Thursday, November 25, 2010

Quote on Life and Dreams

The New England Patriots' three Vince Lombardi...Image via Wikipedia
“For me life is about execution. If you want to make something happen you have to find a way to execute your wishes.”


Robert Kraft – Owner New England Patriots.

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HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

This Ugly World

The headquarters of eBay in San Jose, Californ...Image via Wikipedia
I was watching an episode of a show on Showtime called “The Big C” about a lady that has cancer, and has been hiding it from her family. She decided to not seek treatment, but rather chose to enjoy the rest of the life she had left. She has a brother whom is homeless by choice, and lives and eats off the land, and the occasional dumpster. His life for the most part has kind of grown on me, and sometimes I wish that I could just walk off in the distance, and let it all go. NO $200,000 house, NO $55,000 trucks….NO cell phones, NO new clothes… you get the idea. Think about how liberating that kind of existence could or would be. No job either, because you don’t have anything to pay for, just a simple existence, enjoying the world as God intended. When Jesus walked the earth he traveled from town to town teaching, and was always fed, had a place to sleep and I bet it was really nice, not the place to sleep, but the lifestyle. Think about all the stress out the window…no IRS cause you have no income….you could do small jobs to get a little money to buy the necessities like soap and deodorant and a can of tuna. If you’re like me though, you have bought into everyone else’s idea of what life is supposed to be, and now live in debt, so you have to work. Which takes up all your time, and when you have free time; you are too tired to enjoy it….all this for a green piece of fabric that we call MONEY. Money is not bad, in fact, it is nice to have money, have all the toys, and still live the simple life, because you have no debt. I guess that is what we are all striving for right? After all “the love” of money is the root of all evil, not the money itself or having it. But with that being said, what an ugly, ugly world we live in. At this moment my wife has an aunt she loves dearly, being held after being kidnapped for ransom in Mexico, by one of the drug cartels for, MONEY.




Next week some of you will be lucky enough to be off work to see your family for Thanksgiving, and some of you will slave away, and only get to spend maybe one day with your family, if your lucky, because you have to return to work for MONEY. It is really sad to me….I look around and I really don’t need all this stuff, that I thought I really NEEDED at the time I wasted MONEY on it. I would love to live in the National Forest somewhere. In a small shack by a beautiful river to bath in, where it is not to cold, or to hot in the extremes of the seasons, and just ponder life. In the world today, you would be called a bum or a loser, but I think it would really be stress free, and could add years to your life if you still got your yearly check-ups, and took good care of yourself…grow your own food, build what you need, and have a hobby that you could make a small amount of money off of: like painting, or woodworking, writing, carving, so many things that you could set yourself up with after you sold all the crap you don’t need. Just a dream of mine I guess. It really could all be looked at like, I am selfish, or lazy, which I admit to both, but I think we all are a bit of both, to our own extents of toleration.



I think I read, or saw, on the news where the “average” not the wealthy, or the poor, but the “average” American home has somewhere around $25,000 of stuff, that they could do without. It is simply not used as often as intended or not at all. Like that treadmill in my living room that could be replaced by a jog around the block. I know I have that much and more…just some of it would be harder to part with than other stuff. I guess I will try with a small amount first, say $5000. So Ebay here I come. I will let you guys know how it goes, and what I chose to give up. I know the other day I was talking to my wife about putting a satellite receiver in our son’s room, and I figured that I have had Direct TV for 10 years now, and my average monthly bill is $110 so that’s about $13,200 that I have spent, just on TV, that makes me sick. I guess I could start there, but then again that is where I got my inspiration to write this in the first place. I hope you all will take some time to see what I am really grasping at here, only a small change and maybe it will help someone…maybe a child will get a gift this year for Christmas that normally would not get anything, just from the sell of an old crock pot on Ebay. I wish blessings on you all and I hope the Holidays bring joy to each and every one of you! God Bless.



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Friday, September 17, 2010

Children and Self Esteem

This photo of a rural child was photographed b...Image via Wikipedia
It's often been said that children learn what they live. So if you're looking for a place to start helping your child build positive self esteem and self value, then you should show them your positive sense of self and strong self esteem. Be positive when you speak about yourself and highlight your strengths. This will teach your child that it's okay to be proud of their talents, skills and abilities.




