dude, I am sorry about forgetting my wallet."
Me - "Paul, that is OK. I am not mad. It was fun until you refused to put back the stuff you ALMOST bought (laughing). I mean, we had the truck to put it in, but you blew it..."
Paul - "I will go back and get it after work."
Me - "Actually, this will be a funny addition to add to my blog."
Paul - "YOU ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO WRITE ABOUT ME IN YOUR BLOG??"
Me - "Dude, you are already in there many times."
Paul - "(laughing)...WHAT?"
Me - "Yep. You do it, I blog it."
Paul - "Dude, you are so going to get fired."
Me - "I only print what is true. If I got fired for blogging, I would sue on principle alone.
I have to admit that I had fun. Paul* will see the light, eventually. He is a good guy. He is a very kind person, very giving. He has a few bad habits (OK, a lot of them). He is like a lump of coal waiting to be pressed into a shiny diamond.
I think he finally realizes that all his extra curricular drug use is getting to him. He has been taking Paxil (I think) and wants to add Wellbutrin to his daily regiment. I personally do not think he needs it, but I am not doctor. I think that if he just changed his environment, he would benefit greatly. Too many of his "friends" use drugs recreationally, and he does it to fit it. He is 30, trying to act 20-ish. I do not say these things out of malice. I care for him in a way a Christian cares about those close to him. While we are worlds apart, I understand him.
On the way to Fry's we chatted about our old boss, Jorge**. Jorge was laid off the same time I got demoted about 3 years ago, do to RIF's (Reduction In Force aka layoffs). We had too many mgrs so they trimmed a lot of fat. I was a supervisor and was busted down to a regular line employee (although my HR title still said supervisor) for my day to day work.
I was supposed to have lunch with him today, but he had to work overtime. I cannot blame him, I am sure he could use the cash. After he was laid off (which was when the unemployment rate in this area was pretty bad), he never was able to find a job that paid his bills. He lost the house he just bought and his car (I believe) and was forced to move in with his parents who live an hour away. He takes the train every day to work where he work on a help desk, a position well beneath his ability, but it is what God wants him to do. Jorge is growing stronger in his faith, just as I am. God had to tear him down to show him who was in charge and it was a painful lesson. One that I am sure I would have trouble dealing with. It seems that Jorge is doing ok with it. I know it has been tough, but he has not shown me that he is bitter.
One last update. I went to the doctor Thursday. It was the first time in 4 years I have gone. I guess I am just scared of being told bad news. Anyway, my wife asked me to go. I kept putting it off, but finally:
Wife - "El Gee***, I want you do do something for me on your birthday."
Me - "What can I do for you?"
Wife - "Go get a physical. Please. It has been 4 years. I want them to look at that thing on your elbow (it turns out that it was a wart that only partially healed, so it look weird), and your hip that is giving you problems (I was thinking that it might be arthritis, but the doc does not think so. He is not sure what it is, but it may be muscular) and blood work."
Me - "Ok, I will go. Make me the appointment and I will go. If I did not love you I would not go, so remember that! (smiling)"
Wife - "Oh THANK YOU, El Gee!"
Friday the doctor's office called and all my blood work came back normal except my cholesterol is a bit high (210-217). Not in the danger zone, but elevated enough that they want me to watch my diet and get more cardio-vascular exercise. I just need to go figure out what I can eat that will help lower my "bad" cholesterol.
The doctor gave me to scripts for a muscle relaxant and an anti-inflammatory to see if that helps my neck and hip. I have still not filled it. I hate taking meds worse than going to the doc.
OK, I have bored you enough. Back to your life :-).
*Paul is not his real name. I do not use real names unless that person gives me permission to do so.
**Jorge is not his real name. See above.
***Do you really think that El Gee is my name?
Friday, July 29, 2005
Just in Time for the World Cup
100 hookers will be ready to service the attendees of the 2006 World cup held in Berlin.
Sex for sale is legal in some parts of Europe. I know this is offensive to many. The world's oldest profession is just as hooked on capitalism as the US is. The World Cup draws thousands of spectators every year to cities all around the world where the event is held. Now that it is being held in Germany where prostitution is regulated and legal, a MAJOR amount of cash will be infused into the economy of Berlin.
In the US, the only state (that I am aware of) to have legalized prostitution is Nevada. No other state wants to go as far as NV has. American's are normally more conservative about sexuality than most Europeans, so I am sure that is part of the reason we do not have more legalized sex shops.
I often put on my secular hat to see what that crowd thinks about the legalization of prostitution in the US. Most of the men I ask see no big deal in it. Most women are disgusted by it...even from a secular perspective. This only stands to reason since men and women (even in a Christian context) view sex differently. That however is a topic for a different post.
I am sure you could make good arguments for legalizing the prostitution, just as you could for legalizing marijuana. I would listen, but I doubt I would agree. Now the big question is, if prostitution were made legal, how would this affect the male Christian community. It is not secret some Christian males have problem with this sort of thing in the first place. Getting caught today would mean a fine and public shame. If prostitution were made legal, would that open the door for more men to seek the "comfort" or "escape" in the bed of a whore? It might. Christian men will have weaker flesh than Christian women. That is a fact. The only fear they would have would be of their wives/girl friends finding out. What about single Christian men? If they do not have an accountability partner, then they are ripe for the picking. There is nothing more appealing to Satan than seeing one of God's children fall. That is what he lives for.
