Reaping What You Sew...
Are you, like me, spending any time scratching your head or other body parts wondering about the "Mortgage Crisis" and the other pending "financial meltdowns" going on up there in NY and Washington DC?
For a simple bit of clarification of how we got to where we are I suggest that you check out this NY Times story which might as well be considered to be the nine year old preface to the current drama we're watching today...
Fannie Mae Eases Credit To Aid Mortgage Lending
By STEVEN A. HOLMES
Published: September 30, 1999
In a move that could help increase home ownership rates among minorities and low-income consumers, the Fannie Mae Corporation is easing the credit requirements on loans that it will purchase from banks and other lenders.
The action, which will begin as a pilot program involving 24 banks in 15 markets -- including the New York metropolitan region -- will encourage those banks to extend home mortgages to individuals whose credit is generally not good enough to qualify for conventional loans. Fannie Mae officials say they hope to make it a nationwide program by next spring.
Fannie Mae, the nation's biggest underwriter of home mortgages, has been under increasing pressure from the Clinton Administration to expand mortgage loans among low and moderate income people [emphasis mine...VRR] and felt pressure from stock holders to maintain its phenomenal growth in profits.
Let me caution you that I have a slightly different take on this debacle, in as much as if you listen to the Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats et. al. they are screaming that they have nothing to do with the current situation..."it's all the Bush Administration's mismanagement of the economy."
I'll buy exactly none of that garbage because the Democrats did in fact apply pressure to get people with crappy employment history and poor credit into mortgages in the late 1990's, continuing even to today as reported in the Times story.
Let me be clear--the Democrats fingerprints are all over this crime scene, but the prints are smeared by the handling that the Republican dominated Congress of that time gave the issue as they bumbled and fumbled their way through the "bipartisan" "reaching across the isle in cooperation" process they exude repeatedly on the TV sound bites.
Further, to hear the conservative pundits like Sean Hannity tell it, it's all the blue collar/minority pandering Democrats fault...PERIOD...and that take on things falls quite short of the truth and reality.
Fanny Mae WANTED to be allowed to make the money associated with buying "sub-prime" loans and collecting the associated higher interest rates they earned, confident in the fact the the Federal By-God Government of the United States of 'Merica would step in and cushion the blow should things turn south as they have today.
And the mortgage originators--savings and loans and banks and such--also wanted in on the action and needed to have a place to park the loans they made after the deal was done and they needed a fresh supply of money to lend.
Where do the bankers get their money?
Fanny Mae and Freddy Mac...in the NY Times own words:
In addition, banks, thrift institutions and mortgage companies have been pressing Fannie Mae to help them make more loans to so-called subprime borrowers. These borrowers whose incomes, credit ratings and savings are not good enough to qualify for conventional loans, can only get loans from finance companies that charge much higher interest rates -- anywhere from three to four percentage points higher than conventional loans.
It's clear to me after doing a little studying that going back to the repeal/modification of the Glass Act, again under Clinton in 1999, that this whole gang of scoundrel politicians, bankers, and corporate executives knew exactly what they were doing and worst of all, they knew that they were making huge amounts of money while at the same time relying on you and I--the American Taxpayers--to underwrite their risk should things go sour.
And go sour they did, and thus today I being told that I'm looking at handing over about $3,500 of MY MONEY this year (seven hundred billion divided by 200,000,000 taxpayers) to cover the cost of corporate compensation of assholes getting fired for doing a poor job and deadbeat fellow citizens that can't or won't pay for their homes.
What kills me is they're letting the people stay in their houses under "renegotiated terms" while I pony up the extra $3,500 in addition to the near $20,000 I'm paying for my own house, on time each and every month.
Welfare for the wealthy and unscrupulous, that's all this amounts to.
That, and yet another experiment in socialism gone bad at taxpayer expense.
Just wait until you hand over the health care system to these same elected idiots that can't help but screw up a two hundred year old banking system.
When your private parts swell up and start falling off or your eyeball pops out of it's socket and you're told that you can see a specialist sometime next year, don't come crying to me because I'm just gonna tell you...
I TOLD YOU SO
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Morons And Trolls
I'm Operating A Storefront Of Words... Open To Infinity
Perhaps the coolest thing about writing here on the Internet is the reality that you never know who might be stopping by to see what's going through your mind and coming off your fingertips onto the computer keyboard on any given day.
Might be Madonna today, might be Micheal Jackson tomorrow, could be the Pope or someone working for the CIA next Tuesday...you just never know and I insist on being myself come what may rather than writing what I think that people might want to see and read.
Personally, I obtain a good deal of value from my efforts because writing things down (thoughts, ideas, etc.) and then viewing them in the light of public scrutiny helps me make better life decisions...in as much as if something sounds really stupid when I write about wanting to do it or already having done it I might reconsider doing it in the first place or repeating the effort in the future.
I also write about some things which I firmly believe but which many people would hardly ever say out loud let alone write down for public consumption.
I guess that it helps that I have a fairly strong personal belief system which I rely on to get me through each day, and rather than floating like a jellyfish through the sea of my fellow humanity which has elected or been taught to behave like spineless jellyfish, I instead tend to point myself in a direction and take responsibility for the consequences as they occur.
No, everything is and has not been perfect or easy in the process of meandering through almost five decades of life, but it certainly has been interesting when viewed from an internal perspective rather than worrying about what other people and society "thinks" all the time.
For instance, my recent Internet traffic increase had to do with an innocent posting I tossed up in a hurry this past Sunday entitled Biden's "Health Problems" addressing some rumors I'd been hearing over the past month about sHrillary replacing Biden on the Obama ticket for President.
As I've said in the past, I say/write what I think/believe here on this blog and you can and should take it with a grain of salt, but I do not support purveying outright liable and slander in my writing.
I just address the things that bother me or make me happy and if you don't like what I write you're welcome to get the hell out and go somewhere else on the Internet. Remember that just like the radio and TV have "channel knobs", the Internet has URL's and you're welcome to exclude mine from your favorites list any time you want.
That said, I've had a couple of snide commenter's take the time to poke me with a pointy stick this past week in the comments section and while I'm not going to lose any sleep over the occurrences I think that it's worth mentioning my position on comments and the inevitable encounters with "Comment Trolls" that every successful blogger has to attend to.
For those not versed in the subject, a "Troll" is a person that elects to hang around a website and nit pick or even torture the websites' owner on the basis of the commentary contained therein.
Thus far I've been such a low traffic, obscure site that I get virtually ZERO comments (other than Heather and Ed and Rick) so I have to assume that those reading my rantings either agree whole heatedly or could care less else find me too stupid to waste mental energy issuing a rebuttal.
Every once in a while, usually during a link induced traffic blast, I get someone that thinks themselves to be "intelligent" or "web savvy" and feel that they must impart some of their intellect on me and my blog.
Most recently I've had these comments:
"Not to rain on your parade but I didn't hear it here first. This speculation has been out for close to a week already."
"And your point is?"
The first comment was in response to my very short Sunday blurb pointing out that Biden's health was an ongoing issue on the Internet, but because of limited time I just tossed out the headline to acknowledge the event--so I guess that I have to accept the Anonymous commenter's one-upmanship that he/she knew about it before I could get to my keyboard.
In response to "And your point is?" I offer these closing paragraphs from my Monday, September 22nd essay:
"I can no more vote for him than against him using this data as the deciding factor than I believe that anyone should discount John McCain's ability to fulfill his term if elected president because of his age.
As to what if anything Obamarama's campaign might be planning regarding a personnel change in the Vice Presidential slot, I think that Senator Joe's mettle might just over-ride any purported physical fragility (which should have been vetted prior to the announcement of his inclusion on the Dem's ticket).
But then again--since when have the facts gotten in the way of expedience and "winning" when it comes to politics?"
So what is there to not understand in my efforts?
All I was saying was that people were interested in Joe Biden's health history, I handed out a few links to the details I could find, and I said that I wouldn't be electing a President and Vice-President based on anything I could find relating to the health of the candidates for those offices.
The good news is I've got Internet traffic, the bad news is that everyone doesn't think I'm smart and good looking I guess...
Perhaps the coolest thing about writing here on the Internet is the reality that you never know who might be stopping by to see what's going through your mind and coming off your fingertips onto the computer keyboard on any given day.
Might be Madonna today, might be Micheal Jackson tomorrow, could be the Pope or someone working for the CIA next Tuesday...you just never know and I insist on being myself come what may rather than writing what I think that people might want to see and read.
Personally, I obtain a good deal of value from my efforts because writing things down (thoughts, ideas, etc.) and then viewing them in the light of public scrutiny helps me make better life decisions...in as much as if something sounds really stupid when I write about wanting to do it or already having done it I might reconsider doing it in the first place or repeating the effort in the future.
I also write about some things which I firmly believe but which many people would hardly ever say out loud let alone write down for public consumption.
I guess that it helps that I have a fairly strong personal belief system which I rely on to get me through each day, and rather than floating like a jellyfish through the sea of my fellow humanity which has elected or been taught to behave like spineless jellyfish, I instead tend to point myself in a direction and take responsibility for the consequences as they occur.
No, everything is and has not been perfect or easy in the process of meandering through almost five decades of life, but it certainly has been interesting when viewed from an internal perspective rather than worrying about what other people and society "thinks" all the time.
For instance, my recent Internet traffic increase had to do with an innocent posting I tossed up in a hurry this past Sunday entitled Biden's "Health Problems" addressing some rumors I'd been hearing over the past month about sHrillary replacing Biden on the Obama ticket for President.
As I've said in the past, I say/write what I think/believe here on this blog and you can and should take it with a grain of salt, but I do not support purveying outright liable and slander in my writing.
I just address the things that bother me or make me happy and if you don't like what I write you're welcome to get the hell out and go somewhere else on the Internet. Remember that just like the radio and TV have "channel knobs", the Internet has URL's and you're welcome to exclude mine from your favorites list any time you want.
That said, I've had a couple of snide commenter's take the time to poke me with a pointy stick this past week in the comments section and while I'm not going to lose any sleep over the occurrences I think that it's worth mentioning my position on comments and the inevitable encounters with "Comment Trolls" that every successful blogger has to attend to.
For those not versed in the subject, a "Troll" is a person that elects to hang around a website and nit pick or even torture the websites' owner on the basis of the commentary contained therein.
Thus far I've been such a low traffic, obscure site that I get virtually ZERO comments (other than Heather and Ed and Rick) so I have to assume that those reading my rantings either agree whole heatedly or could care less else find me too stupid to waste mental energy issuing a rebuttal.
Every once in a while, usually during a link induced traffic blast, I get someone that thinks themselves to be "intelligent" or "web savvy" and feel that they must impart some of their intellect on me and my blog.
Most recently I've had these comments:
"Not to rain on your parade but I didn't hear it here first. This speculation has been out for close to a week already."
"And your point is?"
The first comment was in response to my very short Sunday blurb pointing out that Biden's health was an ongoing issue on the Internet, but because of limited time I just tossed out the headline to acknowledge the event--so I guess that I have to accept the Anonymous commenter's one-upmanship that he/she knew about it before I could get to my keyboard.
In response to "And your point is?" I offer these closing paragraphs from my Monday, September 22nd essay:
"I can no more vote for him than against him using this data as the deciding factor than I believe that anyone should discount John McCain's ability to fulfill his term if elected president because of his age.
As to what if anything Obamarama's campaign might be planning regarding a personnel change in the Vice Presidential slot, I think that Senator Joe's mettle might just over-ride any purported physical fragility (which should have been vetted prior to the announcement of his inclusion on the Dem's ticket).
But then again--since when have the facts gotten in the way of expedience and "winning" when it comes to politics?"
So what is there to not understand in my efforts?
All I was saying was that people were interested in Joe Biden's health history, I handed out a few links to the details I could find, and I said that I wouldn't be electing a President and Vice-President based on anything I could find relating to the health of the candidates for those offices.
The good news is I've got Internet traffic, the bad news is that everyone doesn't think I'm smart and good looking I guess...
It's Not Exactly Home Improvement TV...
But It's My Own Little Episode Called "Tip This House"...
I guess that practically everybody has heard the term "flipping" when it comes to the real estate investment business.
Well, I'm proud to announce that I've invented my own laid back beach bum version of this process, except instead of "flipping" I call my efforts "tipping"...as in causing something to slowly "tip" over.
It's not fast, it's definitely not pretty, but here's where I am right now in my 15 month long process:
What began as a tiny 1959 vintage duplex last summer looking like this...
Is now a 1200 square foot single family house that looks like this today:
I hope it's finished and that I'm out of the coastal Georgia real estate business by the new year.
Only time will tell I guess.
I guess that practically everybody has heard the term "flipping" when it comes to the real estate investment business.
