Sat.

Had a great day yesterday! I shot a 44 on the nine holes we played, and would have done a lot better if it wasn't for the finishing two double bogeys. Did some yoga and extra stretching later in the afternoon and boy did that help.

Getting ready to hit it today. I've had my coffee and some relaxing reading time, now I can focus and hit the workout. I hope everyone has a great weekend and takes the opportunity to do at least one fun and frivolous thing.

Fry Day

No, not eat fried food day, fry in the sun day! Still hitting the workouts! Still feeling great! going to do a yoga workout this afternoon, since it will help stretch me out some after my 9 holes of golf planned for this sunny morning. I think layers are the key today, since it is currently under 50 degrees F, but forecasted to 70 degrees. 10:39 am tee time, 9 holes only so my playing partner can still make it to a funeral at 2.

Everyone have a fantastic day, I plan to!

4/10/12

Let it be known, tonight is the night, Danny's first gig as a "Rock Star" when he becomes famous later, we can all look back at this post and say, hey, I remember when ....... :-)

Plyometric jump training this morning, kicked it hard, motivation is back, I am doing better than my first week one in quantity and quality, woohoo. It's going to be a large challenge to get in the workout tomorrow after a very late night with Danny at his concert.

Do Overs!!!

So it begins again. I am starting over with P90X from day 1 as of this morning. Refocused and ready to go. I had found myself finding excuses not to workout or just going through the motions, but after a few days of not working out I found myself craving it. So, here I am again, starting over from day 1 of P90X. Today was chest and back, I hit it hard and it feels great. Each morning I need to just take those few minutes to wake up and focus myself before I start, remind myself why I do it, and then rock and roll.

Thursday Equals P90-Why

Exhaustion and motivation have pushed me over the edge this week. My hope is to regroup watching the Master's this weekend and restart on Monday, with new hopes and goals and a new outlook on progress. I tried after work today to do it, but during the first 5 minutes of warmups I found my mind not where it needs to be to do this right.

I have not failed, no worries there. Even if I choose a different path starting Monday, I have won a measure of respect for myself and for what it really takes to get this aging, aching, roundish body back into a body that will last me for a longer lifetime.

Motivation

So Monday exhaustion took the reigns from motivation. I could not even stay awake at work, had to nap after work, then alas, couldn't sleep once I was in bed for the night. So, 4:00 came and went this morning, as well. Crap! I watched the workout yesterday afternoon to know what new one I was getting into, and I knew at 4 that I did not have the gumption to actually bring the intensity I needed for this one, I am hopeful to bring it this afternoon. John & Tim, NOW I understand "Superman - Banana" OMG!!!! It's gonna be a "fun" core workout.

Week 4

I'm fighting the motivational lows right now. Planning my workout for this afternoon between work and getting Josh to scouts. This is a "change it up" week, with Yoga, Core and Kempo type exercises before starting a whole new flow next week. I know I've got it in my to do this and do it right, not just go through the motions, I just need to take some time today and refind that spark and get er done......

Not P90X

Just a quick post not about P90X. Time for something refreshing.

I am asking all my followers to send me positive and calming thoughts for the morning on Thursday. I "get" to go take my every so often, never regular, polygraph exam that is associated with having the jobs I have had and currently enjoy. As some of you well know, these are NOT a pleasant experience, the examiners job is to make you feel guilty about EVERYTHING and try to find something wrong with you. If you come out smiling, they have not done their job well. So, in that vein, my weekend starts as soon as I am done with this fun and excitement of the morning. I'm thinking a nice hard workout in the morning, followed by a gallon of coffee should spike my blood pressure enough to add some fun to the stress and anxiety of the day. Then, I'm thinking maybe a second workout afterward may be in order to center myself before pool league in the evening. Don't expect a post tomorrow unless I find a need to bitch a bit and get it out of my system.

3/28

Needed the extra hour of sleep this morning as I tossed and turned most of the night away, so arms and shoulders after work today!

Tue

Oops, just realized I didn't post yesterday......

This morning was quite the adventure. I had to dig pretty deep to make it through my third round of Plyometric jump training. Not only was it a tough workout, it felt like I was smoking a pine tree the whole time. I had windows open most of the day yesterday and the hurricane force winds blew in an ash full of smoke from the multiple thousand acre fire across town. It was hard enough to sleep without coughing, imagine sucking wind from a hellacious workout into bunt tinder laden lungs. ooooof!

Nuf said, I made it, achieved enough oxygen intake to survive and thrive. Week three, still going strong.

Sunday is Fun Day!!!

Workout is planned for later today. But first, I'm taking the boys to see the Hunger Games movie. Josh and I have both read the book and are looking forward to seeing it. Danny could take or leave it, but will come with us anyway. Saturday's workout was changed up by me, so that I could spend that time outside, in the sunshine and 70+ degree weather. It was AWESOME!

Finding that after almost 2 weeks I need to search deep within myself for that spark to keep it going. It's there, I just have to dig a little deeper to find it. Wish me luck past this small hump in the road as I keep it moving forward.

Saturday

For those three of you following this, I apologize for missing Friday's post. Here's what happened. I got home from pool very late, so I decided to workout after work and sleep an extra hour. No problem so far. While at work, still early, I was very nauseous and had plenty of hours in, so I left Ill and came home. I then slept from 8:45 to 2:45. Man did that feel good. After that long nap I was pretty much spent, so I decided Friday would be my day off for the week instead of Sunday. So here I am at Saturday, having slept in until 8, now drinking my first cup of caffeine working out my plan for the day. Taxes are number one on the list, a workout is not far behind.

I slept with the window open for the first time in a while, that felt good. Getting ready to attack my day and leave behind a wake of chaos.

Thursday

I apologize for no afternoon post yesterday, it was a rough one without the endorphins of the day to get me through. But, I found my excuse to ensure I got my workout in after work and was successful! This morning was yet another one, today; yoga. I did my best, but some pain in my feet stopped me earlier than the rest of my body wanted, so I promptly switched videos, got on the floor and did the abdominal exercise.

Weighed myself before my shower, I am down a total of 6 pounds in less than two weeks! Still loving it, pushing through a minor plateau, and making it happen.

March 21

Have a meeting with my program VP this morning at 6:00, so workout deferred until afger work today. Here's to keeping the motivation and hitting it later today.

March 20

Sipping my berry banana protein shake reminds me of the vacation trip when Linda and I took the boys to Mexico for a week of fun in the sun. I'm gonna need to do something like that again as a reward to myself before too much time flies by. Second run at Plyometrics this morning......Oh yeah, feeling the burn. I can already tell that things are changing, I am getting fitter, etc. My lungs are working better and my muscles are recovering faster between exercises.

Tomorrow may be a struggle. I need to be at work for a 6:00 am meeting. If I wait until the afternoon, then I will find excuses to not workout. If I workout in the morning, I will need to get up and hit it even earlier. Stay tuned for the decision in the continued saga of Stu and P90X.

Day 8 (Week 2 Day 1)

WOOHOO! Another week starting out! I hit it HARD this morning. Chest and back workout, same one as last Monday, but I was able to do more, last longer, and bring more intensity to the game. One week in and progress is being made. You want more evidence? I am down 4 pounds in this week! Go me!

That's a Week!!

It's 5:29 am on a Saturday morning. Sane people are still in be sleeping or some just getting home from a very late night out. But me, oh no, I am crazy good today! Alarm went off at 4, and I was so tempted to roll over for another hour. I was awake for an hour or so in the middle of the night so I wouldn't have blamed myself too much. Instead, I took a few deep breaths, rolled on out of bed and did the P90X KempoX workout. Lots of shadow boxing, kicks and punches, a great cardio workout with some shoulder and leg hammering in the midst. SWEET!

Now I'm drinking a protein shake listening to the coffee maker go through it's final throws of water through filter. What a great way to start a great day! John and I have a tee time at 8:42 this morning for 18 holes of golf in spring weather, mid 70's today. With this workout first, I should be primed and ready to whack that ball for the first of 2012. Then tonight, another party bus ride to Loveland to cheer on some friends while they dance and perform in a vaudevillian burlesque night of fun! Good thing tomorrow's workout is optional/stretching, I should be able to sleep in and still do well with that one.

I am feeling great, loving the motivation and endorphin rush, looking forward to progress in many life aspects.

Five!

Just late yesterday my legs finally stopped hurting so much from the Tuesday workout, then today I hit them hard again for legs and back! Woohoo! I may not keep up with them and I may not do all the reps they do. YET! But, that's the way it starts, and I can already feel a difference. Kempo X tomorrow, a cross between kick boxing, taibo and what have you, it should be another good one. Regrets on kicking in to this, NOT A ONE!!!!

Day 4 Still Rocking!

Four days in, four workouts completed. Yesterday was an adventure it stiffness. The lactic acids had built up in my legs and hip area from the Plyometric day so I was quite the gimp, especially if I sat too long. Then add in stairs up or down, wow! What a great pain, knowing that it's all because I actually worked out hard and my muscles are rebuilding themselves for the next time. I had forgotten how much I love and hate it. The hardest part is actually the first 5 seconds of the alarm clock. After that, I get my head in the right place and go, then the rest of the day I get to feel self righteous and great about myself, and there ain't nothin' wrong wit' dat!