Several European countries have "red light" districts where men can "window shop" for exactly what they are looking for. I personally think it is a bit degrading. Women in the US are concerned about exploitation and women in Europe are fueling that same exploitation by selling their bodies for the almighty dollar (or franc, lire, kronor, pound, etc). To me this set women's rights back 100 years. If I heard a women in Europe say "we cannot get promoted in our company, because it is a male dominated place", I would think, "Hmmm...maybe women are not taken seriously because a few want to make a statement that selling their bodies to get somewhere is OK."
Getting back to the article, it was nice to read that the mayor is not happy with the decision. That is some comfort.
Sex for sale is legal in some parts of Europe. I know this is offensive to many. The world's oldest profession is just as hooked on capitalism as the US is. The World Cup draws thousands of spectators every year to cities all around the world where the event is held. Now that it is being held in Germany where prostitution is regulated and legal, a MAJOR amount of cash will be infused into the economy of Berlin.
In the US, the only state (that I am aware of) to have legalized prostitution is Nevada. No other state wants to go as far as NV has. American's are normally more conservative about sexuality than most Europeans, so I am sure that is part of the reason we do not have more legalized sex shops.
I often put on my secular hat to see what that crowd thinks about the legalization of prostitution in the US. Most of the men I ask see no big deal in it. Most women are disgusted by it...even from a secular perspective. This only stands to reason since men and women (even in a Christian context) view sex differently. That however is a topic for a different post.
I am sure you could make good arguments for legalizing the prostitution, just as you could for legalizing marijuana. I would listen, but I doubt I would agree. Now the big question is, if prostitution were made legal, how would this affect the male Christian community. It is not secret some Christian males have problem with this sort of thing in the first place. Getting caught today would mean a fine and public shame. If prostitution were made legal, would that open the door for more men to seek the "comfort" or "escape" in the bed of a whore? It might. Christian men will have weaker flesh than Christian women. That is a fact. The only fear they would have would be of their wives/girl friends finding out. What about single Christian men? If they do not have an accountability partner, then they are ripe for the picking. There is nothing more appealing to Satan than seeing one of God's children fall. That is what he lives for.
Several European countries have "red light" districts where men can "window shop" for exactly what they are looking for. I personally think it is a bit degrading. Women in the US are concerned about exploitation and women in Europe are fueling that same exploitation by selling their bodies for the almighty dollar (or franc, lire, kronor, pound, etc). To me this set women's rights back 100 years. If I heard a women in Europe say "we cannot get promoted in our company, because it is a male dominated place", I would think, "Hmmm...maybe women are not taken seriously because a few want to make a statement that selling their bodies to get somewhere is OK."
Getting back to the article, it was nice to read that the mayor is not happy with the decision. That is some comfort.
Monday, July 25, 2005
Does ANYONE Listen Anymore?
Part of my job requires me to provide technical support to people who have laptops with a specific piece of encryption software installed. The software is not hard to use, but it does take time unlock it properly. It is a long process to unlock an encrypted hard drive. You have to pay close attention and not make any mistakes, lest you have to start all over from the beginning. I have to do about 5 a day, on average. Monday's are heavier, though. I get 8-18 on Monday, many from people outside the US. Language is sometimes and issue, but I can usually work around that. No my problems are usually with those customers who speak English as a primary language.
I will call up the customer, identify myself, have them verify their ID to me so I can be sure I have the correct person/PC combo and begin the process. I always explain slowly what I have to do and what the customer has to do. They are usually in a big hurry and say, "Yes, yes, let's get on with this...", so we start.
During the interactive process, I will instruct the caller to do a variety of things (press the tab key 4 times or right click on something or enter a NEW passcode, etc) and all the customer has to do is follow my simple instructions to the letter. Inevitably I will have someone who will not listen to ANYTHING I tell them and the 5 minute process takes 20 minutes:
Me - "Ok, press the Control, the Alt, and the Delete key all at the same time to reboot the PC."
Customer - "Do I have to reboot?"
Me - "Yes. If you do not, the decryption will fail and we will have to start over."
Customer - "Is it really necessary to reboot? I do not have all day."
Me - "Yes, it is. The software is very sensitive to mistakes, so it is best we reboot."
Customer - "Ok, but I think this is a waste of time..."
Now had they just rebooted like I instructed them, they would have been ready to start by the time I was finished explaining the reasons.
Or how about this one:
Me - "Ok, now all you have to do is assign yourself a new Password. It can be letters, numbers or a combination of letters and numbers."
Customer - "Can I use numbers?"
Me - "Yes, you can."
Customer - "Can I use letters?"
Me - "Yes, you can use letters or numbers."
Customer - "How many?"
Me - "It has to be at least 6 letters or numbers"
Customer - "Can I use just numbers?"
Me - (weeps)
This is not an uncommon occurrence to those who work in tech support, and am guessing that it is not uncommon in the world of customer service, either.
Part of our security process is designed to keep unauthorized users from "borrowing" someone's laptop and using it without their knowledge. We get plenty of calls from people trying to use a PC without authorization. Many times I will look up the caller info and match it to the ticket info and it will not marry up, so I call the "owner" of the PC to get to the bottom of the issue and then I am told something like, "Mary is on vacation and told me I could use her laptop while she was gone. I think I locked out the PC."
Me - "Ok, did she create you a temporary account so you can use the PC?"
Customer - "No, she told me just to use her ID and PW."
Me - "Hmm, that is a violation of your companies security policy. I will have to call 'Mary" and get her approval to let you in the PC."
Customer - "But she is on vacation in Aruba, you will never get her."
Me - "Then you will not be allowed to use her PC, unless her boss OK's it...shall I call him?"
