Went to church last night for the prayer group. But this was a different type of thing. They had the lights dimmed and were playing Christian worship music. The idea to basically get into the Lord's presence as a group. They have a much different type of prayer group going on Friday - not sure if I'll make that one or not.
Dunno how Caleb's first day at school went. Considering he had school, then Muay Thai and then work, I'm guessing his late night stuff playing online games with his friends are going to greatly curtailed. Then again, the only class he had yesterday was Japanese. For whatever reason, he wants to learn how to speak Japanese.
Nothing new going on here, besides a few notices that I haven't heard back from yet. Which doesn't necessariliy mean that anything bad is going to happen (ie: a tenant moving out), but I had to inform one person that he is now limited to 3 loads of laundry per week and if he wants to do more than that, it will cost him the same as at a laundromat. I'm sorry, but one person doesn't need to be doing 8,9 10 loads of laundry per week. That's more in the range of family of 8 or something.
The other notice was entitled: "Lakes of Pee". Someone has been missing the toilet so badly that there are actually puddles of urine left on the floor after they are done. I left a message in the bathroom. If the activity doesn't stop, we will find out who is doing it and that person will be given a 30 day notice. I mean, that's just plain disgusting. It's bad enough guys that don't quite hit the bowl and a bit of it goes down the side of the toilet bowl, it's an entirely different matter when you are finding PUDDLES of the stuff on the floor next to the toilet. Gross!
Who wants to clean up someone else's urine? Not me!
Well, it's time to be off to work. Hump Day - middle of the week. Life is good.
ben
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Tuesday 1/17/2012
So, Caleb comes in last night - just before I'm heading off to bed thank you - with no small degree of consternation about something. He is getting money "back" from that federal Pell grant and they apparently couldn't figure out how to go about doing it. They being his mother and him. I think it a good idea if he does this stuff alone and if he messes it up, it can be fixed.
I went through all the screens - lots of them to go through - before I got to where they left off. The money is being processed by Citi and the only thing left to do was to make a 100% withdrawal for when the "next installment" comes through, of which I did. So, when it gets in there it is going to be automatically deposited into Caleb's bank account.
His first day of school? Today. His schedule, routine, entire life really is going to make a dramatic change and he will have little free time with all that he has going on. School, work and Muay Thai. That is enough to fill up any day and then some.
Meanwhile, Wikipedia has made an announcement that for 24 hours on Wednesday, they are blacking out the English portion of their site, taking a stand against some sort of anti-piracy bill that is being considered by Congress. I have no idea what that bill is about, besides reading into the name of the bill of course, I have not taken the time to look into it. But I have been reading about numerous web sites that are considering doing the same thing. Craigslist put a paragraph on their main board about it as well. It's making me curious enough that when I come home from work today, gonna take a lookitit.
I did watch the debate on Fox last night. I have not decided who I would want in a race against Obama, but I did decide that Ron Paul made himself look utterly contemptible with his anti-war statements. I still sort of like Perry - he made some good comebacks and statements last night, but I think his numbers are down too low. Who knows, though. I'm not a fan of Romney and yes, religious views have a lot to do with it. The media and the big wigs in it are bashing Christians for not support Romney simply because of a religious problem. Yup, I'm one of those dummies. Mormonism is a cult - not trying to offend anyone but that's the way I see it and that after doing considerable research on the subject over the last few decades. Yes, I have even gone to some of their meetings. Beyond everything, though, Mormonism is based on works. You earn your way into Heaven - the Bible clearly states that salvation is a gift from God, not of works lest any man should boast. The idea that the "good works" that we do in life somehow account to getting more favor with God is absurd at best in terms of thinking it is going to buy your way into heaven.
But, whatever. If Romney gets it, then he gets it. Hopefully we won't be seeing legislation to ban the drinking of Coca-Cola and coffee, lol.
I rather like my morning coffee before work, of which I am enjoying and finishing up right now, cause........it's almost time to leave.
G'day.
ben
I went through all the screens - lots of them to go through - before I got to where they left off. The money is being processed by Citi and the only thing left to do was to make a 100% withdrawal for when the "next installment" comes through, of which I did. So, when it gets in there it is going to be automatically deposited into Caleb's bank account.
His first day of school? Today. His schedule, routine, entire life really is going to make a dramatic change and he will have little free time with all that he has going on. School, work and Muay Thai. That is enough to fill up any day and then some.
Meanwhile, Wikipedia has made an announcement that for 24 hours on Wednesday, they are blacking out the English portion of their site, taking a stand against some sort of anti-piracy bill that is being considered by Congress. I have no idea what that bill is about, besides reading into the name of the bill of course, I have not taken the time to look into it. But I have been reading about numerous web sites that are considering doing the same thing. Craigslist put a paragraph on their main board about it as well. It's making me curious enough that when I come home from work today, gonna take a lookitit.
I did watch the debate on Fox last night. I have not decided who I would want in a race against Obama, but I did decide that Ron Paul made himself look utterly contemptible with his anti-war statements. I still sort of like Perry - he made some good comebacks and statements last night, but I think his numbers are down too low. Who knows, though. I'm not a fan of Romney and yes, religious views have a lot to do with it. The media and the big wigs in it are bashing Christians for not support Romney simply because of a religious problem. Yup, I'm one of those dummies. Mormonism is a cult - not trying to offend anyone but that's the way I see it and that after doing considerable research on the subject over the last few decades. Yes, I have even gone to some of their meetings. Beyond everything, though, Mormonism is based on works. You earn your way into Heaven - the Bible clearly states that salvation is a gift from God, not of works lest any man should boast. The idea that the "good works" that we do in life somehow account to getting more favor with God is absurd at best in terms of thinking it is going to buy your way into heaven.
But, whatever. If Romney gets it, then he gets it. Hopefully we won't be seeing legislation to ban the drinking of Coca-Cola and coffee, lol.
I rather like my morning coffee before work, of which I am enjoying and finishing up right now, cause........it's almost time to leave.
G'day.
ben
Monday, January 16, 2012
Monday 1/16/2012
"Iranian Boats Approach USS New Orleans"
That headline certainly grabbed my attention, but the video shows 3 small boats - armed yes with some sort of large caliber weapon on the fronts of the boats - moving what appears to be alongside the ship.
I am curious as to what Iran has to gain from all of this unless it just wants the international attention that has been lavished on it because of their threats concerning the Straight of Hormuz.
I just had an encounter with the neighbor's pit bull the other day and was discussing that encounter here, on my blog and here we go again with yet another pit bull in the news: it killed it's owner's 1 year old baby. I'm not sure about the people that own pit bulls that say that people who fear that particular breed have unfounded fears and - where do they get off making a statement like that? Do you read about Great Danes killing family members? Golden Retrievers? I don't even see that much news about German Shepherds doing any such thing, but from time to time, you see the news about a Pit bull killing or mauling someone and frequently the attack is on it's owners, not strangers.
I was asked the "source" of my news a while back - I don't watch TV news for the most part, I just read it online and get some of it from radio broadcasts. I read both ends of the spectrum - MSNBC and FOX news. And others in between. I don't normally rely on just one news source because if you are going to be honest about it, it is ALL tainted to one direction or another, depending upon the writer's own beliefs and viewpoints on any given subject. The question was posed as some sort of condemnation. I pose the same question back to people who haughtily ask such things, as if THEIR source of information is somehow superior. I might read several different accountings of the same type of story just to get the mix of it all and try to settle on some middle ground of what a thing is actually about.
But who knows. If you want to know what's going on in the world, you have to get your information from somewhere. I don't know too many people flying around all over the place, personally visiting each and every sight where news is being made. Do you? News reporters, of course!
Lol.
Time to head to work.
G'day.
ben
That headline certainly grabbed my attention, but the video shows 3 small boats - armed yes with some sort of large caliber weapon on the fronts of the boats - moving what appears to be alongside the ship.
I am curious as to what Iran has to gain from all of this unless it just wants the international attention that has been lavished on it because of their threats concerning the Straight of Hormuz.
I just had an encounter with the neighbor's pit bull the other day and was discussing that encounter here, on my blog and here we go again with yet another pit bull in the news: it killed it's owner's 1 year old baby. I'm not sure about the people that own pit bulls that say that people who fear that particular breed have unfounded fears and - where do they get off making a statement like that? Do you read about Great Danes killing family members? Golden Retrievers? I don't even see that much news about German Shepherds doing any such thing, but from time to time, you see the news about a Pit bull killing or mauling someone and frequently the attack is on it's owners, not strangers.
