Thursday
Week dragging by as far as work is concerned because it has been very, very slow. So, to say it is "already" Thursday is better than nothing.
I am still putting in applications here and there for jobs that I am qualified for - ie: that I can show ample experience in doing. Just looking for part-time work to supplement my regular job's lack of hours. I have been looking for quite a long time and have only received one response, of which I replied back and never heard anything else again - probably because they were looking for full-time workers and I was and am seeking part-time.
Meanwhile, Obama is going to Ohio, apparently, to meet with some middle class family. The news put on a slew of people that live in the area that are unemployed, have been unemployed, have put a hundred/s of applications and received nothing in terms of any kind of prospect for employment.
Of interest was the lady that has 18 years of paralegal experience and can't find anything, anywhere. This is the field I was looking to go into some 5 or 6 years ago and opted against it because of the high cost of education to get any kind of degree AND the fact that lawyers were telling me that getting into the field is difficult unless you know someone.
Indeed. I can imagine being $45,000.00 in debt right now for student loans, having a degree in the field and have no job in that field and no prospects of finding one. That kind of thing is what leads people into depression, I do believe. Not financial depression, mental depression.
Anyway, yesterday I was scouring the web for more information about the CSA 2010 regulations that are - whenver it's going to happen - come into effect. Allegedly there is now a shortage of truckers.
??????.....and the numbers of truck drivers that will be needed by the end of next year? The figures range from 20,000 to 500,000. Reason? Drivers that are disqualified from the CDL pool because of the new regulations; baby boomers that are going to start retiring and truck drivers that were laid off during this recession and who these experts believe will NEVER come back.
It was interesting the many reports I found with drivers giving their testimonials of the crappy work that trucking is - referring to long haul/OTR. Never home, low pay, substandard living conditions, companies that don't care, not being paid for a lot of the work that is involved with the process of driving truck (such as loading and unloading, drivers simply aren't paid for waiting around a loading dock unless the company has some sort of fee they charge for making them wait over 2 hours).
August 19, 2010 6:00 AM
Anonymous said...
Yup, and the news isn't good for younger generation coming into the profession, either. The average yearly pay is $37,000.00. If I were starting out all over again, I would not want to get into a field where that kind of money is the only thing I was going to expect to get out of it. That used to be entry level pay, apparently that is way down as well.
It's interesting to read about the profession that I have been involved with starting in 1985 and remembering FAR better days in the trucking industry than they are now. Now, it is simply WAY over-regulated and WAY underpaid. The pay situation will iron itself out, at least to some degree, as the shortage of drivers will drive the pay scale up - drivers will become very selective about who they work for, especially veteran drivers, because they can. Perks, please and money while you're at it.
I have no such problems. I am paid for everything I do. Fueling the truck, loading the truck, driving the truck, unloading the truck, whatever it is, I am paid by the hour. Trucking industry balks at the idea of paying ALL drivers that way - of course, it would cost them a lot more money. Drivers would actually get paid for what they are doing.
How about a combination of miles driven and hours worked, then? Nope, they don't want anything to do with it. Okay, how about miles driven and a bonus for each load delivered? SOME do that to a limited degree, most won't. Doesn't matter, they simply don't want to pay enough to lure people into the profession.
Good luck with that. Eventually the hand will be forced. No drivers equals no products on the shelves and as I relentlessly point out, rail cannot handle all of the volume that is transported (trucks deliver 70%) and even if it could, trucks would still have to take most of it from a railyard to the stores.
It may be years before any real changes occur, dunno, but I guarantee that it will change eventually, it will HAVE to. Let the cost of paying drivers be passed onto the consumers, truck drivers sacrifice thier lives on the road and that's a fact. If the pay were MUCH better even I would consider going back OTR or regional. Lol, but I wouldn't consider it very long, I want nothing to do with OTR anymore.
Well, I'm still getting adjusted to the "new life" of not having any kids around. Amazingly peaceful and I don't miss the constant in and out all the time - at all. My son still coming 3-1/2 days per week, but his schedule is so busy now with school and work I hardly see him.
Anyway, work day approaches and at least there is SOMETHING to do in the truck routing system. Thank GOD Almighty!
G'day.
ben
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wednesday
Wednesday
“59% of all voters now favor repeal of the health care bill.” I was just reading a news story about Obama's ship - it's sinking and FAST. All kinds of polls covering the gamut showing him the loser in every one of them. And why not? He was supposed to "fix" the job situation, at least that was one of his big profiles when he was out there lying to everyone to get himself elected.
Do I hear someone blaming Bush again? GET OVER IT. Whatever Bush did or didn't do, Obama has had AMPLE time to get the economy rolling and has spent near TRILLIONS of dollars to try and do it.
Yet, foreclosures are still on the uptick, millions upon millions of people are out of work and the fear of a double-dip recession are still plaguing the overall economic atmosphere.
"Even in a poll by Democracy Corps—the firm run by Democratic strategists James Carville and Stan Greenberg—56% of likely voters said that “liberal” describes Barack Obama “very well or well” and 55% said the same about labeling Obama a “socialist.”"
Ahhh, finally, an actual POLL that agrees with me and my take that this man is AT BEST a socialist and is hell bent on running every aspect of our lives. November is getting here, folks, it will be here soon enough. Independents aren't liking the democrat's version of things - not that they like the GOP's either - but - the control of the senate must be given back to the GOP to end this wild spending spree.
The listing of polls, the different firms that are taking the polls and the fact that they are all coming out with basically the same numbers is astounding. Yet, Obama goes around acting like nothing's going on, a man that is grossly and totally out of touch with America, it's pulse and the (bad) direction that we are now headed - or more like - spiralling in.
Okay, I'm getting off that subject. I just started reading this news story with all these different polls - however - it was an opinion piece. Still, the polls were what I was interested in, not the man's opinion. I don't CARE about any news organization's opinion, it is all skewed. Whatever side the writer is on, that's the bent it is skewed for. I am ALL for just plain ole' reporting, put forth the FACTS and leave US to form our OWN opinions (you know, like it used to be in the "good ole' days"?).
WHERE do you find THAT kind of reporting anymore? Does ANY news reporting agency in America have that? I have heard that some organizations that are foreign-based have much better reporting, I wouldn't know.
August 18, 2010 5:59 AM
Anonymous said...
Onto other things. It literally poured rain yesterday evening going on into the night. RIGHT after I got through watering my plants - I had let it go for 2-1/2 days to see if it was going to rain, I couldn't let it go anymore - it started pouring. It's okay, it was a short, light watering so no huge waste there.
I can let watering go another 3 days now, even if it gets really hot again (which I'm sure it will).
Coming home daily now to no kids in the house has been a pleasant and surreal situation. I'm not going to say that I am missing all of the commotion going on all around me. No, the serenity and peace has been amazingly helpful to my sanity levels and just plain old cleanliness levels in the house. One tenant even went to work on the living room seeing the kids were gone and spruced it up very nicely.
I'm not sure that I will let them back in if the request is made, I am liking this "new" situation too much. The grass is greener on the other side of the fence - is it really? Go out there and get over there, there is no grass, it died a long time ago and there is nothing but bare earth. This in regards to Michael's family and the way those people live - which is currently in a hotel room somewhere.
I remind myself of those people and their living situation whenever I start to get ancy about having tenants in the house. But, I am coming to realize, the real anciness wasn't necessarily tenants as much as kids. Tenants can be good or bad, sometimes you can get them to change their ways (cleanliness) - you can always get rid of them if they refuse. Kids - especially teenagers - much different story. As I said in another post, we had gotten into it quite heavily last week when I came home and got mad that the house was dirty and I was having to clean up after them.
Whatever the case, the work day approaches and for the 3rd day in a row, there is nothing to do. Well, okay, Monday and Tuesday there was one small delivery in the morning and then that was it. Sales forecasts for this month were pretty dismal company wide in our Arizona region. I didn't think it would get THIS bad. I haven't fired up the semi since Friday to give an idea of it. Any deliveries and pickups have been made in the company pickup.
Beautiful weather this morning. Everything is wet and it's cool outside. COOL, yes you read that right. It won't stay that way, of course, but it is nice while it lasts. It's 80 degrees right now at 79% humidity. Okay, maybe that isn't cool, I don't know, it felt cool to me - in comparison to the 115 degree days we've had,I'll take that any day as long as the sun is being blocked by cloud cover.
The notion that we have a dry heat is really going out the window this summer. There have been far more days of high enough humidity coupled with high temperatures that really, that label to us is disappearing. When it's 107 degrees and it's 50% humidity out, that's pretty warm, folks.
Whatever the case, I must be outta here.
G'day.
ben
“59% of all voters now favor repeal of the health care bill.” I was just reading a news story about Obama's ship - it's sinking and FAST. All kinds of polls covering the gamut showing him the loser in every one of them. And why not? He was supposed to "fix" the job situation, at least that was one of his big profiles when he was out there lying to everyone to get himself elected.
Do I hear someone blaming Bush again? GET OVER IT. Whatever Bush did or didn't do, Obama has had AMPLE time to get the economy rolling and has spent near TRILLIONS of dollars to try and do it.
Yet, foreclosures are still on the uptick, millions upon millions of people are out of work and the fear of a double-dip recession are still plaguing the overall economic atmosphere.
"Even in a poll by Democracy Corps—the firm run by Democratic strategists James Carville and Stan Greenberg—56% of likely voters said that “liberal” describes Barack Obama “very well or well” and 55% said the same about labeling Obama a “socialist.”"
Ahhh, finally, an actual POLL that agrees with me and my take that this man is AT BEST a socialist and is hell bent on running every aspect of our lives. November is getting here, folks, it will be here soon enough. Independents aren't liking the democrat's version of things - not that they like the GOP's either - but - the control of the senate must be given back to the GOP to end this wild spending spree.
The listing of polls, the different firms that are taking the polls and the fact that they are all coming out with basically the same numbers is astounding. Yet, Obama goes around acting like nothing's going on, a man that is grossly and totally out of touch with America, it's pulse and the (bad) direction that we are now headed - or more like - spiralling in.
Okay, I'm getting off that subject. I just started reading this news story with all these different polls - however - it was an opinion piece. Still, the polls were what I was interested in, not the man's opinion. I don't CARE about any news organization's opinion, it is all skewed. Whatever side the writer is on, that's the bent it is skewed for. I am ALL for just plain ole' reporting, put forth the FACTS and leave US to form our OWN opinions (you know, like it used to be in the "good ole' days"?).
WHERE do you find THAT kind of reporting anymore? Does ANY news reporting agency in America have that? I have heard that some organizations that are foreign-based have much better reporting, I wouldn't know.
August 18, 2010 5:59 AM
Anonymous said...
Onto other things. It literally poured rain yesterday evening going on into the night. RIGHT after I got through watering my plants - I had let it go for 2-1/2 days to see if it was going to rain, I couldn't let it go anymore - it started pouring. It's okay, it was a short, light watering so no huge waste there.
I can let watering go another 3 days now, even if it gets really hot again (which I'm sure it will).
Coming home daily now to no kids in the house has been a pleasant and surreal situation. I'm not going to say that I am missing all of the commotion going on all around me. No, the serenity and peace has been amazingly helpful to my sanity levels and just plain old cleanliness levels in the house. One tenant even went to work on the living room seeing the kids were gone and spruced it up very nicely.
I'm not sure that I will let them back in if the request is made, I am liking this "new" situation too much. The grass is greener on the other side of the fence - is it really? Go out there and get over there, there is no grass, it died a long time ago and there is nothing but bare earth. This in regards to Michael's family and the way those people live - which is currently in a hotel room somewhere.
I remind myself of those people and their living situation whenever I start to get ancy about having tenants in the house. But, I am coming to realize, the real anciness wasn't necessarily tenants as much as kids. Tenants can be good or bad, sometimes you can get them to change their ways (cleanliness) - you can always get rid of them if they refuse. Kids - especially teenagers - much different story. As I said in another post, we had gotten into it quite heavily last week when I came home and got mad that the house was dirty and I was having to clean up after them.
Whatever the case, the work day approaches and for the 3rd day in a row, there is nothing to do. Well, okay, Monday and Tuesday there was one small delivery in the morning and then that was it. Sales forecasts for this month were pretty dismal company wide in our Arizona region. I didn't think it would get THIS bad. I haven't fired up the semi since Friday to give an idea of it. Any deliveries and pickups have been made in the company pickup.
Beautiful weather this morning. Everything is wet and it's cool outside. COOL, yes you read that right. It won't stay that way, of course, but it is nice while it lasts. It's 80 degrees right now at 79% humidity. Okay, maybe that isn't cool, I don't know, it felt cool to me - in comparison to the 115 degree days we've had,I'll take that any day as long as the sun is being blocked by cloud cover.
The notion that we have a dry heat is really going out the window this summer. There have been far more days of high enough humidity coupled with high temperatures that really, that label to us is disappearing. When it's 107 degrees and it's 50% humidity out, that's pretty warm, folks.
Whatever the case, I must be outta here.
G'day.
ben
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Tuesday
Tuesday
Will be here (at work) late today as I was asked to close the store. Manager is going to yet another "function" of the divorce proceedings.
So, senator Gaffe Reid finally takes a stance other than lip service to the democratic party. I'm amazed. I wouldn't vote for that guy if you paid me good money to, but still - he is against having that mosque built on ground zero. I am also against that mosque being built there, I consider it a slap in the face of the firefighters, police officers and everyone else that died at that site on 9/11. No, I have no qualms going into some political fields on my blog........
Umm, well whatever. I have been sitting here reading news blip after news blip, all KINDS of stuff in there today. The child sex sting was a bit horrific to say the least - - old guys wanting to have sex with young (and I mean YOUNG) girls.
Another incredulous story is this deal about the Pentagon wanting to buy Russian made helicopters for use in Afghanistan and not even letting American companies bid on the deal? That is completely and totally outrageous. Right, Obama, you want to put America back to work, or was that Russians? How many potential jobs lost to a contract that might go overseas for a product that can and is being built in our own back yard?
Unbelievable. Well, I just got started with the gears cranking and here it is, time to get to work. Well, work takes precedence.
G'day.
ben
Will be here (at work) late today as I was asked to close the store. Manager is going to yet another "function" of the divorce proceedings.
So, senator Gaffe Reid finally takes a stance other than lip service to the democratic party. I'm amazed. I wouldn't vote for that guy if you paid me good money to, but still - he is against having that mosque built on ground zero. I am also against that mosque being built there, I consider it a slap in the face of the firefighters, police officers and everyone else that died at that site on 9/11. No, I have no qualms going into some political fields on my blog........
Umm, well whatever. I have been sitting here reading news blip after news blip, all KINDS of stuff in there today. The child sex sting was a bit horrific to say the least - - old guys wanting to have sex with young (and I mean YOUNG) girls.