Customer - "Uhhh, no."
I guess I am just spoiled. When I call tech support / customer service, I always have a pen and paper handy to take notes. Habit, I am sure, but at least I do not ask too many dumb questions. Whoever said there is no such thing as a dumb question, only dumb answers never worked in tech support. I Gair-on-teee (end Justin Wilson Voice)
I will call up the customer, identify myself, have them verify their ID to me so I can be sure I have the correct person/PC combo and begin the process. I always explain slowly what I have to do and what the customer has to do. They are usually in a big hurry and say, "Yes, yes, let's get on with this...", so we start.
During the interactive process, I will instruct the caller to do a variety of things (press the tab key 4 times or right click on something or enter a NEW passcode, etc) and all the customer has to do is follow my simple instructions to the letter. Inevitably I will have someone who will not listen to ANYTHING I tell them and the 5 minute process takes 20 minutes:
Me - "Ok, press the Control, the Alt, and the Delete key all at the same time to reboot the PC."
Customer - "Do I have to reboot?"
Me - "Yes. If you do not, the decryption will fail and we will have to start over."
Customer - "Is it really necessary to reboot? I do not have all day."
Me - "Yes, it is. The software is very sensitive to mistakes, so it is best we reboot."
Customer - "Ok, but I think this is a waste of time..."
Now had they just rebooted like I instructed them, they would have been ready to start by the time I was finished explaining the reasons.
Or how about this one:
Me - "Ok, now all you have to do is assign yourself a new Password. It can be letters, numbers or a combination of letters and numbers."
Customer - "Can I use numbers?"
Me - "Yes, you can."
Customer - "Can I use letters?"
Me - "Yes, you can use letters or numbers."
Customer - "How many?"
Me - "It has to be at least 6 letters or numbers"
Customer - "Can I use just numbers?"
Me - (weeps)
This is not an uncommon occurrence to those who work in tech support, and am guessing that it is not uncommon in the world of customer service, either.
Part of our security process is designed to keep unauthorized users from "borrowing" someone's laptop and using it without their knowledge. We get plenty of calls from people trying to use a PC without authorization. Many times I will look up the caller info and match it to the ticket info and it will not marry up, so I call the "owner" of the PC to get to the bottom of the issue and then I am told something like, "Mary is on vacation and told me I could use her laptop while she was gone. I think I locked out the PC."
Me - "Ok, did she create you a temporary account so you can use the PC?"
Customer - "No, she told me just to use her ID and PW."
Me - "Hmm, that is a violation of your companies security policy. I will have to call 'Mary" and get her approval to let you in the PC."
Customer - "But she is on vacation in Aruba, you will never get her."
Me - "Then you will not be allowed to use her PC, unless her boss OK's it...shall I call him?"
Customer - "Uhhh, no."
I guess I am just spoiled. When I call tech support / customer service, I always have a pen and paper handy to take notes. Habit, I am sure, but at least I do not ask too many dumb questions. Whoever said there is no such thing as a dumb question, only dumb answers never worked in tech support. I Gair-on-teee (end Justin Wilson Voice)
Thursday, July 21, 2005
Get Over It!
Ok, we have had bombings in the UK subways and buses. New York City has decided that it wants to be more proactive and start doing random searches. People are upset, saying "it imposes on their civil liberties". WAKE UP! If the police did not search and something (God forbid) disastrous happen, you would blame the police for not doing more.
Lessee, we cannot put up cameras to remotely watch and we cannot search people. What would you bleeding heart, commie liberals want the government do? Huh? Secure the borders? We cannot do that, or your watchdog group, the ACLU would say we are infringing on the people's civil rights to enter this country. Our government cannot win. Silly liberals will not allow it.
Ok I am off my soapbox now.
Lessee, we cannot put up cameras to remotely watch and we cannot search people. What would you bleeding heart, commie liberals want the government do? Huh? Secure the borders? We cannot do that, or your watchdog group, the ACLU would say we are infringing on the people's civil rights to enter this country. Our government cannot win. Silly liberals will not allow it.
Ok I am off my soapbox now.
More Bombings
Citizens of London were treated with more bombings or attempts at bombings today. Prime Minister Tony Blair says incidents designed "to scare people and frighten them". DUH! That is the definition of "terrorist". Mr. Blair is making himself sound silly. Which reminds me, Matt Drudge had a link to ifilm.com (I think) of a video that Greenpeace has put together asking Blair not to be GWB's puppet. The video was very graphic and I will not link to it. All I will say is that blair is depicted as a puppet dressed up as a prostitute, who gets picked up by GWB, taken to a hotel and the puppet performs a rather lewd act on President Bush. the final scene is the most disturbing part, where a gas pump is depicted as a phallic device. I think Matt Drudge could have left the link to that video alone. BAD MATT!
I do feel sorry for the citizens of the UK. They are now caught up in the terror struggle as many other countries have. They have been dealing with the IRA bombings for years, but those have backed off some. Now they are dealing with the Islamo-fascists radicals. It is going to get ugly over there. One man even stated that this is the start of a 50 years Islamic war on the west. I hope he is wrong. (Kudos to Michelle Malkin)
I decided earlier this week to fast today. While I officially started at midnight, I have not eaten since 5:30 PM yesterday, so I am going on 18 hours without food, only water. I will continue today until midnight, then I may eat a light meal. I wanted to spend some time today in prayer, but that has not been easy (I have only prayed once so far, but read some from Psalms as well). We have been busy with several things I needed to work on, plus my boss has me following up on a few things as well.