I was asked the "source" of my news a while back - I don't watch TV news for the most part, I just read it online and get some of it from radio broadcasts. I read both ends of the spectrum - MSNBC and FOX news. And others in between. I don't normally rely on just one news source because if you are going to be honest about it, it is ALL tainted to one direction or another, depending upon the writer's own beliefs and viewpoints on any given subject. The question was posed as some sort of condemnation. I pose the same question back to people who haughtily ask such things, as if THEIR source of information is somehow superior. I might read several different accountings of the same type of story just to get the mix of it all and try to settle on some middle ground of what a thing is actually about.
But who knows. If you want to know what's going on in the world, you have to get your information from somewhere. I don't know too many people flying around all over the place, personally visiting each and every sight where news is being made. Do you? News reporters, of course!
Lol.
Time to head to work.
G'day.
ben
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Sunday 1/15/2012
Stayed up WAY too late last night and now? I have no desire to go to church this morning, at all. I haven't decided yet - which gonna have to change soon if I am going cause' I will have to leave in like 45 minutes.
_____________________________________________________________________
It's 5 hours later. Yup, I forced myself to get into the shower, get ready and get to church and I can honestly say that it was the best decision of the day. I won't go into the details - God is good is all I will say about that.
It's kinda cool out today and the sky is overcast. In fact, it's starting to rain as I am typing now that I noticed.
The neighborhood is - not quiet - a bunch of people across the street getting drunk; 350 man sticking his nose, eternally, into other people's business and who knows what Randy is doing over there.
________________________________________________________________________
Another 5 hour interlude.
My mind is full at the moment and attempting to analyze numerous things that need completed in the memory department. I can safely put short selling the house on hold until the government officially rolls out the new refinance program and I find out - for good or for change - whether I qualify or not. Although it doesn't really make me happy with the current payment, it does allow for peace.
I hooked up the printer - finally - that we scored at Walmart on Black Friday - like at midnight - and it works swimmingly and with only 2 cartridges compared to the Epson's 4 cartridges of ink. Which gave me occasion to write up 2 notices. One entitled: "The Lake of Pee", posted in the main bathroom and the other was a personal notice - cleanliness issues in the kitchen - slid under the door of a tenant. If such notices give rise to the occasion of a tenant moving out because of it, then they didn't belong here in the first place.
So, that issue at least addressed, more in the "mind" peace department. Next issue - a constant one really - is this idea of getting to retirement - broke and poor. This is unacceptable. I have taken steps to alleviate that problem - but in terms of numbers in actual accounts? Dismal. This can change over the years, of course, but at the moment it is a bit depressing. I could "retire" for about 8 months on my current savings. Not a funny matter, certainly not at my age, indeed. Okay, if I were retiring with SS benefits, that number of months would increase to - whatever it needs to increase to to live. Baby Boomers are, unfortunately, retiring without enough money and having no recourse.
I am at the last year of the Baby Boomers. I turn 48 next month and for me, an even more sobering thought. If I had a house paid off by the time retirement arrives, then no big deal whatever I have to live off of. But with a mortgage payment? Yikes.
This is why I want to short sell this house. Even if it's 3 years to getting into another house - I can get into one for half the mortgage of what I have now and have it paid off in 15 years max. That's 18 years from now- which is beyond what I want to retire at.
So, I am again - many times over have I given this thought - revisiting the idea of building a casita/guest house. It's the cost of doing so that has stopped me, but now I am going to research doing the entire thing by myself. There is even a college course on teaching you how to do such. Yes, I have thought about taking a course or 2 of college about the things that will make me money, not anything that will drive my career ahead, just things that I can learn that I can do to increase my income. I can build a basic structure, even follow basic plans, but there are some things I don't know how to do in terms of city code compliance.
A self sustained guest house - meaning a small dwelling that has it's own small kitchen and bathroom - could bring in a very nice price per month. 6 to 8 k per year extra is what I am looking at. 15 deep by 10 wide.
Doesn't sound like much, but it's enough to build a kitchenette style dwelling that I could live in and rent out my master bedroom or that I could rent it out.
I'm going to get there, eventually, if I stay at this property.
Many other things in my mind, not the least of which was a very nice looking lady who loves the Lord that I encountered at church this morning. Single as far as I know. Not necessarily sure of that. Yes, I am still wanting a mate, but not in a hurry to get into a bad relationship, thank you. Time will tell.
Time to go to bed, work in the AM.
G'nite.
ben
_____________________________________________________________________
It's 5 hours later. Yup, I forced myself to get into the shower, get ready and get to church and I can honestly say that it was the best decision of the day. I won't go into the details - God is good is all I will say about that.
It's kinda cool out today and the sky is overcast. In fact, it's starting to rain as I am typing now that I noticed.
The neighborhood is - not quiet - a bunch of people across the street getting drunk; 350 man sticking his nose, eternally, into other people's business and who knows what Randy is doing over there.
________________________________________________________________________
Another 5 hour interlude.
My mind is full at the moment and attempting to analyze numerous things that need completed in the memory department. I can safely put short selling the house on hold until the government officially rolls out the new refinance program and I find out - for good or for change - whether I qualify or not. Although it doesn't really make me happy with the current payment, it does allow for peace.
I hooked up the printer - finally - that we scored at Walmart on Black Friday - like at midnight - and it works swimmingly and with only 2 cartridges compared to the Epson's 4 cartridges of ink. Which gave me occasion to write up 2 notices. One entitled: "The Lake of Pee", posted in the main bathroom and the other was a personal notice - cleanliness issues in the kitchen - slid under the door of a tenant. If such notices give rise to the occasion of a tenant moving out because of it, then they didn't belong here in the first place.
So, that issue at least addressed, more in the "mind" peace department. Next issue - a constant one really - is this idea of getting to retirement - broke and poor. This is unacceptable. I have taken steps to alleviate that problem - but in terms of numbers in actual accounts? Dismal. This can change over the years, of course, but at the moment it is a bit depressing. I could "retire" for about 8 months on my current savings. Not a funny matter, certainly not at my age, indeed. Okay, if I were retiring with SS benefits, that number of months would increase to - whatever it needs to increase to to live. Baby Boomers are, unfortunately, retiring without enough money and having no recourse.
I am at the last year of the Baby Boomers. I turn 48 next month and for me, an even more sobering thought. If I had a house paid off by the time retirement arrives, then no big deal whatever I have to live off of. But with a mortgage payment? Yikes.
This is why I want to short sell this house. Even if it's 3 years to getting into another house - I can get into one for half the mortgage of what I have now and have it paid off in 15 years max. That's 18 years from now- which is beyond what I want to retire at.
So, I am again - many times over have I given this thought - revisiting the idea of building a casita/guest house. It's the cost of doing so that has stopped me, but now I am going to research doing the entire thing by myself. There is even a college course on teaching you how to do such. Yes, I have thought about taking a course or 2 of college about the things that will make me money, not anything that will drive my career ahead, just things that I can learn that I can do to increase my income. I can build a basic structure, even follow basic plans, but there are some things I don't know how to do in terms of city code compliance.
A self sustained guest house - meaning a small dwelling that has it's own small kitchen and bathroom - could bring in a very nice price per month. 6 to 8 k per year extra is what I am looking at. 15 deep by 10 wide.
Doesn't sound like much, but it's enough to build a kitchenette style dwelling that I could live in and rent out my master bedroom or that I could rent it out.
I'm going to get there, eventually, if I stay at this property.
Many other things in my mind, not the least of which was a very nice looking lady who loves the Lord that I encountered at church this morning. Single as far as I know. Not necessarily sure of that. Yes, I am still wanting a mate, but not in a hurry to get into a bad relationship, thank you. Time will tell.
Time to go to bed, work in the AM.
G'nite.
ben
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Saturday 1/14/2012
I was laughing yesterday because the quantities of 13 or the number 13 were occurring all over the place - it was Friday the 13th, just to say why it was anything of interest. The first notice was when I pulled a pipe order - I pulled 13 sticks of pipe and loaded it onto the truck. It was sitting there quite a while before I realized the correlation. It happened a couple more times at work and then at home. Good thing I am not superstitious!