Well, I'm proud to announce that I've invented my own laid back beach bum version of this process, except instead of "flipping" I call my efforts "tipping"...as in causing something to slowly "tip" over.
It's not fast, it's definitely not pretty, but here's where I am right now in my 15 month long process:
What began as a tiny 1959 vintage duplex last summer looking like this...
Is now a 1200 square foot single family house that looks like this today:
I hope it's finished and that I'm out of the coastal Georgia real estate business by the new year.
Only time will tell I guess.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The "UN Eviction Act"
Another Great Idea That Will Never Fly with the Dems...
I'm happy to report that the experiences of the past five nights of grand living spent down here on our Little Island on Georgia's Atlantic coast have renewed my spirit and balmed the sore spots in my soul (read that--eliminated the shaking and stuttering bouts of profanity issued in response to news stories of government bailouts of smarmy Wall Street hustlers and zillions of taxpayer dollars tossed at innocent victims of Greedy Republican/George Bush failed policy/Global Warming induced Hurricanes.)
We're reluctantly departing St. Simons about 7:00 AM this morning, headed back toward the banks of the Mighty Tennessee River.
Unfortunately, in the process we're facing another eight hours sitting in the car, burning Democrat declared "over priced" gasoline dispensed by "greedy" oil companies...but then again we simply have to return home after extending our trip by an extra day because there's our "fair share" of taxes due from the bulging financial account of this over-paid college educated racist/bigoted white man--allowed to sit around basically doing nothing all day except merrily designing hundreds of tons of steel up there in Eastern Tennessee--headstrongly ignoring the the grim realities of every-day life in a country lead byan ignorant Texan a Republican President
Did I mention that I just finished building my twelfth set for a Community Theater Play here on the Georgia Coast?
I'm happy to report that the experiences of the past five nights of grand living spent down here on our Little Island on Georgia's Atlantic coast have renewed my spirit and balmed the sore spots in my soul (read that--eliminated the shaking and stuttering bouts of profanity issued in response to news stories of government bailouts of smarmy Wall Street hustlers and zillions of taxpayer dollars tossed at innocent victims of Greedy Republican/George Bush failed policy/Global Warming induced Hurricanes.)
We're reluctantly departing St. Simons about 7:00 AM this morning, headed back toward the banks of the Mighty Tennessee River.
Unfortunately, in the process we're facing another eight hours sitting in the car, burning Democrat declared "over priced" gasoline dispensed by "greedy" oil companies...but then again we simply have to return home after extending our trip by an extra day because there's our "fair share" of taxes due from the bulging financial account of this over-paid college educated racist/bigoted white man--allowed to sit around basically doing nothing all day except merrily designing hundreds of tons of steel up there in Eastern Tennessee--headstrongly ignoring the the grim realities of every-day life in a country lead by
Did I mention that I just finished building my twelfth set for a Community Theater Play here on the Georgia Coast?
The big giant open frames around the back and peremeter will be covered with fabric later this week to complete the illusion of a living room and parlor.
Meanwhile, my Internet presence has also seen another minor milestone as a result of you new readers stopping by looking for information on VP Candidate Biden's "health issues," the result being my first day with over 800 "hits" and nearly 1700 visits in the past three days.
I've tried my best to keep up with the news by watching a little TV and perusing the usual sites like Drudge, but I still feel like I'm a few hours behind each day being off my normal ritual and away from my home server/workstation living on the old HP laptop.
Something that caught my eye this morning was fellow Blogger Rodger's reference over at Curmudgeonly & Skeptical to Colorado's sixth district Congressman Tom Tancredo's "UN Eviction Act" now meandering it's way across the floor and sewage plumbing of Washington DC.
This is exactly the kind of thing I've been talking about here since I started writing this blog. The United Nations and Kofi Annon et. al. are proven feckless, inept, obtuse idiots when it comes to actually doing the job of promoting world order and preventing Capuchin Monkeys look alike's like the Iranian dictator and Trolls like the penis bearing morons running Korea and Venezuela from killing their citizens and threatening the rest of the world's population.
I say that we hire a fleet of U-Hauls, pack the whole UN crowd up with their expensive suits, handbags, shoes, and limousines, and haul them all down to Haiti and let them solve the problems down there, and IF they're successful we'll think about listening to anything they have to say in the future.
What do you think?
Monday, September 22, 2008
Stairing On Stage
Making Sawdust...
This is more complicated than I thought, but we're coming along nicely...
This is more complicated than I thought, but we're coming along nicely...
Over 100% Of Americans Will Believe Any Made-Up Statistic
See What I Mean?
That will be all...for now...
That will be all...for now...
Joe Biden's Health--Part Deaux
Here's The Skinny As I Know It...
So I'm sitting here in our hotel room this morning on the last full day of my latest "working coastal vacation," perusing Drudge and the other usual websites and blogs trying to keep up with what's going on, when I jump over to this blog and check the Sitemeter statistics and find that I was blasted yesterday with people stopping by looking for information about Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden's rumored "health issues."
Amazing what brings in the readers...and I hope a few of you that entered this site for the very first time looking for information on the condition of Senator Biden's body stayed around to look at the issues I was actually writing about over the past few days and will possibly elect to stop back by every now and then to see what's going on in the cracks and crevasses of my demented, tortured, hyperactive (and Ritalin deprived) middle aged mind.
Unfortunately, I knew nothing as of this morning about Biden's body (other than it apparently having one head, one torso, two legs, two arms, ten fingers, ten toes, and other protrusions and orifices beyond the scope of this essay this morning.)
That said, I thought it only fair since people were Googling about Joe and finding me that as a service I direct them to where they were really trying to go, and possibly gain their return here in the future if they like what they see.
To that end, I did a little research this morning and found out that in fact the good Senator has had his own personal run-ins with doctors and the US health care system his party so desperately wantsto control give away Nationalize reform.
The first reference is copyrighted and cost a few bucks to view the entire story but here's the link to the February 12, 1988 story about Biden suffering from and being hospitalized for "neck pain."
Then there's this February 23rd, 1988 NY Times story about Biden having been diagnosed and having surgery for a "Berry Aneurysm" in one of the arteries in his neck feeding blood to his brain.
Following that 8 hour surgical procedure and nine day hospital stay, in mid March of that same year he was re-admitted to the hospital for treatment of a suspected post-surgery blood clot in his leg.
He left the hospital on March 25th "thin and full of good cheer" "despite a setback that has delayed a second operation on an artery in his head..." (viewing entire article costs $2.95)
Here's a FOXnews story which offers this summary while talking about South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson's similar surgery:
"According to CQ Today, a Capitol Hill magazine, several lawmakers have been derailed by illness and unable to vote, but have not given up their posts and eventually returned to office. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., suffered an aneurysm and had brain surgery in February 1988. He returned to office seven months later and is still serving. [emphasis mine--VRR]"
Next, on March 9th, 2005 Senator Biden underwent emergency surgery in Naples Florida to have his Gall Bladder removed. This same article reports that the aforementioned blood clot in the Senator's leg actually moved to his lung, and as a result he had a "filter" installed to prevent future occurrences. (I actually had a similar "filter" installed in a big vein in my abdomen last February and appreciate the value of the procedure.)
So there you have it Ladies and Gentlemen...the results of a good hour's worth of effort which in the end only points out that Biden is in fact a typical human, and like most of us he has had previous problems with the organic machine God gave him to live in and operate while residing here on earth in the 20th and 21st centuries.
I can no more vote for him than against him using this data as the deciding factor than I believe that anyone should discount John McCain's ability to fulfill his term if elected president because of his age.
As to what if anything Obamarama's campaign might be planning regarding a personnel change in the Vice Presidential slot, I think that Senator Joe's mettle might just over-ride any purported physical fragility (which should have been vetted prior to the announcement of his inclusion on the Dem's ticket).
But then again--since when have the facts gotten in the way of expedience and "winning" when it comes to politics?
So I'm sitting here in our hotel room this morning on the last full day of my latest "working coastal vacation," perusing Drudge and the other usual websites and blogs trying to keep up with what's going on, when I jump over to this blog and check the Sitemeter statistics and find that I was blasted yesterday with people stopping by looking for information about Vice Presidential Candidate Joe Biden's rumored "health issues."
Amazing what brings in the readers...and I hope a few of you that entered this site for the very first time looking for information on the condition of Senator Biden's body stayed around to look at the issues I was actually writing about over the past few days and will possibly elect to stop back by every now and then to see what's going on in the cracks and crevasses of my demented, tortured, hyperactive (and Ritalin deprived) middle aged mind.
Unfortunately, I knew nothing as of this morning about Biden's body (other than it apparently having one head, one torso, two legs, two arms, ten fingers, ten toes, and other protrusions and orifices beyond the scope of this essay this morning.)
That said, I thought it only fair since people were Googling about Joe and finding me that as a service I direct them to where they were really trying to go, and possibly gain their return here in the future if they like what they see.
To that end, I did a little research this morning and found out that in fact the good Senator has had his own personal run-ins with doctors and the US health care system his party so desperately wants
The first reference is copyrighted and cost a few bucks to view the entire story but here's the link to the February 12, 1988 story about Biden suffering from and being hospitalized for "neck pain."
Then there's this February 23rd, 1988 NY Times story about Biden having been diagnosed and having surgery for a "Berry Aneurysm" in one of the arteries in his neck feeding blood to his brain.
Following that 8 hour surgical procedure and nine day hospital stay, in mid March of that same year he was re-admitted to the hospital for treatment of a suspected post-surgery blood clot in his leg.
He left the hospital on March 25th "thin and full of good cheer" "despite a setback that has delayed a second operation on an artery in his head..." (viewing entire article costs $2.95)
Here's a FOXnews story which offers this summary while talking about South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson's similar surgery:
"According to CQ Today, a Capitol Hill magazine, several lawmakers have been derailed by illness and unable to vote, but have not given up their posts and eventually returned to office. Sen. Joe Biden, D-Del., suffered an aneurysm and had brain surgery in February 1988. He returned to office seven months later and is still serving. [emphasis mine--VRR]"
Next, on March 9th, 2005 Senator Biden underwent emergency surgery in Naples Florida to have his Gall Bladder removed. This same article reports that the aforementioned blood clot in the Senator's leg actually moved to his lung, and as a result he had a "filter" installed to prevent future occurrences. (I actually had a similar "filter" installed in a big vein in my abdomen last February and appreciate the value of the procedure.)
So there you have it Ladies and Gentlemen...the results of a good hour's worth of effort which in the end only points out that Biden is in fact a typical human, and like most of us he has had previous problems with the organic machine God gave him to live in and operate while residing here on earth in the 20th and 21st centuries.
I can no more vote for him than against him using this data as the deciding factor than I believe that anyone should discount John McCain's ability to fulfill his term if elected president because of his age.
As to what if anything Obamarama's campaign might be planning regarding a personnel change in the Vice Presidential slot, I think that Senator Joe's mettle might just over-ride any purported physical fragility (which should have been vetted prior to the announcement of his inclusion on the Dem's ticket).
But then again--since when have the facts gotten in the way of expedience and "winning" when it comes to politics?
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Biden's "Health Problems"
sHrillary As A Replacement VP Candidate?
Say it isn't so...but you heard it here first on the blogs if it's true...
UPDATE 9/22:
If you're doing a web search and found me based on this posting, go here:
http://coastalcompanion.blogspot.com/2008/09/joe-bidens-health-part-deaux.html
for my real attempt to tell you about Biden's body...
Say it isn't so...but you heard it here first on the blogs if it's true...
UPDATE 9/22:
If you're doing a web search and found me based on this posting, go here:
http://coastalcompanion.blogspot.com/2008/09/joe-bidens-health-part-deaux.html
for my real attempt to tell you about Biden's body...
Liberal Government Bullshit Jargon
Those That Ordinarily "Can", "Can't" Under Political Mandate...
Sitting here within a mile of the shore of the Atlantic Ocean this morning, I can't help but gloat over the absence of tropical weather on the NOAA website map -- although for all of you weather hysterics out there there is an "area of concern" out in the Lesser Antilles and one off Central America which could serve to give you and all of the sniveling Owl Gore Global Warming zombies something to cheer for in the next week or so.
By then we'll have driven all of our stuff and Miss Missy the Turbo Pup back to the safety of her suburban compound on the banks of the Mighty Tennessee River and will have to settle for watching the proceedings on TV rather than enjoying any impending "un-natural natural disaster" in person, but I digress...
My head starts spinning around slinging spit out of my mouth when I read News stories like this one talking about our so-called government keeping people out of their homes because of hazards like "mosquitoes" and the lack of "cell phone coverage" in the areas affected by weather aberrations and from which they were ordered to evacuate:
GALVESTON, Texas - Rats, raw sewage and a no-excuses curfew await exiled residents who try to return to storm-wrecked Galveston Island when it reopens next week, officials warned Saturday, a week after Hurricane Ike came thundering ashore.