Another incredulous story is this deal about the Pentagon wanting to buy Russian made helicopters for use in Afghanistan and not even letting American companies bid on the deal? That is completely and totally outrageous. Right, Obama, you want to put America back to work, or was that Russians? How many potential jobs lost to a contract that might go overseas for a product that can and is being built in our own back yard?
Unbelievable. Well, I just got started with the gears cranking and here it is, time to get to work. Well, work takes precedence.
G'day.
ben
Monday, August 16, 2010
Monday
Monday
I didn't sleep NEAR as well last night as I did the night before. I had an upset stomach/acid indigestion/whatever going on down there and it kept me awake for hours. Nice to finally fall asleep and then have that alarm clock banging in your ears shortly thereafter......
They were predicting in the 111's high for today, now it has gone done to a 104 high. Forecasters have never been able to successfully figure out the weather during the monsoon season because storms start up in the mountains with moist air being drawn upward, accumulating and coming down "here" and dumping it's stuff on us overnight. They just never have quite gotten it.
Which is okay by me, it can get as cool as it wants to. The rest of the week looks pathetic in terms of temps until Sunday where they're showing a high of 99 degrees.
That's also getting close to the end of August and I expect that sooner or later, it will start cooling down and the highs won't be so dreadful.
I'm following the feds with interest. One dissenter on the board is saying that it's a risky gamble to leave the rates at almost nothing. I do wonder what Greenspan has to say about all of this, regardless if he doesn't hold the position anymore.
As for today, one small delivery and that is all that's in the delivery system. Well, if nothing else comes up I am going to ask to leave early, that upset stomach kept me awake most of the night and I am totally out of it.
ben
I didn't sleep NEAR as well last night as I did the night before. I had an upset stomach/acid indigestion/whatever going on down there and it kept me awake for hours. Nice to finally fall asleep and then have that alarm clock banging in your ears shortly thereafter......
They were predicting in the 111's high for today, now it has gone done to a 104 high. Forecasters have never been able to successfully figure out the weather during the monsoon season because storms start up in the mountains with moist air being drawn upward, accumulating and coming down "here" and dumping it's stuff on us overnight. They just never have quite gotten it.
Which is okay by me, it can get as cool as it wants to. The rest of the week looks pathetic in terms of temps until Sunday where they're showing a high of 99 degrees.
That's also getting close to the end of August and I expect that sooner or later, it will start cooling down and the highs won't be so dreadful.
I'm following the feds with interest. One dissenter on the board is saying that it's a risky gamble to leave the rates at almost nothing. I do wonder what Greenspan has to say about all of this, regardless if he doesn't hold the position anymore.
As for today, one small delivery and that is all that's in the delivery system. Well, if nothing else comes up I am going to ask to leave early, that upset stomach kept me awake most of the night and I am totally out of it.
ben
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Church
There are 3 churches on the same side of the street. The first one I didn't even see until after I was driving home from church, the second one was full of people and the 3rd - well there were maybe 5 cars in the parking lot. I was 15 minutes early, I figured to drive around the block. I know, scaredy cat, but really, what is the deal with a church that no-one is going to?
Well, when it comes to the things of the Lord, the human mind can be at direct conflict with what He wants you to do, regardless of what anything may appear to be. Tempted to pull into the parking lot of the big church with at least hundreds of people's worth (and therefore, be able to disappear in a sea of people), I decided that I had come to visit the other church and I was going to go regardless of what my mind was telling me.
In walking through the door, a lady with a big smile handed me a pamphlet, asked me if I had been to the church before. I thought she probably knows full well I haven't been there before if this place has as few people as it appears, but I politely responded no, I am a newcomer. Asks me to fill out a card - they all, always ask you to do that. After that, the pastor walks up. Man in his 70's. Apparently decides that I am to become a crusade of his to win over, I guess. He starts talking, we start talking back and forth. We go into the "room", I sit down and he sits down next to me. The man is an intellectual, bright, intelligent, up-to-date on current world affairs. But, he is a spiritual intellectual. The conversation ends, the service starts.
Good worship music. Offering - yes I gave even though I really can't afford it. Then the sermon. I have heard some pastors going into politics vaguely, I have never heard a pastor going into the depth of politics as it relates to Christianity and the Bible as I heard this man. It was NOT a boring "sermon", I was listening intently, to be honest. The man pays close attention to what the politicians say - and then goes back and finds many instances where they contradict themselves. Completely contradict themselves. One of the most astonishing things he came out with - that I haven't heard before and will have to check to verify - is a statment made by Obama. He stated that Obama, when speaking about his views on abortion, had stated that a woman should have the right to have an abortion even up and into the third trimester. Allegedly, Obama stated something like: I say we should just let them have the baby on the table and then throw the baby away and let it die.
Something to that effect. I don't just tend to take people's statements at blind faith and not verify them. I should have taken notes but I didn't expect the depth of the discussion that was given.
Oh, I forgot about the part where 3 ladies came in and sat down right next to me - very friendly. Apparently not having a ringer on the 4th finger identifies you as potential mating substance? I don't really know, but one of them was very good looking, I'll say that much.
I left thinking that that was time well spent. Decided to treat myself with an avocado chicken salad from a local eatery on the way home. Now? Trying to recapture the momentum I had all this morning in getting all kinds of cleaning projects done around here. I think it will resurface as soon as my food settles a bit : )
ben
Well, when it comes to the things of the Lord, the human mind can be at direct conflict with what He wants you to do, regardless of what anything may appear to be. Tempted to pull into the parking lot of the big church with at least hundreds of people's worth (and therefore, be able to disappear in a sea of people), I decided that I had come to visit the other church and I was going to go regardless of what my mind was telling me.
In walking through the door, a lady with a big smile handed me a pamphlet, asked me if I had been to the church before. I thought she probably knows full well I haven't been there before if this place has as few people as it appears, but I politely responded no, I am a newcomer. Asks me to fill out a card - they all, always ask you to do that. After that, the pastor walks up. Man in his 70's. Apparently decides that I am to become a crusade of his to win over, I guess. He starts talking, we start talking back and forth. We go into the "room", I sit down and he sits down next to me. The man is an intellectual, bright, intelligent, up-to-date on current world affairs. But, he is a spiritual intellectual. The conversation ends, the service starts.
Good worship music. Offering - yes I gave even though I really can't afford it. Then the sermon. I have heard some pastors going into politics vaguely, I have never heard a pastor going into the depth of politics as it relates to Christianity and the Bible as I heard this man. It was NOT a boring "sermon", I was listening intently, to be honest. The man pays close attention to what the politicians say - and then goes back and finds many instances where they contradict themselves. Completely contradict themselves. One of the most astonishing things he came out with - that I haven't heard before and will have to check to verify - is a statment made by Obama. He stated that Obama, when speaking about his views on abortion, had stated that a woman should have the right to have an abortion even up and into the third trimester. Allegedly, Obama stated something like: I say we should just let them have the baby on the table and then throw the baby away and let it die.
Something to that effect. I don't just tend to take people's statements at blind faith and not verify them. I should have taken notes but I didn't expect the depth of the discussion that was given.
Oh, I forgot about the part where 3 ladies came in and sat down right next to me - very friendly. Apparently not having a ringer on the 4th finger identifies you as potential mating substance? I don't really know, but one of them was very good looking, I'll say that much.
I left thinking that that was time well spent. Decided to treat myself with an avocado chicken salad from a local eatery on the way home. Now? Trying to recapture the momentum I had all this morning in getting all kinds of cleaning projects done around here. I think it will resurface as soon as my food settles a bit : )
ben
Sunday
Woke up at 4:10 am - this morning of course. May sound extremely early and I suppose it is, but......I went to bed at 8:30pm. The significant factor here is that I slept through the night without waking up a single time. That, for me, is exceptional. Me getting almost 8 hours of sleep is unheard of in any recent times - going back at least 5 years.
Cleaning frenzy. I started cleaning - and cleaning - and cleaning. Going through cupboards, clothing, cleaning bathroom, kitchen, laundry this that and the other thing. 3 solid hours of it so far. I am 75% self-persuaded to go to church today. I haven't fully "arrived" at that decision, but I think I am actually going to find muster to get over there and see if it's something I can get back into. Service starts in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
So that's it. If I get to church, when I come home it will be more cleaning. I have several things I want to get done in this house today now that most of the kids are gone and presumably will be gone indefinitely/permanently/who knows.
I read the news this morning, nothing of great inerest. As usual, Obama this and Obama that. This time they show a pic of him swimming somewhere in the Gulf. I wouldn't go swimming in there if you paid me. I thought California beaches were dirty. Michelle apparently is getting flak for her lavish vacations and pricey outings. Yes, I know they are reporting that the Obama's paid for it with their own money. The point is the same point I have been making for some time now: rich people in positions of political power having no clue what it is like to live like much of the rest of us and don't WANT to know. I can't just hop in a plane whenever I want and jet around the world, buying the fanciest clothing and eating at the finest restaurants while staying at lavish hotels spending thousands of dollars per night doing such.
But really, it's like thumbing your nose at the population you are allegedly representing. Talk of double-dip recessiong, unemployment at such high levels people are giving up hope of finding a job, foreclosures, on and on and on. Meanwhile, the president and his wife and family are having the time of their lives, while telling us to pinch pennies and tighten the belt. Is there some kind of obvious disparity here? There is no empathy for the rest of us that are worse-than-struggling, they can't have empathy because they aren't poor, broke, homeless or unemployed. Certainly the Obama's aren't the only family in political power that are living the high life and doing the same, but the president is going to get more flak, obviously, since it's his policies that were supposedly going to make the economy rebound.
Instead, they continue to blame Bush. If, after 4 years of office and this thing is still not turned around, will they still blame Bush? I blame the whole lot of them for spending taxpayer money like there is no end to the amount that can be tapped, when in reality we are operating in the highest deficit in history. These people have no grip on reality. They don't CARE, that's the point. You want me to like the house, senate and presidency, then get people in there that are totally opposite of what's in there now. Pay down the debt. Get rid of government health insurance (it WILL turn into an endless money pit). Earmarks and pork barrel spending and all the rest of this money pit.
No sense in getting worked up over all of that, I will be at the polls in November and my small voice will be heard on a ballot. 1 hour left before church starts. I'm going, I think. I know, it's ridiculous that I have such an internal war going on whether I am going to go to church for a couple of hours or not, but it's there none-the-less. I will sit in the back of the place and observe. Not judge, just observe. What's this church like. How do the people treat each other? Of course, it is easy to put on a smiley face for church on Sunday, is the walk there the rest of the week? No way to determine that. How do they greet newcomers? Actually, I"m more concerned about whether there is a great deal of gossip and backstabbing. Little cliques of people that stand around in groups and "chit-chat" about so and so. I've been there and done that, I'm not interested in hearing any of that junk.
But, I will go with an open mind and positive - and hope to walk out of there that way.
G'day.
ben
Cleaning frenzy. I started cleaning - and cleaning - and cleaning. Going through cupboards, clothing, cleaning bathroom, kitchen, laundry this that and the other thing. 3 solid hours of it so far. I am 75% self-persuaded to go to church today. I haven't fully "arrived" at that decision, but I think I am actually going to find muster to get over there and see if it's something I can get back into. Service starts in 1 hour and 20 minutes.
So that's it. If I get to church, when I come home it will be more cleaning. I have several things I want to get done in this house today now that most of the kids are gone and presumably will be gone indefinitely/permanently/who knows.
I read the news this morning, nothing of great inerest. As usual, Obama this and Obama that. This time they show a pic of him swimming somewhere in the Gulf. I wouldn't go swimming in there if you paid me. I thought California beaches were dirty. Michelle apparently is getting flak for her lavish vacations and pricey outings. Yes, I know they are reporting that the Obama's paid for it with their own money. The point is the same point I have been making for some time now: rich people in positions of political power having no clue what it is like to live like much of the rest of us and don't WANT to know. I can't just hop in a plane whenever I want and jet around the world, buying the fanciest clothing and eating at the finest restaurants while staying at lavish hotels spending thousands of dollars per night doing such.
But really, it's like thumbing your nose at the population you are allegedly representing. Talk of double-dip recessiong, unemployment at such high levels people are giving up hope of finding a job, foreclosures, on and on and on. Meanwhile, the president and his wife and family are having the time of their lives, while telling us to pinch pennies and tighten the belt. Is there some kind of obvious disparity here? There is no empathy for the rest of us that are worse-than-struggling, they can't have empathy because they aren't poor, broke, homeless or unemployed. Certainly the Obama's aren't the only family in political power that are living the high life and doing the same, but the president is going to get more flak, obviously, since it's his policies that were supposedly going to make the economy rebound.
Instead, they continue to blame Bush. If, after 4 years of office and this thing is still not turned around, will they still blame Bush? I blame the whole lot of them for spending taxpayer money like there is no end to the amount that can be tapped, when in reality we are operating in the highest deficit in history. These people have no grip on reality. They don't CARE, that's the point. You want me to like the house, senate and presidency, then get people in there that are totally opposite of what's in there now. Pay down the debt. Get rid of government health insurance (it WILL turn into an endless money pit). Earmarks and pork barrel spending and all the rest of this money pit.
No sense in getting worked up over all of that, I will be at the polls in November and my small voice will be heard on a ballot. 1 hour left before church starts. I'm going, I think. I know, it's ridiculous that I have such an internal war going on whether I am going to go to church for a couple of hours or not, but it's there none-the-less. I will sit in the back of the place and observe. Not judge, just observe. What's this church like. How do the people treat each other? Of course, it is easy to put on a smiley face for church on Sunday, is the walk there the rest of the week? No way to determine that. How do they greet newcomers? Actually, I"m more concerned about whether there is a great deal of gossip and backstabbing. Little cliques of people that stand around in groups and "chit-chat" about so and so. I've been there and done that, I'm not interested in hearing any of that junk.
But, I will go with an open mind and positive - and hope to walk out of there that way.
G'day.
ben
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Reflection
It was time to get out of the house. Put on the straw hat, go to the pond area and sit down.
Shortly after I got out there, a hummingbird caught my attention. About 9 feet off the ground, it was zinging back and forth attempting to catch a small fly. It did, eventually, catch it. It came back - another fly, more dinner. I have not seen that before. I have only seen them feeding at the feeder which I have not been filling because it is in the direct sunlight and the liquid goes bad quickly. Cooler temps and I will start filling it up again.
Dogs in tow, the fish were hungry. Very small black ants had found their way into the goldfish flakes container that was closed. No matter, they aren't going to stick around on that food in the water, if they do, I doubt the fish are going to care that they swallowed an ant.
