I had a Father in Law. He was fairly useless on most things. He feigned a break down so that his wife could support him for a while, and I don't think that I ever saw him do actual work in the 13 years that I knew him. He had cataract surgery several years before he died, and the doctor advised him not to pick up anything heavier than 10 pounds for a few days. He never picked up anything again. Like I said, fairly useless.
One of the biggest things he was wrong about, and their were so very many, was our Armed Services. His defining moment in life was making sure that he didn't have to go to Viet Nam. He had invested so much time in weaseling out of his military obligation to the United States that it stayed with him for the rest of his days. All things in his life were defined by that huge fear.
I, on the other hand, think that the reason we are the greatest country on God's green earth, is because of the brave men and women who serve our country, even though so many people do not appreciate it. There is no calling in sick when you are in the military. You do not get the option of quitting.
I have four brothers who served in one branch of service or another. Two retired from active duty, one almost did and one of my brothers did not. None of them regretted the time and the opportunities that were afforded them by their military service.
I cannot thank them and the other service members I have had the privilege of knowing, enough. Thank you for the sacrifices you and your families have made. Thank you for keeping my family safe so many times. Thank you for doing a wonderful job in spite of those that don't or won't appreciate you. Thank you and God bless.
So if you know someone who is serving or has served, go shake their hand and and say thank you. You may not have any idea what they went through so that you would not have to go through it yourself. You'll thank me later.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
Way to Go, Barry!
When B.O. got his Nobel Prize for breathing, it devalued the prize forever. When I think of the prize, I think of people like Nelson Mandela. This is a gentleman who was locked away in prison for questioning the racial inequality in South Africa. Mr. Mandela embodies every quality that we as humans should aim for. His wife, not so much.
B.O.'s prize, on the other hand, was simply a repudiation of the United States, a give away to help the liberals feel better about themselves.Please keep in mind that Joseph Stalin was nominated twice for this prize. That is some company Barry keeps, isn't it?
I hope that B.O. went home and polished his symbolic trophy after effectively chucking the best ally we have in the middle east under the proverbial bus. Suggesting that Israel retreat to its former border is an insult of the highest order to our one true and constant ally in the middle east. Hamas is not interested in peace in the middle east until Israel has been effectively wiped off the map. They do not want a peaceful accord, they want victory. For B.O. to think any differently not only shows his ignorance, it shows his bias and naivety. This is more proof that B.O. is simply unsuited to the job at hand. His overwhelming affection for all things Muslim cannot be denied by any sane person.
His agenda is dangerous and will take years to fix after he has gone home to where ever it turns out he calls home. November 2012 cannot come soon enough. For us, or the free world. I'm doing what I can to make sure he isn't elected in 2012. Are you? Sign up to hand out flyers, knock on doors and get the conservative vote out. B.O. needs to go. There, I just gave them a slogan to use, and the powers that be may use it with my compliments. Just help defeat the biggest threat to the American way of life since the1930's. You can than me later.
B.O.'s prize, on the other hand, was simply a repudiation of the United States, a give away to help the liberals feel better about themselves.Please keep in mind that Joseph Stalin was nominated twice for this prize. That is some company Barry keeps, isn't it?
I hope that B.O. went home and polished his symbolic trophy after effectively chucking the best ally we have in the middle east under the proverbial bus. Suggesting that Israel retreat to its former border is an insult of the highest order to our one true and constant ally in the middle east. Hamas is not interested in peace in the middle east until Israel has been effectively wiped off the map. They do not want a peaceful accord, they want victory. For B.O. to think any differently not only shows his ignorance, it shows his bias and naivety. This is more proof that B.O. is simply unsuited to the job at hand. His overwhelming affection for all things Muslim cannot be denied by any sane person.
His agenda is dangerous and will take years to fix after he has gone home to where ever it turns out he calls home. November 2012 cannot come soon enough. For us, or the free world. I'm doing what I can to make sure he isn't elected in 2012. Are you? Sign up to hand out flyers, knock on doors and get the conservative vote out. B.O. needs to go. There, I just gave them a slogan to use, and the powers that be may use it with my compliments. Just help defeat the biggest threat to the American way of life since the1930's. You can than me later.