Your child also benefits greatly from honest and positive praise. Find something about them to praise each day. You could even give your child a task you know they can complete and then praise them for a job well done after they're finished. Show your child that positive acts merit positive praise.



When your child's feeling sad, angry or depressed, communicate openly, honestly and patiently with them. Listen to them without judging or criticizing. They may not fully understand why they feel the way they do, so the opportunity to communicate with you about it may be what's needed to help them sort through a difficult situation. Suggest positive behaviors and options as solutions, and make sure to leave that door of communication open so they know the next time they feel badly, they can come to you for help and know that you won't judge or punish them for how they're feeling.



Teach your child the importance of setting goals and developing a plan to meet that goal and complete that task. Small projects are the best to start off with in the beginning. Ensure that it's an appropriate task for your child, and not too complex. Don't only give praise at the end of the project, but praise their accomplishments during the project as well.



Most importantly, tell your child "I love you" each and every day - many times throughout the day, in fact. When they've behaved badly, remind yourself that it's not them you don't like, only their behavior. Tuck short, sweet notes in their lunchboxes or coat pockets, or even send them a card in the mail. Soon, they'll learn to say "I love you" just as easily and honestly in return.

 
-Taken from the Greeting Card Newsletter
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Wednesday, September 8, 2010

The Average Person

UFO Sighting in Melbourne!Image by Podknox via Flickr
Let’s talk average for a bit.




· The average person lies about 4 timers per day.

· The average person says the word “Like” 90 times per day.

· 46% of men say they make the bed each day.

· Over half of all Americans ignore this common safety procedure, not washing produce.

· On average this item will be handled twenty times before it’s purchase. Greeting Card.

· 3 out of 4 people do this on their first day of vacation. Turn around to get something they forgot.

· This happens to the average person three times a month. Get your picture taken.

· 4 out of 10 Americans do this although it is dangerous. Eat raw cookie dough.

· About 33% of us have worn a price tag to work.

· This happens every three minutes somewhere on earth. A UFO sighting.

· The average person keeps one of these for 7 years. Couch or sofa.

· 34% of women do this everyday. Take a nap.

· According to one study, once you begin, the average argument lasts 25 minutes.

· 27% of adults have done this in their lives against their will. Take Piano lessons.

· 42% of people admit this will cause them to form a negative opinion about someone. Sweat stains.

· During your lifetime you will consume about 2.5 gallons of pool water.

· It takes the average woman 20 seconds to walk down an aisle in the grocery store.

· The average cost of a pregnancy is $7,539.

· The average Sumo Wrestler weighs 280 pounds.

· 82% of children have been dishonest with their parents about brushing their teeth.



Just a few little AVERAGE things I thought you might like to know.

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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

New York

NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 10:  Snow covers streets n...Image by Getty Images via @daylife
Vulgar of manner, overfed,
Overdressed and underbred;

Crazed with avarice, lust, and rum,
New York, thy name's Delirium.
                 -B. R. Newton, Owed to New York (1906)

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Wednesday, August 25, 2010

The Art of War

Sterile Female Worker Wasp Morphology. It can ...Image via Wikipedia
I really love animals. This includes all insects, spiders, and even the snakes that most of you are afraid of, but if they try to invade my home, it means war! The other day as I opened the door to the patio, a wasp tried to fly in, but I was able to swat him back outside with my hand. Successfully knocking him back outside, but making him furious at the same time, he flew right back at me, hitting my arm within the blink of an eye. I was hit. The itching and stinging started immediately. I surveyed the damage, it was just a small sting on the forearm, but oh hell no, the war was full scale now. I looked at the French doors and sure enough they were waiting. They had two fighters posted, one on each door, and soon as I walked out they both came at me. I knocked one to the ground with a swat from my right hand and the other I caught with the back of the same. I captured the first one, which had also stung me, and put him in a McDonald's cup and put the lid on. The other I caught in a paper towel, and took him inside as a P.O.W. to interrogate. I removed one wing and placed him on the floor, but he would not give up the location of their nest, so I went ahead and exterminated him, slowly. Now I focused on the original attacker, for him I thought about two hours in the blistering sun in the cup would work, but that was not good enough for the one who started this war. 35 seconds in the microwave did the trick though. Now they are gone, and the rest of their troop, if they even existed, have moved on too. Never let your guard down, so I still keep an eye out for spies.
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Sunday, August 22, 2010

