Let's see my last post was on May 30th, 2008. When I made that post, I lived in Vancouver, Washington. Today it's October 30th, 2008. Today I live in Danville, California.
Some might consider that procrastination. (See post before last.) I see it more as a challenge of how to prioritize free time, which I've had very little of lately.
Still there is definitely some procrastination going on here because I've been wanting to get back and add to my blog for some time now, but I continue to put it off.
I think that sometimes I don't write in my blog because I feel like I have to have something witty to say and most days I don't feel witty at all. I'm going to try and change the way I approach this and just take a few minutes to write a few thoughts when they occur.
That said, this is the end of this post. I said what was on my mind, so now you know.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Well... isn't this a surprise...
Can you imagine this?
MasterCard Forecasts Double-Digit Revenue Growth
Oh don't get me going!!! Just read the previous post. LOL!!!
(I think it's time for me to go get an attitude adjustment.)
MasterCard Forecasts Double-Digit Revenue Growth
Oh don't get me going!!! Just read the previous post. LOL!!!
(I think it's time for me to go get an attitude adjustment.)
Hello?!?! What is he smoking?...
Okay, once again I haven't posted for a while. Sue me! Procrastination. It's what I do.
A lot of the thoughts have crossed my mind recently for which I certainly should have blogged. Alas... timing is everything.
This one will be short because the truth is, I really don't have that much time available to blog. Nevertheless, I saw this interesting article in the New York Times...
Consumer Spending and Personal Income Slow
Here are a few memorable quotes from the article...
"The checks are the centerpiece of a $169 billion stimulus package that Congress passed at President Bush’s urging in February to jump-starting the stalled economy."
Note... see this posts title. (What is our President smoking?)
"Nothing is going right. Jobs are down, the stock market is wobbly, home prices are plunging and gasoline prices are at record highs."
Note... see this posts title. (I sure hope my $600 rebate changes all this.)
"All the problems have pushed consumer confidence to recessionary levels."
Note... see this posts title. (Maybe my $600 will improve my confidence?)
"Despite worries that consumers may end up using their stimulus checks to pay off credit card debt rather than spending the money to give the economy a boost, analysts said they believed that about two-thirds of the money will get spent this year, enough to keep the overall economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, in positive territory."
Note... see this posts title. (Now I'm not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but I'm willing to go out on a limb and predict that beyond a shadow of a doubt, 2/3 of the stimulus money will definitely not be spent in the manner that it was DREAMED of. See article title!)
"Private wages and salaries fell at an annual rate of $18.2 billion in April, the biggest setback in a year. Businesses have been cutting jobs for four straight months, with analysts forecasting a fifth month of job declines when the government reports next Friday on labor market conditions in May."
Note... see this posts title. (Nuff said!!!)
A lot of the thoughts have crossed my mind recently for which I certainly should have blogged. Alas... timing is everything.
This one will be short because the truth is, I really don't have that much time available to blog. Nevertheless, I saw this interesting article in the New York Times...
Consumer Spending and Personal Income Slow
Here are a few memorable quotes from the article...
"The checks are the centerpiece of a $169 billion stimulus package that Congress passed at President Bush’s urging in February to jump-starting the stalled economy."
Note... see this posts title. (What is our President smoking?)
"Nothing is going right. Jobs are down, the stock market is wobbly, home prices are plunging and gasoline prices are at record highs."
Note... see this posts title. (I sure hope my $600 rebate changes all this.)
"All the problems have pushed consumer confidence to recessionary levels."
Note... see this posts title. (Maybe my $600 will improve my confidence?)
"Despite worries that consumers may end up using their stimulus checks to pay off credit card debt rather than spending the money to give the economy a boost, analysts said they believed that about two-thirds of the money will get spent this year, enough to keep the overall economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, in positive territory."
Note... see this posts title. (Now I'm not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but I'm willing to go out on a limb and predict that beyond a shadow of a doubt, 2/3 of the stimulus money will definitely not be spent in the manner that it was DREAMED of. See article title!)
"Private wages and salaries fell at an annual rate of $18.2 billion in April, the biggest setback in a year. Businesses have been cutting jobs for four straight months, with analysts forecasting a fifth month of job declines when the government reports next Friday on labor market conditions in May."
Note... see this posts title. (Nuff said!!!)
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sometimes you just don't give a rat's ass...
You ever have one of those days where you just don't give a rat's ass about anything? Of course you have, everybody does. I was feeling a little bit like that this past Thursday until my boss sent the following little animation to me...
I couldn't help but start laughing out loud. The timeliness of it was perfect. It truly struck my funny bone.
Fortunately, I'm feeling much better again and back to my normal motivated self.
I often stop and ask myself why do I let myself get down? Typically I over-analyze what's bugging me. Maybe it's the state of our economy, maybe it's all the negative press that is in the media, maybe it's disappointment with life as a whole, or maybe it's just a general dissatisfaction with where I am in my life at this moment in time.