I should be able to get so praying at my lunch time. I just have to remember to drink lots of water. I have consumed 40 ounces of water so far, and I do not feel bad. A little hungry, but not too bad. I hope to be able to fast 1-2 times a month for 24 hours. if I get a stretch where I am not working, I might try 48 hours. I have a need to keep my sugar level higher than most, but I am usually not to bad as long as I rest during the day.
* Please pray for my job situation and for people whom I care about greatly who are not Christians.
I have avoided the message board and the chat room where "Flute" hangs out. I miss it, but I think I need to purge myself of some of that activity.
I do feel sorry for the citizens of the UK. They are now caught up in the terror struggle as many other countries have. They have been dealing with the IRA bombings for years, but those have backed off some. Now they are dealing with the Islamo-fascists radicals. It is going to get ugly over there. One man even stated that this is the start of a 50 years Islamic war on the west. I hope he is wrong. (Kudos to Michelle Malkin)
I decided earlier this week to fast today. While I officially started at midnight, I have not eaten since 5:30 PM yesterday, so I am going on 18 hours without food, only water. I will continue today until midnight, then I may eat a light meal. I wanted to spend some time today in prayer, but that has not been easy (I have only prayed once so far, but read some from Psalms as well). We have been busy with several things I needed to work on, plus my boss has me following up on a few things as well.
I should be able to get so praying at my lunch time. I just have to remember to drink lots of water. I have consumed 40 ounces of water so far, and I do not feel bad. A little hungry, but not too bad. I hope to be able to fast 1-2 times a month for 24 hours. if I get a stretch where I am not working, I might try 48 hours. I have a need to keep my sugar level higher than most, but I am usually not to bad as long as I rest during the day.
* Please pray for my job situation and for people whom I care about greatly who are not Christians.
I have avoided the message board and the chat room where "Flute" hangs out. I miss it, but I think I need to purge myself of some of that activity.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Changes
First the GOOD news. Our son wrote and he is doing fine. He will graduate on time, even though Hurricane Dennis dumped a ton of water on them. They have been doing clean up activities that will keep them from enjoying the last week of BT (which is a free floating week, normally). He is very upbeat, even though he had to report that there have been two deaths at Fort Benning while he has been there. First, an Army Ranger was crushed when a HumVee that was being pushed UP a hill, got free and ran him over. I almost cried for that man and his family.
The second death was heat related. That prompted our son to write a separate letter to me to warn me about working so hard in the Texas sun without water. I will follow his advise. I figure he is smarted than I am at this point on that.
I am excited about going to see him in a few weeks. I miss my boy!
Now for the bad news...
We received notice recently that our CEO was implementing changes at our company. The details have been made public, so I am not doing anything illegal by posting this. The changes affect everyone in the company in one way or another. The changes that WILL affect me are pension plans and the 401k company match.
Retirement is something that we all look forward to. I was hoping that the company I work for would provide 25% of my retirement money, Social Security about 25% and personal savings the other 50%. With the new plan, I stop accruing pension money on December 31st, 2005. The amount that I have accrued is pretty small (I have only been with the company 2 years), it was growing. I have never been able to retire from a company and I was really looking forward to growing old with my current company and collecting a small but important pension with them.
The second thing that will affect me is the company matched 401k plan. I currently have 5% and the company contributes 4%. Under the new plan, I will get 5% match on my 5% contribution, with a match of up to 6%. I will most likely increase my contributions the first of next year.
Here is what is disappointing thing about the retirement change: I have worked for 4 major companies that offered retirement. 3 of them I became vested in, so when I left, I got the money in the form of check that I could either roll over to an IRA or spend. In the two cases in the past where I left the company, I cashed in one (it was$500 or so) and rolled over the other ($11,000) to an IRA. My last company had a CAP plan that I invested money in 401k as well as a retirement plan. I rolled both of them over. They are now valued at less than a years worth of living expenses.
Now I work for a new company (as of two years ago), and I am vested in the company. My "pension" will freeze on December 31st, 2005 and whatever it is valued at, I will get. I am not sure how much that is. I have only 2 years of pension, so I am sure it will be less than $5,000...way less. The last time that I checked, it was an annuity of less than $50 a month. So I am sure it will be a lump sum payout, being taxed out the wazoo. If I could roll it over tax free, my IRA would get a boost :-) .
Now third thing may not affect me, but it could. They have announced WFR's (Work Force Reductions) ... 14,500 people world-wide over the next 1.5 years, starting in October. Half of the reductions are coming from "global" groups that do not affect me, but the other half could. I have been told that 2,000 people have accepted an enhanced voluntary severance package, so that will help some. Early retirement will help some as well. I will keep my options open. If I am a WFR recipient, then we will be ok for 3-6 months or so. We have ways of cutting back at home to allow us more time, plus I will qualify for unemployment (which will pay the mortgage). I have some money saved if I cannot find a job immediately and I can always hit up Christianjobs.com :-) .
The second death was heat related. That prompted our son to write a separate letter to me to warn me about working so hard in the Texas sun without water. I will follow his advise. I figure he is smarted than I am at this point on that.
I am excited about going to see him in a few weeks. I miss my boy!
Now for the bad news...
We received notice recently that our CEO was implementing changes at our company. The details have been made public, so I am not doing anything illegal by posting this. The changes affect everyone in the company in one way or another. The changes that WILL affect me are pension plans and the 401k company match.