Monday, May 16, 2011
More Hurdles Than the Olympic Runners
I am still in the process of moving in and opening my resale shop. The move in is complete, I just can't find anything. I got a new electric mower and I am in love. No fumes, to bother my asthma, and it starts with the push of a button and the squeeze of a handle. Nice.
The opening of my store is another story. I am jumping more hurdles than any runner I can think of. I applied for the license to collect sales tax, and my postal carrier in his infinite wisdom did not realize that my business was in existence and did not deliver this vital piece of information to me. Of course, he also mangled my change of address form as I moved to the same house number, different street. I did this once before, believe it or not, and I guess the coincidence has fractured the carrier.
This leads me back to two of my favorite rants, the Post Office, and moving in general. First, the move: I am a peaceable person, contrary to the opinion of one stupid friend of mine. The only thing that I ask of anyone is just let me be. Simple enough, no? No, it isn't. I have a neighbor with a biting dog. I have been bitten by this dog twice. Both times left bruises, but luckily I was wearing fleece and thick socks, so only once did it break the skin. I just want the dog to quit biting me, not such a difficult request, in my opinion. But because I have twice reported this biting dog, my stupid friend thinks that I am being a bad neighbor.
I asked the police if they could be made to either a) fix the screen door that doesn't close and lets the dog run out, or b) put a door on the screen porch that would stop the dog from being able to clear the porch, run out to the sidewalk and bite me. This officer didn't have an answer to either one. My tax dollars at work, yes?
The second irritation has to do with the United States Post Office. I do not know what the letter carriers are paid, but it is too much. I put in a change of address online over a month ago. It wasn't processed. I filled out a paper one two weeks ago. The genius who grabs my mail, changed the address on it to go to my OLD address without bothering to see if this was in fact the correct address. Two calls later, I am still waiting on my mail to come to my new address, not my old one. Didn't seem that hard when I started. Silly me. So having excoriated my government over two different departments, I will keep making calls and trying to find answers, if I find one for you, you can thank me later.
The opening of my store is another story. I am jumping more hurdles than any runner I can think of. I applied for the license to collect sales tax, and my postal carrier in his infinite wisdom did not realize that my business was in existence and did not deliver this vital piece of information to me. Of course, he also mangled my change of address form as I moved to the same house number, different street. I did this once before, believe it or not, and I guess the coincidence has fractured the carrier.
This leads me back to two of my favorite rants, the Post Office, and moving in general. First, the move: I am a peaceable person, contrary to the opinion of one stupid friend of mine. The only thing that I ask of anyone is just let me be. Simple enough, no? No, it isn't. I have a neighbor with a biting dog. I have been bitten by this dog twice. Both times left bruises, but luckily I was wearing fleece and thick socks, so only once did it break the skin. I just want the dog to quit biting me, not such a difficult request, in my opinion. But because I have twice reported this biting dog, my stupid friend thinks that I am being a bad neighbor.
I asked the police if they could be made to either a) fix the screen door that doesn't close and lets the dog run out, or b) put a door on the screen porch that would stop the dog from being able to clear the porch, run out to the sidewalk and bite me. This officer didn't have an answer to either one. My tax dollars at work, yes?
The second irritation has to do with the United States Post Office. I do not know what the letter carriers are paid, but it is too much. I put in a change of address online over a month ago. It wasn't processed. I filled out a paper one two weeks ago. The genius who grabs my mail, changed the address on it to go to my OLD address without bothering to see if this was in fact the correct address. Two calls later, I am still waiting on my mail to come to my new address, not my old one. Didn't seem that hard when I started. Silly me. So having excoriated my government over two different departments, I will keep making calls and trying to find answers, if I find one for you, you can thank me later.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Amazing What You Find When You Look
I read through a lot of comments and found a little more faith in humanity. I also found a nut job or two, but that is to be expected. I don't go to Walmart anymore unless I am in dire straights, or need a specific item. , Having shaken the dust of Walmart off my shoes,the last thing that I want to do is help them out much. I will say a few things about some of the comments I received.
I had a CSM complain because she didn't like my observations about standing in line for ten minutes to buy a package of hotdog buns. I would respond by telling her that Dee, a CSM in a local Walmart, can't decide between bratwurst and burgers. She knows that everyone likes burgers, but she is sick of them. Why do I know this? Because Dee didn't want to move the customers out of the store until after she finished her moving recital of what was on the menu. I like to cook as much as the next person, but why do I always find the dinner conversations?
