Who Can You Trust

It would seem that another day after Thanksgiving has come and gone; lucky for Walmart, no one was killed. I have written before about the stupidity of getting up from a well induced turkey coma to go looking for the best bargain on something.Stupid, stupid, stupid. But all of that just made me think of the media and their "unbiased" reporting of information. Now, depending on your political persuasion, you may not be comfortable with certain outlets and their opinions in the news. As for me, I do not believe CNN if they tell me it is raining, unless of course, I have walked outside and verified the wetness. The same goes for MSNBC, they are laughably the most biased of the news channels available. I watch FOX if I have to find out what is going on. I imagine that they are biased, but they have a right leaning bias, so I'm okay with that. They used to have a wonderful program on, it was Rush Limbaugh, and he showed you things that other news outlets didn't and wouldn't show. My all time favorite-slick willie laughing his stupid head off until he saw the camera out of the corner of his eye. Then, in a one hundred and eighty egree turn, hde gently wiped the tear from his eye. What a Jackass. But other things that Fox showed me that no one else bothered to show me were what made me watch them first when I needed to know something. I like Sean Hannity. That sycophant that put him with, not so much. But that's what a mute button is for, isn't it? Any way, the point is, I like Fox, I trust them to tell me the news without giving me a left leaning spin on it. I liked Lou Dobbs, but I could never stomach sitting though CNN to watch him. I wish him luck in whatever he does next. But back to who I trust. After listening to so many "reporters" gleefully read me The memo that W had pulled favors in his service record, I was the gleeful one when it turns out to be one great big piece of fraud. Where was the government to regulate that? They sure are quick enough to have hearings when someone in the MLB is using the juice, but for something that actually matters, strangely silent. You can't trust any of them 100% anymore, so here is a thought. Watch a little bit of everything. Find the one who tells the most truth-not just what you want to hear. Then watch that person most of the time, but save a little room for the rest of the stuff they are saying. It never hurts to get both sides. You'll thank me later.

Christmas Sales and Other Nonsense

After spending ten years working for the retail King of the World, there is one place I would not be for all the tea in China. Please explain to me the fun of going to bed at seven p.m. Thanksgiving Night so that you can get up at 3 a.m. and fight a crowd of people for stuff in a store. I saw this phenomenon time and time again, I still don't understand. I love a bargain as much as the next person, ask my middle son. But Four a.m. is for sleeping, or just getting home to sleep, not for dragging your sorry butt out of bed to grab some stupid toy. Besides, the odds of them running out of things are pretty small, all the big box stores did crappy business last year. I got most of what was on my list without having to drag my sorry butt out of bed and get smashed in a crowd. Was it last year that someone got trampled to death? Boy, oh boy- that brings the Christmas spirit home to you, doesn't it? I understand in this economy every one needs to get the most for their money. In spite of what the news keeps saying, times are tight in a lot of places. But stay home tomorrow morning, don't risk getting trampled by some over caffeinated jerk looking for the latest video game at bargain prices. It'll still be there when you wake up from your turkey coma, and you can thank me later.

Happy Thanksgiving

After yesterday's post I imagine that some people are surprised that I would wish anyone a Happy anything. If that is your impression, I did not mean to give you that idea. I love the Holidays, and I love my family. I just don't know if they mix well. I think they are like Rum and rootbeer. I am very fond of either of those two separately. The thought of them together-not so much. But the Holiday is almost over and the only hurdle left is Christmas. Again, please don't think that I am anti Holiday, I am not, not by any stretch of the imagination. What I don't like are the people who rush the Holidays or try to change them to suit their own purposes. I used to know a loser that would put his Christmas tree up around Labor Day. I wish I was kidding. Now, the tree had to be down before new Year's Eve, or bad things would happen. But having the thing up before the first college football game-no problem. I guess the key to surviving the Holiday-Thanksgiving, that is- is to find something that you are truly thankful for. I know with some people, this might be a stretch, but there has to be one thing you are grateful for. Dwell on that one thing, and try to ignore all the crazy stuff that is going around you. I had to spend one Thanksgiving listening to a drug user talking about having a conversation with talking garbage (again the ex's family, God love 'im) and I still found something to get me through that long, long day. Find the thing you are thankful for, no matter how small. Realize how much you have compared to others, and you may see that you are luckier than you realize. Try it. You'll thank me later.