I believe the direction of life should be controlled by the Lord. I also know that for several years now, I have been floating aimlessly. I feed the hungry, yes, but as far as fulfilling the call of the Lord on my life - it hasn't really been going in any concrete direction.
Is it time, I had to ask myself, to do something about this? Have I had enough of the post-divorce trauma that I have let debilitate me for over 5 years now? Shall I finally find a way to get into something with a group of people that believe the same and start living life again?
I wondered, also,about why I had bought such a large house. 4 bedrooms turned into 5 with 2 bathrooms, 2,000 square feet. Why does a single guy need a house that large? What do I need with a place this large? Couldn't I have bought a smaller one and not had to have tenants? Not sure about that one, the upgrade in size was only $10,000 more, relatively small amount for a house and adding substantial square footage. I never thought, though, that cooling this place would cost so much in the summer. Well, we're already halfway through August - temps will start going down next month (hopefully) and so will my cooling bill.
Perhaps I had thoughts of having another family. I dunno. I don't really regret it, yet, I wonder if I wouldn't have been just as happy with a smaller house and a bit smaller payment.
I can only say that tomorrow morning, around 10:00 am, I am going to try and force myself out to that car and get over to that church. I think/believe it's the one. I haven't ever been there, I just feel it.
The last 3 I didn't have that feeling.
I"m not going in any particular direction with this, just expressing innermost thoughts. Not all of them, but sufficient. There are things that go on in my life that I don't write out on an internet forum. Some things should be kept personal. Some things it just isn't wise to speak about to everyone on the block. It's been an interesting 24 hours is all I can say.
I'm going to bed early.
ben
Shortly after I got out there, a hummingbird caught my attention. About 9 feet off the ground, it was zinging back and forth attempting to catch a small fly. It did, eventually, catch it. It came back - another fly, more dinner. I have not seen that before. I have only seen them feeding at the feeder which I have not been filling because it is in the direct sunlight and the liquid goes bad quickly. Cooler temps and I will start filling it up again.
Dogs in tow, the fish were hungry. Very small black ants had found their way into the goldfish flakes container that was closed. No matter, they aren't going to stick around on that food in the water, if they do, I doubt the fish are going to care that they swallowed an ant.
I believe the direction of life should be controlled by the Lord. I also know that for several years now, I have been floating aimlessly. I feed the hungry, yes, but as far as fulfilling the call of the Lord on my life - it hasn't really been going in any concrete direction.
Is it time, I had to ask myself, to do something about this? Have I had enough of the post-divorce trauma that I have let debilitate me for over 5 years now? Shall I finally find a way to get into something with a group of people that believe the same and start living life again?
I wondered, also,about why I had bought such a large house. 4 bedrooms turned into 5 with 2 bathrooms, 2,000 square feet. Why does a single guy need a house that large? What do I need with a place this large? Couldn't I have bought a smaller one and not had to have tenants? Not sure about that one, the upgrade in size was only $10,000 more, relatively small amount for a house and adding substantial square footage. I never thought, though, that cooling this place would cost so much in the summer. Well, we're already halfway through August - temps will start going down next month (hopefully) and so will my cooling bill.
Perhaps I had thoughts of having another family. I dunno. I don't really regret it, yet, I wonder if I wouldn't have been just as happy with a smaller house and a bit smaller payment.
I can only say that tomorrow morning, around 10:00 am, I am going to try and force myself out to that car and get over to that church. I think/believe it's the one. I haven't ever been there, I just feel it.
The last 3 I didn't have that feeling.
I"m not going in any particular direction with this, just expressing innermost thoughts. Not all of them, but sufficient. There are things that go on in my life that I don't write out on an internet forum. Some things should be kept personal. Some things it just isn't wise to speak about to everyone on the block. It's been an interesting 24 hours is all I can say.
I'm going to bed early.
ben
Saturday
Michael - is gone. As is the way with him and his family, things can change abruptly without any forewarning.
He got his stuff and left. That's it.
I have no qualms with it, either. One less mouth to feed, TV's that won't be on endlessly. The black kids won't come over because he isn't here and that will mean even more money saved. Life isn't all about saving money, but this was his decision.
Caleb - is gone a lot now. Work keeps him very busy along with school now. Some girl at work - his age - apparently thought it would be cute to start rumors that he is a slacker and told him that he was going to get fired.
Instead, it turns out, this girl is going into rehab. At the ripe old age of 17, she is an alcoholic and they are going to try and bring her out of it. What, however, is it that goes through the mind to start an ugly rumor like that? Caleb's manager called him to him earlier this week - Caleb thought it was all over. He was going to be fired. Instead, the manger asked him if he could take some of the girl that is going into rehab's shifts? Caleb told him he thought he was going to be fired and answered the question after being asked why he thought that, the manager simply replied that you don't listen to them, I am your manager, not them.
He's growing up and learning. Dealing with workplace crap can sometimes be very traumatic. It can certainly be a big test. It will definitely force him to learn how to deal in inter-personal issues not only in the workplace, but in all of life.
Meanwhile, I am sitting here in a completely empty house. No kids, no tenants. Not that the tenants are gone permanently - they are out doing whatever they are doing. I have not experienced this kind of tranquility and peace for a long time in this house. No pity party desired, I am all over this. Okay, there are 4 dogs here, but besides that....oops, forgot the trailer tenants. They are almost always here. He just paid me up a whole month's rent and is hoping to get a place in Mesa next month.
My thoughts have wandered towards attempting to force myself to go to church tomorrow. I have the church picked out - it's in Chandler. I pass by it every day going to work. It has drawn me. I want to go - and yet - the old issues always come to mind. 10:30 am. No, not committing to go, just trying to get my mind into the place where I can walk through the doors, put on a smile, find a seat, sit down and absorb whatever there is to absorb from the place. I have some trepidation - it is a prophetic church. I have been called out in prophetic churches before - not a bad thing I guess but still.
I feel a great need to get back into the fellowship of other believers and start making some new friends again. I feel I am at the verge of it.
Besides taking Caleb to work earlier, I have spent the entire day indoors. It is very hot outside and I have simply not had the gumption to do anything but watch movies. In fact, I have done nothing at all, not even cleaning. The house, however, is in pretty good shape right now so no big deal. The heat advisories (yes, there is more than one for the area I am living in) are in effect until Monday evening. The second hottest summer on the records since they started keeping records. My electric use is off the wall, but, I am keeping it at around 82 in here during the day if no tenants are here.
So that's it. I am not going into news stuff now cause' I don't much feel like it. Obama this, Obama that. It's amazing how much that man really WANTS the press to cover him. Self-aborbed? Certainly in love with the sound of his own voice. No, I'm not a fan and never will be. At least the outcry for him to stop blaming Bush is getting louder. More people are saying - gee, Mr. President, you have had a year and a half to deal with this and now we are looking at a potential double-dip recession. I really don't think he cares. In fact, I don't think any of them care one way or the other. Get their agenda through, come what may, consequences be damned.
I'm watching some freaky movie called "The Eye" on Lifetime Movie Network. Weird stuff there. I saw the movie once but it was late when I watched it - quite a while back - and fell asleep so I really don't even know the ending of it.
Well, that's my update.
ben
He got his stuff and left. That's it.
I have no qualms with it, either. One less mouth to feed, TV's that won't be on endlessly. The black kids won't come over because he isn't here and that will mean even more money saved. Life isn't all about saving money, but this was his decision.
Caleb - is gone a lot now. Work keeps him very busy along with school now. Some girl at work - his age - apparently thought it would be cute to start rumors that he is a slacker and told him that he was going to get fired.
Instead, it turns out, this girl is going into rehab. At the ripe old age of 17, she is an alcoholic and they are going to try and bring her out of it. What, however, is it that goes through the mind to start an ugly rumor like that? Caleb's manager called him to him earlier this week - Caleb thought it was all over. He was going to be fired. Instead, the manger asked him if he could take some of the girl that is going into rehab's shifts? Caleb told him he thought he was going to be fired and answered the question after being asked why he thought that, the manager simply replied that you don't listen to them, I am your manager, not them.
He's growing up and learning. Dealing with workplace crap can sometimes be very traumatic. It can certainly be a big test. It will definitely force him to learn how to deal in inter-personal issues not only in the workplace, but in all of life.
Meanwhile, I am sitting here in a completely empty house. No kids, no tenants. Not that the tenants are gone permanently - they are out doing whatever they are doing. I have not experienced this kind of tranquility and peace for a long time in this house. No pity party desired, I am all over this. Okay, there are 4 dogs here, but besides that....oops, forgot the trailer tenants. They are almost always here. He just paid me up a whole month's rent and is hoping to get a place in Mesa next month.
My thoughts have wandered towards attempting to force myself to go to church tomorrow. I have the church picked out - it's in Chandler. I pass by it every day going to work. It has drawn me. I want to go - and yet - the old issues always come to mind. 10:30 am. No, not committing to go, just trying to get my mind into the place where I can walk through the doors, put on a smile, find a seat, sit down and absorb whatever there is to absorb from the place. I have some trepidation - it is a prophetic church. I have been called out in prophetic churches before - not a bad thing I guess but still.
I feel a great need to get back into the fellowship of other believers and start making some new friends again. I feel I am at the verge of it.
Besides taking Caleb to work earlier, I have spent the entire day indoors. It is very hot outside and I have simply not had the gumption to do anything but watch movies. In fact, I have done nothing at all, not even cleaning. The house, however, is in pretty good shape right now so no big deal. The heat advisories (yes, there is more than one for the area I am living in) are in effect until Monday evening. The second hottest summer on the records since they started keeping records. My electric use is off the wall, but, I am keeping it at around 82 in here during the day if no tenants are here.
So that's it. I am not going into news stuff now cause' I don't much feel like it. Obama this, Obama that. It's amazing how much that man really WANTS the press to cover him. Self-aborbed? Certainly in love with the sound of his own voice. No, I'm not a fan and never will be. At least the outcry for him to stop blaming Bush is getting louder. More people are saying - gee, Mr. President, you have had a year and a half to deal with this and now we are looking at a potential double-dip recession. I really don't think he cares. In fact, I don't think any of them care one way or the other. Get their agenda through, come what may, consequences be damned.
I'm watching some freaky movie called "The Eye" on Lifetime Movie Network. Weird stuff there. I saw the movie once but it was late when I watched it - quite a while back - and fell asleep so I really don't even know the ending of it.
Well, that's my update.
ben
Friday, August 13, 2010
Friday/Judgement?
You know, I believe in God. I believe in the atoning blood sacrifice that Jesus Christ made at the Cross of Calvary. I believe in the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. I also happen to believe that the prophetic - such as was in Old Testament times - is still alive and kicking and being brought forth, yes, today.
I believe that because I operated to some small extent in the spirit of prophecy for some time before I got divorced. I"m not saying I'm anyone grand or special, just saying what I believe.
So, when I start getting these feelings, inner speakings, whatever you want to call it, about something coming down the pike, I tend to pay attention to such things. I'm not even currently going to church - not involved in fellowship with other believers (my bad, long story, not going into that here, still trying to force myself to get into a church and soon) - and I am having these thoughts and things coming before me.
I heard some stuff on the radio yesterday that totally confirmed what I have been thinking and I wasn't listening to a Christian radio station. My ex-wife then sends me all kinds of stuff about terrorist cells being all around us. You see in the news about terrorists being "home grown" - right here in the good ole' U.S.
I do believe there is a lot more to this than the government is telling us. I rather believe, also, that they know full well what is going. I'm not saying the government is involved in any of this, to the contrary. When terrorist cells want to stay invisible, they know how to do it.
And if they decide to do something, how are they going to be stopped? There were also recent reports of Hezbollah coming through or stationed near the Mexico/New Mexico or Texas border. Other reports that terrorists are coming through the basically open border that it is down south (of me, anyway).
The picture starts to come together of why I am feeling what I am feeling. I'm less than 200 miles from the Nogales border entry.
If these cells exist, what are they planning on doing? Usually, modus operandi dictates destruction on mass level versus "just" killing af few people on the streets or something. Such as a giant stadium, or a large event where mass amounts of people are gathered together.
My senses are not failing me. It is a strange thing to suddenly come to all of these conclusions, but the pieces have been coming together for some time now in my mind, I just didn't recognize it.
Fear? The only fear I can have is of God Himself. HE is the one to fear, not man. If I am not ready to go to Him, that is fearful. I cannot stop man, mankind and it's inherent nature to destroy itself by destroying it's own kind. Wars have gone on from the beginning of time. Mankind is, generally, self-destructive.
No, the only preparation I can do is to make sure my heart is right - and I do believe there are areas lacking right now - that terrifies me more than any threat of death at the hands of other men through bombs or shootings or whatever. We are all going to go out of this world one way or the other. Where we end up is of eternal, utmost, grave concern.
Now, I do firmly believe in the right to bear arms and the right to defend your home. This goes without saying. But - against a group of men that are trained in tactical maneuvers and the workings of war? I would be mowed down in a minute. My head would be blown clean off and that would be the end of that. Oh, I might get one of them with a lucky shot, who knows - but reality is I am nothing compared to someone with military training and I am not about to go out somewhere and start learning. I don't really care that much. I believe my life is in God's hands and however I go out of this world, it won't be because some man decided to shoot me, rather, that the Lord allowed such to happen - or didn't. I can tell you (true) stories of when I was on the mission field and the Lord protected me from imminent hard. I could, but won't - not now anyway. First, you would have to believe that God WILL actually intervene in a situation if He does, indeed, choose to do so. Second, you would have to take my word for it. Third - work day approaches and I don't have time to write all of that out.
WHY men/mankind is so hell bent to destroy each other? Not a clue. I mean, I have a clue, it just doesn't make any sense, at all. These people would go out of their way to come into our society, set up camp and devise ways to kill the masses? It's just senseless.
I know, strange way to start a Friday morning entry, but that's what hit me this morning as I started thinking about all of this. No, I am not trying to instill fear into anyone, really, I am speaking to myself. This IS, after all, my internet diary.
Anyway, Sunday morning will come and I will face the same thing I face every Sunday morning: can I force myself to get into church? What will happen if I go? I do know WHY I have such a problem, I have written about it in my blogs for a long time now, it's nothing new or hidden. I feel the need to get back into fellowship, yet I have this inner wall blocking me.
Anyway, very little to do here, at work, today. So far, anyway, that can always change of course. I do believe I am going to seriously start picking back up on my food storage, I stop and start and stop - well, I think it's time to do some other things beyond what I have been doing.
This weekend? No idea. Work on the pond. Whatever is coming down the pike - if indeed anything really is - I am still going to have my little place of solace for however long it lasts. When it's gone, it's gone. All things in this world are temporal anyway.