Another case in point was brought to my attention. There is a new member of management whose sole talent for the job seems to be lasting over fifteen years. I got three emails about her, then when I went in to see (and purchase the aforementioned hot dog buns) she was standing there watching three other people work. Some things never change.
If you need paint mixed after six o'clock, wait until the next day. I had to walk the associate through the process, then explain to them how to cut a key. If you are waiting on a member of management, that will be a big chunk of your life that you will never see again. I mean it.
I appreciate all the funny things that were said about the anti walmart sites, also. Doug: I agree with you one hundred percent about the I.Q. range. You are a clever man.
I am still unpacking, and still hoping to be moving forward. Hope you all had a great day, and thank you all for the comments and encouragement. If I made even one of you laugh, you can thank me later.
I had a CSM complain because she didn't like my observations about standing in line for ten minutes to buy a package of hotdog buns. I would respond by telling her that Dee, a CSM in a local Walmart, can't decide between bratwurst and burgers. She knows that everyone likes burgers, but she is sick of them. Why do I know this? Because Dee didn't want to move the customers out of the store until after she finished her moving recital of what was on the menu. I like to cook as much as the next person, but why do I always find the dinner conversations?
Another case in point was brought to my attention. There is a new member of management whose sole talent for the job seems to be lasting over fifteen years. I got three emails about her, then when I went in to see (and purchase the aforementioned hot dog buns) she was standing there watching three other people work. Some things never change.
If you need paint mixed after six o'clock, wait until the next day. I had to walk the associate through the process, then explain to them how to cut a key. If you are waiting on a member of management, that will be a big chunk of your life that you will never see again. I mean it.
I appreciate all the funny things that were said about the anti walmart sites, also. Doug: I agree with you one hundred percent about the I.Q. range. You are a clever man.
I am still unpacking, and still hoping to be moving forward. Hope you all had a great day, and thank you all for the comments and encouragement. If I made even one of you laugh, you can thank me later.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Inching Closer
I am still on track to open my little vertebrae that is the backbone of this great country of ours. I am looking for televisions, keep your fingers crossed or we'll open without them. And because I am a sadist, I have also moved in to my own home in the last week. I am not the most organized person in the first place, now I am a scattered mess.
While I was registering for all the things that a homeowner must register for in this little tiny speck of country, I started downstairs at the courthouse. I was in the wrong place. I went next door, then upstairs, then downstairs then finally upstairs one last time. Cardio. Oh yeah. Is there a reason that the four offices couldn't be lined up side by side? None that I can find. Of course, they had to put down their coffee and stop their discussions to help. Ah... the difficult life of the public servant. As I stood waiting and waiting and waiting to be helped, I thought about the wonderful benefits the public employee gets while I pay out of an orifice for medical coverage.
I left the courthouse very irritated and wondered, again, why I couldn't do all of the things that I did online. I wondered why it takes four people to hold up a counter. I wondered why there is a surplus of room on the other side of the counter while I waited in a cramped, tiny space that snaked out the door into a hallway.
Our local government is not responsive to us, and we should demand better value for our money. Why do they get such stupendous benefits? Why did B.O. exempt so many of them from his hideous obamacare? I'll keep looking for answers. You can thank me later.
While I was registering for all the things that a homeowner must register for in this little tiny speck of country, I started downstairs at the courthouse. I was in the wrong place. I went next door, then upstairs, then downstairs then finally upstairs one last time. Cardio. Oh yeah. Is there a reason that the four offices couldn't be lined up side by side? None that I can find. Of course, they had to put down their coffee and stop their discussions to help. Ah... the difficult life of the public servant. As I stood waiting and waiting and waiting to be helped, I thought about the wonderful benefits the public employee gets while I pay out of an orifice for medical coverage.
I left the courthouse very irritated and wondered, again, why I couldn't do all of the things that I did online. I wondered why it takes four people to hold up a counter. I wondered why there is a surplus of room on the other side of the counter while I waited in a cramped, tiny space that snaked out the door into a hallway.
Our local government is not responsive to us, and we should demand better value for our money. Why do they get such stupendous benefits? Why did B.O. exempt so many of them from his hideous obamacare? I'll keep looking for answers. You can thank me later.
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