Day 3

I am coming to realize rapidly that I need a whole lot less sleep when I a working out like this. Yes, it is hard to get my backside out of bed at 4 am, but then I get the endorphins coursing through my body and I'm set for another great day. I head to bed roughly the same times as before, but alas, don't really sleep until later. Maybe this is my key to getting more done......

I absolutely LOVE starting my days this way!!!! Heart pumping, sweat pouring, muscles screaming. It all puts my head in a good place for the day, and has me starting each day doing something for me. I'm an addict, who had forgotten the endorphin rush but has rediscovered it.

Day 2

This morning was plyometrics. I'm pretty sure the name is derived from "metrics" meaning a measuring system and "plyo" meaning to ply the fibers of one's muscles from each other. Combined they refer to a torturous journey that takes pride in how far apart they can pry these muscle fibers from one another. That was one hellaciously fun and crazy workout. When Tony said, "...we're halfway through..." I almost fainted. I was reaching for the pause button to just say enough for one day, when they started the next exercise. I said to myself, "Self! Suck it up! Yes it hurts, but in a good way! Just do this!" So I did and made it through the hour.

Let me just say that it is a wonderful thing that shaving is not a precision task. Between my shaking legs from today's workout and very sore shoulders from yesterday's, I'm glad I don't use a straight razor, or I'd be short one juggler.

Woohoo! Day 2 is in the books! I'm getting into this love/hate relationship and feeling great!

WOW!!!!

Okay, first off let me say, I should have actually called yesterday's posts Day 0, but I'm aonly an engineer, numbers don't really mean that much :-P

Day 1: Alarm went off at 4:00 am Mountain Daylight Time. Voided the bladder, put on some working out clothes and was into the warmup by 4:10. WOW! What a workout! As imagined, I couldn't keep up with the pros in the video, but no worries, I did my best and then some. After the hour, I saw there was another 18 minutes of abdominal workout. Ooof! I was spent. So, to ensure I gave the abs their due attention, I saved them until after work. I just finished that horrific fun a few minutes ago. OMG! I've got a long way to go, but I've taken the first step........

Based on what I'm feeling now, I expect to be nearly crippled in my upper body tomorrow, thankfully (or not) I will hit it early again then and work out some of those kinks. Day one is in the books, I ate well and hit it hard. Time to take Josh to his Boy Scout meeting soon. Early to bed and out like a light tonight :-)

Day -1 Continued

Finished the pretest, fully expecting to not be up to the levels they suggest to start the program. Surprise, surprise, I scored lower on a couple of items than suggested, the same on a couple more and exceeded their minimums in the other categories, which in my estimation puts me square in the heart of the starting goal. First off, woohoo! Second, wow, I thought I was (am) in pretty crappy shape, 45+ pounds over weight, etc. but I am "in shape" enough to start. Really worried about the rest of America's health now.

I'm pretty sure I have a large bruise on the inside of my chest where my heart was trying to beat it's way out, and my arms feel a little jello like, but I am ready to do this!!!!

P90X Day (-1)

I am starting the P90X extreme workout program tomorrow (3/12/12) for the full 90 days. My diet plan will not be the one outlined in the P90X plan, but a modified version of the "Flat Belly" diet I had some success with before. My goal here is to blog about each week at a minimum, I am hopeful to blog each day. So, send me positive thoughts, and focus as I work to try to better my physical, and along with it my mental, etc. Since the only way I can ensure I will actually perform said workout each day, it will happen early in the morning. My alarm is set for 0400 hrs.......

I will take the "pretest" for a baseline before I eat lunch today! I am excited and scared, but most importantly I am doing this for me, and no one else.......YAY me!

14

Fourteen years ago

It started out as a fairly normal day. Linda and I dropped by our local Kaiser Permanente office so I could get a flu shot and she decided to get a quick pregnancy checkup while we were there. The word from her checkup, “Go home, pack up your stuff and head to the hospital, you’re in the early stages of labor and are going to have a baby today.”

So we promptly forgot a bunch of the advice we “learned” at the multiple birthing classes we had attended, headed home, grabbed some stuff and then right to the hospital we went. We had learned that we should eat a good meal before we go because the hospital won’t feed the mom, and the dad, well, you’re on your own. We didn’t even grab a snack. Linda got on the phone with her mom who was living in the Bay Area at the time and had an open ticket waiting to be used. Then we called a few others, my parents, our friend John and others. We got John and Sandy hooked up and “Uncle John” was a kind soul and picked her up at the airport and brought her to the hospital to share the experience with us. Meanwhile, Linda and I were walking, and walking, and walking. The 8 or 10 medical students each verified she wasn’t progressing very quickly, but I tell you what; it felt good to finally have something to do when Linda had had enough of the student prodding. I was gentle but firm, really I was J.

We decided to walk outside since her water hadn’t broken and we were bored of the hallways, so we wandered until we saw a drug deal going down and god only knows what else, the neighborhood was not the greatest, at which time we decided that the halls of Saint Anthony’s were just fine and headed back in.

Fast forward many hours and frustrations. Linda finally got her epidural (natural? my ass! medications were invented for a reason, I could have used some of those myself). We played music, we napped, we fed Linda ice chips (we really should have eaten something) and finally, after what felt like 60 hours since the Kaiser office, we finally got to push. I say we, but if you look up the word “useless” in the dictionary, it shows a picture of a father during childbirth. I’m pretty sure I had a hangnail that hurt like the dickens, but damn if I was going to say anything out loud. The whole “breathe” and “hoo hoo hoo haa” crap, just something to keep the father occupied and to feel like he is participating. But, oh the rush of emotions, to be standing there, light headed from breathing for her, fingers crushed from the vise-like grip of death, looking into the eyes of the devil herself, trying to get her to “focus honey, you can do it” and hearing the voice from within belching “shut the #%$& up and get that out of my face! If you think you’re ever going to touch me again buster…” All this after her lower body was completely dead from a slightly misplaced epidural.

Later, tears of joy ran down my face as I held my son for the first time. I told him at that time, with all the sincerity I could muster, “Daniel, your future is yet to be written and you can be anything you want to be in life, as long as I get to be your caddy.” Alas, golf is not Daniel’s forte, but guess what, I still get to be his caddy. I get to walk with him through the golf course of life as he grows into a man, as he succeeds and fails and we talk about what shot to take next, should he play the old reliable and lay up or is he in a place to take a chance and go for the green in 2. As his caddy, I get to make suggestions, I get to encourage and provide advice, but I don’t get to make the decision and I don’t get to take the shot for him. Succeed or fail, it’s his shot to take and my role to help where I can and get him ready for the next shot. I love you Daniel. Here’s to taking chances, playing it safe, and living life to its fullest. Happy Birthday!

Dad.

New Terrorist Tactics?

Colorado has been hit with a new terrorist tactic. They seem to be feeding the deer something different than normal and sending them out to the highways to explode on impact. One car at a time, they are taking us out. Time to extend hunting season? See the story HERE.

Small Pair

Playing Texas Hold-em with friends, holding a small pair will keep you in the game, at least through the flop. Then, depending on the betting and reactions from there, you may choose to continue, fold or raise big. I’ve been holding a pair of 4’s for about 6 months and have chosen to continue through the flop and am raising big on the turn. My good friend J Cas has been running with suited connectors for about a year now and chose throughout the year to continue and to raise big. I have never known him to fold, under any circumstances. This weekend he upgrades to a small pair (4’s), I expect to see him stay the course and raise big whenever appropriate, or when he wants to drive out the competition. We’ve been friends since before either of us held a blackjack and there is rarely a time when we don’t enjoy each other’s company. Life has added new pressures, commitments, etc. so we don’t get to spend nearly as much time together lately as we have in the past, but we’ve gone through this type of phase before and have always found a way back together again. It’s been a GREAT ride with you my friend and brother and we’re not even half way there yet. Have a happy birthday, and whatever you do, keep playing the cards, a pair of 4’s is not as so bad a hand at all. Oh yeah, that other small pair, I’m sure Ginger will lend them back to you for your birthday.

John's Redemption

A while back, I don't know how long ago but he still gets grief from me, my good friend John made one of his more memorable verbal blunders. The term he used was "hand glove" go ahead and laugh, I have a bunch of times. What other appendage do you wear a glove on John? Those balloons are not really called one finger gloves by anyone I know. Well, today I have found redemption for my friend and find the need to apologize for all of my laughter and jest. Alas, I have run across a new product (click HERE for their website). Yep, you guessed it, someone has made a foot glove, I kid you not. So here's to you John and your forward thinking. Next time, break out the patent application dude and make bank on it.

Say it isn't so

During a short break at work today I came across THIS article. I'm not sure I buy the theory that Warp Speed would kill, especially if it is based on Star Trek. After all, if I remember correctly (I could be wrong), the theory of the warp drive is such that the drive creates a warp bubble that surrounds the ship, thereby protecting the crew from harm as well as having to deal with Einstein's pesky theory of "gravitational time dilation" which has been proven by tests, as have many of his "general relativity" theories (and other theories as well).

Yeah, I know, the links are just to Wikipedia pages, but they should give the general reader some reference without going into the math, quantum mechanics, space time, or deal with Schrodinger and his cat. Thank goodness we don't need Heisenberg for this one.

Tattoo

If you're gon'na get a tattoo, there are a few things you should check before ink touches skin. Are the needles clean and sanitary? Look at some of the artist's work to verify quality. But, most importantly, make sure the artist can spell, even if you can't. See what I mean HERE. (warning, hilarity to follow).