Family Gatherings

Is there anything better than a large gathering of family? The last time I had many of my family gathered in one place, it was to get married. That is not something that I would ever want to repeat, trust me. It's bad enough to pick the biggest, cheating loser in the bunch, but to commemorate the occasion with all of your family makes it that much better, no? That might be one of the reasons that I hate a family gathering. But Holidays-while they can be wonderful- can also be some of the most stressful times you'll ever know. I love my family, I really do. But I also like seeing them in small batches. I think of them as pieces of fudge. One piece is great, eating the whole pan makes me sick as a dog. But enough analogies. I am so thankful that the Holidays only roll around once a year. I do not think that I could take that much interaction on a daily or even weekly basis. I know people who see all of their family, even extended family on a daily or even weekly basis. Good luck with all of that. I think if that is what you like, then please enjoy. I just don't understand it at all. Not one bit. The the best part of the family gathering-for me, anyway- is that I don't have to do it again for a long time. Hopefully, a long long time. I have loads of time to make other plans or think of some excuse. If you have a particularly good one, share it with me, I'll thank you later.

Friends

Everyone needs friends, right? They make the world a little bit brighter, and help smooth the rough edges in your life, don't they? But when is friendship not so great? Well, I guess when it starts to be confusing, and the boundaries on friendship start to blur. Dating today is complicated enough, don't you think? So what is a person to do when the dreaded F word rears its ugly head. You know the one-"Let's be friends-that's all I want right now." I have used this particular dodge myself. It is a cowardly way to tell someone that you just don't like them like that. I don't care for it myself, the words were no sooner out of my mouth then I felt like an idiot for saying them. I guess I'm not a very good liar. But I was pretty sure that telling him his table manners were nonexistent and being seen with him was embarrassing wasn't going to make him feel great either. So I took the coward way out. Shame on me. But friendship can be a wonderful thing. My best friend of 25 years (which is amazing since we are both only 23) is one of the coolest people I know. She can make me laugh when I feel like six kinds of poo. She's like that. Another surprise is my Sister. Who knew that after all these years of getting on each other's nerves we would end up friends? I would have never guessed it, that's for sure. But friends are the thing that make the world a better place, most of the time. But back to the dodge. Please don't tell someone that you want to be friends when the truth is that you just don't want to date. Don't give a person any more false hope then they already have. Man up-as the saying goes-and let the person know that you don't want to be a part of their lives. It stings at first, but trust me, you'll thank me later.

Full Circle

We seem to have come full circle in the area of shoes. Dubya had a pair thrown at him while he was overseas and B.O. looks like he was polishing those of the emperor Of Japan. It goes well with his apology tours, don't you think? He seems intent on giving Carter a run for his money in the useless department. I can only hope that he makes a better EX president than he has as an occupant of the Oval Office. I also hope he remembers to send thank you/ Christmas (or whatever he celebrates in his home country) cards to the thousands upon thousands of fraudulent ACORN voters who helped him steal one for the team. It gladdens my heart to see the truly low approval numbers that he has been racking up lately. I just wish that I could see the faces of all the morons that voted for this guy. Is this what you had in mind? Is this the change that you believe in? Ooh wee, have I got a bridge to sell you right about now. Cheap, too, it won't even cost you one fifth of the economy, which seems to be what B.O. is trying to harness. I would like to be able to think of other topics to blog about, I really would. I have tons of random thoughts flit through my head on any given day, but I keep coming back to B.O. and his merry cohorts because, frankly, they scare the bejesus out of me. How did someone with so little credentials get to be in one of the most powerful positions in the world? I mean, besides the help of massive voter fraud(thanks ACORN) and the complete duplicity of the media. Way to go, guys, way to go. I watch the media rape of Sarah Palin everyday and it makes me sick. I've read her book and I really hope she makes a go of it in 2012. Something has to be done, and soon. Help effect change that really is change for the better. You'll thank me later.

