In this society today it seems that we are all in line at the buffet of knowledge, unwittingly being served the choices of those who wish to limit us.
In this world of the “new bad guy” known as terrorism it seems that the ones taking away from us are the very ones that claim to be protecting us. As I see it, this country was founded on choices, but the choice to be controlled has been taken away. We have been scared into a submission that reeks of dishonesty and brainwashing. We have been forced to accept the words of those that we have given the keys to the gate, taking advantage of the naivety and trust that exists in the country as a group, but is only there because we have been told so. We are told to accept all those that are different and cherish diversity, but to a point where it has created a paranoia of the collective mind that everyone is different now and separates us into the groups we were trying to erase!
Do you want an answer from me? Well I think the answer is pretty plain. Get off our pathetic behinds and stand up. No I’m not talking about backwoods militia groups in Montana. I don't condone the actions of some of those radical groups, but at least they know how to organize and say that they are ticked off!
Now we don’t need 50 acres and a truckload of guns to say we are mad, but the first step could be to turn off the t.v. and talk to your neighbors! Yeah, the guy in the house next to you. I’m sure that what he has to say will probably affect you more than all the news anchors in the country. He is the guy that we have been fighting for all these years! Fighting for the right to stand in your front yard in a dirty t-shirt, sporting a beer belly and holding a can of Meister Brau .
We have some fantastic freedoms in this country, but we forget who they are for! No, the founding fathers didn’t intend the Bill of Rights to be used by those who want to force their agenda on us. In fact I believe they had the opposite idea in mind. We have the freedom to be left the alone! However, if you can’t accept your neighbor, and decide you are going to use the constitution as a tool to persecute him, then you should just pack right now and hop the first plane to a small island, where you can start your own kingdom, and live as Lord of the Flies!
OK, got that off my chest. Next time something lighter. Thanks for reading!
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Paperwork
A story of something that happened about 1 1/2 years ago. I was working with a company installing equipment in a new convenience store in a small town. An elderly man came in to the work area. He was lonely and bit “slow” and had been dropping in to see what was happening. The other contractors new him and said “Hey Paulie…” Our crew…since we were employed directly by the company that owned the new store…of course had been taught the attitude that he should not be there. He was “bothering…in the way…” or my favorite… “All he needs to do is step on a nail and then sue the company!” Oh my! Heaven forbid that he would sue the company!
That is all that anyone is worried about anymore. Why can’t an old man come in and see what is going on in his town? If he gets in the way, just politely tell him. I am sure he will move or leave the building.
As I think more about it now, I wonder…. All the Christians in the world are waiting for the Second Coming of Christ, but I don’t think he will come back now. Too much paperwork. Insurance waivers to sign, would need to get some permits I think, and of course, each state has different requirements, so would need multiple permits.
Yes, just too much hassle.
That is all that anyone is worried about anymore. Why can’t an old man come in and see what is going on in his town? If he gets in the way, just politely tell him. I am sure he will move or leave the building.
As I think more about it now, I wonder…. All the Christians in the world are waiting for the Second Coming of Christ, but I don’t think he will come back now. Too much paperwork. Insurance waivers to sign, would need to get some permits I think, and of course, each state has different requirements, so would need multiple permits.
Yes, just too much hassle.
Blogging
Blogs.
I had heard about these things for quite some time, but never really knew what they were. Now I have a blog, and see the fun in this. What a great way to write, create, and rant, and have very little chance of anyone ever seeing it. But now I can say that my writings are online, (along with a few billion other things).
What exactly is a blog? Well, somehow, it derived from web-log. That was combined and shortened. Blog. What about Weblo? That has a nice ring to it, and just left of the G from the end. Well, perhaps the Boy Scouts would sue over that one, since it is too much like Webelo, one of the cub scout ranks. How about web diary? That could have been called....never mind....that wouldn't have worked. Anyway, I think the person that coined that word is probably pretty pleased with himself. (Sure, could have been a "herself" but lets not get gender picky here. Besides, this is MY blog, so be quiet and read on)
Hmmmm
Kind of makes you wonder about all the people that came up with abbreviations and names that are very famous, but the people got lost in obscurity. Perhaps there is a Blog somewhere about that very subject!