Ugly as the city's last week and immediate future may be, the grim predictions didn't seem to scare some of the 45,000 evacuated islanders from trying to get home, even though most of the island won't open back up until Wednesday.
Another miles-long traffic jam clogged the only highway into the city Saturday. Some ignored orders to turn around, while others resorted to deception to sneak past police guarding a roadblock.
David Culpepper met his brother Joe in Atlanta, put a phony magnetic sign on a truck to masquerade as contractors and drove down to help a third brother, Michael, who owns an antiques shop on Galveston
Planes continued spraying the island to control mosquitoes, and officials urged returnees to wear masks to protect from mold and to properly dispose of spoiled food to stave off vermin.
...
"We don't want that flowing out into the streets," LeBlanc said. "We don't want varmints getting into it."
Hundreds of stop signs were being trucked in to replace traffic lights, nearly all of which were blown away, and 150 state troopers were on their way to help police the city.
...
More than 439,000 families had registered for FEMA assistance in the wake of Ike as of Saturday, and about 9,300 were staying in government-funded hotel rooms.
Have we really become a society filled with people that need the GOVERNMENT to protect us from NATURE; and from a lack of cable TV and cell phone signals and Internet?
Are we so fragile that our hearts will stop beating if we are forced to miss watching Geraldo and Gretta tell us about dead toddlers in Orlando and must resort to listening to Sean and Rush and Boortz on a battery powered AM radio while crapping in a 5 gallon pickle bucket with a toilet seat duct taped to the top and drinking government supplied bottled water, washing our feces stained hands in water boiled on a gas burner and cleansed with a few drops of Clorox?
We have?
And another thing...
If we did ever manage to screw up and get hit by a hurricane this weekend, since I never reproduced, and I'm currently not married but have been living with and own a home with a woman for going on eight years, do Pat and I and Missy the Turbo Pup qualify as a "Family" in the government and news statistics, or am I just a stupid single white bastard, Pat a "retired single woman", and Missy the Turbo Pup a "canine of undetermined origin" when they fill out the FEMA and HUD forms so we can qualify for our "spending cards" and get our trailer, replacement NBA jerseys, and $200 tennis shoe vouchers?
Well...I'm waiting for an answer here because I'm entitled to one else I'll probably need counseling by a government "grief professional" in order to get on with my life six or eight years from now.
Does the government really need to intervene with a threat of force or arrest to keep me from eating spoiled food from my sea water contaminated freezer while standing atop a live zillion volt electrical wire found laying in my driveway, as I force other peoples' children to walk barefoot through the glass shards from my shattered windows in my front yard in order to bring me a six pack of warm Budweiser and a carton of soggy cigarettes?
Things like this really worry me these days Ladies and Gentlemen, and starting right now I'm making it my civic duty...no...It's a religious calling...to get to the bottom of questions like this.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE, AND WHAT OWL GORE, sHRILLARY CLINTON, OBAMARAMA, AND JOHN McCAIN ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT, AND I'MHOLDING MY BREATH NOT WATCHING ANOTHER SECOND OF THE VIEW OR OPRAH UNTIL I GET AN ANSWER.
Stay tuned for the answers published here when I get them.
That will be all...for now...
Sitting here within a mile of the shore of the Atlantic Ocean this morning, I can't help but gloat over the absence of tropical weather on the NOAA website map -- although for all of you weather hysterics out there there is an "area of concern" out in the Lesser Antilles and one off Central America which could serve to give you and all of the sniveling Owl Gore Global Warming zombies something to cheer for in the next week or so.
By then we'll have driven all of our stuff and Miss Missy the Turbo Pup back to the safety of her suburban compound on the banks of the Mighty Tennessee River and will have to settle for watching the proceedings on TV rather than enjoying any impending "un-natural natural disaster" in person, but I digress...
My head starts spinning around slinging spit out of my mouth when I read News stories like this one talking about our so-called government keeping people out of their homes because of hazards like "mosquitoes" and the lack of "cell phone coverage" in the areas affected by weather aberrations and from which they were ordered to evacuate:
GALVESTON, Texas - Rats, raw sewage and a no-excuses curfew await exiled residents who try to return to storm-wrecked Galveston Island when it reopens next week, officials warned Saturday, a week after Hurricane Ike came thundering ashore.
Ugly as the city's last week and immediate future may be, the grim predictions didn't seem to scare some of the 45,000 evacuated islanders from trying to get home, even though most of the island won't open back up until Wednesday.
Another miles-long traffic jam clogged the only highway into the city Saturday. Some ignored orders to turn around, while others resorted to deception to sneak past police guarding a roadblock.
David Culpepper met his brother Joe in Atlanta, put a phony magnetic sign on a truck to masquerade as contractors and drove down to help a third brother, Michael, who owns an antiques shop on Galveston
Planes continued spraying the island to control mosquitoes, and officials urged returnees to wear masks to protect from mold and to properly dispose of spoiled food to stave off vermin.
...
"We don't want that flowing out into the streets," LeBlanc said. "We don't want varmints getting into it."
Hundreds of stop signs were being trucked in to replace traffic lights, nearly all of which were blown away, and 150 state troopers were on their way to help police the city.
...
More than 439,000 families had registered for FEMA assistance in the wake of Ike as of Saturday, and about 9,300 were staying in government-funded hotel rooms.
Have we really become a society filled with people that need the GOVERNMENT to protect us from NATURE; and from a lack of cable TV and cell phone signals and Internet?
Are we so fragile that our hearts will stop beating if we are forced to miss watching Geraldo and Gretta tell us about dead toddlers in Orlando and must resort to listening to Sean and Rush and Boortz on a battery powered AM radio while crapping in a 5 gallon pickle bucket with a toilet seat duct taped to the top and drinking government supplied bottled water, washing our feces stained hands in water boiled on a gas burner and cleansed with a few drops of Clorox?
We have?
And another thing...
If we did ever manage to screw up and get hit by a hurricane this weekend, since I never reproduced, and I'm currently not married but have been living with and own a home with a woman for going on eight years, do Pat and I and Missy the Turbo Pup qualify as a "Family" in the government and news statistics, or am I just a stupid single white bastard, Pat a "retired single woman", and Missy the Turbo Pup a "canine of undetermined origin" when they fill out the FEMA and HUD forms so we can qualify for our "spending cards" and get our trailer, replacement NBA jerseys, and $200 tennis shoe vouchers?
Well...I'm waiting for an answer here because I'm entitled to one else I'll probably need counseling by a government "grief professional" in order to get on with my life six or eight years from now.
Does the government really need to intervene with a threat of force or arrest to keep me from eating spoiled food from my sea water contaminated freezer while standing atop a live zillion volt electrical wire found laying in my driveway, as I force other peoples' children to walk barefoot through the glass shards from my shattered windows in my front yard in order to bring me a six pack of warm Budweiser and a carton of soggy cigarettes?
Things like this really worry me these days Ladies and Gentlemen, and starting right now I'm making it my civic duty...no...It's a religious calling...to get to the bottom of questions like this.
I WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE, AND WHAT OWL GORE, sHRILLARY CLINTON, OBAMARAMA, AND JOHN McCAIN ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT, AND I'M
Stay tuned for the answers published here when I get them.
That will be all...for now...
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Back On Our Little Island
Spirits High, Soul At Ease...
After over eight hours spent blasting down the interstate across Tennessee and Georgia in the Chrysler 300, we finally cruised back across the bridge over the Inter coastal Waterway about 4:30 PM yesterday afternoon and almost all of my worldly cares immediately evaporated.
The smell of the salt water breeze has that sort of effect on me, and after all--we were "home" again after over a five week absence.
Even little Missy The Turbo Pup seemed to have a renewed sparkle in her eyes as she returned to the shores of the Georgia Coast where she spent most of the first 16 months of her life romping under the Live Oaks and spinning around on the pool deck and in the sands of East Beach.
After drinks at the locals watering hole over on the Marsh with friends and a hearty meal at my good friend and fellow Georgia Tech alum John Howden's Blackwater Grill, we settled in for the evening and I managed to forget to write anything here on the blog reporting our progress because...
after a little "puppy business" and further stowage and organization of provisions and supplies, I fell asleep about 8:30 PM.
Then I actually managed to sleep uninterrupted until after 2 AM, aided by the sound of the steady rain that began about sunset coming in from offshore.
This morning finds my contractor buddy Chuck and I meeting for breakfast and then wandering back over across the Marsh to the mainland, intent on making a bunch of sawdust on the stage of Brunswick's historic Ritz Theater--in the process constructing a giant staircase and associated balcony/handrails on which to stage the production of their upcoming play.
Whether it's Industrial steel infrastructure design one week, or short lived wooden fantasy scenes the next, I just love building things with life's "Adult" tinker toys.
I'vesuffered from this affliction been driven by this passion for nigh on 50 years now...and I don't intend to discontinue my antics any time in the near future.
(Stay tuned for photos of the progress to date on the never ending residential rennovation project...)
After over eight hours spent blasting down the interstate across Tennessee and Georgia in the Chrysler 300, we finally cruised back across the bridge over the Inter coastal Waterway about 4:30 PM yesterday afternoon and almost all of my worldly cares immediately evaporated.
The smell of the salt water breeze has that sort of effect on me, and after all--we were "home" again after over a five week absence.
Even little Missy The Turbo Pup seemed to have a renewed sparkle in her eyes as she returned to the shores of the Georgia Coast where she spent most of the first 16 months of her life romping under the Live Oaks and spinning around on the pool deck and in the sands of East Beach.
After drinks at the locals watering hole over on the Marsh with friends and a hearty meal at my good friend and fellow Georgia Tech alum John Howden's Blackwater Grill, we settled in for the evening and I managed to forget to write anything here on the blog reporting our progress because...
after a little "puppy business" and further stowage and organization of provisions and supplies, I fell asleep about 8:30 PM.
Then I actually managed to sleep uninterrupted until after 2 AM, aided by the sound of the steady rain that began about sunset coming in from offshore.
This morning finds my contractor buddy Chuck and I meeting for breakfast and then wandering back over across the Marsh to the mainland, intent on making a bunch of sawdust on the stage of Brunswick's historic Ritz Theater--in the process constructing a giant staircase and associated balcony/handrails on which to stage the production of their upcoming play.
Whether it's Industrial steel infrastructure design one week, or short lived wooden fantasy scenes the next, I just love building things with life's "Adult" tinker toys.
I've
(Stay tuned for photos of the progress to date on the never ending residential rennovation project...)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
The Value Of Having a "PROHIBITIVE" Cost Of Entry...
They're Still Not Burning American Dollars Yet...
At the ripe old age of "Nearly Fifty," all I can do is just sit here and shake my head at the current lamestream media hysteria and public uproar over the goings on on Wall Street and the latest round of so called "Bank failures."
Add this on top of Bush administration/global warming induced killer hurricanes on the Gulf Coast and $5.00 a gallon gasoline, and one could be inclined to think that Jesus had been seen putting his carry-on bag into the airliner's overhead compartment as he boards his return flight from Heaven or possibly that people were reported to be strapping on ice skates down in Hades.
Yes, I could see where those that are younger than me or otherwise uninformed could be looking around under their bed and in their closets for evil government regulators or greedy gas station owners lurking in the shadows--intent on stealing their last dollar intended to buyMcDonald's cheese burgers and Happy Meals butter and eggs, but in the perspective of the history I've witnessed since graduating from high school things aren't nearly as bad as some people would have you believe.
For instance:
Remember when we had "stagflation" in the late 1970's during President Carter's tenure, and the interest rates, according to this web site, were at nearly NINETEEN PERCENT as the prime rate rose up to nearly 21%?
Talk about the pleasure and pain of home ownership, if you don't believe me just take a look at this chart:
At the ripe old age of "Nearly Fifty," all I can do is just sit here and shake my head at the current lamestream media hysteria and public uproar over the goings on on Wall Street and the latest round of so called "Bank failures."
Add this on top of Bush administration/global warming induced killer hurricanes on the Gulf Coast and $5.00 a gallon gasoline, and one could be inclined to think that Jesus had been seen putting his carry-on bag into the airliner's overhead compartment as he boards his return flight from Heaven or possibly that people were reported to be strapping on ice skates down in Hades.
Yes, I could see where those that are younger than me or otherwise uninformed could be looking around under their bed and in their closets for evil government regulators or greedy gas station owners lurking in the shadows--intent on stealing their last dollar intended to buy
For instance:
Remember when we had "stagflation" in the late 1970's during President Carter's tenure, and the interest rates, according to this web site, were at nearly NINETEEN PERCENT as the prime rate rose up to nearly 21%?