With that I bid you a great day : )
ben
You know, I believe in God. I believe in the atoning blood sacrifice that Jesus Christ made at the Cross of Calvary. I believe in the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. I also happen to believe that the prophetic - such as was in Old Testament times - is still alive and kicking and being brought forth, yes, today.
I believe that because I operated to some small extent in the spirit of prophecy for some time before I got divorced. I"m not saying I'm anyone grand or special, just saying what I believe.
So, when I start getting these feelings, inner speakings, whatever you want to call it, about something coming down the pike, I tend to pay attention to such things. I'm not even currently going to church - not involved in fellowship with other believers (my bad, long story, not going into that here, still trying to force myself to get into a church and soon) - and I am having these thoughts and things coming before me.
I heard some stuff on the radio yesterday that totally confirmed what I have been thinking and I wasn't listening to a Christian radio station. My ex-wife then sends me all kinds of stuff about terrorist cells being all around us. You see in the news about terrorists being "home grown" - right here in the good ole' U.S.
I do believe there is a lot more to this than the government is telling us. I rather believe, also, that they know full well what is going. I'm not saying the government is involved in any of this, to the contrary. When terrorist cells want to stay invisible, they know how to do it.
And if they decide to do something, how are they going to be stopped? There were also recent reports of Hezbollah coming through or stationed near the Mexico/New Mexico or Texas border. Other reports that terrorists are coming through the basically open border that it is down south (of me, anyway).
The picture starts to come together of why I am feeling what I am feeling. I'm less than 200 miles from the Nogales border entry.
If these cells exist, what are they planning on doing? Usually, modus operandi dictates destruction on mass level versus "just" killing af few people on the streets or something. Such as a giant stadium, or a large event where mass amounts of people are gathered together.
My senses are not failing me. It is a strange thing to suddenly come to all of these conclusions, but the pieces have been coming together for some time now in my mind, I just didn't recognize it.
Fear? The only fear I can have is of God Himself. HE is the one to fear, not man. If I am not ready to go to Him, that is fearful. I cannot stop man, mankind and it's inherent nature to destroy itself by destroying it's own kind. Wars have gone on from the beginning of time. Mankind is, generally, self-destructive.
No, the only preparation I can do is to make sure my heart is right - and I do believe there are areas lacking right now - that terrifies me more than any threat of death at the hands of other men through bombs or shootings or whatever. We are all going to go out of this world one way or the other. Where we end up is of eternal, utmost, grave concern.
Now, I do firmly believe in the right to bear arms and the right to defend your home. This goes without saying. But - against a group of men that are trained in tactical maneuvers and the workings of war? I would be mowed down in a minute. My head would be blown clean off and that would be the end of that. Oh, I might get one of them with a lucky shot, who knows - but reality is I am nothing compared to someone with military training and I am not about to go out somewhere and start learning. I don't really care that much. I believe my life is in God's hands and however I go out of this world, it won't be because some man decided to shoot me, rather, that the Lord allowed such to happen - or didn't. I can tell you (true) stories of when I was on the mission field and the Lord protected me from imminent hard. I could, but won't - not now anyway. First, you would have to believe that God WILL actually intervene in a situation if He does, indeed, choose to do so. Second, you would have to take my word for it. Third - work day approaches and I don't have time to write all of that out.
WHY men/mankind is so hell bent to destroy each other? Not a clue. I mean, I have a clue, it just doesn't make any sense, at all. These people would go out of their way to come into our society, set up camp and devise ways to kill the masses? It's just senseless.
I know, strange way to start a Friday morning entry, but that's what hit me this morning as I started thinking about all of this. No, I am not trying to instill fear into anyone, really, I am speaking to myself. This IS, after all, my internet diary.
Anyway, Sunday morning will come and I will face the same thing I face every Sunday morning: can I force myself to get into church? What will happen if I go? I do know WHY I have such a problem, I have written about it in my blogs for a long time now, it's nothing new or hidden. I feel the need to get back into fellowship, yet I have this inner wall blocking me.
Anyway, very little to do here, at work, today. So far, anyway, that can always change of course. I do believe I am going to seriously start picking back up on my food storage, I stop and start and stop - well, I think it's time to do some other things beyond what I have been doing.
This weekend? No idea. Work on the pond. Whatever is coming down the pike - if indeed anything really is - I am still going to have my little place of solace for however long it lasts. When it's gone, it's gone. All things in this world are temporal anyway.
With that I bid you a great day : )
ben
Thursday, August 12, 2010
The Mine
This mine I went into today is up in the mountains. Well, I think they all are. My trip led me through a small town that I have been through many times before - but only on the main street. This time, I was driving on a narrow street lined with small and very old homes. The end of the street was the beginning of the mine.
Guardshack greeted me. I went in. There was a picture of a pickup truck and a notice about safety. Okay, it didn't look anything like a pickup truck, I just read the notice and found out through that that this was once, at one time, a pickup truck. A TV also on a stand. I dreaded having to watch a safety video - I have watched hundreds of them in my trucking career, I am a very safe driver and I don't take unecessary, dangerous actions in a semi-truck. I understand that a dump truck with a bed big enough to hold 20 cars can run me clean over and not even phase the thing.
Don't get in their way. Doing so will have worse consequences than getting hit by a train. Trains run into you and tear vehicles apart, these dump trucks will just drive clean OVER you and the vehicle you are driving in and you will be - stone dead.
I didn't have to watch the video. In fact, I didn't have to sign a bunch of waivers, either. I just had to sign a registration card that is good for a year, just like the other mine I was in not long ago.
Wait in the truck - 40 minutes until the man showed up to escort me in. I hadn't seen this foreman for a long time. I followed him and we immediately proceeded upon what I am estimating to be at least a 9% grade. Up and up. And up. Get to a cross "road" - all roads in the mine are basically dirt roads. Another cross road and then, a cross road with huge dump trucks rolling back and forth. We wait - they have the right of way and rightfully slow. Nobody in their right mind is going to try and beat one of those thing, to do so - well, if you lose the race? Good luck with that.
On and on - up and up. We get to the top. It's the top of a mountain that has been levelled. That's what it was. I had wondered if this mine was also building a lake and yes, I asked. One employee was all too eager to answer all of my questions.
Yes, they are building a lake - another lake to be filled with sulphuric acid. Yes, SULPHRURIC ACID - an entire LAKE'S worth. That is must mind blowing to me.
Then comes the real story of the completely flattened pickup truck. It seems that - only 2 months ago this occured - one of those huge dump trucks had stalled and wouldn't start. The operator of the truck called in mechanics. 2 mechanics showed up in a pickup truck, parking in front of the tires. Yes, I said in front of the tires, the tires on those things are at least 8 feet tall, much taller than any pickup truck. WHY you would park in front of such - no clue. I would never in a lifetime of lifetimes do any such thing, I would fear the thing rolling and crushing me.
Well, unfortunately for the mechanics, the operator of the dump got the thing fired up and started rolling, he had no idea those fellows were under there. The mechanics had violated a safety protocol that was designed for just that purpose: to keep them out of harm's way. They were supposed to announce on their radio to that operator that they were there, under the truck and please don't crush us. The operator, undoubtedly believing that extreme safety measures were being followed as these mines dictate that they are to be followed (infractions are followed up with people getting fired) just drove off.
One of the mechanics was flattened with the truck. The pickup? To see the picture, you have no idea that that used to be a pickup truck. None. It's just a flat piece of metal laying on the ground. The other mechanic apparently tried getting out - he was seriously injured - but he survived. The truck operator? No idea, but I can only guess the torment that must go through a mind and heart when thinking that you killed someone, even if no fault of your own.
The trip into the mine wasn't bad because of that, but it certainly has a sombering effect.
The giant, stainless-steel fittings that I took in there were to be used for piping that is going to be used to move the sulphuric acid. I didn't know stainless steel could withstand the acidic effects of sulphuric acid. I did know that stainless steel can withstand the attempted effect of many other substances - but not this stuff.
It was a great drive - until I started back to town. I caught up with a mobile home being transported down the 2-lane highway - meaning stuck behind this thing as well as a bunch of other vehicles for an entire 7% grade's worth down a mountain pass and many miles beyond that. DPS was escorting the thing because of the fact that it was imposing on oncoming lanes and oncoming traffic had to be stopped and stand off to the side of the road.
After miles and miles of this, we finally came to a 4 lane portion of the highway and I got into the fast lane as everyone else apparently thought that we should just follow behind the thing because Highway Patrol was escorting them. Bunk. Not disrespecting Highway Patrol, but I have passed that kind of stuff forever. I figured to pull up on the Highway Patrol SUV that was in the back and see if he waves me on - which he did - he stuck his hand out the window and started waving traffic to move along, please. I had no qualms with that, as we were going 15 mph below the speed limit. Passed them and left traffic behind.
That was my trip. I wish I could have more like it, but, they come along only once in a while. I was going to take my break time and get some rocks, but, I didn't want to potentially have a conflict with Highway Patrol and the U.S. Forest Service, I figure to call DPS (Highway Patrol) and find out what they say about a person stopping at designated stop points and taking rocks. Not off the side of the road, but well away from the road. The Federal Government is ownership of the Forest Service (who says it's okay), the State of Arizona is ownership of state DPS (of whom I haven't asked yet). Just look at Arizona's SB1070 to try and figure whether there are conflicts between the state and the feds.
Sure, I could win a court case - feds always supersede state, or so they say - but why bother? Just get a stance from them and be done with it. If it's a no, I'll find rocks somewhere else, already have that in mind.
Other stuff? Just a glimpse. Friday lands tomorrow. Kewl. However, tomorrow is Friday the 13th (in case you are superstitious). I fixed the manifold for my dripless system today. I had no choice, certain plants start to whither as they decide they don't have enough water. It was easy and only took a minute. I am going to try and get the hole finished for the pond this weekend - which does not mean the pond will be placed in the ground, I also have to lug home hundreds of pounds of sand to rest the pond bottom on and that may or may not get done. Probably not.
Fish are in good health, dogs are content, kids are kids and I am me.
G'day.
ben
Guardshack greeted me. I went in. There was a picture of a pickup truck and a notice about safety. Okay, it didn't look anything like a pickup truck, I just read the notice and found out through that that this was once, at one time, a pickup truck. A TV also on a stand. I dreaded having to watch a safety video - I have watched hundreds of them in my trucking career, I am a very safe driver and I don't take unecessary, dangerous actions in a semi-truck. I understand that a dump truck with a bed big enough to hold 20 cars can run me clean over and not even phase the thing.
Don't get in their way. Doing so will have worse consequences than getting hit by a train. Trains run into you and tear vehicles apart, these dump trucks will just drive clean OVER you and the vehicle you are driving in and you will be - stone dead.
I didn't have to watch the video. In fact, I didn't have to sign a bunch of waivers, either. I just had to sign a registration card that is good for a year, just like the other mine I was in not long ago.
Wait in the truck - 40 minutes until the man showed up to escort me in. I hadn't seen this foreman for a long time. I followed him and we immediately proceeded upon what I am estimating to be at least a 9% grade. Up and up. And up. Get to a cross "road" - all roads in the mine are basically dirt roads. Another cross road and then, a cross road with huge dump trucks rolling back and forth. We wait - they have the right of way and rightfully slow. Nobody in their right mind is going to try and beat one of those thing, to do so - well, if you lose the race? Good luck with that.
On and on - up and up. We get to the top. It's the top of a mountain that has been levelled. That's what it was. I had wondered if this mine was also building a lake and yes, I asked. One employee was all too eager to answer all of my questions.
Yes, they are building a lake - another lake to be filled with sulphuric acid. Yes, SULPHRURIC ACID - an entire LAKE'S worth. That is must mind blowing to me.
Then comes the real story of the completely flattened pickup truck. It seems that - only 2 months ago this occured - one of those huge dump trucks had stalled and wouldn't start. The operator of the truck called in mechanics. 2 mechanics showed up in a pickup truck, parking in front of the tires. Yes, I said in front of the tires, the tires on those things are at least 8 feet tall, much taller than any pickup truck. WHY you would park in front of such - no clue. I would never in a lifetime of lifetimes do any such thing, I would fear the thing rolling and crushing me.
Well, unfortunately for the mechanics, the operator of the dump got the thing fired up and started rolling, he had no idea those fellows were under there. The mechanics had violated a safety protocol that was designed for just that purpose: to keep them out of harm's way. They were supposed to announce on their radio to that operator that they were there, under the truck and please don't crush us. The operator, undoubtedly believing that extreme safety measures were being followed as these mines dictate that they are to be followed (infractions are followed up with people getting fired) just drove off.
One of the mechanics was flattened with the truck. The pickup? To see the picture, you have no idea that that used to be a pickup truck. None. It's just a flat piece of metal laying on the ground. The other mechanic apparently tried getting out - he was seriously injured - but he survived. The truck operator? No idea, but I can only guess the torment that must go through a mind and heart when thinking that you killed someone, even if no fault of your own.
The trip into the mine wasn't bad because of that, but it certainly has a sombering effect.
The giant, stainless-steel fittings that I took in there were to be used for piping that is going to be used to move the sulphuric acid. I didn't know stainless steel could withstand the acidic effects of sulphuric acid. I did know that stainless steel can withstand the attempted effect of many other substances - but not this stuff.
It was a great drive - until I started back to town. I caught up with a mobile home being transported down the 2-lane highway - meaning stuck behind this thing as well as a bunch of other vehicles for an entire 7% grade's worth down a mountain pass and many miles beyond that. DPS was escorting the thing because of the fact that it was imposing on oncoming lanes and oncoming traffic had to be stopped and stand off to the side of the road.
After miles and miles of this, we finally came to a 4 lane portion of the highway and I got into the fast lane as everyone else apparently thought that we should just follow behind the thing because Highway Patrol was escorting them. Bunk. Not disrespecting Highway Patrol, but I have passed that kind of stuff forever. I figured to pull up on the Highway Patrol SUV that was in the back and see if he waves me on - which he did - he stuck his hand out the window and started waving traffic to move along, please. I had no qualms with that, as we were going 15 mph below the speed limit. Passed them and left traffic behind.
That was my trip. I wish I could have more like it, but, they come along only once in a while. I was going to take my break time and get some rocks, but, I didn't want to potentially have a conflict with Highway Patrol and the U.S. Forest Service, I figure to call DPS (Highway Patrol) and find out what they say about a person stopping at designated stop points and taking rocks. Not off the side of the road, but well away from the road. The Federal Government is ownership of the Forest Service (who says it's okay), the State of Arizona is ownership of state DPS (of whom I haven't asked yet). Just look at Arizona's SB1070 to try and figure whether there are conflicts between the state and the feds.