So, it's late morning. I got up late cause' I wanted to - like getting out of bed at near 8:00 am. I think I might cook the spiral ham I bought yesterday at Fry's at 99 cents per pound, but don't quote me on that as I haven't decided. Though, "cooking" a ham is really just a fancy way of saying reheating it. Hams almost always come pre-cooked anyway.
Looking at various photos of that half-sunken cruise ship - wow! Looks like the ship just ran straight into ground, it will be interesting to see whatever investigations that are undoubtedly already underway comes up with as the cause' of this accident. Is it the Captain's error? You would think they have all that equipment on board to be able to see anything like that coming from a long ways off? Dunno.
Attempting to motivate myself to get up on the roof of that trailer and do the second project. I'm cold is the only problem and being cold usually motivates me to do - much of nothing. But, after letting a project go for awhile, I start getting antsy about it and that alone motivates me to do whatever is lacking.
So, I found myself in a peculiar situation the other day - couple days ago. My across-the-street-neighbor's blue Pitbull was running up and down the street - loose obviously - barking and growling at people. Both neighbor's cars were in the driveway, meaning at least one person should be home. So, the dog up the street, I went to the neighbor's door and both knocked on it and rang the doorbell. The dog - down the street - alerted to it/heard the knocking and came running up to me, blocking any exit path to leave the premises, it was in a stance and it was barking at me.
A tinge of fear crept up on me, which I shook off immediately and calmed myself inwardly. Dogs seem to be able to sense fear which edges them on even more. No answer at the door, which would have eliminated this situation in a hurry. Well, I knocked and rang again, this time I heard voices behind the door - but whoever was there did not open the door. Meanwhile, the dog runs off to the side of the house. I turn to leave and there it is right in front of me again. I slowly and calmly start walking around it. Started walking away from it, my back to the dog - slowly and methodically stepping in such a way as to try and not antagonize it.
It nipped at my shoes but then backed off. I don't have a huge fear of dogs, but one should probably have a healthy respect for them, especially Pit bulls that everyone has undoubtedly read the horror stories in the news about, including numerous kids that have been torn apart by their OWN dogs. Never-the-less, getting fearful in such a situation is the worst thing a person can do.
Well, 350 man is standing out there and so is another - neighborhood idiot, there are plenty of them around here - staring at the dog but doing nothing. The hoarder behind me comes driving up - sees what's going on and apparently saw the owners earlier, as he drove away and several minutes later? The owners come back with their other Pit bull that they had taken for a walk.
Whatever. This isn't the first time that dog has gotten out - and basically terrorized the neighborhood - I think on Monday I am going to call Animal Control. Please pay them a visit, this is getting old.
I'm waiting for it to warm up a bit outside before getting to the trailer. It's supposed to get to 76 but it's still in the 60's. Yes, I know, I am a cold light weight. I can handle it if I start moving and getting the blood pumping, I just haven't gotten that far with it yet.
Some pretty strange stuff in the news today..................
Later.
ben
So, it's late morning. I got up late cause' I wanted to - like getting out of bed at near 8:00 am. I think I might cook the spiral ham I bought yesterday at Fry's at 99 cents per pound, but don't quote me on that as I haven't decided. Though, "cooking" a ham is really just a fancy way of saying reheating it. Hams almost always come pre-cooked anyway.
Looking at various photos of that half-sunken cruise ship - wow! Looks like the ship just ran straight into ground, it will be interesting to see whatever investigations that are undoubtedly already underway comes up with as the cause' of this accident. Is it the Captain's error? You would think they have all that equipment on board to be able to see anything like that coming from a long ways off? Dunno.
Attempting to motivate myself to get up on the roof of that trailer and do the second project. I'm cold is the only problem and being cold usually motivates me to do - much of nothing. But, after letting a project go for awhile, I start getting antsy about it and that alone motivates me to do whatever is lacking.
So, I found myself in a peculiar situation the other day - couple days ago. My across-the-street-neighbor's blue Pitbull was running up and down the street - loose obviously - barking and growling at people. Both neighbor's cars were in the driveway, meaning at least one person should be home. So, the dog up the street, I went to the neighbor's door and both knocked on it and rang the doorbell. The dog - down the street - alerted to it/heard the knocking and came running up to me, blocking any exit path to leave the premises, it was in a stance and it was barking at me.
A tinge of fear crept up on me, which I shook off immediately and calmed myself inwardly. Dogs seem to be able to sense fear which edges them on even more. No answer at the door, which would have eliminated this situation in a hurry. Well, I knocked and rang again, this time I heard voices behind the door - but whoever was there did not open the door. Meanwhile, the dog runs off to the side of the house. I turn to leave and there it is right in front of me again. I slowly and calmly start walking around it. Started walking away from it, my back to the dog - slowly and methodically stepping in such a way as to try and not antagonize it.
It nipped at my shoes but then backed off. I don't have a huge fear of dogs, but one should probably have a healthy respect for them, especially Pit bulls that everyone has undoubtedly read the horror stories in the news about, including numerous kids that have been torn apart by their OWN dogs. Never-the-less, getting fearful in such a situation is the worst thing a person can do.
Well, 350 man is standing out there and so is another - neighborhood idiot, there are plenty of them around here - staring at the dog but doing nothing. The hoarder behind me comes driving up - sees what's going on and apparently saw the owners earlier, as he drove away and several minutes later? The owners come back with their other Pit bull that they had taken for a walk.
Whatever. This isn't the first time that dog has gotten out - and basically terrorized the neighborhood - I think on Monday I am going to call Animal Control. Please pay them a visit, this is getting old.
I'm waiting for it to warm up a bit outside before getting to the trailer. It's supposed to get to 76 but it's still in the 60's. Yes, I know, I am a cold light weight. I can handle it if I start moving and getting the blood pumping, I just haven't gotten that far with it yet.
Some pretty strange stuff in the news today..................
Later.
ben
Friday, January 13, 2012
Friday (The Thirteenth) 1/13/2012
Had to throw that into the title line, lol.
The end of the work week draweth nigh.
I have plenty of stuff to do this weekend - but who knows if I will get to any of it.
I sorta need to force myself back up on that roof of that trailer and get that junk done.
Meanwhile, the conversations between Randy and Mark continue.
Apparently 350 man told Randy that he had threatened me and told all my tenants
to get out of the house because he was going to have something done to me - retaliation for something that
hadn't even happened yet. According to Mark, Randy had a cow. Why would you threaten him (me) like that? Who does he bother around here? On and on. So, Randy is determined to go and get an Injunction Against Harassment against this 350 man as well.
350 man, I find out, has 60 days - minus the time that has elapsed, to take down that fence he put up. This because he built the fence 2 feet into Randy's property. No clue. I am glad that I am not involved in all of it is all I can say about that situation. I have a life to live beyond this 350 man's pettiness and refusal to do anything that would be even remotely seen as "beneficial to society" or as a "productive member of society". There are things even an ex-felon can do that are volunteer positions if - he really wanted to.
Anyway, getting close to time to leave and haven't really followed up with the news yet. Gonna go take a look.
G'day.
ben
The end of the work week draweth nigh.
I have plenty of stuff to do this weekend - but who knows if I will get to any of it.
I sorta need to force myself back up on that roof of that trailer and get that junk done.
Meanwhile, the conversations between Randy and Mark continue.
Apparently 350 man told Randy that he had threatened me and told all my tenants
to get out of the house because he was going to have something done to me - retaliation for something that
hadn't even happened yet. According to Mark, Randy had a cow. Why would you threaten him (me) like that? Who does he bother around here? On and on. So, Randy is determined to go and get an Injunction Against Harassment against this 350 man as well.
350 man, I find out, has 60 days - minus the time that has elapsed, to take down that fence he put up. This because he built the fence 2 feet into Randy's property. No clue. I am glad that I am not involved in all of it is all I can say about that situation. I have a life to live beyond this 350 man's pettiness and refusal to do anything that would be even remotely seen as "beneficial to society" or as a "productive member of society". There are things even an ex-felon can do that are volunteer positions if - he really wanted to.
Anyway, getting close to time to leave and haven't really followed up with the news yet. Gonna go take a look.
G'day.
ben
Thursday, January 12, 2012
CDL Drivers Hands Free Device
So the company handed out all these hands free devices yesterday, I started using it in the semi today.