Happy New Year

The end of 2009.....a year of changes, excitement, injury, love, etc.

Let's all look back with great memories and forward to another beautiful year.

Happy New Year everyone!

One Arm Wonder

Tumbling, rolling, landing, sliding, stopping. Pain and disorientation. Help on the way. Foot restraints pried off. Goggles gently removed. Pain to levels previously unknown, or at least forgotten.

The time: about 12:05pm on 12/23/09. The location: Copper Mountain Ski Area. The participant: Me.

I caught an edge funny on my snowboard as I tried to make a turn near the bottom of the run. My left arm got caught (extended) between me and the ground as I tumbled. Once in the clinic, confirmation that I had messed it up. My left elbow was dislocated (not even close to where it should have been) and I had rediscovered what a pain level of 10 really is.

Thanks to my great friend John for driving Linda to get us (Daniel and I were taking a day together) through the very nasty weather and icy roads. Five and a half hours after the initial pain we were finally on the road back home. Today it is very stiff, but an x-ray confirmed nothing is broken. "Just" some torn ligaments and a whole bunch of swelling.

So, this year for Christmas, Santa in our house is a one arm wonder and I can't type to well either. Percoset, do your thing!

Imagry

Kudos to Dean Koontz's ability to paint a picture with words. I was reading his novel "Breathless" earlier today and ran across this passage that almost had me on the floor. So here goes (once again, credit to Dean Koontz, and his copyright).

"...After a silence, he heard the thinnest of whistles -- and his heart clenched for a moment, until he realized that the sound was his own flatulence ... Henry listened to his oscillating butt whistle as it diminished to a final peep ,... The unfortunate consequences of his rectal recital prevented Henry from remaining in the closet."

I've been to a piano recital, but never a rectal recital. Do they serve punch at these, who do they get to perform, how much practicing is needed before the performance?

Sometimes...

Sometimes I have nothing to say, so unlike many others, I don't say anything. I learn a lot by just listening, things like who likes to talk just to make sure everyone knows they are there, who really has a valuable point of view, who has trouble understanding the most basic concepts of what was just said by someone else. There's more as well, but I want to focus on the last one today. Part of my job is to attend reviews and meetings and provide technical opinions, assistance, etc. In many of these meetings, someone who does the same job I do (he hired me to the new job) is there as well, let's call him Gordy for ease of reference. The meeting is moving forward, the speaker leading the meeting is mid-stride in his presentation and has been VERY clear in the interactions of X and Y, or the use of the widget, and Gordy stops him and says something like, "I don't understand. Does X go before Y or does R somehow play into it?" At least half the time I want to answer the question for the speaker so he can move on. Does Gordy really not understand, or does he want to justify his being in the meeting by speaking up every few minutes? My attack on these meetings goes more like this. Listen and absorb and understand what is being presented. Jot down a couple of items that I need clarified or that just don't make sense. Don't get me wrong, I will speak up and even argue the point, if it is warranted, but 9.75 times out of 9.8 that is not required. So, my question to myself as this continues to play out, is "Does this just mean I have a better grasp on understanding than many others (Gordy is a Technical Fellow by the way, a big deal at LM), or am I the one not getting it? I keep getting asked to by program people to come review widget XYZ's test plan or help them decide on whether or not X really does go before Y, or to give them a professional opinion and guidance (and permission) to help them out. I try not to feel superior, because I know that there is a whole bunch that Gordy knows that I don't, but sometimes it is REALLY difficult.

And so we end a post on why Stu is such a smarty pants, and maybe why he is often so quiet.

Inflammatory

An "unbiased" report, yeah right.! I found this article inflammatory at best. See what you think.

3 Arrested At Lockheed-Martin in Sunnyvale

Bay Area Indymedia

06 October 09

At 1:30pm Fr. Louis Vitale & a newlywed couple from Albuquerque were arrested for trespassing when the three were not able to finish distributing their fliers on the sidewalk allegedly belonging to Lockheed- Martin.

The three peace activists had been distributing fliers to drivers, holding a “Just Married: Love Disarms” banner, and singing prayers at LM for 30 minutes.

The just-married couple are Marcus Page and Chelsea Collonge, who have been working for peace and nuclear abolition through dialog and prayer-actions since 2007, primarily at nuclear weapons sites in New Mexico and Nevada. Yesterday's peace demonstration included fliers for LM workers, picket signs, and songs from the Raging Grannies.

The first week of October is International Keep Space For Peace Week. LM has helped produce and launch communication technology that the U.S. Air Force uses to kill people through unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) in the Middle-East.

Leading up to the October 5th prayer-action at Sunnyvale, two of the Trinity Nuclear Abolitionists had been holding vigils at other locations in California during the prior two weeks. These activities helped prepare Chelsea Collonge and Marcus Page for their wedding vows. They were married on Saint Francis' Day (October 4th) in Berkeley. Yesterday's peace vigil and prayer-action at LM included a dozen other participants. During negotiations with LM security personnel, Chelsea said, “My grandfathers worked here for 30 years, that's why I care about the current employees here. I wish to speak with them about the weapons work they do here.”

Aware of the large number of corporate and military offenders breaking international laws throughout California, newlyweds Chelsea & Marcus have joined local people in peace vigils as listed at tna.lovarchy.org.

The three TNA activists were cited and released by 3:00. Their arraignment is scheduled for November 16th.

Let's take each RED point in order:

1. They "were not able to finish..." Duh, usually an arrest interrupts shat is happening in an attempt to stop it. My guess is that they were disturbing the traffic flow which is not real good to begin with at that gate (I've been there). And, as to the alleged ownership of the sidewalk, it is either LM or Navy property, their are probably happy LM decided to deal with it.

2. Yeah, some LM assets are used to "kill people" but that killing is done in the battlefield. The greater use of said assets is that they SAVE the lives of those who serve. But, alas, one cannot put a number on how many lives were saved by one technology or another, so it's not news.
3. Just because you grandfather (or any other relative) worked for LM for any number of years does not make one an expert. And, the LM employees you want to "talk" to already know what they make, and are proud of it.

4. And finally, what happened to allegedly? The sidewalk is allegedly owned, but by god there are a large number of companies and governmetn agencies flaunting international laws. Nice peice of news to end the article with, or is that opinon? It is so hard to tell these days.

To finish it off ----- RANT, RANT, RANT, RANT ----- I am really not at all happy with this "news" agency.

Top 10

Top 10 from Letterman recently (Credit to CBS). Enjoy.


Top 10 signs the Head of NASA is NUTS:

10.Before each liftoff, he licks the launch pad

9.Commutes to work in the Lunar Rover

8.Freaked out when he heard GM was closing Saturn

7.Takes his coffee with two sugars and a splash of rocket fuel

6.Wants to rename headquarters "Cape Kardashian"

5.Hasn't removed his space helmet since 1996

4.Wants to rename Venus "Derek"

3.Announced he wants to fake another moon landing by 2015

2.Put all his money on the Mets to win the World Series

1.It wouldn't be a company picnic if he didn't drop his pants and fire a rocket

http://www.cbs.com/late_night/late_show/top_ten/top_ten_popup.php?origin=Late+Show+Top+Ten&year=2009&month=10&day=07&elm=0&cat=content_top_ten

Ahhhhh, California

So, I've never been one to complain about Colorado drivers, but, this week in California (Silicon Valley) has brought back the memories of driving in CA. Ohhhhh, what a feeling, driving 75 mph with about a car length at most in front and behind you, with no real worries that someone will muck up the flow. Even in the boat of a rental car I had (Ford Flex, kind of like an SUV, but low slung to the ground).

Now I am at the San Jose airport waiting for my flight to board, and what did I see? Something from the past. Something I haven't seen at an airport in many many years. San Jose airport has an outdoor observation deck. You can head outside and watch the planes come and go. Alas, the one downside, it is also the smokers balcony.....no fresh air.

And finally, I have noticed on my recent, and more frequent trips here how diverse a population this area contains, and how non-diverse Colorado suburbia really is. Granted, there are some accent issues to deal with as non-native speakers communicate with you. But, I'm sure if I went to their home country I would not be able to even consider speaking the language, yet alone speak it like a native.

Time to shut down the machine and get ready to board. I do love free wifi in the airport, great idea guys.

Stall #1

This morning, here at work, I had to take a moment to recycle some of my morning's coffee. I wandered down the hall to the men's room to take care of business. As I approached the door I could hear the echoing sound of a fairly loud conversation taking place inside said room. My initial thought is that someone was chatting with a coworker whilst standing at the urinal. I went in and did not see anyone at the urinals, but the conversation continued. Okay, I thought, it must be some guys conversing through the stall walls, a little odd, but not unheard of. Alas, when I looked at the stall doors, only one door was closed... You guessed it, the guy was on his cell phone while on the crapper. From the conversation it sounded like work and like he was talking to his boss. I did my business, made sure the urinal right outside his stall flushed, then washed my hands and made sure the loud towel dispenser did it's deed as well (should have used the blowers but didn't think fast enough). I don't get it; did he make the call? Or, did he answer the call? Or, better yet, was he on the call when he went in? I wonder if he'll finish the call before getting up, the toilets have auto-flush, so I'm sure the other party would figure it all out by then if still in conversation. One would think the echo chamber would be enough to make him wonder. The stall dweller had better make sure he's not making his own sound effects. It almost makes me wish I needed to make some myself in the stall next door. Dude, let them leave a message then call them back!