Talk about the pleasure and pain of home ownership, if you don't believe me just take a look at this chart:
See what I mean?
OK, at the risk of boring everybody to death I'm gonna do a little math.
Say that today you want to buy a fairly modest home, so you run out to the bank and ask them for a $100,000 loan to go with the $15,000 your old grandma left you last year when she went to be with Grandpa.
Assuming that you have good work history and even AVERAGE credit, you're looking at getting a 30 year mortgage at somewhere less than 6.5% with low points, and your monthly payment would be about $632.00 for principal and interest each month according to this mortgage payment calculator website.
Add on your escrow payments for PMI, taxes, and homeowners' insurance, and I'm pretty sure that you'd soon be grilling burgers and chasing the dog in your own little slice of suburbia for about $750 per month.
Such a deal...
Now let's pretend that President "Jimmuh" Carter is president and you've just graduated from college, got that new job and spouse, and since it's almost 30 years ago on the calendar you want to purchase a house that only costs $75,000 new.
Using the same Mortgage calculator web site, in 1979 you'd be looking at handing over a whopping $1,191.67 each month. Adding in the tax and insurance escrow and you're looking at nearly THIRTEEN HUNDRED BUCKS A MONTH FOR A STARTER HOME.
(For comparison, in 1979 a $100,000 house would cost you $1,750 a month...and increase of $1000 over today's mortgage rates.)
Can you imagine what those mortgage costs did to the housing market in the late 1970's?
If you worked in the Mortgage Banking business or built houses for a living I'm pretty sure you lost your ass in the process, and let me remind you that a DEMOCRAT frm the great state of GEORGIA was in charge of things at the time.
Funny thing.
The cost of money doesn't go up when no one is borrowing money.
It fact, it actually goes up as demand increases, and back in the late 1970's the available money supply was being sucked up by YOUR GOVERNMENT spending it on handouts, with business competing for what was left over getting the buildings and equipment in place for the Reagan/Bush/Clinton technology boom.
And another thing, if the government hadn't have been able to hit the highest income earners of that day with tax rates upwards of SEVENTY PERCENT they never could have been able to pay their own interest rates to finance their spending.
No ladies and gentlemen, what we're witnessing today is simply another boom and bust cycle in real estate, banking, and Wall Street.
Pick your reason, act suprised, but I have to remind everyone that it's happened before and it will happen again. I elect to learn something from the pain and try not to let it happen again as a result.
Remember "Black Monday", October 19, 1987, when the market suffered it's largest one day loss in history--with the Dow Jones Industrial Average crashing down from a little over 2700 to around 1700 in one day (that would be a loss of over 35% for those of you that went to Georgia or Troy State.)
Here's the map of that miserable financial journey:
If you listened to the news, the next day you would have thought that the world had ended, and people were running around screaming and pulling their hair out and a whole bunch of assholes in $1000 suits working on Wall Street drove home that day in their BMW's and Mercedes thinking they were penny-less, and in many times actually jobless.
Not to worry, because the ones that left the "financial services" business were replaced with guys that came along just in time to steal five figures of MY MONEY in the the mid and late 1990's in the IPO debacle as Clinton's Technology bubble burst.
SSDD
That lesson was painfully learned, and today as a result of that and a few other experiences I'm just plain "bubbled out", but 'nother funny thing...
I, personally, have learned how to successfully employ the old axiom "buy low and sell high."
I sold in Mexico Beach before the current bust in resort property values hit, and I bought here on the banks of the Mighty Tennessee River as the prices held steady in the local market.
And another thing. Unlike some pockets in the national real estate market like Florida and NY and the West Coast, things are still moving along quite well here, as they are in the lower cost starter home market on the coast of Georgia.
So here I am, insulated from the current financial crisis by a little luck and a good deal of PLANNING. You can do it too if you'll just stop listening to the experts trying to sell you something and buy the things your brain and guts tell you you actually NEED and are in your best interest.
Now if I can just find a a car that gets 100 MPG to drive when we do seven hour road trips burning $4 gas, my life will truly be complete.
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Professions Getting In The Way Of My Avocations
Distracting Distractions
Oh...I don't know...what's going on here on the banks of the mighty Tennessee River these days?
Not much writing if you haven't noticed...
Still screwing around with a whole bunch of steel at work--fine tuning our design and the drawings of the never ending Coke quench tower and stair tower projects.
Then there's the much anticipated upcoming glorious return to our Little Island and the Georgia Coast on Friday for a four day engagement in the set building business at Brunswick's Ritz Theater--this adventure's subject being the set for the play The Little_Foxes.
It's basically a giant staircase complete with handrails and a balcony that disappears upstage and off stage left (six years ago I couldn't tell my up stage from my down stage and stage right was a mystery to me also--I did know port and starboard and abeam and astern if needed however.)
I also have some real estate business interests to take care of in as much as this week my plumber finished new water supply piping from the city's water meter to two bathrooms, a utility room, and the kitchen of the never ending renovation project.
I have to schedule the plumbing inspection on Friday or Monday and the electrician starts work today installing a new electrical service entrance, panel, and all new wiring in the 1959 vintage structure.
Here inside my office and basement I have a number of electronic restorations in progress. The simplest is a 1944 wooden cabinet GE table radio I stole on E-bay that just needs new speaker cloth before it takes up residence in the living room foyer.
Projects #2 and #3 are again both old antique radios...a 1930's vintage battery powered Philco "Tombstone" farm radio (anyone got a 90.5 volt battery you're not using?) and a 1948's vintage Philco table radio like the one I lost in my house fire. Both radios need restoration of their electronic guts but I have downloaded the circuit diagrams and I have my soldering iron ready to get to work when we get back in town.
Then there is what I call the "Old Dell Laptop Computer Restoration Project" involving two old machines I've been dragging around in various stages of disrepair as "back-ups" to my current HP wide screen portable.
Since one machine had a dead display and the other suffered from a forgotten password, I guess their serviceability as "back-ups" are sort of like all of the combined forces of NATO and the United Nations could be considered "back-ups" for a couple of F-22 fighters and a division of US Marines.
Once again it was E-Bay to the rescue as I bought one lot of two Dell 640's in various stages of disrepair to get a working display, a cheep new copy of Windows 2000 XP Professional to keep Vista from wrecking further havoc on our network, and a USB hard drive caddy to allow me to recover the Photos and other files off both machines' hard disks before reformatting and installing the aforementioned 2000 XP and dancing the dance of success--having $5000 worth of computers (in 2003 dollars) working for less than $200 in parts and effort.
Just call me "Super Genius"...
Meanwhile, little Missy The Turbo Pup is getting her beach bag and bathing suits together, and we're really looking forward to getting her some exercise on the beach as they relaxed the leash laws on Labor day weekend and she can get back to her old ways of galloping unfettered along the surf in a 50 yard circle around us. She's certainly a little girl moulded in her dad's image of professional beach bum(ette.)
Other good news is that my company has recently been awarded some work which allows me to return to my Mechanical Engineering roots in Process Design and Thermodynamics, and my old college roommate Rusty's firm is partnering with us in the first of what we hope will be an ongoing series of systems which will increase my visibility and value to the firm.
I'm a much better Mechanical Engineer than I am a Structural Designer, but it's nice to brush up on the steel world after a seven year hiatus and let the synapses reconnect before moving back into Warp Drive.
I have to admit that the one thing I've learned the hard way over the past ten years is to not let my personal self esteem be singularly connected to my professional successes (or company failures), thus the wide ranging scope and variety of endeavors I find myself involved with today.
That said...I hope y'all all have a peachy day...If you will...
Oh...I don't know...what's going on here on the banks of the mighty Tennessee River these days?
Not much writing if you haven't noticed...
Still screwing around with a whole bunch of steel at work--fine tuning our design and the drawings of the never ending Coke quench tower and stair tower projects.
Then there's the much anticipated upcoming glorious return to our Little Island and the Georgia Coast on Friday for a four day engagement in the set building business at Brunswick's Ritz Theater--this adventure's subject being the set for the play The Little_Foxes.
It's basically a giant staircase complete with handrails and a balcony that disappears upstage and off stage left (six years ago I couldn't tell my up stage from my down stage and stage right was a mystery to me also--I did know port and starboard and abeam and astern if needed however.)
I also have some real estate business interests to take care of in as much as this week my plumber finished new water supply piping from the city's water meter to two bathrooms, a utility room, and the kitchen of the never ending renovation project.
I have to schedule the plumbing inspection on Friday or Monday and the electrician starts work today installing a new electrical service entrance, panel, and all new wiring in the 1959 vintage structure.
Here inside my office and basement I have a number of electronic restorations in progress. The simplest is a 1944 wooden cabinet GE table radio I stole on E-bay that just needs new speaker cloth before it takes up residence in the living room foyer.
Projects #2 and #3 are again both old antique radios...a 1930's vintage battery powered Philco "Tombstone" farm radio (anyone got a 90.5 volt battery you're not using?) and a 1948's vintage Philco table radio like the one I lost in my house fire. Both radios need restoration of their electronic guts but I have downloaded the circuit diagrams and I have my soldering iron ready to get to work when we get back in town.
Then there is what I call the "Old Dell Laptop Computer Restoration Project" involving two old machines I've been dragging around in various stages of disrepair as "back-ups" to my current HP wide screen portable.
Since one machine had a dead display and the other suffered from a forgotten password, I guess their serviceability as "back-ups" are sort of like all of the combined forces of NATO and the United Nations could be considered "back-ups" for a couple of F-22 fighters and a division of US Marines.
Once again it was E-Bay to the rescue as I bought one lot of two Dell 640's in various stages of disrepair to get a working display, a cheep new copy of Windows 2000 XP Professional to keep Vista from wrecking further havoc on our network, and a USB hard drive caddy to allow me to recover the Photos and other files off both machines' hard disks before reformatting and installing the aforementioned 2000 XP and dancing the dance of success--having $5000 worth of computers (in 2003 dollars) working for less than $200 in parts and effort.
Just call me "Super Genius"...
Meanwhile, little Missy The Turbo Pup is getting her beach bag and bathing suits together, and we're really looking forward to getting her some exercise on the beach as they relaxed the leash laws on Labor day weekend and she can get back to her old ways of galloping unfettered along the surf in a 50 yard circle around us. She's certainly a little girl moulded in her dad's image of professional beach bum(ette.)
Other good news is that my company has recently been awarded some work which allows me to return to my Mechanical Engineering roots in Process Design and Thermodynamics, and my old college roommate Rusty's firm is partnering with us in the first of what we hope will be an ongoing series of systems which will increase my visibility and value to the firm.
I'm a much better Mechanical Engineer than I am a Structural Designer, but it's nice to brush up on the steel world after a seven year hiatus and let the synapses reconnect before moving back into Warp Drive.
I have to admit that the one thing I've learned the hard way over the past ten years is to not let my personal self esteem be singularly connected to my professional successes (or company failures), thus the wide ranging scope and variety of endeavors I find myself involved with today.
That said...I hope y'all all have a peachy day...If you will...
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Quote O' The Day
Success...
"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value."
Albert Einstein
US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."
Abraham Lincoln
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)
"It is possible to fail in many ways...while to succeed is possible only in one way."
Aristotle,
Nichomachean EthicsGreek critic, philosopher, physicist, & zoologist (384 BC - 322 BC)
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
Bill Cosby
US comedian & television actor (1937 - )
"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value."
Albert Einstein
US (German-born) physicist (1879 - 1955)
"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."
Abraham Lincoln
16th president of US (1809 - 1865)
"It is possible to fail in many ways...while to succeed is possible only in one way."
Aristotle,
Nichomachean EthicsGreek critic, philosopher, physicist, & zoologist (384 BC - 322 BC)
"I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody."
Bill Cosby
US comedian & television actor (1937 - )
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Silence
Tired...Busy...And Not Much Original To Say...
Work. Set Design. Travel Planning.
Writing's taking a back seat for a while.
Work. Set Design. Travel Planning.
Writing's taking a back seat for a while.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Quote O' The Day
Where Is This Man When We Could Use Him...
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."
Sir Winston Churchill
British politician (1874 - 1965)
"A fanatic is one who can't change his mind and won't change the subject."
Sir Winston Churchill
British politician (1874 - 1965)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Booger's Blogger's Losing My It's Mind
Confusing Confusion...
Just in case you've noticed an excess of various typo's and mis-spellings in my writing over the past week or so, be advised that something screwy is going on either locally on the server PC else over at the Blogger site.
I write things, proof them, but then if I publish them with an un-noticed error or want to otherwise make changes the software takes my submission and apparently stores it on Uranus or on the dark side of the Moon or something.