Sure, I could win a court case - feds always supersede state, or so they say - but why bother? Just get a stance from them and be done with it. If it's a no, I'll find rocks somewhere else, already have that in mind.
Other stuff? Just a glimpse. Friday lands tomorrow. Kewl. However, tomorrow is Friday the 13th (in case you are superstitious). I fixed the manifold for my dripless system today. I had no choice, certain plants start to whither as they decide they don't have enough water. It was easy and only took a minute. I am going to try and get the hole finished for the pond this weekend - which does not mean the pond will be placed in the ground, I also have to lug home hundreds of pounds of sand to rest the pond bottom on and that may or may not get done. Probably not.
Fish are in good health, dogs are content, kids are kids and I am me.
G'day.
ben
Thursday
Thursday
So, the weekend's almost here. In case you hadn't noticed the last times I have gone driving the semi up into the mountains PLUS the prospect of driving down into a mine - well, I am alway psyched about that! Not only that, but I slept pretty good last night so I'm not tired this morning.
Onto other things. This decision of Gates to close the Joint Norfolk Command Center - is just the beginning. Are we going to make ourselves impotent so that we can have massive, government run health care and bail out banks and take over car dealerships because "they can't fail" and all the rest of the bunk that is going on?
I'm all for a big, strong military - a force that few will think to mess with in terms of thinking of ever attacking our country in all out assault and war. Making decisions such as this in the name of bigger government and government run society is ludicrous. I read this kind of nonsense in the news every day and just beg for November to get here and hope to high heaven that a huge change in senate personnel will take place = for the better of course.
Ummm, time is running out for this morning's writing. I got "tied up" on a Craigslist ad. I and a few others take it upon ourselves occasionally to lambast people making ridiculous ads, such as a woman that has 2 kids, has a full-time job for one of the "best fortune 500 companies in the valley" - her words, assuming she is receiving child support for her kids since she says she's single, yet receives $1,200 per month in rental subsidies every single month.
HOW, pray tell, does ANYONE get that kind of money while having a full-time job at a good company?
I dunno.
But, I do know that the work day approaches and I have a run up into the mountains to make : )
G'day.
ben
So, the weekend's almost here. In case you hadn't noticed the last times I have gone driving the semi up into the mountains PLUS the prospect of driving down into a mine - well, I am alway psyched about that! Not only that, but I slept pretty good last night so I'm not tired this morning.
Onto other things. This decision of Gates to close the Joint Norfolk Command Center - is just the beginning. Are we going to make ourselves impotent so that we can have massive, government run health care and bail out banks and take over car dealerships because "they can't fail" and all the rest of the bunk that is going on?
I'm all for a big, strong military - a force that few will think to mess with in terms of thinking of ever attacking our country in all out assault and war. Making decisions such as this in the name of bigger government and government run society is ludicrous. I read this kind of nonsense in the news every day and just beg for November to get here and hope to high heaven that a huge change in senate personnel will take place = for the better of course.
Ummm, time is running out for this morning's writing. I got "tied up" on a Craigslist ad. I and a few others take it upon ourselves occasionally to lambast people making ridiculous ads, such as a woman that has 2 kids, has a full-time job for one of the "best fortune 500 companies in the valley" - her words, assuming she is receiving child support for her kids since she says she's single, yet receives $1,200 per month in rental subsidies every single month.
HOW, pray tell, does ANYONE get that kind of money while having a full-time job at a good company?
I dunno.
But, I do know that the work day approaches and I have a run up into the mountains to make : )
G'day.
ben
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Food Stamps
So, they raided the Food Stamp fund to pay for the teachers.
Out of control government. November won't get here soon enough. I am not a fan of abusers of food stamps, but I am hardly totally against having them for the situations that warrant them. The raid, however, doesn't go into effect until 2014.
That gives time to fix all of this. However, Obamacare, as some unaffectionately are calling it, needs to go first.
The stuff is getting maddening. I am not going to go into my perspective of how things are going to eventually turn out if we continue on this path, but look at England.
A few weeks ago, I drove the semi down into a huge mine. Tomorrow, I get to drive into yet another mine! And this one is MUCH older than the one I went into the other day, meaning it is undoubtedly even far deeper and vast than the first. Well, as long as the roads are safe.
I have come to find out that mining operations have extensive safety operations going that MUST be adhered to by anyone that is on the property, anywhere on the property. The potential for significant or fatal injury in such places is great. HEAVY equipment moving all over the place. I don't mean pickup trucks, we're talking dump trucks big enough to hold a used car lot's worth of cars in them.
The hazards of the place, however, don't phase me. The mine I'm going into? No clue. The last one had me reading and signing fully 4 different documents. I have heard that some of these mines actually have you watch a video before you can go in. It's all good. I have no problem with it. I don't want to get killed in there and I don't want to see anyone else getting killed in those places, either. All I know is, not everyone gets to go into a huge mining operation, drive a semi truck to the bottom of it and get to take it all in.
Perhaps that doesn't appeal to everyone, either. I get to do something that most people - don't. But it's more than that for me. I am always fascinated by most things new to me. Things that I have read about, seen pictures of, but have not personally experienced. I ask questions, lots of them if the person I am asking is amiable to such. What is this, that and the other thing. If not, I am still quite curious - but I am not going to become a nuisance to someone that obviously doesn't want to be bothered.
If I get the chance, I will take my break time and stop for some rocks for my newest pond. My pond liner came in today. I ordered a liner to put into the preformed thing I have been digging a hole for. Taking no chances, I don't want leaks and I don't want to have to be taking that huge thing out of the ground - which at that point would mean removing plants, fish and water - to find where the leak is. I got a brand new one on eBay for $29. This preformed pond is around $600 new. No, I didn't pay anything NEAR that amount for it. The liner is just insurance.
I have done nothing at home today besides normal kitchen cleaning duties and cooking. The kids did everything else. That includes sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor. Living room. Bedroom. Yup, they did what they said they were going to do and that made me happy.
I'm very tired. I slept 5 hours plus a short stint after waking up at 1:30 am. I went to bed early to deal with my sleeplessness - I am guaranteed, pretty much, at least 5 hours sleep by doing such. I am going to bed early tonight as well, like in about 15 minutes.
Oops, that means getting busy with night-end rituals.
G'day/nite/hasta la vista.
ben
Out of control government. November won't get here soon enough. I am not a fan of abusers of food stamps, but I am hardly totally against having them for the situations that warrant them. The raid, however, doesn't go into effect until 2014.
That gives time to fix all of this. However, Obamacare, as some unaffectionately are calling it, needs to go first.
The stuff is getting maddening. I am not going to go into my perspective of how things are going to eventually turn out if we continue on this path, but look at England.
A few weeks ago, I drove the semi down into a huge mine. Tomorrow, I get to drive into yet another mine! And this one is MUCH older than the one I went into the other day, meaning it is undoubtedly even far deeper and vast than the first. Well, as long as the roads are safe.
I have come to find out that mining operations have extensive safety operations going that MUST be adhered to by anyone that is on the property, anywhere on the property. The potential for significant or fatal injury in such places is great. HEAVY equipment moving all over the place. I don't mean pickup trucks, we're talking dump trucks big enough to hold a used car lot's worth of cars in them.
The hazards of the place, however, don't phase me. The mine I'm going into? No clue. The last one had me reading and signing fully 4 different documents. I have heard that some of these mines actually have you watch a video before you can go in. It's all good. I have no problem with it. I don't want to get killed in there and I don't want to see anyone else getting killed in those places, either. All I know is, not everyone gets to go into a huge mining operation, drive a semi truck to the bottom of it and get to take it all in.
Perhaps that doesn't appeal to everyone, either. I get to do something that most people - don't. But it's more than that for me. I am always fascinated by most things new to me. Things that I have read about, seen pictures of, but have not personally experienced. I ask questions, lots of them if the person I am asking is amiable to such. What is this, that and the other thing. If not, I am still quite curious - but I am not going to become a nuisance to someone that obviously doesn't want to be bothered.
If I get the chance, I will take my break time and stop for some rocks for my newest pond. My pond liner came in today. I ordered a liner to put into the preformed thing I have been digging a hole for. Taking no chances, I don't want leaks and I don't want to have to be taking that huge thing out of the ground - which at that point would mean removing plants, fish and water - to find where the leak is. I got a brand new one on eBay for $29. This preformed pond is around $600 new. No, I didn't pay anything NEAR that amount for it. The liner is just insurance.
I have done nothing at home today besides normal kitchen cleaning duties and cooking. The kids did everything else. That includes sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor. Living room. Bedroom. Yup, they did what they said they were going to do and that made me happy.
I'm very tired. I slept 5 hours plus a short stint after waking up at 1:30 am. I went to bed early to deal with my sleeplessness - I am guaranteed, pretty much, at least 5 hours sleep by doing such. I am going to bed early tonight as well, like in about 15 minutes.
Oops, that means getting busy with night-end rituals.
G'day/nite/hasta la vista.
ben
Wednesday
Wednesday
Unfortunately, my attempt to block the idiot that keeps posting negative comments is going to fail by using the means of eliminating anonymous comments. That’s because I cannot log into any of my blog accounts in the morning and I like to post the day’s message in the comments section – I rather like writing in the morning – and then repost as a regular blog entry when I get home.
The only other recourse is to report the individual to Blogger and hope that they will do something about it, as I am sure they can and have seen in the past that they will if the situation warrants their intervention.
So, GE Money Bank (Chevron Texaco Cards) sends me a letter saying that I have not made my payment. BUNK. I made the payment on the second, due on the 5th. I call. Well, sir, it states you didn’t make the payment LAST month. BUNK again. I am not going to miss a $15 payment so I can rack up a $40 or whatever late fee.
The woman was argumentative – we did NOT receive your payment – she was basically calling me a liar and I called her out on it. We went back and forth for a while and she finally hung up on me: I wanted the number for corporate as I was not going to tolerate a supervisor addressing me in the manner she was, she refused to give me that information. NO problem, I can find the information online. And yes, I went through my bank account and found where I made the payment at the beginning of LAST month as well. They can eat it and take that hefty late fee OFF of the account. The fee is almost as much as the low balance that I am carrying on that account – yes, it was paid down to something like $30 owing.
Now then, the race for the senate seat between J.D. Hayworth and McCain. It’s hilarious. The ads that McCain has been running for months now are the gooiest, sloppiest mud I have ever heard. Accusations run the gamut, one of them where McCain claims Hayworth did a commercial spot for a company that turns out was bilking people out of money and saying it was government backed (I don’t really remember the specifics of it, so that could be off). Whatever it was, it makes Hayworth look BAD. The facts? Hayworth has NOT tried to assert in any way that he didn’t do it, instead, he claims he didn’t know that the company was crooked. This morning, some other issue was brought up on yet another commercial and it sounded worse than the last one. Hayworth was voted out of office here some time ago, Arizonans that remember him then and didn’t like him then are going to vote the same now: NO to Hayworth. But, is McCain any better? Probably not, but I haven’t heard any ads stating that he took corrupt money and didn’t give it back, such as the ad against Hayworth this morning.
The state of current politics is pathetic. Seriously. It isn’t about the issues anymore when it comes to candidates running for office, it’s about making your opponents look bad however you can do it.
But I am not going to waste a lot of time on that. In fact, I can’t really spend too much more time here at all. Last night, however, I did get into it with Michael and the black kids that are constantly at my house. I shut off the internet the Playstation III and they have been off the computer for quite a while now, I was also considering taking the cards out of the Direct TV boxes – effectively shutting off satellite TV as well for each, individual box that you take the card out of.
Issue? Cleaning. I’m at the end of my rope with cleaning up after teenagers. They said they “don’t think it’s dirty in here at all”. I gave a relentless and drawn out factoid on how ANY amount of food, even crumbs, left on counters is prime feeding grounds for cockroaches. I was mad and the internet stayed off to the Playstation. This morning, I found a note from Michael on the bathroom mirror: PLEASE turn on the internet and I will clean up the whole house!
Okay. I turned it back on this morning before leaving for work …….and……..expect my house to be cleaned by the time I get home. Not that it’s dirty – I spend no small amount of time wiping things down, sweeping floors – whatever needs to be done. THAT’S the issue. The tenants don’t even use the living room, but those teenagers certainly can make it a mess in a big hurry. They stated I had told them that I would leave them lists of what to do. I replied that you are 16 years old and I shouldn’t HAVE to leave lists for you to
CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR OWN LITTLE SELF.
Well, I can get rather carried away when a teenager is trying to argue back against me in a situation where that person has NO standing room at all. I ended the conversation, got up, went into my bedroom and went to bed. He must have snuck into my room overnight and got into the bathroom to put up that note. I do have a nice setup on my end of the house with my own master bath and bedroom and walk-in closet.
Well, anyway, I will find out about that little issue later on.
For now?
Time to go to work.
G’day.
ben
Unfortunately, my attempt to block the idiot that keeps posting negative comments is going to fail by using the means of eliminating anonymous comments. That’s because I cannot log into any of my blog accounts in the morning and I like to post the day’s message in the comments section – I rather like writing in the morning – and then repost as a regular blog entry when I get home.
The only other recourse is to report the individual to Blogger and hope that they will do something about it, as I am sure they can and have seen in the past that they will if the situation warrants their intervention.
So, GE Money Bank (Chevron Texaco Cards) sends me a letter saying that I have not made my payment. BUNK. I made the payment on the second, due on the 5th. I call. Well, sir, it states you didn’t make the payment LAST month. BUNK again. I am not going to miss a $15 payment so I can rack up a $40 or whatever late fee.
The woman was argumentative – we did NOT receive your payment – she was basically calling me a liar and I called her out on it. We went back and forth for a while and she finally hung up on me: I wanted the number for corporate as I was not going to tolerate a supervisor addressing me in the manner she was, she refused to give me that information. NO problem, I can find the information online. And yes, I went through my bank account and found where I made the payment at the beginning of LAST month as well. They can eat it and take that hefty late fee OFF of the account. The fee is almost as much as the low balance that I am carrying on that account – yes, it was paid down to something like $30 owing.
Now then, the race for the senate seat between J.D. Hayworth and McCain. It’s hilarious. The ads that McCain has been running for months now are the gooiest, sloppiest mud I have ever heard. Accusations run the gamut, one of them where McCain claims Hayworth did a commercial spot for a company that turns out was bilking people out of money and saying it was government backed (I don’t really remember the specifics of it, so that could be off). Whatever it was, it makes Hayworth look BAD. The facts? Hayworth has NOT tried to assert in any way that he didn’t do it, instead, he claims he didn’t know that the company was crooked. This morning, some other issue was brought up on yet another commercial and it sounded worse than the last one. Hayworth was voted out of office here some time ago, Arizonans that remember him then and didn’t like him then are going to vote the same now: NO to Hayworth. But, is McCain any better? Probably not, but I haven’t heard any ads stating that he took corrupt money and didn’t give it back, such as the ad against Hayworth this morning.