What??????

What is the world coming to...

I just saw this (click here) article and had to share.

Even the mice aren't safe anymore.

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Mom, I love you!

Today is Mom's birthday, yet another milestone. I won't reveal the age here, it's just not like me to do so.

Have a wonderful day. Hugs and kisses from me and my family to you.

What a Way to Go

If it's your time, you may as well go out in a glaze of glory. Story HERE.

PETA Strikes Again

It seems that PETA ('People Eating Tasty Animals' if you ask some that I know) is having a conniption fit over the President killing a fly during an interview. See the Reuters version of the story HERE.

They call this presidential swatting of a fly an execution. Shall I have them over for a steak dinner to watch me execute some more? Do they remember where flies usually spend their time in the pasture? Should we go ahead and fill their offices with some more if it, since a lot of it seams to be spewing from their mouths? OMG!

I guess it's yet one more reason to remind us how uncommon, common sense really is.

Ages Ago...

Ages ago in a land far far away an incredible event occurred. One that had happened similarly before and that would happen similarly again many times after, but this one time was unique. This event as it was, changed the world as we know it, has guided lives courses, inspired and enraged through the years. The event, you ask. A child was born on this day in 1966. This child grew up to become my best friend, one that so many of us can count on at any time. What we have is unique, as is what he gives to the rest of us. He is celebrating the event with his wife and some friends in Las Vegas. An event I was not able to attend, so with this note.....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN, J CAS, EAGLE ONE, MY BROTHER!

Great Day

Great looking day today. The plan is to nurse a sick son, Linda is getting a Pedicure with Ginger, I will mow the grass if it dries out enough, and will break out the rototiller in the planter box so we can add some more color and life to the back yard. Of course it may just be fodder for Huck's paws and jaws, we'll see. Time with the family before another business trip all next week. Have a great day yourself.

Anything and Everything or Nothing

What do I want to write about this evening? Not much on my mind really. Linda is officially accepted into graduate school, so life as we know it will come to an end :-) and a new life will begin (like every other day). My niece is graduating from college in May. I introduced Linda to my family (sister, mom and dad) when I first met Becky, a few weeks after she was born. She is going to work for the same very large corporation that I do, in another state, doing something completely different, but I've still got to say WOOHOO! great job Becky, I'm proud of you. I get to take Daniel camping this weekend with a bunch of other boy scouts, but it means I will miss some of the time that my mom and dad will be here on their way to Becky's graduation. Time to wind down from a day that was all over the map, but that is a different post that may or may not happen.

Ahhhh!

That first sip of coffee in the morning......Ahhhhhhh
Quiet time when no one else is awake......Ahhhhhhh
Chance for some needed rain today......Ahhhhhhh
Love in my heart and a smile in my eyes......Ahhhhhhh

Plan on having yourself a great day, I do......Ahhhhhhh

Life on the Outside

I had NO idea how much weight I was carrying on my shoulders with being on call 24/7 for over 10 years. I am having such an amazing time seeing all new areas of the company, not worrying about a page in the middle of the night or needing to go in on the weekend. WOW! Who knew! I've got a lot to learn, but I've also got a lot to offer, which is why I was chosen for the job. Hubble Space telescope, Juno mission to Jupiter, Commercial satellite for the Japanese, the next generation of manned missions (Orion) the list goes on and on. What a blast (no puns please). My life in general has changed for the better, and I can see great things in my future career with the company as I make and maintain contacts, become known as as expert, participate on independent review teams.....WooHoo!

It's Been a Long Time

It's been a long time since I last changed jobs. I have taken on new assignments, tasks, etc. but not a new job. I am excited, on edge, a little trepidation there too. I get the whole clean slate thing, but I also have to re-prove myself and my abilities. The nice thing about my new job is that my role is as an expert, and I am expected to be an expert, and will be assumed to be an expert. I get to prove them right. I am an expert, I do know what I am doing and I do have more than valid opinions. This new job will be technical in nature, but not hands-on, daily grind, work this section of code, troubleshoot this problem kind of job. Instead, as a test engineering expert, I will provide insight and oversight to programs, helping with both the big picture and the finer details. I will be stepping immediately into the shoes of one of my team of three, taking over for him as he goes out on medical leave as early as my first day on the job. Big shoes to fill, lots to learn asap, up an running from the start, go make it happen. Woohoo! One more week, finalizing stuff from the old position, packing boxes, saying good-bye to long term colleagues who, since we are a small community when you think of it, I will see again. Then, Wham! right into it on March 9. Time to take some skills out of the back closet and start polishing them. Think good thoughts for me.

It Has Begun

For any of you who haven't heard, we've started a company. Projects by Objective LLC was formed in January of 2009. The three founding members have given themselves titles (Stu Sweet, Chief Operating Officer, John Carmichael, Chief Executive Officer, Ginger Carmichael, Chief Administrative Officer). We have purchased a domain (http://www.projectsbyobjective.com/) and are working on getting the web site built up (right now it takes you to GoDaddy where we purchased the domain).

What do we do? We step in with our expertise, knowledge, backgrounds and contacts to provide solutions for small to medium sized companies who don't have the manpower, contacts, skill set, etc. to provide the solution for themselves. We are working on a contract for our first client company and will move forward with that companies projects soon.

As a company, we will sub-contract parts of the projects our to our various contacts with the expertise and experience we need at that time. If you are interested in contracting your services with us, drop a comment on my blog with contact info and areas of expertise and I'll get back to you for more information. We'll keep anyone we feel we can trust to get the job done and done right on file, so we can use your skills when the projects come along. If you are a small company looking for some specific help or ideas, drop me a comment and I will get back with you asap. More to come, especially once we get our company web site up and running.

I Got the Job!

For those of you that heard, this is not necessarily all new, for those that haven't I will spell it out. I applied for and interviewed for a position as a Test Engineering Subject Matter Expert for all of Space System Company with LM. Last week I got a phone call from Central Recruiting telling me I had been selected. Well, today it's official. I received the official offer letter via email this afternoon. I plan to sign and return it tomorrow morning, accepting the offer as presented. I am excited about this change in career direction, the new and exciting adventure, and the possibilities. Of course the promotion with more money doesn't hurt either. What this means is that I shouldn't have to be on call for tests all the time and that I can spend more time traveling, etc. with my family and doing exciting things with them. I do not know when I start the new job yet, but expect it will be around March 2nd. Here's to a new adventure in my career. Woohoo!

Kopi Luwak

What the heck? Has Stu lost his mind? No, just verifying some interesting brain fodder. Kopi Luwak is the coffee that makes the current coffee house prices look cheap. Don't rush right out and buy some just yet. Realize that the coffee beans for Kopi Luwak have been through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet which from what I can tell is nearer a cat than a monkey but lives in Indonesia. I've smelled my cat's poo. I've smelled my dog's breath after eating my cat's poo. I do NOT want a cup of this coffee.

Ouch!

Pain is relative. Each of us has our own threshold of pain tolerance. What I find bothersome may to others be debilitating, yet what others find bothersome could knock me down for days. But, I firmly believe that the ones who have it the hardest are the ones who support someone in pain. I was reminded yesterday how much Linda does for me and how helpless she can feel. Yesterday Linda hurt her back. Not just a little twinge, but a knock-me-down, I can’t stand up; I can barely get myself to and onto the toilet kind of hurt. The last time she hurt her back like this was when Daniel was only a few months old. That time the doctors found she had a bulging disc. I am dong what I can to help, which as I am remembering now, isn’t much other than getting things and giving support. Not the way I wanted to be reminded how much she does for me when my pain hits me hard. Ouch.

Trouble @ Walmart?

These people must have REALLY wanted a cheap TV or something! Wow! Click HERE for the story.

I'm Thankful...

It's November, the month of Thanksgiving so I thought I'd go with an early thankful post. What I am most thankful for is that tomorrow is election day. Why am I so thankful for that? I am worn out! The ads, the phone calls, the arguments, the lobbying, the in fighting, the indecision, the nation divided. This election has been the worst one that I can remember, and I can remember them from as far back as when Jimmy Carter was elected (at least that is the first one I really aid any attention to). By far the thing about this election I have truly HATED is how it has made so many people into political racists. Maybe they were already there, but it is really showing all around the TV, news, blogosphere, etc. It seems that the only arguments anyone can come up with these last weeks are why I should not vote for someone because they are ..... and we get it from both sides, it is not party specific. What I would much rather be hearing is why should I vote for McCain and Palin, why should I vote for Obama and Bidin, why should I vote for Nader and whoever the schmo is that is his running mate. So, I am thankful that tomorrow we get to vote (I did already via mail in ballot BTW) and exercise one of the greatest rights we as Americans have, and that the ads are near the end, as are the phone calls. I am NOT looking forward to what I expect will be some major whining and complaining once this election has been decided, there are going to be some people on one side or the other that are VERY unhappy, and I expect I will "get" to hear about it. Happy Election.....Leave the emotions at home and GO VOTE!

Yawn, Another Boring Weekend - NOT!