Silence Revisited

Mementomori1Image via Wikipedia
I hope some of you have the God given sense to at least try the “silence” test that I posted about last month. I can’t seem to keep my mouth shut, and it just seems to dig holes for me. The people I feel the most for, seem to have less and less respect for me as I age, even though I have given most of my time for them at the drop of a hat, and sacrificed more than any man should ever have to. I have done that and numerous other things that sapped me of my life force, and emotions for over a year dealing with the death of my parents. I took care of it all; no one had to raise a hand, unless they wanted. I did it all, I shouldered it, and carried my own cross and several others, and have never had a thank you thrown my way except from my sister who seems to understand the strength it took to do what I did. Everyone else is just blind to what I went through, or just don’t give a shit. Well I am slowly learning that if I would just keep my mouth shut, things would be fine so it’s nothing but my fault, so I blame me and myself only. My brother and sister are there for me, and I know that, but they are not here, so I can’t really get help from them, so I rely on strangers, and I guess that really brings me down. When my brother and sister are in, the last thing I want is to ask them to help me with work or other things that would take their time that they have to visit, and relax….they come here to unwind, and I would not have it any other way, so that is that.  I guess I really just need to get this off my chest without talking, so this is my only outlet, the internet world were I can vent and no one really cares, so thanks for listening. :) Until next time, get off your ass and plant something!
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Thursday, August 19, 2010

With or Without Olive Oyl

Bud Sagendorf's cover of Popeye #50 (Oct.-Dec....Image via Wikipedia
Watched some cartoons today, like any other day.  But today it finally dawned on me, after many episodes of Popeye, from the late thirties, that Olive Oyl is really a very skinny ho!  Sure she is Popeye's "goil" but as soon as Bluto shows up, she is also Up for grabs.  Then when she realizes the evil in Bluto, she hollers like a bitch in heat for Popeye to save her; which he always does.  I dated a few girls like this in my younger days, they were mine until something a little richer or appealing in some way passed by.  You would think there was a shortage of the male essence, it never lasted long either.  I usually always took them back too, but without the care I once had, they became just a toy for me, and boy was that fun!
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Meet Your Best Friend.....Your Brain

A chimpanzee brain at the Science Museum LondonImage via Wikipedia
Do you really believe that your brain is your friend? Think about this for a moment. Think about the times you needed to get up early, to get something done.  On a morning that something had to be done by a certain time, like a final exam, or something else very important. The alarm goes off, and what does your brain tell you? “Hit snooze, a few more minutes of sleep won’t hurt”, it has told you this many times. Then after you finally do get up, ten minutes too late to get ready in time, your brain tells you that you were stupid to stay in bed for that long, or that now you’ve really messed up and it’s all your fault. So one minute the brain is your best friend, the next your worst enemy. Anyone else experience this or am I really crazy?
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Thursday, August 12, 2010

A Little about Obama

Around 1979 Obama started college at Occidental in California . He is very open about his two years at Occidental, he tried all kinds of drugs and was wasting his time but, even though he had a brilliant mind, did not apply himself to his studies. 'Barry' (that was the name he used all his life) during this time had two roommates, Muhammad Hasan Chandoo and Wahid Hamid, both from Pakistan . During the summer of 1981, after his second year in college, he made a 'round the world' trip. Stopping to see his mother in Indonesia , next Hyderabad in India , three weeks in Karachi , Pakistan where he stayed with his roommate's family, then off to Africa to visit his father's family. My question - Where did he get the money for this trip? When he came back he started school at Columbia University in New York . It is at this time he wants everyone to call him Barack - not Barry. Do you know what the tuition is at Columbia ? Where did he get money for tuition? Student Loans? Maybe. After Columbia , he went to Chicago to work as a Community Organizer for $12,000 a year. Why Chicago ? Why not New York ? He was already living in New York .