Retirement is something that we all look forward to. I was hoping that the company I work for would provide 25% of my retirement money, Social Security about 25% and personal savings the other 50%. With the new plan, I stop accruing pension money on December 31st, 2005. The amount that I have accrued is pretty small (I have only been with the company 2 years), it was growing. I have never been able to retire from a company and I was really looking forward to growing old with my current company and collecting a small but important pension with them.
The second thing that will affect me is the company matched 401k plan. I currently have 5% and the company contributes 4%. Under the new plan, I will get 5% match on my 5% contribution, with a match of up to 6%. I will most likely increase my contributions the first of next year.
Here is what is disappointing thing about the retirement change: I have worked for 4 major companies that offered retirement. 3 of them I became vested in, so when I left, I got the money in the form of check that I could either roll over to an IRA or spend. In the two cases in the past where I left the company, I cashed in one (it was$500 or so) and rolled over the other ($11,000) to an IRA. My last company had a CAP plan that I invested money in 401k as well as a retirement plan. I rolled both of them over. They are now valued at less than a years worth of living expenses.
Now I work for a new company (as of two years ago), and I am vested in the company. My "pension" will freeze on December 31st, 2005 and whatever it is valued at, I will get. I am not sure how much that is. I have only 2 years of pension, so I am sure it will be less than $5,000...way less. The last time that I checked, it was an annuity of less than $50 a month. So I am sure it will be a lump sum payout, being taxed out the wazoo. If I could roll it over tax free, my IRA would get a boost :-) .
Now third thing may not affect me, but it could. They have announced WFR's (Work Force Reductions) ... 14,500 people world-wide over the next 1.5 years, starting in October. Half of the reductions are coming from "global" groups that do not affect me, but the other half could. I have been told that 2,000 people have accepted an enhanced voluntary severance package, so that will help some. Early retirement will help some as well. I will keep my options open. If I am a WFR recipient, then we will be ok for 3-6 months or so. We have ways of cutting back at home to allow us more time, plus I will qualify for unemployment (which will pay the mortgage). I have some money saved if I cannot find a job immediately and I can always hit up Christianjobs.com :-) .
Monday, July 18, 2005
Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
This has been around once before, but it looks like it is making a comeback. Read the article. I am not happy with what I am reading.
EBONICS is not a "foreign" language. It is black slang. When I hear it, I am immediately offended. The US has a defacto language and it is English. If that language is not acceptable then I suggest moving to Ebonia (I assume that is the country that Ebonics is spoken in...) and practice your mother tongue, Ebonics.
This whole idea is riddled with problems Why should a group of people who have been living in the US for hundreds of years be allowed to create their own language and have it become an OFFICIALLY taught language in school? EBONICS is not a language in Africa. If the people who want this are confusing laziness with culture, then The Asians and the Latino's can have a separate language (different from the languages in Asia and the Hispanic countries) all to their own and we can teach that as well. For our Asian-American citizens, including Michelle Malkin** :-) , we can make "Engrish" their official language and for our Latin brothers and sisters, "Spanglish" can be their's*.
Wait a minute. Why stop there? Computer Nerds can an Geekonics or Dweebonics . I am sure there are many other languages that could be created if we just put our mind to it.
Back to seriousness. If EBONICS is declared a language, it is going to move segregation back 200 years. It is not a good idea? By the way, who has a degree in EBONICS anyway? I thought you had to be educated in a subject before you could teach it.
I say that we should just kill off all languages except 1. Call it "Common", just like in the D&D games and everyone can speak it. No special skills. Make it very basic so that the people who have trouble learning languages can master it in a short period of time.
Wait a minute. I think I know what they are trying to do...they are using reverse psychology. The educators are thinking that if black American's really want to have their own language, they will have to take classes in it and learn it just like we do any other language, including English. This will be frustrating and prove that it is not a language issue, but a laziness issue.
After considering that, I be 100%% in favor of EBONICS!
* I do not intend to offend anyone culture with my statements. People who know me know that I embrace other cultures and languages.
** Michelle is one of my favorite columnists on the planet. You really need to read her blog.
EBONICS is not a "foreign" language. It is black slang. When I hear it, I am immediately offended. The US has a defacto language and it is English. If that language is not acceptable then I suggest moving to Ebonia (I assume that is the country that Ebonics is spoken in...) and practice your mother tongue, Ebonics.
This whole idea is riddled with problems Why should a group of people who have been living in the US for hundreds of years be allowed to create their own language and have it become an OFFICIALLY taught language in school? EBONICS is not a language in Africa. If the people who want this are confusing laziness with culture, then The Asians and the Latino's can have a separate language (different from the languages in Asia and the Hispanic countries) all to their own and we can teach that as well. For our Asian-American citizens, including Michelle Malkin** :-) , we can make "Engrish" their official language and for our Latin brothers and sisters, "Spanglish" can be their's*.
Wait a minute. Why stop there? Computer Nerds can an Geekonics or Dweebonics . I am sure there are many other languages that could be created if we just put our mind to it.
Back to seriousness. If EBONICS is declared a language, it is going to move segregation back 200 years. It is not a good idea? By the way, who has a degree in EBONICS anyway? I thought you had to be educated in a subject before you could teach it.
I say that we should just kill off all languages except 1. Call it "Common", just like in the D&D games and everyone can speak it. No special skills. Make it very basic so that the people who have trouble learning languages can master it in a short period of time.
Wait a minute. I think I know what they are trying to do...they are using reverse psychology. The educators are thinking that if black American's really want to have their own language, they will have to take classes in it and learn it just like we do any other language, including English. This will be frustrating and prove that it is not a language issue, but a laziness issue.