Then if I don't copy the changes to the clipboard before I hit the save button and I do end up losing the revision most of the time if it was long winded I just settle for the shortage of words and reason and live with the elementary school spelling.
Just thought you'd like to know that I'm not the best writer or speller or "phraseologist" but the free software isn't making things any easier.
Just in case you've noticed an excess of various typo's and mis-spellings in my writing over the past week or so, be advised that something screwy is going on either locally on the server PC else over at the Blogger site.
I write things, proof them, but then if I publish them with an un-noticed error or want to otherwise make changes the software takes my submission and apparently stores it on Uranus or on the dark side of the Moon or something.
Then if I don't copy the changes to the clipboard before I hit the save button and I do end up losing the revision most of the time if it was long winded I just settle for the shortage of words and reason and live with the elementary school spelling.
Just thought you'd like to know that I'm not the best writer or speller or "phraseologist" but the free software isn't making things any easier.
9/11
Three Devastating Fires In One Calendar Year...
About 9 Am on a Tuesday morning seven years ago I awoke with the anticipation of placingall ten of the balance of my worldly possessions into my old Chevy Suburban and making the six hour journey across country to Florida's "Forgotten Coast.
I was finally getting to go to live on the beach--specifically the hamlet of Mexico Beach, Florida.
"THE" house fire earlier on April 5th of that same year had reduced my inventory of "personal stuff" to a manageable size better transported on a few hangers, in a couple of suitcases, and stuffed into a few boxes in my vehicle rather than a U-haul or Atlas moving van.
As I turned on the TV and flipped through the Atlanta cable channels I quickly realized that something was amiss in the Big Apple.
Smoke was pouring out of the south tower and the commentary was that an airliner had accidentally crashed into the building on approach or departure from JFK, Newark, or La Guardia.
Before I could finish digesting the implications of an aviation "accident" involving a modern jetliner and one of the World Trade Center towers, the live TV images of yet another airplane striking the second tower proceeded to change my life in the short term and open a new chapter in international conflict between religion and ideologies rather than just countries and governments.
I actually delayed my cross country journey by a day because part of the route involved the interstate highway system and required that I drive through the entire length of Tyndal Air Force Base (home of the new F-22 fighters.) Since they were closing down all air travel, I was afraid that they could do the same with the interstates and I didn't want to spend a couple of expensive nights in a Holiday Inn in Lagrange, GA or Tuskeegee, AL.
That said, I knew in my mind that people should finally get it. The cold war and other silly battles we fight each day might be over, but a new chapter in an ancient religious conflict that had swept through Europe and Asia a thousand years ago was just then beginning on this continent.
No longer was it Auburn against Alabama...Georgia against Florida or Georgia Tech...or even your home town high school football team against the next town.
No longer was it George Wallace Democrats against Richard Nixon's big-city party.
No longer was it black against white or white against black.
It wasn't Crips versus Bloods (militant Muslim jihadists would cut the head off of a bad assed gang member just as quickly as they'd sever my cerebral cortex and skull from my Redneck spinal column and vertebrae C2 or C3.)
It wasn't even Protestant against Catholic since Ireland and the IRA had settled their religious/territorial differences.
I say that what we were seeing then and continue to see today was/is the public emergence on the world stage of the power and influence of money earned over only the past SEVENTY years since oil was discovered and commercially developed by US and European interests in the middle east.
Their "religious" hatred (and envy or our way of life) had been there all along, but the financial means and logistical infrastructure needed to carry out their brand of prosthletizing and "witnessing" had only come to fruition as our leaders and many of my ignorant fellow citizens ignored distant prophetical events like various embassy bombings, the killing of Israeli Olympic athletes, the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, the USS Cole, and even the first attack on the World Trade Center under President Clinton's auspices
In spite of what YOU think or choose to believe, they're still out there waiting for the next opportunity--for us through apathy and a short political memory to become distracted from the fight by worries of tax cuts and fears of being perceived as "the bad guys" by the pacifists in Europe and the rest of the world.
As president Ronald Reagan said back in 1984 (that would be TWENTY FOUR YEARS AGO...AND see my previous posting for more of his words):
"History teaches that wars begin when governments [or terorists] believe the price of aggression is cheap."
About 9 Am on a Tuesday morning seven years ago I awoke with the anticipation of placing
I was finally getting to go to live on the beach--specifically the hamlet of Mexico Beach, Florida.
"THE" house fire earlier on April 5th of that same year had reduced my inventory of "personal stuff" to a manageable size better transported on a few hangers, in a couple of suitcases, and stuffed into a few boxes in my vehicle rather than a U-haul or Atlas moving van.
As I turned on the TV and flipped through the Atlanta cable channels I quickly realized that something was amiss in the Big Apple.
Smoke was pouring out of the south tower and the commentary was that an airliner had accidentally crashed into the building on approach or departure from JFK, Newark, or La Guardia.
Before I could finish digesting the implications of an aviation "accident" involving a modern jetliner and one of the World Trade Center towers, the live TV images of yet another airplane striking the second tower proceeded to change my life in the short term and open a new chapter in international conflict between religion and ideologies rather than just countries and governments.
I actually delayed my cross country journey by a day because part of the route involved the interstate highway system and required that I drive through the entire length of Tyndal Air Force Base (home of the new F-22 fighters.) Since they were closing down all air travel, I was afraid that they could do the same with the interstates and I didn't want to spend a couple of expensive nights in a Holiday Inn in Lagrange, GA or Tuskeegee, AL.
That said, I knew in my mind that people should finally get it. The cold war and other silly battles we fight each day might be over, but a new chapter in an ancient religious conflict that had swept through Europe and Asia a thousand years ago was just then beginning on this continent.
No longer was it Auburn against Alabama...Georgia against Florida or Georgia Tech...or even your home town high school football team against the next town.
No longer was it George Wallace Democrats against Richard Nixon's big-city party.
No longer was it black against white or white against black.
It wasn't Crips versus Bloods (militant Muslim jihadists would cut the head off of a bad assed gang member just as quickly as they'd sever my cerebral cortex and skull from my Redneck spinal column and vertebrae C2 or C3.)
It wasn't even Protestant against Catholic since Ireland and the IRA had settled their religious/territorial differences.
I say that what we were seeing then and continue to see today was/is the public emergence on the world stage of the power and influence of money earned over only the past SEVENTY years since oil was discovered and commercially developed by US and European interests in the middle east.
Their "religious" hatred (and envy or our way of life) had been there all along, but the financial means and logistical infrastructure needed to carry out their brand of prosthletizing and "witnessing" had only come to fruition as our leaders and many of my ignorant fellow citizens ignored distant prophetical events like various embassy bombings, the killing of Israeli Olympic athletes, the bombing of the Marine Barracks in Beirut, the USS Cole, and even the first attack on the World Trade Center under President Clinton's auspices
In spite of what YOU think or choose to believe, they're still out there waiting for the next opportunity--for us through apathy and a short political memory to become distracted from the fight by worries of tax cuts and fears of being perceived as "the bad guys" by the pacifists in Europe and the rest of the world.
As president Ronald Reagan said back in 1984 (that would be TWENTY FOUR YEARS AGO...AND see my previous posting for more of his words):
"History teaches that wars begin when governments [or terorists] believe the price of aggression is cheap."
Quote O' The Day
From One Of My Heros...
"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
"To sit back hoping that someday, someway, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last--but eat you he will."
"History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap."
Ronald Reagan
40th president of US (1911 - 2004)
"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
"To sit back hoping that someday, someway, someone will make things right is to go on feeding the crocodile, hoping he will eat you last--but eat you he will."
"History teaches that wars begin when governments believe the price of aggression is cheap."
Ronald Reagan
40th president of US (1911 - 2004)
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Wonder Woman
Vice-Presidential Candidate Seen Exiting Alaskan Phone Booth
While rummaging through my Photo Shop files this evening I found this strange image:
(Yeah...the colors didn't match between the face and body, but I converted it to monochrome and published it any way.)
While rummaging through my Photo Shop files this evening I found this strange image:
(Yeah...the colors didn't match between the face and body, but I converted it to monochrome and published it any way.)
Monday, September 08, 2008
"Neighborliness" (Government Sponsored Or Otherwise)
Obama Speaks to O'Reilly...
After coming home from dinner with the gang last evening I stumbled across the middle of the second part of Bill O'Reilly's FOX News interview with Candidate Obama.
I almost fell out of my chair when he (Candiate Obama) had the audacity to utter these words when talking about increasing taxes on higher earning Americans (that would be ME):
"If I am sitting pretty [Obama gesturing to himself]...and you got a waitress making minimum wage plus tips...and I can afford it [taxes] and she can't...what's the big deal for me to say 'I'm gonna pay a little bit more'...[O'Reilly interrupts stuttering...]
...that is neighborliness"
No Senator Obama..."neighborliness" involves me voluntarily giving my neighbors some tomatoes out of my garden.
Neighborliness is when you offer to take your elderly neighbor to a doctors appointment or pick up their mail while they are out of town visiting their kids.
Neighborliness consists of cutting your neighbor's or fellow church member's grass when they are sick or their lawn mower is broken.
Neighborliness is when you catch your neighbor's dog walking down the road a mile from their house and pick him/her up and return it to their back yard...closing the open gate in the process.
These things are done by millions of individuals--both blue collar and white collar--every day in this country IN SPITE OF THE GOVERNMENT...not BECAUSE of the government or on BEHALF of the government.
NEIGHBORLINESS is NOT having the government in the form of the IRS coming to my office with a gun and powers of arrest and demanding that my employer "WITHHOLD" 39 percent of the money I EARNED expending my time and energy so you can give it to someone who's life choices place them in a position where they are compensated at the level of "minimum wage plus tips."
NEIGHBORLINESS is NOT taking the 39% of the financial bounty of my efforts gained after struggling my way through engineering college and working hard (on and off for the past 30 years), or taking 30% of the profit I earn by carefully investing the money I have left over after your 39% income taxes into real estate in the form of capital gains taxes.
NEIGHBORLINESS is NOT making me pay FICA/FUTA/Social Security witholdings (another 15%+) on all of my income, while at the same time looking me in the eye and telling me that all I can get back in return is a measly $25,000 per year if that when I retire because by then I'll have already managed to invest enough of the money I still have left over into some other form of retirement that pays me TEN TIMES as much as the government pays me on their so called "INVESTMENT."
No Candidate Obama, if you want to solve this country's problems, get out of my wallet, stop throwing my money at people that didn't earn it--encouraging them to be lazy and stupid and to have kids they can't afford and aren't intelligent enough to raise in the first place, return our school systems back to the parents and local administrators, close the borders to stop the flood of illegals, and then let ME AND PEOPLE LIKE ME earn our livings and decide for ourselves the meaning of ...
NEIGHBORLINESS.
In the end, I think that you'll find that our country will be a much better place as a result.
Any questions?
That will be all...for now...
After coming home from dinner with the gang last evening I stumbled across the middle of the second part of Bill O'Reilly's FOX News interview with Candidate Obama.
I almost fell out of my chair when he (Candiate Obama) had the audacity to utter these words when talking about increasing taxes on higher earning Americans (that would be ME):
"If I am sitting pretty [Obama gesturing to himself]...and you got a waitress making minimum wage plus tips...and I can afford it [taxes] and she can't...what's the big deal for me to say 'I'm gonna pay a little bit more'...[O'Reilly interrupts stuttering...]
...that is neighborliness"
No Senator Obama..."neighborliness" involves me voluntarily giving my neighbors some tomatoes out of my garden.
Neighborliness is when you offer to take your elderly neighbor to a doctors appointment or pick up their mail while they are out of town visiting their kids.
Neighborliness consists of cutting your neighbor's or fellow church member's grass when they are sick or their lawn mower is broken.
Neighborliness is when you catch your neighbor's dog walking down the road a mile from their house and pick him/her up and return it to their back yard...closing the open gate in the process.
These things are done by millions of individuals--both blue collar and white collar--every day in this country IN SPITE OF THE GOVERNMENT...not BECAUSE of the government or on BEHALF of the government.
NEIGHBORLINESS is NOT having the government in the form of the IRS coming to my office with a gun and powers of arrest and demanding that my employer "WITHHOLD" 39 percent of the money I EARNED expending my time and energy so you can give it to someone who's life choices place them in a position where they are compensated at the level of "minimum wage plus tips."
NEIGHBORLINESS is NOT taking the 39% of the financial bounty of my efforts gained after struggling my way through engineering college and working hard (on and off for the past 30 years), or taking 30% of the profit I earn by carefully investing the money I have left over after your 39% income taxes into real estate in the form of capital gains taxes.
NEIGHBORLINESS is NOT making me pay FICA/FUTA/Social Security witholdings (another 15%+) on all of my income, while at the same time looking me in the eye and telling me that all I can get back in return is a measly $25,000 per year if that when I retire because by then I'll have already managed to invest enough of the money I still have left over into some other form of retirement that pays me TEN TIMES as much as the government pays me on their so called "INVESTMENT."