By 'chance' he met Antoin 'Tony' Rezko, born in Aleppo Syria , and a real estate developer in Chicago . Rezko has been convicted of fraud and bribery. Rezko, was named 'Entrepreneur of the Decade' by the Arab-American Business and Professional Association'. About two years later, Obama entered Harvard Law School . Do you have any idea what tuition is for Harvard Law School ? Where did he get the money for Law School ? More student loans? After Law school, he went back to Chicago . Rezko offered him a job, which he turned down. But, he did take a job with Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland. Guess what? They represented 'Rezar' which is Rezko's firm. Rezko was one of Obama's first major financial contributors when he ran for office in Chicago . In 2003, Rezko threw an early fundraiser for Obama which Chicago Tribune reporter David Mendelland claims was instrumental in providing Obama with 'seed money' for his U.S. Senate race. In 2005, Obama purchased a new home in Kenwoood District of Chicago for $1.65 million (less than asking price). With ALL those Student Loans - Where did he get the money for the property? On the same day Rezko's wife, Rita, purchased the adjoining empty lot for full price. The London Times reported that Nadhmi Auchi, an Iraqi-born Billionaire loaned Rezko $3.5 million three weeks before Obama's new home was purchased. Obama met Nadhmi Auchi many times with Rezko.


Now, we have Obama as our President. Valerie Jarrett, was Michele Obama's boss. She is now Obama's chief advisor and he does not make any major decisions without talking to her first. Where was Jarrett born? Ready for this? Shiraz , Iran ! Do we see a pattern here? Or am I going crazy?


On May 10, 2008 The Times reported, Robert Malley, advisor to Obama, was 'sacked' after the press found out he was having regular contacts with 'Hamas', which controls Gaza and is connected with Iran . This past week, buried in the back part of the papers, Iraqi newspapers reported that during Obama's visit to Iraq, he asked their leaders to do nothing about the war until after he is elected, and he will 'Take care of things'.

Oh, and by the way, remember the college roommates that where born in Pakistan ? They are in charge of all those 'small' Internet campaign contributions for Obama. Where is that money coming from? The poor and middle class in this country? Or could it be from the Middle East ?

And the final bit of news. On September 7, 2008, The Washington Times posted a verbal slip that was made on 'This Week' with George Stephanapoulos. Obama on talking about his religion said, 'My Muslim faith'. When questioned, 'he made a mistake'. Some mistake!


All of the above information was gotten online and researched by Marlene.

Friday, August 6, 2010

Lemonade, or NOT

It’s hot, very hot.  How about a glass of cold lemonade. Well, that’s what a 7-year-old girl at a county art fair was set up to do this week. Her recipe consisted of first using hand sanitizer, and then 2 cups of sugar, 2 packets of lemonade, and bottled water, along with bagged ice. Sounds safe to me. That all went to hell in a handbag along with her entrepreneurial spirit when the health inspector showed up and shut the little girl's stand down because she did not have the $120 vendor license that the county requires. If she had the license, she probably could have been mixing it in an old toilet and that would have been okay because the county had their $120. This is really crossing the line in my book.

 “The land of opportunity”, as long as you secure the proper funding to buy the licenses you need to have the "opportunity”, if not then well your shit out of luck in this county.

So here we go again, another dream flushed away because the giant government (we have created) needed their part of the proceeds first.
I swear!