I do have to admit that I don't explore other blogs much. I have not taken the time to read what other people have written, which convinces me that not many people have read mine either. I skimmed through a few, and found one that was one continuous sentence: Terry and me went down to that park and found Bill and his friend who was going to work but they were late because they had been up all night and they got in trouble but that was ok because we were going to the fair and they had all those pony rides there that I was always afraid to ride but we had a cookout with mom and dad last night and my aunt died so that was really sad but Bill couldn't come to the funeral because he got in trouble because he stayed up late and got fired so he was looking for a new job and..........
whew
Then the blogs in other languages, that I read despite the fact that I can't read them. I suppose there are blogs about sports, blogs about food, blogs about broken hearts....just about anything. I suppose it is theraputic for many people to have these as an outlet, and that's great. Even if only a handfull of people read them, many of them just family, what the heck. It is kind of fun, and my wife is starting one now. (I think she was jealous of my way cool blog)
So, blog on, and have fun.
By the way, now that I am published on the internet, my next goal is to host a talk radio show. I wonder if I can start an online internet radio station.
I had heard about these things for quite some time, but never really knew what they were. Now I have a blog, and see the fun in this. What a great way to write, create, and rant, and have very little chance of anyone ever seeing it. But now I can say that my writings are online, (along with a few billion other things).
What exactly is a blog? Well, somehow, it derived from web-log. That was combined and shortened. Blog. What about Weblo? That has a nice ring to it, and just left of the G from the end. Well, perhaps the Boy Scouts would sue over that one, since it is too much like Webelo, one of the cub scout ranks. How about web diary? That could have been called....never mind....that wouldn't have worked. Anyway, I think the person that coined that word is probably pretty pleased with himself. (Sure, could have been a "herself" but lets not get gender picky here. Besides, this is MY blog, so be quiet and read on)
Hmmmm
Kind of makes you wonder about all the people that came up with abbreviations and names that are very famous, but the people got lost in obscurity. Perhaps there is a Blog somewhere about that very subject!
I do have to admit that I don't explore other blogs much. I have not taken the time to read what other people have written, which convinces me that not many people have read mine either. I skimmed through a few, and found one that was one continuous sentence: Terry and me went down to that park and found Bill and his friend who was going to work but they were late because they had been up all night and they got in trouble but that was ok because we were going to the fair and they had all those pony rides there that I was always afraid to ride but we had a cookout with mom and dad last night and my aunt died so that was really sad but Bill couldn't come to the funeral because he got in trouble because he stayed up late and got fired so he was looking for a new job and..........
whew
Then the blogs in other languages, that I read despite the fact that I can't read them. I suppose there are blogs about sports, blogs about food, blogs about broken hearts....just about anything. I suppose it is theraputic for many people to have these as an outlet, and that's great. Even if only a handfull of people read them, many of them just family, what the heck. It is kind of fun, and my wife is starting one now. (I think she was jealous of my way cool blog)
So, blog on, and have fun.
By the way, now that I am published on the internet, my next goal is to host a talk radio show. I wonder if I can start an online internet radio station.
Monday, August 23, 2004
One Perfect Moment
Have you ever experienced one of those moments....a perfect moment?
I was driving into town the other morning, where the highway is at the highest point in the town, looking over the town and the river in the distance. It was very cool, and it appeared that a huge cloud was sitting on top of the river. I could see the tops of the billowy white cloud, and thought that you would usually have to be in an airplane to see this. I wanted to pull over and get out, enjoy the moment, breathe in the crisp morning air. It was inspiring, but only lasted a few seconds, as the road descended towards my corner, and the view disappeared.
Sigh
For that few fleeting seconds, time stopped and all the problems of life were gone. It made me think of the past few hectic days after I got home.
On one of those days we had all gone to the mall to shop for school clothes. Four boys, ages 10,12,15,and 16 and two soon-to-be-weary parents. We went from shop to shop. This is too big....this is the wrong color....those shoes won't look cool enough.... Luckily, we ate in the food court where there was enough variety in a small area to please everyone. Refreshed, we continued. If we were on the top floor on the south end, then the store we were looking for was on the lower level in the north end. As soon as we would leave one store, someone would decide that the clothes we looked at there were just what was needed after all, and back we would go.
If not for the miracle of technology, we would have all been separated for good. Instant messaging on the cell phones actually came in handy. Eventually, all were tired, grumpy, and ready to go home. (Yes, the kids felt that way too)
Getting home after a long day and a lot of money, we were ready to collapse....but then the kids all found new energy some how and an instant fashion show appeared. Clothes were on and off, and modeled proudly. After the exhausting day, we were treated to our perfect moment... seeing the happy and excited faces of those that we thought would never be returning to school. We smiled, admired the clothes, and collapsed, satisfied that the long hours we had worked to make this day possible were perhaps a little bit appreciated after all.