Pretty simple stuff, actually. You enable blue-tooth on your cellphone. Turn on the device and it finds your device, you add it. That's it. Incoming calls are automatically directed to the device and you push a single button to answer the phone.
The problem? Background noise. Driving down the road, a semi makes a considerably amount more of noise than most any car does. And it's a constant noise. It conflicts with your voice and makes it hard for the person on the other end of the line to hear what you are saying. Further, with the volume turned all the way up, it is hard to hear what someone is saying unless you get your ear pretty much right next to it.
I have seen people wearing an earpiece device that has no wires on it so I assume those are blue tooth and that is what I thought we were going to get in the first place. I don't wonder if those might work better for the noise element at hand in the truck. It's good to be able to talk again while driving the truck - but - it would be better with a different setup, I do believe.
Pretty simple stuff, actually. You enable blue-tooth on your cellphone. Turn on the device and it finds your device, you add it. That's it. Incoming calls are automatically directed to the device and you push a single button to answer the phone.
The problem? Background noise. Driving down the road, a semi makes a considerably amount more of noise than most any car does. And it's a constant noise. It conflicts with your voice and makes it hard for the person on the other end of the line to hear what you are saying. Further, with the volume turned all the way up, it is hard to hear what someone is saying unless you get your ear pretty much right next to it.
I have seen people wearing an earpiece device that has no wires on it so I assume those are blue tooth and that is what I thought we were going to get in the first place. I don't wonder if those might work better for the noise element at hand in the truck. It's good to be able to talk again while driving the truck - but - it would be better with a different setup, I do believe.
CDL Drivers Hands Free Device
So the company handed out all these hands free devices yesterday, I started using it in the semi today.
Pretty simple stuff, actually. You enable blue-tooth on your cellphone. Turn on the device and it finds your device, you add it. That's it. Incoming calls are automatically directed to the device and you push a single button to answer the phone.
The problem? Background noise. Driving down the road, a semi makes a considerably amount more of noise than most any car does. And it's a constant noise. It conflicts with your voice and makes it hard for the person on the other end of the line to hear what you are saying. Further, with the volume turned all the way up, it is hard to hear what someone is saying unless you get your ear pretty much right next to it.
I have seen people wearing an earpiece device that has no wires on it so I assume those are blue tooth and that is what I thought we were going to get in the first place. I don't wonder if those might work better for the noise element at hand in the truck. It's good to be able to talk again while driving the truck - but - it would be better with a different setup, I do believe.
Pretty simple stuff, actually. You enable blue-tooth on your cellphone. Turn on the device and it finds your device, you add it. That's it. Incoming calls are automatically directed to the device and you push a single button to answer the phone.
The problem? Background noise. Driving down the road, a semi makes a considerably amount more of noise than most any car does. And it's a constant noise. It conflicts with your voice and makes it hard for the person on the other end of the line to hear what you are saying. Further, with the volume turned all the way up, it is hard to hear what someone is saying unless you get your ear pretty much right next to it.
I have seen people wearing an earpiece device that has no wires on it so I assume those are blue tooth and that is what I thought we were going to get in the first place. I don't wonder if those might work better for the noise element at hand in the truck. It's good to be able to talk again while driving the truck - but - it would be better with a different setup, I do believe.
Thursday 1/12/2012
Hmmm, well for all the superstitious people out there, prepare yourself: tomorrow is Friday and falls on the 13th.
I have decided one of the best ways to find a new place to live is to simply keep my eyes open. I drive all over the place in the east valley - which is where I prefer to live - there are "lower income" areas all over the place. Whether they accept hundreds of pounds of dogs, who knows. There is one thing for certain: after 2012, the government is allegedly going to start coming after people for taxes owed on the difference in a short sale and if one is going to get it done, best get it done this year.
Moving is such an arduous task, though. I can only say that I am happy that I do not have a LOT of stuff. I have stuff, just like everyone, but not piles of things that would have to be moved. Mostly furniture more than anything. I have to get myself into the mode of yes, I am leaving this place regardless and keep that mode up for quite a while before I will even force myself into this action. I could start the short-sale process today, but to sell it before I even know where I am going? Lol. Not going to happen. I'm going to check the maps for county islands and land and see what's available in those areas as well. Some of it is well out into the boonies, but I work in Chandler which is a bit closer to the boonies. I guess I'm saying with these dogs, there aren't a lot of rental options out there.
A pre-cursory glance at the Craigslist housing ads shows a LOT of rental units allowing dogs. However, it is doubtful that most or any of those places are going to allow Great Danes, much less 2-1/2 of them. I suppose I could just write up a form letter and start sending it out to all of them in my price range. There are both houses and apartments alike claiming dogs are allowed. The arrangement would include a room for Mark and Lynnette, if they so desired to move on with me as this would be an ideal situation, at least for me.
In that case, it would have to be minimum 3 bedrooms to accommodate for Caleb as well. The only type of "apartment" I would even consider is a single story situation. There are many duplexes and quadplexes over in Mesa, probably at good rates I am guessing. Not far from Caleb's job or school and Mark and Lynnette prefer to live in Mesa, anyway.
That is, undoubtedly, the first area I am going to start looking in since it is loaded with houses and other types of rentals that would be in the price range I am looking for.
I have only mentioned to tenants here that I am thinking about doing this, I haven't concretely sealed that in cement yet as I am working on another refinance option, a lead I was given by a mortgage broker at a large bank who says she has worked with this particular company for 15 years and they are good at getting things done. If I could JUST bring the payment down another couple of hundred bucks a month, I wouldn't even think about moving out of this place. That would be the one thing that would keep me in this house. It would make it a good rental unit - at say $800 per month, a house with 5 bedrooms would easily rent in this market. Perhaps it would at a grand a month, too, but, I don't want to take that kind of chance.
In that scenario, I would have to start saving up a substantial down payment on another house since banks aren't really all that kind about second loans - but with enough down payment that situation can be altered.
Well, the day's work is almost here and near time to leave for work. As of lates, plenty to do at work and today? Plenty of driving to do as well.
G'day.
ben
I have decided one of the best ways to find a new place to live is to simply keep my eyes open. I drive all over the place in the east valley - which is where I prefer to live - there are "lower income" areas all over the place. Whether they accept hundreds of pounds of dogs, who knows. There is one thing for certain: after 2012, the government is allegedly going to start coming after people for taxes owed on the difference in a short sale and if one is going to get it done, best get it done this year.
Moving is such an arduous task, though. I can only say that I am happy that I do not have a LOT of stuff. I have stuff, just like everyone, but not piles of things that would have to be moved. Mostly furniture more than anything. I have to get myself into the mode of yes, I am leaving this place regardless and keep that mode up for quite a while before I will even force myself into this action. I could start the short-sale process today, but to sell it before I even know where I am going? Lol. Not going to happen. I'm going to check the maps for county islands and land and see what's available in those areas as well. Some of it is well out into the boonies, but I work in Chandler which is a bit closer to the boonies. I guess I'm saying with these dogs, there aren't a lot of rental options out there.
A pre-cursory glance at the Craigslist housing ads shows a LOT of rental units allowing dogs. However, it is doubtful that most or any of those places are going to allow Great Danes, much less 2-1/2 of them. I suppose I could just write up a form letter and start sending it out to all of them in my price range. There are both houses and apartments alike claiming dogs are allowed. The arrangement would include a room for Mark and Lynnette, if they so desired to move on with me as this would be an ideal situation, at least for me.
In that case, it would have to be minimum 3 bedrooms to accommodate for Caleb as well. The only type of "apartment" I would even consider is a single story situation. There are many duplexes and quadplexes over in Mesa, probably at good rates I am guessing. Not far from Caleb's job or school and Mark and Lynnette prefer to live in Mesa, anyway.
That is, undoubtedly, the first area I am going to start looking in since it is loaded with houses and other types of rentals that would be in the price range I am looking for.
I have only mentioned to tenants here that I am thinking about doing this, I haven't concretely sealed that in cement yet as I am working on another refinance option, a lead I was given by a mortgage broker at a large bank who says she has worked with this particular company for 15 years and they are good at getting things done. If I could JUST bring the payment down another couple of hundred bucks a month, I wouldn't even think about moving out of this place. That would be the one thing that would keep me in this house. It would make it a good rental unit - at say $800 per month, a house with 5 bedrooms would easily rent in this market. Perhaps it would at a grand a month, too, but, I don't want to take that kind of chance.