After considering that, I be 100%% in favor of EBONICS!
* I do not intend to offend anyone culture with my statements. People who know me know that I embrace other cultures and languages.
** Michelle is one of my favorite columnists on the planet. You really need to read her blog.
Sunday, July 17, 2005
Abuse of Power
I have about a 25 mile round trip to work and back each day. I COULD get on Central Expressway and increase that to 30 miles round trip and MAYBE go above 30 miles an hour, but I choose to go the back roads, rarely getting about 40 mph. That is ok with me, I enjoy the 30 minutes or so in a relatively stress-free drive, listening to 100.7 Christian talk radio. The drive is normally uneventful, but twice I have had the opportunity to assist during an auto accident (calling 911, making sure the victims are OK, etc). I feel that I am doing my duty as a citizen.
I see a lot of police cars on my drive. I think that is good...some of Texas' finest are patrolling our streets, looking to "protect and serve" the citizens of the Plano/Allen/Richardson area. Several times over the past few weeks I have witnessed what I believe to be an abuse of power. A police officer will come towards and intersection and instead of stopping, they will flash the lights and hit the siren and drive through,without stopping. then they turn off the lights and keep driving. I have witnessed this many times. Why? Were they responding to a call? I doubt it, since they were driving near the speed limit and we all know police officers rarely drive at the posted speed. Are they lazy? It seems to me it would be more trouble to hit the lights and siren and then look around the intersection than it would to just stop and resume when they are legally able. No I think it is the "because I can" mentality. I have been around several police officers and to be honest, I have less respect for them the older I get. It seems to me that they are only hiding out looking for speeders and stop sign runners...two items that they can use to generate revenue. I would like to think that my town is so light on crime the police do not have to worry about solving crimes like we see in Dallas, but to be honest, we cannot get our local PD to respond to legitimate complaints. My son was once attacked by several youths and being the law abiding citizens we are, took him to the PD to file a complaint. My son knew the perp so finding him should be easy. Effectively the police did nothing. They never arrested him. However, they can drive into my neighborhood and spot a car pointing south (when it should have been facing north) and write a ticket for it. I understood the reason (after someone explained it to me, although I still think it is like splitting hairs) for the ticket, but could not understand how a crime of violence took the back seat to a parking violation. Answer? The parking violation MAKES the city money. Chasing down a punk COSTS the city money.
Another example of why I have limited respect for our local law enforcement. When we moved to this town, the house had an alarm system and we were told that we could get 20% off of our home owners insurance if we had it approved by the city PD. So we call the PD and ask to get someone to look at our home. Well the officer walk the house and gives us a VERBAL list of what needs done. We ask him if he can give us a punch list so we can make sure we get it all and he says, "sure" and leaves. He says he will mail it to us. We never get it. So we call and he will not take our calls. We ask another officer and he says, "it is being worked on" and drops it. 4 years later and we still have not gotten our cert from the PD. Not that we need it. The cert was needed by Farm Bureau Insurance (I do not recommend them at all) but is not needed by Allstate Insurance.
There is an "urban legend" that police officers have a "quota" of tickets they need to write every month. Now officially there is not any such beast, but I have know police officers from 3 states and they all say the same thing. If you do not write a certain amount (the amount varies depending on time of year and the officer) of citations, your Captain will give you a hard time until you write more. Oddly enough, the city of Dallas is officially considering the use of quotas for its officers.
Abuse of power. Anyone want to go Dutch on a small island? The more people we get, the smaller the payment will be!
I see a lot of police cars on my drive. I think that is good...some of Texas' finest are patrolling our streets, looking to "protect and serve" the citizens of the Plano/Allen/Richardson area. Several times over the past few weeks I have witnessed what I believe to be an abuse of power. A police officer will come towards and intersection and instead of stopping, they will flash the lights and hit the siren and drive through,without stopping. then they turn off the lights and keep driving. I have witnessed this many times. Why? Were they responding to a call? I doubt it, since they were driving near the speed limit and we all know police officers rarely drive at the posted speed. Are they lazy? It seems to me it would be more trouble to hit the lights and siren and then look around the intersection than it would to just stop and resume when they are legally able. No I think it is the "because I can" mentality. I have been around several police officers and to be honest, I have less respect for them the older I get. It seems to me that they are only hiding out looking for speeders and stop sign runners...two items that they can use to generate revenue. I would like to think that my town is so light on crime the police do not have to worry about solving crimes like we see in Dallas, but to be honest, we cannot get our local PD to respond to legitimate complaints. My son was once attacked by several youths and being the law abiding citizens we are, took him to the PD to file a complaint. My son knew the perp so finding him should be easy. Effectively the police did nothing. They never arrested him. However, they can drive into my neighborhood and spot a car pointing south (when it should have been facing north) and write a ticket for it. I understood the reason (after someone explained it to me, although I still think it is like splitting hairs) for the ticket, but could not understand how a crime of violence took the back seat to a parking violation. Answer? The parking violation MAKES the city money. Chasing down a punk COSTS the city money.
Another example of why I have limited respect for our local law enforcement. When we moved to this town, the house had an alarm system and we were told that we could get 20% off of our home owners insurance if we had it approved by the city PD. So we call the PD and ask to get someone to look at our home. Well the officer walk the house and gives us a VERBAL list of what needs done. We ask him if he can give us a punch list so we can make sure we get it all and he says, "sure" and leaves. He says he will mail it to us. We never get it. So we call and he will not take our calls. We ask another officer and he says, "it is being worked on" and drops it. 4 years later and we still have not gotten our cert from the PD. Not that we need it. The cert was needed by Farm Bureau Insurance (I do not recommend them at all) but is not needed by Allstate Insurance.