No Candidate Obama, if you want to solve this country's problems, get out of my wallet, stop throwing my money at people that didn't earn it--encouraging them to be lazy and stupid and to have kids they can't afford and aren't intelligent enough to raise in the first place, return our school systems back to the parents and local administrators, close the borders to stop the flood of illegals, and then let ME AND PEOPLE LIKE ME earn our livings and decide for ourselves the meaning of ...
NEIGHBORLINESS.
In the end, I think that you'll find that our country will be a much better place as a result.
Any questions?
That will be all...for now...
Ho Huuuuummmmmmmm
Nice Weather We're Havin'....
So I spent the weekend entertaining some of Pat's family in town from Friday until tomorrow morning.
The guests included a five week old baby. Having not reproduced myself, needless to say that I haven't and don't spend much time around humans this young with the bar code and price tag still on their feet.
She's a cute little thing, and Missy the Turbo Pup's finally figured out that we're not auditioning for her replacement (the government would get mad if I fed a baby pizza out of a bowl on a place mat in the floor adjacent to the dinner table I guess.)
No, babies need lukewarm fluids delivered in containers with nipples, about every two hours as far as I can tell. And you can't put a rope around a baby's neck and drag them out into the yard to do their "business."
As we all know, Baby's do their "business" while you're holding them eating dinner, and then entertain you as you view the results of their efforts presented in/on a "no-drip" disposable canvas.
I've had an Idea...
Maybe someone could invent a spray or "atomic neutralizing agent" new parents could purchase in a can which could be applied to the final finished "poo art" and then after an appropriateneutralization/sterilization period curing time frame and mount the finished artistic masterpiece on the wall of their office or the front of the refrigerator with magnets.
See...I may just have discovered an entire new style of " child baby friendly" artwork to go along side "finger painting" and the paper mache monstrosities masterpieces already on exhibit in the abodes of those blessed with the ability to...
R E P R O D U C E.
As for me, your lovely, talented, ever greying, ever balding blogger...I'm just gonna settle at my age with reproducing things including the "spittin' images" of myself with a digital camera or a color copier.
I hope you all understand...
So I spent the weekend entertaining some of Pat's family in town from Friday until tomorrow morning.
The guests included a five week old baby. Having not reproduced myself, needless to say that I haven't and don't spend much time around humans this young with the bar code and price tag still on their feet.
She's a cute little thing, and Missy the Turbo Pup's finally figured out that we're not auditioning for her replacement (the government would get mad if I fed a baby pizza out of a bowl on a place mat in the floor adjacent to the dinner table I guess.)
No, babies need lukewarm fluids delivered in containers with nipples, about every two hours as far as I can tell. And you can't put a rope around a baby's neck and drag them out into the yard to do their "business."
As we all know, Baby's do their "business" while you're holding them eating dinner, and then entertain you as you view the results of their efforts presented in/on a "no-drip" disposable canvas.
I've had an Idea...
Maybe someone could invent a spray or "atomic neutralizing agent" new parents could purchase in a can which could be applied to the final finished "poo art" and then after an appropriate
See...I may just have discovered an entire new style of "
R E P R O D U C E.
As for me, your lovely, talented, ever greying, ever balding blogger...I'm just gonna settle at my age with reproducing things including the "spittin' images" of myself with a digital camera or a color copier.
I hope you all understand...
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Un-Democratic Democrats
Anti-Patriotism...
I don't know what to think people...
It seems to me that nothings sacred anymore because no matter what the subject, no matter what the images or circumstances involved, nor the importance or intent of the idea or event, SOMEONE is gonna get "offended" in the process.
What is worse is that we've been told that now we can't allow a thousand people to be happy on any given day in any given stadium or school or city/town/township, if there is a 1/2% risk of one single person (sane, insane, just plain mean or stupid or otherwise) getting theirpanties in a wad boxers in a bunch thong abrading their butt crack nose out of joint as a result...
"We all gotta CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOR."
We gotta stop what we're doing because we're obviously INSENSITIVE if we don't.
Can't have prayer in school because of separation of church and state.
They argue that it says so in the Constitution and we all should embrace our "FREEDOMFROM OF RELIGION." Talk to GOD, just don't do it in front of anyone else. And while you're at it, don't start getting any ideas about infringing on the two Lesbians' right to freedom of expression as they grope each other at the local Friday night High School football game (see below.)
Can't pray before sporting events or government meetings because the atheists in the crowd might be uncomfortable.
Can't stop two men from putting on wedding dresses and walking down the isle together with government sanction and the approval of the media.
Also can't stop both of these same men from becoming a Church youth councilor, a leader of the Boy Scouts, or a soccer coach because they wear women's underwear and are married to each other.
Can't comment or make suggestions for improvement when over 75 percent of children born to mothers of "African American" heritage today in our country come home from the hospital without a father living in the household.
Also can't tell congress to stop throwing money at the problem and let society add the stigma back to those whom behave in a manner which should earn being stigmatized
and we wouldn't have little future debutant's in New England starting clubs with the expressed membership goal of getting pregnant before the age of 17.
Can't hold our schools to high standards and impose codes of dress and conduct beyond a certain level because we're seen as being "JUDGMENTAL" and "intolerant" and "discriminatory"...and last time I checked the drop out rate in High Schools in Georgia exceeded 40%. (in other words...just over half the kids in Georgia managed to complete 12 years of FREE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL and get a diploma, and the numbers for "African American Males is even more dismal--see the single family birth rate referenced above.)
Also can't make Candidate Obama and most of the current Congress stop trying to further water down the College education by giving away diplomas and using tax dollars to pay the tuition of people that can't read and write.
Taking a big breath...
Back to my original subject...now even saying the Pledge of Allegence is coming under fire in Government Schools and public forums, and the National Anthem and songs like God Bless America are not far behind on what I call the "Richter Scale of Liberal Hatred of Fundamental American Ideals."
Now this story about thesocialists liberals progressives Democrats leaving THOUSANDS OF AMERICAN FLAGS sitting in trash bags apparently to be disposed of out in Denver after their recent convention.
This morning, Republicans tell me that a worker at Invesco Field in Denver saved thousands of unused flags from the Democratic National Convention that were headed for the garbage. Guerrilla campaigning. They will use these flags at their own event today in Colorado Springs with John McCain and Sarah Palin.
Before McCain speaks today, veterans will haul these garbage bags filled with flags out onto the stage — with dramatic effect, no doubt — and tell the story.
“What you see in the picture I sent you is less than half of total flags,” a Republican official emailed. “We estimate the total number to be around 12,000 small flags and one full size 3×5 flag.”
First of all, I have to admit that even if the story is proven to be true, the Flags are private property and I think that the supreme court has ruled that you can Burn them or stick them in your Septic Tank or even cut them up and use them for toilet paper if you want to because in the spirit of American Freedom of Speech and Expression....you have the right to be an idiot ingrate.
I'm old enough to have been a Boy Scout and in the military in a time when I was taught to hold respect for the Flag as a symbol of my quality of existence and ability to make my life anything I chose to make it, and I participated in color guards which raised and lowered the flag each day since Elementary School, played Taps on the Trumpet on Memorial day and Veteran's day at various VFW posts and Nursing homes.
Even today my Mother flys a small American Flag at her home and saves the old weathered flags to be burned once they have finished their service.
I have a large flag (about 4' x 6'?) which I rescued from the flag pole at our Condo on our little island when it became tattered on the edges from management inattention. I kept it because it flew during the period while the G-8 summit was being held across the marsh on Sea Island and it witnessed Tony Blair and our President and Vice-President fly past on their way to the meetings (I have pictures to prove it.)
Of course the Democrats have issued a statement saying the flags were stolen by "operatives", and I have to agree that COULD be the case here, but based on the ongoingshallow patronizing public pro-American pablum fragile "china doll" public patriotism I've seen delivered to the American Public (including naive Democratic voters), I'm inclined to believe that they bought the flags, had them left over, and didn't have the presence of mind or want to take the time to donate them to someone that would want them like local Veterans organizations or even a Cemetery which could put them out on Deceased Veteran's graves as a sign of respect.
Just because of this event I went on E-Bay and purchased a vintage Cotton American Flag made by the Valley Forge Flag Company which spans 5' x 9'-6".
It will be here this week and I'm still debating how to properly display it, but be assured it won't be used as a garbage can cover or liner.
Now let me say THIS in closing this missive...
If you intend to continue to vote Democrat, I sure wish you would look at the low life fungus of humanity that is clinging on to the underbelly of your political party. YOU might be a good person, but remember that YOU are judged by the company you keep, and your life is most definitely affected by the elite liars which you insist on electing to office with a mandate of taking my money and giving it to YOU.
I don't know what to think people...
It seems to me that nothings sacred anymore because no matter what the subject, no matter what the images or circumstances involved, nor the importance or intent of the idea or event, SOMEONE is gonna get "offended" in the process.
What is worse is that we've been told that now we can't allow a thousand people to be happy on any given day in any given stadium or school or city/town/township, if there is a 1/2% risk of one single person (sane, insane, just plain mean or stupid or otherwise) getting their
"We all gotta CHANGE OUR BEHAVIOR."
We gotta stop what we're doing because we're obviously INSENSITIVE if we don't.
Can't have prayer in school because of separation of church and state.
They argue that it says so in the Constitution and we all should embrace our "FREEDOM
Can't pray before sporting events or government meetings because the atheists in the crowd might be uncomfortable.
Can't stop two men from putting on wedding dresses and walking down the isle together with government sanction and the approval of the media.
Also can't stop both of these same men from becoming a Church youth councilor, a leader of the Boy Scouts, or a soccer coach because they wear women's underwear and are married to each other.
Can't comment or make suggestions for improvement when over 75 percent of children born to mothers of "African American" heritage today in our country come home from the hospital without a father living in the household.
Also can't tell congress to stop throwing money at the problem and let society add the stigma back to those whom behave in a manner which should earn being stigmatized
and we wouldn't have little future debutant's in New England starting clubs with the expressed membership goal of getting pregnant before the age of 17.
Can't hold our schools to high standards and impose codes of dress and conduct beyond a certain level because we're seen as being "JUDGMENTAL" and "intolerant" and "discriminatory"...and last time I checked the drop out rate in High Schools in Georgia exceeded 40%. (in other words...just over half the kids in Georgia managed to complete 12 years of FREE GOVERNMENT SCHOOL and get a diploma, and the numbers for "African American Males is even more dismal--see the single family birth rate referenced above.)
Also can't make Candidate Obama and most of the current Congress stop trying to further water down the College education by giving away diplomas and using tax dollars to pay the tuition of people that can't read and write.
Taking a big breath...
Back to my original subject...now even saying the Pledge of Allegence is coming under fire in Government Schools and public forums, and the National Anthem and songs like God Bless America are not far behind on what I call the "Richter Scale of Liberal Hatred of Fundamental American Ideals."
Now this story about the
This morning, Republicans tell me that a worker at Invesco Field in Denver saved thousands of unused flags from the Democratic National Convention that were headed for the garbage. Guerrilla campaigning. They will use these flags at their own event today in Colorado Springs with John McCain and Sarah Palin.
Before McCain speaks today, veterans will haul these garbage bags filled with flags out onto the stage — with dramatic effect, no doubt — and tell the story.
“What you see in the picture I sent you is less than half of total flags,” a Republican official emailed. “We estimate the total number to be around 12,000 small flags and one full size 3×5 flag.”
First of all, I have to admit that even if the story is proven to be true, the Flags are private property and I think that the supreme court has ruled that you can Burn them or stick them in your Septic Tank or even cut them up and use them for toilet paper if you want to because in the spirit of American Freedom of Speech and Expression....you have the right to be an idiot ingrate.
I'm old enough to have been a Boy Scout and in the military in a time when I was taught to hold respect for the Flag as a symbol of my quality of existence and ability to make my life anything I chose to make it, and I participated in color guards which raised and lowered the flag each day since Elementary School, played Taps on the Trumpet on Memorial day and Veteran's day at various VFW posts and Nursing homes.
Even today my Mother flys a small American Flag at her home and saves the old weathered flags to be burned once they have finished their service.
I have a large flag (about 4' x 6'?) which I rescued from the flag pole at our Condo on our little island when it became tattered on the edges from management inattention. I kept it because it flew during the period while the G-8 summit was being held across the marsh on Sea Island and it witnessed Tony Blair and our President and Vice-President fly past on their way to the meetings (I have pictures to prove it.)