Friday, July 30, 2010

Physics, Karma, and the Afterlife

One of the laws of physics says that, a body at rest tends to stay at rest, unless an outside force acts upon it. I think this explains the reason I have such a hard time getting up in the morning. Another important law of physics states: that for every action, there is an equal, but opposite reaction. This is the one that I have the most interest in, and I think it might be linked to Karma for those of you who believe in it. Basically what goes around comes around. Some religions believe in Karma strongly. They basically believe that every good thing you do will be repaid and every bad thing you do will also haunt you later on. Who am I to argue with that, makes since to me. I wonder how it works though. I wonder if it happens here or in the afterlife? If there is a so-called “afterlife” at all. I have to believe that there is something after this life. If not then what’s it all for? So after this life, I have taken the stance that something else awaits us…but what? I don’t know. Since we are on the subject will only humans have life after death, or I wonder if animals have a spirit or some type of life force that will enable them to be in the afterlife too? For instance, my dog Oscar that I really care a lot about, I wonder when we both reach the afterlife, will I get to see him, or recognize his life-force? Will I see my parents or do we all just have a little light that shines, like the song little kids sing in Christian churches. This little light of mine. I guess these are questions that we all have asked ourselves at sometime or other, but I think about this stuff a lot. It’s interesting to me. This is another good one: A man and a woman get married. A few years later the man dies, and after a few years of grieving the woman gets married again. They live a long happy life together and then die. In the afterlife whom will she be with? If anyone? Her first or last husband, how would this make the first guy feel? Or the second depending on who she chooses.  Its things like this that make me believe that love and affection must be different in the afterlife and emotion, as we know it, must be different or not exist. Leave a comment on your thoughts and beliefs, and why you believe what you do. If you can back it up with a Bible verse, Vedic Knowledge, or something from the Quran, or other Holy writing, I would like to read it so please comment.

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Stealing Souls

The tingling that littered my spine was not enough to make me stop pursuing the passion that I felt by running away with stolen souls. Actually they are easy to get, some are on sell every day you just have to know where to look. If the devil can buy souls I can too. I’ll be damned if he will corner the market; or I just might be anyway for taking part in the sale, and of course for actually stealing something so cosmic that it is impossible to explain to mere mortals the context of which cannot be seen in this dimension.

Sunday, July 25, 2010

What Has The American Government REALLY Done?

I really believe that the elected representatives and the bureaucrats that they have appointed, which may not hold your ideas of government at heart, but are not voted for, merely appointed, are tearing the country apart. For their shallow promises of no tax increases, reformed health care, and better education programs, we have given them the keys to the country. They have spent and spent and even enacted unconstitutional entitlement programs that have run this country’s finances into the ground. Now they seem to have no respect for the countries Founding Fathers or their ideals, and a growing disrespect for the countries founding documents. These documents contain provisions to allow the people to STOP this out of control bureaucratic machine in its tracks. We just need leaders who have the backbone to stand up and do it!

So I charge every Red Blooded American, when you go to the polls and after your elected officials are in office, make them realize the people are their BOSSES not their footstools. Some Americans that feel the same as I, have already started by creating a Campaign that will help us all get this country turned around. With our heads held high we can become the America that we dream of being. You can get more information on this at: www.Campaignforliberty.com.

Please join the fight to help your country, and preserve your rights while you still have them.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

A Walk Through My Mind

Once distant disturbances now closer, I can hear them now and wonder what they mean. I feel alone and the world becomes a small room with walls that seem to be closing in. I really know its all in my head, or is it? Friends don’t understand, or don’t want to; it’s hard to find someone to talk to that can actually understand what I mean. It’s so simple, yet very complicated, all at the same time, like a silent noise that is deafening.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Experiments in Life

Okay so this post will hopefully shed a little light on the crazy things that make me tick, and a few things that I think we could all use, at least to experiment with.

I like the smell of:
  • Freshly cut grass
  • Rain on hot days
  • Gasoline (yes gasoline, just the smell, I don't huff gas okay!)
  • Fresh ground coffee beans

I hate spineless people. I am proud to say that I take pride in saying exactly what I think.....which gets me in trouble sometimes, and sometimes it gets others in trouble too.
I wish friends were forever, and nobody held grudges.
I think it is awesome when someone is looking for something and they find it.  ( like love, I'm not talking about car keys here.)

I wish I could:
  • Keep my mouth shut.
  • Be humble.
  • Admit that I might be wrong sometimes.
Remember that no matter how bad it seems, you will probably laugh about it in a year.
Remember that your favorite music is the best in the world, but other people's music is too!
Try hard everyday to be first at something...try even harder to be last.
If you see something on someone that you like, tell them, if you see something you don't like, tell no one.