B.O. in Asia

I see the nut that ACORN gave us is on his latest apology tour. While he is trying not to look like the worst thing to come along since Carter, maybe he could share some more of that strategy he bragged up during the run for the White House. Where are all of his huge plans for our Foreign Policy? So far, it seems like sticking his head in the sand and whistling is his big plan. Nice. I didn't expect much from this loser, but he's managing to surprise even me with his inept handling of everything he has touched so far.(Except, of course securing his favors for the political machine that foisted him on us. Those Chicago Olympics? That's one for us, boy.) Other than repay some political favors to the Chicago machine that inflicted him on us, what has he done? The socialization of twenty percent of our economy is nothing to be bragging about. Health care is a huge priority, but not the abortion on demand, final option councils, and other death squads that he is proposing. The only idiots worse than him seem to be Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, who are determined to goose step right along with him to the detriment of our freedoms. I don't need anyone else to think for me, do you? I have a pretty good idea what I want and what I need, do you? The last thing that I want to deal with is someone else telling me what I have to eat or drive or do. I quit having that when I started paying my own bills. I would like to think that I can take care of myself without the government intrusion that the Left seems so intent on. I have an idea: if the government is so intent on monitoring my life, let's start with them. Give them this Socialized medicine first, as I have said before. They would be the perfect test group to practice on. Then, instead of flying the Congress and Senate everywhere that they want to go, stick them on Amtrak. No one else likes it, maybe if the politicians start using it, business will turn around for the Railroad company, and we can stop losing billions that we subsidize them with. Also, instead of having them live in mansions and the like, how about if we build some Military like housing for those folks that are supposed to be working for us? That way, they won't have to belly ache about the cost of maintaining two houses, and we won't have them living in lavishness above their means. Also, I think that the raises that the House and Senate get should be on the ballots of their constituents. Instead of having their hand in the cookie jar, make these hard working men and women answer to the folks back home in their districts. I bet they would find a way to ride the train home to visit more often if their livelihood depended on it. Finally, I would say in big bold letters: TERM LIMITS!!!!! Six years is all that any one person need to fix (or screw up) a situation. That would mean three terms for the Congress, and one for the Senate. After that, thank you for your service to the country, go get a real job now. Elections are coming, make your elected officials to answer to you. You'll thank me later.

Conspicuous Consumption

How many gift tins of popcorn do you need? How many shaving kits with sample size bottles of cologne that spell like the underside of a dead animal do you have in your bathroom? This Christmas season, I have a crazy idea. Don't give anyone a crappy gift that they don't want. Instead of giving your Great Aunt Zelda some perfume that she wouldn't wear to pick up poop out of the yard, give her a little bit of your time instead. Give her a gift of your time, maybe come over and rake her leaves, or empty out her basement for her. Haul that old refrigerator to the dump for her, or shampoo her carpets. You could take her out for a wonderful meal somewhere, then maybe to a show she would like to see. The choices are unlimited on what you could do for her instead of buying one more piece of junk that is destined to be in a yard sale next summer. You could offer to help her plant her garden, or trim her trees. The possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Honestly, how much crap does one person need, anyway? I have been living a lot more simply than I used to. I was one of those people that had to have the latest gadget, the newest release. It's stupid. When you die, it's just one more thing for the yard sale, seriously. Try to show people that you love them this year with some thought in what you give them, not just the shiniest piece of crap that you could find on the shelf. Time is the one gift that you can give to someone else, and still get the best part for yourself. The memories that you will have of helping out your Aunt Kate or your Uncle Rufus will be much better than anything that will probably break in two weeks from some big box store. Time is a lot easier to wrap than some of the other trinkets at the mall, and it makes you feel great too. Think about it, you'll thank me later.

Puppy Mills and Other Awful Places

Have you ever see a puppy mill? It's a horrible place and I had to see one today. It broke my heart. I had to stop and see a person out in the country. Nothing unusual about that, that usually describes my day. But this person raises puppies to sell, and it broke my heart. They must have had five or six different litters of things going on there, and I know that at least one fifth of those poor animals are going to end up in a shelter somewhere. No offense to "designer mixed breeds" but the animal shelters are full to capacity with cast offs, the last thing the world needs is people who are creating more puppies on purpose. I think that they are all cute. It's almost impossible to find an ugly puppy, it's kind of like the maxim that all babies are cute (at least to someone.) But if you are looking to add a dog or a cat to your life, please please please consider a trip to your local animal shelter. You will find so many little lives there that would love to be a part of yours. Wagging tails and wet noses that are dying to play fetch with you, go for walks with you, and sit on your lap when you are trying to read the paper. Think about giving one of them a home before you order up the latest flavor of designer mixed breed. And most shelters have an abundance of pure breed dogs also. This is in part due to so many idiots who get a pure bred dog and immediately see dollar signs. Don't breed your dog, please. There are plenty of other people who are out there doing that very thing, that's why the shelters are at capacity. Have your dog spayed or neutered instead. You'll thank me later.