So there we were, four grown men, Boy Scout leaders at that, out for a hike around the lake. It was a chilly October Saturday afternoon, spritzing rain, sleet, snow, sun with a high of about 36 Fahrenheit. We were taking part in the Arapahoe District BSA Camporee outside of Ward Colorado, camping with 25 boys and 11 adults from our troop, over 150 total at the camp for the weekend. The boys were in hot competition shooting shotguns, riding bicycles, shooting BB guns and other fun events that could be thought of. It was after lunch, and the four of us decided we'd leave the boys to their devises and hike around the lake, about a 2.5 mile hike. As we approached the spot where an earlier group taking this same hike had seen the wildlife, we paused in search of our own adventure. To be fair, I was the only one in this group that had also been part of the previous hike, so I knew where to look and pause. But, alas, we saw nothing. The other 3 with me were incredulous and did not believe the stories we told of the morning hike, thinking we had mistaken what we saw for something else. Not seeing anything on this hike just solidified those thoughts. Now mind you, on this hike we had the troop Scoutmaster himself and three Assistant Scoutmasters, not a squeamish bunch by any means, brave and strong, tromping through the aspens and lodge pole pines, with some meadow sprinkled in for good measure. Okay, back to the hike, we proceeded from the pausing point, with some ribbing being taken by yours truly. As we rounded a bend in the path and passed a grouping of small trees, almost like 10 foot high shrubs, with me in the lead, we see coming straight at us, out of nowhere, running at quite a clip with obviously more steam to be made, 3 (not 1, not 2, but 3, count 'em 3) Moose. The cow in the lead must have been in heat, as the bull had his nose in her backside and didn't even notice us. The third was another cow along for the run. As they approached, I quickly stepped back two steps and over three so I was behind one of the other men, cowering. Thankfully at about 20 feet from us they turned back towards the woods. We breathed sighs of relief just as they approached the edge of the woods and turned back toward us. I kid you not, I made full eye contact with that lead cow and she was not going to change her direction from us for anything, I almost ran, for fear of getting trampled. Again at about 20 feet they turned toward the woods, and this time proceeded into them and out of sight. We all breathed again, talked it through wildly and actually paced off the distance from where one of us was standing to where the closest moose turned. 21 feet...... We continued our hike with some great stories for the rest of the camp, only pausing for the other 4 moose we encountered that felt the need to cross our trail one-by-one within 20 or 30 feet of us, pausing to check us out before moving over the hill. So in 2 hikes on the same path I encountered 8 moose, granted some from the first hike were probably the same from the second hike, but still. The first hike we didn't get within 100 feet of the moose. The second hike won. The rest of the camping trip was fairly ho-hum after that, all we had was a moose through our campsite in the night, a troop that refused to stop chanting at all the other troops, ours included, after we were all in our tents, snow in the night so that we woke up to 3 inches on the ground on Sunday morning, and a tent with 5 boys in it collapse under the snow in the middle of the night so that they had to be rescued. It was a great time!

A New Adventure

I have been given the opportunity to make even more of a difference in my life, my sons lives and the lives of many other boys and parents as well. A few weeks ago I received a call, the timing was exactly right. The subject was something I had been thinking about for a few weeks, and I was in the right place in my head when the call came. Her name was Judith, and her call went something like this. "Stu, I have a question for you and I need you to say yes." My immediate response was a resounding, "Uh oh!" She countered with, "I need you to to be an ASM." My response, with no extra thought was, "Sure." I think she almost fell over with how easy the sell was.

An ASM you ask? What's that? Let me fill you in. ASM stands for Assistance Scout Master. Yes, that's right, I am now one of the adult guides (I would say leaders, but that would be wrong) for Daniel's Boy Scout Troop, which is also the Troop that Josh will join when it is his time. BSA Troop 117, like all BSA Troops, is boy led. What that means is that we as adult leaders/guides need to learn how to stand back and just gently nudge, allow mistakes to happen in a safe environment, and learn from the boys as they learn from us and each other. I spent all day Saturday getting trained. I've got my patches all sewn on my uniform and the iron heats up quickly when I need it. I look gooooood.

I am excited about this opportunity to help make a difference and to take new steps with my sons. I hope they are at least a little excited about this as well.

Beirut Remembrance Walk

Below is some gently edited text from Doc Doolittle, a gentleman I have known for a short time but am getting to know better and whom I have a great amount of respect for. As my readers know, my blog doesn't ask for donations to causes, it doesn't take political stances, it is only for the things I care about. Thanks to all for taking the time to read and remember. Text below:

Greetings to all

I wish to take a few minutes of your time to share. I am not asking that everyone who gets the word contribute to the cause but I am asking that you, and any you forward this on to, take a moment on 23 October 2008 to Remember the Peacekeepers that lost their lives in Beirut on that date in 1983 as well as those between 1982 & 1984.

I will be comforted in knowing that my efforts to get the word out and for people to remember these fallen warriors is enough. This is not a political event; nor is it likely to get much publicity. I am doing what I can in their memory and with your help this will be a successful event.

If you have any questions please contact me at the published email address in the text below

Thank you for passing the word

Beirut Remembrance Walk - 25th Anniversary of the Bombing of the Beirut Barracks 23 October, 1983, to benefit The Wounded Marine & Family Assistance Program and Veterans Memorial Day Tribute.
In this first-time walk of remembrance, Doc Doolittle (Sgt. USMC 1/81 - 6/91, Marine Security Guard Beirut 7/85 - 7/86), challenges everyone to never forget the sacrifices that were made by our Marines, Sailors and Soldiers as he walks 271 miles from Virginia Beach, VA to the Marine Corp Base at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC. "Our goal is simple; we will organize a walk to honor our fallen brothers and their families", Doc states.
This walk is to not only mark the 25th anniversary of that tragic event, but also to remember each Service Member's life lost in Lebanon from 1982 - 1984. It is so friends, family of the fallen, veterans and anyone else has an opportunity to walk a mile for one of our own that were killed in country. The walk will kick-off on 1 October in Virginia Beach, VA and cover 271 miles (one for each man lost), and will culminated at the Beirut Memorial (Jacksonville, NC; just outside Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base) on 23 October, 2008. In Doc’s words, “I am walking to remember those Marines, Sailors and Soldiers that "Gave All" during that period. I know a number of family members and veterans and it is the least I can do to show honor to them and the memory of the fallen.”
A $10 donation will provide lodging, food and support transportation on the walk and all monies over and above costs will be divided equally and sent to the two sponsors listed below.
For further information on how you can be involved, please contact Doc Doolittle here remember_peacekeepers_walk_2008@hotmail.com

The Wounded Marine & Family Assistance Program by clicking HERE

Veterans Memorial Day Tribute (Denver, CO) by clicking HERE

Really?

So my family and I were at a local chain store that shall remain nameless, but it rhymes with shmarget. We were checking out, and the cashier, in her nicest voice asked if we had found everything okay. My response was "No, we couldn't find any Silly Putty." You could actually hear the crickets in the next county. I don't think anyone had actually said no before, at least to her. She did not offer to point us to it, nor did she call on her handy-dandy radio to see if another person in the store might be able to offer assistance. In fact, she offered no assistance what-so-ever. So my question is, why ask? I guess it's store lingo for "How ya' doin'?" Isn't our new society great?

16 Years

As we head off to go camping this morning (probably on the road early afternoon) I want to take a minute to say Happy Anniversary to my wife Linda. This Friday is our 16th anniversary. Wow! I can't say it has all been perfect when you look at moment-by-moment, but when you look at the bigger picture as a whole, it doesn't get much better. A reminder to friends and family to take a step back every now and then and refresh yourself. Why you are with the one you chose, and who chose you. Have a great week~!

Happy Birthday USA

That's all........have a great 4th.

What? Are you kidding me?

Just saw this article on 9news.com this morning. Another seething moment. We are facing major issues with gas prices, everyone is preaching being green and Denver RTD is considering cutting back on their light rail service, even cancelling an entire line, that has only recently been built and opened. My opinion, if they need to make cuts, cut some of the bus runs that are using the fuel, not the electric light rail system. Once again, are you kidding me?

$^@%@@$#$#%^

As most of my readers know, it takes a lot to get me riled up. One of my peeves, however peaked recently and it's still got me seething a bit. I am not a smoker, and have never been one, except for the occasional cigar, so maybe I just don't understand. I am truly enjoying Colorado's smoking ban in how I don't smell all smokey after a night of pool in a bar. I have friends who smoke, but they are much more considerate than some of those out there that have grabbed my by the knickers and got them in a twist. The phrase that comes to mind, every time I see it happening is,"my world is not your ashtray." The biggest offenders are the ones who feel the need to flick their mostly smoked cancer butt out the window of their car. The excuse I've heard is that they don't want their car to smell of cigarette butts, or they don't really have anyplace to put them. My thought, your car already stinks from smoking in it, and you remembered to bring your cigarettes and your lighter, why not a soda can or cup or use the ashtray that some cars actually still have. The offenders that drop a butt on the ground and either step on it or not are second worst. When the butts are littered all around the ashtray that the establishment has placed for you, but not in it, drives me crazy. And finally, sitting on the only seats near the door of the bar, creating a cloud you have to walk through to get to your car, or to use your cell phone. Thanks. I understand that nicotine is harder to kick than heroin, but I don't condone trying heroin instead. Enjoy your vice, I will enjoy mine, just remember that mine don't make an ashtray of your environment, please don't make one of mine. 'nuf said.