And last but not least, when driving, wave at people you don't know....it really makes them think.

Monday, July 19, 2010

Clueless America

Okay let's see, the dollar is on a roller coaster, and gold is at an all time high. Oil is in the ocean, (I thought that stuff was expensive), show’s what I know. Still all I can find to read about is Lindsey Lohan's bad hair, and jail. Jessica Simpson's fatter lips or was that hips, and who blew it on the red carpet with bad clothing, and a couple of so-called celebs that are saving the planet from global warming. If we could take the money used to snap shots and write articles about these clueless people we might be able to use those funds, and help the ever growing real problems mentioned above that is choking middle class America off the globe as I write this. Oh yes, I would help too, but see I'm one of the one's getting batted about. The gulf coast is out of work, I'm sure less drilling out there must make gas go up, everything else does.  So, yes I think it will be a double dip recession.  I will rant more later, for now I need some bread and water (from the tap)!!


Until later.... plant something!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Perfect Shot

The sound of the ball bouncing off the old wooden floor echoed in the gym as I dribbled down the court with only a few seconds left in the game. As I approached the half court line the defensive onslaught started and I passed the ball off. I received the ball back and instantly made a brake for the goal and was fouled, but the shot went in! We were now one point down and there were three seconds on the clock. The question of what to do now exposed itself with a resounding pulse in my fingertips that were full of blood being cursed by the veins that carried it and it’s straining pressure. Do I make the free throw and have a chance to go into over-time, or miss and plan on the rebound being awarded us, and a shot to win. The coach signaled for me to miss the shot…. I knew he would because of his young ambition. As I lined up for the shot, the gym was so quiet you could hear a pin drop and then the opponents started to yell and scream with the intensity of a space shuttle launch. I shot the ball as planned. It rolled of my fingers effortlessly and headed for the rim. When the two collided it sounded like someone had hit the edge of a huge bass drum with a baseball bat. The ball made a quick jump back in my direction. I jumped and caught my own rebound and looked to the clock for the most important of all information, the time. One second just went off, and the tenths were starting to roll off like rocks down a steep hill. I dribbled and took a few steps towards the paint. I jumped and then released the ball with only a couple of ticks left, then the horn sounded like an alarm for a tornado drill, or some other emergency. The game had ended with the ball still live after my shot. If it goes in we win, if not then we lose. The ball had rolled off my hand perfectly with the groves gripping my fingertips like tape and the arch was perfect like a surgeon with his scalpel, and the shot looked textbook. It was the most important shot of my young life, and it seemed to take place in slow motion as the crowd now silenced watched the ball headed for its target spinning backwards in perfect harmony with the air. The crowd screamed.

Friday, July 16, 2010

The Christian Debauchery

It seems to care, is to place the burdens of society on your mind, and dwell on the never-ending discourse of paving the way for the chosen deranged. Maybe it’s the chosen ideas of this great land to suffer in ignorance and feed the system until it is stuffed with the feedings of gluttony, greed, and of course vanity. All the while, hiding behind the stained glass to have a sense of worth, or justification that creates contradiction in the belief of who is the better student of life. These are the ones who create the cycle and believe they have actually accomplished some form of divinity, or progress with a broken system.

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Tired Today!

A feeling, for which I have no name, has taken possession of my soul- a sensation which will admit of no analysis, to which the lessons of by-gone time are inadequate, and for which I fear futurity itself will offer me no key.   -     Edgar Allan Poe

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Welfares New Application

Like most people in this country, I have a job. I work, and get paid. I pay my taxes, which in turn keeps the government going.
In order to work where I work, so I can get my paycheck, I am required to take a random drug test. I pass the test no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a drug test, and still get a check. So shouldn't someone have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check, because I have to pass one to earn it for him or her in the first place? I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting at home doing drugs while I work.
Another thing I think that needs to be implemented is that to receive government assistance, I believe that each person drawing that check should be on birth control. Administered as a shot at the health clinic every three months. They must have the proof of the shot administered to get their check. The process of the welfare system is to help you get back on your feet, and able to work again, not support a baby machine so that the more children you have, the more money your check will be. The state (my tax dollars) also has to pick up the bill on the baby, and the insurance on the children. Do I see this as a civil rights violation? Not while these people want to live off of the governments money. They can give up a few rights, and maybe this will motivate them to get back to work ASAP.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Stupidity is Killing this Country