When I'm in one of these states I try to say the Serenity Prayer because it's words are powerful and it's message so true.
Sometimes reading an inspirational article can pull me out of the doldrums. There was an article that was published by the Associated Press and picked up by my local paper, The Colombian, which told the story of a wonderful demonstration of sportsmanship and compassion. Reading the article put a lump in my throat. I often question where we as a society are headed, but when I read articles like this, it gives me hope and inspiration that there really are good people in this world. Read the article for yourself and you'll see what I mean.
I couldn't help but start laughing out loud. The timeliness of it was perfect. It truly struck my funny bone.
Fortunately, I'm feeling much better again and back to my normal motivated self.
I often stop and ask myself why do I let myself get down? Typically I over-analyze what's bugging me. Maybe it's the state of our economy, maybe it's all the negative press that is in the media, maybe it's disappointment with life as a whole, or maybe it's just a general dissatisfaction with where I am in my life at this moment in time.
When I'm in one of these states I try to say the Serenity Prayer because it's words are powerful and it's message so true.
Sometimes reading an inspirational article can pull me out of the doldrums. There was an article that was published by the Associated Press and picked up by my local paper, The Colombian, which told the story of a wonderful demonstration of sportsmanship and compassion. Reading the article put a lump in my throat. I often question where we as a society are headed, but when I read articles like this, it gives me hope and inspiration that there really are good people in this world. Read the article for yourself and you'll see what I mean.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Welcome to prison! Now bend over...
I received the police report last week detailing the information our stolen vehicle. It turns out that the police actually caught the suspect with our car.
The accused was to be arraigned in court yesterday where he was expected to be pleading guily to a couple of different charges; one being possession of a stolen vehicle.
I talked with a lady at the district attorneys office yesterday and it turns out that the suspect is just about to turn 21. I was sad when I heard this. It's very disappointing to see somebody so you getting in trouble with the law. On the other hand, it seems that this individual was arrested as a juvenile for a similar activity. Apparently he didn't learn his lesson.
After further discussion, it turns out that this kid could actually receive a 54 month prison sentence for this crime. Yes prison!! Not jail... prison. Oy!!! The prosecutor is only going to ask for 28 months, so I suppose this kid should consider himself lucky. Hopefully he will get his head on straight after this. A couple of years in prison and an introduction to crudest way to become somebody's boy toy, should help this boy understand that crime definitely does not pay.
I'm glad that he will only have to serve a couple of years. Hopefully he will get out and get himself on track to leading a respectable life.
The accused was to be arraigned in court yesterday where he was expected to be pleading guily to a couple of different charges; one being possession of a stolen vehicle.
I talked with a lady at the district attorneys office yesterday and it turns out that the suspect is just about to turn 21. I was sad when I heard this. It's very disappointing to see somebody so you getting in trouble with the law. On the other hand, it seems that this individual was arrested as a juvenile for a similar activity. Apparently he didn't learn his lesson.
After further discussion, it turns out that this kid could actually receive a 54 month prison sentence for this crime. Yes prison!! Not jail... prison. Oy!!! The prosecutor is only going to ask for 28 months, so I suppose this kid should consider himself lucky. Hopefully he will get his head on straight after this. A couple of years in prison and an introduction to crudest way to become somebody's boy toy, should help this boy understand that crime definitely does not pay.
I'm glad that he will only have to serve a couple of years. Hopefully he will get out and get himself on track to leading a respectable life.
Monday, April 14, 2008
What Were They Thinking...
I usually try to watch most of the movies that are nominated for Emmy awards and generally find that most of the movies nominated are pretty good. There are, on rare occasions, times where I shake my head and just wonder what the heck the Academy was thinking.
This past week I had the displeasure of watching the movie No Country For Old Men. I'm still scratching my head wondering what in the world the Academy was thinking.
Best picture???? You have got to be kidding me!!!! I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to film and I watch a huge variety of movies from comedies, musicals, drama, action, and documenturies. I'm certain that I'm not the only person who would say that selecting No Country For Old Men as the "Best Movie" is ludicrous and downright offensive.
I think movies like Forrest Gump, The Bourne Identity, Ray, and many others, qualify as great movies. No Country For Old Men??? Give me a break!
This past week I had the displeasure of watching the movie No Country For Old Men. I'm still scratching my head wondering what in the world the Academy was thinking.
Best picture???? You have got to be kidding me!!!! I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to film and I watch a huge variety of movies from comedies, musicals, drama, action, and documenturies. I'm certain that I'm not the only person who would say that selecting No Country For Old Men as the "Best Movie" is ludicrous and downright offensive.
I think movies like Forrest Gump, The Bourne Identity, Ray, and many others, qualify as great movies. No Country For Old Men??? Give me a break!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Respect...
