Wow, I was just reviewing this and i see I just missed my 1 year anniversary. Maybe I'll have more to say once the good weather comes and I feel like getting out more. I may take that political quiz again if it is still up. Can't argue with the results though. I would have liked to seen or heard more about some of the Dems that dropped out early, but I can live with the last two standing. And McCain is the only Republican I would even consider voting for. Maybe he'll go back to some of his anti - Bush views after the convention when its all official.

Current Mood: complacent

Wow, I've really beeen slacking on this. Anyway I found this interesting and I need a place to stash the results.

Current Mood: curious

Its British and apparently about celebrating a foiled plot to blow up the House of Lords. Hmmm... nowadays we call that terrorism.

Anyway tomorrow is Election Day. Don't forget to vote for the candidate with the most signs along the roads nearest your house. A sign here or there I can see, but aren't we into overkill now? And do recorded phone calls really work? I haven't listened to a single one. I hang up as soon as I determine its a recording.

I'm glad to see a lot of Green candidates running to provide some opposition, but from one voters guide I read, it seems as if some of then are running just to be on the ballot.. Is that really helpful to the process?  One candidate who didn't provide a biography was quoted as saying, " I do have a job and it takes up a lot of my time."  
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/31/AR2007103101329.html  Why would you say that ? You're running,but you don't really want the job?  OK then I won't  vote for you.

One last question.  Why do we vote for the Clerk of the Court?  Shouldn't that at be a professional non-partisan job?  And why do I care who the Clerk is? 

 

Current Mood: confused

Nah. not me.  I went to my high school alma mater"s homecoming game.  First time I had been back in a couple of years.  For starters, a renovation has put a second floor on part of the school and rendered the front pretty unrecognizable.  I had seen where they had added a couple of handicapped spaces near the stadium.  Great.  But, somehow the striping of the existing spaces was changed to allow parking across the access ramp.  Typical stupidity by somebody who obviously doesn't use it.  I got a couple of people to lift my chair over the curb.  Someone had scrawled "new handi ramp" in paint across it so I guess it is being replaced.

There's a new logo at midfield that has nothing to do with the school.  They are using the slogan "Rebel Pride" so the logo is two lions.  Pride, get it?  I don't.  OK, Rebels as in Confederate is not PC these days but you couldn't put a block letter at midfield?  I may start a campaign.

The floats were little things in pickup truck beds.  The halftime coronation ceremony included no music, because the band never left their seats.  Huh?   In my day the band had special music for homecoming and the baton twirlers ( I realize its a dead art ) used flaming batons.  And we had trailers on which to build real floats.

End of old man style rant.

All this did cause me to pull out the old yearbook and ask the disturbing question: did I peek in high school?  Physically, I probably did.  Optimism, yes  Relationships, no.  Service to others, no. 

And yes there was a picture of the fire batons although it was in black and white. 

Current Mood: crushed

OK I'm back.  Nothing to say for a while, but I'll try to be good now.

Thinking about people's reactions to me.  Last summer, I'm leaning against a tree on the Mall people watching (a favorite activity of mine) when a guy (30 something?) walking by with a small group says, " That must suck."  Now I'm not positive he was even addressing me, but yes it does and no I don't feel like discussing it with you.

On the other hand, as I'm leaving church one morning, another parishioner stops me to introduce himself and says he's seen me there for years and he wants me to know how much he admires me.  I'm his hero.  That would upset some people as in "I'm not here to be your hero, I'm just trying to get by like everybody else."  But, even though I'n not sure how to respond to a remark like that, I was glad to hear that someone recognizes this isn't easy.  made my day, in a way.

I saw a friend I hadn't seen all summer at church.  In response to "how are you" , I give my "kidding" answer "old, bitter and badly disabled."  Too late do I remember that this girl doesn't know when she is being teased.  She says that makes her depressed to think her life is so much better than mine.  I didn't mean to depress anyone.  Nobody's life is better or worse, just different.  And you should be thankful for what you have.  Somebody wasn't listening to my talk last spring.

Current Mood: pensive

Best moment part 2:  As I was leaving town I parked near the board walk and fed the meter.  I knew I had overstayed my time, but I was out of quarters so I thought I would just hang out within 20 feet or so of the car and hope for the best.  Sure enough, I turned around to see the parking guy eyeing my car.  "That's mine, " I yelled.  "I'm just leaving."  To my surprise he said ok either leave or put another quarter in.  None of this, "I started to write the ticket so I have to finish" nonsense.