I just read an article where Lady GaGa played a piano that John Lennon once played that was at his mom's house I believe, and the whole lot of Beatles fans were going nuts.  Who really cares?  I guess it is better to just let the thing rot?  I mean some people need to get a grip.  This country is going to hell in a hand basket very quickly.  First we need to stop the bleeding by focusing on problems, not celebrities that have no clue, and then get someone in the White House that can at least half way run the business at hand.  Maybe he can at least start by focusing on a better state of the union.  It looks as though the oil leak might be stopped this time.  I say that with my fingers crossed.  We also really need to put money in green energy companies, and let's stop our dependence on oil and clean the gulf.  I saw a picture today of a sea bird, of some kind, covered in oil and it really made me sad.  I wish I could go clean the whole thing up, but I can't.  I will however, continue to bitch until it happens.  Believe me, if I lived close enough I would be volunteering, but I don't so I will give my support from here just as I do for our troops, and hope a few people read this and pass it on. 

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Spying on the neighbors

I sat on my back porch and peered across the small meadow and noticed the line of balloons including all colors of the rainbow. Spiderman was lynched about 12 feet in the air. He was full of candy and would later be the highlight of the afternoon festivities. Music was playing and the voice singing sounded like the Chipmunks, in Spanish of course. The children, at least twenty in all, were running around in little groups and jumping after Spiderman, and occasionally screams out of the younger ones echoed though the neighborhood. I couldn’t tell if it was pain from a fall, or joy that caused the screeching, but it overshadowed the chipmunk music by far. The music being in Spanish was unfamiliar to me, although I caught the words “Te Quiero” which I knew meant, “I love you”.


This was I assumed a birthday celebration at the Sotelos. They had a party of some sort every weekend. This weekend of course was no different, children running, and screaming, and me on my back porch watching and recollecting my younger years, although I don’t remember the excitement I saw here, I’m sure it existed.

I could always pick out Horacio Sotello from the rest. He had a large gut and his arms moved at a rapid pace, even though he was moving at a low speed, when he walked. He was also a very nice person and good neighbor. He kept his place clean and well groomed with his army of children. I could tell they were a tight family with all the festivities each and every weekend. This I just remembered was also Memorial weekend so that might have been the cause for the party, but I doubt that would call for a piƱata. Or would it?

I watched as more people started to arrive. It’s like a contest to see who could park closest to the front door, or in this case, the activities. The sky was very dark with low clouds and the chance of rain was increasing, I found myself hoping that the rain held off for them even thought I was not involved. They always give me a laugh or two just watching from a far. The last time I recall they had a group over that spent the night in tents and the next morning playing Red Rover. I laughed until I cried watching the little kids try to break through. I guess they were all around nine or ten years old with a few kids around four years old thrown in here and there. The oldest and I guess the organizer was Horacio’s little sister. I guess she is probably around 30, but not much bigger than some of the kids. They would always take her to their side if they broke through. So she got to play on both sides a lot. It was a fun game to watch, I remembered playing when I was a kid at school.

Saturday, July 10, 2010

Music for the Masses

Over the past few years the artist known as Prince, and then a symbol, and now Prince again was a huge supporter of the internet, and it's powerful distribution abilities.  He even created sites and charged loads of money for people to download music from his own "Napster" type sites. Except, they only contained music from the sign guy.  Now he claims the internet is dead.  What?  Dead! I call "yeah right" on this one.  I think that the fact that his sites didn't bring in the revenue that real world touring does, or the direct selling of digital material like a CD; he declares it dead.  I have seen many artists' call it quits and blame the industry platform for their misplaced talents or bad decisions.  Now I definitely am not knocking the music genius of the man.  He is very talented.  You just can't abuse a vehicle of distribution choice for years, soak it up, and then declare it dead when it no longer works for you.  I say if you are scared that your music will end up digitally copied and stolen, then only play live shows, and don't allow any recording devices.  I know you are thinking what about cell phones, but I personally have not ever heard a live recording on a cell phone that I could hardly understand, so I don't really think that would be a real problem.  I know you might still be able to record, but the sound quality would suck.  So now play live and forget about bootleg material because it's quality would suck terribly and would not be of any use to anyone.  But I really don't think the internet is going away just because a man, that cannot keep the same name for more than a few years, thinks it can no longer serve him.