Sunday Afternoons

I used to hate Sundays, I'll be honest. It was the day before I had to go back to school, the whole thing passes so quickly, and it just seems to drip with an air of doom, you can almost hear it ( Monday's coming, Monday's coming, Monday's coming) but now, I have come to truly appreciate a Sunday. It is the only day when we don't have to get up and go somewhere the minute we're awake. Saturday is great, don't get me wrong, but there is always so much to be done on a Saturday that the whole thing passes in a blur. But Sunday, ahh. I usually go to church on Saturday nights, so that leaves my whole Sunday stretched out like a gorgeous piece of beach that no one is on at the moment. It is paradise. Today I am enjoying my day but it wasn't always like that. There was a time when I had to go to the happiest retailer on earth for most of my Sundays. Why is it that Walmart who purports to be a family company, is so determined to keep associates' families apart on Sundays? Would it kill the biggest company in the world to be closed on this one day? Probably. But wouldn't that be a wonderful signal to the rest of society if Walmart were to give stores the option of being closed on Sundays so that their associates could spend the day with their families? I think so too. It's not going to happen, mind you. Store managers get very nice bonuses based on their sales, and the likelihood of them giving those up are akin to the odds of a pig at a Lu-Au. Slim and none. But it is a wonderful pipe dream isn't it? Of course, if communities put enough pressure on stores, say, by not shopping on Sundays, it wouldn't hurt either. Give it a try. See if you can't avoid Walmart on Sundays, and maybe other people could have the day off also. You'll thank me later.

I Announce My Candidacy

I am taking today to announce that I am running for office in the very next state wide election that we have coming up. I don't care what the office is, nor do I care what the responsibilities of the office are. I will give you a breath of honesty. I am in it for the insurance, and that is all. I am hoping to score a gig as sweet as the teachers have, but if that isn't available, I'll take what the elected officials get. Isn't it amazing that they work for us, yet they have the much better insurance? How dumb is that? When did we fall asleep at the switch for that one? I really don't want to hear how bad a teacher has it when they get paid more than a doctor does, considering the education that they have. Considering the importance of their job, why aren't potential teachers feted and encouraged the way that star athletes are? I truly believe that teachers (good ones anyway) are a source that we should be mining and taking care of for generations to come. What I don't understand is all the press that they get about not being rewarded financially. Poop. Now, I am not saying that a teacher facing 20- 35 students isn't a stressful job. When you factor in the children who aren't disciplined at home, or who have a home life that is less than ideal and you have increased the stress level considerably. But,..... please tell me another job that is going to give you every major Holiday plus the entire summer off. Bad weather? No problem, they are going to cancel your need to go to work that day. Also, if you aren't doing a very good job ( poor test scores for your students, etc.) the problem isn't your lack of skill, no sirree, it's bad home environment, lack of income for the students, etc. etc. You are not responsible. I have had many teachers over my school career. Three made a good impression. Yep, three. I'll never forget the teacher that used to read Harlequin Romances and eat roasted peanuts while we copied the latest lesson from our books. Good to see her education wasn't wasted. I think that teachers should be reviewed every year. The ones that aren't any good should be let go, tenure be damned. I also think that instead of throwing more and more money at the problem, we should find the solution and go from there. We pay more per student than most industrialized nations, but after the eight grade our test scores fall behind. Money isn't the issue. Good teachers are. Demand more for you tax dollars and for your children. You'll thank me later.