The state of current politics is pathetic. Seriously. It isn’t about the issues anymore when it comes to candidates running for office, it’s about making your opponents look bad however you can do it.
But I am not going to waste a lot of time on that. In fact, I can’t really spend too much more time here at all. Last night, however, I did get into it with Michael and the black kids that are constantly at my house. I shut off the internet the Playstation III and they have been off the computer for quite a while now, I was also considering taking the cards out of the Direct TV boxes – effectively shutting off satellite TV as well for each, individual box that you take the card out of.
Issue? Cleaning. I’m at the end of my rope with cleaning up after teenagers. They said they “don’t think it’s dirty in here at all”. I gave a relentless and drawn out factoid on how ANY amount of food, even crumbs, left on counters is prime feeding grounds for cockroaches. I was mad and the internet stayed off to the Playstation. This morning, I found a note from Michael on the bathroom mirror: PLEASE turn on the internet and I will clean up the whole house!
Okay. I turned it back on this morning before leaving for work …….and……..expect my house to be cleaned by the time I get home. Not that it’s dirty – I spend no small amount of time wiping things down, sweeping floors – whatever needs to be done. THAT’S the issue. The tenants don’t even use the living room, but those teenagers certainly can make it a mess in a big hurry. They stated I had told them that I would leave them lists of what to do. I replied that you are 16 years old and I shouldn’t HAVE to leave lists for you to
CLEAN UP AFTER YOUR OWN LITTLE SELF.
Well, I can get rather carried away when a teenager is trying to argue back against me in a situation where that person has NO standing room at all. I ended the conversation, got up, went into my bedroom and went to bed. He must have snuck into my room overnight and got into the bathroom to put up that note. I do have a nice setup on my end of the house with my own master bath and bedroom and walk-in closet.
Well, anyway, I will find out about that little issue later on.
For now?
Time to go to work.
G’day.
ben
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Comments
I'm simply not going to allow the anonymous commenter to continue on with the BS on my blog. I had allowed anonymous commenting for the ease of commenting if you came here without being signed in and didn't want to have to - leave your comment and hopefully at least identify who you are at the end of the comment.
I have had a regular coming here leaving anonymous, derogatory, sometimes inflammatory and generally unpleasant comments here and there for some time now.
Not anymore. I changed the setting AND deleted the ridiculous comment left today. If you want to comment here now? You're going to have to be signed in at the very least. Trust me, if you leave some S***** comment on my journal, I will be happy to come to YOUR journal and leave the same kind of crap. It gets old the people on the internet who think because you are not sitting together in the same room, you therefore can say whatever comes to mind on someone else's forum to the point of juvenile, childish, irrational and stupid behavior meted out through your words. I have dealt with this on trucking boards for years and years, and other kinds of boards as well, I REFUSE to have to put up with that junk on MY blog.
You could have had the courage of your flapping mouth to simply identify yourself. Hiding makes you a very small person, indeed. Do you have the same issues in real life, in person with people? All these thoughts running through your head but, you don't have the courage ot speak it to them openly, no, instead, you lurk around people's internet blogs and mouth off, vomiting your bile all over the person's blog because - there is no way to identify you.
Well, I am telling you now to go piss off, whoever you are. Take your shitty attitude somewhere else, I have had enough of it. I had thought to report you to Blogger, but instead decided that you can come on here now and identify yourself, cause' you'll have to unless you are going to start a Blogger account just for the purpose of shitting on other's blog and STILL not being able to be identified. I will be happy to come to your blog and give you stupid, relentless, childish remarks. Or not and probably (but not definitely) not. BTW, just because I can't identify you doesn't mean Blogger can't. Undoubtedly, the have your IP address and can trace your actions anywhere on the Blogger site.
Unbelievable. Really, it is. Have you nothing better to do with your life and your time than lurking on other people's blogs, giving them shit for no good reason? So you may not agree with me, heck, you may even hate me! GREAT, how many Blogger blogs are there? Millions? I'm sure in that managerie of blogs, you'll find SOMEONE you agree with somewhere. Somehow, though, I don't believe that you would want to do that. No, instead, I believe you take great pleasure in speaking what you have spoken here. I have 2 people in mind that I know would do that, but I have no proof, so I'll zip it on who my suspicions rest upon.
Regardless, anonymous posting is off - for now anyway.
ben
I have had a regular coming here leaving anonymous, derogatory, sometimes inflammatory and generally unpleasant comments here and there for some time now.
Not anymore. I changed the setting AND deleted the ridiculous comment left today. If you want to comment here now? You're going to have to be signed in at the very least. Trust me, if you leave some S***** comment on my journal, I will be happy to come to YOUR journal and leave the same kind of crap. It gets old the people on the internet who think because you are not sitting together in the same room, you therefore can say whatever comes to mind on someone else's forum to the point of juvenile, childish, irrational and stupid behavior meted out through your words. I have dealt with this on trucking boards for years and years, and other kinds of boards as well, I REFUSE to have to put up with that junk on MY blog.
You could have had the courage of your flapping mouth to simply identify yourself. Hiding makes you a very small person, indeed. Do you have the same issues in real life, in person with people? All these thoughts running through your head but, you don't have the courage ot speak it to them openly, no, instead, you lurk around people's internet blogs and mouth off, vomiting your bile all over the person's blog because - there is no way to identify you.
Well, I am telling you now to go piss off, whoever you are. Take your shitty attitude somewhere else, I have had enough of it. I had thought to report you to Blogger, but instead decided that you can come on here now and identify yourself, cause' you'll have to unless you are going to start a Blogger account just for the purpose of shitting on other's blog and STILL not being able to be identified. I will be happy to come to your blog and give you stupid, relentless, childish remarks. Or not and probably (but not definitely) not. BTW, just because I can't identify you doesn't mean Blogger can't. Undoubtedly, the have your IP address and can trace your actions anywhere on the Blogger site.
Unbelievable. Really, it is. Have you nothing better to do with your life and your time than lurking on other people's blogs, giving them shit for no good reason? So you may not agree with me, heck, you may even hate me! GREAT, how many Blogger blogs are there? Millions? I'm sure in that managerie of blogs, you'll find SOMEONE you agree with somewhere. Somehow, though, I don't believe that you would want to do that. No, instead, I believe you take great pleasure in speaking what you have spoken here. I have 2 people in mind that I know would do that, but I have no proof, so I'll zip it on who my suspicions rest upon.
Regardless, anonymous posting is off - for now anyway.
ben
Tuesday
Tuesday
War is coming. I don't mean an Iraqi war, or even an Afghanistan war - but, the Bible does say that wars and rumors of war will always be around.
Alright, it's probably, mostly rhetoric.
Iran claims it is digging mass graves for U.S. Soldiers as, they claim, if there is a strike against Iran, they are going to hit whatever military bases are in the region, which, apparently, there is one that isn't too terribly far away.
The same as North Korea threatening "Sacred War" when the joint forces of the U.S. and South Korea were doing military exercises in the East Sea. I mean, really, if Iran was really digging out mass graves - which would be a pathetic waste of time IMO - why not show the pics of the excavation equipment that is being used to dig them?
In such an operation, you would have a giant trackhoe (excavator) with a giant loader. Trackoe digs up the ground, loader scoops it up as it is dumped into a pile next to the trackhoe's operations and hauls it off. It either builds a mountain somewhere nearby or is dumping the dirt into waiting dumptrucks.
I see these operations at construction sites every single day. However, none of those sites that I have seen are mass graves being dug out.
The fact of the matter is, if we did a pre-emptive strike, I doubt that strike would be aimed at any civilian population. It would, rather, be done by air and would strike the facilities that are allegedly being used to potentially develop nuclear war heads.
The only graves they would need are the ones for whoever might be AT the facilities that are being targeted. Iran has already noted in several different statements over the years that the U.S. and Israel should be annihilated. This is nothing new coming from them.
North Korea, meanwhile, shoots off 110 rounds as some sort of "deterrent" or agressor against South Korea. South Korea is starting to sound like a broken record: there will be serious reprisals if they do it again. They obviously don't want war or it would already be well underway with the sinking of one of ttheir subs by NK. I don't blame them for not wanting war, but where is the line drawn? How much more does NK have to do before they say enough is enough? NK apparently DOES want war, but at the same time, they want to be able to say that SK and the U.S. started it against them so that they can look good, especially to China, instead of looking like the extreme aggressor they really are.
August 10, 2010 6:00 AM
Anonymous said...
Anyway, I copied and pasted the last half of this entry and then - forgot and copied and pasted something else for work. So, the last portion of this entry is gone - forever. No biggies and.......have a great day!
ben
War is coming. I don't mean an Iraqi war, or even an Afghanistan war - but, the Bible does say that wars and rumors of war will always be around.
Alright, it's probably, mostly rhetoric.
Iran claims it is digging mass graves for U.S. Soldiers as, they claim, if there is a strike against Iran, they are going to hit whatever military bases are in the region, which, apparently, there is one that isn't too terribly far away.
The same as North Korea threatening "Sacred War" when the joint forces of the U.S. and South Korea were doing military exercises in the East Sea. I mean, really, if Iran was really digging out mass graves - which would be a pathetic waste of time IMO - why not show the pics of the excavation equipment that is being used to dig them?
In such an operation, you would have a giant trackhoe (excavator) with a giant loader. Trackoe digs up the ground, loader scoops it up as it is dumped into a pile next to the trackhoe's operations and hauls it off. It either builds a mountain somewhere nearby or is dumping the dirt into waiting dumptrucks.
I see these operations at construction sites every single day. However, none of those sites that I have seen are mass graves being dug out.
The fact of the matter is, if we did a pre-emptive strike, I doubt that strike would be aimed at any civilian population. It would, rather, be done by air and would strike the facilities that are allegedly being used to potentially develop nuclear war heads.
The only graves they would need are the ones for whoever might be AT the facilities that are being targeted. Iran has already noted in several different statements over the years that the U.S. and Israel should be annihilated. This is nothing new coming from them.
North Korea, meanwhile, shoots off 110 rounds as some sort of "deterrent" or agressor against South Korea. South Korea is starting to sound like a broken record: there will be serious reprisals if they do it again. They obviously don't want war or it would already be well underway with the sinking of one of ttheir subs by NK. I don't blame them for not wanting war, but where is the line drawn? How much more does NK have to do before they say enough is enough? NK apparently DOES want war, but at the same time, they want to be able to say that SK and the U.S. started it against them so that they can look good, especially to China, instead of looking like the extreme aggressor they really are.
August 10, 2010 6:00 AM
Anonymous said...
Anyway, I copied and pasted the last half of this entry and then - forgot and copied and pasted something else for work. So, the last portion of this entry is gone - forever. No biggies and.......have a great day!
ben
Monday, August 9, 2010
Malware
I couldn't find malware in the directory and files on my computer if you paid me to. That's why I have Avast, to see that stuff before it installs itself on my computer and remove the threat.
Well, my computer has been running extremely slow lately. I don't just mean on the internet, I mean doing anything on the puter'. Which had me suspicious - I know how to clean everything up to make it run faster.
Today, Avast took over my computer, put a screen the size of the monitor screen up telling me that there are "suspcious files" on your computer and that we "think these may be malware" and asking for permission for their techs to take a look. There were at least 50 files and they all had the same beginning letters and numbers.
I clicked okay, Avast sent them into cyberspace and immediately, my computer started running like a lightning strike.
How long will it last? I'm guessing not long. It seems you don't have to do much to get malware - just visit a website and bam, there you go. If my anti-malware service can't even keep up with this stuff, I have no clue. Buying a new computer does nothing - malware doesn't care if your computer is new or old.
Pond.
That hole? Is getting larger and larger and larger and I have hauled a LOT of dirt out of there. I keep thinking I am getting close and then realize I still have quite a lot to go. I had no idea that this large pre-formed pond was THAT large to have to remove that quantity of dirt. I got quite a lot done today on it, but I can hardly say that yes, tommorrow it will be ready. It's taking forever to get this one hole dug is all Ican say and I am also happy that this is the BIGGEST pond, the rest are smaller so much less dirt to dig out.
Diet.
This is the time of day when it gets harder to deal with it. I try not to eat anything after 6:00 pm. My last food was around 5. I'm going to bed early tonight - 8:30 - which is in 15 minutes so that should be relatively easy as today? I'm not really that hungry right now. 2, thin pork chops with some mashed potatoes. This morning was a oven roasted subway sub sandwich, no mayo, no cheese, no dressing. I hit 194 last week but today was up to 197. Not a big deal, that's the way this thing has been going the entire time.
Work. The third, huge return of this month was done today. We do not normally get huge returns, much less 3 of them in a week's time. When the returns hit the books, all the deliveries I have made thus far this month will not add up to enough to equal the amount of the returns, I don't think anyway, and we will be in the negative.
Life in general.
Pretty, petite blonde walking through my kitchen today, a friend of one of the female tenants. Rather flirtatious is how I will put it.
3 ladies there including the tenant, all 3 of them were out looking for work today. Bummer on that, we all know how lovely the job market is right now. It is almost non-existent concerning new positions opening up.
Well, I'm going to bed.
G'nite.
ben
Well, my computer has been running extremely slow lately. I don't just mean on the internet, I mean doing anything on the puter'. Which had me suspicious - I know how to clean everything up to make it run faster.
Today, Avast took over my computer, put a screen the size of the monitor screen up telling me that there are "suspcious files" on your computer and that we "think these may be malware" and asking for permission for their techs to take a look. There were at least 50 files and they all had the same beginning letters and numbers.
I clicked okay, Avast sent them into cyberspace and immediately, my computer started running like a lightning strike.
How long will it last? I'm guessing not long. It seems you don't have to do much to get malware - just visit a website and bam, there you go. If my anti-malware service can't even keep up with this stuff, I have no clue. Buying a new computer does nothing - malware doesn't care if your computer is new or old.
Pond.
That hole? Is getting larger and larger and larger and I have hauled a LOT of dirt out of there. I keep thinking I am getting close and then realize I still have quite a lot to go. I had no idea that this large pre-formed pond was THAT large to have to remove that quantity of dirt. I got quite a lot done today on it, but I can hardly say that yes, tommorrow it will be ready. It's taking forever to get this one hole dug is all Ican say and I am also happy that this is the BIGGEST pond, the rest are smaller so much less dirt to dig out.
Diet.