Of course the Democrats have issued a statement saying the flags were stolen by "operatives", and I have to agree that COULD be the case here, but based on the ongoing
Just because of this event I went on E-Bay and purchased a vintage Cotton American Flag made by the Valley Forge Flag Company which spans 5' x 9'-6".
It will be here this week and I'm still debating how to properly display it, but be assured it won't be used as a garbage can cover or liner.
Now let me say THIS in closing this missive...
If you intend to continue to vote Democrat, I sure wish you would look at the low life fungus of humanity that is clinging on to the underbelly of your political party. YOU might be a good person, but remember that YOU are judged by the company you keep, and your life is most definitely affected by the elite liars which you insist on electing to office with a mandate of taking my money and giving it to YOU.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Nixon's Real Feelings About The Press In The 1970's?
Time Magazine's Rejected Cover Photos...
Everyone born after about 1960 probably doesn't remember President Richard "Tricky Dick" Millhouse Nixon's use of the "V for Victory" hand signal dating from sometime in WWII. Here's a photo:
Interesting thing, but that symbol was later co-opted by the sniveling, un-bathed, booger eating, long haired hippy type pinko fag San Francisco type anti-war protesters who started saying "Peace" while flashing what was the "V for Victory sign."
The Peace sign was partially an upside down "V" last time I noticed, but who worrys about details any more any way?
REgardless, I guess all of us Redneck descendants of Confederate Civil War Veterans shouldn't feel alone when we complain about the skin heads and the KKK stealing
Then I was hanging around my computer in my Photoshop files and I found this image:
I think it was somehow mis-filed, but I'm pretty sure President Nixon was familiar with the proper usage of the gesture and wouldn't mind me publishing it here tonight.
TIME
...For What?
Looking at this image, you can see that back in 1972 TIME Magazine was firmly behind President Nixon (at least in Name)
That said, check out something interesting I just found. The upcoming September 15th issue cover of Time Magazine has this picture of VP candidate Palin for the US, Asia, and South Pacific editions:
and this cover of some wacky looking dude with a title of "Artist" for their European edition?
In fact, looking at the table of contents for the European issue, there's apparently absolutely no mention of Miss Sara's nomination.
Although it's not unusual for TIME to use different covers in different markets, does anyone but me not see any political significance in their efforts to spread the news (or the lack thereof?)of the goings on here in the old country(ies)???
Yeah...I thought so.
Let's hear it for the usual suspects...
Looking at this image, you can see that back in 1972 TIME Magazine was firmly behind President Nixon (at least in Name)
That said, check out something interesting I just found. The upcoming September 15th issue cover of Time Magazine has this picture of VP candidate Palin for the US, Asia, and South Pacific editions:
and this cover of some wacky looking dude with a title of "Artist" for their European edition?
In fact, looking at the table of contents for the European issue, there's apparently absolutely no mention of Miss Sara's nomination.Although it's not unusual for TIME to use different covers in different markets, does anyone but me not see any political significance in their efforts to spread the news (or the lack thereof?)of the goings on here in the old country(ies)???
Yeah...I thought so.
Let's hear it for the usual suspects...
Homework
How I Spend My Time Off...
This evening's task, a new spreadsheet to calculate the heat loss in the flue gas stream and the steel shell of a combustion turbine exhaust stack (click to enlarge the image:)
I also wrote one that calculates the natural draft and draft losses in the flue gas stream:
And yes, I LIKE doing stuff like this...
This evening's task, a new spreadsheet to calculate the heat loss in the flue gas stream and the steel shell of a combustion turbine exhaust stack (click to enlarge the image:)
I also wrote one that calculates the natural draft and draft losses in the flue gas stream:
And yes, I LIKE doing stuff like this...
I Demand Withdrawal
Get Our Men In Uniform OUT...
OK, they've finally convinced me. I say that we should withdraw now, and this CBS2 Chicago story about the death toll is the reason...
I know that this is a pretty big deal for me as it may be for you also, so get ready and I'll let you in on my thinking...scroll down to find out about...
...the death toll in Chicago this summer:
Nearly 125 Shot Dead In Chicago Over Summer
Total Is About Double The Death Toll In Iraq
CHICAGO (CBS) ― An estimated 123 people were shot and killed over the summer. That's nearly double the number of soldiers killed in Iraq over the same time period.
In May, cbs2chicago.com began tracking city shootings and posting them on Google maps.
Information compiled from our reporters, wire service reports and the Chicago Police Major Incidents log indicated that 123 people were shot and killed throughout the city between the start of Memorial Day weekend on May 26, and the end of Labor Day on Sept. 1.
According to the Defense Department, 65 soldiers were killed in combat in Iraq. About the same number were killed in Afghanistan over that same period.
In the same time period, an estimated 245 people were shot and wounded in the city.
So how about that can of worms?
As my blog posting title indicates, what if I use the same logic about Chicago that the lamestream media and the sniveling, booger eating, panty waisted, Kumbaya singing anti-war Cindi Shehan worshiping morons (both domestic and foreign) use about Iraq and Afghanistan?
That's right, let's pull the police out of Chicago. Station them "in an adjacent theater" in Elgin or Rockford where they can come back in when we need them.
And let's get to the bottom of all of these civilian casualties. Most certainly the Police are doing at least some of the shooting and killing, RIGHT?
Shouldn't Congress form a "bipartisan commission" and hold hearing and an investigation?
I say that the killings must stop, and if we hadn't put the police in "harms way" in the first place most of this carnage would have never happened.
Right? (cue the sound of the crickets chirping...)
Yeah, I thought so...this warped logic/thinking makes about as much sense in Chicago as it does in the middle east.
That will be all...for now...
OK, they've finally convinced me. I say that we should withdraw now, and this CBS2 Chicago story about the death toll is the reason...
I know that this is a pretty big deal for me as it may be for you also, so get ready and I'll let you in on my thinking...scroll down to find out about...
...the death toll in Chicago this summer:
Nearly 125 Shot Dead In Chicago Over Summer
Total Is About Double The Death Toll In Iraq
CHICAGO (CBS) ― An estimated 123 people were shot and killed over the summer. That's nearly double the number of soldiers killed in Iraq over the same time period.
In May, cbs2chicago.com began tracking city shootings and posting them on Google maps.
Information compiled from our reporters, wire service reports and the Chicago Police Major Incidents log indicated that 123 people were shot and killed throughout the city between the start of Memorial Day weekend on May 26, and the end of Labor Day on Sept. 1.
According to the Defense Department, 65 soldiers were killed in combat in Iraq. About the same number were killed in Afghanistan over that same period.
In the same time period, an estimated 245 people were shot and wounded in the city.
So how about that can of worms?
As my blog posting title indicates, what if I use the same logic about Chicago that the lamestream media and the sniveling, booger eating, panty waisted, Kumbaya singing anti-war Cindi Shehan worshiping morons (both domestic and foreign) use about Iraq and Afghanistan?
That's right, let's pull the police out of Chicago. Station them "in an adjacent theater" in Elgin or Rockford where they can come back in when we need them.
And let's get to the bottom of all of these civilian casualties. Most certainly the Police are doing at least some of the shooting and killing, RIGHT?
Shouldn't Congress form a "bipartisan commission" and hold hearing and an investigation?
I say that the killings must stop, and if we hadn't put the police in "harms way" in the first place most of this carnage would have never happened.
Right? (cue the sound of the crickets chirping...)
Yeah, I thought so...this warped logic/thinking makes about as much sense in Chicago as it does in the middle east.
That will be all...for now...
Thursday, September 04, 2008
My Vice-Presidential Candidate
And You Thought Dick Cheney With A Gun Was Dangerous?
I believe that the best part is that she didn't just do it as a "photo op", but SHE LIKED IT...
I believe that the best part is that she didn't just do it as a "photo op", but SHE LIKED IT...
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Quote O' The Day
Back By Popular Demand (Or Just Because I Like It...)
"Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?
Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute.
That's relativity."
Albert Einstein
1879-1955
"Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. How on earth can you explain in terms of chemistry and physics so important a biological phenomenon as first love?
Put your hand on a stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with that special girl for an hour and it seems like a minute.
That's relativity."
Albert Einstein
1879-1955
Jerry Reed
Another Guitar Player In The Harp Section...
I've been asleep at the keyboard this week, between taking Labor Day off standing around in my yard and getting ready to do some more work today (on my last birthday before the big five O) in my capacity as an expert witness in a legal case being tried here in Knoxville.
Any way, I woke up this morning and finally stumbled across the report of Mr. Reed's demise on Monday. He was too young to go in my opinion--at 71. Whether singing and playing with his unique "claw" style or acting opposite his friend Burt Reynolds, he's gonna be hard to forget or replace.
Check out Mr. Reed and Porter Wagner (and the sideburns and Wagner's suit adorned wagon wheels):
R.I.P. Mr. Reed...
MORE:
If you liked that video, check out this 1960's footage showing a much younger Jerry doing the same song, and his hit (and Elvis') "Guitar Man" as a bonus:
I've been asleep at the keyboard this week, between taking Labor Day off standing around in my yard and getting ready to do some more work today (on my last birthday before the big five O) in my capacity as an expert witness in a legal case being tried here in Knoxville.
Any way, I woke up this morning and finally stumbled across the report of Mr. Reed's demise on Monday. He was too young to go in my opinion--at 71. Whether singing and playing with his unique "claw" style or acting opposite his friend Burt Reynolds, he's gonna be hard to forget or replace.
Check out Mr. Reed and Porter Wagner (and the sideburns and Wagner's suit adorned wagon wheels):
R.I.P. Mr. Reed...
MORE:
If you liked that video, check out this 1960's footage showing a much younger Jerry doing the same song, and his hit (and Elvis') "Guitar Man" as a bonus:
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Eclipse Or Sunspots?
Owl Gore Decides...
As I've said here before, I follow some nerdy websites on a daily basis which keep me informed about things that alot of people don't worry about.
Places like Volcano Live.com reports information about volcanos all over the planet, and Spaceweather.com keeps me up to date with various things of interest in the night sky and lets me know when to look for the International Space Station and the Shuttle flying overhead.
That said, you can imagine how this story on Drudge Report about the Sun spending an entire MONTH without having any visible sunspots piqued my interest.
Read along with me this morning:
Drop in solar activity has potential effect for climate on earth.
The sun has reached a milestone not seen for nearly 100 years: an entire month has passed without a single visible sunspot being noted.
The event is significant as many climatologists now believe solar magnetic activity – which determines the number of sunspots -- is an influencing factor for climate on earth.
According to data from Mount Wilson Observatory, UCLA, more than an entire month has passed without a spot. The last time such an event occurred was June of 1913. Sunspot data has been collected since 1749.
When the sun is active, it's not uncommon to see sunspot numbers of 100 or more in a single month. Every 11 years, activity slows, and numbers briefly drop to near-zero. Normally sunspots return very quickly, as a new cycle begins.
But this year -- which corresponds to the start of Solar Cycle 24 -- has been extraordinarily long and quiet, with the first seven months averaging a sunspot number of only 3. August followed with none at all. The astonishing rapid drop of the past year has defied predictions, and caught nearly all astronomers by surprise.
You see, for those of you out there that haven't been paying attention (and I don't think any less of you if you haven't), the sun has just ended one of it's long pulsating cycles (11 years they say) recently and, in spite of what Owl Gore and the booger eating, panty waisted, tree hugging, Kumbaya singing liberal eco-fascists say, the earth's atmosphere hasn't had any choice but to take notice of the Sun's behavior.
Funny thing...but I agree that it's the SUN, not cars and Steel Mills, which cause the temperature to fluctuate every summer and winter on our lovely planet.
I think they taught us this concept in Kindergarten or the first grade, and missing a couple of days of class with the Mumps or Measles didn't excuse you from going forward in life embracing the idea.
The media and the "Man Made Global Warming Hysterists" refuse to acknowledge this fact, because they don't believe in anything they can't see...
Until...these photos are released later this morning, showing the new sunspot cycle starting again. Take a look at the digital images I took from my telescope in my back yard yesterday afternoon:
Scary stuff...Right?
As I've said here before, I follow some nerdy websites on a daily basis which keep me informed about things that alot of people don't worry about.
Places like Volcano Live.com reports information about volcanos all over the planet, and Spaceweather.com keeps me up to date with various things of interest in the night sky and lets me know when to look for the International Space Station and the Shuttle flying overhead.
That said, you can imagine how this story on Drudge Report about the Sun spending an entire MONTH without having any visible sunspots piqued my interest.
Read along with me this morning:
Drop in solar activity has potential effect for climate on earth.
The sun has reached a milestone not seen for nearly 100 years: an entire month has passed without a single visible sunspot being noted.
The event is significant as many climatologists now believe solar magnetic activity – which determines the number of sunspots -- is an influencing factor for climate on earth.