One perfect moment.
I was driving into town the other morning, where the highway is at the highest point in the town, looking over the town and the river in the distance. It was very cool, and it appeared that a huge cloud was sitting on top of the river. I could see the tops of the billowy white cloud, and thought that you would usually have to be in an airplane to see this. I wanted to pull over and get out, enjoy the moment, breathe in the crisp morning air. It was inspiring, but only lasted a few seconds, as the road descended towards my corner, and the view disappeared.
Sigh
For that few fleeting seconds, time stopped and all the problems of life were gone. It made me think of the past few hectic days after I got home.
On one of those days we had all gone to the mall to shop for school clothes. Four boys, ages 10,12,15,and 16 and two soon-to-be-weary parents. We went from shop to shop. This is too big....this is the wrong color....those shoes won't look cool enough.... Luckily, we ate in the food court where there was enough variety in a small area to please everyone. Refreshed, we continued. If we were on the top floor on the south end, then the store we were looking for was on the lower level in the north end. As soon as we would leave one store, someone would decide that the clothes we looked at there were just what was needed after all, and back we would go.
If not for the miracle of technology, we would have all been separated for good. Instant messaging on the cell phones actually came in handy. Eventually, all were tired, grumpy, and ready to go home. (Yes, the kids felt that way too)
Getting home after a long day and a lot of money, we were ready to collapse....but then the kids all found new energy some how and an instant fashion show appeared. Clothes were on and off, and modeled proudly. After the exhausting day, we were treated to our perfect moment... seeing the happy and excited faces of those that we thought would never be returning to school. We smiled, admired the clothes, and collapsed, satisfied that the long hours we had worked to make this day possible were perhaps a little bit appreciated after all.
One perfect moment.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
The Dentist
A trip to the dentist.
Well, the dentist actually sent me to the Oral Surgeon. I guess he didn't want to have to put up with my low pain tolerance.
So, I go make the appointment. No problem.
Take the day off from work. No problem.
Don't eat or drink the night before. No problem.
Wake up the next day and get ready to go. PROBLEM!
Apparently my fears all caught up with me the night before. The fact that my wife was watching "Trauma, Life in the ER" the night before didn't help. I argued for SportsCenter, but, oh well, thought I could handle a little hospital coverage.
After watching the people all in pain, with skull fractures, leg amputations, and gunshot wounds, I started to panic about my relatively mild upcoming appointment the next morning. Has anyone ever died from tooth extractions? Possibly, but I am sure the numbers are extremely low. So, I mustered up my courage, and passed by the unused coffee maker (How did they expect me to make it through the morning with out the best part of waking up?) and I headed to the ominous looking building down the street. (Actually just an ordinary looking building, but that doesn't sound as dramatic)
"Good Morning! You must be Scott" the cheery receptionist said, with a smile on her face. She must be a sadist and was looking forward to my pending torture. She handed me some forms to fill out and I sat down. One question was "...suffer from recent nausea, vomiting...." and I was tempted to answer YES. I checked the no box and continued. Basic questions....medical conditions, etc.... Then the final page. The one releasing them from liability if anything goes wrong. I read down the list of possible complications. Cuts in cheek or lips, bone chips, reactions to anethesia, jaw breakage.....JAW BREAKAGE?????? I admit, I tried to think of a reason to postpone everything right there. I waited for a freak power outage. I reluctanly took the forms up to the desk and waited.
Finally, after what seemed like minutes they called me to the back. I was put in the chair, hooked up to monitors and wires, covered with a large bib, and she left the room. I waited in the chair silently, waiting for the governor to call with a stay of execution.
The doctor walked in and I was relieved to see a man in his early to mid 50's, looking quite confident and experienced. I was expecting Doogie Howser to do the procedure. Then I wondered if perhaps this mature looking man did just get out of dental school, after a long career as an alignment specialist in the tire department at Sears, and just needed a change. Too late now to worry.
The needle.
"Make a fist with your left hand" he said. I did and closed my eyes and waited for the prick in the arm. He tapped....looking for a vein. Nothing. Perhaps I was to far gone already. No alarms were going off on the monitors, so I guess I was ok. He turned my fist over and poked the needle into a vein near my knuckles. I heard him say "Missed...." as I felt the stinging. The right arm. "Make a fist with you right hand" I heard. Eyes still closed I wondered if I would soon look like I was undergoing acupuncture. "Got it" he said as the needle slid in. Oxygen over my nose, and I remember them sticking something odd in my mouth to bite down on. Was I about to get shock therapy?