There is an "urban legend" that police officers have a "quota" of tickets they need to write every month. Now officially there is not any such beast, but I have know police officers from 3 states and they all say the same thing. If you do not write a certain amount (the amount varies depending on time of year and the officer) of citations, your Captain will give you a hard time until you write more. Oddly enough, the city of Dallas is officially considering the use of quotas for its officers.
Abuse of power. Anyone want to go Dutch on a small island? The more people we get, the smaller the payment will be!
Thursday, July 14, 2005
"Brain Pills"?
This article is rather interesting, although I have read parts and/or similar things before. Science is progressing very rapidly in the field of medicines. The number and types of pills is staggering. Their use, like with many things can be a good or bad thing. While some of these are not addictive (most are not), you run into ethical questions as they become more widespread.
We know that God gave man the ability to learn...he wants us to gain knowledge. But he also wants us to come to him as children. Does he want us to "take the easy way" to our obtain our skills by popping a pill or is that a sin? What about events where a person is judged or graded. If they take a skill enhancing drug, is that unethical? Currently, it is. But the limits now are on PHYSICAL enhancement. What happens when we can take pills to increase our cognative output and/or sharpen our wit and go to a chess tourney or a math fair? Is it wrong then?
I think so. With all the advances in medicine come huge responsibility. We most likely will not be able to handle it. Someone is going to cheat. Will be able to stop them? Will we care?
Some of you may be asking, "Why all the concern?" Because it is cheating. We are turning our back more and more on cheaters. People who cheat will also lie and possibly steal. Even Christians. Yes, Christians cheat. We cheat on their taxes, we cheat the music world out of money by pirating mp3's, we cheat Bill Gates by copying Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows and installing them on their home PC's. We cheat on their spouses by allowing themselves to be tempted the offers of someone other than their mate. We as Christians cheat. We are living a lousy example to all the non-Christians we are trying to reach.
Cheating is easy. Taking a pill to enhance our performance is cheating. "OK, El Gee, I guess using your logic, taking Viagra or Cialis for 'men's performance issues' is cheating as well.'
No, it is not, unless you are being selfish about it. If you are only taking those drugs for your benefit, then it is cheating and a sin. If you are taking then for your wife's and your benefit, then you are being a responsible and loving husband. I could go on and get a bit graphic, but that is not really necessary. I think any intelligent adult can figure that out.
Now that I have gone in a completely different direction than intended, I will end this. Heaven knows where I will end up!
We know that God gave man the ability to learn...he wants us to gain knowledge. But he also wants us to come to him as children. Does he want us to "take the easy way" to our obtain our skills by popping a pill or is that a sin? What about events where a person is judged or graded. If they take a skill enhancing drug, is that unethical? Currently, it is. But the limits now are on PHYSICAL enhancement. What happens when we can take pills to increase our cognative output and/or sharpen our wit and go to a chess tourney or a math fair? Is it wrong then?
I think so. With all the advances in medicine come huge responsibility. We most likely will not be able to handle it. Someone is going to cheat. Will be able to stop them? Will we care?
Some of you may be asking, "Why all the concern?" Because it is cheating. We are turning our back more and more on cheaters. People who cheat will also lie and possibly steal. Even Christians. Yes, Christians cheat. We cheat on their taxes, we cheat the music world out of money by pirating mp3's, we cheat Bill Gates by copying Microsoft Office and Microsoft Windows and installing them on their home PC's. We cheat on their spouses by allowing themselves to be tempted the offers of someone other than their mate. We as Christians cheat. We are living a lousy example to all the non-Christians we are trying to reach.
Cheating is easy. Taking a pill to enhance our performance is cheating. "OK, El Gee, I guess using your logic, taking Viagra or Cialis for 'men's performance issues' is cheating as well.'
No, it is not, unless you are being selfish about it. If you are only taking those drugs for your benefit, then it is cheating and a sin. If you are taking then for your wife's and your benefit, then you are being a responsible and loving husband. I could go on and get a bit graphic, but that is not really necessary. I think any intelligent adult can figure that out.
Now that I have gone in a completely different direction than intended, I will end this. Heaven knows where I will end up!
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
Your Clothes Shouldn't Just "Fall Off"
No, I am not posting pics, as easy as that would be.
It looks like we have another wardrobe malfunction, this time involving Mariah Carey. I do not normally go to that web site, but it was linked from Matt Drudge's web site, "The Drudge Report". Thanks, Matt for letting us know the rich and famous can't keep their clothes on in public. Somehow this does not surprise me much.
Mariah is an entertainer. She moves a lot on stage. You would think that if this was not intentional that she would know to dress with that in mind. If you do not keep your parts in check, they are gonna escape when you start moving around. Makes sense, eh?
Why do women entertainers have to dress that way and act so surprised when these "accidents" happen? Don't they know that these types of things can happen?
Ok that makes 3 that I know of: Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Tara Reid. I am sure there will be more.
People wonder why we are getting rid of cable.
It looks like we have another wardrobe malfunction, this time involving Mariah Carey. I do not normally go to that web site, but it was linked from Matt Drudge's web site, "The Drudge Report". Thanks, Matt for letting us know the rich and famous can't keep their clothes on in public. Somehow this does not surprise me much.
Mariah is an entertainer. She moves a lot on stage. You would think that if this was not intentional that she would know to dress with that in mind. If you do not keep your parts in check, they are gonna escape when you start moving around. Makes sense, eh?