Current Mood: content

Had a good time in Rehoboth, but as usual it went by too quickly.  Some new sushi places which I have no interest in and a few new coffee houses (independent) , but the feel of the place remains the same.  I never learned to drink coffee having lived at home during college and never pulled an all nighter.   I suppose I should remedy that, but how to begin. 

Back at the beach,  I never found the time to find out if  I'm a chai vanilla tea kind of guy.  Stayed at a new (for me) place and had to give the front desk a long list of suggestions when I left.  OK I understand it's a retro fitted room, but you never noticed a wheelchair won't fit between the armoire and the bed?  The thermostat on the wall is too high, ditto the microwave mounted above the sink.  (It was a suite)  Thats what happens when people with no practical experience design spaces.

Sometimes its not the big things that get to me, but the accumulation of a million little things.

Best sight:  A teenage girl answering her cell phone just as her bumper car started up.  I guess there is never a reason to JUST STOP TALKING.

Best moment:  Eating a Subway pizza (!) while grooving to some kind of Middle Eastern pop music.  The (presumed) owner looked like an Arab.  I should have asked about the music.  Bet corporate marketing wouldn't approve.

Current Mood: calm

  Just remembered what I wanted to rant about the other day.  I'm in Target buying a graduation ( high school)card for my niece.  There is a card for graduating from pre- kindergarten!  Does a kid that young care about getting a card?  Worse there is a card for graduating (my emphasis) to the next grade! I always thought one only graduated from high school and college including advanced degrees.  Yes I know about kindergarten graduation, but I can't believe anybody actually does it  Do some kids need a card to congratulate them for not being a complete dumkoff?  Or is this further evidence of our "everybody gets a trophy" society?

Today I'm buying a mall gift card in Tysons Corner.  Same niece.  "There's a $2 purchasing fee."  WHAT?? I'm not on-line or anything, I'm right here.  I like the idea of a card instead of a check or cash, so like an idiot. I paid it, but never again.  I did get a free blank gift card, which I don;t need.

Current Mood: pissed off

Made plans to go to Rehoboth next week for a vacation.  I haven't been away in two years.  Was sick in the spring and summer of '05 and recovering from surgery in the fall.  I like to go in May, but there seem to be too few weekends with good weather  I think that's what happened in '06, plus I got my car in June so I was occupied with that.  I won't go in July or August.  Seems wrong to pay 3x what the same room goes for in May or September.  Trying out a new place.  The place I have used in the past is full ( only 2 accessible rooms).  There is a real lack of accessible rooms within walking distance of the boardwalk.  I really don't want to have to drive and try to park during the day.  I have been a little uneasy with  taking a vacation when I don't actually do anything.  It occurred to me yesterday that everyone needs a vacation from the same routine, place, etc.  So now I feel better.

Current Mood: mellow

It's been a long time since I posted, so time to add some drivel just to keep in practice.  

I thought about going to the Andrews AFB open house last weekend, but the forecast scared me off. So what happened? Saturday morning the forecasters admitted they blew it and it would be a nice day.  A little late guys.  I know it is still an evolving science, but what other job is there where its ok to be wrong fairly often?  Actually I've only been there once since they stopped letting cars on base.  Such a hassle, but I would have said it was worth it if I could have motivated myself to go.

Spent my Christmas money on a new head unit for my car radio.   It has an iPod interface I like.  They wanted to sell me a six disc changer.  Why would I need a changer if I have an iPod?  Also bought some more tunes online.  Best one I saw but didn't buy " C is for Cookie " (The Cookie Monster Song)  For $.99, I just might go back and get it for laughs.

My sister is looking at houses in Pasadena , MD.  A three bedroom can be had for under $300k.  How does a single person afford a house (not a condo) around here?  So she'll have to drive, then train, then Metro to downtown.  Yikes, it wears me out thinking about it.  But, some of the pictures she has shown me are houses that I could get in to.  I don't expect other people to live according to my needs, but it is disappointing when you can't even visit.  Right now she lives in a third floor apartment.  Theoretically, I could do the steps , but as a practical matter, forget it.  I have a cousin in one of those 1890s row houses in D.C. No chance of me even getting in one of those.

Current Mood: blah

Just got back from Mass.  It was comforting in a way.  There were maybe 10 -12 VA Tech students there.  This is from GMU ' s big sign.


                                                             

Current Mood: pensive

Went to dinner at IHOP last night.  The place was fairly busy so we were seated in the back near the kitchen.  I could clearly hear, but not see a training video running.  The subject was how to serve customers and make them feel comfortable.  Maybe by not subjecting them to a training video??  I'm still kicking myself for not mentioning it when the manager stopped at our table.