In that scenario, I would have to start saving up a substantial down payment on another house since banks aren't really all that kind about second loans - but with enough down payment that situation can be altered.
Well, the day's work is almost here and near time to leave for work. As of lates, plenty to do at work and today? Plenty of driving to do as well.
G'day.
ben
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Wednesday 1/11/2012
Back to regular, 5-day work weeks.
Meaning today is hump day and half way through.
A couple of weeks of very short work weeks sort of spoiled me, lol.
Not a lot going on besides that of which I have already discussed.
I am guessing, on that front, that to short sell this house and find a place to
live that will accept the dogs, it's not going to be a very pretty place, even if a
rental.
Like, more of a dump than anything. I could live with that for a couple of years
for the tradeoff of getting rid of this house that may never be worth what I bought
it for and getting into something much more reasonable that is even nicer than this place.
When I say dump, I am thinking one of those trailer parks with dirt lots and lots of
hoarders, drunks, drug users and the like.
So, I will look for something a bit nicer than that, lol. This is prep stage - find several
options first. If one fails, others are available to fall back on. Get money saved up - moving
isn't free and neither are deposits. Determine if I REALLY want to do this or is there a
better alternative. Dunno. Have searched it out, really. Refinancing- at least so far - has
drawn a blank. A lower payment would keep me in this house. The payment I am making
now? Is enough nowadays to be paying for a 4,000 square foot, 2 story house with all the upgrades
and amenities. I'll take the top floor and rent out the bottom, lol.
Whatever. Another page in the book of this life.
Out the door, heading off to work.
G'day.
ben
Meaning today is hump day and half way through.
A couple of weeks of very short work weeks sort of spoiled me, lol.
Not a lot going on besides that of which I have already discussed.
I am guessing, on that front, that to short sell this house and find a place to
live that will accept the dogs, it's not going to be a very pretty place, even if a
rental.
Like, more of a dump than anything. I could live with that for a couple of years
for the tradeoff of getting rid of this house that may never be worth what I bought
it for and getting into something much more reasonable that is even nicer than this place.
When I say dump, I am thinking one of those trailer parks with dirt lots and lots of
hoarders, drunks, drug users and the like.
So, I will look for something a bit nicer than that, lol. This is prep stage - find several
options first. If one fails, others are available to fall back on. Get money saved up - moving
isn't free and neither are deposits. Determine if I REALLY want to do this or is there a
better alternative. Dunno. Have searched it out, really. Refinancing- at least so far - has
drawn a blank. A lower payment would keep me in this house. The payment I am making
now? Is enough nowadays to be paying for a 4,000 square foot, 2 story house with all the upgrades
and amenities. I'll take the top floor and rent out the bottom, lol.
Whatever. Another page in the book of this life.
Out the door, heading off to work.
G'day.
ben
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
The Final Question
It's been a long and tough inner battle, both mind and heart.
To short sale or not. Your credit is trashed - but not for that long, I have found out.
Less than 2 years. Some people less than 1 year and their credit is up near where it was
when they did the short-sell on their house and walked away from it.
They are renting wherever and saving money to put a down payment on a new
house.
When I heard last week that this kind of thing is not a long-term trashing of your
credit score, I then started looking into this all over again. If you look at it from a
purely business type of mindset, the ONLY logido is to get out of the house and do
it as fast as possible. My house is almost 50% underwater. When you start looking
at the statistics that it may be as far out as the year 2023 before I can even break even?
That pretty much sent me over the edge. I do NOT want to live in this neighborhood
forever. A young guy at work just bought a new - and very nice - house with only $4,500 down.
Another short-sold his house about 7 months ago. His credit score is almost back to where it
was before he sold it and got out of it. My mortgage company jumps all over the "opportunity" - for whatever reason - to get the paperwork started on a short-sale. I don't get it. I mean, it was as if they wanted me to do it!
The final great question, however, would be: where would I live? Even the "experts" that are encouraging people to do so get to this question and have some reservations. If I wanted to keep my dogs, that eliminates all apartment complexes of any decency. I don't want to rent a house. This is the next dilemna with this situation that I will have to answer before I even think about short-selling this place. I'm not the sort of person who just dumps your dogs because it creates an inconvenience.
There must be a reasonable answer to this and I am going to search it out and hunt it down, if it does, indeed, exist.
Well, that question will be occupying the next coming days. But now? Bedtime.
To short sale or not. Your credit is trashed - but not for that long, I have found out.
Less than 2 years. Some people less than 1 year and their credit is up near where it was
when they did the short-sell on their house and walked away from it.
They are renting wherever and saving money to put a down payment on a new
house.
When I heard last week that this kind of thing is not a long-term trashing of your
credit score, I then started looking into this all over again. If you look at it from a
purely business type of mindset, the ONLY logido is to get out of the house and do
it as fast as possible. My house is almost 50% underwater. When you start looking
at the statistics that it may be as far out as the year 2023 before I can even break even?
That pretty much sent me over the edge. I do NOT want to live in this neighborhood
forever. A young guy at work just bought a new - and very nice - house with only $4,500 down.
Another short-sold his house about 7 months ago. His credit score is almost back to where it
was before he sold it and got out of it. My mortgage company jumps all over the "opportunity" - for whatever reason - to get the paperwork started on a short-sale. I don't get it. I mean, it was as if they wanted me to do it!
The final great question, however, would be: where would I live? Even the "experts" that are encouraging people to do so get to this question and have some reservations. If I wanted to keep my dogs, that eliminates all apartment complexes of any decency. I don't want to rent a house. This is the next dilemna with this situation that I will have to answer before I even think about short-selling this place. I'm not the sort of person who just dumps your dogs because it creates an inconvenience.
There must be a reasonable answer to this and I am going to search it out and hunt it down, if it does, indeed, exist.
Well, that question will be occupying the next coming days. But now? Bedtime.
Tuesday 1/10/2012
Well, not much time here.
I called Josie last night - she is being moved to some sort of treatment facility where they are going to evaluate her and decide what to do with her. My pastors really want to go down there and minister to her, but, that can't happen until this process is over, apparently.
Day 2 of fasting. I am spending time in the Word and seeking the Lord while skipping a meal. Also giving up things that I normally do in order to focus on it. They have, apparently, shut down the prayer days for this thing to do at home instead of corporately.
Mary called last night. I didn't get into it with her about the situation with my sister-in-law - not worth it. Just let it go. I was tired and ended that call quickly.
George - one of my tenants - facing surgery soon that is going to have him off of work for quite a while. He had been in a bad car accident that - well it really messed up his body because it was a rollover type of thing. The surgery is to attempt to fix his wrist - most of the bone is gone there.
Other than that, life is grand! Lol.
G'day.
ben
I called Josie last night - she is being moved to some sort of treatment facility where they are going to evaluate her and decide what to do with her. My pastors really want to go down there and minister to her, but, that can't happen until this process is over, apparently.
Day 2 of fasting. I am spending time in the Word and seeking the Lord while skipping a meal. Also giving up things that I normally do in order to focus on it. They have, apparently, shut down the prayer days for this thing to do at home instead of corporately.
Mary called last night. I didn't get into it with her about the situation with my sister-in-law - not worth it. Just let it go. I was tired and ended that call quickly.
George - one of my tenants - facing surgery soon that is going to have him off of work for quite a while. He had been in a bad car accident that - well it really messed up his body because it was a rollover type of thing. The surgery is to attempt to fix his wrist - most of the bone is gone there.
Other than that, life is grand! Lol.
G'day.
ben
Monday, January 9, 2012
1/9/2012
So I decided to a fast of some sort in keeping with what the church is doing and, ostensibly, what everyone else in the church is doing together.
I won't be doing a water only fast - well I might on a weekend day but not during the week when I have to work. I can maybe fast a meal during the week and probably skip something I would normally like to eat such as meats.
In keeping with this I just spent some time in the word - online - love going to online sources cause' you can read whatever version you want in however large print you want to make it : )
No idea what's going to happen this week at work, could be in for a roller coaster ride.
Can't really comment on that, but, I will hope for the best.
G'day.
ben
I won't be doing a water only fast - well I might on a weekend day but not during the week when I have to work. I can maybe fast a meal during the week and probably skip something I would normally like to eat such as meats.