Happy Birthday Kevin

I have five brothers. Four of them are still living, I lost my next to the youngest big brother about two years ago, when he fell off a roof he was working on. Bob was a great guy, dry sense of humor, everything you needed in a brother. But today is my brother Kevin's Birthday, and he is the youngest of my five big brothers. So happy birthday, I hope you have a wonderful day. By the time Kevin celebrates his big day, we should know if the will of the people triumphed, or if we have taken one giant leap towards socialism. I hope that Kevin gets to celebrate his birthday without that anchor around his neck. I hope that we all do. Kevin has a lovely wife, her name is Sandee. I have a picture of her looking at him the way that you hope someone will look at the people you care about. She is everything that I could ask for in a sister in law. Good job Kevin. At any rate, I really do hope that the health care bill is dead in the water by the time this is published. I know that Pelosi and her cohorts were trying to pull some fast shenanigans and steam roll this through without a proper reading of the thing. Can you imagine if a Republican Senate tried to pull that? The media would be howling for blood. Not that there is any bias, mind you, of course not. But watch your politicians closely in the next week. See if they can be trusted. My guess is no. The special election that we just had points to the disenfranchisement of the American people with the left of center bunch. I hope they take note and pretend to be more mainstream soon. You can thank me later.

The Time Change

I hate the stupid time change. It makes no sense anymore. I could understand the reason for it back in the 1940's when people needed the extra time to get their crops in and things like that. It also saved fuel and resources back when people all worked a first shift job and that was that. Now, however, there is no sense in having a time change. The state of Indiana was a long time in holding out, and of all the things that I dislike about Indiana, that was one thing that I liked. It wasn't until the current Governor rammed it down the throats of his constituents that we even had one. There was quite a bit of belly aching about it at the time, and I was one of those people complaining. The reasons for changing our clocks twice a year were many, and all of them were stupid. My favorite was that it gave people more time to play golf in the afternoon. That didn't really fly well with all of the people too busy working, so they changed tact and went with-"It will give you more time for yard work." Whatever. Then they pulled out "It will improve the economy of Indiana by making us in sync with the other states. Gosh, Arizona still doesn't change their clocks and yet they seem to be managing just fine. Could it have been that it was a done deal from the beginning and the will of the people had no say in the matter? Spring forward, fall back, it's all the same to me. I just wish that it hadn't been forced on us against the will of the majority. I would like to have politicians that work for me, and not the other way around. Think about that, you'll thank me later.

Cake Wrecks

If there is one blog that I enjoy more than any other it would be http://www.cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ and if you get the chance, you should hit the link and see what I am talking about. There is never a day when something on that site doesn't make me feel better about myself. I have spent a lot of time laughing at the cakes that are on the site and I think that you will like them too. Especially the sexual harassment cake. Just type it in, you'll see what I am talking about. Another blog that I enjoy is http://www.keystonetotheheartland.blogspot.com/ I agree with 99% of what he says about politics and the current administration. Do yourself a favor and check them out. One will make you think, the other will make you wonder what they were thinking in the first place. But now that I am finished patting others on the back, I guess I should start the business of emptying out the clutter. Christmas is closer than I like to think about, and this year, I don't know how great it is going to be. Baring a miracle, I won't get to spend the Holiday with the people that I love. What are you going to do, right? But I will spend it getting ready for next year, and the changes I want to make in myself and in my life. That's the nice thing about a new year, isn't it? New chances, and new things right around the corner. I hope that you have someone that you love in your life. I truly do. If you don't, go find someone. The time that you spend alone and miserable doesn't come back, you know, it is just time that is wasted forever. I know that I got off topic today, sorry, I promise that tomorrow will be better. But take care of yourselves, find the thing that makes you happy, and hang on to it with both hands and a mean dog. You'll thank me later.

B. O. Stinks

I saw a picture of B.O. on his latest photo-op. It made me angry because he chose to use the death of a Serviceman to try to look like he wasn't useless. His saluting the casket made me so angry. He has no business saluting the casket, one of his many handlers should have trained him on the proper etiquette. In this country, you do not salute anything unless you are active or former military. Maybe where B.O. is from, you do, but here, if you have no military background it is the accepted practice to put your hand over your heart out of respect. What a jackass he is. Not only does he use the death of some Patriotic American who gave his life in service to his country, but he tries to make himself look better in the process. It makes me sick. Also, where is this great wonderful plan that he had for Afghanistan? I know when he was running for the position that ACORN gave him, he had lots of talk about many wonderful ideas to bring a quick and safe end to all of our conflicts. So where are these plans now? I'm still waiting, are you? The 2010 election is about a year away, so please make sure that you are registered to vote. Then, make sure you vote. The only hope this country has to keep from the slippery slope of socialism is to put the brakes on all of the left of center plans that are springing up everywhere. Call your Congressmen and women. Call your Senators and tell them that you do not like the direction that we are taking. Remind them that they work for us, not the other way around. Finally, don't be so apathetic to what is going on around us. Get your head out of the clouds, the sports opiates, and pay attention!! If we don't start watching them soon, who knows what they'll try to get away with next. Why are we concerned with insuring people that shouldn't even be here? Why don't we just give every U.S. citizen the same health care that our Members of the Congress and Senate currently enjoy for free. Seems simple to me, how about you? Approval ratings are at their all time lowest, and the media seems to be goose-stepping along with those elected officials. People, please, get your heads out of the sand, and pay attention to what they are trying to do in Washington D.C. You'll thank me later. ######to the person who commented that BO could salute the flag because he is the "commander" in chief. He in fact has no military background, I imagine his country of origin did not require it. He should ,out of respect, put his hand over his heart if he is able to pull that gesture off without giggling. He has no business making photo ops out of soldiers who are dead because he didn't have the plan that he said he did when he and ACORN were stealing the election for him.#########