Sometimes it Fits.....

Not my story, but one to share anyway.
I was having trouble with my computer. So I called Eric, the 11 year old next door, whose bedroom looks like Mission Control and asked him to come over. Eric clicked a couple of buttons and solved the problem. As he was walking away, I called after him, 'So, what was wrong?
He replied, 'It was an ID ten T error.'I didn't want to appear stupid, but nonetheless inquired, 'An, ID ten T error? What's that? In case I need to fix it again.'Eric grinned.... 'Haven't you ever heard of an ID ten T error before? ''No,' I replied.
'Write it down,' he said, 'and I think you'll figure it out.'
So I wrote down: I D 1 0 T
I used to like Eric.............

My Mom

A note this morning to honor my mom. Tomorrow is Mother's Day and I wanted to thank and praise my mom for a few moments. I have the greatest mom in the world (you may think yours is the greatest, but I disagree). My mom has ALWAYS shown with words and actions that she loves me with all her heart and with no reservation. I have never had to wonder if she loves me, she tells me, and it shows. Decisions that she and my dad have made throughout the years have helped to shape me into the person that I am. I have chosen my own path based on a foundation built by my mom and dad, and as an adult I am proud to be who I am. I don't call her enough, I don't have the opportunity to spend as much time with her as would be nice, but our love crosses the miles to each other none-the-less. Thanks mom, I love you, we'll see you in June.

Ponderings 2

You can thank my sister Cami for these ponderings (pared down list from what she sent out).

1. Can you cry under water?
2. How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
3. Why do you have to "put your two cents in"... but it's only a "penny for your thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?
4. Once you're in heaven, do you get stuck wearing the clothes you were buried in for eternity?
5. Why does a round pizza come in a square box?
6. What disease did cured ham actually have?
7. How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
8. Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like every two hours?
9. Why is "bra" singular and "panties" plural?
10. Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
11. Can a hearse carrying a corpse drive in the carpool lane?
12. If the professor on Gilligan's Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can't he fix a hole in a boat?
13. If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
14. If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?
15. Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
16. Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
17. Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?
18. Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Thanks Cami, now how am I supposed to concentrate on the golf course this afternoon? :-)

Ow!!!!!

I went skiing yesterday with my friends Barb and Mary. Barb, as most of you are aware, is the president of the Lockheed Martin Ski club and likes to ski hard and bumps and black runs. However she decided to slow down for Mary and me yesterday. We lost Mary 2 runs in after lunch as Barb and I headed off to explore a part of the mountain that Mary has bad memories of. We did some steep blues, groomed and not and then a couple of black runs as well, one of which I completed on my back-side with my skis in hand. I was beat by then, but alas, I did not want to give up, so we hit a couple more runs. The one that did me in completely was the steep blue run that looked like a bunch of buried VW bugs spaced randomly through the run, but not very far apart. Let me put it this way, I have NEVER skied bumps before and my legs were nearing the jello stage, I was not happy with my results. So, I took the bailout off the side of the run and got to the bottom without collapsing, but only barely. Today, I am paying the price, my legs hurt and are weak, along with my back and ankles. I try not to complain, as I did it to myself and I had a great time doing it, but it's not going to be fun this weekend having to mow the lawn for the first time this season with legs like they are right now.

Wasted....

I can't even think straight this afternoon. I had the "pleasure" of getting called into work this morning at 12:48am and not getting out of there until around 11:30. The good news is that we made some GREAT progress, the bad news is that I am so wasted. I tried to nap when I got home, slept about an hour, intermittently, watching Master's hi-lites from last year and other calming golf stuff. Looking forward to this years' Masters this week as well.

Hope this blog finds you all in better shape than I am today. I'll get some sleep tonight and be fine I'm sure.

Ponderings

1. Why do we have such high expectations for ourselves, yet such low expectations for others?
2. If you buy powdered water, what do you add? (Thanks to Steve Write for that one)
3. How is it our kids can remember every line from every movie or TV show they've seen, but not remember to change their underwear?
4. Why do we pay professional athletes so much money and our teachers so little?
5. Who was your childhood hero? Does he/she still seem heroic now that you're an adult?
6. Love and laugh with full abandon, it will take the stress right out of your life.
7. Always smile, especially in distressing situations, it will make them wonder what you're up to.

Blah, Blah, Blah

Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Did you get this far? Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Not much to say today.Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Happy Easter Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah.

Colorado, You've got to Love it or Hate it

Since 3 of my 4 readers live here, this won't be much of a story. What a state! Yesterday we had record warm temps topping out officially at 74 F. There was rumor of snow for today, so when I woke up for a bathroom break around 5 or 6 this morning, I checked out the window and saw dry pavement and green grass. I went back to bed and tossed and turned my way to about 8:30. Linda looked out the window at that time and called me over. By 8:30 we had at least an inch maybe 2 of snow sticking in the grass and most of the roads as well. Predicted high today is in the high 30s F. Guess I won't go for a ride on my bike today. Have a great one today, We're going to try to stay warm............

Linda Turns 40!!!!!!!!

Just a quick post to wish my lovely bride a happy 40th (or is that 20-20th) birthday. This Sunday (yes, Superbowl Sunday) she achieves the ripe age of 40. I have know her since she was 18, started dating her when she was 19, and we have been married now for over 15 years (yeah we dated that long before we got married, wouldn't want to rush into that, huh John). Happy birthday honey, I love you!

Read John's 1/31/08 Blog

I just read John's blog post of 1/31/08, he also posted the same blog in his Tailhook Association blog. I am posting here to point my readers in his direction. Click here to get there.

His blog is about a news article, and I found 0ver 70 on this subject on the google news website. The article is about how the city council of the city of Berkeley California (where my wife is from and her dad still lives) has voted to not only try to get rid of the US Marine Corps recruiting station but to also designate a parking spot directly in front of said station to a protest group one day a week. While I am a firm believer in free speech, and their right to protest, I think the city has gone a bit far with the parking spot.

Anyway, I just wanted to direct my few readers who don't happen to see John's blog as well, his way. Thanks for bringing the issue to our attention John. From one who serves our country to another (each in our own ways) semper fi.

OposibleThumb

Wow, a clear realization today on exactly how important having an oposible thumb really is. As most of my few readers already know, I had a small skiing accident on Saturday and injured my right hand thumb (I am right handed). This morning I bit the bullet and payed my Kaiser co-pay to ensue nothing was broken, etc. even though my good friend Ginger is an RN and had checked me out last night. Anyway, x-rays show nothing obviously broken, just a sprained thumb (called the classic skiers thumb since it is so popular. I now have a hard fiberglass splint around my thumb, up my forearm, and wrapped with an ace bandage. It hurts in waves, but the hardest part is the simple things, thus this post. I have only had the splint for a few hours but have already proven how hard it is to do some of the more mundane things. Here is my list so far, I'm sure it will get longer as the days go by (in no particular order).

Use the computer mouse
Type (this has been a very difficult post)
Turn the ignition key in the car
Tuck in shirt while trying to keep my pants near the top.
Shoot pool (sorry guys)
Hold all things properly to go #1
The paper work after going #2 with the wrong hand
Eat with the wrong hand (can't hold the fork without my thumb)
Open one of those blister packs with the cold medicine

The list goes on and on. I will come out to pool this evening for the team, but won't bring my cues. If in a pinch, I can shoot, just not comfortably nor hard enough to break or for a good stop shot.

Are You Kidding Me!?!?

I just read an article on the 9 news website that has me absolutely flabbergasted. Click HERE to read it yourself. A 60 year old man is suing an 8 year old boy for an accident on the ski slopes here in Colorado. Let me say that again, an ACCIDENT on the ski slopes. By purchasing a lift ticket and using it, a person acknowledges that skiing is a dangerous sport, injury may occur, etc. And, yes, by the letter of the law, the kid was a fault, since he was the uphill skier in the event. But suing the boy (or his family) for $75,000 is just one more sign of the state our litigious society has fallen into. I am appalled. I hope the judge fines this man a large sum of money to be placed in a college fund for the kid, just for putting him through this crap.

Today is...

...the first day of winter and the first day of my winter vacation. With what I do, I usually don't get to take much time off during the holiday season. In fact, I honestly can't remember the last time I got to take the entire holiday shutdown (Christmas eve or there-about to the day after New Year's day) off. In the past I have had to travel to other states (only home for Christmas day and a few around it), I have had to be prepared to be called into work, or I have had to actually plan on being at work. Well, not this year, and we don't have any family travel plans in the mix either. I am looking forward to these next bunches of days to relax, read a few good books, spend some quality (and quantity) time with my family, reconnect with my loving wife, play with a friend or two, work on projects around the house, build something neat in my garage... Oh man, so much for relaxing. I've got to finish my Christmas shopping, though I am nearly done and may be able to have Linda finish it for us. We procrastinated enough that the present to Mom and Dad won't get to them until just after Christmas (sorry, hope you enjoy the gift anyway). This is the first Christmas in some time that we will go somewhere else for dinner, usually we are the hosts, but this year we get to celebrate with great friends that we consider family in their reletively new home, and are looking forward to it. Okay, I've lost track of any semblance of a theme or thread in this post.......Happy Holidays

What comes over...