Why do women entertainers have to dress that way and act so surprised when these "accidents" happen? Don't they know that these types of things can happen?
Ok that makes 3 that I know of: Janet Jackson, Mariah Carey, and Tara Reid. I am sure there will be more.
People wonder why we are getting rid of cable.
Monday, July 11, 2005
Sunday
I enjoy Sunday. Getting up a bit later than normal (7 AM sometimes if all goes well), a long leisurely walk with the dogs (although the normal routes through the 'burbs is getting BOR-ING), strong coffee with a touch too much flavored creamer, a light breakfast, updating my main web page (www.mistergeek.com), CHURCH (and lunch afterwards...ok so I like food...sue me), and just taking it easy. It is the Sabbath after all, we should at least try to honor it. My wife and I busted our humps to get all the house/yard work done on Saturday (my new mower and trimmer are just too nice. Not expensive, but powerful) so we could relax on Sunday. We even had time to walk at the local dog park that evening.
I did all the normal Sunday things, but I was blessed to add one new thing to that list (at least for that day): help a Christian brother with a computer problem (OK, I AM a geek). Michael "The Harley Nut" (his words, not mine) was having home network problems and asked me if I would assist. Of course I said yes. He came over and brought his router that was giving him trouble and we fiddled with it but could not get anywhere, so we went back to his place and did a bit more research. after a bit of time researching and troubleshooting, we determined his router (a brand I personally had never heard of) was acting way to flaky to use all the time, so we went to Sam's Club and got a new one (newer technology, faster, better range, etc) and hooked it up. While it took longer than we hoped, we finally got it done (consider it a warning when the box says "install it in 5 minutes and be secure in 10", that it will take much longer. To be honest the new data encryption was harder than I thought to set up, but that is not my area of expertise). Michael and I have some similarities. He spent a great deal of his earlier life in Wisconsin, and I was in WV early on, both in small towns. We both have been married, divorced, and remarried (to wonderful women, I must add!), both LOVE bratwurst and kraut, both are geeks, although my skills are a tiny bit more advanced than his. He is in the Diesel Industry, I am in I/T. We both like Tom Clancy novels and Sci-Fi movies. I think I have a movie buddy!
Michael is a wonderful guy. I really enjoyed spending time with him. To look at the two of us, you would never know we were friends. He is a biker and looks a bit like one (big guy, ponytail, rides a Harley, wears bibbed overalls a fair amount of the time, is a mechanic) where I am medium build, short hair, drives a small pickup truck and a minivan, wears khaki's and Polo shirts 98% of the time and works in I/T. While we have a lot in common, we would have never met had we not attended the same church. Church brings people together.
Because we have been placed together, Michael and I can begin sharing our lives and help each other with our struggles. We can grow even more.
Do not avoid talking to someone because they appear different from you. You might have more in common than you think you do. Open up. Open up to those older than you, to those less fortunate than you, those who are in a different line of work than you. Married people, open up to the singles. You were designed BY GOD to interact with others. Do not waste that my ignoring those who are different. I am so glad that Michael opened up to me. He has done me the favor. He may think that helping him with his router issue was helping him, but just between you and me, I was the one who was blessed that day.
Who knows, maybe Michael will give me ride on his bike.
I did all the normal Sunday things, but I was blessed to add one new thing to that list (at least for that day): help a Christian brother with a computer problem (OK, I AM a geek). Michael "The Harley Nut" (his words, not mine) was having home network problems and asked me if I would assist. Of course I said yes. He came over and brought his router that was giving him trouble and we fiddled with it but could not get anywhere, so we went back to his place and did a bit more research. after a bit of time researching and troubleshooting, we determined his router (a brand I personally had never heard of) was acting way to flaky to use all the time, so we went to Sam's Club and got a new one (newer technology, faster, better range, etc) and hooked it up. While it took longer than we hoped, we finally got it done (consider it a warning when the box says "install it in 5 minutes and be secure in 10", that it will take much longer. To be honest the new data encryption was harder than I thought to set up, but that is not my area of expertise). Michael and I have some similarities. He spent a great deal of his earlier life in Wisconsin, and I was in WV early on, both in small towns. We both have been married, divorced, and remarried (to wonderful women, I must add!), both LOVE bratwurst and kraut, both are geeks, although my skills are a tiny bit more advanced than his. He is in the Diesel Industry, I am in I/T. We both like Tom Clancy novels and Sci-Fi movies. I think I have a movie buddy!
Michael is a wonderful guy. I really enjoyed spending time with him. To look at the two of us, you would never know we were friends. He is a biker and looks a bit like one (big guy, ponytail, rides a Harley, wears bibbed overalls a fair amount of the time, is a mechanic) where I am medium build, short hair, drives a small pickup truck and a minivan, wears khaki's and Polo shirts 98% of the time and works in I/T. While we have a lot in common, we would have never met had we not attended the same church. Church brings people together.
Because we have been placed together, Michael and I can begin sharing our lives and help each other with our struggles. We can grow even more.
Do not avoid talking to someone because they appear different from you. You might have more in common than you think you do. Open up. Open up to those older than you, to those less fortunate than you, those who are in a different line of work than you. Married people, open up to the singles. You were designed BY GOD to interact with others. Do not waste that my ignoring those who are different. I am so glad that Michael opened up to me. He has done me the favor. He may think that helping him with his router issue was helping him, but just between you and me, I was the one who was blessed that day.
Who knows, maybe Michael will give me ride on his bike.
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