What's 100K Anyway?

If you had one hundred thousand dollars coming into your bank account every year, would you have health insurance? Would it be a priority for you in any way? I am flabbergasted when I speak to someone who is making really good money and does not think that they need any health insurance. Worse yet are the people who are waiting for the government to bail them out of the wrong thinking with free insurance. I am not Methuselah old, but I have lived long enough to know that the government never ever gives anything for free. We're going to be paying for this-out of a rear orifice- for the next four generations if we do not stop now. I believe that insurance needs to be overhauled. I also agree that medicines have gotten ridiculously over priced. I have one prescription that is $138 a refill. Ouch. But pharmaceuticals are only part of the problem as well. There has to be a way to lower the costs across the board. I have no problem paying for my own doctor, I just wish that he wasn't driving a new Jaguar every time that I see him. Maybe if every one got together to make the prices more reasonable, we could avert the socialization of one fifth of our economy. And whether BO likes the word or not, socialism is bad. I learned that in the seventh grade, when they were still able to teach moral absolutes. Aahh, the good old days..... But at any rate, think about how much government intrusion you want in your life. Think about the scenarios that make up the real uninsured. You'll thank me later.

+

I Miss Good Cartoons

Do you remember a cartoon called Goober and the Ghost Chasers? I was thinking about that this afternoon when I listened to a boy talking about cartoons. I liked the old Goober cartoons, even if it was a rip off of Scooby Doo. I miss old cartoons. I have tried watching some of the things that my sons like, and for the most part- at the risk of sounding like a dinosaur-I'll pass. I don't get Japanese animation. I like the old-fashioned cartoons that Walt Disney used to crank out ever so much better. One of the best cartoons ever were the Bugs Bunny series. I liked almost all of the characters that Warner Brothers had with a couple of exceptions. I was always cheering for Wyle E. Coyote, especially in the cartoons where he spoke. I never realized how refined he was. His accent was hilarious, it made the whole cartoon that much funnier. I never cared for the Tweety bird or Tasmania Devil cartoons. I cared even less for the onslaught of T shirts, mugs and assorted paraphernalia that comes with an asinine fad. And while I like the movie Peter Pan I don't quite understand the fascination with Tinkerbell. She seems to be a righteous witch for lack of a better word. Birds of a feather, I suppose. But at any rate, I just wish that they made cartoons for the story itself, not so much with the eye on marketing. I know, crazy talk, huh? But there was one bright spot in the world of animation. It used to run on Nickelodeon and it was called CatDog. My son discovered the cartoon when he was three or so, and we all fell in love with it. The humor could appeal to a child easily, but there were also moments that seems lie they were directed for the parents who were watching this with there children. And some of those spots were brilliant. I still can't say "There's something you don't see every day." Without thinking of a dog that has gone postal and stuffed himself in a cereal box and licked the end closed. Trust me, that's funny stuff. Look for some of the diamonds in the straw out there. You'll thank me later.