Current Mood: amused

I too have been struggling with what to say about the VT tragedy.  My first thoughts were an anti-gun rant.  Then I wondered why we can't confine / treat the mentally ill.  I came upon a post elsewhere that says it all. The best I can do is parrot it here.  The gun control laws and the laws regarding the mentally ill are broken in this country.  I hope that incidents like this prod us to fix them.

Two things I read elsewhere that amused me.  A woman posted that owning a gun was her " god given " right.  Really?  The Almighty I worship hasn't told anyone to get a gun as far as I know.  Some body else wrote that the reason we don't read about law abiding citizens shooting bad guys was the " liberal media " under-reporting such things.  Umm.. OK if you say so.  

Current Mood: contemplative

So this report comes on the news.  Researchers believe teen's brains might not be developed enough to inhibit risky behavior. 
" Baloney " comments dear old Dad immediately. That's what I love about dear old Dad.  Knows everything about everything.  All the time.  Just ask him.  Actually, I think its a family trait.  All his brothers were the same way.  Man I need a vacation. 

Current Mood: grumpy

Loving God, we come to you with both our weaknesses and our strengths.  Help us to carry our own crosses and live as your disciples.  Help us to place our trust in you; especially when we face challenges and suffering. We know that You are faithful and that You will assist us through difficult times.  We make this prayer in your son's holy name.  Amen

Source: RadioRetreat.org 

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Tuesday morning the doctor's office calls with the lab results from my visit last week.  I'm in the shower (admittedly a little later than usual) so they leave me a phone # to call them back.  I call promptly and leave a message on their tape.  I don't want to leave the house lest we continue this game of phone tag.  Yes, I have a cell phone, but I can't always answer it either.  All day passes.  So during dinner they call to tell me the test was NEGATIVE and to proceed with the same instructions the doctor gave me last week.  I stayed in all day for this?  if its negative can't you just leave me that message?  i guess they need to be sure I got it.  Sheesh.

Today I'm behind a car making a left turn of a main road onto a residential street.  There is a car on the street trying to make a left in front of us.  About two good chances go by and nobody moves.  Then I realize I'm near a high school at dismissal time and likely one if not both drivers are young.  (I can't see them.)  So I guess I can have some sympathy for a new, scared driver.  But, still can somebody just go for it?  I finally pull around and go straight instead of making the left.  For all I know, those two are still sitting there.

Current Mood: stressed

So I've never been a big fan of St. Patrick's day.  I think its that whole " on St. Patrick's day everybody's Irish " thing.  No, I'm not at all Irish nor do I harbor any hidden longing to be Irish.  Plus I suspect a lot of drunken idiots use the day as an excuse to ,well be drunken idiots.  Then there is the advertising.  When I was still working I had the radio on all day.  During the week leading up to St. Patrick's day there were always a lot of commercials with fake Irish accents and always a lot of talk about "blarney".  As soon as March 18 came around guess what? no more "blarney".  What happened to the " blarney"??


On to the story.  I once worked with a Chinese immigrant girl who had come to the U.S. for her Master's degree and had just started her first job after finishing school.  She told us she had been to the parade downtown over the weekend and asked if we could explain St. Patrick's day to her.  She at first thought it meant the start of Spring, but it was too early, in her opinion, for that.  So how do you expain this holiday? "See some people, but not all or even a majority are of Irish ancestry ..."  Some people had brought in green punch and green bagels.  So I look up and there is Wei standing in the doorway with a GREEN bagel and a look on her face that just said, " explain this".  Priceless as they say.

Current Mood: cynical

Two news stories caught my eye today.  One a 17 year old girl convicted of involuntary manslaughter after crashing her friend's parent's car driving well over 100 mph.  Her defense was pretty much " My friends were egging me on. "  Sad.  Teens are always subject to poor decisions.  I guess that's why I enjoy working with them and trying to impart some 'wisdom' if thats the right word.

Also, apparently Rosie O' Donnell and Donald Trump are feuding again.  I love this.  Two multi millionaires acting like three year olds  "You're ugly"  "You're fat"  "You're stupid"  "You're a poopyhead"  I guess we need something to lighten the real problems once in a while. 

Current Mood: curious

Well here we go.  Thanks to cptjohncfor the encourgement to share my rants and random thoughts with the world.  Bear with me as I figure all this out.  I am at an age when computer science in school meant programming to add 2 + 2.  Not much use now and I bet the languages I learned are dead. Watch this space to see how soon I can get myself in trouble.

Current Mood: hopeful