In keeping with this I just spent some time in the word - online - love going to online sources cause' you can read whatever version you want in however large print you want to make it : )
No idea what's going to happen this week at work, could be in for a roller coaster ride.
Can't really comment on that, but, I will hope for the best.
G'day.
ben
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Church
Truly wonderful people at the church I am going to. I mean, I haven't connected with everyone there - yet - but everyone that I have, well, it's pretty cool. Susan showed up a few minutes late, no biggies. She had told me that "all churches are the same" within the same types of churches, which I simply stated my opinion: "Oh no, they are NOT!".
Susan was warmly greeted by numerous individuals, including an older lady who encouraged her to become a part of the family - I mean it was such a genuine offering of love it was amazing. But, I guess that's what you expect from a sweet, little older lady : ) Susan was astounded by the entire experience, but mostly with the pastor himself. We were leaving after several people introduced themselves to Susan and the pastor came up quickly. Susan asked if he would come to her church, lol, that it was "dead" and he could infuse some motivation into it.
I was a little surprised to find out about a 21 day fast that starts tomorrow. Lol. I wasn't prepared for that. I have done up to something like 10 days fasting, but definitely not 21 days. I'm gonna have to give that some thought and prayer today and see how I can do that. This isn't any particular type of fast, there are many kinds of fasts and we were all urged to seek the Lord and find what He wants us to do.
Well, anyway, Susan had this gift card to Paradise Bakery - I gave it to her for Christmas, lol - she invited me and we went and had a good time eating delicious salads and talking about a wide range of things. She repeatedly informed me how "good looking" I am, somewhat suggestive to say the least at least from what I read into it - but nothing to get too concerned about. I am not biting right now. Interest in finding a mate - yes - interest in rushing into anything with anyone - definitely on the NOT list. If I am to find anyone, it's going to start out as a friendship first - and that means no sex involved.
Well, we left the restaurant, I bid her goodbye and headed to the Chinese buffet. Not to eat again, but because Mark and Lynnette have been feeding me regularly, actually. I don't ask them for it and I don't really want to take their food - they aren't exactly rich. But they always say it's cool. They LOVE the food from this particular Chinese restaurant. There are 8 buffet tables with all kinds of very good food on it. Not all soggy and gross like many Chinese buffets. They have an employee monitoring the buffets at all times and that person calls out - in some form of Chinese - whatever is needed. The food is made fresh is the point, not gobbs of it made hours in advance and sitting around - getting gooey and nasty.
The point? It's VERY low-priced compared to any other Chinese restaurant around and considering the quality of the food, it's no wonder that place is doing bustling business every time I go in there. $3.97 per pound, that's what their take-out costs. You pick and choose what you want and that's the cost.
Mark is a very picky eater - but he devours all that food whenever I bring it home. Lynnette the same. Caleb loves it, too and yes, I have always loved Chinese food, just not the stuff that sits around for hours or is even served "fresh" but is still quite soggy - YUCK!!
Day winding down. Weekends never seem to last long enough and then the new work week arrives. I got a lot of nothing done this weekend. I guess the push I forced myself through with the Christmas party and all that I did every day - working after getting off of work in an attempt to get the place "perfect" - sort of took it all out of me. I am "recovering" from that push. At the same time, someone I know has "invited" me to work out with him 4 days a week at the gym. I have not given an answer to that - yet. That's a lot of working out - but it's always easier when you are doing it with someone else. The problem is that person lives in Avondale - it's something like 20 - 25 mile drive one way. Doing that 4 days a week after work is hardly palatable.
However, working out again - is.
G'nite.
ben
Susan was warmly greeted by numerous individuals, including an older lady who encouraged her to become a part of the family - I mean it was such a genuine offering of love it was amazing. But, I guess that's what you expect from a sweet, little older lady : ) Susan was astounded by the entire experience, but mostly with the pastor himself. We were leaving after several people introduced themselves to Susan and the pastor came up quickly. Susan asked if he would come to her church, lol, that it was "dead" and he could infuse some motivation into it.
I was a little surprised to find out about a 21 day fast that starts tomorrow. Lol. I wasn't prepared for that. I have done up to something like 10 days fasting, but definitely not 21 days. I'm gonna have to give that some thought and prayer today and see how I can do that. This isn't any particular type of fast, there are many kinds of fasts and we were all urged to seek the Lord and find what He wants us to do.
Well, anyway, Susan had this gift card to Paradise Bakery - I gave it to her for Christmas, lol - she invited me and we went and had a good time eating delicious salads and talking about a wide range of things. She repeatedly informed me how "good looking" I am, somewhat suggestive to say the least at least from what I read into it - but nothing to get too concerned about. I am not biting right now. Interest in finding a mate - yes - interest in rushing into anything with anyone - definitely on the NOT list. If I am to find anyone, it's going to start out as a friendship first - and that means no sex involved.
Well, we left the restaurant, I bid her goodbye and headed to the Chinese buffet. Not to eat again, but because Mark and Lynnette have been feeding me regularly, actually. I don't ask them for it and I don't really want to take their food - they aren't exactly rich. But they always say it's cool. They LOVE the food from this particular Chinese restaurant. There are 8 buffet tables with all kinds of very good food on it. Not all soggy and gross like many Chinese buffets. They have an employee monitoring the buffets at all times and that person calls out - in some form of Chinese - whatever is needed. The food is made fresh is the point, not gobbs of it made hours in advance and sitting around - getting gooey and nasty.
The point? It's VERY low-priced compared to any other Chinese restaurant around and considering the quality of the food, it's no wonder that place is doing bustling business every time I go in there. $3.97 per pound, that's what their take-out costs. You pick and choose what you want and that's the cost.
Mark is a very picky eater - but he devours all that food whenever I bring it home. Lynnette the same. Caleb loves it, too and yes, I have always loved Chinese food, just not the stuff that sits around for hours or is even served "fresh" but is still quite soggy - YUCK!!
Day winding down. Weekends never seem to last long enough and then the new work week arrives. I got a lot of nothing done this weekend. I guess the push I forced myself through with the Christmas party and all that I did every day - working after getting off of work in an attempt to get the place "perfect" - sort of took it all out of me. I am "recovering" from that push. At the same time, someone I know has "invited" me to work out with him 4 days a week at the gym. I have not given an answer to that - yet. That's a lot of working out - but it's always easier when you are doing it with someone else. The problem is that person lives in Avondale - it's something like 20 - 25 mile drive one way. Doing that 4 days a week after work is hardly palatable.
However, working out again - is.
G'nite.
ben
Lol, just got done watching a short video of Samuel Jackson scolding whoever owns guns because you "won't put them down". http://www.takepart.com/video/samuel-l-jackson-blames-you-not-guns You are, apparently, the problem. I wonder where America would be right now if this same sort of rhetoric held true 200 years ago.
I don't go around taunting people with my guns - I don't even let people know I have them for the most part. It's quite amusing to me that a man can stand there saying such when, in reality, he is on the big screen in several movies, seen using guns and threatening people with them. Not real? No, it's not, but it makes him like a true, unadulterated hypocrite. If he REALLY believed that guns are so terribly bad, then he should not have taken roles in movies that basically glorify guns.
It's a nice, cool winter morning and I am headed off to the shower. Love to take a long, hot shower on weekends when I have time to do it - weekdays it's less than 5 minutes and I am out of it to get pre-work rituals done.
Off to the races!
I don't go around taunting people with my guns - I don't even let people know I have them for the most part. It's quite amusing to me that a man can stand there saying such when, in reality, he is on the big screen in several movies, seen using guns and threatening people with them. Not real? No, it's not, but it makes him like a true, unadulterated hypocrite. If he REALLY believed that guns are so terribly bad, then he should not have taken roles in movies that basically glorify guns.
It's a nice, cool winter morning and I am headed off to the shower. Love to take a long, hot shower on weekends when I have time to do it - weekdays it's less than 5 minutes and I am out of it to get pre-work rituals done.
Off to the races!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Life Can Be Pretty Strange
So, a bit ago, I get a phone call.
Didn't recognize the number on the cell phone.
Hello? Hi Ben. It's Josie and she's calling me from a hospital down south.
She goes into this elongated - and somewhat unbelievable - story about how
she ended up in the hospital after her family believed she was trying to commit
suicide again. I listened for 10 minutes before her phone cut out and then I called
her back. She was in the middle of something, she is being detained at the hospital for
72 hours. She said she would call me back tomorrow and finish the story.