...people when they get behind the wheel of their cars? Especially in this holiday season. I have had more near misses in my car in the last 3 days in shopping area parking lots than I have had in the rest of the year combined. I swear, turn on key, turn off brain. As I have become oh so fond of saying, "...common sense is really not so common." Do people just forget that there are other people behind the wheels of the other cars? Do they forget that there are rules of the road that at least need to be acknowledged if not followed? Insert more whining, moaning and complaining here. Have a great day, and watch out for the other idiots on the road.

December Already?

Wow, this year has flown by. Happy December everyone, enjoy your holidays.

Beautiful Day

It's another beautiful Colorado day. The sun is shining, just a few wispy clouds dotting the sky, no wind to speak of. The only downfall is that the temperature is in the cold range; predicted high today is 31 degrees (Fahrenheit, not Celsius). The snow from the the other day is still covering the grass in the neighborhood, but the streets and driveways are all clear and dry. The gray cover over the mountain tops, that I can see from my desk, hints at perhaps some much needed snowfall in the mountains, not sure about that though. Anyway, just another reminder of why I love living here. Happy Thanksgiving everyone. I hope your day is as beautiful as mine looks like it's going to be.

Happy Thanksgiving

This holiday is one where people like to share the time with their families, eat heartily, and prepare to shop on black Friday. We, on the other hand, have no relatives in town, and haven't for quite a few years, so we carry on a slightly different tradition that we have come to look forward to. As "orphans" we have our "orphan" Thanksgiving dinner at our house each year (only missed one year recently when Linda and the boys traveled to California). At our celebration we have our local family and other "orphans" join us. We truly appreciate having John and Ginger Carmichael (our closest family in Colorado) help us and join us to celebrate. We can usually get them to bring a ham, since Ginger is not a turkey fan, which gives us more than enough food. I will make my usual mashed potatoes (is there an 'e' in that word? spell check says yes) that have been getting raves for years. The key is lots of butter and some cheese and garlic mixed in. This year we are joined by our friend Clay who has been orphaned by his wife and family this year, and we are also inviting our neighbors who may not brave the snowy roads to go to their condo in ski country (as planned) so they may or may not join us. We are also looking forward to a potential visit (maybe for desert?) from our good friend Tom after his dinner with his family.

Altogether it looks like we will eat well, gain back some weight lost, but most importantly we will get to spend some quality time with our local family and friends, while giving thanks for those things we are most thankful for.

Thanks Veterans

Just a quick post with a few thoughts in mind. This Sunday is Veteran's Day, so first and foremost I want to say thank-you to the veterans in my life as well as the others that continue to ensure our way of life. Second, this Saturday, in downtown Denver there is a Veteran's Day parade. I would like to encourage each of my local readers to consider coming out to the parade. My family will be there, as my sons will be walking in the parade in full dress cub scout uniform, honoring the veterans as best they can. This is the second year in a row that our cub scout pack has joined in the parade and I feel it is a great opportunity for Daniel and Josh (as well as the other scouts). Come on out and lend your support. Thanks again veterans, I appreciate what you have done.

Halloween

It's Halloween again, time for trick-or-treating, reminders of cavities, etc. But for me, Halloween has always had another dimension, it is my dad's birthday. So today I want to dedicate my blog and this day to my dad. I am blessed with a dad that loves me fully and unconditionally, and I am often reminded how that is not always the case in this world. Because of him, who he is, and the examples he has set for me, I am who I am today. Thanks Dad, I love you.

Quiet Mornings

I am up this morning before everyone else in the house. The wife and kids are sleeping in on a Saturday. I've got plans so I am waiting for my ride. But, what I am reminded of is how quiet and peaceful a morning with a cup of coffee and no one else awake can be. I could get used to this kind of morning on the weekends. It seems like a great way to get charged up for the day, spend some time reading friends blogs, write in my own, read some news online... I understand a little better now why my dad always gets up at or near the same time every day of the week. I hear voices, this would be the end of the solitude of my morning, now on with the hustle and bustle of the day. I plan on having a good one and hope you do the same.

REALLY?

Okay, so I haven't seen the movie, and I only heard a quick blurb on the radio on my way in to work today, but what the ...... Al Gore wins a Nobel Prize for a MOVIE. I'm not sure anyone has ever won a Nobel Prize for a movie (don't have the time nor inclination to look it up) but my impression (remember how I started this post) is that this movie was/is somewhat Michael Moore-ish, twisting of facts and quotes out of context to meet one's pretext. I will acknowledge that there is global warming, and that we as a world need to be working on solutions...but, allow me to note that throughout history the average temperature of the earth/globe has modulated such that if we look at any short term data (a few hundred years) we will always see either an upward or a downward trend. I'll get off my soapbox before I present any other controversial ideas without taking more time this morning to do a bit of research (what I would expect of everyone, including myself, and hopefully this post will drive you in that direction to either confirm or change what you believe...do some reasearch). I really wouldn't want to confuse the issue with facts.

Stu Get's his BMW!!!! WooHoo!!!

A lot of you have already seen it (since only 3 or 4 actually read this blog) but for those who don't know yet, last Friday we picked up my new (used) BMW. Man what a sweet (pun intended) ride. That car corners like it's on rails, hugs the road and goes way to fast way to easy. I'm gonna have to lighten up my foot a bit :-) Below is the test from the add that got us interested and then purchasing the car.

2002 BMW 330xi, Steel gray metallic with gray leather interior. The body and mechanical are all in good shape and has never had a accident or been smoked in. The car has 111k on. The original owner took good care of the vehicle and had it serviced at a local dealer and then a BimmerHaus after the warranty ran out. Then the car badly overheated because of a blown hose and the motor had to be replaced. I found a used motor (65k) and went through the car afterwards. The car also got new tires, brakes, belts, control arm bushings and an alignment. The car had just had a major service right before the engine damage, so it is up to date on everything. All of the coolant hoses, sensors, water pump, t-stat, and radiator were replaced as a good measure. I used to work for the dealer as a BMW Master technician and I work with BMW's every day of the week, so rest assured it was repaired correctly. Power seats and mirrors with memory and adjustable lumbar support Power windows and locks Power moon roof Steering wheel controls for the stereo, cruise control and telephone Harmon Kardon Premium sound system with in dash cd player Winter Package, including headlight washers, heated mirrors, heated leather seats, pass through ski bag and fold down rear seats. Premium package including gray leather interior with real mrytle wood trim and Bi-Xenon headlights. 17 inch alloy wheels. Auto dimming rear view mirror Clear Bra for protecting the hood area Optional Shiftronic Automatic Transmission I have the original window sticker and this car was ...

As most of you know I have been drooling/lusting over a car like this for quite a while, to Linda's deepest consternation, but we found one that scratches my itch and didn't cost an arm and a leg, just an arm. BTW, anyone want to buy a Nissan Maxima?

Colonoscopy

Just the sounds of that word as you let it roll off your tongue seems ominous. Let's break it down for you readers: oscopy -- examination using a scope (in this case a long thin flexible scope with a camera), colon -- the inner most regions of ones nether world. This afternoon, I get the "joy" of having a doctor examine the inner most regions of my nether world. I was warned by others I know who have had this same experience that the preparations are the worst part. Well, if that's the case, the rest of the day shouldn't be so bad. I took yesterday and today off of work so I could be on a clear liquid only diet. I was taken off of all pain medications excluding acetaminophen (a semi-worthless drug at best in my opinion) on Monday. Due to the pain that let loose in my body, I missed out on playing 9 holes of golf with John and Derek and witnessing what John has told me was the best round of his life, he shot 1 over par 37. Great job John, very impressive, I wish I could have been there with you for that one! Back to the preps... I had to drink a concoction to help prepare my nether world for examination, an 8 oz. glass every 10 minutes until I drank 9 glasses. Do the math folks, that's 72 ounces, a half gallon. 4 more glasses of the stuff when I got up this morning and I am nearly "clean as a whistle, inside and out" (a few MASH aficionado's will get that one). No more fluids or anything starting in about a half hour, boy am I hungry, haven't eaten anything solid since 7 pm on Tuesday, it is now Thursday at 10:25 am. Not the best diet in the world, but I am anxious to weigh in tomorrow morning to see how much I lost in this process. Okay, enough about this thing already........

End of Summer?

Happy Labor day! The day many people consider the final day of summer. We expect it to be over 90F today and for days to follow so how can summer be over? The kids started into school a week and a half ago, so how can summer still be going? All the swimming pools in Colorado close this evening for the winter so it must be the end of summer. Linda noticed a tree or two turning yesterday while we were out running errands, so autumn must be here. I hope you all had great summers this year, BBQ's, swimming, bike rides, golfing, etc. and I expect that I'd best blow out my sprinklers this afternoon, after all, summer is over and it might freeze. ;-)

Grandma

It is with a torn heart that I take this blog to say goodbye to my Grandma. For those of you who hadn't heard, she passed away on Friday. My Grandma (Helen Jewett) lived a long life full of love and faith and most recently pain as well. She and my Grandpa were together until his passing two and a half years ago. Both of them held dear their deep religious beliefs which helped to shape who I am today. One of the things that Grandma's passing brings is a new phase of life for my parents, who were taking amazing care of both Grandma and Grandpa. It helps us all say goodbye a little easier knowing that they lived with such love a care from both my mom and dad, and that they passed in the midst of that love. As far as both Grandma and Grandpa are concerned, they are both now in a better place and together once again, pain free and with their lord. Goodbye Grandma, I love you.