This week our Acura was stolen from our driveway. Talk about a shock! Living in the northwest, it's still pretty cold up here and this past Tuesday, it was 29 degrees outside at 7:00 AM. The windows on the car were iced over and I went out and did what I've been doing all winter long, which was to start the car up and let it warm up for 5 minutes before my wife uses it to go to work.
We live in a quite neighborhood and I never imagined that this type of thing would happen. For me, I would never ever think of walking up and taking somebody's car for ANY reason. It's clear that mankind doesn't all have the same attitude.
In our particular case, I assume the car was stolen by somebody from what I'll refer to as the younger generation. I believe this because of the skateboard that was left by the side of our driveway, at the end of the footprints that were left in the frosted over grass on our sidelawn. Last time I checked, people my age, don't typically use a skateboard to get around. Well not when you can use a nice Acura instead.
On a positive note, the local police did recover our car a few hours later about 15 miles from our house. Fortunately the only damage was to he front tires. It looked like the driver had run the car up onto a curb and one of the tires exploded, the other had a very large bubble on the side. I didn't see the car at the scene but saw the tires when the car was towed to the house. In some respects I feel fortunate because the damage could have been a lot worse. The thief did not vandalize the car. Thank goodness!
After a trip to Sears to have new tires put on, getting them aligned and balanced, and spending an hour washing the car, it was like this was all just a bad dream. A bad dream with a good ending. For that I am thankful.
On the flip side I can't help but wonder, what goes through peoples minds when they make a decision to perform and act like this? I make a point of conducting my life in a respectful manner and it really hurts when these types of events occur in my life.
This is not the first time where our personal privacy has been invaded. One week after purchasing this Acura in 2003, we walked up to our car in the parking lot of our fitness club, only to find the driver side window had been smashed in. Again, other than the shattered window, no other vandalism had occurred. Another time my Honda was parked on the street in front of my house and a rear passenger window had been smashed in and my stereo was ripped out of the dashboard.
It's sad to think that there are so many predators out and about. People up to no good. I used to think it was a sign of the times, but I suppose this type of activity has been going on for centuries. I'm thinking for example of the kings that used to send their warriors out to take land from 'peasants'. Or foreign explorers taking land from the original occupants of this country. It's yours until I take it from you! Not a creed I live by.
This world could be a much better place if we would all just show some respect and demonstrate compassion for each other. Equally! The thought 'Do unto others...' comes to mind. Think before you act. Take a moment and consider how you would feel if somebody does to you, or your mother, or father, or daughter, or son, what you are about to do to somebody else. It might make a difference in your actions. Ponder that... and you may see some positive change in yourself.
We live in a quite neighborhood and I never imagined that this type of thing would happen. For me, I would never ever think of walking up and taking somebody's car for ANY reason. It's clear that mankind doesn't all have the same attitude.
In our particular case, I assume the car was stolen by somebody from what I'll refer to as the younger generation. I believe this because of the skateboard that was left by the side of our driveway, at the end of the footprints that were left in the frosted over grass on our sidelawn. Last time I checked, people my age, don't typically use a skateboard to get around. Well not when you can use a nice Acura instead.
On a positive note, the local police did recover our car a few hours later about 15 miles from our house. Fortunately the only damage was to he front tires. It looked like the driver had run the car up onto a curb and one of the tires exploded, the other had a very large bubble on the side. I didn't see the car at the scene but saw the tires when the car was towed to the house. In some respects I feel fortunate because the damage could have been a lot worse. The thief did not vandalize the car. Thank goodness!
After a trip to Sears to have new tires put on, getting them aligned and balanced, and spending an hour washing the car, it was like this was all just a bad dream. A bad dream with a good ending. For that I am thankful.
On the flip side I can't help but wonder, what goes through peoples minds when they make a decision to perform and act like this? I make a point of conducting my life in a respectful manner and it really hurts when these types of events occur in my life.
This is not the first time where our personal privacy has been invaded. One week after purchasing this Acura in 2003, we walked up to our car in the parking lot of our fitness club, only to find the driver side window had been smashed in. Again, other than the shattered window, no other vandalism had occurred. Another time my Honda was parked on the street in front of my house and a rear passenger window had been smashed in and my stereo was ripped out of the dashboard.
It's sad to think that there are so many predators out and about. People up to no good. I used to think it was a sign of the times, but I suppose this type of activity has been going on for centuries. I'm thinking for example of the kings that used to send their warriors out to take land from 'peasants'. Or foreign explorers taking land from the original occupants of this country. It's yours until I take it from you! Not a creed I live by.
This world could be a much better place if we would all just show some respect and demonstrate compassion for each other. Equally! The thought 'Do unto others...' comes to mind. Think before you act. Take a moment and consider how you would feel if somebody does to you, or your mother, or father, or daughter, or son, what you are about to do to somebody else. It might make a difference in your actions. Ponder that... and you may see some positive change in yourself.
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