I opened my eyes and saw my wife sitting there. I was lying on a cot in what appeared to be a little doorless closet. Was I in the ER? What went wrong? I couldn't be done....I don't remember..... Then I was aware of pieces of gauze in my mouth and a funny feeling in my head. I heard someone telling instructions, and hoped she was getting all the information. I was only trying to stand up and not fall back down. We walked out, (she lead me out) and we were pointed to a side door. Apparently they won't let you leave through the main lobby, in case you were to scare away other patients as you stagger through, mubbling and drooling, looking like you stayed way past the last call at the local pub. I do remember trying to be funny, telling my wife I wanted to use the stairs as she pushed me into the elevator.
Wal Mart
I remember sitting in a chair in front of the pharmacy, and I must have written a check, because there is scribbling in my checkbook ledger, but other than that, it's all a blur. (I just hope I didn't leave there with another computer)
Home again.
Sleeping....waking....dizzy....hungry.....eating....pain.....dizzy.....pain killers....sleeping. Oh yeah, bleeding in there somewhere too.
The next day.
Did I make too much of a big deal out of going to get a few teeth pulled? Well perhaps, but that would not have been very interesting to read about then, would it? And after all that, the dentist kept the teeth so I didn't get a dime from the tooth fairy.
Monday, August 09, 2004
Shopping
I like going to Wal Mart.
Where else can you pick up a new outfit, toilet paper, and browse the five dollar dvd bin all in a matter of minutes?
I keep looking through the mammoth pile of movies, hoping to add Ishtar to my collection. As I cruise the aisles, looking at the piles of winter wear that everyone passed over for 6 months, wondering why the only sizes left are extra small, I usually forget what I came in the store for in the first place.
No problem.
I’ll just pick up some note paper and pens so I can write a list next time. Wow, that really big electric griddle is on sale. Just think of all the pancakes I could make at one time on that baby! At this point I wonder if I should have gotten a cart. I balance the notebooks (Yes, they were 3 for $5) and assorted pens on top of the large box with the griddle, I work my way to the back of the store, grabbing a new spatula to flip the pancakes with, and see the aisles of computer software.
What a brilliant idea!
With the right software, I could put my shopping list on my computer, and print it out before my weekly visit to this magical empire. That photo editing software looks like something I could use too. After all that work, I’ll need to relax, so a new game wouldn’t hurt. I drop some of the boxes as I try to reorganize, and continue on my way, hopefully to the checkout, as my arm is getting tired from the weight of the super griddle. I have to maneuver around the stack of HP computers, reading the box as I go. Three times the hard drive and much faster. Good price too. I scan the electronics department for some one in a blue vest, and smile and nod at him. He wanders over, seeing my arms full and asks if I need something. He assures me that someone could meet me up front with the computer and even help load it into my van.
We strike a deal and I happily walk up to the check outs. After proudly telling the cashier that a wondrous computer is on its way up front especially for me, I once again overspend on my trip here, but feel triumphant that I have the ultimate tool to make my life run smoothly.
I walk past the greeter/security people at the door, with another blue vested employee following behind pushing my PC on a cart. He helps load it into my vehicle, and I thank him, wondering if I am supposed to tip in this situation. He is gone before I can decide and I climb into my van.
I adjust the mirror so I can see around the huge expensive computer in the back and catch a glimpse of two day old stubble on my face. I frown, remembering that I came here for razors, and only razors. I get out of the van, head back into the store, repeating “razors” over and over in my head, quickly make the purchase and head home for the most expensive shave in my life.
Where else can you pick up a new outfit, toilet paper, and browse the five dollar dvd bin all in a matter of minutes?
I keep looking through the mammoth pile of movies, hoping to add Ishtar to my collection. As I cruise the aisles, looking at the piles of winter wear that everyone passed over for 6 months, wondering why the only sizes left are extra small, I usually forget what I came in the store for in the first place.
No problem.
I’ll just pick up some note paper and pens so I can write a list next time. Wow, that really big electric griddle is on sale. Just think of all the pancakes I could make at one time on that baby! At this point I wonder if I should have gotten a cart. I balance the notebooks (Yes, they were 3 for $5) and assorted pens on top of the large box with the griddle, I work my way to the back of the store, grabbing a new spatula to flip the pancakes with, and see the aisles of computer software.
What a brilliant idea!