Vacation

As of today I earn 10 hours of vacation each month (has been that way for about 7 years) and have about 360 hours of vacation available to use. My fine corporation, in it's desire to force a work-life balance in it's employees, has decided that they will start to limit how much vacation time you can actually save in the bank, and when you reach that amount, you will stop earning vacation time until you take some to go below that mark. So I have decided that I need to burn some of that time, as well as work on some items in our yard or on our house. In that vein, I am taking all of next week off of work, and working on items on a prioritized list, alongside Linda, even to the point of planning which items to work on which day. Then on Thursday, we are going camping, so I'll get a little rest then. I guess where I was headed with this post, it that I thought vacations were supposed to be restful, fun, exciting, or something like that, but no rest for us on this one. Oh well, it's got to get done, we have a wedding reception to host in two months. :-)

Dad

So I was talking to my dad the other day on the phone and one of the first questions out of his mouth was, "So, why do you have a blog?" My response was something along the lines of stating that I needed someplace to not write. So, in response to my dad's prodding, a quick post. This blog is not abandoned, just idle.

Hi dad, I love you.

WA!

Check out the video here. This is something I could John and I doing. I have GOT to get me one of these things.

Pain

Most (if not all) of you that know me, and not many others read this I'm pretty sure, know that I battle chronic pain. I can honestly say that I don't remember my last pain free day. But, the problem, as I see it, is not the pain in itself, but my attitude toward the pain and how I have let it affect me and my life and my relationships. So, on that note, as I battle a terrifically painful evening, I want to take a moment and apologize to each of you. In the past I have taken the easy way out and used my pain as an excuse, a crutch, a way to justify my being grouchy or just in a bad mood. I cannot promise that I will not continue with some of these at times, but I wanted to say to each of you that I will try to change my attitude toward the pain and my life with it. I have not been a happy or pleasant person to be around for a while now, and my goal with this public statement is to change that, starting NOW.

Thank-you all for staying by me as I have struggled with this, and continue to do so. I appreciate each and every one of you.

Why do I Feel Guilty?

So today is the second day in a row that I have stayed home sick from work. I have a bug that is agravating my asthma, fogging my brain, making me tired, making my body ache, etc. So I am taking a couple of days for me, and to try to feel better. The question is, "why do I feel guilty?"

Why do I feel guilty that...
1. I am not getting anything productive done around the house?
2. other people have to cover tests for me at work, as I have done for them in the past, and will again in the future?
3. that I slept for 14 hours the other night, and after trying to get up and go into work this morning, I went back to bed for 3 more hours?
4. that when I feel even a little bit better I don't think about trying to take care of item 1 or getting to work for item 2?

I will admit that in general I don't take the time I need for me, and to stay healthy, so I think when I do take that time, like now, my guilt button gets pushed.

I'm off to drink more fluids (although I'm not sure what else I would be doing with them) get some rest (there's nothing on tv during the day worth watching) and try to ignore the nagging guilts.

Merry Christmas Eve

In this holiday season and with all the various groups trying to not offend anyone, I'd like to take a moment to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!! If you take offense at my saying this, tough. Has anyone else noticed that while the various groups work very hard to avoid these words, especially our outspoken atheist crowd, that they still happily take the day off work and get paid for it? Sorry folks, you can't have it both ways.......'nuf said, except, MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!! Enjoy the season and spread some love while you're at it.

BTW NORAD is tracking Santa again this year, way cool!

Random thoughts, etc.

Okay, you can thank (blame?) John Carmichael for getting me back on the bloggosphere, even if only for one post today....

The blizzard... wow, that was a good one. It has helped me reestablish some of my faith in humanity as the neighborhood digs it's way out of this mess. A few of us have snow blowers (a fun toy and very useful in this deep stuff as well) and none of us has hesitated to loan the blower to other neighbors, to blow off the driveway of the elderly lady near-by that lives alone, getting the idiot's trucks unstuck as they venture out into the mess (four wheel drive just means four wheels to spin, duh), and other feel good types of things. Maybe back to work tomorrow, we'll see.

Now, the real reason I am blogging today, John has tagged me "it" in the blogger world with the challenge to blog about the five things people don't know about me. Like John, I will qualify that as the five things MOST people don't know about me. Okay, here we go:

1) I attended high school on a 48 square mile island that is rich with World War 2 history. The island is Saipan, and it is part of the Mariana's Island chain near the Mariana trench.

2) I used to be a VERY good windsurfer, near the infancy of the sport. I haven't successfully attempted to windsurf in many years, but it was one way for me to expand the size of my island while living in Saipan.

3) I have appeared in three and starred in one Japanese television commercial. In one I actually windsurfed with one hand while holding a plate of ice cream in the other, while wearing a full white suit, tie and all.

4) I am more the instigator than people realize. My forte is planting the seed and watching someone like John get blamed for the whole thing, all in good fun of course. I would never intentionally get anyone else blamed for something I did nor for the idea, and am always right there to own up to my own mistakes, etc.

5) I am shy. It takes me some time to warm up to other people and to open up as well. Having John as my best friend (my wife Linda not included of course) and his being so very not shy (to but it mildly) has helped me in that arena somewhat. And since I am often associated with him in various situations, it shocks many people to hear this, but alas, I am and sometimes it really comes out.

Okay, that's it for now, a long post and maybe (only maybe) I'll get back into this blogging thing. Thanks John for the impetus.

Signs that They are Growing Up

As most of you know, Daniel and Josh are 9 and 7 now in the 4th and 2nd grades respectively. Daniel has joined flag football this year and this coming Saturday is his first game. It is a non-competitive, fun league and the coach is taking the right attitude, have fun and learn about the game. Or as I like to say, we PLAY football, so have fun.

It wasn't that long ago these boys were learning how to ride their bikes and we would watch them carefully every minute they played outside. It continues to be an adventure raising my boys. I love them dearly and am excited as they continue to grow up seeing the people they are develping into.

Are You Kidding Me....

Just read this headline and part of the article and am truly amazed at the Australian knee jerk reaction to the tragety of the Crocodile Hunter's death. I guess they are finding rays mutilated and killed. Have they forgotten the basics of what Steve taught, living with and learning about the wildlife around us? Grow up people, or as Steve would say...."Crikey!"

End of Summer

Today marks the last Sunday of the summer vacation for Linda and the boys. They start back in school on Thursday. I think they've had a pretty decent summer vacation. Here are a few highlights.
1) Linda spent 10 days in Spain with her dad and little sister.
2) While Linda was in Spain, the boys and I got to spend boy time together.
3) Linda took the boys to overnight scout camp (2 nights) I had to work.
4) I spent one day out of three with the boys in scout day camp while Linda was in Spain.
5) Linda interviewed for and got a new position at the school where she works, she will now spend half of her day working with the kids and science stuff. She seams excited about the new adventure.
6) We spent a day at the Colorado Renaissance Festival, celebrated Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company's 50th anniversary, swam at our community pool and a nearby water park, and played with friends.
7) Sadly we were not able to get to Oregon this year to visit my mom, dad and grandma, nor were we able to go camping very much, but we did camp some.

It is hard for me, as I continue to work my job, to remember what is was like to have summers off, and I try not to be resentful of my family and the fun they get to have in my absence. But, Linda does her best to make sure I don't feel it too much by still getting up in the mornings with me and by taking such wonderful care of our boys and the household chores.

Colorado Smoking Ban

Today is the first day of the Colorado smoking ban. Not a bad thing. While I have enjoyed smoking a nice cigar on my weekly pool nights, adding to the smoke in the room, and while I will miss being able to do that, I understand the need. I will enjoy the smoke free environment as well. I have some friends who smoke and I have some friends who dislike the smoke in the bar a great deal. So things will change.

Today I read a letter to the editor in the Denver Post this morning from a Pastor Emeritus of the Lovingway United Pentecostal Church. He wrote, "...if you'd rather stay hooked, not to worry: In the 'Great Hereafter,' you'll find you've made one of two choices: smoking or non-smoking!" Did this pastor emeritus just did tell me I'm going to hell because I choose to smoke? My relationship with God is personal, and not foisted on anyone else, because it is my own. How dare this man tell me or anyone else they are going to hell because they smoke. It is closed minded tripe like this that turns me off to organized religion.

Father's Day

As father's day approaches and I reflect for a moment on what it means to be a dad, I just wanted to take a minute and say thanks to mine. You have and continue to share with me your life, your beliefs, your hopes and desires and have helped make me who I am today. You allow me to be my own person and love me without reservation no matter which direction I choose. I can only hope that my kids feel the same way about me as life goes on. Thanks Dad! Happy Father's Day.

Long Time

I know ,I know, it's been a long time since my last post. I've gotten a number of complaints from my few readers regarding this and I am hereby pledging to them that I will try harder to get to this machine and post something more often.

My last post was quite a rant about work. As I continue to tell everyone, I love my job, I love what I do. I am still, however, having issues with trouble employees that I only "own" part time. But enough whining.

Just a quick note about respect today, as it applies to me, my work, and my life. I try to take the tack of treating everyone with respect and professionally, especially in the work place. I see a lot of people who choose to take a different tack, using emotion and whining and threats to try to get what they want while they try to make their new world fit into their old box. What I say to them is; open your minds people. You might learn something, and together we might actually accomplish great things. Keep your mind closed and we'll never advance. More to come.