Why Unemployment is Skyhigh

I had an epiphany today. I realized why the unemployment rate is in double digits in so many areas of the country. I also realized what can fix it, putting thousands, if not millions of people back to work. Companies should have a person answer the phone. Sounds crazy, doesn't it? Just crazy enough to work, I'll bet! If I never had to deal with another automated system, directing me to press one, two or the pound again, I would sing the praises of that company from the rooftops. What ever happened to customer service? What if I don't have the proper digits to press for assistance either? Think of all the entry level jobs that it could create if companies had some live person answering your calls and taking care of your problems. This could put people to work in less then two weeks, also. I would think that BO's handlers could whip together some sort of receptionist school in about two weeks. Even a liberal idiot ought to be able to get this going in no time, seriously. Don't give me training credits, or tax breaks. That is just liberal mumbo jumbo designed for the sound byte on the 24 hour news programs. Real jobs are what is needed, not photo-ops. Also, why don't we hire people to fix the infrastructure of this country? Not some bunch of college students who are trying to find the easiest way to make money in the summer, to subsidize their education by painting curbs yellow, either. I mean, real work crews that will fix roads, paint bridges, maintain highways,(unless you are in Indiana where they vote those jobs away in the middle of the night behind closed doors) and all of the other things that have to be done to keep us able to drive, work and move from one area to another with a relative amount of ease. Quit worrying about health care for illegal guests of our country. Send them home, and look! More jobs have opened up, haven't they? Think about that phone training idea. It would mean simple, easy directions from someone who spoke English in a way that could be understood by the majority of the people. Paradise! You'll thank me later.

Another Helpful Soul

My latest battle for sanity appears to be with a pseudo government branch called Right Relations, Inc. This is where you go if you are in the middle of a divorce dispute and they want to punish you into submission. That is to say, they think it will be helpful in your day to day relationships. I am not allowed to record anything while I am in there. I am not allowed to make any notes, and, even though this is America, I am not allowed to discuss anything that is said in there. As if the world is waiting with bated breath to hear what a bunch of people arm twisted into a class have to say. I finally head from Congressman Souder's office. I hope that I can get him involved in finding the bottom line for this Right Relations, Inc. I just want to know where the money is going, and how they got to be in such a position of authority. This is America, right? We should have the right to ask any question like this that we want to and get an answer reasonably soon, don't you think? I calculate this "branch" of local government is making $400-$800 dollars a week in tax free money. That's a nice little fund raiser for any county government, don't you think? I wouldn't mind making that kind of money for an hour's time, anyway. But before I get off on another rant, let me just say that I am thankful to all of the people who have sent me emails to offer encouragement. It helps to make up for the crank pots who have managed to master their keyboards. If Mark Souder's office is the least bit helpful with this latest round of bureaucracy, I'll let you know. If they aren't, I'll let you know that also. Either way, you can thank me later.

Raking Leaves

I spent a large part of today raking leaves. I'm not complaining, believe it or not, I like to rake leaves. It's one of the few things that you can do and actually see the good that you have done. There is no guessing if you need to do it again, just take a look at what's left. Any person with sense can see if they are finished. Or if it's good enough. I wish that everything in this world was as clear cut as that. Unfortunately, that's almost never the case, is it? I've got several things going on in my life and to be honest, I don't know where I am with them. I've been working on one project for about three months now, and I can't tell if I've made any progress at all. I guess life is like that. When you couple that with the fact that I am not what you would call a patient woman, and you can see why I like the instant gratification of raking. I guess now it's time to wait and see when the city gets around to picking them up. (The leaves, that is.) It seems to me that they could have been going around removing the piles that have been gathering, but what do I know? Maybe they are waiting on a special signal. See what I mean about not being patient? The other problem that I have this time of year is that the cold weather is coming. There is no way to kid myself that it isn't. Yesterday when I woke up, there was a thin layer of ice on the dish of water that I keep out for birds and other thirsty creatures. It broke my heart to see that ice. I'm not a winter person. My idea of cold weather is watching the snowing scene from A Christmas Story. That is just about as much snow as I need on any given year. Back home in Florida, cold weather starts at fifty degrees. I am still that way, even though I've been forced to live in the North for a long time now. But back to raking leaves-as I was raking them, I thought about just last week when I saw a tall hill covered in trees with leaves starting to turn. The person that I was with commented on the pretty colors. I never see that part of it. I guess that I would rather have green pine needles all year than leaves, colored leaves, or dead leaves to rake. Maybe someday I'll be a fall person, but I don't think so. If it weren't for college football, I wouldn't like the season at all. Oh, well. What are you going to do? I guess I'm going to put on an old Elvis movie-Blue Hawaii, I think, and pretend it's eighty degrees and summer time. If that helps you get through the fall, you can thank me later.