This is the time of day when it gets harder to deal with it. I try not to eat anything after 6:00 pm. My last food was around 5. I'm going to bed early tonight - 8:30 - which is in 15 minutes so that should be relatively easy as today? I'm not really that hungry right now. 2, thin pork chops with some mashed potatoes. This morning was a oven roasted subway sub sandwich, no mayo, no cheese, no dressing. I hit 194 last week but today was up to 197. Not a big deal, that's the way this thing has been going the entire time.
Work. The third, huge return of this month was done today. We do not normally get huge returns, much less 3 of them in a week's time. When the returns hit the books, all the deliveries I have made thus far this month will not add up to enough to equal the amount of the returns, I don't think anyway, and we will be in the negative.
Life in general.
Pretty, petite blonde walking through my kitchen today, a friend of one of the female tenants. Rather flirtatious is how I will put it.
3 ladies there including the tenant, all 3 of them were out looking for work today. Bummer on that, we all know how lovely the job market is right now. It is almost non-existent concerning new positions opening up.
Well, I'm going to bed.
G'nite.
ben
Monday
Juice shows up late yesterday afternoon, happy go lucky, as if nothing had ever happened. Apparently, he wanted to put that little deal of spending 17 days in Juvi out of mind. I did not let it go that easily, but, I didn't rub it in too much, he's an alright kid with very little parental guidance and even less male role figures in his life. In fact, there are none that I know of.
Sometimes their (the black brothers) grandmother calls over an uncle so that they can have a "talking to", but the effect of it is negligible. I do believe a person has to be a daily part of another person's life to really have any kind of serious impact. Now that I think about it, I am the biggest male role model in any of those boy's lives excepting, perhaps, school teachers and coaches.
Well that's an interesting thought.
School starts today. Which is quite wonderful, really. Food bill will decrease by at least 10% if not more without kids being around all day long eating my food and drinking my drinks. They will, instead, get those meals and drinks at school. Which doesn't mean they won't come over and eat at my place after school, lol.
Caleb's last year of High School - still a scary thought. Scary because of his unreletting push to get into the Marines. Afghanistan comes to mind. This is a war that I have repeatedly opined on on this blog: LET'S GET OUT OF THERE BEFORE ANOTHER U.S. SOLDIER IS KILLED.
But, that message falls on deaf ears, at least to those who can do anything about it. I have no idea why Obama thinks it's a good idea for us to just stay over there. When is it going to be over? 20 years? 30 years? Never? At what cost? How many American lives? How many billions upon billions of dollars?
A 14 year old kid is charged with starting a fire that briefly put 50 homes in harm's way. How? Trying to light a joint (marijuana) or pipe and apparently igniting something around him. Smart, kid, really smart. If you want to make people extremely stupid, just legalize marijuana and then make it available to everyone. You will see a nation of the most unmotivated, klutzy, moronic people in existence.
I know from experience, trust me, I'm slamming myself in this one. I smoked dope every day for 7 years straight, all day long, starting at the age of 13 and ending at 20. Sure, I worked my butt off during those years, but I also got into a LOT of trouble. I took huge risks as well - I had to sell dope to support my rather costly habit.
Bad idea, is all I can say about it. Arguments are that it can be taxed and then what, the government gets rich off of people wasting their minds away? Really nice. In other words, people are going to do it anyway, why not make it legal? Because legalizing it therefore legitimizes it, which is a thing I do not think we should be doing with that or any other mind altering substance excepting those that are already legal (alcohol).
Anyway, the work day is approaching and there is NOTHING in our truck routing system. This, so far, is the worst month I have seen yet. That is true because I had to do two HUGE returns last week that put our numbers into negative territory and from the looks of it, it's going to be a while before we get into the black side of things.
Not good, not good at all.
The worst part of days like this - especially on a Monday - is nothing to do so I have to invent things to do. Well, try doing that for an entire shift, the monotony can start getting to you.
OH, I found more free fish : ) I haven't gone and gotten them yet, but they are Koi, not goldfish. I don't mind having more goldfish - after I get the big pond going. Right now, I just want Koi. I also found out the 2 very large Koi that I got a few weeks ago are worth around $100 each.
No, I am not going to sell them to anyone, it took a long time just to find someone giving them away. But, that was definitely and interesting piece of information that I found out about those 2 lovelies and yes, they are nice looking fishes. One is around 14 inches long and the other is about 12 inches long.
Have a great day : )
ben
Juice shows up late yesterday afternoon, happy go lucky, as if nothing had ever happened. Apparently, he wanted to put that little deal of spending 17 days in Juvi out of mind. I did not let it go that easily, but, I didn't rub it in too much, he's an alright kid with very little parental guidance and even less male role figures in his life. In fact, there are none that I know of.
Sometimes their (the black brothers) grandmother calls over an uncle so that they can have a "talking to", but the effect of it is negligible. I do believe a person has to be a daily part of another person's life to really have any kind of serious impact. Now that I think about it, I am the biggest male role model in any of those boy's lives excepting, perhaps, school teachers and coaches.
Well that's an interesting thought.
School starts today. Which is quite wonderful, really. Food bill will decrease by at least 10% if not more without kids being around all day long eating my food and drinking my drinks. They will, instead, get those meals and drinks at school. Which doesn't mean they won't come over and eat at my place after school, lol.
Caleb's last year of High School - still a scary thought. Scary because of his unreletting push to get into the Marines. Afghanistan comes to mind. This is a war that I have repeatedly opined on on this blog: LET'S GET OUT OF THERE BEFORE ANOTHER U.S. SOLDIER IS KILLED.
But, that message falls on deaf ears, at least to those who can do anything about it. I have no idea why Obama thinks it's a good idea for us to just stay over there. When is it going to be over? 20 years? 30 years? Never? At what cost? How many American lives? How many billions upon billions of dollars?
A 14 year old kid is charged with starting a fire that briefly put 50 homes in harm's way. How? Trying to light a joint (marijuana) or pipe and apparently igniting something around him. Smart, kid, really smart. If you want to make people extremely stupid, just legalize marijuana and then make it available to everyone. You will see a nation of the most unmotivated, klutzy, moronic people in existence.
I know from experience, trust me, I'm slamming myself in this one. I smoked dope every day for 7 years straight, all day long, starting at the age of 13 and ending at 20. Sure, I worked my butt off during those years, but I also got into a LOT of trouble. I took huge risks as well - I had to sell dope to support my rather costly habit.
Bad idea, is all I can say about it. Arguments are that it can be taxed and then what, the government gets rich off of people wasting their minds away? Really nice. In other words, people are going to do it anyway, why not make it legal? Because legalizing it therefore legitimizes it, which is a thing I do not think we should be doing with that or any other mind altering substance excepting those that are already legal (alcohol).
Anyway, the work day is approaching and there is NOTHING in our truck routing system. This, so far, is the worst month I have seen yet. That is true because I had to do two HUGE returns last week that put our numbers into negative territory and from the looks of it, it's going to be a while before we get into the black side of things.
Not good, not good at all.
The worst part of days like this - especially on a Monday - is nothing to do so I have to invent things to do. Well, try doing that for an entire shift, the monotony can start getting to you.
OH, I found more free fish : ) I haven't gone and gotten them yet, but they are Koi, not goldfish. I don't mind having more goldfish - after I get the big pond going. Right now, I just want Koi. I also found out the 2 very large Koi that I got a few weeks ago are worth around $100 each.
No, I am not going to sell them to anyone, it took a long time just to find someone giving them away. But, that was definitely and interesting piece of information that I found out about those 2 lovelies and yes, they are nice looking fishes. One is around 14 inches long and the other is about 12 inches long.
Have a great day : )
ben
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Sunday
Quiet morning. Michael went to a friend's house and Caleb is sleeping.
Caleb is going to be in for an interesting year in attempting to juggle working; going to school and JROTC. It will be a good experfience for him. He is saving most of his money and I still have yet to get him over to a bank and get an account started for him. I don't know how that works anymore for a minor and having a bank account. I assume he can get a savings account with a card to be able to withdraw money? No idea, but I will be looking online today to see what is available.
Forgot to add that school starts Monday.
Today's agenda has already been started. Clean the high traffic carpet areas. In fact, I'm almost done with that and it's not even 8:30am : )
Clean house. Well, someone FINALLY cleaned the main bathroom (other than the normal person that does it, who would be me) so I don't need to do anything in there and I made Michael clean the living room yesterday which leaves only to sweep and mop the kitchen floor and clean my bathroom.
So, as far as house cleaning duties, not really a lot I have to do.
As for outside stuff, yesterday I just sprayed and sprayed the Dawn dishwashing liquid mixture on the plants that have those white flies. Those little buggers are hard to get rid of. I want them gone. I will be out there again today, spraying it again, letting it dry, spray it until I don't see any of them. Actually, I think I just about got all of them yesterday. The remaining problem out there are ants. Thousands of them - at least. My property is infested with them. The problem is, they aren't housing themselves on my property, they have their ant hills in the neighbor's s*** filled property behind me. Regardless, I am going to go get ant killer today and spray the fence area where they're coming through and follow their trail on my property and kill as many of them as I can. There is no-one ligving on that property, there isn't even aq house, I amy jump the fence and get the ant hills.
If you can't tell, I am taking a break from pond digging activities. It has been hot andmuggy outside and I just haven't felt like it. I have a lot of dirt to haul. I will probably do a little today on it since I will be out there anyway. I have also been trimming back shrubs and trees. That is an on-going process.
Meanwhile, Juice - one of the black brothers that is always coming over here and I do mean always - gets out of Juvenile Detention today. This time he has been in there for 17 days. Second round for him. Everyone is making fun of him because he brought it upon himself. The first time was for attempting to shoplift, the second was for crashing into a UPS van while riding a mini-bike on the street. He seriously injured himself, indeed. But, the payment in pain for several weeks wasn't enough to swsay the judge for time in pain spent, Juice definitely does not like Juvi and I am thinking maybe this time he will attempt to keep his nose clean and stay out of trouble. The funniest part is that he spent the last days of his summer break from school in Juvi, as he comes home today and then goes to school tomorrow. Undoubtedly, he will be coming over here sometime this afternoon which is when I will gived him no small amount of hard time for getting himself into trouble again.
Dinner. What's for dinner? I'm thinking something with chicken. Dunno yet. Probably thinking about this early cause' I am quite hungry right now. A bit of left over from last night will do the trick for now.
G'day.
ben
Caleb is going to be in for an interesting year in attempting to juggle working; going to school and JROTC. It will be a good experfience for him. He is saving most of his money and I still have yet to get him over to a bank and get an account started for him. I don't know how that works anymore for a minor and having a bank account. I assume he can get a savings account with a card to be able to withdraw money? No idea, but I will be looking online today to see what is available.
Forgot to add that school starts Monday.
Today's agenda has already been started. Clean the high traffic carpet areas. In fact, I'm almost done with that and it's not even 8:30am : )
Clean house. Well, someone FINALLY cleaned the main bathroom (other than the normal person that does it, who would be me) so I don't need to do anything in there and I made Michael clean the living room yesterday which leaves only to sweep and mop the kitchen floor and clean my bathroom.
So, as far as house cleaning duties, not really a lot I have to do.
As for outside stuff, yesterday I just sprayed and sprayed the Dawn dishwashing liquid mixture on the plants that have those white flies. Those little buggers are hard to get rid of. I want them gone. I will be out there again today, spraying it again, letting it dry, spray it until I don't see any of them. Actually, I think I just about got all of them yesterday. The remaining problem out there are ants. Thousands of them - at least. My property is infested with them. The problem is, they aren't housing themselves on my property, they have their ant hills in the neighbor's s*** filled property behind me. Regardless, I am going to go get ant killer today and spray the fence area where they're coming through and follow their trail on my property and kill as many of them as I can. There is no-one ligving on that property, there isn't even aq house, I amy jump the fence and get the ant hills.
If you can't tell, I am taking a break from pond digging activities. It has been hot andmuggy outside and I just haven't felt like it. I have a lot of dirt to haul. I will probably do a little today on it since I will be out there anyway. I have also been trimming back shrubs and trees. That is an on-going process.
Meanwhile, Juice - one of the black brothers that is always coming over here and I do mean always - gets out of Juvenile Detention today. This time he has been in there for 17 days. Second round for him. Everyone is making fun of him because he brought it upon himself. The first time was for attempting to shoplift, the second was for crashing into a UPS van while riding a mini-bike on the street. He seriously injured himself, indeed. But, the payment in pain for several weeks wasn't enough to swsay the judge for time in pain spent, Juice definitely does not like Juvi and I am thinking maybe this time he will attempt to keep his nose clean and stay out of trouble. The funniest part is that he spent the last days of his summer break from school in Juvi, as he comes home today and then goes to school tomorrow. Undoubtedly, he will be coming over here sometime this afternoon which is when I will gived him no small amount of hard time for getting himself into trouble again.
Dinner. What's for dinner? I'm thinking something with chicken. Dunno yet. Probably thinking about this early cause' I am quite hungry right now. A bit of left over from last night will do the trick for now.
G'day.
ben
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Saturday
Sky to the west is dark, sky to the east? The sun is shining. I'm hoping the dark comes over and dumps rain all over my property so I don't have to water my plants.
A few thoughts. Everyone thinks Kagan is the "best" option for the Supreme Court. Just wait and mark my words: this woman is a clusterf*** waiting to happen. You are going to hear about bizarre stuff going on with the U.S. Supreme Court after this woman starts trying her stuff.
BP wants to drill in the same well again. They're going to drill somewhere, anyway, I have nothing against it. From my perspective, they have a clue now how to fix something like this disaster. They should have several of those caps built and nearby in case something like this ever happens again. They will be prepared for a disaster now, as, obviously, in the past they weren't ready for anything. Definitely believe stringent regulations should be imposed upon that industry since, just as obviously and after reading hundreds of news reports about it, they aren't exactly apt to regulate themselves. There is too much at stake with this kind of situation, a 3rd party MUST oversee it.
There should also be automatic safeguards to shut the whole operation down when the clues come forth that something isn't right down at the bottom. The same news reports I have been reading for months revealed that they knew something wasn't right down there but they didn't do anything about it. Obviously, their "fail safe" valve/s didn't work, either. But then again, did they even try to use that valve BEFORE the explosion? I don't think they did.
I was looking at pictures of these 2 school buses and semi that crashed. UNBELIEVABLE. There was a pickup truck smashed underneath the front bus, but from the picks, you can't even SEE a pickup truck under there. I hope the guy's death was at least painless if nothing else, ie: instant death. I wouldn't want to be stuck underneath a school bus in a mangled pickup truck, lying there just waiting for death to arrive. Instant death would be FAR better, I think.
That is a good example of what happens if you are distracted even for a short period of time while driving. What seemed okay one minute can change in a flash of second and if you aren't paying attention, this is what happens. Or can happen. I am at the point - or have been fora while now, that texting while driving (I'm not saying the bus driver was texting) should be treated the same as DUI in terms of jail time, fines, etc.