With the right software, I could put my shopping list on my computer, and print it out before my weekly visit to this magical empire. That photo editing software looks like something I could use too. After all that work, I’ll need to relax, so a new game wouldn’t hurt. I drop some of the boxes as I try to reorganize, and continue on my way, hopefully to the checkout, as my arm is getting tired from the weight of the super griddle. I have to maneuver around the stack of HP computers, reading the box as I go. Three times the hard drive and much faster. Good price too. I scan the electronics department for some one in a blue vest, and smile and nod at him. He wanders over, seeing my arms full and asks if I need something. He assures me that someone could meet me up front with the computer and even help load it into my van.
We strike a deal and I happily walk up to the check outs. After proudly telling the cashier that a wondrous computer is on its way up front especially for me, I once again overspend on my trip here, but feel triumphant that I have the ultimate tool to make my life run smoothly.
I walk past the greeter/security people at the door, with another blue vested employee following behind pushing my PC on a cart. He helps load it into my vehicle, and I thank him, wondering if I am supposed to tip in this situation. He is gone before I can decide and I climb into my van.
I adjust the mirror so I can see around the huge expensive computer in the back and catch a glimpse of two day old stubble on my face. I frown, remembering that I came here for razors, and only razors. I get out of the van, head back into the store, repeating “razors” over and over in my head, quickly make the purchase and head home for the most expensive shave in my life.
This Day and Age
What a wonderful life we have in this day and age.
That’s what everyone tells me. So I wonder what they mean by “Day and age”.
Well, of course the day is easy to figure out, but I am not sure about the age remark. Do they mean now that I have turned 40? How could most people even know that. Besides, I don’t look a day over 37. Perhaps they are referring to the era of computers and technology. Why in fact I am typing this thanks to the genius of an overpriced and now outdated computer. It plays soothing music to me while I click away at the keys. There are scads of wonderful programs in it to make my life easier. It can calculate, schedule, edit pictures, even make movies and new cd’s.
However, most people that I talk to don’t even begin to use any of that. The computer just sits and collects dust, mainly because they don’t know how to use it. So if we are all coerced into thinking we cannot live without a computer, then buy one, and let it sit because it is intimidating, how does that make life better? Well, you can look anything up on the internet in an instant, if your internet provider is good and you can sort through all the pop up ads for discount airfare, showing us pictures of locations that we will never be able to afford to go to, because we sunk all of our money into this keyboard, screen and little square box that makes funny noises once in a while. If you can actually find the information you are looking for, you don’t actually have to even read it. You can save it in your pc, to be forgotten about like a Christmas toy on the 2nd of January.
What progress! Before you had to trudge to a public library, where there are no noises of televisions or video games, and look it up, then browse through volumes of classic literature and research material, until you find it, triumphant in the fact that you successfully used the Dewey Decimal system. After finding the material, you then had to sit in a comfortable chair, in the peaceful solitude and read. After absorbing the information and feeling refreshed, you could then take a nice walk home, weather permiting, and get exercise to boot!
Wow, that was horrible. I am sure glad those days are behind us.
That’s what everyone tells me. So I wonder what they mean by “Day and age”.
Well, of course the day is easy to figure out, but I am not sure about the age remark. Do they mean now that I have turned 40? How could most people even know that. Besides, I don’t look a day over 37. Perhaps they are referring to the era of computers and technology. Why in fact I am typing this thanks to the genius of an overpriced and now outdated computer. It plays soothing music to me while I click away at the keys. There are scads of wonderful programs in it to make my life easier. It can calculate, schedule, edit pictures, even make movies and new cd’s.
However, most people that I talk to don’t even begin to use any of that. The computer just sits and collects dust, mainly because they don’t know how to use it. So if we are all coerced into thinking we cannot live without a computer, then buy one, and let it sit because it is intimidating, how does that make life better? Well, you can look anything up on the internet in an instant, if your internet provider is good and you can sort through all the pop up ads for discount airfare, showing us pictures of locations that we will never be able to afford to go to, because we sunk all of our money into this keyboard, screen and little square box that makes funny noises once in a while. If you can actually find the information you are looking for, you don’t actually have to even read it. You can save it in your pc, to be forgotten about like a Christmas toy on the 2nd of January.
What progress! Before you had to trudge to a public library, where there are no noises of televisions or video games, and look it up, then browse through volumes of classic literature and research material, until you find it, triumphant in the fact that you successfully used the Dewey Decimal system. After finding the material, you then had to sit in a comfortable chair, in the peaceful solitude and read. After absorbing the information and feeling refreshed, you could then take a nice walk home, weather permiting, and get exercise to boot!
Wow, that was horrible. I am sure glad those days are behind us.
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