According to data from Mount Wilson Observatory, UCLA, more than an entire month has passed without a spot. The last time such an event occurred was June of 1913. Sunspot data has been collected since 1749.
When the sun is active, it's not uncommon to see sunspot numbers of 100 or more in a single month. Every 11 years, activity slows, and numbers briefly drop to near-zero. Normally sunspots return very quickly, as a new cycle begins.
But this year -- which corresponds to the start of Solar Cycle 24 -- has been extraordinarily long and quiet, with the first seven months averaging a sunspot number of only 3. August followed with none at all. The astonishing rapid drop of the past year has defied predictions, and caught nearly all astronomers by surprise.
You see, for those of you out there that haven't been paying attention (and I don't think any less of you if you haven't), the sun has just ended one of it's long pulsating cycles (11 years they say) recently and, in spite of what Owl Gore and the booger eating, panty waisted, tree hugging, Kumbaya singing liberal eco-fascists say, the earth's atmosphere hasn't had any choice but to take notice of the Sun's behavior.
Funny thing...but I agree that it's the SUN, not cars and Steel Mills, which cause the temperature to fluctuate every summer and winter on our lovely planet.
I think they taught us this concept in Kindergarten or the first grade, and missing a couple of days of class with the Mumps or Measles didn't excuse you from going forward in life embracing the idea.
The media and the "Man Made Global Warming Hysterists" refuse to acknowledge this fact, because they don't believe in anything they can't see...
Until...these photos are released later this morning, showing the new sunspot cycle starting again. Take a look at the digital images I took from my telescope in my back yard yesterday afternoon:
Scary stuff...Right?
Monday, September 01, 2008
You Heard It Here First--Concrete Floats (And Sinks)
An Injuneer's Perspective...
I'm sitting here watching video footage of the Levees in the upper/lower 9th Ward of New Orleans being "topped" by the waves as the storm surge moves upstream to Lake Pontchartrain.
I'm sorry, but any Civil Engineer (or an "Uncivil" Injuneer like me) knows that with those soils being saturated on both sides of the levees and the silly little footings under extension walls at the top getting soaked, everything's going to head toward the Mississippi River Delta ASAP.
Water weighs about 64 pounds per cubic FOOT, and those walls are taking a beating right now.
Then again, maybe Michael Moore's newly found God will intervene...
I'm sitting here watching video footage of the Levees in the upper/lower 9th Ward of New Orleans being "topped" by the waves as the storm surge moves upstream to Lake Pontchartrain.
I'm sorry, but any Civil Engineer (or an "Uncivil" Injuneer like me) knows that with those soils being saturated on both sides of the levees and the silly little footings under extension walls at the top getting soaked, everything's going to head toward the Mississippi River Delta ASAP.
Water weighs about 64 pounds per cubic FOOT, and those walls are taking a beating right now.
Then again, maybe Michael Moore's newly found God will intervene...
Get Out
And Bite Me...Geraldo Rivera
So as the latest Hurricane roars ashore in Louisiana this morning, I just have to ask...
Who do YOU blame for YOU living where you live today?
Your parents?
God?
Your Job?
Or possibly...
the Government?
After all, the yellow pages are full of companies which own trucks and have strong brawny young men who earn their living putting things in boxes, the aforementioned boxes into trucks, then traversing the county roads and interstate highways (also supplied by the government and paid for with "taxpayer" dollars) only to disgorge the trucks contents into a new trailer, apartment, or if you are a Republican, six or eight new houses in another state.
Apparently today almost no one remembers that people less than 150 years ago in our country made that decision (where they live) for themselves.
The stupid ones stumbled off the boat, jumped on a covered wagon, and built a cabin on the scenic banks of a river in a valley that flooded every time the snow melted and soon were dispatched to Heaven or Hell at the whim of their maker.
Even further back in history we're told that entire settlements of people from across the Atlantic succumbed to starvation and Malaria orIndian Native American tomahawks and arrows and were forced to close up camp and move back to live among the religious savages of Europe.
Of course there wasn't much in the way of GOVERNMENT within the shores of this continent back then (if you discount the tribal councils of theIndians Native Americans) so people actually had to take risks on their own or otherwise think for themselves when entering uncharted territory.
Which brings me to today's dilemma...
According to every channel on the TV, thousands of people knowingly living on land below sea level elevation are facing the prospect of their homes, possessions, and lives being at risk as the latest in a million year series of hurricanes comes on shore from the Gulf of Mexico.
(Damn Mexicans...always causing problems...)
Supposedly it's the second time in three years this government sponsored event has occurred, but it must be true, because that's all I can find to watch on TV this morning...I was looking for some reruns of M*A*S*H or the Beverly Hillbillies...
I'm sorry, but my eyes have rolled so far back into my ever greying, ever balding skull that I'm having trouble finding the c o me p ut er kweyvboatrd roighyt nioew... now...wit mey fibngwers.
eep...urpph...gack...
Dammit people...but didn't George Bush try to kill these same people in another flood three years ago?
And didn't FEMA look the other way because most of them were poor and BLACK and everyone knows that poor black folks are only worth a dime a dozen?
And didn't the US by-GOD Army Corps of Engineers (as opposed to the Core of Injuneers--the group I belong to) promise to fixthe big piles of dirt the Levee's after the last storm?
Well, I know that my regular readers (all six of you --and you know who you are) may be getting tired of this reference, but I believe that my old friend and Idol, commedian Sam Kennison, had the answer not only to world hunger, but also to the problems on the Louisiana Gulf Coast this morning...
Moving trucks...boxes...and luggage...here take a look at his words:
That will be all...for now...
(and no...I don't wish for anyone to get hurt in this storm...I'm just %$#@& tired of the media hysteria over something I've lived with, and for the most part avoided, for my entire life.)
So as the latest Hurricane roars ashore in Louisiana this morning, I just have to ask...
Who do YOU blame for YOU living where you live today?
Your parents?
God?
Your Job?
Or possibly...
the Government?
After all, the yellow pages are full of companies which own trucks and have strong brawny young men who earn their living putting things in boxes, the aforementioned boxes into trucks, then traversing the county roads and interstate highways (also supplied by the government and paid for with "taxpayer" dollars) only to disgorge the trucks contents into a new trailer, apartment, or if you are a Republican, six or eight new houses in another state.
Apparently today almost no one remembers that people less than 150 years ago in our country made that decision (where they live) for themselves.
The stupid ones stumbled off the boat, jumped on a covered wagon, and built a cabin on the scenic banks of a river in a valley that flooded every time the snow melted and soon were dispatched to Heaven or Hell at the whim of their maker.
Even further back in history we're told that entire settlements of people from across the Atlantic succumbed to starvation and Malaria or
Of course there wasn't much in the way of GOVERNMENT within the shores of this continent back then (if you discount the tribal councils of the
Which brings me to today's dilemma...
According to every channel on the TV, thousands of people knowingly living on land below sea level elevation are facing the prospect of their homes, possessions, and lives being at risk as the latest in a million year series of hurricanes comes on shore from the Gulf of Mexico.
(Damn Mexicans...always causing problems...)
Supposedly it's the second time in three years this government sponsored event has occurred, but it must be true, because that's all I can find to watch on TV this morning...I was looking for some reruns of M*A*S*H or the Beverly Hillbillies...
I'm sorry, but my eyes have rolled so far back into my ever greying, ever balding skull that I'm having trouble finding the c o me p ut er kweyvboatrd roighyt nioew... now...wit mey fibngwers.
eep...urpph...gack...
Dammit people...but didn't George Bush try to kill these same people in another flood three years ago?
And didn't FEMA look the other way because most of them were poor and BLACK and everyone knows that poor black folks are only worth a dime a dozen?
And didn't the US by-GOD Army Corps of Engineers (as opposed to the Core of Injuneers--the group I belong to) promise to fix
Well, I know that my regular readers (all six of you --and you know who you are) may be getting tired of this reference, but I believe that my old friend and Idol, commedian Sam Kennison, had the answer not only to world hunger, but also to the problems on the Louisiana Gulf Coast this morning...
Moving trucks...boxes...and luggage...here take a look at his words:
That will be all...for now...
(and no...I don't wish for anyone to get hurt in this storm...I'm just %$#@& tired of the media hysteria over something I've lived with, and for the most part avoided, for my entire life.)
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Hurricanes Hurricanes...Go Away...
Look At What I Was Writing About Two Years Ago Today..
http://coastalcompanion.blogspot.com/2006/08/i-am-lieutenant-dan.html
(click)
http://coastalcompanion.blogspot.com/2006/08/i-am-lieutenant-dan.html
(click)
Poke Salad (Annie)
I Got Some Big Weeds A Big Weed In My Yard
Ever since we wandered up here to the banks of the Mighty Tennessee River from the Georgia Coast, I've been a lazy butt and paid someone to bring a leaf blower and various other lawn implements to my house once a week to cut my lawn.
I cringe when I make that admission because my mother who was born before WWII still cuts her own grass today, but in my defense I did spend most of the month of February in the hospital before we moved and my physical conditioning is only today returning to the level required to stand behind or ride on top of a lawnmower for an hour or so each weekend.
Also, remember that I have lived in condos and rental houses adjacent to the beach since my last personal residence in which I had an ownership stake burned down in 2001--making my lawn mower and the balance of my lawn tools handle less and un-useable by most standards. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the assholes I paid to board up the gaping doors and windows of the burned out hulk of a building helped themselves to my lawnmower and everything else that wasn't tied down and burned up after the conflagration.
Any way, as a result I've only spent a little bit of time wandering around the property inspecting the details--because details bother me and make me want to take action--and without the associated lawn tool I would have to resort to taking my good kitchen knives out in the yard to do some pruning and my kitchen comes ahead of my yard these days regardless of the circumstances.
Last week I was taking a stroll and doing inventory of all the things that needed doing and the lawn dudes with the leaf blowers weren't taking care of when I discovered that most of a shrub I'd been looking at for over four months now was not a shrub...
It was a giant weed.
POKE SALAD...TO BE SPECIFIC. (Que the sound of the kitchen storm door slamming and me going outside to take a picture...)
Isn't that LOVELY?
How in the world did I not notice it before this week?
I can't decide whether to cut it down or wait until the first frost and cook it.
While doing a little googling just now I ran across the song by Tony Joe White entitled "Poke Salad Annie." My musical partner Dave and I used to do a sloppy rendition of the song back in the days when I was assaulting Mexico Beach, Florida with my Harmonicas.
Take a listen to Johnny Cash and Mr. White doing a duet on the song on the Johnny Cash show in the late 1960's or early 1970's:
Here's tony Joe about 35 years later in Japan...ironically singing "Rainy Night in Georgia":
Time to go finish brunch now if you will excuse me...
Ever since we wandered up here to the banks of the Mighty Tennessee River from the Georgia Coast, I've been a lazy butt and paid someone to bring a leaf blower and various other lawn implements to my house once a week to cut my lawn.
I cringe when I make that admission because my mother who was born before WWII still cuts her own grass today, but in my defense I did spend most of the month of February in the hospital before we moved and my physical conditioning is only today returning to the level required to stand behind or ride on top of a lawnmower for an hour or so each weekend.
Also, remember that I have lived in condos and rental houses adjacent to the beach since my last personal residence in which I had an ownership stake burned down in 2001--making my lawn mower and the balance of my lawn tools handle less and un-useable by most standards. In fact, I'm pretty sure that the assholes I paid to board up the gaping doors and windows of the burned out hulk of a building helped themselves to my lawnmower and everything else that wasn't tied down and burned up after the conflagration.
Any way, as a result I've only spent a little bit of time wandering around the property inspecting the details--because details bother me and make me want to take action--and without the associated lawn tool I would have to resort to taking my good kitchen knives out in the yard to do some pruning and my kitchen comes ahead of my yard these days regardless of the circumstances.
Last week I was taking a stroll and doing inventory of all the things that needed doing and the lawn dudes with the leaf blowers weren't taking care of when I discovered that most of a shrub I'd been looking at for over four months now was not a shrub...
It was a giant weed.
POKE SALAD...TO BE SPECIFIC. (Que the sound of the kitchen storm door slamming and me going outside to take a picture...)
Isn't that LOVELY?
How in the world did I not notice it before this week?
I can't decide whether to cut it down or wait until the first frost and cook it.
While doing a little googling just now I ran across the song by Tony Joe White entitled "Poke Salad Annie." My musical partner Dave and I used to do a sloppy rendition of the song back in the days when I was assaulting Mexico Beach, Florida with my Harmonicas.
Take a listen to Johnny Cash and Mr. White doing a duet on the song on the Johnny Cash show in the late 1960's or early 1970's:
Here's tony Joe about 35 years later in Japan...ironically singing "Rainy Night in Georgia":
Time to go finish brunch now if you will excuse me...