Obviously, she is not going to church with me tomorrow.
Before that, I get a phone call from my sister-in-law. I knew what this was going to be about:
Mary. Who started what with who? I wasn't there, I wouldn't know. Yes, actually, I would and
do know. Mary hasn't changed on iota since I used to hang out with her in our teen years.
Which isn't a good thing, in case you were wondering. Susan - my sister-in-law - tells me
a completely different story than what Mary had told me, including Mary's alleged and daily
use of marijuana.
At this point? If you want to smoke your brains out of your head, be my guest. I have absolutely no desire, whatsoever, to smoke dope and that's that. If true, it would certainly explain some things about Mary and her behavior that I observed when over there last week. I smoked pot for 7 years in my youth, I have a bit of experience with it.
I have come to believe that when you hear 2 completely different stories about the same incident from 2 different parties that were there, you probably don't necessarily believe that either party has given you the whole picture and you attempt to mesh the two stories together and find some middle ground and use that as a base reference point. Notwithstanding the fact that both parties are adament that they are right and the other is wrong. Or, more pointedly: that one party is telling the truth and the other is lying.
I'm going to limit my interactions with Mary at this point. Not that I won't visit again, but I am not going to be over there as much as she would like me to be. As for Susan, I started talking about church tomorrow morning. I throw out the lure and see if there are any bites. Yep, I do it on purpose: drag people into church if they are consenting and see what happens. She said she would meet me there at the start of the service. Whether that is actually going to happen or not, who knows. I just know that I fully intend on going to church in the morning regardless of what anyone else is doing.
Oh, and Mary allegedly told Susan that she is thinking about getting back together with her ex - even though she told me differently. Of course, that doesn't really bother me, I am not in love with Mary neither do I consider her a girlfriend nor am I involved with her in any way at this point excepting as old friends. And that is where it's going to stay. The part about her getting back with her ex is what doesn't bother me, the allegation that she lied to me about it - does. But, I had questioned her a couple of times about it anyway - it was odd to continue to see and hear her spending so much time with that guy and have her continue to tell me that she is "just" friends with him.
Whatever. Monkeys don't grow in barrels.
Goodnight.
ben
Didn't recognize the number on the cell phone.
Hello? Hi Ben. It's Josie and she's calling me from a hospital down south.
She goes into this elongated - and somewhat unbelievable - story about how
she ended up in the hospital after her family believed she was trying to commit
suicide again. I listened for 10 minutes before her phone cut out and then I called
her back. She was in the middle of something, she is being detained at the hospital for
72 hours. She said she would call me back tomorrow and finish the story.
Obviously, she is not going to church with me tomorrow.
Before that, I get a phone call from my sister-in-law. I knew what this was going to be about:
Mary. Who started what with who? I wasn't there, I wouldn't know. Yes, actually, I would and
do know. Mary hasn't changed on iota since I used to hang out with her in our teen years.
Which isn't a good thing, in case you were wondering. Susan - my sister-in-law - tells me
a completely different story than what Mary had told me, including Mary's alleged and daily
use of marijuana.
At this point? If you want to smoke your brains out of your head, be my guest. I have absolutely no desire, whatsoever, to smoke dope and that's that. If true, it would certainly explain some things about Mary and her behavior that I observed when over there last week. I smoked pot for 7 years in my youth, I have a bit of experience with it.
I have come to believe that when you hear 2 completely different stories about the same incident from 2 different parties that were there, you probably don't necessarily believe that either party has given you the whole picture and you attempt to mesh the two stories together and find some middle ground and use that as a base reference point. Notwithstanding the fact that both parties are adament that they are right and the other is wrong. Or, more pointedly: that one party is telling the truth and the other is lying.
I'm going to limit my interactions with Mary at this point. Not that I won't visit again, but I am not going to be over there as much as she would like me to be. As for Susan, I started talking about church tomorrow morning. I throw out the lure and see if there are any bites. Yep, I do it on purpose: drag people into church if they are consenting and see what happens. She said she would meet me there at the start of the service. Whether that is actually going to happen or not, who knows. I just know that I fully intend on going to church in the morning regardless of what anyone else is doing.
Oh, and Mary allegedly told Susan that she is thinking about getting back together with her ex - even though she told me differently. Of course, that doesn't really bother me, I am not in love with Mary neither do I consider her a girlfriend nor am I involved with her in any way at this point excepting as old friends. And that is where it's going to stay. The part about her getting back with her ex is what doesn't bother me, the allegation that she lied to me about it - does. But, I had questioned her a couple of times about it anyway - it was odd to continue to see and hear her spending so much time with that guy and have her continue to tell me that she is "just" friends with him.
Whatever. Monkeys don't grow in barrels.
Goodnight.
ben
Saturday 1/7/2012
I was going to go shooting with Mary, but apparently she decided to go twice this week already - with her ex-husband. I'm not really into that kind of thing - the ex being around that is, even if I have no "intentions". I have been asking her about it - she says he's just a friend and that's that.
Yeah and I was just dumped out the back of the watermelon wagon. I am not feeling that motivated to go that far today, anyway, so I just cancelled out on it. After saying I didn't want to go shooting, she then asked about doing something else. That was 2 hours ago, now she is attempting to call me, but I have totally changed my plans for today and have no desire.
Anyway, I am hoping to get up enough motivation to get up on the trailer roof and start on project number 2 today. If not that, then something else. I should have emailed that kid to come over and do some more work, I have plenty for him to do and he is an energetic worker, one of the few I have had over here that actually does something besides expecting to get paid for next-to-nothing.
Tomorrow, Josie is supposed to come over before church and then we will go to church. This is the biggest priority of the weekend - it will supersede anything else. That being because of the state of mind she is in and wanting to end her own life.
Well, that's the end of this line. I have nothing else I want to speak about on an open blog - plenty I would LIKE to speak about but I am not going there. The situation will play itself out - for good or bad - and then I may or may not have some decisions to make - but it is totally subjective to how it all works out. The feeling isn't good and some of what I have been hearing isn't all that good, either. But I don't tend to make drastic decisions based on how I "feel" about something when it's a situation that is this - important. I just tend to ride the wave and see where I end up at. Maybe it IS time for a change, however.
Whatever the case, I am done with this one. Going to go out to the trailer and take stock of what is going to have to be done to get that project finished.
Later.
ben
Yeah and I was just dumped out the back of the watermelon wagon. I am not feeling that motivated to go that far today, anyway, so I just cancelled out on it. After saying I didn't want to go shooting, she then asked about doing something else. That was 2 hours ago, now she is attempting to call me, but I have totally changed my plans for today and have no desire.
Anyway, I am hoping to get up enough motivation to get up on the trailer roof and start on project number 2 today. If not that, then something else. I should have emailed that kid to come over and do some more work, I have plenty for him to do and he is an energetic worker, one of the few I have had over here that actually does something besides expecting to get paid for next-to-nothing.
Tomorrow, Josie is supposed to come over before church and then we will go to church. This is the biggest priority of the weekend - it will supersede anything else. That being because of the state of mind she is in and wanting to end her own life.
Well, that's the end of this line. I have nothing else I want to speak about on an open blog - plenty I would LIKE to speak about but I am not going there. The situation will play itself out - for good or bad - and then I may or may not have some decisions to make - but it is totally subjective to how it all works out. The feeling isn't good and some of what I have been hearing isn't all that good, either. But I don't tend to make drastic decisions based on how I "feel" about something when it's a situation that is this - important. I just tend to ride the wave and see where I end up at. Maybe it IS time for a change, however.
Whatever the case, I am done with this one. Going to go out to the trailer and take stock of what is going to have to be done to get that project finished.
Later.
ben
Friday, January 6, 2012
Friday 1/6/2012
2 nights in a row without hardly getting any sleep equals - sleeping like a log the third night and now? Groggy.
Usually will last well into the morning, too, been here, done this but not the end of the world, either.
I will be glad when Iowa, the vote counts and all the hype is over and done with.
It isn't always the greatest feeling when you are 6 days into the month and nothing has been paid to you by any tenants. The draining effect on my bank account - when paying bills and watching it go down - is almost scary. But, I expect to be paid by one of them today or whenever he reappears and another on the 9th. The third - he always pays when he gets his paycheck but it's always a week or so late as far as the rent is concerned.