In fact, I like I-tunes, and use it regularly.  I download and pay for the songs I like, and don't have to buy all the filler material on the CD that the music giants use so they can put a CD on the store shelves.

So I say Prince just chill out dude, the internet will still be here when we are both long gone.

Friday, July 9, 2010

Faults not of our fault.

I am pretty quick to point out flaws I see in others, usually physical ones.  I guess this means I have a lot of audacity considering the following:  I am short (bad trait for a man), I am overly irritable, and for some reason a few people love me just like I am. After considering all of this I have tried to change, and this is my wish for us all today.  I wish we all could:
  • Behold all of God's beautiful creations, and realize that if it was created by God then there can't be any flaws only differences, because God doesn't make mistakes.
  • Treat each person we meet as if it will be the last time we will ever see them.
  • And most importantly LOVE unconditionally.

Chris S.

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Dollars and cents.....is it just CHANGE?

There’s oil in the ocean, Iran is close to having nukes, and China is in line to take our place as the world’s great superpower. We are fighting three wars: one in Iraq, one in Afghanistan, and one on our southern border. With over regulation and big government our jobs go overseas and more and more people have to draw a government check. This gives me pause. Will my savings that is in dollars be worth anything in ten years, or should I buy over priced or very highly priced gold? Maybe even silver. Now that’s a thought it’s been close to 80 bucks per ounce in the early eighties, and now it’s around $17. Seems to me it’s a better buy than gold, which is very high at the time. Doesn’t the seller’s motto of “buy low sell high” mean anything here?


Maybe it would be best for us all if the world did end in 2012, but I’m not really ready to go yet. I haven’t even packed my bags. I have so many unfulfilled dreams and goals that if given half a chance, I might be able to best a few of them. I would love to travel to parts of the world that I’ve never seen, only read about how the weather is awesome and stays the same all year. Where an American dollar can buy a beer and a cigarette, wow I would love to go now…. but what about my captivity I wrote about? All those bills that I created must be paid. So as a devoted citizen with my credit score dipped in gold I must trod onward leaving the rest to books that hopefully someone will be able to tell me how the world looks on the other side of the hill. How the sunsets are more beautiful each day, and with your toes in the sand you have no worries except getting to the airport in time to make that flight home to get back to the grindstone like those of us that never leave.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Celebrity Politicians

It really is an insult to think that we believe all the fabrications of the politicians, and their continual belief that they are not merely representing the people, but are in fact above the very people they represent. The problem with today's politicians is that they live in a dream world where they are on a pedestal, and believe they should be treated as celebrities or even idols.

I don't know about you, but I don't want a politician or celebrity handling my tax money to start with.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Silence

I try to not talk so much anymore. It is totally opposite of my personality, so when I am successful at it, everyone that knows me thinks something is wrong. I have found that by not communicating I save a lot of energy that I would otherwise have to use to explain to everyone how I am always right. They say silence is a virtue, but not expressing judgement at all, is divine. So I guess I should Shut Up!!

Be good to yourself, remember you only have one life, (that we know of), so do something each day that scares you....I do....I wake up!

Chris S.

Monday, July 5, 2010

Chancing the return of true Freedom?

When I was young I had everything, I was a king. Now I'm older and a captive in this life I've created. My fortune vested in captivity, now I long for that freedom again....
To find it, is to lose everything I have, and am.
To let go of it, is to remain a captive on a ship built by me.

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Energy 101

ENERGY....great stuff! Kids have it in unending supply, Companies that have it, sell it, or spill it in the ocean. I, on the other hand, can't seem to find any at all. Really I believe that I have plenty it just ends up being wasted on my many needless worries.

HAPPY 4TH to you all!!