I have my slow cooker out. I cooked a roast the other day in it - wonderful stuff. Carrots, onions and potatoes along with some good ole', hot, horseradish sauce. YUM.
I just put a HUGE pork roast in there maybe an hour ago. Hoping it's done by this evening. I am going to cook it until it pulls apart with a fork, pick the fat out of it, pull it all apart and dump some good BBQ sauce into it. Pulled pork sandwiches, absolutely delicious. Making myself hungry just thinking about it. Dunno how much I can have on a diet, guess I'll have to look at the sauce label and see what kind of calories are packed into it.
No grand plans for today. Looking to continue digging out that hole. It's getting easier now that I am close to getting to the bottom portion of the setup. Okay, I shouldn't say easier, more like less difficult, still hitting into lots of rocks but right now I am shovelling up and hauling off the stuff I had already dug up - I just piled it into the middle of the hole while doing the much hard work of excavating the sides. Still plenty to do even after the hole is dug. Gotta put enough water into the pond to fill it up partially and make sure there are no leaks on the bottom of it. Another reason a good rain would be helpful right now. I should have done it the last rain, I didn't think about it.
Anyway, not going to go too much into that. School starts next week, it's scary, but it's Caleb's last year of high school. My one and only is almost grown up. I wouldn't mind having more, but skip the baby and toddler part. Lol. I don't know that I could handle screaming babies all night long and toddlers getting into everything. No, give me about a 7 or 8 year old. Of course, I am finding out, you adopt a kid that age and you are probably inheriting someone else's problem. Meaning the parents were probably flakes and the kid is probably got some "issues" and extreme luggage to deal with. I don't think I could adopt with all of these tenants living in here, anyway. Officials want to interview everyone that lives in a home, I doubt they would see it a good arrangement with all kinds of "strangers" living here.
Well enough of this, I am surfing the internet and getting myself motivated to go out there and do some more digging and hauling. Temp is like 79 degrees because of the weather that is moving in and probably also cause' the sun is hiding behind clouds. Beautiful day!
ben
A few thoughts. Everyone thinks Kagan is the "best" option for the Supreme Court. Just wait and mark my words: this woman is a clusterf*** waiting to happen. You are going to hear about bizarre stuff going on with the U.S. Supreme Court after this woman starts trying her stuff.
BP wants to drill in the same well again. They're going to drill somewhere, anyway, I have nothing against it. From my perspective, they have a clue now how to fix something like this disaster. They should have several of those caps built and nearby in case something like this ever happens again. They will be prepared for a disaster now, as, obviously, in the past they weren't ready for anything. Definitely believe stringent regulations should be imposed upon that industry since, just as obviously and after reading hundreds of news reports about it, they aren't exactly apt to regulate themselves. There is too much at stake with this kind of situation, a 3rd party MUST oversee it.
There should also be automatic safeguards to shut the whole operation down when the clues come forth that something isn't right down at the bottom. The same news reports I have been reading for months revealed that they knew something wasn't right down there but they didn't do anything about it. Obviously, their "fail safe" valve/s didn't work, either. But then again, did they even try to use that valve BEFORE the explosion? I don't think they did.
I was looking at pictures of these 2 school buses and semi that crashed. UNBELIEVABLE. There was a pickup truck smashed underneath the front bus, but from the picks, you can't even SEE a pickup truck under there. I hope the guy's death was at least painless if nothing else, ie: instant death. I wouldn't want to be stuck underneath a school bus in a mangled pickup truck, lying there just waiting for death to arrive. Instant death would be FAR better, I think.
That is a good example of what happens if you are distracted even for a short period of time while driving. What seemed okay one minute can change in a flash of second and if you aren't paying attention, this is what happens. Or can happen. I am at the point - or have been fora while now, that texting while driving (I'm not saying the bus driver was texting) should be treated the same as DUI in terms of jail time, fines, etc.
I have my slow cooker out. I cooked a roast the other day in it - wonderful stuff. Carrots, onions and potatoes along with some good ole', hot, horseradish sauce. YUM.
I just put a HUGE pork roast in there maybe an hour ago. Hoping it's done by this evening. I am going to cook it until it pulls apart with a fork, pick the fat out of it, pull it all apart and dump some good BBQ sauce into it. Pulled pork sandwiches, absolutely delicious. Making myself hungry just thinking about it. Dunno how much I can have on a diet, guess I'll have to look at the sauce label and see what kind of calories are packed into it.
No grand plans for today. Looking to continue digging out that hole. It's getting easier now that I am close to getting to the bottom portion of the setup. Okay, I shouldn't say easier, more like less difficult, still hitting into lots of rocks but right now I am shovelling up and hauling off the stuff I had already dug up - I just piled it into the middle of the hole while doing the much hard work of excavating the sides. Still plenty to do even after the hole is dug. Gotta put enough water into the pond to fill it up partially and make sure there are no leaks on the bottom of it. Another reason a good rain would be helpful right now. I should have done it the last rain, I didn't think about it.
Anyway, not going to go too much into that. School starts next week, it's scary, but it's Caleb's last year of high school. My one and only is almost grown up. I wouldn't mind having more, but skip the baby and toddler part. Lol. I don't know that I could handle screaming babies all night long and toddlers getting into everything. No, give me about a 7 or 8 year old. Of course, I am finding out, you adopt a kid that age and you are probably inheriting someone else's problem. Meaning the parents were probably flakes and the kid is probably got some "issues" and extreme luggage to deal with. I don't think I could adopt with all of these tenants living in here, anyway. Officials want to interview everyone that lives in a home, I doubt they would see it a good arrangement with all kinds of "strangers" living here.
Well enough of this, I am surfing the internet and getting myself motivated to go out there and do some more digging and hauling. Temp is like 79 degrees because of the weather that is moving in and probably also cause' the sun is hiding behind clouds. Beautiful day!
ben
Friday
The now-unemployed tenant finally showed up last night - well after I went to bed of course. She obviously doesn't want to face me - she owes me money. Not a LOT, but enough. She stuffed $30 in an envelope, wrote a note saying she would be spending today trying to find a new job.
She SHOULD have been doing that since the day she got fired. I had NO idea she was going to be gone this long, I figured if she skipped a weekend for a free vacation, no big deal, she's been gone almost an entire week.
Do you ever see people walking through the grocery store with one or even two carts just STUFFED with all kinds of food? You're looking at 2 or 3 hundred worth of food, at least. I'm always curious how these people are going to pay for that stuff, and sure enough, 99% of the time, a Qwest card comes out. That's the modern-day way to use food stamps, like a debit card, it swipes through the reader and automatically deducts that much from your account.
I'm not necessarily slamming people on food stamps, as a temporary buffer against being totally broke (ie: you got laid off from your job) and a way to keep food on your table, great.
As a permanent, life-long ideal of living off the government and really having no great reason to get off your @$$ and go find a job (ie: they also get rental subsidies through HUD so they aren't paying for their place to live, no, instead, WE are paying for their place to live).
August 6, 2010 6:00 AM
Anonymous said...
This is the problem I have with food stamps. The news reports that a record number of people are on food stamps right now. Well duhhhh, the economy is flat, now they're talking potential deflation, people are broke and yes, they are still hungry. I can understand the temporary use of food stamps, I get it.
But, how many billions of dollars are being given out freely to people who aren't going to work whether the economy is good or bad? Just like unemployment benefits, people should NOT be able to just live on them forever unless there is a good reason for it - someone that CAN'T work because of some physical limitation, stuff like that.
Rental subsidies the same thing. Give them for 6 months, a year at most and then push them out.
There isn't anything more motivating that I know of than facing living on the streets to force your lazy, sorry @$$ to get up and go out and find a job. I don't care if it IS a minimum wage job, do SOMETHING and be a productive citizen in our society instead of a LIFELONG DRAIN on it.
I don't need to hear about how these people are uneducated, either. If they really want education, they can get grants or at worst case, student loans. Go into the military and get the deal where they pay all of your schooling expenses once you get out. Heck, you can find some great career opportunities through some of the things you can learn IN the military, I know that for a fact: my oldest brother learned skills in the Navy that landed him a job building Apache helicopters, he has been at the same company for something like 25 years and is making GREAT money.
The point is, the opportunity is there. I debate back and forth with myself whether to go back to school - but the costs of going to school far outweigh any great benefit from it. I am 46 years old, paying off student loans for the rest of my life isn't exactly an appealing thought. But I'll tell you right now, if I lose my job in the trucking industry because of the VERY strict regulations that are coming out (look folks, with these new regulations, your CDL license could be suspended if you simply haven't filled out enough of your paperwork correctly!), then yes, I would go back to school.
August 6, 2010 6:02 AM
Anonymous said...
I know what I would do, too. But, I am not a lazy @$$ and I don't have to make excuses for why I am not working: I have BEEN working since I was 10 years old and before that I was doing jobs around the neighborhood for folks, usually yard work. I did the lemonade stand thing every summer for years: our street was THE street to take to get to the public pool and it was a LONG walk for most folks. I did great business sellin lemonade! I'm sure mother wasn't too happy me taking all of her lemonade all the time ((hey, I was a kid, that stuff was up in the cupboard, it must be free, right? lol), but, I learned early about money. Not that I have EVER had enough of it to do much of anything, but I'm not complaining about it, either.
Whatever. I saw that food stamp article and that got me going, I am so ever-loving sick of this lifelong cycle of families living in poverty and want and using the system to continue the cycle seemingly endlessly.
And here we go again with extreme heat in places that people are not used to such. I can't help you, I am IN that heat every day for several months out of the year, I have a very good idea what it is like to have to endure high temperatures and try to stay cool enough to continue working. It's NO fun. August will soon be over (I'm thinking that way, anyway, even if it IS only the beginning of the month) and then it will gradually start to cool down here.
I guess what gets me are all of these areas where houses are not built with central AC systems. My gosh, people, if you don't have cental AC, you DO at least have a window unit or 2, don't you? A nice window unit will keep whatever room it is installed in VERY cool. If it's a newer unit and you don't get carried away with it, the energy consumption won't be too terribly bad. That's what I used to do in previous houses I had that had only evaporative cooling.
Try living in a house that has only evaporative cooling when it's 117 degrees outside - it will be around 95 to 100 inside the house.
Well, freight truck showed up early, ate into my pre-login hours, now I have worked even more for free : )
G'day
ben
She SHOULD have been doing that since the day she got fired. I had NO idea she was going to be gone this long, I figured if she skipped a weekend for a free vacation, no big deal, she's been gone almost an entire week.
Do you ever see people walking through the grocery store with one or even two carts just STUFFED with all kinds of food? You're looking at 2 or 3 hundred worth of food, at least. I'm always curious how these people are going to pay for that stuff, and sure enough, 99% of the time, a Qwest card comes out. That's the modern-day way to use food stamps, like a debit card, it swipes through the reader and automatically deducts that much from your account.
I'm not necessarily slamming people on food stamps, as a temporary buffer against being totally broke (ie: you got laid off from your job) and a way to keep food on your table, great.
As a permanent, life-long ideal of living off the government and really having no great reason to get off your @$$ and go find a job (ie: they also get rental subsidies through HUD so they aren't paying for their place to live, no, instead, WE are paying for their place to live).
August 6, 2010 6:00 AM
Anonymous said...
This is the problem I have with food stamps. The news reports that a record number of people are on food stamps right now. Well duhhhh, the economy is flat, now they're talking potential deflation, people are broke and yes, they are still hungry. I can understand the temporary use of food stamps, I get it.
But, how many billions of dollars are being given out freely to people who aren't going to work whether the economy is good or bad? Just like unemployment benefits, people should NOT be able to just live on them forever unless there is a good reason for it - someone that CAN'T work because of some physical limitation, stuff like that.
Rental subsidies the same thing. Give them for 6 months, a year at most and then push them out.
There isn't anything more motivating that I know of than facing living on the streets to force your lazy, sorry @$$ to get up and go out and find a job. I don't care if it IS a minimum wage job, do SOMETHING and be a productive citizen in our society instead of a LIFELONG DRAIN on it.
I don't need to hear about how these people are uneducated, either. If they really want education, they can get grants or at worst case, student loans. Go into the military and get the deal where they pay all of your schooling expenses once you get out. Heck, you can find some great career opportunities through some of the things you can learn IN the military, I know that for a fact: my oldest brother learned skills in the Navy that landed him a job building Apache helicopters, he has been at the same company for something like 25 years and is making GREAT money.
The point is, the opportunity is there. I debate back and forth with myself whether to go back to school - but the costs of going to school far outweigh any great benefit from it. I am 46 years old, paying off student loans for the rest of my life isn't exactly an appealing thought. But I'll tell you right now, if I lose my job in the trucking industry because of the VERY strict regulations that are coming out (look folks, with these new regulations, your CDL license could be suspended if you simply haven't filled out enough of your paperwork correctly!), then yes, I would go back to school.
August 6, 2010 6:02 AM
Anonymous said...
I know what I would do, too. But, I am not a lazy @$$ and I don't have to make excuses for why I am not working: I have BEEN working since I was 10 years old and before that I was doing jobs around the neighborhood for folks, usually yard work. I did the lemonade stand thing every summer for years: our street was THE street to take to get to the public pool and it was a LONG walk for most folks. I did great business sellin lemonade! I'm sure mother wasn't too happy me taking all of her lemonade all the time ((hey, I was a kid, that stuff was up in the cupboard, it must be free, right? lol), but, I learned early about money. Not that I have EVER had enough of it to do much of anything, but I'm not complaining about it, either.
Whatever. I saw that food stamp article and that got me going, I am so ever-loving sick of this lifelong cycle of families living in poverty and want and using the system to continue the cycle seemingly endlessly.
And here we go again with extreme heat in places that people are not used to such. I can't help you, I am IN that heat every day for several months out of the year, I have a very good idea what it is like to have to endure high temperatures and try to stay cool enough to continue working. It's NO fun. August will soon be over (I'm thinking that way, anyway, even if it IS only the beginning of the month) and then it will gradually start to cool down here.
I guess what gets me are all of these areas where houses are not built with central AC systems. My gosh, people, if you don't have cental AC, you DO at least have a window unit or 2, don't you? A nice window unit will keep whatever room it is installed in VERY cool. If it's a newer unit and you don't get carried away with it, the energy consumption won't be too terribly bad. That's what I used to do in previous houses I had that had only evaporative cooling.
Try living in a house that has only evaporative cooling when it's 117 degrees outside - it will be around 95 to 100 inside the house.
Well, freight truck showed up early, ate into my pre-login hours, now I have worked even more for free : )
G'day
ben
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