Nothing pressing on bills now - I paid almost all of them so I have time, I guess. Just going to not spend money excepting on bills for a while and let the numbers go back up a bit. Well, I do have some things to buy for the trailer, but it can wait. I expect to get all of the necessary information to file tax return by the end of this month. I am also still awaiting word as to whether I will get the safe driver award for 2011 or not. That would be a huge help in getting that trailer done and over with.
Whatever the case, my time is up.
G'day.
ben
Usually will last well into the morning, too, been here, done this but not the end of the world, either.
I will be glad when Iowa, the vote counts and all the hype is over and done with.
It isn't always the greatest feeling when you are 6 days into the month and nothing has been paid to you by any tenants. The draining effect on my bank account - when paying bills and watching it go down - is almost scary. But, I expect to be paid by one of them today or whenever he reappears and another on the 9th. The third - he always pays when he gets his paycheck but it's always a week or so late as far as the rent is concerned.
Nothing pressing on bills now - I paid almost all of them so I have time, I guess. Just going to not spend money excepting on bills for a while and let the numbers go back up a bit. Well, I do have some things to buy for the trailer, but it can wait. I expect to get all of the necessary information to file tax return by the end of this month. I am also still awaiting word as to whether I will get the safe driver award for 2011 or not. That would be a huge help in getting that trailer done and over with.
Whatever the case, my time is up.
G'day.
ben
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Thursday 1/5/2012
Whatever happened to my entry this morning? It disappeared into cyberspace.
It may still be in the Dashboard as a draft, who knows, but I definitely posted it and it gave me the confirmation screen - really weird. I usually do not post drafts - lots of them in there, too. I just start over, it doesn't take that long and it is "fresh", lol.
Mary attempted to call me today several times- but I was on the phone attempting to get a situation with a company's product mitigated. I wrote to her on FB while on the phone - she has already gone out shooting at Sycamore Creek. Oh well, Caleb wants to go and the next time our schedules mesh, we will go and that's that.
More news on the 350 man front. He informed Randy that Randy is "living off the government". I don't speak to Randy at this point, Mark does. No biggies to me, he can talk to whoever, but I choose not to have anything further to do with Randy until/if/when/probably never he apologizes to me.
What I found snorting-your-drink-you-were-swallowing-out-your-nose funny is that this guy does NOTHING. He lives off of his mother! This guy claims in court that he has a medical condition that keeps him from working yet he's out there trying to build the fence! ROFL!!
So tomorrow is Friday already. I have been told that there is Saturday work, I have not heard back whether I will have to show up for that or not. Usually not - they don't like OT. They rather use salaried employees. Nice, aye?
A more interesting note was a visit to our store today. But, I am not going into that. Too much potential for problem in writing such on a public blog. One that I have reason to believe a certain individual from my company found through a means that also won't be discussed here. Not that I care, but the kind of detail that came out today - revelation to say the least. But it will prove interesting, to say the least, what might become of it in the near future.
I got the truck and the forklift stuck in the yard today. Yes, indeed. The new yard is a - nightmare. It has a thick layer of landscaping rock that just causes tires to sink into it. We cannot, basically, use that yard - a lot of square footage - until something is done to alleviate the problem. It took me 2-1/2 hours to get the semi and the forklift unstuck.
I dunno, but working on Saturday isn't necessarily all that wonderful. Holiday on Monday - meaning that I would be working for free because I would have to work all the hours that I didn't work on Monday and then anything after that to get OT.
Whatever. I'm tired. I busted my butt today and I haven't slept well 2 nights in a row. Going to bed early - yes.
G'nite.
ben
It may still be in the Dashboard as a draft, who knows, but I definitely posted it and it gave me the confirmation screen - really weird. I usually do not post drafts - lots of them in there, too. I just start over, it doesn't take that long and it is "fresh", lol.
Mary attempted to call me today several times- but I was on the phone attempting to get a situation with a company's product mitigated. I wrote to her on FB while on the phone - she has already gone out shooting at Sycamore Creek. Oh well, Caleb wants to go and the next time our schedules mesh, we will go and that's that.
More news on the 350 man front. He informed Randy that Randy is "living off the government". I don't speak to Randy at this point, Mark does. No biggies to me, he can talk to whoever, but I choose not to have anything further to do with Randy until/if/when/probably never he apologizes to me.
What I found snorting-your-drink-you-were-swallowing-out-your-nose funny is that this guy does NOTHING. He lives off of his mother! This guy claims in court that he has a medical condition that keeps him from working yet he's out there trying to build the fence! ROFL!!
So tomorrow is Friday already. I have been told that there is Saturday work, I have not heard back whether I will have to show up for that or not. Usually not - they don't like OT. They rather use salaried employees. Nice, aye?
A more interesting note was a visit to our store today. But, I am not going into that. Too much potential for problem in writing such on a public blog. One that I have reason to believe a certain individual from my company found through a means that also won't be discussed here. Not that I care, but the kind of detail that came out today - revelation to say the least. But it will prove interesting, to say the least, what might become of it in the near future.
I got the truck and the forklift stuck in the yard today. Yes, indeed. The new yard is a - nightmare. It has a thick layer of landscaping rock that just causes tires to sink into it. We cannot, basically, use that yard - a lot of square footage - until something is done to alleviate the problem. It took me 2-1/2 hours to get the semi and the forklift unstuck.
I dunno, but working on Saturday isn't necessarily all that wonderful. Holiday on Monday - meaning that I would be working for free because I would have to work all the hours that I didn't work on Monday and then anything after that to get OT.
Whatever. I'm tired. I busted my butt today and I haven't slept well 2 nights in a row. Going to bed early - yes.
G'nite.
ben
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Scaled Back Eating
I gave into eating a lot of junk in the last month and a half - and gained 5 pounds while doing it. Lots of pie and cookies and this, that and the other thing being shoved in my face. Especially that caramel pecan turtle pie - oh my goodness.
I am not giving in now and it has nothing to do with New Year's Resolutions. It's simply going back - a bit more extreme though to make up for what I have indulged in - to what I was doing before Thanksgiving hit and ever since then until New Year's.
I can't believe I let myself go like that. Not anymore. I didn't eat today until 3:30pm. I didn't eat yesterday until late, either and have only eaten twice on both days. It won't stop, either. I can do without food. I get hungry and eat, yes, but if I'm not hungry, I don't sit around and eat the "mindless" junk food. Today was a fluke, though, I was looking for somewhere to stop and eat and there was nothing but garbage food available at whatever places a large truck can find a place to pull into.
I thought, "I'm hungry, time to stop". Something else intervened and said: "Gee, and you want to be a 300 pound man, yes?" Drove right on by those places and quelched the hunger desire with sheer, utter determination. Yes, I am aware that quelched is not a word, but it should be, lol. Funny thing? I wasn't morbidly hungry when I got home and ate a portion of a shrimp platter and was full.
Later, I was offered a sloppy joe sandwich. High calorie? Maybe, but only 1? Notta problem.
It will be this way for a while, too. I will decline whatever sugar or fat filled junk I am offered.
Hmm, time got away from me.
G'nite.
ben
I am not giving in now and it has nothing to do with New Year's Resolutions. It's simply going back - a bit more extreme though to make up for what I have indulged in - to what I was doing before Thanksgiving hit and ever since then until New Year's.
I can't believe I let myself go like that. Not anymore. I didn't eat today until 3:30pm. I didn't eat yesterday until late, either and have only eaten twice on both days. It won't stop, either. I can do without food. I get hungry and eat, yes, but if I'm not hungry, I don't sit around and eat the "mindless" junk food. Today was a fluke, though, I was looking for somewhere to stop and eat and there was nothing but garbage food available at whatever places a large truck can find a place to pull into.
I thought, "I'm hungry, time to stop". Something else intervened and said: "Gee, and you want to be a 300 pound man, yes?" Drove right on by those places and quelched the hunger desire with sheer, utter determination. Yes, I am aware that quelched is not a word, but it should be, lol. Funny thing? I wasn't morbidly hungry when I got home and ate a portion of a shrimp platter and was full.
Later, I was offered a sloppy joe sandwich. High calorie? Maybe, but only 1? Notta problem.
It will be this way for a while, too. I will decline whatever sugar or fat filled junk I am offered.
Hmm, time got away from me.
G'nite.
ben
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